THE MONUMENT OF MATRONS: containing seven several Lamps of Virginity, or distinct treatises; whereof the first five concern prayer and meditation: the other two last, precepts and examples, as the worthy works partly of men, partly of women; compiled for the necessary use of both sexes out of the sacred Scriptures, and other approved authors, by THOMAS BENTLEY of Gray'S Inn Student.  Luke. 12, 35. Let your loins be girt about, and your lamps burn clearly. 2. Tim. 2, 19 Let every one that calleth upon the name of the Lord depart from iniquity. 
Printed by H. Denham.    

A prayer upon the posy prefixed.  
Almighty God and most merciful Father, who in mercy hast ordained these lamps for thy chosen virgins, and commanded that with our loins girt about, and our lamps burning bright, we should take heed and be ready to execute the charge, which is committed unto us, and watch full warily and continually in our several callings by fervent and instant prayer for the coming of thy son our spiritual Spouse, sovereign Lord, and sweet Saviour JESUS: giving us in the mean season diverse gifts and talents to occupy and employ till he come; and setting daily before our eyes the just judgement, that he shall execute and give in that dreadful day of his sudden coming, both upon the quick and dead; do thou vouchsafe even thine own self (we pray thee) to gird and compass our joins about, that no iniquity have power over us, nor we decline or bow to any sin. Oh suffer us not to take that contentation or vain delight and pleasure of any thing in this wretched world, that may lull or bring us fast asleep in the cursed cradle of senseless security: nor with the foolish virgins to neglect the hour and day of our last visitation, or to forget to wait and attend for thine appearing in the clouds. But so direct us (we beseech thee) in this short race of our perilous pilgrimage by thy holy spirit our heavenly lodesman, that in the lawful use of thy good gifts whatsoever bestowed upon us, our chiefest care may always be to departed from all iniquity, and how with them we may live soberly to ourselves, holily to thee, and uprightly to the world, and thereby gain much profit and fruit to the better increase of thy kingdom.  
Moreover, make thou our lamps to burn clear and bright in the sight of men and Angels; and keep thou them light and ever burning: that our love towards thee wax never key cold, nor our charity towards our neighbour be quite extinguished, nor yet our faith, devotion, zeal, and gifts of the spirit be utterly quenched in us. But being evermore both within and without kindled, enlightened, and inflamed by thee, which art a consuming fire, and a purifying flame of unspeakable fervent heat: let all our thoughts, words, and works be always directed to do thy holy will and righteous judgements, that in all our works begun, continued, and ended in thee, we may ever glorify thy holy and reverent name.  
Finally, make us very carefully to keep this castle of our souls and temple of the holy Ghost (our bodies I mean) pure, holy, and undefiled: and to watch continually in all manner of well doing unto the end: that when thy Son our heavenly bridegroom shall come to judge the world, to condemn the wicked, to reject the reprobate, to cast away the unprofitable, and to shut the gates of heaven against all unbelievers and reckless virgins; he finding us heedful, watchful, praying, well occupied and ready, as those that have been very well content with our estates here for the time, and having our lamps filled brim full of the oil of his righteousness, grace, mercy, and merits, may (thereby only) escape the heavy judgement and direful doom of the dreadful day: and not perish in that common destruction and general desolation of the wicked worldlings, and unprofitable servants; but be received to himself as those that are made worthy only by him, joyfully to enter with him and all the elect and chosen wise virgins, into the celestial wedding chamber of thine eternal kingdom: there and then to possess that mansion place, which before all worlds thou hast prepared for thy chosen, and to receive (of his gift) that which here now with deep sighs and groans we greatly long for: that is, even the salvation of our souls, and the coronation of thy gifts in us: that both with thee (o Father) and with him thy Son, in the unity of the holy Ghost, we may live and reign in the full perfection, holiness and purity of his everlasting virginity, to bless, praise, and glorify thee, o glorious and blessed Trinity, with all virgins, angels, and creatures, by all ages, throughout all eternity,  
Amen: Amen, Amen.   

To the most virtuous Lady and Christian Princess, Queen ELIZABETH, grace and peace from God the Father through Christ jesus our Saviour.  
THE King of eternal glory, who hath thus loved England in setting your Highness on the throne of his majesty to execute justice and judgement, to instruct his people in jacob, and to feed his inheritance in Israel, be blessed and magnified therefore for ever and ever, Amen.  
This long and blessed peace wherein we your loyal subjects do presently live (most noble QUEEN) every man sitting under his vine and figtree throughout all your dominions, doth give just occasion to the godly to be no less thankful to God, and to your Majesty, than free hearted and studious to benefit his church and their country, by offering in the temple, some gold, some silver, some one thing, some another, according to the measure of those graces, which God the giver of all good things hath bestowed upon them, or by his spirit hath encouraged & made them willing to further the work of the Lord. Which moved me also among the rest (although of all other the meanest, & in every respect the unwoorthiest) to offer some thing, wherein I might bring profit to that mystical body, whereof I trust I am a member. And persuading myself, I could not better employ my labour to the good of the church, nor present your Highness the mighty defender thereof, with any thing of greater price and estimation in this world, than (after a sort) with that wherewith God the King of kings acknowledgeth himself to be so highly pleased and glorified both of Prince and people (praise and invocation I mean) whereby in this life we obtain at his hand all things needful for our bodies, and in the life to come everlasting joy, rest, and comfort both of body and soul: I have undertaken in the name and fear of God, love of his church, obedience of your Majesty, and hearty good will of my country, out of the admirable monuments of your own Honourable works, and some other noble Queens, famous Ladies, and virtuous Gentlewomen of our time, and former ages, to address and make ready these seven Lamps of your perpetual virginity, to remain unto women as one entire and goodly monument of prayer, precepts, and examples meet for meditation, instruction, and imitation to all posterity. And now in most dutiful manner commending and appropriating so divine exercises of the church, unto your Majesty the most natural mother and noble nurse thereof; the cause of a virgin to a Virgin, the works of Queens to a Queen; your own prayers to yourself (to whom indeed the particular interest and due praise and honour thereof justly belongeth) I here prostrate on my knees, in most humble manner meekly beseech your excellent Majesty, graciously of your wonted clemency, to pardon and forgive this my too rash and bold enterprise; attempted both with bashfulness, fear, and trembling: and favourably (as in like cases you are accustomed) to accept these your liege subject his great labours and painful travels in good part, which he (not to instruct your Highness (of whose notable learning I am not able to speak) but only for a monument of the hearty love he beareth both to the church his dear mother, and to your Majesty his dread Sovereign) hath in a godly zeal and conscience, bestowed to the good and profit of his country. That (by your Grace's good liking and princely approbation) they may be both patronized against the wicked, and practised of the godly. And so many (by that means) with due reverence and great honour to so honourable works, may receive these lamps as from your bountiful hand to enlighten them by your good industry in all virtue: and to prepare them by your holy example, like wise virgins to perseverance in all good works of the spirit. And that therein many may often look and labour mightily for your Highness as they are bound, in fervent prayer; and many more thanks, I say, be given of many faithful hearts on your majesties behalf for the benefit of such and so many needful and ready helps, ministered and afoorded by your painful hand and princely affability to your everlasting comfort and renown, the praise of God, and glory of his dearest son jesus Christ your sweet spouse. Whom now for a conclusion as I began, I most entirely beseech, that as of his own good will he first loved his church my dear mother, and gave himself freely for her to sanctify and cleanse her in the most holy fountain of water, through the word to make her unto himself a beautiful virgin, and glorious spouse without spot or wrinkle, that she should be holy, pure, perfect, and without blame before him: so he will vouchsafe in like mercy, still both to cherish, defend, and maintain the same in his continual grace, religion, and holiness, that she may yet bring forth more fruit in her age, and members, to his glory: and also as your spiritual spouse to set your Majesty (a most worthy and mighty governor of the same) ever as a seal upon his heart, to tie you fast as a signet or bracelet upon his arm, to bear you still in his own bosom, to set his eye over you continually for your health, wealth, and prosperity, to bend his desires always towards you, to do you good; that so your Highness may be kept in his continual grace, peace, and favour long to reign over us: and also defended and preserved evermore from all bodily and ghostly perils and enemies, to your everlasting comfort, and the rejoice of all christian hearts. Finally, the Lord bless your Majesty even out of Zion with all his heavenly gifts and spiritual graces, that having the principal & heroical spirit of your holy father good king David, doubled (yea treble) in your noble and princely heart, you may as in numbers of years beyond many ages, so in singular piety and godliness far surmount & excel your most noble progenitors: that the remembrance of you our good josias, may to all posterities be like the composition of the most precious perfume of the Apothecary, and as sweet as honey in all mouths, and as harmonical music at a banquet of wine; that in you our zealous Hezechias, I say, we may still remain in happy peace, and have an hiding place from the wind, and a refuge from storms and tempests, and rivers of waters to quench our thirst, and temperate shadows to shroud us from parching heat in a dry land: so shall the hearts of many thousand virgins in England and elsewhere, be joyful and thankful to God and your Majesty; so shall the daughters of jerusalem sing joyfully the sweet songs of Zion in their own land, with great triumph to their celestial King, reigning on high over all; yea so shall all your faithful and loving subjects, I say, in all humble obedience and dutiful service both towards God, your Majesty, and their country, resound by all possible means to all posterities your most excellent and worthy praises, until the coming of our Lord and Saviour jesus Christ: to whom with the Father and the holy Ghost be all empire, honour, dominion and praise, now and for ever,  
Amen.  
Your majesties humble, faithful, and obedient subject, THOMAS BENTLEY.   

Lampas Virginitatis.  

ECce tibi lucet, Princeps clarissima, lampas.  
In tenebris gressus dirigat illa tuos.  
Siquaeris librum cur lampada virginis istum  
Inscribam: causas dico fuisse duas.  
una est, quòd talem praefert ecclesia lucem,  
Expectans sponsum virgo pudica suum.  
Altera, quòd manibus virgo reginea librum  
Sumit, cuiverae lampadis instar erit,  
Dum Domino litat, & sacris indicit honorem,  
Nuncupat & Christo vota secunda suo.  
Anna sibi lucem, sibi Debora praetulit istam:  
Inque suis Princeps ELIZABETHA malis.  
Sic didicit lenire suas, sic fallere curas,  
Praesentémque sui poscere regis opem;  
Quem non plena sacris placant altaria donis,  
Non oblatorum corpora caesaboum:  
Ille Deus, Deus ille humili libamine vocum  
Irae deponit justa flagella suae.  
Illecebras carnis vincunt mundique furores,  
Et sathanae faciunt fulmen inane preces.  
Afflictis illae praestant solatia rebus,  
Illis caelestes effodiuntur opes.  
Hoc oleo plenam Domino qui lampada praebet,  
Ille sacrificio nobiliore litat.    

To the Christian Reader, grace and truth in Christ.  
Having myself taken no small comfort (good Christian Reader) by the reading and perusing of divers very godly, learned, and duiine treatises, of meditations and prayer, made by sundry right famous Queens, noble Ladies, virtuous Virgins, and godly Gentlewomen of all ages (who to show themselves worthy patterns of all piety, godliness, and religion to their sex, and for the common benefit of their country, have not ceased, and that with all careful industry and earnest endeavour, most painfully and diligently in great fervency of the spirit, and zeal of the truth, even from their tender & maidenly years, to spend their time, their wits, their substance, and also their bodies, in the studies of noble and approved sciences, and in compiling and translating of sundry most christian and godly books: a taste whereof you have here in the second Lamp) as namely among the rest, the godly and learned treatise called The lamentation of a sinner, written long since by the virtuous Lady Queen Katherine, which for the excellency thereof was first published in print by Sir William Cicill, now the right Honourable Lord Treasurer of England, as by his very godly, learned, and eloquent Epistle thereunto prefixed, and here also in this edition now inserted, to God's glory, and his high commendation doth and may appear: but especially and above all, the most divine, learned, and godly treatise entitled The Queen's meditation, written first in French by the virtuous Lady Margaret Queen of Navarre, and after very exactly and faithfully translated by our mostgratious sovereign, and learned Lady Queen ELIZABETH, who among many Queens, virgins, and women, through the fear of the Lord hath done very virtuously, and gotten thereby great renown. And thereupon considering with myself what great profit, and singular pleasure might thereby come also to other of like mind to myself, if the same their excellent and rare works (dispersed into several pamphlets, and in part some thing obscured and worn clean out of print, and so out of practice) were by some painful hand collected together, and revived, or brought again to their former good and godly use in the church: me thought I could not better spend my time, nor employ my talon, either for the renown of such heroical authors and worthy women, or for the universal commodity of all good christians: than in, and by some apt treatise or collection, to reduce these their manifold works into one entire volume, and by that means, for to register their so rare and excellent monuments, of good record, as perfect precedents of true piety and godliness in woman kind to all posterity. Whereupon, God working in me both the will and consent, I undertook the same in his fear: which when after a sort I had done, and perceived that there wanted per many things to make the same an absolute and perfect book for the simpler sort of women, according to my mind: to satisfy myself further in this my purposed collection, I fell to the perusing of the holy Bible, and many other good books as well of prayer, as of other divine matter, such as from time to tune have been penned by divers godly learned men: out of the which (that I might now particularly apply that unto them, women I mean, which generalise heretofore was written of them, or by some other, for them, as also to the inter & that all godly and devout women readers might have in some measure, wherewith to exercise their faith; to stir up their devotion, and to satisfy their godly desires: and also very readily find without tediousness, or distraction of the mind virtuously inclined, whatshever they would either by prayer ask, by meditation ponder, by precepts learn, or by examples imitate, or avoid to their comfort & edification) I endeavoured for their sakes, by all possible diligence, to cull and bring out of the rich store and treasury of the approved works of many learned men, things both old and new concerning the same, both for private and public use, adding thereunto such plenty of heavenly and spiritual helps, both for profit and pleasure, as the diversities of so divine matter, and variety of so honourable inventions would afford. Besides, to avoid confusion and disorder (a thing very prejudicial to so holy an exercise) I have carefully digested the same into such a plain, easy, familiar, and certain method, order, and direction, both for matter and manner, as I could possibly devise. or was requisite for such a work, to make it profitable to the simple and unlearned reader. lastly, because the diversity of matter forced a distinction of the treatises, I fitly, as I could, have divided and contrived the whole book into seven several parts or Lamps: all which for divers good and approved considerations I term or entitle by this general name, THE MONUMENT OF MATRONS. And now make bold, yet under the deliberate view, and careful correction of many vevie grave, wise, learned, and godly Divines, thereunto appointed by authority: as also with the approbation and allowance of the right reverend father in God my Lord the bishop of London, to publish the same abroad in print, as a book, in the judgement of them that are learned, not unprofitable to the church: but very necessary, and in some respect, more proper and peculiar for the private use of women, than heretofore hath been set out by any. Which I have done not for that there lacked prayer books sufficient for women to read, but only to increase the plenty of heavenly comforts, wherewith this our church and realm of England (thanks be to God) floweth: as also to make this treatise heretofore (in part) private to myself, and a few of my friends, now public and common also to you good christian readers. For behold (I protest) I have not laboured for myself, but for you, and all them that seek knowledge, fear God, be devout, and would (not by fits and starts, as those that can find scarce any leisure to attend upon the Lord and his service as they ought: but) day and night continually and incessantly, either silently in heart with Hanna, or openly in mouth with Marry, as they are bound, spend their whole life, and make it their whole work to pray, meditate, and read God's word with other such good books, or at the least to allow to themselves some little portion or part of the day and night, to prostrate themselves apart from all company in prayer and meditation before the Lord of heaven and earth their creator, redeemer, and saviour, and that in all christian perfection, and humble obedience to his word and commandments. So have you good reader, by the goodness of God, who worketh all our works for us, here now at the length in this Monument or collection contained (if you list so for distinction or names sake to call or entitle them) not only a burning Lamp for virgins, but also a crystal Mirror for Matrons: as also a delectable Dial for to direct you to true devotion, with a perfect Precedent or register of holy prayer for all women generally to have recourse unto, as to their homely or domestical library.  
First, a Lamp, ready replenished and prepared of the wise virgins, with that fragrant oil, precious perfume, and odoriferous incense of holy invocation, pure prayer, divine sacrifice, and heavenly worship, wherewith God is so highly pleased and whereby at his holy hand the virgin or single woman, through the intercession of Christ, obtaineth the gift of purity, modesty, shamefastness, and chastity: the deflowered woman findeth grace to repent, and to be restored to favour both with God and men: the natural or stepdaughter to reverence and obey her parents in all childlike duties: the wooed woman not to be by any means cozened or abused in marriage: the young married wife to consecrate herself to live holily in that honourable estate: the elder married woman, to live lovingly, faithfully, and quietly with her husband: the woman with child, to escape the pit of so great perils, and to be thankful for her mighty deliverance after childbirth: the midwife, and women assistants, dutifully and diligently to aid, comfort, and cherish the traveling woman: the mother carefully to bring up her children: the daughter naturally to cherish and obey her mother: the mother in law, to live charitably and lovingly with the daughter in law: again, the daughter in law to be have herself christianly and courteously to the mother in law: the dame or mistress, to entreat her handmaids well: the handmaids to show all dutiful and faithful service to their mistress: the widow, to comfort herself in all sorrows: the old woman to number her days, that she may apply her heart unto wisdom: both young and old, one and other to consider their creation, condition, vocation, and salvation, the better to live to learn, to learn to live, and to live to die. To conclude, a Lamp (I say) for all estates and degrees of women generally, to carry ever in their hands and heart by the burning light and flaming fire of the reading whereof, their faith, knowledge, zeal, devotion, perseverance in prayer, alms deeds, fasting, with the love of God and their brethren, the desire of virtue, and all manner of godliness shall be thoroughly kindled and increased in them, so oft as they war cold, heavy, drowsy, slothful, dull, negligent, and remiss, by too much bodily ease, worldly prosperity, vain pleasures, pomps, and delights of this wretched life: and they at all times made ready, like wise and prudent virgins, to meet the bridegroom whensoever he cometh, to be received of him, and to enter with him joyfully into the celestial wedding chamber of his eternal happiness, there to glorify and praise him for ever and ever.  
secondly, a Mirror for all sorts of wicked women, as in a clear glass with Athalia, jezabel, Herodias, and such like, perfectly to see their shameless pride, cruelty, idolatry, and contempt of religion, with Putiphers' wife, to behold their incontinency and infidelity towards their husbands: with Appam their shameless impudency: with Cozbi, their manifest whoordomè and adultery: with the witch of Fndor, their abominable sorceries: with Queen Dasthy their disobedience to their sovereign: with Bethshemah and judith their rebellious stubborness to their loving parents in law: with Hagar their contempt of their mistress: with Miviant their murmuring against their only brother: with Heva their subtlety and covetousness to beguile their husbands: with Zipporah, Michol, jobs wife, old Anna, Tobit, etc. their unseemly upbraid and bitter taunting, or chiding of their godly husbands, etc. lest that for their great impiety and ungodliness with Queen Maacha, they be deposed from their seat of majesty: or with Baara, and Q. Dasthy, they be divorced from their husbands: or with Athalia, they be slain without the temple: or with Cozbi, be thrust through with a sword, or with jezabel, in all their bravery they be thrown headlong down into the street out of their own window, and be eaten and devoured of dogs, and so want the honour of christian burial: or with Saphyra be stricken with sudden death at the Apostles feet: or with the Levites wife be shamefully abused to death, and after chopped in pieces: or with Samsons wife be burnt to ashes in the house where they dwell: to conclude, least with the whore of Babel they be cast quick into the bottomless pit of perdition: or with the slew foolish virgins they be shut clean out of heaven, and go alive down into hell, there to be damned for ever, if in time they call not for grace to beware and repent them of their former wickedness. Again, a Mirror contrariwise for all godly and virtuous women plainly to behold the faith, religion, modesty, sobriety, sincerity of life and conversation of Sara, Ruth, Q. Candaces, Bernice, Susanna, Elizabeth, the blessed virgin Marie, etc. The holiness, devotion, fear of God, justice, uprightness, etc. of Hanna, Q. Hester, etc. The rare wisdom, excellent knowledge, great learning, politic government, courage, magnanimity, with the memorable virtues of Deborah, Abigael, Bethsheba, Huldah, jacl, the woman of Tekoah, Philip's four daughters, the Lady commended by saint john, etc. The famous cities, and stately territories and towers built by Sherah that noble Gentlewoman to her perpetual renown. The bountiful hospitality, great liberality, and often alms deeds of the Shunamitesse that virtuous Gentlewoman, of Dorcas, Lydia, joanna, judith, etc. The constant and faithful love towards their husbands, of Sara, Michol, Susanna, etc. The motherly and careful affection towards their children, of Sara, Hannah, Bethsheba, the blessed virgin Marie, the widow of Sarepta, Samsons mother, etc. The dutiful obedience towards their parents, of Q. Hester, jepthas' daughter, Orpha, Ruth, Sara, etc. The good entreaty and christian behaviour towards their handmaids of Sara, Lea, judith, etc. The fidelity and obedient service towards their mistress, of Hagar, Abia, Rhode, etc. The great kindness and courtesy towards their friends, kindred, and alliance of Bethsheba, Elizabeth, Q. Hester, jehosheba, Rizpah, etc. The womanly pity & tender hearted compassion and affection toward the distressed and persecuted members of Christ, of Puah, Shiphrah, Rachel, Pharaos' daughter, Rizpah, O Hester, jehosheba, Pilaces' wife, Marry Magdalen, Martha, etc. The sore labour and pains taking to get their own living, of Anna Tobit, Lydia, Naomy, Ruth, Dorcas, etc. Finally the admirable humility, and invincible patience and constancy in all adversities and persecution even to the death and martyrdom, of jepthas' daughter, Susanna, the mother of the seven brethren, and women of the Machabites, and many other: that looking in this glass of the holy lives of their foremothers, they may christianly conform and adorn themselves after their good examples, and become for their rare virtues very beautiful spouses in the fight of their spiritual bridegroom jesus Christ: to whom, as the king's daughters, they may appear all glorious within, and of whom with the lambs wife they may be marked in the forehead with the testimony of his name jesus, to the end that being clothed with the sun of righteousness, and crowned with the twelve stars of God and his word, and treading the moon of this worldly affections under their feet, they may evermore be delivered by him their valiant Michael, and his angels from the power of the red dragon, which so greedily gapeth to devour them: and possess their souls in patience, in the restful place of the presence of God, long since prepared for the elect where they shall be nourished and preserved for time & times, and together with all holy virgins, matrons, martyrs, and elect people of God, joyfully triumph and be glad for the gift of their everlasting happiness.  
thirdly, a Dial of devotion to direct you by the glorious globe and shine of the bright sun of righteousness, which enlighteneth all things in the world, very readily and plainly at all feasts and seasons of the year, and at all hours and times of the day and night continually unto the holy mount of heavenly contemplation and to the christian meditation and consideration of everlasting felicity in celestial things, the better to contemn and forget all terrene, base, vile, momentany, and earthly vanities.  
fourthly and lastly, a domestical library plentifully stored and replenished both of the best approved precedents of christian prayers and divine meditations, made from time to time by many right godly authors, men and women of all ages: and also of the chosen sentences or perfect precepts of holy scripture concerning the christian duties of all degrees and estates of women in their several callings, together with the pleasant histories and memorable acts, lives, and death of all manner of women good and bad, by name or without name, mentioned in the old and new testaments of the bible, where among, for the better understanding of the text, I have inserted some notes out of the Geneva bible with some difference by parenthesis, very necessary for the simple reader. All which treatises, though not so portable, yet so delectable, profitable, and ready prepared to lie in your secret chamber or oratory to use: howsoever entitled or called, God grant they may as diligently be read and fruitfully practised of you, good readers, as they and every of them (I am sure) were painfully compiled and faithfully purposed of the authors. And for these, and all other such good helps and furtherances to faith, devotion, and godliness, God make both you and me alway thankful unto his majesty, who by all means, at all times, and through all ages, most graciously useth both the ministery of men and angels, to do us good continually, that through our unthankfulness and wilful contempt of his good gifts and graces daily offered by so many high, learned, and painful hands, we may not lose the same and the profit thereof, by loathing that, which we ought most to love and embrace, but rather in good time by our grateful acceptation and approbation of that which deserves good liking, gain to ourselves comfort and consolation, and encourage others (which as yet of any singular affection for their private use conceal or detain the works of any godly author's men or women) to take good opportunity by this occasion offered even for the common benefit of Christ's congregation, to publish the same abroad, for the perfection of this good work, to the glory of God, and the authors everlasting praise and commendation both with God and men: that full deservedly it may be said of them, as most worthily it is of these my right christian and heroical authors. 
Etsi mors indies accelerate,  
Vivit tamen post funera virtus.  Thus being awaked up last of all as one that gathereth after them in the vintage, I have laboured as you see (good reader) like a poor gleaner or grape gatherer with restless Ruth to go after the maidens in the harvest, and to glean and gather for my mother Naomi certain handfuls of corn, after the reapers and painful labourers among the sheaves, let fall of devotion in the fruitful fields of charitable Boaz: and have assailed, as you well perceive, to replenish my wine press with the grapes of the Lords plentiful vintage, and to fill my lamps brimful with the oil of God's good blessing and rich store, left behind by the wise virgins in the holy vessels of his increase. Here therefore if I might be so bold without offence, as in the name of the foresaid blessed Boaz, I would gladly exhort and persuade Ruth, and in her all other godly women of the simple sort, to follow this his good counsel (who saith: Hear me, my daughter, and go to none other field to gather, neither depart from hence to glean, but abide here by my maidens, let thine eyes be on the field that they do reap in, and go thou after the maidens: and when thou art athirst go also to the vessels, and drink of that which the servants and handmaids have drawn, and when thou art hungry, come hither and eat of the bread, and dip thy morsel in the vinegar, and sit by the reapers, and thou shalt be satisfied to the full.) So now lest you should gather by any method, order, division, title, direction, or application, that you shall find in this book, or any part thereof, that I go about nicely, curiously, or strictly to enjoin you to observe hours, days, feasts, times, or seasons, or to bind you unlawfully to an impossibility, as of necessity to use all or every of these prayers and meditations, in place, manner, and form as they are set down (although it is to be wished that for the most part they might, if it were possible, or the necessities of this turbulent life would permit) that you should not mistake me, I say, and judge that my purpose is in any respect to hinder common prayer, or interrupt the ministration of the word and sacraments in the church, where & at what time I know we ought all to glorify God together with one heart, spirit, and mouth, and to be no otherwise occupied, either in reading or in praying, than the public minister is, unless we would be deemed mere superstitious, and under the pretence of several devotion to commit manifest ungodliness: I think it very necessary for me to let you understand (gentle reader) that my meaning hereby was and is, simply first to play the part of a faithful collector, by following my copies truly, and placing their works and prayers together as I found them referred by the authors for private or public use: secondly, for order and memory sake, after the good example of the learned fathers of our time, to entitle, reduce, and apply those other godly meditations and prayers, which for the matter I found worthy the more often use in the church, or elsewhere, unto some more special place, apt time, and peculiar purpose, than heretofore (to my knowledge) by any others have been entitled, referred, or applied. But thirdly and principally by the means of some plain form and easy method of prayer and meditation, to prepare for the unlearned at all times, and in all places such and so many sorts, as to avoid ignorance and tediousness might conveniently serve to further their godly desires, to the glory of God, the confusion of sathan, and their own eternal comfort in Christ jesus: referring them notwithstanding, which you shall find proper for the church to be used there only at convenient times by the ordinances of the church lawfully permitted: the rest which are more private to be used elsewhere at your discretions, when and so often as opportunity shall serve, and God's spirit by his heavenly motion give you any occasion. For as I would not have you think hereby, that I myself do in all respects observe this order here prescribed (although I assure you I strive to do it either within book or without: and repent from the bottom of my heart the often omission of it in times past) so I wish you good readers, which christianly have consecrated and vowed to give yourselves to this holy exercise (as the Lord, I say, in mercy shall give you grace, leisure, time, and occasion, and not suffer you to be tired with any worldly necessity) in the name and fear of God, to observe this or that order, method, form, or direction, which he in his word doth allow of, or you know best will keep you in the continual faith, fear, and favour of God.  
For trust me, if you will but a little together with me call these ten memorable things to your christian remembrance in this so holy an exercise. First, the commandments of almighty God himself, whom in consideration of our own great misery and necessity, and common lack of the christian congregation, hath willed us to call upon him, saying: Pray always with all manner of prayers and supplications in the spirit, and watch thereunto with all perseverance. secondly, his most sweet and comfortable promises made graciously both to hear and grant our godly and lawful requests, saying: Ask, and ye shall have; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: for every one that calleth upon the name of the Lord, and departeth from iniquity, shall be saved, etc. thirdly, our great and manifold sins, whereof we are guilty, which will not suffer us to sit still without care, but briveth us of necessity to beg his most gracious pardon. fourthly, our feeble flesh and weak nature unable in every respect to do any good thing, which requireth continual prayer to aid and strength it. fiftly, the wily subtlety of our spiritual enemy sathan, who privily lurketh in the inward parts, waiting even in our best actions to trip and overthrow us, against whom we must by fervent prayer vehemently strive. sixtly, our own grievous assaults and cruel temptations, which never give us truce, rest, nor quietness, but hasten us very much unto God for help. seventhly, the zeal of the glory of God, and advancement of his kingdom, which ought wholly to draw and moon us continually to exercise ourselves in the service of God. eightly, the daily dangers and continual calamities that hourly hang over our heads, which give us all cause enough, yea even the most holy, and that with sighs and groans continually to fly unto God our heavenly father, and call upon him by fervent prayers. Ninthlie, the infinite benefits and great blessings of God so bountifully and plentifully every way powered continually upon us, which give us both ample matter, and just occasion hourly by thanksgiving, even from the bottom of our hearts to praise and magnify him for the same. Tenthlie and lastly, the great excellency, worthiness, necessity, virtue, fruit, and profit of true and christian prayer, consisting partly in the dignity of God the commander, and partly in the effect of obtaining of whatsoever we ask according to his will. These things I say, good reader, well considered, I suppose you will say here is nothing superfluous: but all little enough to so needful and profitable an exercise of our faith, prayer I mean, as wherein the peace of conscience, yea our whole salvation consisteth, and whereby God himself is said to be present with us, not only by his providence to watch over us, but also by his power to sustain and secure us, and by his goodness and mercy to receive us into his fatherly grace and favour.  
Yea I doubt not, but you will willingly confess with me, I say, that all sorts of devout women have great cause, and that continually, to take these lamps into their hands, thereby either with vanished Hagar to acknowledge God's graces towards them: or with desolate Naomi to pray that God would bless their children to be stays and staves of their age to their comfort: or with heavy Hanna to power out their hearts before the Lord in tears for a son, and for his mercy and favour towards them: or with wise Abigael, by prayer to prevent the mischiefs that hang as well over their heads, as their families: yea or with her often on their knees to pray for the good prosperity and preservation of their gracious governor Queen ELIZABETH: or with the church and faithful soul of all christians, to long for the kisses of the peace of Christ their spiritual spouse, and never to cease day nor night to seek him, whom their soul loveth, till by prayer and meditation they have found him: or with the woeful daughter of Zion, to lament and mourn piteously for their sins, till their miseries be mitigated, and they comforted: or with sorrowful Sara Tobit in fasting, and tears to be delivered from daily reproaches and slanderous roongs: or which virtuous judith in sack cloth and ashes to obtain strength and courage mightily to destroy and overcome proud Olophernes, with all the huge host of his bloody ruffians: or with noble Queen Hester to proclaim a fast, and call their virgins, families, and people together, to pray day and night to the hazarding of their own lives also, if need so require for their own further preservation, and their peoples and subjects safety and deliverance out of the hands of cruel Haman, and all his seditious conspirators: or with chaste and innocent Susanna to appeal to God the high judge of judges, to be acquitted from a violeut death by false accusation, and more unjust condeinuation: or with the afflicted church in exile, to acknowledge their sins, and call for mercy to be delivered from distress: or with the woman of Canaan to fly unto Christ in all necessities, to be relieved both bodily and ghostly: or with our most gracious Sovereign Lady Queen ELIZABETH, to muse divinely of the inward love of the soul towards Christ their spouse, their Lord and father, mother and brother: or with the virtuous Lady Queen KATHERINE, to vewaile the ignorance of their blind life led in superstition: and with her also in all their troubles to stir up their godly minds patiently to suffer all afflictions for the love of everlasting felicity: or with the right godly Lady jane Dudley to endure the cross to death most patiently: or with good Lady Tirwit to exercise themselves morning and evening in fruitful and godly prayers, psalms▪ hymns, and meditations: or with the honourable Lady Aburgavennie by the like, to tread the path to paradise for the health of their soul: or with holy Agnus and Eulalia the martyrs, to triumph in the victory of Christ's death: or with Anne Askew the marryr to pray heartily for their enemies: or with master Bradfords mother to be petitioners unto God for the constancy in faith to death of their children: or with mistress Dorcas Alarten carefully to instruct their whole family in the principal points of christian religion: or with other grave and godly matrons unknown, to exhort others to mortification and holiness of life, and to fly unto God in all troubles for relief as he hath commanded.  
That so with the five foolish virgins it be never too late for them to cry, Lord, Lord, open to us: but that to their comforts and the praise of God, with Miriam they may evermore upon their timbrels sing the song of Moses, for their mighty and miraculous delinerance from sathan their spiritual Pharaoh: and with Deborah give great thanks for the victory got by our jahel against Sicera: and with holy Hannah rejoice from the heart, and praise God in the temple for the birth of their children, and safe deliverance: and with the women of Israel triumph upon timbrels for the famous victories of David's daughter our noble Queen ELIZABETH had against all her enemies: and with the spiritual spouse at the marriage day sing the sweet song of songs to the glory of the bridegroom Christ jesus: and with Sara Tobit bless the name of God for their deliverance from slanderous reproaches, and the einil spirit Asmodens, that enemy of holy matrimony: and with holy judith highly praise God for her and her people's mighty preservation out of the hands of their cruel enemies: and with the blessed virgin Marie continually magnify the Lord their Saviour, for their high exaltation and favour with God, with men, and with angels: and with our most gracious Queen ELIZABETH, incessantly to yield all possible praise and hearty thanks for their so often, mighty, and marvelous preservation and deliverance from so many kinds of dangers, yea deaths and destruction pretended by sathan and his bloody ministers daily against them.  
Finally, that all godly women (taking hereby good occasion with these their holy foremothers continually to make their petitions for the preventing of evils: their supplications, for the obtaining of all things needful for soul and body: their intercessions as well for others, as for themselves: and their thanksgivings for corporal and spiritual benefits received) may show themselves daughters worthy such mothers: virgins worthy such lamps of perpetual virginity: and women worthy such ghostly weapons of their right christian ministration to help their weakness (prayers, precepts, and meditations I mean) by following their virtues wisely in the perfect fear of God: by bearing the same in the hand of their hearts carefully in the due obedience of their prince: and by fight therewith in Golgatha the field of this spiritual warfare, the good fight of faith courageously in the pure love of their country, and christian charirie towards their neighbours: and at the last in the world to come to the glory of God, & their everlasting comfort together with the wise virgins, and all the elect people of God, joyfully triumph over all weakness, infirmity, and corruption: yea over sin, death, hell, and damnation, and say: Oh death, where is thy sting? Oh hell, where is thy victory?  
But now if in wading so far in this argument of prayer, and in making this bolume so big, ant shall think or saic, that I, by mine idleness and time thus spent, am very chargeable unto them: and considering the plenty of prater books more portable already extant, shall judge me to have taken a very needless or bootless travel, or to have laboured in vain, and spent my strength for nothing, as he that would addestars to the sky, or light a lamp at noon day, and therefore shall deem me worthy in their opinions to lose both Oleum & operam. Oh forgive me this wrong I pray you: and considering that I could not otherwise either satisfy myself to go forward in my determined purpose, according to the prescript order of this collection, or pleasure the simple reader with such plenty and variety of profitable matter, especially in so good paper and fair usual letter, a thing to the aged and feeble sighted reader very grateful and much desired. Let me entreat you whosoever you be, to measure the same rather by the goodness of the contents, of the which the godly can never have enough: than by the bigness or dearness of the volume, which to the willing and desirous mind are ever best cheap. So no doubt shall the pleasure and profit of the one at the least countervail, if not far surmount, the pain and charges of the other.  
As for myself (good reader) who have rudely as you see undertaken this great labour, I protest, I have done it neither of presumption, as he that would usurp the office of a Divine, and intrude himself into the studies of other professions: nor of arrogancy, as he that would boast and make great brags of other men's labours: nor of envy, as he that went about to make frustrate and insufficient the painful and godly works of better learned: neither yet of ambition or vainglory, as he that gaped after the praise and commendation of any, or that would feign seem to be approved and registered of any Chronicler for an author, or one that knoweth somewhat, who in deed knows nothing, much less for all this deserves to be thought of above that, which any either of their own knowledge, or by true report do, or shall see in me, know me to be, or hear of me. Therefore I say (good reader) my judgement, howsoever it please others to judge of me, and of mine intent herein, is, I know with the Lord that formed me from the womb, to be his servant: for he is the eye witness of mine integrity and simple meaning herein, I say, in whom my life is hid, and to whom I am made manifest, do line, and must die.  
As for my work (so honourable for the very authors, so godly for the matter, so necessary for the time, so profitable for the persons, so excellent for the use, and so convenient to increase piety and christianity in the simpler sort, howsoever otherwise with some carping heads, and evil disposed readers, with Aesop's dog in the manger never given either to do well themselves, or to judge rightly and speak truth of others) it is I am right well assured with my God, who first put me in mind to take it in hand, and in, by, and through whom only I confess with humble and hearty thanksgiving after many a years fore travel, in study much sweet, long watching, and great expenses, I have now at the length finished the same I trust to his glory, your profit, and mine own comfort.  
Therefore leaving to all and every of the worthy works of other godly men or women howsoever here or elsewhere extant, their particular use in the church of God, as they were published: and to the honourable authors themselves their due deserved praise and perpetual commendation to all posterity, with exhortation to all godly christians reverently, willingly, and thankfully to read, receive, and embrace the same, as wherein to the better fulfilling of so heavenly an exercise of our faith most agreeable to God's good will and word is perfectly supplied and accomplished, by the rare gifts, ornaments, and graces of the holy Ghost in the compilers, whatsoever otherwise through ignorance, wanteth both in me, and perhaps in you also (good readers) if you be unlearned. (Give them therefore, O give them, I say, and that worthily of the fruit of their own hands, and let their own works praise them in all the world.) I to conclude humbly submit myself unto the grave judgements of the godly learned, and mine heroical authors living, of whom I meekly crave pardon for this my bold enterprise attempted both with bashfulness, doubtfulness, and fear to become a writer in this so learned an age, or to trouble your studies with my rude labours. And here lastly I offer these my labours such as they are unto the good liking and favourable correction as well in matter, as in manner of you my right christian learned readers, of whom in full recompense and satisfaction of any fruit, that either you or the simpler sort shall hereby reap, I only now make this request, as dutifully to reverence the divine works of so noble and learned authors, by whose holy travels you perceine yourselves to enjoy most inestimable benefits: so friendly to take in good part these first fruits of my poor studies, proceeding from a well meaning mind, and built upon so good foundations, as from him that did that he could though not that he ought to benefit all, and to hurt or offend none. That they being now as lamps well esteemed of in the opinion of the rich in virtue and knowledge, and gratefully accepted and approved of the learneder sort, as the monuments of so famous matrons, may yet at the least for their sakes become welcome and approved of all other simple christians, and I by that means greatly encouraged to go forward in virtuous studies for the benefit of my country, with hearty thanksgiving unto God both for his mercy, and your great courtesy and goodness towards me, in whom I bid you farewell, and unto whose heavenly defence, almighty protection, divine favour, and continual blessing, I finally commend and betake both these my labours, myself, and you dear and well-beloved readers, beseeching you to love me, as I love you unfeignedly, to speak of me and my work, no worse than I do of you and yours christianly, and that for his sake alone that loved us all most dearly, & in that love for us all endured all manner of reproach and slanders that might be most patiently, even to the effusion of his most precious blood often and sundry times truly, as well in fervent prayer as in sweat, and otherwise on the cross for our eternal glory: to whom therefore, and for all the inestimable benefits of his bloody prayers, dreary death, and bitter passion be evermore rendered and given as of writers and readers, so of angels, men, and all creatures in heaven, in earth, or in the deep, all possible praise and perpetual glory that heart can think, hand can work, or tongue can speak,  
Amen.  
Yours as his own in him that is all in all, and our own for ever, THOMAS BENTLEY.   

Facies militantis Ecclesiae.  
IAm propè sexagies redijt centesimus annus,  
Quùm laeso aeternum seruans sub pectore vulnus,  
Incensis animis gerit implacabile bellum  
Cum serpentino muliéris semine semen.  
Nam pater omnipotens (nec iam pater: improbus ex quo  
Seduxit serpens primos errore parentes)  
Nullus amor natis, dixit, nec foedera sunto.  
Exoriare aliquis pura de virgine vindex,  
Cuius dextra caput serpentis conterat, & cui  
Iratus serpens leniter calcanea tundat.  
Nunc olim stirpem pono, & genus omne futurum  
Exercendum odijs utrinque: atque impero tolli  
Infestas aquilas aquilis, contraria pilis  
Pila, alas alis, & signa minantia signis.  
Haec Deus ex illo struere & malè nectere serpens.  
Arte dolos coepit, bellique opponere molem.  
Nulla quies: aetas, quae tempore fluxit ab illo,  
Militia est; hostis factum iam grand periclis  
Ingenium, & longo crevit solertia bello.  
Effrendétque draco ruber immortalibus iris,  
Crudelis, reparátque novas in praelia vires,  
Audet & à nobis sumptis confligere telis,  
Nam peccatorum, benè quae numerantur ab illo,  
Vel numero miseras animas vel pondere terret.  
Tunc aptè mortem peccati ostendere stipem,  
Tunc stygias turmas, totúmque Acheronta ciere  
Promptus, & hijs hominem petit exitialibus armis:  
Non par lex huius, non ius aequabile pugnae:  
Nos sumus in terris, est in coelestibus hostis.  
Non pede congreditur pes, densúsque viro vir:  
Sed micat in tenebris, & spiritualibus armis  
Vtitur, & nocet, & non vult nocuisse videri  
Improbus, infligit vulnus, neque vulneris author  
Extat: sic pugnat, sic est metuendus Abaddon.  
add alios hostes, quos intùs habemus & extrà.  
Hinc caro nos blandis odijs, affabilis hostis  
Enecat, & leni peccati imbuta veneno  
Strangulat, inclusas animas & conficit intùs.  
Extrà alias scelerum faces, dirásque cohortes,  
Et coniuratum cernas obsistere mundum.  
Quacunque aspicimus, timor undique & undique terror,  
Infernaeque ruunt acies praedámque requirunt  
Christicolas. Quem das finem, rex magne laborum?  
Nos tua progenies coeli quibus annuis arcem  
Perdimur, ac coeli longè disiungimur oris.  
Haec est illa fides, potis est quae vincere mundum,  
Infernique fores? Sic nos in sceptra reponis?  
Ollis subridens Christus, qui cuncta serenat,  
Oscula libavit natis, dein talia fatus:  
Nata Deo proles ex vivi semine verbi,  
O multum dilecta mihi, dilecta parenti,  
Moestáne per tantos semper iactabere fluctus?  
Nec quae sit tua spes, quae sit victoria, noris?  
Tu sathanam? Tu tela times ignita gehennae?  
Esto: tuos quondam potuit superare parentes,  
Nec dum animo exciderint irae saeuóque dolores,  
Et veteres verset fraudes, ac pectora tentet,  
Atque omne secum Phlegetonta in praelia ducat,  
Idcircóne tuo poteris diffidere Christo?  
Nec venit in mentem, quam crux ferat alma salutem?  
Ille, vides? Leo terribilis, quique omnia saeuus  
Circuit, immanis rugit, praedámque futuram  
Faucibus expectat siccis, quem pessima ventris  
Exigit impransum rabies, exutus, inermis,  
In cruce confossus jacet: en victor Leo judae,  
Inferni fregit portas, & contudit omnes  
Peccati vires, & mortem morte peremit.  
Haecspolia aeterna, has lauros ex hoste reporto.  
Ecce Deum summum medijs est cernere terris,  
In coelis hominem, tibi sese aeterna reseruant  
Gaudia, cum superis homini benè convenit, actum est,  
Vicisti, pepigit cum terra foedera coelum.  
jam Cherubinorum vaginae includitur ensis,  
Atque iterum tibi se tradit paradisus habendum.  
Námque ego, quem gremio tellus absorpsit iniquo,  
Vincula perrupi mortis, coelúmque petivi.  
Et cupis hijs mecum pariter considere regnis?  
Regnum quod teneo vestrum est: hîc meta laborum.  
judáque, génsque mihi nullo discrimine agétur.  
Pugnat adhuc sathanas & confert agmina: pugnet,  
justi materiem praebet tibi pugna triumphi:  
Per varios casus, per multa pericula rerum  
Tenditur in coelum, sedes ubi fata quietas  
Ostendunt, illic fas laeta pace potiri,  
Durato, & temet rebus seruato secundis,  
Sic placitum: dum in te pietas excocta periclis  
Splendeat, & viva formetur imagine Christus.  
Tempus erit, quùm me, paucis labentibus annis,  
Cernes in densis venientem nubibus, & quùm  
Regnabis mecum, & victo dominaberis hosti.  
Tu modò posce Deum veniam, sacrisque litatis,  
Arma assume Dei, causásque innecte morandi.  
I, bona, simplicitas animi tibi baltheus esto,  
Quo stes contra ictus omnes circundata lumbos;  
Indue justitiae thoracem, & pectora muni,  
Tum pro calceolis coelestis nuncia pacis,  
Aptato pedibus certis: super omnia vivae  
Sume manu scutum fidei, galeámque salutis  
Spem capiti imponas, laterique accingere ferrum  
Spirituale pares, & in hostem string rebellem:  
Quicquid & adversum verbo est, interfice verbo.  
Sic ubi iam mundi decursa volubilis aetas,  
Post exantlatae diversa pericula pugnae,  
Non arescentis folijs redimita coronae,  
Foelix coelestem patriam Hierosolyma cernes.  
Dixerat: extemplo moestos attollere vultus  
Coepit, & afflictis laetari ecclesia rebus;  
Infusóque oleo manibus sua lumina portans,  
Praesto lánsque suum patiens & laeta maritum,  
Vota Deo supplex animo solennia fundit.  
L. S.   

Rob. Marbeck ad lectorem.  
AVscultat nostris divina potentia votis;  
Et prece, non pretio flectitur ira Dei.  
Perlege scripturas, & sancta volumina patrum;  
Assiduis precibus nos vigilare iubent.  
Si malè te morbus prostratis viribus urat;  
Si te paupertas invidiosa premat;  
Per steriles saltus, per dura & inhospita saxa  
Passibus ambiguis, si vel inermis eas,  
Si mare te iacter, si tempestatibus actus,  
Et coelum, & terras, mox ruitura putes:  
Si te circunstet vel mill pericula mortis;  
Inuoca, nil dubitans numina, saluus eris.  
Ergo si precibus vis tanta putetur inesse,  
Praeponi precibus, nil (mihi crede) potest.  
Hic labor, hic liber est, tibi quem Bentlenius offert,  
Nil aliud resonans, quàm pietate preces;  
Et pius est Author: pius & conatus: utrunque  
Cur perames, causam candide lector, habes.   

Argumentum libri.  
VIn ' tibi quid portent haec scire volumina septem?  
Occurrunt animo lumina sparsa tuo.  
Nulla quidem frustra est praelata a virgine lampas:  
Ostendit varias illáque, & illa preces.  
Prima docet Myriam, quas olim & Deborah fudit, 
1   
Quas Domino Iudith fudit & Aanna preces.  
Altera reginis quas a nostratibus usquam 
2   
Legimus in medijs incaluisse malis.  
Hîc Katherina suas, mulieribus aemula sanctis,  
Hîc cernit Princeps ELIZABETHA suas.  
Tertia habet psalmos, quos pro solamine nostrae  
Reginae docti composuere viri. 
3   
Hîc modo de nostri loquitur moderamine regni,  
Excipit hîc votum principis ore Deus.  
Quarta alias fusè complectitur omnibus aptas  
Personis, rebus, temporibúsque preces. 
4   
Quinta precum formas narrat, quas foemina quaevis  
Seu virgo fuerit, sive marita, legat. 
5   
Sexta locos recitat sacris e fontibus haustos, 
6   
Possit ut officium foemina scire suum.  
Continet historias illarum septima, quarum  
Vel bona vita fuit, vel mala vita fuit. 
7   
Hinc Saram propone tibi, castámque Rebeccam;  
Et subeat menti sancta Maria tuae.  
Illinc ante oculos infamis Iezabel adsit,  
Occurrátque tibi labe notata Thamar.  
Sic exempla pares illustria, turpia vites:  
Historiae fructus maximus ille sacrae.  
Interea Bentlaee, tuo de lumine lumen,  
Qui facis accensum fratribus esse tuis:  
Hîc aeterna pij cernis monumenta laboris,  
Hîc zeli laus est non peritura tui.  
L. S.   

A brief catalogue of the memorable names of sundry right famous Queens, godly Ladies, and virtuous women of all ages, which in their kind and countries were notably learned, and whereof some marked with this mark * were the authors of a great part of this book, as shall appear: set forth in alphabetical order.  

A.  
* A Bigael Queen.  
* Agnes martyr.  
Agrippina.  
Anna.  
* Anne Askew martyr.  
Anne Bacon.  
Anne Basset.  
Angelia virgin.  
Argentaria.  
Assiothea.  
Aspasia.   

B.  
Bridgit.  
Bundivica.   

C.  
Cambra.  
Cassandra virgin.  
Catherina Cellia.  
Catherina Senensis virgin.  
* Catherina Parr.  
Claudia Ruffina.  
Cleobula virgin.  
Cleopatra.  
Corinna.  
Cornelia Africa.   

D.  
Damma.  
Danophila Pamphia.  
* Deborah prophetess.  
Demetria.  
Diodorus five daughters.  
Diotima.  
* Dorcas Marten.   

E.  
Edesia Syria.  
Egitha Queen of England.  
* Elizabeth Q. of England.  
Elizabeth Queen of Syria.  
* Elizabeth Tirwit Lady.  
Elizabeth an Abbess.  
Erinna.  
Eudoxia Theodosia.  
Eustasia.  
* Eulalia martyr.   

F.  
Fabrola.  
* Francis Aburgavennie La.  
Furia.   

G.  
Genebria.  
Gysla.   

H.  
* Hagar.  
* Hannah Elcanah.  
Helena Flavia.  
Helizabeth Cenobia.  
Helpis Boetia.  
Herophila.  
* Hester Queen.  
Hierontia.  
Hilda.  
Hildizarda virgine.  
Hipathia.  
Hortensia.  
* Huldah prophetess.   

I.  
* jane Dudley Lady.  
joan Philippe Queen.  
Isota virgin.  
Isabel Q. her four daughters  
* judith Bethulia.  
juno Chrissa virgin.   

K.  
* Katherine Q. of England.   

L.  
Lady commended by s. john with her daughters.  
Lasthemia.  
Leontium.  
Leta.  
Lucretia.   

M.  
Mantinaea.  
Marcelia.  
* Marry the blessed virgin.  
Marry Queen of England.  
Marry Lady Cicil.  
* Margaret Q of Navar.  
Margaret Countess of R.  
Martia Q of England.  
Maximilla prophetess.  
Myriam prophetess.  
Moera.   

N.  
* Naomi.  
Nossidis.   

O.  
Olympiades'.   

P.  
Paula.  
Panothea.  
Phemono virgin.  
Philip's four daughters.  
Polla.  
Portia.  
Priscilla.  
Proba Romana.  
Pythagoras' daughter.   

R.  
Richthruda.  
Rose wyda.   

S.  
Selina or Salma.  
Sappho poëta.  
* Sarra Tobit.  
Sibyls ten.  
* Susanna.   

T.  
Tecla.  
Theaneo Metaponta.  
Thesseles or Thelestilla.  
Theodosia.  
Thragelia.   

V  
Valeria proba.   

Z.  
Zenobia Queen of Syria, etc.   
THus, good Readers, I have set down the names of some notable learned women to your consideration, referring such as desire to know further of their several works to this treatise following, and to Gesnerus, Bale, Ludovicus vives, the Chronicles, and such other writers of our time. Which I have done, not like a Sycophant to curry favour by flattery with women; but simply, God is my witness, & for good purpose: partly, for that I well perceive these and many other not here named, for their well deserving and excellent works (a taste whereof you have here in this book) have heretofore been had, and that right worthily, in great veneration of the godly learned fathers and writers in all ages: and therefore are no less of us also to be reverently regarded and had in honourable remembrance, to the perpetual recordation and further continuance of their heroical names and fames, as it were by some enrolment of their condign praises and memorable doings to all posterities: but especially for that I might hereby, as much as in me lieth, encourage, provoke, and allure all godly women of our time, in some measure, according to their several gifts given them of God, to become even from their youth more studious imitators, and diligent followers of so godly and rare examples in their virtuous mothers, that as they either in sex, name, or estate are equal with them: so in learning, wisdom, good industry, and in all holy studies and virtuous exercises commendable for women, they would daily endeavour themselves to become like them, that so being lightened by their good examples both of life and doctrine, they may shine also together with them on earth, as burning lamps of very virginity; and in heaven, as bright stars of eternal glory: which God, for his own name sake, grant,  
Amen.   

What ceremony every woman ought by God's word to use in the time of prayer, public or private.  1. Corinth. chapter TWO, verse. 4, etc. 
EVerle man praying or prophesying, having any thing on his head, dishonoureth (God) his head: but every woman that prayeth or prophesieth bare headed, dishonoureth (her husband) her head. For it is even one very thing as though she were shaven.  
Therefore if the woman be not covered, let her also be shorn; and if it be a shame for a woman to be shorn or polled (as in deed it is) then (for shame) let her be covered (and keep her hair trussed up under a kercher.)  
For a man ought not to cover his head (but aught to be polled and bare, for somuch as he is the image and glory of God, in whom his majesty and power doth shine, concerning his authority over his wife, and other of God's creatures subjecteth under his dominion and rule.)  
But the woman is the glory of the man (or receiveth her glory in commendation of man, and therefore is subject:) for the man is not of the woman; but the woman of the man: neither was the man created for the woman's sake; but the woman for the man's sake.  
Therefore ought the woman to have power on her head (that is, some thing to cover her head in sign of subjection, because of the angels, to whom also they show their dissolution and shame, and not only to Christ and his church, or congregation where they pray.)  
judge you in yourselves also, is it comely that a woman pray unto God bore headed? Doth not nature itself teach you, that if a man have long hair like a woman, it is a shame unto him: but if a woman have long hair, it is a praise unto her: for her hair is given unto her for a covering (and to the end she should truss it up about her head: to declare that she must cover her head.) 
But if any man list to be contentious, we have no such custom, neither the church of God.    

¶ The first Lamp of Virginity, containing the divine PRAYERS, HYMNS, or SONGS, made by sundry holy women in the Scripture: something explained in the hardest places, for the better understanding and edifying of the unlearned Reader: and first,  

The prayer of Hagar the handmaid of Sarai, which she made in her trouble and banishment; wherein she rebuketh her own dullness, and acknowledgeth God's graces, who was present with her everywhere.  Genesis. 16, 13. 
THou GOD lookest on me: have I not also looked here after him that seethe me?   

The song of thanksgiving of Moses, which Myriam the Prophetess and sister of Aaron, together with all the women, sang upon Timbrels to the praise of God, for the people of Israëls' deliverance out of the hands of Pharaoh, etc.  Exodus. 15, 1. 
SIng ye unto the Lord, for he hath triumphed gloriously: the horse and his rider hath he over thrown in the sea.  
The Lord is our strength and praise, and he is become our salvation: he is our God, and we will glorify him: he is our father's God, and we will exalt him.  
The Lord is a man of war, jehovah is his name: [in battle he still over cometh, & is ever mindful of his promise.]  
Pharaos' chariots and his host hath he cast into the sea: his chosen captains also are drowned in the red sea.  
The deep waters have covered them: they sunk to the bottom as a stone.  
Thy right hand Lord is become glorious in power: thy right hand, O Lord, hath all to dashed the enemy.  
And in thy great glory thou hast overthrown them that rose up against thee: thou sentest forth thy wrath which consumed them as the stubble.  
Through the blast of thy nostrils the waters gathered together, the floods stood still as an heap, and the deep waters congealed together in the heart [or depth] of the sea.  
The enemy said, I will pursue them: I will overtake them, I will divide the spoil, and my lust shall be satisfied upon them: I will draw my sword, mine hand shall destroy them.  
Thou didst blow with thy wind: the sea covered them, they sank as led in the mighty waters.  
Who is like unto thee, O Lord, among the gods, [or mighty men of the world?] Who is like thee so glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, showing wonders?  
Thou stretchest out thy right hand, the earth swallowed them.  
Thou in thy mercy hast carried this people, which thou hast redeemed and delivered: and thou wilt bring them in thy strength unto thine holy habitation [the land of Canaan, or Mount Zion.]  
The people and nations shall hear, and be afraid: sorrow shall come upon the inhabitants of Palestina.  
Then the Dukes of the Edomites shall be amazed, and trembling shall come upon the great and mightiest men of the Moabites: all the inhabitants of Canaan shall wax faint hearted.  
Fear and dread shall fall upon them, because of the greatness of thine arm or power; they shall be as still as a stone, till thy people pass through: O Lord till this people pass through, which thou hast gotten, or purchased.  
Thou shalt bring them in, and plant them in the mountain of thine inheritance, which is [Mount Zion] the place Lord that thou hast made and prepared for to dwell in, even the sanctuary, O Lord, which thine hands shall establish.  
The Lord shall reign for ever and ever.  
For Pharaoh on horseback went with his chariots and horsemen into the sea: and the Lord brought the waters of the sea upon them: but the children of Israel went on drieland in the mids of the sea.  
Sing ye [therefore] unto the Lord: for he hath triumphed gloriously: the horse and him that road upon him hath he overthrown in the sea.   

The song or thanksgiving of Deborah and Barak, after the victory given of God by the hands of jaël, against Sisera. judges. 5, 2.  
PRaise ye the Lord, for the avenging of Israel: and for the people [of Zabulon and Nepthali] that offered themselves [gladly,] and became so willing [to resist their enemies.]  
Hear O ye kings, hearken O ye princes: I, even I will sing unto the Lord, I will sing praise unto the Lord God of Israel.  
Lord, when thou goest out of Seir, when thou departedst out of the field of Edom, the earth trembled, and the heavens reigned, the clouds also dropped water.  
The mountains melted before the Lord, even as did Sinai before the Lord God of Israel.  
In the days of Samgar the some of Anath, in the days of jael, the high ways were unoccupied [for fear of the enemies,] and the travelers walked through by-ways.  
The towns were not inhabited, they decayed (I say) and the inhabitants thereof were gone in Israel: until I Deborah came up, which [miraculously moved by God to pity & deliver them] rose up a mother in Israel.  
They chose new gods, and then had they war, or the enemy in the gates: was there a shield or spear seen among forty thousand of Israel? [they had no heart to resist their enemies.]  
My heart is set on the governors of Israel, and loveth them that are willing among the people: praise ye the Lord.  
Speak ye [governors] that ride on fair Ass s [or moils,] ye that dwell by Middin [in danger of your enemies,] and that walk by the ways.  
For the noise of the archers among the drawers of water ceased. There shall they rehearse the righteousness of the Lord, his righteousness in his unfenced towns in Israel: then did the people of the Lord go down to the gates [without fear of the enemy.]  
Up Deborah, up, arise and sing a song. Arise Barak, and lead thy captivity [or them that kept thy people in bondage and captivity] captive, thou son of Abinoam.  
For they that remain, have dominion over the mighty of the people: the Lord hath given me dominion over the strong.  
Of Ephraun their root [josua first] arose [and fought] against Amalek: and after thee [josua] Benjamin [that is Saul] shall fight against thy people, O Amalek, Of Machir came rulers, and of Zebulun they that handle the pen of the writer, [even the learned did help to fight.]  
And the princes of Issachar were with Deborah, and [the whole tribe of] Issachar, and also Barak, he was sent on foot into the valley: for the divisions of Reuben were great thoughts of heart.  
Why abodest thou among the sheepfolds, to hear the bleatings of the flocks? For the divisions of Reuben [that came not over jordan to help their brethren in their necessity] were great thoughts of heart [and much marveling.]  
Gilead abode beyond jordan [& yet came to help their brethren: therefore thou Reuben canst have no excuse,] and why doth Dan remain in ships? Asher continued on the sea shore, and tarried in his desolate & decayed places.  
But the people of zebulun and Nepthalie have jeoparded their lives unto the death, in the high places of the field.  
The kings came and fought, then fought the king of Chanaan in Taanach, by the waters of Megiddo, and won no money [but lost all.]  
They fought from heaven, even the stars in their courses fought against Sisera, [and by God's power his people were helped to over come their enemies.]  
The river of kishon swept them away [as a béesome doth the filth of the house,] that ancient river, the river Kishon: O my soul, thou hast marched valiantly.  
Then were the horse hooves broken with the praunsing and oft beating together of their mighty men.  
Curse ye the city of Meros' [where ye fought] (said the Angel of the Lord,) curse the inhabitants thereof, because they came not to help the Lord, to help the Lord against the mighty.  
jael the wife of Heber, the Kenite, shall be blessed above other women: blessed shall she be above women dwelling in tents.  
He asked water, and she gave him milk: she brought forth butter in a lordly dish.  
She put her hand to the nail, and her right hand to the workman's hammer: with the hammer smote she Sisera: she smote off his head, after she had wounded and pierced his temples.  
He bowed him down at her feet, he fell down, and lay still at her feet, he bowed himself down, and fell, & when he had sunk down, he lay there dead & destroyed.  
The mother of Sisera looked out at a window, and cried through the lattice: Why is his chariot so long a coming? Why tarry the wheels of his chariots?  
All her wise Ladies answered her, yea she answered [or comforted] herself with her own words.  
Surely they have gotten, and found, they divide the spoil: every man hath a damsel or two. Sisera hath a pray of divers coloured garments, even a pray of raiment died with sundry colours, and that are made of needle work; raiment of divers colours, and of needle work on both sides, which is meet for him that is chief in distributing of the spoils.  
So let all thine enemies perish, O Lord: but they that love him, shall be as the sun when he riseth in his might [and grow daily more and more in God's favour.] And the land had rest forty years.   

The prayer or blessing of Naomy for her two daughters in law, Ruth and Orpah.  Ruth. 1, 8, 9 
THE Lord show favour, and deal as kindly with you [my good daughters] as ye have dealt with the dead [your husbands my two sons] and with me. Yea the Lord grant you that you may find rest, either of you, in the house of her husband.   

The prayer or vow of Hanna, for a son. 1.  Samuel. 1, 11. 
O Lord of hosts, if thou wilt look on the trouble of thine handmaid, and remember me, and not forget thine handmaid, but give unto thine handmaid a man-child: then I will give him unto the Lord, all the days of his life, and there shall no razor come upon his head.   

The song and thanksgiving of Hanna, after she by prayer had obtained a son called Samuel. 1.  Samuel. 2. 
MIne heart rejoiceth in the Lord, and mine horn is exalted in the Lord [for I have recovered strength and glory by his benefit:] my mouth is enlarged or wide open over mine enemies: [so that I can now answer them that reprove my barrenness,] for I rejoice in thy salvation.  
There is none holy as the Lord, yea there is none besides thee, and there is no god like our God.  
Speak no more presumptuously [against God in condemning my barrenness,] let not arrogancy come out of your mouth: for the Lord is a God of knowledge, and his purposes come to pass, and by him enterprises are established.  
The bow with the mighty men are broken, and they that were weak, have girded themselves with strength.  
They that were full are hired forth for bread, [and sell their labours for necessary food,] and the hungry are no more hired, [but cease to have need:] so that the barren hath borne seven [even many,] and she that had many children is waren feeble.  
The Lord killeth, & maketh alive: bringeth down to the grave, and raiseth up again.  
The Lord maketh poor, and maketh rich: bringeth low, and exalteth up on high.  
He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and [according to his own will] lifteth up the beggar from the dunghill, to set them among princes, and to make them inherit the seat of glory: for the pillars of the earth are the Lords, and he hath set the world upon them: [therefore he may dispose all things at his pleasure, and prefer whom he will to honour.]  
He will keep the feet of his Saints [so that they shall neither walk nor fall into any evil] & the wicked shall keep silence in darkness: for in his own might shall no man be strong.  
The Lords adversaries shall be destoried, and out of heaven shall he thunder upon them: the Lord shall judge the ends of the world, and shall give power unto his king [jesus,] & exalt the horn of [Christ] his anointed.   

The song of the women of Israel, in the praise of David's victory over Goliath.  1. Samuel. 18, 7. 
SAule hath slain his thousand: and David his ten thousand.   

The prayer or wish of Abigaël for king David, against his enemies.  1. Samuel. 25, 24. 
OH my Lord, I have committed the iniquity: and I pray thee let thine handmaid speak unto thee, and hear thou the words of thine handmaid. Let not my Lord I pray thee regard this wicked man Nabal, for as his name is, so is he. Nabal is his name, and folly is with him: but I thine handmaid saw not the young men of my Lord, whom thou sentest. Now therefore my Lord, as the Lord liveth, & as thy soul liveth, the Lord, I say, that hath withholden thee from coming to shed blood, and that thine hand should not save thee, [nor revenge thee on thine enemies.] So now, I pray God that thine enemies, and they that intent to do my Lord evil, may be as Nabal: and I pray thee, forget the trespass of thine handmaid, etc.   

The song of Zion, or the familiar talk and mystical communication, or divine dialogue of the special love between the spiritual bridegroom jesus Christ, and the bride the faithful soul, his sanctified, chaste, and holy spouse the Church: commonly called,  The Song of songs, or Ballad of ballads, made by king Solomon. Cantic. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 

The Church or faithful soul speaketh to Christ.  
O That thou wouldst kiss me with the kisses of thy mouth [even with thy peace which passeth all understanding:] for thy love [O Christ] is better and more pleasant [unto me] than wine: and that because of the good and pleasant savour of thy most precious balms or ointments, [even of thy great benefits, which I taste and feel from thee.]  
Thy name [O Christ] is as a sweet smelling ointment when it is powered out and shed forth: [thy mercy is set forth and published by preaching thy Gospel,] therefore the Virgins [even they that are pure in heart and conversation] do love thee.  
Draw thou me [O sweet Christ] unto thee, and we will run after thee: [for otherwise I confess we can not come to thee, except we be drawn of thee.] The King hath brought me into his privy chambers: [and revealed unto me the secret joys not known to the world,] we will [therefore] be glad and rejoice in thee, [yea] we think more of thy love, than of wine. [For] they that be righteous love thee [above all things.]  
I am black [I confess through the spots of sin, persecution, and troubles] O ye daughters of jerusalem: but yet comely, fair, and well-favoured [through faith in the blood of Christ, in whose favour I have confidence and trust,] as the fruits or tents of the Kedarens or Arabians: and as the hangings or curtains of Solomon [which within were all set with precious stones and jewels.]  
Marvel not therefore at me, because I am so black, [nor regard or consider me by the outward appearance,] for why? the sun [even the corruption of nature through sin and affliction] hath looked and shined upon me. Yea and my mother's children [even mine own brethren which should have most favoured me] were angry against me, and having evil will at me, they made me the keeper of the vineyards: but mine own vineyard have I not kept, [such alas hath been mine own negligence.]  
[Therefore feeling my faults and imperfections, I fly now unto thee, O Christ, my spiritual husband only for succour, beseeching thee and saying,] Tell me, O thou whom my soul loveth, where thou feedest the sheep, [O show me, I say,] where thou liest, and makest them rest at the noon day: for why should I be like her that turneth aside, or goeth wrong about the flocks of thy companions [whom thou hast called to the dignity of pastors in thy Church: and yet they like apostates not only set forth their own false dreams and traditions in steed of thy true doctrine: but also are become the domestical enemies that persecute the Church.]   

Christ speaketh to his Church, or the faithful soul.  
O Thou the fairest among women: if thou know not thyself [but art ignorant in my ways:] then go thy way forth after the footsteps of the flock of sheep, [even after the doctrine of the Apostles] and feed thy goats and kids by the tents of the shepherds [and learn of the true pastors and spiritual doctors.]  
I have compared thee, O my love, unto the troop of horses in the chariots of Pharaoh [because that for thy spiritual beauty and excellency there was no worldly treasure to be compared unto thee.]  
Thy cheeks and thy neck are beautiful as the turtles, and behanged with spangles, chains, and goodly jewels: a neckband [also] embroidered with gold and studs, or buttons of silver will I make thee.   

The Church.  
WHen the King sitteth at the table, and is at his repast: he shall smell my Nardus, or spikenard [for I rejoice that I am admitted to the company of my husband Christ] yea my well-beloved is as a bundle of Myrrh unto me, and he shall lie betwixt my breasts, [for he is most dear unto me,] my well-beloved [I say] is as a cluster of Camphire unto me in the vineyards of Engedi: [wherefore so long as I follow my Christ, I can not err from the true faith of salvation.]   

CHRIST.  
O How fair art thou my love? Oh how fair art thou? Thine eyes are like the dove's eyes. [behold, most acceptable art thou unto me, and I commend thy beauty.]   

The Church.  
OH, how fair art thou [also] my beloved? How well-favoured and pleasant art thou? Our bed [even the heart of the faithful: where thou, O Christ, dwellest by thy spirit] is all green, bedecked with flowers: the beams or ceilings of our house are of Cedar trees, and our cross joints of Cypress.  
I am the rose of the field, and the lily of the valleys.   

CHRIST.  
YEa like as the lily among the thorns: so is my love among the daughters: [for my Church is to be preferred before & above all other things, yea so am I also among mine enemies.   

The Church.  
LIke as the apple tree among the trees of the forest: so is my well-beloved among the sons of men, [I can not but testify my love and great desire towards him,] for my delight is to sit and rest under his shadow, because his fruit [and word] is sweet unto my mouth: [and when my strength faileth me] he bringeth me into his own wine seller: and spreadeth the banner of his love over me, [and there I desired to be comforted, saying:] Set about me cups or flagons of wine, and comfort me with apples, for I am sick of love, [and lo, I have felt it.] For his left hand is under my head, and his right hand doth embrace me.   

CHRIST.  
I Charge you, O daughters of jerusalem, [ye rulers, which have to do in the Church, as it were by this solemn oath] by the roes, and by the hinds of the field, that ye wake not up my love, nor touch her, [or trouble her quietness] until she please, or be content herself.   

The Church.  
ME think I hear the voice of my well-beloved [spouse Christ] behold, he [hath taken our nature upon him, and] cometh leaping upon the mountains, and skipping over the little hills [to help his Church:] My beloved is like a Roe or a young Hart. Behold, he [having his divinity hid under the cloak of our flesh] standeth behind our wall looking forth of the windows, showing himself through the grates, [so that we can not have full knowledge of him in this life] and my well-beloved spoke & said unto me.   

CHRIST.  
O My love, arise, and stand up, my fair one, come thy way, and go to thine own. Behold, the winter [of sin, error, and infidelity] is now past, [driven back and put away by my coming in the flesh, which is compared to the spring-time, when all things flourish:] the rain is changed and gone away: the flowers [of good works] are come up and appear in the fields: the time of the birds singing is come, and the voice of the turtle dove [or holy Ghost] is heard in our land. The fig tree bringeth forth her figs, and the vines bear blossoms, and have a good smell.  
O stand up then, and come my love, arise, I say, my beautiful one, and come away, O my dove. Thou that art in the caves of the rocks, holes in the wall, and in the secret place of the stairs: [thou, I say, that art ashamed of thy sins, come and] show thyself unto me. O let me see thy countenance, and hear thy voice. For sweet is thy voice, and fair and comely is thy face.  
Take us the foxes, yea the little foxes, which destroy the vines: [suppress the heretics and enemies of my Church whiles they be young: that is, when they begin to show their malice, and destroy my vine, by preaching false doctrine:] for our vines bear blossoms, and have small grapes.   

The Church.  
My well-beloved is mine, and I am his: he feedeth among the lilies until the day break, and till the shadows be gone.  
Return [I pray thee] and come again, O my beloved [Christ,] and be like a Roe, or young Hart upon the wild mountains of Bether, [ever most ready to help and defend me in all dangers.]  
In my bed by night, [or in my troubles] I sought him whom my soul loveth, yea diligently sought I him, but I found him not [by carnal reason, but by the scriptures] neither was I incontinently heard.  
[And because we must continue in prayer till we feel comfort, though we feel it not at the first:] therefore thought I, I will now rise and get up, and go about the city by the streets, and by the high ways and open places, and will seek him [by prayer continually,] whom my soul loveth, [for I desire to be joined inseparably to Christ my husband.] But when I sought him [by carnal reason] I found him not, [but by the scriptures. Then seeking further unto all others also, of whom I hoped to have any comfort & succour, at last] the watchmen that went about the city found me, to whom I said, Saw ye not him whom my soul loveth?  
So when I was a little past them, I found him [by the preaching of his word] whom my soul loveth. I have gotten hold upon him, and will not let him go, until I have brought him into my mother's house, [even] into the chamber of her that conceived me, and bore me.   

CHRIST.  
I Charge you, O ye daughters of Jerusalem, [ye rulers and Magistrates that have to do in my Church, as it were by this solemn oath,] by the Roes and by the Hinds of the field: that ye wake not up my love, nor touch her, [nor trouble the state, quietness, or peace thereof,] until she please and be content herself.   

The Church speaking of her deliverance out of the wilderness; and of the beauty of salomon's Temple, saith:  
WHo is this that cometh up out of the wilderness like pillars or vapours of smoke, perfumed as it were with the sweet smell of Myrrh and incense, and with all manner spices or sweet powders of the Apothecary or merchant, [me think it is like the coming of the children of Israel, which were led in the wilderness, and followed Christ forty years.]  
Behold the bedstead, [or Temple,] which Solomon made, round about it stand threescore strong men [even] of the most valiant and mighty men of Israel. They all handle the sword, and are expert in war, every one hath his sword upon his thigh, [watching, keeping, and defending the Temple by the word of God,] because of the fear in the night.  
King Solomon made himself a palace, or chariot, of the trees and wood of Lebanon, he made the pillars thereof of silver, and the pavement and covering thereof of gold, the hangings thereof of purple, whose mids, or ground, was paved pleasantly with the love of the daughters of jerusalem.  
Come forth, O ye daughters of Zion, [even all ye that are of the number of the faithful,] and behold this King Solomon [even Christ become man] crowned [by the love of God with the glorious crown of his divinity,] wherewith his mother crowned him in the day of his marriage, and in the day of the gladness of his heart.   

CHRIST.  
O How fair art thou my love! how fair art thou! [I can not choose but praise and commend all that is in thee, in whom I have so great delight.] Thou hast dove's eyes, [even a simple and sincere faith,] besides that which lieth hid within thy hairy locks [even the fruits of a true faith] are like the wool of a flock of goats that be shorn upon Mount Gilead, [so great respect have I to the multitude of the faithful ones, which are many in number.]  
Thy teeth, [or faith by the which all the faithful are made the sons of God equally] are like a flock of sheep in good order of the same bigness, which went up from the washing place, where every one beareth two twins; and not one is unfruitful or barren among them.  
Thy lips are like a rose coloured ribbon, thy words are lovely, and thy talk comely: thy cheeks or temples are like a piece of a pomegranate within thy hairy locks.  
Thy neck [or preachers] is like the tower of David, builded with costly stones lying out on the sides for defence: a thousand shields hang therein: yea and all the weapons and targets of the giants or strong men [are fixed therein.]  
Thy two breasts, [the old Testament and the new] wherein are knowledge and zeal, [two precious jewels] are like two twins of young Roes, which feed among roses.  
O that I might go to the mountain of Myrrh, and to the hill of frankincense, till the day break, and till the shadows be passed away!  
Thou art all fair, O my love, and no spot [or blemish] is there in thee [in my sight.]  
Come to me from Lebanon, O my spouse: come to me from Lebanon. Look from the top of Amanah, from the top of Shenir and Hermon: from the dens of the lions, and from the mountains of the leopards [even from all the corners of the world will I call thee, my Church and faithful unto me.]  
O my sister, [for so I call thee my Church, in respect that I have taken the flesh of man upon me.] O my spouse: thou hast wounded or bewitched my heart with love. O my sister and spouse, thou hast wounded my heart with one of thy eyes, and with a chain of thy neck, [yea I love my gifts in thee, whom I have therewith made so beautiful and rich.]  
O how fair are thy breasts, my sister, my spouse, how fair is thy love! Thy breasts or love are much better and more pleasant [unto me] than wine, and the savour of thine ointments passeth all spices.  
Thy lips, O my spouse, [because of thy confession & thanksgiving, and through preaching of the Gospel,] drop as the honey comb, [and bring forth much consolation and comfort:] yea milk and honey are under thy tongue, and the sweet smell or savour of thy garments is like the smell of Lebanon.  
My sister, my spouse is as a garden well locked or enclosed: as a spring shut up, and a fountain sealed up.  
The fruits that are planted in thee are like a very paradise or orchard of pomegranates: with sweet fruits, as Camphire, Nardus, or Spikenard, Saffron, Calamus, and Cinnamon, with all sweet smelling trees of incense, Myrrh, Aloes, and all the best spices.   

The Church.  
O Fountain of the gardens! O Well of living waters and the springs of Lebanon! [I confess that all my glory and beauty cometh of thee, O Christ, who art the true fountain of all grace and goodness to me the Church thy spouse.]  
Arise O north wind, and come O thou south wind, come and blow on my garden, that the spices & smell thereof may flow out, and be carried on every side: yea let my well-beloved come to his garden, and eat of the sweet and pleasant fruits that grow therein. [For this is all my desire to have thee, O Christ, my beloved spouse, to come and comfort me, and to power the graces of thy holy spirit from all quarters upon me.]   

CHRIST.  
I Am come into my garden, [even unto my kingdom and Church, where I prepare the banquet for mine elect, and bestow upon them my singular benefits.] O my sister, my spouse, I have gathered my Myrrh with my spice: I have eaten my honey with the honey comb: I have drunk my wine with my milk. Eat ye [also] O friends, drink ye, and make you merry, O well-beloved.   

The Church.  
I Sleep [and am troubled with the cares of worldly things,] but mine heart waketh: I hear the voice of my well-beloved that knocketh, saying:   

CHRIST.  
OPen to me, O my sister, my love, my dove, my darling, mine undefiled. For mine head is full of dew, and the locks of my hear are full of the night drops: [having long patience towards sinners.]   

The Church.  
I Have put off my cote, [and confess my nakedness, having of myself nothing:] how shall I put it on again? I have washed my feet: [and am made clean,] how shall I defile myself again? [Yea therefore, seeing I am once by thee made clean, I here promise now unto thee, never to defile or pollute myself with sin again.]  
My well-beloved put in his hand by the hole of the door, and my heart and bowels were affectioned, or moved towards him.  
I rose up to open to my beloved, and my hands dropped with Myrrh: and the Myrrh ran down my fingers upon the hands of the bar, or lock.  
I opened unto my well-beloved, but he was departed and gone his way past me, and my heart was gone when he did speak. [For when I sought him, and would feign have been anointed of Christ, I could not find him, because I thought to anoint him with my good works.] I sought him, [I say] and could not find him: I called, and cried upon him, but he answered me not. [For he left me for a time, to the end he might stir up in me a greater desire of him by continual prayer.]  
So the [wicked] watchmen [and false teachers] that went about the city found me: they smote me, and wounded my [conscience with their traditions,] yea the watchmen that kept the walls, took away my vail or kerchief from me.  
I charge you [therefore] O ye daughters of jerusalem, [ye godly watchmen of Zion, from whence the law & salvation cometh] if ye find my well-beloved, that you tell him that I am sick of love, [and that ye direct me unto him.]   

The daughters of jerusalem, or faithful Christians, to the Church, say:  
O Thou fairest among women, what manner of man is thy well-beloved above other lovers? or what is he more than other well-beloved? or what can thy love do more than other lovers, that thou dost so straightly charge us?   

The Church.  
MY well-beloved [to describe his perfect beauty and comeliness unto you,] is white, and ruddy coloured, the goodliest and chiefest person among ten thousand.  
His head is as the most fine gold, his locks are curled, and black as a raven.  
His eyes are like dove's eyes, by the water brooks, [which look] as though they were washed with milk, and remain by the fullers vessels, and are set like pearls in gold.  
His cheeks are like a garden bed, wherein the Apothecaries plant all manner of sweet spices, flowers, and things.  
His lips are like lilies, that drop down pure and sweet smelling Myrrh.  
His hands are like gold rings, set with the Chrysolite, or precious stone of Tharsis.  
His belly is like white ivory, decked or covered over with sapphires.  
His legs are as the pillars of marble, set upon sockets of fine gold.  
His face or countenance is as Lebanus, and excellent as the beauty of the Cedar trees.  
His mouth, and the words thereof are sweet, and he is altogether lovely, and wholly delectable, [even] this or such a one is my love, O ye daughters of jerusalem, [and] such a manner of man is this my well-beloved [spouse Christ.]   

The daughters of jerusalem, or the faithful to the Church, say:  
O Thou fairest among women, whither is [this] thy well-beloved [Christ] gone? whither is thy well-beloved turned aside, that we [also] may seek him with thee. [For hearing of this his excellency and beauty, we are inflamed greatly with desire to know how and where to find him also,]   

The Church.  
MY well-beloved is gone down into his garden, [and is conversant here in earth among men in his Church, which is directed by his scriptures,] unto the sweet smelling beds of spices, [is my love come,] that he may refresh himself, and feed in the gardens, and gather lilies.  
[I assure myself of the love of Christ, and that] I am my well-beloveds, and my well-beloved is mine, who feedeth among the lilies.   

CHRIST.  
THou art beautiful, O my love, as is the place, or strong and fair city Tirzah: thou art comely and fair as jerusalem: fearful and terrible as an army of men with their banners.  
Turn away thine eyes from me, for they have set me on fire, and overcome me: [so exceeding is my love towards thee my Church, yea I must needs praise thy spiritual and comely beauty also in all thy members. For] thy hairy locks are like a flock of goats, which go down to be shorn upon the mountain of Gilead.  
Thy teeth are like a flock of shorn sheep, which go up from the washing place, where every one beareth twins, & not one is barren, or unfruitful among them.  
Thy cheeks, or temples, are like a piece of pomegranate, within thy locks of hear.  
There are threescore Queens, and fourscore concubines, or wives, and of the damsels without number. [For the faithful are many in number, and divers orders and degrees of men there are therein: or the gifts and graces which I do give unto my Church, are infinite.]  
But my dove is one alone, and mine undefiled darling, she is the only beloved daughter of her mother, and dear unto her that bore her. [For divers particular Churches dispersed, make but one catholic Church.] When the daughters saw her, they said she was blessed: ye a even the Queens and concubines, or wives praised her.  
What, or who is she that looketh forth as the morning, fair as the moon, pure as the sun, terrible and fearful as an army of men with their banners? [though the beginning of my Church was but small, yet hath it grown up to a great multitude.]  
I went down unto the nut garden, [and looked upon my Church, subject to affliction, what fruit it bringeth,] and to see what grew by the brooks in the valley, if the vine budded, and if the vineyard & pomegranates flourished: [I went down, I say, into the Synagogue, to see what fruits came of the law and the Prophets, but] I knew nothing, [nor found any thing but rebellion therein.] My soul set me as the chariots of my noble people that be under tribute: [and I ran as swift as the nobles of my people in their chariots, to call them to repentance, saying:]  
Come again, turn again, O Shulamite, thou perfect one: turn again, O my people of jerusalem, turn again, and we will look upon thee. What shall ye see in the Shulamite, [that is, jerusalem, the which was Shalem, that signifieth peace,] but like men of war singing in a company?  
O how pleasant and beautiful are thy doings with shoes, thou princes daughter! The joints of thy thighs are like a fair jewel, which is wrought by the hand of a cunning workmaster?  
Thy navel is like a round goblet or cup, which is never without drink, or wanteth liquor, [but is ever replenished with the rich knowledge of God's word, and heavenly desires.]  
Thy belly or womb is as an heap of wheat that is set about with lilies: [even full of spiritual treasures.]  
Thy two breasts [of the old testament and the new, which came from God,] are like two twins of young Roes, [and are of equal authority in the Church.]  
Thy neck [or preachers,] is like the tower of ivory, [and aught to be pure and godly.] Thine eyes also are like the water pools that are in Nesbon, by the gates of Bath-Rabbin, [even thy magistrates must be well instructed in God's word.] Thy nose [or judges of good & evil,] is like the tower of Lebanon, which looketh toward Damascus.  
Thine head that standeth upon thee is like Carmel, or scarlet, & the hear of thine head like purple. The king is tied in the gallery or rafters, or dwelleth among many water conduits, [and delighteth to come near thee, and to be in thy company.]  
O how fair and lovely art thou my love! How pleasant art thou O my darling in pleasures!  
This thy stature is like a palm tree, [which the more it is pressed & persecuted, the more it groweth and increaseth,] and thy breasts are like the clusters of grapes.  
I said, I will climb up into the palm tree, and take hold of her high boughs. Thy breasts also shall now be like the clusters of the vine, and the smell of thy nostrils like as the savour of apples.  
And the roof of thy mouth like the best wine, which is meet for my best blood, and causeth the lips of the ancient to speak.   

The Church.  
I Am my well-beloveds, and his desire is to turn towards me. O come on my well-beloved, let us go forth into the field, and take our lodging in the villages, and there remain.   

CHRIST.  
IN the morning will we get up early, and go see the vineyard, we will see if the vine be sprung forth, if the grapes be grown, and if the pomegranates flourish, and be shot out. [I will call them that profess my word to an account, what fruit they do bring forth in my Church.] There will I give thee my love, or my breasts: [even my graces to the faithful that are in my Church.]  
The mandrakes have given their smell, and in our gates are all sweet things, new and old, which I have kept for thee, O my beloved.   

The Church.  
O That I [that is, the fathers of the old testament,] might find thee without, [that is, see the incarnation of Christ,] and kiss thee, whom I love as my brother, which sucked my mother's breasts, than they should not despise thee nor me.  
I will lead thee, and bring thee into my mother's house, that thou [O Christ] mightest teach me, and that I might give thee drink of the spiced wine, and of the sweet sap of my pomegranates.  
His left hand shall be under my head, and his right hand shall embrace me. [His gracious favour shall preserve me from desperation in adversity, and from presumption in prosperity.]   

CHRIST.  
I Charge you, O ye daughters of jerusalem, [ye magistrates or elders, which rule in my Church;] that ye stir not up [contentions, or wars therein,] nor wake my love, [by tumults and troubles,] until she please.  
Who is she that thus cometh up from out of the wilderness, leaning upon her well-beloved? I waked, or raised thee up among the apple trees, where thy mother conceived thee, where thy mother, I say, that bore thee, brought thee into the world.   

The Church.  
O Set me as a seal upon thine heart, and as a signet upon thine arm. [For I thy spouse desire to be joined in perpetual love with thee, O Christ, by the seal of the holy Ghost.] For love is strong as death, and jealousy is cruel as the grave.  
The coals thereof are fiery coals, and a very vehement flame of the Lord: so that many waters are not able to quench love, neither may the streams of floods drown it: yea if a man would give all the substance of his house for love, he should count it nothing: [but] would greatly contemn it.  
We have a little sister, [namely, the Church of the Gentiles,] she is but young, and hath no breasts, [but wanteth both the old and new testament.] What shall we do for our sister, when she shall be spoken for?  
If she be [sure and firm as] a wall, we will build upon her a silver palace: and if she be a door, we will keep or fasten her with boards of Cedar trees. [If the Church be sure and fast, she is meet for the husband to dwell in, and we the Apostles will preach to them that are called inwardly of God to salvation.]  
[Yea] I am a wall, and my breasts are as towers. [For I do promise fidelity & constancy unto my spouse Christ.] Then was I as one that hath found favour and peace in his sight.  
Solomon [the Lord Christ] hath a vineyard at Baal-hamon, and this vineyardlet he out unto keepers, that every one, for the fruit thereof, should give him a thousand pieces of silver.  
But my vineyard, which is mine, is in my sight before me: to thee O [Christ the spiritual] Solomon appertain a thousand pieces of silver, and two thousand to them that keep the fruit thereof: [even the greatest profit, which is life everlasting, obtained by the grace of God, and not by our merits.]  
O thou that dwellest in the gardens, [thy Church, where] thy companions [or faithful ones,] hearken unto thy voice. O let me hear it [also,] that my companions may hearken unto the same.  
O my well-beloved [Christ, if thou] fly away, and [depart from us thy faithful ones for a while, yet we beseech thee] be like unto the Roe, or as the young Hart upon the sweet smelling mountains of spices, [and make haste (we pray chae) to come again, and help us in our troubles, Amen.]    

The four lamentations of the daughter of Zion, the Church, wherein with weeping, sighing, howling, and with an heavy and woeful heart she sorrowfully bewaileth her miserable estate, being plagued of God, and forsaken of her spouse Christ, for his sins, unfaithfulness, and rebellion.  Lament. 1. 

The first Lamentation.  
ALas, how doth the city [Jerusalem] remain so solitary and desolate, that sometime was full of people? How is she become like a widow? How is she brought under tribute, that was great among the nations, & ruled the lands and provinces as princess?  
She weary sore continually in the night, and the tears run down by her cheeks: [so that she taketh no rest.] For among all her lovers she hath none to comfort her, yea all her next friends transgress against her, and have dealt unfaithfully with her, and are become her enemies.  
juda is carried away captive, because of [her cruelty] affliction and great bondage, or servitude, [and oppression of their servants, and the poor:] she dwelleth [now] among the heathen, and findeth no rest: all her persecutors took her in the straight places, where she could not escape.  
The ways and streets of Zion mourn and lament, because no man cometh any more [with mirth and joy as they were wont] to the solemn feasts: all her gates are desolate: her priests sigh and make lamentation: her virgins are discomfited, her maids are careful, and she herself is in great heaviness.  
Her adversaries are the chief [rulers over her,] and her enemies prosper. For the Lord hath chastened and afflicted her for her great wickedness, and her children are gone into captivity before the enemy, for the multitude of her transgressions.  
And from the daughter of Zion all her beauty is gone and departed, her princes are become like hearts that find no pasture, [even as men pined away with sorrow, and have no courage,] and they are driven away, and gone without strength before the enemy and pursuer, so that they have no more power.  
Now jerusalem remembered, in the time of her misery and affliction, bare estate and rebellion, all her toy and pleasure that she hath had in times past: seeing her people is brought down under the power of the enemy, and there is no man for the help her. The enemies stand looking at her, and laugh and mock her Sabbath days [that is, her Religion and serving of God,] to scorn.  
jerusalem hath grievously sinned, therefore is she come in decay, and had in derision: all they that had her in honour [now] despise her, because they have seen her filthiness: yea she sigheth and turneth backward, as she that is ashamed of herself.  
Her filthiness is in her skirts [and manifest,] yet she [was not ashamed of her sin, nor] remembered her last end: therefore is her downfall so wonderful, and there is no man to comfort her. O Lord, behold mine affliction, and consider my trouble, for mine enemy hath the upper hand, and hath proudly magnified himself.  
The enemy hath put his hand to all the precious things that she had: yea even before her eyes came the heathen, and entered in and out of her Sanctuary, whom thou (nevertheless) didst command and forbid to come within thy Church and congregation.  
All her people sigh, and seek their bread with heaviness: and look what precious or pleasant thing every man hath, that giveth he for meat to save his life, and refresh his soul. Consider O Lord, and see, how vile I am become.  
Have ye no regard [to pity me] all ye that pass by this way? Behold and see, if there be any sorrow like unto mine, wherewith the Lord hath afflicted or troubled me, in the day of his fierce and fearful wrath, [and learnc to beware by mine example.]  
From above hath he [even GOD] sent down a fire into my bones, which prevaileth and burneth them cruelly: he hath spread or laid a net for my feet, turned me back, and thrown me wide open: he hath made me desolate, so that I am daily in heaviness, and must ever be mourning.  
The yoke of my transgressions is bound fast to [God] his hand, they are wrapped or wreathen, and come up upon my neck, [so that by no means it can be shaken off, or remitted, but only of his special grace and mercy.] He hath made my strength to fail: the Lord hath delivered me into their hands, neither am I able to rise up, and quit myself from them [that have me in bondage.]  
The Lord hath trodden under foot, and destroyed all my valiant and mighty men, that were in the mids of me: he hath proclauned an appointed time, and called an assembly to slaughter and destroy all my best young men. The Lord hath trodden down the virgin, the daughter of juda, like as it were [grapes] in a winepress.  
Therefore do I weep, and mine eyes, even mine eyes gush out with water, because the comforter that should quicken me and refresh my soul, is far from me. My children are driven away and desolate. And why? Because the enemy hath gotten the upper hand, and prevailed.  
Zion casteth out her hands, and there is none to comfort her: the Lord hath laid the enemies of jacob round about him, and jerusalem is as a menstruous woman, [who for her pollution, is separate from her husband,] and is become abomination in the midst of them.  
The Lord is righteous, for I have rebelled against his commandments, & provoked his countenance to anger. O hear I pray you, and take heed all ye people, behold my sorrow, and consider my heaviness: my virgins, my maidens, and my young men are led away [prisoners, and] gone into captivity.  
I called for my lovers, but they deceived me: for my priests and counsellors, but they perished [and died for hunger] in the City, even whiles they sought for meat to save their lives, and refresh their souls.  
Behold, O Lord, and consider how I am troubled, my bowels swell, my womb is disquieted, my heart turneth about within me, and I am full of heaviness, because I rebelled stubbornly: the sword spoileth me abroad, as death doth at home.  
They hear my mourning, but there is none that will comfort me: all mine enemies have heard of my trouble, and are glad thereof, because thou hast done it: [but] thou wilt bring forth the day and time that thou hast pronounced, and called'st, when they also shall be like unto me.  
Let all their wickedness come before thee, and do thou unto them, as thou hast done unto me for all my transgressions and trespasses. For my sorrow is very great, my sighs are many, and mine heart is heavy.   

The second lamentation of Zion.  
ALas, how hath the Lord darkened the daughter of Zion in his wrath, [and brought her from prosperity to adversity?] How hath he cast the beauty and honour of Israel down from heaven unto the earth, and [given her a most sore fall,] not remembering his own footstool, [the Temple of jerusalem,] in the day of his wrath, when he was angry?  
The Lord hath cast out and destroyed all the habitations of jacob, without any favour: all the strong places or holds of the daughter of juda hath he broken in his wrath, and thrown them down to the ground, and not spared her kingdom, and the princes thereof hath he profaned and polluted.  
In the wrath of his fierce indignation he hath broken all the horn [or power and strength] of Israel, he hath drawn back his right hand [of secure] from before the enemy: yea a flame of fire was kindled in jacob, which hath consumed & devoured up all round about.  
He hath bend his bow like an enemy, his right hand was stretched up and fastened as an adversary, and every thing that was pleasant to the eye to see, he hath slain, he hath powered out his wrath like a fire into the tabernacle of the daughter of Zion.  
The Lord is become as it were an enemy, he hath devoured Israel, and consumed all his palaces: yea all his strong holds hath he destroyed, and filled and greatly increased the daughter of juda with much sorrow and heaviness, lamentation and mourning.  
For he hath destroyed his tabernacle as a garden, his solemn meetings or congregation hath he put down, yea the Lord hath brought it so to pass, that the high solemn feasts and sabbaths are clean forgotten in Zion, and hath despised in the heavy displeasure and indignation of his wrath [both] the king and the priest.  
The Lord hath forsaken his own altar, and hath abhorred his own Sanctuary: he hath given the walls of her palaces and towers into the hand of the enemies, who have made a noise [with blasphemous shoutings and criengs] in the house of the Lord, as in the day of solemnity and feasting [when the people were accustomed to pray.]  
The Lord hath determined to break down the walls of the daughter of Zion, he spread out his line, and hath not withdrawn his hand from destroying: therefore he maketh the [insensible things, even the] rampart turrets, and walls [as it were to take part of the sorrow, and to] mourn & lament, because they fell down and were destroyed together.  
Her gates are sunk down to the ground, her bars are broken and smitten in sunder, her king and princes are carried away to the Gentiles, they have not the law, neither have her Prophets any vision from the Lord.  
The Senators and Elders of the daughter of Zion sit upon the ground, and keep silence, they have cast up dust and ashes upon their heads, and girded themselves with sackcloth: the virgins or maids of jerusalem hang down their heads to the ground.  
Mine eyes do fail through weeping, and abundance of tears: my bowels swell, my liver is powered upon the earth, for the great hurt and destruction of the daughter of my people, because the children, babes, and sucklings faint and sown in the streets of the City.  
They have said to their mothers, Where is bread and drink? when they swooned and fell down as the wounded in the streets of the city, and when they gave up the ghost, and died in their mother's bosom.  
What thing shall I take to witness against thee? Or what thing shall I liken to thee, O daughter jerusalem. [Thy calamity is so evident, that it need no further proof.] To whom then shall I compare thee, O thou virgin daughter Zion, to comfort thee withal? For the breach [in thy heart] is like [the breach in] a main sea. Who may heal thee?  
Thy [false] Prophets have looked out vain and foolish things for thee, and they have not discovered thine iniquity, or showed thee of thy wickedness, to turn away thine affliction, and to keep thee from captivity: but they [to flatter thee in thy sins] have seen or looked out for the false prophecies, and causes of banishment, [and destruction.]  
All that pass by the way, clap their hands at thee, hissing and wagging their heads upon the daughter jerusalem, and say: Is this the City that men call so fair, the perfection of beauty, and the joy of the whole earth?  
Al thine enemies gape upon thee with open mouths, they hiss at thee, and grind their teeth, saying: Let us devour it, for certainly this is the day, the time that we looked for is come, we have found, and seen it.  
The Lord hath fulfilled the thing that he was purposed to do, and performed his word that he had devised and determined of old time long ago: he hath thrown down, destroyed, and not spared: he hath caused thine adversary to rejoice and triumph over thee, and hath set up the horn [or power] of thine enemy.  
Their heart cried unto the Lord: O thou wall or city of the daughter Zion, let thy tears run down like a river: day and night take thee no rest, neither let the apple of thine eye cease or leave off [weeping.]  
Arise, stand up, and cry in the night, in the beginning of the watches: power out thy heart like water before the face of the Lord, lift up thine hands towards him, for the lives of the young children that faint and die for hunger in the corners of all the streets.  
Behold, O Lord, and consider to whom thou hast done thus. Shall the women than eat their own fruit, even their children of a span long? Shall the Priest and the Prophet be slain in the Sanctuary of the Lord?  
The young & the old lie on the ground in the streets: my virgins and my young men are slain, and fallen with the sword: thou hast slain them and put them to death in the day of thy wrathful indignation: yea even thou hast killed them, and not spared.  
My terrors [even mine enemies whom I feared] that are round about me, hast thou called as it were to a feast-daie, so that in the day of the Lords wrath none escaped, neither was any left behind: those that I have nourished and brought up, hath mine enemy destroyed and consumed.   

The third lamentation of Zion.  
HOw is the gold [or the princes] become so dim? the most fine gold so changed? How are the stones of the Sanctuary [or the priests] so scattered in the corner of every street?  
The noble men of Zion that were alway in honour, and clothed with the most precious gold, how are they esteemed, and now become like the earthen vessels, the work of the potter's hand? [of small estimation, and without any honour.]  
The Dragon's [though they be cruel, yet for pity] draw out their breasts, and give suck to [nourish] their young ones: but the daughter of my people is become cruel, [and the women forsake their children] like the Ostriches in the wilderness, [which forsake both egg and bird.]  
The tongues of the sucking children cleave to the roof of their mouths for very thirst, the young children ask bread, but there is no man that giveth it them.  
They that were wont to far delicately, perish in the streets: they that afore were brought up in purple and scarlet, now make much of dung.  
For the iniquity of the daughter of my people is become greater than the wickedness of zodome, that suddenly was destroyed, and not taken with hands, nor any camps pitched against her.  
Her Nazarites or absteiners were purer than the snow, and whiter than the milk: their colour in body was fresh & red as coral, and their beauty like the polished Saphyr, [so greatly were they once in God's favour.]  
But now their faces be very black as a coal, in so much that none can know them in the streets: their skin cleaveth to their bones, it is withered, and become like a dry stock, [and they are in greatest abomination unto him.]  
They that be slain with the sword, are happier than they that are killed or die with hunger. For they fade [and pine] away, as they were stricken through for the lack of the fruits of the field [and food.]  
The women, which of nature are pitiful, have sodden their own children with their hands, that they might be their meat in the miserable destruction of the daughter of my people.  
The Lord hath performed his heavy wrath, he hath powered out the furiousness of his wrathful displeasure: he hath kindled a fire in Zion, which hath consumed the foundations thereof.  
Neither the kings of the earth, nor all the inhabitors of the world, would have believed, that the enemy and adversary should have entered and come into the gates of jerusalem.  
Which nevertheless [contrary to all men's expectation] is come to pass, for the sins of her Prophets, and the iniquities of her Priests, that have shed the blood of the just and innocent in the midst of her.  
As blind men went they stumbling in the streets, and stained or polluted themselves with blood, so that the heathen would not touch their garments.  
But they cried unto them, Depart and flee ye polluted: Away, get you hence, touch not [those priests,] for they are unclean, and be removed. Therefore they fled away, and wandered, yea they have said among the heathen, They shall no more dwell there.  
The anger, wrath, & countenance of the Lord hath scattered them, and shall never look more upon them, nor regard them. For they themselves neither regarded, nor reverenced the face of the priests, nor had compassion or pity of their Elders.  
Wherefore our eyes failed, whiles we yet looked for our vain help of man. For in our waiting we have looked for [the Egyptians,] a nation & people that could do us no good, nor save us.  
They hunt our steps, and lay so sharp wait for us, that we can not go safe in the streets: our end is near at hand, our days are fulfilled, for our end is come.  
Our persecutors are swifter than the Eagles of the air, they pursued & followed upon us over the mountains, and laid wait for us in the wilderness.  
The very breath of our nostrils, even [josias the king and] the anointed of the Lord, (himself) [in whom stood our hope of God's favour, and on whom depended our state and life,] was taken in their nets, [and slain,] of whom we said, Under his shadow we shall be preserved alive among the heathen.  
And thou, O daughter Edom, that dwellest in the land of Huz, [go to,] be glad and rejoice [at our destruction and fall: yet be thou sure thou shalt not escape.] For the cup [of God's wrath] shall pass through, and come unto thee also: thou shalt be drunken, and discover thy nakedness, and vomit [up thine own shame.]  
[Be of good comfort therefore] O thou daughter Zion, thy sins are fully punished, and thy punishment accomplished. [For after seventy years, thy sorrows shall have an end.] He will no more carry thee away into captivity: but thy wickedness, O daughter Edom, shall he visit, and will discover thy sins: [so that the wicked shall be tormented for ever.]   

The fourth lamentation or complaint of Zion.  
I Am she, that through the rod of his wrath have experience of misery.  
He drove me forth, and led me: yea into darkness, but not into light.  
Surely against me is he turned, he turneth his hand daily against me.  
My flesh and my skin hath he made to wax old, and my bones hath he bruised and broken.  
He hath builded against me, and closed me in with gall and travel.  
He hath set me in dark places, as they that be dead for ever.  
He hath hedged me in, that I can not get out, and he hath laid heavy links and chains upon me.  
Also, though I cry and call piteously, yet heareth he not my prayer.  
He hath stopped up my ways with hewn or squared stones, and made my paths crooked.  
He layeth wait for me like a Bear, and as a Lion in a hole, or secret places.  
He hath stopped up my ways, and broken me in pieces, he hath laid me waste, and made me desolate.  
He hath bend his bow, and made me a mark to shoot at with the arrow.  
The arrows of his quiver [I say] hath he shot [at me,] and they are entered even into my reins.  
I am laughed to scorn and had in derision of all my people, and they make songs [or ballets] upon me all the day long.  
He hath filled me with bitterness, and made me drunken with wormwood [and with great anguish and sorrow he hath made me lose my senses.]  
He hath smitten my teeth in pieces with stones, and rolled me in the dust.  
Thus my soul was far off from peace, I forgot prosperity, and all good things.  
And I said, My strength and mine hope is perished from the Lord.  
O remember yet my misery, and my trouble, the wormwood and the gall.  
Yea in remembering, my soul doth still remember them, and is humbled within me.  
I consider these things in my heart, and therefore I get hope again.  
Namely, it is of the Lords mercies, that we are not utterly consumed for our wickedness: for truly his pitiful compassions fail not.  
New mercies shall the Lord show upon thee early in the day springing every morning. O Lord great is thy faithfulness: [for we feel thy benefits continually.]  
The Lord is my portion, saith my soul, therefore will I hope in him.  
O how good is the Lord unto them that put their trust in him, and to the soul that seeketh after him!  
The good man with silence and patience doth both trust and wait for the health and salvation of the Lord.  
It is good for a man to take and bear the yoke upon him, in and from his youth up.  
He sitteth alone [and murmureth not, but is patiented,] and holdeth him still, and keepeth silence, because he hath taken and borne the Lords yoke upon him.  
He layeth his face upon the earth [and humbleth himself, waiting with patience,] if there may happen to be any hope [of succour.]  
He offereth his cheek to the smiter, he will be content with reproaches.  
For the Lord will not forsake for ever.  
But though he send affliction, and punish, yet will he have compassion, and according to the multitude of his mercies he receiveth to grace again.  
For he doth not plague willingly, nor [delighteth to] afflict the children of men, [but doth it of necessity for our amendment.]  
To tread all the prisoners of the earth under his feet,  
To overthrow the right of a man before the face of the most high,  
To condemn a man in his cause: the Lord hath not pleasure in such things.  
What and who is he then that saith, And it cometh to pass, And the Lord commandeth it not. [For without his providence nothing is done.]  
Out of the mouth of the most high proceedeth not evil and good: [both prosperity and adversity.]  
Wherefore then mourneth the living man, [when God afflicteth him?] Let him mourn, and be sorrowful for his own sins, for which he suffereth.  
Let us search and try, and look well upon our own ways, and remember ourselves, and turn again to the Lord.  
Let us [without hypocrisy] lift up both our hearts and our hands unto God, that is in the heavens, [and say:]  
We have sinned, and rebelled, therefore hast thou not spared.  
Thou hast covered us in thy wrath, and persecuted us: thou hast slain without any favour.  
Thou hast hid thyself as in a cloud, that our prayers should not pass through.  
Thou hast made us the offscowring and refuse in the mids of the people.  
All our enemies have opened their mouths against us, and gape upon us.  
Fear and snare is come upon us, yea desolation and destruction.  
Whole rivers of waters gush out of mine eyes, for the destruction of the daughter of my people.  
Mine eye droppeth without stay, and ceaseth not: for there is no rest,  
Till the Lord look down from heaven, & consider.  
Mine eyes break mine heart, [and I am overcome with weeping:] because of all the daughters [or people] of my City.  
Mine enemies hunted and chased me sore like a bird, yea and that without a cause.  
They have shut up my life in a dungeon, and cast a stone upon me.  
The waters flowed over mine head: then thought I, Now I am destroyed.  
I called upon thy name, O Lord, out of the deep pit, and low dungeon.  
Thou hast heard my voice: stop not thine ear from my sighings and crying.  
Thou drewest near unto me in the day when I called upon thee, and hast said, Fear not.  
O Lord, thou hast maintained the cause of my soul, and hast redeemed my life [that was in danger.]  
O Lord, thou hast seen my wrong: take thou my cause upon thee, and judge it.  
Thou hast seen all their vengeance, and all their devices against me.  
Thou hast hard their reproachful & despiteful words O Lord, yea and all their imaginations against me.  
The lips also of those that rise against me, and their devices and whisperings that they take against me all the day long.  
Behold also their sitting down, and their rising up: how I am now their song.  
Reward them, O Lord, according to the works of their hands.  
Give them sorrow of heart, and an obstinate heart, even thy curse to them.  
Persecute them, O Lord, with thine indignation, and root them out, and utterly destroy them from under the heaven.   

The fift lamentation, or prayer of Zion.  
CAll to remembrance, O Lord, what is come upon us: consider and behold our confusion and reproach.  
Our inheritance is turned to the strangers, and our houses to the aliens.  
We are underlings without fathers, and our mothers are as widows.  
We have drunken our water for money, and our wood have we by sale sold unto us.  
Our necks are under persecution: we are weary, and have no rest.  
Aforetime we yielded ourselves to the Egyptians, and now [we have submitted ourselves] to the Assyrians, only that we might be satisfied, & have bread enough.  
Our fathers which now are gone have sinned, and we must bear their wickedness.  
Servants have the rule of us, and no man delivereth us out of their hands.  
We must get our living with the peril of our lives, because of the drought of the wilderness.  
Our skin is made black like as an oven, because of the trouble, famine, and very sore hunger.  
They ravish and defile the wives in Zion: and the maidens in the city of judea.  
The princes are hanged up by their enemies hand: they have not honoured the old sage men's faces.  
They have taken the young men [for slaves] to grind, and the boys fainted under the burden of wood, [not able to abide it.]  
The elders have ceased from the gates, [so that there were no more laws, nor form of Commonwealth:] and the young men from their songs.  
The joy of our heart is gone, our danse and melodious meeting is turned into mourning.  
The garland or crown of our head is fallen: Woe now unto us, and alas that ever we sinned.  
Therefore our heart is full of heaviness, and for these things our eyes are dim [with weeping.]  
Because of the hill or mountain of Zion, which is destroyed and desolate, insomuch that the foxes run upon it.  
But thou, O Lord, remainest for ever, and thy seat & throne from generation to generation, world without end: [and therefore thy covenant and mercies can never fail.]  
Wherefore dost thou forget us for ever, and forsake us so long time?  
Turn thou us unto thee, O Lord, and so we shall be turned: renew our days as in old times.  
But thou hast utterly banished and rejected us: and thou art exceedingly angry and displeased against us.    

The prayer and thanksgiving of Sarra Tobits wife, which in her virginity, with fasting and weeping for the space of three days and three nights, she made to be delivered from the shame and reproach, wherewith her father's maids upbraided her.  Tobit. 3, 11. 
BLessed art thou, O Lord my God: and thine holy and glorious name is blessed and honourable for ever. Let all thy works praise thee for ever, O God of our fathers, which when thou art wroth showest mercy: and in the time of trouble thou forgivest the sins of them that call upon thee. Unto thee, O Lord, turn I now my face: unto thee lift I up mine eyes, and [say,] I beseech thee, O Lord, lose me out of the bonds of this rebuke, or else take me utterly away from out of the earth, that I may hear no more any reproach. Thou knowest, O Lord [minc innocency,] that I never had desire unto man, and that I have kept my soul clean from all unclean lusts. Thou knowest, O Lord, [I say,] that I am pure from all sin with man, and that I have never polluted my name, nor the name of my father in the land of my captivity. I have not kept company with those that pass their time in sport: neither have I made myself partaker with them that walk in light behaviour. I am the only daughter of my father, neither hath he any man child to be his heir, neither any near kinsman or child borne of him, to whom I may keep myself for a wife. An husband have I consented to take, not for my pleasure, but in thy fear: and my seven husbands are now dead, [one after another,] and why should I live [to endure so great reproach, as to be counted a murderer of my husbands? Now] peradventure, either I have been unworthy of them, or else were they unmeet for me. But if it please not thee that I should die, [as I desire:] for thou happily hast kept me to another husband, command [then] to look on me, & to pity me, that I do no more hear reproach. For why, thy counsel is not in the power of man: but every one that serveth thee, is sure of this, that if his life be in trying, he shall be crowned: and if he be in trouble, that God no doubt shall deliver him: & if his life be in chastening, that he shall have leave to come unto thy mercy. For thou hast no pleasure in our damnation. And why? After a storm thou makest the weather fair and still: after weeping and heaviness thou givest great joy. Thy name, O God of Israel, be praised for ever, Amen.  
And at the same time were her prayers heard before the majesty of the great God.   

The prayer of judith, which she made with fasting and tears, for the deliverance of her people the Bethulians, out of the hands of Holophernes, and the Assyrians host that besieged their city.  judith. 9, 2. 
O Lord God of my father Simeon, which gavest him a sword for a defence against the enemies, and to take vengeance of the strangers, which used violence in their uncleanness, and opened the womb of the maid [Dinah,] and defiled her: that ravished the virgin, and discovered the thigh with shame, and polluted the womb to her reproach & confusion. (For thou hadst commanded that it should not so be: yet they [the Sichemites I mean,] did things, for the which thou gavest their princes to the slaughter. For they were deceived, and washed their beds with blood.) And hast stricken the servants with the governors, & the governors upon their thrones. Thou that gavest their wives for a pray, and their daughters to be captives, and all their spoils for a booty unto thy children and servants the Israelites, that thou lovedst, which were moved with thy zeal, and abhorred the pollution of their blood, and called upon thee for aid.  
O God, O Lord my God, hear me also a widow, and help me, I beseech thee. For thou hast wrought the things afore, and these; and the things that shall be after: and thou considerest the things that are present, and the things that are to come. For the things which thou dost purpose are present, and say, Behold, we are here: and look what thou hast taken in hand and devised, it came ever to pass. For all thy ways are ready prepared, and thy judgements are put in thine everlasting foreknowledge. O look now upon the armies of the Assyrians, like as it was thy pleasure sometime to look upon the host of the Egyptians, when they being weaponed, persecuted thy servants, and put their trust in their chariots, horsemen, and in the multitude of their men of war: but thou lookedst upon their host, casting a thick darkness before them. And when they came into the deep, the waters overwhelmed them: even so Lord, behold, and let it go with those Assyrians, which are multiplied by their power, and have exalted themselves with horses, & horsemen: which glory in the strength of their footmen, that trust in shield, spear, and bow: and do not know that thou only art the Lord our God, which breakest the battles, and destroyest the wars from the beginning. The Lord is thy name, and it appertaineth unto thee to be called Lord.  
O lift up thine arm now like as ever from the beginning, and break thou their strength by thy power, & cause their force to fall by thy wrath. For they have purposed, yea and make their vaunt and boast, to unhallow and defile thy sanctuary, to pollute the tabernacle where thy glorious name resteth: and to waste, spoil, and cast down with sword and weapons the horns of thine altar. Behold their pride, and bring to pass, O Lord, that the blasphemy of this enemy [Holophernes] may be cut down with his own sword, and send thy wrath upon their heads. Give into mine hand which am a widow, the strength that I have conceived, that he may be taken with the snare of his eyes in me, and that thou mayest smite him with the lips of my love. Smite (I say) by the deceit of my lips, the servant with the prince, and the prince with the servant.  
O give me a steadfast mind, that I may despise him and his strength, and that I may destroy him. This shall bring thy name an everlasting remembrance, if thou abate his strength, and overthrow him by the hand of a woman. For thy power, O Lord, standeth not in the multitude of men, nor thy might in strong men, neither haste thou any pleasure in the strength of horses, neither was there from the beginning any proud persons that pleased thee. But in the prayer of the humble and meek hath thy pleasure been evermore. Thou (I say) O Lord, art the help of the humble and little ones: the defender of the weak, and the protector of them that are forsaken, and the Saviour of them that are without hope. Surely, surely, thou art the God of my fathers, and the God of the inheritance of Israel: the Lord of heaven and earth: the Creator of the waters: the King and Lord of all creatures. O hear thou my prayers: hear me (I say) poor woman, calling upon thee, and putting my trust in thy mercy. Remember thy covenant, O Lord, and minister words in my mouth, and 'stablish this devise in my heart, that thy house may continue still in holiness: yea grant me words, I say, and craft, and a wound, and a stroke against them that enterprise cruel things against thy covenant, and against thine holy house, and against the top of Zion, and against the house of the possession of thy children. Show evidently among all thy people, and all the tribes, that they and all the heathen may know, that thou art the God of all power and strength, and that there is none other that defendeth the people of Israel, but thou: So be it.   

judith her prayer that she made secretly, or mentally in her heart, when she struck off the head of proud Holophernes.  judith. 13, 4. 
O Lord God of all power, behold at this present, and have respect unto the works of my hands in this hour for the exaltation of jerusalem, that thou mayest set up thy city like as thou hast promised. Strengthen me, O Lord God of Israel, and grant that I may perform the thing, which in hope that it may be done by thee I have devised. For now is the time to help thine inheritance, and to execute mine enterprises to the destruction of the enemies, which are risen against us. Strengthen me therefore this day, O Lord God of Israel, now strengthen me [I say] O Lord God, [even] in this hour.   

judith her song of praise and thanksgiving, which she, together with all the people, made for their deliverance from the hands of the Assyrians, by the destruction of Holophernes.  judith. 16. 
BEgin unto my God with Timbrels: sing unto my Lord with Cymbals: O tune unto him a Psalm, and sing a new song of thanksgiving unto him, exalt his praise, be joyful, and call upon his name.  
For it is the Lord that destroyeth wars, and breaketh battles, even the Lord is his name.  
It is God, which hath pitched his tents, or camp in the mids of his people, and delivered me and them out of the hands of all the persecutors our enemies.  
Assur came out from the mountains of the north, in the multitude of his strength, he came with thousands in his army: so that the multitude of his people stopped the water brooks, and their horses covered the valleys.  
He purposed to have burnt up my borders and land, and said that he would kill my young men with the sword, & dash the suckling children against the ground, and lead away my children, and my virgins as a pray or spoil into captivity.  
But the almighty Lord hindered him, and delivered him into the hands of a woman, which hath brought him to nought and confusion.  
For the mighty [Holophernes] did not fall, nor was destroyed by the young men. It was not the sons of Titan that slew him, neither have the great giants invaded him, or set themselves against him: but judith the daughter of Merari, with her fair beauty and comely countenance hath discomfited and brought him to nought.  
For she put off, and laid away the garment of her widowhood, and put on the apparel of gladness, for the exaltation and rejoicing of those that were oppressed in Israel.  
She anointed her face with ointment, and bound up her hear in a coif, and took a new stole or linen garment to beguile him.  
Her slippers ravished his eyes, her beauty captivated and took his mind prisoner, with the sword or faulchin smote she off his head.  
The Persians were astonished at her boldness: and the Medes were troubled with her hardiness.  
But mine afflicted rejoiced, and my feeble ones that appeared dry of thirst, shouted for joy: then [the Persians and Medes] feared, they lift up their voice and howled, and turned back.  
The children of maids, or the sons of the daughters have pierced them through, and wounded them as they fled away like fugitive children: they perished in the battle for the very fear of the Lord my God.  
I will sing unto the Lord a song of thanksgiving: a new song of praise will I sing unto my God.  
O Lord, Lord, thou art a great and glorious GOD, marvelous mighty and invincible in power, whom no man may overcome.  
Let all thy creatures serve thee. For thou spakest but the word, and they were made: thou sentest thy spirit, and they were created: and there is none that can resist or withstand thy voice.  
For the mountains move, and leap up from their foundations with the waters: the stony rocks melt at thy presence like wax: yet thou art merciful to them that fear thee.  
For all sacrifices are too little for a sweet savour, and all the fat is too little for thy burnt offering. But they that fear thee, O Lord, shall be great with thee in all things at all times.  
woe to the people and nations that rise up against my generation and kindred. For the almighty Lord will take vengeance himself of them, and in the day of judgement will he visit them, in sending fire and worms in their flesh, and they shall burn, and feel them, and weep for evermore: So be it.   

The prayer of Queen Hester, which she made for the deliverance of herself, and her people, out of the bloody hands of Haman, that conspired their death.  Hester. 14, 3. 
O My Lord, thou only art our King: help me desolate woman, which have no helper but thee. For my danger, misery, and destruction is hard at hand. From my youth up I have heard in the kindred of my father, that thou, O Lord, tookest Israel from among all people, and our fathers from their predecessors and foreelders, that they should be thy perpetual inheritance. And look what thou didst promise them, thou hast performed, and made it good unto them.  
Now Lord, we have sinned before thee, therefore hast thou given us into the hands of our enemies: because we worshipped their gods. O Lord thou art righteous: nevertheless, it satisfieth them not that we are in bitter and heavy captivity, and oppressed among them. But they have strooken hands with their idols, that they will abolish and take away the thing, that thou with thy mouth hast ordained and appointed, and destroy thine inheritance, to shut, and to stop up the mouths of them that praise thee, and to quench the glory of thy temple, and worship of thine house and altar: and to open the mouths of the heathen, that they may praise the power and virtue of the gods or idols, and to magnify a fleshly king for ever.  
O Lord, give not thy sceptre unto them that be nothing, lest they laugh us to scorn in our misery and fall: but turn their devise upon themselves, and punish him [this wicked Haman I mean,] and make him an example, that hath begun the same against us. Think upon us, O Lord, & show thyself unto us in the time of our distress & trouble: and strengthen me, O thou King of gods, and Lord of all power. Give me an eloquent and pleasant speech in my mouth before the lion, [king Ashuerus my husband.] Turn his heart to hate our enemies, and to destroy him, [that Hamam I mean,] and all such as consent unto him: but deliver us with thy hand, and help me thine handmaid that am solitary, and have no defence, nor helper, but only thee, O Lord.  
Thou knowest all things, O Lord: thou wottest that I hate the glory and worship of the unrighteous, and that I abhor the bed of the uncircumcised, and of all the heathen. Thou knowest my necessity, that I hate this token of my pre-eminence, worship, and dignity, which I bear upon mine head, what time as I must show myself, and be seen, and that I abhor it as an unclean or menstruous cloth and that I wear it not when I am quiet and alone by myself. Thou knowest also, that I thine handmaid have not eaten at Hamans' table, and that I have had no pleasure nor delight in the king's feast, nor drunk the wine of the drink offerings. And that I thine handmaid have no joy, since the day that I was brought hither, until this day, but in thee, O Lord GOD of Abraham. O thou mighty God above all, hear (therefore) the voice of them that have none other hope, and deliver us out of the hand of the wicked: and deliver me out of my fear: So be it.   

Susanna her prayer, which she made, at what time she was condemned by false witnesses, to die for adultery.  Susanna. 1, 42. 
O Everlasting God, thou searcher of secrets, that knowest all things before they come to pass. Thou knowest that they have borne false witness against me: and behold I must die, whereas I never did any such thing, as these men have maliciously invented against me.   

A prayer of the Church made in her affliction and captivity.  Psalm. 123. 
Unto thee lift I up mine eyes: O thou that dwellest in the heavens.  
Behold, even as the eyes of servants look unto the hand of their masters: and as the eyes of a maiden unto the hand of her mistress: even so our eyes wait upon the Lord our God, until he have mercy upon us.  
Have mercy upon us, O Lord, have mercy upon us: for we are utterly despised.  
Our soul is filled with the scornful reproof of the wealthy: and with the despitefulness of the proud.   

The song of the blessed virgin Marie, the mother of our Saviour Christ, which she made at the time that she felt herself conceived of our Saviour jesus in her womb.  Luke. 1, 46. 
MY soul magnifieth the Lord: and my spirit rejoiceth in God my Saviour.  
For he hath looked on the poor degree and lowliness of his handmaiden and servant: for behold from henceforth, now shall all generations call me blessed.  
Because he that is mighty hath done for me great things: and holy is his name.  
And his mercy is on them that fear him, from generation to generation.  
He hath showed strength with his arm: he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.  
He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree.  
He hath filled the hungry with good things: and sent away the rich empty.  
He hath upholden and helped his servant Israel, being mindful of his mercy.  
Even as he spoke to our father's Abraham, and to his seed for ever.   

The woman of Canaan's prayer unto Christ for her sick daughter.  Matthew. 15, 22. 
Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou son of David: My daughter is grievously vexed with a devil: Lord, help me, and vouchsafe I beseech thee, that the whelps may eat of the children's crumbs, which fall from their masters table.   

The prayer (but all too late) of the five foolish virgins.  Matthew. 25, 11. Lord, Lord: open to us.  
To God only be all glory,  
AMEN.   



THE SECOND LAMP OF VIRGINITY: Containing divers godly Meditations, and Christian Prayers made by sundry virtuous Queens, and other devout and godly women in our time: and first, A Godly MEDITATION of the inward love of the soul towards Christ our LORD: composed first in French by the virtuous Lady Margaret Queen of NAVARRE: aptly, exactly, and fruitfully translated by our most gracious Sovereign Lady Queen ELIZABETH, in the tender and maidenly years of her youth and virginity, to the great benefit of God's Church, and comfort of the godly.  
¶ Imprinted at London by Henry Denham, dwelling in Pater noster row, at the sign of the Star.  
1582 Cum privilegio Regiae Maiestatis.    

Certain godly Sentences out of the 13. Psalm, written by the Queen's Majesty, in Latin, French, and Italian.  
Latin.  
Stultus dixit in cord suo: Non est Deus. Illi corrupti sunt, & abhominabiles in sua impietate, nullus est qui aliquid boni facit.  
French.  
Le fol dit en son coeur: Il n'y a point de Dieu. Ils sont corrompus & abhominables en leur impieté, iln'y a nul qui face aucun bien.  
Italian.  
Lo stolto disse ne'l suo cuore: Egli non vi è Dio. Essi son corrotti & abominevoli ne la lor' impietà, non vi è nessuno che faccia alcun bene.   

A godly meditation of the inward love of the Christian soul towards Christ our Lord.  

The first Chapter, Of the soul's slavery by sin: and redemption by Christ his passion.  
WHere is the hell, full of travel, pain, mischief, and torment? Where is the pit of cursedness, out of which doth spring all desperation? Is there any hell so profound, that is sufficient to punish the tenth part of my sins, which in number are so many, that the infinite swarm of them so shadoweth my darkened senses, that I can not account them, neither yet well see them? And I so far am entered among them, that I have no power to obtain the true knowledge of the deep dangers of them. I perfectly feel also, that the root of sin is so graffed in me, that in myself I find none other effect, but all is, either branch, leaf, or fruit that it bringeth forth in me.  
And if I look for better, a branch thereof shadoweth mine eyes: and in my mouth doth fall, when I would speak, the bitter fruit of cursed sin. If my spirit be stirred to hearken, than the noise of her leaves stoppeth mine ears, and filleth my nostrils with the smell of her flowers. Behold now therefore how in pains my soul, a slave, and prisoner without light, or comfort, lieth crying and weeping, having her feet bound with the chain of concupiscence, and her arms fast tied through evil use. Who then hath power to help or remedy it? Not I: neither have I power to cry for succour. And as I can perceive, there is no help of hope for me, but by the special grace of God, which of myself I can not deserve, but by Christ his only son, whose brightness giveth light to my darkness: whose power examining my fault, breaketh the vail of ignorance, and giveth me clear understanding what thing abideth in me, where I am, and wherefore I labour.  
He it is, whom I have offended: he it is, to whom I did obey so seldom: wherefore it is convenient that my pride be suppressed. With weeping heart and sorrowful sighs, I humbly therefore confess that I am much less than nothing. Before my birth, mire; after a dunghill, having a body prompt to all evil, not willing other study: subject to care, sorrow and pain, short of life, the end uncertain, and under sin by Adam sold, and by the law condemned. For of myself, I never had yet the power to observe one only commandment of God, the force of sin was such in me, and therefore is my sin no whit the less to be hidden: and the more I cloaked and dissembled my sin outwardly, the more it increased within my heart. For what God would, that could I not will: and what he would not, I oft times desired to perform: which thing doth constrain me by importable sorrow, in this weary and raging life, to wish the end of this miserable body, through a desired death.  
Who shall he then be, that shall deliver, or recover any good for me? Alas, it can be no mortal man. For his power and strength is not such as can deliver me. Who then? The only grace of the almighty GOD, who never is slack to help the penitent with his mercy. Oh what a master is that, which without deserving will show his mercy on sinners! I served him slothfullie, and without ceasing offended him every day: yet is he not slack in helping me.  
He doth see the evil that I have, what and how much it is, and that I of myself can do nothing that is good: but with heart & body so inclined I am to the contrary, that I feel no strength in me, unless it be to do evil. Yet doth he not tarry till I humbly pray him, or that seeing my hell and damnation, I do cry upon him: but his spirit whurling in my heart, greater than I can declare, asketh for me a gift, whereof the virtue is unknown to my little power.  
And this the same unknown gift or whurling in my heart, doth bring me a new desire, showing the good that I have lost by my sin, and given me again through his grace and bounty, that which hath overcome all sin.  
O my Lord, what grace and goodness is this, which doth put out so many sins? Now may I see that thou art full of all godly love, to make me of a sinner, thy servant and child. Alas, my God, I did not seek thee, but fled and ran away from thee: and here beneath, thou camest down to me, which am nothing but a worm of the earth all naked. What do I say? A worm? Nay, worse than a worm, full of pride, deceit, malice, and treason. The promise which my friends made when I was baptized, is such, that I always, through faith in thy passion, should feel the mortification of my flesh, and dwell always with thee in the cross, where thou wast fast nailed as I believe, and yielded death dead, as I also should yield all sin.  
This have I oftentimes untied, taken down, and set at large; I have broken, denied, and falsified my promise, and through pride I have lifted up my will in such manner, that through sloth, my duty towards thee was forgotten, and that much more is, as well the profit, or value, which I had of thee in the day of my baptism, as also thy saving love and promises following, I have all alike neglected? What shall I say more? Albeit that oftentimes thou perceiving me wretched, and unhappy, hast given me so many warnings in faith and sacraments, admonishing me by preachings, and comforted me by the receiving of thy blessed body and sacred blood, promising by the same to put me in the number of them that now are adorned with perfect innocency: yet have I all these high benefits thrown into forgetfulness.  
Oftentimes, O Lord, have I with thee broken covenant, & partly for that my poor soul was too much fed with the evil bread or damnable doctrine of hypocrites, I despised such succour and ghostly physic in God's word, as would have helped me, if I had been willing to look for it: yet knew I at that time no teacher convenient. For there is neither man, Saint, nor Angel, that can without thy spirit change the heart of a sinner. Alas, good jesus, thou beholding my blindness, and that at my need I could have no succour of men, didst open the way of my salvation. O how great is thy goodness, and how inestimable the sweetness which thou hast showed therein! Is there any father so natural to the daughter, or brother to the sister, which would ever have done as thou hast done? For thou camest down into hell to secure my soul, where against thy will she was, intending to have perished, because she did not love thee.  
Alas, sweet Lord, thou hast loved her, yea even to the very outshedding of thy most precious blood. O charity fervent and incomparable! Nothing slack art thou in love, that so lovedst every sinner, yea and also thine enemies, not only in forgiving their offences, but also in giving thyself for their salvation, liberty, and deliverance to the death, cross, travel, pain, and sufferance. When I cast in mind what should be the occasion of thy love towards me, I can see nothing else but a love wonderful, which moveth thee to give me that, which I can not deserve. Then as far forth as I can see, I ought to give no thanks for my salvation, but only to thee my Lord jesus, to whom I own the praise thereof, as to him which is my Saviour and Creator.   

The second Chapter, Of the soul's affinity with Christ.  
WHat a thing is it, O God, that thou hast done so much for me? Thou art not only contented to have forgiven me my sins, but also hast given unto me the right fortunate gift of grace.  
For it should suffice me, I coming out of such a danger, to be like a stranger used. But thou dost handle my soul, if I durst so say it, as a mother, daughter, sister, and wife: notwithstanding, my Lord, I am the trespasser, which am not worthy to come near the door of thy right high place, to ask bread, where thy dwelling is. Oh what grace is this, that so suddenly thou vouchsafest to draw my soul into such highness, that she feeleth herself ruler of my body! She poor, ignorant, and lame, doth find herself with thee rich, wise, and strong, because thou hast written in her heart, the root of thy spirit and holy word, giving her true faith to receive it, which thing made her to conceive thy son, in believing him to be man, God, Saviour, and also the true forgiver of sins. Therefore dost thou assure her, that she is mother to thy Son, of whom thou art the only father.  
And furthermore, O my father, here is a great love of thy well doing, that thy holy son hath taken on him the body of a man, & hath mingled himself with our ashes, which thing we may not understand, without a most true faith. It hath pleased thee to put him so near us, that he did join himself to our flesh, and I seeing him to be called man, am bold to call him brother. Now sith my soul may say of herself, that she is the sister of God, ought she not to have herself assured in him? Yes truly. For thou dost declare with great love, that her creation was only of thy good will, which it pleaseth thee always to have towards her, giving assurance, that before her first day, or time of being provided for her, thou through love hast made her, as thou of power alone canst well do it, and also didst put her within this body, not for to slack with sloth, but that both of them should have none other exercise, but only to think how to do some service unto thee.  
Then this truth maketh her to feel that there is in thee true paternity. O what honour, what sweetness, and what glory hath the soul, which doth always remember that she is thy daughter, and that in calling thee father, she doth thy commandment! What is there more? Is that all? No, it doth please thee to give her another name, to call her thy wife, and that she again do call thee husband, declaring thereby how thou hast freely manifested the marriage of her. By baptism hast thou made a promise, to give her thy goods and riches, and to take on thee her sins: for she hath nothing by heritage but sin of her first father Adam. All her treasures that she hath of nature, are nothing else but sins, which thou hast tied upon the Cross, and paid all her debts with thy goods & lands.  
Thou hast made her so rich, and with so great a jointure endued her, that she knowing herself to be thy wedded wife, doth believe to be quit of all that she oweth, esteeming very little that she hath here beneath. She forsaketh her old father, and all the goods that he giveth her, for her husband's sake. For surely, O my GOD, it hurteth my soul to be fed with such good: and again relieved in leaving the pleasures of this world, for that which is eternal, and where peace is without war. Father, alas, what ought I to think? Shall my spirit be so bold as to take upon him to call thee father? yea, and also our father, for so hast thou taught in the Pater noster. But to call me daughter, hast thou so said? I pray thee tell me. Alas, yea Lord, when with great sweetness thou saiedst: Daughter, lend me thy heart: and again, thou saiedst, Daughter thy faith hath saved thee.  
O my soul, instead of lending, my Lord is ready to give himself wholly unto thee: receive him then, and do not permit that any creature put him from thee, so that for ever with faithful steadfastness he may love thee, with a daughterlie love. Now my Lord, if thou be my father, may I think that I may be thy mother? Indeed I can not well perceive, how I should conceive thee that createdst me: but in this matter, thou didst satisfy my doubt, when in preaching and in stretching forth thy hands, thou didst say, Those that shall do the will of my father, they are my brethren, my sister, and my mother. I believe then, that hearing, and reading the words that thou hast taught, and uttered by thy holy Prophets and Apostles: the same also which through thy true Preachers thou dost daily declare unto men, in believing it, and steadfastly desiring to fulfil the same, I conceive thee, and bear thee by love.  
Therefore without any fear I will take upon me the name of a mother. What? Mother of Christ? O sweet virgin Marie, I beseech thee be not angry that I take up such a title: I do neither steal, nor usurp any thing upon thy privilege, for thou only above all women, receivedst of him so great honour, that no man can in himself comprehend, how he hath been willing to take in thee our flesh: for thou art the mother and perfect virgin, before, and after, and in his holy birth. In thy blessed womb thou didst bear him and nourish him, thou didst follow him in his tribulations, and also in his teachings. Now briefly to conclude, thou hast with God found such grace, as the enemy through malice and deceit had caused Adam and his posterity to lose: by Eve, and him we have lost it, and by the Son hath it been yielded unto us again.  
Therefore hast thou been rightfully called full of grace, as one to whom the Lord hath showed abundant favour. Sith then that he, which is the best among them that be good, and also the spring of all goodness and power, hath created in thee so pure innocency, endued thee with such grace, & exalted thee to such dignity, that he in thee, of all other the example of virtue, hath builded his dwelling and temple: he through love did confirm himself with thee, and thou through grace art confirmed in him, therefore no man can give thee greater praise, than God himself hath given thee, for there is no such praise, as is the same, which cometh from God. Thou also hast had so firm and constant a faith, that thou by the holy Ghost wast filled with all godliness. I will not take upon me therefore to give to thee greater praise, than the honour which thy son and sovereign Lord hath given thee. And as thou art his corporal mother, so art thou through faith his spiritual mother: and I following thy faith with all humbleness, am his spiritual mother also.  
Alas, my God, the brotherliness that thou hast towards me, through thy humbleness, in calling me sister, is great, for thou hast broken the kindred of mine old father, calling me daughter by adoption. Seeing then that we have both one father, I will not fear to call thee my brother. For thou hast so reported it by the wise Solomon in his Canticle, saying: My sister and spouse, thou hast wounded my heart with the sweet look of one of thine eyes, etc. Alas my brother, I wish for nothing else, but that in wounding thee, I might find myself wounded with thy love, to that would I give over myself. And likewise, thou dost call me wife, speaking to me these amorous words: Arise my dear dove, and come hitherward my delectable spouse. Wherefore I may say with loving faith, Thou art mine, and I am thine, because thou hast called me thy love and fair spouse. If I be so, such hast thou made me. Alas, doth it please thee to give me such names? Truly they are able to break the heart, and cause it to burn through love unspeakable, when it thinketh upon the honour that thou dost unto the soul, which is much greater than it hath deserved. A mother, a mother? Alas, but of what child is it? My God, my son? O jesus what speech is this! Mother, daughter, sister, and brother. O happy kindred! O what sweetness doth proceed out of that paternity! But what daughterlie and reverent fear ought I to have towards him, my father, yea and my creator, my protector, and saviour, to be my brother? Alas, here is a great love: I will therefore say with Solomon, Now can my heart no longer refrain, but break in sunder, to make room for the same so sweet a brother, so that none other name be written in the same, but only the name of my brother jesus the son of God. None other creature will I give place to, for all the scurging and beating that can be done unto me: keep my heart then my dear brother and love, and let not thine enemy enter into it.   

The third Chapter, Of the soul's infidelity or apostasy from God.  
O My sweet Father, my child, my brother, and spouse, with hands joined, humbly upon my knees I yield thee thanks and praises, that it pleaseth thee to turn thy face towards me, converting my heart, and covering me with such grace, that thou dost see no more my evils and sins. So well hast thou hidden them, that it seemeth thou hast put them in forgetfulness: yea and also they seem to be forgotten of me, which have done and committed them. For faith and love so working in me, causeth me to forget them, wholly putting my trust in thee alone.  
Then my Father, in whom lieth unfeigned love, whereof can I have fear in my heart? I confess that I have done all the evil that one creature can do, and that of myself I am nought. Also, I have offended thee, as did the prodigal child, following the foolish trade of the flesh, wherewith I have prodigally spent the substance and abundance of goods, which thou here hast given me to use to thy glory: and for the misspending of them, poverty hath taken me, and hath withered me away, even as hay, and yielded my spirit dead for hunger, compelling me to eat the relief of swine: but in such meats I found very little savour. Then I seeing my life to be so miserable, did return to thee my father again, saying: Alas dear father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, I am therefore no more Worthy to be called thy child. But O bountiful and merciful father, do thou no worse to me, than to one of thy household servants. Alas, dear father, what love and zeal is this, that thou wouldst not tarry my coming and prayer, but speedily stretching forth thy hands, receivedst me, when I did think thou wouldst not look on me: and so receiving me, in stead to have punished me, thou didst assure me of my salvation? Where is he then that shall punish me, when my father shall deny him my sin? There is no judge that can condemn me, unless God himself will damn me: the want of goodness I fear not, for I have my God for my father: my enemy shall do me no harm, for my father will take all his strength away from him. If I own any thing, he shall pay it for me: if I have deserved death, he as a King shall pardon me, and deliver me from prison and death.  
But here is the worst, what manner of mother have I been? For, after that I by faith had received the name of a true mother, I became very rude unto thee my Son: because that after I had conceived and brought thee forth, I left reason, and being subject to my will, not taking heed unto thee, I fell asleep, and gave place to my great enemy, the which, in the night of ignorance, I being asleep, did steal thee from me craftily, and in thy place she did put her child, which was dead, and so I did lose thee, which was a sorrowful remorse for me. Thus did I lose thee my son, by mine own fault, because I took no heed to keep thee. Sensuality my neighbour, I being in my beastly sleep, did steal thee from me, and gave to me her child, which had no life in him, named sin, whom I said I would not have, but utterly did forsake him.  
She affirmed, that he was mine own, but I knew him to be hers. For as soon as I came to the light of grace, which thou hadst given me, than I knew my glory to be changed, when I saw the dead child not to be mine. For the same which was alive, whom she had taken away, was my child: so apparent was the change between jesus and sin. But now here is a strange thing, this old woman causeth me to keep this dead child, whom she reporteth to be mine, and so will she maintain. O Solomon, thou true and wise judge, thou hast heard this lamentable process, and ordained to content the parties, that the child should be divided in two parts. The false woman agreeth it should be so, but I remembering him to be mine own son, which was alive, was rather content to lose him, than to see his body parted in twain. For true and perfect love is never content with the one half of that it loveth: rather I had therefore to weep for the whole, than to recover the one half without life. Alas noble Solomon, give her the child which is alive. For better it is for me to die, than to see my son divided. But my Lord, thou didst better look to it, than I. For thou seeing the anguish that I did suffer, and how I rather did forsake my right, than to behold such cruelness, thou saiedst, This is the true mother, and so caused them to give me my child again, for whom before my heart was sorrowful.  
O sweet jesus, thus hast thou proved me, how much I loved thee: yea and when by sin I had lost thee, yet didst thou return unto me. Alas, how gently dost thou vouchsafe to come again to her, which being let by sin, could not keep thee my sweet child, my sweet son, my helper, my nourisher, of whom I am an humble creature? Do not permit that ever I do leave thee again, for I do repent the time past.  
Now come sensuality with thy rabblement of sins, thou hast no power to make me to receive thy dead child. For my son is strong, and will defend me, he shall not permit that thou take him any more away from me, his strength is greater than any others, therefore may I sleep and take rest near him. For all things well considered, he shall keep me from thine assaults. O sweet rest of the mother, and the son together, my sweet child, my God, only unto thee be the honour and praise, for that every creature may see, how it hath pleased thee to call me (less than nothing) a mother: and the more it is strange and hard to be done, the more ought thy goodness to have praise for it. And further, thou hast retained me for thy sister, wherefore I acknowledge myself more bound, than to any other creature.  
Now I am sister unto thee, but so naughty a sister, that better it were for me that I were without the name, than I to forget the name of adoption in so noble a kindred, and also thy good and brotherly behaviour towards me. I with pride did rise against thee, and not remembering my faults, but going astray from thee, did agree with Aaron my brother, being in will to give judgement against thy works; and following the example of Miriam, privily I grudged against thee, which thing caused me to have remorse in my conscience. Alas right bountiful brother, and true Moses, which dost all with goodness and justice, I have esteemed thy works to be even sin, being so bold to speak even rashly, saying: Wherefore hast thou married a strange woman? Thou givest us a law, and punishment, if we do not fulfil it, and then thou wouldst not be bound to it, forbidding us the thing which thou thyself dost.  
For thou forbiddest us to kill any man, and thou dost kill, and sparest none, of three thousand, which thou commandedst to be slain. Further, God gave us in commandment by thee, that we should not marry the daughter of a stranger, yet thou tookest thy wife from among them. Alas my dear brother Moses, with a great many of these words, which I know to be foolish, with Aaron and Miriam, which is mine own wit, I imbraided thee, whereof I repent. For the lively voice of God, rebukinglie took me up before I went out of the place. What wouldst thou then of my sin? Thou wouldst not have me punished, but rather wouldst my salvation and health, in ask for me this great benefit, that it might please God to mitigate his judgement, the which thing thou couldst not obtain. Wherefore I became a Lazar, so that all that looked on me might well say, I had not been wise: and for mine uncleanness and leprosy, I was put out from the tents and tabernacles, from among the people, because the sick should not infect such as were whole. Oh what soul can have a greater punishment, than to be banished out of the company of them which are holy in God But what didst thou my sweet love and brother, seeing my repentance? Thou providedst that my penance was soon at an end, and with true love madest means for me, whereupon I returned to thee. O what brother would, in stead to punish his foolish sister, so naturally cleave unto her? For injury, grudge, and great offence by her committed, thou givest her grace, and love in recompense. Alas my brother, how exceeding is this thy love? Much more is it than brotherhood is bound to give, to so poor and wretched a woman as I am. I have done thee evil, and thou givest me good for it. I am thine, and thou sayest, thou art mine: even so I am, and ever will. I fear no more the great foolishness of Aaron and Miriam, for no man may separate me from thee; and now that we are together, as brother and sister, I care little for all other, for thy land is mine inheritance.  
Let us then keep, if it please thee, but one household, sith it hath pleased thee to humble thyself so much, as to join thy heart with mine, in making thyself a lively man. I do right heartily thank thee, and to thank thee as I ought, lieth not in my power. Take my meaning than I pray thee, & excuse mine ignorance, seeing I am of so great a kindred as to be thy sister. O my God, I have good cause to love, to praise, and to serve thee unfeignedly, and not to fear, nor desire any thing save thee only. Keep me well then I humbly pray thee, for I will ask none other brother nor friend to help me. If any father have had any pity upon his children; if any mother have taken any care for her son; if any brother have hid the sin of his sister, it is thou.   

The fourth Chapter, Of the entire affection and love of God towards the sinful soul of man.  
I Never saw, or else it was kept wondrous secret, that ever any husband would thoroughly forgive his wife, after she had him once offended, and did return unto him.  
There have been many of them, which for to avenge their wrongs, have caused the judges to put them to death. Other, beholding their sins, did not spare their own hands to kill them. Other also, seeing their faults to appear, did send them home again to their own friends. And some, perceiving their evil dispositions, have shut them up in prison. Now briefly to conclude upon their divers complexions, the end of their pretence is punishment, and the least harm that ever I could perceive in punishing them, is this, that they would never see them again. But I do wish, that all of this mind should rather help to turn them, than to forsake them. And therefore my God, I can find no man comparable unto thee: for of love thou art the perfect example. Now therefore I confess with lowly heart, that I have broken to thee mine oath & promise.  
Alas, thou haddest chosen me for thy wife, and didst set me up in great state and honour. For what greater honour may one have, than to be in the place of thy wife, which sweetly taketh her rest so near to thee, and not only in surety of soul and body, but also of all thy goods, Queen, Mistress, and Lady? O what great favour is it, that I so vile a creature, am so ennoblished by thee to so honourable an husband! Now to speak it briefly, I have more by possessing of thee, than any man mortal can desire. Yet, when I remember mine unworthy deserving, my heart doth sob and sigh, mine eyes let fall abundance of tears, my mouth can not make too many exclamations. For there is neither new nor ancient writings, that can show so pitiful a case as the same is which I tell now. Shall, or dare I tell it? May I pronounce it without shame? Yea, for it is my confusion, not to show the great love of my husband: and for his worship to declare my fault.  
O my saviour, which wast crucified on the cross for my sins, this deed of thine is not such, as a father to leave his son, or as a child to offend his mother, or as a sister to chide and grudge. But alas, my fault is such, and far greater. For the more familiarity I have with thee, and the more benefits I receive of thee, the greater is mine offence, when I with thee dissemble; specially that I should so do, which am called thy spouse, and loved of thee as thy soul. Shall I now tell the truth? O my spouse, I have left thee, forgotten thee, and am run away from thee; I did leave thee, for to go at my vain pleasure: I forsook thee, and chose me another: yea I refused thee the wellspring of all goodness, and faithful promise. I did leave thee. But whither went I? Into a place where nothing was but cursedness.  
I have left thee my trusty friend and lover, worthy to be beloved above all others: I have put thee aside, O wellspring of all health somnes, by mine own wretched will: yea I have forsaken thee, full of beauty, goodness, wisdom, and power, and sought to withdraw me from thy love. I have accepted thy great enemies, that is, the devil, the world, and the flesh, against whom for my sake thou foughtedst so sore on the cross, to set me at liberty, which was by them of long time a prisoner and slave, and so bound, that no man could cause me to humble myself. And as for the love and charity that I should have had towards thee, they did quench it; so that the name of Jesus my dear husband, which before I had found so sweet, was to me tedious and hateful, so that oftentimes I did jest at it: and when I have heard the Gospel preached or taught, the word which I have hard, hath not tarried with me, but as a feather doth in the wind.  
I went never yet to hear thy word preached, but for a fashion only, which was a work of hypocrisy: I was also annoyed, when I hard speak of thee, because I was more willing to go at my pleasure. Now briefly to conclude, all that thou didst forbid me, I fulfilled: and all that thou commandedst me to do, I did eschew, and this was the cause why I loved not thee. But yet Lord, for all that I did thus hate thee, and forsake thee, ran away from thee, and betrayed thee, should I give place to any other? Hast thou suffered, that I should be mocked, either yet beaten, or killed? Hast thou put me in dark prison, or banished me for ever, setting nought by me? Hast thou taken away thy gifts and precious jewels again from me, to punish me for my unfaithful fruits? Have I lost my jointure, which thou promisedst me, through mine own offence done against thee? Am I accused by thee, afore the eternal father, for a naughty woman? Hast thou forbidden me thy presence, as I have deserved, and that I should never appear in thine house?  
O most true husband, pure and perfect friend, the most loving among all lovers! Alas, thou hast done otherwise for me. For thou hast diligently sought for me, when I was going into the most deep place of Hell, where all evils are done. When I was farthest from thee, both in heart and mind, and directly out of the way, than didst thou lovingly call me back, saying, My dear daughter, hearken and see, and vow thine ear toward me: forget that strange nation, with whom thou hast run astray, and also the house of thine own father, where thou hast dwelled so long, and then shall the King of all faithfulness desire thy beauty. But when thou Lord sawest, that thy sweet and gracious calling did not profit me, than begannest thou to cry to me with a loud voice, saying: Come unto me all you which are wearily laden with labour, for I am he that shall plenteously refresh you, and feed you with the bread of life.  
Alas, sweet Lord, unto all these sweet words would I not hearken, but rather doubted whether it were thou, that so spoke unto me, or else a fabulous writing that so said. I was so foolish, that without love I read thy word: I considered not the comparison of the Uineyard, which brought forth thorns and briars in stead of good fruit, and that it signified me, that so had done. I knew also, that when thou didst call the barren wife, saying, Return Shulamite, that thou didst speak it, that I should forsake my sins. Yet for all these words did I, as though I had understood never a whit. But when I had perused the Prophet jeremy, I confess that I had in the reading thereof, fear in my heart, and bashfulness in my face. I will tell it, yea with tears in mine eyes, and all Lord for thine honour, & to suppress my pride. Thou hast said by that holy Prophet: If a woman have offended her husband, and is so left of him, for going astray with other: if he thereupon refuseth her, is she not to be esteemed polluted, and of no value?  
The law doth consent to put her in the hands of justice, or to drive her away, and so never to take her again. Thou hast made a separation between thy bed and mine, saith he unto me, and placed foreign lovers in my room, committing with them fornication: yet for all this, thou mayst return to me again, for I will not always be angry against thee. Lift up therefore thine eyes, and look about thee on every side, and then shalt thou well see, into what place thy sin hath lead thee, and how filthily thou liest in the earth. O poor soul, look where thy sin hath put thee, even upon the high ways, where thou didst wait, and tarry to beguile them that came by, even as a thief doth, which is hidden in the wilderness. Therefore thou, in fulfilling thy wicked pleasure, hast with fornication infected all the earth, which was about thee: thine eyes, thy forehead, and thy face, have lost all their good manner, for they were such as an harlot hath, and yet thou haddest no shame of thy sin.  
And the surplus that jeremy saith, constraineth me to know my wretched life, and to wish with sorrowful sighs, the hour, the month, the day, the year, and time that my life might have an end, yielding myself condemned, and worthy to lie for ever in the everlasting fire. The same fear which proceedeth of thee, and not of myself, putteth me rather in hope, than in despair, as often as I do remember my sin. For as soon as thou knowest my will, bowing under thine obedience, then putting in me a lively faith, thou didst use great clemency, so that after I knew thee to be that same Lord, Master, and King, whom I ought to have feared, then found I my fear not quenched, but mixed with love, believing that thou art so gracious, gentle, and sweet, and so pitiful an husband, that I which should rather have hid me, than to have showed myself, was not then in fear to go forth, and to look for thee, & so seeking, I found thee.  
But what didst thou then? Didst thou refuse me? No Lord, but rather hast excused me. Hast thou turned thy face from me? No, for thine eye so sweetly penetrated my heart, that wounding it almost to the death, it did give to me remorse of my sins. Thou hast not put me back with thy hand: but with both thine arms, and with a sweet and manly heart, thou didst meet with me by the way, and not once reproving my faults, embracedst me. I could not see in beholding thy countenance, that ever thou didst once perceive mine offences: wherefore thou hast done so much for me, as though I had never broken promise with thee. For thou didst hide my fault from every body, in giving me again the part of thy bed, and also in showing, that the multitude of my sins are so hidden and overcome by thy great victory, that thou wilt never remember them more: so that now thou seest nothing in me, but the graces, gifts, and virtues, which it hath pleased thy free goodness to give me.  
O charity most precious! I do see well, that thy goodness doth consume my lewdness, and maketh me a new, godly, and joyful creature. The evil that was mine, thou hast destroyed, and made me so perfect a creature, that all the good a husband can do to his wife, thou hast done it to me, in giving me a faithful hope in thy promises. Now have I through thy good grace, recovered the place of thy wife. O happy, and desired place! O gracious bed! O thou right honourable seat of peace, rest from all war, high sleep of honour, separate from the earth! Dost thou receive this unworthy creature, giving her the sceptre and crown of thine Empire and glorious Realm? Who did ever hear of such a story, as to raise up one so high, which of herself was nothing; and maketh of great valour, which of itself was nought?   

The fift Chapter, Of the union of death and life in the faithful soul by Christ.  
ALas, what is this? For casting mine eyes on high, I see thy goodness, thine unknown grace, and thy love so incomprehensible, that my sight is wonderful in beholding thee: but looking downward, I might see what I am, and what I was willing to be. Alas, I do see in it the lewdness, darkness, and extreme deepness of mine evils. My death, which by humbleness closeth mine eye: the admirable goodness of thee, and the unspeakable evil, which is in me: thy right highness, & pure majesty, my right fragile and mortal nature: thy gifts, goods & beatitude, my malice & great unkindness.  
O how good art thou unto me! and how vnking have I been unto thee? this that thou wilt, and this that I pursue? Which things considered, causeth me to marvel, how it pleaseth thee to join thyself to me, seeing there is no comparison between us both. Thou art my God, and I am thy work: thou my creator, and I thy creature. Now to speak briefly, though I cannot define, what it is to be of thee; yet know I myself to be the least thing that may be compared unto thee. O most happy love! Thou madest this agreement, when thou didst join life & death together, but the union hath made alive death; life dying, and life without end, have made our death a life. Death hath given unto life a quickening, that through death I being dead, may receive life; and by death, I am ravished with him which is alive. I live in him, otherwise of myself I am dead. And as concerning bodily death, to me it is nothing, but a coming out of prison: death is to me life, for through death, I am alive. And as this mortal life filleth me full of care and sorrow, so death yieldeth me content.  
O what a godly thing is it to die, that the soul may live! For in delivering her from this mortal death, she is delivered from the death miserable, and matched with her most mighty lover. Is not then the soul blameless, which feign would by to have life? Yes truly, and aught to call death her well-beloved friend. O sweet death, pleasant sorrow, mighty king, delivering from all wickedness! O Lord, those which trust in thee, and in thy death, are mortified by the hope they have in thy passion.  
Thus with a sweet sleep dost thou put them out of that death, which causeth many to lament. O how happy is the same sleep unto him, which when he awaketh, doth find through thy death, life everlasting! For death is none other thing to a Christian man, but a liberty or deliverance from his mortal band: and the death which is fearful to the wicked, is pleasant and acceptable to them that are good, because that death through death is destroyed.  
Therefore my God, if I were rightly taught, I should call death life, the end of labour, and beginning of everlasting joy. For I know that long life doth let me from the sight of thee. O death come and do thine office on me, that I may see my spouse: or else sweet love, transform me in thee, and then shall I the better tarry the coming of death! O sweet Lord, let me die, that I may live with thee! For there is none other that can deliver me, but thou only. O my Saviour, through faith I am planted and joined with thee. O what union is this, sith that through faith I am assured to thee, and may call thee father, brother, son, and husband!  
O my father! what paternity? O my brother! what fraternity? O my child! what delectation? O my spouse! what conjunction is this? A father full of humility, a brother having our similitude, a son engendered through faith and love, a husband loving and relieving in all extremity. But whom dost thou love? Alas, it is she whom thou hast withdrawn from the snare, wherein through malice she was bound, and hast put her in place, name, and office of a daughter, sister, mother, and wife. O my Saviour, it is a great savour of sweetness, right pleasant, and delectable; when a soul after the hearing of thy word, shall call thee without fear, his father, his brother, child and spouse: such a soul doubtless may continually burn in love.  
Is there any love, unless it be this manner of love, but it hath some evil condition? Is there any pleasure to be hereto compared? Is there any honour to this, but may be accounted shame? Yea, is there any profit equal to this? Moreover to conclude, is there any thing, that I could more earnestly love? Alas no. For he that unfeignedly loveth God, reputeth all these things wordly, of less valour than the dunghill. Pleasure, profit, and honour of this world, are all but vanity and trifles unto him which hath found God. Such love is so profitable, honourable, & abundant in grace, that I dare say, she only sufficeth the heart of a godly soul, and yieldeth her so constant, that she never desireth, or would have other. For whosoever hath God, as he ought to be had, accounteth all other things superfluous or vain.  
Now thanked be my Lord, and my father; through faith I have gotten the same love: wherefore I ought to be satisfied and content. Now have I thee my father, for defence of my want on foolishness, and my long youth. Now have I thee my brother, for to secure my sorrows, wherein I find no end. Now have I thee my son, for my feeble age, as an only stay. Now have I thee a true and faithful husband, for the satisfying of my whole heart. And now, sith I have thee, I will, and do forsake all them that are in the world, holding thee fast, that thou mayest no more escape me. Seeing now that I have possessed thee, I will look upon none other thing, that might keep me back, from the beholding of thy divinity. Seeing that I do hear thee, I will hear nothing that letteth me from the fruition of thy voice. Seeing that I may freely talk with thee, I will common with none other. Seeing it pleaseth thee to put me so near thee, I will rather die, than to touch any other: and seeing I serve thee, I will serve none other. Seeing that thou hast joined thy heart with mine, if it depart from thee, let it be punished for ever. For the departing from thy love is harder than any damnation. I do not fear the pain of ten thousand hells, as I do fear the once losing of thee.  
Alas my God, my Father, and Creator, do not thou suffer that the enemy, inventor of all sin, have any power to make me to lose thy presence. For whosoever shall feel the loss of thy love, shall say, he would rather be bound for ever in hell, than to feel the pain thereof one moment of time. O my Saviour, do thou not permit, that ever I depart from thee again; but that it may please thee, to put me in such a place, that my soul, through wantonness of sin, be never separated from thy love.   

The sixth Chapter, Of the longing of the soul, by death to feed with Christ.  
IN this world I can not perfectly have this my desire; which thing maketh me fervently to desire the departing from this body of sin, not fearing death, nor any of her instruments. For what fear ought I to have of my God, which through love offered himself, and suffered death, not of debt, or duty; but only because he would, for my sake, under the power of mortal death? Now is jesus dead, in whom we are all dead, and through his death we all shall live: I mean those, which through faith are partakers of his passion. For even as the death, before the great mystery of the cross, was hard to every man, & there was no man but was feared therewith, considering the copulation of the body, and the soul, their order, love, and agreement; so were their sorrows extreme, in departing of the one from the other.  
But since it hath pleased the sweet Lamb to offer himself upon the cross, his great love hath kindled a fire within the heart, so vehement, that every true believer esteemeth the passage of death but a play, or pastime, and so provoketh other constantly to die. And even as the fear of death doth retrograde us: so ought love to give us a desire to die. For if true love be unfeignedly within the heart of man, he can feel none other thing; because love is so strong of itself, that she keepeth all the room, and putteth out all other desires, suffering nothing there but God only. For wheresoever true and perfect love is, there is remembered neither fear, nor sorrow: yet our own pride to attain honour, causeth us to seek death by many strange ways. As if a man, to have his foolish pleasure, putteth himself in jeopardy of life: if a merchant, to obtain riches, doth danger himself sometime for a small value: if the thief, conceiving of robbery, or murder, cruelty, or deceit, doth so blind a man, that he doubteth nothing the danger of death, neither yet misfortune, when he seeketh to avenge himself, or doth any other evil: if the fury of sickness, or the rankness of melancholy, causeth a man fiercely to wish for death, or oftentimes to drown, hang, or kill themselves. Such evils are sometimes so great, that they cause their pained patient to choose death for liberty. If it so be then, that these pains full of evils and imperfections, cause them not to fear the hazard of death, but rather to think that death tarrieth too long: alas, what ought true & laudable love to do? What ought the love of the eternal creature to wish? Should she stir a heart in such wise, that she being mastered with such affections, should feel none other thing in her? Alas yea. For death is a pleasant thing to the soul, which is in love with God, and esteemeth the passage easy, through the which she cometh out of prison. For the hard way, where through she cometh, can be no let for her to embrace her husband. O my Saviour, how good and pleasant is the same death, through whom I shall have the end of all sorrows: & by whom I shall enjoy thy sight without impediment, and be transformed into the likeness of thy majesty!  
O death, through thy force I trust to have such honour, as upon my knees with crying and weeping I daily do desire. Therefore come quickly, and make an end of my sorrows. O happy daughters, right holy souls, joined to the city jerusalem, open your eyes, and with pity look upon my desolation! I beseech you, that for me, and in my name, ye do show unto my dear and best beloved, my God, my friend, & my King, how that every hour of the day I do languish for his presence. O sweet death, come unto me, and lovingly bring me unto my Lord God. O death, where is now thy sting and dart? Alas, are they banished from mine eyes? Is not rigour changed into sweetness, seeing that for my sake, my friend did suffer upon the cross, whose death doth so encourage me, that death I wish to follow him?   

The seventh Chapter, Of the trust the soul hath in the merits of her Redeemer, against the dread of hell and desperation.  
SIth then that death is so pleasant to me, that it pleaseth me more than it feareth me; then ought I to fear nothing, but only the right judgement of God. My sins with his just balance shall be weighed, and all that I have done, openly shall be showed: my thoughts and words shall be better known, than they were written in a roll. Wherefore I may not think, that charity would offend justice and truth. For certain it is, whosoever liveth unfaithfully, shall be punished in everlasting pain. For God is just, and his judgement righteous, and all that he doth is perfect in all things. What am I then, considering mine own righteousness? A wretch and poor creature.  
I know that all the works of just men, are so full of imperfection, that afore God, they are more filthy than mire, or other vileness. What will it be then, concerning the sins which I have committed, whereof I feel the burden importable? I can nothing else say, but that I have won by them damnation. Is this the end? Shall despair then be the comfort of my great ignorance? Alas my God, no? For the invisible faith causeth me to believe, that all things, which are impossible to man, are possible unto thee; so that thou do convert my work, which is nothing, into some good work of thine in me, which is specially faith. Then my Lord, who shall condemn me? Or what judge will damn me? Sith that thou, which art my judge, art also my father, my spouse, and my refuge. Alas, what father? Such as doth never condemn his child: but always doth excuse and defend him.  
Then I perceive to have none other excuser, but jesus Christ, which is my spouse, and my redeemer, whose death hath restored me my lost inheritance. For he made himself my man of law, showing his so worthy merits afore his father, wherewith my great debt is so abundantly recompensed, that in judgement it is nothing. O redeemer, here is a great love: I find but few such men of law. O sweet jesus, it is to thee that I am a debtor, yet dost thou both pray and speak for me. And moreover, when thou dost see that I am poor, with the abundance of thy goods thou dost pay my debts. O incomprehensible sea of all goodness! O my dear father, dost thou vouchsafe to be my judge, not willing the death of a sinner? O jesus Christ crucifier and saviour of the soul, friend above all friends: thou being my man of law, didst excuse and speak for me, where thou couldst justly have accused me.  
I fear no more therefore the cruelty of mine enemy, for the law by thee is satisfied for all: the payment is so made by my sweet spouse, that the law can ask nothing of me, but it is paid by him. For as I believe, that he hath taken all my sins upon him, and hath given me in place of them his own goods in abundance: so, O my Saviour, thou presenting thy virtues, dost content the law. And when she will reproach me of my sins, thou dost show her how willingly, in thine own flesh, thou hast taken the discharge of them, through the conjunction of our marriage. Also upon the Cross, through thy passion, thou hast made satisfaction for it. moreover, thine only charity hath given me this, that thou hast for me deserved. Therefore, seeing thy merit to be mine, the law can ask nothing of me. Now then will I fear no more the judgement, but with desire, more than with perforce, I will tarry the time that I shall see my judge, and hear a just judgement of him.  
I know that thy judgement is just, and that there is no fault therein, though mine infidelity is worthy to suffer the cruelness of hell. For if I do only consider my deserving, yet I can see nothing in it that can keep me from the fire of hell. For true it is, that the torment of hell was prepared for the Devil and his children. So if any man have set his mind, to be like to the Devil, by sensual appetite, then ought he, as the Devil, to be paid with a like reward. But if a man through contemplation of the soul, do hold of thee, his Angel of counsel, virtue, and perfection, he is sure to obtain heaven, which is a place of thy deserving for him: then shall the wicked be punished, with the same punishment, which they ought to have, to whom they have joined themselves. For sith they followed Satan, they must enjoy such place as is for him, and his Angels prepared.  
Now I, considering the diversity of both the sorts, am little comforted in spirit by this. For I cannot deny, but that I am more like the Devil, than the Angel of light: wherefore I fear and tremble. For as the Angel is pure and perfect, so am I unpure and unperfect, and am nothing like unto him. But thus I confess, that to the other I am so like in my doings, and so accustomed in his ways, that of his pain and torment I ought to be partaker. For the cruel sin which hath bound me in hell, is so great, and his force so strong, that it letteth nothing to come from it, neither feareth it the contrary assault. But he, whose force lieth in this kind of strength, knoweth not how his strength goeth away, when a stronger than he cometh in place.  
I could never yet see, that any man by merit, or pains taking, could ever yet vanquish that hell, save only he, which did the great assault through his unspeakable charity, when he humbled himself to the cross, whereby he hath vanquished and overcome his enemy, and rob hell of his power: so that now, it hath no more force and strength to keep that soul, which putteth her trust in God. Then believing in the great strength that my saviour hath, I do not set by hell and sin. For sin can have no hold of me, unless it be to show how my God is merciful, strong, mighty, and a puissant vanquisher of all the evils within my heart. If by sins forgiveness, is the glory of my most loving saviour: then ought I also to believe, that my glory is increased by his love, and that I am planted and graffed in him.  
His honour only doth honour all his, and his riches do replenish every one with his goods. Then death, hell, and sin are overcome by him. O gluttonous hell! where is thy defence? Thou cruel villain sin, where is thy tyrannous power? O Death! where is thy sting, and victory, which are so much spoken of? Instead of death, thou death givest me life, and so dost thou contrary to thy will. Also, thou sin covetest to draw each creature to damnation. Thou givest me a ladder, to reach thereby that godly City jerusalem: yet wouldst thou of thy cursed nature, that mine eternal maker should lose his creature: but through his love and grace, the sorry remembrance of thine uncomeliness, doth cause her by repentance again to come, and submit herself unto God, whose inestimable goodness causeth thee to lose thy whole labour, which thou takest in hand. For the number that thou pretendest to have, thou shalt not have, because that the comfortable shadow of Christ his passion, is such a mighty protection to the soul, that he needeth neither to doubt death, sin, nor hell. Is there any thing then, that can pull me back, if God be willing, through the gift of faith to draw me to him? I mean such a faith, as we must needs have, to obtain the high graces from above: and also such a faith, as through charity doth join the humble servant to his maker. Now I being joined unto him, aught to have no fear of travel, pain, nor sorrow. For whosoever doth willingly suffer any manner of death, pain, or sorrow, for the truth, as Christ did, he shall feel in such torment, great comfort & consolation for his soul: knowing all this, I myself am weak, yet with God I am right strong.  
Through his comfort I may do all things, and his love is so constant, and permanent, that it varieth not for any worldly thing. Who can then withdraw me from his grace? Surely the great height of heaven, the depth of hell, the breadth of the whole earth, neither death, nor sin, which daily doth war against me, can separate me one minute from the great love and charity, that my heavenly father, through jesus Christ, hath unto me. His goodness is such, that he loveth me, which hath not all times loved him; and if I now love him, then shall I feel his love increase in me. But because my love is not a worthy love to him, I desire his love to be mine, which I feel such as it were mine own: his desire is to love, and his love inflameth my heart with a heavenly love.  
And through such love, he findeth himself, that his own deed yieldeth him well content, and not my love or strength: thus contenting himself, his love doth more increase in me, than I can of him desire.   

The eight Chapter, Of the incomprehensible love of Christ to the sinful soul: and benefits that come of a true faith.  
O True lover, the fountain or wellspring of all charity, and only purse of the heavenly treasure! Ought I to think, or dare I say what thou art? May I write, or can any mortal man comprehend thy goodness, or love? And if thou print in man's heart, can he express it? No surely. For the capacity of man cannot comprehend the unmeasurable goodnesses which are in thee. For natural reason doth show us, how there is no comparison between an eternal and a mortal thing: but when through love the mortal is joined with the eternal, the mortal thing is so filled with the eternal, that it cannot find the end thereof: for it hath more good thereby, than it can contain or hold. Therefore doth man think, which hath one spark of the love of God, that he hath all the world therewith: even as we see the Sun, with one only spark of his light, doth blind the eye, and yet doth he withhold from it his great light. If then you should ask the eye, what it hath seen, he would say, that it hath beholden the whole brightness of the same. Nevertheless, he is so content, that it seemeth unto him as though he had so much light as the Sun containeth, which if he had more than the said spark, he were not able to suffer it. Even so the soul, which through faith doth feel one spark of the love of God, doth find therewith the heat so great and marvelous, so sweet and delicious, that it is impossible to hit to declare what thing the same love is. For the little thereof, that she hath felt, doth yield her mind satisfied, and yet desiring more, where of she hath enough: thus doth she live, languishing and sighing in herself.  
The heart that doth feel that he hath received too much, hath conceived such a desire in this too much, that he always desireth to receive the thing which he cannot have, neither is he worthy to receive it. He knoweth not the good that he hath already to be unspeakable, yet would he have more of that, where of he cannot skill: truly he cannot feel or think the good which is in him. Then lieth it not in my power, to tell what thing the love of God is, sith I have no knowledge of the ferventness thereof. He that thinketh to have all this love within his heart, can not truly declare what thing it is: happy is he therefore which hath such abundance of this love, that he may say, My God, I have enough of it.  
He which hath this love within him, dare not much boast thereof, least in much speaking he do lose it, unless he do it, to edify his neighbour to salvation. The impossibility then of the declaration of this love, shall make me hold my peace. For there is no saint so perfect, if he will speak of the love of the high God, of his goodness, sweetness, graces, and of all things else, which pertain to him, but looking a low, shall find himself unworthy, and so stop his mouth. I then, a worm of the earth, less than nothing, aught to cease, and not to speak of the incomparable highness of this love: yet were it too much unkindness to be noted in me, if I had written nothing, having that done unto me, which would satisfy a much better wit than mine is. For he that would hide the goodness of God, so good a master, should commit a sin worthy to be punished with everlasting pain.  
Therefore come O happy Paul, which hast tasted so much of the same sweet honey, being blind for the space of three days, and rapt up into the third heaven, and satisfy (I beseech thee) mine ignorance, and tell me what in such vision thou hast seen? hearken then what he saith. O the unspeakable highness of the abundant riches or treasure, both of the wisdom and knowledge of God How incomprehensible are his judgements, and how unsearchable are his ways unto our weak wits? O holy Paul, thy words cause me much to marvel, that thou having knowledge, and so heavenly secrets, wouldst speak no further in them. At the least yet tell thou me, what thing I may hope to have, through such godly love, as grace hath wrought in me; and I will give ear unto thy words: neither hath the eye seen, nor yet the ear heard, neither yet hath it ever entered into the heart of man, what GOD hath prepared for them that love him. O blessed Paul, all this yet that thou hast said, is for none other purpose, but to provoke me earnestly to love, willing me by thy words to think, that thou canst none otherwise declare of it, and so give mine heart to patience, and hope of that thing, which never man yet could see, or yet deserve, although many through love have died.  
O excellent gift of faith, whereof so much good cometh, that it causeth man to possess the things which he can not comprehend! For faith, joined with truth, bringeth forth hope, whereby perfect charity is engendered: and charity is God, as witnesseth the Apostle. If we have charity, then have we also God therewith, and then is God in us, and we in him; and all this cometh of the benefit of faith. For he dwelleth in all men, which have true faith. Thus have we a greater treasure than we can tell of, nor yet any man express unto us.  
Now to conclude, sith that so great an Apostle, as is S. Paul, will speak no further of God, and his inestimable love; I will (according to his righteous example and doctrine) hold my peace and be still, following nevertheless his teachings. Notwithstanding, though herein I acknowledge myself but earth and dust, yet may I not fail to yield thanks to mine eternal, and living God, for such great graces and benefits, as it hath pleased him to give me. Unto that everlasting King of heaven, immortal, invisible, incomprehensible, mighty and wise, only to him be all honour, praise, glory, magnificence and love, for ever and ever:   
Amen.   

¶ These four clauses or texts of Scripture, are added to the work by the Queen's Majesty.  Ecclesiasticus. 25, verse. 17. 
THere is not a more wicked head, than the head of a Serpent: and there is no wrath above the wrath of a woman.  
But he that hath gotten a virtuous woman, hath gotten a goodly possession: she is unto him an help and pillar, whereupon he resteth.  
It were better to dwell with a Lion and Dragon, than to keep house with a wicked woman.  Ecclesiasticus. 7, verse. 19 
Yet depart not from a discreet and good woman, that is fallen to thee for thy portion in the fear of the Lord: for the gift of her honesty is above gold.   

¶ The Christian prayers of our Sovereign Lady Queen Elizabeth, which her grace made in the time of her trouble, and imprisonment in the Tower, and after her Coronation.  
Help me now, O God, for I have none other friends but thee alone. And suffer me not (I beseech thee) to build my foundation upon the sands: but upon the rock, whereby all blasts of blustering weather may have no power against me,  
Amen.   

Another prayer made by her Majesty, when she was in great fear and doubt of death, by murder.  
GRant, O God, that the wicked may have no power to hurt or betray me; neither suffer any such treason and wickedness to proceed against me. For thou, O God, canst mollify all such tyrannous hearts, and disappoint all such cruel purposes. And I beseech thee to hear me thy creature which am thy servant, and at thy commandment, trusting by thy grace ever so to remain,  
Amen.   

Another prayer and thanksgiving made by her grace, as she road in her Chariot from the Tower, to be crowned Queen at Westminster.  
O Lord almighty, and everlasting God, I give thee most hearty thanks, that thou hast been so merciful unto me, as to spare me, to behold this joyful day. And I acknowledge, that thou hast dealt as wonderfully with me, as thou didst with thy true and faithful servant Daniel the Prophet, whom thou deliveredst out of the den from the cruelty of the greedy raging lions: even so was I overwhelmed, and only by thee delivered. To thee therefore be only thanks, honour and praise for ever and ever,  
Amen.  
The rest of the prayers belonging to her Majesty to use, are to be found in the beginning of the third Lamp.   

WILLIAM CICILL having taken much profit by the reading of this Treatise following, wisheth unto every Christian by the reading thereof like profit with increase from God.  
MOst gentle and Christian Reader, if matters should be rather confirmed by their reporters, than the reports warranted by the matters, I might justly bewail our time, wherein evil deeds be well worded, and good acts evil cleped. But sincere truth is, that things be not good for their praises; but be praised for their goodness. I do not move thee to like this Christian Treatise, because I have mind to praise it; but I exhort thee to mind it, and for the goodness thou shalt allow it, for whose liking I labour not to obtain, only moved by mine example, their judgement Iregard, chiefly confirmed by the matter. Truly our time is so disposed to grant good names to evil fruits, and excellent terms to mean works, that neither can good deeds enjoy their due names being defrauded by the evil, neither excellent works can possess their worthy terms, being forestalled by the mean: insomuch that men seek rather how much they can, than how much they ought to say, inclining more to their pleasure, than to their judgement, and to show themselves rather eloquent, than the matter good: so that neither the goodness of the cause can move them to say more, neither the evilness less. For if the excellency of this Christian contemplation, either for the goodness herein to marvel appearing, either for the profit hereupon to the Reader ensuing, should be with due commendation followed, I of necessity should either travel to find out new words, the old being anticipated by evil matters, or wish that the common speech of praising were spared until convenient matters were found to spend it: such is the plenty of praising, and scarceness of deserving.  
Wherefore lacking the manner in words, and not the matter in deed of high commendation, I am compelled to keep in my judgement with silence, trusting whom my report could not have moved to like this present Treatise, the worthiness of the matter shall compel to give it honour.  
Any earthly man would soon be stirred to see some mystery of magic, or practise of Alchumie, or perchance some enchantment of elements; but thou which art christened, hast here a wonderful mystery of the mercy of God; a heavenly practice of regeneration; a spiritual enchantment of the grace of God. If joy and triumph be showed when a king's child is borne to the world; what joy is sufficient when God's child is regenerated from heaven? The one is flesh, which is borne of flesh; the other is spirit, which is borne of spirit. The one also shall whither like the grass of the earth in short time; the other shall live in heaven beyond all time. If the finding of one lost sheep be more joyful, than the having of ninety and nine; what joy is it to consider the return of a stray child of almighty God, whose return teacheth the ninety and nine to come to their fold? Even such cause of joy is this, that the Angels in heaven take comfort herein. Be thou therefore joyful when a noble child is newly borne; show thyself glad when the lost sheep hath won the whole flock: be thou not sad, wherein Angels rejoice.  
Here mayst thou see one, if the kind may move thee, a woman; if degree may provoke thee, a woman of high estate; by birth, made noble; by marriage, most noble; by wisdom, godly; by a mighty King, an excellent Queen; by a famous HENRY, a renowned KATHERINE; a wife to him that was a King to Realms: refusing the world, wherein she was lost, to obtain heaven, wherein she may be saved: abhorring sin, which made her bound, to receive grace, whereby she may be free: despising flesh the cause of corruption, to put on the spirit the cause of sanctification: forsaking ignorance wherein she was blind, to come to knowledge, whereby she may see: removing superstition, wherewith she was smothered, to embrace true religion, wherewith she may revive.  
The fruit of this Treatise (good Reader) is thine amendment: this only had, the writer is satisfied. This good Lady thought no shame to detest her sin, to obtain remission; no vileness, to become nothing; to be a member of him, which is all things in all; no folly to forget the wisdom of the world, to learn the simplicity of the Gospel at the last; no displeasantnesse to submit herself to the school of the cross, the learning of the Crucifix, the book of our redemption; the very absolute library of God's mercy and wisdom. This way thought she her honour increased, and her state permanent, to make her earthly honour heavenly, and neglect the transitory for the everlasting.  
Of this I would thee warned, that the profit may ensue. These great mysteries and graces be not well perceived, except they be surely studied; neither be they perfectly studied, except they be diligently practised; neither profitably practised, without amendment. See and learn hereby what she hath done, then mayst thou practise, and amend that thou canst do: so shalt thou practise with ease, having a guide, and amend with profit, having a zeal. It is easier to see these, than to learn: begin at the easiest to come to the harder; see thou her confession, that thou mayest learn her repentance; practise her perseverance, that thou mayest have like amendment; despise thyself in eschewing vice, that thou mayest please God in ask grace: let not shame hinder the confession, which hindered not the offence. Be thou sure if we knowledge our sins, God is faithful to forgive us, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Obey the Prophets saying; Declare thy ways to the Lord.  
Thus far thou mayst learn to know thyself; next this be thou as diligent to relieve thyself in God's mercy, as thou hast been to reveal thyself in thine own repentance. For God hath concluded all things under sin, because he would have mercy upon all, who hath also borne our sins in his body upon the tree, that we should be delivered from sin, and should live unto righteousness, by whose stripes we be healed. Here is our anchor; here is our shepherd; here we be made whole; here is our life, our redemption, our salvation and our bliss: let us therefore now feed by this gracious Queen's example, & be not ashamed to become in confession Publicans, since this noble Lady will be no Pharisie.  
And to all Ladies of estate I wish as earnest mind to follow our Queen in virtue, as in honour, that they might once appear to prefer God before the world, and be honourable in religion, which now be honourable in vanities; so shall they, as in some virtuous Ladies of right high estate, it is with great comfort seen, taste of this freedom of remission of the everlasting bliss, which exceedeth all thoughts and understandings, and is prepared for the holy in spirit. For the which let us with our intercession in holiness and pureness of life, offer ourselves to the heavenly father an undefiled host: to whom be eternal praise and glory throughout the earth without end,  
Amen.   

The Lamentation or Complaint of a sinner, made by the most virtuous and right gracious Lady Queen CATHERINE, bewailing the ignorance of her blind life, led in superstition: very profitable to the amendment of our lives.  

The first Chapter, Of an humble confession of sins to the glory of God.  
WHEN I consider, in the bethinking of mine evil and wretched former life, mine obstinate, stony, and untractable heart, to have so much exceeded in evilness, that it hath not only neglected, yea contemned, & despised Gods holy precepts and commandments: but also embraced, received, and esteemed vain, foolish, and feigned trifles, I am partly by the hate I own to sin, who hath reigned in me, and partly by the love I own to all Christians, whom I am content to edify, even with the example of mine own shame, forced and constrained with my heart and words, to confess and declare to the world, how ingrate, negligent, unkind, and stubborn I have been to God my Creator: and how beneficial, merciful, and gentle he hath been always to me his creature, being such a miserable and wretched sinner.  
Truly I have taken no little small thing upon me, first to set forth my whole stubborness, and contempt in words, the which is incomprehensible in thought (as it is in the 12. Psalm) Who understandeth his faults? Next this, to declare the excellent beneficence, mercy, and goodness of God, which is infinite, and unmeasurable. Neither can all the words of Angels, and men, make relation thereof, as appertaineth to his most high goodness. Who is he that is not forced to confess the same, if he consider what he hath received of God, & doth daily receive? Yea, if men would not acknowledge and confess the same, the stones would cry it out. Truly I am constrained and forced to speak and write thereof, to mine own confusion and shame; but to the glory and praise of God. For he, as a loving father, of most abundant and high goodness, hath heaped upon me innumerable benefits: and I contrary, have heaped manifold sins, despising that which was good, holy, pleasant, and acceptable in his sight, and choosing that which was delicious, pleasant, and acceptable in my sight.  
And no marvel it was that I so did. For I would not learn to know the Lord, and his ways; but loved darkness better than light, yea darkness seemed to me light. I embraced ignorance, as perfect knowledge; and knowledge seemed to me superfluous and vain. I regarded little God's word, but gave myself to vanities, and shadows of the world. I forsook him in whom is all truth; and followed the vain foolish imaginations of my heart. I would have covered my sins with the pretence of holiness: I called superstition godly meaning, and true holiness error. The Lord did speak many pleasant and sweet words unto me, and I would not hear: he called me diversly, but through frowardness I would not answer.  
Mine evils and miseries be so many, and so great, that they can accuse me even to my face. Oh how miserably and wretchedly am I confounded, when for the multitude and greatness of my sins I am compelled to accuse myself! Was it not a marvelous unkindness, when God did speak to me, and also call me, that I would not answer him? What man so called would not have heard? Or what man hearing, would not have answered? If an earthly Prince had spoken, either called, I suppose there be none but would willingly have done both. Now therefore, what a wretch and caitiff am I, that when the Prince of princes, the King of kings, did speak many pleasant and gentle words unto me, and also called me so many and sundry times, that they can not be numbered: and yet, notwithstanding these great signs and tokens of love, I would not come unto him, but hide myself out of his sight, seeking many crooked and biwaies, wherein I walked so long, that I had clean lost his sight? And no marvel or wonder. For I had a blind guide called Ignorance, who dimmed so mine eyes, that I could never perfectly get any sight of the fair, goodly, straight, and right ways of his doctrine: but continually traveled uncomfortably, in foul, wicked, crooked, and perverse ways. Yea, and because they were so much haunted of many, I could not think, but that I walked in the perfect and right way, having more regard to the number of the walkers, than to the order of the walking: believing also most assuredly, with company to have walked to heaven, whereas I am most sure they would have brought me down to hell.  
I forsook the spiritual honouring of the true living God, and worshipped visible idols, and images made of men's hands, believing by them to have gotten heaven: yea, to say the truth, I made a great idol of myself. For I loved myself better than God. And certainly, look how many things are loved, or preferred in our hearts before God, so many are taken and esteemed for idols, and false gods. Alas, how have I violated this holy, pure, and most high precept and commandment of the love of God? Which precept bindeth me to love him with my whole heart, mind, force, strength and understanding. And I, like unto an evil, wicked, and disobedient child, have given my will, power, and senses to the contrary: making almost of every earthly and carnal thing a god.  
Furthermore, the blood of Christ was not reputed by me, sufficient for to wash me from the filth of my sins; neither such ways as he had appointed by his word: but I sought for such riffraff, as the Bishop of Rome hath planted in his tyranny and kingdom, trusting with great confidence, by the virtue and holiness of them, to receive full remission of my sins. And so I did, as much as was in me, obfuscate and darken the great benefit of Christ's passion; than the which no thought can conceive any thing of more value. There cannot be done so great an injury and displeasure to almighty God our father, as to tread under foot Christ, his only begotten and well-beloved son. All other sins in the world, gathered together in one, be not so heinous, and detestable in the sight of God. And no wonder. For in Christ crucified, God doth show himself most noble and glorious, even an almighty God, and most loving father, in his only dear and chosen blessed son.  
And therefore I count myself one of the most wicked and miserable sinners in the world, because I have been so much contrary to Christ my saviour. Saint Paul desired to know nothing but Christ crucified, after he had been rapt into the third heaven, where he heard such secrets as were not convenient & meet to utter to men: but counted all his works and doings as nothing, to win Christ. And I, most presumptuously thinking nothing of Christ crucified, went about to set forth mine own righteousness, saying with the proud Pharisie: Good Lord I thank thee, I am not like other men; I am none adulterer, nor fornicator: and so forth, with such like words of vain glory, extolling myself, and despising others, working as an hired servant for wages, or else for reward: and not as a loving child, only for very love, without respect of wages or reward, as I ought to have done. Neither did I consider, how beneficial a father I had, who did show me his charity and mercy of his own mere grace and goodness, that when I was most his enemy, he sent his only begotten and well-beloved son into this world of wretchedness and misery, to suffer most cruel and sharp death for my redemption. But my heart was so stony and hard, that this great benefit was never truly and lively printed in my heart, although with my words it was oft rehearsed, thinking myself to be sufficiently instructed in the same, and being in deed in blind ignorance: and yet I stood so well in mine own judgement and opinion, that I thought it vain to seek the increase of my knowledge therein.  
Paul calleth Christ the wisdom of God; and even the same Christ was to me foolishness. My pride and blindness deceived me, and the hardness of my heart withstood the groaning of truth within it. Such were the fruits of my carnal and human reasons, to have rotten ignorance in price for ripe & seasonable knowledge: such also is the malice and wickedness that possesseth the hearts of men: such is the wisdom and pleasing of the flesh. I professed Christ in my baptism, when I began to live: but I swerved from him after baptism, in continuance of my living; even as the heathen which never had begun.  
Christ was innocent and void of all sin; and I wallowed in filthy sin, and was free from no sin. Christ was obedient unto his father, even to the death of the cross; and I disobedient and most stubborn, even to the confusion of truth. Christ was meek and humble in heart, and I most proud and vainglorious. Christ despised the world, with all the vanities thereof; and I make it my God, because of the vanities. Christ came to serve his brethren; and I coveted to rule over them. Christ despised worldly honour; and I much delighted to attain the same. Christ loved the base and simple things of the world; and I esteemed the most fair and pleasant things. Christ loved poverty; and I wealth. Christ was gentle and merciful to the poor; and I hard-hearted and ungentle. Christ prayed for his enemies; and I hated mine. Christ rejoiced in the conversion of sinners; and I was not grieved to see their reversion to sin. By this declaration, all creatures may perceive, how far I was from Christ, and without Christ; yea how contrary to Christ, although I bore the name of a Christian. Insomuch that if any man had said I had been without Christ, I would have stiffly denied and withstood the same: and yet in deed I neither knew Christ, nor wherefore he came.  
As concerning the effect and purpose of his coming, I had a certain vain and blind knowledge, both cold and dead, which may be had with all sin: as doth plainly appear by this my confession and open declaration.   

The second Chapter, A lamentation of a sinner, with hearty repentance in faith to obtain absolution and remission, through the merits of Christ.  
WHat cause now have I to lament, sigh, and weep for my life & time so evil spent? With how much humility and lowliness ought I to come and knowledge my sins to God, giving him thanks, that it hath pleased him of his abundant goodness, to give me time of repentance. For I know my sins in the consideration of them, to be so grievous, and in the number so exceeding, that I have deserved very often eternal damnation. And for the deferring of God's wrath, so manifoldly due, I must uncessantly give thanks to the mercy of God: beseeching also, that the same delay of punishment cause not his plague to be the sorer, since mine own conscience condemneth my former doings. But his mercy exceedeth all iniquity. And if I should not thus hope, alas, what should I seek for refuge and comfort? No mortal man is of power to help me; and for the multitude of my sins, I dare not lift up mine eyes to heaven, where the seat of judgement is, I have so much offended my God. What? Shall I fall in desperation? Nay, I will call upon Christ the light of the world, the fountain of life, the relief of all careful consciences, the peacemaker between God and man, and the only health and comfort of all true repentant sinners.  
He can by his almighty power save me, and deliver me out of this miserable state, and hath will by his mercy to save even the whole sin of the world. I have no hope nor confidence in any creature, neither in heaven nor earth; but in Christ my whole & only Saviour. He came into the world to save sinners, and to heal them that are sick. For he said, The whole have no need of the physician. Behold Lord, how I come to thee, a sinner sick, and grievously wounded: I ask not bread; but the crumbs that fall from the children's table. Cast me not out of thy sight, although I have deserved to be cast into hell fire.  
If I should look upon my sin, and not upon thy mercy, I should despair. For in myself I find nothing to save me, but a dunghill of wickedness to condemn me. If I should hope by mine own strength and power to come out of this maze of iniquity and wickedness, wherein I have walked so long, I should be deceived. For I am so ignorant, blind, weak, and feeble; that I can not bring myself out of this entangled and wayward maze: but the more I seek means & ways to wind myself out, the more I am wrapped and tangled therein.  
So that I perceive my striving therein to be hindrance, my travel to be labour spent in going back. It is the hand of the Lord that can and will bring me out of the endless maze of death. For without I be prevented by the grace of the Lord, I can not ask forgiveness, nor be repentant or sorry for them. There is no man can avow, that Christ is the only Saviour of the world, but by the holy Ghost: yea, as S. Paul saith, no man can say, The Lord jesus, but by the holy Ghost. The spirit helpeth our infirmity, and maketh continual intercession for us, with such sorrowful groanings as can not be expressed.  
Therefore I will first require and pray the Lord, to give me his holy spirit, to teach me to avow that Christ is the Saviour of the world, and to utter these words, The Lord jesus, and finally to help mine infirmities, and to intercede or entreat for me. For I am most certain and sure, that no creature in heaven nor earth, is of power, or can by any mean help me: but God, who is omnipotent, almighty, beneficial, and merciful, welwilling, and loving to all those that call and put their whole confidence and trust in him. And therefore I will seek none other means nor advocate, but Christ's holy spirit, who is only the advocate and mediator between GOD and man, to help and relieve me.   

The third Chapter, What true faith worketh in the soul of a sinner.  
BUt now, what maketh me so bold and hardy to presume to come to the Lord with such audacity and boldness, being so great a sinner? Truly nothing but his own word. For he saith, Come to me all ye that labour, and are burdened, and I shall refresh you. What gentle, merciful, and comfortable words are these to all sinners? Were he not a frantic, mad, beastly, and foolish man, that would run for aid, help, or refuge to any other creature? What a most gracious, comfortable, and gentle saying was this, with such pleasant and sweet words to allure his very enemies to come unto him? Is there any worldly Prince or Magistrate, that would show such clemency, and mercy, to their disobedient & rebellious subjects, having offended them? I suppose they would not with such words allure them, except it were to call them, whom they cannot take, and punish them being taken. But even as Christ is Prince of princes, and Lord of lords: so his charity and mercy exceedeth and surmounteth all others. Christ saith, If carnal fathers do give good gifts to their children, when they ask them, how much more shall your heavenly father, being in substance all holy, and most highly good, give good gifts to all them that ask him?  
It is no small nor little gift that I now require, neither think I myself worthy to receive such a noble gift, being so ingrate, unkind, and wicked a child. But when I behold the benignity, liberality, mercy, and goodness of the Lord, I am encouraged, boldened, and stirred to ask such a noble gift. The Lord is so bountiful and liberal, that he will not have us satisfied and contented with one gift; neither to ask simple and small gifts: and therefore he promiseth, and bindeth himself by his word, to give good and beneficial gifts to all them that ask him with true faith, without which nothing can be done acceptable or pleasing to God. For faith is the foundation & ground of all other gifts, virtues, and graces: and therefore I will pray and say: Lord increase my faith.  
For this is the life everlasting, Lord, that I must believe thee to be the true God, and whom thou didst send jesus Christ. By this faith I am assured, and by this assurance I feel the remission of my sins. This is it that maketh me bold, this is it that comforteth me; this is it that quencheth all despair.  
I know O my Lord, thine eyes look upon my faith. S. Paul saith, We be justified by faith in Christ, and not by the deeds of the law. For if righteousness come by the law, than Christ died in vain. S. Paul meaneth not here, a dead, human, and historical faith, gotten by human industry: but a supernal, and lively faith, which worketh by charity; as he himself plainly expresseth. This dignity of faith is no derogation to good works. For out of this faith spring all good works: yet we may not impute to the worthiness of faith or works, our justification before God: but ascribe and give the worthiness of it, wholly to the merits of Christ's passion, and refer and attribute the knowledge and perceiving thereof, only to faith: whose very, true, and only property it is, to take, apprehend, and hold fast the promises of God's mercy, the which maketh us righteous: and to cause me continually to hope for the same mercy, and in love to work all manner of ways allowed in the Scripture, that I may be thankful for the same.  
Thus I feel myself to come (as it were) in a new garment before God; and now by his mercy, to be taken just and righteous, which of late without his mercy was sinful and wicked: and by faith to obtain his mercy, the which the unfaithful can not enjoy. And although S. john extolleth charity in his Epistle, saying that God is charity, and he that dwelleth in charity, dwelleth in God. Truly charity maketh men live like Angels; and of the most furious, unbridled, and carnal men, maketh meek lambs.  
Yea, with how fervent a spirit ought I to call, cry, and pray to the Lord, to make his great charity to burn and flame my heart, being stony and evil affected, that it never would conceive nor regard the great inestimable charity and love of God, in sending his only begotten and dear beloved son into this vale of misery, to suffer the most cruel and sharp death of the cross for my redemption? Yea I never had this unspeakable, and most high charity, and abundant love of God printed and fixed in my heart duly, till it pleased God, of his mere grace, mercy, and pity, to open mine eyes, making me to see and behold with the eye of lively faith, Christ crucified, to be mine only Saviour and redeemer. For than I began (and not before) to perceive and see mine own ignorance and blindness: the cause thereof was, that I would not learn to know Christ my Saviour and redeemer.  
But when God, of his mere goodness, had thus opened mine eyes, and made me see and behold Christ, the wisdom of God, the light of the world, with a supernatural sight of faith; all pleasures, vanities, honour, riches, wealth, and aids of the world, began to wax bitter unto me. Then I knew it was no illusion of the devil, nor false, ne human doctrine I had received. When such success came thereof, that I had in detestation and horror that which I erst so much loved and esteemed: being of God forbidden that we should love the world, or the vain pleasures and shadows in the same: then began I to perceive that Christ was my only Saviour and redeemer; and the same doctrine to be all divine, holy, heavenly, and infused by grace into the hearts of the faithful, which never can be attained by hnmane doctrine, wit, nor reason, although they should travel and labour for the same, to the end of the world. Then began I to dwell in God by charity, knowing by the loving charity of God, in the remission of my sins, that God is charity, as S. john saith. So that of my faith (whereby I came to know God, and whereby it pleased God, even because I trusted in him, to justify me) sprang this excellent charity in my heart.  
I think no less, but many will wonder and marvel at this my saying, that I never knew Christ for my Saviour and redeemer, until this time. For many have this opinion, saying: Who knoweth not there is a Christ? Who being a Christian doth not confess him his Saviour? And thus, believing their dead, human, historical faith and knowledge (which they have learned in their scholastical books) to be the true infused faith and knowledge of Christ, which may be had (as I said before) with all sin, they use to say, by their own experience of themselves, that their faith doth not justify them. And true it is, except they have this faith, the which I have declared here before, they shall never be justified.  
And yet it is not false, that by faith only I am sure to be justified. Even this is the cause that so many impugn this office and duty of true faith, because so many lack the true faith. And even as the faithful are forced to allow this true faith; so the unfaithful can in no wise probably entreat thereof: the one feeling in himself that he saith, the other having not in him for to say.  
I have certainly no curious learning to defend this matter withal, but a simple zeal, and earnest love to the truth inspired of God, who promiseth to power his spirit upon all flesh, which I have by the grace of God whom I most humbly honour) felt in myself to be true.   

The fourth Chapter, Of the great love of God towards mankind, and of the inward beholding of Christ crucified.  
LEt us therefore now, I pray you, by faith behold and consider the great charity & goodness of God, in sending his son to suffer death for our redemption, when we were his mortal enemies, and after what sort and manner he sent him.  
First it is to be considered, yea to be undoubtedly, and with a perfect faith believed, that God sent him to us freely. For he did give him, and sold him not. A more noble and rich gift he could not have given. He sent not a servant or a friend, but his only son so dearly beloved: not in delights, riches, and honours; but in crosses, poverties, and slanders: not as a Lord, but as a servant, yea and in most vile and painful passions, to wash us: not with water, but with his own precious blood: not from mire, but from the puddle and filth of our iniquities. He hath given him, not to make us poor; but to enrich us with his divine virtues, merits, and graces: yea, and in him he hath given us all good things, and finally himself; and with such great charity, as can not be expressed.  
Was it not a most high and abundant charity of God, to send Christ to shed his blood, to lose honour, life, and all, for his enemies? Even in the time, when he had done him most injury, he first showed his charity to us, with such flames of love, that greater could not be showed. God in Christ hath opened unto us, (although we be weak and blind of ourselves) that we may behold in this miserable estate, the great wisdom, goodness, and truth, with all the other godly perfections, which be in Christ. Therefore inwardly to behold Christ crucified upon the cross, is the best and godliest meditation that can be.  
We may see also in Christ crucified, the beauty of the soul, better than in all the books of the world. For who that with a lively faith, seethe and feeleth in spirit, that Christ the son of God is dead for the satisfying and purifying of the soul, shall see, that his soul is appointed for the very tabernacle and mansion of the inestimable and incomprehensible majesty and honour of God. We see also in Christ crucified, how vain and foolish the world is, and how that Christ being most wise despised the same. We see also how blind it is, because the same knoweth not Christ, but persecuteth him. We see also how unkind the world is, by the kill of Christ, in the time he did show it most favour. How hard, and obstinate was it, that would not be mollified with so many tears, such sweat, and so much bloodshed of the son of God, suffering with so great and high charity?  
Therefore he is now very blind, that seethe not how vain, foolish, false, ingrate, cruel, hard, wicked, and evil the world is. We may also in Christ crucified weigh our sins, as in a divine balance, how grievous and how weighty they be, seeing they have crucified Christ. For they would never have been counterpaised, but with the great and precious weight of the blood of the son of God. And therefore God, of his high goodness, determined that his blessed son should rather suffer bloodshed, than our sins should have condemned us. We shall never know our own misery and wretchedness, but with the light of Christ crucified: Then we shall see our own cruelty, when we feel his mercy; our own unrighteousness and iniquity, when we see his righteousness and holiness. Therefore, to learn to know truly our own sins, is to study in the book of the Crucifix, by continual conversation in faith: and to have perfect and plentiful charity, is to learn first by faith the charity that is in God towards us.  
We may see also in Christ upon the Cross, how great the pains of hell, and how blessed the joys of heaven be: and what a sharp and painful thing it shall be to them, that of that sweet, happy, and glorious joy Christ shall be deprived. Then this Crucifix is the book, wherein God hath included all things, and hath most compendiously written therein all truth, profitable and necessary for our salvation. Therefore let us endeavour ourselves to study this book, that we being lightened with the spirit of God, may give him thanks for so great a benefit.   

The fift Chapter, Of the glorious victories of Christ over all enemies.  
IF we look further in this book, we shall see Christ's great victory upon the cross, which was so noble and mighty, that there never was, neither shall be such. If the victory and glory of worldly Princes were great, because they did overcome great hosts of men: how much was Christ's greater, which vanquished not only the Prince of this world, but all the enemies of God; triumphing over persecution, injuries, villainies, slanders, yea death, the world, sin, and the devil; and brought to confusion all carnal prudence?  
The Princes of the world never did fight without the strength of the world: Christ contrarily went to war, even against all the strength of the world. He fought, as David did with Golias, unarmed of all human wisdom and policy, and without all worldly power and strength. Nevertheless, he was fully replenished and armed with the whole armour of the spirit. And in this one battle, he overcame for ever all his enemies. There was never so glorious a spoil, neither a more rich and noble, than Christ was upon the Cross, which delivered all his elect from such a sharp and miserable captivity. He had in his battle many stripes, yea and lost his life, but his victory was so much the greater. Therefore, when I look upon the son of God with a supernatural faith and light, so unarmed, naked, given up, and alone with humility, patience, liberality, modesty, gentleness, and with all other his divine virtues beating down to the ground all God's enemies, and making the soul of man so fair and beautiful: I am forced to say, that his victory and triumph was marvelous. And therefore Christ well deserved to have this noble title: JESUS OF NAZARETH, KING OF THE JEWS.  
But if we will particularly unfold and see his great victories, let us first behold how he overcame sin, with his innocency; & confounded pride, with his humility; quenched all worldly love, with his charity; appeased the wrath of his father, with his meekness; and turned hatred into love, with his so many benefits and godly zeal.  
Christ hath not only overcome sin, but rather he hath killed the same; in as much as he hath satisfied for it himself, with the most holy sacrifice and oblation of his precious body, in suffering most bitter and cruel death. Also, after another sort, that is, he giveth all those that love him, so much spirit, grace, virtue, and strength, that they may resist, impugn, and overcome sin; and not consent; neither suffer it to reign in them. He hath also vanquished sin, because he hath taken away the force of the same; that is, he hath canceled the law, which was in evil men the occasion of sin. Therefore sin hath no power against them that are with the holy Ghost united to Christ: in them there is nothing worthy of damnation. And although the dregs of Adam do remain, that is, our concupiscences, which in deed be sins: nevertheless, they be not imputed for sins, if we be truly planted in Christ. It is true, that Christ might have taken away all our immoderate affections: but he hath left them for the great glory of his father, and for his own greater triumph. As for example. When a Prince fighteth with his enemies, which sometime had the sovereignty over his people, and subduing them, may kill them if he will: yet he preserveth and saveth them: and whereas they were Lords over his people, he maketh them after to serve, whom they before had ruled. Now in such a case, the Prince doth show himself a greater conqueror, in that he hath made them, which were rulers, to obey: and the subjects to be Lords over them, to whom they served, than if he had utterly destroyed them upon the conquest. For now he leaveth continual victory to them whom he redeemed, whereas otherwise the occasion of victory was taken away, where none were left to be the subjects. Even so in like case, Christ hath left in us these concupiscences, to the intent they should serve us, to the exercise of our virtues; where first they did reign over us, to the exercise of our sin. And it may be plainly seen, that whereas first they were such impediments to us, that we could not move ourselves towards God: now by Christ we have so much strength, that notwithstanding the force of them, we may assuredly walk to heaven. And although the children of God sometime do fall by fariltie into some sin: yet that falling maketh them to humble themselves, and to reknowledge the goodness of God, and to come to him for refuge and help.  
Likewise Christ, by his death, hath overcome the Prince of devils with all his host, and hath destroyed them all. For as Paul saith, it is verified, that Christ should break the Serpent's head, prophesied by God. And although the devil tempt us, yet if by faith we be planted in Christ, we shall not perish, but rather by his temptation take great force and might. So it is evident, that the triumph, victory, and glory of Christ is the greater, having in such sort subdued the devil; that whereas he was Prince and Lord of the world, holding all creatures in captivity: now Christ useth him as an instrument to punish the wicked, and to exercise and make strong the elect of God in Christian warfare.  
Christ likewise hath overcome death in a more glorious manner (if it be possible:) because he hath not taken it away, but leaving universally all subject to the same. He hath given so much virtue and spirit, that whereas afore we passed thereto with great fear, now we be bold through the spirit, for the sure hope of the resurrection, that we receive it with joy. It is now no more bitter, but sweet: no more feared, but desired: it is no death, but life.  
And also it hath pleased God, that the infirmities and adversities do remain to the sight of the world: but the children of God are by Christ made so strong, righteous, whole, and sound, that the troubles of the world, be comforts of the spirit: the passions of the flesh, are medicines of the soul. For all manner things work to their commodity and profit. For they in spirit feel, that God their father doth govern them, and disposeth all things for their benefit: therefore they feel themselves sure. In persecution they are quiet and peaceful, in trouble they are without weariness, fears, anxieties, suspicions, miseries: and finally all the good and evil of the world worketh to their commodity.  
Moreover, they see that the triumph of Christ hath been so great, that not only he hath subdued and vanquished all our enemies, and the power of them; but he hath overthrown and vanquished them after such a sort, that all things serve to our health. He might and could have taken them all away, but where then should have been our victory, palm, and crown? For we daily have fights in the flesh, and by the succour of grace have continual victories over sin: whereby we have cause to glorify God, that by his son hath weakened our enemy the devil, and by his spirit giveth us strength to vanquish his offspring.  
So do we knowledge daily the great triumph of our Saviour, & rejoice in our own fights; the which we can no wise impute to any wisdom of this world; seeing sin to increase by it. And where worldly wisdom most governeth, there most sin ruleth. For as the world is enemy to God, so also the wisdom thereof is adverse to God: and therefore Christ hath declared & discovered the same for foolishness. And although he could have taken away all worldly wisdom: yet he hath left it for his greater glory, and triumph of his chosen vessels. For before, whereas it was our ruler against God: now by Christ we are served of it for God, as of a slave in worldly things: albeit in supernatural things the same is not to be understood. And further, if at any time men would impugn, and gainsay us, with the wisdom of the world: yet we have by Christ so much supernatural light of the truth, that we make a mock of all those that repugn the truth.  
Christ also upon the cross hath triumphed over the world. First, because he hath discovered the same to be nought: that whereas it was covered with the vail of hypocrisy, and the vesture of moral virtues; Christ hath showed, that in God's sight the righteousness of the world is wickedness: and he hath yielded witness, that The works of men, not regenerated by him in faith, are evil: and so Christ hath judged and condemned the world for nought. Further more, he hath given to all his so much light and spirit, that they know it, and dispraise the same: yea and tread it under their feet, with all vain honours, dignities, & pleasures, not taking the fair promises, neither the offers which it doth present: nay, they rather make a scorn of them. And as for the threatenings and force of the world, they nothing fear.  
Now therefore we may see how great the victory and triumph of Christ is, who hath delivered all those the father gave him, from the power of the devil, canceling upon the cross the writing of our debts. For he hath delivered us from the condemnation of sin; from the bondage of the law, from the fear of death, from the danger of the world, and from all evils in this life, and in the other to come. And he hath enriched us, made us noble, and most highly happy, after such a glorious and triumphant way, as can not with tongue be expressed: and therefore we are forced to say, his triumph is marvelous.  
It is also seen and known, that Christ is the true Messiah. For he hath delivered man from all evils, and by him man hath all goodness: so that he is the true Messiah. Therefore all other helpers be but vain, and counterfeited saviours; seeing that by this our Messiah Christ, wholly and only we be delivered from all evils, and by him we have all goodness. And that this is true, it is evident and clear; because the very true Christian, is a Christian by Christ. And the true Christian feeleth inwardly by Christ, so much goodness of God, that even troublous life and death be sweet unto him, and miseries happy. The true Christian by Christ is disburdened from the servitude of the law, having the law of grace (graven by the spirit) inhabiting his heart, and from sin that reigned in him, from the power of the infernal spirits, from damnation, and from every evil: and is made a son of God, a brother of Christ, heir of heaven, and Lord of the world: so that in Christ and by Christ, he possesseth all good things.  
But let us know, that Christ yet fighteth in spirit in his elect vessels, and shall fight even to the day of judgement: at which day shall that great enemy death be wholly destroyed, and shall be no more. Then shall the children of God rejoice on him, saying: O death where is thy victory and sting? There shall be then no more trouble nor sin; nay rather, none evil: but heaven for the good, and hell for the wicked. Then shall wholly be discovered the victory & triumph of Christ, who (after Paul) shall present unto his father the kingdom, together with his chosen saved by him.  
It was no little favour towards his children, that Christ was chosen of God, to save us his elect, so highly by the way of the cross. Paul calleth it a grace, and a most singular grace. We may well think, that he having been to the world so valiant a captain of God, was full of light, grace, virtue, and spirit: therefore he might justly say: Consummatum est. We seeing then, that the triumph and victory of our captain Christ, is so marvelous, glorious, and noble, to the which war we be appointed: let us force ourselves to follow him, with bearing our cross, that we may have fellowship with him in his kingdom.   

The sixth Chapter, That we ought to submit ourselves to the school of the Cross: and still look and learn in the book of the Crucifix.  
Truly it may be most justly verified, that to behold Christ crucified, in spirit, is the best meditation that can be. I certainly never knew mine own miseries and wretchedness so well by book, admonition, or learning; as I have done by looking into the spiritual book of the Crucifix. I lament much I have passed so many years, not regarding that divine book: but I judged, & thought myself to be well instructed in the same: whereas now I am of this opinion, that if God would suffer me to live here a thousand years, and should study continually in the same divine book, I should not be filled with the contemplation thereof. Neither hold I myself contented, but always have a great desire, to learn and study more therein. I never knew mine own wickedness, neither lamented for my sins truly, until the time God inspired me with his grace, that I looked in this book: then I began to see perfectly, that mine own power and strength could not help me; and that I was in the Lord's hand, even as the clay is in the potter's hand; then I began to cry and say:  
Alas Lord that ever I have so wickedly offended thee, being to me from the beginning so gracious and so good a father, and most specially now hast declared and showed thy goodness unto me, when in the time I have done thee most injury, to call me, and also to make me know & take thee for my Saviour and redeemer. Such be the wonderful works of God to call sinners to repentance, & to make them to take Christ his well-beloved son for their Saviour: this is the gift of God, & of all Christians to be required and desired. For except this great benefit of Christ crucified be felt and fixed surely in man's heart, there can be no good work done acceptable before God. For in Christ is all fullness of the Godhead, and in him are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. Even he is the water of life, whereof whosoever shall drink, he shall never more thirst; but it shall be in him a well of water, springing up into everlasting life. S. Paul saith, There is no damnation to them that are in Christ, which walk not after the flesh, but after the spirit. Moreover he saith: If when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God, by the death of his son: much more, seeing we are reconciled, we shall be preserved by his death. It is no little or small benefit we have received by Christ, if we consider what he hath done for us, as I have perfectly declared heretofore. Wherefore I pray the Lord, that this great benefit of Christ crucified, may be steadfastly fixed & printed in all Christians hearts, that they may be true lovers of God, and work as children for love: and not as servants, compelled with threatenings, or provoked with hire.  
The sincere and pure lovers of God do embrace Christ, with such fervency of spirit, that they rejoice in hope, be bold in danger, suffer in adversity, continue in prayer, bless their persecutors. Further, they be not wise in their own opinion, neither high minded in their prosperity, neither abashed in their adversity: but humble and gentle always to all men. For they know by their faith they are members all of one body, and that they have possessed all one God, one faith, one baptism, one joy, and one salvation. If these pure and sincere lovers of God were thick sown, there should not be so much contention and strife growing on the fields of our religion, as there is. Well, I shall pray to the Lord to take all contention and strife away, and that the sowers of sedition may have mind to cease their labour, or to sow it among the stones, and to have grace to sow gracious virtues, where they may both take root, and bring forth fruit, with sending also a godly unity and concord amongst all Christians, that we may serve the Lord in true holiness of life.   

The seventh Chapter, A Christian bewailing of the miserable ignorance and blindness of men.  
THe example of good living is required of all Christians, but specially in the Ecclesiastical pastors and shepherds. For they be called in scripture, Workmen with God, Disbursers of God's secrets, The light of the world, The salt of the earth: at whose hands all other should take comfort in working, knowledge of God's will, and sight to become children of light, and taste of seasonable wisdom. They have, or should have the holy spirit, abundantly to pronounce and set forth the word of God, in verity and truth. If ignorance and blindness reign amongst us, they should with the truth of God's word instruct and set us in the truth, and direct us in the way of the Lord.  
But thanks be given unto the Lord, that hath now sent us such a godly and learned King, in these latter days to reign over us, that with the virtue & force of God's word, hath taken away the veils and mists of errors, and brought us to the knowledge of the truth, by the light of God's word; which was so long hid, and kept under, that the people were nigh famished, and hungered for lack of spiritual food. (Such was the charity of the spiritual curates and shepherds.) But our Moses, and most godly wise Governor and King, hath delivered us out of the captivity and bondage of Pharaoh. I mean by this Moses King Henry, the eight, my most sovereign favourable Lord and husband; one (if Moses had figured any more than Christ) through the excellent grace of God, meet to be an other expressed verity of Moses conquest over Pharaoh. And I mean by this Pharaoh the bishop of Rome, who hath been, and is a greater persecutor of all true Christians, than ever was Pharaoh of the children of Israel. For he is a persecutor of the Gospel and grace, a setter forth of all superstition and counterfeit holiness, bringing many souls to hell with his alchemy and counterfeit money, deceiving the poor souls under the pretence of holiness: but so much the greater shall be his damnation, because he deceiveth and robbeth under Christ's mantel. The Lord keep and defend all men from his jugglings and sleits, but specially the poor, simple, and unlearned souls. And this lesson I would all men had of him, that when they begin to mislike his doing, then only begin they to like God, and certainly not before.  
As for the spiritual pastors and shepherds, I think they will cleave and stick to the word of God, even to the death; to vanquish all God's enemies, if need shall require: all respects of honour, dignity, riches, wealth, and their private commodities laid apart: following also the examples of Christ, and his chosen Apostles, in preaching and teaching sincere and wholesome doctrine, and such things as make for peace, with godly lessons, wherewith they may edify others: that every man may walk after his vocation, in holiness of life; in unity and concord: which unity is to be desired of all true Christians.  
It is much to be lamented, the schisms, varieties, contentions and disputations that have been and are in the world, about Christian religion, & no agreement nor concord of the same among the learned men. Truly, the devil hath been the sour of the seed of sedition, and shall be the maintainer of it, even till Gods will be fulfilled. There is no war so cruel and evil as this. For the war with sword killeth but the bodies, and this slayeth many souls. For the poor unlearned persons remain confused, and almost every one believeth and worketh after his own way: and yet there is but one truth of God's word, by the which we shall be saved. Happy be they that receive it, and most unhappy are they which neglect and persecute the same. For it shall be more easy for Sodom and Gomor at the day of judgement, than for them. And not without just cause, if we consider the benevolence, goodness, and mercy of God, who hath declared his charity towards us, greater, and more inestimable, than ever he did to the hebrews. For they lived under shadows and figures, and were bound to the law. And Christ (we being his greatest enemies) hath delivered us from the bondage of the law, and hath fulfilled all that was figured in their law, and also in their prophecies, shedding his own precious blood, to make us the children of his father, and his brethren, and hath made us free, setting us in a godly liberty: I mean not licence to sin, as many be glad to interpret the same, when as Christian liberty is godly entreated of.  
Truly it is no good spirit that moveth men to find fault at every thing, and when things may be well taken, to pervert them into an evil sense and meaning. There be in the world many speakers of holiness and good works, but very rare and seldom is declared which be the good and holy works. The works of the spirit be never almost spoken of, and therefore very few know what they be. I am able to justify, the ignorance of the people to be great, not in this matter alone, but in many other, the which were most necessary for Christians to know. Because I have had just proof of the same, it maketh me thus much to say, with no little sorrow and grief in my heart, for such a miserable ignorance and blindness amongst the people.  
I doubt not but we can say all, Lord, Lord. But I fear, God may say unto us; This people honoureth me with their lips, but their hearts be far from me. God desireth nothing but the heart, and saith, He will be worshipped in spirit and truth. Christ condemned all hypocrisy and feigned holiness, and taught sincere, pure, and true godliness: but we worse than frantic or blind, will not follow Christ's doctrine, but trust to men's doctrines, judgements, and saying, which dimmeth our eyes, and so the blind leadeth the blind, and both fall into the dich. Truly, in my simple and unlearned judgement, no man's doctrine is to be esteemed or preferred like unto Christ's, and the Apostles; nor to be taught as a perfect and true doctrine, but even as it doth accord & agree with the doctrine of the Gospel.  
But yet those that be called spiritual pastors (although they be most carnal, as it doth very evidently and plainly appear by their fruits,) are so blinded with the love of themselves, and the world, that they extol men's inventions and doctrines, before the doctrine of the Gospel. And when they be not able to maintain their own inventions and doctrines, with any jot of the scripture, than they most cruelly persecute them that be contrary to the same. Be such the lovers of Christ? Nay, nay: they be the lovers of the wicked Mammon, neither regarding God nor his honour. For filthy lucre hath made them almost mad, but frantic they be doubtless. Is not this miserable state of spiritual men in the world, much to be lamented of all good Christians? But yet I cannot allow, neither praise all kind of lamentation, but such as may stand with Christian charity.   

The eight Chapter, Of the fruits and rules of true Christianity for men to follow.  
Charity suffereth long, and is gentle, envieth not, upbraideth no man, casteth frowardly no fault in men's teeth, but referreth all things to God: being angry without sin, reforming others without slanders, caring ever a storehouse of mild words to pierce the stonie-harted men. I would all Christians, that like as they have professed Christ, would so endeavour themselves to follow him in godly living. For we have not put on Christ, to live any more to ourselves, in the vanities, delights, and pleasures of the world, and the flesh, suffering the concupiscence and carnality of the flesh to have his full swinge. For we must walk after the spirit, and not after the flesh. For the spirit is spiritual, and coveteth spiritual things: and the flesh carnal, and desireth carnal things. The men regenerate by Christ, despise the world, and all the vanities and pleasures thereof. They be no lovers of themselves. For they feel how evil and infirm they be, not being able to do any good thing, without the help of God, from whom they knowledge all goodness to proceed.  
They flatter not themselves, with thinking every thing which shineth to the world, to be good and holy. For they know all extern and outward works, be they never so glorious and fair to the world, may be done of the evil, as well as of the good. And therefore they have in very little estimation the outward show of holiness, because they be all spiritual, casting up their eyes upon heavenly things: neither looking nor regarding the earthly things, for they be to them vile and abject. They have also the simplicity of the dove, and the policy of the serpent. For by simplicity they have a desire to do good to all men, and to hurt no man, no though they have occasion given: and by policy they give not nor minister any just cause to any man, whereby their doctrine might be reproved. They be not also as a reed shaken with every wind: but when they be blasted with the tempests and storms of the world, then remain they most firm, stable, and quiet, feeling in spirit, that God (as their best father) doth send and suffer all things for their benefit and commodity. Christ is to them a rule, a line, an example of Christian life. They be never offended at any thing, although occasion be ministered unto them. For like as Christ, when Peter would have withdrawn him from death, answered and said, Go back from me Satan, for thou offendest me: that is, As much as lieth in thee, thou givest me occasion with thy words, to make me withdraw myself from death, although I yielded not thereto. For this thy procurement can not extinguish the burning desire I have, to shed my blood for my chosen. Even so the perfect men are never offended at any thing. For although the world were full of sin, they would not withdraw themselves from doing of good, nor wax cold in the love of the Lord. And much less they would be moved to do evil: yea rather, they be so much the more moved to do good.  
The regenerated by Christ are never offended at the works of God, because they know by faith, that God doth all things well: and that he can not err, neither for want of power, nor by ignorance, nor malice. For they know him to be almighty, and that he seethe all things, and is most abundantly good. They see and feel in spirit, that of that will most highly perfect, can not but proceed most perfect works. Likewise, they be not offended at the works of men. For if they be good, they are moved by them to take occasion to follow them, and to reknowledge the goodness of God, with giving of thanks, and praising his name daily the more. But if they be indifferent, and such as may be done with good and evil intents, they judge the best part, thinking they may be done to a good purpose, and so they be edified. But if they be so evil, that they can not be taken in good part by any means; yet they be not offended, although occasion be given, nay rather they be edified, in as much as they take occasion to be better, though the contrary be ministered to them.  
Then begin they to think and say thus: If God had not preserved me with his grace, I should have committed this sin, and worse. O how much am I bound to confess and knowledge the goodness of God They go also thinking and saying further: He that hath sinned, may be one of Gods elect: peradventure the Lord hath suffered him to fall, to the intent he may the better know himself. I know he is one of them that Christ hath shed his blood for, and one of my Christian brethren: truly I will admonish and rebuke him; and in case I find him desperate, I will comfort him, and show him the great goodness and mercy of God, in Christ: and with godly consolations I will see if I can lift him up. And thus ye may see, how the men regenerated by Christ, of every thing win and receive fruit.   

The ninth Chapter, Of the fruits of infidelity, and offence of weaklings.  
AND contrariwise, the younglings and unperfect are offended at small trifles, taking every thing in evil part, grudging and murmuring against their neighbour: and so much the more, as they show themselves fervent in their so doing, they are judged of the blind world, and of themselves great zeale-bearers to God. If this were the greatest evil of these younglings, it were not the most evil. But I fear they be so blind and ignorant, that they are offended also at good things, & judge nothing good, but such as they embrace and esteem to be good, with murmuring against all such as follow not their ways. If there be any of this sort, the Lord give them the light of his truth, that they may increase and grow in godly strength. I suppose, if such younglings and unperfect, had seen Christ and his Disciples eat meat with unwashen hands, or not to have fasted with the pharisees, they would have been offended, seeing him a breaker of men's traditions. Their affections dispose their eyes to see through other men, and they see nothing in themselves: where charity, although it be most full of eyes to see the faults of others, whom it coveteth to amend, thinketh none evil, but discreetly and rightly interpreteth all things, by the which more justly and truly every thing is taken.  
Now, these superstitious weaklings, if they had been conversant with Christ, and seen him lead his life sometime with women, sometime with Samaritans, with Publicans, sinners, and with the pharisees, they would have murmured at him. Also, if they had seen Marie power upon Christ the precious ointment, they would have said with judas: This ointment might have been sold, and given to the poor. If they also had seen Christ with whips drive out of the Temple those that bought and sold, they would forthwith have judged Christ to have been troubled and moved with anger, and not by zeal of charity. How would they have been offended, if they had seen him go to the jews feast, heal a sick man upon the sabbath day, practise with the woman of Samaria, yea & show unto her of his most divine doctrine & life? They would have taken occasion to have hated & persecuted him, as the Scribes and pharisees did: and even so should Christ the Saviour of the world, have been to them an offence and ruin.  
There be an other kind of little ones unperfect, which are offended after this sort and manner. As when they see one that is reputed and esteemed holy to commit sin, forthwith they learn to do that, and worse, and wax cold in doing of good, and confirm themselves in evil: and then they excuse their wicked life, publishing the same with the slander of their neighbour. If any man reprove them, they say: Such a man did this, and worse. So it is evident, that such persons would deny Christ, if they saw other men do the same. If they went to Rome, and saw the enormities of the Prelates, which is said to reign there among them, I doubt not, if they saw one of them sin, which were reputed and taken for holy, their faith should be lost; but not the faith of Christ, which they never possessed: but they should lose that human opinion, which they had of the goodness of the Prelates. For, if they had the faith of Christ, the holy Ghost should be a witness unto them, the which should be mighty in them, that in case all the world would deny Christ, yet they would remain firm and stable in the true faith.  
The pharisees also took occasion of the evil of others, to wax haughty and proud, taking themselves to be men of greater perfection than any other; because of their virtue, even as the Pharisie did, when he saw the Publicans submission. And so they be offended with every little thing, judging evil, murmuring against their neighbour, and for the same, they are of many reputed and taken for the more holy and good: whereas in deed they be the more wicked. The most wicked persons are offended, even at themselves. For at their little stability in goodness, and of their delectable and evil life, they take occasion to despair: where they ought the more to commit themselves to God, ask mercy for their offences: and forthwith to give thanks, that it hath pleased him of his goodness to suffer them so long a time.  
But what needeth it any more to say? The evil men are offended even at the works of God, they see God suffer sinners, therefore think they, sin displeaseth him not. And because they see not the good rewarded with riches, oftentimes they imagine, that God loveth them not. It seemeth to them God is partial, because he hath elected some, and some reproved. And therefore they say, that the elected be sure of salvation, taking by that, occasion to do evil enough, saying: Whatsoever God hath determined, shall be performed. If also they see the good men oppressed, and the evil men exalted, they judge God unjust, taking occasion to live evilly, saying: Inasmuch as God favoureth the naughty men, let us do evil enough, to the intent he do us good. If then the wicked be offended even at God, it is no wonder if they be offended at those that follow and walk in his paths and ways.   

The tenth Chapter, Of carnal gospelers, by whose evil living God's truth is shamefully slandered.  
IWill now speak with great dolour and heaviness in my heart, of a sort of people, which be in the world, that be called professors of the Gospel; and by their words do declare and show, they be much affected to the same. But I am afraid, some of them do build upon the sand; as Simon Magus did, making a weak foundation: I mean, they make not Christ their chiefest foundation, professing his doctrine, of a sincere, pure, and zealous mind; but either for because they would be called gospelers, to procure some credit and good opinion of the true and very favourers of Christ's doctrine, either to find out some carnal liberty, either to be contentious disputers, finders or rebukers of other men's faults, or else finally to please and flatter the world. Such gospelers are an offence, and a slander to the word of God, and make the wicked to rejoice & laugh at them, saying: Behold I pray you their fair fruits. What charity, what discretion, what godliness, holiness, or purity of life is among them? Be not they great avengers', foul gluttons, slanderers, back biters, adulterers, fornicators, swearers, and blasphemers; yea and wallow & tumble in all sins? These be the fruits of their doctrine.  
And thus it may be seen, how the word of God is evil spoken of, through licentious and evil living: and yet the word of God is all holy, pure, sincere, and godly, being the doctrine & occasion of all holy and pure living. It is the wicked that pervert all good things, into evil. For an evil tree can not bring forth good fruit. And when good seed is sown in a barren and evil ground, it yieldeth no good corn: and so it fareth by the word of God. For when it is heard and known of wicked men, it bringeth no good fruit: but when it is sown in good ground, I mean the hearts of good people, it bringeth forth good fruit abundantly: so that the want & fault is in men, and not in the word of God. I pray God all men and women may have grace to become meet tillage for the fruits of the Gospel, and to leave only the jangling of it. For only speaking of the Gospel maketh not men good Christians, but good talkers, except their facts and works agree with the same: so than their speech is good, because their hearts be good. And even as much talk of the word of God, without practising the same in our living, is evil & detestable in the sight of God: so it is a lamentable thing to hear, how there be many in the world, that do not well digest the reading of scripture, and do commend and praise ignorance, and say, that much knowledge of God's word is the original of all dissension, schisms, and contention; and maketh men haughty, proud, and presumptuous, by reading of the same.  
This manner of saying is no less than a plain blasphemy against the holy Ghost. For the spirit of God is the author of his word, and so the holy Ghost is made the author of evil, which is a most great blasphemy, and (as the scripture saith) a sin that shall not be forgiven in this world, neither in the other to come. It were all our parts and duties, to procure and seek all the ways and means possible, to have more knowledge of God's word set forth abroad in the world, & not allow ignorance, and discommend knowledge of God's word, stopping the mouths of the unlearned with subtle and crafty persuasions of Philosophy, and Sophistry, whereof cometh no fruit, but a great perturbation of the mind to the simple & ignorant, not knowing which way to turn them. For how is it not extreme wickedness, to charge the holy sanctified word of God with the offences of man? To allege the scriptures to be perilous learning, because certain readers there of fall into heresies?  
These men might be enforced by this kind of argument, to forsake the use of fire, because fire burneth their neighbour's house: or to abstain from meat and drink, because they see many surfeit. O blind hate! They slander God for man's offence, & excuse the man whom they see offend; and blame the scripture, which they can not improve. Yea I have heard of some, that have very well understood the Latin tongue, that when they have heard learned men persuade to the credit and belief of certain unwritten verities (as they call them) which be not in scripture expressed, and yet taught as doctrine apostolic, and necessary to be believed; they have been of this opinion, that the learned men have more Epistles written by the Apostles of Christ, than we have abroad in the Canon of the old and new testament, or known of any, but only to them of the Clergy. Which belief I did not a little lament in my heart to hear, that any creature should have such a blind ignorant opinion.  
Some kind of simplicity is to be praised, but this simplicity, without the verity, I can neither praise nor allow. And thus it may be seen, how we that be unlettered remain confused, without God of his grace lighten our hearts and minds with a heavenly light and knowledge of his will. For we be given of ourselves to believe men better than God. I pray God send all learned men the spirit of God abundantly, that their doctrine may bring forth the fruits thereof. I suppose there was never more need of good doctrine to be set forth in the world than now in this age. For the carnal children of Adam, be so wise in their generation, that if it were possible, they would deceive the children of light. The world loveth his own, and therefore their facts and doings be highly esteemed of the world: but the children of God are hated, because they be not of the world. For their habitation is in heaven, and they do despise the world as a most vile slave.  
The fleshly children of Adam be so politic, subtle, crafty, and wise in their kind, that the elect should be illuded, if it were possible. For they are clothed with Christ's garment, in utter appearance, with a fair show of all godliness, and holiness in their words: but they have so shorn, nopped, and turned Christ's garment, and have so disguised themselves, that the children of light beholding them with a spiritual eye, do account and take them for men which have sold their masters garment, and have stolen a piece of every man's garment. Yet by their subtle art, and crafty wits, they have so set those patches and pieces together, that they do make the blind world, and carnal men to believe, it is Christ's very mantel.   

The eleventh Chapter, Of the virtuous properties of God's children: of whom every one attendeth his vocation.  
BUT the children of light know the contrary: for they are led by the spirit of God, to the knowledge of the truth, and therefore they discern and judge all things right, and know from whence they come, even from the bishop of Rome, and his members, the headspring of all pride, vain glory, ambition, hypocrisy, and feigned holiness.  
The children of God be not abashed, although the world hate them; they believe they are in the grace and favour of God, and that he, as a best father, doth govern them in all things, putting away from them all vain confidence and trust in their own doings. For they know they can do nothing but sin of themselves. They be not so foolish, and childish, not to give God thanks for their election, which was before the beginning of the world. For they believe most surely they be of the chosen. For the holy Ghost doth witness to their spirit, that they be the children of God; and therefore they believe God better than man. They say with Saint Paul, Who shall separate us from the love of God? Shall tribulation, anguish, persecution, hunger, nakedness, peril, or sword? As it is written, For thy sake are we killed all day long; and are counted as sheep appointed to be slain: nevertheless, in all these things we overcome, through him that loveth us. For I am sure, that neither death, nor life, neither Angels, nor rule; neither power, neither things present, neither things to come, neither quantity or quality, neither any creature, shall be able to departed us from the love of God, which is in Christ jesus our Lord.  
They are not by this godly faith presumptuously inflamed, nor by the same become they loose, idle, or slow in doing of godly works, as carnal men dream of them: so much the more fervent they be in doing most holy and pure works, which God hath commanded them to walk in. They wander not in men's traditions and inventions, leaving the most holy and pure precepts of God undone, which they know they be bound to observe and keep. Also they work not like hirelings, for meed, wages, or reward; but as loving children, without respect of lucre, gain, or hire. They be in such liberty of spirit, and joy so much in God, that their inward consolation can not be expressed with tongue. All fear of damnation is gone from them; for they have put their whole hope of salvation in his hands, which will and can perform it; neither have they any post or pillar to lean to, but God, and his smooth and unwrinkled Church. For he is to them all in all things, and to him they lean, as a most sure square pillar, in prosperity and adversity, nothing doubting of his promises and covenants. For they believe most surely they shall be fulfilled.  
Also the children of God be not curious in searching the high mysteries of God, which be not meet for them to know: neither do go about with human and carnal reasons to interpret Scripture, persuading men by their subtle wits, and carnal doctrine, that much knowledge of Scripture maketh men heretics, without they temper it with human doctrine, Sophistry, Philosophy, and Logic, wherewith to be seduced according to the traditions of men, after the ordinances of the world, and not after Christ. S. Paul doth most diligently admonish us, which arts are not convenient & meet to be made checkmate with Scripture. For the Scriptures be so pure and holy, that no perfection can be added unto them. For even as fine gold doth excel all other metals, so doth the word of God, all men's doctrines. I beseech the Lord to send the learned and unlearned such abundance of his holy spirit, that they may obey and observe the most sincere and holy word of God, and show the fruits thereof, which consisteth chiefly in charity and godly unity: that as we have professed one God, one faith, and one baptism; so we may be all of one mind, and one accord, putting away all biting and gnawing. For in backbiting, slandering, and misreporting our Christian brethren, we show not ourselves the Disciples of Christ, whom we profess. In him was most high charity, humility and patience, suffering most patiently all ignominy, rebukes, and slanders, praying to his eternal father for his enemies with most perfect charity; and in all things did remit his will to his fathers, as the Scripture doth witness, when he prayed in the Mount. A godly example and lesson for us to follow at all times and seasons, as well in prosperity, as in adversity; to have no will but Gods will, committing and leaving to him all our cares and griefs, and to abandon all our policies and inventions. For they be most vain, and foolish, and indeed very shadows and dreams.  
But we be yet so carnal and fleshly, that we run headlong like unbridled colts, without snaffle or bridle. If we had the love of God printed in our hearts, it would keep us back from running astray. And until such time as it please God to send us this bit to hold us in, we shall never run the right way, although we speak and talk never so much of God and his word. The true followers of Christ's doctrine have always a respect, and an eye to their vocation. If they be called to the ministery of God's word, they preach and teach it sincerely, to the edifying of others; and show themselves in their living, followers of the same. If they be married men, having children and family, they nourish and bring them up, without all bitterness, and fierceness, in the doctrine of the Lord, in all godliness and virtue; committing the instruction of others, which appertain not to their charge, to the reformation of God, and his ministers, which chiefly be Kings and Princes, bearing the sword even for that purpose, to punish evil doers. If they be children, they honour their father and mother, knowing it to be God's commandment, and that he hath thereto annexed a promise of long life. If they be servants, they obey and serve their masters with all fear and reverence, even for the Lords sake; neither with murmuring nor grudging, but with a free heart and mind.  
If they be husbands, they love their wives, as their own bodies, after the example as Christ loved the congregation, and gave himself for it, to make it to him a spouse without spot or wrinkle. If they be women married, they learn of S. Paul to be obedient to their husbands, and to keep silence in the congregation, and to learn of their husbands at home. Also they wear such apparel as becometh holiness, & comely usage, with soberness; not being accusers or detractors, not given to much eating of delicate meats, and drinking of wine; but they teach honest things, to make the young women sober minded, to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, houswifelie, good, and obedient unto their husbands: that the word of God be not evil spoken of. verily, if all sorts of people would look to their own vocation, and ordain the same according to Christ's doctrine, we should not have so many eyes and ears to other men's faults as we have. For we be so busy and glad to find and espy out other men's doings, that we forget, and can have no time to weigh & ponder our own, which after the word of God we ought first to reform: and then we shall the better help an other with the straw out of his eyes.  
But alas, we be so much given to love and to flatter ourselves, and so blinded with carnal affections, that we can see and perceive no fault in ourselves. And therefore it is a thing very requisite and necessary for us, to pray all with one heart and mind to God, to give us an heavenly light and knowledge of our own miseries and calamities, that we may see them, and acknowledge them truly before him.   

The twelve Chapter, The conclusion, with a Christian exhortation to the amendment of life.  
IF any man shall be offended at this my lamenting the faults of men, which be in the world, fantasing with themselves, that I do it either of hatred or of malice, to any sort or kind of people; verily in so doing they shall do me great wrong. For I thank God by his grace, I hate no creature; yea I would say more to give witness of my conscience, that neither life, honour, riches, neither whatsoever I possess here, which appertaineth to mine own private commodity, be it never so dearly beloved of me, but most willingly and gladly I would leave it, to win any man to Christ, of what degree or sort soever he were. And yet is this nothing in comparison to the charity that God hath showed me, in sending Christ to die for me. No, if I had all the charity of Angels, and Apostles, it should be but like a spark of fire compared to a great heap of burning coals.  
God knoweth of what intent and mind I have lamented mine own sins and faults to the world. I trust no body will judge that I have done it for praise or thank of any creature; since rather I might be ashamed, than rejoice in rehearsal thereof. For if they knew how little I esteem and weigh the praise of the world, that opinion were soon removed and taken away. For I thank God (by his grace) I know the world to be a blind judge, and the praises thereof vain, and of little moment: and therefore I seek not the praises of the same, neither to satisfy it none otherwise than I am taught by Christ to do, according to christian charity. I would to God we would all (when occasion doth serve) confess our faults to the world, all respects of our own commodity laid apart. But alas, self-love doth so much reign among us, that (as I have said before) we can not espy our own faults. And although sometime we find our own guilt, either we be favourable to interpret it no sin: or else we be ashamed to confess ourselves thereof. Yea, and we be sore offended and grieved, to hear our faults charitably and godly told us of other, putting no difference between charitable warning, & malicious accusing.  
Truly, if we sought God's glory, as we should do in all things, we should not be ashamed to confess ourselves to digress from God's precepts and ordinances; when it is manifest we have done, and daily do. I pray God our own faults and deeds condemn us not at the last day, when every man shall be rewarded according to his doings. Truly, if we do not redress and amend our living, according to the doctrine of the Gospel; we shall receive a terrible sentence of Christ the son of God, when he shall come to judge and condemn all transgressors and breakers of his precepts and commandments; and to reward all his obedient and loving children. We shall have no man of law to make our plea for us, neither can we have the day deferred, neither will the judge be corrupted with affection, bribes, or reward; neither will he hear any excuse or delay, neither shall this Saint or that Martyr help us, be they never so holy; neither shall our ignorance save us from damnation. But yet wilful blindness, and obstinate ignorance shall receive greater punishment, and not without just cause. Then shall it be known who hath walked in the dark. For all things shall appear manifest before him. No man's deeds shall be hidden; no, neither words, nor thoughts. The poor and simple observers of God's commandments shall be rewarded with everlasting life, as obedient children to the heavenly Father: and the transgressors, adders, and diminishers of the law of God, shall receive eternal damnation for their just reward. I beseech God we may escape this fearful sentence, and be found such faithful servants, and loving children, that we may hear the happy, comfortable, and most joyful sentence ordained for the children of God, which is; Come hither ye blessed of my father, and receive the kingdom of heaven, prepared for you before the beginning of the world. Unto the Father, the Son, and the holy Ghost, be all honour and glory world without end,   
Amen.   

¶ Also here follow godly Prayers and Meditations, wherein the mind is stirred, patiently to suffer all afflictions here; to set at nought the vain prosperity of the world: and alway to long for everlasting felicity: collected out of holy works, by the most virtuous and gracious Princess KATHERINE, Queen of England, France, and Ireland.  Colossians. 3, verse. 1, 2. 
If ye be risen again with Christ, seek the things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.  
Set your affection on things that are above: and not on things which are on the earth.  

The first Chapter, Of prayers to perform Gods will in patience.  
MOst benign Lord jesus, grant me thy grace, that it may alway work in me, and persevere with me unto the end.  
Grant me, that I may ever desire and will that, which is most pleasant, and most acceptable to thee.  
Thy will be my will, and my will be to follow alway thy will.  
Let there be alway in me one will, and one desire with thee, and that I have no desire to will, or not to will, but as thou wilt.  
Lord, thou knowest what thing is most profitable, and most expedient for me.  
Give me therefore what thou wilt, as much as thou wilt, and when thou wilt.  
Do with me what thou wilt, as it shall please thee, and as shall be most to thine honour.  
Put me where thou wilt, and freely do with me in all things after thy will.  
Thy creature I am, and in thy hands, lead and turn me where thou wilt.  
Lo, I am thy servant, ready to all things that thou commandest. For I desire not to live to myself, but to thee.  
Lord jesus, I pray thee grant me grace, that I never set my heart on the things of this world: but that all worldly and carnal affections may utterly die, and be mortified in me.  
Grant me above all things, that I may rest in thee, and fully quiet and pacify my heart in thee.  
For thou Lord art the very true peace of heart, and the perfect rest of the soul: & without thee all things be grievous and unquiet.  
My Lord jesus, I beseech thee, be with me in every place, and at all times; and let it be to me a special solace, gladly for thy love to lack all worldly solace.  
And if thou withdraw thy comfort from me at any time, keep me, O Lord, from desperation, and make me patiently to abide thy will and ordinance.  
O Lord jesus, thy judgements be righteous, and thy providence is much better for me, than all that I can imagine or devise.  
Wherefore do with me in all things as it shall please thee. For it may not be but well, all that thou doest.  
If thou wilt that I be in light, be thou blessed: if thou wilt that I be in darkness, be thou also blessed.  
If thou vouchsafe to comfort me, be thou highly blessed: if thou wilt I live in trouble, and without comfort, be thou like wise ever blessed.  
Lord give me grace gladly to suffer whatsoever thou wilt shall fall upon me, and patiently to take it at thy hand: good and bad, bitter and sweet, joy and sorrow: and for all things that shall befall unto me, heartily to thank thee.  
Keep me Lord from sin, and I shall then neither dread death, nor hell.  
O what thanks ought I to give unto thee, which hast suffered the grievous death of the cross, to deliver me from my sins, and to obtain everlasting life for me!  
Thou gavest us most perfect example of patience, fulfilling and obeying the will of thy father, even unto the death.  
Make me wretched sinner, obediently to use myself after thy will in allthings, and patiently to bear the burden of this corruptible life.  
For though this life be tedious, and as an heavy burden to my soul: yet nevertheless through thy grace, and by example of thee, it is now made much more easy and comfortable, than it was before thine incarnation and passion.  
Thy holy life is our way to thee, and by following of thee we walk to thee, that art our head and Saviour: and yet, except thou hadst gone before and showed us the way to everlasting life; who would endeavour himself to follow thee? Seeing we be yet so slow and dull, having the light of thy blessed example and holy doctrine to lead and direct us.  
O Lord jesus, make that possible by grace, that is to me impossible by nature.  
Thou knowest well that I may little suffer, and that I am anon cast down and overthrown with a little adversity: wherefore I beseech thee O Lord, to strengthen me with thy spirit, that I may willingly suffer for thy sake, all manner of trouble and affliction.   

The second Chapter, A confession of our infirmities, with a desire to rest in God above all things.  
LOrd, I will knowledge unto thee all mine unrighteousness, and I will confess to thee all the unstableness of my heart.  
Oftentimes a very little thing troubleth me sore, and maketh me dull and slow to serve thee.  
And sometime I purpose to stand strongly: but when a little trouble cometh, it is to me great anguish and grief, and of a right little thing riseth a grievous temptation to me.  
Yea when I think myself to be sure and strong, and that (as it seemeth) I have the upper hand: suddenly I feel myself ready to fall with a little blast of temptation.  
Behold therefore (good Lord) my weakness, and consider my frailness best known to thee.  
Have mercy on me, and deliver me from all iniquity and sin, that I be not entangled therewith.  
Oft times it grieveth me sore, and in a manner confoundeth me, that I am so unstable, so weak, and so frail, in resisting sinful motions.  
Which although they draw me not alway to consent, yet nevertheless their assaults be very grievous unto me.  
And it is tedious to me to live in such battle, albeit I perceive, that such battle is not unprofitable unto me: for thereby I know the better myself, and mine own infirmities, and that I must seek help only at thy hands.  
O Lord God of Israel, the lover of all faithful souls, vouchsafe to behold the labour and sorrow of me thy poor creature.  
Assist me in all things with thy grace, and so strengthen me with heavenly strength, that neither my cruel enemy the fiend, neither my wretched flesh (which is not yet subject to the spirit) have victory or dominion over me.  
O what a life may this be called, where no trouble nor misery lacketh! Where every place is full of snares of mortal enemies!  
For one trouble or temptation overpassed, another cometh by and by; and the first conflict yet during, a new battle suddenly ariseth.  
Wherefore Lord jesus, I pray thee give me thy grace, to rest in thee above all things, and to quiet me in thee above all creatures, above all glory and honour, above all dignity and power, above all cunning and policy, above all health and beauty, above all riches and treasure, above all joy and pleasure, above all fame and praise, above all mirth and consolation that man's heart may take or feel besides thee.  
For thou Lord God, art best, most wise, most high, most mighty, most sufficient, and most full of all goodness, most sweet, and most comfortable, most fair, most loving, most noble, most glorious, in whom all goodness most perfectly is.  
And therefore, whatsoever I have besides thee, it is nothing to me. For my heart may not rest, ne fully be pacified, but only in thee.  
O Lord jesus, most loving spouse; who shall give me wings of perfect love, that I may fly up from these worldly miseries, and rest in thee?  
O when shall I ascend to thee, and feel how sweet thou art?  
When shall I wholly gather myself in thee so perfectly, that I shall not for thy love feel myself, but thee only above myself, & above all worldly things, that thou mayst vouchsafe to visit me in such wise, as thou doest visit thy most faithful lovers?  
Now I often mourn and complain of the miseries of this life, and with sorrow and great heaviness suffer them.  
For many things happen daily to me, which oftentimes trouble me, make me heavy, and darken mine understanding.  
They hinder me greatly, and put my mind from thee, and so encumber me many ways, that I can not freely and clearly desire thee, ne have thy sweet consolations, which with thy blessed Saints be alway present.  
I beseech thee, Lord jesus, that the sighings and inward desires of my heart may move and incline thee to hear me.   

The third Chapter. A recounting of God's benefits, with prayer to obtain a free and clean mind, with hearty wisdom and deliverance.  
OIesu, King of everlasting glory, the joy and comfort of all Christian people, that are wandering as Pilgrims in the wilderness of this world: my heart crieth to thee by still desires, and my silence speaketh unto thee, and saith: How long tarrieth my Lord God to come to me?  
Come O Lord, and visit me: for without thee I have no true joy, without thee my soul is heavy and sad.  
I am in prison, and bounden with fetters of sorrow, till thou O Lord, with thy gracious presence vouchsafe to visit me, and to bring me again to liberty and joy of spirit, and to show thy favourable countenance unto me.  
Open my heart (Lord) that I may behold thy laws, and teach me to walk in thy commandments.  
Make me to know and follow thy will, and to have always in my remembrance thy manifold benefits, that I may yield due thanks to thee for the same.  
But I knowledge and confess for truth, that I am not able to give thee condign thanks, for the least benefit that thou hast given me.  
O Lord, all gifts and virtues that any man hath, in body or soul, natural or supernatural, be thy gifts, and come of thee, and not of ourselves; and they declare the great riches of thy mercy and goodness unto us.  
And though some have more gifts than other; yet they all proceed from thee, and without thee the lest cannot be had.  
O Lord, I account it for a great benefit, not to have many worldly gifts, whereby the laud and praise of men might blind my soul, and deceive me.  
Lord, I know that no man ought to be ashamed or miscontent, that he is in a low estate in this world, and lacketh the pleasures of this life; but rather to be glad and rejoice thereat:  
For so much as thou hast chosen the poor and meek persons, and such as are despised in the world, to be thy servants and familiar friends.  
Witness be thy blessed Apostles, whom thou madest chief pastors and spiritual governors of thy flock, which departed from the counsel of the Jews, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer rebuke for thy name.  
Even so (O Lord) grant that I thy servant may be as well content to be taken as the least, as other be to be greatest; and that I be as well pleased to be in the lowest place, as in the highest; and as glad to be of no reputation in the world for thy sake, as other are to be noble and famous.  
Lord, it is the work of a perfect man, never to sequester his mind from thee; and among many worldly cares to go without care: not after the manner of an idle or a dissolute person, but by the prerogative of a free mind, alway minding heavenly things, and not cleaving by inordinate affection to any creature.  
I beseech thee therefore, my Lord jesus, keep me from the superfluous cares of this world, that I be not inquieted with bodily necessities; ne that I be not taken with the voluptuous pleasures of the world, ne of the flesh.  
Preserve me from all things, which hinder my soul health, that I be not overthrown with them.  
O Lord God, which art sweetness unspeakable, turn into bitterness to me all worldly and fleshly delights, which might draw me from the love of eternal things, to the love of short and vile pleasures.  
Let not flesh and blood overcome me, ne yet the world with his vain glory deceive me, nor the fiend with his manifold crafts supplant me: but give me ghostly strength in resisting them, patience in suffering them, and constancy in persevering to the end.  
Give me for all worldly delectations, the most sweet consolation of thy holy spirit, and for all fleshly love, endue my soul with fervent love of thee.  
Make me strong inwardly in my soul, and cast out thereof all unprofitable cares of this world, that I be not led by unstable desires of earthly things: but that I may repute all things in this world (as they be) transitory and soon vanishing away, and myself also with them, drawing toward mine end.  
For nothing under the sun may long abide; but all is vanity, and affliction of spirit.  
Give me (Lord) therefore heavenly wisdom, that I may learn to seek and find thee, & above all things to love thee.  
Give me grace to withdraw me from them that flatter me, and patiently to suffer them that unjustly grieve me.  
Lord, when temptation or tribulation cometh, vouchsafe to secure me, that all may turn to my ghostly comfort, and patiently to suffer, and alway to say, Thy name be blessed.  
Lord, trouble is now at hand; I am not well, but I am greatly vexed with this present affliction. O most glorious father, what shall I do? Anguish and trouble are on every side, help now, I beseech thee in this hour: thou shalt be lauded and praised, when I am perfectly made meek before thee, and when I am clearly delivered by thee.  
May it therefore please thee to deliver me. For what may I most sinful wretch do? Or whether may I go for succour, but to thee?  
Give me patience now at this time in all my troubles; help me, Lord God, and I shall not fear ne dread, what trouble so ever fall upon me.  
And now, what shall I say, but that thy will be done in me? I have deserved to be troubled and grieved; and therefore it behoveth that I suffer, as long as it pleaseth thee.  
But would to God that I might suffer gladly, till the furious tempests were overpassed, and that quietness of heart might come again.  
Thy mighty hand, Lord, is strong enough to take this trouble from me, & to assuage the cruel assaults thereof with them, as thou hast oftentimes done before this time; that when I am clearly delivered by thee, I may with gladness say, The right hand of him that is highest, hath made this change.   

The fourth Chapter, To despise all things in the world, and yield ourselves up to God, that he may be all in all for our redemption in time of need.  
LOrd grant me thy singular grace, that I may come thither where no creature shall let me ne keep me from the perfect beholding of thee.  
For as long as any transitory thing keepeth me back, or hath rule in me, I may not freely ascend to thee.  
O Lord, without thee nothing may long delight or please: for if any thing should be liking and savoury, it must be through help of thy grace, seasoned with the spice of thy wisdom.  
O everlasting light, far passing all things, send down the beams of thy brightness from above, and purify and lighten the inward parts of my heart.  
Quicken my soul, and all the powers thereof, that it may cleave fast, and be joined to thee in joyful gladness, and ghostly ravishings.  
O when shall that blessed hour come, that thou shalt visit me, and glad me with thy blessed presence; when thou shalt be to me all in all? verily until that time come, there can be no perfect joy in me.  
But alas, mine old man, that is, my carnal affections live still in me, and are not crucified nor perfectly dead.  
For yet striveth the flesh against the spirit, and moveth great battle inwardly against me, and suffereth not the kingdom of my soul to live in peace.  
But thou good Lord, that hast the Lordship over all, and power of the sea, to assuage the rages and surges of the same, arise and help me; destroy the power of mine enemies, which always make battle against me: show forth the greatness of thy goodness, and let the power of thy right hand be glorified in me. For there is to me none other help nor refuge, but in thee only my Lord, my God: to thee be honour and glory everlasting.  
O Lord grant me, that I may wholly resign myself to thee, and in all things to forsake myself, and patiently to bear my cross, and to follow thee.  
O Lord, what is man, that thou vouchsafest to have mind of him, and to visit him?  
Thou art alway one, alway good, alway righteous and holy, justly and blessedly disposing all things after thy wisdom.  
But I am a wretch, and of myself alway ready and prone to evil, and do never abide in one state, but many tunes do vary and change.  
Nevertheless, it shall be better with me, when it shall please thee. For thou O Lord only art he that mayest help me; and thou mayest so confirm and 'stablish me, that my heart shall not be changed from thee, but be surely fixed, and finally rest and be quieted in thee.  
I am nothing else of myself, but vanity before thee, an unconstant creature, and a feeble. And therefore, whereof may I rightfully glory? Or why should I look to be magnified?  
Who so pleaseth himself without thee, displeaseth thee; and he that delighteth in men's praisings, looseth the true praise before thee.  
The true praise is to be praised of thee: and the true joy is to rejoice in thee.  
Wherefore, thy name O Lord, be praised, and not mine; thy works be magnified, and not mine; and thy goodness be always lauded and blessed.  
Thou art my glory, and the joy of my heart, in thee shall I glory and rejoice, and not in myself, nor in any worldly honour or dignity, which to thine eternal glory compared, is but a shadow, and a very vanity.  
O Lord, we live here in great darkness, and are soon deceived with the vanities of this world, and are soon grieved with a little trouble: yet if I could behold myself well, I should plainly see, that what trouble soever I have suffered, it hath justly come upon me, because I have often sinned, & grievously offended thee.  
To me therefore confusion, and despite is due; but to thee laud, honour and glory.  
Lord send me help in my troubles; for man's help is little worth.  
How often have I been disappointed, where I thought I should have found friendship? And how often have I found it, where as I least thought?  
Wherefore it is a vain thing to trust in man. For the true trust and health of man is only in thee.  
Blessed be thou Lord therefore in all things, that happen unto us. For we be weak and unstable, soon deceived, and soon changed from one thing to another.  
O Lord God, most righteous judge, strong and patiented, which knowest the frailty and malice of man; be thou my whole strength and comfort in all necessities. For mine own conscience Lord sufficeth not.  
Wherefore to thy mercy I do appeal, seeing no man may be justified, ne appear righteous in thy sight, if thou examine him after thy justice.   

The fift Chapter, Of the everlasting day, and anguish of this life.  
OBlessed mansion of thy heavenly City! O most clearest day of eternity, whom the night may never darken!  
This is the day alway clear and merry, alway sure, and never changing his estate.  
Would to God this day might shortly appear, and shine upon us, and that these worldly fantasies were at an end.  
This day shineth clearly to thy Saints in heaven, with everlasting brightness: but to us pilgrims in earth it shineth obscurely, and as through a mirror or glass.  
The heavenly Citizens know how joyous this day is; but we outlaws, the children of Eve, weep and wail the bitter tediousness of our day, that is of this present life, short and evil, full of sorrow and anguish,  
Where man is oftentimes defiled with sin, encumbered with affliction, inquieted with troubles, wrapped in cares, busied with vanities, blinded with errors, overcharged with labours, vexed with temptations, overcome with vain delights and pleasures of the world, and grievously tormented with penury and need.  
O when shall the end come of all these miseries?  
When shall I be clearly delivered from the bondage of sin?  
When shall I Lord have only mind on thee, and fully be glad and merry in thee?  
When shall I be free without letting, and be in perfect liberty of body and soul?  
When shall I have peace without trouble: peace within and without, and on every side steadfast & sure?  
O Lord jesus, when shall I stand and behold thee; and have full sight and contemplation of thy glory?  
When shalt thou be to me all in all? And when shall I be with thee in thy kingdom, that thou hast ordained for thine elect people from the beginning?  
I am left here poor, and as an outlaw, in the land of mine enemies; where daily be battles, and great misfortunes.  
Comfort mine exile, assuage my sorrow; for all my desire is to be with thee.  
It is to me an unpleasant burden, what pleasure soever the world offereth me here.  
I desire to have inward fruition in thee; but I can not attain thereto.  
I covet to cleave fast to heavenly things; but worldly affections pluck my mind downward.  
I would subdue all evil affections; but they daily rebel, and rise against me, and will not be subject unto my spirit.  
Thus I wretched creature sigh in myself, and am grievous to myself, while my spirit desireth to be upward and contrary, my flesh draweth me downward.  
O what suffer I inwardly! I go about to mind heavenly things, and straight a great rabble of worldly things rush into my soul.  
Therefore, Lord, be not long away; ne depart thou in thy wrath from me.  
Send me the light of thy grace; destroy in me all carnal desires.  
Send forth the hot flames of thy love, to burn and consume the cloudy fantasies of my mind.  
Gather, O Lord, my wits, and the powers of my soul together in thee; & make me to despise all worldly things, and by thy grace strongly to resist and overcome all motions and occasions of sin.  
Help me thou everlasting truth, that no worldly guile nor vanity hereafter have power to deceive me.  
Come also thou heavenly sweetness, and let all bitterness of sin fly far from me. Pardon me, and forgive me as oft as in my prayer my mind is not surely fixed on thee.  
For many times I am not there, where I stand or sit; but rather there whither my thoughts carry me.  
For there I am, where my thoughts be, and where as customably is my thought, there is that that I love.  
And that oftentimes cometh into my mind, that by custom pleaseth me best; and that delighteth me most to think upon.  
accordingly as thou dost say in thy gospel: Where as a man's treasure is, there is his heart.  
Wherefore, if I love heaven, I speak gladly thereof, and of such things as be of God, and of that that appertaineth to his honour, and to the glory of his holy name.  
And if I love the world, I love to talk of worldly things, and I joy anon in worldly felicity, and sorrow and lament soon for worldly adversity.  
If I love the flesh, I imagine oftentimes that, that pleaseth the flesh.  
If I love my soul, I delight much to speak and to hear of things that be for my soul's health.  
And whatsoever I love, of that I gladly hear, and speak, and bear the images of them still in my mind.  
Blessed is the man that for the love of the Lord, setteth not by the pleasures of this world, and learneth truly to overcome himself, and with the fervour of spirit crucifieth his flesh; so that in a clean and a pure conscience he may offer his prayers to thee, and be accepted to have company of thy blessed Angels, all earthly things excluded from his heart.   

The sixth Chapter, A sweet prayer, wherein being pressed down with troubles, we humbly yield ourselves under the mighty hand of God our Creator.  
LOrd and holy Father, be thou blessed now and ever. For as thou wilt, so it is done; and that thou doest is alway best.  
Let me, thine humble and unworthy servant, joy only in thee, and not in myself, ne in any thing else besides thee.  
For thou Lord art my gladness, my hope, my crown, and all mine honour.  
What hath thy servant, but that she hath of thee, and that without her desert.  
All things be thine; thou hast created and made them.  
I am poor, and have been in trouble and pain, ever from my youth, and my soul hath been in great heaviness through manifold passions, that come of the world, and of the flesh.  
Wherefore Lord, I desire that I may have of thee the joy of inward peace.  
I ask of thee to come to that rest, which is ordained for thy chosen children, that be fed and nourished with the light of heavenly comforts. For without thy help I can not come to thee.  
Lord give me peace, give me inward joy, and then my soul shall be full of heavenly melody, and be devout and fervent in thy lauds and praises.  
But if thou withdraw thyself from me (as thou hast sometime done) then may not thy servant run the way of thy commandments, as I did before.  
For it is not with me, as it was when the Lamp of thy ghostly presence did shine upon my head; and I was defended under the shadow of thy wings from all perils and dangers.  
O merciful Lord jesus, ever to be praised; the time is come, that thou wilt prove thy servant; and rightful it is, that I shall now suffer somewhat for thee.  
Now is the hour come, that thou hast known from the beginning, that thy servant for a time should outwardly be set at nought, and inwardly to lean unto thee.  
And that she should be despised in the sight of the world, and be broken with affliction, that she may after arise with thee in a new light, and be clarified, and made glorious in the kingdom of heaven.  
O holy father, thou hast ordained it so to be; and it is done as thou hast commanded.  
This is thy grace (O Lord) to thy friend, to suffer her to be troubled in this world for thy love, how often so ever it be, and of what person so ever it be, and in what manner soever thou wilt suffer it to fall unto her. For without thy will or sufferance, what thing is done upon the earth?  
It is good to me, O Lord, that thou hast meekened me, that I may thereby learn to know thy righteous judgements, & to put from me all manner of presumption, and stateliness of heart.  
It is very profitable for me, that confusion hath covered my face; that I may learn thereby rather to seek to thee for help and succour, than to man.  
I have thereby learned to dread thy secret and terrible judgements, which scourgest the righteous with the sinner; but not without equity and justice.  
Lord, I yield thanks to thee, that thou hast not spared my sins, but hast punished me with scourges of love, and hast sent me affliction and anguish within and without.  
No creature under heaven may comfort me, but thou Lord God, the heavenly leech of man's soul, which strikest and healest, which bringest a man nigh unto death, and after restorest him to life again, that he may thereby learn to know his own weakness and imbecility, & the more fully to trust in the Lord.  
Thy discipline is laid upon me, and thy rod of correction hath taught me, and under that rod I wholly submit me.  
Strike my back and my bones as it shall please thee; and make me to bow my crooked will to thy will.  
Make me a meek and an humble disciple, as thou hast sometime done with me, that I may walk after thy will.  
To thee I commit myself to be corrected. For better it is to be corrected by thee here, than in time to come.  
Thou knowest all things; and nothing is hid from thee that is in man's conscience.  
Thou knowest all things to come before they fall, & it is not needful that any man teach thee, or warn thee of any thing that is done upon the earth.  
Thou knowest what is profitable for me, and how much tribulations help to purge away the rust of sin in me.  
Do with me after thy pleasure. I am a sinful wretch, to none so well known as to thee.  
Grant me (Lord) that to know, that is necessary to be known; that to love, that is to be loved; that to desire, that pleaseth thee; that to regard, that is precious in thy sight; and that to refuse, that is vile before thee.  
Suffer me not to judge thy mysteries after mine outward senses, ne to give sentence after the hearing of the ignorant, but by true judgement to discern things spiritual; and above all things, alway to search and follow thy will and pleasure.  
O Lord jesus, thou art all my riches, and all that I have, I have it of thee.  
But what am I (Lord) that dare speak to thee? I am thy poor creature, and a worm most abject.  
Behold Lord, I have nought, and of myself I am nought worth. Thou art only God, righteous and holy; thou orderest all things, thou givest all things, and thou fulfilest all things with goodness.  
I am a sinner, barren and void of godly virtues.  
Remember thy mercies, and fill my heart with plenty of thy grace. For thou wilt not that thy works in me should be made in vain.  
How may I bear the misery of this life, except thy grace and mercy do comfort me?  
Turn not thy face from me, defer not the visiting of me; ne withdraw not thy comforts, least happily my soul be made as dry earth, without the water of grace.  
Teach me (Lord) to fulfil thy will, to live meekly, and worthily before thee. For thou art all my wisdom and cunning, thou art he that knowest me as I am, that knewest me before the world was made, & before I was borne or brought into this life. To thee (O Lord) be honour, glory, and praise for ever and ever:   
Amen.   

¶ A certain effectual prayer, made by the Lady Jane Dudley, in the time of her trouble, a little before her death.  
O Lord, thou GOD and father of my life, hear me poor and desolate Woman, which flieth unto thee only in all my troubles and miseries. Thou, O Lord, art the only defender and deliverer of those that put their trust in thee. And therefore I, being defiled with sin, encumbered with affliction, unquieted with troubles, wrapped in cares, overwhelmed with miseries, vexed with temptations, and grievously tormented with the long imprisonment of this vile mass of clay, my sinful body and blood, do come unto thee O merciful Saviour, craving thy mercy and help; without the which, so little hope of deliverance is left, that I may utterly despair of any liberty. Albeit, it is expedient, that seeing our life standeth upon trying, we should be visited sometime with some adversity, whereby we might both be tried, whether we be of thy flock or no, and also know thee, and ourselves the better: yet thou that saidst, that thou wouldst not suffer us to be tempted above our power; be merciful unto me now, a miserable wretch, I beseech thee; which with Solomon do cry unto thee, humbly desiring thee, that I may neither be too much puffed up with prosperity; neither too much pressed down with adversity, lest I being too full, should deny my God; or being too low brought, should despair, and blaspheme thee my Lord and Saviour.  
O merciful God, consider my misery best known unto thee, and be thou now unto me a strong tower of defence, I humbly require thee. Suffer me not to be tempted above my strength and power, but either be thou a deliverer unto me out of this great misery, either else give me grace patiently to bear thy heavy hand, and sharp correction. It was thy right hand, O God, that delivered the people of Israel out of the hands of Pharaoh, which for the space of four hundred years, did oppress them, and keep them in bondage. Let it therefore like wise seem good to thy fatherly goodness, to deliver me, sorrowful wretch (for whom thy son Christ shed his precious blood on the Cross) out of this miserable captivity and bondage, wherein I am now.  
How long wilt thou be absent? For ever? Oh Lord, hast thou forgotten to be gracious, and hast thou shut up thy loving kindness in displeasure▪ Wilt thou be no more entreated? Is thy mercy clean gone for ever, and thy promise come utterly to an end for evermore? Why dost thou make so long tarrying? Shall I despair of thy mercy oh God? Far be that from me. I am thy workmanship, created in Christ jesus; give me grace therefore to tarry thy leisure, and patiently to bear thy works: assuredly knowing, that as thou canst, so thou wilt deliver me, when it shall please thee, nothing doubting nor mistrusting thy goodness towards me. For thou wottest better what is good for me, than I do.  
Therefore do with me in all things what thou wilt, and plague me what way thou wilt; only in the mean time arm me, I beseech thee, with thine armour, that I may stand fast, my loins being girded about with verity, having on the breastplate of righteousness, and shod with the shoes prepared by the Gospel of peace: above all things taking to me the shield of faith, wherewith I may be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked; and taking the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the spirit, which is thy most holy word, praying always with all manner of prayer and supplication, that I may refer myself wholly unto thy will, abiding thy pleasure, and comforting myself in those troubles that it shall please thee to send me; seeing such troubles be profitable for me, and seeing I am assuredly persuaded, that it cannot be but well all that thou dost. Hear me, oh merciful father, for his sake, whom thou wouldst should be a slain sacrifice for my sins, to whom with thee and the holy Ghost, be all honour and glory for ever:  
Amen.   

An exhortation written by the Lady JANE, the night before she suffered, in the end of the new Testament in Greek, which she sent to her sister the Lady Katherine.  
I Have here sent you, good sister Katherine, a Book, which although it be not outwardly trimmed with gold, yet inwardly it is more worth than precious stones. It is the book (dear sister) of the law of the Lord; it is his Testament and last will, which he bequeathed unto us wretches, which shall lead you to the path of eternal joy. And if you, with a good mind read it, and with an earnest desire follow it, it shall bring you to an immortal and everlasting life. It will teach you to live, and learn you to die. It shall win you more than you should have gained by the possessions of your woeful father's land. For as, if God had prospered him, you should have inherited all his lands; so if you apply diligently this book, seeking to direct your life after it, you shall be an inheritor of such riches, as neither the covetous shall withdraw from you, neither the thief shall steal, neither yet the moths corrupt. Desire with David (good sister) to understand the law of the Lord your God, live still to die, that you by death may obtain eternal life: or after your death enjoy the life purchased you by Christ's death. And trust not that the tenderness of your age shall lengthen your life. For as soon, if God call, goeth the young as the old. And labour alway to learn to die, deny the world, defy the devil, despise the flesh, and delight yourself only in the Lord. Be penitent for your sins, and yet despair not; be strong in faith, and yet presume not: and desire with Saint Paul to be dissolved, and to be with Christ, with whom in death there is life. Be like the good servant, and even at midnight be waking, lest when death cometh, and stealeth upon you like a thief in the night, you be with the evil servant found sleeping: and lest for lack of oil in your lamp, ye be found like to the five foolish virgins, and like him that had not on the wedding garment; and then be cast out from the marriage. Rejoice in Christ, as I trust you do. And seeing you have the name of a Christian, as near as you can, follow the steps of your master Christ, and take up your cross; lay your sins on his back, and always embrace him. And as touching my death, rejoice, as I do (good sister) that I shall be delivered of this corruption, and put on incorruption. For I am assured, that I shall for losing of a mortal life, win an immortal life, the which I pray God grant you, and send you of his graces, to live in his fear, and to die in the true christian faith, from the which in God's name I exhort you that ye never serve, neither for hope of life, nor fear of death. For if ye will deny his truth to lengthen your life, God will deny you, and yet shorten your days. And if ye will cleave to him, he will prolong your days, to your comfort, and his glory. To the which glory God bring me now, and you hereafter, when it shall please God to call you. Farewell good sister, and put your only trust in God, who only must help you.  
Your loving sister, jane Dudley.   

* Certain verses written by the said Lady jane with a pin.  

Non aliena putes homini quae obtingere possunt,  
Sors hodierna mihi, cras erit illa tibi.  
JANE DUDLEY.   

Deo iuvante, nil nocet livor malus:  
Et non iuvante, nil juuat labor gravis.  
Post tenebras spero lucem.   
¶ Her prayer that she said at the time of her death, was the 51. Psalm of David here after following, entitled, Miserere mei Deus, Have mercy upon me O God: which in most devout manner she said to the very end: with these her last words: LORD, into thy hands I command my spirit.   

¶ Morning and Evening prayers, with divers Psalms, Hymns, and Meditations, made and set forth by the Lady ELIZABETH Tyrwhit.  


A Confession to be said before Morning prayer.  
I Do acknowledge, and confess unto thee, O most merciful and heavenly father, mine often and grievous offences that I have committed against thy divine Majesty, from my youth hitherto, in thought, word and deed; leaving undone those things, which I ought and should have done; and doing those things which I ought not to have done: provoking thy wrath and indignation against me. And now lamenting this my wickedness; I appeal unto thy mercy, & say with the Publican, O Lord GOD be merciful unto me a most wretched sinner, forgive all that is past, save and defend me from evil, and confirm me in good life, to the glory of thy name: So be it.   

A prayer to be said at our uprising.  
I Do thank thee, my most merciful and heavenly Father, by thy dearly beloved son jesus Christ, that this night thou hast given me sleep and rest, preserving me from hurt and peril. I cry thee mercy for mine offences, and most humbly beseech thee, that thou wilt likewise this day keep me from sin and all evil, so that all my thoughts, words and works may please thee. I do commit myself, both body and soul, and all things that I go about into thy hands; beseeching thee that thine holy spirit may abide with me, lest my deadly adversary the devil have power over me,  
Amen.   

Another prayer at our uprising.  
OBlessed jesus, this day I commend me and all my proceed into thy hands: this day I most humbly pray thee to help me, which hast made me to thine own image, and in thy blood haste cleansed me, which art my hope in heaviuinesse, my comfort in care, and trust in trouble. Although sweet Lord, my conscience accuseth me, and the law condemneth me, yet thy precious death and testament hath delivered me, with thee to reign in glory, after death hath arrested me, & the earth consumed me; yet good Lord, I trust in the resnrrection to dwell with thee eternally, through thy promise made to me, and to all that do believe in thee, and call upon thy holy name. Thy kingdom come this day to me, from Satan deliver me, with the bread of Angels feed me, from fleshly lusts purge me, from sudden death and deadly sin, O Lord take me. Give me an heart to believe in thee, and that all my senses may obey thee, and of thy mercy accept my prayers this day before thee, which art one God in Trinity, to whom be all honour and glory,  
Amen.   

The Hymn or prayer to the son of God.  

THe beamy sun large light doth give, & chase away the night:  
So bless us with thy benefits, endue us with thy spirit.   

Sweet dews from heaven to earth God grant, of peace & quiet mind,  
That we may serve the living God, as his statutes do bind.   

O mighty Lord our help at need, drive far away the fiend:  
That sin nor hell do us molest, when as our life shall éend.   

Thou art the ever lasting day, which shinst in every place:  
And feedest every living wight, with plenteous gifts of grace.   

Into thy heavenly hands dear God, my spirit I do commend:  
This day from sin and Satan's power, thy servant me defend.   

We laud thee Father for thy grace,  
We praise the Son which made us free:  
We thank the holy Spirit for our solace,  
Which is one God and persons three.    

An Anthem.  
HIs dearly beloved son God did not spare; but for us all delivered him. How shall he not with him give us all things also?   

A prayer to God the father to be used before Morning prayer.  
OUr merciful father, which in teaching us to pray, by thy son Christ, hast commanded us to call thee father, and to believe that we are thy beloved children, who stirrest up none of thine to pray, but to the intent that thou wouldst hear them, giving unto us also all things more effectually and plenteously, than we can either ask or think. We do beseech thee, for thy sons sake, to give us grace to believe, and know assuredly, that thy son our Saviour Christ, is given of thee unto us to be our Saviour, our righteousness, our wisdom, our holiness, our redemption, and our satisfaction. O Lord suffer us not to trust in any other salvation, but in thy son our Saviour jesus Christ: So be it.   

The Hymn of our redemption by Christ.  

PRaise we our father lovingly, which gently us preserved:  
When we forsook him wretchedly, & death by sin deserved.   

His mercy was so bounteous, that though we from him fell:  
Freely in Christ he pardoned us, and us redéemd from hell.   

Glory be to the Trinity, the Father, Son, and spirit living:  
Which art one God & persons three, to whom be praise without ending,   
Amen.   

A form of private Morning Prayer. Our father which art in heaven, etc.  
O Lord open thou my lips, that my mouth may speak and show forth that which is to thy glory and praise. And shut my mouth from speaking of any thing, whereby I should offend thy divine majesty, or be hurtful to my neighbour. 
O God make speed to save us.  
O Lord make haste to help us.   
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the holy Ghost.  
As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end,  
Amen.  
Praise ye the Lord. Thanks be given to God.   

The first Psalm at Morning Prayer.  
O Lord hear my words, mark my crying, O my King and my God, for unto thee only come I to pray: neither do I look for secure any where else than of thee.  
O Lord, I beseech thee, that thou wilt graciously hearken to my petitions, that thy grace may spring in my heart with the morrow light of thy comfort, the night of care and perturbation being overpassed: suffer me not to perish with the ungodly folk whom thou cursest.  
I come running to thee, not trusting in mine own righteousness; but to thy great and manifold mercies.  
O Lord with the rule of thy justice will I be directed. For thy name sake make plain thy way before me, and my way before thee; lest the spirit of malice do turn me thence.  
Let them rejoice that repose themselves and trust always in thy mercy; let them sing Hymns and Psalms, which do glory and rejoice in thee, let them triumph which love thy name.  
Defend me, O Lord, with thy grace, as with a shield in time of peril; to the intent that when I am assaulted with them, I may yet with constant cheer grow up unto my full perfection.  
Glory be to the father, etc. As it was in the, etc.   

The second Psalm.  
OH Lord GOD and father, I beseech thee by Christ our Lord, that of thine infinite mercy thou keep me, so as at no time I follow the counsel of the ungodly, which know thee not; or of Hypocrites, which with their hearts seek thee not.  
O Lord, suffer me not to enter into the way of sinners, with a mind to fulfil the desires and lusts of the flesh.  
But whensoever through frailty of my corrupt nature. I shall chance to run astray, then O Lord, stay me, and pluck my foot back again.  
Keep me, that I sit not in the seat of pestilent scorners, which cloaking their Pharisaical and devilish intents, condemn in other men thy verity & Gospel.  
Oh Lord, bring to pass that I may burn in the desire of thy law, that upon the advancement of thy word my mind may always be occupied, that I may evermore choose that which is most pleasant to thee, and hate that both in myself and others, which to thee is displeasant.  
Make I pray thee that I may be a tree planted by the sweet rivers of thy ghostly waters, to the intent I may bring forth fruit to thy glory, and to the profit of my neighbour, as often as thou shalt minister time and occasion thereunto.  
Lest my leaves, which are my words and works should fade and fall away; but that all things may prosper, whatsoever I shall do in thy name.  
Assist me, I beseech thee, and grant O most merciful father, that for jesus Christ's sake I may take root in the ground of life; lest with the ungodly, like chaff and dust I be blown abroad with the most pernicious winds of this world.  
And grant that I may stand in the assembly of the righteous, and that I may enter into judgement without punishment; and escape everlasting damnation.  
Glory be to the father, etc. As it was in the begin, etc.   

The third Psalm.  
TO thee, O Lord, I lift up my mind, in thee I trust, O Lord God; let me not be confounded, lest mine enemies make me a jesting stock, and a matter to laugh at.  
O Lord make thy ways known unto me, and trade me in thy paths.  
Direct me in thy truth, and instruct me; for thou art God my Saviour, I look after thee every day.  
O Lord thou art sweet and rightful, and bringest again into the way them which went out.  
Thou leadest straight into thy judgement, them that be mild and tractable, and teachest them that be meek thy word and testimonies.  
Thou healest them that be contrite in heart, and asswagest their pains and grief.  
Thou holdest up all them which else should fall, and all that are fallen thou liftest up again.  
Thou givest sight to the blind, and losest them that be bound.  
Thou art nigh unto all them that call upon thee, so that they call upon thee faithfully.  
Thou fulfilest the desire of them that do fear thee, and hearest their prayer, and savest them.  
Have mercy upon me, O God, have mercy upon me, for in thee my soul trusteth.  
verily my soul hath a special respect to thee. For my health, my glory, and all my strength cometh from thee.  
For thine own sake, oh Lord God, lay not my sins to my charge.  
I understand not all mine errors, innumerable troubles do close me round about, my sins have taken hold upon me, and I am not able to look up.  
Put to thy hand to help me, and lead me right in all my works.  
Make me to walk perfectly in thy ways, that no kind of sin overcome me.  
Set a watch before my mouth; and keep the door of my lips.  
Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart be ever pleasant and acceptable in thy sight.  
Let the word of truth never go away from my mouth, and suffer no malice to dwell in my heart.  
O Lord deliver my soul from lying lips, and save me from the deceitful tongue.  
Put into my mouth thy true and holy word, and take from me all idle and unfruitful speech.  
Deliver me from false surmises and accusations of men: rule me even as thou thinkest good, after thy will and pleasure.  
Turn away mine eyes, that they behold no vain things; fasten them in thy way.  
Take from me fornication and all uncleanness, and let not the love of the flesh beguile me.  
Yea deliver my soul from pride, that it do not reign in me, and then shall I be clean from the greatest sin.  
Stay and keep my feet from every evil way, lest my steps serve from thy paths.  
Mine eyes look ever unto thee, O Lord, because thou art nigh at hand, and all thy ways be the truth.  
Thy mercies be great and many, O Lord, blessed is he whosoever trusteth in thee.  
For when I said unto thee, My feet be slipped, thy mercy, O Lord, by and by did hold me up.  
Teach me to do thy will, and lead me by thy pathwaie, for thou art my God.  
Oh Lord, save my soul, and deliver me from the power of darkness.  
Let the brightness of thy face shine upon thy servant, for unto thee, O Lord God, I have fled for succour.  
Look unto me, and have mercy upon me; for I am desolate and poor.  
Keep my soul and deliver me, that I be not confounded. For I have trusted in thee.  
O Lord God, forsake me not, although I have done no good in thy sight.  
For thy goodness grant me, that at the leastwise now I may begin to live well.  
O Lord show thy servants thy works, and their children thy glory; and the gracious majesty of the Lord our God be upon us. Oh prosper thou the works of our hands, oh prosper thou our handy works.  
Glory be to the Father, the Son, and the holy Ghost.  
As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end,  
Amen.   

A contemplation of Christ's Passion.  
O What love and mercy of man undeserved from God the father, through his only son jesus Christ, by whose flesh and blood we have clean remission of our offences; when we call to mind this mystery of our redemption, and our sufficient sacrifice, whereby sin, death and hell be put to exile; and grace, mercy and peace be obtained! For this we have not only occasion to lament ourselves, which were the very causes why jesus did lament in care, and became poor in body, sweat water and blood against his death, prayed in affliction, and suffered for our redemption: but also to give daily thanks, and to rejoice to God the father, for this his son, by whom we have fellowship with Angels, and are become Citizens of the saints, and of the household of God, partakers of everlasting life for ever. O happy be they which forget not this heavenly Philosophy, this guiltless passion of jesus Christ! To know & believe this, is life everlasting, and the quietness of conscience. This passion is our riches in poverty, and help in adversity, and only life in death. By this his painful affliction, were all the patriarchs, Prophets, Martyrs, and every believing body saved, that ever was, or shall be; without which all flesh is damned and accursed. Now sweet Christ, for this thy blessed oblation, have mercy on me now and in the hour of death; that in the dreadful day of judgement, sin, death and hell may not prevail against me sinful creature, but have mercy upon me, according to thy greatest mercy, which is this thy death and passion, for which be praise to the holy Trinity for ever and ever,  
Amen.   

The Hymn of the passion of Christ.  

Jesus which is the lively well of wisdom,  
And the heavenly truth of the father eternal,  
Which from heaven to this world did come,  
To deliver us thralls from pains infernal,  
Of judas was sold, and of the jews taken,  
And of his Disciples at midnight was forsaken.   

We laud thee father for thy grace,  
We praise the son which made us free,  
We thank the holy spirit for our solace,  
Which is one God and persons three.   

In the dawning of the day they did him fast bind,  
And before Pilate he was then convented,  
False witness against jesus they did then find,  
When the cruel seniors in judgement him presented,  
Beaten was his body, defiled was his face,  
And yet God and man, the very well of grace.   

We laud thee father, etc.   

When three hours were passed, before pilate's throne,  
All the people cried, Kill jesus the jews king,  
His crown was thorns, in purple he made moan,  
With a cross over Cedron they did him bring,  
And prepared his deadly place on Galgatha hill,  
To suffer pains for Adam's gilt, so was his father's will.   

We laud thee father, etc.   

The sirt hour approached his painful end,  
When on the tree his body they nailed,  
In heaven was his help, in earth he had no freud,  
He died between two thieves, on him the Elders railed,  
Then he thirsted for his elect, which subject were to thrall,  
Unthankefullie they offered him vinegar mingled with gall.   

We laud thee father, etc.   

This very God, Gods only begotten child,  
Said to his father, Why hast thou me forsaken?  
Yet receive this sacrifice, and my spirit undefiled:  
The heavens were darkened, asunder the stones were shaken.  
Blood and water than sprang from this blessed lamb,  
Then graves opened, the dead alive forth came.   

We laud thee father for thy grace, etc.    

The second Meditation or prayer of our frailty and misery.  
O Miserable wretched woman that I am, how may I be compared to any of thy saints that shall dwell in thy Tabernacle or holy hill? For they love to be in holy contemplation: and I in the vain multitude, forgetting thee: they be meek, and I unpatient: they do not forget thee, but my good Lord, when do I remember thee, but when affliction enforceth me; or the lamentable fall of my brethren constrain me to thank thee? Thou most mighty and fearful God of hosts, thy holy name be blessed forever, Amen. What shall I say my God? Thou art most good, and I evil; thou holy, and I miserable; thou art light, and I am blind; thou art the blessed joy, and I am careful and full of sorrow. My Lord, thou art the Physician, and I the miserable patient; I am nothing but vanity and corrupt, as every living man is. What shall I say (O Creator) but this, that I am thy creature, and shall I perish? Thy hands have made me, and were wounded for me; thy blood was shed for me, and hath washed me; thy holy Ghost hath sanctified me, and taught me: yet Lord, my days are nothing. What should I mortal creature thus talk with myself, Lord God, but that need hath no law? Sorrow hath compelled me to seek comfort, sickness enforceth me to follow the Physician, conscience pricketh me to cry to thee my Lord for a heavenly cordial of comfort, which am in great discomfort, borne of a woman, full of misery and shortness of time, and pass away like a shadow, never content with one estate, but in earth remain for ever.   

The Hymn to God the Creator.  

O Creator, to thee thy creature I call,  
Who made of mould do live in pain,  
And sick in soul, my flesh is thrall,  
O woe is me, my days be vain:  
Yet unto God I call for grace,  
My soul in heaven to have a place.    

A prayer to the blessed Trinity. Let us pray.  
O Holy, blessed, and glorious Trinity, three equal, and coeternal persons, but one God almighty, have mercy upon me vile, abject, abominable, and sinful wretch, meekly acknowledging before thy divine Majesty my long continued life in sin, even from my childhood hitherto. Then good gracious Lord, as thou givest me the grace to acknowledge them; so give me grace not in word only, but in heart also, with sorrowful contrition to repent, and utterly to forsake them. Forgive me also those sins, through which by mine own fault, wicked affection, and evil custom, my reason is with sensuality so blinded, as I cannot discern them for sin. Illuminate my heart (good Lord) and give me grace to acknowledge them. Forgive me my sins negligently forgotten, and bring them to my mind, with grace to be throughlie repentant for them.  
O merciful God, grant me thy grace so to despise sin, and all worldly vanities, that I may say with the blessed Apostle Saint Paul: The world is crucified to me, and I to the world; Christ is to me life, and to die is my gain and advantage; I desire to be loosed, and to be with Christ. Lord give me thy grace to amend my life, and to have an eye to mine end, without any grudge, or fear of death, which to them that die in thee, is the gate of eternal life.  
Almighty God, teach me to do thy will; take my right hand, and lead me in the true way from mine: draw me after thee, bind my mouth with snaffle and bridle, when I will not draw unto thee. Oh gracious God, all sinful fear, all sinful sorrow and pensiveness, all sinful hope, all sinful mirth and gladness take away from me. On the other side, concerning such fear, such heaviness, such comfort, consolation, and gladness, as shall be profitable for my soul, do with me according to thy great goodness.  
O Lord give me grace, in all my fear and agony, to have recourse to that great fear and wonderful agony that thou my saviour hadst at the Mount of Olivet, before thy most bitter passion; and in the meditation thereof to conceive ghostly comfort and consolation, profitable for my soul. Almighty God, take from me all vainglorious minds, all appetites of mine own praise, all envy, covetise, gluttony, sloth and lechery, all wrathful affection, all appetite of revenging, all desire of delight of other men's harms, all pleasure in provoking any person to wrath and anger: all delight in taunting or mocking any person in their affliction or trouble. And give unto me, O Lord, an humble, quiet, peaceable, patiented, charitable, kind, tender, and pitiful mind, in all my words, my works, and thoughts, to have a taste of thy holy and blessed spirit.  
Give me good Lord a full faith, a firm hope, a fervent charity, a love to thee, good Lord, incomparable, above the love of myself, that I may love nothing to thy displeasure, but every thing in a due order to thee. Give me good Lord, a longing to be with thee, not for the avoiding of the calamities of this wretched world, nor so much for the avoiding of the pains of hell, neither so much for the obtaining of the kingdom of heaven, in respect of mine own commodity: as even for very love of thee. And bear me good Lord, thy love & favour, which thing my love to thee-ward (were it never so great) could not but of thy great goodness deserve. And pardon me good Lord, that am so bold to ask thee so high petitions, being so vile and sinful a wretch, and so unworthy to attain the lowest: but good Lord such they be, as I am bound to desire and wish, and should be much nearer the effectual desire of them, if my manifold sins were not the let, from which O glorious Trinity, vouchsafe of thy goodness to wash me, with that blessed blood that thou my sweet saviour jesus Christ didst shed out of thy body, in the divers torments of thy most bitter passion, that by that same grievous passion, glorious resurrection and ascension, I may come to that unspeakable joy, the which thou hast prepared for thy chosen and elect, through the same jesus Christ our saviour, to whom with the Father, and the holy Ghost, three persons and one God, be all honour and glory world without end: So be it.   

After prayer, say this conclusion, or Collect.  
O God, that art the strength of such as trust in thee, mercifully assist us that call upon thy name; and for as much as man's infirmity can do nothing without thee, grant I most humbly beseech thee, the help of thy spirit, that fulfilling thy commandments, both in will and deed, I may please thee, through jesus Christ our Lord: So be it.   

The blessing.  
OH Lord bless me and defend me, O Lord lift up thy countenance over me, and be merciful unto me: O Lord lift up thy countenance over me and give me thy peace, that in thy peace, O Lord, I may departed, to amend my life, and do unto the poor as much as I can: give me grace to be at unity, in quietness, and in charity with all thy chosen and elect people, and that thy fear, oh Lord, may ever rest in my heart: So be it.  
Praise unto God the Father, and peace unto the living: As they that depart in thy faith, in thee do rest & have their being.   
The end of Morning prayer.   


EVENING PRAYER. ¶ A Confession to be said before Evening prayer.  
O Father of heaven, O son of God redeemer of the world: O holy Ghost three persons and one God; have mercy upon me most wretched caitiff, and miserable sinner. I have offended both heaven & earth, more than my tongue can express. My sins (alas) are above all men's, both in number and greatness, which I have committed. Whither then may I go? Or whither should I fly? To heaven I may be ashamed to lift up my face, and in earth I am not worthy to find a place of refuge or succour. To thee therefore, O Lord, do I run; to thee do I humble myself, saying; O Lord my God, my sins be great and innumerable: but yet have mercy upon me for thy great mercy. The great mystery that God became man, was not wrought for little or few offences. Thou didst not give thy son, O heavenly Father, unto death for small sins only, but for all the greatest sins in the world: so that the sinner return unto thee with his whole heart, as I do here at this present. Wherefore have mercy upon me, O God, whose property is alway to have mercy: wherefore have mercy upon me O Lord, for thy great mercy. I crave nothing, O Lord, for mine own merits, but for thy name sake, that it may be hallowed thereby, and for thy dear son jesus Christ's sake, and now therefore: Our father of heaven hallowed, etc.   

A prayer to be said in the Evening.  
MOst merciful and heavenly father, I thank thee by thy son jesus Christ, that this day thou hast given me all things needful both for my soul and body, preserving me from all hurt and peril. I ask thee mercy for mine offences, and I most humbly beseech thee, that thou wilt likewise this night keep me from sin and all evil, so that all my thoughts, my words & works may please thee. I do commit myself both body and soul, and all that I go about, into thy hands. I beseech thee that thy holy spirit may be with me, lest my deadly adversary have any power over me,  
Amen.   

Another Evening prayer.  
O Sovereign, dreadful, and most loving Lord my God, who never ceasest to show thy mercy towards sinners, yea when they offend and trespass against thee, such is thine infinite clemency and love. As than thou forbearest not to heap thy benefits upon them; I most sinful and wretched wretch, yield thee humble thanks, for thine inestimable goodness showed towards me, in creating me to thine own likeness, and making me capable of thine everlasting glory: for the creation of so many other creatures for my behoof and sustenance, for that inestimable work of my redemption, whereby thou deliverest me from the slavery of Satan, and purchasest me free entrance into thy celestial region: for having singled me amongst so many millians that know thee not, and lie drowned in ignorance, superstition, and miserable errors, to be thy servant and a true faithful Christian: for both thy blessed Sacraments, especially for that Sacrament above all Sacraments, wherein thou thyself art spiritually contained. Finally, for having preserved me so many times from hell, wherein I had been long since plunged, hadst not thou of thine unspeakable goodness sustained and delivered me from my foes. For these and all other thy benefits: namely, for those thou hast this day most bountifully bestowed upon me, O my sovereign Lord, I yield thee such sincere & dutiful thanks as my poor heart can possibly afford thee: beseeching thee to have mercy upon me, & in supply of my wants to accept the mediation and thanksgivings of jesus Christ thy only son, and mine only Saviour and intercessor.  
And now mine only redeemer and Saviour I humbly crave the light of thy grace, to know wherein I have this day any ways offended thee by nature; and that by sound discussion, and through examination of my conscience, I may see mine own sins with sorrow and detestation; and thine ineffable mercy with a zealous & firm purpose of amendment of life. Thou seest, O Lord, my lewdness, and wottest my misery, much better than I myself do. Sorry I am with all my heart, that I should still offend so loving a Lord, and wish to God my sorrows were greatly multiplied. I purposed erst, to do better by thy grace, which wanted not, & yet have I transgressed in my former trespasses: neither yet may I despair, O Lord, but will continually trust to thy mercies in all events, & purpose firmly, as I now do, every day to amend my life.  
Deliver me, my gracious God, from all mortal sin for ever, and give me grace to persecute my vices with sorrow during life. And for the satisfaction of these and all my former sins, as also for all thine ineffable benefits bestowed upon me and all mankind; I offer unto thee the merits of thy bitter passion, those most precious drops of blood thou shedst for me; and that inflamed charity, wherewith thou wholly resignedst thyself to all thy torments, for my sake; and in the union of this thine oblation on the cross, I offer up myself, soul, body, and all I have of thine, within or without me, to thine honour and everlasting glory. I retain nothing to myself: but give all to thee, whose it is; and make that thine by my will, which is thine of justice. Give me thy grace, O my God, to live better hereafter, and to confess my sins in due time unto thee. Give me true humility, continual repentance, and grace both to know thee, and also myself. Give me purity of heart in all my doings, patience, chastity, and perfect charity. Give me a good life, and a good death, and in the dangerous hour of my departure, the assistance of thy blessed Saints and Angels, with whom I may, through thy mercy, in another world praise and glorify thee everlastingly,  
Amen.   

The Hymn or prayer to God the Father.  

BLessed be God father of heaven,  
Which hath strengthened his feeble flock:  
With steadfast faith, and boldness even,  
To bear his cross, burden and yoke.  
These are the last days perilous,  
Freely Christ's Gospel to profess:  
Come down Lord shortly to judge us,  
And take us from the heaviness.    

An Anthem.  
Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.   

A prayer to God the Father to be used before Evening prayer.  
O Merciful Lord and loving Father, without whose aid and motion, I am not able to stir one member toward heavenly service, the burden of this slow and sinful flesh doth so overcharge my weak soul. According to thy fatherly pity look upon me, O God, and quicken my dull spirit with thy grace, to rise out of this miry puddle, and to come before thy presence in humble repentance, craving thy mercy for my miserable sins and wickedness, that being released in the blood and righteousness of jesus Christ, I may joyfully serve, honour, and praise thine eternal Majesty, through thy dear son my merciful Lord and redeemer, to whom with thee and the holy Ghost, be all glory and thanks for ever,  
Amen.   

The Hymn of our redemption by Christ.  

PRaised be God for his exceeding favour,  
Which hath given us his son to be our Saviour,  
We are sinners, unrighteous, foolish, and fleshly,  
Christ is our mercie-stoole, righteousness, & wisdom verily.  
We are unclean, holden under the danger of death & sins exaction,  
Christ is our holiness, our life, our redemption and satisfaction.  
Glory be to thee, O Lord, borne of the undefiled virgin,  
Glory be to the Father, and to the holy Ghost, our soul's surgin: So be it.    

A form of Private Evening prayer. Our Father which art in heaven, etc.  
Convert us our Saviour, and turn away thy wrath from us. 
O God make speed to save us.  
O Lord make haste to help us.   
Glory be to the Father, etc. As it was in the be, etc. Praise ye the Lord. Thanks be given unto God.   

The first Psalm at Evening prayer.  
BOw down thine ear, O Lord, to my requests, and suffer me to exhibit my supplication up unto thee. For behold, night and day I trace and hunt after thee by all means I can. To thee only early and late do I still call and cry for mercy, according as thou hast given me in commandment.  
For when I call to memory the time of my life evil dispent, I quake to think upon thee, yea and my spirit faileth me, so sore am I afraid of thy judgements.  
Yet well pondering the process of thy grace & mercy promised me in Christ, I cease to despair, knowing that thou, O GOD, hast not forgotten thy gifts of grace, and that thy power to have compassion is not waxed faint, but that both thou canst and wilt put back thy wrath most justly conceived against me for my sin.  
In full trust whereof O Lord I come unto thee, beseeching thee to hide my life with Christ within thee, and under the shadows of thy wings to defend me, that thy grace & covenant may be with me evermore.  
Turn not thy mercy from me O Lord, nor bring me down to destruction as I have deserved: but show thy grace and favour unto me, that I may live, and (being exalted through thy righteousness) praise thy name most joyfully.  
Remember my corrupt nature O Lord, how short my life is, and that thou madest not man for nothing. No man can deliver himself from death: no man can save his own soul from hell: thou only O Lord must do it, namely, to such as believe in thee.  
This life passeth as doth a dream, or grass in the field, which to day is green, and to morrow dry. If thou be displeased, than we be lost: if thou chafe, than we shrink for fear, for through sins we be dead unto thee; with whom a thousand years be but as one day, yea as the least minute of an hour.  
certes Lord, if thou have respect to our sins, who shall continue? Show me therefore how many be the days of my life, that I may dispend them wisely, to the praise of thy name, lest that I foolishly trusting upon long life, suddenly might perish & come to death.  
Come Lord now unto us, and comfort us. Come O God, and hide not thy face from me, that I be not like unto those that be hurled into the pit of perdition. And after this night of calamity overpassed, let the pleasant morning of comfort luckily shine upon me, that betimes I may hear and feel thy goodness, for in thee is all my trust.  
Deliver me this night from the snare of Satan's guard, which hunt in the dark how to pluck me from thee.  
Let me not stand in the fear of the night-evill of unbelief, and of thy straight judgement, neither let me be afraid of the fleeing arrow in the day time.  
Let me not be in fear of that horrible pestilence, creeping in through darkness, I mean, let me not be ignorant how detestable my sins be, that I dissemble them not, nor qualify them.  
Let me not dread that midday devil, which abuseth thy Church under a title and pretence of holiness; neither let Satan, though he change himself into an Angel of light, strike any fear in me.  
But both on the right side and on the left, as well in the night as in the day, that is, as well in adversity as prosperity, and as well in spiritual business, as in corporal, let thy holy Angels diligently wait upon me, that I do not stumble: then shall I tread underfoot that hellie dragon.  
Yea so shall I of duty be bound alway with courageous spirit, to praise and hallow thy name: not only in the morrow, when all things shall chance to my heart's desire, to ascribe all to thy goodness, without any deserving on my behalf: but also in the night of trouble and adversity, when I shall call unto mind thy most faithful and trusty promises, that I despair not, thus to praise thy mere and special grace, and bless thee, saying:  
Blessed art thou O Lord God of our fathers, for thou art praise and honour, worthy, and to be magnified for ever.  
Blessed be the glory of thy holy name, for it is worthy to be praised, & above all to be magnified for ever.  
Blessed art thou, O father, O Son, and O holy Ghost, for thou art worthy to be praised, and above all to be magnified for ever.  
Blessed be thou in the firmament of heaven, for thou art praiseworthy for ever.  
O give thanks unto the Lord all his creatures, for he is kindhearted and merciful: yea his mercy endureth for ever.  
Oh speak good of the Lord all ye works of his in all places of his dominion: and let every thing that hath breath praise the Lord, and give him thanks: for his mercy endureth for ever.  
O that all men would therefore praise the Lord for his goodness, and declare the wonders that he doth for the children of men!  
Praise thou the Lord O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, yea and all that is within me praise his holy name, for his loving mercy and for his truth, which endureth for ever, & worlds without end,  
Amen.  
Glory be to the father, etc. As it was in the begin, etc.   

The second Psalm.  
MY God, my God remember me, forsake me not, suffer me not to be lost, sith both night and day I cry to thee, hear me my Lord.  
Our fathers trusted in thee, and thou helpedst them, whensoever they called upon thee, at no tune thou failedst them, but wast always at hand to assist them.  
Come forth father most dearly beloved in my heart, restore me from Satan's kingdom.  
Thou drewest me forth of my mother's womb, and hast preserved me unto this day.  
Of thy benignity and mercy (which I beseech thee deny me not at this my need) go not away from me, for anguish and pensiveness of heart draw nigh unto me, and yet is there none that can help me, but thou only.  
Let me escape from these dangers through thy Christ my saviour, who for my sake hath suffered so spiteful and bitter pains, who for me was sore vexed, cruelly scourged, wounded, nailed, and hanged on the cross.  
Let me escape I say for his blood sake, which he so largely shed for us, to cause us obtain forgiveness of our sins, and enjoy the new and everlasting covenant made betwixt thee and us.  
Stand not far from me O Lord my refuge and strength: come near and help me, deliver my life from the sword, and my soul from the wood dogs, from the Lion's jaws restore me, between the horns of the Unicorns hear thou me.  
Then shall I blow abroad thy name with all praises unto my brethren, and in the assembly of the holy persons I shall commend thee.  
Despise not the prayers of the poor, turn not away thy face, hear my cry, for I will record this thy goodness among the miserable, painful, and troublesome consciences, that they thereof may take heart of comfort, grow in hope, cleave more fervently unto thee, blow abroad thy most glorious name, and give thee everlasting thanks for their salvation,  
Amen.  
Glory be to the father, etc. As it was in the beginning, etc.   

The third Psalm.  
OUT of the furthest angles of the earth on every side, thou shalt with a mighty voice call men to judgement Lord God omnipotent, to whom nothing is hid.  
Open our ears that we may hear this thy promise: I shall be your God.  
In thee constantly believe we, with thy foison we be filled.  
prudently thou dost declare and testify, that of our goods and sacrifices thou hast no need, and dost not either regard or measure them: for all be thine, and in thee it lieth to make the things we now possess to be ours, or not ours.  
Thou only requirest sacrifices of thank sgiving: let us therefore disclose the bottom of our hearts to thee: let us knowledge thee to be our God.  
Let us hallow thy name in all things, flow in thy word, render thanks both in weal and woe, require thy succours in straits and necessities, in which time thou hast promised to help us: then shall we, so delivered, blaze thy name.  
Lord God most just, true of promise, and dearest Father: thee beseech I to send succours unto me even of thine infinite goodness.  
For thy renowmes sake, for jesus Christ's sake thy beloved son, and for his precious blood largely shed for us on the cross, have mercy upon me, so that once purged I may come again in favour with thee.  
Pity me, hear me out of the straits of this sinful flesh, wherewith on every side I am hampered in.  
Set me at large again, rid me from mine enemies, which seek to draw me away from thy true service.  
In thy comfort let me rejoice, and be full of spiritual joy: let me ever brute thy name, not unmindful of thy benefits.  
Relieve me most pitiful God, according to thy word, which is the truth.  
Most tender father, show me that thy joyful health.  
Glory be to the Father, etc. As it was in the begin, etc.   

The fourth Psalm.  
THy clemency and blessing most mighty God we crave, and require of thee full instantly.  
Let thy countenance shine upon us, have compassion upon us, that here in earth we may find out the way which leadeth unto thee, and may attain thy salvation among the Gentiles.  
O that all people would confess thee with loving hearts for thy manifold benefits and pleasures, which they have received at thy hands, who dost with justice govern men, and art their leader upon earth!  
power down Lord thy goodness, and continual blessings upon us, and then shall the earth yield unto thee glory and praise, and to us fruits for meat.  
Thou God the father bless us, thou God the son bless us, and thou God the holy Ghost bless us: yea thou holy, blessed, and glorious Trinity, grant us thy continual blessing.  
O that all the coasts of the earth (Lord God) would fear and stand in awe of thee!  
Would God that we also might study to work no man either pleasure or displeasure that should be against thy will; but that we may do all things according to thy commandments!  
Glory be to the father, etc. As it was in the begin, etc.   

A contemplation and prayer exclaiming of the careful passions of the soul and body.  
WOE is me careful carcase and filthy defiled flesh, conceived and borne in sin, deprived of original justice, compared to a beast, in Adam fallen as a rotten apple from a living tree. What have I gotten by my fall? Darkness, care, misery, affliction, sickness, pain, anguish, and finally dreadful death. And alas, what shall I be hereafter? A stinking carrion, worms meat, food for fire, dust and clay, dung and forsaken, rotten & consumed, blind, poor and naked, trodden under the feet of my posterity, and forgotten of all men, not knowing where my body is, which shall vanish like a shadow, and my life shall whither like a leaf, and fade as a flower.  
O holy God, the more our bodies do increase, the nearer death doth approach, the clock of our conscience doth ring every minute, the hour of death to be at hand. Death approacheth with his sharp dart and bloody chariot: Away (saith he) to every living wight. For what is he that shall not see death, and come to nothing? Oh uncertain life; but most assured death! His net is cast over all flesh: now I do rejoice, than I lament: now am I whole, than sickness doth come: now have I friends, then am I forsaken: now at liberty, soon after in bondage: now young, than age draws near. And thus I never remain in one state: made light and proud in prosperity, desperate in adversity, withered and old with care, despised in poverty, flattered when I am in health; and finally uncertain when or where I shall die. But yet I most humbly pray thee dear father, for jesus Christ's sake, which suffered a shameful death for my sins, to have mercy upon me, according to thy great mercy, and take not thy holy Ghost from me, and lead me not into temptation, but deliver me: for into thy hands I commend my soul, O thou God of truth,  
Amen.   

An Hymn of the state of all Adam's posterity.  
I Am the fruit of Adam's hands, through sin locked in satins bands, Destined to death, the child of ire, a flaming brand of infernal fire: Borne I was naked & bare, and spend my time in sorrow & care, And shall return unto the dust, and be deprived of carnal lust. Yet thou father didst jesus send, to pardon them that did offend: We laud him in the work of might, that we be blessed in his sight.   

The second meditation of the dreadful day of judgement.  
O What fear and sorrow shall happen to the reprobates, when they shall stand helpless before the terrible & dreadful throne of God, to render accounts of all thoughts, words & works, I say, the acts of the flesh and blood, in the extreme day, when he shall come with fire; and then all creatures in heaven, earth and hell, shall tremble at his presence. Then shall all guilty consciences be opened, & evils endless punished, where that judge will not be corrupted. That day doth come; that day is at hand, and where as pure hearts shall be accepted, and no bribes of vain gifts shall be preferred, but justice without mercy unto the ungodly, infernal torments to the wicked, endless care and affliction to the idolater, fornicator, extortioner, persecutor, disobedient, murderer, blasphemer, thief, false witness bearer, usurer, heretics, witches and malefactors, and to all the vessels of reprobation. Where as shall be heard wailing, crying, lamenting and gnashing of teeth: then they mourn that shall never die: hell fire never be quenched, nor the judge entreated; but the wicked still molested with dolour, agony, dread, and in his pain absent from God, present with devils & monsters infernal. This is the second death when both body and soul shall remain in pain, as long as God is, which is everlasting. This day is at hand, when the elect and all the Saints, Patriarches, Prophets, Martyrs and all the blessed shall receive their rewards, not of themselves, but only of jesus, before whom all the blessed shall kneel and cast off their crowns, and give honour to him that sits on the seat, whose holy name is blessed of all tongues and kindreds: Amen, Amen. This is the day, when all tears shall be wiped from the careful eyes of the servants of God, which shall never be molested, nor of worldlings be afflicted, but everlastingly glorified, with the Father, the Son, and the holy Ghost, three persons and one God, who of his mercy defend us from damnation, and that unspeakable pain, which we through sin have deserved, ever to be punished withal: but yet are through jesus preserved, by whom we are elected, redeemed, justified, and brought from sin, death and hell: to whom be laud and praise, in the world of worlds, of Angels and men:  
Amen.   

The Hymn of the day of judgement.  

Sweet jesus of thy mercy, our pitiful prayers hear:  
That we may be on thy right hand, when thou shalt appear.  
For thou shalt come with heavenly power, and sit on the throne:  
None shall judge the quick and dead, but thou Christ alone.  
O Christ cast us not away, in that day of ire:  
When thou shalt send before thee, a hot consuming fire.  
To purge all creatures, defiled with Adam's sin:  
Then a new heaven and earth, O Lord thou wilt begin.  
Then the elect shall be blessed, upon thy holy hill:  
But the wicked shall be damned, that have withstood thy will.  
Thy sheep shall be safe, and defended in the fold:  
The goats shall wander, in hunger, storm and cold.  
Thy Saints shall behold thee, in thy throne of light:  
The reprobates shall ever, have fearful things in sight.  
Wailing in wretchedness, with everlasting pain:  
Yet Lord be merciful, our lives are but vain.  
Our flesh shall fade, death hath digged our grave:  
Yet of thy mercy Lord, thy sinful creature save.  
And bless us in the time of grace, before the day of ire:  
When the corrupt elements, shall be purged with fire.  
We laud thee Father, etc.    

A general prayer, wherein we commend ourselves, and the whole state of Christ's Church unto God.  
O God thou Father and God of my life, suffer me neither to have a proud look, nor a proud thought; turn away all voluptuousness from me: let not the enticements of the world beguile me; let not the concupiscence of the eye deceive me; let not the lusts of the flesh take hold upon me; let not rancour and malice reign in my heart. O Lord God, for thy son our Saviour jesus Christ's sake, I beseech thee, that thou wilt not give me over to an unshamefast and obstinate mind: So be it.  
Unto thee Lord almighty, the King of mercy, be now and ever eternal honour & glory. Unto thee the same Lord of mercy I do commit my soul and body, most humbly beseeching thee, for thine abundant mercy sake, to take the cure of me, and to have mercy on me. I do commit also unto thy mercy my faithful friends and well-willers living, beseeching thee to forgive us all, and to have mercy upon us, and give us grace to live according to thy law, and to the glory of thy name, that we may do that, which thou requirest of us, that it will please thee of thy mercy, to save and defend us from all perils, bodily & ghostly this night and ever, and especially all things that shall turn to thy displeasure. And with all my heart I thank thee most merciful Lord, for the great benefits that thou hast bestowed upon me largely in this world, afore many creatures, which are more worthy a thousand times than I: but my most gracious Lord, I wots and knowledge verily, that all good gifts do come freely from thee, of thine abundant mercy. Wherefore with all my heart I thank thee, and all worship, praises and thanks be to thee and none other. Therefore I say with the Prophet David: Not unto us, Lord, not unto us: but unto thy name be given all honour & glory.  
Also I commit to thy mercy mine enemies, persecutors and slanderers, beseeching thee to turn their hearts, and to give us grace one to forgive another from the very bottom of our hearts, that from henceforth we may live in love and charity, to thy glory, and to the increase of thy kingdom.  
I do commit to thy mercy our Queen Elizabeth, and this Realm, beseeching thee to incline her heart to all godliness and virtue, that she may long reign over us in peace and tranquillity, to live in thy fear, and call upon thy holy name, and to be ready at all times to set forth thy blessed laws and commandments: and that thou O omnipotent God, with thy mighty hand and stretched out arm, wilt confound all Idolatry and superstition, and set up thy true and holy religion, that thy faithful servants may triumph and rejoice in thee with merry hearts, and sing unto thy praise, that this the mighty hand of GOD hath brought to pass, and to thy name give the honour and glory, to whom all honour and glory is due.  
I do commit unto thy mercy, all those that in this transitory life be in sorrow, sickness, need, tribulation, or any other adversity, and specially all those that for the profession of thy Gospel, and the defence of the sane, do put their lives unto the edge of the sword. O Lord for thy mercy's sake, forgive them and us our offences past, comfort them in their grievous afflictions, strengthen them in their weakness, send them patience in their tribulations, abate the pride of their and our enemies, assuage the malice of them, confound their wicked devices, that we and they being armed with thy mighty defence, may be preserved evermore from perils, to glorify thee, which art the only giver of all victory, through the merits of Christ: So be it.  
I commit to thy mercy all those that do faithfully profess thy holy Gospel, beseeching thee to give us grace to live according to thy laws, that by well doing, we may stop the mouths of the ungodly adversaries of the Gospel, and thereby win them to the right way, that we may all with one heart, and one mouth, glorify thee, O Lord God in the day of visitation, to whom all honour and glory is due.  
And now O my most merciful Lord, and loving father, I finally commit unto thy mercy my wretched soul and body, humbly beseeching thee to have mercy upon me, according to thy great bountiful mercy: and according to the multitude of thy tender compassions, do away I beseech thee my most grievous iniquities.  
Unto God the father, the son and the holy Ghost, be now and ever eternal honour and glory, world without end,  
Amen.   

A prayer at night going to bed.  
THe God of Angels and men, the founder of all creatures visible and invisible, in whose hand is life and death, light and darkness, and all the motions of soul and body, without whom there is no good gift, nor perfect quietness of conscience, but only vanity and vexation of mind, and utter confusion of soul and body, and final torments in the horrible pit of darkness: now my Lord God, darkness doth approach, this day hath lost his beauty, I as unworthy of thy benefits, most humbly pray thee this night to bless me, and with thy holy Angels assist me, thy holy spirit this night lighten me, which hast of earth made me, and by thy creatures dost nourish me, and with thy blood hast consecrated me with thee to dwell eternally in glory, when death hath dissolved me, which am but vanity, etc. And banish Satan from me, that neither mine own conscience now vex me, nor mine old offences trouble me. I most humbly beseech thee this night to pardon me, which have sore offended thee, in thought, word and deed, against thy divine majesty, which sore repenteth me. Save me good Lord this night sleeping, from dreadful dreams, and painful slumber deliver me, that I may awake in Christ, and rest in peace: So be it.   

The Hymn or prayer for night.  

PRaise ye the Lord his servants all, lift up to him your hands,  
The night singers in God's courts, in all Christian lands.   

Praise we the Lord our God & king, which made the earth & heaven,  
His blessing be on us this night, which made the planets seven.   

Into thy hands O Lord our God, our souls we do commend,  
This night from sin & Satan's power, thy mercy us defend.   

We laud thee Father for thy grace,  
We praise the Son which made us free:  
We thank the holy Spirit for our solace,  
Which is one God and persons three:   
Amen.   

Another Hymn or prayer to be said when ye go to bed.  

I Go to bed, I hope to sleep, God knoweth when I shall rise,  
My soul, O Lord, defend and keep, from it turn not thine eyes.   

This day I have committed sin, a hundred times and more:  
I was conceived and borne therein, forgive me Lord therefore.   

To thee I will my soul betake, sinful it is to see,  
For I do know thou canst it make, as pure as need to be.   

Forgive me mine offences all, my soul, Lord, do not kill,  
To thee I will betake my soul, accept my zealous will.   

Thy pardon Lord I trust to have, as David had and more,  
My soul I trust thou wilt now save, from death & damned wo.   

In thee O God I put my trust, to guide and aid me still,  
To keep me always true and just, according to thy will.   

Thou God of might, & great renown, I trust thou wilt me keep,  
Lord with thy leave I will lie down, to take my rest and sleep.   
So be it. M. W.   

The Anthem.  
WE look for our saviour, even the Lord jesus Christ, which shall change our vile body, that it may be like to his glorious body, according to the power whereby he is able to subdue all things unto himself. Amen.  
Let us pray. 

Lord have mercy upon us.  
Christ have mercy upon us.  
Lord have mercy upon us.     

* Our Father which art in heaven, etc.  
VIsit we beseech thee O Lord, this our dwelling, and drive from it all the assaults of our enemy: let thy holy Angels dwell in it, which may keep us all this night in thy peace, and ever let thy blessing be upon us. Grant this O most merciful father, for thy sons sake, jesus Christ, who with thee, and the holy Ghost, liveth and reigneth one God world without end,  
Amen.   

Save us O good Lord waking, and keep us sleeping, and be so merciful to us, that with Christ we may wake, and quietly to rest in peace, So be it.   

The conclusion after Evening prayer.  
O Lord jesus Christ that art in heaven perfect God and man, hear my prayers, have mercy upon me, and pray unto thy father for me. Be thou my merciful mediator unto thy father, that I might find mercy for my sins at all times, and thy holy Angels to guide me this night, and all the time and days of my life, and at the general day of judgement, that I may be partaker of that joyful voice of thine, saying, Come hither ye blessed, and possess everlasting life,  
Amen.   

The Blessing.  
GOD, even our own GOD bless us: and grant unto us, and all our faithful and dear friends, his continual benediction and health.  
Yea let thy mighty hand and outstretched arm, O Lord, be still my defence; thy mercy and loving kindness in jesus Christ thy dear son my salvation; thy true and holy word my instruction; thy grace and holy spirit my comfort and consolation unto the end, and in the end: So be it.   

¶ Certain godly sentences written by the Lady E. T.  

Use invocation of God's holy name.  
Think upon the needy once a day.  
The life to come forget not.  
Further the just suit of the poor.  
Prefer Christ his kingdom.  
Offend not in evil doing.  
Set little by the judgement of man: but fear the judgement of God.  
Be at peace with all men.  
Use to be acquainted with the godly.  
Help to pacify displeasure.  
Hastily judge not any body.  
Kill anger with patience.  
With pity rebuke.  
Make much of modesty.  
Harbour a harmless heart.  
Let no good deed.  
Speak in season.  
He that keepeth his mouth, keepeth his life.  
In being well occupied, think not long.  
Lose as little time as ye may.  
Be always one.  
Favour the friendless.  
Be not unthankful.  
Trust not the world.  
Deceive none.  
Rather take hurt, than do any.  
Avenge not.  
Let once be amended.  
Favour not flattery.  
Look chiefly on yourself.  
Do not forget your charge.  
Let your mind be occupied well.  
Use pleasures after a mean.  
Once you were not here.  
Away you must, and turn to dust.   
Finis  
qd E. T.     

The Prayers made by the right Honourable Lady Frances Aburgavennie, and committed at the hour of her death, to the right Worshipful Lady MARIE Fane (her only daughter) as a jewel of health for the soul, and a perfect path to Paradise, very profitable to be used of every faithful Christian man and woman.  

A fruitful prayer to be said in the Morning.  
ALL mighty God, and most merciful father, the fountain of all felicity, from whom only proceedeth all good gifts, most humbly I beseech thee of thine abundant mercy & exceeding kindness, so to direct and govern me this day and ever with thy good guiding Spirit, that all my thoughts, words and deeds, may only be occupied in thy service, faith, fear and love, and so assist and strengthen me with thy grace, O most merciful and loving father, for thy son jesus Christ his sake, that neither sin, death, hell, nor Satan have the dominion and upper hand of me. Endue my heart with the true understanding of thy true and lively word, that I may be ready and prone manfully to fight under the standard of my glorious captain jesus Christ against the world, the flesh, and that cruel Serpent the old Leviathan, which hunteth continually, like a roaring Lion, seeking the utter destruction of my soul.  
Make me constant in time of temptation, that when or at what time my rebelling and sinful flesh shall entice me, to lust after the pomps and vanities of this wicked world, I may by a strong, lively, and unspeakable faith, through the bitter torments that my Saviour Christ jesus suffered for me, and all that faithfully believe and call upon him; so mortify and subdue the old Adam, that I may be dead and buried from sin and all iniquity; and the new man Christ jesus may continually dwell and reign in me, by whose means I shall be garnished and decked, by the means of a fruitful faith, with immortality, and heavenly blessedness.  
Vouchsafe, O Lord, I beseech thee, according to the multitude of thy mercies to look upon me, and by thy celestial providence, so illuminate the eyes of my soul, that I may continually watch for the glorious coming of thine anointed son jesus Christ. Root out, O Lord, in and from me the vile and corrupt branches of rapine, deceit, avarice, luxury, concupiscence, and all ungodliness, let the motions of my mind altogether depend upon thee, prepare my tongue to publish thy praise; let my lips be locked up from all scurillitie and uncomely talk: let mine ears loath and abhor to hear thy glorious and blessed name blasphemed, and thy truth to be by any Sectarian ill spoken of, & slandered: keep and defend me under the wings of thy comfortable protection, from all errors, schisms, and detestable heresies. Make me without feigning, firmly and constantly to build upon the truth, wherein is perfectly set forth thy great mercy and divine justice. Let the zeal of thy promises in all distress be my chiefest joy and consolation, & give me grace from above, that as I make my boast of thy mercies and loving kindness, by virtue whereof I am by my Saviour Christ jesus quickened from death to life, and in his dearest death and precious bloodshedding regenerated, and borne anew, not of water, but of the spirit by faith.  
So Lord, I may with thine abundant love showed to me ward, and the whole posterity of Adam, I may be afraid wilfully, or of a set purpose to transgress thy commandments, and so incur thereby thy displeasure, that the effects of thy justice in the day of thy coming to judgement, be pronounced against me to the utter destruction of body and soul. Make me always willing, good Lord, to hear thy word, by the power whereof my faith is increased, and there withal plant in me perfect love and obedience, and so direct my footsteps in this vale of misery, that I may tread the path that leadeth to thee, with whom my soul thirsteth to rest, even as vehemently as the Hart longeth after the water brooks. Grant this, O merciful God, for the honour and glory of thy name sake,  
Amen.   

A fruitful prayer to be said at the going to bed of every Christian.  
MOst merciful Father, I most wretched and unworthy sinner prostrate myself before the throne of thy heavenly grace, yielding unto thee most humble and hearty thanks, that hast of thine exceeding love and favour preserved me this day from all peril and danger, humbly beseeching thy divine Majesty, this night to preserve me, for the love of thine only son, and my sweet Saviour jesus Christ, mediator and advocate: who continually pleadeth and maketh intercession to thee for me, and all the rest of thy chosen children, presenting his bloody wounds, and his glorious body all to be scourged in thy divine presence, who thereby doth mitigate thy wrath and indignation, justly conceived against me a miserable and wretched creature, and all mankind.  
Make me Lord still to confess mine unworthiness, and weakness to be such and so great, that of myself I am not worthy to lift up mine eyes to heaven, much less to be called thy son, or handmaiden, such and so great is the burden of my sin & iniquity, so that by the means of my corruption & filthiness, I acknowledge myself to be the child of death and destruction, yet build I still on thy promises, good Lord, and in this great danger I come unto thee with tears, saying:  
O Father, I have sinned against heaven, & against thee, and am no more worthy to be called thy child. Of myself I have nothing; but by thee I have allthings: of myself I acknowledge I have justly deserved the heavy sentence of thine ire; but by grace of thee, O mighty Emanuel, I am regenerate, and borne again from death to life; from danger to joy; from peril to peace; from bondage to liberty, and so in fine, from hell and damnation, to bliss and salvation.  
Such is the effect of thy mercy, so abundant is thy love towards me, & all those that with contrite hearts present themselves unto thee. Increase my faith Lord, that it may abound in good and fruitful works: so fortify me, that I never serve from thy verity: give me thy grace from above, O merciful jesus, that I may never shrink from thy sacred testimonies.  
And moreover, I with all humility and reverence of heart and mind, beseech thee this night, which thou hast ordained for man to rest in, that thou wilt guard and protect me with thy good guiding spirit. And albeit my sinful flesh shall sleep and slumber, yet grant, good Lord, that my soul may continually keep watch and ward: let not the enunie find me slumbering & sleeping, as careless, in the cradle of sinful security, lest that whilst I am unarmed, that is, naked and destitute of thy grace and favour, he enter in and break up the house of my sinful body, and make such havoc and spoil, that mine infected and leprous soul, deformed by means of mine iniquity, and wounded with the dangerous darts of transgression, be thrown with the body of sin into the lake of destruction, wherein is continual wailing, and gnashing of teeth.  
Make me still, O good Lord, to consider, that the bed is a plain pattern and similitude of the grave, which continually calleth for me, & all other thy creatures. Make me to understand, that when I am laid, (of myself) without thy heavenly providence I can not be able to rise again. Make me to acknowledge that sleep is the very figure of death, to whose stroke, at thine appointed pleasure, I must submit myself. Endue me with love and charity to all men, let my lamp O Lord be garnished with oil, that whensoever, or at what time soever thy messenger death shall draw me, and knock at the gates of my house, I may at his summons, in the day of the resurrection of the dead, be ready to attend on thee and thy bride, with my burning lamp, that is, with a steadfast faith, when as by thee I shall be clothed anew. For my mortal body shall then be covered with immortality; the corruption of my sinful and rebelling flesh shall be changed to incorruption and perfect purity: thy righteousness shall be mine; thy merits shall make me perfect and holy, by virtue whereof, hell shall lose his victory; death shall lose his sting; my faith and hope shall have end and reward, and I with thy Saints continually dwell in love & charity with thee, the heavenly bridegroom, Christ jesus: to whom with the father, and the holy Ghost, be ascribed all laud, glory, power, praise and dominion, for ever:  
Amen.   

A prayer for the remission of sin, and to obtain a virtuous life.  
FOrasmuch as (O bountiful Lord) it is most meet, right and just, that all flesh should praise, magnify, and worship thee, and should without ceasing give thanks unto thee, who only art the Creator and maker of all things, as well visible as invisible; who only art the treasure of all goodness, and well of life, only God and Lord, whom the heavens, and heaven of heavens, the sun, the moon, the stars, the earth, the sea, with all that move therein, yea the heavenly company of Martyrs, the souls of the Prophets and Apostles, Angels, Archangels, together with the souls of all just and righteous persons do laud and glorify.  
It is most requisite, that each mortal creature living in this world, should also acknowledge thy magnificence. Wherefore, most merciful father, I with my heart and mouth do acknowledge thee to be my King and Lord, the giver of all goodness: I confess thee to be omnipotent, reverend, merciful, long suffering, God of all consolation, comfort, mercy and pity.  
I know that of thine infinite goodness only thou didst make man after thy similitude and likeness, placing him in the most delectable place of paradise. And although he did transgress thy commandment, and thereby deserved eternal death and damnation: yet thou, like a most loving and pitiful Father, didst not utterly reject him, but gently correct him, and after that thou hadst sent him into the earth, commanding him there to increase and multiply, thou didst instruct his posterity with thy law; thou didst teach them by thy Prophets, and after that sentest down thine only begotten son to take upon him our nature, and to suffer death for our sins, thereby to make a recompense for the offence which man had committed against thee: and all this thou didst of thine exceeding great mercy and kindness, without any desert of mankind, not being so much as by any one prayer, or yet entreaty thereunto incited.  
Therefore I being boldened with such inestimable benefits, so freely given and bestowed, do without any fear at this time, appear before thy divine Majesty, prostrating my slefe before the seat of thy mercy, and with all humbleness of heart and mind do make this my prayer unto thee.  
Despise me not (O Lord God) being defiled with sin and iniquity. For behold, I present myself before thee, not presuming upon mine own worthiness, but trusting in thy goodness.  
Be merciful unto me a sinner: light thou the dull sighted eyes of my mind, open thou the stopped ears of mine heart, that I may both see, hear, perceive and understand that, which thou teachest, and always do that, which thou commandest. Make me not only a hearer of thy heavenly doctrine; but also a perfect follower of the same: direct, sanctify and govern my life: be thou always present and ready, both to hear, and to help me. Save and defend me from all shame and reproach: be thou my shield & buckler against all temptations; cleanse my mind and thought from all uncleanness; keep and preserve me from all danger both of body and soul. This frail life is nothing else but a continual warfare in this world: our sins most like to cruel enemies, assault us on every side: again our days are but few in number.  
Guide me therefore with thy grace, so to spend my small, short and transitory time in this world, the very fountain, wellspring, and vale of all misery, that I may be made a member of Christ, & partaker of thine eternal felicity. To the which, seeing that through mine own desert, I shall never be able to aspire, (for sin truly so aboundeth in me, that each deed and act of mine, is not only infected, but altogether polluted therewith) none other remedy have I to ease myself: none other salve to heal my sore, but only to take hold of that promise of thine whereas thou sayest: Come unto me all ye that ye that labour, and be overladen, and I will refresh you.  
This is my holdfast; this is mine anchor and sure stay. For verily (sweet Saviour) when I look upon mine own frailness, and behold how ready I am to offend thee; then I quake for fear, than I am almost in utter despair: but as soon as I call to mind thy great love and kindness, and how that thou wilt not the death of a sinner, but rather that he should repent and live, and that in what day soever he doth heartily repent and call unto thee, thou wilt hear him: then I am relieved; then I am not a little comforted, knowing surely that thou wilt perform that which thou hast promised, in faithful assurance whereof, I now say unto thee:  
Turn thou me, O my God, and I shall be turned: from all my wickedness deliver me. heal my soul, which is wounded with sin: for I do acknowledge mine iniquity, and am heartily sorry for mine offences: correct me, O Lord, but yet not in thy fury, look not upon my weakness; but think upon thine own worthiness: remember thy loving kindness, and in the abundance and multitude of thy mercies, wipe clean away, pardon and forget all my sins, through which I have either in word, deed or though, or any other kind of way offended thee, blot them out of thy remembrance, and let the blood of that immaculate lamb jesus Christ, wash them away: let mine old offences so decay and die in me, that I never commit them any more, or by any means renew them in thy sight.  
And in the mean time do not withdraw thy grace from me, but cause me to do all that which good is. O Father, remove thy wrath away from me, and restore unto me thy favour: turn thou thy loving countenance unto me, and plentifully power forth thy mercy upon me. Incline my heart to do that only, which is acceptable in thy sight: guide thou my footsteps in thy paths, and suffer me not at any time to stray from thy ways: let me always have the fear of thee in my heart, and the remembrance of thy benefits fresh in my memory: and if at any time through weakness and failtie, I do transgress thy commandments, yet do not therefore reject and cast me out of thy sight; but be thou that good Samaritane, and power the oil and wine of mercy and forgiveness into those wounds, which sin shall make in me. Disdain me not for my revolting; but have mercy upon me, according to thy great goodness, and according to the multitude of thy mercies wipe away mine iniquity. Hid me under the shadow of thy wings and protection: lighten me with thy holy spirit. Make me thy servant: so endue me with thy grace, that I may unfeignedly, with heart and voice, serve, honour, and praise thee all the days of my life:  
Amen.   

Another prayer for the obtaining of grace and mercy.  
O Most merciful Lord God, whose Majesty is incomprehensible, & power infinite, whose magnificence is exalted above the heavens: vouchsafe, I beseech thee, from thy high throne to behold the work of thy hands: have pity on the unhappy and desolate condition of thy creature. I am a sinner, conceived in sin, and of myself I have no good thing: wherefore, O Lord, I cleave to the altar of thy mercy. Thou art my anchor, my hope, my refuge and stay. Therefore O Lord, have mercy upon me, for no flesh can be justified in thy sight. Thou knowest the frailty and weakness of men. We are taught by the fall of Peter, that we can do nothing without thee. Grant us therefore good Lord thy grace, without which in this world, we are like by the waves of temptations to be swallowed in the gulf and whirlpool of sin: to be drowned as the ship without anchor and Pilot in every tempest, to run on the rock and perish. Guide us therefore by thy grace good Lord, through the floods of this careful world, that we may rest for ever in the pleasant port, and happy haven of everlasting joy, with thine elected, through our blessed Saviour jesus Christ: to whom with thee and the holy Ghost, be all honour and glory, in all worlds,  
Amen.   

A Confession to be said of the penitent person.  
O Most merciful Lord God, I have offended against the throne of thy Majesty; my sins are ever before mine eyes: I am not worthy to live or enjoy the fruits wherewith thou hast blessed the earth. Mine own conscience is my tormenter, bringing testimony and witness against me. The Sun doth hide his light against me, and the place is the woorsse wherein I become. O Lord what shall I do? Shall I despair? No, thou art merciful, and more ready to forgive, than we to ask. I will confess my sins to thee. I am weary of my sinful life. I am sorry in my soul for mine offences. Wherefore good Lord, thou which doest ease them that are laden, and refresh them that travel: thou which hast promised mercy to the penitent, look on me thy servant with thy cheerful countenance: behold me with those pitiful eyes, with which thou didst Marie Magdalen, and the woman taken in adultery. Thou which hast shed thy blood ou the altar of the Cross, offering thy most precious body an eternal sacrifice for our sins: despise not that which thou hast redeemed. Thou which camest into the world to call sinners to repentance, and to save the lost sheep of Israel, have mercy upon me, and lead me by thy grace to the fold, amóng thy sheep, for they go in sweet pasture, and are not in danger of Wolves, for thou art their shepherd, and keepest good account of every one of them. Though I have gone astray, wandering from thy flock, and borne the marks of the world: yet good Lord disclaim not thy right, I beseech thee; but take me unto thee, that I may be safe under the shadow of thy wings. He may sleep soundly whom thou doest keep. Thou art the watchman of Israel. All honour and glory be unto thee for ever,  
Amen.   

Another godly Confession and meditation of the penitent.  
I Altogether unhappy and comfortless, have grievously offended my Lord God. What shall I do? Whether shall I go? I can not hide me from his sight. How oft have I trespassed against him? How oft have I deserved his displeasure? And yet how seldom hath he punished me? How oft hath he been good and merciful unto me? How oft have I promised and vowed amendment, and how little and seldom have I performed it? This is a woeful case. Who will have pity on me, I dare not lift up mine eyes towards heaven, because I have sinned against it: and in earth I can look for no refuge, because I have been a slander and shame unto it. What then? Should I despair? No, God is merciful, and a good Saviour: he doth visit them that live in darkness, and is a cheerful light to them that sit in the shadow of death. He willeth us to forgive our brother, though he offend seventy tunes, yea infinitely. And God is more merciful than any man can be, and he must be the only refuge and comfort: he will not despise his creature, the image of himself.  
Return thee therefore O my soul unto thy Lord God, pray to him humbly on thy knees for grace, and continue to bewail thy sins past, because that he which loveth thee, provoketh thee daily with his gracious gifts and blessings to love him, and will not leave thee, until he have made perfect his work begun, and brought his mercy to full effect in thee. What natural cause beginneth his work, and leaveth it in the half way imperfect? The virtue of seed sown, doth not cease till the fruit be brought to perfection, yet that nature worketh not at once, but first prepareth the matter, and then disposeth and makes it fit to receive the shape, which is the perfection and end thereof. And as by natural order, and right course things do proceed and increase by little and little, from the less to the more, even so doth God first dispose us to his mercy, and then increasing his goodness daily, bestoweth on us in the end, the treasure of his grace and inheritance of everlasting joys. What bird forsaketh her young, till they be able to live of themselves, and yet no avail, for their pain cometh to them. Very love worketh in natural causes, to bring forth their affects to perfection. If it be so in creatures, what will the Creator do? which is love itself, and infinite goodness; he will withdraw thee from thy sins, make thee clean and pure, and finally bless thee with eternal life, which he hath prepared for thee. O Lord, I come to thee sad and mourning, I sit at thy feet, humbly waiting for thy mercy. Thou art my hope and helper, according to thy great mercies, have mercy upon me,  
Amen.   

A prayer to be purged from sin and uncleanness.  
TAke away from me, O Lord, the burden of my corruption, which by the continual exercise of my sin and wickedness, hath wounded my soul woefully, with the dangerous darts of transgression; so that I feel my putrefaction abounding, and my festered conscience overladen with uncleanness; so that I have no other mean nor remedy, but to prostrate myself before the throne of thy glorious majesty, beseeching thee entirely, of thy gracious goodness, to salve my sores with the comfortable oil of thy mercy.  
Thou only (O jesus) art the sweet Physician of my soul, sprinkle upon me hyssop, and I shall be made whiter than snow. If thou of thine exceeding bounty and favour good Lord, wilt vouchsafe to wash away the spots of my sin and wickedness, that heapeth thine indignation and fury against me, I shall then excel the gold that hath been purified in the furnace seven fold.  
Let it therefore good Lord and merciful father, seem pleasant unto thy divine majesty, to touch my corrupted and unclean heart, with the heavenly finger of thy grace, that I may bring forth the fruits of true repentance, which are more acceptable to thy glorious and divine presence, than the offering of calves, bullocks, sheep, goats, or any other burnt offerings, or sacrifice of peace. A contrite and sorrowful soul, is the thing that thou dost most delight in. An humble and a lowly spirit is the oblation that thou doest desire. A clean and pure heart, O Lord my God, I know thou doest love and favour.  
Wherefore I beseech thee, to purge me from my sin and iniquity, of thy great mercy. Let the bitter deploration of mine offences, and hearty contrition, through thy glorious merits and painful passion, O jesus, be the only mean and way to set me free from the powers of hell, death and damnation. And sith I am by thy goodness begotten and borne anew, strengthen me good Lord, that I never slide nor fall from thee, but that I may continually bear in my remembrance, the state whereunto I am called by thee. Through thine abundant love and kindness wipe away, good Lord, all my sins out of thy remembrance. Cleanse me in the blood of thy spotless Lamb jesus Christ, and I shall be made clean, pure and safe. Grant this most merciful God, for the honour and glory of thy name sake, through the bitter death of thy son jesus Christ my only mediator and advocate, to whom with thee and the holy Ghost, be given all laud, glory, power, and praise for ever and ever,  
Amen.   

Another prayer of the penitent for mercy.  
O Lord I am a sinner, my sins are heavy upon me, the burden of them is intolerable, refresh me with thy grace, wash away mine offences, and I shall be whiter than the snow. Let the cheerful beams of thy countenance shine upon me, and give light to the darkness of my life. We can look for nothing as deserved, but punishment due to our offences. Wherefore good Lord, not according to thy justice, but in the multitude of thy mercies, deal with thy servant. Remember not the sins of my forefathers: think not on the mild meanour of my youth passed: have pity on thy creature, which according to the likeness of thyself thou hast made and shaped of earth. How long wilt thou turn thy face away from me? Forsake me not, O my God, but renew in me thy holy spirit. Pluck away from me all that withdraweth me from thee. graff in my heart thy grace, that I may love thee, and fear thee, and so finally rejoice in thy goodness with the elected, and praise thee in thy wondrous works for ever. Grant this most mighty God, for our Saviour jesus Christ his sake, to whom with thee and the holy Ghost, be all honour and glory for ever and ever,  
Amen.   

Another prayer to be said of the sinful soul.  
MY sinful life increasing, and my sins still abounding, good Lord; to whom shall I flee, or to whom shall I resort for secure? From offending thee I can not cease, neither day nor night; and my sins are heavy upon me, pressing me down even to hell, such is the weight thereof.  
Moreover, when I prepare myself to amendment of life, and think steadfastly to serve and please thee, even soon after doth my corrupt and infected nature offend and displease thy divine Majesty: so that I am prone and ready to run headlong into all kind of wickedness and sin, such is my strength, such is my force, (or rather weakness) in performing those things, which thou requirest at my hands. So that good Lord, I am ready utterly to despair, and forsake thee, unless thou of thy great mercy and pity, send thine aid from above, and power into me thy most healthful grace, that I may make haste to flee unto thee with most bitter tears, a sorrowful heart, and bowing knees, lamenting my sinful life, and grievous offences committed against thee, trusting most assuredly and faithfully, in the merits of my Saviour jesus Christ, that by his most bitter death & bloodshedding, which is of far greater force, virtue and effect in preserving me, than all my sins and offences are in condemning and casting me away; for whose sake I most assuredly believe all my sins and offences are clearly forgiven, and shall never be laid to my charge, but that I shall enter with thee in the last day into thine everlasting kingdom, there to be with thee for evermore, to whom be all honour, praise and glory, for ever and ever,  
Amen.   

A prayer to God the father.  
Almighty God the father of our Lord jesus Christ, whom no desert, merit, or worthiness of ours; but thine own great clemency, mercy and pity caused to send down thine only begotten son into this world, to bear the burden of our sins, with the which we most miserable sinners were overladen, and that he should suffer most cruel torments, yea and also most bitter and shameful death, and sanctify the reproachful name of the cross, with the renting of his blessed body, and shedding his most precious blood thereon; thereby to make atonement between thee and us, thereby to pay the ransom for our souls, thereby to consummate and finish the perfection of our redemption, and salvation. Which thing it was thy good will that he should do, not only to assuage thy wrath & indignation, but also to bring us again into thy grace and favour; and that we being delivered out of the bondage of sin and hell, might serve thee in righteousness and holiness, all the days of our life, and by the free gift and benefit of his death and passion, be made partakers of his resurrection, and of thine endless and unspeakable glory.  
Wherefore my God, my maker, my Lord, my King, seeing thou hast so abundantly bestowed thy heavenly gifts upon me, and all mankind, and hast so plentifully powered out thy grace and favour on us, that for our sakes thou wouldst not spare thine own son: how shall we escape thine indignation, which for this care and kindness of thine, are most careless and unkind? And among all other, which way shall I poor creature turn me? How shall I, who have been most unthankful for thy benefits, and most unmindful of them, be so bold as to lift up my heart or hands unto the heavens, and to call upon thee? Thou of thy singular goodness didst so provide, that the wickedness of old Adam should be purged and washed away with the blood of jesus Christ; but I have wilfully fallen into sin again. Thou madest me the child of light, but I have made myself an inheritor of darkness. Thou madest me thine by creation, I have made myself the child of perdition.  
What shall I now therefore do? Shall I doubt of any further mercy and forgiveness? No no, sweet Lord, so great is thy mercy, which surmounteth all thy works; so large are thy promises; so sure is the performance of them to all such as take hold thereof; so dear in thy sight are the merits of thy son jesus; so acceptable unto thee is the hearty repentance of a sinner, that with the remembrance thereof, I am provoked to cry unto thee, saying: Father, I have sinned against heaven, and against thee, I am no more worthy to be called thy child. Nevertheless, behold thou me, not as I am, a grievous offender, but as thy creature. Have now no respect to mine offences, but behold my repentance: think not upon my wickedness, but upon the wounds of my Saviour jesus. Look not upon my false heart, which hath wavered from thy laws, but behold the bleeding heart of thy son jesus Christ, which was pierced to release me, and set me free. My sins I cast upon thy back, beseeching thee that his merits may bear them, and thy mercy pardon them.  
Hear me O Lord my God, hear me: for I know, the more earnestly that I seek for, and desire thine aid, the readier thou art to stretch forth thine hand to help me. Hear me therefore, O Lord; bow down and incline thine ear unto my prayer: inspire me so with thy holy spirit, that I may love thee above all things, and that I never fail to put my hope and trust of salvation in him, whom thou wouldst to be my redeemer and saviour.  
Make me, by the forsaking of all wickedness, so to rise from falling into sin, that I may obtain the true serving of thee with innocency, and pureness of life. Grant this O Lord, for jesus Christ's sake, to whom with thee and the holy Ghost be all honour and glory,  
Amen.   

A prayer unto God the son.  
O Most sweet saviour, O most merciful redeemer; O bountiful jesus, the son of God; who although thou art high, yet thou art most humble; although thou art omnipotent, thou art also most meek: and as thou art most mighty, so art thou most merciful. To thee, O Christ, the guide of all felicity, the father of heaven hath given all power, both in heaven and in earth.  
Thou art the true pastor of our souls, thou art our Messiah. Thou castest off none that sue unto thee, but as thou hast taken away the hand-writing that was against us, and hast fastened it to thy cross, so art thou ready to impart the merits of thy passion unto all such, as with true repentance of their sins call upon thee faithfully.  
Wherefore my sweet jesus, I most faithfully and unfeignedly acknowledge the benefits that thou hast bestowed upon me, and steadfastly believe, that thou being an immaculate lamb, in whose mouth was never found guile, didst suffer most cruel torments at the hands of sinners, for the love of us most wretched sinners. For the which cause, I most heartily beseech thee, and most humbly pray thee, to accept me into the number of them, whom thou wilt make coinheritours of thy bitter pains. And although I of myself, be most unworthy thereof, yet thy merits can make me worthy: to them do I fly, craving that I may be so armed and defended by them, that I may subdue the world, the flesh and the devil, even as thou hast gloriously conquered sin, death and hell.  
Thou seest, O my saviour, how I am daily and hourly beset with these three enemies, and so hardly besieged of them, that without thy help, I can by no means escape, but that I must needs be a pray unto one of them. Strengthen me therefore O Lord, that neither the one with carnal lusts, neither the other with delectable pleasures, nor Satan himself with all his crafty and subtle devices get the dominion over me.  
Thou hast bought me, thou hast paid for me; take thou me, save, keep and defend me, be always ready at the voice of my crying; power into me thy grace, patiently to abide thy divine will and pleasure in all things. Make me both at this present, and all the days of my life, to have in mind, and profoundly to root in my heart, the mysteries of thy painful passion, and so to be filled with the remembrance thereof, that sin may no more enter into me, and that Satan mine old enemy may well perceive, that he hath neither part nor fellowship in me, but that I am both body and soul altogether thine, to whom be all praises world without end,  
Amen.   

A prayer unto God the holy Ghost.  
O Holy Ghost, O blessed and holy spirit, comforter of them that be afflicted: thou proceeding from the Father and the Son, art the true instructor and teacher of the divine and heavenly verity. Wherefore, I with all humility pray thee to renew and make in me a clean heart, to graff a right spirit in me, to guide and govern me, that I may think nothing, speak nothing, do nothing, but that only which shall please thee.  
And whereas I have not ceased to offend my Lord God and maker, and most grievously to transgress against jesus my redeemer and saviour; I pray thee that I may have inward sorrow, repentance, and shame thereof; and that ever hereafter I may perform my duty, as I ought to do, and so bring forth the fruits of repentance, that the passion of jesus Christ may defend me from all sin and wickedness, and bring me to the joys of paradise: So be it.   

A godly prayer for the true worshipping of God, which may be used in the Church before common prayer.  
Establish our hearts and minds, O most gracious God, in the true worshipping of thy divine majesty; make us to believe thy holy and sacred Gospel, wherein we are daily and hourly instructed to love, fear, honour, and obey thee: to hate sin and iniquity, to renounce all superstitious ceremonies, whereby thy worship is defaced, thy glory profaned, and thine honour greatly diminished. Give us the grace to hate sin and iniquity, to renounce and forsake the vanities and wanton pleasures of this wicked and sinful world. Arm us, we beseech thee, to mortify and bring under the rebellious appetites and straying lusts of the flesh. And finally give us power from above, to withstand Satan the prince of darkness, and all his damnable ministers, who by divers temptations provoke and allure us from godly purity, and perfect integrity, which passeth only from Christ jesus unto us, who is the fullness of our perfection and holiness, to all kinds of evil, impiety and uncleanness; by means whereof thy worship is greatly profaned, and of a set purpose contemned.  
Make us constant to skirmish against the world, sin, death, and hell; and by the power of a fruitful faith, give us grace to resist and bridle the concupiscence of our flesh, in such sort, that our souls may triumph with victory, and continue constant in worshipping thee; from whom passeth the fullness of our joy. Prepare our hearts and minds (good Lord) now and ever to spread forth the glory of thy name. Keep our tongues from all filthy talk, and uncomely gesture, lest by the exercise of such sin, we contemn thy worship, and provoke thee to displeasure and indignation. Set thou a watch before the gates of my mouth, that my lips by thy grace may be always made open to sound forth thy praise and everlasting glory. Be merciful to our offences, think thou not on our unrighteousness; but upon thy clemency. Forgive them freely, and pardon graciously our sins, make us faithful in Christ jesus. Shorten the dangerous days of iniquity, increase the number of thy chosen and peculiar Saints. Hasten thy coming, O saviour Christ, that we with the fellowship of the Saints, heavenly Angels, and the blessed company of Martyrs, may celebrate thy praise, and worship thee in thy glorious kingdom, before the father our God, and the holy Ghost, to whom be praise for ever,  
Amen.   

Another prayer that we may live so uprightly in this life, that at the last we may dwell in the everlasting tabernacle.  
O Lord, seeing that the righteous shall dwell in thy tabernacle, grant me I beseech thee, a pure and undefiled soul. O what is the shape of the earth, wherein God's enemies have abiding; in comparison of the wonderful beauty of heaven, wherein righteousness doth dwell; in comparison of that place, wherein Angels, Archangels, all good men, yea and God himself is abiding! What are the pleasures of the world, wealth, honour, company of our parents and friends, wherein all our pleasure and sweetness is mixed with sourness and sorrow; wherein every perfection hath his imperfection▪ What is all this to the unspeakable joy in the kingdom of God? What is the company of friends here, in comparison to the company of Abraham, Isaac and jacob, the patriarchs and Prophets, and all the Saints of God?  
Oh the felicity of everlasting life, which is without all discommodities; perpetual, without all peril and molestation! Oh the glorious majesty, the singular mirth, and passing joys of the life to come! The eye hath not seen, nor the heart of man is able to conceive in any part, the happy estate of the blessed souls in heaven. Oh how amiable are thy tabernacles! My soul hath a desire to enter into the courts of the Lord. My heart and my soul rejoice in the living God; blessed be they that dwell in thy house, they may be always praising thee. One day in thy courts, is better than a thousand elsewhere. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of ungodliness. The Lord God is a light and defence. My soul is athirst for God, even for the living God. When shall I come before the presence of my God? My flesh longeth after thee in a barren and dry land, where no water is. Good Lord remember me, and grant that I may wear the white garments of innocency with thine elected, in thine everlasting kingdom,  
Amen.   

A prayer against the fellowship of the ungodly.  
PRotect and defend me, O heavenly Father, and most merciful God, from the fellowship of the ungodly men, which daily imagine mischief in their hearts to harm the innocent. Keep me from the counsels of the foolish and ungodly, which speak proud things against the glory of thy blessed name. Defend me from faithless and deceitful ones, whose guilty stomachs are gorged with grudge, envy, malice, hatred, disdain, and all uncharitableness. For their throats are like unto an open sepulchre, or swallowing grave: their tongues are given to slander and backbite their neighbours: the poison of Adders lieth hidden under their lips; and in fine, they as thine enemies blaspheme thy holy and blessed name, and contemn thy testimonies.  
O Lord give me thy grace, to be conversant with good and godly men; such as favour thy glorious Gospel, and do their endeavour to practise thy precepts, to the glory of thy holy and blessed name. Make me, by their example, to exercise myself in the heavenly verity; that thereby I may be instructed in the lively knowledge of thy commandments, and obtain such wisdom from above, that by faith I may cleave to thee, and the fellowship of those that fear thy holy name; and so avoid the company of the wicked and ungodly worldlings, which have laid snares to entrap me. Grant this, O most merciful Father, for thy son jesus Christ's sake, who ever liveth and reigneth with thee, and the holy Ghost, to whom be all laud, glory, power and praise, for ever and ever,  
Amen.   

A prayer to be said before or after the Sermon.  
MOst mighty GOD, which by thy word hast made all things, whose voice the floods and hills do know, whose hest both quick and dead, heaven and hell obey, at whose displeasure the devils in hell do tremble: let thy word so lighten our hearts, that by our good works we may testify our profession, seeing that the tree which beareth not fruit shall be cut down, & thrown into the fire. Grant that I may not only be a hearer, but also a doer of thy holy word, that so finally I may be partaker of thine everlasting joy and bliss.  
O Lord grant me wisdom to know thee, and grace to follow thee in true humility: that as thou didst suffer to be spitted at, and smitten of thine enemies; so we may bear the displeasures of the world, and rage of our enemies with patience. Thou hast blessed the little ones, and revealed unto them the things hidden from the wise. For thou wilt have mercy where it pleaseth thee. O set thy fear always before mine eyes, make me to understand wisdom secretly; and graff thy faith so in my heart, that I may both know thee, and love thee, and glorify thy holy name for ever:  
Amen.   

A prayer for faith.  
O Blessed Saviour jesus, son of the everliving God, the unspeakable joy of thy servants, most present comfort to sinners, which camest into the world to save offenders, which so lovedst the world, that thou sparedst not thy most precious blood to redeem the loss of our first father Adam, and to make us coheirs of the forfeited inheritance with thyself; that all which believe in thee might be saved. Good Lord, which hast promised to them that knock, it shall be opened; and that they which seek shall find: grant I beseech thee, that I may search thy holy laws, and find the truth of thy holy word; that I may always constantly confess and show thee and thy goodness, as well in my words as living. Inspire me with thy holy spirit, that I may know thee steadfastly, trust in thee, and serve thee in prayers and well-dooing, all the time of my life. O most merciful Lord and Saviour of the world, for the glory of thy name sake, I beseech thee to hear my prayers. My soul rejoice in God my saving health, for he hath been good to thee, he hath kept thee from the snare of the hunter, and blessed thee. The Lord is a merciful God, let all the earth fear him: let the mouths of all men sound praises unto him. God is a good Lord, and daily increaseth his good gifts to his servants; the Lord will increase my faith in him, and I shall be saved: So be it.   

A prayer to be said before the receiving of the Lords Supper.  
OMnipotent GOD and father everlasting, whose mercy is infinite, and whose kingdom hath none end; vouchsafe I beseech thee, of thine exceeding goodness, to increase our faith, that as thy guests repair to the table of thy son jesus Christ, who hath left unto us, before he gave his body to be crucified, and his blood to be shed largely on the cross for our redemption, as a pledge of his great love and abundant kindness, the celebration of his glorious supper, wherein as it were in a looking glass, the death of our great master, the high shepherd of our souls jesus Christ, is most lively set forth unto us. Give us grace therefore from above, rightly to understand the divine mysteries offered unto us thereby, and not to wrest or wring the same contrary to thy will.  
Let it be far from our thoughts, good Lord, to leave thine eternal verity; and to build on the doctrine of men, who following their own imaginations, run headlong to the gaping gulf of danger and destruction. Pluck the scales of ignorance from our eyes, that we may clearly discern and behold, by the light of thy glorious Gospel, how we may truly communicate and participate the fruits of thy grace, represented unto us in this comfortable Sacrament. Endue us plentifully with such pure knowledge, that we may not once think or say after any gross form, or carnal manner, we feed upon, or eat thy flesh really, or carnally; but make us always constantly to believe, that thy glorious body is ascended up into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of thy Father, concerning thy humanity; and cannot be thence removed, till the time that thou shalt come with legions of Angels, to judge the quick and the dead, before whose presence shall run a consuming fire.  
And moreover, we do most humbly beseech thee so to confirm us in the truth of thy blessed testament, that we may confess thy divine nature to be equal with the Father and the holy Ghost; and to believe that thy power is not a power particular, but a power general; and such as doth and shall govern in heaven and earth, in the deep and low waters: yea and in the nethermost parts of hell. Strengthen us therefore good Lord, that stand; lest that in falling from the true knowledge of thee, we perish everlastingly.  
And sith thou hast called us by thy word, as thy guests to this blessed banquet, wherein the mouths of our carnal bodies are fostered & fed with bread and wine: so Lord confirm our faith in thee, that the mouths of our souls may feed spiritually upon thy sweetest flesh, and drink thy dearest blood, and so be nourished to everlasting life, and heavenly blessedness. Which reward as a dowry due, thou hast promised to all those that faithfully build upon thee, which art the rock and strong pillar of our salvation.  
And as these most holy mysteries must set forth unto us most lively thy death and passion; so make us thankful to thee for the same: and thereby give us grace, to print in our hearts thy great love and exceeding clemency, that sparedst not to give thy body to the most vile, shameful and slanderous death of the Cross; and thy blood to be shed for our offences.  
Endue us with love and charity to all men; make us ready to forgive, to love, and pardon our enemies, persecutors and slanderers. Turn our hearts & minds from all impiety, covetousness, blasphemy, pride, gluttony, fornication, and all other detestable evils. And if at any time we have defeated the fatherless of his right, the widow of her dowry, or gathered together our goods wrongfully, by violence, oppression, fraud, collusion, or deceit: give us grace to make restitution, and to ask with sorrowful plaints and floods of tears, from the bottom of our hearts, pardon and free forgiveness of thee, for such and all other our offences whatsoever we have done, or committed in thought, word, will and deed, against thy divine Majesty, or any other our brethren and sisters.  
Take away from us all bitterness, cursed speaking and backbiting. Give us grace to come worthily, by the virtue of a true and fruitful faith, to this holy and blessed supper, that our souls feeding faithfully on thy sweetest flesh, and drinking thy dearest blood, we may both in body and soul be nourished by thee to everlasting and endless glory in heaven, where with thee and the fellowship of thy chosen Saints, we shall enjoy the fruition of the everlasting kingdom, which thou hast ordained for all those that ovelie and alone, without wavering do build upon thee.  
Sanctify and make clean our hearts and minds, by the power of thy holy Ghost, the very comforter of thy chosen. Purge thou our cankered consciences, infected with sin, by the working of thy good grace, lest that by the presuming to this thy table, O Lord, we incur thy displeasure; and being unrepentant for our offences, we be found unmeet guests to come to thy holy banquet, and so we eat and drink to the utter confusion of our souls and bodies. Give us grace therefore good Lord, to convert us wholly unto thee, and we shall be turned from all our sin and iniquity. Give us grace to rest only upon thee, and we shall be made safe. Give us thine aid from above, we beseech thee, by faith to strive with the man of sin, and so to vanquish him, that he may die to us, and we may live to thee, which art the giver of life. Grant this, O most gracious God, for jesus Christ his sake, to whom with thee and the holy Ghost be given all praise, honour and glory, for ever and ever:  
Amen.   

A prayer or thanksgiving to be said after the receiving of the Communion.  
WE give thee most hearty thanks, O heavenly Father, that hast at this present fed us, and refreshed our hungry souls with the flesh and blood of our Saviour Christ; not carnally, but spiritually. Give us grace therefore continually, by the means of an increasing and fruitful faith, to believe that thy flesh is meat indeed, and thy blood is drink indeed: and that unneths we eat thy flesh, and drink thy blood, we can not enter into thy kingdom, nor be saved in the day of thy coming. Give us grace therefore, being unprofitable servants, and unworthily called, by the reason of the multitude of our sins, to banquet at thy table, whereas the celebration of thy supper hath been used, and thy death by the visible elements of bread and wine represented unto us, to offer up unto thee continually the fruits of true, repentant, and sorrowful hearts, that thy name may be glorified, we by thy grace comforted, thy displeasure turned to love, thy wrath to compassion, our sins pardoned and forgotten, and our names written in the book of life.  
And as it hath pleased thee at this present to account us for thy guests, and not only to feed us with visible creatures, namely bread and wine: but also in soul, which is thine own similitude, to cherish us with thy flesh and blood, whereon by the virtue of a lively faith we have to our great comforts most plentifully fed: so now, O Lord, we beseech thee of thine abundant goodness, to increase our faith, that it may wax strong in thee, and fruitful to exercise the works of charity and love to all men; that thereby as we have now been at the celebration of thy glorious and blessed supper, so we may, whensoever it shall please thee to call us to thine heavenly banquet, be found furnished: not empty, not naked, but armed and covered with fruitful faith and truth, and so, as thy guests or vessels of honour enjoy the participation of thy heavenly and rich palace, whereas joys never vade, but continually endure. Take from us the burden of our corruption; set us free from the cursed clog of sin; deliver us from the snares of death and destruction. Give us willing minds to obey and hear thy commandments, cleanse thou our hearts from all iniquity, and give us grace henceforth to walk in newness of life, and godly conversation, that thy name may be glorified, and we saved in the day of thy coming to judgement. Grant this for Jesus Christ his sake our mediator and advocate:  
Amen.   

A godly prayer to be said of every Christian, especially at burials.  
GOod Lord, which with thy hands dost stay the frame & engine of the earth, and rulest the course of the swift heavens, disposing and ordering all things by thy divine providence, which hast appointed bounds to our life, which we can not pass: I beseech thee that by my living, I learning to die, mortifying by thy spirit the affections of the flesh, though not expelling them, yet subduing the rage of them, it may at the last, by the haven of death, land in the most glorious city of everlasting life; where our bodies which are now dark, miserable and corruptible, shall be most bright, glorious and incorruptible, like to the immortal and shining body of our Lord jesus Christ. We shall be like to Christ our Saviour; even as he is, so shall we be. And as we have borne the image of the earthly, so shall we bear the image of the heavenly, and shine like to the sun, as the face of Christ did in his transfiguration.  
Oh Lord jesus, blessed Saviour, which by thy death hast triumphed over sin and death; thou hast trodden on the sting of the monster, our hideous enemy; the gates of hell have not prevailed against thee: grant to me a true and lively faith, by which men pass from earth to heaven, from death to eternal life. This can we not do without thee, thou must be our mediator. For a child of a night's birth is not pure in thy sight. In sin were we borne, and by nature we are the children of perdition, and firebrands of hell: but thou, O blessed Saviour, art the perfection of the law to them that believe. As death came by sins; so by thy death and precious bloodshedding is death conquered and exiled; and we that believe washed and cleansed of our sins. All the Prophets bear witness, that they which believe in thy name shall receive remission of their sins. If we confess our sins, thou art righteous to forgive us our iniquities. Whosoever calleth on thy name shall be saved. Thou hast no pleasure in the death of a sinner, but rather desirest that they should live, and be converted. Thou hast so loved the world, that thou not only didst become man, and took our nature upon thee, but wert content also to suffer most cruel death on the Cross, to purge our nature from mortal sin and corruption, and adorn it with immortality and eternal glory; not only in thine own person, but in us also, to satisfy the justice of the Father for our sins.  
Oh blessed shepherd, thou doubtedst not to spend thy most precious blood to save thy beloved sheep from ravin and spoil. Good Lord, so increase thy grace in me, that thy holy word may take root, and flourish in me, that the good seed may not be choked with thorns. So order my living, that when by course of nature I shall be dissolved from the prison of my body, I may come to thee, that when thou more bright than the sun shalt come in the midst of the legions of Angels, in thy shining glory and Majesty to judge the quick & the dead, I may be in the number of the blessed ones, whom thou shalt call to possess the kingdom prepared for them, by thy Father, saying: Come ye blessed children of my Father, receive the kingdom prepared for you before the beginning of the world. Thou which didst die and rise again, wilt raise and bring to life all those that are dead believing in thy faith: So be it.   

A prayer to live well.  
GOod Lord so rule the eyes of my heart, that they being kept simple and pure, my body may be a clear and shining temple of thy holy spirit. So kindle in us the love of thy glorious son, that we following his steps, may do that which is good, and decline from the evil; so that our light shining before men, we may glorify thee by our good works, with thy blessed son our Saviour, and the holy Ghost: to whose infinite Majesty, in trinity and unity be all honour and glory for ever,  
Amen.   

A prayer for humility.  
O Lord I am a sinner, and sorry for mine offences: I can not make satisfaction for my defaults. If I have any good thing, it cometh of thee. The most acceptable sacrifice to thee is a contrite and humble heart. O God let me not be oppressed with the waves of sin, let me not sink into the whirlpool and gulf of despair. Thou which liftest up the fallen, and raisest the humble and meek, clothing them with purple, and settest them up with princes in the seats of honour; thou which despisest the imaginations of the proud, and resistest their enterprises; bless me in all my doings, send me happy success in all mine affairs, that I may rejoice in thy goodness, with thine elected for ever and ever. Accept my humble suit, good Lord, I beseech thee, for the glory of thy name sake,  
Amen.   

A prayer for the obtaining of God's grace.  
O Almighty and merciful God, shine we beseech thee, through the power of our Lord jesus Christ, and the comfortable working of thy sacred spirit, the heavenly comforter, upon our minds and hearts, with the glorious beams of thy heavenly grace. Give us such plenty of wisdom and understanding from above, that through the knowledge of thee, the man of sin, that is, our frail and feeble flesh, with the wicked lusts and desire of concupiscence may lie dead and buried in us. Give us, good Lord, the feeling of thy grace, that by the virtue and divine operation of thy word, the eyes of our souls may be illumined, and made so light, that the Prince of darkness, with all his unrighteous ministers, may be expulsed and banished from our memories. So establish us in thy truth, that our hearts, minds, and thoughts, may continually be occupied in thy testimonies: that thereby thou good Lord effectually shining in our hearts, by the virtue of thy good spirit, we may learn to know and understand, what is the fullness of our calling, and how rich thou art in the glory of thy celestial and heavenly heritage of thy Saints, and that excellent greatness of thy power and loving kindness towards us, which believe without feigning thy holy Gospel, according to the might and force of thy strength, which thou showedst in Christ jesus, when thou didst raise him from the dead, and didst set him on thy right hand, far above all empire, power, authority and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but in the world to come. By whose precious death, and dearest bloodshedding, we are assured, that sin, death and hell are vanquished, overcome, and utterly destroyed. And if we believe without wavering, we shall in him be able to resist all the power of hell, and in Christ as conquerors, to triumph with victory over sin, death, and Satan, and at the last to have and enjoy the fruition of his rich and glorious kingdom, which he by most painful agony, bloody stripes, grievous and bloody wounds, and lastly by his most painful death, purchased for his chosen and elect. To whom for our sanctification, justification, redemption, and our salvation be rendered, with his celestial Father, and the holy Ghost, all laud, glory, power, honour and dominion for ever and ever,  
Amen.   

A prayer against presumptuous pride and vainglory.  
WE hear, O heavenly Father, and are daily taught and instructed out of thine eternal word, how greatly the grievous sin of presumption, pride, and vainglory displeaseth thy divine majesty. We are learned, that for the practice of this pestilent and heinous evil, thou hast not spared the very Angels, but hast thrown them in thy displeasure, for their pride, vainglory, and presumption, from beatitude, to misery: from joy without end, to perdurable pain: from brightness of thy glorious presence, to utter extreme and palpable darkness: from the glorious fruition, and participation of thine everlasting kingdom, to the bottomless pit of hell, death, damnation, and endless flames of fire. Besides this, we are taught that by the transgression of Adam, whose haughty presuming, through the enticement of the subtle and perilous allurement of the Serpent, thought to be as thyself; but in fine, thy justice condemned him, and all his posterity.  
This pestiferous sin of pride drowned him in the floods of all dangerous evils, as gluttony, luxury, and such other perils; that had not thy mercy taken effect, to keep and hold plea for his and our safeguard; and thy son Christ embased the glory and power of his divine essence, and taken upon him our flesh and frail nature, sin only except, who freely offered his innocent body to the death of the cross, we had perished everlastingly, and been utterly confounded. Print therefore good Lord, and write these examples in my memory, that I fall not from thy favour, by the exercise of this detestable sin. Make me still to consider, that the proud and disdainful are always abhorred in thy sight. And sith it is thy good will, and gracious pleasure, to regard the humble and lowly man, give me such meekness from above, that I may continually present thee with the sacrifice of a gentle, meek, and contrite spirit: that I may avoid the plagues and punishments which thou hast prepared for the proud and haughty minded. Grant this good Lord, for jesus Christ his sake, mine only mediator & advocate, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the holy Ghost, in glory permanent & everlasting,  
Amen.   

A prayer against covetousness, or too much care of the world.  
GOod Lord, seeing that it is thy pleasure, that we shall not be careful for worldly things: if a sparrow falleth not on the ground without thy foresight, how much more care dost thou take for us thy children? Good Lord, thou feedest the birds of the air, and cloathest the lilies of the field, which take no care. Wherefore good Lord, so provide for our necessity and sickness, we beseech thee, that we casting all our care upon thee, may chiefly study to please thee, and serve thee, which livest and reignest king of all kings for ever,  
Amen.   

A prayer against lying and evil imaginations.  
O Lord cleanse my heart, I beseech thee, from all unpure & wicked cogitations and thoughts; and give me a clear conscience, shamefast eyes, innocent hands, and a tongue to tell the truth; seeing that there is nothing hid, that shall not be discovered. Good Lord I beseech thee to search my thoughts, and renew in me thy holy spirit. Direct my feet in thy ways, that walking after thee, in the path of the righteous, I may pass through this vale of misery, bearing thy banner stoutly in my warfare, and obtain everlasting joy; the promised hire to such as here have patiently borne thy cross, and valiantly fought with the armour of faith, against temptations and all evils. Vouchsafe, O Lord, to grant my petitions, I most humbly beseech thee, for thy only begotten son, our Saviour jesus Christ his sake,  
Amen.   

A necessary prayer in Meeter against vices.  

O Lord my God, make thou my heart repentant for to be,  
The spirit of contrition, do thou engraff in me.  
Unto mine eyes let there be given abundant tears of weeping,  
And let my hands be occupied with often alms giving.  
O thou my King quench out of me all foul fleshly desire,  
And with the love of thee alone set thou my heart on fire.  
O my redeemer drive away the spirit of pride from me,  
And grant to me that great treasure of meek humility.  
Take from me O my Saviour, the furious rage of ire,  
The shield of patience give to me, the which I do desire.  
O Creator root out of me all spitefulness of mind,  
And grant in stead thereof again meekness that I may find.  
O bountiful father give me a faith that shall endure,  
With hope agreeing thereunto, and charity most sure.  
O thou my guide keep from my lips all lying vanity,  
And from my mind drive far away all vain unconstancy.  
All wavering take thou from my heart, & from my mouth scoffing,  
With all proud looks and gluttony, backbiting & slandering.  
Covetousness wipe clean away, with curiosity,  
The fond desire of vainglory, with all hypocrisy.  
Let me never the poor despise, nor yet the weak oppress,  
And let me not blaspheme, for than I die remediless.  
O thou which didst me form & make, take all rashness from me,  
And leave me not such a mind as, will not with peace agree.  
Take from me idleness and sloth, and heavy lumpishness,  
Take from me disobedience, and eke all stubborness.  
O my God, for thy dear sons sake, I humbly beseech thee,  
To grant me the works of mercy, with abundance of pity,  
That I may thee both love and fear, and eke pity the poor,  
Make me good men always to love, and wicked to abhor.  
Make me so little to esteem those things that worldly be,  
With heart & voice that I may crave in heaven to be with thee:   
Amen.   

A thanksgiving for benefits received at God's hand.  
O Most merciful Father, I yield thee most humble thanks, for thy great benefits bestowed upon me a sinner, of thy free mercy only. Thou hast of thy fatherly love brought me up tenderly, and instructed me in thy holy law. Thou hast given me knowledge and understanding. Thou hast preserved me from many dangers and evils, which divers men have felt. Thou hast blessed me with health, quietness, joy, plenty and wealth, which a number do want. Thou hast taken care of me, and done all things for me. Lord, though I can deserve nothing but punishment by thy just displeasure, yet good Lord, I trust to thy goodness, craving mercy, and not justice. And for thy mercy sake, I beseech thee to continue thy grace, and to increase thy good gifts towards me, and have me in thy protection till my lives end. Good Lord bless me, that I may enjoy the fruits of the earth, and use them to thy honour and glory. Good Lord be thou mine aid and guide in all my doings: my buckler and defence in all dangers, that I may freely and joyfully sing praises to thee, which livest and reignest one God almighty and incomprehensible, worlds without end,  
Amen.   

Another thanksgiving for the goodness of God to us.  
O Almighty God, and ever-ruling King, whose infinite power and majesty our wits can not comprehend; whose glorious brightness with our mortal eyes, we can not behold; whose wondrous works and manifold mercies the tongues of men can not sufficiently declare. Good Lord I yield thee most humble thanks, for thy singular great gifts and benefits bestowed upon me a sinner. Good Lord thou hast blessed me with knowledge, with increase and plenty of all things; thou hast given me friends, health, and rest, that I should eat my meat with joy, and praise thee in all thy gifts and works. I know that I have no good thing, but it cometh from thee, and oulie for thy mercy's sake, thou hast so regarded me thy servant. Wherefore good Lord, I beseech thee to grant me thy grace withal, that I may use these thy gifts to thy honour and glory, and the comfort of them that need; that using the talon which thou hast lent me, I may become a good servant, and obtain eternal bliss, the promised hire to such as do well. Vouchsafe good Lord, for thy son our Saviour jesus Christ his sake, to hear my prayers.  
Almighty God, refresh me with thy grace, I beseech thee; comfort me with thy mercy, and bless me; that safe from all evils, free from fear of all dangers, in peace and quietness, I may sing praises to thy holy name, and rejoice in thee with thine elected for ever and ever,  
Amen.   

A prayer to be said in time of quietness and prosperity.  
Give us good Lord, the comfortable & healthful spirit of thy grace and abundant favour, that we may without ceasing make our continual boast of thy praise. We know, and from the bottom of our hearts confess, that thou hast dealt more lovingly with us, than thou hast done with our next neighbours, whose painful miseries, and bloody broils may be a sufficient warning unto us, to hate our sin and iniquity, lest the like calamity or ever we be aware, do compass and hedge us round about. Give us grace therefore in time of peace and happy prosperity, so to walk, that thy fatherly blessings be not withdrawn nor taken from us, and the rod of thy sharp correction laid upon our necks, even in such sort as thou hast visited our brethren in other countries, whose bodies, by the means of civil dissension, have been made a pray to the sword.  
We hear and understand, that not far off, but even hard at the gates of our borders, the father is ready in arms to seek the destruction of his son: the son is as greedy to gape for the blood of his father. We hear how violently the brother thirsteth after the blood of his brother, friend is against friend, neighbour against neighbour, young men are murdered, old men are suddenly slain, many a wife is husbandless, many a child is desolate and fatherless. The cruel hearted enemy spareth none, he maketh havoc, no tears can stay him from his affectioned tyranny. The tender infants are haled from the earnful paps of their weeping mothers, and torn to piece-meal before the sorrowful eyes of their careful parents. Old age is contemned, godly matrons are abused, virgins are deflowered and ravished by violence; a spectacle of extreme cruelty for us to behold, and a glass of great carefulness for us to look upon, that have worthily deserved like or far greater punishments.  
Yet withholdest thou from us thy scourge, although our offences are so great and divers, that might heap up the sentence of thine exceeding justice against us. In place of war and bloody battle, thou hast given unto us prosperity, and perfect peace. In place of penury, dearth and scarcity, thou hast given us increase, fullness, and great plenty. In stead of discord and dissension, thou hast sent us unity and concord: and by thy celestial providence we are defended from the cruel enemy, and from the domestical and civil war. And besides these thy gracious gifts, to heap up our consolation and joy, thou hast given us thy true and lively word, as a lantern to direct us, and guide our footsteps from vanity to virtue; from wickedness to godly wisdom; from licentious liberty to newness of life, and godly conversation. Besides all these thine inestimable graces, freely bestowed upon us, thou hast given us godly and zealous Preachers, which plenteously break unto us, out of thine eternal testament, the bread of life; whereon good Lord give our souls such power to feed by faith, that they may be nourished to eternal joy; and we by the diligent observing and obeying of thy commandments, may be preserved from all kind of dissension; and peaceably enjoy the fruits of pure peace & trusty tranquillity. Grant this, O merciful Father, for thy son Christ's sake, our only Saviour and Redeemer Christ jesus,  
Amen.   

A godly and fruitful prayer to be said in time of bloody battle.  
O Lord our heavenly Father, and everliving God, we thy wretched and most miserable creatures confess and acknowledge, we have worthily deserved the rod of thy correction and punishment: and do merit many sharp and bitter stripes, that knowing thy blessed and glorious will, have of set purpose contemned thy divine and heavenly precepts; for which cause the sentence of thy wrath is sharply kindled against us, even as it hath been against thy chosen people Israel, in the days of our forefathers, who glorying in their wickedness, were plagued in the fullness of thine indignation. The sword of their enemies beset them round about, and hemmed them in on every side. The jebusites, the Ammonites, the Philistines and the Amorites oppressed them diversely: their strong holds were razed, their cities were besieged, their houses were ransacked, their goods and their riches were carried away by force of the blood-thirsty enemy: their young men were led away captive, their virgins were woefully deflowered. But in fine, when thou Lord God didst behold their hearty and earnest contrition, thou didst withdraw thy frowning countenance, & sentest them speedy and safe deliverance.  
One while thou Lord sentest them Moses, to bring them out of the servitude of Pharaoh, the stony and stubborne-harted king of the Egyptians: another while jephthah set them free from the sword of the Ammonites, wherewith they were grievously afflicted: and to make thy power and excellent glory fully known, thou gavest Samson much fortitude to bridle the proud Philistines. Over & beside these, thou of thy love and miraculous goodness hast made feeble women mighty and victorious conquerors. Deborah was a shield to thy people: judith comforted the distressed Bethulians, & cut off the head of proud Holophernes: that thyself good Lord, when thou beholdedst their tears, and hearty sorrow for their offences, didst prepare thyself to go forth with their hosts. Thou thyself, I say, with the breath of thy nostrils, didst confound and overthrow their enemies.  
So good Lord, be thou now present with us in the fullness of thy divine power: look upon us with the eyes of thy favourable pity. Forget our corrupt and most filthy offences: let our contrite and sorrowful hearts be a mean to vanquish thy displeasure conceived against us: be thou present with us in this time of necessity and trouble: set thy hand to help and assist us against the enemy: be thou present with us in this time of peril and danger: go thou forth with our hosts: then shall we be assured to prevail: let not the multitude of furious foes dismay us. For victory we do know consisteth not in the power nor strength of many men, horses, armour nor weapons; but it is thou, O merciful Father, that givest the conquest, where and to whom thou pleasest. To thee therefore in this great extremity we fly and appeal; beseeching thee of thine inestimable love and kindness, for the love of our Saviour jesus Christ, to look upon our true repentant hearts, and in the fullness of thy miserations and pities, to set us free from the power of the raging enemy, and to pardon our sins and grievous offences, that henceforth we may vow and dedicate our hearts and minds wholly to walk in integrity and newness of life: which grant good Lord, to whom with thy son Christ jesus, and the holy Ghost, be praise and glory attributed for ever and ever, world without end,  
Amen.   

A godly prayer to be said in time of any common plague, private affliction or trouble.  
eternal and everliving God, the Father of all consolation & comfort, vouchsafe of thine infinite love and kindness to strengthen me with thy heavenly grace, patiently to bear and with meekness to suffer this cross of affliction and trouble, which thou hast laid upon me for the use of sin and iniquity. I know, O gracious and loving Father, that my deserts are such as worthily have provoked thee to displeasure. The burden of my sins are intolerable, for the which I must acknowledge, and earnestly from the bottom of my heart confess, that justly thou hast corrected and visited me; yet not in the fullness of thy fury, but according to thy fatherly love and kindness. And albeit thy rod lie heavy upon my shoulders; yet in this time of thy correction I am comforted greatly, knowing assuredly that thou correctest and simitest where thou lovest: thou woundest, and healest again: thou throwest down to hell, and liftest up again to heaven: such and so great is thine omnipotency, that thou rulest above the firmament, in earth, floods, and the lowermost parts of hell.  
In heaven the Angels, Archangels, the souls of thy Saints, the blessed company of Martyrs give thee praise, glory and veneration. The sun, the moon, and glistering stars, each one of them in their course and quality show themselves obedient unto thy will. In earth the beasts of the field, and the seely feathered fowls of the air in their order seem to set forth thy glory and praise. In the deep waters the fishes of the sea are ready to observe thy will, and in their manner they as thy creatures give thee due honour and reverence. But among these, man, whom thou by thy divine will and pleasure hast endued with reason, and in his creation, concerning the inward man, hadst fashioned him to thy similitude and likeness, is now most prone and willing to be (by the ministers of darkness) seduced and carried away from virtue to vice; from godliness to all impiety; from obedience to wilful breach and contempt of thy precepts: so that diligence is banished by negligence. And such is the power of our flesh, that our eyes, which should have their chiefest contemplation and delight in perusing and reading thy glorious and sacred Gospel (wherein we may behold thee crucified and slain, O sweetest Saviour Christ jesus, perfect God and perfect man, by whose innocent death & bloody passion, atonement is made betwixt thy Father and us) are so dazzled with the dim and dark mists of Satan, that they are occupied in the beholding of mundane and transitory pleasures; all which in effect vanish and wear away, even as the flower that either is parched by the force of Phoebus' radiant beams, or by Winter's storms and hoary frosts consumed.  
Our ears, which thou hast given to us to hear, and understand the sacred and divine mysteries contained in thy holy law, are made deaf of purpose; so that they glory more in fables and loathsome leasings, than they conceive delight in the zealous predication of thine evangelical and heavenly doctrine. Our hearts are hardened like the Adamant; so that for the greatest part they can not brook thy testimonies: they continually lust and desire to be satisfied with worldly wealth, honour and dignity. And who beholdeth not in these days, what cruel conflict and bloody fight there is betwixt good conscience and filthy avarice, the root of all mischief and evil? Nay, who seethe not in this age, plain dealing murdered by deceit and faithless fraud? Who now beholdeth not true meaning strangled by forged flattery and loathsome leasings? The bowels of compassion and pity are shut up by violent oppression and tyranny.  
Our feet are willing to tread the paths of pride, fornication and uncleanness. Our hands are ready to offer wrong and injury to the innocent: yea and in fine, whatsoever thou hast given unto us to spread and set forth thy glory and honour, is by sin so corrupted, that we make the members of our bodies (which by grace and of pure love are engraffed in the body of Christ, the rich and great shepherd of our souls) the very members of Satan. So that of set purpose our transgression abounding, we fly from Christ the rock and strong pillar of our salvation; and run headlong to death and utter destruction of body and soul. Yet like a loving God and merciful Father, thou callest us home again by thy word, wherein not only thy mercies, but also thy terrible threats are thundered forth against us, for our impenitency. But when neither thy manifold mercies, freely of thine abundant goodness offered unto us in jesus Christ, can move nor stir us to handfast contrition; neither yet thy terrible comminations and threatenings can reclaim nor call us back from the dangerous puddle of our sins: then thou sendest forth thy plagues and punishments; as pestilence, famine & bloody sword, intending thereby to drive us to amendment of life, and to acknowledge thine omnipotency.  
But when thou beholdest our true repentant hearts, our sobs and sighing tears powered forth before the throne of thy divine Majesty; thou withdrawest from us the terror of thine indignation and vengeance; the rod of thy correction is laid aside; thy displeasure justly conceived against us for the continual exercise of sin, is utterly forgotten; and by the intercession of thy son jesus Christ, that sitteth on thy right hand, in glory permanent and everlasting, like a loving Father, and most merciful God; the silvered sceptre of peace is offered unto us, with all other thy gracious benefits; that thine anger is converted to clemency; thy displeasure is turned to loving kindness; and in fine, thine indignation is so calmed by thine abundant grace and mercy; that like a loving and gentle Father, thine arms are stretched forth, joyfully to embrace and receive us to thy favour again. All this I know to be most certain and true. For when, or at what tune soever we shall appear before the gates of mercy, and by the means and power of a constant and lively faith knock thereat; thou art ready to open unto us; not for any of our deserts; but for the merits of jesus Christ, the fullness of thy divine miseration, compassion and pity. And whensoever we shall call upon thee, with lowliness and meekness of our hearts and minds, bewailing woefully our heinous offences committed against thee; thine ears are most attentive to hear, & willingly dost grant us our petitions.  
Wherefore, O most gracious and loving father, we come unto thee with sorrowful and contrite hearts, beseeching thee for the love of thine anointed son jesus Christ our Messiah, Saviour, and Redeemer, to behold and look upon us with the eyes of compassion and pity. And albeit we have worthily deserved this thy plague and punishment, yet respect thou not our deservings, lest in thy fury and indignation we be confounded & perish. Have an eye rather to thy son jesus Christ, behold his bloody wounds, which yet are fresh and green, and never stint bleeding. Think upon the bitter and painful torments that he suffered for us upon the cross, in whose name we beseech thee favourably to look upon our infirmities, mercifully to hear our prayers and petitions offered unto thee, and graciously for the glory of thy name sake, to take and withdraw from us this thy heavy rod of correction, which our sinful lives, and contempt of thy precepts have heaped heavily on our necks.  
Give us patience to suffer whatsoever it shall please thee to lay upon us. Give us grace alway to call and cry upon thy holy and blessed name, and faithfully with tears to say unto thee continually: Spare us good Lord, spare thy people, whom thou hast redeemed with thy precious blood, neither yet good Lord be thou angry with us for ever. Grant this O merciful father, for the love of thy only son jesus Christ, to whom with thee and the holy Ghost, be all honour, glory and praise ascribed forever,  
Amen.   

A prayer for patience in trouble, and meekly to suffer adversity.  
Gracious Lord, and omnipotent God, whose mercy is everlasting and infinite, bow down thine ear, and hearken unto this my prayer, which I make before thy divine Majesty, most humbly beseeching thee, of thine accustomed goodness, to endue me with the works of mercy, and deeds of charity; and above all things to give me patience in adversity, meekly to suffer, and patiently to take, whatsoever it shall please thee to lay upon me, and never to murmur or to grudge thereat, but always to think thy loving and gentle correction to be much less, than the deserts of my great and manifold offences.  
Again, if I be not under correction, then am I not thy child. For what father is he, who correcteth not his children, whom he most entirely loveth? This then is an evident token that thou lovest us, when as thou correctest us. For as the scripture saith, Whom God loveth, him he chasteneth. Thou seest all things, thou understandest and knowest all things; so that not so much as one little sparrow lighteth upon the ground, without thy knowledge: yea our very thoughts are foreknown unto thee. Thou disposest and orderest all things, as seemeth best to thy holy will and pleasure. By thy help I may do all things; without thee I can do nothing. When thou pourest upon us thy creatures, thy good gifts and benefits: when thou bestowest upon us prosperity, health, wealth, and such like, thou doest it to this intent, that we acknowledging the same, should thereby be encouraged to serve, honour, and humbly obey thee, and always praise and magnify thy glorious name. Contrariwise, when thou strikest us with thy rod of correction, as plaguing us with great mortality; suffering our enemies to invade us; robbers for to spoil us; poverty to oppress us; or fire to consume those things which thou hast lent us, for the maintenance of our bodies in this mortal life: thou dost it to put us in mind, that we have transgressed thy commandments, that we have not hearkened unto thee, neither done that which is acceptable in thy sight, but willingly falling into the puddle of sin, and following our own appetites, have provoked thy just wrath and indignation against us.  
Thus thou dealest with us, O Lord, to the intent that we suffering bodily punishment, and feeling the smart of the same, may thereby be admonished of our duty, and with true compunction of heart, desire to be released from thy scourges, which we have deserved, and worthily receive: and then acknowledge ourselves to be lost children, and straying sheep, may both see and be ashamed of our unbridled affections and wilfulness, which have brought us to calamity and misery, and with the true penitent to say:  
We are not worthy (most merciful Father) to lift up our eyes or voice unto thee, for our manifold sins and wickedness. Nevertheless, presuming upon thine abundant mercy (who refusest none that do call upon thee) most lamentably we do cry, Have mercy upon us O Lord, have mercy upon us miserable sinners, being now grievously afflicted with the burden of punishment and affliction, which thou hast laid upon us. Put thou therefore away displeasure conceived against us thy poor creatures, and grant us, that being warned by this, we may ever hereafter serve thee in newness of life, and never commit any thing which shall displease or offend thee.  
This O heavenly father, I acknowledge to be our duty. But though I, for my part, have not performed the same, as I ought to do; yet I beseech thine inestimable goodness, not to execute the rigour of thy justice upon me: but to state thine hand, and before thou give me any greater wound, to behold my humility and repentance, which being not able to recompense and satisfy the trespasses, which I against thee have committed; do offer unto thee (according as the poor widow did) all that which I am able to give, that is, a sorrowful contrition of heart for my former offences done and passed.  
Thy justice, as it is right; so is it rigorous to sinners. Thou art so jealous, and so much dost detest sin, that thou sparest not to punish thy very elect and chosen servants, when as they fall into it. Who was more acceptable in thy sight, than that holy Prophet King David, of whom thou thyself didst say, I have found a man according to mine own heart, even David my servant: yet nevertheless, divers and sundry ways didst thou punish him, when that he had swerved from thy testimonies. Thou suffered'st him to be molested with the insurrection of his own son; thou didst send the prophet unto him, to offer him the choice of plagues which thou wouldst send upon him, for his wicked living: but when he with sorrowful sighs, and trickling tears turned unto thee, confessing his fault, craving pardon, and promising amendment of life, thou forgatest thine anger, and forgavest his offence.  
Other of thy chosen vessels thou hast permitted to be grievously tormented, & vexed by sundry troubles and adversities, only to try their faith and steadfastness towards thee. As thou didst suffer that patiented man job, to be most cruelly entreated by that enemy of all mankind, to have his houses burned and spoiled, his cattle taken away, his servants driven into bondage, his children to be slain, his own body to be afflicted with most loathsome diseases, plagues and sores. And all this thou didst not for any evil deed of his, but to show thine omnipotency and power. For when thou hadst tried him to the utmost, and found that his enemy the devil could not prevail against him, or by any pain and grief cause him to blaspheme and speak evil of thee, thou didst reduce him to health, thou didst enrich him again, thou didst restore unto him again his children, friends, family, and all his goods, with much more than ever he before possessed: showing most manifestly, that thou wilt reward them most plenteously, which do love thee, follow and observe thy commandments.  
Wherefore I beseech thee to give me grace, that whatsoever way it shall please thee to visit me with thy punishment, I may take it patiently, and say with patiented job; Naked came I into this world, and naked shall I return to the earth again: the Lord giveth, the Lord taketh away, even as it pleaseth the Lord, so be it. Suffer me not to despair, or to think that thou dealest unjustly with me, but to say; Shall I receive prosperity at the Lords hand, and not to be content with adversity? And alway to think upon this, Happy are they whom thou dost punish. For though thou make a wound, thou also givest a plaster: though thou smitest, thy hand maketh whole again. Mine iniquity is great, but be thou merciful unto my wickedness. O deliver me from thine anger, and press me not further than I shall be able to bear. But now that I acknowledge that whatsoever trouble thou hast sent me, or wilt lay upon me, is either for the punishment of mine iniquity, or for the trial of my constancy, I may with repentant David find remission of my sins, and with patiented job, release of mine adversity, and obtain such favour in thy sight, that thou never again so grievously punish me; but that I may so pass this life, that I may afterward live with thee, to whom be honour and glory for ever and ever,  
Amen.   

Another prayer in trouble and adversity.  
Have mercy upon me, O Lord, have mercy upon me most miserable creature, which do that which I ought not, & fear that which I have most justly deserved. If I weigh with myself the wickedness that I have done; the punishment thereby deserved is not half so great, as the sin that I have committed. But thou art a merciful God, and thy judgements are right, neither doest thou at any time punish us unjustly. Thou almighty God madest us, when as we were not; and when as we were lost and damned, thou didst miraculously restore us. I know and I am sure, that our life is not led by sudden and uncertain motions; but is disposed and directed by thee; thou hast a fatherly care of us all, but especially of such as do put their whole trust and confidence in thy mercy.  
Therefore I humbly pray and beseech thee, that thou wouldst not deal with me after my deservings; but according to thy great mercy, which doth exceed the sins of the whole world. And as often as thou doest punish me outwardly, give me grace inwardly with patience to bear the same, and that thy praise never departed out of my mouth. Order my doings, even as shall be most necessary both for my body and soul. Thou only hast power over all things, thou knowest all things, to thee be all honour for ever,  
Amen.   

Another prayer in trouble, for the obtaining of mercy.  
BEhold, out from the bottom of my heart do I cry unto thee, O Lord, beseeching thee that thou wouldst save me from the bottomless pit of hell. I know that there is mercy with thee; do not therefore mark what I have done amiss. Enter not into judgement with thy servant, for than can I by no means be justified in thy sight. The remembrance of mine offences is grievous unto me, and therefore I right humbly crave pardon thereof. My heart is troubled, my soul is vexed, there is no health in my flesh. Forsake me not mine only stay and comfort: despise not my contrite heart, open the bosom of thy mercy: take clean away mine iniquity, bring my soul out of tribulation, turn the extremity of thy justice, into thy tender mercy. And when thou shalt come to judge the quick and the dead, be not revenged on me by eternal damnation; but to take me amongst thine elect, into the blessed state of salvation. Grant this, O Father, for Christ his sake, our mediator and advocate,  
Amen.   

Another.  
O Lord my God, although I have committed that, whereby I am an offender, can I make myself not to be thy creature? Though through sin I have lost my cleanness and purity; have I also taken away thy goodness and mercy? Though I have committed that, wherefore thou mayest condemn me; hast thou not done that, whereby thou mayest save me? True it is, O Lord, that my conscience doth show me, that I have deserved damnation; but thy mercy exceedeth all offension. Spare me, O God, because it is not unpossible for thy power; it is not unmeet for thy mercy, it is not unaccustomed, or yet contrary to thine infinite goodness. Wherefore thou which hast created me, do not destroy me. Thou, O jesus, which hast redeemed me, do not condemn me. Thou which hast made me, let not thy work be cast away by my wickedness. Wipe away all that is mine, and draweth me from thee; and knowledge all that is thine in me, and may bring me unto thee, which livest and reignest one God in persons three, to whom be all honour, now and ever,  
Amen.   

Another prayer, wherein the penitent longeth for comfort.  
HOw long, O Lord, wilt thou turn away thy face from me? How long wilt thou be angry with thy servant? How long shall I abide mourning and solitary, as the bird that hath lost her young? O Lord think on me in thy mercies, and do not correct me in thy wrath: for than shall I become as the dust and smoke in the wind. O Lord forsake not thy servant Israel, whom thou hast chosen. My heart being comforted in thy mercies shall rejoice, and I will sing unto thee, and praise thee in thy good works and miracles, which thou hast done in our father's time: So be it.   

Being tempted by the ghostly enemy (as all that fear God are) to doubt in any article of the Catholic faith, to despair in God's mercy, to yield to melancholy fancies, to be vexed with unkindness of friends, or the malice of enemies, to be troubled with sickness, or any other ways oppressed with grief of body and mind: say devoutly as followeth.  
I Humbly accept most merciful jesus, this heavy temptation, which now I suffer at the hands of thy divine providence; and would a greater if thou please to lay it on me for thy sake, who hast ordained this from the beginning, for the tender love thou bearest to the health of my sinful soul: and I most heartily thank thee for it. I confess I have deserved worse for my sin and unkindness towards thee, and am not worthy to receive any comfort or consolation at thy hands. Therefore to the honour of the passion, and death, which thou willingly suffered'st on the cross, I offer myself to sustain this, or any other adversity, with all my heart, not seeking otherwise ease or relief, than in and by thee, O Lord, and as thy good will and pleasure shall appoint. Yet this one thing I crave and beseech thee, for the tender love thou bearest to me, and all mankind, (for in me is no virtue, or aught that good is) to help and assist me with thy holy spirit, as my trust is thou wilt, who promisest that no man shall be tempted more than he shall be able to bear. And give me all what ever shall be necessary, to sustain with patience this cross and temptation, which thy divine wisdom hath appointed for me; to the intent that I bearing the same willingly with thee here in this world, may conceive assured hope to be partaker of thy glory in the world to come. Grant this my request, most merciful Saviour, not for my merit or deserving, but only for the merits of thy death and bitter passion, I humbly beseech thee,  
Amen.   

A prayer against the fear of worldly casualties.  
O Most bountiful and loving Father, mine only guider and comforter, the well of mercy, the true light of the world, take away the darkness of my mind, lighten my heart & senses, endue me with thy grace, arm me so strongly with sure hope, confidence and trust in thee, that I never be driven into fear, either by the subtle invasions of our ghostly enemy Satan, or by the crafty wiliness of the world, neither yet by loss, damage, hurt or hindrance of any of those vain and transitory things, which we in this world do possess: but always whatsoever shall become of them, to think that they are but things lent, and not our own, and that we shall make a straight account of the use or abuse of them; whereby the more we possess thereof, the greater shall be our pain, if we abuse them.  
Wherefore take from me all inward heaviness, thought and care, for any loss or discommodity received by worldly goods; and always to think, that as well poverty as riches, neediness as abundance; sickness as health; adversity as prosperity; come from thee: and that it is known to thine inscrutable judgement only, why and wherefore thou sendest either of these upon us. And therefore let not my mind be troubled with any fear of things to chance, (saving only to fear to displease thee:) but always to be merry in thee with soberness, and to cast all my care of worldly affairs upon thee; forasmuch as thou hast commanded that we should not be careful what to eat, or what to drink, or with what raiment we shall be clothed. For thou wilt not see the righteous forsaken, or their children begging their bread; and that thou turnest all things to the best to them that serve thee, and fly unto thee for succour, in the time of their distress.  
Let this, O Lord, be evermore fresh in my memory, graven in my heart; and ready in my mouth: so that I leaving all needless fear, may always give thanks unto thee, and praise thy holy name,  
Amen.   

A prayer to be delivered from enemies and dangers.  
O Most mighty Lord God of Abraham, Isaac and jacob, which didst lead the children of Israel through the red sea, and madest the streams of jordan run back into their springs again, that thy people might pass through the midst thereof. Good Lord, whose hests the floods obeyed; at whose voice the hills do leap, and the earth doth tremble. O most mighty Lord, which canst destroy the proudest kings with very flies and ants: which madest little David to triumph on the giant Goliath, which deliveredst his enemy king Saul into his hands: gavest Gedeon thy servant, with his few soldiers, victory of so many legions of strong men. Thou which hast subdued so many mighty kings, and sundry nations, unto thy people Israel. O God, which workest all in all things, which givest victory always as seemeth best to thine unsearchable wisdom: defend me always, I beseech thee, against mine enemies, and all evils; that my ship tossed and beaten in the waves of this world, may rest in thy happy haven of everlasting joy for ever.  
My soul cleaveth unto thy mercy, as to an holy sanctuary. O God, if thou shouldest not be merciful, who could abide the heat of thy displeasure? But thou O Lord, art good to thy servants: and I hope to see thy goodness in the land of the living. All glory be to the most high and merciful God, for ever and ever,  
Amen.   

A prayer for righteous judgement, in matters of controversy.  
O Lord God of all justice, which in equal balance doest weigh the cause of the Prince and of the poorest man, which despisest not the suits of the simple, which deliverest the captive, and comfortest the desolate and careful. O Lord, which hast blessed them that are poor in spirit: relieve thy servant oppressed with grief, remove from me the clouds of my sorrows. O Lord, stretch forth thy mighty hand, and help me. Let me not sink in the seas of slander and shame. Thou knowest the secrets of my heart: defend me in mine innocency, plead thou my cause against the ungodly, which have laid their net for me. O God, thou which hast delivered joseph, Daniel, Mardocheus & Susanna, from captivity and instant death; and didst clothe them with honour: good Lord strengthen me, and be my defender against all evils: and let not the poisoned arrows of malicious tongues do me any harm. Grant these my prayers, good Lord, I beseech thee, for our Saviour jesus Christ his sake,  
Amen.   

A Psalm to be said after trouble escaped.  
MY soul rejoice in God, for he is my light, and my defence, my help, the lantern to my feet. He hath heard my prayer, when I called on him, he hath helped me in my need, he hath delivered me in my dangers. The Lord is the keeper of my life, from whom shall I shrink; whom shall I fear? Lying prostrate at the feet of my Lord, I bewailed my case, and he heard my plaint; he forsaketh not his servants. Wherefore, if armies of men stood up against me, I should not fear. For if God be on my side, who can prevail against me? He is happy and safe, whom God, the mighty God of Israel keepeth. The Sun shall not burn him by day, nor the Moon by night. Chrise blessed is he that feareth the Lord, for he shall see happy days. As the Hart thirsteth after the water springs, so my soul hath longed for my Lord, the living God. When shall I come to appear before thy presence, to see thee in thy glorious majesty, face to face? O Lord let thy kingdom come. Come Lord jesus, that I may see the day of my redemption. Good Lord make haste to help me. All glory, majesty, and empire, be unto God the Creator, God the Redeemer, and God the holy Comforter, for ever and ever,  
Amen.   

Comfortable exhortations against the manifold assaults of Satan.  
IF thou perceive that the storm of temptation doth very often and grievously assault thee, dismay not therefore thyself, neither be displeased with thyself, as though almighty God nothing regarded thee; but rather thank him that he instructeth and teacheth thee, as one to be his heir; that he punisheth and correcteth thee, as his most dear son; that he proveth and assayeth thee as his well-beloved friend. It is a manifest and great token, that man is reject from the mercy and favour of God, when he is troubled with no temptation.  
In thy temptation remember the holy Apostle S. Paul, which being rapt to the mysteries of the third heaven, was vexed with the Angel of Satan. Remember the temptation of the holy man job, and other which were grievously troubled with their offences. O happy and fortunate man, in whom this earthly Adam is so mortified and subdued, that it in no wise resisteth the spirit! But whether this perfect quietness may be in any, I will not affirm; peradventure it is not necessary to be. For Paul in this life, notwithstanding his high perfection and grace, had a motion of the flesh to vex and trouble him. And when he thrice desired God to be delivered from the said motion, he only had this answer: Paul, my grace is sufficient, for virtue is made perfect by vexation. Paul was vexed by pride, that he should not be proud: to be perfect and strong in God, he was caused to be weak and feeble. For he carried the treasure of heavenly revelation in a frail and brittle vessel, that the honour and victory should only be in God, not in himself. This one example of Paul, is erudition and learning in many things, when that we be enticed and moved to sin, that we diligently call to almighty God by prayer.  
Remember that David the Prophet, King Solomon, and Peter the Apostle, notwithstanding they were great lights and examples of holiness, yet they fell into grievous and great sins, whom almighty God peradventure suffered to fall for this cause, specially that thou shouldst not despair. Lift up thyself therefore upon thy feet, and with high courage, and bold stomach return again into battle against thy enemies, not only more fierce and bold, but also more aware and diligent. And think with thyself what intolerable and invincible temptations Christ suffered for thee; wherein there appeared no help, comfort, aid, nor defence any where; wherein God and the whole world seemed to be his most cruel and malicious enemies, when that he cried aloud, My GOD, my GOD, why hast thou forsaken me? Truly this was a most grievous, painful, and bitter temptation, which Christ suffered for us, that he might make the way of the cross easy for us.  
Therefore prepare thyself patiently to drink of that cup, which Christ jesus thy head hath so willingly drunk on, for the salvation of all mankind. And seeing therefore that Christ so willingly put himself in subjection, and dipped himself in those so horrible and intolerable sorrows and calamities (our most loving and heavenly father willing the same out of doubt,) he also understandeth and knoweth our infirmity: out of doubt he taking compassion on us, will not extremely deal with us; but will rather bear with our imbecility and weakness. Doth not he himself calling all men unto him say? Come unto me all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will refresh you. What greater comfort I pray you can be given us? How could Christ speak more mercifully unto us?  
There be many things that grievously vex and trouble man, but what thing can more cruelly vex and torment his conscience overwhelmed with sin, than when he doubteth of the mercy of God? When he dreadeth lest God be his adversary, and will reject him? When he is not able to conceive this faith of his mercy; and doth imagine himself to be cast away, as a dry member that is cut off?  
Be present here, O jesus Christ with thine aid and help; here we have need of thy comfort: let not this black, violent and horrible tempest of troubles overthrow and drown wretched man.  
But there is no cause why we should doubt. Christ is true, he will make his promise to appear, he will help us and refresh us. Therefore, whereas thy faith is not strong enough; whereas thou feelest thyself to doubt of God's mercy; and hast well-near no faith at all; streightwaies call upon God; bewail thy misery and lack of belief before him; seek for his aid and secure by fervent prayer, and he will both help and refresh thee; he hath taken upon him thus to do, and he will bring it to pass.  
But take heed thou cease not to call upon God; beseech thou, without ceasing, the father of all consolation and comfort, with sighs from the bottom of thine heart, that he turn not his face from thee: lay thy weakness upon him, and power out into his bosom all things which trouble and torment thee. Cry out with his disciples; O Lord increase my faith. Likewise say thou with the father of the lunatic child; Lord, I believe, help thou mine unbelief; make haste O Lord to help me, before that I oppressed with this weight be drowned. O most loving and most merciful father; Lord God of my health, our only help and refuge: enter not into judgement with thy servants. Christ is my righteousness, redemption and innocency, which suffered most bitter and cruel death for my sake. Let those things move thee O father of all compassion; have mercy upon me for thy sons sake; confirm and strengthen my heart by faith in Christ; comfort me with the consolations of the holy Ghost, that I may enjoy the true joys of everlasting life, through the merits of my Lord and Saviour jesus Christ: to whom with the Father and the holy Ghost, be all praise and glory for ever and ever,  
Amen.   

A godly meditation of the unspeakable joys of heaven, and the intolerable pains of hell, very often to be remembered.  
O God, my Lord, my heart's delight, with whom my soul longeth to dwell in that heavenly jerusalem; wherein is continual health, eternal felicity, happy liberty, and perfect blessedness; where men shall be like unto the Angels of God, and just men shall shine as the Sun, in the everlasting kingdom, wherein is no heaviness, no sorrow, no grief, no fear, no labour, no death, no disease, no lack, no hunger, no thirst, no cold, nor heat; no weariness of fasting, nor temptation of the enemy, no will to sin, nor power to do evil, no old age, no lame or deformed person, no fear of poverty, or weakness by disease; but a quiet harbour of all joy, and everlasting happiness, where men in the society of Angels, shall continually dwell without any infirmity of the flesh. For there is infinite joy, and eternal bliss, from whence none shall be removed, that once by thy providence shall enter therein.  
There is rest from labours, peace from the enemy, a new kind of joy and delight, such as no heart can conceine, save only by taking a marvelous delight, and exceeding pleasure in the beholding of thee my Lord God, my glorious redeemer, and the heavenly comforter, which proceedeth from the Father and the Son. O heavenly jerusalem, thou art sweet and beautiful in all thy joys and delights! There are no such miseries in thee, as we feel and suffer in this poor and miserable life. There is in thee no darkness, nor change of time: the shining of the Moon; the twinkling brightness of the Stars giveth not light in thee: but only the God of all power, glory & majesty, the light of lights. For in thee the Sun of justice giveth light to those that are adopted in his blood to ever-during blessedness.  
The bright and immaculate Lamb, a most beautiful light is thy light, that doth illuminate his chosen children. The King of kings is in the midst of thee, environed on each side with his beloved Saints, and ready to crown them with everlasting glory. In thee are legions of Angels, singing of sweet Hymns and songs, that set forth the praise and honour of thy name: in thee are the fellowship of heavenly citizens: in thee resteth the sweet solemnity of all such as return from this miserable pilgrimage unto thy glory; the company of the Prophets, Apostles, and victorious army of Martyrs; holy men and women, which have vanquished the pleasures of the world, have their abiding with thee. There are young children and maidens, which have passed over their days in holiness of life, publishing thy praise in all purity and piety. Every one rejoiceth in his degree, though not equal in glory, yet like in joys and gladness. For there reigneth perfect charity, & God is all in all, whose Majesty without end they see continually, and still in beholding him their love increaseth.  
Of this eternal blessedness the holy Apostle Peter had as it were a shadow, or a taste, upon the mount Thabor, at the transfiguration of Christ, from whence he desired he might not departed. Paul also had a proof of it, when he was rapt or taken up into the third heaven, where he heard words, and saw things so marvelous and secret, as far passeth all man's understanding, and such as were not to be told or revealed unto men. Moses his face became so bright, through the conversation that he had with the divine glory upon mount Sinai; that the Israelites could not abide it. What then shall become of us, when perpetually with thee (which art the Lord of all glory) we shall be conversant, after the manner of thy children and familiar friends? Who is he then, that will not seek and desire by all means possible, to be a dweller there; both for the desire of peace, joy and eternity; and for the perfect sight of God?  
Contrariwise, who is able to express the torments appointed for the ungodly and unrepentant livers; in that deadly place called Hell, which Satan himself abhorreth? What other thing can be there, but continual pains, eternal tribulation, and infinite calamity, replete with all evils? There dwell wicked and ugly Angels, whose horrible looks bring sudden fear, grievous pains, and fearful death, with continual clouds of ever-during darkness. There is nothing but howling, wailing, lamentation and mourning without all end; fearful scriches, & confused cries are there in all places suddenly raised. There the worm of conscience never dieth: in that damnable dungeon, there is fire unquenchable, and perpetual gnashing of teeth. The miserable soul findeth there no rest, but is afflicted with all kind of torments, and such as can never be expressed; all which endure for ever.  
Alas, little availeth it those that are subjecteth as firebrans of hell, to cry unto the Lord: for he will not hear them. Then shall they know, that all things which they had in this life are vain; and such things as they thought to be pleasant, to be found more bitter than gall or poison. Then where is the pleasure of the flesh, so termed falsely? For there is none other pleasure, but to fear the Lord. Then shall they confess and say, that the judgement of God is true and righteous, saying: Did we not hear of this, and yet would not be converted from our wicked deeds? But then shall nothing prevail. No sorrow can find comfort; no complaints, any remorse; no torments, ease; nor painful passions an end: such and so exceeding are the vexations of the second death, wherewith all the bodies and souls of the unrighteous shall for ever be environed.  
Sith therefore, O heavenly Father, and most gracious God, it seemeth good to thine eternal wisdom, by the knowledge of thine everlasting truth, to give me knowledge of thine inestimable mercy offered freely unto me in jesus Christ my merciful Saviour, in whose bloody death and painful passion I am assured of eternal life and blessedness. Give me grace to print in my remembrance thy manifold mercies, that feeding my soul by faith in thee, I may attain unto those endless joys, that thou hast prepared for thine adopted sons and chosen children, in the kingdom of everlasting righteousness: and so escape those everlasting torments, which thou hast prepared for the devil and his Angels. From the which place of woeful vexation and endless misery, deliver me O heavenly Father, for the love of jesus Christ his sake, to whom with thee and the holy Ghost, be all laud and praise for ever,  
Amen.   

A prayer to be said of the sick, at the hour of death.  
MOst mighty art thou, O Lord, in all thy deeds, and most holy in all thy ways. Blessed be the name of my father, my God, and glorious Creator; who by his divine power, and celestial providence, of nothing made all things, fish, flesh, fowls, fruits, trees, herbs, and all other things, whatsoever are contained both in heaven, earth, seas, and the nethermost parts thereof. Man, concerning the outward parts, thou by thy celestial providence and fatherly bounty, framedst and createdst of clay; but concerning the inward substance of thy creature man, thou didst fashion and make him even according to thine own similitude and likeness. Moreover, such and so great was thy love and good will towards him, that all the creatures, or works of thy creation served to this use. In earth thou madest him lord and king over the fruits thereof: the beasts of the field, the fowls of the air, and the fishes of the little floods and great waters. In the firmament thou hast placed the glistering Sun, with his orient beams to give him light by day, and therewith thou hast given him the Moon and the stars to govern him by night. For the which cause, above all other the works of thy creation, man should and ought of right to give thee that glory, that to thee belongeth.  
But alas, such and so great is the corruption of our frail and sinful flesh, that for all these thy graces we are carried away from thee, and enter into contempt of thy precepts. For which cause thou oftentimes dost correct and punish us, to the intent we might thereby (feeling thy rod of correction) be driven to embrace hearty and true repentance. But when thy threats, and the stripes of thy displeasure laid upon us, can not take place amongst us: thou oftentimes givest us up to follow our lusts and affections: but at last, when thou doest behold our enormities, thou in a moment, by the power of thy divine justice, restrainest the rope of our disordered liberty, and cuttest in sunder the bridle of our voluptuousness, either by sudden death, sword, fire, famine, sickness, or other the divine sentences of thy conceived ire; to the intent that other thy creatures might, by the terror of thy justice, avoid sin, and learn to amend their lives, lest they fall into the like calamity or danger.  
True, and most true it is, good Lord, that by the exercise of sin we are the children of death and destruction: but by grace of the almighty and victorious conqueror sweet jesus Christ, we are the adopted sons of thy Father, and made fellowe-heires with thee our perfect Emanuel. In whose name with all humility and lowliness of heart and mind, I come unto thee in this great extremity of sickness and danger of death; beseeching thee to be present with me, to forget mine offences, to think upon thy mercies. And although I have not deserved so much as the least drop of thy favour, by means of the great burden of my sins, which are in the presence of thy divine Majesty, most ugly and loathsome to behold: yet respect thou not, O Father, mine iniquity; but have an eye, I beseech thee, to the merits of my Saviour Christ jesus, to whom as my Mediator, Saviour and Redeemer, I appeal: who hath promised comfort and sweet consolation to all those, that in his name fly unto thee for relief.  
I confess that worthily thou hast visited me with this sickness and disease, and yet not according to the multitude of my sins; but in the fullness of miseration and fatherly pity. Give me grace therefore in these bitter brunts of death, who vehemently at this present beginneth to combat with fainting and feeble life, constantly to cleave unto thee. Let not the pleasures of this wicked world be a let or impediment for me to come unto thee: let not my frail and feeble flesh subject to sin, which hath through my transgression made me a bondman to death, move me to despair in thy great mercy: neither yet let the caviling adversary, the enemy of mankind, at my last end, triumph over me. Give me patience to suffer, and gladly to bear and abide this thy scourge and visitation; and so fortify me in soul and body, that so long as life shall endure in me, I may never cease to call upon thy holy and blessed name. Yea and when death is most busiest, make thou me most constant: yea when he seeketh most strongly to assail my feeble body; give me thy grace, good Lord, that I may in spirit, heart, mind, and all the powers of my soul, give praises unto thee, that of thy grace and inestimable kindness, hast sent thy son Christ jesus to ransom me, by his bloody death and passion, from the power of hell.  
Give me grace therefore, now that thou hast appointed thy messenger death to finish the days of my pilgrimage, and to call me by his summons from out of this vale of misery and wretchedness, to build steadfastly upon him, and faithfully to hope for life and salvation, in & alone through him. Let the remembrance of my former wickedness be no more thought upon: let mine offences be blotted out of thy glorious sight. Behold my sorrowful & true repentant heart, which come unto thee with tears, not building on my merits; but upon thy mercies. Though I be sinful; thy son my Saviour is righteous: though I be wicked; yet he is most holy: though I be full of impiety; yet he is full of all goodness: though I have grievously offended thee; yet he hath fully contented thee: though I have transgressed thy law; yet he hath fulfilled the same, and hath promised in his blood, to wash away their sins, that by faith continue in him constant to the end. I therefore, in this my great and painful agony, beholding death to be at the gates of my body, come unto thee, by the virtue of a fruitful faith; beseeching thee, when thou shalt see it meet and convenient, that he shall dissolve the bands of this vading life, which endureth but a while (for a thousand years are as yesterday in thy sight) to take my soul into thy glorious and blessed hands; and so to confirm me in thy truth, that at the last, when it shall please thee, by the sound of a trump, to raise my body from the grave, when and in which time body and soul shall unite and come before thy presence, I may by faith in thee pass over the mount of my corruption, shake off the bands of sin, be set free from death and destruction; and being by the virtue of thy righteousness made holy, I may triumph with happy victory over sin, death, and all the powers of hell, and enter with thee, and the fellowship of thy chosen Saints, into everlasting rest. Grant this, most loving Father, for Christ jesus sake, to whom with thee and the holy Ghost, be rendered all laud, glory, honour and praise, for ever, Amen.  
The Lord God be merciful to me; pardon and forgive me my sins, look upon me with his gracious and blessed countenance: preserve me from the second death, and everlasting destruction of body and soul. The Lord God justify me in his death and blood; cloth me with his everlasting righteousness; and register my name in the book of life. The Lord God comfort my guilty conscience with the everlasting light of his bountiful favour; and lot my place among his Saints in his heavenly kingdom. The Lord God for his mercy's sake, after this my bodily death, give me the fruition of his presence, in his rich palace of endless glory, to whose merciful protection I commend with all humility and reverence my soul. Lord jesus preserve me, Lord jesus comfort me, Lord jesus refresh me, Lord jesus pray for me. For only into thy hands that hast redeemed me, O Lord God of truth, I commend my soul,  
Amen.   

A devout meditation to be used after prayer.  
REmember not, O Lord God, thine anger against me an offender, but be mindful of thy mercy towards me a true penitent. Forget that through pride I have provoked thee to ire; and favourably hearken unto my prayer. What is jesus, but a Saviour? Therefore O bountiful jesus, be thou my Saviour, rise up in thine own strength to help me. Say unto my soul, I am thy safeguard. In thy goodness do I trust, in thee is my help. And forasmuch as thou hast willed, that we should without ceasing seek and sue unto thee; behold, I being counseled and foretold by thy commandments, do now both ask, seek, and knock. But thou which commandest me to ask; grant that I may receive: thou biddest me seek; make me to find: thou hast taught me to knock; open unto me that stand knocking: strengthen me that am weak; restore me that am lost; revive me that am dead by sin; make me to serve thee, to live to thee, to give myself wholly to thee. I know my God, that because thou madest me, I own myself unto thee: and for that thou hast redeemed me, I should owe thee more than myself. But behold, I have no more to give, neither can I give myself unto thee, unless thou make me willing thereunto. Take thou me, draw me unto thee, that as I am thine by creation, so I may be thine by following of thee, which livest and reignest for ever and ever,  
Amen.   

A Prayer deciphering in Alphabet form, the name of the right Worshipful Lady MARY FANE.  

M  
MOst mighty art thou Lord in all thy deeds, and holy in all thy works. Have mercy upon me, and give me understanding therefore from above, to consider the substance whereof thou hast framed me; and by the knowledge thereof, make me to consider mine own weakness and infirmity to be such, that unless thou set to thy hand speedily to help me that am oppressed with sin, I shall perish in my wickedness.   

A  
AS my sins are innumerable, and redder than scarlet, so give me grace to acknowledge thy great mercies, which are surmounting the sands of the seas; and that thou by thy grace, at thy good pleasure canst wash away my deformity, and make me to excel the snow of Libanus. I beseech thee, O merciful father, let it be far from my thought, wilfully, or of a set purpose, to fall into the danger of sin, or to commit any heinous sin, or grievous wickedness against thine eternal majesty. For by the exercise of such and so great evil, I by means of my presumption provoke thee to displeasure. Give me grace therefore to stand in awe of thy justice, lest that thy mercy be withheld and kept from me, and thou give me over, as thou didst proud Pharaoh, to the lust and affections of mine own heart, and so I be drowned in the dangerous gulf of destruction.   

R  
Ready art thou Lord at all times to hear, and give ear unto the petitions of thy people: but more readier are we to run astray from thy will, and to transgress thy sacred laws and divine statutes, than we are to leave the lusts of carnality, the pleasures of this vain and wicked world; so greatly are we affected to licentious liberty, and all other kind of notorious evil. But yet O merciful father, of thine abundant love, favour, and exceeding kindness, give me grace to renounce sin, to hate this transitory and vading world, to mortify my frail and feeble flesh, which rebelleth against the spirit, and by faith in Christ, in this my dangerous pilgrimage, so give me strength, that mine enemies may be overthrown, and I being delivered from the snares of hell, may by thee, which art the author of man's felicity, have the fruition of thy kingdom, and celestial mansion of endless and sempiternal glory.   

Y  
Idleness is the nurse and root of all infectious evils. Give me thine aid therefore, O Lord, to loath and detest this deadly and dangerous sin, lest thereby I run headlong into thy heavy displeasure. Make me always and ever to be occupied (good Lord) in thy holy law, that with all the powers of my soul, heart, mind and understanding, I may give thee continual praise, honour and glory. Yield plenteously unto me also, good Lord, thy grace from above, that I may continually make my boast of thine everlasting name, & by hearty contrition, and bitter deploration of my sins and wickedness, obtain thy favourable pardon, and by thee being sanctified, and made clean from all mine uncleanness and ungodliness, I may enter with thee at the last day into the celestial and glorious kingdom, purchased in the bloody death of my Saviour jesus Christ. Yea, illuminate mine eyes (I say) O good Lord, that I sleep not in darkness, but give me grace good Lord, continually to keep watch and ward, lest that the enemy find me slumbering in the cradle of carelessness, the gates of my body be broken up, and in the day of thy coming to judgement, the sentence of thy displeasure be pronounced against me, to the utter confusion of my body and soul.   

F  
FAith is to be embraced of all those that hope for felicity and blessedness in jesus Christ. Give me therefore such wisdom from above, that I may be daily desirous to learn thy sacred precepts, and walk in the pathwaie of thy glorious statutes, that by the exercise of thy will, sinful vice and iniquity may be vanquished, and virtue may have the dominion and sovereignty in me.   

A  
ABstinence coupled with constant and faithful prayer, is a thing that much pleaseth thy majesty, and withdraweth from us the force of thy heavy indignation. Give me grace then with prayer, to exercise such fasting, as may hold down the man of sin, that he swell not in pride, excess, gluttony, or superfluous eating or drinking. Make me always to use thy gifts so moderately, that thy name may be glorified; and I fasting from sin with hearty prayer faithfully, may beat at the gates of thy grace, and so obtain the full effects of thy fatherly love and favourable kindness. Finally, abate I beseech thee, the pride of the ungodly that trouble me. Confound in thy justice the imaginations of the foolish, which stick not to say in their hearts, There is no God. Break the jaw bones of those in sunder, that consult and take counsel together how they may harm the innocent and weak. From the blood-thirsty and deceitful man, deliver me O Lord my God. Look favourably upon me, glad thou my heart with the cheerful looks of thy gracious and loving countenance. Say unto my soul, I am thy safeguard. Be thou ever with me, then shall I not need to fear the power of my subtle and cruel enemies; but at thine appointed will and heavenly pleasure, I shall be made safe, and with the fellowship of thy chosen Saints, enjoy the fruition of thine everlasting kingdom.   

N  
NOthing O Lord I brought into this world, and nothing shall I carry hence with me. Give me grace and power therefore to consider that all worldly things are vain, and shall vanish away like smoke. Make me to understand that I am a stranger here, and far from my country, the new City of jerusalem, which thou hast in the fullness of thy great mercy ordained for those, that continue faithful in thee to the end. And sith that all earthly things are subjecteth to consuming, as mere vanities, endue me with such understanding, that I may lay my treasure plentifully in heaven, with jesus Christ; to whom in the water of baptism by grace in spirit, I am coupled and knit. Withdraw me therefore from the delight of worldly pleasures, and give me streugth to offer myself up wholly into his blessed and heavenly hands, that my heart, my mind, the powers of my soul, and all that I have, may depend on him, with whom my treasure resteth, that being under the comfortable guard of his defence, I may be delivered from all danger of body and soul. Naked was I borne, and naked to the grave shall I return again; the Lord giveth, and the Lord taketh away, even as it pleaseth his majesty, all things are brought to pass, whose glorious name be praised for ever. No man can escape the sting of death, all flesh must bow unto the grave. Give me a fervent faith therefore, O Lord, to continue faithful in jesus Christ, that whensoever it shall please thee to send thy messenger death to arrest me, I may be ready at his summons, joyfully to bear his stroke, and by the power of a lively faith, so to withstand sin and Satan, that death may with the enemies of man's felicity, be vanquished and subdued, and I by him may live in jesus Christ.   

E  
Expel and root out in and from my remembrance, the detestable branches of wrath, pride, concupiscence, vainglory, and all other horrible vices and noisome evils, that heap up thy grievous displeasure against me. Take from me all abuse, let me never blaspheme thy blessed and glorious name, let my tongue be purged by thee from all corrupt and uncomely talk, let all my thoughts be occupied in thy service, faith, fear and love. Make me good Lord always obedient to do thy will, and to walk in the ways of thy commandments, and to delight in thy blessed testimonies. And grant me thy grace, that by the hearing of thy evangelical and heavenly doctrine, my faith may be increased, made strong and fruitful, to exercise the works of charity and love to all men; and chiefly to those that constantly favour thy Gospel, and continue faithful in Christ jesus. Evermore (I say) good Lord, give me thy blessings from above, and let my heart, my soul and tongue, be ever ready, for thy gracious benefits received, to publish and set forth thy glory and praise in weal and woe, in poverty, and prosperity, in time of peace and in time of danger. Stretch forth thy hand to protect me; and I by thee delivered from all perils, shall make my boast of thy mercies freely shown unto me without my deserts; and with the fellowship of thy Saints, give such honour, praise, and reverence unto thee, as of right and bounden duty I ought to do.  
And forasmuch as not every one that saith Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of God and Christ, make me not then a professor of thy word with my lips, but an earnest lover of the same, & a faithful follower of thy commandments, lest at the coming of the great and rich Bridegroom jesus Christ, I be refused, as were the five undiscreet and foolish virgins, that wanted oil to garnish their Lamps. For if thou O Lord pass by, and find me unprovided, the gates of thy grace being fast shut up, and locked close, I shall then stand knocking and calling the Lord all in vain. For thou wilt give answer, thou knowest me not, and being forsaken of thee, I shall perish everlastingly. Give me grace therefore O good Lord, to be ready prepared with my wedding garment, and oil in my Lamp, that I may continually watch thy coming, and so enter with thee as thy guest, to the rich banqueting house of everlasting glory,  
Amen.    


F From sinfulness preserve me Lord,  
R Renew thy spirit in my heart,  
A And let my tongue therewith accord,  
V Uttering all goodness for his part.  
N No thought let there arise in me,  
C Contrary to thy statutes ten,  
E Ever let me most mindful be,  
S Still for to praise thy name: Amen.   

A As of my soul, so of my body,  
B Be thou my guider, O my God:  
V Unto thee only I do cry,  
R Remove from me thy furious rod.  
G Grant that my head may still devise,  
A All things that pleasing be to thee,  
V Unto mine ears, and to mine eyes,  
E Ever let there a watch set be,  
N None ill that they may hear and see,  
N No wicked deed let my hands do,  
Y Yn thy good paths let my feet go.   
Finis.    

¶ Certain prayers made by godly women Martyrs.  

The prayer of Agnes the Martyr at her death.  
O Eternal Governor, vouchsafe to open the gates of heaven once shut up against all the inhabitants of the earth: and receive my soul, oh Christ that seeketh thee.   

The song of Eulalia the Martyr at her death.  
BEhold, O Lord, I will not forget thee. What a pleasure is it for them, O Christ, that remember thy triumphant victories, to attain unto those high dignities?   

The prayer of Anne Askue the Martyr, before her death.  
O Lord, I have more enemies now than there be hears on my head: yet Lord, let them never overcome me with vain words, but fight thou Lord on my side. For on thee cast I my care. With all the spite they can imagine they fall upon me, which am thy poor creature; yet sweet Lord, let me not set by them, which are against me: for in thee is my whole delight. And Lord, I heartily desire of thee, that thou wilt of thy most merciful goodness forgive them that violence which they do, and have done unto me. Open also thou their blind hearts, that they may hereafter do that thing in thy sight, which is only acceptable before thee; and to set forth thy verity aright, without all vain fantasies of sinful man: So be it, O Lord, So be it.   

The prayer that master Bradfords morher said and offered unto God in his behalf, a little before his martyrdom.  
AH good Father, which doest vouchsafe that my son john Bradford, being a grievous sinner in thy sight, should find this favour with thee, to be one of thy son Christ his captains and men of war, to fight and suffer for his Gospel's sake, I thank thee: and pray thee in the same thy dear son Christ's name, that thou wouldst forgive him his sins and unthankfulness; and make perfect in him that good which thou hast begun in him. Yea Lord, I pray thee make him worthy to suffer, not only imprisonment, but even very death for thy truth, religion, and gospel sake. As Hanna did apply, dedicate, and give her first child and son Samuel unto thee: even so do I dear Father; beseeching thee, for Christ's sake, to accept this my gift; and give my son john Bradford grace always truly to serve thee, and thy people, as Samuel did;  
Amen: Amen.    

Other godly prayers taken out of the Psalms, written by a godly hearted Gentlewoman.  

POnder my words, O Lord, consider my meditation: O hearken thou unto the voice of my woeful mourning, my King and my God: for unto thee will I make my prayer. Hear my voice, O Lord betimes: early in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, for thou art the God that hast no pleasure in wickedness: neither shall any evil dwell with thee. Thou hatest all them that work vanity: lead me therefore in thy righteousness, O Lord; for I am weak, and without thee I have no strength at all: therefore, O Lord God, rebuke me not in thine indignation, neither chasten me in thy heavy displeasure. Have mercy upon me, O Lord, and deliver my soul. Oh save me, for thy mercy sake. I am almost weary of my groaning. Every night wash I my bed, and water my couch with my tears. O Lord my God, in thee have I put my trust: save me from all them that persecute me, and deliver me. O Lord my God, if I have done any such thing, as is laid to my charge; or if there be any such wickedness in me; then let mine enemy persecute my soul, and take me captive. Hast not thou, O Lord my God, defended me from such ungodliness? Oh how long wilt thou hide thyself from me thy poor afflicted servant? Oh how long shall I seek comfort in my soul, and be so vexed in my heart? Yea how long shall mine enemies triumph over me? Consider and hear me, O Lord my God, lighten mine eyes that I sleep not in death: lest mine enemies say, I have prevailed against him. For if I be cast down, than they that trouble me will rejoice at it. But my trust is in thy mercy, O Lord, and my heart is joyful in thy salvation. For after a storm thou makest the weather fair, and still after weeping and heaviness thou givest great joy. Thy name, O most mighty God, be praised for ever and ever,  
Amen.   

Another prayer.  
O Lord consider my meditation, and complaining. Oh hearken thou unto my prayers that go not out of feigned lips. Let my sentence come forth from thy presence, and let thine eyes look upon the thing that is equal. O hold thou up my doings in thy ways, that my footsteps slip not. I have called upon thee, O God, for thou shalt hear me: incline thine ear to me, and hearken unto my words. Show thy marvelous loving kindness, thou that art the Saviour of all them that put their trust in thee. Keep me as the apple of an eye: hide me under the shadow of thy wings, from the ungodly that trouble me. Mine enemies compass me round about to take away my soul. Up Lord, let not man have the upper hand: let the heathen be judged in thy sight, that they may know themselves to be but men? Yet of thy mercy, O Lord, forgive all mine enemies, and turn the hearts of such as hate me. Who can tell how oft he offendeth? Oh cleanse thou me from all my secret offences. Keep thy servant also from presumptuous sins; lest they get the dominion over me: so shall I be undefiled and innocent from the great offence. Let my mourning tears, and the sorrowful sighing of my heart, come before thy presence, and be always accepted in thy sight.  
O Lord my strength and my redeemer, let it be thy good pleasure to rid and deliver me out of all my troubles, I most humbly beseech thee: and show some token of thy favour to me poor wretched sinner, which am as a banished woman. Look upon me, O Lord, I beseech thee, as thou didst look upon Susanna, and Sarai the daughter of Raguel. Those holy women trusted in thee, and thou didst deliver them; they hoped in thee, and were not forsaken. I know Lord, thy strength is not weakened, neither is thy power abated: so that if it be thy good pleasure, O Lord, thou wilt help, and make thy power to be known. In the mean time, O merciful and most gracious Lord God, give me grace thankfully and patiently to take all, whatsoever it shall be thy good will and pleasure to lay upon me. O Lord grant me those things, which I heartily have prayed for ever, for jesus Christ's sake my Lord and my redeemer. To whom with thee and the holy Ghost, be all honour, glory and praise,  
Amen.  When God hath delivered thee out of thy troubles, sing those Psalms: the 9, 30, 33, 34, 116, 145, 146.  

And ever be giving thanks to God the almighty Lord and King, saying as followeth.  
A thanksgiving after trouble.  
THe Lord is my strong rock and my defence, my Saviour, my God, and my might, in whom I will trust, the horn also of my salvation, and my refuge. Yea the Lord is my shepherd, therefore can I lack nothing. He hath comforted my soul, and brought it out of trouble, even for his mercy's sake. Though I walk through the vale of the shadow of death, I will fear none evil: for thou art with me, thy rod and thy staff comforteth me. For in thee, O Lord, have I put my trust, and I fear not what flesh and blood can do unto me. I have waited long, and with weeping tears have I tarried the Lords leisure, and now he hath of his great goodness delivered me out of all my trouble. Most mighty God, of thine accustomed mercy, preserve me from all sin and wickedness. O Lord, I feel mine own infirmity and weakness. O most merciful Lord, keep me in (as it were) with a bit or bridle, that in this my joyfulness I do not forget my duty to thee, and my neighbours. For when we have allthings at our own pleasure, and nothing to trouble us, then is our daily enemy ready to puff us up with pride and unthankfulness: yea and with forgetfulness of thy laws. Wherefore most mighty Lord, look down from thy holy heavens, even with thy fatherly eyes of pity, and strengthen my trembling soul with thy holy spirit. Guide me that I serve not from thy truth taught in holy Scripture: but that all my thoughts, words and deeds may redound to the glory, honour, and worthy praise of thy most holy name. This with tears I most humbly beseech thee to grant, even for jesus Christ's sake, in whose name I come to thee, and in none other, saying: O our Father, etc.   

Another thanksgiving after trouble.  
O Lord, I most humbly render lauds, thanks, and praises unto thee. For thou hast set me up, and not made my foes to triumph over me. O Lord my God, I cried unto thee, and thou hast heard me: yea thou broughtest my soul out of trouble, and girded me with joy and gladness. Sing praises unto the Lord with me, Oye Saints of his, & let us all give thanks unto him, for a remembrance of his holiness. For his wrath endureth but the twinkling of an eye, and in his pleasure is life everlasting. Heaviness may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning. Thou didst turn thy face from me, O Lord; and lo, I was sore troubled: then cried I unto thee, O Lord, and prayed unto my God right humbly, saying: Hear, O Lord, and have mercy on me. Lord be thou my help in all my trouble: bow down thine ear to me, and make haste to deliver me: for thou art my strong rock and deliverer. Into thy hands, Lord, I commit my spirit, for thou hast redeemed me, O Lord, thou God most high.  
Oh what reward should I give unto the Lord for all the marvelous benefits, that he hath done unto me: which I can not worthily express? For in my trouble I called upon the Lord, and he heard me at large; and in my temptation, with his holy spirit he mightily preserved me. Therefore I know that the Lord is on my side, and I will not fear what man can do unto me. For it is better to trust in the Lord, than to put any confidence in Princes; for with the Lord there is mercy, and with him there is plenteous redemption. The earth, O Lord, is full of thy mercy, therefore will I talk of thy praise all the day long, and sing Psalms of thanksgiving unto thee. It is good for me that I have been in trouble, else should I not have learned thy statutes. If my delight had not been in thy laws, I should surely have perished in my trouble. The law of my God is more dearer unto me than thousands of silver and gold, yea all the riches in the world is nothing worth in comparison of thy word. For it is more comfortable, than the most costliest and precious restorative that any Physician can make. For it comforteth, nourisheth and preserveth the soul, leading it unto life everlasting. Oh Lord God of hosts, who is like unto thee? Thy truth most mighty God endureth for evermore. I will always give thanks unto thee for the great benefits that thou hast bestowed on me. The righteous shall hear thereof and rejoice with me; yea, and the unrighteous shall fear the Lord, and say, Doubtless there is a GOD that defendeth his servants; and he also doth punish the wrong doers. Thou art the God that doest wondrous things: O Lord, who may be compared unto thee? For thou deliverest me thy poor oppressed servant from the hand of my strong enemy; yea from such a one as was too mighty for me to deal withal. Thou hast (I say) mightily defended me, and now, O Lord, be mindful of me: and command my spirit to be received in grace, when it is thy good pleasure,  
Amen.    

An instruction for Christians, containing a fruitful and godly exercise, as well in wholesome and fruitful prayers, as in reverend discerning of God's holy Commandments and Sacraments: translated out of French into English by a right virtuous and godly Matron and Gentlewoman named Mistress DORCAS MARTIN.  Psalm, 119. verses, 37, 133. 
From vain desires and worldly lusts,  
Turn back mine eyes and sight:  
Give me the spirit of life and power,  
To walk thy ways aright.  
Direct my footsteps by thy word,  
That I thy will may know:  
And never let iniquity,  
Thy servant overthrow.  

The Lord's prayer.  
OUr Father which art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive them that trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: for thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory for ever and ever,  
Amen.   

The Articles of the Christian faith.  
I Believe in God the father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth. And in jesus Christ, his only son, our Lord, which was conceived by the holy Ghost. Born of the virgin Marie. Suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried. He descended into hell. The third day, he rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the father almighty. From thence shall he come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the holy Ghost. The holy Catholic Church. The communion of Saints. The forgiveness of sins. The resurrection of the body. And the life everlasting,  
Amen.   

The ten Commandments of Almighty GOD, Exod. 20.  

The Preface.  
HEarken O Israel. I am the Lord thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.   

The first Table.  
1 THou shalt have none other gods before me.  
2 Thou shalt make thee no graven image, neither any similitude of things that are in heaven above, neither that are in the earth beneath, nor that are in the waters under the earth. Thou shalt not bow down to them, nor worship them. For I am the Lord thy God, a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, upon the third generation, and upon the fourth of them that hate me: and showing mercy unto thousands in them that love me, and keep my commandments.  
3 Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain; for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.  
4 Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labour and do all thy works: but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God. In it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor the stranger that is within thy gates. For in six days the Lord made the heaven and the earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day, and hallowed it.   

The second Table.  
5 HOnour thy father and thy mother, that thy days may be prolonged upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.  
6 Thou shalt not kill.  
7 Thou shalt not commit adultery.  
8 Thou shalt not steal.  
9 Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.  
10 Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house, neither shalt thou covet thy neighbour's wife, nor his servant, nor his maid, nor his ox, nor his ass, neither any thing that is thy neighbours.   

The Sum.  
THou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, with all thy soul, and with all thy mind: This is the first and the greatest commandment. And the second is like unto this. Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.  
On these two commandments hangeth the whole Law and the Prophets.   Matth, 7. verse, 12. Whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, even so do ye to them. For this is the Law and the Prophets. john, 15. verse, 12. This is my commandment, that ye love one another, as I have loved you. john, 13. verse, 35. Hereby shall all men know that you are my disciples, if ye love one another.  

A prayer to be said in the Morning when one awaketh. Our help be in the name of the Lord, who hath made heaven and earth.  
O My God and father, I most humbly praise and thank thee for this, that of thine infinite goodness and mercy, it hath pleased thee to watch for me this night whiles I slept, preserving me from so many kinds of dangers, whereunto this miserable life is subject. O Lord I beseech thee bring into my memory thy other great and innumerable benefits also, according as I may be able to comprehend them, to the end that I may likewise render thanks for the same, lest I be ungrateful towards thy majesty, as thou hast done me this good, not to forget that thou alone hast preserved me from all inconvenience. And herewithal I beseech thee most gracious father, through thy mercy, to continue this thy fatherly care, which thou hast for me, until such time as I shall rest in that happy sleep, whereof they rejoice which sleep in peace, through our Lord jesus Christ thy son, who in the unity of the holy Ghost, liveth and reigneth God with thee eternally: So be it.   

The exercise of an householder with his family to pray in the Morning.  
O Our God, Father & Saviour, seeing it hath pleased thee to give us grace to pass this night, to come unto this day present, vouchsafe now also to bestow this goodness upon us, that we may employ ourselves altogether to thy service, in such wise, that we neither think, say, or do any thing, but only to please thee, and to obey thy good will: to the end that by this means, all our works may be to the praise of thy name, and to the edifying of our neighbours. And as it hath pleased thee to cause thy Sun to shine upon the earth, to lighten us corporally; vouchsafe also by the clearness of thy spirit, to illuminate our understandings, and our hearts, to direct us unto the straight way of righteousness. Even so, to what thing soever we may apply ourselves, let our chief end & purpose be always to walk in thy fear, to serve and honour thee: looking for all our wealth and prosperity, from out of thy holy blessing, to the end we enterprise nothing which shall not be agreeable unto thee. Moreover, let us so travel for our body, and for the life present, that we alway have a further regard; namely, to the life of heaven, which thou hast promised unto thy children. Nevertheless, let it please thee to be our protector, both touching the body, and touching the soul, strengthening us against all temptations of the devil, and delivering us from all the dangers that may come unto us. And because there is nothing well begun, which doth not continue, vouchsafe to receive us into thy holy governance, not only for this present day; but for our whole life, continuing and increasing daily thy grace in us, till thou hast brought us unto the full conjunction of thy son jesus Christ our Lord, who is the true Sun-light of our souls, shining day and night without end perpetually. And to the intent that we may obtain these graces of thee, O vouchsafe to forget all our faults past, pardoning us them through thine infinite mercy, as thou hast promised unto all them that seek thee with a good heart. Hear us O father of mercy, for thy son our Lord jesus Christ his sake: So be it.  Out of the 143 Psalm. 
8 Let us hear thy loving kindness in the morning, for in thee is our trust. O show us the way that we should walk in, for we have lift up our heart unto thee.  
9 Deliver us O Lord, from our enemies, for we have cried unto thee.  
10 Teach us to do thy will, for thou art our God.   

A prayer to say before one begin his work.  
THE Lord God and Father vouchsafe to assist us through his holy spirit, and by him to govern and guide us in such sort, as all that we shall do, say, or think, may be to his glory, in the name of his son jesus Christ our Lord: So be it.   

Another prayer to the same purpose.  
O Our God, Father and Saviour, seeing it hath pleased thee to command us to travel for the sustentation of our necessity; vouchsafe through thy grace so to bless our labour, that thy blessing may extend unto us, without the which also we are not able to continue. And let such favour of thine serve us for a testimony of thy bountifulness and assistance: and that we by the same may know the fatherly care, which thou hast for us. Moreover, let it please thee, O Lord, to assist us by thy holy spirit, to the end that we may be faithfully exercised in our estate and vocation, without any guile or deceit: but that we rather regard to follow thine ordinance, than to satisfy our own desire of gain. And if it please thee to prosper our labour, give us also a willing mind to secure those that are in necessity, according to the ability which thou hast granted us: so yet that we mind not to lift up ourselves above those, which have not received of thee such liberality. And when thou wilt handle us with greater poverty and necessity than our flesh shall desire: let it please thee, O Lord, to show us this grace, even to know that thou through thy bountifulness will continually nourish us, lest we be tempted with mistrust: but that we patiently abide, until thou replenish us, not only with thy corporal gifts; but also with thy spiritual graces; that we may still have more ample matter and occasion to thank thee, & sincerely to stay ourselves upon thine only goodness. Hear us, O Father of all mercy, through thy son jesus Christ our Lord: So be it.   

A prayer to say afore one begin to study his lesson. Out of the 119 Psalm. verses, 9, 18, 34.  
Wherewithal shall a young man redress his way? Even in taking heed thereunto according to thy word.  
Open thou mine eyes, that I may see the marvelous works of thy law.  
O give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law; yea, I shall keep it with my whole heart.  
O Lord, which art the fountain of all wisdom and knowledge, seeing it hath pleased thee to give me the means to be instructed in the age of mine infancy, to make me know how to govern the whole course of my life holily and honestly: vouchsafe also to illuminate mine understanding, (which of itself is blind) that it may comprehend the learning which shall be taught me. O vouchsafe to confirm my memory for to keep it well. O let it be thy pleasure to dispose my heart to receive it willingly, and with such a desire as is convenient, that through mine ingratitude the occasion that thou offerest me be not lost. For to do this, vouchsafe to power upon me thy holy spirit, the spirit (I say) of all understanding, verity, judgement, prudence and learning, which may make me able to profit well, to the end that the travel, which shall be taken to teach me be not lost. And to what study soever I apply myself, make me to reduce it unto the true end; namely, to know thee in our Lord jesus Christ, to have full affiance of salvation and life in thy grace, and to serve thee uprightly & purely, according to thy good pleasure: so as all that I shall learn, may be as an instrument to aid me unto the same.  
And seeing thou promisest to give wisdom unto babes, and to the humble, and to confound the proud in the vanity of their own minds: likewise to show thyself unto those that are of a right heart; and contrarily to blind the wicked & perverse: vouchsafe to bring me unto true humility, whereby I may yield myself apt to learn; and obedient, first unto thee, secondly to my superiors, whom thou hast ordained to rule and to teach me. Furthermore, vouchsafe to dispose my heart to seek thee without feinednesse, renouncing all carnal and evil affections, and that in such sort I may prepare myself now to serve thee once, in that estate & vocation, to the which it shall please thee to ordain me when I shall come to age. Hear me, O Father of mercy, through our Lord jesus Christ: So be it.  Psalm, 25. verse, 13. THe Lord showeth his secrets unto them that fear him, and maketh them to know his covenant.  

A prayer or grace to say afore meat.  
ALl things wait upon thee, O Lord, and thou givest them meat in due season: when thou givest it them, they gather it, and when thou openest thy hand, they are satisfied with good things. O Lord, in whom consisteth the fullness of all good things, vouchsafe to extend thy blessing upon us thy poor servants, & sanctify unto us thy gifts, which we receive of thy liberality, that we may use them soberly and purely, according to thy good will: and by this means to knowledge thee to be the Father and author of all goodness, still seeking principally the spiritual bread of thy word, whereby our souls may be nourished eternally, through jesus Christ thy son our Lord: So be it.  Matthew, 4. verse, 4. MAn liveth not by bread only: but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.  

Grace after meat.  
LEt all nations praise the Lord, let all people sing praise unto him.  
For his mercy is multiplied upon us, and his truth endureth for ever.  
We render thanks unto thee, O Lord God, for all the benefits that we receive continually at thy hand; for that it pleaseth thee to sustain us in this corporal life, ministering unto us all our necessities: and specially, for that it hath pleased thee to regenerate us into the hope of a better life, which thou hast revealed unto us by thy holy Gospel. We beseech thee not to suffer our affections to be here rooted in these corruptible things, but that we always have an higher respect, waiting for our Lord jesus Christ, until he appear in our redemption: So be it.   

A prayer to be said before sleep. Exhortation.  
LEt us all fall down, humbling ourselves before the high and soevereigne Majesty of our good God and Father, acknowledging us to be as we are; namely, poor and miserable sinners, praying heartily unto him, as followeth.  
O Lord God, Father eternal, we beseech thee, that it will please thee to cast the eye of thy fatherly mercy upon us thy poor servants, not laying to our charge so many faults and offences, whereby we are worthy to be brought unto thy judgement, and whereby we cease not to provoke thy wrath against us. And forasmuch as we are too unworthy to appear before thy holy Majesty; vouchsafe to receive us in the name of thy well-beloved son our Lord jesus Christ, accepting the merits of his death and passion for a recompense of all our faults: regarding rather the obedience which he hath rendered unto thee, and not the manifold faults that we daily commit against thy Majesty. O Lord God, seeing it hath pleased thee to create the night for man's rest, so as thou hast ordained him the day to travel; grant us grace so to take our bodily rest this night, that our souls may alway watch unto thee, that our hearts be lift up in thy love; and that we so renounce all earthly cares, that we secure ourselves according as our infirmity requireth. Let us never forget thee, but let the remembrance of thy goodness and grace continue alway printed in our memory; and by this means our consciences also shall have their spiritual rest, as our bodies take theirs.  
Furthermore, let not our sleep be excessive; to accomplish the ease of our flesh beyond measure, but only to satisfy the frailty of our nature; that we may be disposed to serve thee. Moreover, let it please thee to preserve us underfiled, both in our bodies, and in our spirits, and to keep us against all dangers, that our very sleep may be to the glory of thy name. And seeing the day is not so passed, but that we have offended thee many ways (according as we are poor sinners) so that all is now hid through the darkness that thou sendest upon earth; vouchsafe also to bury all our faults through thy mercy, lest we thereby be taken from thy presence. Let it please thee also, O Lord God, to illuminate us by thy holy spirit, in the true understanding of thy holy will: and bring to pass also, that we may yield unto thee the love and fear that true and faithful servants do owe unto their masters, and children unto their parents, seeing it hath pleased thee to show us such grace, as to receive us into the number of thy servants and children,  
Amen.   

The prayer of the Church of the faithful, to speak the word of God with all boldness. Acts, 4. verse, 24, etc.  
O Lord thou hast made the heaven & the earth, the sea, & all things that be in them. Which through thine holy spirit hast said by the mouth of David thy servant: Wherefore have the nations raged, & the people have imagined vain thoughts? The kings of the earth have assembled, and the princes are come together against the Lord, and against his Christ. For truly Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, have gathered themselves together in this city, against the holy child jesus, (whom thou hast anointed) to do those things, which thy hand and thy counsel hath determined to be done. And now Lord, behold their threatenings, & give unto thy servants that they may speak thy word with all boldness: so that thou stretch forth thine hand, that healing, & signs, and wonders be done by the name of thy holy child jesus,  
Amen.   

¶ The manner how to examine such young persons as be willing to receive the Supper of our Lord jesus Christ.  Mother. 
IN whom believe you?  Child. 
In God the Father, and in jesus Christ, and in the holy Ghost.  Mother. 
The Father, the Son, and the holy Ghost, are they more than one God?  C 
No.  M 
Must God be served after his own commandments, or after the traditions of men?  C 
He must be served according to his own commandments, and not according to the commandments of men.  M 
May you accomplish God's commandments of yourself?  C 
No.  M 
Who is it then that accomplisheth them in you?  C 
The holy spirit.  M 
And when God giveth you his holy spirit, can you perfectly accomplish them?  C 
No.  M 
And yet notwithstanding God curseth & rejecteth all such, as do not sincerely fulfil his commandments.  C 
It is true.  M 
By what means then shall you be saved and delivered from the curse of God?  C 
By the death & passion of our Lord jesus Christ.  M 
How is that?  C 
Because that by his death he hath restored life unto us, and reconciled us unto God his father.  M 
And whom pray you unto?  C 
To God.  M 
In whose name pray you?  C 
In the name of our Lord jesus Christ, who is our advocate and intercessor.  M 
How many Sacraments are in the Christian Church?  C 
Two.  M 
Which be they?  C 
Baptism, and the Lords Supper.  M 
What is the signification of Baptism?  C 
It hath two parts. For our Saviour doth therein represent unto us the remission of our sins, & then our regeneration or spiritual renovation.  M 
And the Supper, what signifieth it unto us?  C 
It signifieth unto us, that by the communion of the body and blood of our Lord jesus Christ, our souls are nourished in hope of the life everlasting.  M 
What is it that the bread and wine (which are given us in the Supper) do represent unto us?  C 
They represent unto us, that the body and blood of jesus Christ have such virtue towards our souls, as the bread and wine have towards our bodies.  M 
Understand you, that the body of jesus Christ may be enclosed in the bread, and his blood in the wine?  C 
No.  M 
Where then must we seek jesus Christ to enjoy him?  C 
In heaven, in the glory of his father.  M 
What is the means to come unto heaven, there as jesus Christ is?  C 
It is faith.  M 
It behoveth us then to have true faith, before we can well use this holy Sacrament.  C 
It is so.  M 
And how may we have this faith?  C 
We have it by the holy spirit that dwelleth in our hearts, and assureth us of God's promises, which are made unto us in the Gospel.  
Unto God the Father, of whom, and by whom, and in whom are all things. And unto jesus Christ our Lord and Redeemer of the world. And unto the holy Ghost be honour and glory for ever, So be it.  

The true sum of all Christian Religion.  Mother. 
MY child, art thou a Christian?  Child. 
Yea, by the grace of God, whereas of nature I was a child of wrath as well as others.  M 
Art thou certain that thou art a Christian?  C 
Yea, through faith, and the holy spirit, who giveth witness unto my spirit, that I am the child and heir of God.  M 
What is it to say a Christian?  C 
It is the same which by faith in jesus Christ, hath received the holy spirit, as a child of God, doing his duty in time and place.  M 
What is the duty of a Christian?  C 
It is for to know God, for to serve him in spirit and truth, according to the doctrine of jesus Christ.  M 
In how many points consisteth the true Christian adoration, and the true service of God?  C 
It is faith, which is the only foundation of Christians.  M 
The faith, cometh it of us?  C 
No, for it is the gift of God.  M 
Where lieth this faith?  C 
In the heart, for with the heart we believe to righteousness, & with the mouth we confess to salvation.  M 
Be we then bound to render a reason of our faith and hope?  C 
Yea, to all men that demand it of us, so that it be done with wisdom, gentleness, reverence, and gracious words.  M 
And he that confesseth not jesus Christ in time and place, doth he not renounce him?  C 
Yea: for he that is not with him, is against him: & he that gathereth not with him, scattereth abroad.  M 
Give me then a reason of thy faith, and first what confession makest thou of the Christian faith?  C 
The same that the Church holdeth, being founded upon the doctrine of the Prophets and Apostles, which is briefly comprehended in our Creed.  M 
Canst thou make confession in the common language?  C 
Yea, I thank God.  M 
Say it with an high voice, and pronounce it well.  C 
I believe in God the Father almighty, etc.  M 
Believest thou that thou art saved by this faith of the Church?  C 
Yea well, if I have it in myself, as the first word showeth (I believe in God.) For the just shall live by his own faith.  M 
What is it to believe in God?  C 
It is a full assurance and hope to trust and commit all to him, according to his promises in jesus Christ.  M 
Can we have this faith in perfection, whiles we be in this world?  C 
No. For we have need with the Apostles to require augmentation of faith. The Lord increase it in us, and make us persevere in it unto the end.   

Of Invocation.  Mother. 
WHat is the second part of Christian adoration, and service of God?  Child. 
It is invocation, whereby we have all our refuge unto our father, through faith in the name of jesus Christ.  M 
Why puttest thou invocation after faith?  C 
Because it is one of the greatest and principal fruit of the same. For whosoever calleth upon the name of the Lord in faith, shall be saved.  M 
Have we commandment to call upon God only, and not upon others?  C 
Yea, even as we are commanded, neither to believe nor worship any other, but him alone.  M 
Should we not pray to the father in the name of other, but of jesus Christ?  C 
No. For the father hath given us none other advocate but him, who only is very God and very man: and we have no promise to be heard in the name of any other, but in his name only.  M 
Yea, but we know not what we ought to pray as appertaineth.  C 
jesus Christ teacheth us by his holy spirit, according to the form that he hath given us.  M 
Rehearse it in the common language, to the end that we all may understand it, and be edified.  C 
Our father which art in heaven, etc.  M 
Wherefore will he that we call him father?  C 
To declare the love that he beareth towards us in jesus Christ, to the end that in full assurance and boldness we may come to him only, and not to be afraid of him, no more than a child is of his father.  M 
What doth this word (our) show?  C 
The unity and charitable brotherhood which ought to be here well practised among us, according as the communion of Saints requireth.  M 
Seeing that God is every where, and filleth heaven and earth, ought not we to seek and worship him in all his creatures?  C 
No. For he is a spirit, and incomprehensible: wherefore he willeth that in jesus Christ we seek and worship him in spirit and truth, lifting up our hearts above all corruptible things.  M 
What contain the six petitions comprehended in this prayer?  C 
The three first, all that which makes for the advancement of the honour and glory of God, which we ought to desire with our whole heart, and before all things.  M 
And the three last, what do they contain?  C 
Our entertainment and salvation, which is also the glory of God.  M 
Why addeth he to the end: For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, for ever?  C 
To show that the dignity & efficacy of our prayers consisteth not in us, but altogether in that good father by jesus Christ, working in us by the holy spirit.  M 
Then is it to say, that we all will live and die in his obedience, subjection and glory?  C 
Yea, acknowledging him to be the author of all goodness; and unto whom only appertaineth the true majesty royal, with all power and glory for ever.  M 
What is the conclusion of this prayer?  C 
It is, that all our desires, requests, and actions of grace be addressed unto God alone, through jesus Christ, confirming us throughlie in substance unto that which it containeth, as unto the perfect rule of all true godliness.  M 
Why is this word added to the end Amen, or So be it?  C 
To assure us that our prayer made thus in truth, and according to his will, is truly heard.   

Of Obedience.  Mother. 
WHat is the third point of Christian adoration, and service of God?  C 
It is to obey the law of God, in true charity, out of a pure heart, and out of a pure conscience, and of faith unfeigned.  M 
What is this charity here required?  C 
It is to love God with all our heart, soul, understanding and power: and our neighbour as ourself.  M 
This true obedience and charity, proceedeth it not of faith?  C 
Yea, & all the good works here commanded, which God hath prepared that we should walk in them.  M 
Faith then, it is not an opinion vain and fleshly, to entice us to sin more boldly, and to live in all carnal liberty.  C 
No. For if we by faith be truly graffed in jesus Christ, and call upon God to salvation, we will no more bring forth the works of the flesh, but the fruits of the spirit.  M 
Which are the works of the flesh?  C 
Adultery, fornication, filthiness, outrageousness, idolatry, enmity, strife, emulation, anger, altercation, sedition, sects, envy, murder, drunkenness, gluttony, and things like unto the same.  M 
And which are the fruits of the spirit?  C 
Love, joy, peace, patience, benignity, goodness, faith, caurtesie, temperance.  M 
Seeing we are all carnal, evil, and servants of sin, have we power of ourselves to do good, and to keep us from evil?  C 
No, not so much as to think any good thing. For it is God that worketh in us both the will and the deed, according to his good will.  M 
We must not then do every one of us, what seemeth unto him good and right; what good nature, inclination, or free will soever he allege.  C 
No. For of us can come nothing but perdition; but ail our goodness, aid & salvation comneth of God only.  M 
Our reason, wisdom, and intent, can the same be the rule to know and discern of our works, whether they be good or evil?  C 
No. For we have all but one lawgiver, who hath given us the true and perfect rule out of the ten commandments of the law.  M 
What contain the four commandments of the first table?  C 
How God declareth himself to be our God, and therefore by good right he requireth of us faith, homage, adoration, obedience and duty.  M 
And the six commandments in the second table, what do they contain?  C 
Our office and duty towards our neighbour; which is to do unto him, as we would be done unto ourselves: and not to do unto him that, which we would not to be done unto ourselves.  M 
Go to, recite now this holy law.  C 
hearken, O Israel; I am the Lord thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, etc. as Exodus. 20.  M 
And how is it, that jesus Christ accomplished in us this law so perfectly?  C 
In giving us his holy spirit, who engendereth in us a continual desire and mind, to do all that the law commandeth us, as near as we can.  M 
And this obedience so unperfect, doth it please God?  C 
Yea, by this, that our imperfection is not imputed unto us, because of jesus Christ, whose justice and perfect obedience is ours through faith.  M 
Alas, who shall give us the heart and the power to do the will of God, which he here hath declared unto us by his holy ordinances?  C 
It shall be even he himself by his spirit, in the name of jesus Christ his son, whom he hath given unto the death, to deliver us from the condemnation of the law, and from the bondage of sin, that is to say from eternal death.   

Of Confession.  Mother. 
WHat is the fourth point of Christian adoration and service of God?  C 
It is the solemn confession or acknowledging that we make in the Church, through the use of the Sacraments.  M 
What confession?  C 
Of all good things, both general and particular, which we receive in the Church, through the communion that we have with jesus, and together among ourselves one with another.  M 
Do we not daily make such a confession unto God, in hearing his word, and calling upon him, seeking to obey him, according to the benefits which he hath given unto us?   

Sacraments.  Child. 
YEa certainly. But we make it also through the exercise of the Sacraments in greater force and edifying.  M 
Show the reason.  C 
Because they are annexed to the preaching and promises of the Gospel, to move our souls and bodies to praise God with greater confirmation of our faith and love.  M 
Understandest thou not, that there is one like salvation by preaching, and by the Sacraments offered unto all, as well to the faithful, as to the unfaithful?  C 
Yea: but the unfaithful, in respecting this salvation, receive nothing but the word & outward signs to their condemnation.  M 
Nevertheless, the Sacraments do not signify and represent less to one than to the other.  C 
It is certain. For God is alway true, and useth not to teach lies.  M 
The Lord than hath joined the Sacraments with the preaching and promises of the Gospel, as the seals are joined with the letters and instruments which they confirm.  C 
Yea, to print & seal them the more in our souls & bodies, & to move all our senses unto this confession.  M 
The Sacraments than are unto us great succour and comfort.  C 
Yea, in our infirmities, disquietness, and temptations, which come daily unto us, as well from the devil and the world, as from our own flesh.  M 
Which are the Sacraments that the Lord jesus hath instituted in his Church?  C 
Baptism and the Supper, putting end unto Circumcision, and to the paschal Lamb.  M 
How is it that he himself hath authorized and sanctified them?  C 
In that he would receive Baptism in his own body, and to be the first administrator of the Supper.  M 
Where is it that the Lord commandeth Baptism?  C 
In S. Matthew the last Chapter: And jesus came and spoke unto them, saying: All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Ghost, teaching them to keep all those things that I have commanded you.  M 
Is Baptism a washing of bodily filthiness?  C 
No. For so little water can do nothing to us.  M 
From what filthiness then are we there washed?  C 
From spiritual filthiness, which are our sins.  M 
We come then into the world all filthy and corrupt.  C 
If we were not conceived in sin, and borne in iniquity, we should not have to do with baptism.  M 
In whose name be we baptized?  C 
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Ghost, who is our only and very true God in three persons.  M 
And with what water are we washed and regenerated?  C 
With the water of life, which is the holy spirit, in the blood of jesus Christ.  M 
Baptism then representeth unto us, & assureth us of the full remission of our sins, and exchanging of our wicked nature.  C 
Yea, and by the same both we and our children are received into the Church, as partakers of the covenant of the Lord, as well as Abraham and his seed by circumcision.  M 
Seeing that by baptism we are borne, clothed, washed, and regenerated in the house of God, which is the Church: with what meat, and with what drink are we nourished and fed?  C 
Even with himself, who hath begotten us. For as he is our washing and clothing: so is he unto us meat and drink.  M 
Is this because he is the word of God, which is the true food of our souls?  C 
Yea, and we must go further: seeing that his word became flesh, whereof it cometh that we are nourished with his flesh, & with his blood into life eternal.  M 
And how is it that his body was made meat or heavenly bread, and his blood drink unto us?  C 
By his death and passion, as he declareth in his holy Supper.  M 
Where shall we find the institution of the holy Supper?  C 
In three Evangelists, and very largely declared in the first to the Corinthians the xi. Chapter.  M 
Read the place.  C 
I received of the Lord, that which I have given unto you; namely, that the Lord jesus, in the same night that he was betrayed, took bread; and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said: Take, eat, this is my body, which is broken for you: do this in remembrance of me. Likewise, after supper he took the cup, saying: This cup is the new testament in my blood: do this as often as you shall drink it in the remembrance of me. For as often as you shall eat of this bread, and drink of this cup, ye shall declare the Lords death until he come. Wherefore, whosoever shall eat of this bread, or drink of this cup unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of this bread, and drink of this cup. For whosoever eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh his own damnation, making no difference of the Lords body, (or not discerning the body of the lord)  M 
Did not the Lord then minister unto all equally, one bread and one wine in his Supper?  C 
Yea, as indifferently as he died for all, and commanded to take, eat, and drink.  M 
What signifieth then the bread of the Supper?  C 
The precious body of jesus, which he gave unto the death of the Cross for us.  M 
And what signifieth the wine?  C 
His precious blood, which he shed upon the Cross for us.  M 
This bread and wine being called the body and blood of the Lord, do they change their substance and nature?  C 
No: but as we corporally eat the bread, & drink the wine; so spiritually we eat the body, and drink the blood of the Lord.  M 
And how may we ascend up to heaven (where he is) to eat his flesh, and to drink his blood?  C 
By love, and lively faith; seeing that already we have there our conversation, and that the words of the Lord are spirit and life.  M 
And he being in heaven, how is it that he communicateth unto us his body and his blood; we being here below upon the earth?  C 
By the virtue of his holy spirit, by whom he joineth us unto himself, and maketh us partakers of himself in true holiness of soul and body.  M 
The Infidels, may they eat the body, and drink the blood of the Lord?  C 
Nay: for through their infidelity, they receive it to their condemnation, as did judas.  M 
How must we prepare ourselves, before we come to this holy Table?  C 
Every one must prove himself, whether he come with true faith and repentance, and with Christian charity, as he witnesseth.  M 
The true preparation then, and worthiness consisteth not in this, that our faith & charity be so great as it ought to be.  C 
No: for though we ought continually to tend thereunto, yet shall we never be able to come at it.  M 
How is it then, that our faith, so little and unperfect, saveth us, and maketh us worthy to receive that which is offered unto us by the Gospel, and the Sacraments?  C 
In that, that it soundeth us, and maketh us wholly to rest in the righteousness, dignity, and perfection of jesus, unto whom only the father hath regard.  M 
Must all they be received, that present themselves to the Supper?  C 
Yea, all those whom we know to be disciples, and members of jesus, willing to live and die in this faith and doctrine thereof.    

A collection of the principal points, which they ought to know, that will communicate at the holy Supper of the Lord jesus Christ.  
THere is one only God, on whom all things depend.  
1 The first point to honour God well, consisteth in this, that we have all our confidence in him, and that we perceive the means to know him; namely, in jesus Christ. Hereunto serveth the confession of faith before recited. The said confession containeth four parts.  
The first is of God the father, who is the beginning and principal cause of all things.  
The second of his son jesus Christ, who is the eternal wisdom of God. And in this part is comprehended the whole history of our redemption, to know, that by jesus Christ alone we obtain salvation, and the means whereby he hath purchased it for us:  
The third of the holy spirit, who is the virtue and power of God, which he poureth upon his creatures, and nevertheless is resident still in himself.  
The fourth of the Church, and of the graces of God towards the same.  
2 The second point to honour God aright, consisteth in this, that we obey his will. The rule to obey him, is given us in the ten commandments of the law.  
The four first commandments contain the duty that we own unto God.  
The six following contain the duty that we own unto our neighbours.  
3 The third point to honour God aright, consisteth in this, that in all our necessities we call upon him alone.  
The instruction to call rightly upon God, is given us in the prayer of our Lord jesus Christ.  
The three first petitions of the same prayer, concern the glory of God.  
The other three concern our own welfare & profit.  
4 The fourth point to honour God aright, lieth in this, that we look for all good things at his hand, as it is he only from whom all good things proceed.  
The promises of this free goodness that God useth towards his own, are contained in the Gospel.  
The same promises are comprehended by faith.  
Faith is an assured knowledge of the good will of God towards us, grounded upon the free promises, which is given unto us in jesus Christ, and confirmed in our hearts by his holy spirit.  
Because of the weakness of our faith, our Lord hath given us the Sacraments.  
A Sacrament is an outward testimony, which by a visible sign representeth unto us the promises of God, spiritually accomplished in us.  
Baptism is unto us as an entrance into the Church of God, and representeth unto us the remission of our sins, and our renovation of life.  
The water, as the property thereof is to wash, doth signify the washing of our souls, which is done for us through the blood of jesus Christ, in the forgiveness of our sins.  
The water also is put upon the head, in sign of death: nevertheless, in that it is done but for a little time, it is a figure of our resurrection.  
The Supper was instituted of our Lord, to assure us, that by the communion of his body, & of his blood, our souls are nourished in hope of life everlasting.  
The bread and the wine signify unto us the body & blood of jesus Christ, which have the same property towards our souls, that the bread and wine have towards our bodies; namely, to nourish & strengthen.  
The right use of communicating at the supper, is chiefly, a man to prove himself, whether he have true faith with repentance & charity towards his neighbours.  
FINIS.  
D. M.   

A godly exhortation to mortification of our sinful affections, and to holinèsse of life: written by a virtuous Gentlewoman.  
IF ye live after the flesh, you shall die: but if ye through the spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. For as many as are led by the spirit of God they are the sons of God. Rom. 8.  
This also, we know the season that we should now awake out of sleep. For now is our salvation near: the night is passed, the day is come nigh: let us put on the armour of light, let us walk honestly, as it were in the day light, not in eating and drinking, neither in chambering and wantonness, neither in strife and envying: but put ye on the Lord jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts of it. Rom. 13.  
The reward of sin is death: but eternal life is the gift of God through jesus Christ our Lord. Rom. 6.  
dearly beloved, abstain from fleshly lusts, which fight against the soul: and see that ye have honest conversation among the Gentiles, that whereas they backbite you as evil doers, they may see your good works, and glorify God in the day of visitation. 1. Peter. 2.  
I say walk in the spirit, and fulfil not the lusts of the flesh. For the flesh lusteth contrary to the spirit, and the spirit contrary to the flesh. These are contrary one to the other, so that ye can not do whatsoever ye would: but and if ye be led of the spirit, then are ye not under the law. The deeds of the flesh are manifest, which are these: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, wantonness, worshipping of images, witchcraft, hatred, variance, zeal, wrath, strife, seditions, sects, envying, murder, drunkenness, gluttony, & such like. Of the which I tell ye before, as I have told you in times past, that they which commit such things, shall not be inheritors of the kingdom of God. They truly that are Christ's, have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts thereof. Galat. 5.  
Let no filthy communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to edify withal: as oft as need is, that it may minister grace unto the hearers, and grieve not the holy spirit of God. Phil. 4.  
Follow not thy lusts, but turn thee from thine own will. For if thou givest thy soul her desires, it shall make thine enemies to laugh thee to scorn. Sirac. 18.  
An adulterous woman shall be trodden under foot as mire of every one that goeth by the way. Sirac. 9  
Ye adulterers, and women that break matrimony, know ye not how that the friendship of the world is enmity to Godward. Whosoever will be a friend of the world, is made enemy of God. Submit yourselves to God, and resist the devil, and he will fly from you: draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands ye sinners, and purge your hearts ye wavering minded: suffer afflictions, sorrow ye, and weep, let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. Cast down yourselves before the Lord, and he shall lift you up. james. 4.  
For the children of adulterers, they shall come to an end, and the seed of an unrighteous bed shall be rooted out. And though they live long, yet shall they be nothing regarded, and their last age shall be without honour. If they die hastily they have no hope, neither shall they be spoken to in the day of knowledge. For horrible is the death & end of the unrighteous. Wisd. 3.  
The children of the ungodly are abominable children, and so are all they that accompany with the ungodly. The inheritance of ungodly children shall come to nought, and their posterity shall have a perpetual shame and confusion. Woe be unto you ye ungodly, which have forsaken the law of the highest. If ye do live, ye shall be cursed: if ye die, the curse shall be your portion. Labour to get thee a good name, for it shall continue surer by thee, than a thousand great treasures of gold. Sirac. 41.  
The Lord alloweth the righteous, but the ungodly and him that delighteth in wickedness, doth his soul abhor. Upon the ungodly he shall rain snares, fire and brimstone, storm and tempest, this shall be their portion to drink. For the righteous Lord loveth righteousness. Psal. 11.  
As for sinners, they shall be confounded out of the earth, and the ungodly shall come to an end. Psal. 103.   

Another godly exhortation to move us to prayer, and to cause us to be in a continual readiness to wait on our Master Christ, when he shall come again to judge both the quick and dead: written by the same godly Gentlewoman.  
Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say rejoice: let your softness be known to all men. The Lord is even nigh at hand, be careful for nothing: but in all prayer and supplication, let your petitions be manifest unto God with giving of thanks. Be fervent in spirit: apply yourselves to the time: rejoice in hope: be patiented in tribulation: continue in prayer. Rom. 22.  
Take heed therefore how ye walk: circumspectly, not as unwise, but as wise men redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And be not drunken with wine, wherein is excess: but be filled with the spirit, speaking unto yourselves in Psalms and Hymns, and in spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord in your hearts: giving thanks always for all things unto God the Father, in the name of our Lord jesus Christ, submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God. Epes. 5.  
Pray always with all manner of prayers and supplications in the spirit, and watch thereunto with all instance and supplication. Ephes. 6.  
verily verily I say unto you saith Christ, Whatsoever ye ask the father in my name, he will give it you. Ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full. And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are, for they love to pray standing in the Synagogues, and in the corners of the streets, because they would be seen of men: verily I say unto you, they have their reward. But when thou prayest, enter into thy Chamber, and when thou hast shut the door, pray thou to thy father which is in secret, and thy father which seethe in secret, shall reward thee openly. And when thou prayest, babble not much as the heathen do, for they think, that they shall be heard for their much babbling sake. Be ye not like them therefore, for your father knoweth whereof ye have need, before ye ask of him. After this manner therefore pray ye. Our father which art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, etc. Matth. 6.  
Watch and pray, for you know neither the day, nor yet the hour when the son of man cometh in his glory, & all the holy Angels with him. Then shall he sit upon the seat of his glory, and before him shall be gathered all nations; and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth the sheep from the goats: and then he shall set the sheep on his right hand, and the goats on the left. Then shall the King say to them on his right hand, Come ye blessed children of my father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the beginning of the world, for I was an hungered, and ye gave me meat. Then shall the King say unto them that shall be on the left hand, Depart from me ye cursed, into everlasting fire, which is prepared for the devil and his Angels. For I was an hungered, and ye gave me no meat, I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink. Then shall they answer him saying: Lord; when saw we thee an hunged, or a thirst, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee. Then shall he answer them saying: verily, I say unto you, in as much as you did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not unto me. And these shall go away into everlasting pain, but the righteous to life eternal. Matth. 25.  
As jesus sat in mount Olivet, his disciples came unto him secretly, saying: Tell us when these things shall be, and what sign shall be of thy coming, and of the end of the world. And jesus answered, and said unto them: Take heed that no man deceive you, for many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ, and shall deceive many. Ye shall hear of wars, and of the fame of wars, but see that you be not troubled, for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. Matth. 24.  
And there shall be signs in the Sun, and in the Moon, and in the Stars, and in the Earth: the Sea, and the waters shall roar, and men's hearts shall fail them for fear, and for looking for those things which shall come on the earth. Behold the fig tree, and all other trees, when they shoot forth their buds; ye see and know of your own selves that Summer is then nigh at hand. So likewise ye, when ye see these things come to pass, understand that the kingdom of God is then nigh at hand. Luke. 21.  
But of that day and hour no man knoweth, no not the Angels of heaven, but my father only. As the time of Noah was, so shall likewise the coming of the son of man be. For as in the days before the flood, they did eat and drink, marry and were married, even unto the day that Noah entered into the ship, and knew of nothing till the flood came; and took them all away, so shall also the coming of the son of man be. Matth. 23.  
Take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be overcome with surfeiting and drunkenness, and cares of this world, and that day come on you unwares. For as a snare shall it come upon all them that sit on the face of the earth. Watch therefore continually, and pray, that ye may obtain grace, and fly all this that shall come, and that ye stand before the son of God. Luke. 21.  
Take heed, watch and pray, for ye know not when the time is. As a man which is gone into a strange Country, and hath left his house, and given authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch. Watch therefore, for ye know not when the master of the house will come, whether at even, or at midnight, whether at the cocke-crowing, or in the dawning, least if he come suddenly, he should find you sleeping, and that I say unto you, I say unto all men, Watch and pray. Matth. 13.  
Be sober and watch, for your adversary the devil, as a roaring Lion, walketh about seeking whom he may devour, whom resist ye steadfastly in faith.  
Finally, let us in all our prayers remember to pray for the Queen's most excellent Majesty, that it will please the almighty God to prosper her in all her affairs, and send her a long and triumphant reign over us, that she may overcome all her enemies, and that after this painful life ended, she may reign with Christ in his heavenly kingdom, there to receive a glorious crown that never shall perish: So be it.  
FINIS.     



THE THIRD LAMP OF VIRGINITY; Containing sundry forms of divine meditations & Christian prayers; penned by the godly learned, to be properly used of the QVEENES' most excellent Majesty, as especially upon the 17. day of November, being the day of the gladness of her heart, and memorable feast of her coronation: so on all other days and times at her Grace's pleasure.  
Whereunto also is added a most heavenly HEAST spoken as it were in the person of GOD unto her Majesty, containing his divine will and commandment concerning government: and a right godly and Christian Vow uttered again by her Grace unto God, comprehending the heroical office and duty of a Prince: faithfully compiled out of the holy Psalms of that Princely Prophet King DAVID, as they are learnedly explained by Theodore Beza: very profitable to be often read and meditated upon of her Majesty, and all other Christian Rulers and Governors, to the glory of God; the benefit of his Church, and their own everlasting joy and comfort in the holy GHOST.  PSALM. 45. 
Audi filia, & vide, & inclina aurem tuam, obliu●scere popul●… t●●. & domus patris tui.  
Et concupiscet Rex formam tuam, quia ipse est Dominus tuus, ipsum adorabis.  
Omnis gloria filiae Regis intùs est.  
1582    

Right godly Psalms, fruitful Prayers, and comfortable Meditations to be said of our most virtuous and dear Sovereign LADY Queen ELIZABETH, as at all times at her Grace's pleasure: so especially upon the 17. day of November, being the memorable day of her majesties most joyful deliverance out of trouble: and happy entry to her blessed reign.  

The 18. Psalm of DAVID, which he made for the first beginning of his gratulation and thanksgiving unto God, in the entering into his kingdom, for the marvelous mercies, victories and graces of God towards him: paraphrasticallie explained and opened by that godly learned man THEODORE BEZA.  
I Do love thee, O LORD, my strength: I do love thee, even from the bottom of my heart.  
The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, my deliverer, my God, my mount, my refuge, my shield, the horn wherewith I drive away the enemy, and my high tower of defence.  
I have praised the Lord, and called upon him: and he hath delivered me from all mine enemies.  
The bands of death had compassed me round about & bound me: most wicked men, like most raging floods, made me afraid, environing me round about.  
I did lie as it were wrapped in my winding sheet, even snarled with the snares of death.  
I called upon the Lord in these extremities, I called upon my God, I say, and he heard my voice out of his high palace: and received into his ears the cry that I made unto him in the prison.  
Then began the earth to quake and tremble, the very foundations of the mountains to shake and shudder.  
And he breathed out smoke from his nostrils, spitting forth fire out of his mouth: yea casting forth even coals of fire.  
He bowed the heavens and came down, the darkness being spread all abroad under his feet.  
He did ride upon the wings of the Angels, and was carried with the wings of the wind.  
Black darkness environed his tabernacle round about, and he was carried with most dark and thick clouds.  
Until his glistering brightness did break those clouds, and the flames of fire did flash on every side.  
At the length, he thundered from heaven, and filled all places with his mighty sounding voice, and with hailstones and lightnings.  
He shot forth his fiery darts, and increasing his lightnings, he terrified mine enemies, and destroyed them.  
Then the deep bottoms of the waters appeared, and the foundations of the world were discovered at thy rebuke, O Lord, and at the blustering wind of thy wrath.  
So then hath he (stretching his right hand from the heaven) taken me, and drawn me out of the bottom of the deep waters.  
From the mighty enemy, I say, and from the other enemies, by whose power I was oppressed.  
For they verily had almost cast me down, and destroyed me at the sudden: but he was my staff that stayed me.  
And he hath drawn me out of these straits, and placed me in an open and large place: because it so pleased him (without my deserving) to favour me.  
For he had regard indeed of me, that so was oppressed of these men without cause, & granted these things to me being guiltless.  
For I have followed the way that the Lord hath appointed me, howsoever these men vexed me: neither could I be drawn by any of their injuries, that I should fall from my God as the wicked use.  
For I had all his laws before mine eyes, neither did I put his statutes forth of my sight.  
But I behaved myself without hypocrisy with him, neither did I follow mine affections, which else would easily have carried me forth of the way.  
Therefore had the Lord regard of me that was oppressed of them without any cause: and favoured me the innocent party.  
For thou, O Lord, wilt show thyself good and upright to them that deal uprightly.  
And as thou showest thyself sincere, with them that deal sincerely: so the crafty men shall perceive thee to be more cunning.  
For although many times thy servants be sore vexed: yet doest thou preserve them, and doest cast down those that behave themselves so proudly.  
Hence have I my light, whereby thou causest me to shine: and drivest away my darkness.  
Thou hast made me to overcome these dangers easily, and to leap over the walls and lets that were in my way.  
For the way whereby God leadeth us is plain, the word of God is most pure: the Lord doth defend all that trust in him as with a shield.  
For who is God, but the Lord? And who is mighty, but our God only?  
He hath girded me with power, and hath made my way safe.  
He hath made me as swift as the Hinds, and hath placed me in most high and safe places.  
He hath taught mine hands to fight, and he hath given me so great strength, that I am able to break a bow of brass with these mine arms.  
Thou hast preserved me with the protection of thy shield, & thou hast stayed me with thy right hand, when I was ready to fall, through thy great mercy.  
Thou hast caused me to go safely without danger, and thou hast stayed my sliding steps.  
Therefore have I pursued mine enemies, and taken them, and I have not turned back, till I have destroyed them.  
I have so beaten them down, and trodden them under foot, that they were not able to raise themselves again.  
For thou verily hast given me such strength, that they which have risen against me, have fallen headlong at my feet.  
Thou hast given me power to strike off their heads, and that I might destroy them that pursued me.  
Yet Lord, I grant they cried unto thee: but thou hast not delivered them, neither wouldst hear their cry.  
Therefore did I beat them small, like the dust that the wind scattereth abroad: and I did beat them like the mire, which is tempered under the foot of them that walk the streets.  
Yea, also thou hast delivered me from domestical and inward troubles, and thou hast given me dominion over the nations that I never knew before.  
Unknown people (I say) obey my commandments, and strangers be compelled for fear to submit themselves unto me.  
The hearts of the strangers have failed, so that they fall down for fear in their strongest forts.  
Let the Lord live, and let him that is my defence be knowledged and worshipped of all, as he worthily deserveth. Let God my deliverer be praised everywhere.  
Even God (I say) who is mine avenger, who hath subdued so many people under me.  
Thou hast saved me from mine enemies, thou hast delivered me from them that rose up against me, especially from that cruel cursing man.  
Therefore will I praise thee, even amongst the profane nations, and I will sing unto thy Majesty.  
For verily thou hast marvelously preserved thy Queen, & not only ELIZABETH herself, whom thou hast anointed Queen, but also thou hast showed singular favour to her posterity that shall remain for ever,  
Amen.  
* Glory therefore be unto thee o FATHER, the Son, and the holy Ghost, as it was from all beginnings, is at this present, and ever shall be through all ages and worlds, world without end:  
Amen, AMEN.   

The 118. Psalm made by DAVID, when he obtained his kingdom after the death of Saul.  
OH acknowledge, & declare ye openly that the Lord is good, for his bounteous goodness is for ever.  
Let Israel now confess this thing, for his bounteous goodness and mercy endureth for ever.  
Let the stock of Aaron now confess, that his loving kindness is perpetual.  
Let all the sincere worshippers of the Lord now confess this, that his loving kindness is perpetual.  
I doubtless, being a notable example of his unspeakable bounty, have not ceased (as ye know) to call upon him in my greatest extremities: and he (as you yourselves see) having heard me, hath exalted me into this most large room.  
Wherefore I, having experience that the Lord worketh for me, and that he is so near at hand unto me, God forbidden that I should fear the power or the threats of any man.  
For the Lord himself is the chief leader of those that help me, so that I can not doubt at all, but that I shall see with mine eyes those enemies which remain justly punished of him.  
Oh how far better is it to trust in the Lord, than in men!  
How far better is it to trust in the Lord, than in any men, how excellent soever they be!  
Behold, many nations compass me about, but I calling upon the Lord, shall most undoubtedly destroy them.  
They compass me in I say, they beset me round about, but calling upon the Lord, I shall most undoubtedly destroy them.  
Mine enemies in great multitudes compass me like swarms of Bees, but I shall forthwith stifle them, as though they were cast into the fire, and calling upon the Lord, I shall most undoubtedly destroy them.  
For in deed before, the most cruel enemy did so sore thrust at me, that I seemed even now ready to fall: but as I was falling, the Lord supported me.  
Therefore I account him mine only strength, I acknowledge him to be my Saviour, and praise him in my song.  
Hereof come those voices of those that sing, and rejoice together with me, out of their tabernacles, now doubtless the Lord hath advanced the power of his most strong right hand.  
The Lord hath now exalted that his right hand, now the Lord hath showed forth the power of his most strong right hand.  
Behold me then that am yet alive, and about to set forth the works of God.  
For though he hath stricken me very sore, yet hath he spared me life.  
I pray thee therefore, let that gate now at the length be open unto me, which only the lovers of righteousness must go unto, that I being entered thither, may praise the Lord.  
For it is consecrate unto the Lord, therefore is it open to the just alone.  
Hear will I praise thee, O Lord, because thou giving ear hast delivered me.  
For the stone which the very chief builders have so stubbornly as yet rejected, as nothing fit, is not only now counted in the building: but even as a principal it upholdeth the whole weight of the very building.  
verily, it is a work of God indeed, which maketh all the beholders thereof to be amazed.  
Go to then, seeing the Lord hath commanded this most joyful day to shine unto us, let us pass it wholly in mirth becoming Saints, and say:  
I beseech thee O Lord, preserve the Queen that is given us from heaven. I pray thee, I say, I pray thee O Lord give the Queen ELIZABETH all prosperity.  
Let her have prosperity and bliss, that cometh to govern us in the name and commandment of God. We wish prosperity to you also; that are the nearer inhabitants of the house of the Lord.  
jehova is the only God, who shineth unto us, bind the Lamb with cords, that is brought to the horns of the altar.  
Thou art my God, I will praise thee, thou art my God, I will sing thy praises most loud.  
Confess that the Lord is exceeding good, for his bounteous goodness is everlasting.  
* Glory be therefore unto thee o blessed Trinity, the Father, Son, and holy Ghost, as always it hath been, continually is, and ever shall be, worlds without ending: So be it.    

The prayer.  
O Almighty GOD, most gracious Lord, and heavenly Father, behold, I thine handmaid prostrate here before the throne of thy divine Majesty, meekly confess thee to be my merciful God, my highest King, and everlasting Saviour; and humbly I acknowledge thee the Sovereign Lord above all lords; the highest King of all kings, and the only omnipotent Creator, wise preserver, and wonderful ruler of all thy creatures in heaven and earth, high and low, visible and invisible: and myself also to be the work of thine hands; the sheep of thy pasture; a subject and servant to thy most high and sacred Majesty, and a child depending alone and wholly upon thy divine and fatherly providence for all things. And because I know unthankfulness doth greatly displease thee, (For it is the root of all spiritual evil, and the only thing that dammeth up the fountain of thy godly mercy for ever,). I will give thanks unto thee, O Lord, lest I be unthankful to thee, my God, my deliverer and Saviour. And I yield thee now most humble and hearty thanks, for that it hath pleased thee, of thy singular mercy, to give me this especial honour: first, to suffer for thy glorious truth much extreme misery, fear, care, imprisonment, peril of body, trouble of mind, hazard of life, and danger of death, by sickness, fire, conspiracy, and sword: and afterward blessedly protecting and preserving me from so manifold dangers, and miraculously delivering me out of the hands of all mine enemies; to call me to this excellent state & royal dignity of a Prince: and as this day to clothe me with the garments of honour; to set the Crown of gladness, and diadem of dignity upon mine head; to put the sceptre of righteousness, the globe of glory, and the sword of thy power into mine hands, and to anoint and consecrate me thine handmaid QUEEN of this Realm, that I might be the principal member and chief instrument in the same to advance thy glory, and further thy Gospel, for the which I suffered. Yea, to be thy people's joseph, their Moses, their josua, their David, their josias, their Samuel, and their Solomon: finally, to be their Deborah, their jael, their Hester, their judith, and their Elizabeth; that is, their rest, stay, and staff of Majesty, their shepherd and ringleader in the way of virtue, holiness, zeal, and sincere religion. Which marvelous work of thine, oh gracious GOD, for thy name sake, give me grace, not only this day; but all the days and time of my life to remember and solemnize with worthy thanksgiving: that with the Queen of Saba I may continually bless thee, and say; Blessed be thou O Lord my GOD, which thus hast loved me, and thy people, to set me in thy throne as QUEEN, and to establish them for ever, by making me their Governor over them in thy steed, to execute thy judgement and justice.  
Neither can I now forget, but thankfully also call to my remembrance all thy other great mercies, O merciful God, showed towards me since my coming unto the Crown: namely, how often in thy mighty and marvelous mercy thou hast delivered unto me & my Counsel, the wicked attempts, malignant devices, and mischievous practices wrought and conceived of all my common, crafty, and cruel enemies, Satan, and his ministers; who to exalt themselves, and to rob me both of thy people, kingdom, peace, and religion, even of very malice and deadly hatred, have by all devilish means raged, blasphemed, and conspired against thee, O GOD, and thy truth, like hypocrites: against me and my Crown, like traitors; and against their Commonwealth and country, like spoilers: and that for no offence of mine to themward, LORD, thou knowest; but only of cruel spite they bear me, because in truth I profess thy Christian religion, and seek by establishing the same through good and godly laws, to serve thee zealously, sincerely, and purely; according to the rule and verity of thine eternal word. Which thy great benefits, when I well consider, together with mine unworthiness thereof, I am even forced with my father DAVID, to give humble thanks, and to bless thee before all the congregation, and say: Blessed be thou, O LORD GOD of Israel, our Father for ever and ever. Thine, O LORD, is greatness, and power, and glory, and victory, and praise. For all that is in heaven and in earth is thine. Thine is the kingdom, O LORD, and thou excellest, (as head over all.) Both riches and honour come of thee, and thou reignest over all; and in thine hand is power and strength: in thine hand, I say, O mighty GOD, it is to make great, and to give strength unto all: now therefore I thank thee, and praise thy glorious name for ever. But who am I, O Lord GOD, and what is my people, that thou hast brought me to this honour, and thus redeemed and delivered both me and thy people out of thrall unto thyself, and art become our GOD? Doth this appertain to man, O LORD? Or cometh not this rather of thy free mercy, more than of any our worthiness? And what can ELIZABETH say more unto thee? For thou Lord God knowest thy servant, & even for thy words sake, & according to thine own heart, hast thou made my fountain become a flood, and my light to shine as the sun: and done all these great things, to make them known unto thy servant.  
Now therefore, for this thy gracious favour after so long restraint; so great dangers overpassed; such blusterous storms overblown; so many injuries digested, & wrongs sustained, by thy mighty protection, O merciful God, to my no small comfort, & thy people's commodity, in exalting, erecting, and bringing me out of thrall to liberty; out of darkness into light; out of danger to peace and quietness; from dread to dignity; from misery to majesty; from mourning to ruling: briefly, of a prisoner to make me a Prince, and to place me in the royal throne, there to sit as Queen now full 24. years, in the admirable rest, blessed quietness, and long peace, which I now enjoy. For this thy divine wisdom, O heavenly father, in unfolding, revealing, & frustrating the proud platforms, & peevish practices of Achitophel's, & all mine enemies. For this thy mere mercy, O dear Christ, in spacing me and my people so long from the bloody hands of spoilers, oppressors, traitors & usurpers. For this thy heavenly providence, O holy Ghost, in preventing their devilish purposes, and so graciously protecting, preserving and defending me, as well before I was Queen, as since, from so extreme miseries, and manifold dangers, as also from the hands and violences of all mine enemies, visible & invisible, domestical & foreign. Finally, for these & for all other thy great graces, singular blessings, and mestimable benefits, & principal virtues, spiritual & corporal, O glorious Trinity, which through the mercy & merits of my sweet Saviour jesus Christ, thou heretofore from my birth haste, presently doest, or hereafter unto my death shalt bountifully bestow upon me and my people: I most heartily laud, entirely magnify, and incessantly extol thy most high, holy and renowned name, and sacred Princely Majesty.  
And as I meekly even of duty from the bottom of my heart, render unto thee my GOD and my King, all condign honour, worthy praise, and possible thanks, together with the unfeigned resignation of all empire, kingdom, power, rule, dominion, majesty and glory, both in heaven and in earth, as to thee only, and most justly belongeth: so now I most humbly and heartily beseech thy divine Majesty, O excellent Father, and most merciful GOD, to have mercy upon me thine humble handmaid and sinful servant. And be not provoked, good Lord, with my sins, nor with the sins of my parents & people, to give us over to the lust of our enemies. Make us not a reproach unto the foolish, nor let our adversaries in our overthrow triumph against us, saying, Where is now their God? But of thy rich mercy and wonted compassion in Christ jesus, forgive me my sins both old and new, both secret and open, both past, present, and to come: yea from both mine own and others faults, O God, I beseech thee deliver me, and cast all mine offences into the bottomless depth, out of thy remembrance and sight for ever: making the cross and passion, the death and resurrection of thy most dear and only son my sweet Saviour, and only Redeemer jesus Christ the righteous and immaculate Lamb, most effectual in me to all virtue, godliness of life, and piety, as best becometh thy daughter, thy virgin, thine anointed, and elect vessel of honour. That to all other thy good graces, & bountiful benefits already showed towards me: the which of thine accustomed goodness I beseech thee to confirm, finish, and work out in me, as thou hast graciously begun, and continue towards me to the end according to thy good pleasure, with such further increase thereof from time to time, as best shall serve to the setting forth of thy glory, the benefit of thy Church to all posterity, & mine eternal peace in Christ jesus the Prince of peace. Grant, I say, O Lord, this also may be added: namely, that as it hath pleased thee in thy secret wisdom to quicken me, that was Tanquam ovis, even as a seely sheep or lamb led to be slain, to raise me up out of the dust and mire of persecution, to lift me up out of the pit and dungeon, and to set me the chief of the Princes of this land, and to make me meet to inherint the seat of glory, yea to build me the chief and head pillar of this thy Church of England, France and Ireland, whereupon the whole body of thy Saints therein do stay themselves in thy blessed peace and unity. As I say, it is thy good will, not my deserts, to exalt the horn of thine anointed: to appoint me a frail woman thy Lieutenant here on earth: and to give power unto thy QUEEN to judge the ends of thy dominions, and execute thine office here amongst thy people for a space in the regal seat of justice and mercy: so vouchsafe thou, O gracious God, and loving Father, in like mercy to power down continually upon me all those thy special good gifts, princely virtues, and heavenly graces, fit for this my so high calling, that being plenteously endued therewith, the bright shining beams thereof, as from a glittering Star in the firmament, or the glorious Sun in his orient arising, to the setting forth of thy most glorious, invisible, and eternal Majesty, in this my frail, earthly and visible majesty, may clearly shine and appear in me, to the benefit of thy Church far and near. And that I remembering whose minister I am, may first above all things, in a perfect zeal of thy house, and love of thy people, ever seek thy honour and glory, and study continually to preserve thy people committed to my charge, in wealth, peace and godliness. Dear Father, so bless me, so love me, so in the spirit of counsel, prudence, knowledge and fortitude, sanctify, strengthen, and direct me, that in a perfect faith, fear and love, as in thy sight, I may walk uprightly, without offence giving, in the obedience of thy holy word, and fulfilling of thy blessed commandments all the days of my life: and may be a true follower of that King, which is the Sovereign over the holy hill of Zion, whose seat and kingdom endureth for ever. Give me grace both thankfully to acknowledge thy manifold great benefits bestowed upon me, and also faithfully and diligently to discharge my duty towards thee, and thy people, in executing thy judgements indifferently without partiality, to the advancement of thy kingdom, the establishment of my throne, and the universal comfort and commodity of all thy people.  
Make me, good Lord, of an entire affection, and perfect heart towards thee: and of an humble and gentle spirit towards all under my government, after the example of Christ our eternal King, who to fulfil thy will, O GOD, did vouchsafe to take flesh of the virgin Marie, and became man for man, that man might become a God unto men: and who also did very much abase and humble himself as a servant, even unto the death of the Cross, to redeem both Prince and people out of thrall and bondage of sin, Satan, death and hell. Let my natural affection and disposition, I say, O Lord, continue to my foes terrible; to my subjects amiable; to mine offenders merciful; to the virtuous bountiful; to all men indifferent; and partial to none: that being guided by thee to govern thy people justly, in all godly peace and quietness, I may be able with a good conscience to witness of mine integrity before thee and all the world, as thy faithful servants Moses, Samuel, and Nehemias sometimes did of theirs, and boldly and truly with them say: Behold, here I am; bear record of me before the Lord, & before his anointed. Whose ox, or whose ass have I forcibly taken away? Or whom have I done any wrong to? Or whom have I injured or hurt? Or of whose hand have I received any bribes, to blind mine eyes therewith, and I will restore it you: that my people seeing, and well perceiving my motherly affection, faithful government, careful diligence, and diligent watchfulness over them, by all means to do them all the good I possibly may or can in thee, may worthily witness, rightly answer, and justly confess and say of me, to thy glory, and my perpetual praise, as the Israelites heretofore said of Samuel: That I have not grieved them, nor troubled my land by oppression or injury: that I have not hurt them, nor taken aught of any man's hand, nor by any means, either by myself or others, willingly abused my power, or dealt unjustly with my people.  
Oh kindle more and more in my heart, I beseech thee, most holy Father, a pure zeal above all things to promote thy glory, and a vigilant care, not only to serve thee myself sincerely; but also to have thee diligently served of my family & people. And to this end vouchsafe I pray thee, both to adorn me with all thy heavenly gifts: and also to bless my whole family, court and household with thy graces and virtues; that all these, both high and low, one and other, which are placed therein under me, may for their virtuous life, true faith, and right religion towards thee their God: and for their loyal hearts, and conscionable obedience towards me their Prince and Mistress: and for their entire affection and charity one towards another as brethren: and lastly, for their hearty love and natural goodwill they bear to their Commonwealth and country, be an example and pattern of true godliness and purity, both in religion and life, for all the whole Realm and country, yea the whole world beside to follow, as their head, fountain and light.  
Moreover, O blessed God, as hitherto by thy mighty protection thou hast preserved me, and in thy great mercy, maugre the heads of all mine enemies, miraculously hast delivered me, and established me in this my kingdom, thus long in admirable peace and blessed quietness, all glory and praise be rendered unto thy glorious name therefore: so I beseech thy gracious goodness, O Lord, in like mercy to bless, preserve, maintain, keep and defend me, and my Realm still, from all both foreign and domestical conspiracies, treasons, deceits, and violences of enemies, and from all other dangers and perils imminent and to come, both bodily and ghostly, public and private: that I may still govern blessedly over a blessed people, and my Realm and people, by thy defence and protection, continue in the truth of thy Gospel, and happy enjoying of perfect peace and quietness both outward and inward.  
Thou, O Lord of hosts, hast ordained me the Governor over thy people, and made my people to be thy people: and thou Lord art become our God, yea and our great and mighty God, besides whom we have none other God. I know also, my God, that thou triest the heart, and hast pleasure in righteousness: behold therefore, I offer, vow, and dedicate myself willingly and entirely in the uprightness of my heart, to serve and worship thee only for ever with joy, and therefore am I thine handmaid bold to pray this prayer unto thee, beseeching thee for ever to keep me, and to help me in this my good purpose of holy serving and worshipping of thee. For that which I have hitherto done, is nothing at all to speak of. O direct thou continually the thoughts of my mind, and prepare my heart evermore unto thee. Give unto me thine handmaid a perfect heart to keep thy commandments, thy testimonies, and thy statutes, and cause me to use my power lawfully, to the reforming both of thy house, and estates, according to the prescript rule of thy written word & revealed will, that so it may please thee O Lord God to confirm, for ever thy merciful promises made unto me in my father DAVID, and to bless the throne or house of thy servant, with thy blessing, that it may continue and be established before thee for ever.  
And that this may the better come to pass, to the glory of thy name, the benefit of thy Church, and wealth of my Realm, as I heartily wish and desire: remove far from thy Church, far from me O excellent father, all those which fall from thee by infidelity, and are through obstinate wilfulness traitorous rebels to thy sacred Law, and sincere Religion, which I profess. Let backbiters together with such as are proud, and those that dare shamelessly presume any thing, be utterly rooted out: but contrariwise, let there be space in especially for such as be very zealous of the truth, that they only may be conversant with me before thee, and cause me to feed them with a singular faith and innocency, and minister all things diligently unto them.  
Finally, let not the enemies of thy Gospel I beseech thee O gracious and mighty God, thus despise thy grace offered them unto repentance: but those that are to be converted, convert and turn them O God speedily, if it be thy will. Make thou Saul at the length to become a Paul: and let not the persecutor persist in his errors, but let them rather account thy long suffering, and my peaceable and unbloody government, an occasion of salvation to their souls, and of unfeigned love to thy Church. Otherwise, if they will needs remain still disobedient to thy truth, disloyal unto me, dangerous to the state, and enemies to their Country and Commonwealth, then O God of my salvation, arise, and help to wound the head of thine enemies, and the hairy scalp of such as go on still in their wickedness. Let thy right hand find out them that every day provoke thee, and revenge thyself on those blasphemous hypocrites, that thus proudly contemn thee to thy face. And as thou hast discovered them, and their peevish practices, against thee and thine anointed, so discover them still. As thou hast prevented their devilish purposes, and execrable intents, so prevent them still. Yea let their fiery eyes wax weary with looking, their bloody hearts and hands faint with waiting for their golden day, and that which cometh not yet; neither let come O Lord I beseech thee, but in thy good time, and according to thy will, a blessed and healthful reign unto myself, much joy and comfort to my subjects, and long peace to Zion for evermore.  
lastly, O most mighty God, look what remaineth yet of the happy building, enlarging and finishing of thy Church, and to the establishing and planting of thy Religion perfectly therein, according to the prescript rule of thy blessed word, and full discharge of my duty, when I shall be called to render an account before the judgement seat of Christ: because that without thee I can do nothing, neither is it possible to please thee, do thou O father of light, from whom all good gifts do come and proceed, vouchsafe to power down plentifully of thy principal spirit upon me, and so ravish my heart with the flame of the love of thee and thy people, & with an earnest zeal of thy house, that with joseph I may carefully and faithfully provide for thy people: with Moses painfully lead them out of the deserts of error and oppression: and with joshua, bring thy people into the land of promise: with Deborah fight thy battles: with jahel knock Sisera of Room in the temples of his usurped headship: with judith cut off the head of proud Holophernes: with Hezekias and josias root out and destroy all superstition and relics of idolatry: with David and Solomon finish and consecrate to eternity thy glorious Temple among thy people: and with them all most earnestly and continually to pray unto thee for their salvation. That here on earth for the time, after their virtuous example, doing that which is good in thy sight, reigning blessedly, ruling prudently, and like a loving mother, and tender nurse, giving my fostermilke, the food of thy word and Gospel abundantly to all, in all places of my dominion, and endeavouring myself faithfully to discharge the great trust committed unto me: when thy son, to whom not only the sea and winds, but all creatures are subject, shall come as King of kings to require an account of the charge committed unto me, I may be found faithful, and not fail finally in heaven, but in the pureness of my virginity, and holiness of mine innocency, be presented to the Lamb my sovereign Lord and only God, my heavenly Bridegroom and spiritual spouse, my everlasting King dear Christ, and only sweet Saviour jesus, there to see the Saints, and to be a Saint, and with all the holy patriarchs, judges, Kings, and Queens, yea with all the Archangels, Angels, Saints, Martyrs, Confessors, Virgins, and the whole company of thy celestial and blessed spirits, to reign with him over spiritual powers and principalities for ever, and sing the sugared songs of my wedding-daie to my perpetual joy, and thine eternal praise, O most glorious Trinity, the Father, the Son, and the holy Ghost, one invisible God almighty, blessed for ever and ever:  
Amen, Amen.   

Another prayer to be said of the Queen's Majesty.  
BLessed art thou Lord God of Sabbaoth, for unto thee appertaineth all magnificence, and power, and glory, to thee belongeth all honour and authority.  
For whatsoever is either in the heavens above, or in the earth beneath, it is thine. Thine, O Lord, is the kingdom, thou art above all Princes & Kings. Riches are thine, glory is thine, and thou art Lord over all. In thee remaineth virtue and power, greatness and government.  
O God of my fathers, and Lord of mercy, which hast made all things by thy word, and by thy wisdom appointed man to rule the creatures which thou hast made, and to govern the world with equity and justice; I praise thee, and extol thy glorious name, for appointing me thy servant, to rule and govern this thy people committed unto my charge.  
Now therefore, gracious Lord, favourably behold me, that I may tread the path of truth, righteousness, and sincerity of heart in thy sight.  
Let me not abuse mine authority, but govern with lenity and gentleness the people under me, that living a godly and honest life, mankind may enjoy their desired peace.  
Give therefore unto thy servant an heart desirous of instructions, that I may judge the people, and discern between good and evil, and neither declining to the right hand, or to the left, stoutly and valiantly maintain the cause of the righteous.  
Grant me counsel and assistance to do such things as are grateful unto thee, good for thy Church, and profitable for my people and Commonweal.  
Give me thy wisdom, and reject me not from thy children: for I thy servant and handmaiden am a frail woman of a short time, and full weak in the understanding of judgements and the laws.  
Thou hast chosen me a Governor of thy people, and a judge of thy sons and daughters; send me therefore wisdom from thy sacred heavens, and from the seat of thy magnificence, that it may be with me, and labour with me, whereby I may perceive what is acceptable in thine eyes, and learn that I have no power of myself, but from thee, which art Almighty, and reignest over the kingdoms of men, giving them at thy pleasure.  
Grant that I never conceive proudly of myself, but may receive in patience the discipline of thy Law.  
Make me wise and circumspect, that I neither offer injury to any man, neither suffer any to be injuried, that so equity may be maintained, and justice among men preserved.  
Let me at no time, under the show and colour of equity, uphold or countenance a wicked cause: neither yet without sufficient examination and trial of both parties, give sentence against any.  
Allow me such Counsellors, Governors, and Overseers, as are of courage, fearing God, dealing uprightly, hating covetousness; that by them the burden, charge, and care which I sustain, may be somewhat lightened.  
Endue both me and them with thine holy spirit, that with earnest study, and watchful minds, we may discern between matters, that no man through our negligence have the overthrow in a righteous cause, but that sentence be rightly pronounced between a man and his brother, and a stranger, without respect of any person in judgement.  
Let us hear as well the little as the great, and fear no man, because the judgement is thine, which standest in the company of judges, and among the gods thou playest the judge; for the judgement is not of man, but of the Lord, and whatsoever we shall judge it will come upon us.  
Wherefore, let thy fear be with us, that we may do all things with care and circumspection, that we prove not children in understanding: neither give ourselves to lusts & pleasures, but to eat our meat in due season, and that for strength, not for drunkenness.  
For thou wilt make earnest and diligent inquiry of all our works, and search all our cogitations, because we are thy servants and deputies to govern, men of a very short life: and he which is to day a King, to morrow may be dead: for we be all mortal, and subject to one and the same corruption.  
Besides, an horrible judgement is nigh for such as walk not after the will of thee our God: for he that is most low, shall find mercy: but the mighty shall be mightily tormented: for thou which art the Lord over all, regardest not the person of any, neither dost thou fear the greatness of the mighty, because as well the great as the small are the workmanship of thine hands; thy care is equal over all, & thou givest to godly Princes eternal happiness, which art the judge both of the quick and dead, living and reigning with thy Son in the unity of the Spirit a God for evermore,  
Amen.   

Another.  
FOrasmuch as it hath pleased thee O King of kings, and Lord of lords, to appoint me among other, a Ruler of thy people: give me grace I beseech thee so to minister the Commonweal, and so to execute mine office, that I may please thee, and hurt no man in all my doings, but judge equally, and justly rule according to thy will, show myself a Mother unto thy people, and so be have myself in all mine enterprises, that I seeking thy glory, the furtherance of thy blessed Gospel, and the weal of thy subjects, may, when thou shalt render to every one according to his deeds, be found blameless in thy sight, through jesus Christ our Lord:  
Amen.   

Another.  
OAlmightie God, Lord of heaven and earth, which hast appointed me thy servant to be a governor of thy people, and a ruler over men: I most humbly beseech thee send me thy wisdom from above, whereby I may uprightly judge thy people, rightly discern between good and evil, and constantly continue in doing my duty, without respect of persons.  
Give me power and wisdom to do that is grateful in thy sight, profitable for my subjects, and good for the continuance of peace.  
Let me always remember that I have no power of myself, but of thee, and that the judgement is not of man, but of thee my God, which standest among the judges, and playest the judge among the gods.  
Give me grace likewise to consider, that one day, how soon I know not, thou wilt bring me to a reckoning, and make diligent inquiry, how I have behaved myself in my place and office.  
For I thy servant have but a short race to run, and such is the state of us all; he which is to day a King, to morrow may be dead.  
And forasmuch as an horrible judgement shall be given upon such as rule not uprightly, nor walk after thy will; for mighty men shall mightisie be tormented: thou being Lord over all, wilt spare no person, nor fear any greatness, for thou hast made the small and great, and carest for all alike.)  
I beseech thee gracious and eternal God, give me grace to learn what thy will is, and to deal wisely, to infer none injury unto any, nor to suffer any to be injured, to countenance none evil cause, nor to slide from the path of justice.  
For I thy servant am a frail person, of a short time, and full weak in the understanding of judgements, and the laws.  
Send me therefore wisdom from the throne of thy Majesty, that she may be with me, & labour with me, that I may know what is acceptable in thy sight, and be led by her in all my doings, and preserved by her power, so shall my works be acceptable, and then shall I govern thy people righteously in Christ my Lord and Saviour,  
Amen.   

Another.  
Hear me, O LORD, thou high and mighty God, whose Majesty may not be comprehended, whose word is true, whose commandment is strong, thou that ridest upon the Cherubins, & fliest with the wings of the wind. Thou God of all mercy, most worthy to be sought, before whom the hosts of heaven stand with trembling, whose ordinance is dreadful, whose looks dry up the depths, whose hands rule the starry firmament, whose goodness only giveth the fruits of the earth, whose wrath maketh the mountains to melt, and consumeth the wicked, whose truth beareth witness, and mercy saveth the sorrowful sinner. Thou, thou incomprehensible Creator, that never tookest beginning, and wantest end. Sith of nothing thou hast wrought me (with the wonders of the world) to thy most seemly shape, and vouchsafest thy dreary death and passion, to drown the danger of my sinful deserts, and hast as a careful captain, cherished my body with comfortable gifts unto this present day: continue, O God, such goodness towards me unworthy, which do here with contrite heart, and bowed knees appeal to the height of thy mercy, and loving kindness, to accept mine unequal thanks for the same: humbly beseeching thy fatherly goodness, that thy holy hand may still renew in me thy former gifts plenteously powered upon me from the prime of my birth unto this present: not remembering, good Lord, mine unworthiness of the same, nor frailty of my passed years, that speaketh against me; but altering the ministers of thy wrath into mild mercy. Grant I beseech thee, that through the assistance of thy holy spirit I may be led to correct that is amiss, and that I may now persevere in setting, ordering, and reforming all my travels, counsels, and studies, as best may accord with thy blessed will, and cancel the bonds of my heavy charge; wherein assist me, most puissant Prince of all power, with thy prudent skill and heavenly grace, that I may be truly able to advance justice, and to hate wrong, and so be found a faithful minister over thy people. In whom plant, I beseech thee, thy heavenly grace and fear, with obedience towards me thy minister, and kindle in me the love of thy holy spirit, that I may persevere in the truth of thy word, without doubt or wavering to the end. Grant this, oh mighty God of hosts, for the merits and passion of thy dear son my Lord and Saviour jesus Christ,  
AMEN.   

The prayer of King SALOMON for Wisdom to govern well. Wisd. 9  
O GOD of my fathers, and Lord of mercy, which hast made all things with thy word, and ordained man through thy wisdom, that he should have dominion over the creatures which thou hast made, and govern the world according to equity and righteousness, and execute judgement with an upright heart. Give me wisdom, which is ever sitting above thy seat, and put me not out from among thy children. For I thy servant and handmaid am a feeble person, and of a short time, and yet less in the understanding of judgements and the laws. And though a man be never so perfect among the children of men; yet if thy wisdom be not with him, he shall be nothing regarded. Thou hast chosen me to be a QUEEN unto thy people, and the judge of thy sons & daughters. Thou hast commanded me to maintain thy Church, which from the beginning thou hast chosen.  
Oh send out of thy holy heavens therefore unto me, that thy wisdom, wherewith thou madest the world, governest thy works, and knowest what is acceptable in thy sight, & right in thy commandments. Send her, I say, from the throne of thy Majesty, that she may be with me, and labour with me, that I may know what is acceptable in thy sight, and right in thy commandments. For she knoweth and understandeth all things, and she shall lead me soberly in all my works, and preserve me by her power and glory: so shall my works be acceptable, and then shall I govern thy people righteously, and be well and worthy to sit in my father's throne,  
Amen.   

Holy Prayers, and godly Meditations, desciphering in Alphabetical form, the Royal name of our virtuous Sovereign Queen ELIZABETH, properly to be used of her Majesty.  

ELIZABETH.  

E  ENter not into judgement with thy servant, O LORD: for no flesh is righteous in thy sight. PSALM 143, verse 2. 
O GOD, which dwellest in light that no man can attain. O God, which art hid, and canst not be seen with bodily eyes, nor comprehended with any understanding, neither expressed with the tongue of men, or Angels. O my God, what is it to be righteous in thy sight? It is that we should be without sin before thee, which no man ever was since the fall of Adam. For which cause the holy Prophet DAVID saith in this wise: Enter not into judgement with thy servant, O Lord: for no flesh is righteous in thy sight. If then no flesh be righteous in thy sight; O unhappy that I am, laden and burdened with sin, who shall have pity or compassion on me, or whither shall I go? My sins are ever before me, mine unrighteousness condemneth me. What shall I do? Shall I despair? God forbidden. For merciful, meek, and loving is my Saviour. My refuge therefore shall be in my God: for certain I am, he will not forsake his own image, neither will he forsake the work of his own hands. Wherefore most meek, loving, and merciful Father, to thee come I all sad and sorrowful. But what shall I say unto thee? I will say: Enter not into judgement with thy servant, O Lord: for no flesh is righteous in thy sight. And again, I will with the Prophet power out before thee the words of sorrow. I will heartily beseech thee, saying: Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me, according to thy great mercy: not after the mercy of men, but after thy great mercy, which is incomprehensible, which is unmeasurable, and which passeth all sins without comparison. According therefore unto that thy great mercy, by the which thou hast so loved the world, that thou gavest thy son for it; by the which thou hast taken away all our sins; by the which through his cross thou hast lightened all men; by the which also thou hast restored all things in heaven, and in earth: wash me, I say, O Lord, wash me in his blood, restore me in his resurrection, and justify me by thy grace and favour, and the redemption which is in Christ,  
AMEN.   

L  LORD, look thou no more on my sins: but according to the multitude of thy compassions, wipe away all mine iniquities. Psal. 51. verse 1. 
THy mercy, O Lord, is the abundance of pity; thy compassions are the works and process of thy mercy; by the one thou lookest gently on the poor and wretched: by the other thou forgivest the multitude of sins. O sweet, and merciful Saviour jesus Christ, the sorrowful and penitent sinner Marie Magdalen came prostrate before thy feet, she washed them with her bitter tears, she wiped them with the hears of her head: thou forgavest all her sins, and sentest her away in peace: this was, good Lord, one of thy compassions. Peter thrice denied thee; and forsook thee with an oath: thou mercifully lookedst on him, and he beholding thee bitterly wept: and thou Lord forgavest him; which was another of thy compassions. The thief on the Cross was saved with one word: Paul in the furious madness of persecution was called, and by and by was filled with the holy Ghost: these all Lord are thy pitiful compassions.  
Sith therefore that thou art the same our GOD, with whom is no alteration, neither shadow of change; and sith there is but one Mediator and atonement between God and man, that is Christ jesus, which endureth for ever; why dost thou not power out thy plenteous compassions upon us, as well as thou didst upon our forefathers? Why standest thou so far, O Lord, and hidest thy face in the needful tune of trouble? Hast thou forsaken us? Or are all thy mercies spent, and none left? O Lord my God, I heartily beseech thee, & most humbly pray thee, that thou wilt, according to the multitude of thy compassions, wipe away all mine iniquities: that as thou hast drawn and received innumerable sinners unto thee, and hast made them righteous in thy sight: even so thou wilt vouchsafe to draw and take me, and also to make me righteous through thy grace, and so to cleanse and purify my heart; that after all mine iniquities and uncleanness put out, it may be as a clean table, in the which thy finger, O GOD, may write the law of thy love and charity,  
AMEN.   

I  IN the day of trouble I will call on thee o LORD, Psa. 120, vers. 1. Because thou hast said, In what hour so ever a sinner doth repent him of his sins, I will no more remember his iniquities. Ezech. 18, verse 27. 
BEhold good Lord, now are the days of sorrow, now are the days of calamity; and now is the time wherein I must call on thee. For now feel I mine old cankered and festered sores of sin ready to break forth in me, to my utter confusion. Behold good Lord, all my desires, and all my lamentable and sorrowful sighs, I power them all before thee; crying and saying, O Lord cleanse me from my sins: for I am unclean and filthy before thee. Increase therefore thy light in me, that I may be a vessel of thy grace: kindle my heart with thy love; put out all fear: for perfect love expelleth fear. Let the love of the world, the love of the flesh, the love of vainglory, and the love of myself, utterly departed from me: that I may (through thy mercy) be cleansed from mine iniquities, by the which I have offended thee. Cleanse me therefore, O Lord, with the water of thy gracious favour, of which water he that drinketh, shall no more thirst, but it shall be made in him a fountain of living water, running and flowing into eternal life. Cleanse me I say, O Lord, with the water of thy weeping tears; cleanse me with the comfortable waters of thy sacred Scriptures, that I may be numbered among them, unto whom thou saiedst: Now are ye clean through the words that I have spoken to you:  
AMEN.   

Z  ZACHE was a perfect man, and thou Lord saiedst unto him, when he was in the figtree, ZACHE come down, for to day I will come into thy house, and he came down, and joyfully received thee. Luke 19, verse 5. 
O Merciful God, how many sins have I done in thy sight, which I would in no wise have done before mortal men? I feared men more than thee, because I was blind, and loved blindness. I had only eyes of flesh, therefore did I only fear and look on men which are flesh. O my God, behold, I stand before thy face, that I might find mercy. I stand before thy goodness and benignity, looking for thy favourable answer: have mercy therefore on me. Thou saiedst to Zache, This day I will abide in thy house, and he joyfully receiving thee, said; Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor, and if I have done any man wrong, I will restore him fourfold. But Lord jesus, I will not part half that I have, but I bequeath myself wholly unto thee, reserving nothing from thee, promising to serve thee for ever with a clean and pure heart. O sweet Lord jesus, what sawest thou in Zache? even thine own image, for he had cast off the image of the devil, which before was on him, and had put on him thine image. If then thou didst see in Zache, by putting from him the image of the devil, that which did draw thee to his house; take then from me, sweet jesus, all my sins and wickedness; all I pray thee, that none may remain in me, which may keep thee from me; that I may put off, as Zache did, that evil which is in me; that thou mayst see in me, which thou sawest in Zache, that when thou shalt call me out of the figtree of this miserable world, thou mayst say unto me, Come down, for this day I will abide with thee:  
AMEN.   

A  A Pure heart create in me, o GOD, and a right spirit renew within me. Psalm 51, verse 10. 
ALas my Lord and Saviour, my heart hath forsaken thee, it is turned from thee, and is gone astray: it is wandered into strange countries, and ensueth vanities: her eyes are in the uttermost part of the world. It is lost, gone, and sold under sin. It is stony, yea harder than the Flint or Adamant stone, which relented and yielded at thy sons death. What now Lord? What shall I say? A pure heart create in me, a fleshy heart, a mollified and soft heart, an humble heart, a penitent heart, a merciful heart, a devout heart, a religious and zealous heart: yea and such a heart as will love thee above all things. Create therefore good Lord such a heart in me, that it may be of such efficacy through thy grace, as nature is not able to make it. Give me also a right spirit, that I may love and worship thee, which art the chief and principal spirit. For thou art a spirit, and wilt be worshipped in spirit and verity. My soul, good Lord, is also a spirit, and so made of thee, that of itself it is right. For of her own nature she loveth thee above herself, and desireth all things for thy glory; so that her own natural love is right, because it cometh of thee. Make steadfast therefore in me, O Lord, through thy gracious favour, this spirit; that it may, according to his own nature, lead and keep me in the way of thy commandments; and that by it my heart may be so inflamed with heavenly love, that it may cause me to sigh unto thee, to embrace thee continually, and never to forsake thee; but always to be firm and constant in thee. Give me therefore an upright spirit, not seeking her own glory, but thy will and glory. Renew it in me, I pray thee good Lord; renew it I say, for my sins have quenched the first that thou gavest me,  
AMEN.   

B  BEhold, LORD, against thee only have I sinned, and done evil in thy sight: that thou mayst be justified in thy words, and mayst overcome when thou art judged. Psalm 51, verse 4. 
TO thee only O Lord it is proper to forgive, and to be merciful, for through mercy and forgiveness thou doest declare thine almightiness. I grant therefore Lord, and confess, that against thee only I have offended, and have done that which is evil in thy sight. Have mercy therefore on me O Lord, have mercy. Express and show forth thine omnipotency in me, that thou mayst be justified in thy words. For it is written, Thou camest not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. Grant me therefore good Lord a true repentant heart, and justify me according to thy words. Call me, receive me, and give me thy grace; so that thereby I may do the works of repentance. Thou saiedst, When I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw all unto myself. Uerifie Lord the words on me, draw me after thee, and let me run with thee in the sweetness of thine ointments. Again, thou saiedst, Come unto me all ye that labour, and are laden, and I will ease you. Behold my Lord and my God, I a sinner do come unto thee, all laden with sins, day and night, labouring in the sorrow of my heart for thy grace and mercy. Refresh and ease me therefore good Lord, that thou mayst be justified and proved, when thou art judged. For there are many, which say, There is no help for him in his God. Overcome Lord these persons, when thou art thus judged of them, and forsake not me at any time: but give to me thy creature thy mercy and pardon, and then are they vanquished which say, There is no help for him in his God,  
AMEN.   

E  EStablish me, o LORD, with a free and principal spirit, and restore unto me the joy of thy saving health. Psalm 51, verse 12. 
IT is a great thing, O heavenly father, that I desire of thee; seeing thou art a great Lord, and King above all gods. He doth thee injury which asketh of thee small things; and he which asketh of thee bodily things, asketh but vain trifles. He therefore that desireth spiritual things, desireth great things: but he that desireth thy joy and saving health, desireth the greatest thing thou hast to give. What is thy saving health, but jesus Christ thy only son, which is very God and everlasting life? And forsomuch as thou hast been so loving and liberal a father, as to give him unto the death of the cross, and there to offer him for me; why should I be ashamed to ask him of thee, whom thou hast given for me? Give me therefore thy principal spirit, that I may rejoice in thy saving health. And forsomuch as in thy holy word thou biddest me ask and knock, even till I see me importunate, and what can I ask that should be more wholesome to me, than that thou shouldest make me rejoice in thy son our saving health? I will therefore continually cry to thee, saying: Make me again to rejoice in thy saving health, and restore to me again the thing which my sins have lost. Restore to me that which through my fault is perished in me. Restore me I beseech thee for his mercy's sake, that ever sitteth on thy right hand, and maketh intercession for me, that by his gracious favour, I may at my last end enjoy the fruitful benefit of thy saving health:  
AMEN.   

T  Thou ever, o LORD, hast loved truth: and the unknown things of thy wisdom hast thou revealed unto me. Psalm 51. verse 6. 
WHat meaneth it to say, Thou lovest truth; but that of thy gracious mercy thou makest us promises, and fulfilest them for thy truth's sake? Thou didst promise unto Abraham a son when he was aged: thou fulfilledst thy promise in old and barren Sara, because thou lovest truth. Thou madest promise unto David thy servant, saying: Of the fruit of thy body will I set upon the regal throne: and it came to pass, because thou lovest truth. Thou hast promised unto sinners, which will come unto thee, forgiveness and favour, and thou hast never defrauded any man: for thou lovest truth. There are other innumerable promises, in the which thou hast ever been faithful, because thou lovest truth. Love therefore, O father of mercies, this truth in me, which with repentant heart turneth to thee. Behold therefore thy creature, in whom thou mayst keep it, and to whom thou mayst forgive many sins. Spare good Lord, spare thy servant, and command me to be of the number of the babes; that the unknown things of thy wisdom, which thou hast opened unto me, may lead me unto the fountain of wisdom, which is on high; that thou mayst be praised in the works of thy mercy, which thou doest exercise towards thy servant, O LORD, which never forsakest them that trust in thee:  
AMEN.   

H  Hadst thou, o LORD, desired sacrifice, I would have given it thee: but thou delightest not in burnt offerings. Psalm 51. verse 16. 
MY mouth, Lord, shall show forth thy glorious fame. For I know it to be most acceptable before thee, seeing thou hast declared it by the mouth of the Prophet, saying: The sacrifice of praise shall glorify me; by which mean (saith the Lord) I shall be enticed to show him my saving health. Psal. 48. Therefore will I offer praise unto thee for my sins, even the praise of infants and sucklings. And why shall I offer praise for my sins, rather than sacrifice? Because thou delightest not in burnt sacrifice. For if thou hadst desired sacrifice, I had surely offered them: but thou delightest not in them. And again, thou saiedst, I require mercy, and not sacrifice. Ose. 6. Therefore my mouth shall show forth thy praise, because thereby I do show forth thy honour, and it showeth me through thy grace the way to my saving health. O Lord, thou madest the body for the spirit, therefore seekest thou spiritual things, and not bodily things. For thou sayest, My son give thy heart unto me. Prou. 23. which is the sacrifice that pleaseth thee. Let me therefore offer unto thee, O Lord, a heart repenting and sorrowing for my sins; and inflame it with a desired love of heavenly things, and then wilt thou desire no more of me: for with such sacrifices wilt thou, O Lord, be pleased,  
AMEN.    

REGINA.  

R  REbuke me not, o LORD, in thine anger, neither chasten thou me in thy heavy displeasure: but have thou mercy on me, for I am weak and in misery. Psalm 6, verse 1. 
MY sins, O Lord, are so many, that the burden of them hath weakened me. My bones are so bruised, my sinews are so shrunken, my strength so faileth me, the rod of thy displeasure hath so chastened me, that I feel no help in myself. I appeal therefore, O Lord, to thy mercy, crying out with the prodigal and unthrifty son, saying: O Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee; have mercy therefore, have mercy on me; not because I have deserved thy mercy, but because thou art merciful. Sith therefore thou art merciful, what art thou, but even the very mercy itself? And what am I but very misery? Behold therefore, O God, which art mercy, behold misery is before thee. What shalt thou do, O mercy? Truly thy works. Canst thou go back from thy nature? And what is thy nature? verily to take away misery. Have mercy therefore on me, O God. God, which art mercy, take away my misery: for the depth of misery requireth the depth of mercy. The depth of sin requireth the depth of grace and favour. Greater is the depth of mercy, than the depth of misery. Let therefore, good Lord, the one depth swallow up the other. Let the bottomless depth of mercy swallow up the depth of misery,  
AMEN.   

E  EXcept LORD the prayer of thy servant, as thou didst the prayer of Cornelius, and cast me not confused from thy presence. Acts 10, verse 6. 
O Sweet jesus, who ever came to thee with a pure and steadfast faith, and went away confused? Or who ever desired thy favour, and went without it? Surely thou passest in thine abundant pity, both the deservings and also the desires of them that pray unto thee. For thou givest more than man can desire. The woman of Canaan followed thee, she cried and made a piteous noise; she moved thy Disciples to compassion, & worshipped thee, and said: Lord help me; but yet wouldst thou not answer. Yet she trusting in thy mercy, prayed again, saying: Lord help me. Unto whose importunity thou didst answer, saying: It is not good to take the children's bread, and cast it unto dogs. O Lord, who would not have been confounded, and have gotten him away at these thy words? And yet did this woman continue still in prayer, and said: It is truth Lord that thou sayest: it is not meet to cast the children's bread unto dogs. But yet Lord, the dogs do eat of the crumbs which fall from the children's table. And thou Lord rejoicing in her great constancy, didst say: O woman, great is thy faith, be it unto thee as thou desirest. Now therefore sweet and merciful Lord jesus, as thou didst vouchsafe to accept and hear the prayer of Cornelius, and of this woman of Canaan; so I heartily beseech thee to hear my humble prayers, which I make day and night before thee; not only that thou shouldest deliver me from bodily oppressions, but also from the spiritual power of the devil, that after this mortal life I may come to thy blessed presence, in the everlasting kingdom, where thou reignest God with the Father, and the holy Ghost:  
AMEN.   

G  Give ear, Ô LORD, and let all my sorrowful complaints, which go forth of unfeigned lips, come before thee, that my mouth may show forth the worthy praise of thy name. Psalm 17. verse 1. 
THy praise is a great thing, O Lord: for it proceedeth out of the fountain whereof no sinners drink. There is no glorious praise in the mouth of a sinner. Deliver me therefore O Lord from the way of sinners, and my tongue shall magnify thy righteousness; and my lips and my mouth shall show forth thy praise. Thou hast the key of David, which shuttest, and no man openeth; and openest, and no man shutteth. Therefore open thou my lips, as thou hast opened the mouths of infants, out of whose mouths thou hast established thy praise. Truly the Prophets and Apostles, and all other thy Saints praised thee, & despised themselves. The sucklings extol thy fame and glory, which they know through thy heavenly and celestial grace. Thy friends, which spreading thy glory, have converted innumerable souls from sin unto virtue and true felicity. Thy beloved have openly preached thy bounteous gentleness, and merciful favour, which thou showest in thy dear son unto all the world. Now therefore merciful God, give me true humility, that thou mayst 'stablish thy praise by my mouth. Make me as one of the infants and sucklings, that I may ever hang on the paps of thy wisdom. For thy paps, O Lord, are better than wine, and thy wisdom better than riches. Make me as one of thy friends or beloved, that I may constantly abide in thee, that my mouth and voice may among the sucklings extol and set forth thy praise, saying and singing, Ozanna in the highest,  
AMEN.   

I  I Am filthy and unclean before thee, O LORD. If thou therefore sprinkle me with Isope, I shall be clean. If thou wash me, I shall be whiter than snow. Psalm 51. verse 7. 
I Soap, Lord, is a low herb, it is hot, and of a good savour, which signifieth nothing else, but thine only son jesus Christ, which humbled himself unto death, even unto the death of the Cross; which with the heat of his fervent love loved us, and washed us from our sins in his blood; which also with the redolent and sweet savour of his benevolence and righteousness hath replenished the world. Therefore with this Isope shalt thou, O holy Father, sprinkle me, when thou shalt power upon me the virtue and blood of thy dear son Christ, when he through faith shall dwell in me; when through love I am joined with him, when I shall imitate and follow his humility and passion, then shall I be cleansed from all mine uncleanness. Then shalt thou wash me with mine own tears, which flow out of the love of thy son Christ. Then shall I sigh till I be weary: then shall I water my bed every night with my tears, so that it shall swim in them; and then Lord shalt thou wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow,  
AMEN.   

N  NOT every one that saith to me Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven: but he that doth the will of my father which is in heaven. Matth. 7, verse 21. 
THy will is, O heavenly father, that we do believe in thy beloved son, whom thou hast sent. Thy will is, that we believe that he, whom thou hast sent, is come in the flesh. And thy will is, that we imitate and keep his saying. Thy will is also, that we should hear him. For thou spakest from heaven, saying: This is my well-beloved Son, in whom I delight, hear him. Give me therefore, O heavenly father, a steadfast faith, a strong faith, yea such a faith, that no tribulation, that no vexation, that no persecution may cause me to deny thy Son whom thou hast sent: but that I may with a pure and constant faith confess him to be come in the flesh, for the redemption of the world; and that I may imitate and follow him, that I may keep his saying, who was delivered for my sins, and was raised again for my justification. Give me also, O holy father, a perfect hearing, and not a corrupt hearing; but that I may, through the teaching of the holy Ghost, hear thee out of the Prophets, out of the Apostles, out of the pen of the Evangelists, and out of the mouth of thy Spouse the Catholic Church: to whom thou saiedst, I will send you a comforter, even my spirit, which shall lead you into all truth. Grant me O Lord this spirit, for there is none that can say jesus is the Lord, but by this thy holy spirit,  
AMEN.   

A  A Sacrifice to God, is a troubled spirit: a contrite and humble heart, o GOD, shalt thou not despise. Psalm 51. verse 17. 
A Broken and troubled spirit, and not broken and troubled flesh pleaseth thee O Lord. For the flesh is broken and vexed, because it hath not the carnal things that it desireth, or else feeleth in itself things which it hateth. The spirit is broken and unquieted for his fault, because it hath offended against God, whom it loveth. He sorroweth that he hath sinned against his maker and redeemer, and that he hath not regarded such a good and loving father. This broken and sorrowing spirit, is unto thee, O Lord, a sacrifice of most sweet savour, which notwithstanding hath his confection of most bitter spices, even of the remembrance of his sins. For when our sins are gathered together into the mortar of the heart, and beaten with the pestle of compunction, and made into powder, and moistened with the water of tears, thereof is made an ointment, and sacrifice most sweet, which being offered to thee, O Lord, thou wilt not despise. Marry Magdalen, which was a great sinner, made such an ointment, and put it into the Alabaster box of her heart. She feared not to enter into the Pharisees house, and there humbling herself at thy feet, sweet Lord, washed them with her tears, wiped them with her hear, and anointed them with most precious ointment, and ceased not to kiss them. Surely Lord, her sacrifice was right acceptable, and pleased thee, so that thou preferredst it above the Pharisie, which in his own sight was righteous. O Lord, great is thy power, great is thy might, which declareth itself most chiefly in sparing and having compassion on sinners: showing to us, that a contrite and humble heart thou wilt not despise.  
Accept therefore sweet Lord jesus, this my sacrifice of praise, proceeding out of a broken and sorrowful heart. And if it be unperfect, amend thou the fault, merciful Lord, which only art of power to do it; that it may be an holy and acceptable sacrifice, inflamed with the fervent heat of thy bounteous charity; that it may be acceptable unto thee, or at the least, that thou despise it not. I know well that I shall find favour in thy sight, and that hereafter none of thy Saints, either in heaven or in earth, shall despise me. Accomplish therefore in me even now O Lord, that which I so oft do crave of thee, which is, that thou wilt have compassion on me, according to thy great mercy; and that also thou wilt receive me for a sacrifice of righteousness, for a holy oblation, for a burnt sacrifice of good living, and for a Calf to be offered upon thine Altar or Cross: by the which I may pass this vale of misery, unto that joy, which thou preparest for them that love thee,  
AMEN.     

* ANOTHER. ELIZABETH.  


E  
Engrave thy laws in the depth of my heart, O Lord, that being instructed in thy commandments, I may serve thee in fear, and rejoice in thee with trembling, and take hold upon thy discipline in all things: lest at any time thou become angry, and I perish from the right way,  
Amen.   

L  
LORD give me help from my trouble: for vain is the help of man, in thee I have strength, and thou bringest unto nothing those things which trouble me: let my soul be subject unto thee. For from thee proceedeth my patience. For thou art my God and Saviour, my helper, and I will not departed from thee. In thee is my health and my glory, thou art the God of my help, and my help is in thee,  
Amen.   

I  
I Have broken thy fold, and wandered long as a lost sheep: let me return, O Lord, because I have not forgotten thy commandments. The misdeeds and ignorances of my tender years remember not Lord, but according to thy mercy have mind on me. For thy goodness, O Lord, keep my soul, and deliver me: let me not be ashamed, because I have trusted in thee. Turn my heaviness into joy, cut off my sack of sorrows, and gird me with gladness, that my glory may sign unto thee, and I shall not be grieved.   

Z  
ZORobabel King of juda in the depth of thy displeasure tasted of thy mercy and received by the mouth of Aggeus thy Prophet sweet comfort and knowledge of thy favour and grace: yea after thy determination to destroy the whole kingdom of the heathen, thy right hand did preserve him, and thine incomparable mercy did choose him for a seal to thyself. Lord, this happy King in thy goodness was but an earthly creature, and then could he have no righteousness in himself to move such thy compassion. If it proceeded from the multitude of thy mercies, that surmount the iniquities of the whole world, and that thou didst only vouchsafe to behold in him the image of thyself: bow down thine eyes, Lord, and behold the self-same in me. Certify my conscience with remission of my sins, that my sorrowful soul may be at rest within me. Send down thy holy spirit to remain with me, that I may become with that good King thy chosen seal and servant: and so grant thy people, that I may with them, and they with me, never deserve further than to taste of thy rod of favourable correction: but that all my labours and studies may ever bend to the performance of thy holy will, and discharge of my duty,  
Amen.   

A  
ARise and illuminate my mind (most benign Saviour) that I sleep not at any time in death, lest mine enemies say, they have prevailed against me. They which trouble me, will be glad, if I be cast down: but I have fixed my hope in thy mercy. Enter not into judgement with thy servant, for no living creature shall be justified in thy sight. I will ever look upon the Lord, for he shallbe on my right hand, that I be not moved. For this my heart is glad, and my tongue rejoiceth, yea moreover my flesh shall rest in hope,  
Amen.   

B  
BE thou unto me O Lord in the day time a defender, and in the night season a place of refuge, that thou mayst save me: for thou art my strength, and unto thee I fly. Lord God deliver me from the hand of sinners, and from the Lawe-breaker, and the wicked doer: for thou Lord art my patience, thou art my hope, even from my youth. In thee I am confirmed even from my mother's womb: thou art my protector, in thee shall be my song for ever and ever,  
Amen.   

E  
EVER my tongue shall be telling of thy rich mercy and wondrous works O Lord, for thou hast caused me to pass through fire and water, and led me into a fresh place; thou hast given my soul life, and hast not suffered my feet to fall. According to the multitude of my sorrows, thy comforts have made my soul merry. My soul is like a sparrow taken out of the Fowler's snare. Thou hast delivered my life from death, and my hands from blood, that I may please thee O Lord in the light of the living,  
Amen.   

T  
THOU art just, O Lord, and all thy commandments be true; and all thy ways mercy, truth and judgement. And now Lord be mindful of me, take not revengement of my sins, remember not mine offences, neither the offences of my fathers, because we have not obeyed thy precepts. Give me an heart of understanding, and set thy fear always before mine eyes, that I may be obedient in word, deed and thought, to all that is thy will. Lord give unto me the power of thy holy spirit, to rule and govern thy people committed to my charge, in all godly fear, and knowledge of thy word, and that I may be unto them an example in all godliness and virtue, to the praise of thy holy name,  
Amen.   

H  
heal me Lord, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved. My life cleaveth unto the earth. Quicken me according to thy word, according to thy mercy relieve me; and I will keep the testimonies of thy lips. Help me Lord, so shall I be safe, and I will from henceforth study thy righteousness. Thy mercies are many O Lord, according to thy word restore my health,  
AMEN.    

REGINA.  

R  
REgard my prayers, O thou God of my life; leave me not in the thoughts of evil. Deliver me from the wicked man: let not the foot of pride come upon me, and to vainglory give me not. Take from me all sinful lusts: let no desire of uncleanness take hold upon me: give me not over to an unshamefast and obstinate mind, but correct me in thy mercy: for into thy hands I commit me,  
Amen.   

E  
ENter thy judgements in the tables of my heart, destroy mine affections with thy love: send thy wisdom from the holy heavens, and from the seat of thy Majesty, that she may be with me, and labour with me, that I may know what thing is acceptable before thee, and may judge the people righteously, and discern between good and evil.   

G  
Gracious Lord, thou that art the most high God above all the earth, long-suffering, and of much mercy, sorrowing the sins of man: and of thy great goodness hast promised to the penitent remission of sins: Lord I have sinned, mine iniquity is multiplied above the sands of the sea, and there is no hope of life in me, because I have stirred thee to anger, in multiplying offences before thee. And now, O Lord, trusting in thy mercy, I bow the knees of my heart, beseeching thee of thy goodness, destroy me not together with mine iniquity. For the dead, whose souls are out of their bodies, can neither praise nor thank thee: but the sorrowful heart, and the thirsty soul ascribe praise unto thee. O Lord, I power my prayers before thee, and require mercy in thy sight; save me which am unworthy, and reserve not eternal punishment for me. For thine own sake I ask it, and will praise thee all the days of my life,  
Amen.   

I  
ILluminate my heart, O Lord, with the light of thy word: lead me Lord in thy way, and I shall enter into thy truth. Print thy fear in my heart, that I may rejoice in thee. Let thy word be a lantern unto my feet, and a lamp of light unto my paths, so shall I not err from the right way: but walk like a pure and wise virgin with an upright heart, chaste mind, and clean conscience, and single eye before thee this day and evermore,  
Amen.   

N  
Never will I cease to call upon thee, most mighty God of hosts, which sittest upon the Cherubins, and hast dominion over all the kingdoms of the earth. Thou which madest the heavens, & all things comprehended in them, bow down thine ear and hear, open thine eyes and behold: save me from the hand of mine adversaries, suffer no evil to happen unto me, that all the people may know that thou alone art my God,  
Amen.   

A  
ASsist me, O Lord my God, with thy heavenly grace, and renew in me a right spirit, that I may receive strength & ableness to do thy righteous will, and to stand against all the assaults of wily Satan, that they may have no place in me: but that the old man, which I bear about in my body, may be crucified, and daily die in me, that the desire of sin, error, and of worldly vanities may utterly be destroyed, that I may evermore be renewed in the spirit of my mind, that the life of my Saviour Christ may always appear in me: to whom with the Father, and the holy Ghost, be all honour, triumph and glory, for ever and ever,  
Amen.     

The versicle.  
Even now and ever vouchsafe, O LORD, for thy dear sons sake to hear my humble petitions.   

The answer.  
Receive my prayers, I say, O GOD, and in thy truth and mercy pardon mine offences, and grant me thy grace.   

The Collect.  
O Emanuel, my Lord and my GOD jesus Christ, son of the pure virgin Marry: thou art not only the sweet spouse of my soul; but with God the Father a most meek Mediator, full of mercy and truth. Wash away my sins with the most precious blood of thy holy passion: make me rich in thy mercy, and my faith so strong in thee, that assisted with thy grace and holy spirit, to all duties and works in this life towards thee, I may enjoy afterwards the glory of thy blessed kingdom, with thy holy Saints and pure Virgins in everlasting honour and triumph,  
Amen.   

The Prayer.  
O Root of jesse, my Lord and Saviour jesus Christ, which hast redeemed all mankind from sin, death and hell, thou which hast said: I am the way, truth, and life. The way in doctrine, commandments, and examples; truth in promises; life in reward. I pray thee by thine ineffable love, wherewith thou hast vouchsafed wholly to bestow thyself for our security; that thou wilt not suffer me ever to stray from thee, because thou art the way: nor at any time to distrust thy promses, which art the truth, and performest whatsoever thou promisest: neither let me rest in any other thing, because thou art eternal life, without the which there is nothing that aught to be desired, neither in heaven nor in earth.  
By thee we learn the sure and expedient passage unto true health, that we wander no longer in the Labyrinth of this world. Thou hast exactly taught what to believe, and what to do, what to hope for, and in whom we ought to rest. By thee we learn how we were of that first Adam unfortunately borne: by thee we are assured there is no hope of health but through faith in thee: that thou art the only brightness, which givest light to all men traveling the dark deserts of this world, where is nothing but a profound dimness, whereby we neither see our calamities, nor from whence we ought to seek remedy of our evil. Thou vouchsafedst to descend into the earth, & disdainedst not to take our nature upon thee, that by thy doctrine thou mightest shake off the dimness of our ignorance: by thy commandments mightest direct our feet in the way of truth & peace. By the examples of thy life thou hast showed us the way to immortality, and by thy steps hast restored to us a plain, easy, & profitable way, out of an uneven and rough way. So thou art made unto us a way, which knoweth no error, in the which, lest we should be weary, thou hast vouchsafed to uphold us in thy benignity with great & sure promises. For who can be weary, accounting himself ready through thy steps to enter thy heavenly heritage? Therefore whilst we be in this journey, thou wouldst be a sure hope unto us, to be in steed of a staff unto us, wherewith we are sustained. Neither was thy goodness content with this, but knowing the weakness of our flesh in the mean while, with the comfort of thy spirit doest so refresh our strength, whereby we run cheerfully. And as thou being made unto us the way, doest drive away all error: so being truth doest thou take away all distrust. Finally, being made life unto us, doest revive the dead in sin, to live by thy spirit, relieving all things, until in the resurrection, all mortality utterly abolished, we may always live with thee, and in thee, when Christ shall be to us all in all. For eternal life is, to know the Father, the Son, and the holy Ghost to be one true God; where now through faith we behold only in a glass and riddle. And then seeing more felowlie the glory of the Lord, we shall be transformed into the same image.  
Therefore I beseech thee, most merciful Saviour, that thou wouldst nourish faith in thy servant, that I may never waver in thy heavenly doctrine. Increase obedience, that I never turn from thy precepts; fortify constancy, that entering into thy steps, I be not pulled back, nor through the terror or enticements of Satan overthrown, but may persevere in thee, which art the true way, unto death. Build my sure trust, that accustomed with thy promises, I never wax old in the exercise of virtue: but forgetting those things which are past, I may continually strive to come to perfecter. Accept my contrite heart, the wonted sacrifice of thy delight, & the oblation of these my petitions, granting the sum of my requests. Blot out all mine offences for thine own sake, and increase thy grace in me, that I may in all things carry upright sway and equal judgement: govern thy people in the light of thy word, and fear of thy laws, and daily more and more die to myself, and live and be led by thy spirit, fearing nothing but thee, than the which nothing is greater or mightier: loving nothing beside thee, than whom nothing is more to be beloved: glorying in nothing but in thee, which art the glory of all Saints: requiring nothing beside thee, which art the best: desiring nothing but thee, which art the full and perfect felicity with the Father and the holy Ghost, above the starry firmament: to whom be praise both now and ever,  
Amen.   

The KING'S Heast, or GOD'S familiar speech to the QUEEN: Collected out of the holy Psalms of good King DAVID, as they are learnedly expounded by THEODORE BEZA:  
Wherein almighty GOD (after a divine sort speaking unto her Majesty, as he sometimes did unto David, though not in so mystical manner) doth first declare his 
1  merciful providence in preserving her, and his gracious goodness in exalting her to the Crown, exhorting her therewithal, humbly to acknowledge his sovereignty over all earthly powers, and to worship him. secondly, 
2  he describeth unto her Grace, the worthy properties that are required to be in every godly Prince, and wise Governor, for the maintenance of his glory, and their estates. thirdly, he exhorteth her Majesty to 
3  the faithful discharge of her office and duty in his fear and service, to the increase of virtue, and suppressing of vice. And so showing the commodities that will ensue thereby to her and her people, he fourthly promiseth, not 
4  only to be her continual defender against all her enemies; but also to bless her, and her Realm, with many large, sweet and comfortable benefits, both corporal & celestial, and to make her partaker of all his ancient mercies, promised long since to her father David; namely, upon this condition: if finally she persevere in the 
5  perfect love and due obedience of her spiritual spouse Christ jesus.  

¶ The first Chapter of the HEAST.  
ELIZABETH, thou Virgin mine, the KING'S Daughter, and fairest among women; most full of beauty and majesty: attend a little to my Heast, and mark what I shall say. Thou art my Daughter in deed, this day have I begotten thee, and espoused thee to thy King CHRIST, my Son; crowned thee with my gifts, and appointed thee QUEEN, to reign upon my holy mount Zion.  
Behold, I which am the only Lord (by full right and authority) of all men; and do myself govern the Empires and Kingdoms, as the greatest King of all, and most mighty Monarch of the whole world: even I the most high God, and celestial father, have elected thee a chosen vessel of high honour and price in my house, and to that end have mightily preserved thee, and miraculously delivered thee out of so many & so great dangers, and now at the last have brought into thy subjection the people, over whom thou hast authority.  
It is I, and none other, which have consecrated thee unto myself; and anointed thee with holy oil, to be the Queen, the Mother, and the Nurse of my people in Israel: and who only have given thee this most excellent and goodly heritage, which thou possessest in peace.  
Thee I say, O Daughter ELIZABETH, have I raised up, and chosen out a pure and perfect virgin from the rest of the whole people, and that because I loved thee most dearly above them all; so that now thou mayest worthily rejoice and glory of thy dignity and honour, yet by my singular power and benefit, and for none other cause, but that it hath pleased me thy God to exalt thee above others, and to embrace and receive thee into my special grace and favour.  
Therefore, to the intent I might always use thy diligent service, faithful ministery, and dutiful endeavour in this great business, and high office of a Queen and kingly Governor; and that by thy power received from me, my people may be defended and cherished: behold, I have ordained a Lamp for thee mine anointed, and powered forth upon thee all my bounty, that none is able to be compared unto thee: yea I have adorned thee most bountifully and beautifullie with all my gifts and graces incomparable, which shall never be taken from thee.  
Now then O dear daughter, consider diligently with thyself awhile, what manner of husband thou art coupled and conjoined unto: learn of him alone, (thy spouse Christ mine only Son I mean) to whom as this day I married thee, what he requireth of thee: namely, that thou shouldest forget thine own Nation, thy Father's house, and all other worldly things, now that thou art come under his authority, and into the family and spiritual society of thy heavenly Bridegroom.  
Now therefore, I say, be wise O QUEEN, be learned thou judge of the earth, that with all the Emperors, Kings, and potentates of the world, thou mayst give place unto the Lord, and resign up unto him the honour of all glory and power. Give (I say) unto the GOD of gods, and King of kings, even the very God of glory, the majesty and dominion due unto his name, and fall down and worship him: do unto him all possible reverence, that giveth power to his people, and blesseth both prince and subject with his continual benefits: and rejoice in him with fear and trembling.  
O kiss this my son Christ thy spouse betimes, lest he be angry, and then thou suddenly perish, when his wrath shall flame forth. Worship the Lord I say with due worship, and trust in him alone, as she that wholly dependeth upon his mercy, favour, and protection: so shalt thou be blessed, and thy throne shall never be shaken.  
Confess who it is that hath set thee in so high a place far above other men that are thy subjects, and remember also this, that I the most high God am present with thee, and thine assembly of States and Senators; who have not debarred myself of mine authority over you, neither am I present as an idle beholder, but as your judge also.  
And know this assuredly, that as you are honoured in deed with that name (Gods,) whereby mine authority over all men is declared. And albeit I have embraced you with special favour, as a father his children; yet think that I have not exempted you from my power and authority: and that though you be Princes and Magistrates, yet know that you are mortal, even as other men: yea remember that you shall once die, and shall stand at my judgement-seat, even as every most vile and poor man, to render and give an account of your stewardship, and of all things done in the flesh.   

CAP. II.  
BEware therefore that ye abuse not this authority given unto you by me, under certain laws and conditions. See that you directly follow the ways that I have appointed you to walk in, and take heed that you be not drawn away to the right hand, or to the left, with the error of the wicked, to forsake my laws and ordinances, and to fall from me your God, who have exalted you.  
For be you sure that I have placed you in this seat upon this condition, and given it unto you in plain charge and commandment, that you should decree just laws, and execute judgement by right and equity, without favour, partiality, or regard to any party: that you should devise all manner of godliness, and show yourselves openly to be friends to virtue, and foes to vice, and to weigh nothing but equity and justice in your balance.  
That as the very law of Nature doth require, you should relieve them that are spoiled by violence, defend the fatherless, maintain the poor against the injuries of the rich: deliver the miserable from the hands of the wicked, and see diligently that the wring worldlings, and cruel extortioners exercise not their tyranny and oppressions continually over the godly and feeble of my people.  
Moreover, that you should make diligent inquisition for bloodshed and murder, to revenge it, carefully search out wickedness and abomination, to condemn it, to execute the traitor, murderer, and thief, to pull the pray out of the teeth of the spoiler, to break down the power of the wicked mighty ones, to destroy the workers of iniquity, and utterly to root out sin and ungodliness from the earth: even all such as conspire against the souls of the righteous, & abusing justice by colour of law, gather themselves together to sit & condemn the innocent blood, and trouble my heritage.  
Finally, it is I that in the disordered state of the world, which seemed to be utterly void of justice, have set thee, O Daughter of my people, now at the last to restore the same to that ancient and most right godly order of justice, religion and faith, that thou shouldest be a defence and fortress among my people, and follow me thy God with great cheerfulness, and have thy delight fully fixed in my laws and statutes day and night, that being well exercised therein, as it behoveth, thou mayst be able to know, sift and try the ways of all men, and judge betwixt right and wrong.   

CAP. III.  
hearken therefore unto me, O Daughter, and take heed that thou have nothing to do with the stool of wickedness: and that the throne of iniquity & tyrannical domination, which forgeth wrong for a law, and adjoineth authority to most wicked decrees, have no fellowship nor be agreeable with thee.  
And because the wicked do wander on every side, when the worst men are exalted into the highest place of honour and offices in the Commonweal: therefore I advise and counsel thee betimes, to expel and thrust out of thy Court and house, all the unworthy and ungodly men, flatterers, parasites, jesters, atheists, and revengers of blood: and place the worthy and godly in their rooms, that they may sit among the Princes of my people, and be assistant unto thee.  
O make much of them that fear the Lord, & let all thy delight be upon my Saints, which are on earth: be careful alway to preserve the virtuous, and exalt the best & most worthy persons. Call such to be thy states of dignity, Senators, Counsellors, judges, and Magistrates under thee, as are grave, wise, learned, godly, zealous of my truth, & jealous of thy renown.  
Advance such men, I say, to honour and office under thee, as be of a good conscience, sound religion, and upright life, such as will be painful watchmen, and diligent stewards, and both can and will make just decrees, and execute good laws, even such as will care for nothing more, than to know what is their duty, and that therefore are most willing to do their duty, hating unfeignedly all manner of vice, and loving entirely all manner of virtue.  
Come forth, I say, O dear Daughter; come forth thou most beautiful of all women, and fairer than the children of men: thou, Ô QUEEN, Virgin, I say of incomparable eloquence and grace of speech; come forth thus and show thy beauty, so full of majesty and grace, that in this thy government and pastorship, there may want neither integrity and uprightness in taking of counsel, neither wisdom in performing of thine enterprises: but do all things prudently and prosperously, carried upon the triumphant Chariot, even the word of God, as a wise and virtuous Governor directing it: and let truth, mercy, justice, and equity draw it round about thy dominion.  
Thus shalt thou declare thyself a bountiful Daughter of this Prince and worthy Governor, if using thy power neither weakelie nor idly, thou govern my people by moderate equity, and punish mine enemies and thine by severity of judgement, as she, before whom also sitting upon thy throne of Majesty, the two pillars, mercy and truth are seen to stand and support thee.   

CAP. FOUR  
AND I, O QUEEN, will surely perform my covenant (begun with thy father DAVID that chosen man,) unto thee also his Daughter, whom I will endue also with eternity, and make thy kingdom perpetual in heaven: and I, as is his will, will continually defend thee with a certain special power, together with the people and land, which I have chosen and given unto thee.  
My hand, I say, shall establish thee, and mine arm strengthen thee: so that no enemy shall overcome thee by subtlety, nor any wicked man oppress thee by force.  
Yea and though thou shalt not want many, & those most mighty enemies, both domestical and foreign, which shall resist thee, O sacred QUEEN, and thy godly proceed: yet I assure thee, all their enterprises shall be in vain and frustrate, and thou for all those miseries most grievous; and battle, wherewith thou mayst seem to be vexed, shalt suffer no detriment: but contrariwise by this same means, as it is plain by experience, thou loving righteousness, & hating whatsoever is against it, and being armed with sharp arrows, and the sword of the word, shalt not only therewith wound the hearts of thine enemies, cast them down to the ground, and tread them under thy feet; but also bring marvelous things to pass in my name, by this thy mighty power.  
For I the Lord jehovah, which am the revenger of royal dignity, and the defender of DAVID my servants posterity, will destroy all that would oppress thee: before thy face I will slay all thine enemies, and fill them with shame and confusion.  
My mercy shall never fail thee, my truth shall never forsake thee, and thou (trusting to my favour) shalt lift up thine head most high, crowned with everlasting glory.  
I will cause thee to have one hand upon the sea, and another upon the floods, and thou shalt call me thy Father, thy God, and thy safe tower.  
And I will place thee as my first begotten Daughter, in the sacred family of the Kings of the whole world, even in a throne most high above others.  
Yea, thou being a pure Virgin borne of my kindred, shalt be so highly exalted of jehovah, which hath decreed this from all eternity, that thou shalt sit a glorious QUEEN, over a mighty people, and shalt have rule & dominion over all thy subjects without exception.  
Even I the mighty jehovah will give unto thee in Zion a kingdom of stability over all the ends of the earth, in the which kingdom thy power shall be so great, that the more enemies thou hast, the more excellent and more evident shall thy fame and renown be to all nations.  
And the people shall willingly and obediently offer themselves to be governed by thee, after the infinite victories which thou shalt have over the enemies that vex thee.  
And the day shall come, that when thou hast overcome all thine enemies, thou shalt muster all thine armies to appear before thee, and to make a triumph also in garments of triumph which shall be holy, most pure, and most shining. Then I say Ô QUEEN, thou shalt behold the multitude of thy most chosen young men, and beautiful virgins, which the morning of that most heavenly light shall bring forth unto thee, by pouring down her most plentiful dew upon the earth.  
Yea, I will arm thee with a double edged sword in thy hand, wherewith thou mayst punish the profane Gentiles, and avenge the cruelty of the proud people, and also mayst draw their kings and nobles bound in chains and iron fetters, and execute the judgement appointed and commanded by me thy Lord God upon them.  
And this verily is the dignity, the honour and renown that I will give thee, O daughter; whom I have received into my favour, even to bring into subjection unto thy kingdom the people far and wide and (saving thine own nation) to make an horrible slaughter of the rebels and traitors everywhere, that go about to overthrow the Monarch, which ruleth, and shall rule, both far and near.  
I will defend thee I say, O my dear Daughter, with everlasting mercy, and my covenant made with thy father DAVID shall be established for ever in his generation.  
Thy throne shall be as the Sun before me, it shall continue as the Moon in all ages, and be as stable as heaven itself.  
For I the holy one have once sworn by mine own self, and neither will I break my promise, nor violate my covenant, nor will change any of those things that I have spoken to DAVID thy Father.  
These things have I promised of old I say, and now will I undoubtedly bring them to pass. If thou my Daughter keep my commandments, and do not violate the ordinances that I have commanded thee, but order thyself and thy people by the rule of the laws that I have prescribed unto them.  
So shall all things be in good order, and nothing confounded; yea the very foundations of the earth also shall be firm and remain stable. Peace, righteousness, and judgement, and all good things else shall remain safe and sure amongst men.  
Neither will I suffer that in this thy dangerous journey, and perilous pilgrimage, thou shouldest so stumble, that thou shouldest fall, or be compelled to go back: and though many do lie in wait for thy destruction, yet I (preventing all dangers) will be thy watchful keeper.  
For seeing that I have taken in hand freely, of mine own good will, to call thee to this excellent estate of a Prince, & have hitherto been very careful to defend thee, and my people Israel, I will not now once slumber, much less will I be so deep in sleep, that I will suffer thee to be oppressed.  
Therefore let this be a thing certainly determined unto thee, and be thou comforted and confirmed with this only hope in all distress, that I the Lord am thy keeper; and a shadow for thee against all storms, and that I am present by thee, and will never fail thee.  
And as I was present of old, when thou returnedst out of the Egypt, & bondage of the spiritual Pharaoh: so now also I will be present with thee against the heat of the Sun in the daie-time; & against the noisome humours, which the Moon useth to raise in the night season.  
For like as the City jerusalem is compassed round about with massy mountains, so I the Lord stand round about thee and thy people (trusting in me) on every side, and will never forsake you.  
But as I have done hitherto, so surely I will continue to defend them that love virtue, and to bind thee unto me by new benefits.  
I will bring to pass that thou shalt enjoy a stable peace, and sure tranquillity, and that thou shalt see jerusalem flourishing so long as thou dost live.  
Yea I the Lord will so bless thee from heaven with most plentiful blessings, that by the power of my Majesty, all thy counsels and enterprises shall prosper, and have good success continually.  
I will preserve thee safe against all discommodities, and defend thy life from violence: yea which way soever thou shalt go or ride, I, even I thy mighty maker and God will be with thee, when thou goest forth, and comest in, from place to place; and not only in this temporal voyage or journey, but for ever will I govern and guide thee.  
Thou shalt never be laid open to the reproach of men.  
Thy Crown shall never be cast to the ground, nor thyself rejected.  
All thy fortresses and cities shall stand unassaulted, and thy forts, and strong castles and holds shall not be battered, nor laid open with breaches to the spoil of passengers.  
The edge of thy sword shall never wax blunt, thy sceptre never broken, nor thy crown cast down into the dust, nor thy power stained.  
But I will minister continual power, and cause of joy unto thee, o QUEEN, and take away all courage and force from thine enemies, so that they shall not be able to arise or stand against thy mighty power.  
Finally, this my league, which I have made with thee, shall never be abrogated. For I will come down from my Sanctuary to help thee, even from the mount Zion to strengthen thee in all dangers. And when thou callest upon me by prayer, I will hear thy petitions, and grant unto thee that thy heart desireth, and accomplish all thy purposes, so that thou doubtless shalt be preserved and delivered a way by me, that have anointed thee to be QUEEN.   

CAP. V.  
THus, I say my dear Daughter, if thou carefully behave thyself, & walk in the ways that I have commanded, thou shalt be worthily honoured indeed with that name, whereby mine authority over all men is declared: and I thy GOD and heavenly Father will embrace thee with my special favour, as my dearly beloved dove and obedient child.  
Yea so shall the KING have pleasure in thy fairness, and love thy goodly parsonage: and it shall come to pass, that thou shalt be more and more in the high favour of thy spiritual spouse Christ my son, to whom only it is meet that thou shouldst be subject, as to thy sovereign Lord, King and head, and under whose government thou shalt remain most honourable and admirable, for the singular and unspeakable gifts of his grace, to all manner of people, strangers & others: of whom even the most mighty and most rich shall desire to see thee, and to be linked in friendship with thee.  
For then shalt thou come forth of thy princely ivory palace, and stately royal throne, most gloriously adorned with gorgeous garments, and royal robes that smell most fragrantlie, and yield their sweet savours, and odoriferous odours, most pleasantly spread over all those men and people, who to declare their joy and goodwills towards thee, shall run and press together by thousands, to see, praise, and extol thy renowned name and Majesty, crying aloud, and saying: GOD save the QUEEN.  
To conclude, here in my house the Church thou shalt see thy children and offspring (who by publishing and promoting my Gospel, thou hast borne after a manner unto thy husband Christ) flourishing, and spread both abroad and at home: and nothing inferior unto those thy most noble Elders, reigning over the provinces of the whole world.  
But at home chiefly, even in heaven, with me thy Father, and with thy husband Christ, thou shalt sit at my right hand, beautified with all my gifts, and most richly beedecked all over with glorious garments, broidered with gold, having a crown of most pure gold upon thy head.  
Even thus royally, I say, shalt thou then, O Virgin, o QUEEN, O dearly beloved Daughter, be set before the KING thy husband, with such and so precious apparel, the Virgins thy companions waiting upon thee, and going with thee, unto the most glorious KING of kings, whilst that you (altogether with most great triumph, mirth, joy, & rejoicing) shall enter into the highest mansion of the heavenly Paradise, & most holy palace, there to enjoy a most certain, unchangeable, and everlasting kingdom, glory, dignity, bliss and felicity; and to sing praises unto the name of the holy Trinity, together with all Kings, Queens, Saints, Virgins, and elect people of the world, that ever were, are, or shall be: worlds without end.    

The Queen's Vow, or selfe-talke with GOD: Collected out of the Psalms of the princely Prophet King DAVID, as they are paraphrasticallie expounded by that godly learned man, THEODORE BEZA.  
Wherein the Queen's Majesty, after a most Christian manner, even with David's spirit, his sweet words, and divine sentences, first inciteth & prepareth her heart and mind to 
1  devotion. secondly acknowledgeth the omnipotent power of God over all kings, kingdoms, and creatures: 
2  and, after a true rehearsal of his manifold benefits bestowed upon her from her birth, with an acknowledgement of her sovereignty to come only from the Lord, she thirdly confesseth her unworthiness, and rejoiceth 
3  greatly in his protection and mercy towards her, since her coming to the Crown. fourthly, having his wondrous works and benefits, done for her preservation, in 
4  great admiration, she not only yieldeth condign thanks for the same, but exhorteth all creatures, both in heaven and earth, to praise God together with her. And so lastly she bindeth herself as it were by a solemn oath, vow and promise, to consecrate her life wholly to the true 
5  worship and sincere service of God, in all holy obedience to his laws, to the glory of God, and full discharge of her duty, both in her Court and Realm.  

* The first part of the VOW.  
RABBONI, my heart so voileth within me, that I must needs burst forth that, which it hath conceived; even a magnifical Vow of a QUEEN consecrated to the KING of heaven himself, and that with such zeal and fervency, that no pen may seem to be able to attain unto the voice of the speaker.  
Therefore, O my God, I being now prepared with my whole heart; with my whole heart and mind, I say, have great desire to speak unto thee: and in this my present most happy estate, to call into my remembrance thy wonderful works, wrought and brought to pass by thine almighty power for me, from my conception, even until this hour.  
Neither will I do it, O Lord, with my mouth only, as hypocrites use to do; but I will unfeignedly testify thee my God to be mine only maker, redeemer, preserver, and Saviour, with praise that shall proceed even from the deep bottom of my heart.  
Go to then my tongue, go to my mouth, I say; be thou no longer dumb; but open thyself wide, to speak out the most excellent praises of my God, and make thy hearty Uowes, and say: as followeth.   

The second part, containing four Chapters.  

CAP. I.  
O Heavenly Father, my almighty maker, my greatest King, mine only GOD, and sovereign Saviour; thou which art the King of glory, and most glorious King; the Lord of hosts, strong, valiant, and mighty; whose seat is in the highest heavens, and thy dominion is stretched forth over all things without exception.  
I humbly acknowledge thee to be the very God of Angels, and of men; the most sacred Emperor of the most mighty spirits, and holy company of the heavenly armies, which celebrate thy truth and praise perpetually, in the regions above us; yea, the greatest God, highest Lord, and most magnifical King, far above all Emperors, Kings, Lords and Princes, how great soever.  
Even the God of Abraham, Isaac and jacob, and of my father David, and his posterity, Kings and Queens my predecessors; which art higher than the heavens, and the mighty Monarch of the whole world; having of nothing made heaven and earth, and all things therein by thine almighty power; guiding, preserving, and ruling by the same the state of kingdoms, and all the creatures and people that dwell in the world: reserving in thy power and authority, as the Lord of all, both the low secret parts of the earth, the deep bottoms of the Sea, and the high tops of the mountains: reigning ever full of Majesty, power, and authority, and that most gloriously and triumphantly, in an eternal and everlasting kingdom.  
For whereas all other kingdoms truly are transitory, and subject to destruction; thy kingdom only O God, I confess, is not limited in any bounds, nor subject to any term of years or time; but always endureth one, and unchangeable, from all eternity to eternity; as he whose throne is for ever and ever: and which hast raised a kingdom for thyself, among thine Angels and people, both in heaven and in earth of old, to continue alway most stable, firm, and unmovable.  
So that thou, Lord, only mayst justly challenge unto thyself, the authority of the kingdom in deed, over all nations upon the earth: who art that most jealous and dreadful jehovah, unto whom all the Emperors, Kings, and Governors in the world shall bow, submit themselves, and do their homage and divine service, with their sceptres and crowns cast under thy feet: and who doest declare thyself very terrible to all the potentates and powers of the world, and cuttest off their courage, strength, and glory, throwing it in the dust, even as the Gardener doth twist and proine his vine.   

CAP. II.  
AND therefore, most worthily ascribing and resigning up the honour and glory of all empire, kingdom, rule, power and dominion unto the holy, secret, marvelous, and renowned name of thy most high and sacred Majesty, which art the father of lights, ancient of days, the saviour of all believers, and the only redeemer, strength, glory and hope of Israel, and of all the ends of the earth, even Alpha and Omega, the first without beginning, and the last without ending, that shalt come to judge both the quick & the dead, God blessed for ever, Amen.  
I (according as it is meet, and my very bounden duty) do now meekly confess, and protest to thy perpetual praise, that it is thou, O most merciful God, and none other, which in the beginning, when I lay as a rude lump without shape, being shut up in the secret place of my mother's womb, didst form, fashion, and nourish me; and at the time appointed, and set down in thy book, didst draw me forth of the dark cave, wherein I was fashioned, and brought'st me forth of the bowels of my mother, as it were a midwife.  
So that the very bowels within me, are thine own, by good right and authority; because thou joining all my sinews and bones together, hast made me a mortal woman, and covered me within my mother's womb. For there is no King or Queen that had any other beginning of birth: for all men have one entrance into life, and one going out in like manner.  
Which work of thine surely, when I behold in myself, it is so wonderful, O Lord, that I should utterly show myself most senseless and unthankful, unless I praise thee for the same, and confess, that thy works are exceeding marvelous in deed, seeing I do perceive the thing so manifestly as it is.  
So soon also as I, thy workmanship, came, forth a reasonable creature into this world, I received like air as other men, and was committed unto thee my Creator, at what time thou didst declare thyself to be my God, and causedst me to look up unto thee, when I did hang yet on my mother's breasts.  
Even in my very cradle and swaddling clouts, O God, thou hadst a special care & regard over me, and tookest in hand fatherly to foster and govern me so many years ago, and to lead and guide me from my tender years unto this day.  
Ever since I was borne, I say, thou my God hast defended me from dangers, both when I was strong, and in the flower of my youth: neither haste thou forsaken me now, being in my middle age, nor wilt (I trust) when I am graie-headed.  
O mine inlightener, it is thou that hast taught and instructed me with the knowledge of thee, from my childhood hitherto. Therefore have I depended wholly upon thee alone; upon thee, I say, O excellent Father, have I set all my hope, even from mine infancy, and will do so still even unto mine old age.   

CAP. III.  
NEither hath thy providence and mercy towards me, ceased at any tune. For surely, thou hast made me a singular & everlasting example of thy favour & mercy to all men, in that thou beholding me always with thy pleasant countenance, and observing continually with thine heavenly eye, what injury soever was offered me, hast not only wonderfully comforted and preserved me in all my troubles: but also oftentimes most miraculously saved and delivered me out of most great and manifold miseries, imminent perils, and multitudes of mighty enemies, wherewith I have been assaulted, environed, vexed, afflicted, persecuted, and turmoiled from my tender age.  
Yea so tenderly, O God, hast thou loved me, that thou hast not suffered me to be entrapped of thousands of adversaries, that rose up against me, saying in their hearts, Her God can not help her. But being the judge of mine innocency, my glory, my shield, and my valiant Champion, thou hast thyself smitten down all mine enemies, brought me safely out of distress, and lift up my head above all mine adversaries.  
Thou hast delivered my life, I say, forth of the present doors of death, stayed the tears of mine eyes, and established my feet, that I did not fall for any temptation: so that I walked safe & sound before thee, among the living that praised thee. And that I live now to praise thee, I may only thank thee my deliverer, who hast caused me thus to taste, feel, and enjoy the most comfortable sweetness of thy goodness, mercy, and favour.  
And though I was forsaken of all men; and the most mighty, together with my nearest friends, had me in contempt: though the superstitious adversaries, I say, heaved vehemently against me, and with great violence sought to cast me down, and lay mine honour in the dust: yet hast thou, my God, by thine own hand repulsed & driven out all those mine irreligious foes, which so wickedly resisted thy purpose; and to their confusion of faces, hast exalted me to the highest degree of dignity.  
Wherefore, great cause of continual joy and hearty rejoicing hast thou, O Lord, given unto me, thine handmaid, which acknowledge myself mightily and miraculously preserved by thy power.  
Doubtless, now thou hast wonderfully delivered in deed thy QUEEN, that was anointed by thee, and hast heard me out of the highest Sanctuary, & granted unto me that, which I requested in my prayers.  
For I put my trust, neither in chariot, nor horses, men nor munition: but only remembered thy name, and called upon thee in all my troubles: and lo, thou, o KING of heaven, hast heard me in all my necessities, and given me my heart's desire, accomplishing all my purposes.  
I required this thing only of thee, that I might escape alive and safe from persecution; but thou hast not only strengthened and comforted me out of Zion, and placed me here in thy dominion and empire in safety: but also hast granted unto me a life that shall never fail; and that because I only set my hope still in thee, in whom all power remaineth, as I oftentimes by good experience have proved.  
Yea thou, O most excellent Father, hast done a notable work, worthy to be set forth in writing to all posterity, and to be limmed out in gold to everlasting memory; because, O Lord, thou hast not despised the prayers and tears of thy most miserable people; but from thy holy throne hast looked down upon me, and them, to hear the mournings of the prisoners, thy persecuted members; and to lose them forth of bonds and fetters, of whose life it was utterly despaired: that in Zion once again thy name, O Lord; and thy praises, I say, in jerusalem might be published by my ministery, as it is this day, many nations and people running together to worship thee, who hast now showed thyself much more glorious therein, than at any time before.  
Therefore, O God, which art indeed the Governor and Lord over all people, in heaven and in earth: thou art our God by a peculiar right, and mine only honour. For so great glory have I attained, by this thy defence and salvation; and so bright is the glittering of this honour, wherewith thou hast crowned me; that I may worthily triumph in thee, being thus preserved and delivered by thee: and also condignly celebrate this day wholly to thee, with banners displayed, which hast so graciously granted all the petitions of thine handmaid.  
Namely, for that thou, Lord, being ever mindful of thy promise and word, which is of force for ever, and providing for thine own only glory, didst so mercifully and miraculously preserve me from dangers; and rebuking even Kings and Princes for my sake, so precious and dear was my blood in thy sight, that none should touch thine Anointed, nor do me any harm, at the time appointed by thee; thou allowing, justifying, and commending me as innocent, whom others did maliciously condemn as guilty of wickedness, didst most faithfully and freely perform thy promises towards me, and changing my miserable estate into bliss, didst bring me forth glad and joyful, whom thou hadst appointed thine elect handmaid, and chosen servant, to govern thy people and affairs in this kingdom.   

CAP. FOUR  
WHerefore, I humbly acknowledge that it is thou, O almighty GOD; which raisest up the abjects, and exaltest the miserable from the dunghill, to place them among the Princes of the people: and which sometime laidst help upon one that was mighty, and didst exalt one chosen of the people (my father DAVID thy servant I mean,) whom thou tookest from the sheepfold, and with thy holy oil didst anoint, and broughtest to feed thy people and inheritance in Israel.  
Even thou, O God, I say, the self-same good God it is, I confess, which hast also consecrated ELIZABETH to thyself, to govern thy people, over whom thou doest chiefly rule: and who hast vouchsafed in like favour, and in as great mercy, to call me out of the prison to the palace, and to appoint me to be the Prince and Pastor to feed the posterity of jacob, and most dear people of Israel, with the spiritual food of thine eternal word.  
My preferment, Lord, and promotion I know, is come neither from the east, nor from the west; from the south, nor from the north; neither, as I have well perceived, was it in mine own power to exalt myself, and to mount up out of so great misery to so high dignity.  
But it was thou my KING, and my God, even thou most just Governor of all things, (which bringest to pass mighty things, far passing the condition of mankind, and rulest the state of kingdoms, to whom alone it belongeth, and in whose power and authority it is, to cast down whom thou wilt, and to exalt whom it pleaseth thee) which hast exalted me thine handmaid, and given unto me thine absolute authority, over all the great Princes and people of England; that I should govern the very Magistrates & Commons thereof, by the direction of thy word, wisdom, and counsel.  
Yea, I take thee to record, O Lord, against the slanders of all men, that I never desired this honour, as though I had deserved it; neither laboured that I should be brought unto this dignity; nor that I am now proud, being promoted by thee thereunto; nor that I do so much as think or rejoice that I am brought to this Kingly office by blood, birth, or by mine own endeavour or power.  
But always I have, and still will confess, and humbly acknowledge to thy glory, that it was thou only, O Lord, my Redeemer and Saviour, upon whom I did earnestly call and set mine eyes, which (at what time it pleased thee to hear me) didst vouchsafe to embrace me with thy special grace and favour, and to bestow this so great a benefit upon me. First, to choose and take me only out of the rest of the people, and to exalt me above others; and then to consecrate me to thyself, and to anoint me with thy holy oil to be the QUEEN of this Realm, and that not for any desert of mine at all, I say; but only because it so pleased thee to use my service and endeavour, in this so weighty business, to defend thy people by my power received from thee.  
Finally, it was thou, O heavenly KING, who favouring me thine handmaid more than I deserved, didst richly apparel me in the royal robes, and all over cloathedst and beedeckedst me with stately garments, broidered with gold and precious stones; and as upon this day, settedst me in the regal throne, and causedst me most gloriously to come forth from the ivory Palace of my Coronation, accompanied with many noble Princes, & goodly Virgins, and bearing the diadem or Crown of pure gold upon mine head. At what time also thou madest the most fragrant odours of my sweet garments so spread itself, that nothing was more pleasant unto the beholders; who as then upon that happy day, so continually ever since do run together, and press in great multitudes unto me, to see me; and to declare their thankful hearts to thee for me, and their good wills they bear toward me in thee; evermore they cry with loud voices, and joyful hearts; uttering forth to the praise of thy name, and my great comfort, these and such like hearty prayers unto thy Majesty for me, saying: God save the QUEEN: God save the Queen ELIZABETH.  
So that I may now justly say, O most excellent father, that this is the day in deed, wherein thou hast chiefly showed thy mercy unto me, and that this day thou didst as it were beget me a dear Daughter unto thyself; in that as upon this day thou didst so graciously anoint me thy Minister and Queen, to deliver thine afflicted Church, & to reign upon thy holy mount Zion, there to declare to all nations the wonderful works that thou hast done for me, and thy people Israel; as I do at this present. Go to therefore, O my soul, return now to thy rest, and take thine ease; seeing that so notable a change of thine estate is happily wrought by the Lord, for he hath well deserved thereby everlasting praise for his mercy.    

The third part containing three Chapters.  

CAP. I.  
BUT, O Lord my God, who am I thy sinful servant, that thou hast been thus mindful of me? And what have I deserved (who of all others have lest deserved, and am thy most unworthy handmaid,) that thou shouldest thus regard me, and exalt me to so high dignity before many others?  
Thou hast anointed me with the oil of gladness before my fellows, and set a most precious diadem upon my head. Thou makest me to sit in the highest place of dignity and estate, far above other men that are my subjects. Yea thou, O God, which art Lord of the whole earth, hast brought into subjection the people that lie near unto me, over whom I have authority; and hast honoured me in deed with that heavenly name, whereby thine authority over all men is declared.  
Thou hast crowned me, I say, with great glory and honour, causing my renown and fame to spread far and near; yea thou hast made me nothing inferior to other Potentates of the world; but ordained me Lord over the works of thine hands in sovereign wise, so that thou causest all to serve me dutifully.  
Thou, my King & my God, hast powered forth upon me (I confess) all thy bounty and graces, that none is able to be compared unto me.  
Thou hast caused both Kings and Queens to come from far, and to bring presents and rich gifts unto me: and thou hast made me honourable, even to strange people, of whom even the most mighty and rich honouring me, have and do desire greatly my friendship and favour.  
Thou hast prevented me with thy blessings, and without any ask, given me the people for an inheritance, and the ends of the earth for my possession.  
Surely a most pleasant place, and a most beautiful portion of inheritance is fallen unto me from thee, O Lord, which art my portion, my reward, and alone to me all-sufficient.  
Thou art he that hast given me this most large and excellent heritage, and planted me in a most fat and wealthy place; by whose power I may worthily glory of my dignity and honour, and that by thy singular benefit; and for none other cause, but only that it hath pleased thee to receive me into thy special favour.  
For surely, there is no cause why I should ascribe the attaining of this kingdom to mine own worthiness (although I called oft upon thy name) or that I should imagine that I have resisted so many, and so mighty people, by mine own power and strength; neither by the trusting in mine own bow or sword have I obtained so many victories, and driven away mine enemies: but thou thyself, O Lord, hast done it by the strength of thine own arm, and that only because it so pleased thee, I say, of thine own mere mercy and goodness to preserve and deliver both me and my people.   

CAP. II.  
NEither hath thy mercy ceased here, O God: for it hath not failed ever since my coming to the Crown, to govern me afterward by thy wisdom and grace; and miraculously to preserve and defend me by thy princely power, from all mine enemies, visible and invisible, domestical and foreign.  
Hitherto hast thou been unto me a most safe refuge, & a most sure tower against all the powers of Satan.  
Oh how great and marvelous things do I see, that thou, O God, hast brought to pass for me thine unworthy servant, by thy mighty power!  
For when there wanted not such, who rebelled against me, and resisted thy power and ordinance: yet I do see myself sufficiently armed by thee continually with sharp arrows, wherewith to wound the very hearts of mine enemies, and so to cast them down.  
Moreover, how long and how often have the sons of men laboured greatly to distain mine honour, rejoicing and persisting in vanity and superstition? And what secret and wicked counsel they have taken to bring ungodly things to effect against me; thou, O Lord, well knowest, and I have proved.  
For I am she, against whom the superstitious enemies have intended all these evils. I am she, against whom they have invented, and daily do invent that wickedness, which they shall never be able to bring to pass.  
For thou, Lord, hast had mercy upon me, and made frustrate the devices and desires of all my crafty and cruel enemies, and established me in my throne, that according to the office and authority thou hast given me, I might justly punish their infidelity.  
Thou hast scattered the people that delight in war, and caused the runagates to turn their backs unto me, by directing their own swords to light upon their own necks, and their own darts against their faces.  
For in thy wrath, Lord, thou hast cast the ungodly into the flaming fire; and utterly destroyed and consumed them and their posterity, by the heat of thy fury, that proudly rose up against thee, and thine Anointed.  
Yea, thou hast caused me to be revenged on the heathen, to break mine enemies asunder with an iron rod, and to crush them in pieces like potshards on the earth. Mine hand, I say, hath taken mine enemies, O God, through thy power; and thou wilt bring to pass, that my right hand shall apprehend them that hate me without cause.  
For undoubtedly now I know, that thou dost not hate me; but love me tenderly, even by this; that thou hast not suffered mine enemies to triumph over me, as they verily hoped: but hast made me stand fast and sure, through thy defence, whereby I know thou wilt always care for me.  
O God my God, what shall I say? verily I do greatly rejoice, that thou hast, with so great favour, embraced me; ever preventing my prayers, and giving help unto her that called upon thee, with a mind free from all evil imaginations. For else thou wouldst not have heard me, nor restored my life, when it was as good as lost, as thou hast done.  
But I, calling heartily upon thy name, chiefly in mine adversities, thou hast delivered me out of all my troubles, frights, and fears, and defended me, and waste my refuge in extreme dangers; and by thy mercy hast brought to pass, that not only I daily behold my traitorous enemies to have their condign punishments: but also this people, whom thou hast appointed to be governed by me, to consider this thy judgement extended upon those guilty rebels, superstitious adversaries, and profane men, that so wilfully resist thine ordinance and authority in me: and to be sufficiently taught by their example and destruction, to remember the fear, dread, and reverence due unto thee their God, and their Prince.   

CAP. III.  
Moreover, O Lord, I do greatly rejoice, when I bethink me what a tower of strength, a safe haven, & unassaultable habitation thou hast ever been, not only unto me: but also unto my predecessors & forefathers, Kings and Princes of this land, succeeding one another in order. And how thou hast been the honour, and also the strength both of them and me: and hast from time to time, with a certain special power, defended this little Island, which thou hast chosen to be thy peculiar heritage, & given it first unto them, and now unto me in possession.  
Yea, what alterations or changes of things or times soever have fallen; yet hast thou, O most mighty Governor (whose kingdom for ever hath been, is, and alway shall be most sure, stable, permanent, unchangeable, and unmovable) lift up the head of thine handmaid, as it were of an Unicorn, being anointed by thee with fresh oil, and laden with new benefits continually.  
Thou art he, I say, by whose power consisteth whatsoever is high in the world: even by thy might, which as it establisheth the kingdoms and policies, whereby mankind is preserved: so also by these testimonies of thy most mighty power, the inhabitants of the earth being convinced, do tremble and keep silence. And this peace being restored in my dominion, thou causest that my people again do lead their lives both day and night in comfortable peace, & godly tranquillity.  
Wherefore thou hast given me great cause of new joy, and to rejoice in thee, O Lord my God, who hast thus mercifully dealt with me thine handmaid; and especially, because thou hast granted unto me to overcome all mine enemies, how many, and how mighty soever; and to compose and set my kingdom in peaceable order; and to place in juda the throne of judgement and justice, being directed by thy word, O GOD, which I have, and whereof I glory, & still will glory.  
To conclude, I do rejoice; because thou, Lord, art my loving shepherd, and feedest me in the green pastures and sweet meadows of thy word with joy and solace; making me, that was sometime as a barren woman, without comfort, now a joyful and glad foster mother of many spiritual children to thee.  
Yea, even in the very sight of mine enemies doest thou, O most bountiful Father, prepare a dainty table for me, and reaching unto me a full cup, thou givest me drink of thy pleasant springs; and causest thy goodness and mercy, thy bounty and liberality to follow me, wheresoever I become: blessing both me and my people with all thy blessings continually.  
Finally, it is thou, O Lord, only; who of thy singular goodness hast assuredly fortified my hill wonderfully with honour, health, peace, and security: and that doest presently keep me in safety, and causest me quietly to lie down and take my rest in thee.  
Thou dost ward the gates of my Cities with bars, and mightily multiply and cherish thy family my citizens. Thou bringest me into amity with my neighbours, and feedest me with the finest flower of wheat.  
And these things verily do testify most plainly, both thine infinite goodness and power; yet surely they are nothing, in comparison of that benefit of the doctrine of salvation and holy word, which thou hast bestowed upon thy people; and delivered unto us, as a rule to lead our lives both godly and honestly: neither is there any nation under heaven, with whom thou hast so dealt, as with us herein. Therefore, having such experience of thy support, I will comfort myself in thee, my strength & my shield, in whom my heart doth rest; neither will thine Anointed trust in any other: but only in thee, which givest power unto Princes.  
Even I will bless and praise thee, O Lord, which thus hast blessed both me and my people with thy continual blessings. And in this my present blessed state, I will not cease to magnify thee, O Lord, my deliverer; but I will declare & set forth before all people the marvelous works, which thou, my God, hast done for me; and whereof I myself, from the beginning of my life, unto this hour, have had good proof & experience.    

The fourth part of the Vow, containing five Chapters.  

CAP. I.  
OH Lord my God, how excellent is thy name over all the earth! Advancing me thus to glory, far above my deserts, I as one nothing able to compass such great mercies, am even astonished with the admiration of thine excellent liberality, and fatherly providence over me.  
O how greatly do these so many, and so great benefits bind me unto thee! And what shall I give again unto thee for all thy bounty, which thou hast bestowed upon me? verily I will pay that which only I am able; namely, I will take in my hands the Lamp which thou hast ordained for thine anointed, and will therein continually magnify thy mercy.  
I will take in my hands (I say) the cup of thankful sacrifice; and calling upon thee by name, O Lord, I will testify openly, that I knowledge this my deliverance and honour to be only of thee.  
And those things which I vowed unto thee, O Lord, when I was in danger, will I now pay in the presence of all the people. For thou art he, by whose benefit I remain alive: thou art my defence, my tower, my saviour, my shield, my refuge; finally, thou art he, who only hast subdued all this people unto me, and therefore well deservest the renown and praise of all these victories, by most worthy right.  
Wherefore, by good right, O Lord, I will declare thy praises, even with a sounding voice. And because it becometh all men and women, that have received benefits of thee, and to whom thou grantest the use of this life, and delivered from so many, not dangers, but deaths, to do this thing diligently and continually; I will labour to commit the memorial of thy benefits unto others, and exhort them to accompany me in the duty of thankfulness earnestly, and say:   

CAP. II.  
O All ye holy spirits, the apparitors of the Lords Majesty, which are divided into innumerable garrisons, go ye before others in this his praise, and sound them forth, even from the most high heaven.  
O ye Citizens of Zion, rejoice ye in the Lord your King and Governor, and set forth his praise far and wide, not only privately, but also publicly.  
Praise the Lord, I say; for his infinite goodness and everlasting mercy deserveth the same.  
O you the innumerable multitude, whom God hath delivered out of manifold dangers, and forth of the hands of your enemies and persecutors, praise the Lord; for his infinite goodness and everlasting mercy deserveth the same, and acknowledge this thing with me.  
For how many hath he gathered from the beginning of the world, which were scattered from the East and the West, from the North and South Ocean sea?  
How many wandering wretches in the waste wilderness, and seeking a City commodious to dwell in, half dead, and killed with famine and thirst; crying unto thee, O God, in their extreme miseries, hast thou heard; and drawing them forth of their distress, hast brought into the right way, and led them into commodious Cities of refuge to dwell in peace?  
O let these men therefore set forth this thy great mercy before thee, O Lord thyself, and show forth thy marvelous works to other men; who hast thus refreshed them panting for thirst; and fed them so mercifully, being hunger-starved!  
How many also being shut up in dark prisons, and even as it were in the darkness of death, being chained in their mind with sorrow, and in their bodies most strictly with iron fetters? And that worthily (I confess,) because they did not obey thy commandments oh God, which are engraven in the minds of all men, but rather followed their own lusts, than the wholesome counsels of thee their God.  
Notwithstanding, when thou, O God, thereby well hadst tamed their fierceness, and hadst brought them to this point, that they could find no help in any; thou graciously heardst them crying unto thee in their distress, and deliveredst them from their misery, and brought'st them from the dungeons of the prisons, and darkness of death, breaking their iron fetters in sunder.  
O praise ye therefore this so great mercy of the Lord before him, and declare his wonderful acts to other mortal men, who hath broken the brazen gates, and hath dashed in pieces their iron bars.  
How many also being driven away through persecution, unto that profane Babylon, even avoiding so much as lay in you, the sight of the wicked enemies, did confess with most doleful silence, even with abundance of tears, both your sins and sorrows, at the floods of Euphrates, being mindful of Zion.  
And though you carried your harps even to be your comfort in so great calamity, yet being outrageously mocked and derided in your misery, by the enemy that drove you away into most miserable captivity, you were feign to hang them up upon the sallow trees, and make no noise in the sight of the persecutors; as they that saw more cause rather to mourn than sing in that time and place.  
Notwithstanding, the Lord did not forget you for ever, but seeing the cruelty of the persecutors, in his good time turned away your captivity & mourning, and restored you to liberty and joy again, so that you live and see the day, wherein Babylon is destroyed, and her children dashed against the stones. For the Lord hath given her prosperity unto us, to deal with them again, as they have dealt with us.  
Yea, the Lord hath armed his people with double edged swords in their hands, wherewith they may punish the profane Gentiles, and avenge the cruelty of the oppressed; & also may draw their kings and nobles bound in chains and iron fetters, even to execute the judgements appointed and commanded by thee O Lord. And this verily is the dignity and the honour of all them, whom God hath received to his favour.  
Wherefore, O ye glorious people, upon whom the Lord hath bestowed so many benefits, now see that ye in this your great quietness and rest, sing & triumph.  
Praise the Lord in deed, O Israel, and delight thyself in setting forth his praise continually, whose work thou art as it were newly form, being delivered from so many not dangers but deaths.  
What shall I speak, Lord, furthermore of them, who by their own foolishness, going in the way of wickedness, and being oppressed by manifold plagues and diseases, do daily suffer the reward of their madness; and loathing all manner of meat, are at death's door; whom notwithstanding thou, O Lord, didst hear crying unto thee in their misery, and thou deliveredst them out of their distress; yea thou speaking but one word, didst take away all the cause of their deadly disease, and restoredst them to health.  
Let these men also, I say, praise this thy so great mercies, O Lord, and publish thy marvelous works before other mortal men. Let them offer the sacrifices of praise unto thee, O God, in the middle multitude of the people standing about them; and let them rehearse with great joy, what he hath done for them, in the assembly of the chiefest.  
Go to therefore, O all ye people; praise the Lord our God together with me; who when we were oppressed with Pharaos' tyranny, was mindful of us; and with a strong force delivered Israel from the slavery of Egypt, and hath given this dominion to be possessed by ELIZABETH his handmaid; for his mercy endureth for ever.   

CAP. III.  
O All ye people, I say, tribes, kindreds, and inhabitants of the earth; both noble and simple, rich and poor; clap your hands, and praise this most holy God with most joyful voices.  
Give unto the Lord the praise of all power, worship, and glory: give him the honour due unto his name and majesty. For lo, he is come to govern the earth. The Lord himself reigneth amongst you, and governeth the whole world with a just and righteous government, and ruleth altogether with the sceptre of his justice and truth.  
Go to therefore O ye young striplings, and old men, young children, maidens & matrons, and you also all other that love & fear God, come (I pray you) & praise the name of the Lord, even of our most mighty jehovah, together with me. For he alone deserveth most high praise, as he that is more deep than the very earth, and more high than the heavens, and far above all the powers and potentates of the world.  
Go to also O ye damsels and virgins, stir up your joy to day with songs of praise upon timbrel & lute, but void of wantonness: so that your joy may tend to the glory of God, your only strength; and celebrate this day of your deliverance, as festivail to the Lord our deliverer.  
O ye Virgins and damsels unmarried now rejoice with me, I say; and sing unto the Lord a triumphant song. Praise the Lord also, O ye brides in your marriage songs with glory and majesty, that ye live to see my days, and that the flower of your youth is not consumed in the flame of God's fury.  
For the time was, when you being desolate and unmarried, did remain pensive without your marriage songs, and lived solitary, sitting at home among the soot of pots: but now, the women that durst not come out of their houses, come forth glittering like gold, and shining like doves as white as snow, and boldly divide the spoil of the enemy.  
Go to therefore, O ye damsels of juda, and multitude of Virgins; seeing ye have so great cause to rejoice; show not yourselves unthankful in any wise: but praise the Lord together with me in Hymns, and celebrate his name with spiritual songs, for his victories, goodness, and mercy towards us.  
Come forth ye daughters of Zion, I say; and break out into gladness with me, rejoice you of the just judgements of God upon our enemies: yea, compass you Zion round about, account her towers, consider diligently her walls and bulwarks, and set forth the praises of her peace and palaces; so that ye may spread forth the memory thereof, even to all posterity. And do you let all men to understand, that this is God, even our own God for ever, which hath not forsaken us, neither will leave us, no not in the last minute of our life.  
Go to now therefore I beseech you, let us altogether praise the Lord, as we are bounden; let the whole company of us Virgins play upon the Timbrels on every side, and corner of the city Zion, one exhorting and answering another by course, and that with new and excellent songs of praise to the glory of God.  
Let us magnitie that mighty and eternal name of his; for it is holy: let us continually come before the Lord, and worship him; for he is holy.  
For what should we rather do, than to give hearty and continual thanks, by all possible means, unto God; who, besides that he is God, and therefore hath bound all men unto himself by good right, hath bestowed upon us so many peculiar benefits? And again, what can be more joyful, and more to be desired, than such a testimony of his fatherly love, who hath delivered us from so many, not only dangers, but deaths also?   

CAP. FOUR  
GO to also, O all ye Kings, Princes, Governors, and judges of the earth; hold up your hands humbly unto God the eternal KING; acknowledge his power, which sitteth upon the most high heavens from all eternity, as it were upon a chariot, and maketh a terrible and most mighty sound from the clouds.  
O ye mighty Monarches and Potentates of the world, now worship and praise ye the LORD our GOD together with me; do him all possible reverence: and rejoice unto him with fear and trembling, as I do.  
O ye Kings, and all ye of power, give place unto the Lord; give unto the Lord, I say, the honour of all glory and power: give unto the Lord the majesty and glory due unto his name, fall down before his footstool, and worship him in his most holy temple: for he is holy; and seek his glory carefully, as I do.  
For this chiefly becometh all Princes to do, whom God, of his unspeakable favour, hath consecrated unto himself, and brought them into the most high state of dignity, above others: but specially, it becometh me to rejoice, and to set forth thy praises, O God, after a most exquisite manner; in whom thy most excellent Majesty doth so gloriously shine, and who have received so many rare and singular benefits of thee, from my conception, to this hour.  
Go to then, O my dear soul, and mine inward bowels, give thanks unto God with all your power: praise the Lord, O my soul, and declare thyself that thou art mindful of all his benefits.  
For what honour is not the Lord worthy of, which of his unspeakable mercy and compassion hath forgiven thee all thy sins, healed the deadly wounds thereof, cured thy diseases, borne thine infirmities, redeemed thy life from death, preserved thee from misery, renewed thy youth like the Eagle that liveth most long, and adorned thee so richly with all his benefits; as testimonies of his singular goodness, and fatherly mercy towards thee?  
Go to therefore with me, you mighty spirits, being his apparitours, and the diligent executioners of his will; so soon as ye hear him speak, celebrate ye the praises of the Lord.  
O ye mighty armies of his most obedient soldiers, praise the Lord, I say; O ye, even the very Angels, worship him as your Lord and King.  
Praise ye the Lord, O all his works, in what place soever of his dominion; and whatsoever hath breath, let it sound and set forth his glory: finally, thou my dear soul set thou forth the praise of God.   

CAP. V.  
AND I, O my God, my King, even I thy handmaid and anointed, in thankful remembrance, and worthy memorial of thy wonderful works and benefits, wrought and showed unto me continually, do again (as it is meet) render unto thee this acceptable sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving.  
I pay the vows unto thee, which I have promised both secretly among the faithful, and openly before the whole assembly of thy people; and that in the courts of thy house, O Lord; and in the midst of the City jerusalem, wherein by thy power and benefit I thus flourish.  
I will praise thee with my whole heart, and magnify thy name for ever; because I have experience of thine infinite goodness in myself, and am delivered from so manifold dangers of death and destruction.  
Neither will I be ashamed to sing forth thy praises also in songs, before the assembly of the mighty, and before the very Angels that stand about thine ark.  
I will, together with all Angels, Spirits, & souls; and with all Kings, Queens, virgins, and creatures both in heaven and earth, incessantly magnify thee in the palace consecrated to thy Majesty; and will sing of thy mercy and truth, because thou hast gotten unto thee now at the length most great honour; for that thou hast so marvelously, above expectation, surely performed unto me that which thou didst promise in thy word.  
I, with the residue of the people of my dominion, as a mother with her daughters, and the virgin with virgins; being for this cause replenished with incredible joy, and comforted with thy judgements, O Lord, will rejoice in thee, which (seeing nothing in me that should so move thee) hast nevertheless embraced me with so great favour, and mightily also defended me: and with all the just I will magnify the holy remembrance of thee, so great a King continually, which sitting upon thy most holy throne, rulest the whole earth, and exaltest thyself far above all that is aloft any where.  
For to this end chiefly thou, O Lord, hast consecrated and set me over them, that I should diligently exercise the rites of thy divine worship among them. Therefore I will delight myself in setting forth thy praises more and more, and I will testify myself in my whole life, to be desirous of thy honour and glory, to whom all honour and glory of right belongeth.  
O my God, my King; I will highly extol thee, and celebrate thy name for ever and ever: I will consecrate all the days of my life to set forth thy glory, and will amplify thy name with songs, that never shall have end.  
For thou art great, O Lord; and no praise is sufficient for thee: neither can any man attain to thy greatness.  
For thy wonderful works endure not for one generation and age alone; but as one age succeed another, so likewise must some men commit the memorial of them unto others, unless they will be negligent in doing their duty.  
Wherefore truly, be it far from me thy handmaid, that any thing should be of greater authority with me, than that I should carefully think, that the brightness of thy Majesty, which shineth unto us in the very daily use of things; and that thy deeds to me and my people-ward are greater, than can be comprehended, by the admiration or capacity of all mortal men and women.  
And doubtless, Lord, though very many be most blockish, and wonderful thankless; yet can there never be wanting some, which shall even against their wills confess at the least thy terrible power, even over all princes and people of the world. But admit that others be silent, and unthankful; yet I will never cease to declare thy greatness; and the nations most far off shall hear me publishing thy praises, and singing unto thee, for delivering and saving me by thy power, whom thou hast chosen and loved.  
But God forbidden, that I alone should labour to do this my duty. For verily, there will be always some assembly, which will by all means testify the remembrance of thy peculiar goodness, and thy most undoubted promises.  
Namely, that thou art most merciful, and most ready to exceeding mercy; and of whom a man may almost doubt, whether thou be more slow to wrath, or more prone to pardon.  
For is there any thing, O Lord, void of thy goodness? Nay, what is there in this whole world any where, which doth not testify thy clemency, and even of itself set forth thy glory in this point, that thou doest suffer so many generations and ages to pass and succeed in this world, that is defiled so many and sundry ways: and that thou doest cause thy chosen people to know, and declare by experience, what thy dominion and power is, that is to say, to be publishers of thy praise and valiant acts, for committing the glory of thy kingdom to their posterity.  
Wherefore by good right, O Lord, I will give unto thee due and convenient praise, & declare thy wondrous works, even with a sounding voice; that all may hear, as it becometh me; & all men, to whom thou grantest the use of this life, to do both diligently, and continually.  
As for me, I will still call to mind the multitude of thy miracles, and wondrous works wrought for me; and I will consume all my life days in praising thee therefore, so long as I shall remain alive. It shall be my special care to publish thy renown with songs of praise. And would to God that my songs might be so pleasant and acceptable unto thee, as I with glad heart and cheerful mind will celebrate thy so many and so great benefits bestowed upon me.  
And be it far away, and God forbidden, O my soul, that ever we should forget the Lord our God. But let rather my right hand forget her cunning, and all playing of instruments: and let the tongue of every one of us rather cleave to the roof of our mouths, than that it should be once unmindful of him; or at any time abandon the due deserved praises, belonging to his most holy, glorious, mighty, and eternal name and Majesty.  
O all ye creatures in heaven and earth, agree ye unto me, and say hereunto with one heart and mouth, Amen. Praise ye the Lord; praise thou thy God, O my soul:  
Amen, Amen.    

The fift and last part of the Vow divided also into five Chapters.  

CAP. I.  
AND now, O Lord, my God, and King; I thine handmaid being appointed QUEEN by thee, after such a manner of bountifulness, as never was heard, do consecrate this song unto thee, both of mercy and judgement: whereunto I do vow and bind myself before thee this day, to perform them in the government of the kingdom; as thou both fatherly requirest of me, and graciously hast commanded.  
And first I will endeavour myself wholly to piety and godliness, and will labour diligently to preserve and to amplify thy Church, that thy pure worship may be continually exercised therein, with as great care, devotion, and holiness as is possible.  
I will go, I say, into thy sanctified house, O Lord; even into the holy habitation of thy most true wisdom will I enter, that I may there learn thy judgements, and understand thy will revealed, to do to the uttermost of my power, whatsoever thou requirest and commandest a King to do.  
For I do testify before thee, that I desire nothing more, than to visit and behold thy glorious Majesty in thy Sanctuary: and therefore will I hasten speedily to stand in the porches thereof, to taste and see those visible signs of thy power and Majesty, showed commonly therein. For doubtless, thy goodness that offereth itself as it were there to be handled and felt, is more sweet by far, than life itself, which causeth my soul so much the more to be inflamed with earnest desire to seek thy face, to see thy glory, and to set forth thy praises with all my power.  
Especially, that the people, which are holy unto thee, my God, might assemble together by tribes and thousands, after the manner appointed of thee, to power forth praises and prayers, and to celebrate thy holy name, to the safety and preservation of all the families of our nation, that love and favour thy truth, to all posterity.  
Yea, even I myself, O God, with my father DAVID, will gladly go forth with the multitude; and lead thy people, as he was wont, into thy holy house, O God, with the voice of joyful praisings and thanksgivings; as those that observe thy sabbaths and festival days, most glorious unto thee, before the face of all people.  
I will present myself often before thine altar, not only with my hands washed in water; but rather purified from all wickedness, that I may openly 'stablish thy praise, and celebrate thy wonderful works.  
There will I sound forth thy renown with loud voice, with all my heart, satisfied with the fatness and marrow of thy most holy delicates. I will lead my life therein, I say, O God, setting forth thy magnificence; and there will I lift up mine innocent heart and hands with others; and openly, amids the whole multitude, call upon thy name, wherein is my safeguard.  
For there is nothing that I love more dearly than that Temple, wherein thou hast set thy seat of glory, even the house of thy Majesty and holy City, wherein the tribunal seat of my father DAVID (left to his posterity to minister justice indifferently to every one) is firmly placed.  
And why should not I do so? Why should not my soul, I say, he thus inflamed, and the zeal of thine house even consume me with fervent desire, and hearty longing, to seek thy face, O jacob? Seeing I have had experience so oft of thy gracious goodness and miraculous help; and seeing thou, O Lord, my God, hast set thy house in jerusalem, that thy true worship might be by my diligence holily exercised therein.  
Therefore, O God, I, even I thine handmaid, to whom thou hast appointed the kingdom, will rejoice and praise thee in thy sacred Sanctuary; and join myself as companion with those that do worship thee truly and devoutly therein: neither will I be far or long from thence; if I be, Lord, it shall be full sore against my will, through some urgent necessity of my calling or office in this life.  
And though I be absent in body at any time from thy house, as many times it cometh to pass, by reason I change my place so often: yet I make a vow, I will do that I am able; to wit, wheresoever I become, I will cleave unto thee in my heart wholly, and will not cease to think of thee, and to meditate of thy manifold benefits powered upon me.  
Yea, Lord, thou knowest that I am accustomed to rise at midnight, when other do soundly sleep: and setting aside all other cares, as she that is ever mindful of thy statutes, I do watchfully think how I may please thee, and keep thy commandments; and how I am wont to prevent the twilight in the morning, with my loud prayers: yea, that I am so far from following the example of the wicked, who lie snorting in sin & security; that contrariwise I, beholding the excellent judgements of thy justice, in crowning thy gifts in the righteous, seven times a day do I celebrate thy praises: neither do the watchmen doubtless so carefully keep their watch, as I am diligent in meditating thy Heast and commandments.   

CAP. II.  
ANd because, O Lord, though man be increased with never so high dignity, riches, and honours: yet if he want thy wisdom, he shall be counted to differ little or nothing in this life from the brute beasts, which wholly perish: (For he doth not long remain in this worldly pomp and glory; but all his power shall vanish and flow away, like water spilled on the ground, and brought to nought:) I will therefore number my days, while I have time; so that I may betimes apply my heart unto thy wisdom, & endeavour myself to learn thy statutes by thine instruction; and to be taught the true knowledge, joined with such a judgement; whereby I may discern all things aright, as it were by tasting a savoury thing; because I desire to depend on thy commandments, and to fulfil thy Heast.  
verily, Lord; I will meditate thy commandments continually, and will apply my whole mind to observe thy ways. I will delight my mind, I say, in thy statutes, neither will I at any time forget thy words.  
For neither hast thou, O Lord, my heavenly father, commanded me any thing unadvisedly in thy Heast: neither are they things that I should only understand, or lightly consider of: but thou hast wisely spoken and commanded them unto me, that they should be observed and kept of me with all diligence.  
And would to God that my manners and state might so be ordered by thy government, that I might sincerely seek to please thee; and holily walk after the rule of the doctrine prescribed by thee; & that I might most constantly persevere in keeping most carefully thy statutes! For then verily I should lead an upright and blameless life, at heart's ease, with a quiet mind, and all things should go well with me; yea, by that means shall I only worship thee rightly, and purely, without following this or that manner of worship, not prescribed by thy law, nor allowed by thy word.  
Therefore am I fully purposed to keep thy statutes firmly to the end, and to hold the way prescribed by thy word. For I have chosen this as the true way, and I do prefer this before all other things.  
O Lord, I endeavour myself, I say, with a pure heart, to cleave fast unto those things, which are approved by thy testimonies; of the which my good purpose grant, I beseech thee, that I do never repent.  
But direct me that am well entered into the way of these thy precepts, and inflame me wholly more & more with great desire, both of true knowledge joined with judgement, whereby I may discern all things aright; and also keep thy laws, as well in prosperity as adversity, unto the end of my life; that I may finish the whole course of my reign, by the direction of thy precepts, which are mine only counsellors; thy mercy and thy truth being my two keepers and assistants, whereupon I also only trust.  
Neither am I, O Lord, of their number, who have no regard whither they walk, in the right or wrong way before thee: but I have searched carefully by good advise, what way I should keep; and I have fastened my steps in those paths, which thou hast testified do please thee. Neither have I stayed, when I did know the matter so to be; but straightways bend myself to observe thy commandments, and been most willing and ready to accomplish thy will, in all things that might advance thy glory.  
Oh how do I love thy doctrine! Surely thou know'st Lord, that I am wont to consume whole days and nights in meditating of thy laws. And I do find, by experience, that I have not done this in vain. For I have proved to be much wiser by thy precepts, than all mine adversaries, which labour with all their power to destroy me, of how great dignity or authority soever they be. For I have obtained by thy gift, a wisdom that will never forsake me.  
Yea thou hast made me better learned than my teachers and masters, even because I have given myself wholly, not to man's inventions, but to meditate those things only, which thou hast given unto us for sound learning.  
Finally, I am more skilful than any of the ancient; because I was bend not only to know thy commandments, but also to keep them in deed. For I held back my feet, that I should not go the way that leadeth unto evil; but that I should always rather hold the way, which thou hast taught us by thy mouth.  
Thy precepts, O Lord, have been, and shall be like a burning Lamp in my hand; and as a light shining before me, to show me the way that I shall go: yea they have taught me the true wisdom. And therefore I now abhor the other guides & rules of the order of this life, as wicked and false. For I see all the most absolute and perfect works come to an end: yea both the decrees & laws, which man's wisdom doth set down, to be subject unto change, and at length even to come to nought. Only thy precepts, most true and most stable, are prolonged without measure, and without any end. Wherefore, I am wholly consumed, being inflamed with the love of thee; because I see thy words despised of mine adversaries.  
Surely I feel thy words more pleasant and sweet to my mouth, than if I had tasted honey; yea thy precepts are more precious unto me, than any gold or jewels, be they of never so high price and estimation.  
I do, and will still affirm, that all thy commandments are the most certain and perfect rule of thy justice and truth, to direct me to equity and godliness: and therefore I utterly abhor, as a thing appointed to deceive us, whatsoever leadeth us from them: neither will I at any time forsake thee, nor turn from thy laws; but rest upon thee, my teacher, and ghostly instructor.  
O Lord, thou knowest that I hate and abhor all deceits, I say; and that I embrace thy doctrine: yea and that I never conceived more grief of any thing, than when I did perceive those men, that are thine and mine enemies, to despise thy word so stubbornly and impudently.  
Mine eyes verily do swim with tears, when I behold the general contempt of thy doctrine, and too bold profanation of all thy holy Hests and laws, the which thing I neither would nor could dissemble. For even so oft as I perceived thy glory to be diminished, I burned with sorrow; & I accounted myself to be wounded with the reproaches cast out against thee. verily, there is nothing more pure than thy words. Wherefore I, even I thy servant, do embrace them with an incredible love and desire: yea I have bound my whole heart for ever, even to my last gasp, to observe thy statutes.   

CAP. III.  
IAm determined, O Lord, to embrace with most great love, those things, which thou hast testified unto me; and to keep all thy Hests most diligently: yea, I will so behave myself in this my government, that none shall worthily complain of me, that I have committed any thing against them, contrary to right and equity. For I do bear thy Heast in my hand, as a Lamp ordained of thee, for to lighten me in thy perfect paths and way. And I lay up thy word in my heart as a precious treasure, lest I offend thee in any least thing.  
And how sincerely I do this; that is, how without all hypocrisy I apply myself to fulfil thy commandments, and to accomplish and do to the uttermost of my power, all things that thou hast testified unto me, it is best known unto thee, who being my witness, and privy to all my thoughts and doings, I do whatsoever I do.  
O Lord, unto whom I appeal; and whom I can not deceive, though I would: I am thoroughly known and manifest unto thee I say. For no part of my life is unknown unto thee, whether I sit or I rise: yea thou dost even understand all my thoughts a far off; and thou observest narrowly my walking, and my lying down; neither is any of those things hidden from thee, which I go about. For thou knowest even my words, O Lord, before my tongue pronounce them.  
I submit myself, O God, in this thing therefore to thy trial; how I do prefer the consideration of thy wonderful works, words, and benefits, before all others; which are so great verily, that I am not able once to account the sum of them, nor to reach to the height, depth, length, and breadth of thy great mercies towards me. For I find them more than the sands of the sea, or the hears of my head. Wherefore I only refer myself to thee my God, I say, that thou mayest throughlie prove thine handmaid, and see if my heart be not altogether fixed upon thee; and utterly search out all my thoughts, to write them down in thy book of consciences.  
Finally, consider Lord, I pray thee, whether I have provoked the ungodly, with giving any offence: & as thou knowest me innocent, so preserve thou me, and govern the course of my life with thy counsels.  
Yea thou knowest, O Lord, that I have never bend mine eyes to high things; nor entangled myself willingly with great matters, whereby I might win to myself the opinion of excellency, above all other: neither yet have reached unto such things, as were above my capacity. But contrarily, unless I have been content with my state howsoever; and have stayed my mind to depend wholly on thee, as they teach the weaned child to forget the Nurse, and to regard the mother alone: unless, I say, I have so behaved myself hitherto, as the weaned infant, let me in deed be refused of thee.  
Therefore, according to this mine innocency, O Lord, by the assistance of thy grace, I will proceed: yea surely, Lord, according to my power, as I have begun in thee, so I will endeavour myself to end in thee, and to walk with thee uprightly; and setting all my confidence in thee alone, I am fully minded to continue to the end of my life, without wavering in the faith of a right Christian fear and love to thee.  
That I stand upright in the way of thy truth, I do attribute it only unto thee, O Lord my God; and will therefore magnify thy name in the public congregation. And I doubt not, but thou, O Lord, thine own self, wilt sully perform the work that I have enterprised by thine authority. For this is thine everlasting mercy, testified by thy word: neither wilt thou, I know, leave the work unperfect, which thou hast once begun by me, and in me.  
And now surely mine eyes are still always bend upon thy goodness, and I have appointed thy truth to be the guide and leader of my life: yea, I unfeignedly vow, and make a solemn promise before thee, and all thy holy Angels; that I will give all possible diligence, both that I may throughlie know the right way appointed by thee, and also may observe the same purely, in my house and Realm.  
I will never set before me to do any wicked thing; but will endeavour myself to godliness more and more, and keep my hands pure from all injury and wrong: that I may so live the true life; and spend the whole course of this my peregrination, in setting forth thy glory.   

CAP. FOUR  
HEnce from me therefore ye wicked ones, that I may keep the precepts of my God so much more purely. For I abhor the wavering and wanderings to and fro in religion; and I count thy word and doctrine most dear and precious.  
I will forsake them that are of corrupt manners; neither will I take such unto me. I will put far from me the authors of evil counsels; neither will I embrace, at any time, the thing that I know to be evil.  
Yea, Lord, thou knowest how carefully I have avoided the company of these most vain men; and I have fled away from these deceitful dealers.  
They that run after another God, I utterly detest. Their drinke-offrings of bloody sacrifice, which I am afraid even once to name, will I not offer. All such abomination my soul doth utterly abhor.  
For I, as thou knowest, love righteousness and holiness, and hate whatsoever is against it. And because they hate thee, O Lord, which art righteousness itself; therefore do I again hate them, and do even abhor them, because I perceive them to rise up against thee.  
I hate the superstitious crew of the ungodly, I say, utterly; and count them for my greatest enemies: much less will I join myself unto them, or can abide to wink at their wickedness and rebellion.  
Yea, I fully determine to exercise thy power given unto me, and to destroy the wicked and profane utterly; that thy Church may be well purged, and free from these cruel and blood-thirsty hypocrites; from these men, I say, which speak blasphemy against thee: so great and so proud is the cruelty of those, not of mine enemies so much, as of thine. For they abuse thy holy name and Majesty.  
Those superstitious men, I say, Lord, that bear thy name in hypocrisy, shall have their mouths stopped, and be put to silence in the congregation; and that because they be deadly enemies to thy word and holy Gospel, which I profess.  
Therefore, because they resist not me; but thee, O God, thyself: therefore thou shalt carry in thy hand a cup full of troubled wine, and full of dregs, the which thou shalt give to all the wicked to suck up, and to drink even the very dregs thereof. Yea, with the edge of the sword will I cut off the horns of the wicked and rebellious; and will execute the judgement appointed and commanded by thee my God, upon them, till they be consumed; that the honour & dignity of thy Saints may flourish in Israel in all piety and peace.  
All those wicked men, whom I see or hear do abuse their authority under me, against the good and godly, will I cast down again; but I will increase the just with honours.  
The subtle man will I thrust out of my house; neither will I suffer those that be scoffers, and speak deceitfully, to tarry in my sight.  
The extortioner and cruel man, which do speedily put in execution their wicked devices, and whose hands are full of bribes, those will I utterly destroy from off the earth.  
I will bridle the proud and dissolute persons, I will terrify the wicked, that they shall not lift up their horns so high, with blasphemous words against thee, and thine anointed.  
Finally, I will destroy the slanderer and false accuser; I will not suffer the proud and the ambitious to dishonour thee. Yea I will painfully, and without any delay, worthily punish whomsoever I shall understand to be wicked; and will purge the holy City of the Lord from all wicked persons.  
Contrariwise, I searching out on every side men that love the truth, will take them to be my familiar companions and counsellors; and I will not use, in doing mine affairs, any but such as are trusty and faithful, both to God, and their Prince.  
If I do know any that feareth thee, and that keepeth thy statutes, I will join him to my fellowship: those (I say) whom I see do worship thee truly and devoutly, will I join myself as companions with me.  
Yea, all my delight, Lord, shall be upon the Saints that are in the earth with me, to comfort them; and to promote such as excel in virtue and godliness. For otherwise, I am able to do little or nothing that can profit thee. Neither will I suffer any violence to be done unto them that be godly, by any man; but will rebuke even the mighty Princes for their sakes. None shall touch thine anointed Priests, no man will I suffer to hurt any of thy Prophets.   

CAP. V.  
TO conclude, I will surely care for nothing so much, now that I am set peaceably over the kingdom, and have the people by thy goodness committed unto me, as to institute an holy and righteous government. And thou granting me grace, when the case so standeth, that the bonds of the laws are broken, and the kingdom is in any thing disordered or confounded; I will carefully compose, and set the same again in good order; and establish the pillars and foundations thereof in their places, if they be removed. And this will I do by the direction of thy revealed will, that all things may remain safe among my people, by the difference of right and wrong preserved and maintained; and that they may follow thee, our God, with great cheerfulness, whosoever delight in righteousness, when they see the disordered state of the Realm restored by me at the last, into the ancient most right order of discipline and justice, prescribed by thy word.  
Thus, by the grace and assistance of thy holy spirit, (the which I beseech thee plentifully to power down upon me) do I thy servant determine with myself, unfeignedly to serve and worship thy dreadful Majesty, O my God, in fear and trembling: and I will labour to preserve and to amplify thy Church, with as great care as is possible; that thy pure worship may continually to all posterity be exercised therein.  
For so have I sworn, even by an oath, and make my solemn Uowes, that I will do; & that I will keep thy most sacred Hests, and just laws inviolable; the which thing I will perform in deed. Neither will I suffer myself, at any time, to be drawn away from thy judgements; nor to departed one inch from thy holy commandments, O God, which way soever thou leadest me. But trusting only unto thee, by whose power and conduct I have gotten the Empire and regiment of so many large provinces, strong cities, and goodly towns; I will now set my kingdom in good order, and place the throne of judgement therein, even the tribunal seat of my father DAVID, that judgement and justice may be ministered indifferently therein to every one; and the safety and welfare of the people that love thee, and favour thy truth, be procured and maintained.  
For to this end, O my God, hast thou given me this kingdom, the possession of so many goodly countries, and sundry sorts of people; and caused me to obtain it with so great facility and ease; that being thus peaceably placed therein, I should love jerusalem with all my heart: and that I should root out all the inhabitants therein, that profane the land with filthy superstition, and evil life; and cause all diligently to observe thy statutes and laws, given them of thee. And so I make a Vow I will, O Lord, I say, according to the simplicity of my heart, both provide faithfully for thy people; and also guide them by good counsel, and continually defend and preserve them by my power; as thou in thy hest hast commanded me.  
And that I may the better perform these my Uowes unto thee, and thoroughly discharge my duty to the glory of thine eternal Majesty; I beseech thee, show me thy glory, O God; and let thine honour beautify and adorn me, O my KING. O govern thou our counsels and endeavours from heaven; yea all our enterprises, and our counsels guide and govern thou from the highest heavens; that thy glory, O Lord, thy glory may shine forth in me thine humble Haudmaid, to all posterities; and the fame thereof fill the whole world, and be perpetually praised of all thy creatures, both in heaven and in earth, visible and invisible, for ever and ever: So; even so shall it be, O my GOD: even so let it be, Amen: Amen.  
O Lord, I beseech thee, let the Uowes and free promises of my mouth, proceeding from an unfeigned heart, be accepted of thee; and teach me thy laws more and more. For unto thee and them I confess that I own my life.  

Gressus meos dirige verbo tuo: & non dominetur in me peccatum.  
Sic psallam nomini tuo in perpetuum: & persoluam vota mea per singulos dies.   
Glory be to GOD on high; in earth peace; good will towards men: Halleluiah.    
   

A table orderly comprehending, under some special titles, all such prayers, meditations, and other matters whatsoever, which conveniently might there unto be referred or gathered in the first, second, and third Lamps or parts of this book for the benefit of the simple reader: by T. B. S.  

¶ Before prayer.  
A Meditation to be used before private morning prayer, the second lamp, pag. 105.  
Another to be used before evening prayer, the second lamp, pag. 121.  
Another to be used before common prayer in the church. 2. l. pag. 158.   

¶ Morning prayer.  
When one awaketh, 2. l. pag. 224.  
At our uprising, 2. lamb. pag. 103, 104.  
A form of private morning prayer, 2. l. pag. 106, 107, etc.  
An exercise of an householder with his family to pray in the morning, 2 l. pag. 225.  
A fruitful morning prayer to be used of all christians, 2 l. pag. 139.  
Before one begin his work, 2. l. pag. 226.  
Another to the same purpose, ibid.  
Before one begin to study his lesson, 2. l. 227.  
Before or after the sermon, 2. l. pag. 162, 231.  
At burials, 2. l. pag. 168.  
Before the receiving of the holy communion, 2. l. pag. 163.  
After the receiving of the Lords supper. 2. l. 166.   

¶ Graces.  
A prayer before meat, 2. l. pag. 229.  
A prayer after meat, ibidem.   

¶ Confessions, Lamentations, and complaints.  
A confession before morning prayer, 2. l. 103.  
Another before evening prayer, 2. l. pag. 117.  
A confession of a penitent person for his sin, 2. l. pag. 148, 149, 153.  
An humble confession of sins to the glory of God, 2. l. pag. 37.  
A lamentation & complaint of a sinner bewailing the ignorance of her blind life led in superstition, with hearty repentance in faith to obtain remission through Christ, 2. l. pag. 42.  
A christian bewailing of miserable ignorance and blindness of men, 2. l. pag. 60.   

¶ Contemplations.  
Of Christ's passion, 2. l. pag. 111.  
Of the careful passions of the sinful soul & body, 2. l. pag. 128.   

¶ Meditations.  
Of the spiritual love between CHRIST the bridegroom, and the faithful souls of his church the bird, 1. l. pa. 8.  
Of the inward love of the christian soul towards Christ, 2. l. pag. 1.  
Of the soul's slavery by sin, and redemption by Christ, ibid.  
Of the soul's affinity with Christ, 2. l. pag. 5.  
Of the soul's infidelity and apostasy from God, 2. l. pag. 10.  
Of the entire affection and love of God towards the sinful soul of man, 2. l. pag. 15.  
Of the union of life and death in the faithful soul by Christ, 2 l. pa. 21.  
Of the longing of the soul by death to feed with Christ. 2. l. pag. 24.  
Of the trust the soul hath in the merits of her redeemer against the dread of hell and fear of damnation, 2. l pag. 27.  
Of the incomprehensible love of Christ to the sinful soul of man, and of the benefits that come of a true faith, 2. l. pag. 31.  
¶ Of true faith, and what it worketh in the soul of a sinner, 2. l. pag. 45.  
Of the great love of God towards mankind, and of the inward beholding of Christ crucified, 2. l. pag. 49.  
Of the glorious victories of Christ over all enemies, 2. l. pag. 51.  
Of the school of the cross, whereunto we ought to submit ourselves: and of the book of the Crucifix, wherein we ought often to look, 2 l. pag. 58  
Of the miserable ignorance and blindness of men much to be bewailed, 2. l. pag. 60.  
Of the fruits and rules of true Christianity to be followed, 2. l. pag. 64.  
Of the fruits of infidelity, and of the office of weaklings to be eschewed, 2 l. pag. 66.  
Of carnal gospelers by whose ill living Gods truth is shamefully slandered, 2 l. pag. 69.  
Of the virtues and properties of God's children following their vocation, 2. l. pag. 73.  
Of amendment of life in all estates, 2. l. pag. 77.  
¶ Of our frailty and misery, 2. l. pag. 113.  
Of the dreadful day of judgement, 2. l. pag. 129.  
Of the unspeakable joys of heaven, and the untolerable pains of hell, 2. l. pag. 198.   

¶ Prayers.  
¶ The Lord's prayer, 2. l. pag. 221.  
The Creed or articles of christian faith, 2. l. pag. 222.  
The ten commandments, 2. l. pag. 222.   

¶ The prayers also.  
Of Hagar, 1. l. pag. 1.  
Of Naomic, 1. l. pag. 6.  
Of Hannah, 1. l. pag. 6.  
Of Abigael, 1. l. pag. 8.  
Of Sarra Tobit, 1. l. pa. 39  
Of Judith, 1. l. pag. 41. 43.  
Of Q. Hester, 1. l. pag. 46.  
Of Susannah, 1. l pag. 48.  
Of the Church, 1. l. pa 48.  
Of the woman of Canaan, 1. l. pag. 49.  
Of the five foolish Virgins, 1. l. pag. 49.  
Of the Queen's Majestic, 2. l pag. 1. 35. 36.  
Of Q Katherine, 2. l. pag. 37. 80. etc.  
Of L. jane Dudley, 2. l. pag. 98.  
Of Lady Tirwit, 2. l. pag. 103. etc.  
Of the L. Aburgaveny, 2. l. pag. 139.  
Of Agnes the Martyr, 2. l. pag. 214.  
Of Eulalia the martyr, ibid.  
Of An Askew the martyr, idid.  
Of Mistress Bradford, 2. l. pag. 215.  
Of a certain godly Gentlewoman, ibid.  
Of mistress Dorcas Martin, 2. l. pag. 221.  
¶ Proper prayers to be used only of the Queens most excellent Majesty, 3. l. pag. 253, etc. 261. 273. 275. 276. 277. 279. 280. 297.  
The King's hest, 3. l. pag. 307.  
The Queen's vow, 3. l. pag. 321.  
¶ Prayers to God the Father, 2. l. pag. 121. 154.  
To God the Son, 2. l. pag. 156.  
To God the holy Ghost, 2. l. pag. 157.  
To the blessed Trinity, 2 l. pag. 114.  
¶ Alphabetical prayers, desifering the name of the Queen's Majestic. 3. l. pag. 280. 297. 303.  
The name of the L. Aburgaveny. 2. l. pag. 207. 213.  
¶ For the whole estate of Christ's church, 2. l. pag. 131.  
For faith, 2. l. pag. 162.  
For the true worship of God, 2. l pag. 158.  
For remission of sins, and to obtain a virtuous life, 2. l. pag. 144.  
For the obtaining of grace and mercy, 2. l. pag. 147. 150. 152.  
For to be purged from fin and uncleanness, 2. l. pag. 151.  
For the obtaining of mercy, and mitigating of miseries, 189. 190. etc.  
For wisdom to govern well, 3. l. pag. 279.  
For humility, 2. l. p. 170  
For the obtaining of God's grace and all good gifts of the spirit, 2. l. pag. 170.  
For to live uprightly and to dwell in the everlasting tabernacles, 2. l. pag. 159. 168. 169.  
For patience and meekness to bear all afflictions, 2. l. pag. 184.  
For the preachers to speak the word of God boldly, 2. l. pag. 231.  
¶ Against presumptuous pride and vain glory, 2. l. pag. 172.  
Against covetousness and too much care of the world, 2. l. pag. 173.  
Against lying and eull imaginations, 2. l. pag. 173.  
Against the fear of worldly casualties. 2. l. pag. 192.  
Against the fellowship of the ungodly, 2. l. p. 161  
Against all vices generally, 2. l pag. 174.   

¶ In time of sickness.  
For a sick child, 1. l. p. 49  
Of though sick at the hour of death, 2 l. pag. 202.  
To die in faith, etc., 2. l. pag. 168.   

¶ In time of plague.  
In the time of any common plague, etc., 2. l. p. 180   

¶ In time of battle.  
In the 2. lamp. pag. 178.   

¶ In time of any trouble.  
In banishment, 1. l. pa. 1.  
Against barrenness, 1. l. pag. 6.  
Against enemies of the Church, etc., 1. l pag. 8.  
A lamentation of miseries and plagues for our sins, 1. l. pag. 25. etc. 28. 33. 34. 38.  
To be delivered from reproach, 1. l. pag. 39  
For deliverance from enemies. 1. l. pag. 41.  
For strength to overcome all enemies, 1. la. pag. 43.  
For deliverance out of the hands of traitors, etc., 1. l pag. 46. 2. l. pag. 36.  
Of one wrongfully condemned to death, 1. l. pag. 48.  
Of the Church afflicted, 1. l. pag. 48.  
For the tormented in conscience, 1. l. pag. 49.  
Against the power of the ungodly, 2. l. p. 35. 36.  
In danger of death by tyranny. 2. l. pag. 36.  
In any ghostly temptation of sathan, 2. l p. 191  
Against inward heaviness, 2. l. pag. 192.  
To be delivered from dangers, 2. l. pag. 193.  
To obtain upright judgement against our adversary, 2. l. pag. 194.  
For patience to suffer all afflictions, 2. l. pa. 184.  
An effectual prayer in time of trouble, 2. l. p. 98.  
A sweet prayer of any pressed down with troubles, 2. l. pag. 94.  
Other christian prayers made out of the psalms of David, 2. l. pa. 215. 216.  
In martyrdom at the stake, 2. lamb. pag. 214.  
For constancy in faith to the death, 2. l. pag. 215.  
To perform the will of God in all places, 2. l. pag. 80.  
A desire to rest in God above all things, 2. l. p, 83  
To obtain a clean mind, with speedy deliverance, 2. l. pag. 85.  
To despise all wordly things, etc., 2. l. pag. 88  
To long for the life everlasting, 2. l. pag. 91.   

¶ After trouble.  
For thanksgiving for deliverance from enemies, 1. l. pag. 1. 44.  
A thanksgiving for the victory gotten, 1. l p 3. 8.  
A thanksgiving for fruitfulness of the womb, 1. l. pag. 648.  
A thanksgiving for God's miraculous deliverance, 1. l. pag. 36.  
Psalms of rejoicing after trouble, 2. l. pa 194. 218. 219. 337.   

¶ In time of prosperity.  
In the 2 lamp. pag. 176.   

¶ thanksgivings.  
For benefits received at God's hands, 2. l. p. 175.  
For the goodness of God towards us, ibid.   

¶ Songs.  
Of Moses, 1. l. pag. 1.  
Of Deborah and Barach, 1. l. pag. 3.  
Of Hannah, 1. l. pag. 6.  
Of the women of Israel, 1. lamp. pag. 8.  
Of Solomon or Zion, 1. lamb. pag. 8. etc.  
Of judith, 1. l. pag. 44.  
Of the blessed virgin Marie, 1 l. pag. 48.   

¶ Psalms.  
In time of captivity and affliction, 1. l. pag. 48.  
At morning prayer, 2. l. pag. 106. 107. 108.  
At evening prayer, 2. l. pag. 122. 125. 126. 127.  
Of congratulation for victory and the kingdom obtained, 3. l. pag. 253. 158.   

¶ Hymns.  
For the morning, 2. l. pag. 104. 114.  
For the evening, 2. l. pag. 135.  
Of the state of Adam's posterity, 2 l. pag. 129.  
Of our redemption, 2. l. pag. 106. 121.  
Of the passion of Christ, 2. l pag. 112.  
Of the day of judgement, 2 l. pag. 131.  
To God the father, 2. l. pag. 120.  
To God the creator, 2. l. pag. 114.  
To God the son. 2 l. pag. 104.  
Against vices, 2. l. pag. 174 213. 221.   

¶ Sentenses.  
Of scripture, written by our gracious Sovereign Lady Q. Elizabeth, in four languages, 2. l. pag. 135.  
Of scripture, written by Q Katherine, 2. l. pa. 80.  
Of the Lady Elizabeth Tirwhit, 2. lamb. pag. 137.   

¶ Verses written.  
In Latin by the I▪ jane Dudley, 2. l. pag. 202.  
In english as I suppose by the L. Aburgavenie, 2. l. pag. 215.  
In english by M. Dorcas Martin, 2. l pag. 221.  
In Latin by leonel Sharp of Cambridge, in the beginning of the book.  
In Latin by master D. Marbek, to the christian reader, ibid.   

¶ Anthems.  
At morning prayer, 2. l. pag. 105.  
At evening prayer, 2. l. pag. 121.   

¶ Exhortations.  
Written by the L. jane Dudley, to read the testament, 2. l. pag. 100  
Against the manifold assaults of Satan, 2. l. pag. 195.  
To newness of life, 2. l. pag. 247.  
To watch for the coming of Christ, 2 l. p 249.  
To Magistrates (in the praise of our Sovereign) humbly and faithfully to discharge their office in God's fear and service written by the author, T. B. 3. lamb. pag. 306.   

Catechism.  
Of the true belief, 2 l. pag. 132.  
Of the ten commandments, ibid. pag. 222.  
Of christian religion, ibid., pag. 234.  
Of invocation, ibid. pag. 235.  
Of obedience, ibid. pag. 237.  
Of confession, ibid. pag. 240.  
Of the sacraments, ibid. pag. 240. 245.   

Evening prayers.  
A form thereof privately, 2. l. pag. 122.  
Other, 2. l. pag. 118. 135. 136.  
Going to bed, 2. l. pag. 134. 136. 241.  
Before ye lie down to sleep, 2. l. pag. 230.   

After prayer.  
Say as, 2. l. pag. 116. 136. 206.   

Blessings.  
A good form thereof, 2. lamb pag. 117. 137.   

Episiles.  
Dedicatory to the Q. most excellent Majesty, etc., 1. lamb. before pag 1.  
To the Christian reader, etc., 1. l. before. pag. 1.  
Of the right honourable now L. Treasurer of England, 2. l before. p. 37.   
FINIS.   


Faults escaped.  Page. Line. Faults. Correction.   In the first Lamp. 1 3 made by, etc. made or song by, etc. 2 12 as led as lead 24 10 four lamentations. five lamentations.   In the second Lamp. Title. 4 made by made as is supposed, by 49 33 he had done we had done 52 7 then Christ. then Christ's 85 17 hearty wisdom heavenly wisdom 88 26 thereof with them, thereof, that I be not overcome with them. 113 21 thank thee think on thee 129 13 health wealth 217 Last. ever for even for   In the third Lamp. 291 9 Except Lord the, etc. Incline Lord unto the, etc. 291 10 as thou didst the prayer. as thou didst unto the prayer 312 21 bountiful beautiful 333 32 zoea, thou Yea, thou 334 29 And their prince And me their prince 337 18 that my deliverance this my deliverance.   



THE Fourth LAMP of VIRGINITY.  
Containing the most pure sacrifice of evangelical devotion, or an exercise of holy prayers, and Christian Meditations for sundry purposes, digested as it were in a Dial of degrees, to direct all godly men and women day and night, readily and plainly to the holy mount of heavenly contemplation, and true sanctification of the Lords day our Sabbath, and so consequently of all other principal feasts, days, hours, times, and seasons of the year, privately both at home, and also in the Church, at convenient times permitted: ¶ Compiled out of several works of the best approved Authors in our age, to the glory of God, and profit of his Church. By Tho. Bentley Gent.  Ephesi. 6, 18. Pray always with all manner prayer and supplication in the spirit, and watch thereunto with all perseverance. Philip. 4, 6. Be nothing careful, but in all things et your requests be showed unto God in prayers, and supplication with giving of thanks. 
Imprinted at London by Henry Denham, dwelling in Pater noster row.    

¶ The sacrifice of evangelical devotion, containing Christian Prayers and Meditations, to be used as specially upon the LORDS day: so generally at all other times and seasons, to the comfort of the soul, and glory of God, and first:  

So soon as ye awake in the morning, meditate thus, and say:  
AWake out of thy heavy sleep and slumber, O my soul; shake off the deathful sloth of this earthly trunk. Up, I say, O sinful soul, and watch for the Lord, who is at hand prepared to judgement. Arise, get thee before the Lord of grace and mercy, in lowliness and repentance, and cease not to pray for the forgiveness of thy sins. Labour perseverantlie in thy duty, then shalt thou find mercy and righteousness, and be made worthy to enter in as a faithful virgin, and beautiful guest, with that joyful bridegroom, to the feast of eternal mirth and delicacy, there to dwell in joys for ever,  
Amen.  Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead: and Christ shall show light unto thee. Ephes. 5, verse, 14.  

Being well wakened, before you arise, pray thus.  
WIth eyes, heart, and hands lifted up, O blessed God, and glorious Trinity, I most entirely thank thee for all thy bountiful benefits bestowed upon me, and all mankind: especially for that it hath pleased thee now in mercy to awake my body, to enlighten mine eyes, to quicken my senses; and to revive and renew me whole again, as it were from the death of sleep, and that by the same spirit that raised jesus from the dead. I thank thee that thou hast not covered me with a spirit of slumber, nor shut up mine eyes in obscure darkness, to cause me to sleep a perpetual sleep, never to awake again, nor to rise from the evils wherein I lay, as by my sins I have justly deserved.  
O good Father, grant also, I beseech thee, that as thou hast awaked my body from sleep, and made mine eyes to prevent the morning light: so vouchsafe in like mercy, thoroughly to awaken, quicken, lighten, and deliver my soul from all drowsiness, & sleep of sin, security, and darkness of this world, that from henceforth it never become empty, faint, dead, or irksome, with longing after the vanities of this brittle life: but lively, quick, and ready to serve and glorify thee, together with my body, with all good works of true christianity.  
Oh dear God, that is but sleep to thee, which is death to us; I heartily beseech thee therefore after death to restore to life that, which now is awaked out of sleep; and in the mean while to make my body such a minister of godliness to my soul, in this present life, that at the last, when in the blessed resurrection it shall be awaked up after thy likeness, out of the long sleep of death, and called to appear before thee, and all the holy Angels, it may joyfully arise, and be partaker with the same of everlasting happiness in the life to come, and joyfully behold thy face among the righteous, that so I may be fully satisfied both in body and soul, with thy glorious presence, and joys eternal, through jesus Christ our Lord,  
Amen.  Awake and sing ye that dwell in the dust: for the dew is as the dew of herbs, and the earth shall cast out the dead. Esaie. 26, verse, 19 Awake (I say) to live righteously, and sin not. 1, Cor. 15, verse, 34.  

Meditation.  
HEre call to mind the great mirth and blessedness of the everlasting resurrection; and remember to muse upon that most cléere-light, bright morning, and new clearness of our body, after the long darkness they have been in: all than shall be full of joy.   

Hearing the clock strike, pray thus with yourself.  
GRant unto me, O Lord God, I beseech thee, both an happy & healthful hour of living, and a joyful and blessed hour of dying. And whatsoever I do, or whatsoever I am, let the hour of thy sudden coming so run in my mind, and keep me watching, that I may ever think, I hear this voice sounding in mine ears: Arise ye dead, and come to judgement.  
In all time of our tribulation, in all time of our wealth, in the hour of death, and in the day of judgement, good Lord deliver us,  
Amen.  Let your loins be girt, and your lamps burning; and be ye always watchful, and ready prepared. For at an hour, when ye think not, will the Son of man come to judge both the quick and the dead. Luke. 12, verse, 40.  

Meditation.  
CAll oft to thy mind the hour of thy death, and be careful so to live every hour in God's favour, as though every hour were indeed to thee the last hour to die in his faith.  
Remember also, that as there is no hour or instant of time in all our life, wherein we have not the use of God's great benefits, so ought there to be no moment, wherein we are not bound to have him in perpetual remembrance before our eyes, to serve, love, and praise his name, and that to the uttermost of our power, with all our heart, soul and strength.   

So soon as ye see the day break, and light appear in the sky, pray.  
O Daystar most bright: O light most glorious and true, from whence this light of the day doth spring: O light which lightest every man that cometh into this world: without whom, all is most horrible darkness. How is light given to them that are in misery? and life to a wretch that hath a heavy heart? I looked for light, and behold, I have found it: I wished for day, and lo, the stars of the twilight do appear; and I see (I thank thee) the dawning of the day. Darkness doth no longer possess the night, nor the shadow of death stain the day. For the black mantel is gone, and the thick clouds are dispersed, so that the light doth begin to shine, and spread itself abroad to our comfort.  
O that the night of perturbations being overpassed, the morning light of comfort and grace might likewise spring in our heart! O that darkness might so be expelled, that light might be kindled, and the day of gladness and joy luckily shine upon us: that being translated from darkness to light, from perishing into safeguard, from death to life, from hell to heaven, we might continually praise thee, who only hast immortality, and dwellest in the light that none can attain unto,  
Amen.   

Or say thus.  
BLessed be the Lord God of Israel, which hath redeemed his people, and delivered us out of the hands of all our enemies, and given us free remission of all our sins, through the tender mercy of our God; whereby also the day spring from an high, doth now visit us, to give light to them that lay in darkness, and in the shadow of death, and to guide our feet into the way of peace: that we might serve him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before him, all the days of our life,  
Amen.  Ye shall do well, if ye take heed unto the word, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the daie-star appear in your hearts. 2. Peter. 1, verse, 19  

Meditation.  
MUse a little how much the light and eye of the mind and soul is better than of the body. And remember that we ought therefore much more to care for the soul, that it may see well, than for the body. Think also that beasts have bodily eyes as well as men: but men only have eyes of the mind, and that such as are godly wise.   

At the Sunrising, pray.  
O Lord jesus Christ, which art the true Sun of the world, evermore arising, and never going down; which by thy most whole some appearing and light, doest bring forth, preserve, nourish, and refresh all things, as well that are in heaven, as also that are on earth: I beseech thee mercifully & favourably to shine into our hearts, that the night and darkness of sins, and the mists of errors, on every side driven away; thou brightly shining within our hearts, we may all our life space go without any stumbling or offence, and may decently and seemly walk as in the day time, and clear sunshine, being pure and clean from the works of darkness, and abounding in all good works, which GOD hath prepared for us to walk in,  
Amen.  The Lords name be praised, from the rising of the sun, unto the going down of the same. Psal. 113, verse, 3. To you that fear my name, shall the sun of righteousness arise and shine. Mala. 4, verse, 2.  

Another.  
O Mighty God, which hast created the heavens, and all the beautiful ornaments of the same, royally to set up thy glory, & to declare everywhere all the wonderful works of thy hands, wrought through thy son jesus Christ; whom as the bright shining Sun of righteousness and understanding, thou hast assigned to have his residence in those heavens. Suffer I beseech thee, that by the beams of his grace and benevolence, most lovingly shining and spread abroad, he may cast his light into the world, and kindle in the hearts of men a fervour of spirit. Let him come forth as a bridegroom from his chamber; yea, let him appear courageous as a valiant champion, to run through his course and journey, even till he have conducted us unto the highest heavens, and holy city jerusalem, where shall be no need either of sun or moon to shine, and where we shall walk with those that are saved in the light of the Lamb, and glory of God,  
Amen.  They that love the Lord shall be as the sun, when he ariseth in his might. judg. 5, 31.  

Meditation.  
REmember thy maker, that knew thee before thou wast, and know, that the eyes of the Lord are ten thousand times brighter than the Sun (than the which though nothing be more clear, yet shall it fail.) For God, which liveth for ever, beholdeth all the ways of men, and the bottomless depth; looking even into men's hearts, be they in never so dark and secret corners. And therefore, wheresoever thou art, and whatsoever thou doest, fear thou the eyes of God, more than the eyes of men.  
Now also, while the light is sweet, and it is a pleasant thing to see the Sun, remember the days of darkness that follow, and are many. And look that béetimes, before the Sun set, or that the light of the moon and stars be darkened, thou fear GOD, and use the light, walking therein as a child of light: knowing that he that maketh the Sun to shine, and arise, both upon the good and bad, will call thee to an account for thy works done both in darkness and in light.   

Putting off your nearest garment, pray thus.  
MOst gracious and merciful Saviour jesus Christ, thou knowest how we be borne, clothed, and clogged with the grievous & heavy burden of the first woman Eve, who fell away unto fleshliness, through disobedience; vouchsafe therefore, I beseech thee, to strip me out of the old corrupt Eve, which being soaked in sin, transformeth herself to all encumbrances and diseases of the mind, that they may lead us away from thee. Rid me also quite and clean of that her tempter, the deceitful serpent, which turneth us away from the obedience of the Father, So be it.  I have put off my clothes, how shall I put them on? Cantic. 5, 3.  

Beholding your nakedness, pray thus.  
LOrd how wretched, miserable, poor, blind and naked am I! I am naked, O Lord, yea even stark naked, for that thou seest me in my blood and corruption. Open mine eyes also, I beseech thee, that I may more and more see my nakedness; feel my misery, and confess my wretchedness; that thou of very pity and compassion mayst clothe me with thine innocency, and holy virtues; and so cover my filthiness, that mine enemies never behold the same to my reproach. Finally, give me the grace of perfect charity, to do the works of faith acceptable to thee, especially so to clothe the naked, and after my power to relieve the needy: that when I shall departed hence naked and bare, as ever I was borne, and shall carry away nothing of all my labours; yet in thy sight, at the general judgement day, I may not appear naked of good works, or void of the marriage garment of faith, and the gifts of grace, through jesus Christ our Lord,  
Amen.  Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither. Blessed be the name of the Lord. job. 1, 21.  

Putting on your nearest garment, pray thus:  
PUt upon me, O Lord, the pure garment of the innocency and holiness of Christ my Saviour. O cover thou my nakedness and shame with the fine linen rob of his righteousness and virtue; so shall not my filthiness be discovered unto mine enemies, for them to gaze and laugh at; as cursed Cham did at the nakedness of his father Noah. Yea, make thou my linen clothes as white as snow, and shining like the light, that I may be of the number of those that have been called from the beginning of the world, and shall be sanctified, that have departed from the shadow of the world, and shall receive glorious garments; even of those holy ones, I say, that have put off the mortal clothing, and have put on the immortal, which have confessed thee, O God, and thy Christ, and are already crowned with glory, and have received palms of victory in their hands, triumphing over all their enemies, and policies of this world, So be it.  Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments clean and white; lest he walk naked, and men see his filthiness. Revel. 16, 15.  

Or pray thus:  
LOrd, send me a joyful resurrection; and while I live, give me grace so to overcome the temptations of flesh and blood, and christianly to confess thy holy name, that in the last general day of thy judgement, I may be found among the number of thine elect servants, which shall stand on thy right hand, and being clad with the long white robes and shining rains of the righteousness of thy Saints, who have hated even the garments spotted by the flesh, and kept their consciences unpolluted with sin, and have made their long garments white and clean in the blood of the Lamb Christ, I may together with them enter into the holy city, and remain in the presence of the throne of God, and serve thee joyfully day and night in thy holy temple, for ever and ever,  
Amen.  At all times let thy garments be white, and thy works please God. Eccles. 9, 7.  

Meditation.  
Think now how the children of GOD, while they are burdened in this earthly tabernacle, sigh, desiring to be cleathed, that mortality might be swallowed up of life. For if they be found clothed, and not naked, mortality shall be swallowed up of immortality, and they shall walk with GOD, in white array.   

Being about to arise, and sitting upright in your bed, pray.  
O LORD jesus Christ, which didst vouchsafe to die for our sins, and didst rise again for our justification: have mercy upon me, and by that thy glorious resurrection, I beseech thee, raise me up out of the bed of vices, and sepulchre of all my sins, wherein I have long lain, to newness of life. For except I be raised up by thee, I shall lie still for ever in darkness, shame, and misery. O therefore put forth thine hand, and mercifully raise up again, not only my body, but my mind and heart also, to the true knowledge and love of thee: that my conversation may be in heaven, where thou art. And give me daily part in the first resurrection, to the intent that I may receive some part in the latter resurrection, and be in the number of those thy faithful ones, over whom the second death shall have no power, but are received into life everlasting.  Arise & departed, for this is not your rest. Mich. 2, verse 20. I will arise now out of my bed, to open to my beloved that, knocketh; and I will go about the city by the streets, and by the open places, and will seek him whom my soul loveth. Cantic. 3, verses 1, 5.  

Meditation.  
COnsider how fowl the fall of Adam and Eve was, by reason of their sin and transgression: and so of every one of us by them, from the high, excellent, and honourable estate of God's grace, into shame and misery. Again, think upon the inestimable benefits of Christ jesus, by whose helping hand we daily arise again from our natural and original declining and fallings: and be thankful unto him therefore.   

In your arising, as you step out of your bed, pray:  
I Arise, and enter into this day, to do all things in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Ghost, who hath made me, redeemed me, sanctified me, and preserved me. He rule me, keep, bless, and lead me into all good works; and so direct and confirm me therein, that after this frail life ended, I may obtain a joyful resurrection, with bliss perpetual,  
Amen.  I laid me down and slept, and rose again: for the Lord sustained me. Psal. 3, verse, 5. If you be risen with Christ, think upon those things that be above. Col. 3, verse, 1.  

Being risen, bless and pray thus:  
GOd be merciful unto me, and bless me this day and ever; and show me the light of his countenance, and be merciful unto me; that I may know his way upon earth, and his saving health among all nations. God, even our own God give me his continual grace, peace, mercy, and blessing.  
And I beseech thee, O Lord jesus Christ, which being revived from death to life, broughtest again to mortal men, that most desired and greatly longed for day which the Lord made. Grant that I, being now raised up from the death of sins, to the life of grace, may walk in all Christian obedience: and at the last day of the resurrection of all flesh, when thou shalt be made manifest in our life, I also may then be openly known, and appear before thee in glory; and joyfully triumph over sin, death and hell; saying: O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? Thanks be unto GOD, which hath raised me from the death of sleep, and given me victory over all mine enemies, through our Lord jesus Christ, So be it.  Blessed, holy, and happy for ever is he, that hath part in the first resurrection: for on such the second death hath no power. Revel. 20, verse 6. The ungodly shall not be able to stand in judgement, neither the sinners in the congregation of the righteous. Psal. 1, verse 6.  

In appareling yourself, pray:  
Cloth me, O Christ, with thine own self, that I may be so far from making provision for the flesh to fulfil the lusts thereof; that I may clean put off all my carnal desires, and crucify the kingdom of the flesh in me. Be thou unto me a garment to keep me warm, and to defend me from the cold of this world. If thou be absent, dear Lord, all things will be unto me forthwith cold, weak, and dead: but if thou be with me, all things will be warm, lively, fresh, and cheerful. Grant therefore, that as I compass this my body with this garment, so thou wouldst clothe me wholly; but especially my soul with thine own self, So be it.  Put upon you as the elect of God, bowels of mercy, meekness, love, peace. Col. 3, verse, 12. Let not him that putteth on his harness, boast himself, as he that putteth it off. 1, Kings 20, verse, 11.  

Meditation.  
CAll to mind a little how we are incorporate into Christ, and how he doth clothe us, govern, and nourish us; and under his wings, protection, and providence preserveth us.   

A consideration of our inward corruption, by the outward easement of the body.  
OH wretch that I am, what am I but a rotten carcase, worms meat, a stinking coffin, and food for fire? Again, what am I, O Lord? Even a dark dungeon, wretched, earth, a child of wrath, a vessel meet for dishonour; begotten in uncleanness, living in misery, and dying in distress. Out upon me vile wretch! What am I? Woe is me, Lord. O Lord spare me. Alas, my maker; what shall become of me? I am a sack of dung, a coffin of rottenness, full of loathsomeness and stinch; blind, poor, naked, subject to many exceeding necessities, woting neither when I came into the world, nor when I shall go out, mortal and miserable; whose days pass and glanse swiftly away, as a shadow, or bubble of water, now flourishing, and by and by withering; now alive, now dead. Oh spare me a little, Lord; for my days are nothing: and be merciful unto a wretch, that is not ashamed to acknowledge her vileness before thee.  The glory of mortal man is but dung, and worms meat. 1. Mach. 2. verse 62.  

Meditation.  
COnsider the miserable state of the body, by the excrements that issue out of the eyes, nose, mouth, ears, hands, armpits, fundament, feet, and other parts thereof: and think that no Bocardo, no little ease, no dungeon, no prison, no sink, no pit is so irksome, loathsome, and evil a prison for the body, as the body is for and of the soul; by reason of sin and filthy affections that have their dwelling therein. Think also what madness it is, thus to pamper our bodies with delicate meats, to obey the lusts thereof, provoking to evil: and desire continually, with S. Paul, the dissolution thereof, and to be out of this stinking prison.   

Washing your hands, pray thus:  
WAsh my soul, O God, with the water of thy divine grace, from all the filth and pollusion of sin, wherewith it is altogether defiled in thy sight. Sprinkle it, Lord, with the hyssop of true repentance, and sorrowful contrition; that being cleansed in the most clear fountain of thy grace, I may be whiter than snow; and also be able ever hereafter to serve thee, in holiness and pureness of living, through jesus Christ our Lord,  
Amen.  Wash your hands ye sinners, and cleanse your hearts ye wavering minded. Isaias, 4, verse 8. I will wash my hands in innocency, o Lord, and so will I go to thine altar. Psal. 26, verse, 6.  

Or else pray thus.  
Have mercy upon me, O God, and pardon the wicked deeds which my hands have committed. Wash my soul with the holy fountain or well, which I believe did flow from thy heart, and naked side; and sanctify and purify not only my hands and face from filth; but my heart, soul, and conscience also, from all contagion of sin and iniquity, that I may be pure both in body and soul, and serve thee in holiness and purity, all the days of my life, So be it.  Though I wash myself with snow water, and purge my hands most clean; yet shalt thou plunge me in the pit, and mine own clothes shall make me filthy. job. 9, verse, 30.  

Meditations.  
Think now of thy vow and promise made to God at thy baptism, to forsake Satan, to renounce the world, and to mortify the flesh; and how oft since thou hast broken it, and be heartily sorry therefore. Think also upon the unspeakable love and mercy of Christ our Saviour, who hath washed us from our sins in his own precious blood, and purged our conscience from dead works, to the end we should serve him in holiness and innocency of life. And consider, that it shall little avail thee to have washed thyself, if thou touch filth again; that is, if thou confess thy faults, and after commit them again, and so which the dog return to the vomit, and with the washed sow to the wallowing in the mire again. 
¶ When you be made ready, first before all things, look that either by yourself, or with your family, with all humbleness of mind you kneel down by your bedside, in your parlour, or other sweet, clean, and convenient place; and there taking both time and leisure to serve the Lord, lift up your heart, hands, and eyes, and pray unto his divine Majesty, saying in manner and form following.    

A premeditation, or first form of prayer to be used before prayer.  
O Merciful Lord, and loving father, without whose aid and motion I am not able to stir one member toward heavenly service, the burden of this slow and sinful flesh doth so overcharge my weak soul: according unto thy fatherly pity look upon me, O God; prepare my heart to prayer, and quicken my dull spirit with thy grace, to rise out of this miserable puddle, and to come before thy presence in humble repentance, craving thy mercy for my miserable sins and wickedness: and being released in the blood and righteousness of jesus Christ, I may joyfully serve, honour, and praise thine eternal Majesty, through thy dear son, my merciful Lord and redeemer; to whom, with thee, and the holy Ghost, be all glory and thanks for ever,  
Amen.   

Another meditation before prayer.  
Unto thee, O heavenly father, do I here prostrate on my knees, lift up my heart, my hands, mine eyes, and prayers; beseeching thy Majesty, and saying:  
Help me, O my Lord, and God, in this my good purpose, and holy worshipping or serving of thee: and grant unto me to make a perfect entrance and beginning this present day, that I may do all things in the name of the Father, of the Son, and of the holy Ghost. For that which I have hitherto done, is nothing at all.   

The Confession and Prayer.  
O Father of heaven; O son of God, redeemer of the world; O holy Ghost, three persons and one God; have mercy upon me most wretched caitiff, and miserable sinner. I have offended both heaven and earth, more than my tongue can express; my sins are above all men's, both in number and greatness, which I have committed. Whither then may I go? And whither should I flee? To heaven I may be ashamed to lift up my face; and in earth I find no place of refuge or succour. To thee therefore, O Lord, do I run; to thee do I humble myself, saying: O Lord my God, my sins be great and innumerable: but yet have mercy upon me, for thy great mercy. The great mystery that God became man, was not wrought for little or few offences. Thou didst not give thy son O heavenly father unto death for small sins only, but for all the greatest sins in the world: so that the sinner return unto thee with his whole heart, as I do here at this present. Wherefore have mercy on me, O God, whose property is alway to have mercy: wherefore have mercy on me, O Lord, for thy great mercy. I crave nothing, O Lord, for mine own merits, but for thy name sake, that it may be hallowed thereby, and for thy dear son jesus Christ's sake; and now therefore, Our father of heaven, hallowed be thy name, etc.   

Another Confession and prayer.  
OH almighty everlasting God, and most gracious dear loving father, I beseech thee, for jesus Christ's sake, thy most dear and only son, to have mercy, pity, and compassion upon me, most vile, wretched, and miserable sinner: whose innumerable offences, both old & new, be most horrible, heinous, and great; where through I have justly deserved thy grievous wrath, and everlasting damnation. But now, good Lord, here I do appeal to thy great mercy only, which far surmounteth all thy works; as thou hast promised the same in thy holy and infallible word, where thou hast said, yea and sworn, as truly as thou livest, that thou wilt not the death of a sinner, but rather that he should convert and live. Ah dear Lord, I confess that I am a great and grievous sinner, and yet now by thy grace, and good working of thy holy spirit something turned unto thee. Oh let me live, and not die the everlasting death of the soul, which I so deeply have deserved; but make me a vessel of thy great mercy, that I may live and praise thy name among thy chosen children for ever. Oh let not my horrible sins separate me from the sweet sight of thy Majesty, but let thy great power and mercy be magnified in me, as it is in David, in Peter, in Magdalen, and in the notable Thief which was crucified with Christ thy dear son, in whose most precious death and bloodshedding only, O Lord, I put my whole trust and confidence. For he only hath taken away the sins of the world: he came not to condemn the world, but to save it, that none that truly believe in him should perish, but have life everlasting. He saith, he came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.  
Oh gracious God, give me true, earnest, hearty, and unfeigned repentance, that I may, from the very bottom of my heart, continually lament my manifold sins and wickedness, my great ingratitude and unthankfulness towards thee, for all thy merciful benefits so abundantly powered upon me, through jesus Christ: which wouldst vouchsafe, he being thine own dear darling, in whom was and is all thy whole pleasure and delight, to give him for me to the very death of the Cross: yea and that when I was thine utter enemy, of mercy inestimable, and love incomprehensible. Who ever saw such a thing? God became man, and was crucified for me, that by his death I might live. Alas that ever I should become so wicked a wretch, and unkind a creature, to displease so loving, kind, and merciful a God and father. Oh forgive me, forgive me, for thy great mercy sake, for thy truth and promise sake; and I will never trespass again against thy divine Majesty any more; but will gladly serve thee in true holiness and righteousness, all the days of my life, by the grace and assistance of thy good and holy spirit, the which I beseech thee to give me also, that he may govern me, and guide my heart, in thy true faith, fear, and love: that in all my deeds, words, and thoughts, I may glorify thy holy name, which livest, and reignest, with the son, and the holy Ghost, three persons and one God, to whom be all honour, glory, praise, thanks, power, rule and dominion, for ever and ever,  
Amen.   

Another confession of sins, proper for the Sabaoth day.  
OH my most merciful father, the father of mercies, and God of all consolation and comfort, my God, my father; I most wretched sinner confess and acknowledge myself unfeignedly, with heart, mind & mouth, now before thee, to have most greenoushe offended thy high Majesty and goodness. I recognize and acknowledge myself to be full of sin, full of unfaithfulness, and a servant unprofitable. For all thy holy commandments have I transgressed and broken.  
First, I have not set all my whole belief, confidence, trust, and hope in thee. I have not loved and honoured thee with all my heart, with all my soul, mind, and powers of my soul.  
secondly, I have divided thine honour and worship from thee, and given it to thy creatures, and dead things imagined of mine own fond fantasy, I mean in the adoring and worshipping of images.  
thirdly, I have abused thy most holy name, by false and deceitful swearing, to the hindrance of my neighbour, and idly and vainly have I used thy holy name. I have not said, nor done, neither thought all things to thy glory.  
fourthly, in the Saboth day, I have not given myself to hearing, reading, & learning the holy Scriptures; neither have I given meat to the hungry, drink to the thirsty, lodged the harbourless, clothed the naked, visited the sick, comforted nor relieved the poor, and men in prison. For I have not expended of how great weight these words of thy son my Saviour Christ are; neither believed him, saying: In as much as ye have done these things unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. Matth. 25.  
But I have bestowed and spent my gold and silver after my lewd lust and concupiscence, in excess of meat and drink, in gorgeous apparel of my body, of my children, servants, and house, etc. where I should not have bestowed it (or else not so largely, delicately, nicely, and excessively have bestowed it,) as I have; not regarding in the mean time, to suffer the dear beloved brethren of jesus Christ to go naked, and to perish for cold and hunger.  
I have, I say, not ceased from mine own sinful will and lusts, praying at all times, thy will, and not mine, to be fulfilled.  
Furthermore, I have not honoured my father and mother; I have not so much set by them, esteemed them, and had them in such reverence, as thou commandest me; nor obeyed them, neither comforted, releened, or helped them. I have slain, I have broken wedlock, I have stolen, I have sold by false weights and measures, and borne false witness: finally, I have coveted my neighbour's house, I have desired his wife, his servant, his cattle, & his other goods unlawfully.  
Thus most grievously have I sinned infinite ways, O Lord, omitting and leaving thy commandments, Oh Father, to fulfil the desire of my flesh, the world, and the devil. Wherefore I cry thee mercy, my God, most merciful father; and most humbly I desire and beseech thee, for the love which thou bearest to thy dear son, mine only, whole, and entire Saviour jesus Christ, to have mercy on me, and to forgive me most miserable sinner, even in his blood, and for his precious death sake. For when I went about to seek thee, to trust unto thee, or to do any thing to thy glory; yet would not this lust and concupiscence, that contagious original poison, and fleshly dregs drawn of our father Adam, suffer me perfectly to do that I would have done. Through this natural concupiscence, I strive and fight daily against the holy Ghost in me, which unlawful lust and desire I knowledge to be a grievous sin against thy highness, if thou shouldest judge me straitly after thy Law, without the which concupiscence I cannot be.  
Wherefore I being a wretched, yea a most abominable wretched sinner in myself, clearly destitute of all righteousness, of all godliness, of all holiness, and all deservings, am come now by faith before thee, unto Christ his mercy seat and righteousness, unto his goodness, deservings, and satisfactions; desiring thee, O most merciful father, for his death's sake, that his righteousness, his wisdom, his holiness, his goodness, his merits and satisfactions may be mine, and serve for my forgiveness and salvation. For like as thou gavest me him to die for my sins; even so believe I, that thou hast given me with him all his to be mine, and to serve me for my salvation. Wherefore, glory, honour, worship, empire, and rule be to thee, oh father, with the son and the holy ghost for ever world without end, So be it.   

Another Confession of sins for Sundays, to be used in the forenoon or afternoon.  
O Most merciful Lord God, my tender and dear father, vouchsafe, I heartily beseech thee, to look down with thy fatherly eyes of pity upon me, most vile and wretched sinner, which lie here prostrate in heart before the feet of thy bottomless mercy. For I have sinned against the throne of thy glory, and before thee, O most dear Father, insomuch that I am not worthy to be called thy daughter. Yet nevertheless, forasmuch as thou art the God and Father of all mercy, and comfort; and again, desirest not the death of a sinner: but like a true Samaritan takest thought for my silly wounded soul; make me, I pray thee, by infunding of thy precious oil of comfort into my wounds, joyfully to run with the lost son into the lap of thine everlasting pity. For lo, thou art my hope and trust, in whom I only repose myself, having in thee full confidence and faith. And so I say, with a very faithful heart, trusting in thy mercy: I believe in thee, O God the Father; in thee, O God the Son; and in thee, O God the holy Ghost; three persons, and one true and very God; besides whom I acknowledge none other God in heaven above, nor in earth beneath.  
Yea, and I poor sinner do accuse myself unto thee, dear Father, that I have sore and grievously offended thine almighty goodness, and divine Majesty, in committing of mine exceeding, grievous, and manifold sins and wickedness. For I have not kept the least of thy most blessed commandments, like as thy righteousness may require and demand the same of me.  
I have, I say, not honoured thee like my God, nor dreaded thee like my Lord, loved thee like my Father; trusted in thee like my Saviour and Creator. Thy holy and dreadful name, unto which all honour and glory belongeth, have I used in vain. I have not sanctified the Saboth and holy days with works which be acceptable unto thee, nor instructed my neighbour in virtue accordingly. I have not honoured my father and mother, nor been obedient unto them, through whom, as by an instrument, thou hast wrought my coming into this world. The high powers and rulers, which take their authority of thee, I have not been willingly obedient unto. I have not kept my heart pure and clean from manslaughter: yea, had not thy mercy and grace defended me the better, I should have committed the very deed also. I likewise am not pure from theft, nor from adultery, nor from false-witness-bearing: but have in my heart and mind wished and desired my neighbour's goods and things. I have followed the great Prince of the world Satan, which hath been a liar from the beginning, in concupiscence of the flesh, in pride of living, in lying, in deceitfulness, in lechery, in hatred and envy, in backbiting, in despair, and also in misbelief. My five wits also have I foully misused and spent, in hearing, seeing, smelling, tasting, and also feeling, which thou hast given me to use to thy honour and glory, and also the edification and profit of my neighbour.  
But in what manner soever I have offended and sinned against thine eternal Majesty; (for no man knoweth throughlie his sins, as the Prophet witnesseth) whether it hath been by day, or else by night, yea even from my childhood unto this day, were it in works, words, deeds, or thoughts; secretly or openly, O my merciful God; I am sorry for it, even from the bottom of my heart: yea, my soul mourneth for sorrow, most merciful Father, that I am not a thousand times sorier than I am. Howbeit, in token of great repentance, though all hearts be known well enough to thee, I do knock and strike my breast, and say in bitterness of heart and soul: Lord God Father have mercy, Lord God Son have mercy, Lord God holy Ghost have mercy. Spare me of thine infinite goodness and mercy, good Lord, now and all the days of my life hereafter; and let me have part of thine abundant grace, so as I may change my sinful life, and put out of me the old man, with all his concupiscences, and also that I may die unto the world, and that the world may be a cross unto me, and so go forth in a new life.  
Strengthen me, O Lord, in a true humble heart, in perfect love, hope, and trust in thee. Give my soul grace to desire thee only, in thee only to rejoice and repose myself, and that I may utterly renounce and forsake the vain affiance of this world: so that thou mayst find me ready with the good servant, and wise virgins, in the midnight of death, which shall suddenly steal upon me like a thief, ere I be aware. Be thou unto me at that time of need, O Lord, a tower of strength, a place of refuge, and a defensible God, namely, against the face of the fiend, who like a roaring Lion shall be then most ready to devour me, and against desperation, which then shall be busy to grieve me. Let then thy comfort clean fast unto me; thy mercy keep me, and thy grace guide me. Fetch then again, Lord God Father, that which thy puissant might hath shapen. Fetch then again, Lord God Son, that which thou hast so wisely governed, and bought with thy precious blood. Take then again, Lord God holy Ghost, that which thou hast kept and preserved so lovingly, in this region of sin, & vale of misery. Three persons, and one true and also very God, to whom be all laud and praise for ever and ever,  
Amen.   

Another confession of sins, and prayer for mercy and grace, commonly called, Conditor coeli.  
OH maker of heaven and earth, King of kings, and Lord of lords; which of nothing didst make me to thine image and likeness, and didst redeem me with thy precious blood, whom I a sinner am not worthy to name, to think on, neither to call upon: I most humbly desire thee, and meekly pray thee, that gently thou behold me thy wicked servant, and have mercy upon me, which hadst mercy of the woman of Canaan, & Marie Magdalen; which didst forgive the Publican, and the thief hanging on the Cross. Unto thee I confess my sins, most holy Father, which if I would, I cannot hide from thee. Have mercy on me, O Christ; for I am a wretch, and have sore offended thee in idolatry, in superstition, in blasphemy, in profaning of thy Saboths', in disobedience to my governors, in pride, in covetousness, in gluttony, in lechery, in vain glory, in hatred, in envy, in murder, in adultery, in theft, in lying, in backbiting, and false-witness-bearing, in sporting, in dalliance, in dissolute & wanton laughing, in idle words, in unclean thoughts, in hearing, in tasting, in touching, in thinking, in sleeping, in working; and finally, in all ways, in which I a frail woman, and most wretched sinner might sin: My default, my most grievous default.  
Therefore I most humbly pray and beseech thy gentleness, which for my help didst descend from heaven, which didst hold up David, that he should not fall into sin, have mercy upon me, O Christ, which didst forgive Peter thine Apostle, that did forswear and forsake thee. Thou art my Creator and helper, my maker and redeemer, my governor, my Father, my Lord and God, my King and my spouse. Thou art my hope, my trust, my strength, my defence, my redemption, my sanctification, my life, my health and resurrection. Thou art my steadfastness, my refuge & succour, my light and only hope. I therefore most heartily and humbly desire thee to help me, defend me, and make me strong, comfort me, make me steadfast; make me merry, give me light, and visit me; revive me again, which am dead: for I am thy making, and thy work.  
Oh Lord despise me not; I am thy servant, thy bondwoman, although evil, although most unworthy, and a detestable sinner. But whatsoever I am, whether I be good or bad, I am always thine. Therefore to whom shall I flee, except I flee unto thee? If thou cast me off, who shall or will receive me? If thou despise me, and turn thy face from me, who shall look upon me? recognize and knowledge me, O Lord, to be thine; although unworthy coming to thee, although I be vile and unclean. For if I be vile and unclean, as I confess myself in deed to be, thou canst make me clean. If I be sick, thou canst heal me. If I be dead and buried, thou canst revive me: for thy mercy is much more than mine iniquity. Thou canst forgive me more than I can offend. Therefore, O Lord, do not consider, nor have respect to the number of my sins; but according to the greatness of thy mercy forgive me, and have mercy on me most wretched sinner. Say unto my soul, I am thy health; which saiedst, I will not the death of a sinner, but rather that he live, and be converted, and turn to thee. O Lord be not angry with me, I beseech thee; but for thy great mercy sake forgive and pardon me all my misdeeds, and bring me to the bliss that never shall cease,  
Amen.   

Another form of Confession and prayer to be used of the Master and Mistress with their families in private houses every morning.  
Almighty God, and most merciful Father; we do not present ourselves here before thy Majesty, trusting in our own merits or worthiness, but in thy manifold mercies; which hast promised to hear our prayers, and grant our requests, which we shall make to thee, in the name of thy beloved Son jesus Christ our Lord: who hath also commanded us to assemble ourselves together in his name, with full assurance, that he will not only be amongst us; but also be our mediator and advocate towards thy Majesty, that we may obtain all things, which shall seem expedient to thy blessed will for our necessities. Therefore we beseech thee, most merciful father, to turn thy loving countenance towards us; and impute not unto us our manifold sins and offences, whereby we justly deserve thy wrath and sharp punishment: but rather receive us to thy mercy, for jesus Christ's sake; accepting his death and passion; as a just recompense for all our offences, in whom only thou art pleased, and through whom thou canst not be offended with us. And seeing of thy great mercies we have quietly passed this night; grant O heavenly father, that we may bestow this day wholly in thy service; so that all our thoughts, words and deeds may redound to the glory of thy name, and good example to all men; who seeing our good works, may glorify thee our heavenly father. And forasmuch as of thy mere favour and love, thou hast not only created us to thine own similitude and likeness; but also hast chosen us to be heirs with thy dear son jesus Christ, of that immortal kingdom, which thou preparedst for us, before the beginning of the world; we beseech thee to increase our faith and knowledge, and to lighten our hearts with thy holy spirit, that we may in the mean time live in all godly conversation, and integrity of life; knowing that idolaters, adulterers, covetous men, contentious persons, drunkards, gluttons, and such like, shall not inherit the kingdom of God.  
And because thou hast commanded us to pray one for another, we do not only make request, O Lord, for ourselves, and them that thou hast already called to the true understanding of thy heavenly will: but for all people and nations of the world, who as they know by thy wonderful works, that thou art God over all; so they may be instructed by thy holy spirit, to believe in thee their only Saviour and Redeemer. But forasmuch as they can not believe, except they hear; nor cannot hear, but by preaching; and none can preach, except they be sent: therefore, O Lord, raise up faithful distributers of thy mysteries, who setting apart all worldly respects, may both in their life and doctrine only seek thy glory. Contrariwise, confound Satan, Antichrist, with all hirelings, whom thou hast already cast off into a reprobate sense, that they may not by sects, schisms, heresies, and errors, disquiet thy little flock. And because, O Lord, we be fallen into the latter days, and dangerous times, wherein ignorance hath gotten the upper hand; and Satan by his ministers seek by all means to quench the light of thy Gospel; we beseech thee to maintain thy cause against those ravening Wolves, and strengthen all thy servants, whom they keep in prison and bondage. Let not thy long-suffering be an occasion, either to increase their tyranny, or to discourage thy children; neither yet let our sins and wickedness be an hindrance to thy mercies: but with speed, O Lord, consider these great miseries. For thy people Israel many times, by their sins, provoked thine anger; and thou punishedst them by thy just judgement: yet, though their sins were never so grievous, if they once returned from their iniquity, thou receivedst them to mercy. We therefore, most wretched sinners, bewail our manifold siunes, and earnestly repent us for our former wickedness, and ungodly behaviour towards thee. And whereas we cannot of ourselves purchase thy pardon, yet we humbly beseech thee, for jesus Christ's sake, to show thy mercy upon us, and receive us again to thy favour. Grant us, dear father, these our requests, and all other things necessary for us, and thy whole Church, our Queen and Realm, according to thy promise in jesus Christ our Lord; in whose name we beseech thee, as he hath taught us, saying: Our Father, etc.  
Almighty and everlasting God, vouchsafe, we beseech thee, to grant us perfect continuance in thy lively faith, augmenting and increasing the same in us daily, until we grow to the full measure of our perfection in Christ, whereof we make our confession, saying: I believe in God the Father almighty, etc.  
Almighty God, which hast promised to hear the petitions of them that ask in thy sons name, we beseech thee mercifully to incline thine ears to us, that have now made our prayers and supplications unto thee: and grant that those things, which we have faithfully asked according to thy will, may effectually be obtained, to the relief of our necessity, and to the setting forth of thy glory, through jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.  
The Lord bless us and save us, the Lord make his face to shine upon us, and be merciful unto us; the Lord turn his favourable countenance towards us, and grant us his peace, Amen.  
The grace of our Lord jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the holy Ghost, be with us, and remain with us for ever, So be it.   

A Morning prayer for Sunday.  
AFter due examination of my former life, with an humble and contrite heart, with a sorrowful and repentant spirit, I sue unto thee, most merciful father; beseeching thee of mercy and forgiveness of mine offences, which in this night, or at any time heretofore, I have committed against thy godly will and pleasure, by any manner of uncleanness of soul or body, that I have fallen into by the illusion of the devil; or else by frailty of mine own flesh, trespassing against thy godly Majesty, either in thought, consent, delectation, word or deed. And I most heartily thank thee for the sweet sleep, and comfortable rest which thou hast given me this night: and that to the innumerable benefits hitherto powered upon my soul and body, thou hast vouchsafed to preserve me this night past, from sudden death, and all other evil and mischief, spiritual and corporal, that any person, man or woman, hath been stricken withal, by thy permission and sufferance; knowing of a surety, that the self-same, or such like, had worthily light on my head also, hadst not thou defended and preserved me, and given me time to amend my life, so that I might live henceforth, not as I will, but as thou wilt.  
And now, seeing thou, O almighty God, and most merciful father, in the tables of the commandments delivered to the hands of thy servant Moses, upon the mount Sina, among other precepts, didst give charge unto thy chosen children of Israel, that in six days they should do all such works and aaffaires, as they had to do, and rest from labour the seventh day: grant, I beseech thee blessed father, that siuce I have by thy mercy, happily passed over this whole week, under thy gracious protection, I may not only rest this day from my daily travels, but that I may abstain also from the works of sin and iniquity, and sanctify this day wholly unto thee, with prayers and thanksgiving, abounding in all works of love and charity, as thou hast commanded in thy holy word, that I may be found pure, without spot or blemish, at that day, when thy Son jesus Christ shall come to judge the world with righteousness and equity.  
And forasmuch as thou hast ordained this day, among the rest, wherein we should meet all together with brotherly love and affection, to yield thee praises for the innnumerable benefits we have received at thy hand; to acknowledge thy fatherly love and pity towards us, from time to time; and to give thee thanks in general for all and universal thy benefits hitherto bestowed upon us: I beseech thee to grant me thy holy spirit, that I may be the more zealously inflamed to serve thee, in true holiness and integrity of life: and by the operation of that spirit, I may kill all carnal lusts, unlawful pleasures, concupiscence, and all other spots of uncleanness; whereby I may be made thy child by adoption and grace; and my body the temple of the holy Ghost, being throughlie purged and purified from the dregs of iniquity and abomination. Give me grace, most merciful Father, to spend this day to thy pleasure, in all good works of the spirit; and charity, proceeding from an undefiled faith in Christ jesus; that I fall not into any kind of danger: but that all my doings may be ordered by thy governance, to do always that is righteous in thy sight, through jesus Christ our Lord,  
Amen.   

Another Morning prayer on the Lord's day.  
O Almighty and merciful God, eternal Father; Son, and holy Ghost; three in persons, one in substance, God in very deed, and from everlasting.  
I extol thy sacred Majesty; I praise thine unspeakable mercy, thy divine truth I exceedingly commend; for that of thy fatherly and wonderful goodness thou hast protected me this night, under the shadow of thy wings. Yea, thou also hast made me quietly to take my rest, notwithstanding the dangerous snares of my deadly enemy the devil.  
Thou art the God, which exaltest us from the gates of the shadow of death; and from the power of darkness thou deliverest us.  
Therefore I will acknowledge thee for thy goodness, and for the wonderful things, which thou doest among the sons of men.  
I will magnify thee in the great congregation, and among much people will I praise thee.  
My heart is ready, O my God, my heart is ready. I will praise thee, O Lord, among the people, and sing to thee among the nations. For thy mercy is above the heavens, and thy truth unto the clouds.  
I will not hide thy mercy and truth in the great congregation; because it is a good thing to praise the Lord, and to sing to thee, O thou most high: to declare thy loving kindness in the morning, and thy truth in the night.  
Bless the Lord, O my soul; and all that is within me praise his holy name.  
Which forgiveth all thine iniquities, and healeth all thine infirmities.  
Which redeemeth thy life from destruction, & crowneth thee with mercy and compassion.  
Which satisfieth thy longing with good things, and protecteth thee from thy youth.  
Which also hath kept all my bones this night, not one of them is broken.  
To the King everlasting, immortal, invisible, and only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever, Amen.  
Unto thee, O Lord, do I lift up my soul.  
O God, early will I seek thee; my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh lusteth after thee in a barren and dry land, where no water is, to see thy strength and glory.  
O eternal God, which hast brought me to the beginning of this day, defend me with thy mighty power, that this day I fall into no sin, nor run into any kind of danger: but let all my cogitations, words, and works tend to the setting forth of thy righteousness.  
Lighten my mind this morning with the shining and clearness of thy wisdom; that in my heart, that true daie-star may rise and shine, as it were a candle in a dark place.  
Give me the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of thee; and lighten the eyes of mine understanding, that I may know what my hope is, how great the glory of mine inheritance, and what the excellent greatness of thy power towards me is.  
Fill me with thy mercy in this morning, so shall I be glad and rejoice all my life long.  
Merciful God, endue me with thine holy spirit, that I may neither think, speak, or do any thing this day, but that which may please thee, and tend to the advancement of thy glory, and health of my soul.  
Govern thou mine understanding and will, and so direct all the cogitations of my heart, that I may wholly be thine, and savour of nothing besides thee my God and redeemer.  
Teach me the way of thy commandments, O Lord; and I will keep it unto the end.  
Give me understanding to keep thy laws, and to love thee, my Lord and God, with all my heart, with all my soul, and with all my strength: and let all thy testimonies be my delight, and counsellors.  
Comfort the soul of thy servant; for unto thee, O Lord, have I lifted up my soul. For thou, Lord, art good and gentle, and of great kindness to as many as call upon thee.  
Behold, O God, early now this morning I do offer myself a morning sacrifice unto thee, a troubled spirit; a broken, and an humble heart, O Lord, thou wilt not despise.  
Make me fit, that I may likewise daily offer up my body a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable unto thee, which is a reasonable service, & grateful obedience.  
Both now and every day, Lord, I commend my soul and body into thy hands; thou hast redeemed me, O God of truth.  
Compass me about with the watch of thine Angels, which are ministering spirits sent out for their defence, which are the children of salvation; that they may pitch their tents about me, and encounter with Satan the dragon, to defend me from evil.  
Give thine holy Angels charge of me, that they protect me in all my ways, least happily I hurt my feet against a stone: so will I praise thee, and magnify thy name, which livest and reignest a true and eternal God, worlds without end,  
Amen.   

Another prayer very effectual to be used upon the Lords Sunday, or other holy or festival days.  
seeing that the very solemn times & festival holidays do undoubtedly greatly renew the rejoicing of the godly: yea, & that more is, with a certain heap, as a man would say, do marvelously augment and increase their spiritual joy in thee O most holy Lord God of Saboth, and make it greater than it was. For they are kept to continue, and stir us up unto the remembrance and recounting of thy wonderful acts, things, and miracles wrought and done by thine almighty Majesty, for the conservation, and salvation of mankind: and by that occasion, do exceedingly cheer up and fill the hearts of the godly with spiritual joys in thee.  
Moreover, because good exercises are to be renewed often; but especially upon the Sunday and holy days, as though at that time we were departing out of this life, and going to the everlasting holy days of spiritual rest, and continual joy; and therefore ought we at that time especially to prepare ourselves with carefulness; & to show ourselves more godly, and to do thy commandments more straightly, as they that shall receive reward of our travels at thy hand ere it be long.  
Behold, I thy silly creature, desirous to keep the godly rest of the new Saboth, better than hitherto I have done, (for which, as for all other my defaults I cry thee heartily mercy) do now therefore most humbly beseech thee, O holy Father, to power plenteously upon me thy blessed spirit; through whose divine power, virtue and grace, I may this day be throughlie sanctified, cleansed, dedicated, and prepared both bodily and ghostly, perfectly to serve and worship thee, according to thy will.  
O holy God, which hast commanded us to sanctify ourselves, and to be holy, as thou art; grant me grace with S. john to be in the spirit on the Sunday: and this day to be holy with them that be holy, and altogether given to serve & please thee in spirit and truth, as becometh the true worshippers of thee.  
Make thou me this day to refrain myself from doing any bodily labour, or servile work; and utterly to forbear all manner of ungodliness displeasant unto thee: as namely, not to abuse or misspend this holy day in pranking, packing, priinting, pointing, frizzling, or vain attiring of myself to be gorgeous and gay, and to prance in pride: neither yet in unlawful plays, idle sports, games, ethnical pastimes, feasting, banqueting, bellie-cheere, gluttony, riot, excess, chambering, wantonness, niceness, contention, pride, covetousness, or in any other fleshly filthiness, and vain pleasures of this transitory world; but contrariwise, to occupy and give myself obediently unto the virtuous works, and holy exercises of thy divine precepts; namely, unto the expending of the spiritual rest, and everlasting repose of all Christian souls in heaven, unto the meditation of thy wonderful works, and unspeakable benefits, which thou, O God, continually bestowest upon thy Church, and to be thankful for the same: to study the Scriptures, to hear and read thy sacred word, and follow the same: to call upon thee by ardent prayer, with hearty thanksgiving, for all thy mercies: to exercise thy holy Sacraments, and to comfort and give alms gladly according to mine ability, to the relief of the poor, and comfort of the needy.  
Make me (I say) O Lord, with holy David, both most willing and glad this day to go forth with my whole family, and the multitude, into thy house and temple, in the voice of praise and thanksgiving, among such as keep it holiedaie unto thee, and at all seasons by common order appointed, diligently to frequent the populous resort and Christian assembly of the congregation in the Church, and to be present with other thy people often in that most sacred place on earth; at the most holy, and always to thee, O God, most acceptable sacrifice of praise, invocation, divine worship, giving of thanks, singing of hymns, hearing of thy word, using of thy holy Sacraments, prayers, intercessions, and supplications; which at the coming together of the whole congregation, is used ordinarily to be made unto thee in the Church, with very great ceremony and reverence: that thus being free from the travels and drudgery of this world, and by thy grace cleansed from all mine own carnal affections, and wholly given over to serve and sanctify thee in true rest and spiritual ease, as also to bestow, consecrate, and hallow this thy sacred Sabbath or Sunday, with all other festival holy days, most glorious unto thee, in all holy and spiritual exercises of a faithful and obedient Christian, according to thy will, I may even here in this vale of tears, amidst all my miseries, be thereby occasioned with cheerful heart, both outwardly and inwardly, exceedingly to rejoice and trust in thee my most merciful God and loving saviour, and after this transitory life ended, be worthy, happily to enter into thy holy Mountain, the Tabernacle of thine elect, and kingdom of everlasting blessedness; where the souls of all holy folk do rest, and there with them to be partaker of perfect holiness, and of the unspeakable benefit of the wished wealefull rest, and eternal endless joy of joys, in the Paradise of God; to see, love, and praise thee most joyfully in happy mirth for ever and ever, through jesus Christ our Lord: to whom with thee O Father, and the holy Ghost, be immortal glory, infinite power, everlasting kingdom, perpetual praise, and continual thanksgiving, by all creatures, through all ages & worlds, world without end,  
Amen.  
See more for Sunday afterward.   

Meditations.  
Here call to mind the commandments of almighty God, concerning the keeping of the Sabbath day holy unto him; as namely, the third commandment, Remember thou keep holy the Sabbath day, etc. Exod. 20, verse 11.  
Call to mind also his promises touching the same, who saith, If thou turn away thy foot from the Sabbath, from doing thy will on the Sabbath day, and call the Sabbath a delight to consecrate it as glorious unto the Lord, and shalt honour him, not doing thine own ways, nor seeking thine own will, nor speaking a vain word, then shalt thou delight in the Lord, and I will cause thee to mount upon the high places of the earth, and feed thee with the heritage of jacob thy father, for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it. isaiah 58, verses 13, 14.  
Yea, blessed is he that keepeth the Sabbath, and polluteth it not, and keepeth his hands from doing any evil, isaiah 56, verse 2. Then his threatenings where he saith.  
Ye shall therefore keep the Sabbath, for it is holy unto you: he that defileth it, shall die the death: therefore whosoever worketh therein, the same person shall be even cut off from among his people, Exod. 31, verse 14.   

Of going to Church.  
AND to the end you may the spéedilier address yourself to frequent the Church often, not alone, but with your whole family, as you ought; first call diligently to your mind some of these sentences of holy Scripture, following:  ¶ isaiah 66, verse 23. 
AND it shall come to pass, that from Moon to his Moon, from Sabbath to his Sabbath, all flesh shall come to worship before me, saith the Lord.  ¶ isaiah 2, verses 2, 3. 
AND it shall come to pass in the latter days, the hill of the Lords house shall be prepared in the height of the mountains, and shall be higher than the hills, and all nations shall press unto him, and a multitude of people shall go speaking thus one to another; Come, let us ascend to the hill of the Lord, etc.  ¶ Agge. 1, verses 4, 5, 6, etc. Zach. 14. 
THus saith the Lord of hosts: Consider your own ways in your hearts, o ye people: get ye up to the mountain and fetch wood, and build this house, and I will take pleasure in it, and I will be glorified, saith the Lord. Is it time for yourselves to dwell in seeled houses, and this house lie waste? Ye have sown much, but ye bring little in: ye eat, but ye have not enough: ye drink, but ye are not filled: ye cloth you, but ye be not warm: and he that earneth wages, putteth it into a broken bag: ye look for much, and lo, it came to little. And when ye brought it home, I did blow upon it: and why? saith the Lord of hosts. Because of my house that is waste, and you run every one into his own house. Therefore, upon you is the heavens stayed from dew, and the earth is stayed from yielding her increase; and I have called for a drought upon the land, and upon the mountains, and upon the corn, and upon the wine, and upon the oil, and upon all that the earth bringeth forth, upon men and upon cattle, and upon all the labour of thy hands, etc.  
Thus having well perused and weighed these holy sentences, stir up yourself, and exhort all your children, servants, strangers and neighbours about you, with cheerful minds, willingly and diligently to resort to the Church; especially every Sunday and Holiedaie, saying unto them as followeth.   

An exhortation to be used of Masters and Dames every Sunday morning.  
COme, let us ascend to the hill of the Lord, to the house of the God of jacob; and he will there instruct us of his ways, and teach us how to walk in his paths. For out of Zion shall come a law, and the word of the Lord from jerusalem, and he shall give sentence among the heathen, and shall reform the multitude of the people. Come therefore, I say; let us cheerfully ascend, and go up to jerusalem, the hill and house of the Lord. O let us go our ways into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise; that we may present ourselves to day holy before the Lord, and serve him with gladness.   

¶ When you be going towards the Church, the better to expel idle thoughts, and noifull cogitations, and to prepare your hearts to devotion; even by the way as ye go, meditate and say with yourself some of these Psalms and prayers following; the which also for more readiness would be learned by heart, and said without book.  
Prayers to be used going to Church. A Psalm.  
I Was glad when they said unto me; We will go into the house of the Lord; our feet shall stand in thy gates O jerusalem.  
jerusalem is builded as a City that is at unity in itself.  
For thither the Tribes go up, even the Tribes of the Lord, to testify unto Israel, and to give thanks unto the name of the Lord.  
For there is the seat of judgement, even the seat of the house of David.  
O my soul, pray for the peace of jerusalem, they shall prosper that love it.  
Glory be to the Father, etc. As it was in the, etc.   

Another Psalm.  
LORD, I have loved the habitation of thy house, and the place where thine honour dwelleth; yea the zeal of thine house hath even eaten me.  
Therefore will I wash my hands in innocency, O Lord; and so will I go to thine altar, that I may show the voice of thanksgiving, and tell of all thy wondrous works in the great congregation.  
Behold, I will go with the multitude, that by the motion of the spirit are brought forth into thy house, O God: even upon the multitude of thy mercies, & in thy fear will I (among such as keep holiedaie) worship towards thy holy Temple, & make haste unto thy Tabernacle, to understand thy worthy ways & divine wil  
For unto thee, O God, which hearest the prayers; unto thee shall all flesh come, to worship thee in Zion: prayer shall be made ever unto thee, and daily shalt thou be praised in jerusalem.  
O therefore let the congregation of thy people come about thee, O God; that they may show all thy praises within the ports of the daughter of Zion, and rejoice in thy salvation.  
Remember also, I beseech thee good Lord, according to the favour that thou bearest unto thy people; and visit me with thy salvation, that I may see the felicity of thy chosen children, and rejoice in the gladness of thy people, & give thee thanks with thine inheritance.  
O make me one of the household of faith, and congregation of them that seek thee: even of them that seek thy face, O jacob, saying; Lo, I come to fulfil thy will O God.  
O send out the light of thy truth, that they may lead me, and bring me unto thy holy hill, and to thy dwelling; and that I may go unto the altar of God, even unto thee, the God of my joy and gladness.  
With joy and gladness, I say, cause thou me to be brought to thy mansion house, and to enter into the King's palace.  
That I may ascend unto the hill of the Lord, and rise up holily in his holy place.  
That I may receive the blessing from the Lord, and righteousness from the God of health and salvation.   

Another very godly prayer, to be used going to Church, either at morning, or evening prayer.  
IAm now entered into the voyage of salvation; conduct me, O Lord, luckily unto the port; that delivered by thee from the very death, I may escape all dangers, and come to the very life. Behold Lord, my heart hunteth thee out; and would God I might daily more and more trace thee out! yea I have a great while sore longed, with so godly affection as I could, to celebrate thee in the frequented assemblies of the godly, which truly I will now do accordingly, by the grace and assistance of thy holy spirit; and that with a most ready and joyful mind, as it behoveth. And that this mine enterprise and beginning may proceed to a further good success, and amendment of my manners and imbettering of my life; do thou finish the thing, O God, which thou hast begun in me, and make me continually to increase from faith to faith. Yea, so renew and shape me again in innocency and righteousness, O gracious Lord, I beseech thee; that as a person new borne of thee, I may insearch thee again and again, both in the dawning of the day, morning, noon, evening, and night. Now lead me forooard, O Lord, I beseech thee, in thy righteousness: let thy loving spirit direct my feet, and make thy ways plain before my face; because of my mortal and invisible enemies. And do thou vouchsafe luckily to conduct my body this day, unto thy material temple, and to bring my soul at the last unto thy holy hill, and blessed mountain, which thou hast purchased with thy right hand, that I may rest both body and soul in heaven, and remain with thee forever,  
Amen.   

Or pray thus;  
O GOD the word, who art the light; by whom light was made: who art the way, truth, and life; in whom there is no darkness, oversight, vanity, nor death: shine forth, O Lord my light, mine enlightening, and my welfare, whom I will reverence; my Lord, whom I will honour; my Father, whom I will love; my judge, whom I will fear; my Bridegroom, whom I will cleave unto, and keep myself an undefiled spouse. Shine forth, O everlasting light; shine forth, I say, and lighten the Lamp of my virginity, with the oil of thy divine grace and mercy; that this blind soul of mine, which yet sitteth in darkness, and shadow of death, may see the light, and eschew darkness; see the way, and eschew straying; see the truth, and eschew leasing; see the life, and eschew death. And guide thou my feet unto the way of peace, that by thy merciful protection, I may see the light, walk in the light, and never stumble upon the snares of Satan, but may now pass thereby, into the palace of thy wonderful tabernacle, and be able to climb up even unto the holy house and temple, with the voice of gladness and confession, there to abide, and receive at thy hands both mercy, righteousness, health, blessing, and everlasting salvation, with my fellowe-citizens, thy Saints and household menie,  
Amen.   

Another godly prayer to be said either going towards, or being in the Church.  
Look what earnest and fervent desire soever the old fathers had, O most mighty GOD, to come unto the place, wherein thou hadst appointed a tabernacle to thyself for that time; even the like am I kindled withal, in beholding the repairing of thy sacred Church, and to see therein a very great company of godly men & women lawfully assembled together, for the advancement of thy glory; hearing thy holy doctrine, & duly receiving of thy blessed Sacraments accordingly. Wherefore, I humbly beseech thee, which art my God & my King, that I may this day rejoice to be there. For what felicity soever may be attained unto in this frail life, I doubt not but it will light upon the sacred company of the godly there assembled. Give ear therefore, O excellent Father, unto mine earnest prayers; & grant that I make none other account of thy blessed house, than thy will and pleasure is I should do. For a more blessed thing it were for me, to have one days meeting and abode therein; than if I abide never so great a time of continuance in the congregation of the ungodly; or in such a one as is not lawfully assembled, with the advantage and overplus of all the pleasures of this transitory world. Seeing that therefore thou art our most splendent light, and strong defence; cause our assemblies on the earth; O God, so to redound to thine unspeakable glory, that our assured hope, by coming in the end unto thee in the everlasting tabernacles of the heavens, may be augmented, and very much increased, through jesus Christ our Lord,  
Amen.   

When you enter into the Church, meditate thus with yourself, and say:  
LORD, who shall ascend into thy high hill? Or who shall rise up in thy holy place?  
Even he that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; and hath not lift up his mind unto vanity, nor sworn to deceive his neighbour.  
He shall receive the blessing from the Lord, and righteousness from the God of his salvation.  
This is the generation of them that seek him; even of them that seek thy face, O jacob.  
Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up ye everlasting doors: and the King of glory shall come in, even the Lord of hosts, most mighty and strong.  
Open me the gates of righteousness, O Lord, that I (with the righteous nation that keep thy truth) may go into them, and give thanks unto thee. This is the gate of the Lord, the righteous shall enter into it.  
Yea, blessed are they that do thy commandments, O God. For their power shall be in the tree of life, and they shall enter in through the gates, into the holy city new jerusalem.  
But without shall be dogs, and enchanters, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters: yea, there shall enter into it none unclean thing, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh lies: but they only, which are written in the lambs book of life,  
Amen.   

Or thus.  
LOrd, who shall enter into thy sanctuary, to consider thy mighty power; except thou open it unto him? And who shall open it, if thou shut it? Truly, O Lord my God, I silly worm and clay, am not able to enter into thine everlastingness; unless thou, which hast made all things of nothing, do lead me in. Yea, I know, Lord, I know and confess, that I am unworthy to enter under thy roof: but yet I beseech thee, let a blessed entrance to the house of eternal felicity, whither I have daily a fervent desire to come, be set open, and made as a free passage unto me, O God. And give me leave now, I pray thee, though a dog, and an unworthy wretch, even for thine own honour sake, to enter into thy holy house, and to approach thy sacred presence, and confound not thy servant that seeketh thee, and putteth all her trust and confidence in thy mercy.  
Oh suffer me not, I say, good Lord, to knit up and finish my last days with malefactors, and wicked persons: but grant that after my long and daily travel, in this transitory world, I may in the end at length be permitted, through thy mercy, to enter the courts of thy divine presence, and with thine elect and chosen servants for ever inhabit the haven of eternal felicity, through jesus Christ our Lord,  
Amen.   

Or say thus, as you enter into the Church.  
O How amiable are thy dwellings, thou LORD of hosts! My soul hath a desire and longing to enter into the courts of the Lord, my heart and my flesh rejoice in the living God.  
When shall I enter in, to behold thy face? When shall I come to appear before thy presence, O God?  
For one day in thy courts, is better than a thousand else where? I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of the ungodly.  
Yea, like as the Hart desireth the water brooks: so longeth my soul after thee, O God. My soul is a thirst for God, yea even for the living God.  
Now therefore I come into thy house, O Lord; even upon the multitude of thy mercies: and in thy fear do I enter thy tabernacle, and will worship thee: God grant it according to thy will,  
Amen.   

As you pass by the people in the Church unto your Pew, salute the congregation, and say:  
PEace be within thy walls, O jerusalem; and plenteousness within thy palaces. For my brethren and companions sakes I will pray for thy peace, and wish thee now prosperity: yea because of the house of the Lord our God, I will seek to do thee good, and say:  
Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord. The Lord prosper you, I wish you good luck in the name of the Lord: So be it.   

Being placed in your Pew, call to mind these sentences of holy Scripture following.  
IT is written, My house shall be called a house of prayer unto all nations: but ye have made it a den of thieves, and an house of merchandise. Matth. 21, verse 13.  
Ye shall keep my Saboths', and fear with reverence my Sanctuary. I am the Lord. Leuit. 19, verse 30.  
Holiness becometh God's house for ever. Ps. 93, ver. 5.  
The Lord will utterly destroy every enemy that doth evil in his Sanctuary, that profaneth his holy temple, & polluteth the dwelling place of his name. Psal. 74, verse 3.  
When thou comest into the house of God therefore keep thy foot, and draw nigh, that God which is at hand may hear; that thou give not the offerings of fools. For they know not but to do evil. Eccles. 4, verse 17.  
Be not hasty with thy mouth, I say, and let not thine heart speak any thing rashly before God. For God is in heaven, and thou upon earth: therefore let thy words be few. Eccl. 5, verse 1.   

A Meditation, wherein is showed how we ought to be very intentive to the Psalms and prayers in the Church.  
WHen thou interest the temple to pray or sing Psalms; leave behind thee the heaps of wavering thoughts, and forget utterly the care of outward things, that thou mayst give all thine attendance to divine matters. For it is unpossible for him to speak with God, that talketh with the whole world in silence. Intent thou him that intendeth thee; hear him when he speaketh to thee; that he may hearken to thee when thou prayest to him: so shalt thou show a careful and due reverence in magnifying God, and a christian attendance in giving heed to his holy word.  
Understand not this, as though I performed that I speak of: yet I strive to do it, repenting the omission of it in time past, and sorrowing that I am not able to attain it presently. But thou, to whom God hath been more liberal of his graces, inclined his sacred ears towards thee; with hearty prayers, in sighs and tears beseech him most humbly, to pardon thee all thy riots, and excess. Extol and magnify him in the excellency of his works with spiritual songs. For this is most pleasing to the mighty jehova, as himself doth witness: The sacrifice of praise shall honour me.  
O how happy wert thou, if it were granted thee to behold, with spiritual eyes, the array of the celestial princes, that go before them that praise God in the midst of the damsels, playing with their Timbrels! Thou shouldest see doubtless with what endeavour and cheerfulness they accompany them in singing, assist them in prayer, in meditation comfort them, protect them in time of rest, direct them in all their affairs and business. verily the heavenly powers do love their felowe-citizens, and do exceedingly joy in the society of those, that are free heirs of salvation; they with longing look for our coming, and earnestly attend, that the ruins and dis-peopling of their heavenly city may be filled up again, in the multitude of our companies. They do curiously inquire, and willingly hear all good of us. They be careful messengers between God and us, and bear a faithful witness of our doing. They disdain not now to be our servants, that shall be our fellows: we have made them rejoice in our conversion and repentance. Let us haste then to fulfil their joys over us. Woe be unto thee than that lovest a return to thy vomit and impurity. doest thou think to have those witness for thee in judgement, whom thou hast bereaved of so great and long hoped-for joy? They rejoiced over us, when we gave our names first to Christ; as if they had seen us pulled out of hell gates. But what will they do then, when they shall see those turned back from the gate of Paradise, who had already almost one foot in heaven?  
Wherefore, though our bodies be on earth, let us set our hearts on the highest heavens: let us run thither, not with bodily members, but with spiritual affections, desires, and longing; where not the angels only, but the Creator of angels doth long look for us. God the father looketh for us, as his own sons and heirs, to commit the rule of all his treasure unto us. God the son looketh for us, as his dear german brothers, and coparteners, that he may present God his father with the fruit of his nativity, and price of his own blood. The holy Ghost also looketh for us: for he verily is that bounty and benignity, wherein from everlasting we were predestinate to salvation; and no doubt, he wisheth our predestination accomplished.  
Seeing then the whole court of heaven doth so earnestly look and wish for us, let us with all zealous affection seek after it. For with great shame, and a large confusion, shall he come thither, that is lead with a cold and lukewarm desire: but whosoever, in the strength of continual prayer, and daily meditation, is alway conversant there; shall both from hence depart with security, and there be received with triumphing joy.  
Therefore, wheresoever thou be, still pray within thyself. If thou chance to be far from thy closet, seek no place. For thou to thyself art a place. If thou be in thy bed, pray; and pray often in the temple. And in prostrating thy body, lift up thy mind to God. For as there is no time, wherein we do not use and enjoy the goodness & mercy of God: so there aught to be no moment, wherein his almightiness ought not to possess our memory. But thou wilt say, I pray continually, and yet I see no fruit of my prayer: as I come unto it, so I depart; none answereth, or speaketh unto me; nothing is given me, but my labour seemeth vain. This is the speech of human folly, not observing what truth itself promiseth, saying: verily I say unto you, whatsoever ye ask in prayer with faith, ye shall receive it; and it shall be performed unto you. Esteem not lightly therefore of prayer. For he to whom thou prayest, hath it in price; and before it proceed from thy mouth, commandeth it to be registered in his own book. One of these two we may undoubtedly hope for; that either he will give us our requests, or better. Think of God as highly as thou art able, and yet believe more of him, than thou canst think. All the time wherein thou thinkest not upon God, esteem it lost; all other things be foreign unto us, time only is our own. Attend therefore upon God; and wheresoever thou art, be all with him. Impart, but give not up thyself to worldly affairs. Wheresoever thou art, cast thy thoughts upon God. No place is unfit for meditation. Therefore, with all cheerfulness, gather up thy spirits, dwell at liberty with thyself, and out of the largeness of thy heart measure out a lodging for thy Lord Christ.  
A wise man's mind is alway with God. He ought to be always in our sight, by whom we have our being, life, and knowledge. He is the author of our being, the teacher of our understanding, the treasure of our spiritual and joyful happiness. Herein we may acknowledge the divine image of the heavenly Trinity. For as he hath his being in excellency of wisdom and goodness; so we, according to our creation, have our subsistence; being endued also with reason, and delight in knowledge, as a signature and impression of the divine Majesty. Esteem therefore of thyself, as of the temple of God; seeing it pleased him to impart his likeness to thee, as a high renown, to adore and imitate God. Thou doest imitate him, if thou be holy, as he is holy. For a holy mind is the temple of God; and a sincere heart, the most acceptable altar. Thou doest adore God, if thou be merciful, even as he is merciful to all. For it is a pleasing sacrifice to God, to gratify all for the cause of God.  
Do all things as the son of God, that thou be not unworthy of him, that hath vouchsafed to be thy father. Know that of all thy actions, God is a witness. Beware therefore to fix thine eye, or settle thy thought in any unlawful delight: neither speak, nor do any ill, though thou mayst. Offend not God, neither in deed nor purpose. For his almightiness discovereth thy deeds. Thou hast need of a great watch, discharging all the actions in the face of the judge; yet live thou mayst without security, if thou behave thyself so, as he vouchsafe thee his presence. If he abide not with thee in favour, he will come unto thee in revenge. And if he come in revenge, woe be unto thee; nay rather, woe if he come not. For God is most angry with him, whose sin he leaveth unpunished. His damnation is prepared, whom God reformeth not in fatherly chastisement.   

Another Meditation to the same effect.  
GOod Lord be merciful unto me, that offend worst; where I ought most to mind the reformation of my faults. Praying in the temple, oftentimes I heed not what I speak. I pray, but by the absence of my wandering mind, it is made fruitless. With my body I enter into thy temple; but my heart standeth without: therefore my prayer vanisheth away. For the outward sound of the voice, without the inward symphony of the heart availeth nothing. Then is it a great folly, nay madness, when by prayer presuming to speak in presence of the mighty God, we do brutishlie wander in vain thoughts, and arrest our minds upon very trifles. An heinous offence also, and worthy a grievous punishment it is, that vile dust should not vouchsafe audience to the Creator of the whole world speaking unto him. But the worthiness of thy heavenly bounty is unspeakable, which every day regardeth us standing in wretchedness and misery, turning aside our ears, and hardening our hearts. Yet he crieth out unto us, saying: Return into the way ye transgressors; attend, and see: for I am God. God speaketh to me in the Psalm, and I unto him; yet in repeating the same, I regard not whose it is. Herein I offer God great wrong, in desiring him to hearken unto my prayer; which myself in making it, do not hear. I request him to attend me, and I neither intent him, nor myself; but that which worse is, I do violate his sacred presence with unpure and unprofitable thoughts. Have mercy upon me, pardon mine offences, and renew me with thy holy Spirit; that in all my Prayers, Psalms, Songs, and Hymns, I may both say and sing to the honour and glory of thy name,  
Amen.   

¶ Hear, as time will conveniently serve, before Common prayer begin, make your private petitions unto Almighty God, and say:  
A salutation to God the Father, or first form of prayer, when ye kneel down in the Church.  
Hail our Father, GOD Almighty, full of grace, mercy, and comfort. Thy Son jesus Christ, very God and man, is with thee in heaven. Blessed be thy name, O Father, both in heaven above, and in earth amongst all nations, by thine only son our Lord,  
Amen.   

Another first form of prayer in the Church at Morning prayer.  
O Most high and blessed Trinity, the very Father, Son, & holy Ghost, three glorious and unseparable persons in Trinity, and but one God in Deity, uncreate, incomprehensible, eternal, invisible, and almighty, one being power, wisdom, goodness and Lord, of coequal, coeternal, and undefiled Majesty: who before all worlds, in all worlds, and by all worlds into everlasting, doest live, and dwellest alone in unapprochable light: with all my very heart and mouth do I, being the least member of thy Church, fall down low on my knees here before thy footstool; and confess, praise, bless, and worship thee, O glorious Trinity. And now and ever, with all Angels, creatures and Elders, both in heaven and earth, I cry and say; Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God of hosts, dreadful, strong, righteous, merciful, marvelous, praiseworthy, to be beloved. Heaven and earth are full of thy glory. Glory be to thee, O God, for ever,  
Amen.   

A prayer, that God would vouchsafe to hear the prayers of the Congregation afflicted, and grant their requests.  
OH Lord my God, most high; most holy holy holy Lord God of Sabaoth, most blessed and glorious Trinity, Father, Son, and holy Ghost, three glorious persons of coequal and consubstantial Majesty, and one almighty and incomprehensible God in Deity, always, by all means, of all creatures, above all things to be worshipped in Unity, and glorified in Deity: look down from thy kingly court and princely palace, where thou art placed, in the highest coasts of the heaven of heavens; and sittest in the celestial throne of eternal glory, between the Cherubins and Seraphins. Look down, I say, O most mighty jehova, and have respect now, I beseech thee, unto thy sacred Sanctuary, and holy house of prayer. Let thine eyes I say, O Lord, be ever open towards thy blessed Tabernacle night and day; even towards thy Church, thy Temple, and most sacred place on earth; where thine honour dwelleth, and whereof thou hast said: My house shall be an house of prayer for all people and nations, and my name shall be called upon therein, that thou mayst hearken this day unto the prayers, which we thy poor creatures, and most unworthy servants make before thee in this place.  
Hear thou therefore, O our God, even from heaven, the place of thy glorious habitation, the supplications of thy servants; and also what prayers and supplications soever shall be made unto thee, of any particular man or woman, and of all the people. Give good ear (I say) O Lord, unto all the cries, prayers, and petitions of thy people here assembled, or that shall be gathered together in thy name; who with rend hearts, bowed knees, and stretched out hands return unto thee, and present themselves here this day, to confess thee, & call upon thy holy name in this place. And when thou hearest, pardon the sins of thy servants, and be merciful unto the offences and iniquities of thy people, wherewith they have sinned and transgressed, or shall offend against thy Majesty. Hear us, I say, O Lord, O holy Lord God hear us; we pray thee be merciful unto thine inheritance, and do and give to every one of us, according unto all and every thing that we call and pray for unto thee, this day, in this thy holy house, according to thy will, through jesus Christ our Lord:  
Amen, Amen.   

A psalm of preparation to prayer in the morning.  
I will give thanks unto the Lord with my whole heart, secretly among the faithful, and in the congregation, and will say:  
O God, my heart is ready; my heart is ready here now now in thy holy house, to pay thee my vows, which I promised with my lips, and spoke with my mouth, when I was in trouble.  
My voice shalt thou hear beetimes, O Lord; early in the morning will I direct my prayers unto thee, & will look up.  
I myself will awake right early, to sing and give praise unto thee, with the best member that I have.  
Unto thee, my God, will I lift up my hands & heart, in this thy holy habitation, towards the mercy-seat of thy holy temple.  
In the voice of praise and thanksgiving, among such as keep it holy day. For this is the day, which thou, O Lord, hast made, I will rejoice, & be glad in it.  
In this day of thy power will I offer the free-will offerings, with an holy worship; and magnify thee in the congregation of the people.  
From the ground of my heart will I rejoice, and give thanks unto thee my God, in the seat of the elders, for a remembrance of thy holiness.  
O let my mouth be filled with thy praise, that I may sing of thy glory and praise, now and for evermore.  
Glory be to the, etc. As it was in the, etc.   

A Psalm to be used privately before Evening prayer, in the Church.  
IN the evening and morning, and at noon day will I pray, and that instantly; & he shall hear my voice.  
My heart is fixed ready, O God, my heart is fixed ready; I will praise thee and thy faithfulness yet more & more with the best member that I have: even with all my heart will I thank thee, and praise thy name for evermore.  
My lips be feign to sing unto thee, and so is my soul, whom thou hast delivered: yea my soul shall be satisfied with marrow and fatness, when my mouth praiseth thee with joyful lips.  
For it is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord; and to sing praises unto thy name, O most high; to tell of thy loving kindness early in the morning, and of thy truth in the evening and night season: yea, a joyful and pleasant thing it is, to be thankful unto thee our God alway.  
Therefore I will sing seven times a day, and will praise thy mercy late in the evening, because of thy righteous judgements.  
As for me, I will be talking of thy worship, thy glory, thy praise, and wondrous works from time to time. For great art thou, O Lord, and marvelous worthy to be praised, and feared above all the gods: yea, thou canst not worthily be praised; for there is none end of thy greatness nor goodness.  
Behold now therefore, praise the Lord all ye servants of the Lord: ye that by night stand in the house of the Lord, even in the midst of the courts of the house of our God.  
Lift up your hands in the sanctuary, and praise the Lord together with me. For he is good and gracious, and his mercy endureth for ever.  
Yea let every good man and woman sing of thy praise, O God: and speak of thine honour in thy temple, with cheerful minds, and that without ceasing for ever, and say:  
The Lords name be praised, from the rising up of the sun, unto the going down of the same: blessed be the Lord God of Israel from everlasting, & worlds without end,  
Amen.  
Glory be to the Father, etc. As it was in the, etc.   

Another preparation of the heart before evening prayer in the Church.  
LORD behold, mine heart is at this present ready to sing praises more and more unto thee, and again and again to render unto thee worthy thanks here now in the assembly of Saints. Only I desire thee to hallow us from heaven thy dwelling place, & power down upon us thy holy sanctifying spirit, which may so wholly possess our souls, and preserve us from all evil cogitations, and motions of sin and iniquity, that we may hallow thy name this evening, and evermore in all things, flow in thy word, render the sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving unto thee, and worship thee only in spirit and truth, as our God most mighty in heaven and earth, our righteous maker, and the worker of all goodness, in all such as believe in thee.  
A clean heart, O God, make thou in me; restore in me a willing and a right spirit; deny me not the holy Ghost. For of myself I can perform nothing that is good. Bless me therefore, O benign Lord, and endue me plentifully with thy grace; to the intent I may offer the acceptable evening sacrifice of thanksgiving, (for nothing else verily requirest thou) and with glad semblance embrace and celebrate thy righteousness, espied in the releasing & forgiving of my sins.  
Give me of thy goodness to this end, that I may continually praise thy Majesty day and night, with mystical Psalms, & spiritual songs. Be thou evermore working through thy holy spirit in me, (which presently keepeth the godly rest of the new Saboth) such things as be allowed and pleasant unto thee; lest at any time cleaving to superstition and hypocrisy, I do worship thee amiss: but fill my heart with grace, and stuff it with sweetness of spirit, even as my body is stuffed with abundance of meats. Lord rid me out of mine ungodliness, pluck from me mine ignorance of thee, banish my slothfulness of insearching thee. Compel my flesh through thy spirit to his bounden duty and obedience, and bring to pass that I may now & always apply myself wholly, without weariness and dryness of mind, unto the right sincere worshipping and serving of thee, here in thy presence. O Lord, open thou my lips, and then shall my mouth extol thy renowned name, and publish thy praise, not with feigned lips, but with a full glad heart, lusty stomach, and quick spirit, and say with the congregation: Our Father, etc. As at evening prayer in the Church.   

Another Meditation before Evening prayer in the Church.  
seeing thou hast beautified all those with a notable promise, O most mighty God, which are knit together in the honouring of thy blessed name; so that thou wilt not only be present with them, but also bestowest excellent gifts and benefits upon these men, whosoever they are that excel in sincere faith, and pure godliness, and have an exceeding desire to be often in the blessed congregation, in so much as there is nothing, which they more covet or desire, than to appear divers times in the day before thee, in the sacred assemblies: yea it ought to be a most pleasant thing unto us, to celebrate thy high praises perpetually, and show forth thy marvelous works without ceasing. For the performance whereof, godliness would require, that we should not only do the same in the day time, but also in the night season. We will therefore lift up pure hands in all places, touching the publishing of thy glorious name, and render perpetual thanks (according to our bounden duty) for thine unspeakable goodness, and loving kindness extended towards us. But seeing that this aught to be done in the most sacred and holy assemblies, our earnest request is, to have thee present here with us, and to bestow thy plentiful blessings upon thy beloved Israel. First deliver us, we humbly beseech thee, from our heinous faults, enorm sins, and lewd corruptions, wherewith we have greatly defiled ourselves. And then let our weak and feeble hearts be strengthened in thy blessed way, and the withered powers of our mind (which are dried up) watered with the holy Ghost; that we being altogether repaired, and wholly renewed, may continually celebrate and praise thee, and have a great desire to direct our prayers unto thy mercyseat, with a most holy intent, as Christians ought to do.  
Cause us now, not constrained and brought thereto by compulsion, but of a willing heart, to come before thy presence; and become true worshippers of thee: yea and such as do think it a goodly matter to spend, not only hours, but days and nights; yea and all our years and life in the sincere service, and right worshipping and honouring of thee, in the sacred Church. Let nothing be so dear and precious unto us, as to continue in the praises, and commendations of thy glorious name, from morning to night; praying both publicly and privately for all other, as well as for ourselves. Grant O excellent father, that we in giving due thanks for thy benefits, may joyfully sing double praises to thy glorious name for evermore; that our minds, I say, may daily more and more be strengthened, heartily to confess, courageously to extol, and above all things to exalt thy wonderful praises uncessantly, through jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour,  
Amen.   

A Psalm of exhortation to prayer in the morning or evening.  
O Come, let us worship & fall down, and kneel before the Lord our maker; and let us heartily rejoice in the strength of our salvation.  
Let our souls rejoice, I say, in the mercy of the Lord, and not be ashamed to publish his praise. Let us do our duties betimes, both early and late, and he will give us a reward in his due time.  
For a good thing it is to give thanks unto the Lord, and to tell of his loving kindness early in the morning.  
O come therefore, praise the Lord with me, and let us magnify his name together.  
Bring hither the book, take the Psalter, and sing unto the Lord a new song. Let us sing praises, I say, lustily unto him, with a good courage, and show ourselves glad in him with Psalms; even now in the time appointed, and upon our solemn feast-daie.  
For great is the Lord, and highly to be praised in the City of our God, even upon his holy hill of Zion.  
Glory be to the, etc. As it was in the, etc.   

Another Psalm, exhorting all creatures to praise God.  
O Praise the Lord of heaven ye Angels of his, ye Saints that excel in strength, and fulfil his commandments, ye servants of his that hearken to the voice of his words, and do his pleasure. Praise him in the height ye children of Zion, and be joyful in your King with glory.  
For God is very greatly to be feared in the counsel of his Saints; and to be had in reverence of all them that are about him.  
Praise him all ye heavens, and ye waters that be above the heavens. O God, the very heavens shall praise thy wondrous works; and thy truth in the congregation of the Saints.  
Yea, let heaven and earth praise thee; the Sea, and all that moveth therein.  
O sing unto the Lord all the whole earth, worship him, and stand in awe of his judgements ye multitude of Isles.  
Praise the Lord, O jerusalem; praise thy God, O Zion.  
Praise the name of the Lord, O ye servants of the Lord; ye that by day or by night stand in the house of the Lord, even in the courts of the house of our God.  
O all ye righteous that love and seek the Lord, and be true-harted towards him; praise his holy name, and magnify him all ye seed of Israel that fear and dread his Majesty.  
Praise the Lord also all ye heathen, and nations of the world; worship you him, and glorify his name. For he is great, passing all praise.  
Praise the Lord, O ye Kings of the earth; Princes, and all judges of the world: yea, worship him all ye gods. For he is higher than the heavens, and far exalted above all gods.  
O ye kindreds of the people, ascribe unto the Lord the worship, power, and honour due unto his name; bring presents, and come into his courts with praise.  
Let the people praise thee, O God; yea let all the people praise thee: both young men and maids, old men and children; let them all remember thy holy name, and declare thy power from one generation to another, world without end.  
O speak good of the Lord all ye works of the Lord in all places of his dominion.  
Let every thing that hath breath, praise the Lord. For his name only is most excellent, and his praise above heaven and earth.  
Praise the Lord, O my soul; and all that is within me, praise his holy name.  
My mouth shall speak the praises of the Lord; and let all flesh give thanks unto his holy name for ever and ever.  
Glory be to the father, etc. As it was in the, etc.   

A Psalm of God's presence in the Church.  
THE Lord hath chosen Zion to be an habitation for himself, he hath longed for her; saying:  
This shall be my rest for ever, here will I dwell. For I have a delight therein.  
Behold, the Tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them; and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be their God with them.  
The Lord is in his holy Temple, even among thousands of thine Angels, as in the holy place of Sinai.  
God's seat is in heaven, the Lord is in the midst of the holy place; even of the Tabernacle of the most high.  
This is God's hill, even an high hill, in the which it pleaseth him to dwell; yea the Lord will abide in it for ever.  
As the hills stand about jerusalem; even so standeth the Lord round about his people, from this time forth for evermore.  
Glory be to the Father, etc. As it was in the, etc.   

Another Psalm of the beauty of God's house, and the soul's delight to be therein.  
O GOD, wonderful art thou in thy holy places, even thou God of Israel.  
It is well seen, O God, how thou goest: how thou my God and King goest in the Sanctuary.  
The singers go before, the musicians follow after: in the midst are the virgins playing with the timbrels.  
Thou Lord hast given thy word plenteously, and great is the company of the preachers.  
The Lord is King, he sitteth between the Cherubins, the Lord is great in Zion, and high above all people.  
Thou, O God, art gone up on high, thou hast led captivity captive, and received gifts for men: yea even for thine enemies, that thou, Lord, mightest dwell among them.  
Righteousness and equity are the habitation of thy seat, mercy and truth shall go before thy face.  
Glory and worship are before thee, power and honour are in thy sanctuary.  
This therefore shall be my resting place; here will I dwell, O Lord: even in the temple and tabernacle of the mighty God of Israel. For I have a delight therein.  
Lord, here is very good being for us. For such as be planted in the house of the Lord, shall flourish in the courts of the house of our God.  
They shall bring forth more fruit in their age, and shall be fat, and well liking; that they may show how true thou my Lord and strength art, and that there is no unrighteousness in thee.  
Yea, blessed is the man, whom thou choosest and receivest unto thee: he shall dwell in thy courts, and shall be satisfied with the pleasures of thy house, even of thy holy temple.  
Blessed, I say, are they that dwell in thy house; they will be alway praising thee. For in thy temple doth every man speak of thine honour; and that because holiness becometh thine house, O God, for ever.  
This therefore shall be my resting place, even here in thy temple will I dwell. For it is a good thing for me to be here continually in thy tabernacle, before thee my God for ever.  
Yea, here do I wait for thy mercy and loving kindness, O God; even in the mids of thy temple. O when wilt thou come unto me! that I may walk in thy house with a perfect heart, and praise thy name for ever,  
Amen.  
Glory be to the Father, etc. As it was in the, etc.   

A psalm for the prosperity of the Church, and that all people may praise and bless the Lord.  
Return, O Lord, to thy many thousands of Israel. Arise now, I say, to come into thy resting place, thou and the ark of thy strength, when the people are gathered together, and the kingdoms also to serve the Lord.  
O thou shepherd of Israel, thou that sittest upon the Cherubins, be favourable and gracious unto Zion: build it up, and let thy glory and worship appear therein, throughout all generations.  
Deck her priests with health, and her Saints shall rejoice and sing.  
Let the priests be clothed with the white reins of righteousness, and let thy Saints sing Psalms with joyfulness.  
Give us thy word still plenteously, and let the company of the godly preachers be great.  
Let none touch thine anointed ones, nor do thy prophets any harm.  
O Lord save thy people, and give thy blessing unto thine inheritance: feed them, and set them up for ever.  
Let the congregation of the people come about thee, O God; that they may offer the sacrifice of righteousness, and show forth thy praises within the ports of the daughter of Zion.  
In this day of thy power let the people make their humble supplication before thee, and offer the free-will offerings with an holy worship.  
In the Temple let every man speak of thine honour, & every good man sing of thy praise without ceasing.  
O let the nations rejoice and be glad: let the people praise thee, O God; yea let all the people praise thee, and all creatures both in heaven and earth bless thee, and say:  
Blessed be thou, O Lord God of our fathers. For thou art praise and honor-worthie; yea and to be magnified for evermore.  
Blessed be the holy name of thy glory. For it is worthy to be praised and magnified in all worlds.  
Blessed be thou, O God, in the holy Temple of thy glory. For above all things thou art to be praised, yea and more than worthy to be magnified for ever.  
Blessed be thou in the throne of thy kingdom. For above all thou art worthy to be praised, and well spoken of, and to be more than magnified for ever.  
Blessed be thou that sittest upon the Cherubims, & lookest through the deep. For thou art worthy to be praised, and above all to be magnified for ever.  
Blessed be thou in the firmament of heaven. For thou art praise and honor-worthie for ever.  
Blessed be the Lord God, even the God of Israel, which only doth wondrous things: and blessed be the name of his Majesty for ever, and the earth shall be filled with thy Majesty: Amen, Amen.  
Blessed be the name of the Lord, from this time forth for evermore.  
Blessed, I say, be the Lord God of Israel, from everlasting, and worlds without end: and let all the people say Amen, Amen.  
Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanks, and honour, and power, and might be unto our God for evermore:  
Amen, Amen, Amen.   

A prayer to be used at your first coming into the Church, for a pure and clean soul.  
SEeing that by the good motion and happy conduction of thy holy spirit, O gracious God, I am now entered into this thy holy house the Church, and most sacred place on earth, to worship thee; and forasmuch as holiness appertaineth to thee, O Lord; for thou art holy, and nothing unholy may appear before thee: grant that both now at this present, and so oft hereafter as I shall enter into this holy place and Tabernacle of the congregation, and appear before thee; I may be throughlie sanctified, both bodily and ghostly, by the divine graces of thy spirit, the better therein to serve and worship thee. The which thing that I may even now this day, the better accomplish and do, according to thy will (as I heartily desire) and to the glory of thy name, and the full discharge of my christian duty: I most entirely beseech thy Majesty, first to sanctify, purify, cleanse, make happy, and keep holy my wretched soul and sinful body; the posts whereof, dear father, are sprinkled with the precious blood of thy dear Son, who most dearly bought them. O comfortable guest of the soul, leave not our houses desolate; cease not to fill us by thy continual presence, with thy life and righteousness. Dress, cleanse, and sweep the foreletten cottage once again I say, good Lord, with the besom of thy celestial grace, and heavenly felicity, from all the pollution and filth of sin and wickedness. Once again, O Christ, vouchsafe to cast out of the house of my soul, that unclean spirit, and foul fiend Satan, mine old guest and enemy, with the finger of God; and when he is cast out of me, give me grace to watch still continually, by hearty and earnest prayer, that he enter not again into me. For being once mine old guest, he knoweth every hole and corner of my house. Therefore grant me grace to watch continually, I say, O Lord, by fervent prayer, and virtuous works proceeding from a firm faith; lest he return into the house, from whence he was cast out, and finding it empty, swept, and garnished, he go and take unto himself seven other foul spirits, worse than himself, and they enter in also, and dwell there with him, and so mine end be woorsse than my beginning; which God forbidden. Oh suffer not the holy house, Lord, of thy Divinity, and Temple of the holy Ghost, my body and soul I mean, cleansed with thy blood, and decked with thy righteousness, to be by my mortal enemies defiled, spoiled, or made a cage of unclean birds, a dungeon of devils, a den of thieves, a hell of wicked spirits, and a sink of sin, through delectation in sin, and infidelity. Withdraw not thy hand from me: let me not return unto my vomit like the dog: let not mine end be worse than my beginning, as happened to Cain, Saul, judas, Arius, and many more. But as by thy great mercy, my body and soul are made the temple & tabernacle of the holy spirit: so by the same thy rich mercy, & infinite goodness, grant that the same may now become thy holy habitation, & sacred seat of everlasting glory; and so be purified, cleansed, throughlie sanctified, and made clean by thy divine inspiration, and gracious presence: that no heaps of soil, dregs of dust, or remnants of filth be to be found in any privy or secret corner of this thy spiritual temple, to offend the celestial eyes of thy divine majesty, so shall thy holy Hall, which is my cleansed soul, in all reverence, devotion, & godly worship, this day and ever resound in the Church, & all places of thy dominion, with thy perpetual praises, to thine eternal glory,  
Amen.   

Another prayer to serve God sincerely in the Church.  
O LORD God our celestial Father, whose fidelity and truth is established in the high heavens, among thy chosen believers, who also art wonderful in the congregation of the faithful, and most mighty, of all power, and present everywhere, beholding all things done in all places on earth. Forasmuch as thou, O gracious God, hast chosen this house, that thy name might be called upon therein, and that it should be an house of prayer and petition for thy people; mercifully promising therewithal, that wheresoever two or three be gathered together in thy name, there thou wouldst be in the midst of them, and whatsoever they (believing) asked of thee, it should be done unto them. Behold, we therefore, whom by thy grace thou hast elected to be thy people and heritage, and with whom thou hast made an eternal covenant and promise to help, hear, assist and confirm in all goodness, righteousness, and holiness; do here now at this present, through the motion of thy good spirit, assemble and gather ourselves together in thy name, with one accord, to make our common supplications unto thee: and according to our bounden duty, with one mind and mouth, in spirit and truth, to laud and magnify thy holy name and majesty. Humbly beseeching thee, O Lord, to have mercy upon us, miserable sinners, to purge us and justify us through faith, from all our offences old and new: to inflame and lighten the lamps of our hearts with the oil of sanctification, which is thy holy spirit: and so therethrough to sanctify our souls, to prepare our hearts, and dispose all our members wholly to true piety, godliness and devotion; that we may be worthy continually to lift up in this holy place of thy glorious presence, and divine habitation, pure hearts, innocent hands, and most fervent prayers unto thee in heaven.  
Grant also, O gracious God, that we with one heart and voice, in all holiness and godliness, trembling, dread, Christian reverence, humble obedience, spiritual worship, and divine service, may incessantly give all honour and glory unto thee, and for ever to celebrate thy most holy name and Majesty, in this thy holy temple, as it appertaineth: even by offering up dutifully unto thy divine Majesty, the most sweet and acceptable sacrifice of broken and contrite hearts, of zealous and true repentance, of humble and unfeigned confession, of pure and incessant prayer, and of most worthy and condign lauds and praises: that so we may continue blessed in thy holy mountain for ever, and in the end, according to thy faithful promise, obtain everlasting life, through jesus Christ our Lord,  
Amen.   

How the soul should rightly worship and praise the Lord in all places.  
O GOD, the true and the sovereign life; of whom, & in whom all things do live, whatsoever things do live truly, and in happy state. O God, even goodness and goodliness, from whom, through whom, & in whom are all good & goodly things, which art good and goodly. God, whose faith quickeneth, hope erecteth, and love linketh us. God, who hast commanded us to pray unto thee, and makest thyself to be found, and openest to him which knocketh. God, whom none seeketh, but the admonished; and no man findeth, but the purged. God, whom to know is life; whom to serve, is to reign; & whom to love, is the salvation and joy of the soul. Thee, both with my lips, and with mine heart, and with all my strength I do praise, bless and worship. To thy clemency and goodness I do yield humble thanks, for all thy benefits; and to thy Majesty do I sing, holy, holy, holy.  
O blessed Trinity, I beseech thee, vouchsafe to come unto me, and to make me a meet temple for thine holiness. I do pray the Father, through the Son; I pray the Son, through the Father; I pray the holy Spirit, by the Father and the Son; that all wickedness may be set far away from me, and that all the holy virtues may be implanted within me.  
O infinite God, of whom, through whom, and in whom are all things made, both visible, and invisible; which inclosest thine outward works, and fillest thine inward; governest them above, and bearest them below; keep me the work of thine hands, which trust in thee, and hope only in thy mercy. Keep me, I beseech thee, both here and everywhere; now and alway; within and without; before and behind; above and beneath; round about: so that there be no place for the snares of the enemy against me.  
Thou art God almighty, keeper and protector of all that trust in thee; without whom none is in safety, no man is free from danger. Thou art God, and beside thee there is none other, either in heaven above, or in earth below; which dost great things, and unsearchable, and marvelous things without number. Meet it is therefore that thou be praised, that thou be honoured, that thou be magnified with commendations.  
To thee, the whole troop of Angels; to thee the heavens and the powers do sing, and continually yield praises, as creatures to their Creator; servants to their Lord, soldiers to their King. Every creature doth extol, and every soul doth glorify thee the holy and undefiled Trinity. To thee the holy and humble men of heart, to thee the spirits and souls of the righteous, to thee do all the supernal citizens, together with all the orders of blessed spirits yield humble praise and glory, and exalt thee above all things for ever. O Lord, gloriously and honourably do those heavenly citizens adorn thee with praises. Man also, the most excellent among thy creatures, doth magnify thee: yea, and I too, a miserable sinner, do exceedingly desire to praise thee; and greatly do I love to love thee above all things.  
O my God, my life, my strength, and my praise; give me grace to praise thee. Put thy light in my heart, and thy word into my mouth; that both my heart may think upon thy glory, and my tongue sing and speak out thy praises every day. But for as much as praise is not seemly in the mouth of a sinner, and I am a woman of polluted lips; purge mine heart, I beseech thee, from all iniquity; sanctify me both within and without, O almighty sanctifier, and make me worthy to sound forth thy praise. Receive in good part, from the hand of the heart, and from the love of the mind; receive, I pray thee, the sacrifice of my lips; and let it be acceptable in thy sight, and ascend up unto thee, like a sweet smelling savour,  
Amen.   

Another.  
MY soul praise thou the Lord; and all that is within me praise his holy name. My soul praise thou the Lord, and forget not all his benefits. Praise the Lord all ye his works, in all places of his dominion. My soul praise thou the Lord. Praise we the Lord, whom Angels praise, dominions adore, powers do reverence, to whom the Cherubins and Seraphins continually do cry, Holy, holy, holy. join we therefore our voices to the voices of the holy Angels; and according to our ability, let us praise the God which we both have. For they, whose eyes evermore be fixed upon the Lord, whom they behold not through a glass darkly, but face unto face, they do most purely, and without ceasing praise the Lord.  
O Lord, that immortal people of thine Angels do praise thee; and the celestial powers do magnify thy name, who have no need either to read this our scripture, or to seek after the knowledge of thee the holy and glorious Trinity. For they always behold thy face, where they read without syllables of time, what thine eternal pleasure is, they read, they choose, and they love, yea always they read, and what they read they forget not. By choosing, and loving, they read this constancy of thy counsel; and their book shall at no time be shut and folded, because thyself art, and wilt everlastingly be this to them.  
O much blessed are those heavenly powers, that can religiously and purely, with an exceeding delight, and unspeakable joy, magnify thee with praises. Thence they praise, whence they rejoice; forsomuch as always they behold that, which offereth them continual occasion, both to praise and rejoice. But we, pressed down with the weight of flesh, and placed far away from thy countenance, in this exile, and distracted through varieties of the world, we (alas) are not able worthily to praise thee, through faith. We praise thee not of perfect knowledge, but these angelical spirits praise thee of knowledge, not through faith. For our flesh is the cause why we praise thee, otherwise than they do. Notwithstanding, albeit we sing praises to thee after divers sorts, yet thou art but one God, Creator of all things, to whom is offered the sacrifice of praise, both in heaven and in earth. But one day we shall come unto their company, with whom always we shall see thee, and praise thee without ceasing.  
Now then, O Lord, grant that whiles I do live in this frail body, both mine heart and my tongue, and all my bones may glorify thee, and say: Lord, who is like unto thee? Let thine holy memory, and thy blessed sweetness possess my whole soul, and ravish me with desire of invisible things. Let my soul, I beseech thee, pass from visible unto invisible, from terrestrial unto heavenly, from transitory things unto eternal; let it pass, I say, and see thy wonderful vision. Thou art God almighty, three in persons, yet but one in the substance of the Godhead, whom we serve and worship: namely, the Father unbegotten, the Son only begotten of the Father, the holy Spirit both proceeding from and remaining in them both, an holy & glorious Trinity, one God almighty; which when we were not, didst mightily make us: and when through our own default we were lost, mercifully and marvelously hadst delivered us.  
Oh suffer us not to prove either ungrateful for so great benefits, or unworthy so manifold mercies. Unto thee do I pray, sue, and beseech; increase my faith, increase my hope, yea and increase my love also. Through the same thy goodness make us to be evermore stable in faith, and fruitful in all good works, that by a right faith, and works agreeable unto faith, we may come through thy mercy unto everlasting life, where seeing thy perfect and full glory, even as it is, we may worship thy Majesty; and being made worthy to behold thy glory, may sing:  
Glory to the Father, who hath made us.  
Glory to the Son, who hath redeemed us.  
Glory to the holy Ghost, that hath sanctified us.  
Glory to the sovereign and blessed Trinity, whose works are unseparable, and whose kingdom hath none end. Unto thee belongeth all praise, all commendation, all honour, blessing and love. Glory, power, and might be unto thee, our God, for evermore,  
Amen.   

Another prayer very forcible to move the mind unto the praises of God.  
O jesus, who art our redemption, our love, and desire; GOD of God, help me thy servant. Upon thee do I call, unto thee do I cry from the very bottom of mine heart: for thee do I call into my soul, O enter thereinto, and join it to thee, that thou mayst possess the same without spot or wrinkle. For a most clean Lord must have a clean habitation. O then sanctify me thy vessel, which thou hast made; purge me from all wickedness, fill me with thy grace, and being replenished, keep me so, that I may be a meet temple for thy dwelling, both here and forever.  
O most good, most gracious, loving, dear, mighty, desired, precious, amiable, and glorious God, thou art to me sweeter than honey, whiter than milk or snow, more pleasant than Nectar, more precious than gold and jewels, and dearer than all the wealth and promotions of the world. What do I say, O my God, mine only hope, and so infinite mercy? What do I say, O happy and quiet sweetness? What do I say, when I say these things? I say what I am able, but I say not all that I should. Would to God I could say as the melodious quires of Angels do say!  
O how willingly would I power out myself wholly in thy praises! How devoutly without ceasing would I sing forth those Psalms of heavenly music, unto the laud and praise of thy name, in the midst of the congregation! Notwithstanding, because I cannot do so, shall I be still? woe to them which talk not of thee, who openest the mouth of the dumb, and makest the tongues of babes eloquent. woe to them which talk not of thee; for they which babble much, are dumb when they sing not thy praises. Who can praise thee worthily enough, O unutterable power, and wisdom of the father! And albeit I cannot find words, wherewithal I may sufficiently express the almighty and all-skilfull word, yet until thou call me unto thee, where I may praise thee as I should, and aught; I will say what I am able. Wherefore, mine humble request is, that thou wouldst respect, not that which I now do say, but that which I desire to say. For indeed I do mightily desire to speak of thee, as I ought, and as becometh me, because to thee praise, to thee Psalms, to thee honour and glory is due.   

A complaint that we be not moved nor pricked in our contemplations and prayers, like as the Angels be, which tremble at the sight of God.  
PArdon me, O LORD, pardon me, mercifully forgive me, and have mercy upon me: spare mine ignorance, and my great unperfectness: do not reprove me as a rash woman, because I dare be so bold, which am but thy servant. But would to God I were either a good servant, or none unprofitable or evil servant! And therefore am I an evil woman, because I praise, bless and worship thee, not as I ought to do, which art our God almighty, terrible and very much to be feared: I worship thee, I say, without contrition of heart, and without a well of tears. For if so be that the Angels, when they worship and praise thee, do tremble, being fulfilled with marvelous gladness: I which am a sinner, whiles I stand before thee, saying praises, and offering sacrifice, why am I not afraid in my heart? why am I not pale in my countenance? why do not my lips quake, and tremble? why is not all my body afraid? and why do I not mourn and bewail before thee, after such a sort, that tears might spring out of mine eyes? I would feign, but I am not able, because I cannot do that which I desire to do. This maketh me truly wonderfully to marvel, that I am no more moved, when I see with the eyes of my faith, thee which art so fearful.  
But who can do any thing without the help of thy grace? Except thou make our stony hearts to relent, we of ourselves are not able to mollify them. For all our health dependeth upon thy great mercy. O wretch that I am! How is my soul made without any feeling or perceiverance; that it is not afraid with overmuch fear, whiles it standeth before God, and singeth to him his own praises? Alas, how is my heart so hardened, that mine eyes do not gush out great floods of tears without ceasing; when I, which am but a servant or bondwoman, do common, & talk in my Lord & masters presence? Yea a woman with God, a creature with a Creator. I that am made of the slime of the earth, do speak with him that made all things of nothing.  
Put me before thee, O Lord; and whatsoever I perceive of myself, in the secrets of my heart, I do not keep it close from thy gracious ears. Thou art rich in mercy, and liberal in rewards. Give me of thy goods, that with them I may serve thee. For with nothing else can we serve or please thee, but with thine own gifts, which thou hast vouchsafed to bestow upon us. Fasten, I beseech thee, thy fear in my flesh. Let my heart rejoice and be glad to fear thy name. Would God my sinful soul feared thee so much, as that holy man, the which said: I always feared God, as though it were great swelling floods should come and tumble upon me.  
O God the giver of all good things, give me among thy praises, a well of tears, with the pureness of heart and rejoicing of mind; that I loving thee perfectly, and worthily praising thee, may feel, taste, and favour, in the palate of my heart, how sweet and pleasant thou art, O Lord, as it is written: Do ye taste and see how sweet and delectable the Lord is. Blessed is the man that putteth his trust in him. Blessed is that people which knoweth glad and joyful praising. Blessed is the man whose strength is in thee, in whose heart are thy ways, which going through the vale of misery, useth it for a well. Blessed are the clean in heart, because they shall see God. Blessed are they that dwell in the house of the Lord, they shall praise thee world without end,  
Amen.   

A very devout prayer for grace to praise God, and to be thankful for his benefits.  
O LORD jesus Christ, which art the word of the father, which camest into this world to save sinners: I beseech thee, by the most loving bowels of thy mercy, to amend and repair my life. Make better my deeds, take thou the ordering of my manners. Take from me that that noieth & hurteth me, and displeaseth thee: and give me that which thou knowest will please thee, and profit me. Who can make clean that which is conceived of an unclean seed, but thou alone? Thou art the God almighty, of infinite piety; which doest justify and make righteous, even those that are wicked men; and raisest again to life them that were dead in sin; thou changest sinners, and they are, while they live here, no deadly or damnable sinners.  
Take away therefore from me whatsoever is in me that pleaseth not thee. For thine eyes do see much unperfectness in me. Lay the hand, I beseech thee, of thy pity, on me, & whatsoever offendeth the eyes of thy piety, remove it from me. In thy sight is both my health & my disease: the one I beseech thee to preserve, the other to cure. Do thou heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed: do thou make me safe, & I shall be saved. Thou, I mean, which doest make whole them that be diseased, and doest preserve them that be cured; which only with a beck doest restore and repair things that be decayed, and fallen into ruin. For if thou wilt vouchsafe to sow any good seed in the field of my heart, of necessity thou must pluck up first, with the hand of thy pity, the thorns of vices which be in it.  
O most gracious, most gentle, most loving, desired, amiable, and lovely of all others; power in my heart, I beseech thee, so great plenty of delectation in thee, that I may desire no earthly or carnal thing, nor yet think upon them; but that I may love thee alone, that I may have thee only in my heart, & in my mouth. Writ with thy finger in my breast, the delectable remembrance of thy sweet name, and so, that it may not be blotted out with any forgetfulness. Writ thy will in the tables of mine heart, and also thy justifications; that I may always, and in every place have thee, O Lord, before mine eyes, and in my sight.  
Inflame my mind with that fire, which thou didst send into the earth, and willedst it to be kindled, that I might offer unto thee daily, with tears, a sacrifice of a troubled spirit, and a repentant heart. O sweet Christ, O good jesus, even according unto my desire, and even as I heartily require thee with my whole mind, give me thy holy and chaste love, which may replenish and keep me, and also fully possess me. Give me an evident sign and token of thy love, even a flowing well of tears, which will continually run, that those tears may somewhat testify thy love in me; that they may show forth, and declare how much my soul loveth thee, whiles for the great delectation it hath in the sweetness of thy love, it may not refrain from shedding tears.  
O good Lord, I call to my remembrance sometimes that virtuous woman Hanna, which came to the Tabernacle to pray, that God would send her a son; of whom the scripture maketh mention, that her countenance, after her tears and prayers, was not again changed, or altered. But when I think upon so great virtue, constancy, and steadfastness of that woman, I do blush, and am vexed, with sorrow, and confounded with shame; because I a wretch, do perceive myself to be fallen overmuch from thee. For if that good woman did weep, after such a sort, and continued so in weeping, which did search for nothing else but a son, how ought my sinful soul to mourn, and to persist and abide in weeping, that seeketh and loveth God, and hath a desire to come unto him? How ought such a soul to mourn and weep, which seeketh God day and night, which will love nothing but Christ? My tears now truly should be made meat unto me day and night.  
Look upon me therefore, O Lord, and take pity on me; because the dolours and sorrows of my heart are many in number. Give me thy heavenly consolation, and do not despise nor cast away a sinful soul, for the which thou didst die. Give me inward tears, I beseech thee, from the bottom of my heart, which may wash away the spots of my sins. Replenish my soul always with heavenly delectation and mirth, that I may obtain some little portion or part in thy kingdom; although not amongst the perfect men, whose steps I cannot follow, yet at the least among the religious women and inferior sort.  
And here now the marvelous devotion of another woman, called Marry Magdalen, cometh into my mind, which with virtuous love, and godly affection, did seek thee lying in the sepulchre; which, when thy Disciples went away, and departed from thee, did remain with thee herself; which sat there sad and sorrowful, weeping long and very much; and when she did arise, she searched with a diligent eye, and with many tears the corners of the sepulchre, which was left empty, if she might espy thee out in any place, whom she with a fervent desire sought. Yea and moreover, she went again and again to the sepulchre, but that was not enough unto her, neither did it satisfy her desire. For the grace of a good work, is to persevere and continue in the same. And because she did love more than other, and that in loving she wept, and in weeping she searched, and in searching she continued: therefore was it thy pleasure, that she should first find thee, see thee, and talk with thee before all other. And not only this, but also she was a tidings-bearer of thy glorious resurrection, unto thy Disciples, when thou didst command and bid her, saying: Go, and tell my brethren, that they go unto Galilee; there they shall see me, etc.  
Seeing therefore that that devout woman did weep after such a sort, and continued in weeping, which did seek thee that wast alive among the dead, and touched thee with the hand of her faith; how ought a soul to mourn and to continue in mourning, which believeth in thee, & with her mouth doth acknowledge thee, to be her redeemer, that sittest now in heaven, and reignest every where? How much therefore ought such a soul to mourn and weep, which loveth thee with all her heart, and with her whole desire doth covet to see thee?  
Oh only refuge, the only hope of wretches; unto whom no man or woman needeth at any time to pray, without hope of mercy: grant unto me this grace, for thy sake, and for thy holy name sake, that as oft as I think upon thee, as oft as I speak of thee, writ of thee, read of thee, confer of thee; as oft as ever I remember thee, stand before thee, offer up praises, prayers, and sacrifice unto thee; so oft I may weep abundantly with tears in thy sight, so that my tears may be to me in stead of bread day and night.  
Thou truly, O King of glory, and master of all virtues, hast taught us with thy word, and with thine example, to mourn and weep, whereas thou sayest: Blessed be they that mourn, for they shall be comforted. Thou didst weep for thy friend Lazarus that was dead: and didst let tears fall down plenteously for the City, which should perish. I beseech thee, O good jesus, by those most precious tears, and by all thy mercies and pities, wherewith thou didst vouchsafe marvelously to help and secure us that were lost, give me the grace to weep, and to be earnestly repentant for my sins; which grace my soul desireth and coveteth very much: and except it come of thy gift, I cannot have it, but by the holy Ghost, which doth mollify the hard hearts of sinners, and provoketh them to weeping.  
Give me the grace of tears, like as thou gavest to our forefathers and mothers, whose examples we ought to follow; that I may bewail myself in all my life, like as they did bewail themselves day and night. Give me the dew of thy grace from above, and also a dew of tears beeneth: that my tears may be unto me in stead of bread day and night: and that I may be made in thy sight, O Lord my God, by the fire of thy provocation, a fat & acceptable sacrifice. Make me to be mortified and killed upon the altar of mine heart, and that I may be received of thee, as a fat and a sweet smelling sacrifice. Give unto me, O good Lord, a plentiful, flowing, and clear well of tears, in the which I may wash continually this fowl and spotted sacrifice. For although I have offered up myself wholly unto thee, by the help of thy grace: yet nevertheless, in many things I offend thee daily, because of my great fragility and weakness.  
Give me therefore the grace of tears, and continual repentance, O blessed God: and most especially through the great sweetness of thy love, and the remembrance of thy mercies, prepare this table for thy servant, in thy sight; and give me power, that as oft as I list I may be satisfied of it. Grant unto me for thy goodness and pity, that this thy cup, replenished and filled full, may satisfy my thirst, that my spirit may covet thee, and that my mind may burn in thy love, forgetting all vanity and misery.  
Hear, O my God; hear, O light of mine eyes, thou that art the stirrer up and quickener of my dull ears, hear what I desire and ask: and give me grace to ask that which thou hearest. O pitiful Lord, which art wont to be easily entreated, be not hard to be entreated of me, because of my sins, but for thy goodness receive the prayers of thy servant, and grant me the effect of my petition and desire,  
Amen.   

A godly and divine Meditation of the joys of the celestial paradise, to be used at convenient times in the church, that is, either before, or after public service: for to that all men present aught to be attentive.  
O My soul, let us return to the heavenly city, wherein we be registered, & made free citizens. For like as we be fellowe-citizens of the Saints, and houshold-meanie of God; and like as we be the heirs of God, and coheirs with Christ: so let us a little consider the happy royalty of our city, so far forth as it is possible for us to consider it. Let us say with the Prophet, O how glorious things are spoken of thee thou city of God For thou art the dwelling place of all them that rejoice, the joy of the whole earth is founded upon thee. There is not in thee any age, nor misery of age: there is not in thee any maimed person, any lame man, any crook back, nor any misshapen body. For all be grown up to perfect men, after the full measure of the age of Christ.  
What blesseder thing can there be, than such a life; where there is no fear of poverty, nor weakness of diseases? No man is harmed there, no man is displeased there, no man envieth there. There is no burning of covetousness, no desire of meat, no ambitious suing for honour and authority. There is no dread of devil, no snares of fiends, no fear of hell fire. There is no death, neither of body nor of soul: but pleasant life assured of immortality. Then shall there be no miseries, then shall there be no debates: but all things shall be at agreemeut, because all the Saints shall agree in one. Peace and mirth hold all things together, all things are there calm and quiet.  
There the seven lamps of God's spirits are still burning, before the throne of God: and there is continual light, not such as is now here, but so much the brighter, as it is much happier. For as we read, that city shall need no sun, nor moon, nor light artificial, because the Lord almighty shall shine in it; and the Lamb, as a lamp, shall be the light of it; where the Saints and wise Virgins shall shine as the stars, for ever without end: and such as have taught many in the way of righteousness, shall be as the brightness of the sky. Where there shall be no night, no darkness, no meeting of clouds, no painfulness of heat or cold: but there shall be such a temperateness as never eye hath seen, ear heard, nor heart of any man conceived. There shall be no company, saving only of them that are accounted worthy to enjoy the same, whose names are written in the book of life.  
But yet it is far above all these things, to be in fellowship with the companies of Angels, Archangels, and all the heavenly Powers, to behold the Patriarches and Prophets, to see the Evangelists and Apostles, to wonder at the hosts of Martyrs and Confessors, to view the companies of Virgins, and to see all the Saints; yea and also to see our own parents and kindred. Glorious are these things, O my soul; but much more glorious is it to behold the present countetenance of God.  
O happy plesantness; O pleasant happiness, to see the Saints, to be with the Saints, and to be a Saint! Yea, a passing excellent glory shall it be, when we shall see God in himself; and when we shall both see, and have him in ourselves for ever and ever, of whom we shall never have seen enough.  
O my soul, let us think upon this, I say, with a diligent mind; let us long after this with our whole heart, let us sigh heartily, desire earnestly, and wish continually, that we may soon come unto them, unto that city above, whereof so glorious things are spoken, and wherein is the habitation of all that rejoice,  
Amen.   

Another divine Meditation, of the happiness of the souls that are with God, especially to be used, when you have sung a Psalm, after a funeral Sermon.  
Happy is the soul, which being let lose from the earthly prison, flieth up freely into heaven, and there beholdeth thee her most sweet Lord face to face, and is no more disquieted with any fear of death, but rejoiceth in the everlastingness of incorruptible glory. For it is safe and out of peril, and henceforth feareth neither enemy nor death. It possesseth thee her merciful Lord, whom she hath long sought, and ever loved. And accompanying herself with the quires of Psalme-singers, she singeth continually the sugared songs of everlasting mirth, to the glory of thee, O King Christ, O gracious jesus. For she is, as it were, made drunken with the bountifulness of thy house, and thou makest her to drink of the stream of thy pleasures.  
Happy is the fellowship of the heavenly citizens, and glorious is the solemnity of all them that return from the sorrowful travel of this our pilgrimage, to the pleasantness of beauty, to the beauty of all brightness, and to the flower of all excellency; where thy citizens behold thee continually, O Lord. Nothing that may trouble the mind is offered there to the ear. What songs, what instruments, what Carols, what melody, what music soundeth there without end? There sound always most pleasant tunes of Hymns and Psalms, most sweet melody of Angels, and most wonderful ditties of songs; which are sung to thy glory, by the celestial inhabitants, with heavenly harmony.  
No harshness, no galley bitterness, nor jangling discords have any room within thy realm. For there is neither naughty person, nor naughtiness. There is none adversary, nor impugner, neither is there any enticement of sin. There is no neediness, no shame, no brawling, no mis-usage, no excusing, no fear, no unquietness, no penalty, no doubtfulness, no violence, no discord or contention. But there is perfect peace full of love, continual rejoicing and praising of God, careless rest without end, and everlasting gladness in the holy Ghost.  
O how lucky should I silly wretch be, if I might hear the most pleasant Psalms, Hymns, and Carols of thy citizens, and their sugared songs, advancing the praises of the sovereign Trinity with due honour: but over happy should I be, might I once attain to sing a song myself, I say, to sing one of the sweet songs of Zion, to our Lord jesus Christ.   

Another longing after the joys of heavenly Zion.  
O Lightsome and glorious house of God, I have loved thy goodliness, and the place where the glory of the Lord God, who both enjoyeth and hath created thee, doth dwell. In mine exile I sigh after thee both night and day, mine heart longeth; my mind coveteth, and my soul desireth to come unto the society of your happiness.  
My prayer unto him which made me, is, that he would possess me in thee; because he hath made both me and you. For I desire your holy fellowship, and wonderful glory; not for any merit of mine own; but I trust to attain thereunto, through the price of his blood; namely of jesus Christ, whereby we be redeemed.  
I confess, I have gone astray like a lost sheep, and have too long dwelled out of my native soil, and am far away cast from the face of the Lord my God, into this blindness of banishment, who driven out of the joys of paradise, I bewail with myself daily the misery of my captivity; and sing a woeful song with great lamentation, when I remember thee, O mother jerusalem, while my feet do but stand in thy courts, O sacred and comely Zion; and I am not able plainly to look into thine inner places.  
Notwithstanding, I have good hope, upon the shoulders of my good shepherd, thy Creator, to be brought back unto thee, that I may triumph again with that unspeakable joy, where withal they be cheered, which dwell with thee before God his Majesty, and our Saviour Christ, which hath abrogated, through his flesh, the hatred; and pacified all things, both which are in heaven, and which are in earth, by his blood. For he is our peace, which made of both one, and joining the two contrary walls together, hath promised that he will give the everlasting felicity of your happiness in himself, after the like manner and measure, when he said: They shall be like the Angels of God in heaven.   

Another longing or desire of the soul after the supernal jerusalem.  
O Mother jerusalem, the holy city of God, and the dearly beloved spouse of Christ; after thee doth mine heart covet, and my soul exceedingly is in love with thy beauty. Oh how comely, how glorious, how honourable art thou! Thou art all fair, & there is no spot in thee. Triumph and rejoice, O beautiful daughters of the Princes. For the King hath a pleasure in thy fairness, and loveth thy goodly parsonage. O thou fairer than the children of men! But what is my beloved, O thou fairest among women, of the well-beloved? My well-beloved is white and ruddy, the chief of ten thousand. Like as the apple trees of the forest; so is my well-beloved among the sons of men. Under his shadow had I delight. Lo now I sit, and his fruit is sweet unto my mouth. My well-beloved put in his hand by the hole of the door, and mine heart was affectioned towards him. In my bed by night I sought him that my soul loved; I sought, and I found him. I hold, and will not let him go, until he bring me into my mother's house, into the chamber of her that conceived me. For there thou wilt give me thy teats most abundantly, and perfectly; and wilt satisfy mine heart with a marvelous satiety, so that I shall neither hunger nor thirst any more.  
Oh happy shall my soul be, yea happy and always happy shall I be; could I once get to behold thy glory, thine happiness, thy beauty, thy gates, thy walls, thy streets, thy manifold mansions, thy noble citizens, and thy mighty King in his Majesty. For thy walls are of precious stones, thy gates of the richest pearls, and thy streets of the pure gold; wherein is song the joyful Halleluiah without intermission. Thy manifold buildings are founded upon squared stones, builded upon sapphires, enclosed with golden walls; whereinto none shall enter, but the clean; neither shall any unclean person inhabit it. Beautiful art thou become, O mother jerusalem, and sweet in thy comforts. No such thing is in thee, as we suffer in this world, and as we behold in this wretched life. There is neither darkness nor night, nor any change of times in thee. There shineth not in thee either the light of the lamp, or the brightness of the moon, or the glittering of the stars: but the God of God, light of light, even the sun of righteousness evermore doth enlighten thee. The white and unspotted lamb is thy pure and clear light, thy sun, the clearness, and everlasting contemplation of this most glorious king is all thine happiness.  
He is the King of kings in the midst of thee, and you are his ministers about him. There be the singing quires of Angels, there be the companies of supernal citizens, there the solemnity of all, which have returned from this woeful peregrination unto thy joys. There be the prudent Prophets, the twelve Apostles, the victorious host of infinite Martyrs, and the sacred convent of holy Confessors is there. There be both upright men, and holy virgins, which have overcome the pleasures of this world, and the weakness of sex. There be those young men and maidens, old men & matrons, which have spent their time in godly conversation. There be the sheep & lambs that have escaped the snares of this world, where they now triumph in their several mansions. The glory of each particular man differeth; but common is the joy of them all. There full and perfect charity doth reign. For God there is all in all, whom they do always behold, and by beholding him, continually they burn the more in love towards him. They love, and they praise him; they praise, and they love him: all their work is to praise God without ending, without fainting, without toiling. O happy, yea and evermore happy shall I be, if after the resolution of this mortal body, I may hear those celestial songs of melody, which are sung unto the praise of the eternal King by those citizens of the supernal country, and by the companies of the blessed spirits! Happy then, yea much happy should I be, might I be counted worthy to sing those sugared songs, and to wait on my King, my God, and my Captain, to behold him in his glory, according as he hath promised, saying: Father, I will that they, whom thou hast given me, be with me, even where I am; that they may behold my glory, which I had with thee before the foundation of the world. And in another place. If any man serve me, let him follow me. For where I am, there shall also my servant be. And again, He that loveth me, shall be loved of my father, and I will love him, and will show mine own self unto him.   

Another godly and Christian prayer for the Church and congregation presently assembled.  
ALthough the holy Scriptures do teach us every where, that the heaven, O most good and merciful God, is thy dwelling place; yet the same doth in such wise set out thine infinite goodness, as the Church is both called, and also is in deed, thy sanctified house, wherein thou most frequentest; wherein also thy blessed name is lifted up with high praises, the faithful instructed in thy sacred words, and the holy Sacraments duly received. And therefore the godly, having an especial regard to the honour of thy glorious name, most earnestly, with a fervent mind, and vehement affection, do continually stir up one another, to make holy assemblies, with wonderful exhortations; to the intent the pure worshipping, and holy invocating of thy blessed name, might only be therein practised. Now therefore, and at what time so ever we shall come together in the holy congregation, our earnest request is, that we may be there with cheerful and very desirous minds. For thou truly hast, of an exceeding liberality, adorned thy holy Church with most flourishing & right excellent gifts; neither is there any thing pretermitted, that appertaineth to her garnishing, which may either belong to the spiritual decking and beautifying thereof, or to the plenteous enriching of it, in abundance of all heavenly good things. Which seeing they have proceeded most fully from thee; this only remaineth, that thou wouldst be present with us and them, which are assembled together in the name of jesus Christ; and so condescend unto our fervent prayers, who thereby do call upon thee, as the members thereof may be annexed together with a perpetual concord. cause all our meetings (I say) good father, to be in such sort, as we may render due honour unto thee. Let the sacred Scriptures be here purely and sincerely interpreted, and let thy glorious kingdom from day to day be more and more enlarged, making all these things to be established with thy joyous peace, and the tranquillity of thy holy spirit, yea so long as we pray for the quietness and felicity hereof. Let us procure substantial and perfect good things, both to our neighbours, and also unto thy blessed house, and holy sanctified Church. And cause that those Citizens, which do credit the sacred doctrine of thy holy Church, may by thy excellent benefit become friends and faithful brethren one to another; and in the end being quite delivered from thrall, bring thou to pass that one day we may altogether repose ourselves in the true and most holy jerusalem; through jesus Christ our Lord,  
Amen.   

Another prayer for the increase of the Church.  
THE Church is unto thee, O most good and merciful GOD, as a most royal Queen espoused; to the intent she may bring forth unto thee a most plentiful and holy seed. Wherefore, forasmuch as thou hast coupled her unto thee, to be thy wife by faith; and that she is reputed of the ungodly as a barren woman, because she seemeth to have left off childbearing: grant her to be made unto thee, through thy sacred word, and holy spirit, afruitfull and joyful mother of many holy and virtuous children, by whom thy glorious name may be exalted with perpetual praises, in thine holy house, even as it becometh them. Let her be glad with a perfect and substantial joy, for the great number of her most faithful & religious sons and daughters. Multiply & increase the issue of thy sacred Church (I say) O God, with a plentiful and an innumerable issue; and let her engender godly children unto thee daily more and more, even such as are worthy of such a father & mother, and to be partakers of thy blessed spirit. Grant that we may altogether aspire unto the love of thee, our most delectable bridegroom, and that throughour labour laid together, in stead of our forefathers, who are now already gathered unto thee, many more faithful, religious, and holy children may be begotten unto thee anew, with whom we may always, in our posterities, set out & celebrate thy famous honour, & most noble praises. Shine thou down out of Zion, O God, even from thine exceeding high & unapprochable light, upon the virgin thy blessed Church; & preserve her from the number of perils, which she is in continual danger of. Let her not fall to ruin, nor be as a lamp despised in the opinion of the rich & wealthy men of this world; but let thy mountains glister, and give their light as lamps of fire. Yea let righteousness & salvation break forth out of zion, as a shining light and burning lamp; that all men may see it, and glorify thee. Let the lamps of her love, I say, O God, be as coals of fire, and a very vehement flame of the Lord, to dazzle, overcome, and consume her enemies after a wonderful and miraculous manner; and cause the seven lamps of the Virgins, even all thy spiritual gifts and graces O GOD, in the Saints to burn bright and clear, without any quenching before thy throne for ever.  
Let thy Church be as a flourishing vine, spreading itself far abroad; so that Antichrist, with all his craft and industry, may not be of force to cut and hue it down. And even as thou, O Lord, hast every where marvelously replenished the earth with thine inestimable goodness, so in like manner, be so good, as to let the number of thy true and faithful suppliants, be daily more and more greatly enlarged. Let there be continual labouring in thy beloved Church, by doctrine and example, to nurture the blessed children, so that their works may be a singular ornament thereof, to thy glory, and the increase of all manner of virtue. Let her (I say) be made daily like unto a most fruitful woman, that may be compared to the rank Olives, and exceeding fertile Uines: and grant, that a continual offspring of thy dear children, may be multiplied in thy blessed Church, and become notable in peace, in praises, and in purity of life and doctrine, to the renowned honour of thy glorious name, through jesus Christ our Lord,  
Amen.   

Another prayer for the preservation of the Church.  
O Celestial God, and Father of infinite mercy and compassion, which not only gatherest to thyself an holy Church in this world, out of mankind, through the operation of the holy Ghost, and preaching of thy word; but also preservest the same being gathered, and adornest it with all kind of temporal things, and which more is, with eternal bliss: we humbly beseech thee, gracious Lord, that of thy goodness, thou wouldst vouchsafe evermore to maintain this thy little flock, embracing, preaching, and professing thy word, through thine especial grace. Continue thy favour toward the same, keep it in sound doctrine, constant in confessing, in the lawful use of thy holy Sacraments, and in pureness of life; that neither the gates of hell, the rage of Satan, nor yet the rigorousness and tyranny of this world oppress the same. Protect and keep this thy boat and little bark, tossed among many perilous tempests, and miserable surges, in the raging sea of this trouble some world, that it perish not being overwhelmed. Uphold thy Church, which is builded upon a sure rock, and dependeth upon Christ a sound and unmovable foundation.  
O Lord of hosts, return; look down from heaven, and behold; visit thy vine, and make it perfect, which thy right hand hath planted, and thou hast chosen to thyself. Hedge the same about with thy strong defence, that the branches thereof being spread out and pruned, may bring forth abundance of fruit. Raise up thy power, come, O God, and save us. Convert us, show forth thy countenance, and we shall be saved. Increase thy sheep within thy hardels, so shall we be quiet from all invasion and scatterings, neither can any draw us by force out of thy hands. Defend us from such as seek the utter overthrow of pure religion, and in place thereof labour to bring in the shameful instauration of blasphemous idolatry. Suffer not thy word, that most clear and unchangeable light to be corrupted, or put out by our means: but gather to thyself, through the sound of the Gospel, such a Church, as may hearken unto thee, honour and sanctify thy name, as well in word, as in honest conversation, that so thou mayst have a righteous and holy generation, celebrating thy goodness for evermore. O join us unto that company, which doth worship thee continually, that we may be citizens of thy kingdom among thy Saints.  
Grant that we err not from the foundation of wholesome doctrine, answering to the rules of the sacred Scripture; and that we offend not against our conscience: but separate us from the company of the ungodly ones, and from the damned crew of the reprobate. Let us not so much as take their names into our mouths, which power out heaps of blasphemies to thy great dishonour, and defacing of thy truth; unto whom thy son is a destruction and stone of offence. For they despise his base estate, and the foolish preaching of thy Gospel; and the deformed show of the Church, placed in the midst of all kind of miseries, they loath and abhor; preferring uncertain riches, lordly authority, and the vain pleasures of this transitory world, before the profession of the truth; & so making war with thy son, they do purchase everlasting destruction unto themselves.  
Keep us evermore, that we may abide in that Church, which is truly Catholic, consisting of members of many nations; but linked unto thee in one and the same confession. Sanctify us with thine holy spirit, that our sins being forgiven us, we may take another trade of life, in acknowledging thee to be the only true God, and jesus Christ whom thou hast sent. Give unto thy Church resting places, and nests, where they may sound thy sacred Gospel purely, without corruption. Suppress the devil, which spreadeth blasphemies against thy doctrine; that so neither feigned gods may be erected, nor superstitious invocations confirmed, nor thy glory defaced. Weaken the power of thine enemies, which boil in hatred against thy truth, and conspire the death of thine elect: so neither shall stables of wolves be made, nor dens of thieves established.  
O Lord return and quicken us; so shall thy people rejoice in thee. Let all such as trust in thee rejoice and triumph for ever. Dwell thou in them, and let those which love thy name, rejoice in thee. O Lord remember not our offences. Thou which wast sometime merciful, and forgavest the wickedness of thy people, and hidst all their sins; which withdrawedst all thine anger, and turnedst from the fierceness of thine indignation; be mindful of thy wonted mercy, and receive us into thy favour. For we depend upon thee alone, being destitute of all worldly aid; our trust wholly is in thee, and all our confidence resteth in thy stretched-out arm. O Lord, cover us with thy grace, as it were with a shield, that so we may be blessed; and abiding in the house of thy congregation, may acknowledge and call upon thee, according to thy word revealed, and praise thee evermore, through our Lord jesus Christ,  
Amen.   

A prayer for unity in faith and religion.  
O Eternal God, and most merciful Father, which hast called us to the unity of the true Catholic faith, and gathered us by thy word into the lap of the Christian congregation, that we may be all of us one body, and one spirit; even as we are called in one hope of our calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God, and Father of all, which is above all, and through all, and in us all. For even as thou, O Father, art in thy son, and he in thee; so should we also be one in thee our God. And therefore we cry unto thee, O almighty Father, and eternal God; teach us thy ways, that we may walk in thy truth. O knit our hearts unto thee, that we may fear thy name. Grant that all the faithful may be like affected, and of one mind as thou art, thinking the same thing after the ensample of Christ our Saviour; and that as well in minds, as with mouth, we may agree among ourselves, both in true doctrine, and in outward behaviour of conversation. For the scope of the Church's felicity consisteth in the unity of true faith and religion.  
Keep us in the true understanding, and right knowledge of thy sacred Scriptures; that without strife and contention, we may speak one thing. Let there be no dissensions nor schisms among us. Let nothing be done through contention, or of vain glory: but let us be one body, endued with one mind and judgement, according to thy word revealed; until we attain to the unity of faith, and knowledge of thy son, into a perfect man, according to the measure of the age of the fullness of Christ, which is the head; by whom the whole body being coupled and knit together, by every joint, for the furniture thereof, according to the effectual power, which is in the measure of every part, receiveth increase of the body, unto the edifying of itself in love.  
O most holy Father, keep us by thy name, that we may be one in thee; and that among us, which are believers, there may be one heart and one mind. O Christ our only Saviour and Mediator, which before thy passion didst pray, that we might be one in thee, even as thou art in thy Father: grant that thy Church may be at concord, and agree in one true faith and confession. Let there continue among us a godly counsel, let there be one agreement in faith, one mind in prayer; that we may grow up in thee, and that all our hearts may be coupled together by the bond of the spirit, using thy gifts as they should be, to the advancement of thy glory, and to the common profit both of thy Church and Commonweal; and walking worthy our calling, whereunto we are called, with all humility and gentleness, with all lenity, forbearing one another, through charity, being careful to keep the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace.  
Repress the furiousness of Satan, which soweth dissension among thy flock, to weaken our faith, and to hinder our prayers, whereby thy glory is defaced. Grant therefore, that we prove not desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, and envying one another, that we bite not one another to our destruction. For of emulation springeth contention, which being once inflamed, boil out into mortal divisions. And as many as maintain emulations, contentions, and factions, are carnal, and walk as men. Wherefore, take from us the zeal of the flesh, which is foolish: and let all envy, wrath, pride, and arrogancy be far from us. Likewise let us avoid foolish and unlearned questions, knowing that they engender strife and contention, and serve for nothing, but to the subverting of the hearers, & engraffing of errors. Where a desire of strife is, there certainly God dwelleth not: and they which raise tumults of nothing, and disquiet thy flock: those wilt thou, O son of God, destroy.  
Come holy spirit, replenish the hearts of the faithful here assembled, and else where: and inflame in them the fire of thy love, which once didst gather the nations into the unity of the faith, through the diversity of tongues. join our hearts together, that we may nourish christian concord among us, and that we all glued as it were together in loving hearts, may be of one mind in thee: so shall thy pure doctrine zealously be maintained, and no false interpretation of the scripture obstinately be defended. Bring home to thy fold all such as are turned from the unity of true religion, that thrre may be one pastor, and one fold. To such as are gone out from us, grant constancy; that they may continue with us, teaching the Gospel to the salvation of the hearers. And if it happen that any, contrary to the doctrine which they have learned, raise dissension and offences; grant that we may avoid them, lest the hearts of the simple, through their sweet persuasions and flattery, be deceived. O God, author of peace and concord, give grace, that every of us may think the same thing, according to our Saviour Christ,  
Amen.    

❧ The Litany.  
O God the Father of heaven: have mercy upon us miserable sinners.  
O God the Father of heaven: have mercy upon us miserable sinners.  
O God the Son redeemer of the world: have mercy upon us miserable sinners.  
O God the Son redeemer, etc.  
O God the holy Ghost, proceeding from the Father & the Son: have mercy upon us miserable sinners.  
O God the holy Ghost, proceeding from, etc.  
O holy, blessed, and glorious Trinity, three persons and one God: have mercy upon us miserable sinners.  
O holy, blessed, and glorious Trinity, etc.  
Remember not Lord our offences, nor the offences of our forefathers, neither take thou vengeance of our sins: spare us good Lord, spare thy people, whom thou hast redeemed with thy most precious blood, and be not angry with us for ever.  
Spare us good Lord.  
From all evil and mischief, from sin, from the crafts and assaults of the devil, from thy wrath, and from everlasting damnation.  
Good Lord deliver us.  
From blindness of heart, from pride, vain glory, and hypocrisy; from envy, hatred, and malice, and all uncharitableness.  
Good Lord deliver us.  
From fornication, and all other deadly sins; and from all the deceits of the world, the flesh, & the devil.  
Good Lord deliver us.  
From lightning and tempest; from plague, pestilence, and famine; from battle, and murder, and from sudden death.  
Good Lord deliver us.  
From all sedition, and privy conspiracy; from all false doctrine and heresy; from hardness of heart, and contempt of thy word, and commandment.  
Good Lord deliver us.  
By the mystery of thy holy incarnation, by thy holy nativity and circumcision, by thy baptism, fasting, and temptation.  
Good Lord deliver us.  
By thine agony and bloody sweat, by thy cross and passion, by thy precious death and burial, by thy glorious resurrection and ascension, and by the coming of the holy Ghost.  
Good Lord deliver us.  
In all time of our tribulation, in all time of our wealth, in the hour of death, and in the day of judgement.  
Good Lord deliver us.  
We sinners do beseeth thee to hear us, O Lord God; and that it may please thee, to rule and govern thy holy Church universally in the right way.  
We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.  
That it may please thee to keep and strengthen in the true worshipping of thee, in righteousness and holiness of life, thy servant Elizabeth, our most gracious Queen and Governor.  
We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.  
That it may please thee to rule her heart in thy faith, fear, and love, and that she may evermore have affiance in thee, and ever seek thy honour and glory.  
We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.  
That it may please thee to be her defender and keeper, giving her the victory over all her enemies.  
We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.  
That it may please thee to illuminate all Bishops, Pastors, and Ministers of thy Church, with true knowledge and understanding of thy word, and that both by their preaching and living, they may set it forth, and show it accordingly.  
We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.  
That it may please thee to endue the Lords of the counsel, and all the Nobility, with grace, wisdom, and understanding.  
We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.  
That it may please thee to bless and keep the Magistrates, giving them grace to execute justice, and to maintain truth.  
We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.  
That it may please thee to bless and keep all thy people.  
We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.  
That it may please thee to give to all nations, unity, peace, and concord.  
We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.  
That it may please thee to give us an heart to love and dread thee, and diligently to live after thy commandments.  
We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.  
That it may please thee to give all thy people increase of grace, to hear meekly thy word, and to receive it with pure affection, and to bring forth the fruits of the spirit.  
We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.  
That it may please thee to bring into the way of truth, all such as have erred and are deceived.  
We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.  
That it may please thee to strengthen such as do stand, and to comfort and help the weake-harted, and to raise up them that fall, and finally to beat down Satan under our feet.  
We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.  
That it may please thee to secure, help, and comfort, all that be in danger, necessity, and tribulation.  
We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.  
That it may please thee to preserve all that travel by land or by water, all women labouring of child, all sick persons, and young children, and to show thy pity upon all prisoners and captives.  
We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.  
That it may please thee to defend and provide for the fatherless children and widows, and all that be desolate and oppressed.  
We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.  
That it may please thee to have mercy upon all men.  
We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.  
That it may please thee to forgive our enemies, persecutors, and slanderers, and to turn their hearts.  
We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.  
That it may please thee to give and preserve to our use, the kindly fruits of the earth, so as in due time we may enjoy them.  
We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.  
That it may please thee to give us true repentance; to forgive us all our sins, negligences, and ignorances, and to endue us with the grace of thy holy spirit, to amend our lives according to thy holy word.  
We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.  
Son of God, we beseech thee to hear us.  
Son of God, we beseech thee to hear us.  
O Lamb of God that takest away the sins of the world.  
Grant us thy peace.  
O Lamb of God that takest away the sins of the world.  
Have mercy upon us.  
O Christ hear us.  
O Christ hear us.  
Lord have mercy upon us.  
Lord have mercy upon us.  
Christ have mercy upon us.  
Christ have mercy upon us.  
Lord have mercy upon us.  
Lord have mercy upon us.  
Our father which art in heaven, etc.  
The Versicle.  
O Lord deal not with us after our sins.  
The Answer.  
Neither reward us after our iniquities.  

Let us pray.  
O God merciful father, that despisest not the sighing of a contrite heart, nor the desires of such as be sorrowful, mercifully assist our prayers, that we make before thee, in all our troubles and adversities, whensoever they oppress us; and graciously hear us, that those evils, which the craft and subtlety of the devil or man worketh against us, be brought to nought; and by the providence of thy goodness, they may be dispersed; that we thy servants being hurt by no persecutions, may evermore give thanks unto thee in thy holy Church, through jesus Christ our Lord.  
O Lord arise, help us, and deliver us for thy name sake.  
O God, we have heard with our ears, and our fathers have declared unto us, the noble works that thou didst in their days, and in the old time before them.  
O Lord arise, help us, and deliver us for thine honour.  
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, etc.  
As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever, etc.  
From our enemies defend us, O Christ.  
Graciously look upon our afflictions.  
Pitifully behold the sorrows of our hearts.  
Mercifully forgive the sins of thy people.  
favourably with mercy hear our prayers.  
O son of David have mercy upon us.  
Both now & ever vouchsafe to hear us, O Christ.  
Graciously hear us, o Christ,  
Graciously hear us, o Lord Christ.  
The Versicle.  
O Lord let thy mercy be showed upon us.  
The Answer.  
As we do put our trust in thee.   

Let us pray.  
WE humbly beseech thee, O Father, mercifully to look upon our infirmities, and for the glory of thy name sake turn from us all those evils, that we most worthily have deserved; and grant that in all our troubles we may put our whole trust and confidence in thy mercy, and evermore serve thee in holiness and pureness of life, to thy honour and glory; through our only mediator and advocate jesus Christ our Lord,  
Amen.   

A prayer for the Queen's Majesty.  
O Lord our heavenly father, high and mighty, King of kings, Lord of lords, the only ruler of princes, which doest from thy throne behold all the dwellers upon earth, most heartily we beseech thee with thy favour to behold our most gracious sovereign lady Queen Elizabeth, and so replenish her with the grace of thy holy spirit, that she may alway incline to thy will and walk in thy way. Endue her plentifully with heavenly gifts, grant her in health and wealth long to live, strengthen her, that she may vanquish and overcome all her enemies: and finally after this life, she may attain everlasting joy and felicity: through jesus Christ our Lord,  
Amen.   

A prayer for Bishops and Curates.  
Almighty and everlasting God, which only workest great marvels, send down upon our Bishops and Curates, and all congregations committed to their charge, the healthful spirit of thy grace; and that they may truly please thee, power upon them the continual dew of thy blessing. Grant this, O Lord, for the honour of our Advocate and Mediator jesus Christ,  
Amen.   

A prayer of Chrysostom.  
Almighty God, which hast given us grace at this time with one accord to make our common supplications unto thee, and doest promise, that when two or three be gathered together in thy name, thou wilt grant their requests, fulfil now, O Lord, the desires and petitions of thy servants, as may be most expedient for them, granting us in this world knowledge of thy truth, and in the world to come life everlasting,  
Amen.  2. Corinth. 13, verse 13. THE grace of our Lord jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the holy Ghost, be with us all evermore, 
Amen.    

¶ Other godly Collects and prayers to be used after the Litany, as occasion serveth, and first:  

In time of drought for rain.  
O GOD heavenly father, which by thy son jesus Christ hast promised to all them that seek thy kingdom, and the righteousness thereof, all things necessary to their bodily sustenance; send us, we beseech thee, in this our necessity, such moderate rain and showers, that we may receive the fruits of the earth to our comfort, and to thy honour, through jesus Christ our Lord,  
Amen.   

Another.  
Almighty God merciful Father, who in thy holy word hast promised to hear the prayers of thy people, which they shall make in this place of thy holy temple: behold now that thou hast shut up heaven, and there is no rain given unto the earth, but a drought doth utterly destroy the fruits of the earth, for our sins and iniquities; we come unto thee, and confess our sins, wherewith we have provoked thee thus to anger against us, and thy creatures, for our sakes. We, I say, whom thou doest justly thus afflict with drought and barrenness of the earth, return unto thee with all our hearts, in fasting, weeping, and mourning, beseeching thee, by hearty and earnest prayer, to have mercy upon us, and deal not with us as we have righteously deserved. Hear thou now in heaven, and pardon the sins of thy servants, and give rain unto the land, that thou hast given the people to inhabit. Hear, O Lord, I say, the cry of man and beast, and open the treasures of the heavens, and give unto us moderate showers to water the earth, that our cattle may be satisfied, and our drought cease. Oh Lord hast thou utterly rejected us, or doth thy soul abhor thy people for ever, that thou hast so long plagued us with drought and want of water? Our iniquities in deed testify against us, and our rebellions are more than can be numbered. For we have sinned against heaven, and against thee, and have been very noisome to the earth, and all thy creatures therein. But, O Lord, thou hope of Israel, thou comfort, help and saviour of all that are in trouble; have mercy upon us, have mercy upon us; and do not abhor us, nor cast us off for ever. O Lord, are there any among the gods of the Gentiles, that can send rain? Or can the heavens of themselves give showers to the earth? Is it not only thou, O Lord our God, which hast made heaven and earth, and doest all things by thy mighty power that must do it? O save the people therefore that call upon thee. O let the day come, wherein thou wilt vouchsafe to hear us, O Lord; when I say thou wilt hear the heavens, and the heavens may hear the earth, & the earth hear the corn, and the wine, and the oil, and they all hear one another, and thou hear Israel, that thou mayst have mercy upon us, and cause to come down for us the rain, even the first rain, and the latter rain, in the first and second months, in due seasons upon the earth, that our barns may be full of wheat, and our presses abound with wine and oil, & our cattle serve to labour by thy blessing, & that both man & beast may cease their mourning, and have cause to rejoice in thy mercy. Grant us this, O father, for jesus Christ's sake, our only mediator and advocate, to whom with thee, and the holy Ghost, be all honour and glory, now and for ever,  
Amen.   

Another prayer for the fruits of the earth.  
O Lord God almighty, King of heaven and earth, which of thine abundant goodness dost adorn and replenish the earth with all kind of fruit and grain, whereby the life both of man and beast is sustained: we beseech thee, even for thy free mercy, that thou wouldst vouchsafe to bless our fields, and ground, and to make them prosperously to yield their corn and increase. For without thy blessing and favour, neither can the earth of itself bring forth any whit, nor we by our pains make the same to prosper. Wherefore, grant to all things, springing from the earth, a meet temperature of air; that luckily they may take and increase. Keep our fruit upon the face of the earth from all infection of the air; from thunder, hail, from untimely showers, from too great dryness, and overmuch heat, from worms hurtful, and beasts devouring it before their prime, and from all other corruption; that our land in thine anger be not desolate, and deny us fruit, enjoying her woeful Sabbath.  
Shut not up the heavens in thine indignation for our sins, that it be not as iron, nor the earth as brass, whereby it can not be tilled, ploughed, nor sown, and so come to a very plain and utter wilderness: but of thy goodness give us both the early and latter rain, that we may have abundance of all fruit, and a joyful harvest with a plentiful vintage. O God, send a gracious rain upon thine inheritance, and give thy blessing, that our ground may bring forth her fruit. cause thy rain to power down in due season, that it may be rain of blessing; whereby both trees may give their fruit, & the ground yield forth her grain. Grant also that the air be pure from infection, our bodies free from sickness, to our whole Realm peace and quietness, that safely without trouble we may enjoy thy gifts. drive away and repel from us malediction, and the destroyer. Give us not in stead of rain, dust and ashes; but open thy good treasures, and visit the land with thy blessing, make it drunken, and enrich it abundantly.  
Thy river, O Lord, is full of water; prepare our corn, and dispose our earth to prosper; water abundantly the furrows of the same, and cause the rain to descend into the valleys thereof; make the same soft with showers, and bless our buds. Crown the year with thy goodness, and let thy clouds drop fatness; let them drop upon the pastures of the wilderness, and make the little hills rejoice on every side. Let the plains be replenished with sheep, and the valleys with corn, that the inhabitants of the earth may rejoice and be merry.  
O Lord, thou causest grass to grow for cattle, and herbs for the use of man; thou bringest forth bread out of the earth, & wine to make glad the heart of man; oil to make the countenance cheerful, & bread for to strengthen the heart. Have therefore a care, O heavenly Father, of the seed, and other things springing from the earth: keep them both in cold, rain, ice, and snow, from the beating of winds, and injury of weather. Preserve them in extreme heat, dryness, moistness, and such like; that they perish not afore their time. Root out the destroyer, that there be neither blasting, mildew, nor grasshopper, neither caterpillar hurting the fruits of the earth.  
Keep us, O Lord, in the time of dearth; that we perish not for hunger, nor be confounded in the perilous time. For thou art our God and Creator, which satisfiest the thirsty soul, and fillest the hungry with goodness, which hast said; I will not fail, neither forsake thee; whereby being faithful, we may say; The Lord is with us, therefore we will not fear what man can do unto us. Behold, we miserable & great sinners do confess our wickedness, with groaning & grief of heart, crying unto thee which art in heaven. Hear our prayers in thy dwelling place, & be merciful to thy people, which have sinned against thee; and forgive us all our iniquities, wherein we have transgressed against thee. By our sins we have brought all these miseries, which hang over our heads; but blot out all our offences, O God, after thy manifold mercies; and take away from us the curse of our ground, that the people may praise thee, O God; yea that all the people may praise thee, and the earth bring forth her increase; through our Lord jesus Christ, thine only son, which liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the holy spirit, a God for evermore,  
Amen.   

For fair weather.  
O Lord God, which for the sin of man didst once drown all the world except eight persons; & afterward of thy great mercy didst promise never to destroy it so again: we humbly beseech thee, that although we for our iniquities have worthily deserved this plague of rain and waters; yet upon our true repentance thou wilt send us such weather, whereby we may receive the fruits of the earth in due season; and learn both by thy punishment to amend our lives, and for thy clemency to give thee praise and glory, through jesus Christ our Lord,  
Amen.   

A prayer in time of unseasonable showers, for fair weather.  
O God and merciful Father, we acknowledge that we, through our manifold sins, have deserved to be sharply rebuked and corrected of thee: but if thou shouldest deal with us after our sins, we are not able to abide thy wrath and heavy hand. Wherefore deal mercifully with us, O Lord, after the greatness of thy goodness, and the multitude of thy mercies; that we rather may rejoice, and be thankful unto thee, for the abundance of thy great mercy, and loving kindness, than be cast down and discouraged, by the heavy weight of thy hand. In thy hands, O Lord, are both heaven and earth; so govern them therefore, we beseech thee, for thy name sake; that we may have seasonable weather, to receive the fruits of the earth. Stay the unmoderate plenty of rain, and unseasonable weather: and power rather upon us the plentiful dew of thy spirit, that we may daily grow to the perfection of Christian men and women. Take away from us our stony hearts, and give unto us in stead there of hearts of flesh, that we may cease at the length thus to provoke thy wrath, to bring upon us either this so great a plague, as the loss of the fruits of the earth; either else other plagues of thy just judgements. Grant that we may so repent us of our former evils, that hereafter the worthy fruits of true repentance may continually appear therein, and so to pass over and to end our mortal lives; that at the last we may attain unto the blessed resurrection, and life everlasting, through jesus Christ our Lord,  
Amen.   

In time of thunder, lightning, raging tempests, and unseasonable weather, pray thus:  
O Most wise & mighty God, thou art a glorious King in all the world; thy wonderful majesty doth shine and is known also by rain, thundering, lightening, and other meteors engendered in the air. Thy throne is among the clouds, thou hast made darkness thy secret place and thy pavilion about thee, even darkness of water, and clouds of the air. At the brightness of thy presence the clouds do pass away; so do the hailstones and fiery coals. Thou doest thunder from the heavens, and givest thy voice; hailstones and coals of fire. Thou sendest thine arrows, and scatterest them; thou increasest lightnings, and destroyest them. Who is so great a god as thou our God? Thou art the God which doest wonders, and declarest thy power among the nations. Thou redeemest thy people with thine arm. The waters saw thee, and were afraid; the depths trembled. The clouds powered out water, the air thundered, and thine arrows went abroad. The voice of thy thunder was heard round about the world, the earth trembled and shook. The foundations of the earth shook and were discovered, at thy rebuking, O Lord; at the blasting of the breath of thy nostrils.  
Therefore shall the very heavens extol thy wondrous works, and the Saints set forth thy truth in the congregation. For who is equal to thee in heaven? And who like thee among the sons of the gods? Thou art very terrible in the assembly of the saints, and to be reverenced above all that are about thee. O Lord God of hosts, who is like unto thee; which art a mighty Lord, and thy truth is about thee? Thou rulest the raging of the sea, thou stillest the waves thereof, when they do arise. Thou only art of power to resolve into vapours the drops of the sea, by the heat of the sun; thou takest the same up being turned into airy substance, and again turnest it into mere water, and makest it to come pouring down upon the face of the earth. Whatsoever thou wilt, thou doest in heaven, and in earrh, and in the sea, and in all deep places. With thy power thou madest the earth, with thy wisdom thou hast established the world, and with thy discretion stretchest out the heavens.  
As soon as thou lettest thy voice be heard, the waters in the air wax fierce. Thou drawest up the clouds from the ends of the earth, thou turnest the lightning into rain, and bringest forth the wind out of thy treasures. Thou coverest the heavens with clouds, and preparest rain for the earth. Thou makest the grass to grow upon the mountains, and providest herbs for the use of man. Thou givest to beasts their food, and to the young ravens that cry. Behold, so great art thou, that thou passest our knowledge; neither can the number of thy years be searched out. When thou restrainest the drops of water, the rain poureth down by the vapours thereof, and falleth abundantly upon man. Thou bringest forth the winds out of thy treasures; that is, from thy secret places, where thou didst hide them in great abundance, that they might be ready at thy commandment, and come forth when thou thinkest good. Thou makest the clouds to labour to give water to the earth, and scatterest the cloud of thy light; thou turnest it about by thy government, that they may do whatsoever thou commandest them upon the whole world.  
O God, mine heart is troubled very sore, when I behold the immoderate showers, and hear the terrible thunder: yea it forsaketh his place, when I hear the noise of thy voice, and the speech proceeding from thy mouth. O God, which rulest heaven and earth, I most humbly beseech thee, mercifully to drive away, or at least to mitigate these mighty streams, and most raging tempests. Restrain the thunderbolts, and thy fiery darts, that they hurt us not. Keep us, and our nests, that we perish not through lightnings, nor be destroyed by thy thunderclaps. Protect our houses and us, that we be neither consumed by thy fiery meteor, nor drowned by thy sudden flood. O merciful God, rain not, I beseech thee, hailstones upon the face of the earth; neither strike such as are in the fields, be they man or beast. Strike not thou therewith all the herbs of the field; neither break thou, gracious Lord, the trees of our land. Destroy not our corn with hailstones, nor with hailstones smite thou our cattle, and deliver our flocks from the thunderbolt. Cast not the feercenesse of thy wrath, anger, and displeasure upon us. Give us not hailstones for rain, neither flames of fire in our land; but of thy mercy convert the thunder into gentle rain, whereby it may bring out fruit abundantly. Send not among us either untimely or untemperate showers, which be either noisome to the fruits, and bring the mildew, or destroy the corn. Restrain in like sort the winds and violent tempests, that they bring none hurt, neither to us or our goods, even for Christ's sake, our Lord and Saviour,  
Amen.   

In time of dearth, or famine.  
O GOD, heavenly father, whose gift it is that the rain doth fall, the earth is fruitful, beasts increase, and fishes do multiply; behold, we beseech thee, the afflictions of thy people; and grant that the scarcity and dearth, which we do now most justly suffer for our iniquity, may through thy goodness be mercifully turned into cheapness and plenty, for the love of jesus Christ our Lord, to whom with thee, and the holy Ghost, be praise for ever,  
Amen.   

Another prayer in time of any plague or sickness, war, penury, orscarsenesse, etc.  
O Eternal and everliving God, most merciful father, which of thy great long suffering and patience, hast hitherto suffered and borne with us, most miserable offenders, who have so long strayed out of thy way, and broken all thy laws and commandments; and have neither by thy manifold benefits bestowed upon us unworthy and unthankful sinners; nor by the voice of thy servants and preachers by continual threatenings out of thy holy word hitherto been moved, as the children of love, to return unto thee our most gracious father; either for fear of thy judgements, as humble and lowly servants, to turn from our wickedness. And therefore, most righteous judge, thy patience being as it were overcome at the last, with our obstinate repentance, thou hast most justly executed those thy terrible threats, now partly upon us, by plaguing us so with most dreadful and deadly sickness, with troubles of wars, with penury and scarceness of food and victual, whereby great multitudes of us are daily afflicted, and consumed.  
We beseech thee, O most merciful father, that in thy wrath thou wilt remember thine old great mercies, & to correct us in thy judgements, and not in thy just anger, lest we be all consumed, and brought to nought. Look not so much upon our deservings, O most righteous judge, to take just vengeance on our sins; but rather remember thine infinite mercies, O most merciful father, promised to us by thy dearly beloved son our Saviour jesus Christ; for whose sake, and in whose name, we do earnestly and humbly crave mercy, and forgiveness of our sins, and deliverance from this horrible sickness, wars, dearth, etc. being thy just punishment, and plague for the same. And as thy holy word doth testify, that thy people of all ages, being justly plagued for their sins, and yet in their distress, unfeignedly turning unto thee, and suing for thy mercy, obtained the same: so likewise we, most worthily now afflicted with grievous and dreadful plagues for our iniquities, pray thee, O most merciful father, to grant us thy heavenly grace, that we may likewise both truly and unfeignedly repent, and obtain thy mercy and deliverance, from the same; which we beseech thee, O father of all mercies, & God of all consolation, grant us for the same jesus Christ's sake, our only saviour, mediator, and advocate,  
Amen.   

In time of any common plague or sickness.  
Almighty God, which in thy wrath, in the time of King David, didst slay with the plague of pestilence threescore and ten thousand; and yet remembering thy mercy, didst save the rest; have pity upon us miserable sinners, that now are visited with great sickness and mortality: that like as thou didst then command thine Angel to cease from punishing, so it may now please thee to withdraw from us this plague and grievous sickness, through jesus Christ our Lord,  
Amen.   

A form of meditation and prayer, very meet to be used daily of all honsholders in their houses, especially in the dangerous and contagious time of the plague.  
The Master & Mistress kneeling with their family, in some convenient place of their house well perfumed before with frankincense, or some other wholesome thing; as juniper, rosemary, rose-water, and vinegar, etc. shall with fervent hearts say, or cause to be said that that followeth. The servants and family to every petition shall say Amen.  Master or Mistress. 
WE read in thy holy word, O Lord, what blessings thou hast of thy mercy promised to them that live obediently, according to thy blessed will and commandments. We read also the curses that thy justice hath pronounced against such as despise thy word, or negligently pass not to live thereafter. And among the rest of thy heavy curses, thou threatenest by name, the plague and the pestilence, with other noisome and most painful diseases, to such as forsaking thee, worship strange gods, and follow their own vain fantasies, in stead of thy sacred ordinances.  
We find also, how extremely thine own people, the jews, have oftentimes felt the performance of these thy bitter threatenings, and that for sundry and divers offences: because they loathed Manna, and were not contented with thy miraculous provision; but would have Qualies, and other dainty victuals, to content their luxurious appetites, thou slewest so many with a sudden and mighty plague, that the place of their burial was named thereof, and called The graves of lust.  
Also, for murmuring against the ministers of thy word, Moses and Aaron, thou destroiedst with a sudden plague xiv. thousand and more; besides those traitors, whom the earth swallowed for their rebellion. And had not Aaron entreated for them, and gone between the quick and the dead, thou wouldst have consumed them all; as thou wast minded to have done before, when they despised the plentiful land, which thou hadst promised them; had not Moses stayed thy wrath, when thou saiedst, I will strike them with the pestilence, and utterly destroy them.  
Furthermore, when they had lost thine Ark, through their own sins, and the sins of their priests, the keepers thereof, after that the Philistines were forced, through thy plaguing hand, religiously to send it home again; thou strookest with the plague fifty thousand of the Bethsamites thy people, for rashly presuming to look into the same, not having thy warrant so to do.  
In the time of King David thou destroiedst three score and ten thousand of thy people, in three days, with thy wasting plague of pestilence; moved thereto by the transgression of David the King, whom for the sins of the people thou suffered'st to be tempted, and subdued with a vain curiosity to number the people.  
Also, shortly after the death of that immaculate Lamb our Saviour, thou suffered'st the plague to reign among the members of his body, the Church of the Corinthians; for not worthily preparing themselves, and for misusing the Sacrament of the body and blood of our Saviour jesus Christ: and many died thereof, as thine holy Apostle Saint Paul hath taught us.  
Since which time, O Lord, as the Monuments of thy Church, and other Chronicles do declare, thou hast from time to time so plagued with pestilence, not only cities, but also whole countries for these and other like causes, that we may justly look for the coming of our Saviour; so many and so horrible pestilences have been among us already.  
All which causes, O Lord, for the which thou hast so afflicted thy people, are through the malice of Satan, and our wilful consenting unto him, grown so ripe in us; that were it not for the exceeding greatness of thy mercy and compassion, we should all presently perish, and that worthily; so horrible and outrageous are our iniquities.  
For we loathe, not only the plentiful provision of wholesome victuals and apparel, which thou hast given us for our bodies, more abundantly than to many nations; traveling by all means to get wherewith to pamper our flesh with wines, spices, silks, and other vain, costly, and delighting things: but the precious Manna of our souls, thy holy word and Sacraments, we can not away with; we are so full, that we are glutted therewith.  
We so little esteem the heavenly kingdom, which our Saviour hath so dearly prepared, and kindly promised to us; that we abhor it, and are ready to stone those few that commend it, and exhort us for our own good to travel thitherward: better liking and crediting those false prophets the Epicures, and Atheists, that with their lies discourage us therefrom.  
What murmuring and grudging make we against the ministers of thy word, which thou of thine especial goodness hast in mercy given us? How despise we our bishops, preachers, and other ministers of thy holy Sacraments, whom thou hast commanded us to reverence and honour?  
Did not we, through our wicked lives, wretchedly lose the Ark of thy holy word, and the true ministration of Sacraments, not many years agone, which the popish Philistines took from us? And now, when thou through thy plagues laid upon them hast miraculously sent it again; see how hold we be with the Bethsamites, unreverently to receive it. For many make of it a gazing-stock, to serve their eyes and tongues; rather than a law, to obey and follow in their lives.  
Yea, the knowledge of thy truth, goodness, and mercy, breedeth in many of us a careless security, and a contempt of thy holy ordinances. For we presume upon thy mercy and promises; not regarding the conditions, nor any of thy commandments, which in our baptism we vowed to observe. Yea, we make thy Gospel a cloak of our covetousness, under colour whereof we seek our own lucre, and hide all our wicked and filthy practices.  
If the Corinthians deserved to be plagued for abusing thy holy Sacraments, how much more are we worthy of fierce wrath, that not only abuse it; but also abhor & contemn it: because it is ministered as it ought? For thou knowest, O Lord, what a sort there are, which bewitched with the devil, and the Pope's doctrine, do utterly abhor Christ's holy communion; and saving for fear of the law, would never come at it. In what sort these receive, and how they be prepared, is not unknown unto thee. How rashly also, and unadvisedly, and unprepared the common multitude do frequent it; partly appeareth, in that many of them never forgive old offences, nor reconcile themselves, nor in any thing do amend their old sins and vices.  
Seeing then that we, Lord, the common sort and multitude do thus abound in all kind of wickedness; how can it be, but that thou of thy justice, must suffer our magistrates to offend also in somewhat, to the end thou mayst justly take vengeance of our sins?  
For these manifold heaps of sins and wickednesses, O Lord, thou hast justly at this present sent this dangerous pestilence among us; as thou hast often and long time threatened by the mouths of thy faithful preachers, who continually have called upon us, to stay thy wrath, by earnest repentance & amendment of life: but we have always been deafer and deafer. The delight in our sins not only stopped our ears, but also hardened our hearts against their hearty and friendly admonitions. And in that we now, O Lord, do begin to feel and acknowledge our sins; it cometh more of thy rigour in plaguing us, than of any good inclination of ourselves. Mollify therefore, O Lord, our flinty hearts, with the suppling moisture of thy holy spirit. Make us to reverence thee, as children, for love of thy mercies; and not to dread thee like slaves, for fear of punishment.  Servants: 
Amen.  Master or Mistress. 
O dear Father, reclaim us thy lost children. O merciful Saviour, pity us thy putrefied members. O holy Ghost, repair us thy decayed temples. O holy and glorious Trinity, have mercy upon us miserable sinners.  Servants: 
Amen.  Master. 
Grant us, O Lord, such true repentance, as may, through the blood of our Saviour, blot out the stains of our heinous iniquities. Forgive us our sins, O Lord; forgive us our sins, for thine infinite mercy's sake.  Servants: 
Amen.  Master. 
Forgive us our blasphemies, idolatries, and perjuries. Forget our vain and outrageous oaths. As thou hast by thy rigour and plagues, forced us to acknowledge thee, to be our just and righteous Lord: so let us, through thy mercy and forgiveness, feel thee to be our mild & loving Father, and give us grace for ever hereafter to reverence this thy glorious name.  Seru. 
Amen.  Master. 
Take from us, O God, the care of worldly vanities. Make us content with necessaries. Pluck away our hearts from delighting in honours, treasures, and pleasures of this life. And engender in us a desire to be with thee in thine eternal kingdom. Give us, O Lord, such taste and feeling of thine unspeakable joys in heaven, that we may alway long therefore, saying with thine elect; Hasten thy kingdom, O Lord; take us to thee.  Seru. 
Amen.  Master. 
Make us, O Lord, obedient to thy will revealed in thy holy word. Make us diligent to walk in thy commandments. Forgive us our contempt and murmuring against the magistrates and ministers, whom thou hast in thy mercy appointed: make us obedient unto their godly laws & doctrine. Save and preserve, O Lord, thine anointed our QUEEN ELIZABETH: that she, in thy grace and fear, may long reign amongst us. Give peace to all Christian nations. Move us by thy spirit to love one another, as the members of our body; that we may all do thy will in earth, as it is in heaven.  Seru. 
Amen.  Master. 
Dig out of us, O Lord, the venomous roots of covetousness and concupiscence; or else so repress them with thy grace, that we may be contented with thy provision of necessaries: and not to labour, as we do, with toil, strength, guile, wrong, and oppression to pamper ourselves with vain superfluities. Feed our souls, O Lord, daily with the true Manna of thy heavenly word, and with the grace of thy holy Sacraments. Give us grace continually to read, hear, and meditate thy purposes, judgements, promises, and precepts; not to the end we may curiously argue thereof, or arrogantly presume thereupon; but to frame our lives according to thy will, that by keeping thy covenants, we may be sure of thy promises: and so make our election and vocation certain, through our constant faith, virtuous and godly living.  Seru. 
Amen.  Master. 
Confirm us, O Lord, to the image of our Saviour. So lighten the lamps of our hearts with the fire and burning flames of thy love, that no envy, rancour, hatred, or malice do remain in us, to quench it: but that we may gladly forgive, whatsoever wrong is, or shall be, either maliciously or ignorantly done or said against us. And here, Lord, in thy presence; for thy Majesty is every where; we forgive whatsoever hath been, by any man or woman practised against us: beseeching thèe, of thy goodness likewise to forgive it. And further, for thy mercy's sake; and for our Saviour jesus Christ's sake, we beseech thee, O dear Father, to forgive us these horrible and damnable sins, which we have committed against thy Majesty; for which thou hast now justly brought the pestilence and plague upon us. Let the ceasing thereof, we beseech thee, certify us of thy mercy and remission.  Seru. 
Amen.  Master. 
We know, O Lord, the weakness of ourselves; and how ready we are to fall from thee. Suffer not therefore Satan to show his power and malice upon us. For we are not able to withstand his assaults. Arm us, O Lord, always with thy grace; and assist us with thy holy spirit in all kinds of temptations.  Servants. 
Amen.  Master. 
Deliver us, O dear father, from all evils, both bodily and ghostly. Deliver, O Lord, from trouble of conscience, all that are snarled in their sins. Deliver, O Lord, from fear of persecution and tyranny, our brethren and sisters, that are under the cross for profession of thy word. Deliver, O merciful father, those that for our sins and offences, are already tormented with the rage of pestilence. Recover those, O Lord, that are already stricken; and save the rest of my household, and elsewhere, from this grievous infection.  Servants. 
Amen.  Master. 
Finally, O Lord God, which for our innumerable sins, doest here fatherly correct us, to the end we should not feel the rigour of thy severe judgement, in eternal condemnation: we humbly submit ourselves unto thy grace and pity; beseeching thee, for our Lord jesus Christ's sake, that although we have justly deserved this plague now laid upon us; yet it may please thee, in the multitude of thy mercies, to withdraw thy rod from us. Grant, O Lord, true repentance of our sins, which (as it did in that good King Ezekias) may deliver us from the plague laid upon us; and cause those that be sick here in my house, or otherwhere, to recover. Or, if thou have determined to take a number of us out of the miseries of this present evil world, give us the comfort of thy holy spirit, that may make us glad, and willing to come unto thee. Give us grace, O Lord, so to prepare ourselves, that we may be ready with the wise virgins, to enter into life with our saviour Christ, whensoever it shall please thee to call us.  Servants: 
Amen.  Master. 
Grant this, O dear father, for jesus Christ's sake, our only Mediator, Advocate, Lord, Redeemer, and Saviour; to whom, with thee, and the holy Ghost, be all honour and glory, world without end: and in whose name we, altogether, with one heart and voice, cry furthermore, and pray unto thee, as he in his holy word hath taught us, saying:  Master and servants altogether. 
Our Father, etc.   

Other Psalms and prayers to be said in the time of any common plague, sickness, or other cross and visitation of God, by the Master and Mistress, with their family.  
O Come, let us humble ourselves, & fall down before the Lord with reverence and fear.  
For he is the Lord our God: and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hands.  
Come therefore, let us turn again unto our Lord, for he hath smitten us, and he shall heal us.  
Let us repent and turn from our wickedness, and our sins shall be forgiven us.  
Let us turn, and the Lord will turn from his heavy wrath, and will pardon us, and we shall not perish.  
For we knowledge our faults, and our sins be ever before us.  
We have sore provoked thine anger, O Lord; thy wrath is waxed hot, and thy heavy displeasure is sore kindled against us.  
Thou hast made us hear of the noise of wars, and hast troubled us by the vexation of enemies.  
Thou hast in thine indignation stricken us with grievous sickness, and by and by we have fallen as leaves beaten down with a vehement wind.  
Indeed we acknowledge, that all punishments are less than our deservings: but yet of thy mercy, Lord, correct us to amendment, and plague us not to our destruction.  
For thy hand is not shortened, that thou canst not help: neither is thy goodness abated, that thou wilt not hear.  
Thou hast promised, that afore we cry thou wilt hear us: and whilst we yet speak, thou wilt have mercy upon us.  
For none that trust in thee, shall be confounded; neither any that call upon thee, shall be despised.  
For thou art the only Lord, who woundest and doest heal: again, who killest, and revivest; bringest even to hell, and bringest bark again.  
Our fathers hoped in thee, they trusted in thee, and thou didst deliver them.  
They called upon thee, and were helped; they put their trust in thee, and were not confounded.  
O Lord rebuke us not in thine indignation: neither chasten us in thy heavy displeasure.  
Oh remember not the sins and offences of our youth: but according to thy mercy think upon us, O Lord, for thy goodness.  
Have mercy upon us, O Lord, for we are weak: O Lord heal us, for our bones are vexed.  
And now in the vexation of our spirits, and the anguish of our souls, we remember thee: and we cry unto thee; hear Lord, and have mercy.  
For thine own sake, for thy holy name sake, incline thine ear and hear, O merciful Lord.  
For we do not power out our prayers before thy face, trusting in our own righteousness: but in thy great and manifold mercies.  
Wash us throughlie from our wickedness, and cleanse us from our sins.  
Turn thy face from our sins, and put out all our misdeeds.  
Make us clean hearts, O God, and renew a right spirit within us.  
Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of thy name. O deliver us, and be merciful unto our sins, for thy name sake.  
So we that be thy people, and sheep of thy pasture, shall give thee thanks for ever; and will always be showing forth thy praise from generation to generation.  
Glory be to the Father, etc. As it was in the, etc.   

Another prayer to be said in the time of the plague, sickness, and mortality.  
O Lord our God, great and fearful art thou, keeping covenant and mercy with them that love thee, and keep thy commandments. We have sinned, O Lord, and have committed iniquity. We have done wickedly; yea we have rebelled, and have departed from thy judgements. We have not obeyed thy servants the Prophets, which spoke in thy name, to our kings and princes, to our forefathers, and to all the people of the land.  
O Lord, righteousness belongeth unto thee; but unto us open shame and confusion; as it is come to pass this day, by the plague and sickness reigning among us, and among all the dwellers of this land, because of the sins which we have done against thee. Unto thee, O Lord and God, pertaineth compassion, and forgiveness; though we have rebelled against thee. We have not obeyed thy voice, to walk in the laws which thou hast laid before us. We have hitherto despised thy divine word, yea we have loathed preaching, and have loased the bridle to all beastliness of desires.  
Therefore the curse and oath, which is written in the law of Moses thy servant, is powered upon us; and we, through the plague and corrupt airs, with burning fevers, and grievous sickness, are lamentably consumed every day. Yea in our knees and legs are we smitten with most loathsome botches, and those incurable, from the sole of the foot unto the top of the head. Because we repent not, neither observe all the words written in thy law, nor fear thy glorious and dreadful name, thou dost, according to thy threatenings aforetold, increase our plagues, & the plagues of our seed. Thou sendest great plagues, and of long continuance; evil sickness, and of long durance. Thou bringest upon us uncurable diseases, all manner of sickness, and all kinds of plagues, besides those written in the book of the law.  
All these plagues, according to thy word, are come upon us, yet have we not prayed unto thee our Lord, that we might every one turn from our ungodly ways. Therefore hast thou been wrathful in punishing us, and in bringing these evils upon us. Thou art righteous, O Lord, and true is thy judgement. O God Father of our Lord jesus Christ, thou hast got thee a glorious name, as may appear this day. O Lord our God, we have sinned; we have done wickedly: we have behaved ourselves ungodly in all thine ordinances. Turn thy wrath away from us, we beseech thee: for we are but a few left in this place.  
O Lord God, which hast promised, that when either pestilence among us, or the air infected, or any other plague or sickness is hot; thou wilt hear the prayers, and grant the requests of any man or woman among the people, praying from the bottom of his heart, acknowledging his sins unfeignedly, and lifting up his hands unto thee, through jesus Christ, before the throne of grace. Be thou merciful, give unto every man according to all his petitions. For thou alone knowest the hearts of all the children of men. Hear thou our prayers and petitions, and deliver us from this contagious and deadly pestilence. Command thine Angel, which striketh us, to put up his sword into the sheath; that he strike not to our final and utter destruction. Proceed not in thy wrath, spare us from death, & bring not our end by the plague. Let the heavens be mild, and our dwelling places healthful; lest the air being infected, power down the contagion thereof upon us, to our destruction.  
O Lord turn away thine hand, it is sufficient: let now thine hand cease, that all the earth may know, how that thou Lord art our GOD, and that we do call upon thy name. O Lord look down from thine holy house, upon us: incline thine ear and hear: open thine eyes, and behold the affliction and mortality of thy people. For the dead, whose spirits are taken away, give unto thee neither praise, nor righteousness: but the soul that is vexed for the multitude of her sins, which goeth on heavily, and weakly, whose eyes begin to fail; yea, the hungry soul is it that ascribeth due praise and righteousness unto thee, O Lord.  
For we power out our prayers before thee, and require mercy in thy sight, O Lord our God; not for any worthiness either of our own, or of our fathers: but in the name of thy son jesus Christ, in whom thou art well pleased: we beseech thee be merciful unto us, and help us in necessity. Turn thee again, O Lord, at the last, and be merciful unto thy servants, that this poisoned infection may be taken from us. Notwithstanding, if it be thy pleasure to visit our offences with the rod, thy blessed will be done; and give us grace to bear thy fatherly correction laid upon us patiently; remembering always, that we are chastined of thee our Lord in this world, that we be not condemned with the reprobate in the world to come,  
Amen.   

A fruitful Prayer, very necessary to be heartily said at the appearing of monsters, and in any earthquake, or other plagues, that God would turn away his vengeance hanging over us for our sins.  
OH Lord God, strong and mighty, great and dreadful; which dwellest in the heavens, and workest great wonders: we thy miserable children here, prostrate upon the earth, do most humbly beseech thee to be merciful unto us, to pardon our offences, and to forgive us all our sins. O Lord enter not into judgement with thy servants; for if thou do, there shall no flesh be saved in thy sight. We confess and acknowledge, O Lord, that it is our sins which have moved thee to wrath, and to show such fearful tokens of thy displeasure towards us in these our days. First with fire from heaven, betokening thy hot burning indignation, and wrathful displeasure for sin, which aboundeth at this day: and then with such horrible and monstrous shapes against nature, as it was never seen here in our days, nor in any time before us; which betoken to us none other thing, but thy plagues to come upon us, for our degenerate and monstrous life and conversation: and of late, by the strange & terrible earthquake that shook, or rather that even vomited us with fearful trembling hearts, and amazed spirits out of our houses, which we so shamefully have polluted and defiled with our vile sins and wickedness: and now last of all, by the long and great mortality, plague and pestilence, thou dost & hast terribly threatened us, fatherly warned us, and mercifully called us to repentance. The axe is set to the root of the tree, and if we be not as rotten members, without all sense and feeling, we may perceive our fearful destruction and desolation to be at hand, unless we speedily repent and turn to thee: because we have been so long taught out of thy most holy and sacred word, and yet no fruits of true repentance or Christian life will appear.  
woe and alas to these our days, that neither preaching by word most comfortable, nor preaching by monsters most ugly, nor preaching by fire most strange, nor preaching by earthquakes most terrible, neither yet by plagues and pestilence most horrible, will stir up our stony hearts, and awake us from our sins.  
We fear, oh Lord, that the Turks, with all the rest of the unbelieving will condemn us in the last day, which if they had been so long instructed by the comfortable preaching of thy word, and sweet promises of thy Gospel; or thy wonders both in heaven and earth, which we have seen, no doubt their righteousness would have shined at this day to our great shame and confusion. Thou hast no less warned us, oh Lord, of thy fearful displeasure, & heavy plagues at hand for our great wickedness; than thou didst the Israelits of the horrible destruction, which came upon them, whom thou first in mercy didst call to repentance by the preaching of thy word: but when no warning would serve, thou didst send them monstrous and fearful signs and tokens, to declare that thy visitation was not far off. But they, like unto us at this day, did always interpret these things after the imagination of their vain hearts, promising to themselves peace, when destruction was over their heads.  
Which things, when we do call to mind, (for as much as they are written for our learning, example, & warning) it maketh us to tremble and quake for fear of thy just judgements. For if thou hast thus dealt with thine own dear and chosen children, in token of thy great wrath against sin: what shall we look for, who do no less deserve thy fearful scourge; (and of mercy it is, that thou doest thus long forbear us:) but live as though there were no God at all to be revenged upon our sins? It maketh us to fear and cry unwardlie in our souls; Come Lord jesus, holy and true in all thy doings, and shorten our days: bring this our pilgrimage to an end: suffer us not to heap sin upon sin unto the day of vengeance, lest we be caught up amongst the number of the wicked and reprobate, which shall never see thy loving countenance.  
It maketh us to cry to thee, O Lord, let thy kingdom come, and end this our sinful life, wherein we do nothing but provoke thee to wrath. Correct us not, O Lord, in thine indignation; neither chasten us in thine heavy displeasure. And though to us belongeth nothing but shame and confusion; though our offences have deserved to be visited with the rod, and our sins with scourges: yet in mercy, Lord, and with fatherly correction chasten us; and thy loving kindness take not away from us. To thee we fly for secure, under the wings of thy mercy shall be our refuge, until thou turn thy wrathful countenance from us. We know that thy mercy is above all thy works, and even as great as thyself: therefore will we say with holy job; Though thou kill us, yet we put our trust in thee.  
Thou camest to comfort and pluck out of the dungeon of hell, such wretches as we are. Thou art the good Samaritane, that camest to heal our deadly wounds. Thou art that good Physician, that camest to cure our mortal infirmities. Thou art the good shepherd, that camest to seek us wandering & lost sheep; and to bring us to thy fold again. And more than that, thou art our brother; flesh of our flesh, and bone of our bones; which hast tasted of our infirmities, felt our temptations, & borne the burden of our sins. Therefore at thy hands we look for mercy, against the day of vengeance. And though thou punish us, yet our hope is, and ever shall be, that thy rod shall no further touch us, than shall make to thy glory, our commodity, and the strengthening and increase of our faith.  
Let this thy preaching sundry ways, O Lord, be sufficient for our warning: and grant that we may speedily, and from the bottom of our hearts repent, endeavour to do thy righteous and blessed will revealed in thy word; and frame our lives according to the same: that we may here live in thy fear all the days of our life, and after this our sinful course is ended, may dwell with thee in thy blessed kingdom, through the death and merits of jesus Christ our only redeemer,  
Amen.   

A Psalm of thanksgiving for deliverance from the plague, or any other kind of sickness, trouble, or affliction.  
LOrd, thou art become gracious unto thy land; thou hast turned away the afflictions of thy servants.  
Thou hast taken away all thy displeasure, & turned thyself from thy wrathful indignation.  
For if thou, Lord, hadst not helped us; it had not failed, but our souls had been put to silence.  
But when we said, Our feet have slipped; thy mercy, O Lord, helped us up.  
In the multitude of the sorrows that we had in our hearts, thy comforts have refreshed our souls.  
Our souls waited still upon the Lord, our souls hanged upon his help, our hope was always in him.  
In the Lord's word did we rejoice, in God's word did we comfort ourselves.  
For the Lord said; Call upon me in the time of trouble, and I will hear thee, and thou shalt praise me.  
So when we were poor, needy, sickly, and in heaviness, the Lord cared for us; he was our help, and our saviour, according to his word.  
In our adversity and distress he hath lifted up our heads, and saved us from utter destruction.  
He hath delivered our souls from death, he hath fed us in the time of dearth, he hath saved us from the noisome pestilence.  
Therefore will we offer in his holy temple the oblation of thanksgiving, with great gladness; we will sing and speak praises unto the Lord our Saviour.  
We will give thanks unto the Lord, for he is gracious, and his mercy endureth for ever.  
The Lord is full of compassion and mercy, long suffering, plenteous in goodness and pity.  
His mercy is greater than the heavens, and his gracious goodness reacheth unto the clouds.  
Like as a father pitieth his own children; even so is the Lord merciful unto them that fear him.  
Therefore will we praise thee, and thy mercies, O God; unto thee will we sing, O thou holy one of Israel.  
We will sing a new song unto thee, O God; we will praise the Lord with Psalms of thanks giving.  
O sing praises, sing praises unto our God; O sing praises, sing praises unto our King.  
For God is the King of the earth, sing praises with understanding.  
We will magnify thee, O God our King; we will praise thy name for ever and ever.  
Every day will we give thanks unto thee, and praise thy name for ever and ever.  
Our mouth shall speak the praises of the Lord, and let all flesh give thanks to his holy name for ever and ever.  
Blessed be the Lord God of Israel for ever, and blessed be the name of his Majesty world without end,  
Amen.  
Glory be to the Father, etc. As it was in the, etc.   

In the time of any particular or general earthquake, pray:  
OH eternal, mighty, and most loving Father; which hast no desire of the death of a sinner; but that he convert and live; and unto whom nothing is so pleasant as the repentant, contrite, and sorrowful heart of a penitent person. For thou art that kind father that fallest most lovingly upon the neck of the lost son; kissest, embracest, and feastest him, when he returneth from the puddle of pleasures, and swill of the swine; and disdainest not the repentant prayer of thy poor and sinful servants, whensoever with true faith they return and call upon thee, as we have most comfortable examples in David, Manasses, Magdalen, Peter, and the thief upon the gibbet.  
We most heartily and humbly beseech thy fatherly goodness, to look down from the throne of thy mercyseat, upon us most miserable and sinful slaves of Satan, which with fearful and trembling hearts do quake and shake at the strange and terrible tokens of thy wrath and indignation, appearing most evidently unto us, by the shaking & moving of the earth, which is thy footstool; whereby (if we be not utterly destitute of grace) we be warned that thy comming-downe amongst us, to visit our sins in most terrible manner, can not be far off; seeing thou treadest so hard upon this thy footstool the earth, which we most shamefully have polluted and defiled, with our most wicked, sinful, and rebellious lives; notwithstanding thy continual crying and calling upon us, by thy servants the prophets and preachers, by whom we have learned thy will; but have not followed it. We have heard much, and done little, yea nothing at all: but like most perverse and unthankful children, have made a mock of thy word, derided thy ministers, and accounted thy threatenings trifles, and thy warnings of no weight or moment. Wherefore we have justly deserved to taste most deeply of the bitter cup of thine anger and vengeance, by wars, famine, pestilence; yea and eternal death, if thou shouldest not temper the rigour of thy justice with the mildness of thy mercy. But such is thy fatherly affection towards us, that thou showest thyself slow to anger, long suffering, and of much patience and mercy; yea, thou art a thousand times more ready to forget and forgive, than we to ask and require forgiveness.  
Therefore, though we be not worthy of the least mite of thy mercy; yet gracious Lord, look not upon us and our sins; but upon thine own self, and thy son jesus Christ, the fountain of grace, the treasure of mercy, the salve of all sickness, the jewel of joy, and the only haven of succour and safety. By him we come to thee, in him and for him we trust to find that we have lost, and gain that he hath got. He is the scale of jacob, by whom we climb up to thee; and thou by the Angels of thy mercy comest downe to us. Him we present unto thee, and not we ourselves; his death, and not our doings; his bloody wounds, and not our detestable deservings: whose merits are so great, as thy mercy cannot be little; and our ransom so rich, that our beggarly and beastly sins are nothing in thy sight; for the great pleasure and satisfaction that thou takest of his pains and passion.  
Turn this late earthquake, O Lord, to the benefit of thine elect, as thou didst when thou shookest the prison; loosedst the locks, fetters and chains of thy servants Paul and Silas, and brought'st them out of prison, and convertedst their keeper: so gracious Lord, strike the hearts of tyrants with the terror of this thy work, that they may know that they are but men; and that thou art that Samson, that for their mocking and spiting of thee, and thy word, canst shake the pillars of their palaces, and throw them upon the furious Philistines heads. Turn thy wrath, oh Lord, from thy children that call upon thy name, to the conversion or confusion of thine enemies, that despise and abhor thy name, and deface thy glory. Thou hast knocked long at their doors, but they will not open to let thee in. Burst open therefore the brazen gates of their stony hearts, thou that art able of stones to raise up children to Abraham. And finally, so touch our hearts with the finger of thy grace, that we may deeply muse upon our sinful lives, to amend them; and call for thy mercy, to forgive and pardon them; through Christ our Lord, who liveth with thee, and the holy Ghost, three persons and one eternal God; to whom be all dominion and glory, with praise and thanksgiving, for ever and ever,  
Amen.   

Or else pray thus:  
O Almighty God, and most merciful Father, which willest not the death of a sinner; but rather that he should return and live: we thy servants most humbly confess, that we have most grievously offended against thy divine Majesty, and provoked thy heavy wrath against us, in that we have not believed and followed thy Gospel preached unto us; nor been thankful for thy many & very great benefits bestowed upon us: yea and being warned by the dangers of other, have been too careless to serve thee, oh Lord, the Father of all mercy, and the God of all consolation, which in thy wrath remember'st mercy. We acknowledge, that in the late terrible earthquake, which suddenly shook us out of our houses and dwelling places, thou didst warn us of thy justice; and that we for our great unthankfulness and disobedience, have deserved most just judgement. O Lord, we thy servants, being vile earth, and miserable sinners; yet trembling and quaking at the remembrance of that terrible look of thy wrathful displeasure never to be forgotten, most humbly crave pardon for our sins; and grace to convert unto thee in time. Convert us, O Lord, and we shall be converted. Mollify our hard hearts, grant us a contrite spirit, and to turn unto thee unfeignedly, in fasting, weeping & prayer. Enter not into judgement with thy servants; spare thy people, O Lord; spare them, and let not thine heritage be brought to confusion. Have mercy upon us, for thy son jesus Christ's sake. Give us grace henceforth to amend our lives, and to serve thee in holiness and righteousness. So we acknowledging thy justice, and remembering always that fearful sign of thy fury, in the memorable earthquake, which thou sentest the sixth of April, in the year one thousand, five hundred, fourscore; we shall praise thee for thy mercy, and glorify thy holy name for ever, through jesus Christ our Saviour,  
Amen.   

At the sight of a blazing star, or other meteors, or prodigious signs of God's judgement in the heavens, pray to prevent the evils foreshowed thereby, and say:  
O Almighty Lord and God, whose workmanship is the whole world, the heaven and the earth, with all the beauty and blessings of the same; at the presence of whose power all things do quake and tremble; whose indignation when it threateneth vengeance unto sinners is unsufferable, and whose promises of mercy are unmeasurable: because thou art even the most high Lord over all the earth, full of patience, forbearance, pity and repentance, over the wickedness of sinful people, declaring the sharpness of thy judgements for their amendment, and deliverance from punishment. Thou, O Lord, hast promised, according to thy bottomless bounty and goodness, a penitent spirit, not to just and righteous Abraham, Isaac and jacob, which have not offended against thy Majesty; but to those that are overwhelmed with the tempestuous tides of their transgressions. We, O Lord, have offended, and our fathers have committed sin in thy sight. We have defiled ourselves in the filthy puddle of iniquity; and therefore beholding in the very heavens, such dreadful tokens of thy wrathful indignation hanging over our heads, for our monstrous and prodigious life, we bow before thee the knees of our hearts, beseeching thee to be gracious unto us, and to open thine ears to our prayers. We have sinned, O Lord; we have sinned, and we acknowledge our misdeeds, humbly beseeching thee to forgive us our offences. O forgive us, and deliver us not over to destruction with our iniquities, neither lay thou up in store vengeance against the day of judgement. O reserve not for us the whip of woe and wretchedness; but in mercy pardon our misdeeds: and let not the fiery flames of thy fury and wrath wax hot against us, to burn and consume us in our iniquities,  
Amen.   

In the time of war.  
O Almighty God, King of all kings, and Governor of all things, whose power no creature is able to resist, to whom it belongeth justly to punish sinners, & to be merciful unto them that truly repent; save and deliver us, we humbly beseech thee, from the hands of our enemies; abate their pride, assuage their malice, and confound their devices; that we being armed with thy defence, may be preserved evermore from all perils, to glorify thee, which art the only giver of all victory; through the merits of thine only son jesus Christ our Lord,  
Amen.   

In time of rebellion or intestine war.  
O Most mighty and merciful Lord God, which art King of glory, and Lord of hosts; the Governor of all creatures, the only giver of all victories; who alone art able to strengthen the weak against the mighty, and to vanquish infinite multitudes of thine enemies, with the countenance of a few of thy servants, calling upon thy name, and trusting in thee; defend, O good Lord, thy servants, and our governor under thee, our most gracious and sovereign Lady Queen Elizabeth, and all her faithful subjects and people committed to her charge. And especially at this time, O Lord, have regard to those her trusty, loving, and obedient subjects; which be sent into the north parts of this Realm; or over the seas, to the aid of such as be persecuted for the profession of thy holy name, to withstand the cruelty, force, and power of certain false and unfaithful subjects: yea rather cursed rebels, and wicked traitors, and all those which be common enemies, as well to the truth of thine eternal word, as to their own natural Prince and country; and manifestly against the Crown and Realm of England, which thou hast by thy divine providence assigned, in these our days, to the government of thy servant our sovereign Lady, and most gracious Queen; to the great comfort of all us her loving subjects, and faithful commons: thy most glorious name be praised therefore.  
O Lord God of hosts, which by thine Angel thereunto appointed, dost minister both war and peace; and which didst give unto David both courage and strength, being but a little one, unarmed, and unexpert in feats of war, with his sling to set upon, & overthrow the great huge giant Goliath: our cause now being just, and being forced to enter into war and battle, we most humbly beseech thee, most gracious God, so to turn the hearts of these rebels, thine and our enemies, to the desire of peace, that no Christian blood be shed or spilled. Or else grant, O Lord, that with small effusion of blood, and to the little hurt and damage of thy servants, who do jeopard their lives for the defence of thy holy Gospel, our Queen, & Realm, against the adversaries thereof, we may to thy glory obtain the victory, and that the wars being ended, the rebels soon put to flight and vanquished, we may all with one heart and mind knit together, in godly concord and unity, laud & praise thee which art our God.  
O most merciful Father, if it be thy holy will, make soft and tender the stony hearts of all those, I say, that exalt themselves against thy truth, and seek either to trouble the quietness of this Realm of England, or to oppress the Crown of the same, and convert them to the knowledge of thy son, the only Saviour of the world jesus Christ, that we and they may jointly glorify thy mercies. Lighten, we beseech thee, their ignorant hearts, to embrace the truth of thy word, or else to abate their cruelty, O most mighty Lord; that this our Christian Region, with others that confess thy holy Gospel, may obtain by thine aid & strength, surety from all our enemies, without shedding of Christian and innocent blood; whereby all they, which be in fear of their cruelty, may be comforted: and finally, that all Christian realms, and especially this Realm of England, may by thy defence and protection continue in the truth of the Gospel, and enjoy perfect peace, quietness, and security; and that we, for these thy mercies, jointly all together, with one consent, heart, and voice, may thankfully render unto thee all laud and praise; that we knit in one godly concord and unity among ourselves, may continually magnify thy glorious name.  
And furthermore, for as much as it is thy good will and pleasure, to appoint us in the number of subjects; we most humbly beseech thee, O heavenly Father, to give us faithful and obedient hearts unto our dread sovereign Lady the Queen's most excellent Majesty, and to the high powers and godly rulers, that are in authority under her noble Grace, that there may be found in us no disobedience, no unfaithfulness, no treason, no falsehood, no dissimulation, no insurrection, no commotion, no conspiracy; nor any kind of rebellion, in deed, word, or thought: but all faithfulness, obedience, quietness, subjection, and humility; and whatsoever else becometh faithful subjects, under so good and so gracious a Prince: that we living here in all lowliness of mind, may at the last day, through thy favour, be lifted up into everlasting glory; where thou, O most merciful Father, with thy son, and the holy Ghost, livest and reignest one very true and perfect God, for ever and ever,  
Amen.   

A thanksgiving for the suppression of rebellion, or insurrection.  
O Heavenly and most merciful Father, the defender of those that put their trust in thee; the sure fortress of all them that fly to thee for succour; who of thy most just judgements, for our disobedience and rebellion against thy holy word, and for our holy profession, whereby we have given occasion that thy holy name hath been blasphemed among the ignorant, hast of late years sore abashed the whole Realm & people of England, with the terror and danger of rebellion, thereby to awake us out of our dead sleep of careless security; and hast yet by the miseries following the same rebellion, most sharply punished part of our countrymen, and Christian brethren, who have most nearly felt the same: and most dreadfully hast scourged some of the seditious persons with terrible executions, justly inflicted for their disobedience to thee, and to thy servant their Sovereign, to the example of us all, and to the warning, correction, and amendment of thy servants; of thine accustomed goodness turning always the wickedness of evil men, to the profit of them that fear thee; who in thy judgements remembering thy mercy, hast by thine assistance given the victory to thy servant the Queen, her Nobility, and faithful Subjects, with so little, or rather no effusion of Christian blood; as also might justly have ensued, to the exceeding comfort of all sorrowful Christian hearts; and that of thy fatherly pity and merciful goodness only, and even for thine own name sake, without any our desert at all.  
Wherefore, we render unto thee most humble and hearty thanks, for these thy great mercies showed unto us, who had deserved sharper punishment; most humbly beseeching thee, to grant unto us all that confess thy holy name, and profess the true and perfect Religion of thy holy Gospel, thy heavenly grace, to show ourselves in our living, according to our profession; that we truly knowing thee in thy blessed word, may obediently walk in thy holy commandments; and that we being warned by this thy fatherly correction, do provoke thy just wrath against us no more, but may enjoy the continuance of thy great mercies towards us; thy right hand, as in this, so in all other invasions, rebellions, and dangers, continually saving and defending our Church, our Realm, our Queen, and people of England; that all our posterities ensuing, confessing thy holy name, professing thy holy Gospel, and leading a holy life, may perpetually praise and magnify thee, with thy only son jesus Christ our saviour, and the holy Ghost; to whom be all laud, praise, glory, and empire, for ever and ever,  
Amen.   

In time of extreme troubles, by reason of the tyranny of strange and foreign governors.  
ETternall and everlasting God, father of our Lord jesus Christ, thou that showest mercy, and keepest covenant with them that love thee, and in reverence keep thy commandments, even when thou pourest forth thy hot displeasure, and just judgements upon the obstinate and inobedient: we here prostrate ourselves before the throne of thy Majesty, from our hearts confessing, that justly thou doest punish us, by the tyranny of strangers; and that more justly thou mayst bring upon us again, the bondage and the yoke, which of thy mercy, for a season, thou hast removed. Our kings, princes and people, in blindness have refused the word of thine eternal verity; and in so doing we have refused the league of thy mercy offered unto us again, in such abundance, that none can be excused by reason of ignorance. Yet nevertheless, to the judgement of men, impiety overfloweth the whole face of this Realm. For the great multitude delight themselves in ignorance and idolatry. And such (alas) as appear to reverence and embrace thy word, do not express the fruits of repentance, as it becometh the people, to whom thou hast showed thyself so merciful and favourable.  
These are thy just judgements, O Lord, whereby thou punishest sin by sin, and man by his own iniquity; so that there can be no end of sin, except thou prevent us with thy undeserved grace. Convert us therefore, O Lord, and we shall be converted. Suffer not our unthankfulness to procure, of thy most just judgements, that strangers again have empire above us; neither yet that the light of thy Gospel be taken from us: but howsoever it be, that the great multitude be altogether rebellious, and also that in us there remain perpetual imperfections; yet for the glory of thine own name, and for the glory of thine only begotten son jesus Christ (whose truth and Gospel, thou of thy mere mercy hast manifested among us) it will please thee, to take us into thy protection and defence; that all the world may know, that as of thy mercy thou hast begun this work of our salvation, by the publishing and preaching of thy Gospel among us; so of this same mercy, thou wilt continue it, maugre the heads of all our malicious enemies. Grant us this, merciful father, for Christ jesus thy sons sake: So be it.   

A thanksgiving, after our deliverance from the tyranny of strange enemies; with prayer for continuance of peace betwixt Realms.  
NOW, Lord, seeing that we enjoy comfort, both in body and in spirit, by reason of this quietness of thy mercy, granted unto us, after our most desperate troubles, in the which we appeared utterly to have been overwhelmed: we praise and glorify thy mercy and goodness, who piteously lookedst upon us, when we in ourselves were utterly confounded. But seeing, O Lord, that to receive benefits at thy hands, and not to be thankful for the same, is nothing else but a seal against us, in the day of judgement; we most humbly beseech thee, to grant unto us hearts so mindful of the calamity past, that we may continually fear to provoke thy justice, to punish us with the like or worse plagues. And seeing that, when we by our own power were altogether unable, to have freed ourselves from the tyranny of strangers, and from the bondage & thraldom pretended against us; that of thine especial goodness, didst move the hearts of our neighbours, of whom we had not deserved so much favour, to take upon them the common burden with us; and for our deliverance, not only to spend the lives of many, but also to hazard the state & tranquillity of their Realm and Commonwealth. Grant unto us, O Lord, that with such reverence we may remember thy benefits received, that after this in our default, we never enter into hostility against those Realms and Nations.  
Suffer us never, O Lord, to fall to that ingratitude, and detestable unthankfulness, that we should seek the destruction and death of those, whom thou hast made instruments to deliver us from the tyranny of merciless strangers. Dissipate thou the counsels of such, as deceitfully travel to stir up the hearts of the inhabitants of either Realm against the other. Let their malicious practices be their own confusion; and grant of thy mercy, that love, concord, and tranquillity may continue and increase among the inhabitants of both Realms; especially of this Isle of England, even till the coming of our Lord jesus Christ; by whose glorious Gospel, thou of thy mercy doest call us both to unity, peace, and Christian concord; the full perfection whereof we shall possess in the fullness of thy kingdom, when all offences shall be removed, iniquity shall be suppressed, and thy chosen children be fully endued with that perfect glory, in the which now our Lord jesus Christ reigneth: to whom, with thee, O father, and the holy Ghost, be all honour, praise and glory, now and ever,  
Amen.   

In time of invasion by the Turk and Infidels, that make war in any part of Christendom; pray and that earnestly, as followeth.  
OMnipotent and eternal God, father of our Lord jesus Christ; maker, preserver, and maintainer both of heaven and earth, together with thy coeternal son, and the holy Ghost: we have sinned, O Lord, with our fathers; we have done amiss, and dealt wickedly; and therefore we confess, that by thy righteous judgements we are justly punished, and have truly deserved, that barbarous nations, and cruel Turks, making invasion into Christendom, should spoil us of our goods, overthrow Schools, Churches, Commonweals; make pitiful havoc of the promiscuous, mixed, or confused multitude of silly weak people, as they were sheep prepared to the shambles, and carry miserable men from the sweet bosoms of their dear friends, into far and barbarous nations, to a slavery more grievous than death.  
O God, it is thou which hast repelled us, yea thou makest us a shame to the nations for our sins, and goest not forth to war with our armies. Thou makest us to turn our backs upon our enemies, so that they which hate us, spoil our goods. Thou lettest us to be eaten like sheep, and hast scattered us among the heathen. Thou sellest thy people for nought, and takest no money for them. Therefore he the heathen come into thine inheritance; thy holy Temple have they defiled; they have destroyed our towns and houses, and brought them into an heap of stones. The dead bodies of thy servants have they given to be meat to the fowls of the air; and the flesh of thy Saints, unto the beasts of the land. Their blood have they shed like water on every side, and there was no man to bury them. We are become an open shame to our enemies, a very scorn and derision unto them that are round about us.  
O Lord, in these mischievous wars, and in the midst of fatal or mortal punishments, which threaten an horrible mutation of worldly empires, we fly unto thee, saying; Help us, O God of our salvation; for the glory of thy name. O deliver us, and be merciful unto our sins. O Lord deal not with us according to our sins, neither reward us after our iniquities; but have mercy upon us, and that soon; for we are come to great misery. Look upon our adversity and misery, and forgive us all our sins. Consider our enemies how many they be, and they bear a tyrannical hate against us. Thou which aforetime didst remit the offences of thy people, didst cover all their sins, and didst turn away thine heavy indignation from them; turn us, we humbly beseech thee, O God our Saviour, and remove away thy displeasure from us also, that in true repentance we may please thee, for thy son Christ's sake. Wilt thou be displeased at us for ever? Or wilt thou stretch thy wrath from one generation to another? Oh let the sorrowful sighing of the prisoners come before thee, according to the greatness of thy power; preserve thou those that are appointed to die.  
power out thine indignation rather upon the heathen that have not known thee, and upon the kingdoms that have not called upon thy name; that all nations may know that thou takest vengeance of the blood of thy servants that is shed. Consider the mortal threatenings of our enemies, that they exercise not their cruelty upon us, and say triumphantly; Where is now their God? Keep from our necks the grievous yoke of the Turkish bondage, and repress the furiousness of all tyrants, which labour to spoil, and make havoc of thy Church; to abolish true doctrine, prayers, and pure religion; that they may bring in paganism, and build up idolatry, errors, and blasphemous ceremonies.  
Defend our Churches, our politic governance, our Schools and Universities, our cities and dwelling places. Suffer not (good studies, learning, religion, and laws being overthrown) these our towns to be reduced into stables, for savage Mahomet's, Turkish tyrants, or other bloody tyrants, which hate thee and us extremely. Arm the right arm of our gracious Queen, and her Nobles (as also all other Christian Emperors, Kings, and Potentates) that they may fight for our laws, lives, and liberty. Teach their hands to war, and their fingers to fight. Increase in them an invincible courage of mind, that inflamed through the zeal of thy religion, they may valiantly withstand the Turks, which are the mortal enemies of thy dear Son, and of his Church.  
Guide thou the hands of such as do fight in the cause of thy religion, and grant them happy success over all their enemies. For a king is not preserved by his great army, and a giant shall not be saved by the multitude of his host, nor warlike strength: but the victory proceedeth from the heavens. At thy rebuke, O God, the chariot and horses fall down. Thou shalt take away the courage of princes, and art terrible unto the kings of the earth. O be thou our help in trouble, for vain is the help of man. Through thee, O mighty jehova, we shall do great acts, and thou wilt tread our enemies under thy feet, that they come to nought; through our Lord jesus Christ,  
Amen.   

A thanksgiving unto God, for the Christians victory had against the Turks.  
O Merciful Father, O Lord God of hosts, the only protector and defender of thine heritage; against whom, no might, no power, nor counsel can prevail; who of thy great mercy, without our merit or deserving, hast at all times protected & defended us, from the cruel hand of our enemies, and mightily delivered us, even out of the mouth of the roaring Lion: we yield unto thee, O father, for these thy great goodnesses and mercies, most humble & hearty thanks; and especially, O father, we praise thy holy name, that at this present thou hast saved and delivered thy people, from the great assaults and dangers of that same professed & mighty enemy of Christian Religion, the Turk; and also hast given unto the people, which fought thy battles, battled under thy banner, and trusted only in thy help, so great and notable a victory: for the which O Lord God, we do laud and magnify thy holy name for ever, through Christ our Captain, Redeemer, and Saviour; beseeching thee, for thy merciful goodness, that thou wouldst shield us under thy mighty protection for ever, that we having the fruition of godly peace, through thy mercy, may the rest of these few days which we have to live, lead a peaceable and a quiet life, in all piety and honesty, through Christ our Lord, to whom, with thee, and the holy Ghost, be all honour, glory, and praise, for ever and ever, Amen.  
O God, whose nature and property is ever to have mercy, and to forgive; receive our humble petitions. And though we be tied and bound with the chain of our sins, yet let the pitifulness of thy great mercy lose us, for the honour of jesus Christ's sake, our only mediator and advocate,  
Amen.   
The end of the Litany.   

Prayers to be used before and after the first and second lessons, the Gospel and Pistol: and before and after the Sermon or Homily.  

Before the first or second lesson, pray:  
BLessed Lord, which hast caused all holy Scriptures, both in the old and new Testaments, to be written and red for our learning; grant us, that we may now in such sort hear them, read them, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them, that by patience and comfort of thy holy word, we may embrace, and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life, which thou hast given us in our Saviour jesus Christ,  
Amen.   

After the first or second lesson, pray:  
Gracious God, and most merciful father, which hast vouchsafed us the rich and precious jewel of thy holy word; assist us with thy spirit, that it may be written in our hearts, to our everlasting comfort; to reform us, to renew us, according to thine own image; to build us up, and edify us into the perfect building of thy Christ, sanctifying and increasing in us all heavenly virtues. Grant this, O heavenly father, for jesus Christ's sake,  
Amen.   

Or thus:  
THanks be unto thee, O our celestial father, through Christ our Redeemer; that thou hast so clearly by thy Patriarches, Prophets and apostles, revealed unto us these so secret mysteries of our salvation in Christ; for whose sake also, we beseech thee, to give us the very fear and faith in thee; that we constantly believing thy truth, and following that thou commandest us in thy word, may by no means hinder thy glory, or the course of thy word, by our lewd conversation, but in all obedience help to amplify and increase thy kingdom, to the perpetual praise of thy name, through jesus Christ our Lord,  
Amen.   

Before the reading of the Epistle or Gospel, pray.  
Almighty God, and most merciful Father, who by thy holy spirit in thy servants the Apostles, and the Evangelists, hast left unto us the story of the doctrine and deeds of our Saviour Christ, that thereby, as he is in deed, so we might believe him to be thy Son, and the Saviour of the world, & put our trust in thee through him; that so believing, we might attain to everlasting life: grant us, we beseech thee, the same most holy spirit to open our hearts, and lighten our minds, that by the reading and hearing of the same, our faith in thee, through him, may continually be strengthened, till we attain to the end thereof, even the salvation of our souls, through jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour,  
Amen.   

After the reading of the Epistle or Gospel.  
WE give thee thanks, most merciful Father, for that it hath pleased thee in great mercy towards us, to cause the holy writings and traditions of the Apostles and Evangelists, to come to this our time, place, and ears; & that thou hast vouchsafed also to open & reveal thy holy will unto them, to approve thy son so manifestly to the world, and to confirm unto us by them the truth of thy Gospel, that in the mouth of so many faithful witnesses, we might have more full assurance in thy merciful promises. Help us O good Father we beseech thee, that by thy grace we may do in deed, that which we now by them do understand. And lest herein we be, through thy justice, more grievously condemned and punished, if that we neglect to do thy will, which through thy grace thou hast revealed; grant us the fruit of this thy care towards us, in the strength of faith, that having read and heard so notable things in this his holy story, and acts and writings of the holy Apostles, recorded and left unto us by so true and most faithful witnesses, appointed and ordained thereunto by thee; we may now, by the effectual working of thy holy spirit, receive and acknowledge him for thine only son, and our only saviour, to the salvation of our souls, and the glorious praise of thy name; and so being lead from one witness to another, we may, according to thy holy word, go from faith to faith, till we attain to the everlasting life, which thou hast prepared for us in thy son: to whom with thee; O Father, and the holy Ghost, be all honour, glory, and praise, both now and for ever,  
Amen.   

Before the Sermon or Homily, read some of these sentences of Scripture, exhorting to the attentive hearing of the word.  Deuteronomie. 18. 
THE Lord said to Moses, I will raise them up a Prophet from among their brethren, like unto thee; and will put my words in his mouth, and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him: unto him shall ye hearken. And whosoever will not hearken unto my words, which he shall speak in my name, I will require it of him.  Psalm. 119. 
GReat is the peace they have, which love thy law, and they are not offended at it.  Proverbs. 8. 
BLessed is that man or woman that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, and giving attendance at the posts of my doors. For he that findeth me, findeth life; and shall obtain favour of the Lord: but he that sinneth against me, hurteth his own soul, and all that hate me love death.  Proverbs. 28. 
HE that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayers shall be abominable.  Wisdom. 3. 
WHo so despiseth wisdom & discipline, is miserable; and their hope is vain, and their labours are foolish, and their works unprofitable, and their wives are undiscreet, their children wicked, and their offspring is accursed.  Ecclesiasticus. 5. 
BE humble to hear the word of God, that thou mayst understand it, and make a true answer with wisdom.  
Be swift to hear good things, and follow the word of peace and righteousness.  Luke. 11. 
THE Queen of the South shall rise in judgement with the men and women of this generation, and shall condemn them. For she came from the uttermost parts of the earth, to hear the wisdom of Solomon: and behold (saith Christ of himself) a greater than Solomon is here (speaking unto you.  john. 8. 
HE that is of God, heareth God's word. Ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God.  Revelation. 2. 
LET him that hath an ear, hear what the spirit saith to the Churches, or congregation, etc.   

A prayer for the heedful hearing of God's word.  
FOR as much, O most merciful God, as faith, without the which it is impossible to please thee in any thing we do, cometh by hearing; and hearing by the word of God: in so much as he or she that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abominable, and turned into sin: yea, because also it is a far more blessed thing to hear and keep thy word, than to have had the honour to have borne or nursed thine own son: grant us grace therefore, I most humbly beseech thee, in zeal and love to do this one thing, so acceptable a service to thee, and most needful for us to be done; even with attentive and desirous minds to hear thy holy word preached, and so far to exceed the Queen of Saba, and those which have sought for wisdom from the uttermost parts of the earth, as the wisdom thou offerest us in it exceedeth all other: and so much more readily to practise it, than they did, which heard thy Prophets; as thy son is above all the Prophets, that we with wise Martha making our choice, by thy grace, of the better part, may be made wise in him unto salvation, and it never be taken from us; but remain with us, till it put us in possession of that happy life, which in a blessed hope we look for by it. And grant us so to be careful over our duty, which thou hast commanded, that we especially regarding that which is chiefest with thee, and most needful for ourselves; may thereby declare ourselves to be in deed of God, because we hear God's word; and to be the true sheep of thy fold, because we hearken diligently to thy voice, and follow thee with Susanna, joanna, Marie Magdalen, and all other godly men and women: and so by this means finally not fail of thy promises; but obtain, to our endless comfort, and the glory of thy name, the blessing and gift of eternal life, among all faithful believers, in the kingdom of heaven, through jesus Christ our Lord,  
Amen.   

Another very Christian prayer both of the preacher and auditory present.  
OH Lord, how beautiful are the feet of them that bring the glad tidings of the Gospel of peace, of salvation, & of all good things! Surely, without preaching we should all perish. Blessed and praised be thou therefore, O Father, for that thou hast given to us thy Gospel, life, food, doctrine and peace in our time. Blessed and praised be thou therefore, O Christ, because thou givest and renewest often the light of thy Gospel, and maitainest the ministers of thy word; and preservest, cherishest, and defendest thy catholic Church, against the devil, and all thine enemies. Yea blessed, I say, and praised also be thou therefore, O holy spirit; because thou being powered upon the Apostles, doest now also kindle thy light in our hearts, rulest, instructest, admonishest, helpest us, governest and guidest o●● labours to a prosperous end, and sanctifiest us to eternal life.  
And now, for as much as the chief authority of speaking, is indeed of thee, O Lord alone, (for a mortal man hath but a dead heart,) I humbly beseech thee to bless this thy preacher here present, with thy divine grace; that he may do the work of an Evangelist, and make thy Gospel known unto us. Give unto him the spirit of fear, godliness, fortitude, counsel, zeal, knowledge, discretion, wisdom, understanding, and constancy; and let him, as he hath received thy gifts, so (like a good and faithful disposer of thy manifold graces) truly minister the same unto us. Lord, let him come unto us with abundant knowledge, and ability of the divine mysteries of the blessings of the Gospel of Christ, to communicate and impart unto us. And now that he is about to speak, grant that he may speak in thee; that is, by thy help and grace: and as he is allowed of thee, so to utter the words of God, as he hath received them from thee, that thou in allthings mayst be glorified. Put upon his heart the breastplate of perfect judgement, the Urim of knowledge, and the Thumim of holiness and righteousness of life, and purity of doctrine. Let thy word be in his heart, as a burning fire shut up in his bones; yea let his belly be as the wine, which hath no vent; or like the new bottles that burst: that being full of good matter, thy spirit within may compel him to speak his mind effectually. Yea, do thou, O Lord, I say, secretly speak and work in him; and let thy secret power and virtue be put here unto this action, to this his labour and exercise of faith, that he may accomplish that thou requirest to be done, for the conversion and salvation of thy people present. Give him the earnest-penie of thy spirit in his heart, and open the door of utterance unto him; that he may make manifest the savour of thy life and knowledge; unto us. Lord, thou hast said; Open thy mouth wide, and I will fill it. Open thou therefore his lips, that his mouth may show forth thy praise; and show us the way, wherein we may walk strait to thee. O let his mouth, I say, be filled with thy praise, that he may preach thine undefiled law, to the converting of souls, and give wisdom to the simple, and light to the blind. Let utterance be given now unto him, that he may open his mouth boldly, to publish the secrets of the Gospel, whereof he is an Ambassador; that therein he may speak boldly, as he ought to speak, not sparing any man, nor having regard to please any manner of person. Touch thou, O God, the mouth of this thy preacher, with the hot glowing coal of thy spirit, whereby he being first cleansed, may the more fervently and purely preach thy Gospel unto his brethren, in the discharge of his duty, as he that first is moved with the zeal of thy glory, and then touched with a careful affection towards thy people, as isaiah was. Give unto this thy preacher the audacity of Eliah & john Baptist, that like the true minister of God, he may stoutly & boldly, without any respect of persons, or desire to please men, as he that feareth God more than the faces of men, reprove the people of their sins. Let him, as thou hast given in commendement, cry aloud, and spare not: let him lift up his voice like a trumpet, and with all diligence and discretion show thy people their transgressions, and reprove vice unfeignedly. And because, O Lord, in vain shall he cast the net of thy word, except thou bless the draft; and his labour yield no profit, unless thou prosper it; do thou therefore luckily set him on: lose thou his tongue, to speak; and put thou into his heart what to say. Bless him, that thy word may be with him; that he may be able thoroughly to instruct us what is thy will, that he may catch our souls, and by thy secret & divine power draw unto him the hearts, minds, and ears of the hearers: so shall he convert and win many unto thy Christ, and thou thereby be highly glorified. Let thy spirit speak by him, and thy words be in his tongue; that he utter nothing rashly, or undiscreetly; but by the motion of thy good spirit, speaking sincerely and holily of thee, as in thy sight. Give to him, and to all such as bear thy word, and are the ministers of the spiritual life, such care, zeal, and diligence, that they may endeavour faithfully and painfully to fulfil their office, to the uttermost. And finally, let him not defile the evangelical function by any means, no not with the least suspicion of glory or lucre; neither let his mouth speak wickedness, nor his tongue set forth deceit: but as he doth preach thy laws, and take thy covenant in his mouth; so grant he himself also may not hate to be reform, nor at any time cast thy holy word behind his back.  
And now, because thou, O Lord, so mercifully offerest unto us thy salvation; I am to desire thee furthermore, in the behalf of this congregation present, that we also, for our parts, may of our own accord willingly receive the same salvation of the Gospel, now so graciously offered us: that as thy preachers, for their parts, do publish thy glorious name: so we, as green grass, may receive the heavenly dew of thy doctrine: and that the barren earth of our hearts, may be thereby moistened with the lively water of thy grace, and holy spirit, to fructify in the same. Grant that we may receive these holy things, high mysteries, and most precious pearls, not as dogs, or swine, to tread them contemptuously under our feet; as wicked Atheists, and ungodly contemners of thy Gospel, to our damnation: but as thy children, and those that are of God, and sheep of his fold, with all meekness, obedience, christian fear and reverence, grant that we may both hear, receive, and fulfil them; to thy glory, and our salvation. Furthermore, as thou in mercy openest their mouth to speak unto us; so give us grace to open our hearts and ears, to receive the wholesome instructions, and fatherly admonitions, which proceed thereout. O give us grace, I say, to apply our hearts to instruction, and our ears to the words of knowledge. Let us be still desirous of thy heavenly kingdom. Let the holy bread of thy Gospel, and food of heavenly dainties, be only sweet unto us, and savoury in our mouths; that we may departed well refreshed, and full fraught with the largesse and plenty of thy word, and evangelic feast. Make thou us true converts, and more and more to increase and grow from faith to faith, & virtue to virtue. Let us never loathe this heavenly Philosophy; but let us be as the learned, that are taught of thee, and made meet by this thy preacher to receive thy doctrine to our health. The preacher here present is undoubtedly thy mouth and messenger, whom thou hast sent. O therefore let us not dare either barbarously to misuse ourselves towards him, in word, deed, or thought; or scornfully disdain to be taught of him: but with all fear of thy Majesty, and reverence towards him, let us with all attentive and ghostly greediness mark his words well, to follow whatsoever shall be godly uttered by him. And finally, touch thou so our hearts, we beseech thee, O God, to believe thy word, and to repent with speed, that the preaching of thy Gospel may take place in us, to practise the works of faith, and show forth fruits worthy the same; so that we, with this and all other thy preachers, and they together with us, leading a right, virtuous, and godly life, according to the rules prescribed in thy word, may be brought in the end unto thee, the chief shepherd of our souls; where we may jointly be partakers of eternal good things, and most excellent felicity, through jesus Christ our Lord,  
Amen.   

Another.  
IN this great darkness of our souls, O Lord, thou shinest unto us with the lightsome lamp of thy grace: but in nothing so effectually as in preaching of thy word. Great is the harvest, as thou thyself hast said; and the workmen are few. The most part of men are ignorant, and wrapped in miserable blindness; and few there are that teach thy word truly, and as they ought. I beseech thee therefore, that thou wilt send forth workmen into thy harvest: send teachers, O Lord, which are taught of thee, and instructed by thy spirit of godly wisdom and understanding, which by their preaching will seek not themselves, but thee, because they are godly; and can so do, because they are wise, and understand. Give to the preacher of thy word here present, out of the treasures of thy wisdom, that which he may power upon us to our salvation. And in us open the windows of our hearts, that they may receive into them the most holy and wholesome light; and that the good seed, which falleth upon us, be not choked with thorns, or withered away with drought, nor be devoured by the fowls of the air; but may grow up in good ground, and that fruitefullie with great increase, to thy glory, and our salvation,  
Amen.   

Another prayer, to be used of any hearer of God's word.  
I Give thee most hearty thanks, O eternal God, father of our Lord jesus Christ; for that it hath pleased thee, of thine unspeakable mercy and goodness, in all ages, continually to send into the world, men wonderful in the gifts and knowledge of thy will, to be renuers and spreaders forth of thy truth. Like thanks I ascribe unto thy sacred Majesty, for allowing us shepherds and preachers, in these our days, for the gathering together of thy Church out of all mankind, to the building of the body of Christ. Humbly I beseech thee, gracious God, continue alway among us thy pure word, through thy Ministers; gather unto thyself an everlasting congregation, and so instruct mine heart with thy spirit of truth, that unfeignedly I may assent to thy wholesome word, prove a lively member of thy body, and be incorporated into that society, which both in this world doth sincerely confess thee, and evermore extol thy holy name.  
Keep those preachers, which thou doest and wilt give, in the certain knowledge of thy blessed will, that they may from time to time both open unto us thine intent, concerning the repairing of mankind, the salvation and redemption of our souls, through thy free mercy, and also teach us how to live in new obedience, and to abstain from carnal desires, which fight against the soul. Inspire the ministers and preachers of thy word, with thine holy spirit, that they may utter thy will purely, as they have received it from thy hands, retaining the form of whoalsome words, and sounding only that doctrine, which is uttered by thy son out of thy bosom. For otherwise, departing from the order of faith, and the rule of thy word, they will greatly obscure the light of thy doctrine, and obtrude upon us the vanity of their own inventions. Wherefore let them speak thy word, not deceitfully, but sincerely, even as from thee, and in thy sight.  
Grant also, that by transforming thy ministery into policy, they lord not over thine elect, neither contend about superiority and primacy in the Church, but only to seek the glory of thy name, and the salvation both of themselves & us. Give them liberty of speech, boldly without fear, to blame and rebuke all false doctrine, blasphemous superstition, and abuses in the Church. Open unto them the door of utterance, that they may speak the mysteries of Christ, and manifest them as they ought to do; so shall their doings be profitable unto the godly. Assist them also with thine especial grace, that they disgrace not their doctrine by impurity of life, but let their conversation answer unto the doctrine which they teach and preach: and especially, for the pastor of this parish, and shepherd of my soul here present, from whose mouth I learn thy blessed will; I heartily pray, that thou wilt keep him in religion sincere, and pure from enorm offences in outward conversation. Endue him with a long and healthful life, if it be thy good pleasure, that many a good day and year he may continue in preaching the gladsome voice of thy gracious Gospel, among us, without contention and strife.  
And, O son of God, which art the Lord of all the flock, work thou effectually by thy preachers, speak thou within us to our hearts, the blessed will of thine eternal father, and confirm thy doctrine in our minds by thine holy spirit. Grant that we may truly know and discern the same, from the howling of wolves, and from the enchanted songs of seducing hirelings. And grant that we may know thee, even as thou knowest thine, heavenly father; and to walk religiously and righteously in thy sight, showing ourselves to be of that holy seed, which praiseth thy name for evermore. Come holy spirit, open mine heart and ears, that I may conceive the profit of thy whoalesome doctrine, and the sweet comforts revealed in thy holy word, by the preaching of the Gospel.  
O Lord, I acknowledge with tears my sluggishness, and carelessness in seeking thy truth; and bewail the wretched coldness and hardness of my heart; beseeching thee to endue me with an unfeigned longing, and an ardent desire of holy Sermons. Grant that in this life I may worship the feet of the preachers of peace, and reverence the true dispensers of thy mysteries, thy faithful ministers, with double honour, and none otherwise to obey their godly sermons, than I would, if a voice should sound from the heavens. Let me not, for the blemishes and imperfections of some particular men, unreverently conceive of thy whole ministery. Work also within me, that despising thy word delivered unto us, I never seek after strange revelations, or violent ravishings, both beside, and contrary to thy word; but bearing always in mind the order which thou hast appointed, may constantly embrace thy word manifested in thy Church. Finally, impart such grace upon us, that we may imitate and follow the good works of holy men, casting off the old man, by putting on the new, which is created after God, in righteousness and true holiness,  
Amen.   

A prayer, that God would both feed and defend his Church; to be used before the Communion.  
O Heavenly herdman, and nurse of all things living, which of thy mere goodness satisfiest all creatures that have life; suffer not thy Church to pine away, and be famished, for lack of the food of thy blessed word, but feed us continually with thy goodness. Suffer not thou, O Lord, which givest sustenance to all flesh, thy faithful servants to be deprived of perfect doctrine, and most pure and sound Sacraments, which are indeed the food of eternal life; but feed us continually with Angel's food, that is, with thy holy word, and with Christ jesus, whereby our hearts may be made righteous & strong to him-ward. Let us not like the children of Israel, loathe this heavenly manna, which thou so mercifully and abundantly pourest downe upon us; neither let us lust again after the flesh-pots of Egypt, lest thy wrath being kindled against us also, thou cause it not only to cease, and to fall no more from heaven upon us; but also thou smite us with most grievous plagues, as thou didst the Israelites.  
But rather, as new-born babes, remembering how it is written, that man shall not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God; let us heartily desire the sincere milk of thy word; let our soul's delight in fatness; let us come early and late to the waters, to buy, and eat, to satisfy our hunger and thirst: let us hearken diligently unto thee, and eat that which is good, and labour continually without weariness, for the meat that perisheth not.  
O Lord, let us never see the day, wherein thou shalt be provoked to send a famine in our land again; a famine, I say, not of bread; nor a thirst of water; but of the hearing of thy word, O God. Far be that famine from us, good Lord. Neither let us any more deserve to be cast out of our own cities, towns, and houses, and to wander in strange lands, from Sea to Sea, from the North to the South, from East to West, running to and fro, like hunger-starved wretches, to seek the food of thy word, as we sometimes have done, O Lord, and yet not find it; lest by that means we do not only perish in body, but also in soul, for lack of thy word, which is the very food thereof.  
But let thy word, O God, be still near us, even in our mouths, and in our hearts; the word of truth, I say, which now is preached, taught, and received; and feed thou us, whensoever the famine either of body or spirit vexeth us. O our father, give us this day our daily bread, that we may walk in the strength thereof day and night, until we come to the holy hill of Horeb. Behold, Lord, according to thy commandment, we do open our mouths wide, fill thou it full of thy heavenly dainties, as thou hast promised. Lord, evermore give us the bread of life, and of heaven, that we may steadfastly believe in thee. For behold, O Lord, we come unto thee, as though we were famished; let us not therefore go away unfed. We are an hungered, let us not be sent away fasting. Our minds (alas) hunger and thirst greatly after toys, and gauds of this world; and we have nothing to set afore it; because we are poor and beggarly wretches. But thou, O Lord, art rich in all good things, and the most plentiful giver of the dainties of heavenly satiety. O therefore, we beseech thee, give us somewhat to eat; give meat, I say, unto the weary wandering souls; yet not such as they lust after, but such as is convenient for them, that being refreshed of thee, which art the living and heavenly bread, wherewith when we are once well fed, and that our strength is come to us again, we may ascend unto more high things, and never hereafter hunger or thirst any more after vanities,  
Amen.   

Another prayer to be used at the Sermon, before a Communion.  
THou usest, O most mighty God, to preserve those thy children, whom thou hast lovingly adopted, with no less care and diligence, than if they were sheep: and the same always fed & led of thee, being their most loving shepherd, toward their own health, and perfect commodity; who, so long as they have thee for their Master and Governor, they shall be destitute neither of the meat nor drink of thy most wholesome doctrine and Sacraments. Whereby it is manifest, that if we pine away, so long as we live in this miserable and wretched life, for the hunger and thirst of true and perfect goodness; it happeneth for this cause, in that we have forsaken thee, and followed strange guides; whereof, and of none other, come the great perils and miserable troubles of mind, which fall upon us.  
Wherefore, we humbly beseech thee, O most faithful and loving shepherd, to call us back from errors, into the right and perfect way. Correct the vices of the wandering and straying flock, with the rod and sheephook of thy righteousness; so that we may feed at length orderly, purely, and chastely, of the most wholesome delicates of thy sacred word, & blessed Sacraments; by which means the whole head, heart, and all the powers of our mind may be made fat, and well liking; and we always so underpropped with thy loving mercies, as we may finally enjoy, in thy house, the sovereign delights and dainties of everlasting life, through jesus Christ our Lord,  
Amen.   

Another prayer to be said before the Sermons, at the Court.  
Almighty God, and most merciful Father, who hast in thine infinite wisdom hidden honour in shame, and life in death; that thou mightest make foolish the wisdom of this world; and that he that glorieth, should glory in the Lord: give us grace, that we stumble not, as some did, at the base estate and small show that outwardly appeared in thy son: but that rather denying our own wisdom, to seek for our salvation, where thou hast hidden & laid it up for us; that is, in the simple ministery of thy Gospel; that it may have such place amongst us, as it may reform both Kingdoms and Courts, and our private houses and persons: that we may joy in the present light of that lamp to our feet, and follow it whither it goeth; giving no rest to the dealers of it, till they have satisfied our hungry souls withal, assuring ourselves, that we shall not want things needful for this life; but shall be nourished by thee, have thine assistance and help to deliver us from all trouble; and finally, the enjoying of thy presence, where any trouble shall not come near us any more: but we shall be satisfied, and have perfect joy in the sight of thee, our most loving God and Father, in jesus Christ; to whom with thee, and the holy Ghost, be praise and glory for evermore,  
Amen.   

Another.  
Almighty God, and most merciful Father, who hast anointed thy son with thy holy spirit, and sent him to preach the Gospel; that we, who before were in prison, and bondage to sin and to death, might by him be set at liberty, and have our wounded hearts healed by faith of his sweet doctrine: grant us, that we love not bondage rather than liberty, nor death rather than life; but that we may so receive his word, as we may attain to everlasting freedom, and life by it. And for as much, O Lord, as thou declarest, that for contempt of thy word thou doest oftentimes withdraw the preachers of it, even from those to whom they seemed especially to have been sent; grant us so to receive the teachers of thy truth, as they may be continued amongst us, to our everlasting comfort in thee; to whom with the son, and the holy Ghost, be all honour and glory for ever,  
Amen.   

Another prayer against hardness of heart, and contempt of the word of God.  
FOr as much as thy sacred doctrine, O most mighty God, is especially taught in the sacred Church, whereby both thou thyself art manifestly known, singularly preached, and highly magnified; and we also thereby still called to heaven and heavenly things: it behoveth us, as many as profess to be of thy school, greatly to rejoice to be there; and as thy faithful Disciples with all our hearts to desire for to give diligent ear unto thee alone, and thy most wholesome instructions. For thou hast oftener than once, (as thou didst unto the Israelites) both by thy sacred Scriptures, and also through the ministers of thy blessed word protested unto us, on this wise: Give ear unto me, O my people, & acknowledge me truly to be thy God; not in words, I say, only; but in mind verily, and with a perfect and most pure worshipping.  
But we (alas) have turned our hearts from thy holy words, and so wretchedly despised the doctrine of thy sacred law and Gospel; that we have always hitherto been a slander unto the same. But now are we very heartily sorry for it; who trusting in the death and bloodshedding of thy son jesus Christ our Saviour, do with great fervency, and most earnest prayers, lamentably call upon thee for pardon of all our sinful crimes. And seeing we acknowledge thee to be our only God, we earnestly desire thy gracious goodness, to grant us this request; that we may now, and from henceforth for ever, give ear only unto thy divine Majesty, and honour thee alone; neither make any thine equal, or prefer any thing before thee.  
Suffer not our sinful heart, which of nature is disposed unto evil, to be hardened at thy fatherly and friendly admonitions: make the same soft, we heartily pray thee, with the inspiration of thy good grace and holy spirit; neither suffer us, whom thou, of thine infinite goodness, and not for our merits sake, hast chosen to be thy blessed people, and sheep of thy pasture, to strive & struggle against thy blessed commandments; like unto the stiffnecked jews, who wouldst oftentimes put thereto the trail of thy mighty power. But grant thou, O most dear and excellent Father, who speakest alway peaceable matters, and those things which are for our singular commodity; that we, which have heretofore been marvelous rebellious, stubborn, burdenous, and troublesome unto thee; may now become thy tractable, conformed, and obedient children; and ever hereafter have so great a regard to thy blessed words, that with very attentive minds we may give good ear to those things, which thou speakest and willest us to do. So doing, we shall not only be saved, & adorned with glory; but also, every thing of ours shall be replenished with goodness, truth, righteousness, and peace. Faith shall abound, and through the same shall we be plenteously justified, through jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.  
From all sedition and privy conspiracy, from all false doctrine and heresy; from hardness of heart, and contempt of thy word and commandment: good Lord deliver us.  
That it may please thee to give to all thy people increase of grace, to hear meekly thy word, and to receive it with pure affection, and to bring forth the fruits of the spirit: we beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.  
That it may please thee to bring into the way of truth, all such as have erred, & are deceived; to strengthen such as do stand, and to comfort and help the weake-harted, and to raise up them that fall; and finally to beat down Satan under our feet: we beseech thee to hear us, good Lord,  
Amen.   

A very necessary prayer against hypocrites, false teachers, and deriders of the Gospel.  
Whosoever they be, O almighty God, that make a true account of sincere goodliness, and pure religion, are exceeding sorrowful, if they see the sacred Church scattered, wholesome doctrine derided, the praises of thy divine name had in contempt; and such things as appertain to a devout worshipping of thee, turned unto heathenish gewgaws, and voluptuous pleasures. To the intent therefore these things may in no wise happen as now unto us, which we see not to be far off; we power forth daily before thee, with great submission, these our doleful complaints. That thou wouldst first, of thine exceeding great goodness, and loving mercy, blot out all our heinous sins and offences, being in a manner infinite and exceeding grievous; committed, not only through weakness and ignorance; but also done oftentimes both maliciously, and of set purpose. Be favourable, I say, O God, unto our grievous sins, and turn away from us, in such sort, the most fierce wiles, and subtle laiengs await of Antichrist; as thy sacred Church be not deprived of all blessed joy, and spiritual gladness. O Lord, I beseech thee, show some experiment and proof of thyself; declare thy name and thy power amongst those thy spiteful enemies. Bring down antichrist's kingdom, with all his ungodly sects, and schismatical factions. Certes, overlong it hath oppressed us; yea, and at this very day it still letteth, hindereth, and holdeth under foot very many, which else speedily would have run to the kingdom of liberty, and believed the Gospel. Pull it therefore down, O Lord, with all his stumbling blocks, evil examples, perverse doctrine; and never suffer it to recover again.  
Lord, thou both seest, and right well perceivest, how the cruel, malicious, and ungodly Antichristians would invade the Church, being so puffed up with pride, & inflamed with fury, scorning as well divine laws, as human with like stateliness and equal contempt; doing nothing with courtesy and faithfulness; but practising mischief and naughtiness, and endeavouring so much as in them lieth, that thy blessed word may no where flourish; that true religion might be utterly extinguished; that the perfect invocating and calling upon thy glorious name might be quite rooted out; and to bring all things to nought by forged tales, men's traditions, politic devices, devilish deceits, and very much outrage. But as for thy beloved Israel, sith she hath by thy great mercy enjoyed so long peace, and blessed tranquillity, let her be joined more and more unto thee her well-beloved, so as she may continually lay sure hold upon thy worthy praises. Suffer not the mouths of her good and wholesome instructors to be closed up, and put to silence. Permit not thy due honour to be had in oblivion, nor yet let the hymns and songs, wherewith thou art highly praised and celebrated, be usurped of such as will have the same in derision and scorn. Finally, we humbly beseech thee, O excellent father, that what wrath or indignation so ever is due unto us, by reason of the heinous sins we have wickedly committed, thou wouldst yet, for the glory of thy famous name, turn it from thy sanctified Church, thy dear spouse; and power out the same rather upon them, who with an enimielike rage, and most malicious affection, imagine nothing else, but quite to mar, and utterly lay waste thy blessed heritage; and in deed be no less adversaries to thy blessed name, than of our peace and quietness, through jesus Christ our Lord,  
Amen.   

A prayer for unbelievers, that all men may embrace the Gospel.  
Unto thee do we cry, O Lord, father and maker of all men, which art rich unto all that call upon thee, and which commandest the light to shine out of darkness. For thou wilt that all men should be saved, and come to the knowledge of the truth. And therefore, of thy great love thou didst call us to the participation of the lot of the Saints in light, which are by nature the children of wrath and of death; aliens and strangers from the testaments of promise, having none hope, and without God in the world, but now are fellow Citizens with the Saints, and of the household of God, built upon the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets, jesus Christ being the head corner stone, which sustaineth the whole building by his word of power.  
Hear us thy servants, making supplication for such as yet have not hard the sound of thy Gospel, neither know thy name; but sitting in darkness, and in the shadow of death, have their minds darkened, and are alienated from the life of God, by the ignorance that is in them, and are carried away unto dumb idols, and feigned gods, even as they are led, and run to worship that which is no God. Give grace, that thy word may be known among them, and preached in every land, and the sound there of go out into the ends of the world, that thou also mayst be found of them which sought thee not, and famous among such as never asked after thee. Send forth thy word, that they may be healed, and walk no more in the vanities of their mind.  
O God, father of our Lord jesus Christ, King of glory, give them the spirit of wisdom and revelation, through the confessing of thee: enlighten their minds, that they may know what the hope is, whereunto thou hast called us, and how precious the glory is of thine inheritance in the Saints, and how excellent the greatness of his power is toward us, which believe, according to the working of his mighty power, which thou hast wrought in him, when he was raised by thee from the dead, and placed at thy right hand in heavenly places, above all principalities & powers.  
Open the hearts of unbelievers, that hearing thy word, they may acknowledge thee the only true God; and jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent; and may worship thee the father in the son, and the son in thee the father, with the holy ghost, even as thou hast revealed thyself. Take the vail from the hearts of the jews, least being blinded in the reading of the old Testament, they stumble at the stone and rock of offence by incredulity, and hardness of their hearts; that thy Son Christ crucified and preached, be not unto them a stumbling block, and thy Gospel the savour of death unto death; but that being converted by true faith, to the knowledge of thee the father in the son, their face being uncovered, they may behold thy glory, knowing by the writings of the Prophets, the Messiah, which thou hast appointed to be the Saviour of the world. Likewise, gather thou the Gentiles, to whom the Gospel, the word of the Cross, is mere foolishness, into thy congregation, that they may embrace thy ministery, casting off all fleshly wisdom, and lead all their cogitations captive to the obedience of the Gospel.  
Moreover, our prayer and supplication is, not only for those above mentioned, but also for such as either, although they resist not thy truth and pure religion openly and obstinately, profess our religion, yet mingled with many superstitions and abuses, worshipping and calling upon Saints departed out of this life, or be addicted to outward ceremonies, and rudiments of this world, burdening their consciences with man's observations, and traditions of their fathers, or trusting to their own righteousness, or rather to the works and deeds of the flesh, refuse and make little account of thy righteousness, which is the true justification; and go about to establish their own righteousness. But Christ is the end of the law for righteousness, to as many as believe: and another foundation can no man lay, than that is laid in thy son the Messiah, which is the way, the truth, the life, and the end of the law. For by his perfect obedience, and fulfilling of the law, by his innocent and bitter death, he hath restored unto us salvation, and perfect righteousness, that every one which believeth on him, might not perish, but have everlasting life.  
O God, the sight of the blind, bring them home again, which through ignorance either are entangled in doubtful labyrinths, and gross errors, or countenance polluted religion; that lightened by thy spirit, they may return into the right way. And such as with impudent faces, and stiff necks, do obstinately with an affected ignorance withstand thine holy spirit, whose senses the god of this world hath blinded, that the light of thy glorious Gospel shine not over them; repress and bridle their malice, that by slaughter and persecutions they neither trouble nor destroy thy Church,  
Amen.   

After the Sermon, read some of these sentences of Scripture, exhorting to the diligent observing and following of God's word beard.  Deuteronomie. 28, verse 1. 
IF thou shalt obey diligently the voice of the Lord thy God, walk in his ordinances, and observe, keep, and do all his commandments, which I command thee this day; then all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee. Blessed shalt thou be in the city, and blessed in the field, etc. But and if thou wilt not obey the voice of the Lord thy God, to keep and do all his commandments and his ordinances, which I command thee this day, than all these curses shall come upon thee, and overtake thee. Cursed shalt thou be in the city, and cursed in the field, etc. as in the whole Chapter.  Ecclesiasticus. 35. 
WHO so keepeth the law, bringeth offerings enough: he that holdeth fast the commandments, offereth an offering of salvation.  Matthew. 7. 
WHO soever heareth of me (saith Christ) these words, and doth the same, I will liken him to a wise man, which hath builded his house on a rock, etc. But whosoever heareth these my words, and doth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which hath builded his house upon the sands, etc.  Luke. 11. 
BLessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it.  Luke. 12. 
THE servant that knoweth his masters will, and doth it not, shall be beaten with many stripes.  Romans. 2. 
THE hearers of the law are not righteous before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified.  james. 1. 
WHerefore, be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. For if any hear the word, and do it not, he is like unto a man that beholdeth his natural face in a glass. For when he hath considered himself, he goeth away, and forgetteth immediately what manner of one he was. But who so looketh in the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he not being a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, shall be blessed in his deed.  john. 15. 
NOw are ye clean, through the word which I have spoken unto you. Abide in me, and I in you, etc. I am the vine, ye are the branches: he that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit. For without me can ye do nothing. If ye abide in me, and my word abide in you, ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.  Revelation. 2. 
FOR he that overcometh, and keepeth my words unto the end, to him will I give power over nations.  Revelation. 3. 
REmember therefore how thou hast heard and received, and hold fast and repent. Hold that, I say, which thou hast, that no man take thy crown; and watch.   

Then give thanks, and pray unto God after the Sermon, and say:  
Immortal praise and thanks be given unto thee, O almighty God, and most merciful father, who hast given us so precious a gift of thy holy word, and vouchsafed us to hear so glad tidings of thy sacred Gospel, by the hand of this thy minister, who presently by thy mercy hath uttered it unto us. And seeing thou hast dealt so graciously with us, in the free publishing of thy Gospel, amongst us this four and twenty years; that it seemeth thou hast even lifted us up to heaven, with the cities, wherein our Saviour taught most, in his being upon the earth; and hast now in a manner thrown them down to hell; and left in them a terrible and a fearful example of thy judgements, against those that walk not worthy the graces offered unto them. Grant us so to profit by this their chastisement and correction, that as of thy grace thou hast revealed thy will unto us, which otherwise we could never have known: so now strengthen us, O Lord, that we never refuse thy Gospel in unbelief, nor seek in the persons of the preachers of it, any causes and pretences of our infidelity; but having thy word always in our hearts, and thy praises in our tongues, we may walk worthy thy so great graces bestowed upon us, and have our conversation in heaven, that after we may be taken up thither unto thee, always to glorify thee, with thy Son, and the holy Ghost,  
Amen.   

A thanksgiving for the knowledge of God in his word.  
WE give thee thanks, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid the mystery of thy word, which is the Gospel of our salvation by thy Son, from the wise, and men of understanding in this world; and hast revealed the same to babes of base degree; certainly such was thy good pleasure. Thou hast given us all things in thy Son, whom none knoweth but thou Father; neither doth any know thee, except thy Son, and he to whom thy Son shall reveal thee. We worship thee, we praise thee, we glorify thee, we give thee thanks for the hid wisdom, which thou didst determine before the world for our glory, which was never known to the princes of this world, nor at any time to the sons of men, as it is now revealed by the spirit; to whom the communion of the mystery, which was hid from all ages, but is now opened to thy Saints, to whom thou wouldst have made known, what be the riches of this glorious mystery. It is thine own working, and of thy free mercy, that we are made heirs and partakers of thy promise in Christ jesus, through the Gospel, which bringeth us tidings, and full assurance of the everlasting riches of thine infinite goodness and mercy.  
Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord jesus Christ, which hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly things, by Christ; and hath chosen us in him before the foundations of the world, that we should be holy, and without blame before him, in love; who hath predestinated us, to be adopted through jesus Christ, unto himself; according to the good pleasure of his will, whereby he loveth us by his beloved, in whom we have redemption in his blood, even the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace, wherein he hath abounded towards us, in all wisdom and understanding; and hath opened unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure, which he hath purposed in himself, even until the dispensation of the fullness of time; that he might gather in one all things, both which are in heaven, and which are in earth, even in Christ; by whom also we are chosen, when we were predestinated, according to the purpose of him which maketh allthings after the counsel of his own will: that we might be to the praise of his glory, which hoping have believed in Christ, when we heard the word of truth, even the Gospel of salvation. And this grace thou didst extend toward us, not by the works of righteousness, which we had done; but according to thy mercy thou savedst us, and didst call us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to thine own purpose & grace, which was given to us through Christ, before all times; and is now made manifest, by the appearing of our Saviour jesus Christ, which hath abolished death, and brought life and immortality unto light, through the Gospel. To thee therefore, which art of power to establish our hearts, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began; but now is opened, and published among all nations, by the Scriptures of the Prophets, at the commandment of the everlasting GOD, for the obedience of faith; to thee, we say, God only wise, be praise; through jesus Christ for ever, Amen.  
We beseech thee, that according to the operation and working of thy mighty power, we may continue constant in true faith, and wholesome doctrine: and at no time forsaking the wisdom opened in the Gospel, may follow the judgement of worldly reason, and fleshly understanding, which thou hast beesotted, and altogether confounded, in searching thy hidden mysteries. For thy spiritual wisdom doth far exceed all wisdom and understanding of the creatures, whereunto flesh can not attain: neither can our blood reveal, nor yet the natural man, although he be endued with great sharpness of wit, and worldly understanding, perceive the same. Grant, we beseech thee, that we may be thy simple sheep, and littleones, receiving from thee the word of truth, without contradiction and disputation: and that in the articles of faith, we bring not fleshly wisdom, but being made void of our proper understanding, may bring our minds into a godly captivity. Let thy Son, which descending from above, brought with him the eternal wisdom of the Gospel, from thy bosom, and was made a sacrifice on our behalf; but now exalted to thy right hand, bestoweth his gifts: let him, we beseech thee, shine in our hearts. Likewise, cause thine holy spirit to instill into us his divine light, and breath upon us the new flame of thine heavenly knowledge; till departing into the eternal life, we may behold thee the only and true God face to face; which livest and reignest in perpetual glory,  
Amen.   

Another thanksgiving after the Sermon.  
WE render unto thee, O heavenly father, most hearty thanks, for this spiritual & heavenly nourishment of thy blessed word; wherewith our souls are not only well refreshed at this present, but also our faith is strengthened, our love kindled, and our conscience quieted. We most humbly beseech thee, to give us grace, not only to be hearers of thy word, but doers also of the same; not only to love, but also to live thy Gospel; not only to favour, but also to follow thy godly doctrine; not only to profess, but also to practise thy blessed commandments; that whatsoever we outwardly hear, and inwardly believe, we may show forth the same in our conversation and living, unto the honour of thy holy name, the comfort of our Christian brethren, and the health of our souls,  
Amen.   

Another.  
O GOD, we have heard with our ears, and our fathers and preachers have declared unto us, the noble works that thou hast done of old time for us. Grant therefore, we beseech thee, O thou heavenly husbandman, that this seed of thy word now sown amongst us, may take such deep root in our hearts; that neither the burning heat of persecution cause it to whither, neither the thorny cares of this life do choke it: but that as seed sown in good ground it may bring forth thirty, sixty, and an hundred fold; as thy heavenly wisdom hath appointed, to the glory of thy holy name,  
Amen.   

Another prayer, or thanksgiving after the Sermon.  
I Give thee most humble thanks, Lord jesus Christ, that thou hast vouchsafed even now, abundantly to refresh and feed us with the food of thy word. And I beseech thee, that the understanding and knowledge of this thy word, may be wholesome, comfortable, and effectual in us; that this heavenly seed now sown, do not die or perish in us without fruit. Keep our hearts, O Lord; environ and compass them about with the enclosure or hedge of thy grace; and by thy holy Angels preserve and watch over the same, that the infernal fowl bird Satan pull not out thy sacred word out of our hearts. But prepare our breast, and make apt our hearts unto thee, good Lord, that they may firmly keep thy word, and that they may alway stick, and be as new and fresh in our memories. Give us also strength, possibility, and power, that our life may answer to thy doctrine heard. Give increase also to thy word, O heavenly husbandman, that in us it may augment & grow; and that by thy holy speech and heavenly eloquence, it may not only bring us to the knowledge of thy will: but also, that we may execute, accomplish, and fulfil that thou commandest and willest; and so persevering to the end, may at the last aspire to thy celestial kingdom,  
Amen.   

Another.  
O Gracious God, and most merciful Father, which hast vouchsafed us the rich and precious jewel of thy holy word; assist us with thy spirit, that it may be written in our hearts, to our everlasting comfort; to reform us, to renew us, according to thine own image; to build us up, and edify us into the perfect building of thy Christ; sanctifying and increasing in us all heavenly virtues. Grant this, O heavenly Father, for jesus Christ's sake,  
Amen.   

Another prayer, for the accomplishing of Gods will revealed in his law.  
SUCH truly are to be accounted right happy amongst mortal men, O most good and merciful God, as have thy sacred law alway set out before the eyes of their mind, which they make as a pattern to begin their life by, and as a rule to proceed by, when they have begun: so that if they shall happen to go astray, their fault may both be amended thereby, and they also lead a more virtuous life, according unto justice. These shall live blameless, and when their doings shall be examined by upright judgement, they shall not be ashamed; which will greatly avail, if it be diligently practised from the tender age. But I heartily acknowledge, and earnestly confess, O most dear father, that all man's policy is altogether unprofitable, and none account at all to be made thereof, unless thou be present with thy blessed spirit, and doest direct our minds. For otherwise, what gain may we have, by hearing or meditating of thy holy law, than a cold and very hurtful knowledge? Wherefore, my earnest request is, that thou wouldst not only minister strength unto us by thy grace, for the accomplishing of these things, which thou commandest in thy divine law; but also to bring this unto good effect, so that we may have more felicity in them, than in all our own devices, and take a greater delight in the continual practice, and due execution thereof, than in any fleshly or worldly pleasures, through jesus Christ our Lord,  
Amen.   

Another prayer for strength speedily to accomplish Gods divine law.  
WHen as we on the one side, do consider the weakness of our strength, O most mighty God, and contrariwise, the absoluteness and perfectness of thy blessed law; we evidently perceive, that for the obtaining thereof, thy most puissant help will stand us in very great steed. First therefore, teach us the true ways of thy holy commandments; moreover, illuminate in such sort our mind and understanding, as we may be able to incline, with great fervency, unto those things, which thou hast both taught and commanded. Furthermore, it is needful for thee, to grant us power and ability, to perform whatsoever we have learned of thee; otherwise it shall profit us little or nothing at all, to have knowledge, unless some part of obedience be either performed, or at leastwise begun in us, which the lewd inclination of our sinful hearts doth greatly hinder; and finally, our senses and corrupt affections are wonderful huge adversaries hereunto.  
Secure thou us therefore, we humbly beseech thee, with thy good grace, and abundant favour, forgiving whatsoever we have committed, and do daily, after a most sinful manner, against thy sacred law; neither let it be imputed unto us for our eternal destruction. And in the mean season, O good God, quicken and lift us so up with thy unspeakable loving mercy, which we see offered unto us in the benign promises of thy holy scriptures, that thou wouldst not permit us to serve from thy sacred law, which thou hast vouchsafed to set before us, who do with much fervency desire to be unseparably annexed unto thee. But grant, that we may execute, with an exceeding fervent desire, the charge which is left unto us, so that we may marvelous speedily bestir our steps and feet towards the fulfilling of thy blessed law. 'Cause thou us, O excellent father, we humbly beseech thee, to cut off, and cast aside all delays; and that contrary to the expectation of the ungodly, who always cast lets to entrap us, we may be obedient to thy sacred precepts, so that all those, which honour and love thee purely, may accompany us, that like as the earth is everywhere replenished with thy inestimable goodness, so the number of thy true and faithful suppliants, may be daily more and more greatly augmented, through jesus Christ our Lord,  
Amen.   

A prayer to be used of any excommunicate person, or notorious sinner, before the doing of open penance in the Church, for true conversion and repentance, etc.  
Eternal and everliving God, Father of our Lord jesus Christ, thou that by the mouth of thy holy Prophets and Apostles hast plainly pronounced, that thou desirest not the death of a sinner, but rather that he may convert and live: who also hast sent thine only son to suffer the cruel death of the cross, not for the just, but for such as find themselves oppressed with the burden of sin, that by him and his advocation, they may have access to the throne of thy grace, being assured, that before they cry, they shall find favour and mercy. Unto thee, most merciful God, do I miserable wretch cry, whom for my filthy life, lewd conversation, and proud contempt of thee, and thy holy law, thou to the grief & dolour of many good Christian hearts, doest justly scourge and punish, by the censures of thy Church, and hast worthily cut off, secluded, and rejected, by excommunication from thy mystical body, making me now a spectacle to God, to angels, and to men.  
Unto thee, I say, O Lord, and master of all power, which callest offenders unto thee, by way of judgement and affliction, and knowest the hardness of our hearts, which have no power of ourselves to return and rise up, do I come, and that in the name of thy Son, my Lord and Saviour jesus Christ, to acknowledge before thee, and this congregation, my heinous sins, wherewith I have too shamefully polluted myself, and offended thee and thy Church. And here prostrate at the feet of thy Majesty, I crave mercy and pardon of thee, and ask forgiveness of all the world, especially of this congregation, whom I confess I have offended. Most humbly beseeching thee, O father of mercies, to look upon me with thine eyes of pity, even as thou lookedst sometime upon the sinful woman taken in adultery, and upon Marie Magdalen in the banquet, which prostrating herself at thy feet, bitterly did bewail her wickedness. Likewise favour me, as thou didst the Publican standing a far off in the Temple, without lifting up his eyes unto heaven for shame, but striking his breast only, said, Lord be merciful unto me a sinner.  
And first, O God, that thou wilt pierce through my hardened heart, and move it by the power of thy holy spirit, in such sort, that I may come to a true knowledge of my sins, and feel in my soul and conscience the terror of thy judgement upon all offenders. Especially, O Lord, that as I have offended thy Majesty, and a great number of this thy Christian congregation, by my detestable fact and grievous sin, so (being armed by thy grace to endure this mortification of my flesh, like as my Saviour jesus suffered for me in his flesh,) I may now subject myself to the just ordinance of thy Church, and not refuse openly here to acknowledge and confess my faults (and that with all Christian patience, and true humiliation, giving to thee the glory of thy name) before the face of thee and this congregation present, who may be eie-witnesses of the same.  
But because, O Lord, the external confession, and outward acknowledgement of my sins, without the inward contrition & dolour of the heart and soul, availeth nothing in thy presence, which art the searcher of the heart, and sifter of the reins; I most humbly beseech thee, that thou wilt so touch my heart and conscience, and effectually work in me perfect remorse, and detestation of my former offences, that without any hypocrisy, and with true compunction of soul, and sincere confession of the mouth, I utterly loathing and condemning mine own impiety, and damning that which the law pronounceth unjust and damnable, may attain to some sense and feeling of thy mercy, which thou hast abundantly showed unto all mankind in Christ jesus our Lord.  
Convert me, O Lord, and I shall be converted; because thou art my God, and being converted, I will do penance. heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed; save thou me, and I shall be saved, for thou art my praise. To me, I confess, shame and confusion of face is due, as I justly suffer this day, but to thee honour and glory for my redemption, who by thus judging and punishing me, doest by little and little give me place to amend, and space to repent; and hast not suddenly, and at unwares taken me away from the face of the earth, and overwhelmed me by and by through thy justice in my wicked deeds doing, as I deserved, and thou justly mightest. For which thy lenity, patience, long-suffering, and mercy, O thou lover of my soul, I most humbly thank thee; beseeching thee so to mollify my heart, that I may repent, and esteem greatly of so great riches, and inestimable treasures of thy goodness.  
Moreover, O good Lord jesus Christ, grant (I beseech thee) that among all the fears and terrors of my conscience, I may take hold of thee by a lively faith, which hast redeemed me from the curse of the law, and art made for me, wisdom and righteousness, sanctification and redemption; and may not, in the fight of conscience, yield myself a slave still to Satan, and despair of thy mercy; but upholden by the voice of thy Gospel, may flee unto thee my mediator, and justified by faith, may have peace with God, that so coming unto thee by hearing thy word to repentance, the Angels in heaven may continually have occasion to rejoice; and I avoiding the fearful vengeance, which most assuredly shall fall upon the inobedient, may be restored into the right of thy law, and received again into the bosom of thy Church, as a member of thy mystical body, and from my heart walk in all holy obedience to thee and thy holy word, to the praise of thy name, the comfort of thy Church, and the confusion of Satan,  
Amen.   

A thanksgiving and prayer unto God, of a reconciled offender, or excommunicate person restored into the Church, to be used after open penance done at a Sermon, or otherwise.  
Heavenly father, fountain of all mercy and consolation, I confess myself the chiefest of all sinners, and a wretch most unworthy to be counted amongst thy children, or to be a member of thy Church, if thou have respect to the corruption of my nature, and horror of my manifold misdeeds. But seeing it hath pleased thy fatherly goodness, not only freely to elect and choose me in thy dear son our Lord jesus Christ, by his death to redeem me, by his Gospel to call me, and by his holy spirit (which both are thine) to illuminate me: but also that thou hast commanded thy holy word and sacred Gospel to be preached, not only to me, but to all the world, to the end that the penitent may have an assurance of the remission of all their sins, great and small, old and new, not only for a time, but even as oft as they, from sorrowful hearts, and broken spirits, in bitter tears, shall bewail the same, and call for thy grace and mercy.  
In consideration of this thy fatherly adoption, and ineffable clemency showed upon me an unworthy wretch, I can not but highly praise and magnify thy fatherly mercy. A testimony whereof I not only feel now in myself; but others also see the same evidently in this my conversion, and confession of my forepassed faults; in the which my penance doing, I am assured that I have not so much shamed myself before this godly congregation, as I have thereby confounded and overcome mine enemy Satan, who for a time had me in bondage, and by whose venem and deceivable enticements, I heretofore have been very rebellious to the wholesome admonitions of the Church: for the which vile sins, rebellion, and contempt, I confess I have been worthily excommunicate, and punished by the censures of the same.  
But now, O Lord, seeing that the spirit of our Lord jesus Christ hath so far prevailed in me, that by the power thereof I am now set at freedom; & by thy mercy am returned again to the society of thy Saints, and mystical body of thy Church; I beseech thee, for the obedience of our Lord jesus Christ, so to accept me sorrowful convert, and to allow of this mine unfeigned repentance and confession, that my former inobedience and faults be never laid to my charge. Have mercy upon me, O God, have mercy upon me, and absolve me thy poor creature, not only from the sentence of excommunication, but also from the sins by me committed, and from all censures of the Church laid against me for the same, or before: and that Lord, given according to this my hearty and unfeigned repentance before thee, and all this congregation; and as I heartily forgive all the world, that in any thing hath offended against me.  
O Lord, pronounce thou my sins to be cleansed, and they shall be cleansed; absolve thou me from the chain of mine iniquities, wherewith I am fast tied and bound, and I shall be absolved; lose thou my sins in earth, and they shall be loosed in heaven: that being now by thy great goodness and mercy acquitted, and sent away uncondemned of thee, as that sinful woman taken in adultery was from her accusers; and received again to the society of jesus Christ, into the bosom of his Church; to the participation of his blessed Sacraments; and finally to the fruition of all thy benefits; I may, by the perpetual assistance of thy holy spirit, not only more and more be displeased with my sins, and bridle henceforth my corrupt affections, till Satan be clean trodden under my feet, by the power of my redeemer Christ: but also be so conducted in all the course of my life hereafter, that I never fall into the like sins, impiety, and contempt of God and godliness any more, but that continually I may be subject to the voice of the Church, and to the ministers of the same, and proceed daily in all manner of good works, and Christian obedience, to the praise of thy holy name, and edifying of thy Church; by jesus Christ our Lord and only Saviour, to whom with thee and the holy Ghost be given all honour, glory, praise and thanksgiving, not only of me miserable sinner and unworthy wretch, but also of all men, Angels and creatures, both in heaven and in earth, from this time forth for evermore,  
Amen.  Luke 15, verses 6, 7. Rejoice with me, saith Christ. For I have found my sheep which was lost; yea I say unto you, there is joy in heaven in the presence of the Angels of God, over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.  

A prayer to be used for the conversion of any notorious sinner, that doth open penance in the Church.  
Pitiful God, omnipotent Lord, and merciful Father; who for that good will thou bearest unto us in jesus Christ thy dear son, wilt not the death and destruction of a sinner; but rather that he by the inspiration and moving of thy holy spirit convert and live, who also dost witness, the virtue and strength of thy word to be such, that it causeth the mountains to shake, the rocks tremble, and the floods to dry up: behold we thy children and people here prostrate before thee, most humbly beseech thee for jesus Christ's sake, pitifully to look upon all sinners, and especially upon this our sister here present, who once was baptized in thy name, and hath professed herself subject to this religion, and unto the discipline of thy Church; though Satan alas now for a while hath so blinded her, that wilfully she hath contemned both the one and the other.  
But, O Lord, as thou alone knowest; so mayst thou alone change and mollify the hearts of the impenitent sinners: thou, I say, which by the voice of the prophet Nathan awakedst david from his deadly security; and who without any prophet didst beat down the pride of Manasses in the prison, after that he had filled jerusalem with all kind of impiety: thou which turnedst the heart of Peter at the only look of thy dear son our Lord jesus Christ, after that fearfully with horrible imprecations he had thrice denied, and openly forsworn thee: thou which openedst the eyes of the blind excommunicate man, and causedst him to believe thy saying; & which forgavest the woman taken in adultery, & sent'st her away uncondemned of thee & her accusers; thou I say, O Lord, whose mercies without measure endure for ever. To thee do we pray for this our sister, here presently punished, and doing open penance for her offences, earnestly desiring thee, O father of mercies, first so to pierce and move her heart with the fear of thy severe judgements, which sufferest no child of thine to go uncorrected in this world, to the end they may escape unpunished in the world to come: and so to open her eyes, that she may begin to see and understand, how fearful and terrible a thing it is to fall into thy hands, and to provoke thy wrath and indignation against her.  
Let it please thy Majesty, by the virtue of thy holy spirit, so to mollify her hard heart, I say, that she may now at length feel how grievously she hath offended, both against thee and the Church; and give her thy grace to acknowledge, accuse, and damn as well before us, whom she hath offended, as before thy presence, this her contempt and sin so notorious and damnable, lest that by her obstinacy and wilful rebellion, thy Church and congregation being further provoked, be compelled with grief of hearts to cut her quite off from thy mystical body; whom we, O Lord, unfeignedly desire to receive within the Church, as a lively member of thy dear son our Lord jesus Christ. Hear us, merciful father; call back again this our dear sister from eternal destruction, where-into Satan would lead her; that we all, who before thy presence, even for her rebellion and transgressions do mourn, may receive her again with gladness and joy, and so render praise and honour unto thee before this thy holy congregation.  
We grant ourselves, O Lord, unworthy, whom thou shouldest hear; because we cease not to offend thee by our continual transgressing of thy holy precepts. Look not upon us, merciful father, in this our corrupt nature, but look down to thy dear son, whom thou of thy mere mercy hast appointed our head, high Bishop, advocate, mediator, and only propitiator. In him, and in the merits of his death, we humbly beseech thee, mercifully to behold us; and suffer not the most innocent blood of thy dear son shed for us, and this our penitent sister, to be profaned by the tyranny and sleight of Satan: but by the virtue of the same, let our sister be brought to unfeigned repentance, and conversion, that so she may escape that fearful indignation, into the which she appeareth to have fallen.  
Grant I say, O Lord, unto this our sister, the repentance of the heart, and sincere confession of the mouth, to the praise of thy name, to the comfort of thy Church, and to the confusion of Satan. And unto us grant, O Lord, that albeit we cannot live altogether clean from sin, and void of offences; yet that we fall not into the like horrible crimes of impiety and contempt, to the dishonour of thy holy name, to the slander and offence of our brethren and sisters, and infamy of thy holy Religion and Gospel, which we profess. Let thy godly power, O Lord, so perpetually assist and strengthen our weakness, and conduct us in all the course of our whole life; that neither the craft of Satan, nor the tyranny of sin draw us utterly from the obedience required in true Christians: but that contrarily being subject to the voice of thy Church, and to the ministers of the same under thee, by holiness and innocency of life we may declare to the wicked generation, what difference there is between the children of light, and the children of darkness; that all men seeing our good works, may praise thee in the day of visitation. This we ask of thee, O heavenly Father, in the boldness of our head and mediator jesus Christ, praying furthermore as he hath taught us: Our Father, etc.   

Another prayer to be said of the beholders of any offender in the Church, or elsewhere.  
Almighty God, and most merciful father, whose judgements are unsearchable, and whose ways are past finding out; teach us to judge wisely of this our sister, and all other afflicted with thy hand; not condemning them, but rather profiting by them, that their example may lead us to repentance, and bringing forth such fruits, as thou requirest of all those that are planted in thy Church; least by continuing fruitless, we provoke thee at the last to the cutting of us down. And because thou hast given us a saviour able to heal all our infirmities, deliver us by him, O Lord, from all the bonds of Satan; that being set at liberty by him, we may foresee the strait door, and enter into it, leaving the wide gate that leadeth to destruction, that we may be saved with those few that are appointed thereunto in jesus Christ, to whom with thee, and the holy Ghost, be all honour, praise and glory, for evermore,  
Amen.   

A thanksgiving for the conversion of an excommunicate person, or other public offender after penance.  
WE thank the mercy and goodness of our God, through jesus Christ our Lord, for the conversion & patiented penance doing of this our sister, whereby she hath not so much endured the reproach and infamy of her own sins, as in deed she hath confounded and overcome Satan her deadly foe, who went about to make her his continual slave: and by whose subtle sleights and evil suggestions, she hath heretofore been disobedient to thy holy laws, and wholesome admonitions of thy Church. And now, O Lord, seeing that the spirit of our Lord jesus Christ hath so far prevailed in her, that she is returned to our society; let it please thee for the obedience of the same our Lord jesus Christ so to accept her, that her former disobedience and sins be never laid to her charge, but that she may increase in all goodness, till Satan finally be trodden under her feet and ours, by the power of our Lord jesus Christ, to whom with thee and the holy Spirit, be all honour and glory now and ever,  
Amen.   

Before the public administration of the holy sacrament of Baptism, the better to call to mind our own vow and promise made long since unto God, pray privately to yourself, and say:  
O Most blessed fore-goer and guide of Christian people, jesus Christ, who submitting and humbling thyself, vouchsafedst to be baptized of john in the river jordan, and wast not only baptized in water, but also in blood, and in the holy Ghost: vouchsafe even so to incline, bow and dispose our outward life, with our inward mind, affects, and desires, in the fulfilling of all righteousness: so that we being now mortified & dead to the old Adam, through thy holy witness of baptism, by the working and operation of the holy Ghost, may alway have our holy covenant in remembrance, & before our eyes, that covenant, vow, and promise (I say,) which we have taken upon us in our baptism; to the intent that we, as faithful champions, striving against the world, the flesh, and the devil, may vanquish and overcome them with all other, which might be noifull and hurtful unto us,  
Amen.  
Or give thanks for our regeneration and sanctification, as afterward in the prayer upon whitsunday.   

Or pray thus for the spiritual washing away of thy sins.  
Have mercy on me, O GOD, according to thy great tenderness of heart. For in wickedness borne I was, and in sins my mother conceived me: so that of nature all that I am, I am but sin. This my confession of the truth, I know well, is right acceptable unto thee, whereas in the most part of others thou hast either hid the same, or made it unknown. Purge and sprinkle me with the blood of jesus Christ thine unspotted lamb. If thou wash me, I shall be as white as snow: wash me thoroughly therefore from mine errors, cleanse me not only of my sins passed; but also of my whole life to come; so shall I receive these glad tidings into my heart, that my sins be forgiven me. With the baptism of spirit in the fire of thine illumination baptize me, which is the might & efficacy of baptism, which we received in our childhood. Grant that the same spirit might alway conduct us, & let this spiritual washing of baptism continue with us, until the infection and vice, which we have by nature of old Adam, be perfectly taken away by the death of the flesh, through jesus Christ our Lord,  
Amen.   

Or pray that the benefits of both the holy Sacraments may be applied unto our soul's health.  
O Blessed Trinity, and eternal God of one essence; give grace, that in every combat, and especially at the point of death, being mindful of thy covenant made with us at our Christening, & of thy most comfortable promise annexed, He which believeth, and is baptized, shall be saved: we may never doubt, either of thy merciful goodwill towards us, or of the free remission of our sins: but by often remembering this sign and covenant, may daily more and more be confirmed in faith, and hope of perpetual happiness: and apply thy benefits, which certainly thou hast promised, and faithfully wilt perform unto ourselves. For thy promises made to such as believe and trust in thee, be not vain, and to no purpose.  
Likewise uphold our souls by the Sacrament of thy Supper, that strengthened with the seal of this new testament, we may be the more certain; and confirmed touching our reconciliation, and everlasting righteousness; & always bear it fixed in our minds. For if the testament of a man, which is proved after the death of the Testator, be not small accounted of; much more should the last testament and holy Sacrament of our Saviour Christ remain pure, and in continual force and remembrance.   

Or pray, that we may rightly and truly receive the blessed Sacraments.  
O Most merciful God, and loving father, who by thy son jesus Christ haste abrogated the superfluous ceremonies of the Law, and hast delivered us from the bondage thereof, giving unto us sure & certain seals and sacraments of thy grace; and our free redemption through the most precious blood of thy dear Son jesus Christ. Grant, O Lord, we beseech thee, that we may evermore use them according to thy son our saviours institution, who hath left them as pledges of his great love towards mankind, & as continual remembrances of his most precious death, which he suffered upon the wood of the cross for our redemption: who by the fountain of water hath regenerated us, and by his most precious blood hath purged us. Make us therefore to receive these holy mysteries without corruption, to use them without alteration, to continue them without superstition, to the honour and glory of thy most holy name, through jesus Christ our Lord, to whom with thee and the holy Ghost, be all honour and glory now and for ever,  
Amen.   

After public baptism pray, and give thanks secretly to yourself, as time will serve, saying:  
WE yield thee most hearty thanks, O heavenly Father; for that it hath pleased thee to regenerate us with the fountain of water, by faith in the blood of thy son jesus Christ, and to purge us from that original sin, which we received of the old Eue. But who is able, oh Lord, to to give thee sufficient praises? Or who can express thy loving kindness and great mercies towards mankind, who hast not only redeemed him from the yoke of the law, the bondage of hell, and destruction of the devil: but also like a merciful and loving father, even in our first entrance into this world, washedst us from iniquity, and hast given us the Sacrament of Baptism, even as a memorial of our election, in thy Son jesus Christ our Lord, whereby being made thine adopted children, we may by the sanctification of thy spirit, inherit the everlasting kingdom, through the same jesus Christ our Lord,  
Amen.   

Or pray for the fruits of Baptism thus.  
MOst heavenly and eternal father, we thy humble servants entirely desire thy fatherly goodness, that as thou hast begun in us a new birth, & washed us with the fountain of regeneration, whereby we are made members of thy body, and elected into the number and fellowship of thy Church and congregation: so thou wouldst power upon us the grace of thy spirit, to direct our lives according to this beginning, in holiness and pureness, that we may mortify the lusts of the flesh, resist the assaults of Satan, and avoid the allurements of the wicked world, remembering always that Baptism doth represent unto us our vocation, quenching those sparks of concupiscence that we all draw from the old Adam, and quickening us in those good fruits of Christ our Saviour, who continually preserve us with his holy spirit for ever and ever,  
Amen.   

Or pray for the continuance of the true institution of the Sacraments thus:  
O Most mighty and most merciful God, by whose power the heavens and earth, and all things therein, are created; who hast placed every thing in a most excellent order, and hast framed man after thine own similitude and image, raising him from hell to heaven, from woe to joy, from damnation to salvation; and hast given him through thy son jesus Christ, a most sure bond of thy promise made in the beginning to mankind for the redemption of the world, sending thine only begotten Son jesus Christ to perform the same, who made one only oblation and sacrifice for the sins of the whole world, and did ordain and institute two most holy Sacraments to continue the remembrance of the same; make us ever mindful (we beseech thee) of these thine inestimable treasures. Continue, oh Lord, this thy favour towards us. Let not tyrants prevail against thy Church, but let thy mighty power be showed, that the sacred rites may continued in thy Church, that the enemies may be overthrown; as the Turk, who would utterly destroy those most holy Sacraments, which thou hast ordained for our salvation; as the Anabaptists, which like heretics, altar thy most holy institution; as the Atheists, who bred in them great corruption. Convert them, we beseech thee, O Lord, and establish us in the truth of thy holy spirit, by thy mighty power, that both now and ever we may continue in the right institution of thy Sacraments, which thy Son our Saviour Christ hath left most perfect unto us, to the endless joy and consolation of our souls. To whom therefore, with thee, and the holy Ghost, be all honour, glory, and praise, world without end,  
Amen.  proverbs, 9 verse 1. Wisdom hath built her house, and hewn out her seven pillars; she hath killed her victuals, drawn her wine, and prepared her table: she hath sent forth her virgins, and crieth upon the high places of the city, saying: Who so is simple, let him come hither: and to him that is destitute of wisdom, she saith; Come and eat of my meat, and drink of my wine, that I have drawn. Canti. 5. I AM come (saith Christ unto his spouse the Church) into my garden, my sister, my spouse: I gathered my myrrh with my spice, I ate my honiecombe with my honey: I drank my wine with my milk. Eat o friends, drink, and make ye merry o well-beloved. Revelation, 19 Happy and blessed are they, which are called unto the lambs supper.  

Christian prayers to be said before, at, and after ye receive the holy Communion, and first: An effectual meditation of the right Christian belief in the holy Sacrament of the Lords supper, and of the worthy and fruitful receiving the same, to our comfort and salvation; to be diligently read before you receive.  
O My soul, let us now carefully consider first, whether we be come; namely, to the celestial table, heavenly banquet, great feast, costly repast, and sumptuous supper of the most puissant, glorious, mighty, and magnificent King of kings, and Lord of lords, jesus Christ thy most merciful maker, righteous redeemer, sovereign saviour, and dear spouse; and that of necessity, as both forced thereunto by his just commandment, and also alured and invited by his merciful promises.  
secondly, O my soul, let us rightly know, and diligently mark, what things are here presently set before us on this holy Table, and provided for us in this blessed banquet to taste of; namely, that the dainty dishes, and the refection and meat which we must in very deed seek for only in this sacred supper, are no vain ceremonies, no bare sign, no untrue figure of a thing absent, no earthly body, no carnal meat, nor any fleshly substance; but as the sacred Scripture saith, and other holy men do rightly term and call them, The Bread and Cup of the Lord; a heavenly refection; the sweet dainties of our saviour; the nourishment of our souls; an invisible meat; a spiritual food; a ghostly substance: which all are here now most mercifully offered, and exhibited unto us, and all other faithful souls, as the sovereign preservative against death; the conseruatorie to everlasting life; the comfortable medicine of the soul; the salve of immortality; the pledge of eternal health; the defence of faith; the hope of the resurrection; the memory of Christ; the annunciation of his death: finally, the communion of the body and blood of the Lord jesus, in a marvelous incorporation, which by the holy Ghost (the very bond of our perfection with Christ) is through faith wrought in the souls of the faithful, whereby not only their souls do live to eternal life; but also they surely trust to win to their bodies a resurrection to immortality. In the which also, we may not only hear, see, taste, and know the mercy of God our Creator sealed; the sanctification by Christ our redeemer towards us confirmed; the remission of our sins through the holy Ghost our comforter and regenerator fully satisfied and established: but also most sensibly and effectually to our further comfort, in deed feel wrought in us; the tranquillity of conscience; the increase of faith; the strengthening of hope; and the long spreading abroad of brotherly love and kindness, with many other sundry marvelous graces and benefits of God, most profitable unto us. Which things well considered and weighed, my soul, O with what fervent affection and earnest zeal ought they now to inflame our heart, and kindle our mind, greedily to covet and desire the participation of these most holy mysteries; yea, often to long and hunger after this healthsome bread, and continually thirst for this divine, heavenly, and blessed food!  
thirdly and lastly, O my soul, let us advisedly call to mind, and well understand the cause, wherefore we are now come unto this holy table of the Lord: which indeed is only to this end; that we should now be godly guests, not idle gazers; hungry eaters; not starving lookers on; to feed ourselves, and not to hire others to feed for us: that so we may live by our own meat, and not perish for hunger, while other devour all. We are come together, I say, O my soul, with this congregation assembled, presently to celebrate a sacrifice, not privately in one kind for the dead, nor to make a mystery a sacrifice, nor of a communion to make a private eating, nor of two parts to have but one, nor yet to apply it for the dead, and so we to lose the fruit that are alive. No no, my soul; God forbidden that we should come to celebrate this holy mystery after any such sort, or to any such use or purpose. For that were to declare ourselves unworthy of the Lord, yea to be accursed of him, for committing such spiritual blasphemy and robbery. But know, that we are come hither now publicly and openly at this the Lords board, to minister & do that, which he himself, a little before his death, vouchsafed in his own person most wisely, kindly, and lovingly to invent, provide, institute, ordain, do, establish, and command; as a most necessary way and mean for it, the better to take some place in us; and not to be frustrate of it end and purpose. Yea, to do that which his holy Apostles also afterward, together with the godly fathers in the primitive Church both used, practised, authorized, and confirmed; according as it was delivered and given by the first author thereof only: that is to say, even openly and publicly to celebrate, in the Lords most happy commemoration and remembrance, at this his holy table, the heavenly memory of that most marvelous work, and dear bought benefit of our redemption and salvation, wrought by Christ jesus, to our endless consolation, profit, commodity and eternal salvation, in his (with all reverence named) most precious death, painful cross, & bloody passion.  
And wit thou well, O my soul; that like as Moses, Aaron, and Phinees long since did sometimes eat Manna in the wilderness, then spiritually understanding those visible things: even so now, we in like manner spiritually understanding these holy mysteries, (for it is the spirit that quickeneth and giveth life, the flesh profiteth us nothing, as saith our Saviour) must here also spiritually hunger, spiritually taste, spiritually eat the flesh of Christ, and spiritually drink his blood indeed, in these holy mysteries, by faith only, and assured constant belief; that the blessed body of Christ was crucified, and his precious blood shed upon the Cross for our salvation. And so receive this the Lords supper, even for a token, badge, or cognizance of this faith and salvation in Christ's merits; declaring thereby evermore his death and passion, with thanksgiving, until he come.  
Neither must we now so much as once dream of any gross or carnal eating, or fleshly feeding; or think that we are come at this present to feed our senses and belly to corruption, (for that were basely to abject and bind ourselves to the elements and creatures, and so to declare ourselves drowned in deed in the dirty lake of blindness and ignorance:) but only and in truth to nourish and feed our inward man to immortality, and life everlasting: namely, that as our outward man is nourished by letting in this bodily meat into the stomach, that is healthsome and sound to be digested; so our inward man may be spiritually fed and satisfied, by receiving the meat thereof into our soul and heart, sound and whole in faith. And therefore we shall not need now at this present time, in doing these things, to whet our teeth, O my soul; but (as S. Cyprian saith) with sincere faith to break and divide this holy bread. For surely, without faith, (which indeed is the only instrument most necessary, in the right use of all these holy mysteries) it is impossible to please God herein; neither can the unbelievers and faithless folk feed upon the Lords precious body, nor enjoy the eating and drinking of this so high and divine nourishment of spiritual food. Yea, to have any other eating, than spiritually by faith only, is plain idolatry. It behoveth us therefore, O my soul, diligently to ponder, weigh and consider of these things: that now at the last we may, not only unfeignedly and thoroughly try, prove, and examine ourselves, our own consciences and lives: but also humbly acknowledging our faults unto God, heartily repenting our former sinful life, ask mercy of GOD the Father for Christ's sake, and gladly forgiving all our offenders, effectually and carefully there withal pluck up, even the very roots of heathenish infidelity, and all distrust in Gods merciful promises, to the end we may thereby, in very deed, show ourselves lively plants of the fruitful olive, living branches of the true vine, and worthy members of Christ's mystical body; even such as have our life, our abiding, our union, and as it were our incorporation with him.  
Finally, O my soul; we must not now, like chattering jays, so much regard or consider these earthly elements, and terrene creatures, which we see with our corporal eye, and still remain so: but especially and in deed have respect to the heavenly graces and benefits, which our faith beholdeth in and by them. Neither must we by any means cleave to these inferior or base things, which lie here beneath, and are visibly discerned: but leaving them altogether, we must rather resemble and play the parts of the Eagles, who fly & mount up thither, where the dead body lieth; that is, giving credit to the words of Christ, who saith: The words that I speak are spirit and life. And again; remembering that God willeth such as will be true worshippers of him, to worship him in spirit and truth, we must now so behold the bread and wine with our natural eyes, that we may nevertheless especially lift up the eyes of our mind to heaven, and look up by faith upon the holy body and blood of our Lord and Saviour jesus Christ, God and man, as he is there sitting at the right hand of God his Father, in equal glory, power, and majesty: always seeking it there, where the sun of righteousness evermore shineth; continually holding fast, and still cleaving by faith only to the rock, whence we may suck in deed the sweetness of everlasting saluatin. So shall we, O my soul, now repenting heartily our former fowl life, being in perfect love and charity with all men, marveling with reverence and fear at these sacred things; now touching these holy and fearful mysteries with our mind, receiving them with the hand of our heart, and taking them fully with our inward man by faith only, be sure at this holy table even now presently to receive; not only the outward Sacrament; but the spiritual thing also; not the figure, but the truth; not the shadow, but the body: and that not to death, but to life; not to our destruction, but to our salvation: which God, even our own God, for his mercy's sake grant us now effectually to do, through the only merits of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ: to whom be all honour, glory, dominion, power and praise, for ever and ever,  
Amen.   

The prayer.  
Almighty and most merciful God, my heavenly Father; I thy poor child, and most unworthy bidden guest to this thy prepared sacrifice and celestial feast, after due examination of my former life, with an humble and contrite heart, with a sorrowful and repentant spirit, and with a forgiving and charitable mind, here prostrate on my knees before thy throne of mercy, with most lowly heart, humbly beseech thy Majesty, (even for thy dear and only son jesus Christ's sake, whom thou hast once for all ever, already given an oblation and offering for our sins) to have mercy, pity, and compassion upon me, most vile, wretched, and miserable sinner; and to forgive me all mine innumerable and horrible offences, both old and new, committed against heaven and earth, and against thee. And new I pray thee, sanctify me throughlie, O God; and make me, who heartily desire in fear & trembling to please thee in all things that I do, a worthy communicant, a godly guest, and fit partaker here this day of thy heavenly food, in this great and sumptuous Supper of my Lord and my God: by giving unto me of thine accustomed goodness, the right knowledge and understanding out thy word, of the thing itself; these holy mysteries, I mean, and the manifold fruits and benefits thereof, and also by causing me, through the working of thy mercy and grace, to bring now with me a true and constant faith, the root and wellspring of all newness of life, as well in praising thee, and loving my neighbour, as purging mine own conscience by earnest repentance, and continual contrition, from dead works and filthiness of sin; so that, neither the ignorance of the thing, O gracious God, may cause me to contemn it, nor unfaithfulness make it void of fruit, nor sin and iniquity procure me thy heavy plagues; but grant that I may, by faith in knowledge and amendment of life, in faith be here now so united to thy son Christ my head, and most dearly beloved spouse, in these his holy and heavenly mysteries, to my comfort both in body and soul, that afterward I may have full fruition of him in deed, to mine everlasting joy and salvation in eternal life, through the same jesus Christ our Lord, blessed for ever,  
Amen.   

Another godly prayer.  
O jesus Christ, holy and eternal God, I miserable woman, and wretched sinner, acknowledge and confess, that I am not worthy the least of all thy mercies, and most unworthy to receive thee under the roof of my soul, by participating of thy most blessed body and blood. For horrible and infinite are the sins, wherewith I am defiled. Woe is me, Lord. For I am a woman of polluted lips, and dwell among people that have unclean lips. And therefore the very entrails of my heart are troubled, and my bones do shake, because I find my soul a most unworthy guest for so heavenly a supper. And yet again, mine heart is wonderfully lightened, when I call to mind, that thou, the dear son of almighty God, camest not into this world to call the righteous, but sinners unto repentance. For they that be whole, need not the Physician, but they that are sick. Besides, I know right well, and constantly do believe, that notwithstanding my filthiness, thou canst make me worthy; which alone canst make that clean, which is conceived of unclean seed, and righteous men of sinners, when thou forgivest our sins of thy wonted grace, thine holy spirit being powered upon us. Through which thy power and mercy, I beseech thee, grant such grace unto me a sinner, that I may worthily approach to this heavenly sacrament; lest otherwise by mine unworthiness I be made guilty of thy body and blood, and so in stead of life, receive my judgement and condemnation.  
Give grace therefore, that afore I presume to come unto the participation thereof, I may examine myself, by calling my sins into mind, searching out my ways, and by unfeigned and hearty repentance returning unto thee my Lord; lest otherwise, by concealing my sins with judas the traitor, I eat the bread of the Lord against the Lord; and by abusing thy gentleness, heap vengeance unto myself against the day of vengeance. O make me therefore, I say, to confess my sins, and that with hearty sobs; so thou, being a faithful and just God, wilt abandon all mine offences, and cleanse me from my sins, and wilt not disdain to accept me into favour, when I do not refrain to acknowledge my wickedness.  
Moreover, power into me a true and lively faith, that I never mistrust thy word annexed to the Sacraments, which promiseth unto mankind the remission of sins. For to eat or drink with the mouth only, is to no purpose; but faith must come thereunto, and apprehend the word with the promises annexed: for they are the grounds and principles of this sacrament: so that, whosoever giveth credit to these words, Which was given and shed for you, in the remission of sins; the same man hath that, which is promised by them, namely, eternal life and salvation. For where the remission of sins is, there likewise righteousness, life and salvation is. But he which doubteth of these words, he without doubt is an unworthy receiver, and cometh unprepared. For the doubting man neither eateth the flesh spiritually, nor yet drinketh the blood; though carnally, and to our eyes he seemeth to consume the Sacrament of the body and blood with his teeth and mouth, but his damnation rather; not because thy supper is poison, but for that an evil man taketh a good thing naughtily.  
Finally, grant also, that receiving this thy Sacrament of the new Testament, I may put off, according to the former conversation, the old man, which is corrupt according to the lusts of error, and be renewed in the spirit of my mind, putting on the new man, which after God is shapen in righteousness and holiness of truth. And albeit my nature be such, that I can not live without spots of wickedness; yet so bless me, that I may never offend willingly, but altogether depending upon thy goodness, whose manner is to pardon the true penitent, that sinners may boldly approach to thine holy supper; especially, seeing we have liberty to enter into the holy places, through thy blood, by the new and living way, which thou hast prepared for us, through the vail, that is, by thy flesh. And seeing we have an high Priest over the house of God, make us to draw nigh with true hearts, in assurance of faith, sprinkled in our minds from an evil conscience, and washed in body with pure water. Cause us to hold fast the profession of the hope without wavering. For he is faithful that promised: and let us consider one of another, to provoke unto love, & to good works; not forsaking the assembly of the faithful, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another, and so much the more as we see the day approaching,  
Amen.   

Another most Christian and devout prayer, to be said before the receiving of the holy Communion.  
O Christ our Lord and Saviour, which before thy grievous agony, and heaps of trouble, through the wrath of thine almighty Father lighting upon thee, commandedst thy Disciples Peter and john to prepare the passouer, that together they might eat the same. Thou longedst for our salvation, and didst eat of the lamb, which was a figure of thyself; and expressedst the image of that banquet, which thy people the Israelits, under the conduction of thy servant Moses, about to departed out of Egypt, did celebrate. Having finished the supper of the old covenant, thou begannest a new covenant, testifying of thy presence and benefits in the Church. Move thou our hearts to thankfulness, that with like desire we may desire to come unto thy table, and seek the nourishment to eternal life. Suffer us not to loathe thine heavenly banquet, as profane and curious men do, which contend with thee, & contemn the order which thou hast appointed. Amend all abuses and prophanings of thine holy table, horribly deformed with filthiness; for the which we are punished in all places with manifold plagues and diseases. By thy wisdom thou healest our diseases and infirmities, and by the visible signs of Sacraments thou confirmest our faith. Thou art effectual by them in the believers, according to thy promise. We bless the bread and wine as thou hast willed; and believe that with them we receive thee in true faith and purity of mind.  
Thou declarest by this thy Supper, that truly thou tookedst our flesh upon thee, for our sakes; even to engraff us to thine own flesh, and bring us to eternal life. This is eternal life, which is begun in this world, whereby the soul is renewed unto eternal happiness.  
Moreover, this blessed meat doth witness and testify, that our bodies, which are replenished with the sense of thy living flesh, shall rise again to perpetual glory. Increase and nourish, by the profitable taking of thee, this light within us. Work, that thy Sacraments taken and digested, thou mayst come into us, and we into thee. Assist us thy guests, O sweet householder; that worthily we may feed upon thy meat. Try our soul with earnest and unfeigned conversion. Let us not play the hypocrites, nor profanely dally with thee and thy holy Sacraments. Cause us rightly to discern thy body and blood from other common meat. Let us never eat the body of the Lord against the Lord. Grant in true and unfeigned faith we may enter into this thy sacred covenant, that we may always abide in thee, and thou in us.  
Likewise, by thine holy spirit, which is the bond of love, in this public and common banquet, join us to thine other members of thy Church. Give grace, that all which feed of this bread, may be one body, knit unto thee, which art the head, working all things in all. Let the devil at no time disturb this pleasant concord between thee and us, as is between the head and other members of the body.  
Let us gather also by the same, the sum of doctrine which is preached in the Church. Let it raise us up unto thankfulness for thy benefits. Increase our desire to continual prayer, whereby we crave all things which we stand in need of. Continue that custom, even till thou returnest gloriously in the clouds to judgement. Maintain some places for preaching, and godly ceremonies, and bring in at no time barbarous ignorance.  
Furthermore, the doing hereof is a ministery of our profession, against Satan and all his instruments. Confirm in our minds, by thy spirit, this sound and pure understanding. Let us not be oppressed with idolatrous darkness, approving horrible abuses; in caring about, in laying up, in offering the hallowed bread without any use: not so much as one syllable of all these things can be seen in thy first institution. Wherefore, repress the devil, blasphemously dealing with this thine ordinance. And first consume this world utterly with fire, before we be wrapped again in such horrible darkness of idolatry and superstition. Mitigate the punishments, sickness, infections, war and miseries, which for the profaning of this Supper, the whole world doth endure. Let thine Angel spare such, as with grief of heart bewail these abuses. Feed us, and fill us thy guests with thy lively presence. Dwell thou in us. Work in us. Sharpen the remembrance of thy benefits within us. And finally, at our resurrection from the grave, give us a place in thy seat; where we shall find a new taste in the kingdom of thy Father: So be it.   

Another prayer to be said before the receiving of the blessed Communion, as you kneel at God's board.  
O Lord, although I be not worthy to receive thee into the house of my soul, for mine innumerable offences and sins done against thy great goodness: yet trusting, good Lord, in thy great pity and infinite mercy, I come to receive thy blessed body; as a sick creature, to thee that art the health of life; unclean, to thee that art the well of mercy; blind by ignorance, to thee that art the light everlasting; needy of thy grace, and poor in virtue, to thee that art the King of heaven and earth; naked of good works, to thee that art the author of grace. I come as a wretch, to thee my Lord and maker; all desolate and comfortless, to thee my help and secure. For besides thee there is no consolation. I come as a sinner, to thee that art the mediator and mean betwixt God and man. I come as a caitiff, to thee my most merciful Saviour. I come all sinful, to thee the granter of remission and pardon; dead by sin, to thee that art the restorer to life; evil, to thee that art all goodness; hard-hearted, to be relieved by the infusion of thy superabundant grace; desiring thee meekly to heal mine infirmities and sickness, to wash away my sin and filthiness, to lighten my blindness, to reduce me to the right way, where I am out thereof, to comfort me desolate of goodness. Have mercy on my wretchedness, pardon my sinfulness, give me the light of grace (thus burdened in sin,) that I may receive thee the food of all Angels, the King of glory, the Lord of all lords, with such chastity of body, with such pureness of mind, and cleanness of soul, with such contrition of heart, and abundance of weeping tears, with such spiritual joy and gladness, with such dread and reverence, with such faith, hope and charity, with such obedience and humility, with such love, devotion, faithfulness and thankfulness; as it is beseeming for such a Lord to be received, and to my soul most expedient.  
And be not displeased, good Lord, that I a sinner, with an unclean heart and polluted mind come hither this day, to receive thy precious body in sacramental bread and wine: but remember, merciful Lord, that thou refusedst not the sinful Marie Magdalen, being penitent, from the kissing of thy blessed feet. And in likewise despise me not, nor put me away as unworthy, from the receiving of thy body in the blessed Sacrament, for my sins and wickedness: but grant thou me compunction of heart, plenty of weeping tears, to wash away my sins & wickedness; so that with a pure heart and clean conscience, I may this day receive the Sacrament to my soul's health; that I may obtain and possess thereby everlasting life, with all holy Saints in heavens glory; and in this present life, with the holy spirit to be replenished, and never to admit other lover besides thee.  
Grant me, blessed jesus, so to receive the Sacrament of bread and wine, that I may be worthy to be accounted for a member of thy mystical body here in earth. And though as yet I be not worthy to be numbered among the simplest, and lowest of thy servants; but rather to be reject and outcast for my sinfulness: yet, good Lord, of thine infinite power thou mayst make me able, equal, and like to the meanest of thine elect servants. Come thou Father of the fatherless; come thou comforter of the comfortless; come and cleanse my soul from all contagiousness of sin. For it is not convenient, and according, there to be any uncleanness, where thou, the spouse of virginal chastity shouldest come in and dwell. Come therefore, and sanctify my soul, and make it clean by thy gracious presence; that no heaps of soil, or remnants of sin be to be found in any least cranny or corner of thy spiritual house or temple, (my body and soul I mean) to offend the celestial eyes of thy divine Majesty: so shall thy holy hall, which is my cleansed soul, ring and resound with thy perpetual praises to thy glory. Come, I say, O God, and apparel my naked soul with the rich ornaments of thy virtue and grace, and with the white rains of thy righteousness and innocency; that I may delight thee, therein to abide. And as thou disdainedst not to touch the sore lepers with thy holy hands: so, good Lord, vouchsafe to anoint my simple soul, with the ointment of remission and pardon; that in this life, by steadfast hope, firm faith, and perfect charity, I may so increase in virtue, from day to day, that I may attain to the glorious fruition of thy Godhead in the kingdom of heaven: where I may see thee face to face, and praise thee with all thine elect and chosen Saints, worlds without end,  
Amen.   

Another very devout prayer, before the receiving of the holy Communion.  
O Most sweet and loving Lord jesus Christ, whom now I devoutly and heartily desire to receive this day: thou knowest mine infirmities and necessities, which I suffer; in how many evils and vices I lie, wherewith I am often grieved, tempted, troubled, and unquieted, and defiled. Unto thee do I come for remedy, unto thee do I earnestly pray for comfort and help. I speak unto thee, who knowest all things; unto whom, even all my very secret thoughts are manifest; and who only canst perfectly comfort and help me. Thou knowest what good things I lack before all things, and how poor and beggarly I am in virtues. Behold, I stand before thee, requiring grace and mercy. Feed and cherish thy hungry beggar, kindle my coldness with the fire of thy love, lighten my blindness with the bright clearness of thy presence: turn all earthly things into bitterness unto me; all heavy, grievous, hard, painful, and contrary things, into patience to me. Lift up my heart unto thee in heaven, and suffer me not to wander or go astray from thee upon the earth. Thou only, from this time forth for evermore, doest wax sweet unto me, because thou only art my meat and my drink, my love, my joy, my sweetness. Oh, would to God thou wouldst vouchsafe altogether to inflame, burn, and even consume me with thy presence; and to change me into thyself, that I may be made one spirit with them by grace of the inward unity, and softening of thy fervent love! Suffer me not to departed an hungered nor thirsty from them, but work mercifully with me, as thou hast often heretofore marvelously wrought with thy Saints. What marvel is it, if I should be altogether set on fire, & inflamed with thee, and should fail in myself, and be changed? Sith thou art a fire ever burning, and never failing; a love purifying the heart, and lightening the understanding.  
Behold therefore, I wretched sinner, not presuming of mine own merits, but trusting only of thy mercy and goodness, am bold to come in trembling and fear unto this thy table of most sweet dainties, O most holy Lord jesus Christ. For I have an heart and body defiled, marred, and polluted with many faults and offences; a mind and a tongue not chastely nor warily kept. Therefore, O holy Deity, O dreadful Majesty, I wretched caitiff, in great perplexity of mind, taken unwares between many troublsome straits, do now run again to thee, the fountain of all mercy. Unto thee do I hasten me, to be healed and cured: under thy protection do I fly. And whom I can not endure as a judge, I earnestly desire to have a Saviour. To thee, O Lord, do I open and show my wounds; unto thee do I uncover and detect my shamefastness. I know that my sins are great, for the which I am sore afraid; but I hope and repose my trust in thy great mercies, which are infinite, surpassing number. Turn thine eyes of thy mercy towards me, O Lord jesus Christ, heavenly King, everlasting God, man crucified for man; hear me trusting in thee, and have mercy upon me full of all misery and sin. Thou which art the flowing fountain, and undrainable wellspring of all mercy and pity, I beseech thee from the bottom of my heart, that thou wilt forgive me all my sins, and in this life so to purge away the rust and filth thereof, that in the life to come they may not be imputed unto me.  
O God of unspeakable pity, whose power is infinite, without whom I can not possibly resist sin, comfort and help me so greatly, that I never hereafter any more commit any mortal or deadly sin; and from henceforth may overcome all the temptations of the devil, that I may direct my whole life, thoughts, words and works altogether unto thee, and that thou mayst in the end of my life, so preserve and keep me, that Satan urge me not with his terrors and fears, and so bring me into desperation. O flowing fountain of charity, make my mind free from all the creatures, which might draw me from thy love and favour, that in thy love I may profit, go forward, and prevail; that now verily, and in the end of my life, I may worthily receive thee, and so my soul being powered out of the sack of my body, do thou in mercy bring it unto the everlasting palace of thy heavenly father, to see and behold the clear renowned glass of the holy Trinity.  
Remember thy creature, O Lord, whom thou hast redeemed with thy precious blood. Woe is me that ever I have offended thee; but now I purpose, by thy grace, to amend my life. Take from me therefore, O merciful father, all my sins and iniquities. Cast out of my soul all the filthy fowl matter of the venomous contagion and infection of sin, and by thine ancient and accustomed mercies, power thy heavenly medicine, and preservative of thy love, into my wounds, which may refresh and restore me to my former purity and cleanness, that being purified both in body and mind, I may deserve and be made fit through Christ's merits, worthily to taste of these most holy mysteries.  
Come this day, O Lord, and minister unto my sick and languishing soul some heavenly cordial of comfort, not because I am just, but a sinner; because not the whole, but the sick have need of a Physician. O very true Charity, in which is everlasting felicity! O the only hope of my soul! have mercy upon me, and blot out all my misdeeds. Thee doth my heart expect and desire, fulfil my lust and longing, which thou hast put in me, even as thou wouldst. I am thine, O Christ, forsake me not as unmeet, or a stranger. Let thy right hand alway prevent me, and defend me from all evil. Come, O Lord, whom I wretch have sore offended, and forgive and forget all mine offences, for the which thou hast shed thine own most precious heart blood. Come, sweet Lord, and give me the meat of eternal health. Come, O unspotted sacrifice, deliver me from everlasting death. Come thou Physician of the weak and diseased. Come thou food of the hungry. Come Lord, visit this house dedicated and consecrated in thy name. And behold I come to thee, whom with all my heart I covet and desire, towards whom with all earnest consideration of mind, I aspire, and study to attain; whom with all mine entrails I heartily love and embrace; whose blessed body and blood in these holy mysteries I earnestly desire to receive; that thou mayst always abide in me, and never forsake me, or departed from me, O most sweet father: So be it.   

Another.  
Almighty God, and most merciful Father, who most lovingly callest us to the participation of all good things in Christ jesus, give us also grace worthily to esteem the honour thou vouchsafest us of, in bidding us to the marriage feast of thy Son, so that we may esteem of nothing in comparison of it. And seeing few are chosen, though many be called, give us also, O Lord, a lively faith, working by love, as a seemly garment for so great a solemnity; that being entered by thy favour into thy house, we dishonest it not, and so honourable a company as thou hast called unto it, by our wicked conversation, that as unworthy we be not cast out again, but in all our behaviour, may do honour unto both, that we may always remain with thee, and enjoy the happiness thou hast prepared for us in thy Son, the full fruition whereof because thou hast deferred to the rising up again of the dead, strengthen in us, O Lord, the blessed hope of this resurrection, that according to thy promise thou mayst make us like to thine Angels that are in heaven, and the glorious estate of jesus Christ our Lord, to whom with thee, and the holy Ghost, be all honour and praise now and for ever,  
Amen.   

Another.  
O Son of God, Lord and Saviour Christ, which delightest in those banquets, whereby men approach to the company of thy celestial welfare; we beseech thee convert us, O Lord, and we shall be converted. Grant that with Marie Magdalen casting our selves before thy feet, we may earnestly with tears bewail our offences; and again lifting up our hand unto thee, we may lay hold on thee, and embrace thee as she did. Kiss thou us with thine holy kiss, and by thy spirit powered into us, stir up in us a new life, which may anoint thee by true confessing of thy goodness, and delight thee with the sweet savour of true invocation and new obedience.  
Grant also, that in this life we may worship thy feet, which bring tidings of peace. And forasmuch as in this last age of this world, the messengers of peace are vitterlie to weep; assist us, that we may be touched with the miseries of thy Church, and study to our power to mitigate them, and so be made members of that company, unto whom thou hast forgiven much, and which again entirely doth love thee: and again, being called out of the vale of tears, may come to thy heavenly banquet, which shall be without tears, without grudging, without grief, sin, and offences, in the house of thy father, where be many ample dwelling places,  
Amen.   

Another prayer to be said a little before you receive the Bread.  
O God which art rich in mercy and in all good things, the most plentiful giver and bountiful bestower of the dainties of celestial satiety and heavenly repast, give meat to my soul that is weary and faint; not such as it lusteth after, but such as is convenient for it. For lo, I a poor wretch come now unto thee, which art rich, a sinner unto thee which art merciful. O let me not return home contemned and despised with nothing. I begin an hungered, let me not leave off fasting. I come unto thee as though I were famished, O let me not go away unfed. Although before I eat I sigh and sorrow, yet good Lord I beseech thee, give me somewhat to eat.  
For behold, with that godly heroical matron of Canaan, Matth. 15, verse 21. I come unto thee, and say, Lord help me, according to thy promise: for I feel the burden of thy displeasure, even my miseries and uncleanness, and suffer not the sight of mine own unworthiness to withdraw me from thee. Make me sweetly and reverently to reason with thee, as thy holy spirit enforced that good woman to do, in these and the like words: I am unworthy, I am guilty and unclean, I am a dog, I was an outcast from thy house and courts, I have barked against the glorious majesty of thee and thine eternal father, I am defiled with the filth of idolatry, with foulness of life, with the spots of disobedience against thee, but have mercy upon me O son of God, which appearedst in the flesh, and becamest a worm, to wash us from our sins which were unclean beasts. Have mercy upon me; O Lord have mercy upon me. For behold, I am unto thee even as the little whelp nigh famished for lack of meat and drink, wearied with seeking about for relief; and almost dead. I fall down before thy glorious table, where the sweet ypocrasse, and precious nectar of immortality is tasted. The Fathers & Prophets, Confessors and Virgins, most excellent lights of thy Church, sit already at thine heavenly table: they feed upon the meat of eternal glory. O suffer me to eat of the crumbs. Thou art the bread of life, repel my hunger, satisfy my desire with thy presence; fill me with thy comfort & spiritual dainties. Make my faith strong to believe thy word and promises, that being made holy, as thou art holy, I may now holily taste and see how sweet thou art in this life by inchoation, and in the life to come, perfectly, pleasantly, and perpetually enjoy thy heavenly table.  
O our Father, give us this day our daily bread, that we may walk in the strength thereof day and night, until we come to thy holy hill of Horeb. My sweet Lord, let me feed upon thee. My life enter into my soul. O sweet love, O loving sweetness, let my belly eat thee, and my soul be refreshed by thee the heavenly Bridegroom. For thou art the bread and fountain of life, yea all things indeed whereby the righteous live, which love thee. Thee do I covet, love and worship, with whom I shall dwell, reign, and be blessed. Upon thee do I call for my soul, which thou preparest to receive thee, through the desire which thou breathest into it. Come therefore, O purger of sins, thou which art the curer of wounds, the strength of the feeble, the comforter of the sorrowful, the worship and honour of all them that live, and the only health of the dead. Come I say, O blessed Trinity, and enter into my soul; come I beseech thee, and have mercy upon me: make me meet for thee, that thou mayst possess that which thou hast both made and redeemed, sanctified and preserved, that I may have thee as a seal upon my heart. Give me thyself O God my God, restore thyself unto me, for nothing else can suffice thy servant; and mercifully grant unto me according to the multitude of thy great mercies, that my baseness may please thy Majesty, & my vileness thine almighty power.  
O sweet Christ, O Charity, my God, dulcet honey, snowy milk, the food of Angels; make me to grow in thee, that I may eat thee with a savoury taste. Make me to overcome the enemy of my salvation, that thou mayst vouchsafe to give me (according to thy promise) to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God, and of the Manna that is hid; and that I may one day or other be called unto the lambs supper, and eat bread at thy table in the kingdom of GOD, among the blessed ones. O dear God, I pray thee, let my mind thus kindled with the love of thee, fly even till it come to the beauty of thy celestial house, & to the throne of thy glory, and there let it be fed at the dining table of the heavenly citizens, in the place of full feeding, by the plentiful running streams and pleasant pastures. Behold Lord, I stand at the door and knock; I beseech thee, by the bowels of thy mercy, wherewith thou being the daie-spring from an high hast visited us; open the hand of thy pity to a wretch that knocketh, and vouchsafe mercifully to bid me enter into thee; that I may rest with thee; dwell with thee, and sup with thee, and thou with me, and that I may be refreshed to the full of thee, which art the living sweet whitebread and heavenly repast: wherewith when I am once fed; and that my strength is come perfectly unto me again, I may ascend unto the more high things, & never from henceforth hunger or thirst any more so greatly after vanities: So be it.   

When ye are about to receive the bread, lift up your heart and eyes unto God in heaven, and say:  
O Father, I heartily thank thee, who hast given thine only begotten son to take upon him our natural body; which body was once offered to thee upon the altar of the cross, for the health, wealth, and salvation of all sinners: for whose sake, O father, I beseech thee, to have mercy upon me; and in remembrance of whose most bitter death and painful passion, with all possible thanks for all thy benefits briefly comprised therein; I now in trembling and fear receive this holy bread, to feed thereby in my soul on Christ's blessed body, which was given for me, and that only by faith: to mine everlasting comfort and salvation, and thine eternal glory,  
Amen.   

Or thus.  
O Heavenly Father and blessed God, I render unto thee most hearty thanks for all thy benefits, which thou hast showed unto me most wretched sinner: but especially for that most sweet smelling sacrifice, which thine only begotten son offered unto thee on the altar of the cross, by giving his most pure & undefiled body unto the death, for the redemption of mankind. In remembrance whereof, according to thy well-beloved sons ordinance, I now receive this holy bread most entirely, beseeching thee that I may both be partaker of the merits of thy dear sons body breaking, and also lead a life worthy of so great a benefit unto the glory of thy name,  
Amen.   

When you see the wine, behold it with your corporal eyes. For as Christ saith, it is wine: but lift up your soul unto Christ in heaven, whose blood is there alway fresh and lively before the Father, to sprinkle and quicken thee; and pray, saying:  
O Lord jesus Christ, Son of the living GOD, which being upon the cross, with thy hands spread abroad for the redemption of all mankind, didst drink the most bitter cup of thy passion: I beseech thee, vouchsafe now to draw the mouth of the soul that thirsteth after thee, unto the high floods and flowing streams of thine eternal abundance and satiety: yea draw me wholly unto thyself, which art the living well, to the intent I may according to my capacity drink of that whereupon I do live.  
O my God, my life, thou didst say with thy holy and blessed mouth; If any man thirst, let him come unto me and drink. O well of life, grant unto my thirsty soul alway to drink of thee, that according to thy holy and true promise, waters of life may flow out of my belly. O well of life, replenish and fill my mind full of the river of thy pleasures; make my heart to be drunken as it were in thy love: that after the manner of them that be drunken with wine, which forget all things save the cup; so I may forget all vain and earthly things, and continually have nothing else in my remembrance, but thee only; thy bitter death, thy painful passion, and precious bloodshedding. Come I pray thee, into my heart, and make it drunken with the abundance of thy plentifulness, so that I may forget all temporal things; make me, I say, throughlie drunken with thy cup, that I may forget even myself, and utterly renounce all mine own ungodliness & sin.  
O Christ, which art the everlasting suffisance that shalt be given to the hungry and thirsty: refresh us continually with the most exquisite and well furnished banquet of thy blessed Sacraments, and make us drink plenteously of the holy cup of thy blessed spirit and grace. Let the inspiration of thy most sweet spirit succeed like springs of water; and let not perpetual food be wanting to our weakness, wherewith to feed and replenish us. Let me taste of the pleasant rivers of the holy Ghost, that I may be refreshed, and that my soul may be cooled with the sweet liquors thereof; so that I burn henceforth with no iniquity or lust to sin. Make me to quaff heartily the cup of thanksgiving: yea let my bowels be filled with the pleasant wine of thy love, and refresh me continually with the most sweet rivers of thy heavenly consolation.  
Thou art my life, whereby I live; the hope that I stick unto; the glory that I desire. O give me understanding, cheer up my love. Lift thou up my soul, and draw the mouth of my spirit, which thirsteth after thee, up to the water streams that are above. Vouchsafe, sweet jesus, in the midst of my moning, sore complaints, and deep sighs of my heart, to take up my sad and sorrowful mind to the top of the high mountains, even to the beds of sweet spices, putting me in a place of pasture by the rivers of sweet waters, where thou preparest a table, diversely furnished for thy friends against they come: to refresh mine appalled spirits; to cheer up my heavy heart, & make it merry. Through the which dainties, I being at the length well refreshed, may forget my manifold miseries, and the vanities of this life; and rest in thee, which art the true peace everlasting, passing all understanding.  
Lord God, which art the sanctifier of the Saints, I beseech thee, consecrate and make me meet for thy dwelling, and continue thou ever with me: vouchsafe all to besprinkle me with the blood of thy only begotten son, by which one sovereign thing both in body and soul, I may be revived with a marvelous comfortable joy. O Lord, these are thy great benefits, wherewith thou wilt relieve the want of thy thirsty children: grant, I beseech thee, that I may drink on thy cup with a glad mind, willing heart, pure conscience, and cleansed spirit: and bring to pass by thy mercy, that this drink, which I shall now drink, may be to my health and salvation. Finally grant, O good God, that I may, through thy most rich spirit, and his eternal dainties, enjoy the princely palace of heaven, and quaffing very abundantly of the wellspring of life, which is with thee, I may by the excellent benefit of thy glorious passion, death, resurrection and light, behold the brightness of perpetual felicity, and see thee face to face, where my mind may be fed and full satiate with the meat and drink of life without end. For like as the heart thirsteth after the water springs: so thirsteth my soul after thee, O Lord my GOD and King,  
Amen.   

When you are about to receive the wine or cup, pray:  
I Thank thee, dear father, that thou didst not spare thine only and most dearly beloved son jesus Christ, to shed even his most precious blood upon the altar of the Cross for to wash away our sins. In remembrance whereof, I now in trembling and dread drink of this cup: humbly beseeching thee, O Father, that the crucifying of his blessed body, and shedding of his precious blood may be meritorious to my salvation,  
Amen.   

Or else thus.  
O Blessed and merciful Father, thy love towards me sinful creature is so exceeding great and unspeakable, that I can not but give unto thee most humble thanks: namely, for the shedding of the most precious blood of thy dear son jesus Christ; by the virtue whereof, thy wrath stirred up against me wretched sinner, is pacified, my ransom is paid, the law is fulfilled, mine enemies are ourcome, and put to flight. In remembrance of this so noble a victory, and of so great a benefit, I am come unto this thy table, O merciful father, to drink of this cup; desiring thee, that as my outward man is comforted by the drinking of this wine: so likewise my inward man may be comforted, and made strong by true faith in the precious blood of thy most dear son. O Lord, and my heavenly Father, give me thy holy spirit, which may so rule and govern my heart, that I never be unthankful, nor forgetful of this thine exceeding kindness: but to train my life according to thy blessed will, that whatsoever I do, speak or think, may be unto the glory of thy blessed name, and the health of my soul, through jesus Christ our Lord,  
Amen.   

After you have received the holy Communion, give God thanks, and say:  
I Thank thee, good Lord, of thine infinite goodness, that thou this day hast fed me with thy blessed body & blood in the Sacrament; desiring thee meekly that this Sacrament which I have received, may be to me a purgation and cleansing of my sins; a fortitude & spiritual strength against my frailty; a sure defence against worldly troubles and adversities; a purchasing of grace and pardon; a medicine of life; and a continual remembrance of thy blessed passion: so that in the way it may conduct me; when I stumble it may uphold me; and when I am fallen it may raise me: so that by good continuance in thy will, to everlasting glory it may bring me. And so order the tallage and taste of my heart, that I never seek other sweetness, but thee; that I never seek other lover, but thee; nor none other comfort beside thee; so that I care for none other delight, but thee; nor any other honour, but thine. And give me such perfect love towards thee, wherewith I may come to as great merit in heaven, as though I had spent all my life days in the remembrance of thy blessed passion, and graciously deliver me from all tribulations of body and soul, captivity, anguish and perils. This grant not only unto me, but also unto all thine elect and chosen Christian people here and elsewhere, for thy holy name sake,  
Amen.   

Another thanksgiving after the Communion.  
I Thank thee O Christ Lamb of God, for offering thyself upon the altar of the cross to thy Father an offering and a sacrifice of a sweet savour to God, for our sins, to reconcile us unto him: for certainty whereof, and confirmation of our faith, thou hast instituted on our behalf this holy Sacrament of the supper, that as oft as we receive the same, we may celebrate thy memory, and with thanksgiving remember the merit and fruit of thy passion. I beseech thee by thy bitter death stir up our minds, that by often receiving this thine ordinance and institution, we may consider how bitter a death thou didst suffer on our behalf, and how great the love was, which drove thee to take so cruel and shameful a death to save us: and withal continually yield, as we are bound, hearty thanks unto thee for the same, and after the like sort answer to our power, that unspeakable good will by our good life, and careful observation of thy commandments; and may when either through frailty of our flesh, or by any other fault prevented we sin, run by and by unto thee by repentance, and through consideration of this new and eternal covenant, touching the remission of sins made with us, be erected and upholden unto a lively and puissant hope.  
O sweet jesus grant, that being fast linked unto thee by this holy mystery, I may receive power & strength from thee, believing thy promises, and be wholly addicted thereunto without any doubting, that so my conscience in fear and troubles may have perfect consolation. Suffer me not to be separated from the members of thy body, which is the Church; whereof thou art head, fulfilling all in all: but grant, that abiding in thy word and kingdom, I may be without fault in the foundation, and without sin against my conscience, and walk worthy this Sacrament; forsaking utterly, and renouncing the devil, and all idolatry, all vices and carnal desires, which fight against the soul. For we cannot be partakers of the Lords table, and of the devils too. Make me also to remember that by this Sacrament I am bound to do good unto others. For, as many grains of corn do make one loaf, and many grapes make one wine: so being many, yet are we but one loaf and one body, in as much as we all participate of one bread, and drink of one cup. join us therefore together, O Saviour of the world, at this common banquet, through the band of love, that we may be fastened unto thee our head, that as thou didst die for us, so we again may not fear to suffer, and to give our lives for the glory of thy name, that we never be separated from thee neither in life nor death. Make us also heartily to love one another, like the true and lively members of thy body, that if need require, we may give our lives for our brethren. Suffer not concord of minds to be broken. For he that receiveth the mystery of unity, and keepeth not the bond of peace, he doth not receive the mystery for himself, but a testimony against himself.  
Give grace therefore, that leaving aside all wrath, fierceness, maliciousness and envy, we may forgive one another, even as thou forgivest us, and bear one with another for the better avoiding of strife, dissension, sects and pernicious heresies. Keep this thine ordinance, and right use of thy Sacrament amongst us evermore, that this good work and divine ceremony may always be a note and badge of our public profession, whereby we are known from pagans; and tokens of love, confession and thankfulness. Remove away all abuses, and profanations of this holy and sacred supper, together with the horrible and idolatrous adorations invented by Satan and his members, to the shameful deforming of thy godly & goodly institution: but maintain, I humbly beseech thee, the true and unpolluted use thereof, till thy pleasure is to return in the clouds to judgement with great power and glory, that it never be out of remembrance; and last of all, at our resurrection from death, appoint us places of thine heavenly table, where we may taste the new wine in the kingdom of thy father, abiding with thine elect, Angels, and blessed Saints for evermore,  
Amen.   

A meditation of the trust which a Christian soul ought to have in the passion of our Lord jesus, with a thanksgiving unto God for the manifold benefits thereof.  
I Might despair verily, because of my manifold sins and negligences without number; if it were not that thy word, O God, was made flesh, and dwelled amongst us. But I can not, neither dare I now despair; because that seeing when we were enemies, we were reconciled by the death of thy Son, who being obedient unto thee to the death, yea even to the shameful death of the Cross, hath taken away the hand-writing of our sins, and nailing the same to his cross, hath crucified both sin and death. How much more are we now reconciled, and saved by him? For all the hope, certitude, and sureness of all my trust is in his precious blood, which was shed for us, and for our salvation. In him do I take heartening, and by means of him, who sitteth at the right hand of God, and sueth for us, I look back with a careless eye; and now trusting in him (in whom I am already risen again and received, already mounted up into heaven, and there do sit among the Angels) I have a desire to come unto thee, not having mine own righteousness, but that which I have through the same thy Son our Lord jesus Christ.  
For the which, O most merciful God, and most gentle lover of mankind, we give thee thanks; who through jesus Christ thy Son our Lord, when we were not, didst mightily make us, and when we were lost through our sins, most marvelously didst deliver and recover us again. To thy goodness, I say, do I give thanks, and manifold praises do I show forth to thee with all my heart & mind, which through the unspeakable love (wherewith thou hast vouchsafed of thy marvelous goodness to love us wretches, and unworthy to be beloved) didst send the same thine only begotten Son from thy bosom, unto our Commonweal, to save us sinners, which were at that time the children of perdition and damnation. I render unto thee all possible thanks for his holy incarnation, and nativity, and for the blessed virgin Marie his mother, upon whom he did vouchsafe to take flesh for us, and for our salvation, to the intent that like as he is very God of God, so he might be very man of man. I give thee condign thanks for his passion and cross; for his death and resurrection; for his ascension into heaven, and his seat of his Majesty on thy right hand. I give thee thanks, I say, for that most sacred shedding forth of his precious blood, wherewith we are redeemed; and also for the most holy and quickening sacrifice of his blessed body & blood, which this day, and daily in thy Church we feed of, and drink of, wherewith also we are washed, cleansed, and sanctified, & are made partakers of the only high divinity. Finally, I give thee thanks for the marvelous and unspeakable charity and love, wherewith thou didst love us unworthy persons, and didst save us by thine only and beloved son. For so thou didst love the world, that thou gavest thine only begotten son, to the intent that none, which truly believe in him should perish, but have everlasting life. And this thing verily is everlasting life, to know thee, and also jesus Christ whom thou hast sent, to be very God, by an upright faith, and works worthy for such a faith. Wherefore with all my heart and mouth I do confess, praise, and bless thee, O God the father unbegotten, and thee O God the son only begotten; also thee O holy Ghost and comforter. To thee O blessed trinity be all glory, and praise, & thanks, together with all power, dominion, and might, in the world of worlds for ever,  
Amen.   

A meditation to be used after the receiving of the holy Communion, to stir us up through the consideration and knowledge of so great a benefit, to give God thanks therefore, and to be grateful for his goodness.  
Bless the Lord O my soul, and all mine entrails laud his most holy name. Forget not O my soul the infinite mercies and continual benefits received of his most liberal hand; amongst the which, well mayst thou reckon that which hath been this day given thee, that so infinite a Majesty should vouchsafe to visit thee, to enter into thy homely habitation, and with surpassing clemency, wholly to give himself to thee in this most marvelous Sacrament.  
O thou incomprehensible God, no less pitiful than puissant, what shall I say, seeing the depth of thy bottomless mercies hath vouchsafed to impart itself to the depth of mine unspeakable miseries! What thanks can I yield thee for so great kindness and love, who wots right well, that if all the members and muscles of my body were turned into tongues, yet could I not condignly thank thee for the least of all thy benefits. How much less able shall I then be with one tongue to laud and thank thee for this present gift, being of so great and inestimable a value?  
If Elizabeth the mother of the forerunner Saint john Baptist, being visited of the most sacred virgin Marry thy mother, when she perceived thy presence, illuminated with the holy Ghost, was so astonished thereat, as she cried out aloud, and said; Whence have I this, that the mother of my Lord doth come to me? How much more justly am I to be astonished, and to cry out; Whence have I this, that the only son of that most blessed virgin, even my Lord himself, and Lord of all Angels, heaven and earth, and of all the creatures of the world, hath visited me, entered into me, honoured me, fostered me, and filled me in this most worthy Sacrament? Whence have I this, that a Lord so high, so puissant, so worthy of all worship, hath vouchsafed to come unto me a most wretched worm; to me the most heinous sinner of all sinners; to me that have so many times offended him, to me that with my lewdness and abominations have so oft banished and expelled him out of me?  
Worthily did the holy Prophets job and David, wonder at thy divine clemency, at what time they said; What is man that thou so magnifiest him? What is the son of man that thus thou visitest him? But much greater reason have we most wretched caitiffs to say the same in these our days; What is man that thou hast thus extolled him: as for man, to make thyself man, and to give thyself in food to man, wherewith he may every day be visited and refreshed? And albeit all men may marvel at this thy divine clemency used towards man: much more yet may I marvel, which of all men am the basest and unwoorthiest.  
If David, when king Saul would have chosen him for his son in law, reputed himself unworthy, and said; What am I, or what is my life, or my father's lineage, that I should be a son in law to a king? How much more cause have I now to say the same; seeing the King of all kings hath admitted me to so high a dignity? What am I: or what is my father's offspring? What other am I, than a vessel of corruption, a sack of dung; and filth engendered of a most vile & stinking matter, touching my flesh, which ere long shall yield food to worms: and am concerning my soul all soiled with sin, fraught with ignorance and forgetfulness, with many more defects, and wicked inclinations?  
What other is my life than a vanity, a puff of wind, a smoke, and shadow that quickly vanisheth, a confusion and disorder, a continual exercise of sin and transgressions of thy commandments? Such hath my life, mine exercises, and mine inclinations been; such also is my father Adam's offspring, and all his ancient family; sith all that descend of him are generally borne thus blemished, thus bend, and all like children of a traitor, as he was adjudged to suffer death.  
Wherefore, O most puissant Prince, and dreadful King above all kings, thou knowing me and my life to have been such, & much worse than I either know or can imagine, hast vouchsafed to receive me; not for a son in law, but for thine own child, and as a younger one right tenderly beloved. For such are fathers accustomed most of all to cherish; as now thou hast cherished and fed me with this Angel's bread, wherein is found all savour, and all divine delight.  
S. Luke reporteth, how one of those guests, that were at table with thee in a prince of the pharisees house, should say; Blessed are those that shall eat the bread of life in the kingdom of heaven: but much more happy am I, if I can know it, and gather fruit out of it, which in this life rate the bread, wherein is the self-same God spiritually by faith contained; and therewith receive a pledge to eat him in his everlasting kingdom. Happy eke are all those that shall dispose themselves to repair to this most gracious banquet, wherein are found all sweet tastes and savours, all riches and renown, and all the things that happily be to be desired.  
Yea, what is it that man may long for, that is not here offered him? If he desire delights and pleasures; here be the sincerest, the choicest, & the sweetest. If he wish for wealth; behold here the treasure that enricheth both heaven and earth. If state and sovereignty be sought for, behold here the highest dignities that can be possibly achieved. Sith by means of this most venerable sacrament the soul is united to God, and resteth associated, and reverenced with quires of Angels that assist about it.  
Wherefore, O ye blind beguiled children of Adam, what other pleasure & profit do you prowl for? Why do you (as isaiah saith) spend your money; and not upon bread? Why employ you your travel. and not in this that may satiate and content you? Why lose you such satiety, such sweetness, and such treasure, as is here contained in this gift? Do not thou so, O my soul, do not thou so; be not thou henceforth any more blind; see thou seek not any carnal contentations, having means to be a partaker of this mere spiritual and celestial delight.  
Take no more taste and pleasure in the food of death (whereof thou erst didst feed) having this bread of life given and granted unto thee. Regard not the pomps, and most vain vanities of this world; seeing thou mayest enjoy in this Sacrament the true happiness, and good things, which in the world cannot possibly be attained. Embrace and keep this treasure, which sufficeth to make thee truly happy; possess this good, which exceedeth all good; content and quiet thyself in this repose, which may abundantly satiate thy desire: and be not ingrateful to this thy benefactor; but yield him hearty thanks, as well for this, as all other benefits heretofore, from the beginning bestowed upon thee.  
Howbeit, my gracious and merciful Lord, how can I yield thee worthy thanks; the debt I own thee being so great, and mine ability to discharge the same so small? With all my heart, and with all my might, and power, I thank thine infinite liberality, for having created me to thine own likeness and similitude, and for having for my conservation created likewise so great variety of other creatures: and much more do I laud & bless thee, for that with thy precious death and bloodshed thou hast redeemed me: ye a O Lord & now I do with all my bowels and powers of my body & soul thank thee, bless thee, & adore thee, for having left us this he avenlie and most worthy Sacrament; and for giving me miserable wretch, the grace eftsoons to receive it, that eftsoons I may thereby be made partaker of the fruit of thy redemption.  
And because these my thanks and praises be slender, weak, and unworthy of such gifts as I have received: I beseech thy sweet son jesus Christ, to supply my want. Here vouchsafe to sound perpetual peals of praises for me; everlastingly to adore thee for me: to reverence thee for me, and to offer the continual sacrifice of thanksgiving for me. And yet for that, all that I can do is finite, & is not correspondent to the value of the benefit I have this day received, being infinite. Those most holy and grateful thanks, which thou Lord jesus gavest to thy Father, minding to grant us this so inestunable a gift, even those same, which are infinite, do I offer both to him and thee together. For verily believe I, that for this cause didst thou yield them; that so incomparable a gift should not be destitute of condign graces, and thanks. And now do I humbly beseech thee, of thy most bonntifull clemency, that seeing it hath pleased thee to satiate and honour me with thy most worthy presence in this venerable and redoubted Sacrament; thou wilt also vouchsafe to grant me thy grace to be always grateful, and to answer worthily to this most happy visitation.  
This hath always been thy wont, my Saviour and Redeemer; that where through thy goodness thou hast vouchsafed to enter, there hast thou departed of thy blessings most abundantly; heaping grace upon grace; and mercy upon mercy. Thou enteredst into Matthew the Publicans house; and from a Publican thou madest him thy Disciple, & an Apostle. Thou enteredst into Zacheus house; when by and by he was changed from his old custom: and health was given to all his household. Thou enteredst into Sunon Peter's house, & dravest away the ague from his wives mother; leaving her whole and comforted. Eft 'zounds didst thou enter into Martha & good Marie magdalen's house; and what tongue can tell the spiritual riches thou gavest to that house; and the ineffable graces thou endowedst those two sisters with▪ Finally, the figure of this Sacrament, to wit, the ark of the old Testament, because it entered into Obed Edom's house, was cause that thy blessings were powered upon him, and all his, paying plentifully for the harborough that in that house was offered thee.  
Wherefore, O most sweet and welcome guest, seeing through thy goodness thou hast vouchsafed this day to enter into my poor cottage, send down withal thy holy blessings thereon; by means whereof, I may worthily answer unto this thine incomparable mercy. Cleanse and fine this house, Lord, from all the filth thou seest in it. Repair and do some cost on it, lest it decay and fall to ruin; drive out the darkness in it, with the glistering beams of thy light; adorn and deck it up with the virtues and graces of the holy Ghost; that being thus cleansed, repaired, adorned, and illuminated, it may please thee to dwell therein, and never to departed. Tarry still with me, O Lord, my comforter; the night draweth nigh, & without thee shall I remain in darkness, and so be sore endangered. O therefore, I say, tarry thou still with me, and depart not from this lodging. Thou hast affirmed, O eternal truth, how thy whole delight is to dwell with the children of men, and how thou standest knocking at the door, ready to euter and sup with such as shall open, and let thee in. Behold how I have given thee free entrance into me; and thou of thy goodness hast admitted me to the sweet supper of thy most sacred body. Abandon me not therefore my sovereign Lord, ne depart thou from me; draw me after thee; knit and tie me fast to thee; yea draw me quite out of myself, sith I am much better in thee, than in me. In thee I live, in me I die; in thee I remain firm and constant, in me I decay and come to nought.  
Renew me therefore, O my sanctifier, and through love transform me into thee, & grant me so to live in thee, as that I only live to thee, I only love thee, I only delight in thee, that thou be mine only joy, mine only comfort, mine only food, wherewith my soul may in such sort be refreshed, as that all other meats seem loathsome and unsavoury to it. This only have I chosen, this only shall suffice me, with this alone will I live contented, satisfied, and happy; until the desired day come, when I shall feed of thee in another form, and enjoy thee continually in the company of all the elect and blessed Saints of the celestial court, where with the Father and the holy Ghost, thou livest and reignest everlastingly,  
Amen.   

Another fruitful meditation of the Christian soul, exhorting to thankfulness, newness of life, and holy conversation; in deep consideration of the great benefits of Christ received in the Sacrament, to be read after the receiving of the holy Communion in the Church (if time serve) or at home, especially on Easter day.  
THat thou mayst not doubt, O my soul, of so great wealth and felicity, as is wrought for thee in these holy mysteries of Christ (whereof now thou hast been a partaker) by his glorious death and resurrection; let us a little refresh ourselves with the contemplation thereof, & as it were chaw the cud, by calling them often to our remembrance; that so taking great delight in the sweet taste thereof, we may the less feel or perceive the bitterness of this miserable life. Go to therefore, O my soul, call to mind now, I say; and we that therefore thou hast received into thine own possession, the everlasting verity, even our Lord and Saviour jesus Christ, to confirm to thy conscience the truth of all this matter.  
Thou hast received him, if in true faith & repentance of heart thou hast received him; if in purpose of amendment of life thou hast received him; for an everlasting gage and pledge of thy salvation. Thou hast received his body, which was once broken; and his blood, which was once shed for the remission of thy sins: thou hast received his body to have within thee the Father, the Son, and the holy Ghost, for to dwell with thee, to endue thee with grace, to strengthen thee against thine enemies, to help thy weakness, to possess thee with peace and gladness, to make thee thankful to thy redeemer, and careful to lead a godly conversation, and to comfort thee with their presence in weal and woe: thou hast received his body, I say, to endue thee with everlasting righteousness, to assure thee of perpetual bliss, and life eternal. For with Christ, by true faith, art thou, my soul quickened again from death of sin, to life of grace; and in hope translated from corporal and everlasting death, to the everlasting life of glory in heaven; where now from henceforth thy conversation indeed should be, and thy heart and desire alway fixed and set.  
Doubt not therefore, O my soul, of the truth of this matter; how great and high so ever these mysteries and things be. For it becometh thy God to do no little deeds; how impossible so ever they seem to thee. But pray to God heartily, that thou mayst have faith to perceive these great mysteries; that by faith thou mayst certainly know and believe nothing to be impossible with God. Only bring thou faith, I say, to Christ's holy word and Sacraments, and thou shalt well feel and perceive the benefits of Christ contained therein to thy comfort. Let thy repentance show thy faith also; let thy purpose of amendment and obedience of thy heart to God's law hereafter declare thy true belief. And now endeavour thyself, O my soul, to say with S. Paul: From henceforth my conversation is in heaven; from whence I look for a Saviour, even the Lord jesus Christ, which shall change our vile bodies, that they may be made and fashioned like to his glorious body; which he shall do by the same power, whereby he rose again from death, and whereby he shall be able to subdue all things unto himself.  
For else, what shall it avail thee, O my soul, to be escaped, and delivered from the filthiness of the world, through the knowledge of thy Lord and Saviour jesus Christ, if thou be entangled again therewith, and be thereby overcome again? certainly, it had been better never to have known the way of righteousness, than after it is known and received, to turn backward again from the holy and most righteous commandments of God given unto thee: so shall the proverb be verified of thee, where it is said; The dog is returned to his vomit again, and the sow that was washed, to her wallowing in the mire again. Oh what a shame were it for thee, O my soul, being thus so clearly and freely washed from thy sins, to return to the filthiness thereof again? What a great folly were it, thus endued with righteousness, to lose it again? Yea, what wilful madness were it, to lose the inheritance that thou art now set in, for the vile and transitory pleasures of sin? Finally, what unnatural unkindness should it be, where thy Saviour Christ of his mere mercy is come to thee, to dwell within thee as thy guest; to drive him from thee, and to banish him violently out of thee; and in stead of him in whom is all grace and virtue, to receive the ungracious spirit of the devil, the founder of all unrighteousness, naughtiness and mischief? Oh my soul, how canst thou find in thy heart, I say, to show such extreme unkindness to Christ jesus, which hath now so gently called thee to mercy, offered and given himself unto thee, and is now entered into thee? Yea, how darest thou be so bold, to renounce the presence of the Father, the Son, and the holy Ghost, (for where one is, there God all whole in Majesty together with all his power, wisdom, and goodness is,) and fearest thou not the danger and peril of so traitorous a defiance and departure?  
O my soul, advise thyself well what thou doest, consider the dignity thou art now set in, and how thou art therefore cleansed, washed, sanctified, and renewed, that thou shouldest from henceforth sin no more; but serve God in true holiness and righteousness all the days of thy life, that in the end thou mayst reign with him in everlasting life. If thou refuse so great grace whereto thou art called, what other thing doest thou, than heap up thy damnation more and more, and so provoke God to cast his heavy displeasure upon thee, and by his just plagues to revenge this thy mockage of his holy Sacraments, in so great abusing of them? Be very wary and well advised therefore I say, O my soul, how from henceforth thou doest behave thyself; and let not folly lose that thing, which grace hath so pretiouslie offered and purchased. Let not wilfulness and blindness put out so great light as is showed unto thee, but apply thyself to live in Christ, that Christ may still live in thee, whose favour and assistance if thou have, than hast thou everlasting life already within thee, then can nothing hurt thee: whatsoever is hitherto done amiss and committed, Christ (thou seest) hath offered thee pardon, and clearly received thee into his favour again; in full surety whereof, thou hast him now presently inhabiting and dwelling within thee. Only take good heart unto thee, show thyself thankful in thy life, and determine with thyself to refuse, avoid, detest and abhor all such things in thy conversation, as should offend the eyes of his mercy. Endeavour thyself now, I say, O my soul, that way to rise up again, which way thou hast fallen into the pit or sink of sin; as if by thy tongue thou hast offended, now thereby rise again, and glorify God therewithal; accustom it to laud and praise the name of God, as thou hast therewith dishonoured it. And as thou hast hurt the good name of thy neighbour, or otherwise hindered him; so now intent to restore it to him again: for without restitution, God accepteth not thy confession, nor yet thy repentance. It is not enough to forsake evil, except thou set thy courage to do good. By what occasion soever therefore thou hast offended, I say turn now the occasion unto the honouring of God, and profiting of thy neighbour.  
True it is, O my soul, that sin is strong, and affections unruly; yea and hard it is to subdue and resist thy nature so corrupt and leavened with the sour bitterness of the poison, which thou receivedst by the inheritance of thine old father Adam, but yet nevertheless, be of good cheer, for Christ thy Saviour hath overcome the world, and all other enemies for thee. Sin shall not have power over thee, for thou art now under grace: though thy power be weak, yet Christ is risen again to strengthen thee in the battle; his holy spirit shall help thine infirmities. In full trust therefore of this confidence, O my soul, take a good heart unto thee; I say, be of a good courage in the Lord, and put upon thee all the holy armour of God, that thou mayst stand fast against the enemies, which would again assault and subdue thee, and bring thee again into their thraldom, slavery, and bondage.  
Remember now O my soul, that thou art brought from thy vain conversation, and that thy freedom is purchased neither with gold nor silver, but with the dear price of the most precious heart blood of that innocent and immaculate lamb jesus Christ. And even now at the lest O my soul, begin and take in hand in the name and fear of God, to purge the old leaven of sin and wickedness, that corrupteth and soureth the sweetness of thy life, before the majesty of God, that thou mayst be as new and fresh dough, void of all sour leaven of wickedness; so shalt thou show thyself to be sweet bread to God, that he may have his delight in thee; so shalt thou declare thyself a worthy host for such a guest, and that Christ's gifts and graces have their effect in thee, and that thou hast the right belief and knowledge of his holy mysteries now received of thee: finally, so shalt thou, in applying thy faith to the virtue of this holy Sacrament, and in thy life and conversation conforming and fashioning thyself to the example and signification meant thereby, be most certain and sure to live in this life happily, & in the world to come to dwell with Christ (whom thou hast now received) in everlasting glory, which God for his mercy's sake, and for the dear and precious merits of his only Son our Lord and Saviour jesus Christ's sake grant unto us,  
Amen.   

The Prayer.  
SO great and manifold are thy benefits O most good and merciful God, towards mankind, as all people in every place ought greatly to laud, worthily to praise, and highly to extol & magnify thy blessed name. For what thing can be more pleasant to men, than that thou doest easily hear them at what time they call upon thee, for such things as they stand in need of? In what other good things ought we more to rejoice of, than this, for that thou yieldest thyself appeased and favourable to our iniquities? Or why be we not right happy and blessed, whom thou didst vouchsafe to annex unto thyself in thy sacred congregation, in feeding our hungry stomaches with spiritual good things, and heavenly dainties, and refreshing us continually with the most exquisite and well furnished banquet of thy blessed Sacraments, making us to eat abundantly of thy heavenly Manna and food of Angels, and to drink plenteously of the full cup of thy holy spirit and divine grace, to our endless comfort and consolation in thee?  
Oh Lord, thou dealest favourably even with all other creatures also for thine elects sake. Thou stablishest the mountains; stillest the raging of the sea; appeasest the madness of the people, and doest refresh and lighten with great joy the uttermost parts of the earth, through the brightness of the heavenly fires. Thou sendest seasonable weather, and timely showers, whereby only cometh fertility of the fields, wonderfully garnished with all kind of fruits, whereby both men and beasts have abundantly wherewith to feed. Grant thou therefore thus much also unto us (who art the author of so many good things) that we may alway be mindful thereof, to render most condign thanks unto thee, and that an alteration of our old leaven being now made through the virtue of this blessed Sacrament, which we have received, we may like the eagle from time to time, renew our youth in godliness of life, and use to our health and comfort those things, which thou so lovingly bestowest upon us, through jesus Christ our Lord,  
Amen.   

At the solemnisation of Matrimony, pray thus:  
Almighty God, and most merciful father, who hast ordained marriage to be kept without blame or breach to the end, not suffering that any should put asunder those, whom thou hast joined together. Sanctify those, which are called to this estate of life, to keep it according to thy holy institution and ordinance. And furthermore, as thou requirest that we should love thee above all things, esteeming more thy favour, than either the riches or honour of this world, or life itself: so we beseech thee, O Lord, to teach us how to use these transitory things, that we abuse them not in setting our hearts upon them, or delighting more in them than is meet; but that we may so love our husbands, children, house & lands, and our own lives, or whatsoever thou givest us for our comfort here for a time, that we may keep still the highest degree of our love for thee our spiritual husband; so that where the question shall be between thee and any thing else, we may make loss of all things, to abide perfectly in our love towards thee to the end; to whom, with the father, and the holy ghost, be all laud and praise for ever and ever,  
Amen.  
Or as at the solemnisation of Matrimony in the fift Lamp.   

At the burial of any, meditate and pray, as followeth:  
O Lord jesus Christ Son of God, which art the giver of eternal life; we heartily thank thee, because thou art inwardly touched with mercy towards us, oppressed both with temporal and everlasting miseries: thou hast tasted death, and with thy flesh thou hast touched the grave, and earth, whereby it is sanctified and made light to the godly, so that it can not keep them in etternall death. According to thy commandment, there stand the bringers and ministers of death, even sin and Satan: but thou pluckest the faithful out of the jaws of death; bringest them to a new life; through the comfort of thy Gospel teachest them to speak, and sound forth thy glory; commendest them in this life to the mother the Church, and at length, death and all evils being subdued, thou wilt bring them into thy kingdom.  
We humbly beseech thee, take mercy upon thy Church in these miserable days. For she is as a widow destitute of all worldly help, and dependeth only upon thy merciful aid and protection. Speak unto her with cheerful voice, and say; Weep not: power upon thine, the true light of faith and comfort; lift us up in the mids of death with a confidence of thy presence, and hope of eternal life. drive away the guard of death; teach us to set forth thy truth, and at the length, let us be placed with the sweet mother of all Saints, in the true country of that happy city jerusalem, where we shall for evermore enjoy the blessed sight both of thee, and thy heavenly congregation,  
Amen.   

Another devout prayer at burials.  
LORD, thou art God for ever; short is our life; always some of us die; & other some come into the world: and with thee a thousand years be but one day, yea as the least minute of an hour. This life passeth away as doth a dream, even as grass in the field; green to day, and dry to morrow. If thou be displeased, than we be lost; if thou chasten, then shrink we for fear. For through sins we be dead unto thee. Certes Lord, if thou have respect to our sins, who shall continue? Show us how many be the days of our life, that we may dispend them wisely to the praise of thy name; lest that we falsely, trusting upon long life, might come unto death. Oh good God, how frail and corrupt a work be we indeed:? Even but very dust and ashes; and the length of our days be as the flower in the field. No man can deliver himself from death; no man can save his own soul from the grave: thou only, O Lord, must do it; namely, to such as believe in thee. O my GOD, have mercy upon me, and take me not away unprovided, in the midst of my days; but let me go to my grave in a full age. Let me remember mine end, that when I shall departed out of this life, I be not deprived of everlasting life. Let me bear always before mine eyes, the shortness of this life; and what a vanity, and what a thing of nought it is; as well the men themselves, as all their things and affairs.  
Stay my feet, O Lord, that at no time they slip with some cruel zeal or envy, that I might have at the ungodly, which for the most part pass their lives quietly, and die more quietly. I beseech thee, let not thy chosen persons be discouraged, nor offended, by this thy godly providence, in ordering of worldly things; nor shrink from thee by reason thereof: but rather let us remember in what dangers in very deed these ungodly be in; and with how unhappy a conclusion and term they close & finish their happy course. And again on the contrary part, what pleasantness of conscience; and what comfort and quietness shall follow this our unquietness. Finally, O good God, in the day of my burial, when all my friends shrink from me, do not thou forsake me: when my father and mother, husband and children forsake me, vouchsafe thou, O Lord, to take me up, and defend me from the roaring lions, that wait for their pray; & lead me safely through the unknown country, & bring me happily to the streets of the heavenly Zion, wherein is the habitation of all that rejoice in thee; and there set me amongst thine Angels, before the face of thine own Majesty; where with the Patriarches, Prophets, Apostles, Martyrs, Confessors, Virgins; yea and with all my dear parents and faithful friends, in full measure of happiness, passing excellent glory, and superabundant joy of thanksgiving and praise, I may magnify thee, my God, among thy chosen holy ones, for ever and ever,  
Amen.  
See another prayer in the Lady Aburgavennies prayers.   

Another meditation of death.  
O GOD, what other thing do we daily in this present life than heap sin upon sin, and hoard trespass upon trespass? So that this day is worse always than yesterday; by increasing as days, so sins; and therefore thine indignation, good Lord, against us: but when we shall be let go out of the prison of this body, and so taken into thy blessed company; then shall we be in most safety of immortality and salvation; then shall come unto us no sickness, no need, no pain, no kind of evil to soul or body: but whatsoever good we can wish, that shall we have; and whatsoever we loathe, shall be far from us. Oh dear Father, that we had faith to behold these things accordingly! Oh that our hearts were persuaded thereof, and our affections inflamed with the desire of them! Then should we live in longing, for that which now we most loath. Oh help us, and grant that we being ignorant of things to come, and of the time of our death, which to thee is certain, may so live and finish our journey here, that we may be ready; and then depart, when our departing may make most to thy glory, and our comfort, through jesus Christ our Lord,  
Amen.   

Another sweet meditation, of the longing of the soul to be with God; out of Saint Augustine.  
O Kingdom of all world's eternal, wherein is joy surmounting all joys; and the peace of God, which passeth all understanding: wherein also the souls of all holy folk do rest and reign with thee, O Lord, in everlasting joy, mirth and gladness. When shall I enter into thee, that I may see my God, which dwelleth in thee? When shall I go thither, & behold this great sight? What is it that holds me back? Woe is me, that my sojourning is prolonged: woe is me; how long shall it be said unto me; Wait, and wait again? And now to what purpose is my waiting? My Lord God, do we not wait and watch for the Saviour, our Lord jesus Christ, to come and repair our base bodies unto the likeness of his glorious body? We wait and watch, like wise virgins, with our loins girt, and our lamps burning, for the Lord our Bridegroom, when he should come from the Bridehouse, to fetch us into his wedding. Come Lord jesus, and tarry not: come Lord jesus Christ; come visit us in peace: come lead us prisoners out of prison, that we may rejoice before thee with a perfect heart: come our Saviour, thou that art longed for, of all nations and people; come show thy countenance unto us, and we shall be safe: come my light, and my redeemer, my GOD, and my spouse, take my soul out of prison, that it may give praise unto thy name.  
How long shall I be tossed in the waves of my mortality, crying unto thee Lord, and thou hearest me not? Lord hear me how I cry unto thee out of this huge sea, and bring me to the haven of endless bliss. Happy are they, O God, which are conveyed out of this sea, and have obtained to arrive at thee, the safest harborough of all havens. O happy are they indeed, which are escaped already from sea to shore; from banishment home into their own country; and from prison into a palace; enjoying their wished rest! Blessed are they that already have gained the garland of endless glory, which they sought for here by many tribulations; and joy now in happy mirth for ever. O blessed are they indeed! O triple, and fouretimes blessed are they, which being already quite rid of all miseries, have attained to the kingdom of beautifulness, and everlasting blissfulness, and are assured of their unappearable glory! For there is joy endless; mirth sorowlesse; health griefless; way without labour; light without darkness; life without death. Happy therefore, I say, are those, that already have escaped the shipwreck of this present miserable life, and obtained the grace to come to so great joys in heaven. But alas, we are yet still in the waves of the sea, longing for thee, O Lord, the haven of our sea. O jerusalem the heavenly country of ours! O quiet country! we look towards thee, and ken thee a far off. We hale thee from this sea; we sigh unto thee out of this vale of misery, and labour with tears, if we may by any means attain unto thee. O Christ, God, and the only hope of all mankind; our refuge and strength, whose brightness enlighteneth our eyes a far off, as the beams of the sea-starre doth in the misty darkness of the stormy sea, to guide us unto thee our haven. Lord, govern our ship with thy right hand, by the helm of thy cross, that we perish not in the waves; that the tempest of the water drown us not, and that the deep swallow us not up: but with the hook of thy cross, pluck us back out of this vast sea, unto thee our only comfort, whom we see waiting for us a far off, as the morning-star, and as the daiesunne of righteousness, in manner with weeping eyes, upon the shore of the heavenly country. Behold we, whom thou hast ransomed, do cry unto thee, yea even we, as yet thy banished exiles, whom thou hast redeemed with thy precious blood, do cry unto thee: hear us, O God our Saviour, the hope of all the ends of the earth, and of all them that be in the sea a far off. We be conversant in a troublesome sea, and thou standing upon the shore, lookest at our perils. Oh save us for thy name sake, that we perish not. And Lord, grant us so to keep our course between Scylla and Charybdis, and to hold so with thee, that we may escape the dangers of both, and come safe to land without loss of ship, or freight,  
Amen.   

Another meditation of the happiness of the good soul hence departing: at burials.  
Happy is the soul, which departing from the earthly body goeth directly into heaven: secure it is and quiet, and feareth neither enemy nor death. For it enjoyeth continually thy presence, O God, & uncessantly beholdeth the most glorious Lord, whom she hath served and loved, and whom now at the length full joyfully and gloriously she hath attained unto.  
And this glory of so great blessedness, neither time shall diminish, nor any wicked person take away. The daughters of Zion have seen her, and counted her blessed; even the Queens and the concubines have praised her, saying: Who is she that cometh up out of the desert, abounding in pleasure, leaning upon her well-beloved? Who is she that looketh forth as the morning; fair as the Moon; pure as the Sun; terrible as an army with banners? How cheerfully goeth she out, hasteneth, runneth, when all amazed she heareth her beloved saying unto her on this wise: Arise my love, my fair one, and come away. For behold, the winter now is past, the rain is changed and gone away, the floods appear in our earth, the time of the singing of the bird is come, and the voice of the turtle is heard in our land. The figtree hath brought forth her young figs, and the vines with their small grapes have cast a savour. Arise my love, my fair one, and come away; my dove that art in the holes of the rock, in the secret places of the stairs, show me thy sight; let me hear thy voice, for thy voice is sweet, and thy sight comely. Come away my chosen, my fair one, my dove, mine unspotted one, my spouse, come away, and I will put thee into my bedchamber, because I have longed after thy beauty. Come away, that thou mayst triumph in my presence with mine Angels, whose company I have promised thee. After many perils and labour come away, enter into thy masters joy, the which no man shall take from thee,  
Amen.   

Another which may be used on all Saint's day.  
OH happy are all thy Saints, O Christ, which have passed over the sea of this mortality, and attained unto the haven of perpetual quietness, security and peace, where they are at rest, and alway joyful and merry! Wherefore of thy tender love I beseech thee, O Christ, who art without care of thyself, be careful for us; who needest not to care for incorruptible glory, have thou a consideration of our manifold miseries. O our God, who hast chosen a people to thyself, and endued them with glory, making them both immortal of thine immortality, and joyful through thy blessed sight; I beseech thee be thou always mindful of us, and help us, who as yet in the salt seas of this life are tossed with the surges about us. O thou goodly gate, who art raised into a marvelous highness, help us vile pavement, lying much beneath thee; give us thine hand, and raise up such as lie upon the ground, that waxing strong out of weakness, we may be made courageous in battle. Make thou intercession for us continually, and uncessantly pray for us wretches, and most negligent sinners, that through thy prayers we may be conjoined to the holy company of saints, for otherwise we shall never be saved. For alas, we are very frail, weaklings of no courage, creatures given to the service of the belly and flesh, having in us almost no sparkle of virtue, and yet placed under thy confession. O Christ, we are borne by the wood of the cross through this great and wide sea, where are things creeping innumerable, both small beasts and great; wherein the most cruel dragon is, alway prepared to devour us, wherein be the dangerous rocks, Scylla and Charybdis with other such like innumerable things, whereby the heedless and wavering in faith make shipwreck. Wherefore O Christ pray for us, O good Christ pray thou (we say) for us; that through thy good prayers and merits, we may deserve, ship and merchandise being saved, to attain unto the port of perpetual salvation, quietness, peace and security, which never shall have end,  
Amen.   

After the service and common prayer ended, pray thus:  
O jesus Christ, the very true Aaron, and only high Bishop of our soul, which in thine own name art gone up into the most holy place, and bearest our names before the Lord upon thy shoulders for a continual remembrance. Forsomuch as our offerings and sacrifice cannot be so perfect, but that through our frailty some fault and imperfection shall be found therein in thy sight; vouchsafe we beseech thee, O holiest of all holies, and our most perfect high priest, in mercy to bear the iniquities of our public prayers, and common sacrifice, which we thy people with one accord, by thy grace, have here at this time made, and offered unto God the Father, in thy name. Pardon, O pardon our dullness and coldness in devotion; and let this our oblation be always upon thy forehead, to cause these our burnt offerings to be presented and accepted, for a sweet savour of rest before the Lord our God; that through thy only mediation, he being pacified, our sins pardoned, and we graciously reconciled and sanctified, may be worthy often to have access to thy mercyseat, to worship thee in thy holy Temple; and now as thy servants, to go in peace, to glorify thee in all holy obedience to thy word, & to do unto the poor as much as we can, So be it.   

Or else thus.  
Almighty God, which hast given us grace at this time with one accord to make our common supplications unto thee: and doest promise, that when two or three be gathered together in thy name, thou wilt grant their request; fulfil now O Lord the desires and petitions of thy servants, as may be most expedient for them; granting us in this world knowledge of thy truth, and in the world to come, life everlasting,  
Amen.   

When the people arise to departed out of the Church, say thus to thyself.  
RIse up, O Lord, arise, and let thine enemies be scattered; yea, let all them that hate thee, and profane thine honour, flee before thee: but gather the Saints together continually, and let them never departed from thy Church, So be it.   

So soon as you be out of the Church door say:  
BLessed be the glory of the LORD out of his place.   

Going homeward from the Church, meditate and pray as followeth.  
O Christ, whose home is heaven, and whose house is a place of joys eternal; I thank thee for all thy great mercies showed towards me, especially for vouchsafing me yet time to repent and live godly: grant also I beseech thee, that being truly humbled before thee this day, I may by my good life declare, that I have not come to Church in vain; and that with the penitent Publican, I may return home now to my house under thy protection, imbettered and justified both before God and man, and in all holy obedience glorify thee both at home and abroad, in my life and in my death,  
Amen.   

Another.  
BEhold me, O Lord, I pray thee, a poor seely worm here creeping & walking bodily on earth for a time in this life, (which is our pilgrimage and passage to our home) and make me more mindful of mine everlasting home, and very desirous to return to the house of the living: that having mine affections inflamed by thy holy spirit, I may utterly contemn all earthly things, and covet evermore to be present with thee: that my conversatoin may be in heaven, whither grant me at the length to come, there in my long home with thy children to be partaker of thy glory, and to rejoice as thy child, because of this my everlasting home, and the great glory thereof.  
For I know, O Lord, that if mine earthly house of this tabernacle (my body) were destroyed, I have a building of thee, even an habitation not made with hands, but eternal in heaven; for the which I sigh, desiring to be further clothed with my house, which is from heaven, that mortality might be swallowed up of life; because I know, that as long as I am at home in the body, I am absent from thee; therefore had I rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with thee, O Lord: nevertheless, whether I be at home, or from home, I am of good comfort, and always of good cheer in thee: beseeching thee in mercy to grant me grace, to endeavour myself so to walk by faith in thy fear, after the inward appearance, that when we shall all appear before the judgement-seat of Christ, every one to receive the works of his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad, I may be found accepted unto thee,  
Amen.   

When you enter into your house, pray.  
THY favour and grace, O God, being my guide, I enter into this my material house and home: beseeching thy mercy so to bless and preserve my coming in, and my going out, both now and ever; that thy peace, O God, which passeth all understanding, may be evermore therein, and that I never turn back, or be deformedlie scattered abroad from thee, until thou bring me home from this painful pilgrimage, whereas be the first fruits of my spirit: So be it.   

Being come home, pray.  
LORD bless us, and make our houses, Churches of thy saints, linked in one confession and religion, that being by thee made all of one mind in this house, we may with the devout Galileans praise thee for thy benefits both now and ever.  
O Lord, now fashion & conform me by thy holy spirit in this house of my peregrination; that herein, enjoying the benefit of perfect peace, most seemly quietness, and comely order, I may make thy mysteries my songs, until it shall please thee to lead me upward, unto the peace of thy children; even into thy holy house, and mansion place, where thou hast placed us; and where we shall will or desire nothing else; but to tarry and remain for ever. For whilst we are clad with this body, we do as it were go astray, and are strangers unto thee, neither have we here any abiding place for ever; but we must seek for one that is to come. To the which thou bring us, that camest from thence to redeem us, jesus Christ the righteous; to whom with the Father and the holy Ghost, be all possible praise, and endless glory, now and for ever,  
Amen.   

Prayers before meat on Sunday.  
Almighty God, and most merciful Father, who hast taught us that outward things defile not a man; but those that proceed from the heart: grant us so to esteem clean, that thou pronouncest clean, as that by prayer and thanksgiving, the use of thy creatures made for our benefit, may be sanctified unto us: and of the other part, so to abhor the pollusion of sin, which only thou declarest to be common and unclean, that we may avoid by thy grace all murders, adultries, thefts, false-witness-bearing, unlawful desires, and concupiscence, and whatsoever thou hast forbidden touching our duty towards men, or service and obedience unto thee: that being thus sanctified by thy grace, we may always have free access unto thy sanctuary, in this life; and be received into the heavenly jerusalem, where no Canaanite, nor unclean person shall enter in the life to come, through jesus Christ our Lord: to whom with thee, and the holy Ghost, be all honour, glory, and praise, for ever,  
Amen.   

Another.  
O Son of God, which by thy miraculous multiplying of a few fishes and loaves of bread, didst feed five thousand of thy people in the wilderness, both inwardly with spiritual comfort, and outwardly with corporal food, thereby showing thyself in deed to be the Creator & susteiner of all things: we beseech thee, who only givest us the breath of life, and knowest what we need, and alone canst give a reason, why after this manner thou wilt feed us with corporal things; and not as thou doest the starts without any nourishment. Give unto thy Church, of thy wisdom, such things as are necessary for the sustentation of this life, wherein the joys of the life eternal and to come do begin. And albeit sometime we lack divers things, although thine adversary throweth stones at us for bread, yet by thy power strengthen us that we faint not. And that we which live not by bread alone, or by our own industry; being armed with thy word and promise, (the spiritual food and sword of our soul) may receive comfort thereby, and being protected by thee after a wonderful sort, to live and glorify thee both here, and in the world to come,  
Amen.   

Another prayer before meat, to be used that day that you have received the holy Communion.  
WE thank thee, O eternal householder, for that after the banquet of paradise troubled by the devil & man, thou hast again of thine infinite goodness, through thy son, prepared a sumptuous supper, and great feast. And for as much as thy people, among whom the tower of thy daily junkets was placed, together with the most part of the world, do despise thy holy table, and suffer themselves to be carried about unto the banquets of Satan, and vain pleasures of this world. Thou hast vouchsafed to call us, most unworthy wretches, being lame, blind, and beggarly in this last age of the world, that the number of thine elect may be filled: yea, thou compelest some, lying in the high ways, and about hedges, by reason of the troubles and decay of kingdoms, through the preaching of thy word, to come to the participation of thy banquet. We humbly beseech thee bring us to thine heavenly table; appoint us a place therein evermore. Grant that from thy son, which is the bread and lively wine, we may draw nourishment and juice; that the dryness of our nature may be watered, and we at length taste of thy supper in the table of everlasting life, and drink the new wine of thy son, enjoying his visible sight in the blessed society of all thine elect,  
Amen.   

When you begin to eat, immediately bless, and say:  
LORD God, which art the sanctifier of thy Saints, and the everlasting suffisance that shalt be given to the hungry: bless thou from heaven these thy good creatures and great benefits, (which thou hast created to relieve the want of thy hungry children, and to be received with thanksgiving) with thy celestial benediction: that they may be as a healthful medicine or remedy to our human nature. And grant that by the invocation of thy holy name, we now soberly taking, and temperately and thankfully tasting hereof, may therewithal receive both health of body, and safeguard of soul, through jesus Christ our Lord,  
Amen.   

Or else pray thus for the sober using of your meat and drink.  
GRant, O most merciful God, that so long as we wander in this wretched world, we may so take our meat and drink, for the infirmity of our flesh, that we never be corrupted by fine fare, (wherein the flesh delighteth) neither yet by any foolish superstition; nor that we be drawn away at any time from temperance and sobriety: but let us always remember so to use our abundance, that when we abound in all things most plentifully, we may give ourselves to moderate abstinence continually; as also that we may patiently bear all poverty and hunger when it cometh: and that we may so use liberty in our meats and drinks, that always the glory of thy name, O Lord, may be before our eyes; and that such frugality may appear in all our life, that we may continually seek that satiety and fullness, whereby we shall be satiate for ever most abundantly, when the glory of thy countenance shall appear unto us in the heavens, through jesus Christ our Lord,  
Amen.   

When you take salt, meditate a little to yourself, and say:  
Every man shall be salted with fire, and every sacrifice shall be seasoned with salt. Salt is good; but if the salt be unsavoury, wherewith shall it be seasoned? O God, give us grace to have salt in ourselves, and to have peace one with another; & let all our communication now be so well savoured and powdered with salt; that is to say, seasoned with godly wisdom, that we knowing how and when to speak, all our talk may tend to the glory of thy name, and the edifying of our own souls, through jesus Christ our Lord,  
Amen.   

In the meal time.  
LET one of your children or servants, that best can, read this caution following; and after that, some chapter or portion of the Scripture distinctly and reverently, that all at the board may give diligent ear thereunto.   

The cautions or remembrances to be said of the child in the meat time.  
REmember that these meats and drinks here set before you, are given you of God to use; but not to abuse in surfeiting and drunkenness.  
Remember that they are given you to profit your bodies, and not to hurt your souls.  
Remember that they are not given to you alone, but unto others also that need the same, by your liberality and alms to their relief.  
In eating and drinking, remember that you do but feed the worms, and pamper the carcase, and overcharge your soul if ye surfeit with taking too much.  
In the midst of your mirth and abundance, remember the poor prisoners, the sick; and the afflictions of joseph, and his persecuted members, as though ye were in their case.  
Finally, remember the food of your souls, Christ's body broken, and his blood shed. Desire the meat, I say, that lasteth for ever. Labour for it, and hearken diligently to his word, which now shall be read unto you. And first let us pray.   

A prayer to be said of the child or servant in the meal time, before the reading of the Chapter out of the Bible.  
O Lord, which hast provided these earthly creatures for the feeding of our mortal bodies, direct us carefully to seek, and with delight to taste of thy most holy word, that we may by that immortal seed be begotten to be thy children, and thereby be nourished and fed, until we become perfect men in thy Son Christ jesus, So be it.   

Or else thus:  
BLessed Lord, which hast not only created all things for man's sustenance, but also hast caused all holy Scripture to be written for our learning, grant us to be so conversant among these thy gifts purely and holily, because thou art so, that we may in such sort also now both read thy word, hear it, mark, learn, and inwardly digest this heavenly food of our souls, that being well refreshed, and virtuously transformed both in body and soul, we may holily walk in the strength thereof, to glorify thee, through jesus Christ our Lord,  
Amen.   

After the Chapter read, say thus:  
BLessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it. Grant therefore we beseech thee, O Lord, that we may not only be readers and hearers of thy word, but doers and followers also of the same; that being now fed and nourished at thy hands both in soul and body, we may here be apt and ready to do all good works, which thou hast prepared for us to walk in, and in the life to come be received to thine eternal kingdom of glory, through jesus Christ our Lord,  
Amen.   

Another thanksgiving after the receiving of our bodily sustenance, and reading of some part of God's holy word, or spiritual food.  
O Lord our God, the only giver of all good gifts, who of thy great mercies hast made us partakers both of the heavenly gifts of thy holy word, to feed our minds; and of thine earthly creatures, for the necessary sustenance of our weak bodies: grant we beseech thee, that through thy grace, these thy gifts may be made perfect unto us. Give strength unto our meat, that it may be our healthful nourishment, not to breed in us any carnal desire of our vain life; but to enable our bodies with all good works, during the time of this present pilgrimage, that so thy good creatures may be our good relief so long as thou wilt, and so much as thou knowest to be expedient for us thy servants to finish our days, which thou hast numbered in the edifying of thy Saints, and glorifying of thy holy name.  
And because, O Lord, we know nothing of ourselves, but our ignorant hearts are full of darkness; therefore we beseech thee, that this thy word (which is thine eternal wisdom) that now we have read (and wherein we have had our conference) may be in our minds a burning lamp and shining light of thine only truth in our hearts, and in our souls a fruitful seed of a new birth: so that thine own image may be happily again restaured in us; that we may be made before thee a holy and righteous people, by the inward working of thy gracious spirit, daily strengthening our hearts in earnest love of thy truth, and careful obedience of thy commandments, through jesus Christ our only mediator, who in the sacrifice of his own body, hath purchased unto us all thy favour, and hath given us boldness to call upon thee, unto whom, O father, with thee, and the holy Ghost, be all honour and glory, world without end,  
Amen.   

Another prayer after meat on the Lord's day.  
SAnctified be thy name, O eternal father, who by thy Son jesus Christ our Lord, doest evermore protect and provide for thy Church both spiritual and corporal blessings, bestowing most liberally upon us all good things asked according to thy will. Lift up thine eyes, O Christ, and behold thy miserable people, which depend altogether upon thy provision, and acknowledge ourselves to be fed, and defended miraculously by thee. Assist us, that we also may withdraw our eyes from the consultations of flesh and blood, and look upon thee our Lord, by whose blessing we eat and store ourselves. And albeit, all worldly helps do fail, yet be thou a fiery wall still about us, and feed and defend thy Saints in the fields of comfort, until thou begin that joyful Passover, and everlasting Sabbath, and bring us out of the wilderness, out of the sea and penury, into the court of joy, wealth, satiety, and everlasting welfare. In the mean while, make us thankful for the benefits which we enjoy. Let us gather up the remnants or fragments cast from thy sumptuous and rich banquet unto us. Preserve our baskets, and bless our store, even the arts and schools of learning, that by them thy doctrine may be spread abroad in the world. Make us not only to honour thee for these thy corporal benefits, but much more for giving thyself unto us, which art the bread of life. Be thou our King, defending us in this life against the power of Satan, and feed us with thy heavenly bread, which may nourish us to eternal life and happiness,  
Amen.   

Another prayer after meat that day you have received the holy Communion.  
SEeing that of thy free grace and mercy, O almighty God, thou hast made us partakers this day of all thy riches, both in spiritual and corporal things in Christ jesus, who of ourselves are unworthy to have gathered the crumbs under thy table, make us more and more mindful of so great mercies, and continually thankful to thee for so manifold benefits, and to walk worthy the honour and dignity thou hast done unto us, that we may receive the full accomplishment of thy love towards us in the life to come, through the same our Lord and Saviour jesus Christ, to whom with thee and the holy Ghost be all honour and glory world without end,  
Amen.   

Another thanksgiving unto God for our food, to be read and meditated upon after meat.  
WE thank thee, O King of glory, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast from our youth to this present hour, marvelously nourished us, giving us meat, drink, & clothing, with all other things pertaining to the sustentation of this present life. Naked and bare came we out of our mother's wombs: we brought nothing into the world, but whatsoever we have, thou gavest the same; yea it was afore we were borne, and in our mother's womb, didst thou ordain things necessary for this life, and suffered'st us to enjoy all things abundantly. Alway thou hast a care of us, as a father useth his children; neither art thou ignorant that we stand in need continually of thy blessings, and daily are destitute of new relief, all which thou givest after thy wonted and unspeakable goodness.  
We acknowledge that whatsoever we have or possess, it is thy gift, and confess thee to be the fountain of all good things, and perceive thy fatherly goodness to be spread, not only over all mankind, but also over the living creatures. Thou givest meat to all flesh, thou givest fodder to the cattle, and feedest the young ravens that call upon thee. For corporal goods are not distributed among men by chance, or without thy providence; neither be they attained by the only industry and power of man. Thou givest, and we gather; thou openest thy hand, and all living creatures are filled with thy blessing. For without thee all our endeavours be in vain, and if thou bless not our labours, we do but eat the wind, and receive no profit.  
Great is thy mercy, O Lord, which disdainest not to provide for sinful flesh. O Lord our God, great are thy wondrous works, which thou hast done for us, the which we can not so much as in thought comprehend, much less in words express. When we would report and utter them, we found them more than we could recite: but notwithstanding thine infinite benefits can not be comprehended of mortal man, yet will we not surcease to set forth thy praise, nor hide thy goodness from the sons of men; but will declare it, and speak of thy truth from one generation to another.  
Blessed art thou, O our God, for ever and ever; all that is either above in the heavens, or in the earth beneath, is thine. All things come from thee, and from thine hands we receive whatsoever we possess, and all these things of thy mere mercy, without our merits or worthiness. Therefore we will magnify the Lord, which doth mighty things in all corners of the earth, which doth nourish us from our mother's wombs, and giveth us all good things. Grant us likewise quietness of mind, and peace in our time, that thy grace may abound toward us, continue, and defend us while we live.  
O almighty and merciful father, by thy breath we take life, the which through thy blessing doth abide in us. In thee we live, move, and have our being. For man liveth not by bread only, or by his own wisdom and forecast, neither art thou bound with a fatal chain of second causes, but by thy decree and will we enjoy life, and all things created at thy beck, do continue, while thou thinkest good. Give us not only store of all things to the necessity of life, but grant also to our meat and drink virtue and power to relieve and strengthen our bodies. For thou alone upholdest all things by thy word of power. Unless thou daily didst feed us with the hidden grace, which thou doest inspire into the bread to feed us, all the heaps of our yearly increase were to small purpose. For be it, that there be abundance of wheat, wine, and of all other things, yet unless they be watered by thy blessing, quickly would all come to nought, and we should perish for lack of food in all that abundance. For all the substance that we possess, what is it, without thou prosper and fructify the same with thy blessing?  
And albeit we feed on bread, yet we ascribe not our life to the virtue of the bread; neither is thy power tied to the bread; nor man's life included within the same, but altogether it dependeth upon thy will and good pleasure. We beseech thee for thy most large and bountiful liberality, cast us not off in the time of our old age; and when our strength faileth us, forsake us not. Likewise, confirm our faith, that we distrust not thy promises; neither be driven from thee by any means, seem they never so contrary to natural causes: but give grace that we may withdraw our eyes from all worldly consultations, and as touching our food, and other necessaries for this life, may wholly depend upon thee, and at no time go beyond the limits which thou hast prepared, through our Lord jesus Christ, which liveth and reigneth with thee for evermore,  
Amen.   

At noontide, or midday, say thus:  
O Lord my light, my enlightening, and my welfare, from whence all true brightness and light doth come: grant I beseech thee, that as of thy goodness thou hast given me thus plentifully this corporal light to compass my body on every side, so of thy mercy give me abundantly the spiritual light of thy grace and knowledge, which may enlighten my mind, and cause mine age to appear as clear as the noon day. And because, O Lord, nothing in this world is so perfect and glorious, but when it is at the full, it will decrease and wear away: even as we see in the course of this thy glorious creature the Sun, which now being at the highest, will begin to draw downward. Grant also, I beseech thee, that when at the age of forty years my body by little and little shall begin to fade, and the beauty thereof whither, and draw towards an end, it together with my soul, in the day of judgement, may shine as bright as the Sun, being now at the highest, doth; and may then begin to be glorified to the full, in the region of the celestial world, where the Sun of all righteousness, and the brightness of perpetual charity and felicity doth everlastingly shine, and enlighten all the holy company of heaven,  
Amen.   

Or else thus:  
LOrd let thy favour prevent us, as doth the Sun, which being now in the highest region, spreadeth his beams over all the parts of the earth. And as the brightness thereof shineth now without the clouds: after the same sort give us thy clearness, and show thy bright countenance over us, that lightened by thy word, we may walk this day through, circumspectly and warily in the ways of thy commandments; that being blinded in the mid day, we run not headlong into darkness, neither grope at noon day as in the night, wandering from the paths of thy judgements. Open thine eyes, O God, over us, & be thou unto us a mighty protector this day, a firmament of strength, a covering against heat & parching, a shadow at noon tide, a defender from offence, an assister from falling, a comforter of our souls, a lightener of our minds, and a giver of health and happiness in Christ our Lord,  
Amen.  
¶ After meat, the better to keep you from vain exercises, and idle cogitations, and to spend the Sabbath day both wholly and holily to the Lord as it behoveth; take occasion on God's name either to catechize your children and family, or to pray for the preservation of the Queen's most excellent majesty, or to read devoutly some of these godly meditations and prayers of God's works, and feasts following.   

On Sunday. A prayer for the right keeping of the Sabbath or Sunday.  
O Eternal father of our Lord jesus Christ, which together with thy Son, and the holy Ghost, didst create man, & of thine infinite mercy pouredst into him a similitude of those things, which are most excellent in thee the fountain of all goodness; and wouldst in that nature, as it were in a Temple (seeing thine image to shine therein) continue, and celebrate the joyful Sabbath. When man had defaced thine image, and was plucked from thee, it was thy will that the Son of thine own substance should take our flesh upon him, and be made a sacrifice for the sins of mankind, be crucified, die; yea and on the great Sabbath day of the law, lie in the grave, where the word after an unspeakable manner rested, that we may receive again the society of the new and celestial Sabbath.  
We beseech thee grant that thy Son, which is the Lord of that Sabbath, may begin in this life to rest in us; to heal the corruptions of our nature by his holy spirit, which is the heavenly fire; to dry up the dropsy of our flesh; that he may love us, which are bone of his bones, to make us one with him through his spirit; and finally, to bring us into that glorious company, where the eternal Sabbath is in such excellency, as can not be conceived by the heart of man.  
In the mean while, let us cease from this hurlie burlie, this toiling, and drudging, in the vain trumpery of this world; so as once at last we may religiously hallow, and keep the godly rest of the new Sabbath, in doing such things as be allowable and pleasant unto thee, and sanctifying thee in true rest and peace. Draw us from the vain fantasies of present things, that we may attend and await upon thee, and thy joyful coming. Grant I say, that we may be humbled under thy mighty hand, that we may know our infirmities, obey thee in our crosses and correction, look unto thee in a lively faith and hope of a joyful deliverance, which then shall be perfect, when thy Son by his trumpet shall summon the new Sabbath, and draw unto him on high, where he sitteth at thy right hand exalted, thine elect; all thine enemies, which through beastly arrogancy blushed not to contend and fight against thee, being subdued,  
Amen.   

Another.  
Almighty God, and most merciful heavenly father, who after that in six days thou hadst created all things, didst rest the seventh day, and sanctifiedst it; teach us to keep holy the Sabbath day, not in show and cercmonie only, but much more in every good work, which thou hast commanded; not in part for fashion sake, but wholly and to the end for thine own glory sake. And we beseech thee, O Lord, to heal not only our heads and limbs, but also our hearts and souls; that we may both in the lawful keeping of thy Sabbath, and all other thy commandments, be obedient unto thee the Lord of the Sabbath. And as thou hast taught us the right keeping of the Sabbath to stand chiefly in doing of good one unto another, give us grace continually to keep this Sabbath inviolable, and unprofaned, that we may only do those things which are holy and acceptable unto thee, and may cease from all our lewd works and ways. And especially, O Lord, grant that we may avoid carefully the first step of the ladder that leadeth to that horrible sin of blasphemy, which is not to be forgiven, neither in this world, nor in the world to come,  
Amen.   

Ghostly Meditations, with the which it is meet for us Christians to occupy ourselves once in the day, or at the least (for those, whose leisure will not serve) once in the week, and that every Sunday and holy day: which the Author found in an old and ancient written copy: & for the excellent matter therein contained, hath thought it good now to publish it, to the glory of God, and profit of his Church.  
FIrst, let us call to our memory the bountiful goodness of almighty GOD, extended towards us in the creation of the firmament, the earth, the sea, and all that therein is contained; which he hath made for our only comfort, and the service of us. And let us here with also consider the greatness and omnipotency of his power, which was able with his word only of nothing to make allthings, & those so wonderful works, that they are not able to be comprehended within the compass of man's reason. Call we also to mind the unsearchablenesse of his divine wisdom, through which in so goodly order continually he both can, & doth conserve all those things: and lastly, let us not forget his incomparable love towards us, who of his only mere goodness, without any part of ableness of our deserts, hath provided all these things for our use: and not only that; but hath moreover made us of capacity and understanding to discuss, and know how to use the same, for the serving of our necessities, as the diversity of times and occasion requireth. Let us not therefore show ourselves unto him unthankful.  
Nextlie, let us call to mind from how sundry perils, as well ghostle as bodily, he hath and doth from time to time preserve us: namely, from perils on the land, perils by water, perils of fire, perils through sickness, from imprisonment, from open shame, from slanders, from extreme beggary, from famine, from pestilence, and other horrible diseases; from sudden and shameful death, and sundry other mischiefs, which we may understand to have happened, and daily do perceive to happen unto others; which should in like sort have happened unto us, if through his merciful goodness we had not been therefrom preserved: and herewith let us also call unto mind, our health, our wealth, and all other Gods good gifts, which he hath lent unto us, and render unto him most humble thanks therefore.  
Also, let us think how he hath made us of no vile sort nor condition; but even unto his own likeness, endued with the most precious gifts of reason, understanding, memory and will; which noble gifts he hath given us, to the intent we should with these honour him accordingly: which if we do not; but do abuse the same, to worldly, vain, and fantastical delights; we may then assure ourselves, not only to make a strait account thereof; but also to be most grievously punished therefore.  
Moreover, let us call to mind how merciful, and like a most loving Master and Saviour, Christ the Son of God, and second person in Trinity, Lord and king over all rule and power, descended down from the bosom of his Father, and from his heavenly throne into this miserable world, and here took upon him our frail flesh; suffering in the same by the space of three and thirty years, hunger, thirst, cold, watch, poverty, evil report, hatred, disdain, slanders, rebukes, checks, taunts, scorns, buffets, binding, beating, whipping, wrongful accusation, false condemnation; yea, and at the last, most vile, spiteful, cruel, and shameful death; and that innocently and guiltless, thereby to deliver us from our gilt, and the eternal death, which all we, by the transgression of our first parent Adam, had most justly deserved. And herewith let us also think what reproach & shame it is to us, to repine or grudge to suffer the like for his sake: sith he being both our Lord and Master, of the singular love he did bear unto us, hath suffered all those for our sakes: should not we then, being but servants (or rather vile slaves in respect of him) disdain or repine at that, which he, not only our Master; but King over all kings hath not disdained to suffer?  
Also, let us consider how that by the merits of his most bitter passion, and his grace given unto us in the Sacrament of baptism, he hath forgiven us, clearly cleansed us, and utterly discharged us of all our former sins. Hereupon, let us call to mind, how oft since that time we have offended him, by falling again into deadly sin; & therewith let us call to remembrance the particularity of our offences, the grievousness of the same, how long we have continued in them without repentance taken for them: and then let us weigh the abundance of his great mercy; first, how graciously he hath abidden the time of our repentance; how ready he hath been to forgive us upon due repentance taken, and perfect confession without dissimulation made thereof unto him.  
Remember we also, how lewdly, how wickedly, and how sinfully we have bestowed the short time, which God hath here in this world lent unto us, to fight and war continually against our most mortal adversaries, the world, the flesh, and the devil, which travel without ceasing to work our everlasting destruction, and to bring us to everlasting death; and to beereve us from the life eternal, & joys endless. Think we also, if God of his great mercy had not graciously spared us life, until we had repent that wickedness; in what wretched condition, and most extreme torments of hell pains, had we been in now; and so should have continued for ever world without end? But how dear then should those short pleasures and vain delights of the flesh have been unto us?  
Let us also call to mind the hour of death, the uncertainty of the time thereof, and that we know not when where, or in what manner it shall be: but like as we are most certain we can not escape it; so are we as sure, if we happen then to departed this life in deadly sin, that we shall then not only die the bodily death; but also the spiritual death, which is eternal death both of body and soul. Let us therefore endeavour ourselves, so to live, as though every hour should be unto us the last hour; and by that means we shall not be unready, how suddenly soever death shall steal upon us, nor yet shall we fear his coming.  
Furthermore, let us think what shall become of our wretched bodies, and vile carcases, which we have sought by all means to pamper; whose ease we have so much procured; which we have so delicately nourished; which we have so finely arrayed; whose vain pleasures we have so much followed: doubtless, it shall then become an abominable stinking carrion; from which, those which be now our most dearest friends shall be forced to turn away their heads, stopping of their noses, for the very noisomeness of the corrupt savour and evil stinch thereof.  
Let us also consider, what shall then avail us for our possessions and riches, which we have sought for so busily, and so greedily to heap together. We must then leave behind us, and of them shall carry away nothing with us, saving a heavy burden of conscience of such part of them, which we do unlawfully possess, wrongfully withhold, or else have evil gotten.  
Let us then weigh, what shall become of our soul, when it shall leave the body to rot in the earth, and itself shall be called into judgement before the high judge, where it shall be forced to make a straight account of all works, words, and thoughts. Where it shall be able to conceal nothing; but the very secrets of all our doings shall then be made open: and that which here we be ashamed to confess; shall then be manifest; and the book shall be opened, in which all our deeds and thoughts shall be rehearsed, before the whole company of heaven, and then shall be said to every one of us: Behold this man and his works: then shall our conscience accuse us, all our evil deeds as witnesses shall come in against us. The devil shall be there ready to draw us with him into eternal perdition, and with the terribleness of his countenance shall put us in horrible fear. Then shall we tremble and quake, and desire to have respite for the amendment of our former wicked life, and to repent us of our sinful living: but then in no wise it may be granted us, for as much as then mercy must give place to justice. Let us now therefore, while God doth lend us time, repent in time; which if we do unfeignedly, then may we assure ourselves to receive mercy and forgiveness of God: for as much as he willeth not the death of a sinner, but rather that he should convert and live.  
Then, let us also weigh with ourselves, what a noble thing our soul is, & how grievous her wounds were: for the curing of the which, our Saviour Christ was of necessity wounded. Yea, if those had not been unto death, and that death eternal, the son of God should never have suffered. Shall we then lightly esteem of the loss of the soul, unto whom we may perceive so much compassion to be showed of so great a Majesty? Then sith he hath shed his tears for us, let us likewise nightly wash our beds with compunction of heart, and continual tears, for very heaviness that we have so grievously offended so loving a Master. And sith he hath shed his precious blood for us, shed we ours also in a sort: that is to say, with daily affliction, and mortifying of our bodies. And let us not have regard what the flesh desireth, but what is most convenient for our soul's health. For than shall our souls be glorious, when they shall return to our Lord God by true repentance and penitence.  
Let us then call to remembrance the lovers of this world, that were here among us not long agone, what is now become of them: and that nothing remaineth of them but dust and worms. They have been men as we are: they solicited and used all kind of mirth; they banketed; they were gorgeously appareled, they were very pleasant, and led their days in all worldly delights: but suddenly, and as it were in the midst of their jollity, death arrested them, & carried them down into hell. Here the flesh of them is appointed to feed the worms; and there their souls be evermore tormented in the unquenchable flame of hell fire, where now they find no profit of all those fleshly pleasures, worldly rejoicings, and evil concupiscence. And for so short and vain pleasures, what continual torment and misery do they now endure: where they never see light; never receive ease of their pain, nor comfort of their heaviness: where the fire continually burneth them, and yet never consumeth them; nor by his long burning loseth any part of his heat? Where the worms do gnaw their conscience; where the devils, which are their tormentors, wax never weary in tormenting of them, or take any pity on them, nor will be entreated to mitigate any part of their torment. Where nothing shall be heard; but weeping, lamentation, groaning, and woeful criengs. Where they shall savour and smell nothing; but horrible stinch and corrupt air. Where they shall see nothing; but the monstrous shape of the horrible tormentors the devils. Wherefore, let us now advise ourselves, whether in following of the vain worldly pleasures, we will give our souls in like sort to be eternally tormented; or else in refusing them, for the little times of pains we shall here suffer, to rejoice with Christ, and to be blessed Saints in heaven for ever. For whilst we are here in this world, God doth set before us both fire and water; that is to say, salvation and damnation; that unto which we will we may stretch our hands.  
Let us lastly consider what comfort it is, and shall be to all saved souls to see God, and the brightness of his face; to live with God, to possess God, which is high and perfect goodness; and where the perfect goodness is, there is the highest, and most perfect felicity; there is the chief and perfect charity; eternal surety, and sure eternity; true gladness; full knowledge; all beauty; all bliss. In this sort shall the man be blessed with God, in whose conscience shall be found no sin; he shall see God after his own desire; he shall possess to pleasure, and enjoy to gladness; he shall flourish in eternity; he shall shine in verity; he shall joy in righteousness; and as he shall have eternity of continuance, so he shall have facility of knowledge, and felicity of rest. He shall be delighted in God; whose countenance is amiable; whose face is beautiful; whose speech is pleasant. He is delectable to behold; sweet to possess; pleasant to enjoy. In him understanding is made clear; affection is purified, that we may love and know him as he is: so that then we shall not need to seek any thing besides him. For the whole is found in him, so much as is to be desired, or may possibly rejoice or delight us.  
Let us to conclude, finally think, what madness doth then possess us, so much to thirst after the bitter potion of sin, to follow after vanities of this world, to suffer the incommodities of this slippery life, and the dominion of Satan's tyranny; and not rather to flee up to the felicity of Saints, to the fellowship of Angels, and to the solemnity of the heavenly joys, where we shall see, behold, and enjoy the plentiful abundant riches of the inestimable treasures of God's goodness, for ever and ever world without end,  
Amen.   

A meditation of God's wonderful works, and a thanksgiving for our creation.  
O Most heavenly father, and eternal God, which art neither made, nor begotten, but before all worlds from everlasting didst beget a Son, an image of thine own substance: we honour thee, we praise thee, we glorify thee, we yield thee most hearty thanks for all thy benefits, especially for creating the heavens, the Sun, Moon, and all the stars, by thy lively word, for governing through thy wisdom, and for thy gracious maintaining them.  
The Sun in his uprising doth manifest the day, a wonderful work of the highest. Great is the Lord which made, and commanded the same to take his course from the top of heaven, unto the end thereof. The ornaments of heaven be the glorious stars: the Lord on high doth lighten the world; at his commandment they keep their order, and will not fail, nor be weary in their watch.  
O Lord our God, how wonderful is thy name in all the world, which hast set thy glory above the heavens! Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings wilt thou be praised, because of thine enemies, that thou mayst confound thine adversaries, and him that envieth thy renown. We see the workmanship of thy hands, the Moon, and Stars, which thou hast ordained; and we will signify thy glory unto all nations, and among all people will we declare thy wonderful things. For thou art mighty, O Lord, and worthy to be praised: great is thy virtue, and thy power wonderful.  
We thank thee, holy father, God of heaven; because thou hast created by thy word of power the universal world, with all the creatures, and whatsoever is, liveth, or moveth in the same. By thy wisdom thou doest govern, and by sending of thy spirit, as yet dost uphold, and cherish the same. For all woods, fruitful trees, stones, grain, flowers, herbs, and all the grass of the field hast thou ordained for the use of man. We magnify thee, O God most wise, for creating the Sea, and springs of water, by the power of thy word; and for giving them virtue to bring forth fishes of all kind to be eaten of man. We bless thee, O eternal God, for making the superior and lower regions of the air, with all birds and feathered fowls of sundry kinds, for the food of man. We glorify thee, for giving the whole frame of this earth, with all the creatures in the same, unto mankind; and setting man over the works of thine hands, hast subjecteth all things under his feet, all sheep and oxen, yea and all the beasts of the field, the fowls of the air, and the fish of the Sea, which walk through the paths of the Sea.  
Especially we praise thee, our Lord and maker, for making us thy creatures reasonable men and women, according to thine own similitude; for giving us reason, and all the senses; and for preserving us hitherto. Thou didst nourish us, and that wonderfully, being within our mother's womb, and out thereof hast thou brought us sound in all parts, without imperfection; and yet continuest thy favour, and doest keep us against all dangers, and deliverest us from all evil: and all these things doest thou of thy fatherly and divine goodness, without any merit or desert of ours; for all which we are bound to thank thee, to praise thee, to serve, honour, and obey thee.  
We extol thy sacred name, O God most high, for separating from the rest a Sabbath day, that so men (ceasing from their handy labour) might the better serve and celebrate thine honour.  
Who is he that can recite all the power of the Lord, or declare all his works? Who can number out all his praises? No man can utter all his benefits. Notwithstanding, although we be miserable men, and wretched sinners, and therefore most unmeet to extol thee according to thy deserts: yet will we not be still, we will praise thee evermore to the uttermost of our power. We will declare thy justice and mercy: and while we live, we remember thy goodness, and at no time forget thy benefits. O our souls, praise the Lord; we will praise the Lord during our life; we will sing to the Lord while we have breath. We will be mindful of our maker, even from our youth, and seek him evermore: yea even unto our old age, and grey head. O God, forsake us not, until we have declared thy power unto all nations that are to come. Praise the Lord, all ye nations; praise him all ye people. For his loving kindness is great toward us; and his truth endureth for ever. Praise ye the Lord in his Sanctuary; praise him in the firmament of his power; praise him in his mighty acts: praise him according to his excellent greatness. Let every thing that hath breath, praise the Lord. Praise ye the Lord,  
Amen.   

Another meditation and thanksgiving for the creation of the world.  
MOst mighty, most wise, and most marvelous Lord GOD; which of nothing hast created heaven and earth, with all that is therein; and hast prepared with due & new properties, every work which thou hast brought forth by thy divine word & holy commandment; and hast ordained and established all the holy works of thy hands; so that they yet stand and serve to the use and service of men. For through the course of the heavens, which never stand still, is engendered unto us all that ever we have need of; and through the same course also dieth, withereth, and rotteth, all that is old; because that for the old and decayed, there should arise up new and fresh. And this course hast thou, O mighty God, made so marvelously, and so agreeably, that man (through the agreeable works of thine hands, without any other external learning, teaching, or instruction) might come to the knowledge of that, which is invisible in thee; that is, thy holy, exalted, and everlasting blessed Godhead and invisible might. Insomuch as there is none that can make himself unguilty, and inexcusable of misbelief or ignorance, how far soever he be departed from thy holy word. For the very heavens give knowledge enough of thy divine glory; the which, though they have no tongue to speak, neither do we hear any thing of their mouth: yet nevertheless their voice is gone out to all corners of the world, and there is no place, but men hear their voice sounding in their ears. For no man is so far distant from them, but he both feeleth always the benefits that come from the heavens; and also seethe continually thy marvelous handy works, which the firmament doth show and declare unto us.  
We thank thee, we praise thee, and we laud and magnify thy glorious name, O most meek Lord, for all thy benefits; especially for that thou hast not thought it enough for thee to have given us the heavens, and earth, and all that is therein to serve us, and to instruct us; but also hast vouchsafed to send thine only dear beloved Son our Saviour jesus Christ down amongst us into this vale of tears: and after that he was ascended into heaven, hast left us thy holy word, and sent thy holy Ghost into us, to the intent we should learn of him all truth, & in thy word might in deed behold more effectually, better and clearer thy Godhead. We now also pray and humbly beseech thee, O most merciful God, that thou wilt govern us, and drive away from us all fleshly conversation, to the intent we may henceforth live a godly and ghostly life; so that we through the flesh may not be hindered to pass our pilgrimage in such perfection as thou requirest in Christian men: but that we may know and discern, and use to thy glory the unmeasurable great good things, which thy large and bountiful hand hath given and reached unto us, through jesus Christ our Lord,  
Amen.   

A meditation of man's creation.  
O Almighty Lord God, that hast created heaven and earth, and all that is therein of nought; but especially hast made man unto thine own godly image, infunding and creating in him a reasonable soul, not mortal, nor transitory, as are the souls of unreasonable beasts: but such a soul, as liveth like the spirit or ghost of God for ever. By which soul man knoweth thee to be his God, doth believe thee, and shall behold thee. And with soul and body together, thou hast made man above all other creatures so much superior: and hast so highly exalted him, that thou hast made him prince and chief governor, lord and captain over all thy other creatures, that be in the earth, and hast cast them all under his feet and subjection.  
O most merciful Lord, power into us thy heavenly light, through which we may ever have in due regard the vile and loathsome stuff or matter that thy godly hand hath made us of; and how thou hast nevertheless exalted us so mightily of misery. Let us know, I say, O Lord, that man is crept out of the dust and mire; and the woman but out of the rib of her husband; to the end we may not by any means be puffed up with pride, by vainglory and presumption of the great glory wherewith thou hast vouchsafed to endue and clothe us: but that in true humility, we may impute and exhibit all things unto thine only goodness, clemency, grace, and mercy. And that we may be drawn thereby unto the love of thee, and to kindle the lamp of our souls, which is cold in thy love, with the light of thy grace; so that we may diligently fulfil and accomplish all that thou hast commanded us, and leave that which thou hast forbidden us, like as it becometh thine obedient children: so that we, both here in this vale of misery, and also afterward in that heavenly paradise, being undefiled, and like unto thee, may be found like as thou hast created us, like unto thine own similitude, image, & likeness, through jesus Christ our Lord,  
Amen.   

Another meditation of man's creation.  
THine almighty hand, O GOD, keeping always at one stay, created the Angels in heaven, and the feelie worms upon earth; and yet was neither higher in the one, nor lower in the other. For like as none other hand could have created an Angel; so could none other hand have created a worm: like as none other could have created heaven; so could none other have created a leaf of a tree: like as none other could have made a body; so could none other make a hair white or black; but only thine almighty hand, whereunto all things are possible alike. For it is not more possible with thee to create a worm, than an Angel; nor more impossible to spread out the heaven, than a leaf; nor easier to fashion a hair, than to fashion a body; nor uneasier to 'stablish the earth upon the waters, than the waters upon the earth: but all that thou listest to do, that hast thou done. According as thou listedst, thou hast made all things in heaven and in earth, and in the sea, and in all deep places: and among all other things, thou hast made me according as thou listedst, couldst, and knewest how to do it. Certes, Lord, thy hand could have made me some stone, or some bird, or some serpent, or some beast: and it knew how to have done it; but it would not because of thy goodness. Why then am I not a stone, some tree, or some beast? Truly because thy goodness hath so ordained it, and because thou lovedst me first.  
And why hast thou done so to me, O maker of heaven and earth, and of the bottomless deep, who hast no need of me? Whereupon cometh it that thou hast thus loved me? For lo, I am, because thou hast created me; and the cause that thou didst create me, and account me in the number of thy creatures, was thy fore-ordinance from everlasting, before thou madest any thing, even from the beginning, before thou didst spread all the heavens; when as yet there were no deeps; neither hadst thou yet made the earth, nor founded the mountains, neither were any water-springs yet broken out. Before thou madest all these things, I say, which thou madest by thy word, thou foresawest by the most assured providence of thy truth, that I should be thy creature, and also thou willedst that I should be thy creature.  
And whence cometh this to me, O most gentle Lord, most high God, most merciful Father, and always most meek? What had I deserved? What kindness had I showed, that it should like thy royal Majesty to create me? I was not; and thou didst create me. I was nothing, and of nothing thou madest me somewhat. And what manner of somewhat? Not a drop of water; not fire; not a bird or fish; not a serpent, or some of the brute beasts; not a stone, or a block; not of those sort of things, which have but being only; or of those things that have but only being and growing; nor yet of those kind of things that have but only being, growing, and feeling. But above all these things, it was thy will to have me both of that sort, which have but being only; for I am: and of those that have no more but being and growing; for I am, and grow: & also of those kind of things, which have both being, growing, and feeling; for I am, and also do both grow and feel. Yea, and thou hast made small odds between me and the Angels. For I have received reason to know thee and thy hand, as well as they.  
But I did well to say there was some odds between us. For they have the happy knowledge of thee already in possession; and I have it but by hope: they see thee face to face; I see thee in a riddle through a glass: they see thee fully; and I but partly. Howbeit when the thing cometh, which is perfect, then shall the unperfect be done away, at such time as we shall behold thee uncovered face to face. And what should let us to be counted little inferior to Angels; seeing that thou O Lord, hast crowned us with the garland of hope, which is decked with glory and honour; and seeing thou hast inhonoured us exceedingly as thy friends, or rather as fellows and coequals in all things with thine Angels? verily even so saith thy truth; They are equal with the Angels, and they be the sons of God. And what be they else, than the sons of God, if they be made fellows with the Angels? They shall be the sons of God in very deed. For the son of man is become the son of God. Truly when I bethink me of this, I am bold to say, that man is not only little inferior to the Angels, yea or haile-felowe with the Angels; but also superior to them: because a man is God, & God is a man, & not an Angel. And in this respect I may say, that man is the worthiest creature, because the word, which in the beginning was God with God: the word whereby God said; Let light be made, and light was made: the word, whereby God created allthings in the beginning, even the self-same word became flesh, and dwelled among us, and we have seen the glory of it. Lo here the glory, when I glory discreetly; lo here the joy, when I joy discreetly; O Lord my God, the whole life and glory of my soul!  
Therefore I acknowledge unto thee my Lord God, that when thou createdst me endued with reason, thou didst create me after a sort equal with the Angels. For by thy word I may be perfect, to attain to equality with the Angels; so as I may have the adoption of thy children by thine only begotten word, O Lord; by thy dear beloved Son, in whom thou art well pleased, by our only coheir, which is of the same substance, & everlastingness that thou thyself art; yea even by jesus Christ our only Lord and redeemer, our inlightner and comforter, our spokesman with thee, & the light of our eyes, who is our life, our saviour, our only hope, who hath loved us more than himself, by whom we have assured trust laid up in store, and steadfast faith to thee-ward, and entrance to come unto thee, because he hath given them power to become the children of God, as many as believe in his name.  
I will give praise unto thy name, O Lord, who by creating me after thine own image, hast made me capable of so great glory, as to become the son of God. This truly can not trees do; this can not stones do; this, to speak generally, can not any of the things do that move or grow in the air, or in the sea, or on the earth; in as much as he hath not given them power by thy word, to become the sons of God: because they have not reason. For the power whereby we know, consisteth in reason. But he hath given this power unto men, whom he created reasonable, after his own image and likeness. certes Lord, it is by thy grace that I am a woman, and by grace I may be thy child, which thing the other can not be.  
Whence have I this, O Lord, the sovereign truth and true sovereign, and the beginning of all creatures? Whence have I this, O Lord, that I may become the child of God, which the other things cannot? Thou art he that endurest for ever, and thou hast made all things at once. Thou hast made man and beasts, stones, and green things of the earth all at once. For there went no desert of theirs afore; there went no good turn of theirs afore. Thou hast created all things only of thine own goodness; no creature hath deserved more than other: for none of them had deserved aught at all. And why then did thy goodness show itself more in this creature, which thou hast made reasonable, than in all other that be without reason? Why was not I as all they be; or why are not all they as I am; or I alone as they be? What had I deserved, that thou shouldest make me able to become the child of God, and deny the same ability to all the rest? God forbidden that I should think so. It was thine only grace, it was thine only goodness, which brought it to pass, that I might be partaker of that sweetness. Of that grace therefore, whereby thou hast created me of nothing, I beseech thee, O Lord, to give me the grace to be thankful unto thee.  
And I thy creature will put my trust under the shadow of thy wings, and in the goodness wherethrough thou hast created me. Help thy creature, whom thy gracious goodness hath created. Let not that perish through my naughtiness, which thy goodness hath wrought. Let not that perish through my wretchedness, which thy singular mercy hath made. For what availeth it me that thou hast created me, if I shall sink down into mine own corruption? O God, hast thou made all the sons of men in vain? Thou hast created me, O Lord: rule thou the thing that thou hast created. Despise not the work of thine own hands, O God. Thou hast made me of nought, O Lord; and if thou govern me not, I shall return to nought again. For like as when I was not, thou madest me of nothing: so if thou govern me not, I shall yet again be brought to nothing in myself. Help me O Lord my life, lest I perish in mine own naughtiness.  
Lord, if thou hadst not created me, I should not have been at all: but because thou hast created me, I am. Now if thou govern me not, I am undone. For it was not mine own merits, or mine own deserts (as I have said) that made thee to create me; but thine own most gracious goodness and mercifulness. That lovingness of thine, O Lord my God, which made thee to create me, I beseech thee let the same make thee to govern me. For what booteth it that thy lovingness caused thee to create me, if I must perish in mine own wretchedness; and that thy right hand govern me not? O Lord my God, let this mercifulness, which caused thee to create that that was not created, cause thee also to save that which is created. Let the lovingness, which won thee to create, win thee also to save; sith it is no less now than it was then. For thou art the very love and mercy itself, and thou continuest alway one, unchangeable, immortal, and invisible God, blessed and praised for ever and ever,  
Amen.   

That God hath put all things under the service of man: and that by the consideration of the temporal benefits, we conjecture the heavenly wisdom and goodness of God.  
THou, O gracious God, hast put all things under man's feet, to the end that man alone should wholly be subject unto thee. And to the end that man should be wholly thine, thou hast made man lord of all thy works. For thou hast created all outward things for his body; his body for his soul; and his soul for thee; that he might serve thee only, and love thee only, possessing thee to his comfort, and all inferior things for his servants. For whatsoever is contained under the cope of heaven, is inferior unto man's soul, which was made to inherit the sovereign goodness above, and to become happy by possessing it; whereunto if he stick fast, he shall surmount the need of all the inferior things which are changeable; and in everlasting immortality quietly behold the sovereign majesty, whereof he representeth the image. Then shall he enjoy those excellent good things in the Lord's house, in comparison whereof, all the things that we see, are counted as nothing. Those be the things which no eye hath seen, nor ear hard, nor heart of man conceived, which God hath prepared for them that love him. And truly Lord these things wilt thou give unto my soul: with these doest thou (which lovest men's souls) daily glad the hearts of thy servants.  
But why wonder I at these things my Lord God? Thou inhonourest thine own image, and thine own likeness, whereunto they were created. For to the end our body (though it be yet corruptible & base) might see, thou hast given us the light of the sky, by the hand of thine unweariable servants, the Sun and Moon, who according to thy commandment, do continual service day and night to thy children. To the intent it might breathe, thou hast granted us the pure air. To the intent it might hear, thou hast given us the diversity of sounds. To the intent it might smell, thou hast given us the sweetness of scents. To the intent it might taste, thou hast given us the qualities of savours. To the end it might feel, thou hast given us the substances of all bodily things. To help us in our necessities, thou hast given us bearing beasts. To refresh us withal, thou hast bestowed upon us the fowls of the air, and the fishes of the sea, and the fruits of the earth. For every sore, malady and disease of ours, thou hast created medicine, salve, and plaster out of the earth. And for every several evil, thou hast prepared a several remedy to encounter it; because thou art merciful, and full of compassion, and thou our potter knowest of what metal we be made, and how that all of us are clay in thy hand.  
O holy Lord God, our good maker, by these least things we comprehend the great things: and by these visible things we comprehend thine invisible things. For if thou send so great and so innumerable benefits unto me for this base and corruptible body of mine, from the sky, and the air; from the land and the sea; from light and darkness; from heat and shadow; from dew and rain; from wind and showers; from fowls and fishes; from beasts and trees; by diversity of herbs and things that grow upon the earth, and by the service of all thy creatures serving our turns by course in their seasons, to ease us of our weariness: how excellent I pray thee, and how great & innumerable shall those good things be, which thou hast prepared for them that love thee, in that heavenly Realm, where we shall see thee face to face? If thou do so much for us in prison, what wilt thou do in thy palace? Great and innumerable are thy works, O Lord, thou King of heaven and earth. For sith that all these things be exceeding good & pleasant, which thou hast delivered to good men & bad men together in common; what manner of things shall those be, which thou hast laid up in store for good men only? If the gifts be so sundry and so innumerable, which thou dealest now as well to thy foes as thy friends; how great & innumerable, how sweet & delightful shall those be, which thou wilt deal only to thy friends? If thou give so great solace in this time of mourning, how great joys wilt thou give in the day of wedding? If our prison contain so many delectable things, how much more delectable things containeth our father's house? O God, no eye without thee hath seen the things that thou hast prepared for them that love thee. For according to the manifoldness of thy mighty works, so also is the great abundance of thy sweetness, which thou keepest in store for them that love thee. For great art thou O Lord our God, yea unmeasurable art thou, and there is no end of thy greatness, nor number of thy wisdom, nor measure of thy mercy: neither is there end, number, or measure of thy bountifulness. But like as thou thyself art great, so are thy rewards great: for thou thyself art both the price, and the reward of all thy lawful combators. To thee therefore be all honour, glory, and praise for ever,  
Amen.   

A meditation of God's power, beauty, and goodness.  
Because thou, Lord, wouldst have us to love thee, not one lie dost thou will, entice, allure, and provoke us; but also dost command us so to do: promising thyself unto such as love thee, and threatening us with dainnation if we do otherwise. Whereby we may see both our great corruption and naughtiness, and also thine exceeding great mercy toward us.  
First concerning our corruption and naughtiness, what a thing is it that power, riches, authority, beauty, goodness, liberality, truth, justice (which all thou art good Lord) can not move us to love thee? Whatsoever things we see fair, good, wise, mighty, are but even sparks of thy power, beauty, goodness, wisdom, which thou art. For to the end thou mightest declare thy riches, beauty, power, wisdom, goodness, etc. Thou hast not only made, but still doest conserve all creatures to be (as David saith of the heavens) declarers and setters forth of thy glory, and as a book to teach us to know thee.  
How fair thou art, the beauty of the sun, moon, stars, light, flowers, rivers, fields, hills, biros, beasts, men, and all creatures; yea, the goodly escape & form of the whole world doth declare.  
How mighty thou art, we are! taught by the creation of the world even of nought; by governing the same, by punishing the wicked mighty Giants thereof; by overthrowing their devices; by repressing the rages of the sea, and keeping it within her bounds; by storms, by tempests, by fires. These and such like declare unto us thine invisible, almighty, and terrible power, whereby thou subduest all things unto thee.  
How rich thou art, this world, thy great and infinite treasure-house, doth well declare. What plenty is there, not only of things, but also of every kind of things? Yea, how dost thou yearly and daily multiply these kinds? How many seeds dost thou make of one seed? Yea, what a great increase dost thou bring it unto? These can not but put us in remembrance of the exceeding riches that thou hast. For if to thine enemies, which love thee not (as the most part of this world be,) if to them thou givest so plentifully thy riches here: what shall we think, that with thyself thou hast laid up for thy friends?  
How good thou art, all creatures generally and particularly do teach. What creature is there in the world, which thou hast not made for our commodity? I will not say how that thou mightest have made us creatures without sense or reason, if thou hadst would. But amongst all things none doth so teach us thy great love towards us, as doth the death of thy most dearly beloved son, who suffered the pains and terrors thereof: yea, and of hell itself for our sakes. If this thy love had been but a small thing, it would never have lasted so long, nor Christ would never have died.   


Prayers and meditations to be used in the four seasons of the year, and first: In the Spring-time.  
Almighty renewer of all things, Lord jesus, which hast made this most goodly world for our sakes; which hast garnished the heavens with so many lights, unto the use of the day and the night; which temperest the earth with sundry times and seasons, ordained by thee to be the nourisher of man and beasts: and now (thou being restored to life) all things renew and confirm to us the hope of resurrection promised by thee. The meadows afore being withered, wax green again with new grass: the herbs are garnished with divers gems of flowers: the corn herbeth: seeds buried in holes shoot forth: trees being dead afore, wax young again with new boughs; and being goodly decked with new blossoms, give us hope of fruit. The sun itself increaseth the grace of his light: briefly, the whole face of nature springing again, whithersoever we turn our eyes, doth speak out, and preach thy goodness towards mankind, wherethrough with sundry solaces thou doest ease and mitigate to us, being through our fault driven out of Paradise, our deserved exile. Grant, I say, O good God, that we which being borne again through baptism, have put off the old man, made now a new creature, never slide again to old age; but that we may be ever green with perpetual innocency, by the pleasant breathing on of thy spirit, that we may be adorned daily more and more with the flowers of virtues, proceeding to fruit worthy of that Gospel, which with the Father, and the holy Ghost reign through all worlds,  
Amen.   

In the Summer.  
MOst wise Governor, and Ruler of all things jesus Christ; behold, the year obeying thy commandments waxeth hot with the fervour of the sun, preparing ripe fruits unto the use of thy servants: humbly we beseech thee, which art our true Sun, without whom nothing is bright in our souls, neither bringeth forth any fruit; stretch the beams of thy grace into the earth of our spirits, that daily they may wax hot more & more with the fire of thy gracious love, and that they may bring forth sundry fruits of wholesome good works. For thou hast witnessed in thy holy Gospel, that thou art singularly delighted with this meat and drink. This is the rain that thy fervent love thirsted for, this is also the meat that the holy Apostle Paul hungered for, even before he understood and did know what it meant. Thou camest into the world, to send fire among us: neither didst thou desire any thing more, than that it should be kindled; except our heart be touched with the beams of thy grace. Increase, Lord jesus that, that thou hast given; finish that, that thou hast begun: until we grow to perfect men, unto the measure of thy fullness. Thou hast put off mortality, but thou hast not put off love towards us; but even now fulfilest the office of a mighty and friendly Advocate for us with God the Father, to whom equal in power and authority thou reignest with the holy Ghost,  
Amen.   

In Harvest.  
WE give thanks unto thee most merciful Father, maker of heaven and earth, that by thy good providence the year is waxed ripe, pouring out unto us plenteous abundance of victuals: grant, we humbly beseech thee, that as thy bountiousnes ministereth sundry and rich abundance of fruits, to the sustaining & nourishment of our bodies: so by the grace of thy spirit, without which there is no good thing brought forth, is nourished, or liveth; let the affection of godliness wax ripe, and be made up in our minds, that abiding in the faith of thine only begotten Son, through all our life, we may be fruitful in good works, and also receive a plentiful harvest in the resurrection of the just, by the same our Lord jesus Christ, which liveth and reigneth with thee in the company of the holy Ghost for ever,  
Amen.   

In Winter.  
O God, the most wise maker and governor of the world, at whose commandment by time appointed, course is changed and turned into itself by the same: behold as it were the old age and death of the year. Winter is come, whose sadness and incommodities be more easy unto us, because of the plesantness of the Spring time, which shall shortly succeed. According to the ensample of the year, our inward man flourisheth in his childhood; is fervent in youth; waxeth ripe in man's age; falleth away and dieth in his old age: but the hope of living again assuageth the hour of death, which is sure unto us, even for this cause, that thy son hath promised it, which is the everlasting truth, which also can no more be deceived or deceive, than he can cease to be thy son. Through this thy son, our inward man knoweth no old age or death: but by his gift it ever flourisheth with innocency; it is ever fervent in the study of godliness; it ever bringeth forth fruit, and poureth out that, that she hath received, upon other: and as much as the body's courage faileth, so much more the spirit flourisheth. We beseech thee, that thou wilt maintain and increase those things, which thou hast vouchsafed to give us, through thine only begotten son, which liveth and reigneth with thee for evermore,  
Amen.    

Another prayer to be said at all times and seasons of the year.  
O Everlasting GOD, Creator of all things, in whose hands lieth the disposition of all times and seasons: qualify we beseech thee, the inclinations of thy creatures, heaven and earth, with such natural and kindly moderation, as may most serve to the commodity, health, and welfare of all mankind; that we may receive the fruits of the earth to our comfortable sustentation, duly honouring and praising thy holy name therefore. Mortify within us the old roots of our native iniquity, killing them as it were with the winter of a cold lust to ensue them. Sow the seeds of thy grace within us, that we may spring up in all godliness. Send us the fervency of thy spirit, that we may show forth the ripe fruits of a lively faith: that when it shall be thy good pleasure to appoint thy final harvest, thou wilt vouchsafe to bring us into thy wished barn, like good and cleansed corn, that is to say, into thine everlasting kingdom, there to rest with thy chosen, Abraham, Isaac, and jacob, in all eternity, So be it.   

The song of Anania, Azariah, and Misael; wherein they exhort all creatures, both in heaven and earth, to praise and magnify the Lord their maker.  
O All ye works of the Lord, bless ye the Lord: praise him and magnify him for ever.  
O ye Angels of the Lord, bless ye the Lord: praise him and magnify him for ever.  
O ye heavens, bless ye the Lord: praise him and magnify him for ever.  
O ye waters that be above the firmament, bless ye the Lord: praise him and magnify him for ever.  
O all ye powers of the Lord, bless ye the Lord: praise him and magnify him for ever.  
O ye sun and moon, bless ye the Lord: praise him and magnify him for ever.  
O ye stars of heaven, bless ye the Lord: praise him and magnify him for ever.  
O ye showers and dew, bless ye the Lord: praise him and magnify him for ever.  
O ye winds of God, bless ye the Lord: praise him and magnify him for ever.  
O ye fire and heat, bless ye the Lord: praise him and magnify him for ever.  
O ye winter and summer, bless ye the Lord: praise him and magnify him for ever.  
O ye dews and frosts, bless ye the Lord: praise him and magnify him for ever.  
O ye frost and cold, bless ye the Lord: praise him and magnify him for ever.  
O ye ye and snow, bless ye the Lord: praise him and magnify him for ever.  
O ye nights and days, bless ye the Lord: praise him and magnify him for ever.  
O ye light and darkness, bless ye the Lord: praise him and magnify him for ever.  
O ye lightnings & clouds, bless ye the Lord: praise him and magnify him for ever.  
O let the earth bless the Lord: yea let it praise him and magnify him for ever.  
O ye mountains and hills, bless ye the Lord: praise him and magnify him for ever.  
O all ye green things upon the earth, bless ye the Lord: praise him and magnify him for ever.  
O ye wells, bless ye the Lord: praise him and magnify him for ever.  
O ye seas and floods, bless ye the Lord: praise him and magnify him for ever.  
O ye whales, and all that move in the waters, bless ye the Lord: praise him and magnify him for ever.  
O all ye fowls of the air, bless ye the Lord: praise him and magnify him for ever.  
O all ye beasts and cattle, bless ye the Lord: praise him and magnify him for ever.  
O ye children of men, bless ye the Lord: praise him and magnify him for ever.  
O let Israel bless the Lord: praise him and magnify him for ever.  
O ye priests of the Lord, bless ye the Lord: praise him and magnify him for ever.  
O ye servants of the Lord, bless ye the Lord: praise him and magnify him for ever.  
O ye spirits and souls of the righteous, bless ye the Lord: praise him and magnify him for ever.  
O ye holy and humble men of heart, bless ye the Lord: praise him and magnify him for ever.  
O Ananias, Azarias, and Misael, bless ye the Lord: praise him and magnify him for ever.  
Glory be to the Father, etc. As it was in the beginning, etc.   

Of the incomprehensible praise due unto God for all his works and benefits.  
HOW shall I do, O Lord? Whence shall I have praise to praise thee withal? For like as thou madest me without mine advise, as it liked thyself best; so hast thou praise without me, as it liketh thee. Thou thyself Lord art thive own praise. All thy works & creatures both in heaven and earth praise thee according to thy manifold greatness. Thy praise, O Lord, is incomprehensible: no heart can comprehend it, no tongue can measure it, no ear can receive it: for these things pass away, but thy praise O Lord, continueth for ever. Thoughts have a beginning, and thoughts have an end: voices make a sound, and forthwith pass away: the ear heareth, and the hearing ceaseth: but thy praise standeth fast for ever. Who is he then that can praise thee? What man is able to utter forth thy praises? Thy praise is everlasting, and not transitory. That man praiseth thee, which believeth thee to be thine own praise. The man praiseth thee, which acknowledgeth himself unable to attain to thy praise.  
O praise perpetual, which never fadest: in thee is our praise, in thee shall my soul be praised. It is not we that praise thee, but it is thou thyself that doest it both thyself, and in thyself; and we also have praise in thee. Then have we true praise, when we have praise of thee, when light alloweth light: for thou being the true praise, yieldest us true praise. And look how often we seek for praise at any other body's hand than thine, so often do we forego thy praise; because the other is shadowish, but thine is everlasting. If we hunt after the transitory praise, we lose the eternal praise.  
O praise eternal, O my Lord God, of whom is all praise, without whom there is no praise; I am not able to praise thee without thee. Let me have thee, and I will praise thee. For what am I of myself, Lord, that I should praise thee? I am but dust and ashes, I am but a dead and stinking dog, I am but worms and rottenness. I! what am I to praise thee, O most mighty Lord God? How can the breath of no better than flesh praise thee, which dwellest in everlastingness? Can darkness praise light, or death life? Thou art light, I darkness: thou life, I death. Can lying praise truth? Thou art truth, and I am a woman no better than vanity itself. How shall I then praise thee O Lord? Shall my wretchedness praise thee? Shall stinch praise sweet scents? Shall man's mortality, which is here to day, and gone to morrow, praise thee? Shall man which is but rottenness, or the son of man which is but worms, praise thee? O Lord, can he praise thee, which is bred, borne, and brought up in sinfulness? Praise is not seemly in the mouth of a sinner.  
O Lord my God, let thine own incomprehensible power, let thy unbounded wisdom, let thine unspeakable goodness, let thine overpassing mercy, let thy superabundant pity, and let thine everlasting virtue and Godhead praise thee. Praised be thou by thine own almighty puissance, and also by thy singular gracious goodness and lovingness, whereby thou hast created us, O Lord, the life of my soul.   

Of God's manifold benefits generally, with an humble thanksgiving unto his Majesty for the same.  
AND I thy handmaid, whom through thy goodness thou hast created, will to the uttermost of my power, praise thee my God, my creator, my preserver, and my deliverer, with all my heart; and call to mind all the good that thou hast done me from my youth up, to this instant. For I know that unthankfulness doth greatly displease thee, which is the root of all spiritual evil, and a wind that blasteth and burneth up all good, damning up the fountain of thy godly mercy for ever. Through it, the works that be dead already, revive not: and the works that be alive, do die out of hand, and recover not again. But I thy creature will give thanks to thee, O Lord, lest I be unthankful to thee my deliverer, for the delivering of me.  
How often had that dragon swallowed me up long ago, but that thou, O Lord, hadst plucked me out of his mouth? How often have I sinned, & he stood ready to snatch me up, but that thou didst defend me O Lord my God? When I dealt wickedly, and when I broke thy commandments, he stood waiting to carry me away to hell; but thou withstoodest him. I offended thee, and thou didst defend me. I feared thee not, and yet thou didst keep me. I started away from thee, and yielded myself to mine enemy, and yet thou didst fray him away, that he should not take me.  
These good turns hast thou done for me O Lord my God, & I wretch witted it not. For so hast thou often times delivered me out of the devils chaps, plucked me out of the lion's mouth, and many and sundry ways brought me back again from hell, though I witted it not. For I have gone down to the very gates of hell, but thou hast held me from going in. I drew near to death's door, but thou hast not suffered it to take me in. Also, thou hast oftentimes preserved me from bodily death, O my saviour, when I have been attached with sore sicknesses: and when I have been in many dangers by sea, and by land, thou hast always stood by me, delivering me from fire, and from sword, and from all peril, and mercifully preserving me. Truly Lord, thou knowest, that if death had dispatched me at that time, hell had received my soul, and I had been damned for ever: but thy mercy and thy grace prevented me, rescuing me from bodily death, and also from the death of my soul, O my Lord God. These and many other good turns hast thou done for me I say; and I was blind and witted it not, until thou inlightenedst me.  
Now therefore, O light of my soul, my Lord God, my life whereby I live; the sight of mine eyes wherewith I see; behold thou hast enlightened me, and I perceive how I live through thee. And I yield thee thanks though little worth and slender, and far from thy benefits; howbeit yet such as my frailty hath to give. For thou only art my God, and my gracious maker, which lovest our souls, and hatest none of the things that thou hast made. Behold I am the chief among the sinners whom thou hast saved, that I may be an example unto others of thy most merciful loving kindness. I will acknowledge thy great benefits unto thee. For thou hast plucked me out of the bottom of hell once, and twice, and thrice, and an hundred times, and a thousand times. Yea, I always made toward hell, and thou didst always bring me back again, when thou mightest justly have damned me, if thou hadst would: but thou wouldst not, O Lord my GOD, because thou lovest men's souls, and bearest with men's sins, that they might repent: all thy ways be full of mercy.  
Now therefore, O Lord my God, I see these things, and discern them by thy light; and my heart is astonished at thy great mercy towards me, in that thou hast delivered my soul from the bottom of hell, and brought me back again to life. For I was stark dead, and thou hast made me thoroughly alive again. Therefore am I altogether beholden to thee for my life. And whole as I am, I yield myself wholly unto thee. Let my whole spirit, my whole heart, my whole body, and my whole life, live unto thee my sweet life. For thou hast delivered me whole, that thou mightest possess me whole; thou hast made me whole new again, that thou mightest have me whole again.  
And therefore let me love thee, O Lord my strength; let me love thee, O mine unspeakable joy, and let me live henceforth, not to myself, but unto thee. All my whole life, which was perished in mine own wretchedness, is revived again in thy mercy. For thou art a pitiful and merciful GOD, and many are thy compassions towards thousands, in them that love thy name. And therefore, O Lord my God, thou my sanctifier hast commanded me in thy law, that I should love thee with all my heart, with all my might, yea even from the bottom of my heart, at all hours and times, wherein I enjoy the benefits of thy mercy. For I should perish for ever, but that thou rulest me ever. I should ever die, but that thou ever quickenest me: yea, every moment thou bindest me unto thee, in as much as every moment thou bestowest thy great benefits upon me. Therefore like as there is no hour or instant of time in all my life, that I have not the use of thy benefits: so ought there to be no moment, wherein I should not have thee in remembrance before mine eyes, and love thee to the uttermost of my power. But this I am not able to do, except thou make me able; of whom cometh every good gift and excellent gift; in whom there is no change, nor intercourse of darkness. For to love thee cometh not of our own will, or of our own running; but of thy mercy. Lord, it is thy gift, whose all good things are. Thou commandest us to love thee; give us that which thou commandest, and command what thou wilt.   

Another meditation of God's great benefits.  
Unto thee, O sovereign light, O ghostly Physician, & the health of my soul, will I now & ever give praise, with all my whole heart, for all thy benefits, wherewith thou feedest me from my youth unto mine old age, and even till my last gasp, I beseech thee by thyself forsake me not. For thou madest me when I was not; thou redeemedst me when I was forlorn; thou inlightenedst me when I was in darkness; thou raisedst me when I was dead: yea, when I was both forlorn and dead, thou camest down from the bosom of thy Father, to me, & tookest mortality upon thee. Thou being my King, camest down to thy servant. To redeem thy servant, thou gavest thyself: to the intent that I might live; thou tookest upon thee to die, and overcamest death. Thou didst set me up again, by abasing thyself low. I was undone; I was gone far away in my sins; I was sold to sin: then camest thou for me to bring me out again; and thou didst love me so well, that thou gavest thine own blood for my ransom.  
Lord, thou hast loved me more than thyself. For thou didst find in thine heart to die for me. Upon this condition hast thou with so dear a price brought me back again from banishment; ransomed me out of bondage; rescued me from punishment; called me by thine own name, and sealed me with thy blood; that the remembrance of thee should be evermore with me, and that he should never departed from my heart, who for my sake shunned not the cross. Thou hast anointed me with the oil, wherewith thou thyself wert anointed, that I might be called a Christian, after thy name Christ. Behold, thou hast registered me upon thine hands, to the end that the remembrance of me might be always present with thee: yet notwithstanding, so as if the remembrance of thee, be always present with me.  
Thus then have thy love, thy grace and mercy always prevented me. For thou hast oftentimes delivered me from many and great perils, O my deliverer. When I went astray, thou broughtest me back again; when I was ignorant, thou taughtest me; when I sinned, thou didst chastise me; when I have been in heaviness, thou hast cheered me; when I have been in despair, thou hast recomforted me; when I have been fallen, thou hast lifted me up; when I have stood, thou hast upholden me; when I have gone, thou hast guided me; when I have come, thou hast received me; when I have slept, thou hast watched me; and when I have cried unto thee, thou hast heard me.  
O Lord, where shall I have words to utter the signs of thy singular love toward me; considering thine innumerable benefits wherein thou hast brought me up from the beginning? Namely, even from the benefit of the creation, when at the first beginning thou madest me of nothing after thine own image, in honouring and advancing me among the creatures, which thou madest, and innobling me with the light of thy countenance, which thou imprintedst upon the lamp of my heart, thereby dissevering me as well from sensible, as from senseless creatures, and abasing me but little beneath the Angels. And yet was all this but a small matter in the sight of thy Godhead. For without ceassng thou hast daily nourished this unprofitable worm, which stinketh with sin, with all the singular and exceeding great store of thy good gifts and benefits: and thou hast as it were suckled and strengthened me thy little tender babe, with the teats of thy comfort. For to the intent that I should wholly serve thee, thou hast appointed all thy creatures to serve me.  
These and many other good turns, hast thou done unto me, O Lord my God, the life of my soul: for all which I render unto thee again most humble and hearty thanksgiving: beseeching thee, O Lord, that it may be a pleasure to me, wretch that I am, to be always talking of them, always thinking upon them, and always giving thee thanks for them. O my God, show me, I say, how much I am bound to love thee; make it appear to me how much I ought to please thee. Open me the door of thy light, that I may enter in, and both know, & acknowledge unto thee with my whole heart, that thy mercy is great toward me, and that thou hast delivered my heart from the bottom of hell: so as I might ever praise thee for all thy good gifts, and love thee with all my heart, and with all my soul, and with all my mind, and with all my strength, yea and that with the very bowels and entrails of my heart, and of all my sinews. O Lord my God, the blessed sweetness of all that delight in thee: whose name is wonderful, and praise worthy through heaven and earth: So be it.   

Another form of thanksgiving unto God, for all his benefits, and prayer for grace to confirm and increase the same.  
O Most highest, almighty and eternal God, whose glory replenisheth heaven and earth. If thy holy and celestial powers do never cease in lauding thy most holy Majesty; how should we cease, earthly and lowly servants, which are redeemed with the precious blood of thy only son? And for as much as thy loving kindness and favour in especially worketh towards us, we also ought continually to give thanks for thy great goodness; but have mercy, O merciful father. For the necessity of this life, doth not suffer us to thank thee continually. Wherefore (though not continually as I ought) I worship thee my maker with trembling & fear; I give thee thanks for all thy benefits: that when I was nothing, thou madest me, gavest me a living soul, quickened with thy holy spirit, formed me with thine own image, that it might be able to receive thee, which art the high God. By thy providence thou hast brought me to those things that are expedient for me, given to me knowledge and true faith in thee, and planted a godly mind in me, and instructed me in the mysteries of thy holy word & Sacraments.  
But oh Lord, how dare I recite thy benefits by number; seeing thy loving kindness is an unsearchable bottomless sea, and an innumerable? For I can not so soon give thanks for thy benefits showed of old, as new have even overwhelmed me. Oh Lord, how great a benefit is this, that I may to thee give thanks? For what fellowship hath unrighteousness with righteousness? What partaking darkness with light? What agreement filthiness with purity? Follie with wisdom? Mortality, with thee that art immortal? Oh my vileness! Oh thy goodness! Yea, though the spirit were ready, yet is the flesh frail: but thou O Lord, if thou wilt, canst make me strong. And so, O most merciful father, vouchsafe that I may ever give thanks and laud to thee. For what good gift did I ever desire of thee, but thou first willedst it to me? Who better knoweth what is good for me, than thou? And because I need a mediator, accept thine innocent Son jesus Christ, with his cross and passion, bloodshed, death, and resurrection for me. I have not this deserved: but thou father, of thy mercy and truth hast by the same thy dearly beloved Son, promised and given us thy mercy and favour. Open therefore, O my merciful Father, for this thy dearly beloved sons sake, even this day thy wonted hand of mercy, and fulfil my mind and heart with a good will, and let thy right hand defend me. And if my sins, which I acknowledge to be great and innumerable, (therefore I repent and am heartily sorry) do let thy goodness, O father wipe them away; for this is thy glory, to forgive sins, and therefore no flesh may rejoice before thee: for thou Lord only art pure, and without sin. Have mercy upon me thy bondservant, and upon all people; and O father, bring them unto the knowledge of thee that art only God, and of jesus Christ whom thou hast sent, the only saviour and redeemer, mediator, and advocate for us: and after this present life, bring us to eternal bliss and felicity, by the dear merits of thy Son jesus Christ. For thine is the power, kingdom, and glory, for ever,  
Amen.   

Another to the same effect.  
HOnour and praise be given to thee, O Lord God almighty, most dear father of heaven, for all thy mercies and loving kindness showed unto us, in that it hath pleased thy gracious goodness freely, of thine own accord, to elect and choose us to salvation afore the beginning of the world: and even like continual thanks be given unto thee, for creating us after thine own image, for redeeming us with the precious blood of thy dear Son, when we were utterly lost; for sanctifying us with thy holy spirit, in the revelation and knowledge of thy sacred word; for helping and succouring us in all our need and necessity; for saving us from all dangers of body and soul; for comforting us so fatherly in all our troubles and afflictions; for sparing us so long, and giving us so large time of repentance. These benefits, O most merciful father, like as we acknowledge to have received of thine only goodness, even so we beseech thee, for thy dear son jesus Christ's sake, to grant us alway thy holy spirit, whereby we may continually grow in thankfulness towards thee, be led into all truth, and comforted in all adversity. Strengthen our faith, O Lord, kindle it more and more in ferventness and love towards thee, and our neighbours for thy sake. Suffer us not, most dear father, to receive thy word any more in vain; but grant us alway the assistance of thy grace and holy spirit, that in heart, word, and deed, we may sanctify, and do worship to thy holy name, that we may help to amplify thy kingdom, and that whatsoever thou sendest, we may be heartily well content with thy good will and pleasure. Suffer us not to lack the thing, O father, without the which we can not serve thee; but bless thou so all the works of our hands, that we may have sufficient, and not to be chargeable, but rather helpful unto others. Be merciful, O Lord, unto our offences, and seeing our debt is great, which thou hast forgiven us in jesus Christ, make us to love thee, and our neighbours so much the more. Be thou, O father, our Captain and defender in all temptations. Hold thou us by thy merciful hand, that we thereby may be delivered from all inconvenience, and end our lives in the sanctifying and honouring of thy holy name, through jesus Christ our Lord,  
Amen.    

¶ On the seventeenth day of November, commonly called The Queen's day.  
Sundry forms of Christian prayers and thanksgivings unto God, for the preservation of the most virtuous Lady Elizabeth, our most dear, and dread sovereign Queen of England, France, and Ireland, defender of the faith, etc. very necessary to be used, as generally of all faithful subjects continually, so especially of the Mother and her Daughter, upon the seventeenth day of November, and every Sabbath and holy day, in honourable remembrance of that joyful Sabbath, rest and peace, from careful mourning, which that memorable seventeenth day brought to us the banished exiles of England, and persecuted members of Christ, by the most happy entrance of her most royal and excellent Majesty, into this her Imperial Crown and kingdom.  

A Psalm.  Mother. 
COme O all you that fear God, come hither I pray you, and give ear a while, and rehearse with me the great benefits that he the Lord hath bestowed upon us.  Daughter. 
For lo, when the most mighty men gathered their power against us, and lay in wait for our life, they conspired together to work our destruction, as though the Lord had determined the same; and exhorted one another, saying, God hath forsaken them, therefore persecute them now flying away, and take them being destitute of all help.  Moth. 
These men, our adversaries I say, wheresoever we removed or went by sea or by land, lay in wait most diligently for us, yea multitudes of the cruel enemies did not cease craftily to environ and beset us round about, and ran upon us with gaping mouths, like raging and roaring lions, of malicious minds to bring us to extremity, and to devour us.  Daugh. 
For thy sake O Lord alone were we killed every day, neither were we in any better condition, than sheep appointed of butchers to the slaughter.  Moth. 
Many of us wandered in the waste wilderness, and sought strange cities commodious to dwell in, half dead, and killed with famine and thirst, overwhelmed with the shadow of death, and being cast down by the burden of our miseries, lay down flat cleaving to the earth.  Daugh. 
The bands of death compassed us round about, and bound us: most wicked men like most raging floods made us afraid, environing us round about.  Moth. 
We were snared, and cast fast bound with chains into most dark dungeons: yea we tasted the heat of the fire, and the force of the water.  Daugh. 
Then we called upon the Lord in these extremities. We called upon the Lord, I say, and he heard our voice out of his high palace, and receiving into his ears the cry that we made unto him, he delivered us from our miseries and distress.  Moth. 
He gathered us home which were scattered, from the East & the West, from the North & South, and brought us from the dungeons of the prisons, and darkness of death, breaking the fetters and gives of iron in pieces.  Daugh. 
The Lord hath delivered our life from death: he stayed the tears of our eyes, and established our feet, that they did not fall: he hath brought us out of our distress. Hence have we our light, whereby he causeth us to shine, and hath driven away our darkness.  Moth. 
Therefore will we praise thee, O Lord, among the nations, and will sing lauds unto thy Majesty: yea, we will declare thy power, and will show forth thy praise and mercy early in the morning; because thou hast defended us, and waste our refuge in extreme dangers.  Daugh. 
Oh acknowledge, and declare ye openly, that the Lord is good: for his bounteous goodness is for ever. Let all the sincere worshippers of the Lord now confess, that his loving kindness is perpetual. Praise ye the Lord.  Moth. 
Glory be to the Father, and to the, etc.  Daug. 
As it was in the beginning, is now, etc.   

¶ The Versicles.  Mother. 
O Lord show thy great mercy upon us miserable sinners.  Daughter. 
And grant thine everlasting health and salvation unto us.  Moth. 
O Lord save Elizabeth our gracious Queen and Governor.  Daugh. 
Which putteth her only confidence in thee, O God, her tower.  Moth. 
Oh send her still continual help from thy most holy place.  Daugh. 
And evermore from dangers all, defend thou her most royal Grace.  Moth. 
O let not the infernal foe have any advantage of her.  Daugh. 
Nor let the wicked enemy once approach to hurt her.  Moth. 
Endue her ministers alway with righteousness and equity.  Daugh. 
And make thou thy chosen servants full joyfully to praise thee.  Moth. 
O Lord save thy people from all perils, and dow them with thy gifts.  Daugh. 
And bless thou thine inheritance with all thy bounteous benefits.  Moth. 
In our time, O Lord, give us thy peace, which passeth all understanding.  Daugh. 
Because none other God doth fight for us; but only thou our King.  Moth. 
O soften thou our hardened hearts, and cleanse our filthy souls from sin.  Daugh. 
And by thy spirit and gifts of grace, make us a holy life for to begin.   

The prayer.  Mother. 
O Lord GOD, most merciful father, who as upon this day placing thy servant our most dear Sovereign, and most gracious Queen Elizabeth, in the Empire of this kingdom, didst deliver thy people of England from danger of war and oppression, both of bodies by tyranny, & of conscience by superstition, restoring peace, and true religion, with liberty both of bodies and minds, and hast continued the same thy blessings, without all desert on our part, now by the space of these four and twenty years. We, who are in memory of these thy great benefits, assembled here together, most humbly beseech thy fatherly goodness, to grant us grace, that we may in word, deed and heart, show ourselves thankful and obedient unto thee for the same; and that Elizabeth our virtuous Queen, through thy grace, may in all honour, goodness, and godliness, long and many years live and reign over us, and we obey and enjoy her Majesty, with the continuance of thy great blessings, which thou hitherto hast by her, thy blessed minister, powered upon us her people. This we beseech thee to grant unto us, for thy dear Son jesus Christ's sake, our Lord and Saviour.  Daughter: 
Amen.   

Or else say thus:  
WE yield unto thee, most mighty and merciful father, immortal thanks, for that it hath pleased thee of thy mere mercy and fatherly bounty, after the storms of so many troublesome times, to conduct us as upon this day out of banishment and exile, into the comfortable port of tranquillity, by the hand of thy most gracious servant and our dear Sovereign Lady Queen Elizabeth. When we were as sheep wandering astray in the wilderness, thou ordeinedst her Majesty to be our shepherd, to gather us again into thy sheepfold. When we had been long tossed hither & thither with the outrage and cruel fury of tyrannical persecution, like a poor weatherbeaten bark, that hath been continually tormoiled and tossed on the perilous surges of the outrageous and swelling seas, finding no sure road nor harborough wherein to rest; but continually in danger, either to sink into the sands, or to be overwhelmed with waves, or violently to be dashed in pieces against the main rocks. Even then, I say, when we despaired utterly of safeguard, standing still in fear of the hazard of everlasting confusion, thou committedst the helm to be guided by her Grace's wisdom, who at last conducted us into the haven of this long desired peace and tranquillity.  
Therefore, whereas thou hast placed her in the regal throne to be our David, our josias, our Samuel; yea to be our shepherd and ringleader in the way of true holiness and sincere religion. Inspire her mind with the manifold blessings of thy grace, that she may walk all the days of her life in the path of thy commandments, and happily discharge her duty in that stewardship and dispensation, which thou hast committed to her majesties hands. Inflame her mind more and more with the love of thy holy Gospel; that all her deeds, thoughts, and practices may tend to the propagation and planting of thy word, and Christian religion, in these her majesties dominions. Incline the motions of her virtuous disposition, above all things to seek thine honour and glory; to sow the seeds of the Catholic faith abundantly in all places; to cut off the brood of superstition and idolatry; to constitute true preachers of thy word; and establish every where thine holy Gospel and true religion.  
Preserve her, most merciful Father (as hitherto thou hast most miraculously done) from the devilish devices and practices of her enemies, that she may have a long and happy reign among us, to the advancement of thy glory, and joy and comfort of all us her subjects. Let her natural disposition continue to her foes terrible; to her subjects amiable; to her offenders merciful; to the virtuous bountiful; indifferent to all men, and in all respects partial in no point, neither in causes ecclesiastical, nor yet in matters concerning politic government. Assist her, most merciful Father, with the might of thy heavenly spirit, to quail the pride of the triple-headed Romish Cerberus, to banish his beggarly ceremonies, to abridge the term of his reign, and finally to cut off and prevent the seeds that continually strive to spring up from abominable superstition and idolatry.  
Grant her grace, most merciful Father, to run the remnant of her race in the right path of thy commandments, declining neither to the right hand, nor to the left; but so using all times thy heavenly word, as the rule and compass to direct her course. Preserve her Grace, most merciful Father, in continual health of body, and quietness of mind, that she may be always able to rule the bridle of her high charge, and to execute right and justice to all sorts and degrees; to the advancement of thy glory, and the universal commodity of her majesties subjects. And finally grant, O most merciful Father, that when it shall please thee to end the term of her days in this world, thou wilt make her partaker of the celestial joys, which are prepared for them that fear and love thee, since the foundation of the world. Grant this, most merciful Father, for thy dear Son our Lord jesus Christ's sake, to whom with thee, and the holy Ghost, three persons & one God, be all glory, honour, and praise, world without end,  
Amen.   

Another thanksgiving and prayer unto God, for the preservation of the Queen's Majesty, and the Realm.  
Almighty God, and most merciful Father, which in thy great mercies hast both given unto us a peaceable Prince and gracious Queen, and also haft hitherto very often and miraculously saved her from sundry great perils and imminent dangers; and by her merciful, unbloody, and gracious government, hast preserved us and the whole Realm from manifold mischiefs and dreadful plagues, wherewith nations round about us have been, and yet be most grievously afflicted: have mercy upon them, O Lord; and grant us grace, we beseech thee, for these thy great benefits, that we may be heartily thankful and obedient unto thee, to fly from all things that may offend thee, and provoke thy wrath and indignation against us, and to order our lives in all things that may please thee, that thy servant our Sovereign Lady Queen Elizabeth, and we thy people committed to her charge, may by thy protection be continually preserved from all treacherous deceits and violences of enemies, and from all other dangers and perils both bodily and ghostly, and by thy goodness may be maintained in all peace and godliness. Grant this, O merciful Father, for thy dear sons sake, our Saviour jesus Christ, to whom with thee, and the holy Ghost, be all honour and glory, for ever and ever,  
Amen.   

Another meditation to be used especially upon the 17. day of November, wherein the godly English giveth thanks to God, for the Queen's most prosperous government hitherto, and prayeth for the continuance thereof to God's glory.  
AMongst other thy benefits great and innumerable (heavenly father our most merciful Lord and God) by thee of thine exceeding goodness bestowed upon the children of men, the servants of thy household, dispersed upon the face of the earth: it hath pleased thee, that we thy people of England, living in these days, should (in abundance, beyond the measure of the graces of our brethren, & the prosperous course of our fathers,) behold and perceive thine inestimable good will in the amiableness of thy countenance shining upon us; to whom thou hast given thy chosen handmaiden Elizabeth for sovereign Lady and Governor. For whatsoever is for the glory of thy house, O Lord, for us it is, which are the issue and slime of the earth, and unworthy to stand and look up to heaven, made into vessels after thine image that were not, to be redeemed and borne anew after the second Adam that perisheth not, in the sprinkling of the blood of Christ, and sanctification of the spirit that were utterly lost, to stand fast in thy hands, sealed according to thine eternal love, and written in the book of life, that daily run headlong to our own destruction. As the sense hereof rejoiceth the hearts of all those, whom thou hast knit into this fellowship of the Saints, and called into the blessed hope of the eternal kingdom; so again, how ungrateful should we be, to whom thou hast dealt these benefits from thy divine Majesty, by the person raised up for thine instrument thereof towards us, if we should not in special sort show ourselves thankful unto thee therefore?  
And if not to live tearing and eating one the other, like the Giants in the old world, and every man to do what seemeth him best in his own eyes; as when there was no judge in Israel. If that prince's reign, and Governors give judgement, it is thy gift, and then in the worst disposition of their thoughts, for the sins of the people, they are redoubted. Thou, O Lord, hast appointed them, they are sacred. Thou, O Lord, hast anointed them, they are feared; thou changest their hearts, like the streams of waters; they are honoured. Thine own image & likeness, in guiding Angels and all creatures, is pregnant; and cannot devaile in them, bearing rule in earth over the children of men. What praise is due unto thee from those, unto whom thou leavest not an Anarchy and headless dissolution? As to the Cannibals a monstrous and misshapen government, and fanning with fire, and streaming with blood, and smoking with mist and darkness of error and ignorance. As to the Antichristes, greased in the brow with the mark of the image of the great beast & whore of Babylon: not a waste and barbarous perpetual heathen contrition, as unto the Tartarian herds of cursed Cham, unto the rusty & wasted with misery the inhabitants of Meschech; or to the turbulent and ravenous swarms and hosts of Tubal-gog, or such like as those: but contrariwise, whom thou leadest like a flock of sheep by the hands of Moses and Aaron, and hast chosen David thy servant, whom thou hast loved, to feed as the people of thine own inheritance, giving unto them for war, peace; for incivility, society; for ignorance, knowledge; for superstition, religion; for error, truth; for hunger, plenty; for unprovidence, policy; for dissonancy, harmony; for misery, felicity; and making them to dwell in safety, as under the wings of thy defence, and shadow of thy protection.  
Now, such hath been thy mercy towards us, that no tongue is able to express, in giving us in thy gracious pleasure, and thine unrecountable largesse and liberality, thy select servant Elizabeth, Queen, and supreme Governor to us, of the legue nations and peoples of her obeisance and regiment: that as by a star, the light and influence over things beneath from thee, the first cause and fountain of brightness, not to be attained unto; and as by a clear river and plentiful brook, the course of the waters from thee, the everlasting headspring: even so the shining beams, and flowing streams of all those thy mercies and good gifts have been and are, sithence the days of her happy and gracious government, from thee conveyed and devolved unto us. And we, that before were no people, not so much in regard of the estate in which we haled, when we were savage, and wood men, cruel as mendevourers, terrible as spirits, brutish as beasts in the old age, at the first calling home of our grand ancestors to human civility: but in these days in few years degenerate from the true knowledge of thee and thy Son jesus Christ, unto the consuming nakedness of idolatry, and playing inordinate before the golden calf of our own making and our Priests.  
Now the four and twentieth Sun most happily environeth in the firmament, sithence by the means of a poor vessel of the weaker sex, and a silly maiden, thou performing the glorious deliverance of thy people, out of the thraldom and slavery of Pharaoh and Egypt, didst anoint the king's daughter with an holy oil, setting a crown of pure gold upon her head, and investing her with the purple, and sceptre, and regal diadem of the Realm: sithence which time, O father, we own to thee and to her, our God, and our Moses, the breath of our nostrils, the sight of this light, the use of this air, the ease of our hearts, the peace of our consciences, and the whole work of our welfare. By her inspired by thee, spreading her beams at her appearing, the bloody lances, and claunching murreans, and the redoubling shields have been shattered asunder in shivers, and bated, and foiled into mattocks and spades, the flames of our furies quenched and put out, and the pool of grace flowed over the Realm: the Lion reconciled with the Lamb, the wild Ass set to be pastured with the seely Kid; the abomination of desolation removed from the holy Temple, and the Son of man exalted and lift up on high in his own kingdom, for all that were stung by the fiery Serpent to look upon and be saved.  
In admirable lenity Babylon hath put on Zion; Egypt is become our own; Rahab the harlot denizoned in jerusalem; we become of the wild olives, the true garden plants; of Ishmael, Israel; of miscreant, christian; of painime, protesting & professing; of Antichristian Romanists, & heathen idolaters, faithful, evangelical, sincerely believing, worshippers of thee in spirit and verity, according to thy holy word. Neither hath cost been spared, nor occasion foreslowed, nor time overpassed, nor travel intermitted, to raise that was fallen, to win that was withholden, to call that was strayed, to heal that was wearied, to find that was lost, to restore that was ruined, to repair that was decayed, to make good and enable that was abandoned. Preachers have been sent forth plenteously, laws have been executed mercifully, orders have been set down politicly, dangers have been declined discreetly, tumults have been appeased victoriously, the whole spacious dominions of both Isles, and the adjacent lands governed triumphantly: so as it is hard to find the man that more orderly hath managed the charge of any one household, than the daughter of thy house with her virginal hands hath weelded the weighty sceptre of sundry and mighty populous nations.  
In her time have been seen the golden years of the reign of her father David, and the peaceful kingdom of Solomon to have been advanced: the earth not to have denied her fruitfulness, the sea her increase, the clouds their drops, the heavens their fairness, the sun his warmth, the year her goodness: but the valleys stand thick with corn, the wilderness crowned with gladness, the furrows watered, the mountains laugh & sing, the folds full of sheep, our sons and our daughters grow up like to the polished corners of the Temple, our young men see visions, and our old men prophesy, jerusalem her light shining unto her, & the glory of the Lord risen unto her, the Queen bringing her honour unto the City of David, and the nations walking in the light thereof.  
Great is the honour that thou, O jehovah, hast heaped upon us; and honourable in foreign regions is the work that thou hast wrought by thy chosen, yea and so much the more hath the brightness of this beauty been powered abroad, that whilst Egypt round about hath been darkened, even the whole world in a manner besides us, whom thou hast gathered into pastures of this Gosen, and the thick mists of error have blinded the eyes of the earth, the cloudy pillar hath not departed from us by the day, nor the fiery flame by night. Whilst other lands round about have warred to the destruction of one another, our Moses hath guided us in peace. Whilst other nations like Egypt round about hath been plagued by the destroyer from the first borne, sitting upon the prince's throne, unto the vassal and slave grinding at the handmill, our Moses hath not diminished of her flock. Whilst the firm lands have been overwhelmed by the rage of the seas and waters, our Island having dwelled in peace, hath sent her ship into Ophir for gold, and prepared her navy against the danger of the enemy. Whilst Athalia hath murdered her own blood, our joas hath learned the law of the Lord of jehoiada. Whilst Achas consecrateth his own son in the fire, and Samaria eateth her own children on the walls, our Eliza directeth the children of the Prophets in their offices. Whilst jezabel setteth up Baal, and embrueth Achab with the blood of the Prophets, and of Naboth, our Elias gathereth the people of God to mount Carmel, to behold the wonder of the fire of God, lighting from heaven upon the sacrifices, and replenishing the hearts with joy, and tongues, with gifts of languages.  
This is then so worthy an instrument of thy goodness, and express image of thy Majesty, & the ample matter of this days celebrity. And now what doth thy people desire at thy hands; but that first, O Lord, thou give us thankful hearts, and make us all the days of our lives mindful of this thy fatherly and gracious bountifulness. Then, as presently the Queen's highness hath gloriously achieved the travel of full three and twenty years, and now the annual celebrity of our voluntary sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving therefore returneth: so it may by thy benefit full often return, and not once or twice, but year by year, and year heaped upon year, we and our offspring may behold this felicity, until we and she satisfied in abundance, the time draw along which thou hast appointed for the veiling of her crown, at the feet of thy son jesus; and the course of this earthly pilgrimage overrun, we and she at our determined seasons be taken to reign in the everlasting kingdom of thy glory.  
Again, where much is the mischief of man, great and enormous the rage of Satan, subtle the practices of Antichrist, evil our deserts, lamentable the state of things, whilst open colouring hideth privy conspiring, poisoned lips give sugared words, the breath of Cockatrices, the embracings of Scorpions, the roaring of Bulls, the ringing of Libels, the raging of Rabsake, the sword of Herod, the destruction of Abbadon hath been seen in our streets, hath been heard on our walls, hath multiplied before the gates of our Cities, that thou destroy us not in the midst of the works of thy mercy, to leave us headless and hopeless, and make us a scorn and proverb to the enemy; but rather to behold the number of the faithful subjects, in the dread of their souls, and just jealousy of their common interest, bowing the knees of their hearts for the long safety of Queen Elizabeth's sacred princely person, rather than in thy just fury, for avenging of our sins, to suffer the devil with the wicked to prevail in the unjust zealousness of their preposterous vows, graceleslie swearing the death of thy Saints, and thine anointed.  
lastly, that what remaineth of the happy building of thy Church, by the hands of thy dear daughter, thou plentifully power of thy principal spirit upon her, and ravish her heart with the flame of the love of thee and thy house, with Moses to lead, and with joshua to bring into the land of promise, with Deborah to fight the battle; and with jahel to knock Sisera of Rome in the temples of his usurped headship, to his utter destruction; with David to bring home the Ark; and with Solomon to finish and consecrate to eternity thy Temple amongst the people: on the earth for the time to give largely her fostermilke to Jerusalem: in heaven at the time in the pureness of her virginity, to be presented to the lamb, and sing the song of her wedding day, with thy Angels & thy Saints, to the praise of thy glorious Majesty, the Father, the Son, and the holy Ghost, in one eternal Deity, for ever and ever,  
Amen.   

Another godly and learned prayer for our most gracious sovereign Lady, Queen Elizabeth.  
O Almighty, eternal God, creator, governor & preserver of all things, Lord of all lords, and King of all kings, who madest man like unto thine own image, that he should honour, serve, and obey thee only, and that all other thy creatures should serve to his use and commodity, over whom thou madest him lord and ruler, the forbidden fruit only except: but he most miserable man, by his own disobedience, in eating thereof, lost not only that kingly prerogative, but brought himself and all his posterity into the state of eternal damnation. Yet thou, O Lord, in thine unspeakable mercy, didst then promise, and in time broughtest to pass, that thine only Son became man like unto us, sin except, and was borne of a pure virgin by thy divine providence and power, who to restore this now most miserable man, with all us, whose children by nature we are, unto the state of eternal salvation, did suffer most shameful, most vile and bitter, yea most cruel and painful death on the cross, whereon his glorious body was broken, and his precious blood shed, a sufficient ransom, a full satisfaction, a just recompense of thy justice and law, for all them that believe, and embrace thy Gospel and sacred truth.  
But O Lord, our good God, be merciful unto us, who by our infirmity (through the fall of this lordly man, our great grandfather Adam) can not now live in any peaceable or good condition and state, without Magistrates and Kings to rule and govern us. We therefore most humbly and heartily beseech thy divine Majesty, for the love of thine only Son jesus Christ, to look down with thy fatherly compassion upon thy servant Elizabeth, our most gracious Queen and dread sovereign. graff in her royal heart, by the working of thy holy spirit, thy manifold good gifts and benefits, as wisdom, grace, perseverance in thy truth, increase of faith, and affiance in thee. Defend her, O Lord, with thy mighty hand, and outstretched arm: grant unto her a most honourable, long, and prosperous reign over us.  
Moreover, O Lord, if the service of golden vessels in thy Temple at jerusalem, were acceptable unto thee; vouchsafe this thy servant to be esteemed in thy sight, as a most honourable ornament in the new jerusalem, not built with money by the labour of the servants of the first Solomon; but bought with the precious blood of the second Solomon, thy Son our Saviour. Behold her, and make her to be, O Lord, as the precious stone or signet of thine own hand, as the apple of thine eye, as the white lily and sweet rose of the enclosed garden, and as the dear dove of thy delights, for thy truth sake: to the enemies whereof, make her name most dreadful; and to the Church wheresoever dispersed, most acceptable and joyful. Confound and put to shame, O Lord, all those that with or procure any evil to her royal person and heroical virginity, or diminution of her kingdoms, and imperial dignity over them.  
And when for the multitude of our sins, O Lord, thou wilt punish us with the wind of thy displeasure, by taking from us this our fragrant and sweet smelling flower, which we beseech thee for thine own name sake long to defer: then, O Lord, plant her in the garden and paradise of thy presence, where she may grow and dwell in felicity incomparable, which the eye hath not seen, the ear hath not heard, neither ever came it into the understanding of man, those joys which thou hast prepared for her, and all thine elect.  
Moreover, O Lord, grant thy heavenly wisdom and grace unto all us her subjects, that we may advisedly consider, and dutifully call to our remembrance, the manifold blessings that we so long time have enjoyed, and do presently possess through thy mercy, by her ministery, authority, and the execution of her kingly office, under the which we do not only reap, and peaceably enjoy the fruits of our labours, and other corporal commodities, but also (that which is more worth than all this) even the freedom and liberty of conscience, the preaching and hearing of thy most holy word, and the administration and receiving of thy holy Sacraments. For all which, and many other thy blessings, O Lord, work in us thy grace, to yield unto thy divine Majesty all possible and continual praises and thanksgiving, that it be not said unto us, Are there not ten cleansed? or, Is not England preserved from all tyranny, & enjoy all these benefits? But where are now their returning to give thanks? Quicken our memories therefore, O Lord, that we never be forgetful of thy great goodness towards us, and make us more and more, for thy sake reverently to fear her, dutifully to obey her, and faithfully to love, honour and serve her, as our natural loving prince and mother, and as the mean by whom we receive all these thy good blessings, that her Majesty perceiving our diligence, and readiness to obey and serve her, may be the oftener put in mind to fear, honour, love, serve & obey thy divine and incomparable Majesty.  
Furthermore, inspire her royal heart, O Lord, with thy divine grace, that as she hath begun to set forth and maintain thy sacred truth, so she may zealously and boldly increase, persevere, & continue in the same, whereby the filthiness and nakedness of Antichrist may be more and more revealed, superstition more and more abolished & removed, and that old lying serpent, & roaring Lion sathan, our ancient enemy, may be more and more restrained & kept back from his malicious purpose, in seeking to devour and draw us all in ignorance & security. Grant all this, O Lord, to our great comfort, her honour, and immortal fame; yea to the discharging of her own conscience, & kingly duty, and evermore reward & crown these thine own good gifts in her, O Lord, not for the work sake, but for jesus Christ's sake. And when thou shalt, to our great sorrow and loss, but to her great joy and profit take her from us; crown her, O most merciful God, with a crown of everlasting glory, and give her the full possession of that eternal kingdom, purchased by the blood of that immaculate Lamb, thine only Son our Saviour and Redeemer jesus Christ, to whom with thee, and the holy Ghost, three persons and one immortal and everlasting God be all honour, dominion, praise, and thanksgiving, for ever and ever,  
Amen.   

Another prayer for the Queen's Majesty, and for the state present, and to come in our posterity.  
O Most gracious Lord GOD, and King almighty, just & everlasting, upon whose will dependeth the rule, stay and direction of allthings both in heaven and in earth; giving men power and dominion over the people and nations of the world, to whom being obedient to thy most holy will and commandments, thou givest wise, careful, industrious, virtuous, happy, and prosperous kings, princes, rulers, and magistrates, to rule and to govern, to the peace, blessing, comfort and wealth of the same: but the unrighteous people, lascivious, contemptuous, idolatrous, superstitious, blasphemous, and rebellious against thy word and Majesty, shall be delivered over to the hands and tuition of foolish, idle, dissolute, negligent, and unfortunate princes, rulers, and governors; by whose brutish disorder, looseness, and folly, the state, beauty, strength and bonds of peace, justice, love and government shall be neglected, broken, disturbed, spoiled, and by intestine hatred and discords, or else by foreign vanquishments and discomfitures destroyed: whereby both land and people are left a pray to the invasion, spoil, and ravin of the greedy and victorious destroyer, who in his merciless rage executeth the plagues of thy just wrath, O Lord; so that man, woman, child, beast, foul, nor fish, scapeth the stripes thereof. Their countries, towns, cities, and dwellings burnt, spoiled, rend, torn, and made waste: justice, law, discipline, nurture, civil fellowship, honest arts and exercises, religion, knowledge, and fear of thee scorned, banished, and persecuted: and the land being filled with abomination, beastly tyranny, slaughter, blood, robbery, thievery, rapine, and murder: the people killed, strangled, starved, spoiled, and mocked, bound, and carried away to be sold (as beasts) in the market; to servitude and slavery, there to consume their days in miserable thrall and sorrows: the kingdom and inheritance transported to the possession of the destroyer, who raised up in thy wrath, and armed with the power of thy displeasure, ministereth due punishment for the sin and disobedience of each revolting nation that falleth away from thee, and will not be reconciled to grace: witness of all the states, empires, kingdoms, tongues, nations, peoples, and kindreds of the earth from the beginning of the world to this day: but in these latter days, specially of the jews, Egyptians, Armenians, Grecians, Italians, Hungarians, Polonians, and others, whose servile thrall and calamities ought never to be out of our remembrance, which should move us continually to behold the blessing of thy love, and the heavy sorrows of thy displeasure.  
Wherefore in the abundance of thy mercies and loving kindness, and for love of thy dear Son, whom through the gift of thy grace we profess in the truth of his Gospel: we beseech thee, O merciful Father, favourably to look upon this Realm and people of England. Turn not away thy face, O Lord: take not thy grace and holy spirit from us: let us still enjoy the bliss and comfort of thy loving countenance: keep us in thy way, and cover us under the shadow of thy wings: suffer us not to be taken from thee: make us to follow and to put our whole trust and confidence in thee, then shall we be safe. Thy mighty hand, O God, giveth the victory, and in the power of thy favour shall the enemy be vanquished, and his strength brought to nothing. Safe is the city where thou, O Lord, art the watchman: but who so standeth out of thy tuition, he is a ready pray unto the destroyer: therefore go not far from us, O God. For thine elect sake were the heavens and the earth, with all their implements, form & made of nothing: for their preservation & maintenance was rule & government devised and established. And for their sakes are empires, kingdoms, countries and nations preserved, saved and blessed: and for injury and ignominy done to them, and to thy truth and holy name are they changed, plagued, subverted, and destroyed. Great is thy mercy & compassion, O Lord, long suffering, & ready to forgive: behold us, O Father, and have mercy upon us, remember not our iniquities, nor the iniquities of our forefathers; take not just vengeance of our sins, neither reward thou us after our deserts. Spare us, good Lord; spare us: and for thy sweet sons sake Christ jesus our Saviour, have mercy upon us. Yea; Lord, have mercy upon us, and upon our posterity, holding continually thy holy hand over us, and bless us. Increase our faith, & make our children, & childers children obedient to thy word; and through holy conversation in thy Son our redeemer, make us and them acceptable unto thyself, O GOD, that being sanctified in faith and love toward thy heavenly will and Majesty, we and they may be delivered from thy wrathful displeasure for evermore.  
power forth abundance of thy grace and blessing upon our Queen, that in the fullness of thy gracious favour, she may have long life in health and happy days, aided with faithful, virtuous, & prudent counsellors and ministers, to do all things to the nourishing and maintenance of true religion and virtue. Increase the light of thy Gospel, & the number of faithful and godly preachers and ministers of thy word, whose industry and labour by the peace and tranquillity of thy Church may largely augment the number of thy Saints to the glory of thy name, and to the joy and blessing of the land and people. For the preservation and continuance whereof, in the bowels of thy fatherly care and favour, remember us, O loving God. Leave neither us nor our posterity headless, neither put us over to the yoke of a strange nor irreligious Prince; but after the blissful days of this thy gracious handmaid our Queen, (whom, O Father, let it please thee to reserve in happy and joyful state to the end) give peace and concord to thy people, with a virtuous, wise, godly, and fortunate Prince, whose constant zeal, care, industry, and endeavour towards the cherishing and advancement of thy truth and glory, may purchase thy fatherly love and furtherance, to fill the land and people with all manner of blessings, as thy heavenly wisdom knoweth necessary, where beautified with virtue and godliness, it shall prosper and triumph in continual peace and victory, giving honour and gladsome thanks to thy glorious Majesty, that with thy dear Son our Lord and Saviour, and with the holy Ghost, reignest in unity of power, glory and dominion, praised for ever and ever,  
Amen.   

Another very godly prayer meet to be said of all true subjects, in time of any privy conspiracy, or open rebellion, for our gracious Sovereign Queen Elizabeth, and for the present state.  
O Almighty God, King of kings, Lord of lords, the only God and governor of all things: thou art he, by whom alone kings do reign. Thou most high bearest the rule over the kingdoms of men. Thou in Christ thine only Son, being the most gracious Father of thy chosen Church; dost for the comfortable nourishing of it, dispose the royal state among men. Through this thy grace it is come to pass, that we the English nation, now a portion of the same thy Church, do enjoy the government of Elizabeth our Queen, whom thou hast against all practices of thine and her adversaris, delivered out of perils, and by thy mighty hand brought to reign over us. Mercifully guiding her, thou hast made her to us a mother; to thine afflicted flock a nurse, in that benefit which we have in liberty, in true religion, and common peace: marvelously protecting her, thou hast kept her to defend us, to use and hold this benefit quietly. And even now in thy mighty marvelous mercy, thou hast discovered the practices of such crafty & cruel enemies, as purposed to spoil her of us, us of her, and both her and us of thy religion and of peace, determining to deliver us over to the tyranny of that shameless man of Rome, and the bloody sword. In which purpose of mischief, if thou hadst permitted them to prevail, we had suffered for our sins at thy hand, O Lord, most justly; but at their hands most unnaturally, and unjustly. For we do offend thy Majesty many ways: we offend not them any ways: yet such is their wickedness, that they will hate us, only because we in truth do profess to serve thee. For this cause they conspire against thee, O God, like hypocrites; against our Queen, like traitors; against our Commonwealth and country, like spoilers; against us, even as Cain did against Abel. But thy great goodness hath devised better for us than they do. Thou hast spared us, whom they would have spoiled, thy wisdom hath unfolded their wickedness, thy providence hath prevented their purpose. All honour, praise, with thanksgiving in the congregation, and by every member thereof, be given to thee, O GOD of grace, O Lord of pity, O Father of mercy, for ever and ever.  
And now we beseech thee, O merciful Father, be not provoked with our sins, to give us over to the lust of our enemies; do not make us a reproach to these heathen. Let not the jews, the Turk, the Papist in our overthrow triumph against thee, saying; Where is now their God? But of thy rich mercy in Christ forgive our sins; by thy renewing spirit amend us, and work out this good work, which thou hast begun among us. Confound & bring to nought the attempts of these and the like enemies, as thou didst at Babel; enfold them in the folly of their own counsels, as thou didst Achitophel; by thine Angel sinite their force, as thou didst to Senacherib; in their desperate attempts let them be drowned, as was Pharaoh; in their treasons overtake them, as thou didst Absalon. If any of them are to be converted, turn them, as thou didst Manasses: otherwise let them feel their due punishment, as did Dathan, with his conspirators, that of these also may be left an example of thy justice to the posterity.  
We do likewise most humbly beseech thee to continue thy goodness towards us, ever of thine old wonted mercy deliver our Queen Elizabeth from evil, direct her in the true knowledge of thee, to acknowledge thy benefits towards her, and her duty towards thee. Kindle more and more in her heart zeal to serve thee herself, and to have thee served of us entirely. Guide her still to govern us justly in godly peace. Give unto us also, which are subjects, thankful hearts to thee; faithful to her in thee; charitable towards all men; that all which live under her government, counsellors, ministers, and every other in their place and calling, may be throughlie sanctified in holiness to live before thee. Thus prolonging her reign over us, do thou in her plant thy religion among and in us, so that it may with power reform and rule us, and remain to our posterity after us, that the praise of thy name may continue in the hearts & mouths of the English nation, that England may say for ever, The Lord be praised.   

A thanksgiving unto God for his benefits bestowed upon this Realm of England, in suppressing the late Rebellion, with prayer for the preservation and prosperous estate of our gracious Queen Elizabeth.  
Almighty and everlasting God, the maker of heaven and earth, and Lord of all creatures, by whose mighty hand, the humble and lowly are advanced, and the proud and stubborn are thrust under foot. We thy servants give thee most hearty thanks for thy great and bountiful goodness, which thou hast of late without our deserving, bestowed upon us, both in delivering us from the cruel tyranny and bondage, and persecution, wherewith we were of late oppressed, and also in restoring us again to our former peace and quietness, and to the free exercise of our faith, by the direction of thy sacred Gospel still, maugre the heads of all our enemies, maintained by thee amongst us to our comfort. For which thy singular benefits, and gracious liberality, O excellent father, because we are in no wise able to render unto thee worthy thanks; therefore we make our humble suit and request unto thee, O Lord, that it may please thee for thy holy name sake, to accept our good wills in this behalf, and to give us grace all the days of our life, to remember this marvelous work of thine, that partly by the Christian, devout, and fervent prayers of thy humble handmaiden our most gracious Queen, and other of thy people, and partly by the sure confidence and trust that her Grace evermore did put in thee, thou hast without the force or strength of men put down not only her enemies, but also thine, and all those that did both fight against thee and thy truth, and traveled by all means to disannul, and quite overthrow the state of the Church and religion now established: which wonderful and miraculous act, as thou hast most graciously begun, so we beseech thee, for thy tender mercy's sake, to go forward with it, and so to establish it, as thy glory may be advanced thereby, and all the crafty devices and malicious assaults of the devil and his ministers clean overthrown and subdued.  
And now, O Christ thou King of kings, Prince of peace, & Ruler of Israel, have mercy upon our most dear sovereign Lady Elizabeth: and grant, that as thou hitherto hast most singularly blessed her, and adorned her Majesty with many thy special good graces, blessings, and benefits, for thy glory, and to our comfort: so with all thankefuluesse therefore unto thy Majesty, we continually, heartily, and faithfully pray thee, that the joy of thy heavenly countenance may still most graciously shine upon her, to humble her soul before thee, to be her guide and director, to shield, preserve, and defend her from the will and power of all her enemies, and that both thine and her adversaries may from time to time be made thine and her footstool, and be ever kept under her feet, as mire in the streets, or as thin scoom, filthy foam, light chaff, withered hay, or burnt stubble before the wind. We beseech thee also, O Lord, thou sceptre of Israel, that her sceptre may yet grow green, burgeon, fructify, and flourish in the fruits of true happiness, with glory, victory, princely honour, dutifulness, healthful sweetness, tenderness, beauty and comeliness, in her most royal state and calling, even as the palm-tree safely and well set in a soil of all happiness, and that her throne regal may steddilie stand for ever without winding, shaking, swerving, tottering, or nodding, even as the seat of Solomon; and that the days of her Grace's regiment may be unto us for thy glory, as the days of heaven, and after this life ended, make her partaker of the brightness of thine and thy father's everlasting glory, among thine anointed and elect, in the celestial kingdom of everlasting renown. Grant this O Christ, thou most merciful King and Governor, that sittest upon the seat of David, and hast obtained an everlasting kingdom for all the chosen Israelites, even for thy mercy's sake,  
Amen.   

Another prayer for the Queen, and the estate of this Realm.  
Gracious Lord, and most merciful Father, we acknowledge thee Lord of lords, and the King of kings, creating at the beginning, and ruling all things evermore in heaven and earth, according to thy wonderful wisdom & power, and ourselves to be thy poor servants, the work of thy hands, and the sheep of thy pasture, subjecteth to thy high Majesty, and depending upon thy fatherly providence for all things. Nevertheless, seeing thou in thy wisdom annointest Kings and Queens, appointing them to rule over the people, to sit as lieutenants in thy seat, to minister justice, and most of all as fathers and nurse's, to maintain and cherish thy Church, commanding us not only to obey and honour them, but moreover to pray for them, as watching over us for our good. We therefore beseech thee for thy great names sake, and for jesus Christ's sake, to show thy mercy to all Kings and Princes that maintain thy glorious Gospel, but especially we pray thee to bless our gracious Queen Elizabeth, in all spiritual blessings in Christ jesus, and in all temporal blessings, according to thy good pleasure; that in the great measures of thine effectual law, she may more and more find great increase of virtue, and wisdom, and strength, in Christ jesus, to the faithful and happy discharge of her duty, that her holiness and joy, and zeal of thy house may be multiplied & everlasting.  
And seeing it hath pleased thee of thy singular mercy to give her this especial honour, first to suffer for thy glorious truth, and afterward miraculously delivering her out of the hands of her enemies, to set a Crown upon her head, and to make her the instrument to advance thy glory and Gospel, for which she suffered, and to bring her out of darkness into light; out of persecution into this great and long peace; as we give thee most hearty thanks for this singular benefit, so we beseech thee to make her and us evermore thankful for it, and in thy good pleasure still to preserve her for the continuance of these blessings towards us with all increase from time to time, to thy glory, the benefit of thy Church, and her infinite peace in Christ jesus the Prince of peace.  
And furthermore, we praise thee for her and the estate, that such as be the enemies of the Gospel, and her enemies also for the defence thereof, may not despise the peace offered them unto repentance; but that they may account thy long suffering, and her peaceable and unbloody government an occasion of salvation to their souls, and unfeigned love to the truth, and their merciful Sovereign. Otherwise, if they still remain disobedient to thy truth, disloyal to her Highness, and dangerous to the state; then, O God of all salvation, as thou hast discovered them, so discover them still: as thou hast prevented them, so prevent them still, and let their eyes ware weary with looking, and their hearts faint with waiting for the coming of that which yet cometh not; neither let it come, O Lord, we beseech thee: but a blessed and a long reign to her Grace, and and peace to Zion for evermore.  
Also dear Father, so bless, so love, so in thy spirit sanctify and keep her, that she may in the spirit of counsel and fortitude so rule that other sister also, namely this her Commonwealth, that they may flourish together, and grow up together as palm-trees in beauty, and in strength, giving aid and help one to another; that in the Church the glory of God may appear as the Sun in his brightness, and that the land may flow with milk and honey, and true peace abound therein, as in the triumphant reign of Deborah.  
These graces, O Lord, are great, and we miserable sinners, unworthy of the least of them; therefore look not to us, but to thyself; not to our iniquities, but to thy great mercies; accepting the death and passion of thy Son as a full ransom for all our offences, throwing them into the bottom of the sea, and making his cross and resurrection effectual in us to all obedience and godliness, as becometh thy Saints; that to all other thy good blessings towards our gracious Sovereign, this may be added, that she governeth blessedly over a blessed people, a people blessed of the Lord, and beloved of the Lord; and that thy graces may abound in the Church & in the Commonwealth from day to day, till the day of our translation into thy kingdom, where justice inhabiteth, where we also shall inhabit and reign with thee, according to thy promise for ever. Grant us these things, O merciful father, for thy dear Son our Lord jesus Christ's sake, in whose name we crave them at thy merciful hand, praying furthermore for them, as he hath taught us to pray, Our Father, etc.   

Psalm 72. Another prayer for the prosperous estate and flourishing reign of our right virtuous sovereign Queen Elizabeth.  
O GOD, without whose wisdom no kingdom can stand, who of a special consideration hast ordained this kingdom in the family of David, teach our Queen Elizabeth whom thou hast appointed, the rules of right government: teach I say, the Daughter of this thy David, whom thou hast chosen to thyself, the rule of righteousness, that she may justly govern not her people, but thine; especially that she may defend the poor against the injuries of the mighty: thus the people being scattered here and there in the mountains and hills, being safe under a just government, shall abound with all the commodities of peace.  
Grant this unto her, that she being far from all tyranny, may be a sure refuge for the poor, that she may comfort the families oppressed with poverty and injuries, that she may keep under the false accusers with most sharp punishment; so will it come to pass, O Lord, that the state of this kingdom being ordered by thine authority, all men, as it is meet, shall acknowledge and fear thee, and not for any short continuance of time, but that the Sun and Moon shall sooner cease their course, than thou shalt fail to be worshipped.  
And thou again wilt power down upon thy people from heaven all good things, like a shower coming down upon the new mown meadows, and none otherwise, than thou usest to water the earth with showers in due season, whilst Elizabeth reigneth thus governed by thy grace and holy spirit, the just shall flourish, and great peace shall be so continued, as is the firm course of the stars, and the Queen herself shall have dominion from the one sea to the other, even from Euphrates, to the farthest coasts of the earth.  
The inhabitants of the countries of the desert shall come under her yoke, falling down under her feet, and her enemies falling down before her, shall lick the dust of the earth. The kings of Silicia and of the islands shall offer presents unto her. The Ethiopians also, and the Arabians shall bring her gifts; finally, all Kings shall have her in admiration, for her renown and virtue, and all nations shall reverence her name and majesty. For her righteousness shall be praised through out all the whole world, because she heareth the cry of the poor, and doth defend the needy forsaken of other. She hath mercy on them that are needy, and she refresheth those that are in danger of their life. She defendeth the poor against the injury of the mighty, neither doth she suffer the violence done unto them to be unrevenged.  
Therefore thou, O God, wilt keep her safe, and gold shall be brought unto her out of the midst of Arabia: all men shall make prayers for her life and safety, and shall daily wish all prosperity unto her. And seeing the safety of all the families of our nation consisteth in the preservation of her Majesty, let us heartily (as we have good cause) pray incessantly for her Grace, and for the safety and welfare of the Church, and of all those that love and favour her therein. Defend, O God, with thine own hand, this worthy woman and sacred Queen, whose endeavour thou hast used to restore peace to thy Church, and religion to thy people. O save this worthy Princess Elizabeth, I say, whom for this purpose thou hast endued with most rare and singular wisdom, power, constancy, and royal gifts of grace. And grant that all men may dutifully honour and obey her, as a prince of peace; a mother of Israel; a nurse of thy Church, worthily for her virtues set over us by thee, O God, to reign. Finally grant, that in this government of our pastor & chief shepherd, there may want neither integrity, & uprightness in taking of counsel, neither wisdom in performing all her enterprises according to thy will.  
Then shall wheat be reaped everywhere with full handfuls in the very tops of the mountains; the corn growing as high as the trees of Libanus: and there shall be such a multitude of inhabitants in the cities, that they may almost seem like plants springing out of the earth: yea, then shall her noble memory, and royal fame be for ever, even durable as the sun; and our Queen Elizabeth be an example of all piety and felicity unto all kingdoms & nations of the world, which shall accept her blessed among women. But unto thee, O Lord, the Prince of the celestial companies, and the author of all things, for so wonderful & rare gifts in her Majesty, shall all possible praise be especially given: yea, the fame of thy glory be praised and magnified for ever and ever, and let it fill both heaven and earth. So, even so let it be, O God,  
Amen.   

Another daily prayer, for the perpetual happiness of our sacred, and most gracious Sovereign, and Queen Elizabeth.  
O Almighty God, King of kings, and Lord of lords; in thine hand is all power both in heaven and in earth: thou confirmest kingdoms, & again dost alter them according to thine heavenly pleasure: we praise thee; we magnify thee; we extol thine holy name, for that it hath pleased thee to appoint over us a good and gracious Queen, which doth govern with counsel, and rule with wisdom. Grant her, we beseech thee, continual peace; long life, and much happiness, and deliver not her Majesty into the hands of her enemies. Rule thou her mind, that she may serve thee always in fear, and rejoice in trembling; let her maintain and embrace pure religion, & defend her people in the profession of Christ's Gospel against all errors, and superstition whatsoever. Give her wisdom and understanding to do such things, as are grateful in thy sight; profitable for us her subjects, and hurtful to none.  
O God, eternal Father, hear the petitions of Elizabeth our Queen, in all her troubles; the name of Christ our Saviour glorify her, and the comfortable aid of the holy Spirit uphold her now and evermore. Be mindful of her grace for her good; Lord remember all her offerings; make her prayers acceptable in thy sight. Give to her according to her heart's desire; fulfil all her petitions, and prosper all her purposes: that we may rejoice in thy salvation, and triumph in the name of thee our God. Bless her, Lord, evermore, that we may know that her protector is in the clouds. hearken unto her from thy holy heavens. Oh send her help from thy sanctuary, and aid her from above by thy mighty right hand, which bringeth salvation. Let all her enemies plainly know, O GOD, that thou wilt save thine anointed. For though some trust in horses, and other in chariots; yet will we remember the name of our God: they shall fall and be overcome; but we courageously will persist.  
O Lord, protect her Majesty, and hear us when we call upon thee, that in thy strength she may rejoice, and mightily triumph in thy salvation. Grant her the desire of her heart, and deny not the petitions of her lips. For thou hast prevented her with notable blessings, and put a crown of pure gold upon her head. She hath asked life of thee, and thou wilt give her a long life. Great is her glory in thy salvation, honour and fame hast thou put upon her. Thou hast ordained her for exceeding blessedness, and dost comfort her heart with thy cheerful countenance. And why? Because she delighteth in Christ; and doubteth not of thine everlasting mercy.  
O God, that givest victory unto kings, and didst deliver David from peril of the sword; save and redeem our dear Queen Elizabeth, and deliver her from the hands of the children of another devotion than she is: whose mouth uttereth vanity, and their right hand is a right hand of falsehood. Yea let her hand, O Lord, light upon her enemies, and thy right hand find out all such as hate thee, and envy her prosperity. Put them into a burning furnace in the time of thy displeasure: the Lord in his anger shall consume them, and fire shall devour them. Their fruit shalt thou destroy from the earth, and their seed from the sons of men; because they intended evil against thee, and imagined mischief against the innocent, which they could not bring to pass. Therefore wilt thou turn them into flight, and bend thy bow against their faces. Triumph, O Lord, in thy virtue, and we will sing out thy glory, and commend thy power. Save our Queen, O merciful God, in despite of all her enemies, which either secretly or openly go about to bring her life to the grave, or her glory to the dust. Lord, shield our Sovereign; exalt thine anointed; let thine hand assist, and thine arm strengthen her. Never let her foes prevail against her, nor the child of wickedness bring her to destruction. Banish from her Court all her privy enemies, and preserve her evermore from dissembling friends.  
Mercy and judgement be Queen Elizabeth's song: unto thee, O Lord, let her sing thy magnifical mercies. Work in her royal heart an endeavour to be fully instructed in the perfect way of thy royal laws: for so much as thou hast made her Queen over this realm. With thy grace open her heart; instruct her, and lead her up and down in the midst of her people in perfectness of heart. Let her never set before her eyes any devilish thing. Cause her to detest the work of backsliding from God: let that take no hold in her. drive far away from her, the men of froward hearts: let her not once be acquainted with evil persons. Who so privily slandereth his neighbour; let her destroy him. Who so hath also a proud look, and an haughty stomach, cause her to loathe him. Settle her eyes upon such in the land as are faithful, that they may dwell with her. Who so leadeth a godly life, men of good conscience; let such be her servants. Let no deceitful person have any place in her house: him that telleth lies, or is a revenger of blood; cause her speedily to cast out of her sight. Finally, grant her will and power, O Lord of hosts, daily to suppress all the ungodly in the land, that she may root out from the city of God all wicked doers.  
Queen Elizabeth hath done that is lawful & right: wherefore, O Lord, leave her not to such as do offer her wrong. For thine own goodness sake, take her thine handmaid unto thy protection: let not the proud oppress her with wrong. Deal with thine handmaid according to thy loving kindness, and teach her thy statutes. She is thy servant, grant her understanding, that she may know thy testimonies. Thy testimonies contain wondrous things, therefore cause her heart to be zealous in keeping of them. The first entrance of thy words will illuminate, giving understanding even unto the simple. Work in her heart so fervent desire of thy word, that through affection thereto, she may be like one that panteth, & openeth his mouth for breath. Look thou upon her, O Lord, and be merciful unto her, as thou usest to do unto them that love thy name. Direct her steps in thy word: and so let no wickedness have dominion over her. Redeem her from the fraudulent dealings of men, and cause her to keep thy commandments. Make the light of thy countenance shine upon our Queen Elizabeth thine handmaiden, and teach her thy statutes.  
Hear my prayers, O God, and give good ear unto mine intercessions. For behold, from the ends of the earth I call unto thee, for our dear Sovereign Lady, Queen Elizabeth: whensoever her heart is in heaviness, oh set her up upon the rock that is higher than she. For hitherto thou hast been her defence, and a strong tower for her against the face of the enemy. Let her dwell. I beseech thee, in thy tabernacle for ever; let her trust be under the covering of thy wings. For thou, O Lord, heardst her desires, and hast given her an heritage over those that fear thy name. O grant unto the Queen a long life, that her years may endure many generations. Let her dwell before the Lord for ever. O appoint thy loving mercy and truth, that they may preserve her: so cause her always to sing praise unto thy name, that she may day by day perform her vows, and keep thy hests.  
Finally, give thy judgement, O Lord, unto her Grace, and thy righteousness unto her Counsel, that they may judge the people with justice, and the poor with equity. Let the mountains bring peace, and the little hills righteousness unto the people. Let them judge the afflicted among the people, and save the sons of the poor: make them to destroy the backeslider, that he persist not to afflict the miserable, and such as trust in thy mercy and protection: so shall quietness and peace abound among us like the hillocks on the earth. cause her enemies to fear her, so long as the sun and moon shineth, from one generation to another. Water her with thy grace from heaven, as thou didst Gedeons' fleece of wool with dew, and as thou refreshest with drops of rain the new cut grass upon the earth. In her days let the righteous flourish, and great abundance of peace, so long as the moon is in the firmament. Defend the dominions that thou hast given her within the seas, and from the flood unto the end of the earth. cause her foes to kneel down before her, and her enemies to lick the dust of her feet. Give her a long and prosperous reign; endue her with abundance of riches and wealth; heap glory and honour upon her head, and let her be partaker always of the prayers of the just, and be daily blessed. The Lord, even the God of Israel, which only worketh wondrous things, bless our gracious Queen Elizabeth: and blessed be the name of his Majesty, for ever: yea, let all the earth be filled with his glorious praise, Amen. And she shall magnify thee, O Lord, her King, and she shall praise thy name for ever. Every day let her give thanks unto thee, O Lord, and praise thy name for ever and ever. Grant this, O most merciful Father, for thy dear son our Saviour jesus Christ's sake:  
Amen, Amen.   

Another prayer for the Queen's most excellent Majesty.  
Wonderful, O most excellent and almighty GOD, is the depth of thy judgements. Thou King of kings, Lord of lords, thou which at thy pleasure dost take away and transpose; root out and plant; confound and establish kingdoms. Thou of thy singular goodness hast delivered our gracious Sovereign Queen Elizabeth thy chosen Handmaid, when she was almost at death's door; yea thou hast delivered her out of prison, and settled her in her father's throne: to thee therefore do we render thanks, to thee do we sing laud and praise, thy name do we honour day and night.  
Thou hast restored again the liberty of our country, and the sincerity of the doctrine, with peace and tranquillity of thy Church. Thine, thine, O Lord, was the benefit; the means, the labour and service was hers, a burden too heavy alas for a woman's shoulders, yet easy and tolerable by thy helping hand. Assist her therefore, O most merciful father, neither respect her offences, or the deserts of her parents, or the manifold sins of us her people; but think upon thy wonted compassion always at hand to thy poor afflicted.  
Preserve her kingdom, maintain religion, defend thy cause, our Queen Elizabeth, us thy sheep and her people; scatter thine enemies, which thirst after war, let them be ashamed and confounded that worship idols; let us not be a pray unto foreign nations, nor to the people that know not thee, neither call upon thy name.  
Strengthen and confirm, O Lord, the good work which thou hast begun; inspire our gracious Queen thy servant, and us thy poor flock, with thy holy spirit, that with uncorrupt life we may join purity of religion, as we may not yield and bring forth wild and bastard fruits, but mild and sweet grapes and fruits beseeming a lively faith and true repentance, and meet and convenient for thy Gospel, to the intent we may enjoy this immortal treasure, and that living and dying in thee, we may finally possess the inheritance of thy heavenly kingdom, through jesus Christ our Lord. For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, for ever,  
Amen.   

A form of blessing or prayer for our most gracious Queen Elizabeth Christ his dear spouse, out of the Scriptures.  
COme down O Lord, come with thousands of thy Saints, and appear graciously unto thy Church of Saints. Come visit the people and congregations of jacob wheresoever assembled, whom thou so tenderly lovest, and which are humbled at thy feet, to yield thee thanks for all thy blessings and benefits received.  
Come down I say, O God of jacob, and bless Israel, yea come and bless thy chosen and dear beloved servant Elizabeth our Queen, whom thou hast set up a mighty Prince and mother, over thy people and City Zion, and made the chief governor among the nations.  
O let Elizabeth live, and not die: neither let her honour be any thing diminished for our sins and offences.  
Hear, O Lord, the voice of her humble and daily prayers, and let her continue a Prince of peace, royal Ruler over thy people. Her hands shall be good enough for her, if thou help her still, as thou hast done against her enemies.  
Right and light be with thine holy handmaid, whom thou didst prove with great temptations and trial, as thou didst joseph, before thou didst anoint her Queen, and whom hitherto thou hast preserved a pure and undefiled virgin, to promote thy glory, as thou didst David.  
She that in all her manifold afflictions hath more esteemed the serving of thee her God, than saving of herself, and loved not her life so dear as she loved thy law, yea that preferred thine obedience before sacrifice, and all things in the world beside, O let her, our gracious Queen Elizabeth, I say, who hath thus done her duty, be plentifully rewarded therefore of thee her God from heaven, with the perpetual crown of glory, and palm of victory.  
She, even she hath taught jacob thy judgements, and Israel thy law: she hath put incense before thy face, and the burnt offering upon thine altar. She, even she, O God, hath with Hezechias restored thy sincere religion, and worshippeth thee aright, with every one that is godly in thee.  
Bless therefore, O Lord, her substance, and first fruits, and accept the works of her hands.  
Smite through the loins of them that rise up against her, and of them that hate her, that they rise not again.  
O let the beloved of the Lord dwell ever in safety by thee, yea do thou Lord vouchsafe still to be her vale and defence all her life long, and dwell with her here in the Church as her beloved spouse, head, and governor.  
Lay thy left hand under her head, and let thy right hand embrace her, that she may find continual comfort in thy presence.  
O fountain of the gardens! O well of living waters! Arise O North, and come O South, and blow on thy spouse, which is as a goodly and pleasant garden enclosed, and as a fountain sealed up for thyself, and water it with the springs of Lebanon, that it may grow great, and that the sweet spices and smell thereof may flow out into thy nostrils, and thou eat of the pleasant fruit in her.  
Kiss her with the kisses of peace and righteousness, and let her two breasts satisfy thee, & be like two young roes that are twins feeding upon the lilies.  
Set her as a seal on thine heart, and as a signet upon thine arm, and let the lamp of her love be a very vehement flame unquenchable.  
Let her be a sure wall or foundation, whereupon thou mayst build a golden palace; and let her breasts be as towers unassaultable, that she may be meet for thee her spouse to dwell in, and be in thine eyes as she that findeth perpetual peace and quietness.  
O God, in whose sight her fathers did walk; thou, O God, which hast fed her all her life long unto this day, and delivered her hither to from so many, not evils, but deaths; bless her still, even with the blessing of Abraham, Isaac, jacob, and all the Patriarches, with all the blessings of thy mercies promised unto her father David.  
In her let Israel also be blessed: in her let thy graces so plentifully and manifestly appear, that the people may thence take a pattern of blessing thee, and teach their posterity to bless and praise thee for thy goodness and mercy, both towards her and them.  
For she is to us thy might, thy strength, the nobleness of dignity, and the excellency of power.  
She as a lioness is laid down and couched safely after the spoil. Who shall stir her up? Her enemies do all fear her. And do thou still charge the daughters of jerusalem, that they stir not up thy love, nor awake her, by troubling her quietness & peace, until she please.  
Her fellow virgins praise her: her hand shall be in the neck of her enemies, her father's people do bow down unto her, saying, Good luck have thou with thine honour: Ride on, because of the word of truth, which thou embracest with meekness.  
O let not the brethren of evil, the revengers of blood, nor the instruments of violence and cruelty be in her court and habitation! O let not cruelty or falsehood come into her soul! Into their secrets let not her soul come, neither let her glory be joined nor stained with the assembly or damned crew of the wicked.  
Curse them that curse her; & bless them that bless her; divide them in jacob, and scatter them in Israel, which shamelessly in their rage dare cruelly attempt any treacheries or treasons against her innocent and royal person: yea, let them be condignly punished, whosoever go about to trouble the state, or overthrow her kingdom.  
Let not the sceptre depart out of her hand, nor her kingdom be diminished; but let this thy most wise lawgiver, our meek Moses, continue amongst us with honour, to judge thy people, and gather them unto thee long in rest and peace, even until Silo our Saviour jesus, the giver of all prosperity, come to crown her in his everlasting kingdom with his salvation.  
Let her see that rest and peace is good, and that it is thou that hast made her to overcome all her enemies at the last.  
Bless her Lord, with great increase of all manner of good, profitable, and pleasant things. Her bread let it be fat, that she may give pleasant gifts worthy such a Queen.  
Let her be as an Hind sent unto us from thee for a precious present, giving goodly words to her people.  
Let Elizabeth be the daughter of increase, and like a flourishing and fruitful palm tree by the water's side, whose small branches, or virgins may run and spread themselves fruitfully also, and show very green upon the walls of thy house.  
The archers her enemies have grievously provoked her, and shot against her with venomous darts, they have hated her to her hindrance and grief: great and many have been her afflictions and persecutions.  
But her bow abode fast and strong, and the hands of her arms were strengthened by the hands of the mighty God of jacob. Her deliverance was even by the stone of Israel, by whom she is appointed a mother in Israel: even by the God of her father, who hath helped her, and by the almighty, who hath blessed her with heavenly blessings from above; with blessings of the deep that lieth beneath, and with blessings of the breasts, and of the womb.  
The time now is come, that the blessings of GOD showed unto her father shall take effect, and be stronger in her than the blessings of her elders. Unto the uttermost ends of the hills of the world, they shall all be blessings upon the head of Elizabeth, and on the top of the head of her that is separate from her birth, and consecrated from the womb to dignity and honour far above her fellow virgins, and made the anointed of the Lord, to bear rule, and to have dominion over men.  
Even as the morning light, when the sun riseth gloriously without clouds in the fair morning; so she being just, and ruling in the fear of God, let her house grow, and be with thee, O God, that it may continue perfect in all points; sure and everlasting, according to thy covenant and promise made to her father David: and not as the grass of the earth is by the bright rain, which groweth quickly, and fadeth sooner.  
Her beauty and glory let it be like the first borne bullock, and her strength as the Unicorn: with the horn of her power let her smite the people together, even the ten thousands of Ephraim, and the ten thousands of Manasses.  
Bless her in her going out and coming in, and prosper her at home and abroad in all her affairs by land and by sea.  
Make her glad, joyful, and willing to call thy people unto the holy hill of Zion, and there in thy Church to offer with them together the offerings of righteousness, that she and they may suck of the abundance of the sea, and of the treasures hid in the earth.  
Bless her, O Lord, that she may dwell as a Lion that catcheth for a pray, the arm with the head, and be most victorious over her enemies that hate her, and despise thee.  
Bless her with thy graces, that she may look well to herself, as in the beginning, when she was a portion of thee the lawgiver, hid and reserved for us thy people, that she may now come with the heads of the people, and execute the righteousness of the Lord, and his judgements with Israel.  
A lion's whelp let her be to leap from Basan, and make her strong enough to defend herself from Balaks curse, and against all the treasons of Zimri and Achitophel.  
O satisfy her with thy favour, and fill her with thy blessings: let her possess both the east, west, south, and north parts of the earth.  
Bless her with people, and make her acceptable unto her brethren and sisters, and to dip her feet in oil.  
Her shoes let them be iron and brass, and her glory, health, wealth, and strength continue as long as the sun.  
Who is like thee, O God of Israel, which though thou sit upon the heavens, and ridest upon them as upon an horse; yet art thou her helper & Saviour, whose glory is in the clouds and celestial places.  
The eternal God be still her refuge; and under the arms of the everlasting God let her live for ever: he shall cast out the enemy before her face, and shall command her to destroy them.  
That then Israel, as even now at this present, may still dwell alone in safety; and the fountain of jacob be plentiful in issue, in the land of wheat and wine, and the heavens drop the dew of thy blessing plentifully upon her, and her country.  
Happy and blessed art thou, O Israel, that hast such a Queen! Who is like unto thee, O people, saved by the Lord, which is the shield of thy help, and sword of thy glory? Therefore thine enemies have lost their strength to thee ward, & be subjecteth to thee, and thou shalt tread upon their high places.  
Bless her still, O Lord, and give power unto thy Queen, that she may be strong to keep the feet of thy Saints within the walls of thy Church, and to cause the wicked for ever to keep silence in darkness,  
Amen: Amen.   

A prayer to be said mentally or aloud of all true hearted English men and women, for the Queen's Majesty, when she rideth by them at any time.  
GOd save your royal Majesty; The GOD of gods preserve your noble Grace; Good luck have you with your honour, O you the fairest among women! Ride on, O Queen, according to the great worship and high renown, wherewith the King of kings hath ennobled you; because of the word of truth, of meekness and righteousness, which you profess: so shall your right hand teach you terrible things. The Lord himself be your keeper, and preserve you from all evil. The Lord of heaven and earth be your defence on your right hand, and on the left. The Lord preserve your going out, and your coming in, from this time forth for evermore: so that the sun shall not burn you by day, neither the moon by night. The King of kings have pleasure in your beauty, and make you his daughter, his spouse, and virgin most glorious within. The most mighty jehova establish you in his seat of judgement, even in the throne of your father David, that you may become an old mother in Israel. Peace & prosperity be unto them that love your honour; but horror of conscience, and confusion of face be unto all those that hate you: for your endurable gifts of God's graces, all people do highly praise you; and for your zeal to Zion, all the world doth honour you: therefore for Zions' sake also we wish you all manner of prosperity: yea, because of the house of the Lord, which you have reform, and his religion, which your Grace hath restored, we will continually triumph in his mercy, and pray still for the renown of your most royal name and Majesty, that your fame may more & more be universally spread over the earth, and be remembered from one generation to another. For the Gospel's sake, I say, which your Majesty doth maintain, we will uncessantly praise God for you, and with loud voices cry, and say: God save our most gracious Queen Elizabeth; jesus bless your Highness; The holy Ghost from heaven comfort & conduct your Majesty in all your ways; Bless our sovereign Lady, O blessed Trinity; Heap glory and honour upon Elizabeth our Queen, O glorious Deity; Bless her sacred Majesty, I say, O God, from this time forth for evermore. O King of heaven receive our Queen; receive and embrace this thy most glorious virgin and dear daughter, accompanied with her fellow virgins, the prince's daughters, and honourable women into thy tuition and protection. With joy and gladness, I say, let her, the lively image of thy princely Majesty, be brought safe and unhurt home again unto her ivory palaces; and at the last enter into the King's court, her father's house, where she may enjoy a perpetual crown and everlasting kingdom, and rejoice in thee her God, her spouse, and her Saviour for ever and ever; so shall she and we her people, give thanks unto thee, O Lord, world without end,  
Amen.    

A compendious form of prayer for the whole estate of Christ's Church, necessary to be used of all estates at time convenient, especially every Sabbath or Holiday in the Evening, by the Mother and Daughter, and their family.  

A Psalm preparing the heart to prayer.  Mother. 
O Come, let us search out, and try our ways: and turn again unto the Lord.  Daughter. 
Let us seek the Lord while he is to be found: let us call upon him while he is near.  Moth. 
Let us lift up our hearts with our hands, unto God in the heavens, for we have sinned, and have rebelled: therefore will he not spare us.  Daugh. 
But even the crown of our head will he cast down: woe now therefore unto us that we have sinned.  Moth. 
Our iniquities are sealed up as in a bag: he hath set our misdeeds before him, and our secret sins in the light of his countenance.  Daugh. 
We are weighed in the balance, & are found to lack weight: we are altogether lighter than vanity.  Moth. 
Though he hath chosen us to be his heritage, yet are we unto him as a Lion in the forest: we daily cry out against him, therefore hath he hated us.  Daugh. 
But will the Lord absent himself for ever? will he show no more favour?  Moth. 
Is his mercy clean gone for ever? doth his promise fail for evermore?  Daugh. 
Hath God forgotten to be merciful? hath he shut up his tender mercy in displeasure?  Moth. 
verily this is the fruit of our infirmities: but yet the right hand of the Lord can amend all this.  Daugh. 
Therefore will we leave our complaint upon ourselves, and we will speak in the bitterness of our souls.  Moth. 
And we will say unto God, Condemn us not: neither cast thou off the work of thy hands.  Daugh. 
But rather turn thou us unto thee, and we shall be turned: renew our days as of old, for thou hast banished us long enough, and hast been sore displeased at us.  Moth. 
Now are we poor and needy, O God, make haste unto us: thou art our helper and redeemer, O God, make no tarrying.  Daugh. 
O let not the oppressed return ashamed: but let the poor and needy praise thy name.  Moth. 
That we which now do sow in tears, may hereafter reap in gladness.  Daugh. 
Blessed is the man whom thou chastisest O Lord, and teachest him in thy Law.  Moth. 
That thou mayst give him rest from the days of evil, whilst the pit is digged for the wicked.  Daugh. 
Blessed is the man whom thou correctest: therefore will we not refuse thy chastisement.  Moth. 
For though thou make a wound, yet thou givest a plaster; and though thou smite, yet thy hands make whole again.  Daugh. 
Therefore O Lord, open thou our lips, and our mouth shall show forth thy praise.  Moth. 
Bow down thine ear, O Lord, and consider our complaint: hearken unto us for thy truth and righteousness sake.  Daugh. 
Amen.   

A prayer to be heard, and to obtain favour.  Mother. 
SEeing that it hath pleased thee, most merciful Father, so favourably to consider the weakness and unworthiness of mankind; that whereas we could of ourselves, neither lift up our eyes unto thee, because of our weakness; neither yet hope for any good thing at thy hands, because of our unworthiness, even in this extreme misery hast given unto us thy well-beloved Son jesus Christ, in whom we are not only made able to lift up our hearts unto thee, but also may assure ourselves, through his merits and passion, of thy favour and mercy, in what so ever we shall ask agreeable to thy good will and pleasure.  
As we do first from the bottom of our heart yield unto thee all thanks, honour and glory, for this thine inestimable goodness bestowed on us thine unworthy servants: so do we likewise (being assured of thy mercy promised in Christ) daily present ourselves before thee, to the intent that through our faithful prayers, we may daily more and more receive the fruits of this thy merciful goodness, to relieve our continual necessities withal. We are here, O Lord, in a strange country: our enemies are on every side: which way so ever we turn us, we see nothing but either continual conflicts, or else utter destruction. Thou therefore, O holy Father, that hast given us thine only Son jesus Christ, to the intent that in his name we might call upon thee; vouchsafe likewise to hear us, what time soever we call unto thee in his name; that sith it hath pleased thee, to exercise us with continual tribulation, for our trial, through him we may obtain such patience and strength, that we may continually stand strongly, to the maintenance of thy cause, to thy honour and glory; and let not our deserts so much provoke thy displeasure against us, that therefore thou cease to glorify thy holy name in us; but rather of thy goodness forgive thou our sins, which to the hindrance of thy honour and glory we have committed: and give us grace, heartily to repent us of our misdeeds, in such sort, that we may henceforth seek thy face, and walk before thee in newness of life, seeking thy honour and glory above all things; that as it hath been hitherto hindered by us to our shame, so now it may by all means be furthered, even by us likewise, to the unspeakable comfort of us all, through jesus Christ our Lord.  Daughter: 
Amen.   

For the Church universally.  Mother. 
AND for because we are fallen into these dangerous days, wherein all goodness decayeth, and sin aboundeth: we humbly beseech thee, mercifully to behold the perilous estate of this age, and in this general confusion of the whole world, to multiply thy graces and blessings on thy Church, that for as much as through thy mercies it is not of the world, it never be defiled with any corruption, either of the world, the flesh, or the devil, neither yet that it perish eternally with the world.  Daughter: 
Amen.   

For Civil Magistrates.  Mother. 
BE merciful therefore, O Father, unto all the states and members thereof, unto Kings, Princes, and all civil Magistrates, and namely to thy servant Elizabeth our Queen and Governor, that they may every one in their several charges, maintain their sceptres in truth and righteousness, that they may beat down sin, and advance virtue: that they may humbly submit themselves, and all their power, unto thy good will and pleasure, and that in all things they seek continually the furtherance of thy Gospel, and to do that that shall be most to thy honour and glory.  Daugh. 
Amen.   

For Bishops and all spiritual Pastors.  Mother. 
Unto Bishops, Preachers, and all spiritual Pastors, that as thou hast appointed them to be watchmen unto thy flock, so they may endeavour themselves (all other business set apart) faithfully to execute their charge, in gathering together thy wandering flock, in feeding them with the bread of life, in confirming their doctrine with godly conversation, in defending them from ravening wolves and thieves, in diligent and fruitful watching over them both day and night, and finally, in careful avoiding of all things that may give occasion to forget or neglect their charge; for because it cannot be but very ill with the flock, whensoever the shepherd sleepeth.  Daugh. 
Amen.   

For inferiors, and subjects.  Mother. 
Unto us all that are inferiors and subjects, that we may willingly and gladly love, honour, serve, and obey all superior powers in thee, and for thee, that we may joyfully receive thy Gospel, plenteously bring forth the fruits thereof, and in all things chiefly apply ourselves to the maintenance of thy true worship, and setting forth of thine honour and glory.  Daughter: 
Amen.   

For the ignorant.  Mother. 
Unto the ignorant also, that their eyes may be opened; that it would please thee to show thy countenance unto them, that they may know thee, and thy Church, which they condemn as errors, because their eyes are closed up in darkness, that as their zeal is now in simplicity without knowledge, so they may have in stead of it, a godly zeal, grounded on perfect knowledge, so that thy Gospel may fructify in them also, to the glory of thy holy name.  Daugh. 
Amen.   

For the malicious persecutors.  Mother. 
Even unto the malicious persecutors also, that they may either at the length receive thy grace so often, and so mercifully proffered unto them, and so acknowledge their malice, and return unto thee, to thy great honour and glory, when thou shalt be praised even by the mouth of thine enemies; or else if they have utterly given over themselves unto continual hatred of thee and thy word, and utterly rejected all kind of discipline, that then thou take them away from among us, to thy great honour and glory also: when as thy little flock, being delivered from their tyranny and oppression, shall joyfully sing unto thee, of thy continual goodness and wonderful deliverance.  Daughter: 
Amen.   

For those that are afflicted for Christ's sake.  Mother. 
Unto us all that are troubled, persecuted, and cruelly handled for thy name sake: that although it please thee to make a sharp trial of our faith, that our enemies may be either ashamed or confounded thereat; yet that thou leave us not so much destitute of thy grace, that we be not able to stand to the uttermost proof thereof. Consider, O Lord, the greatness of our infirmities. And although our sins have deserved thy wrath, yet let the equity of the cause (which is thine) for the which we are troubled, purchase unto us thy favour and mercy. Give us therefore grace to continue to the end, willingly and joyfully to bear whatsoever cross it shall please thee to lay upon us, and always to be ready to defend, and set forth thine honour and glory, in whatsoever trial it be. And if we must needs drink of the cup of trial, yet give leave unto thy chosen to drink the flower of it, and reserve the bottom and dregs thereof for the proud and obstinate enemies of thy Gospel, according to thy mercies promised in jesus Christ our Lord.  Daughter: 
Amen.   

For all estates in general.  Mother. 
AND finally, be thou merciful unto us all, that are of the household of faith, of what estate or calling soever we be; that we all remembering to what end thou hast created us, and how dangerous a thing it is to walk so far unworthy of our vocation, as we now commonly do, may heartily repent us of our licentious, dissolute, and wicked life, and ever cry unto thee for pardon of the same. And grant, O heavenly father, that the denying, or unfruitful receiving of thy word be not laid to our charge, to our utter confusion; but that now at the length we may not only receive it, but speedily learn to bring forth the fruits of the same: that applying our lives to the exact rule thereof, and walking before thee in holiness and righteousness, with continual thanks and praise for all thy mercies showed unto us, ever seeking thine honour and glory in all our doings, may at the end of this our short and weary peregrination, be taken up unto thee to everlasting rest and quietness, prepared for all believers, through the merits of jesus Christ our Lord.  Daughter: 
Amen.   

For increase of true preachers, complaining of the lack herein.  Mother. 
AND now, O heavenly Father, according as we are taught by thy son, we humbly beseech thee, mercifully to bow down thine eyes, and to behold how great and plentiful thy harvest is, and even now ready to be cut down. O thrust thou forth good and faithful labourers into it, to reap and gather it into thy barns. For though thy harvest be great, yet are the labourers very few. Behold, O Lord, the miserable estate of these days, how thy seely sheep wander up and down without a shepherd. Every one (almost) goeth by, about his own privaite imaginations, accounting it no part of his duty or charge to be moved thereat, or to take pity on their great misery. The better sort see it, & lament it. But Lord, how few are those that busily seek the redress thereof, their own private commodities set apart? Surely thy sheep, even thy sheep, O heavenly shepherd, are in perilous case: they are gone astray every one after their own ways, even to their own destruction; they are on the barren mountains, almost utterly famished for lack of food, & of themselves are not able to return to the fold. And in all these things, even they to whom thou hast given the charge of them, can for the most part, either sleep sweetly, or if they awake, then can they be content other ways to occupy themselves. But, O Lord, wilt thou also always sleep, and never arise up to be revenged on these so manifest injuries? Wilt thou never displace these careless hirelings, and raise up in their places such as shall be vigilant pastors over their charge, although our sins deserve no redress? Neither yet give us any hope to find mercy in this matter? Yet for thy name sake, and for thine honour and glory, O Father, we cease not daily to present ourselves before thee, as even now at this present, humbly beseeching thee, in the name of thy son jesus Christ, to raise up among us (like as thou hast begun) many good shepherds, such as will not let for any pains, or discomfiture, to seek out thy wandering sheep, and to defend us from the blood-thirsty jaws of the ravening wolves. Good guides, such as will both show us the way, and they themselves lead it unto us: yea and carry home the poor and faint upon their backs. Good and faithful distributers of thy word and mysteries; such as will give us food in due season, breaking unto us the living bread, and giving us to drink of the water of life. That whereas now many of us are almost perished with famine, & therefore are become loathsome, and ill liking in thy sight: we may thereby (through thy help) be recovered from all loathsomeness and ill liking, and be restored again to our former plight and beauty, that we may be strong, and grow in all grace and godliness. And altogether in the safety of thy fold, with one heart and voice declare thy mercy and goodness, and wondrous works, and sanctify thy holy name for ever. Grant thou this, O heavenly Father, and Lord of the harvest; not for our sakes, but for thy name sake, and through the merits of jesus Christ our only guide, and chief shepherd, who liveth and reigneth with thee, and the holy Ghost, now and ever.  Daughter: 
Amen.   

For all Universities and Schools.  Mother. 
Bless thou therefore, O Lord, with the dew of thy spirit all Universities and Schools; that sith it hath pleased thee, that from them (as by thine appointed means) we should have our preachers and teachers, they may be there instructed in all godly knowledge and learning, and be made fit to walk worthily in their vocation, at what time soever it shall please thee to call them forth. Grant, we beseech thee, that as they ought to be lights and nurse's unto their countries; even so they may give unto them a godly and perfect life, and nourish them up in good and sound doctrine, to thy glory, our comfort, and the discharge of their duties. And for because that now a days charity waxeth cold, and the number of covetous worldlings is much increased; which seek rather to keep back their livings, and to pluck away from them, rather than to bestow any thing to the maintenance of their study: bless thou them therefore with all things sufficient, to the service of thee, and increase of good learning; that the lack thereof be no hindrance to the building of thy house, and to the setting forth of thine honour and glory. And remove from among us, most merciful Father, whatsoever is occasion of let or hindrance unto all those that covet knowledge, to the sanctifying of thy holy name, through jesus Christ our Lord.  Daughter: 
Amen.   

For the good estate of this Realm.  Mother. 
BEcause also thou hast commanded us to call upon thee in the day of trouble, promising that thou wilt hear our prayers: we therefore humbly beseech thee to be favourable unto this our Realm; and not to visit our offences so sharply, neither to give us to drink of so bitter a cup, as unto our judgement it seemeth thou hast prepared for us. What are we, O Lord, that we may abide the force of thy judgements? We deny not, but that we have most worthily deserved whatsoever punishment thou hast ever heretofore powered forth upon any other nation. But sith thy name is now called on among us; sith we make no account of any help, but only in thee; sith we acknowledge our offences, and humbly desire pardon for the same in jesus Christ: O let not thy just judgements lay hold upon us; if it be expedient for us, and more to thy honour and glory, that we taste of thy mercy. Thou hast hitherto dealt exceeding mercifully with us; thou hast planted among us a goodly vineyard, and that of the best plants: thou hast walled it round about, and watered it plentifully with the dew of thy blessing; in so much that thou couldst have done no more for us, than thou hast done; neither haste thou dealt so with other nations. But we (alas) wretched sinners, contrary to the deserts of this thy loving kindness, have brought forth wild grapes, which thou hatest; in steed of good and sweet grapes, which thou lookest for. We have taken thy word into our mouths; but we have hated to be reform thereby: yea we have utterly despised thy holy word, and had the preachers thereof in derision, and so have we made open the ready way unto all our damnable works, blasphemy, idolatry, murder, adultery, pride, covetousness, disobedience, sensuality, unmercifulness, oppressions, slanders, unthankfulness, & whatsoever else our corrupt natures, casting aside grace and discipline, is wont to bring forth. And whilst we did all these things, thou heldest thy peace, and winkedst thereat: therefore did we foolishly imagine, that thou art like unto us, and delighted with sin, as we are. And thus have we in all our works provoked thy divine Majesty to grievous displeasure against us. But now, O holy God, seeing that by thy long sufferance, thou hast so mercifully stricken our hard hearts with secret consideration of our miserable estate: we beseech thee for jesus Christ's sake, to give us likewise a repentant heart, sorrowful for all our former misdeeds; that thereby we may also attain to the promises, which thou hast annexed thereunto, namely; that thou break not down the wall of this thy vineyard; that thou suffer it not to be eaten up, or trodden down; that thou lay it not waste, so that briars and thorns grow up therein. And that thou command not the clouds not to rain upon it; neither that thou turn our root into rottenness; neither yet that thou make our buds to rise up like dust, because we have cast off thy law, O Lord God of hosts, and contemned thy word, O holy one of Israel. O make us not a byword unto our neighbours, and a scorn unto those that dwell about us; but rather grant, we beseech thee, that henceforth we may heartily repent, and walk before thee in newness of life, to thy honour and glory, to the example of our neighbours, to the conversion or confusion of our enemies, and to our everlasting comfort, through jesus Christ our Lord.  Daughter: 
Amen.   

A prayer for repentance.  Mother. 
ALthough our infirmities do evidently appear, and by divers ways show forth themselves unto us, almighty and most merciful God; yet in nothing more than that we cannot perceive and behold our own wickedness, in such sort as it is indeed. With our tongues we can not but confess (because thou thyself hast said it) that we are altogether unrighteous, that there is not one of us that doth good, & that we all imagine mischief. But although we are driven by thine eternal truth, outwardly to confess the same; yet have we no such inward feeling thereof as we ought to have: because we are altogether closed up in our own stubbornness and self-love. Wherefore it cometh to pass, that we can neither repent us of that we should amend, neither yet heartily acknowledge that we certainly know to be within us. But, O holy God, how long shall we be clean without understanding? How long shall our flesh have dominion over thy good spirit in us? How long shall the cloud of our unsensibleness darken and blemish our inward sight? verily our sins have deserved, that not only thou hide thy face away from us for a time; but that thou shouldest utterly cast us off from thy favour and grace, to eternal damnation. But sith that thou art wont to deal more mercifully even with the sons of men, and unto us also hast given a good likelihood thereof, in that that now thou hast stricken our hearts with some feeling of our own wretchedness, which putteth us in good comfort and hope, that thou hast done it to this end, to the intent that thou mayst bestow larger graces on us also: therefore we are somewhat emboldened (although we are but dust and ashes) humbly to desire of thee, that in the name of thy son jesus Christ, even now at the length, thou wilt vouchsafe to give unto us the grace of hearty repentance, that as we know, so likewise we may acknowledge unto thee, all our unrighteousness, and henceforth labour the more busily, without any delay, to amend those things wherein we have hitherto offended thee. We know, O Lord, that this is the only time of mercy, in so much that if we obtain it not, during this our mortal life, there remaineth nothing for us to be looked for, but a fearful and a rigorous sentence of judgement. Grant therefore, we beseech thee O merciful God, that sith we are now in a most damnable estate, by the reason of our continual disobedience, out of the which we can by no means recover ourselves, but by thy merciful gift of repentance, that we may even now obtain at thy hands not only it, but all other thy graces annexed thereunto, such as are most needful for us, to the accomplishing of thy will, and to the setting forth of thy honour and glory, through jesus Christ our Lord and saviour, who sitteth at thy right hand even now and ever, to make intercession for us.  Daughter: 
Amen.   

For the authority of discipline to be established in the Church.  Mother. 
BEcause that crookedness and disobedience have taken so deep root in all estates, that now adays many dare boldly refuse all Ecclesiastical censure, to the great hindrance of the course of the Gospel; grant therefore we beseech thee, that like as thou hast dealt with other nations, even so may it please thee now at the length, to extend thy like mercy unto this Realm also, and all others that are in the same necessity; that the authority of Ecclesiastical censure and discipline (which for our sins thou hast hitherto kept back from us) may be placed in the Church, to the due punishment of sinful life, and contempt of thy word, in such sort, that it may extend indifferently unto all estates both high and low, as well to the terror of the ill, and comfort of the good, as also to the speedy and perfect reformation of all such things as are yet disordered in this thy Church; through the same jesus Christ our Lord, in whose name, for these & all things else expedient for us, we lift up our hearts unto thee, saying as he hath taught us:  Mother and Daughter altogether. 
Our Father, etc.  Mother. 
Into thy hands, O Lord, do we commend ourselves wholly, both body and soul: vouchsafe to receive us, Lord God of mercy.  Daughter: 
Amen.  Mother. 
In thee, O God, have we trusted, let us never be confounded.  Daughter: 
Amen.  Mother. 
Deliver us, we beseech thee, from the power of darkness of this world, the flesh and the devil.  Daughter: 
Amen.  Mother. 
Lord let it be done unto us, as we do put our trust in thee.  Daughter: 
Amen.  Mother. 
We believe, O Lord; Lord help and make perfect our unbelief.  Daughter: 
Amen.   

The conclusion of all things else expedient for us.  Mother. 
THese, O merciful Father, and all other thy graces, such as be most agreeable to thy will, to the setting forth of thy honour and glory, and to the assurance of our salvation, grant thou unto us (we beseech thee) in the name of thy son jesus Christ. And that we may utterly cast off all sinful affections, and henceforth lead our lives in holiness, righteousness, and innocency, yielding unto thee continual thanks, for all thy benefits and mercies: we beseech thee send down into our hearts thy holy spirit, to prepare, instruct, and guide us in all our thoughts, words and works, to the fulfilling of thy good will and pleasure; to whom, the Father, the Son, and the holy Ghost, three persons and one God, of eternal and infinite majesty, be all praise, thanks and glory, at all times, in all places, in all things, above all things, and even so in us all now and ever.  Daughter: 
Amen.  Mother. 
Blessed be the Lord.  Daughter. 
Thanks be to God. 
¶ If, when we are desirous to commend the Church unto the blessings of God (which in our daily prayers we ought to do) necessary business will not well impart so much time, as the form of these prayers require; then after good consideration, both of God's former benefits towards us, and of the manifold infirmities of the Church, we may do it in these few words.   Mother: 
O Lord hear my prayer.  Daughter: 
And let my cry come unto thee.   
Mother. 
TO thee, O heavenly Father, be all thanks, honour & glory, for because it hath pleased thee, through the merits of jesus Christ, to deal so mercifully with us. For look how high the heaven is in comparison of the earth, so great hath thy mercy been towards us, at all times, and in all things, much beyond that that our foolish hearts could wish or desire. For the which, as we do yield unto thee all possible thanks, from the bottom of our hearts; even so do we humbly beseech thee, with thy fatherly goodness, to supply all our infirmities wherewith we daily offend thee. Bless thou therefore, and be merciful unto thy Church universally, and to all the members thereof, and namely unto all Princes and civil Magistrates, that by their government thy name may be always sanctified, and thy glorious kingdom faithfully prepared. Unto all Bishops and spiritual pastors, that they may diligently execute the charge committed unto them. Unto all subjects and inferiors, that they may in thee, and for thee, obey, serve, love, honour all superior powers. Unto the ignorant, and such as are not yet brought to the knowledge of thy truth, that their eyes may be opened, to the utter abolishing in them, whatsoever is not of faith. Unto the malicious persecutors also, that either their hearts may be turned, or else that thou take them away from among us. Unto the persecuted and afflicted, that they may end their conflicts with victory, whether it be by death or deliverance. Unto thy harvest, that it perish not for lack of reapers. Unto Universities and Schools, that they may attain to ripeness of good and godly knowledge, and use the same to the furtherance of thy kingdom. Unto this our Realm, that we may heartily repent us of all our sins; that thou mayst also repent thee of the punishment, which thou hast prepared for us, and ever continue thy goodness towards us as thou hast begun. Giving unto us, among thine other benefits, such authority of the ecclesiastical sword, to the amendment of all things, and reformation of all estates, as may be most to the propagation of thy truth and true religion. Finally, unto us all that are of the household of faith, that all other things set apart, we may only seek thee and thy kingdom, and ever sing praises unto thy holy name. These, O Lord, and all other graces agreeable to thy holy will, and expedient for us, grant unto thy servants in the name of jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with the holy Ghost, be all thanks, honour and glory, now and ever.  Daughter: 
Amen.    

Christian prayers, and divine meditations, as generally to be used at all times, so especially and properly upon all the holy Feasts and Saints days throughout the year, as they fall in order, and are commonly kept here in the Church of England and Ireland.  

And first, upon the principal Feast days of our Lord and Saviour jesus Christ, that is to say:  
On advent Sunday. In memorial of Christ his First coming in the flesh.  
Christmas day. In memorial of Christ his Nativity and birth.  
On New years day. In memorial of Christ his Circumcision.  
On Twelve day. In memorial of Christ his Apparition.  
On Ashwensday the 1. day of Lent. In memorial of Christ his Fasting.  
On First Sunday in Lent. In memorial of Christ his Temptation.  
On Maundie thursday. In memorial of Christ his Last Supper.  
On Good friday. In memorial of Christ his Passion.  
On Easter day. In memorial of Christ his Resurrection.  
On Ascension day. In memorial of Christ his Ascension.  
On whitsunday. In memorial of Christ his Sending of the holy Ghost.  
On Trinity Sunday. In memorial of Christ his The blessed Trinity.  
On Every Sunday, holie-day and working-day. In memorial of Christ his Last coming to judgement.   

1. On advent Sunday. Of the coming of Christ in the flesh.  

The Preface.  
BE of good cheer, and fear not (O you that are of a fearful heart,) for behold your God cometh his own self to take vengeance on his enemies, and will deliver you: Hosanna to the son of David.  
O daughter Zion be glad; O daughter jerusalem rejoice. For lo, the King cometh unto thee, even the righteous, thy Saviour, lowly, meek and simple; riding upon the fool of an ass, and bringing his recompense with him: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.  
Out of Zion hath God appeared in perfect beauty: Hosanna in the highest.  
Remember me, O Lord, according to thy favour that thou bearest unto thy people. O visit me with thy salvation. Hosanna.  
Show me thy ways, O Lord, and teach me thy path: Hosanna in the highest. Hosanna.   

The prayer.  
THE time is now at hand, when the Church calleth into mind the benefits of the son of GOD, which taking upon him our frail nature, appeared to the world, and came to visit us in great humility. And at the last day and resurrection of all mankind, will come again in his glorious Majesty, to judge both the quick and the dead; and show himself both to punish his enemies with everlasting pains, and to adorn his Church and chosen people with eternal glory. Wherefore, O Son of God, Lord and Saviour Christ, which as this day, in royal pomp didst enter into the holy city jerusalem for a public testimony of thine appearing: remove all impediments, we pray thee, that may hinder thy coming, and make a plain, and most easy way for thyself unto us. Gather us, we beseech thee, into that company, which are prepared to receive thee the King of all kings, and which set forth thy glory in spiritual songs, (not only this day through all the world, but also continually) and bear palms of victory before thee, and spread their garments in the way for joy of thy coming.  
Assist us, that being greatly separated from the damned crew of devils, and wicked persons; we may sound and set forth thy truth, in perfect confession, and righteousness all the days and time of our life. Be thou our King, both here in this world, and hereafter in the world to come: replenishing us against all the wicked enterprises of thine enemies, and making us (though babes and littleones) to extol and magnify thy name for ever. Keep us thy weak children depending upon thee, and running unto thy lap, even as infants unto their parents. Make us to follow thy words, which through thy spirit do sound within us, and power thy wisdom into us miserable men and women, that the pride and power of thine enemies may be confounded.  
Grant that with grateful minds we may publish abroad thy glorious victory, according to our calling and ability; cherish thy ministers, and venture both our life & living for the maintenance of thy truth. Moreover, bless us, O thou blessed seed of Abraham, by the virtue of thy presence: number us among thy chosen, which have their names from thee. And finally, give us grace now in the time of this mortal life, so to cast away from us the works of darkness, and to put upon us the armour of light; that in the last day of thy second coming in the clouds, we may rise through thee, to life immortal: and so, being adorned with that glory, which thou hast received from thine eternal Father, we may perpetually praise and extol thy Majesty, both here in this world, and for evermore in the world of worlds to come,  
Amen.  
Hosanna to thee O son of God in the highest. Hosanna.    

2. On Christmas day. Of the nativity and birth of Christ our Saviour.  

The Preface.  
A Child is borne unto us, and a son is given unto us. Glory be to God on high.  
Unto us is borne this day, in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. Halleluiah.  
The Lord sent a word unto jacob, the same is come into Israel, an everlasting Prince of peace. Halleluiah.  
Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other: truth shall flourish out of the earth, and righteousness hath looked down from heaven upon us, to speak peace unto his people, and gladness to his Saints. Halleluiah.  
Of the fruit of thy body will I set upon thy throne, and in Zion shall I make the horn of David to flourish. Halleluiah.  
The Sun cometh forth of (his tabernacle) the heavens, as a bridegroom out of his chamber, and rejoiceth as a Giant to run his course. Halleluiah.  
He shall give his Angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways: they shall bear thee in their hands, that thou hurt not thy foot against a stone. Halleluiah.  
For thou art fairer than the children of men: full of grace are thy lips, because God hath blessed thee for ever: yea God, even thine own God hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows. Halleluiah.  
Therefore in this day of thy power shall the people offer the free-will offerings with an holy worship; because the dew of thy birth is of the womb of the morning. Halleluiah.  
Glory be unto God on high, in earth peace, and good will towards men: Halleluiah, Halleluiah, Halleluiah.   

The Prayer.  
NOW is the joyful time, wherein all Saints both in heaven and earth do magnify and praise almighty God, for the incarnation of his only begotten Son our Saviour jesus Christ; who as this day was borne of the pure Virgin Marie, the which also the holy Angels of the Lord did celebrate with a most heavenly song. And no doubt, the blessed company of the elect departed out of this world, enjoying the comfortable sight of God, replenished with eternal wisdom, light and righteousness, yield most humble thanks unto the Son of God their Saviour and Redeemer, for his incomprehensible goodness declared unto mankind, in the order of their redemption, for the infinite benefits of their salvation, and for taking our frail nature and miserable flesh (subject unto all calamities and destruction) upon him, and carrying the same and us therewith unto eternal life.  
We therefore living in this vail of wretchedness, lift up our heads unto thee, O notable Silo, which art the fruit of the Virgin; and separate ourselves from the detestable & damned crew of unpure spirits; and of men pouring out blasphemous outcries against thy truth and glory. From our hearts we pray thee regenerate and make us thy children by adoption and grace, and daily renew us by thy holy spirit, to glorify thee. For of ourselves we are nothing but flesh and corruption, as they that are borne of flesh, and can not become thy children, except we be begotten and borne again by a new birth of the holy Ghost. Therefore we beseech thee renew us, I say, daily by thy mighty power from above, that being borne of the spirit, our hearts and our hands, our deeds and devices, and whatsoever is in us, may be spiritual as thou art. join us to the society of thine holy Angels, which sing glory to thee on high; and make us members of that congregation, which is knit unto thee by an indissoluble bond of everlasting peace, with grateful minds to record and celebrate thy benefits.  
We thank thee for saving mankind from eternal damnation, and for making the atonement between thy father and us, through thine incarnation, For so it was expedient, according to the order of justice, that the punishment of a guiltless man, should quit mankind guilty; and that a sufficient satisfaction might be made, it was required that he which would be the mediator, should be God. God, I say, to abide the intolerable burden of God's displeasure, to vanquish death, and to restore unto man life and salvation, to enter into the most holy place, and be an eternal Priest. God, to understand the secret counsel of the father, to be privy unto the cogitations of hearts, to hear the groans of all men, to be the King of his flock, defending the same against the power of sathan and his members. Finally God, to place his Church raised from death, in the eternal kingdom of his most glorious father. Now, forasmuch as the nature of man was not able to bring these things to pass, we thank thee O our saviour, being the word, the express image, and interpreter of the father, for vouchsafing to take the office of a mediator between God and us.  
Begin in us, we most humbly beseech thee, this so great a benefit. We are weak, we are fowl and filthy; but as thou wast brought into this miserable world, borne a weak infant, and that in a pinching time of the year, swaddled with wretched bands, endued with the rags of a miserable nature, and laid in a manger among the brutish kind, being notwithstanding the very wisdom of thine eternal father. So let thy wisdom appear in us miserable men & women in this woeful darkness of ours, among the black clouds of this doting age, amongst these troubles and destructions of Commonweals. Kindle in us the sparks of that wisdom, which shall be perfect in the life to come, and join us to the fellowship of thy Saints. Grant that from the heart, and joyfully we may ascribe all glory, fame, and honour unto thee the true God, which art wise, righteous, almighty, pure, liberal, and merciful, according to the rule described in thy commandments, which didst send thy Son to bring us to that glory; whereof we were deprived, and to restore us again to our first integrity, which was lost through sin.  
O Son of God, confirm thou, and seal these things in our hearts by thy holy spirit powered upon us, which may work within us unfeigned righteousness; that by the same thy spirit shining in the nature which thou tookest upon thee, we may be committed to thee, upholden, quickened, & brought by thee unto eternal life: that that league made between God and us, may eternally be confirmed, and we loved in the beloved; and the eternal Father may love us with that love, wherewith he loveth thee the substantial image of himself. Suppress the devil, that he break not this wonderful and profitable peace: and suffer us not hanging on thy neck, running to thine arms, seeking thy favour, to be plucked out of thy hands. Keep us, we beseech in thy lap, as a loving shepherd cherisheth and beareth about his tender lambs.  
And forasmuch as the first tidings of thy nativity were brought by the Angel of the Lord unto shepherds; grant that shepherds of the souls, that is, the ministers and teachers may faithfully testify thy benefits unto mankind, and publish abroad what they see & know, spreading forth thy fame, and glorifying God for the peace, which he hath eternally concluded with us; and finally may bring thy sheep to thy stall, that is, to the congregation of the faithful. Open before us thy swaddling clouts, which is thy word, that in this life it may cry within us, and we thereby may feel the sense of thy most sweet promises, which thine eternal Father hath uttered of thee; Blessed are all they, which put their trust in him.  
Furthermore, our petition is, that thou wilt bless us and our country, with all Commonweals. Increase among us daily the number of the faithful; prosper the course of the Gospel, and suffer not the light thereof, by the malice of Satan, to be extinguished. Likewise uphold those kingdoms, which minister relief unto thy Church. Repel from the borders of thy servants the rabblement of Turks & Infidels, which threaten the decay of thy Church, and destruction of kingdoms. Bless the labours of our hands; keep us from the contagious diseases: and last of all make us and ours the vessels of mercy, and profitable instruments to thy Church and Commonweal,  
Amen.  
Glory be to God on high.   

Or thus.  
Almighty God, and most merciful Father, who according to the prophesies spoken long before, hast given us thine own Son to be conceived of the holy Ghost, and borne of the blessed virgin, that in thy nature and ours he might be our holy, and true Emanuel, and Saviour, and Sanctifier of those that trust in him. Touch our hearts with thy holy spirit, that considering this so great love of thine, to abase thy Son to take upon him the form of a servant, to make us sons and heirs to thee, that our souls may magnify thee, O Lord our Saviour, and bless thee the Lord GOD of Israel, for thus visiting and redeeming thy people: and grant us also the fruit of this thy mercy, that by his holiness our uncleanness may be done away, and our corrupt nature sanctified by his holy birth and nativity; that we putting our trust in him, may by him be delivered both from all our sins, and all our enemies, and attain to the fruit of this his infinite love and goodness, even to serve him in holiness and righteousness all the days of our life, through the same thy dear son our Lord jesus Christ, to whom with thee and the holy Ghost, be all praise, honour and glory, for ever and ever,  
Amen.  
Glory be to God on high.   

Another Meditation of the marvelous incarnation of the word, which is Christ, by whose means it pleased God to help mankind fallen from him.  
BEhold now, O almighty God, the viewer and searcher of mine heart. Like as with heart I believe (which is counted righteousness unto me) so with mouth do I confess before thee (which is to my salvation) after what sort and manner thou didst vouchsafe in the end of the world to secure and aid mankind. Thou in deed only, O God the Father, art not read at any time or in any place to be sent; but of thy Son, the Apostle saith; When that the time was fulfilled, God sent his Son. In that he saith (he sent) he doth sufficiently declare, that he being sent came into this world. When as he being thy Son, O our God, and a gentle and kind lover of mankind, did take upon him to be the seed of Abraham, not of Angels, and so taking man's nature, not Angels, did vouchsafe to humble himself to be borne a very perfect man of blessed Marie a pure virgin; and so being made like unto us in all things, sin only excepted, (for he was the very lamb without spot that took away the sins of the world) did appear and show himself in the similitude of flesh subject to sin, that he might condemn sin for sin, and that we might be made the righteousness in him.  
But what is that, which he that is the chief of the Evangelists doth say? He was in the world, and the world was made by him. Thither truly was he sent by his humanity, where he always is, and alway hath been by his divinity. The which sending or embassage, I believe with all my heart, and confess with my mouth, to be the consent & work of all the whole Trinity. I believe also, that his manhood being in this my nature, during his infancy, was troubled with creeping and scralling, and was wrapped in clothes after the manner of other children, and was vexed in his youth with labours and troubles. I believe, I say, that the Godhead, which was sent of them, did take upon him mine humanity and nature, to the intent he (the Son of God) being made man, might cure mine infirmity, and redeem the sins of sinful man.  
Therefore do I bless thy name everlastingly, and glorify the same with all mine heart, O almighty and merciful Lord, for that unspeakable and marvelous conjunction of Godhead and manhood together, in the unity of a person: and not after this sort, that the one should be God, and the other man; but one and the same was both God and man, man and God. Nevertheless, although by thy marvelous will the word was made flesh; yet neither of both the natures was changed into other substance. In the mystery of the Trinity there is not a fourth person added. For the substance of the word of God and of man was united and knit together; but not confused and mixed, that that thing, which was taken of us, should be turned into God; and that which never had been before that time, that is, his flesh and manhood, should be the same that had been ever without any beginning, that is, his Godhead.  
Oh marvelous mystery! Oh unspeakable fellowship! Oh marvelous meekness of the heavenly mercifulness, which is ever worthy marveling, and ever to be loved! We were but vile servants; and behold, we are made the sons of God, yea and heirs of God together with Christ. From whence came this goodness? And who brought us to this state? But I require thee, O most merciful Father, by thine inestimable pity, goodness, and charity to make us worthy of these many and great promises of the same thy son our Lord jesus Christ. Send forth thy strength, O God, and establish the thing that thou hast wrought in us; make perfect that, which thou hast begun, that we may be able to come unto the fullness and perfectness of thy pity. Make us through the holy Ghost to understand, and through thy son to desire, and with due honour alway to worship this great mystery of thy pity in Christ his blessed nativity, so manifest in our flesh; that as thou hast given us him, thine only begotten Son I mean, to take our nature upon him, and this day to be borne of a pure virgin: so we being regenerate, and made thy children by adoption and grace, may daily be renewed by thy holy spirit, to glorify thee from our birth, through the same thy dear Son, our sovereign Lord, and sweet Saviour jesus; to whom with thee, and the holy Ghost, be immortal praise and thanksgiving, now and for ever,  
Amen.   

A meditation concerning the true knowledge of Christ's incarnation.  
THE knowledge of the truth is, first to know thyself, and to endeavour to be that which thou oughtest to be, and to amend that which ought to be amended. And secondly to know and to love thy maker and creator, for that is the whole happiness of a christian man or woman.  
See then how unspeakable the gracious goodness and entire love of God towards us is. He hath created us of nothing, and given us all that we have: but alas, forasmuch as we have loved the gift more than the giver, and the creature more than the Creator: therefore we are fallen into the devils snare, and become his bondslaves. Nevertheless, God being moved with compassion, sent his most dear and only Son to redeem us slaves, and his holy spirit to make us his sons and daughters again. He hath given his Son, I say, even his best beloved child, to be the price of our ransom; the holy Ghost as an assurance of his love; and to be short, he reserveth himself whole for us, to be the heritage of our adoption. And so almighty God, according to his exceeding graciousness and mercy, hath for very love and good will to mankind, bestowed not only his benefits, but also himself upon him to recover him again; not so much to himself, as to him. To the intent that man might be borne of God, God, I say, was first borne of them.  
O then who is so hard-hearted, that he will not be softened by the tender love of God thus preventing wretched man, with so great, hearty, and unspeakable good will, in that he vouchsafed to become man for man's sake? Yea, who can any more find in his heart to hate man or woman, whose nature and likeness he or she so plainly seethe in the manhood of God? Doubtless, he or she that hateth from henceforth a man or a woman, hateth God, and so looseth all his or her labour, whatsoever taken under pretence of Christianity. For God (as is said) became man for man's sake, that he might be a redeemer as well as a creator; and that man might be ransomed with his own goods, and that one man & woman might love another the more heartily. God, I say, appeared in the shape of a man, to the end that both body and soul might be made blessed, by renewing the eye of the mind in his Godhead, and the eye of the body in his manhood; so that whether man went in or out, he might find food in him laid up in store by him in his human nature. Most injurious therefore is that man or woman to God's divinity, that so by hating of their brethren and sisters, their own flesh, contemn Christ, and offend his humanity.   

The thanksgiving.  
ILift up my heart unto thee, O God; for it is very meet, right, and my bounden duty, that I should at all times, & in all places, give thanks unto thee, O Lord, holy father, almighty, and everlasting God: because thou didst give jesus Christ thine only Son to be borne as this day for me and all mankind, who by the operation of the holy Ghost was made very man of the substance of the blessed Virgin Marie his mother, and that without all spot of sin, to make us clean from all sin. Therefore, with Angels and Archangels, and with all the holy company of Saints and Virgins in heaven, I laud and magnify thy glorious name: evermore praising thee, and saying, Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God of hosts, heaven and earth are full of thy glory: Glory be to thee, O Lord, most high,  
Amen.    

3. On newyear's day. Of Christ his circumcision in the flesh.  

The Preface.  
CIrcumcise the foreskin of your heart, and be no more stiff-necked. Deuter. 18.  
Be ye circumcised in the Lord, I say, and cut away the foreskin of your heart, and evil affections, all ye inhabitants of juda and jerusalem. jere. 4.  
For the circumcision of the heart, which consisteth in the spirit, and not in the letter, is the true circumcision, whose praise is not of men, but of God. Rom. 4.  
Yea we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh. Philip. 3.  
For circumcision verily availeth, if thou keep the law; but if thou be a breaker of the ordinances of the law, thy circumcision is made uncircumcision, etc. Rom. 2.  
Oh that my ways were made so direct, that I might keep thy statutes, so shall I not be confounded! Order my steps in thy word, and so shall no wickedness have dominion over me.  
I will keep thy ceremonies, O forsake me not utterly. Halleluiah.   

The Prayer.  
O Lord jesus Christ, Son of the living God, we thank thee, forasmuch as after thy decree concerning the redemption of mankind, from the beginning thou hast been present with thy Church outwardly by speaking unto her by thy ministers, and inwardly by kindling thy light and righteousness in the hearts of the faithful. Thou hast ratified thy promises by outward signs and ceremonies, whereby every man may apply the benefits unto himself. So did thy burnt offerings and sacrifices testify of thee, which afterwards should be slain. The flames of fire, which from heaven did set on fire the offerings, did witness of thy presence, that as many as should behold thy benefits with a true faith, thou wouldst quicken with the sacrifice of thine holy spirit, which inflameth true knowledge and good motions within the godly.  
That life was given to them of thy mere mercy, the first parents did know full well, when it was said, that a woman shall bring forth. And because the mediator was called that seed of the woman, and withal, promised to be the subduer of Satan, they knew that he should be both God and man. The same promise was repeated unto Abraham, the father of the faithful. And forasmuch as restraint was made unto a certain nation, thou didst add a new rite of circumcision, whereby not only the posterity of Abraham was discerned from other nations, but also it was a testimony admonishing of the seed to come, which was Christ, who should take our weak flesh upon him, and bear our nature, and bring both jews and Gentiles unto eternal felicity.  
Wherefore, we yield thee humble thanks, forasmuch as hitherto thou hast continued this sound of thy person and office, notwithstanding the great raging of thine enemies: for appearing at the length in the flesh, for giving thyself unto us for a newyear's gift of inestimable price, for being made under the law, & a curse to save us wretches from the curse of the law, and to restore us unto innocency lost through sin. For which cause, thy blessed will was, as upon this day to be circumcised in the flesh, and now first of all to shed thy precious blood for us that are of uncircumcised hearts and lips, and all to show that thou camest in deed of the very seed of Abraham, and waste subject to the law, curse, and condemnation for us; and that our corrupt nature, by thy holiness might be sanctified, and have through thee, an obedience to answer the same withal.  
We beseech thee therefore, grant us the true circumcision of the spirit, that our hearts & all our members being mortified from all worldly and carnal lusts, we may in all things obey thy blessed will, and here stay ourselves, and put our trust in thee, that thus hast humbled thyself so low for us, that we may be exalted by thee. And from our hearts we pray thee join us to that holy company, that did wait for thy redemption before it came, and do rejoice in it now it is come and performed, and with the sacred host of Angels to give all glory & renown unto thee, for bringing thy peace, which passeth all understanding, upon the earth, and declaring so great kindness and good will towards us, as to give thyself, and thereby everlasting joy and bliss for a newyear's gift of worthy memorial, and inestimable value, to be our own for ever and ever.  
Speak henceforth to our hearts with thy lovely voice. Lighten the lamp of our minds with thy heavenly knowledge. Confirm us with thy blessed Sacraments, which are the certain tokens of thine undoubted regeneration and quickening of us. Oh take away the curse, the wrath of God, damnation, the works of the flesh and the devil. Grant me, I beseech thee, that thy grace may daily mortify my concupiscence of pleasures in things of this world, that is, of wealth, riches, glory, liberty, favour of men, meats, drinks, apparel, ease, yea and life itself: that the horror and impatiency of more grievous things may be weakened, and I accustom myself to deny my will in more easy and pleasant things of this life, and for ever become obedient and ready in all Christian patience, to do thy good will in all things, heartily and willingly to serve thee, and do whatsoever may please thee.  
Make me, I say, through the effectual power of thy grace and holy spirit working in me most miserable wretch, to hate, abhor, fly, and subdue all adultery, whoredom, uncleanness, unnatural lusts, evil concupiscence, inordinate desires, wantonness, tenderness, delicateness, idleness, drunkenness, gluttony, slothfulness, distrust, despair, ignorance, weakness, wilfulness, idolatry, superstition, hypocrisy, heresy, error, sects, variance, strife, wrath, envy, slanders, lying, swearing, cursing, vainglory, pride, covetousness, theft, deceit, flattery; and whatsoever else, O Lord, fighteth or rebelleth against thy holy spirit. And strengthen me so with thy might, that I may not only draw all these mine earthly members and horrible vices before rehearsed, under my feet; but also fight continually against them, & subdue them, so that they may all turn to the best for me, as meet matter whereon I may exercise my faith, power forth hearty prayer, and give thee most hearty thanks for victory. Finally, work in me thy blessing, with all the fruits of the spirit, righteousness, peace, love, joy in the holy Ghost, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faithfulness, meekness, temperance, strength, patience, and such like. Grant us the remission of our sins, righteousness and life. Restore in our minds thy law, and begin such a new conformity, this new year in this our life and conversation, as may be perfect in the life to come. Be thou our saviour by thy power and merit, that in our minds we may perceive that thy Father is at peace with us through thy death, and find thee dwelling within us to eternal life and happiness,  
Amen.  
Halleluiah.    

4. On the epiphany, or twelve day. Of the apparition of Christ, and the three Kings, and their offerings to Christ.  

The Preface.  
GET thee up beetimes, and be bright, O daughter jerusalem. For thy light cometh, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee.  
Lift up thine eyes, & look round about thee. For behold the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness that springeth forth upon thee.  
The multitude of camels and dromedaries that bring the riches of the Gentiles shall cover thee: all they of Saba, Mada, and Epha shall come bringing gold, incense, and showing forth the praise of the Lord.  
All these gather themselves and come to thee: thy sons shall come unto thee from far, and thy daughters shall gather themselves to thee on every side, from the east, and from the west.  
The isles also shall wait for me, and specially the ships of Tharsis, that they may bring thy sons and daughters from far, and their silver and their gold with them, unto the name of the Lord thy God, unto the holy one of Israel that hath glorified thee.  
Stranger's shall build up thy walls, and their kings shall do thee service; yea kings, princes, and the host of the Gentiles shall see and arise, and worship thee. For I have made thee the light of the Gentiles, that thou mayst be my health unto the end of the world.  
Thou shalt suck the milk of the Gentiles, and kings breasts shall feed thee: kings, I say, shall be thy nursing fathers, and Queens shall be thy nursing mothers.  
And those shall come kneeling unto thee that have vexed thee, and all they that despise thee shall fall at thy feet before thee, with their faces flat upon the earth, and lick up the dust of thy feet.  
Yea, every people and kingdom that serveth not thee shall perish, and be destroyed with utter destruction, and thou shalt know that I am the Lord, the Saviour and Redeemer, even the mighty one of jacob: and that whosoever putteth his trust in me shall not be confounded.  
They that dwell in the wilderness, I say, shall kneel before the King's son: his enemies shall lick the dust.  
The king of Tharsis and of the isles, shall give presents; the kings of Arabia & Saba shall bring gifts.  
All kings shall fall down before him: all nations shall do him service.  
He shall live, and unto him shall be given the gold of Arabia.  
Prayer shall be made ever unto him, and daily shall he be praised.  
The Lord declared his salvation, his righteousness hath he openly showed in the sight of the heathen.  
All the world shall worship thee, O God; sing of thee, and praise thy name most high.  
The Lord is King, the earth may be glad thereof; yea the multitude of isles may rejoice and be glad thereof.  
Bring therefore unto the Lord, O ye mighty: bring presents and gifts unto the Lord, O ye kindreds and nations of the world. Come, I say, into his courts with praise, and speak good of his name.  
Ascribe unto the Lord, only the strength, power, kingdom and glory: worship God, I say, O ye gods, kings, judges, and rulers of the earth: worship him with an holy worship, and give him the honour due unto his name. O make his praises to be glorious in your lives and conversation. For he it is that hath exalted you, and is himself exalted far above all gods, and his praise and glory is above heaven and earth. Halleluiah.   

The Prayer.  
eternal God, Father of our Lord jesus Christ, which after a wonderful manner revealedst thyself at the baptism of Christ standing in the water of jordan, at such time as thou didst testify of thy son; and the holy Ghost appeared in the likeness of a dove: govern us by thine holy spirit, that in true faith we may obey thee; kindle in our minds a true knowledge of thy benefits; bring to pass, that approaching unto thee in our prayers we may discern thee, the true God, above all feigned gods, & in mind turn ourselves into that bank of the water, into the company of those godly auditors and beholders, before whom this noble appearing was made. Speak unto us by thy son in the holy Ghost, and turn us unto true obedience. And as thou broughtest godly auditors unto the sight of Christ, which taking our flesh upon him became our mediator; and thou eternal Father spakest out of the cloud, and the holy Ghost appeared in the likeness of a dove: so bring to pass, that in this life we may depend upon the benefit of thy soon, which coupled our nature unto his, to make an eternal covenant with us. Cause the heavens in like manner to be opened unto us, that we may hear thy voice, and thy spirit rest upon us. Work in us the beginning of eternal life, until in thy visible presence we shall be hold thy diviniuntill in the heavens, not darkly and in a cloud; but face to face, being made like thy son.  
And as those Christian Magicians or Philosophers of Persia, some remnants of the school of Daniel, by the conduct and leading of a star, came from far to see thee, and gave a notable testimony of the birth of Christ jesus our Saviour: so maintain evermore for thine own glory sake, some congregation, which may set forth and celebrate thy benefits. Grant that that lucky star, the light of faith, may rise unto us, which seeketh thee in Bethlem in a manger, in thy word revealed in the ministery, that we wander not from the right way, neither seek feigned by-ways of human opinions & service. Suffer not the lamp of thy light to be extinguished, either by the darkness of hypocrites and idolaters, or by the rage of tyrants, which wage mortal battle against thee: but grant, that endued with new light from thee the true Sun of righteousness, we may rejoice from our whole hearts, and acknowledge thee to be our captain, which wilt govern thy people in truth and equity. Let the light of thy grace, I say, lighten the darkness of our conscience, O merciful jesus, our true & bright loade-star of the world; and by thy joyful apparition, give unto us the full knowledge both of thyself, and of our own selves, that within we may see thee, and inwardly find thee, and that there we may continually offer unto thy holy Majesty, the myrrh of sincere faith, and inward contrition, and the frankincense of devout prayer and invocation, and the gold of love, righteousness, and patience in trouble; and so ascribing unto thee the honour of a King, and the service due unto God, may show all true liberality with the godly, both unto thee, and thy poor Church, and bear sufficient testimony to the world of thy kingdom, divinity, priesthood, humanity, cross, death, and burial, and take hold of the manifold benefits thereof, and outwardly also may in our places, office and calling, help to maintain thy ministery, to the uttermost of our power. And grant that as thou (after thou hadst revealed and manifested thyself unto the three wise men, by the leading of a star) causedst them to return another way into their own country: so we, (which by the way of darkness and offences have retired and gone back from the supernal country of blessedness, thou, the bright daie-star of the world being our guide) may return unto the same by the way of truth and grace; and that now knowing thee by faith, when we depart out of this life, we may be brought into that kingdom, where thy divinity shall shine without mists or mysteries, and there have the fruition of thy glorious Godhead, and worship thee, and praise thee for ever and ever,  
Amen.  
Halleluiah.    

5. On Ashwednesdaie, or first day of Lent. Of Christ his fasting forty days.  

The Preface.  
LEt the Bridegroom come forth of his chamber, and the Bride out of her closet, and let all sinners weep before the Lord, & say: Turn thou us, O good Lord, and so shall we be turned. Be favourable O Lord, be favourable to thy people, & spare us, which rend our hearts & not our garments, & turn to thee in fasting, weeping & praying. For thou art a merciful God, full of compassion, long suffering, and of great pity. Thou sparest, when we deserve punishment, and in thy wrath thinkest upon mercy. Oh spare thy people, good Lord; spare them, and let not thine heritage be brought to confusion. Hear us, O Lord; for thy mercy is great, and after the multitude of thy mercies look upon us. Have mercy upon us, O God, have mercy upon us miserable sinners.  
¶ Hear say the seven penitential Psalms following, and other prayers, for contrition and repentance, as you think good.   

The Prayer.  
O Lord God jesus Christ, our only redeemer, which tookest upon thee our sinful flesh, and livedst therein a life most holy in all righteousness for our example, and didst through the power of thy Godhead and divine nature, most reverently obey in all things the will of thine heavenly Father, with subduing in this flesh, with great triumph, glory and majesty, the power of the devil, the world, and the flesh; that only in thee, the spirit of sanctification might myraculouslie appear, and bear sway with fullness in the sight of all flesh, during the course of this life, and for ever after to remain with power in glory, very God with very God, in the kingdom of God the Father. We beseech thee most humbly, O Lord jesus, which hatest nothing that thou hast made, and doest forgive the sins of all them that be penitent, to have compassion upon us in our weakness and infirmity; that as thou hast for our safety taken upon thee our flesh, and for our sakes didst fast forty days and forty nights, and hast diversly in thine own person felt as a man, the frail state of our mortal nature, and how inclinable it is without thy divine power, to fall from the obedience of thy will that is heavenly, to the suggestions of sathan the old enemy, and to the allurements of things earthly, vain and transitory. So we beseech thee, O our God, to grant unto us thine holy spirit, that by the strength thereof in us proceeding from thee, we may in our weakness have power, that our enemy may be resisted, the world defied, the flesh vanquished, and our spirit quickened; whereby we may most gladly obey thy godly will, and turn unto thee with all our hearts, both in unfeigned repentance, in hearty contrition, and earnest confession, and also in true fasting, in competent feeding, in faithful praying, in charitable dealing, in chaste looking, in reverent beholding, in godly hearing, in fruitful speaking, in holy thinking, free from flattering, void of detraction, slander, lying, false accusation, blasphemy, outfacing, idle talk, or filthy communication, and to tread steadilie in all things the steps of true holiness before thee, as thou hast most graciously lead us, and taught us the way, that with all simplicity, both outwardly and inwardly in body and soul, and in all parts and members of them, our fast this Lent and ever may not be profane, earthly, hypocritish, superstitious, or carnal, to the view of the world; but holy, heavenly, and spiritual to thee. Give us grace, I say, not so much to abstain from meats, as from ill manners; nor from flesh, as from filthy cogitations. For as thou, O God, wilt be worshipped in spirit and truth; so the spiritual fast it is which pleaseth thee. Suffer us not, gracious God, to abuse thy good creatures immoderately, to the hurt both of our bodies and souls, but temperately, the better to serve thee, and as soberly to take our food, so carefully to abstain from sin. For otherwise, to abstain from meat, and not to refrain from pride, covetousness, concupiscence, lewdness, and such like vices, it shall but hurt our bodies through an hypocritical abstinence, and cast away our souls through our exceeding impiety. Assist us with thy secret grace therefore, we beseech thee, to use such abstinence, that our flesh being subdued to the spirit, we may ever obey thy godly motions in righteousness and true holiness, to our rejoicing with peace of conscience; and that obtaining of thee the God of all mercy, perfect remission and forgiveness, with abundance of thy grace, we may show forth fruitfully thy glory all the days of our lives, and after this life ended, reign with thee for ever, in thy glorious kingdom, where all holy folk do rest, and which by thy blessed nativity, holy circumcision, fasting, temptation, cross, death & passion, thou hast alone so dearly purchased for us, to the perpetual praise of thine eternal name,  
Amen.  
I have sinned, I have sinned, have mercy upon me.    

6. On the first Sunday in Lent. Of Christ his temptation in the wilderness, and most glorious conquest over Satan.  

The Preface.  
MY son, if thou wilt come into the service of God, stand fast in righteousness and fear, and prepare thy soul to temptation, for he that is not tempted, what is he?  
Remember alway the Lord thy God, which lead thee forty years in the wilderness for to humble thee, and to prove thee, and to know what was in thine heart, whether thou wouldst keep his commandments or no.  
He humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with Manna, which neither thou nor thy fathers knew of, to make thee know that a man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the Lord, doth a man live.  
To day therefore if you will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, and as in the day of temptation in the wilderness, when your fathers tempted me, proved me, and saw my works.  
Forty years long was I grieved with this generation, and said; It is a people that do err in their hearts, for they have not known my ways: unto whom I swore in my wrath, that they should not enter into my rest.  
Examine me, O Lord, and prove me; try out my reins and my heart. For thy loving kindness is ever before mine eyes, and I will walk in thy truth. I have sinned, have mercy upon me.   

The Prayer.  
THE cause of thine appearing in the flesh, O Son of God, Lord and Saviour Christ, was to destroy the works of sathan, which our first parents did. The devil, through hatred of thee, and of thine eternal father, encountered in visible form. He soaked into their minds certain suspicions and doubtings of thy will, and pricked them on, with a desire of a more excellent nature, being themselves of all the creatures the most excellent. He tickled them with the spur of pride and ambition, and so by his subtlety carried them headlong with himself, being withdrawn from thee, into the bottomless pit of eternal destruction. But thou incensed against him, through the infinite and unspeakable good will, which thou bearest to mankind, tookest us miserable wretches out of the insatiable jaws of our mortal enemy; and in thy flesh at length, when he dreaded not to assail thee our Captain, thou puttest him to a shameful flight, and dravest him from thee and thine: so that at any time, through thy small assistance, we may both repel him, and prevail against his fierce assaults of temptations.  
Unto thee, O almighty God, and victorious Captain, with godly groans do we cry, requiring at thy merciful hands to be made of the number of thy celestial soldiers, partners of thy glorious victory, and enjoyers of thy happiness. Arm us with thy heavenly armour, that is, with the knowledge of thy word and spiritual consolations, whereby we may be able to repel the fiery darts of that foul fiend.  
Against thy Church in all ages hath this enemy of thine set himself, and brought these engines to their overthrow, which he used against thine own person, at such time as thou goest from thy baptism to preaching, knowing that thy prosperity would be his decay; and yet through the will of God, did not acknowledge thee to be the Messiah. He troubled thee, being in the wilderness without worldly power, aid, wealth and riches; with horrible cogitations did he vex thy soul, and troubled thy heart with grief unspeakable. At this time thy Church lieth in the wilderness, poorly and miserably doth she lie oppressed with wrongful injuries, and mighty troubles. He laugheth thereat, derideth the Saint's standing under the cross, he bids stones to be made bread, he contemneth their misery, and casteth in their teeth the glory and wealth of his kingdom. Assist us, that in these temptations we may lay hold of the armour of proof, and behold this noble answer of thine, Man liveth not by bread only.  
We knowledge thee, with the everliving Father and the holy Ghost, to be a true and almighty God, giving us the bread of life, and so ordaining, that with corporal things we are fed and sustained in this life, O eternal Father, which knowest what we need, and alone canst give a reason, why after this manner thou wilt feed us, and not as thou doest the stars without corporal things. Give unto the Church of thy wisdom such things as are necessary for the sustentation of this life, wherein the joys of the life eternal and to come doth begin. And albeit sometimes we lack divers things, although thine adversary throweth stones at us for bread; yet by thy power strengthen us that we faint not. Thou art our maker, we are thy workmanship. In thy hands is the whole frame of this world. We live not by bread alone, or by our own industry, neither art thou tied with a fatal chain of second causes, but by thy decree, by thy will do we breath, in thee we live, move, and have our being. At thy commandment we take life, and when thou biddest, we leave this world.  
Wherefore, if so it please thee, we shall live as do the birds of the air, which have no protection, or as the child in the mother's womb, which knoweth not how he liveth. And as he, albeit lying in great darkness, and covered in secret parts, receiveth nourishment after a marvelous manner from his mother, and at length by the course of nature cometh safe and sound into this world: so we, notwithstanding our living in palpable darkness of this life, and wrapped in the miseries of this world, among the pack of thine enemies, yet armed with thy word and promise, do receive comfort thereby, and are protected by thee after a wonderful sort, and at length trust to be delivered out of this body of sin, and to come to a better life, which never shall have end. For we are not made to live always in this world in misery, but thou hast prepared a more glorious life for thy servants, the sweetness whereof beginneth in this world. Thy word is our life, O eternal Father. Thy Son is the word speaking to us both inwardly and outwardly. Outwardly by his ministers he uttereth from thy bosom thy will and commandments, and inwardly he speaketh to our souls, raising up godly cogitations and manners pleasing thee; so that a double life is reserved for us, to wit, a corporal and a spiritual, not through bread, not through our own merits, but through thy will revealed by thy Son.  
Furthermore, forsomuch as sathan useth another kind of weapon to the destruction of the godly, when thy Church enjoyeth quietness and peace, by stirring of excellent & good wits, and teachers armed with public authority, unto curiosity and ambition, whereby through envy and hatred, vain contentions are moved, famous men cast themselves from the pinnacle of the Temple, and heresies do arise: we humbly beseech thee in this respect also, because it is more hurtful than the former subtlety of sathan, repress thine enemy which corrupteth thy word, and useth the same for the confirmation of damnable opinions. Quench all the flames of ambition, pride and curiosity. Lead us not into temptation, neither suffer us to tempt thee, to contend with thee through pride, in setting our own wisdom and subtlety against thee, which was the overthrow of our first parents. Suffer us not to forsake thy word, neither permit that fowl and lying spirit to falsify the same in us; but make us constantly to rest upon thy promise, as to a sacred and sure anchor, setting it against all the motions of curiosity and pride.  
Last of all, remove from us that horrible torment of idolatry. The world at this day is wrapped in idle service, yea unwittingly the whole world is full of idols, to the great dishonour of thy name. Feigned gods are erected, superstitious invocations are confirmed, idolaters swim in wealth and rule the roast, thy glory is defaced, thy majesty blasphemed, the devil rageth and reigneth, he giveth kingdoms, and disposeth the goods of this world, if his words be true, as he lieth shamefully. For thou it is, and thou alone, which alterest Empires, and confirmest them at thy pleasure. If order be observed, thou causest it, but all misorder is raised by the devil, for the which he shall be punished of thee with pains eternal.  
Wherefore have mercy on us, O God, have mercy on us; deliver us from the thick mud of idolatry; make us to lift up our eyes unto thee the son of glory, that abhorring all feigned service and ceremonies contrary to thy word, we may acknowledge, serve, and sanctify thee the true God, Father, Son, and holy Ghost, which by and for thy Son doest deliver us from the power of Satan, and make us heirs of thine everlasting kingdom, which alone knowest the hearts and groans of all creatures, which only will be called upon in the name of thy Son, and hear us only for his sake. Wherefore unto thee, O our God and jehova, do we speak; thee only through thine; assistance will we serve, and never give thy glory to another. Take up that impudent thief Satan, which would steal away thine honour; banish him far from thy Church. But guard both our bodies & souls with the guard of thine holy Angels, which may pitch their tents about us, and encounter with Satan, which besetteth us on all sides. Deliver us out of his hands from all miseries of this life, and last of all passing out of this world, carry our souls unto the society of thy Saints in life eternal,  
Amen.  
I have sinned; I have sinned; have mercy upon me.   

Of the Devil, and his manifold temptations.  
THere wanted a tempter, and thou wert the cause that he was wanting: there wanted time and place, and thou wert the cause that they wanted: the tempter was present, and there wanted neither place nor time; but thou holdest me back that I should not consent. The tempter came full of darkness as he is, and thou didst harden me that I might despise him. The tempter came armed and strongly; but to the intent he should not overcome me, thou didst restrain him, and strengthen me. The tempter came transformed into an Angel of light; and to the intent he should not deceive me, thou didst rebuke him; and to the intent I should know him, thou didst enlighten me.  
For he is that great red dragon, and that old serpent, called the devil and Satan, which hath seven heads, and ten horns, whom thou hast created to take his pleasure in this huge and broad sea, wherein there creep living wights innumerable, and beasts great and small: that is to say, divers sorts of fiends, which practise nothing else day nor night, but to go about seeking whom they may devour, except thou rescue him. For it is that old dragon, which was bred in the paradise of pleasure, which draweth down the third part of the stars of heaven with his tail, and casts them to the ground; which with his venem poisoneth the waters of the earth, that as many men as drink of them may die; which triumpheth upon gold as if it were mire; and is of opinion, that jordan shall run into his mouth: and which is made of such a mould as he feareth no man.  
And who shall save us from his chaps? Who shall pluck us out of his mouth, saving thou, O Lord, who hast broken the heads of the great dragon? Help us, Lord: spread out thy wings over us, O Lord, that we may fly under them from the face of this dragon that pursueth us; and fence thou us from his horns with thy shield. For his continual endeavour and only desire is, to devour the souls which thou hast created. And therefore we cry unto thee our God, deliver us from our daily adversary, who whether we sleep or wake; whether we eat or drink; or whether we be doing any thing else, presseth upon us by all kind of means; assaulting us day and night with trains and policies, and shooting his venomous arrows at us, sometime openly, and sometime privily, to slay our souls: and yet are we most lewdly overseen, O Lord, in that whereas we see the dragon continually in a readiness, to devour us with open mouth: we nevertheless do sleep and riot in our own slothfulness, as though we were out of his danger, who desireth nothing else, but to destroy us.  
Our enemy, to the intent to kill us, watcheth continually, and never sleepeth, and yet will not we wake from sleep to save ourselves. Behold, he hath pitched infinite snares before our feet, and filled all our ways with sundry traps, to catch our souls. And who can escape them? He hath laid snares for us in our riches; he hath laid snares in our poverty; he hath laid snares in our meat, in our drink, in our pleasures, in our sleep, and in our waking: he hath set snares for us in our words, and in our works, and in all our life; but Lord, deliver us from the net of the fowlers, and from hard words, that we may give praise to thee, saying: Blessed be the Lord, who hath not given us up to be torn with their teeth. Our soul is delivered, as a sparrow out of the net of the fowler; the net is broken, and we be escaped.   

Against the temptation of Satan, pray thus:  
O Lord jesus Christ, the only stay and fence of our mortal state; our only hope, our only salvation, our glory, and our triumph: who in the flesh, (which thou hadst for our only cause taken upon thee) didst suffer thyself to be tempted of Satan, and who only and alone of all men didst utterly overcome and vanquish sin, death, the world, the devil, and all the kingdom of hell; & whatsoever thou hast so overcomed, for our behalf it is, that thou hast overcomed it; neither hath it been thy will to have any of thy servants keep battle and fight with any of the foresaid evils, but of purpose to reward us with a crown of the more glory for it; and to the intent that thou mightest likewise overcome sathan in thy members, as thou hast afore done in thine own person. Give thou, we beseech thee, unto us thy soldiers, O Lion most victorious of the tribe of juda, strength against the roaring Lion, which continually wandereth to and fro, seeking whom he may devour. Thou being that same Serpent, the true giver of health and life, that was nailed on high upon a tree, give unto thy little seely ones, wiliness against the deceitful awaitings of the most subtle serpent. Thou being a Lamb as white as snow, the vanquisher of satans tyranny, give us thy little sheep the strength and virtue of thy spirit, that being in our own selves weak and feeble, and in thee strong and valiant, we may withstand and overcome all assaults of the devil, so that our ghostly enemy may not glory over us: but being conquerors through thee, we may give thanks to thy mercy, which never leavest them destitute that put their trust in thee, who livest and reignest God for evermore, world without end,  
Amen.    

7. On Thursedaie next before Easter, commonly called Maundie Thursedaie. Of Christ his last feast or institution of the Sacrament of the Supper, and of his great humility in washing his disciples feet afterward.  

The Preface.  
I (Saith Wisdom) have killed my victuals, drawn my wine, and prepared my table.  
Come now unto me all ye poor in spirit, that are empty and an hungered: come ye fat and rich also upon earth, that go astray and faint for thirst.  
Come, I say, O friends, eat of my meat worthily, and worship me: drink of my wine purely, and glorify me. Make ye merry at my table holily, and praise me O well-beloved.  
For it is I that satisfy the mouth with good things, and fill the hungry soul with spiritual dainties.  
Yea my flesh is meat in deed, and my blood is drink in deed, which I have provided for my people, and he that eateth me, even he shall live by me.  
Happy and blessed therefore are they that are called to the Lamb's supper: for they shall eat Manna, even Angel's food, in the kingdom of heaven.  
Lord bid me unto this feast, and grant that I may sup with thee, and thou with me.  
Lord wash not my feet only, but my hands and head also: for I am altogether unclean; and if thou wash me not, I shall remain filthy still.  
O wash me therefore throughlie from my wickedness, and cleanse me from my secret faults, and purge me from my presumptuous sins.  
For I have sinned, I have offended, oh forgive me, and have mercy on me.   

The Prayer.  
O Blessed Saviour, and dear Redeemer jesus Christ, which in the holy mystery of thy last Supper, with thine Apostles, didst deliver thy blessed body and blood under the form of bread & wine; and ordeinedst, that as thy body was broken, and thy blood shed for us, so we should thankfully celebrate and keep a solemn memory of thy death, till thou come. Grant us, we beseech thee, ever steadfastly to believe, and kindly to acknowledge thine infinite and almighty power, thine incomprehensible love towards us, and that we may alway worthily receive the same blessed Sacrament, according to thy holy ordinance, that thereby we may obtain increase of all goodness, in unity of spirit with thee our head, and by thee and thy spirit, with all the company of them that be truly thine, which be thy spiritual and mystical body, and our spiritual and Christian brethren and sisters.  
Suffer us not also, we beseech thee, to fall into any slothful and careless negligence, whereby we should unkindly forget so inestimable a benefit; but rather at all occasions, with minds worthily prepared for so holy an action, thankfully to renew the memory of thy so infinite love towards us, and to receive the grace which thereby is offered unto us, to the joining of us continually nearer unto thee, till we be joined without any separation unto thee through thee.  
Finally, as in thine own blessed person thou hast given an example of perfect love, whereby in humbleness and meekness we should serve one another, as thou being the Lord and master of us all, didst vouchsafe, after thy last Supper, to wash the feet of thy disciples and servants; grant us that loving and meek spirit of thine, whereby we may be far from disdain, and despising of our brethren, and ready in all good things to be dutiful and serviceable unto them in thee and for thee, that as thou hast left us in commandment, we may love one another as thou hast loved us, and thereby be known to be thy disciples, especially O Christ, that we may be faithful in our love toward thee, who for our sakes wast content to be unfaithfully and unfriendly betrayed of him, that had lived familiarly with thee, that thou mightest thereby assure us of thine everlasting love and mercy. To thee therefore, with the Father and the holy Ghost, be all praise, honour and glory now and for ever,  
Amen.  
I have sinned, I have sinned, have mercy on me.    

8. On Good friday. Of Christ his passion and shameful suffering for our sins.  Leuiti. 23, 27, etc. 
THIS is the day of reconciliation, to make an atonement for you before the Lord your God: therefore shall it be an holy convocation unto you. And you shall humble yourselves this day in fasting and prayer, and offer sacrifice made by fire unto the Lord. And whatsoever soul it be that thus humbleth not himself this day, even he shall be cut off and destroyed from among his people. Let this be a law and ordinance in your generations, and in all your dwellings for ever, saith the Lord.  

The Preface.  
CHrist now once in the end of the world, through the eternal spirit, offered himself a Lamb without spot to God; suffered for sins, the just for the unjust; died for all, and was killed upon the altar of the cross, as pertaining to the flesh, but was quickened in the spirit, to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. woe and alas that ever I sinned!  
Christ became sin, and a curse for us, to redeem us sinners from the curse of the law, and to reconcile us unto the blessing and favour of God his father, that we should be made the righteousness of God in him. woe and alas that ever I sinned!  
Christ was obedient unto the death, even unto the most vile and shameful death of the cross, to deliver us from death, hell, and damnation, and to translate and bring us into the kingdom of God his father. woe and alas that ever I sinned!  
Christ being in the form of God, took on him the form of a servant, and made himself of no reputation: but for the joy that was set before him, endured such blasphemy, railing, & evil speaking against him of shameless sinners; and when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, threatened not: but committing the vengeance to him that judgeth righteously, despised the shame, and endured the cross, and suffered for us wretches: leaving us an example that we should likewise follow his steps; by whose stripes we are healed. woe and alas that ever I sinned!  
Oh my soul, come therefore let us lay away that that presseth down, and the sin that hangeth so fast on; and let us run with patience unto the battle that is set before us, looking up unto jesus the captain and finisher of our faith, and only rejoice in the cross of Christ.  
And seeing we have redemption by his blood, even the forgiveness of our sins past, present, and to come: and for as much as we know how we are redeemed from our old vain conversation, not with corruptible things, as silver and gold; but even with the precious blood of Christ, who in his own self bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we being delivered from sin, should live unto righteousness; who suffered also for us in the flesh, that we henceforth should live, as much time as remained in the flesh; not after the lusts of men, but after the will of God; and rejoice only in the cross of Christ.  
Let us take heed we walk not with those that are enemies to the cross of Christ, and crucify him daily afresh by blasphemy, and all manner of ungodliness; whose belly is their God; whose glory is their shame, and whose end is eternal damnation, both of body and soul: but rather with those that have their consciences purged from dead works to serve the living God. Let us now pass the rest of the time of this our abode here in trembling and fear: and ever rejoice in the cross of Christ. For it is sufficient for us, that we have spent the time that is passed of this life, after the will of the Gentiles, walking in wantonness, in lusts, in excess of wines, in excess of eating and drinking, and in excess of riot and abominable idolatry.  
Therefore I cry woe and alas, that ever I sinned: out upon me wretch that thus grievously have offended. O God my God, I ask thee mercy: have mercy upon me, O Lord; have mercy upon me: woe is me that ever I transgressed.  
Oh my soul, let us now esteem to know nothing, save jesus Christ, and him crucified. Yea, God forbidden that we should rejoice in any thing, but in the cross of our Lord jesus Christ, whereby the world is crucified to us, and we unto the world, that being crucified with Christ, we may live with God.  
And having now liberty to enter into the holy place, in the blood of jesus, by the new & living way which he hath prepared for us, through the vail of his flesh: let us consider one another, to provoke unto love and good works, and draw nigh with a true and penitent heart, in assurance of faith, sprinkled in our hearts from an evil conscience, to meditate daily of his mercies: and to give him thanks continually for the benefits of his passion, & our eternal redemption, and still to rejoice in the cross of Christ jesus our Lord, and say:   

The Prayer.  
O Lord jesus Christ, Son of the living God, both with mouth and hearty affection we glorify thee, and praise thy name with immortal thanks; for that of thine infinite goodwill towards mankind, thou vouchsafest to become an intercessor for us unto thine heavenly Father, for bearing his horrible wrath conceived against us through our sins, and for offering thyself to death to adorn us with eternal glory.  
Thou wast hanged on the cross, made a curse for us, overwhelmed with sorrows too heavy for flesh and blood to bear. Thou suffered'st the displeasure, which is a consuming fire of God. Thou sheddest thy blood from thy whole body, at thy death thy members being pierced. Oh Christ, oh sweet jesus, thou sheddest thy precious blood, I say, six several times from sundry parts of thy blessed body, afore and in thine execution for us miserable sinners: as namely, first in thy Circumcision, which was the beginning of our redemption: secondly in thy prayer in the garden, which was for the earnest desire of our redemption: thirdly, in thy whippings: and fourthly, in thy crowning with thorns, which was for the reward of our redemption, for by thy stripes were we healed: fiftly, in thy crucifying and nailing on the cross, when thy hands and feet were bored through to fasten thee thereon, which was the price of our redemption: sixtly and lastly, in the wounding and piercing of thy blessed side, yea of thy very heart, thou hanging dead on the cross, which was the true sacrament of our redemption, whereby we are cleansed, purified and washed from all our sins. Among these thy divers torments both afore & in thy execution, thy spirits being resolved through the sense of the infinite anguishes which thou suffered'st and enduredst, oh Christ, thou utteredst divers words, partly by reason of intolerable grief, and partly of thine unspeakable goodness. Oh teach us by thy wisdom reverently to listen unto them, and to put them carefully in the bottom of our minds.  
At thy death mankind was severed into two parts. Thou the head of the pensive Church hangedst upon the cross ready to yield up the Ghost. Under the cross stands thy loving mother Marie, a few godly women, and john, thy weak disciples morning, through the rage of the jews hide themselves. Nichodemus, and joseph of Aramathie, to the great grief of their minds, are feign to hold their tongues, and to wink at the outrageous cruelty of their nation against thee. The graceless jews, the ungodly soldiers of Pilate and Herode lay hold on thee, mock thee, blindfold thee, buffet thee, pierce thee, & play for thy garments. The epicures and tyrants, the high Priests and their parasites, have thee in derision, & laugh in their sleeves to see how thy death is conspired, and they may walter in all superstition and wickedness. All this while the multitude of Ethniks in all quarters of the world celebrate their filthy and ungodly feasts, in the great dishonour of thy name.  
Thou beholdest this diversity of men, which seest all things both in heaven and earth, and being in deed humble and meek in heart, thou pouredst out a most charitable prayer on this wise: Father forgive them, for they know not what they do. These be the words of thy priesthood. Thou which art the chiefest Priest, bedewed with thine own blood, entering into the holiest of holy places, touchest the breast of the Father, and searchest enen his secret counsel. Thou prayest not only for thy weak auditors to be strengthened, but also for thy very enemies, which put thee so shamefully to death, if they will return unto repentance: yea and for all mankind thou praiedst; and namely, for all and every one which should believe in thy name.  
O most merciful intercessor, we include ourselves in these thy general prayers, recited before thine agony, repeated on the cross, yea uttered from the beginning of the world, and standing at the right hand of thy Father making intercession for us, sounded continually in the ears of God. Work so, that we be not found in the number of those, into whom sathan hath entered, which blaspheme thee, despise thy benefits, and destroy themselves utterly. Increase our faith and knowledge of thee, that the eternal Father through thy sacrifice being pleased, may forgive all our sins, and receive us into that company which is glorious in thine eyes.  
Under the cross standeth thy noble but sorrowful mother, her sister, and other good women, with thy disciple john, whom thou lovedst. O bless us, and of thy goodness join us to that company. In thy mother there shineth a notable light and strength of faith; she beholdeth in thee her Son those sights, than which none could be more grievous in this world; she saw the rage of thine enemies, and thine intolerable torments; yet she believed, notwithstanding the grievousness of thy pain, the shedding of thy precious blood, the flight of thy disciples, the cruelty of thine enemies, and the odiousness of thy death; she believed, I say (O the force of faith!) that thou wast God by nature, and shouldest rise again and reign everlastingly, overcome death and the devil, and subdue all thine enemies.  
O Son of God, kindle within us we pray thee the like sparks of faith: give us grace with thine elect never to be ashamed to stand under thy cross. And as thou, even of an entire good will, mercifully among thy servants didst speak unto, and comfort thy pensive and morning mother, so speak unto us and thy troubled Church; in misery comfort her with thy sweet voice and presence.  
Thou commendedst thy mother to thine Apostle. Make us unfeignedly to love the Church thy sweet and true mother, and grant that every of us may cherish the same lovingly, and maintain it to the uttermost of our powers. Especially guide the Preachers, that they may love the mother; nourish the unity of pure doctrine; avoid the seed of heresies, and remove all stumbling-blockes, all occasions of hindering of faith and prayer in young Christians.  
At thy sides hang two thieves, punished for their sins, according to the law and their deserts; whereof one desperately pouring out blasphemous speeches, the other godly requiring thy favour, he ended his days. All mankind, Lord, do likewise hang in miseries for their sins, whereof some are so captived in their minds, that at the point of death they scoff, blaspheme, and desperately, to their utter condemnation finish their days: but give us grace, we beseech thee, that we may imitate the example of the gracious thief, which before his passage out of this life, moved by infallible arguments of thine almightiness and mercy, required pardon of his offences, and obtained the same according to his request. Give grace that we may imitate his hearty repentance, his sorrow for sin, his notable faith, his zealous confession, and other good works of his.  
We beseech thee merciful Lord be mindful of us. O Lord be mindful of us. Thou sittest in the kingdom of thy Father, we are in the miseries of the world: but be thou mindful of us. Begin thy kingdom in us here in this world, and in every combat of our conscience, especially at the point of death pronounce to our hearts this comfortable absolution, This day shalt thou be with me in Paradise. Show unto us thy paradise, that departing out of this life, we may find rest for our souls. Open to our souls the gates of Paradise, place them in the seats of immortality, and state of bliss, where thy Father, together with the blessed company of Angels and men, showeth himself even as he is.  
In the mean, while thy combat is not yet finished, thou criedst in most pitiful manner, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? Thy divinity was not then separated from thy humanity, which never lost that which once it took, neither surcessedst, nor doest thou surcease at any time to be equal and one with thine eternal father; but then was the hour of thy humiliation, wherein after a wonderful and unspeakable manner, thy divinity hid itself as it were, and would have this obedience to be shown, and thought not best to destroy the jews thine enemies and murderers. Yea it hide itself, that the streams of God's displeasure against the sins of men should so fall upon thee O Christ, that they should wrestle with extreme torments, such as for a certain space thou perceivedst no comfort, notwithstanding thy divinity confirmed thine human nature, which was to suffer all the passions. For thy divinity could not suffer any passion at all, & therefore it confirmed the same, that there might be a sufficient satisfaction for the sins of men. For they which have endured most grievous torments, could never abide these: for if God comfort us, we may abide the punishment of men, and then it may be said:  

Though body's grief did feel,  
Yet had their souls great joy,  
And virtuous hope did strengthen so,  
That pains did nought annoy.   
But intolerable is it for a creature to suffer the punishment of God, and be saved thereby.  
Wherefore, O Son of God, in displeasure be mindful of thy mercy, be thou our protection, that the wrath of thine eternal father do not destroy us. Even a little taste of God's displeasure bursteth in pieces all the bones of men like a lion. And therefore by and by after thou utteredst the like complaint, saying, I thirst, thy soul languished through the greatness of thy pains. Thy spirits were resolved through thy wonderful grief of heart. Thy bowels dried away, and no moisture abode in them, and therefore truly didst thou both inwardly thirst and desire some virtue and comfort from thy Father, and outwardly to have thy body refreshed.  
O jesus Christ, which art the fountain of eternal life, giving the water which quencheth all thirst, from whose belly springeth the well of life, suffer us not to taste such a grievous thirst, as did that merciless rich glutton in hell, which never was quenched, but with the godly to say, My soul stuck unto my jaws, I had no quietness in my bones, Lord in thy judgements correct me, not in thy fury, lest I come unto nothing. If thou observest iniquities, O Lord; Lord, who shall be able to abide? Thus do thy Saint's cry, I say, in their troubles. Wherefore kindle not thy wrath altogether against us. Cease not to comfort our weak nature striving against thy judgements, with the juice of thy word, and comfortable waterings of thy spirit.  
Unto thee did thine eternal Father manifest his presence and comfort for our sakes, when some while after being better quieted thou saiedst, It is finished. Thou gavest thanks to thine eternal father, for helping thee, whereby the sacrifice of welfare to the elect for evermore was fulfilled. Oh most sacred Priest, imprint within us this celestial conclusion, this notable finishing of thy sacrifice, that undoubtedly we may think, that by this sacrifice the remission of sins and life eternal is purchased for us.  
Afterward, being delivered from all fears, thou criedst with a great voice, Father into thy hands I commend my spirit. Grant that in our departure out of this world, we may utter the same words. Make us to feel the presence of thy father comforting us, being pleased through thee, and may know that with our bodies our souls do not perish: let us not jest as Epicures do, saying: O fugitive, flattering, pale, cursed naked soul, whither goest thou? Thou hast prepared for us, O Son of God, a large and a pleasant place: In thy Father's house are many resting places. We fear no torments. Thou hast delivered us from the pains of hell. There is no purgatory. Thy Father embraceth our souls in his merciful arms, layeth them in Abraham's bosom, replenisheth them with quietness, with light and joy unspeakable, till our bodies also raised again, appear with them in his everlasting kingdom. In this faith give us grace to leave this world, and to rest with thee for ever and ever,  
Amen, Amen.  
I have sinned, I have sinned, my God my God have mercy upon me. God forbidden that I should rejoice but in the cross of Christ, whereby the world is crucified to me, and I unto the world.   

Or thus: A fruitful meditation upon the passion of our Saviour jesus Christ, to be read often.  
O Lord jesus Christ, the Son of the everliving and almighty God by whom all things were made, be ruled and governed; thou the lively image of the substance of the Father; the eternal wisdom of God; the brightness of his glory; God of God; light of light; coequal, coeternal and consubstantial with the Father: thou which of the love thou hadst to mankind, when he was fallen from the fellowship of God, into the society of sathan, and all evil, didst vouchsafe for our redemption to become a mediator between God and man, taking to thy Godhead our nature as concerning the substance of it, and so becamest man: also the heir of all, and most merciful Messiah, which by the power of thy Godhead, and merits of thy manhood, hast made purgation of our sins, even by thine own self, whilst thou wast here on earth, being now set on the right hand of thy Father for us, even concerning our nature, in majesty, in glory & power infinite. I pray and humbly beseech thy mercy to grant me at this present, to rehearse some of thy passions and sufferings for me the last night, that thou wast here before thy death, that thy good spirit might thereby be effectual to work in me faith, as well for the pardon of my sins by them, as mortification of mine affections, comfort in my crosses, and patience in all afflictions, Amen.  
IN the midst of thy last Supper with thy dear Apostles, these things could not but be before thee, namely, that they all would leave thee, the most earnest would forswear thee, & one of the twelve should most traitorously betray thee, which were no small crosses unto thee. judas was admonished of thee to beware; but when he took no heed, but went out to finish his work, contemning thine admonition and counsel, he could not but vex thy most loving heart.  
After supper, there was contention amongst thy disciples, who should be greatest after thee, yet dreaming carnally of thee and thy kingdom, and having this affection of pride and ambition busy amongst them, notwithstanding thy diligence in reproving and teaching them.  
After thine admonition to them of the cross that would come, thereby to make them more vigilant, so gross were they, that they thought they could with their two swords put away all perils, which was no little grief unto thee.  
After thy coming to Gethsamane, heaviness oppressed thee, and therefore thou wouldst thy disciples to pray. Thou didst tell to Peter and his fellows, that thy heart was heavy to death. Thou didst will them to pray, being careful for them also, lest they should fall into temptation. After this, thou goest a stones cast from them, and didst pray thyself, falling flat and groveling upon the earth: but alas, thou feltest no comfort, and therefore thou camest to thy disciples (which of all other were most sweet and dear unto thee) but lo, to thy further discomfort, they pass neither of thy perils, nor of their own, and therefore sleep apace. After thou hadst awaked them, thou goest again to pray, but thou foundest no comfort at all; and therefore didst return again for some comfort at thy dearest friends hands, but yet again (alas) they are fast asleep, whereupon thou art enforced to go again to thy heavenly Father for some sparkle of comfort, in these thy wonderful crosses and agonies. Now, here thou wast so discouraged, and so comfortless, that even streams of blood came running from thine eyes, and ears, and other parts of thy body. But who is able to express the infiniteness of thy crosses, even at thy being in the garden? All which thou suffered'st for my sake, as well to satisfy thy Father's wrath for my sins, as also to sanctify all my sufferings, the more gladly to be sustained of me.  
After thy bloody prayer thou camest, and yet again foundest thy disciples asleep; and before thou canst well awake them, lo, judas cometh with a great band of weaponed men to apprehend thee as a thief, and so doth, leading thee away bound to the high Bishop's house Annas, & so from him to Caiphas. Hear now to augment this thy misery, behold, thy disciples fly from thee, false witnesses be brought against thee. Thou art accused & condemned of blasphemy. Peter even in thy sight forsweareth thee. Thou art unjustly stricken for answering lawfully. Thou art blindfeeld, stricken and buffeted all the whole night in the Bishop Caiphas house of their cruel servants.  
In the morning betimes thou art condemned again of the Priests of blasphemy, and therefore they bring thee before the secular power to Pilate, by whom thou art openly arraigned as other thieves and malefactors were. And when he saw that thou wast accused of malice, and that his wife had sent a messenger unto him, saying: Have thou nothing to do with that just man, for I have suffered many things this day in a dream by reason of him: yet he did not dismiss thee, but did send thee to Herod, where thou wast derided shamefully, in coming and going to him and from him all the way wonderfully, especially after Herod had appareled thee as a fool.  
Afore Pilate again therefore thou wast brought and accused falsely, no man did take thy part, or speak a good word for thee.  
Pilate caused thee to be whipped and scourged, and to be handled most pitifully, to see if any pity might appear with the Prelates, but no man at all pitied thee. Barrabas that notable thief and murderer was preferred before thee: all the people head and tail was against thee, and cried out Crucifige, hang thee up. Uniustlie to death wast thou judged. Thou wast crowned with sharp thorns that pierced thy brains. Thou wast made a mocking stock. Thou wast reviled, beaten, scourged, spit upon, and most miserably handled.  
Thou goest through jerusalem to the place of execution, even to the mount of calvary: a great cross to hang thee up was laid upon thy back, to bear and draw as long as thou wast able.  
Thy body was racked to be nailed to the tree. Thy hands were bored through, and thy feet also. Nails were put through them to fasten thee thereon. Thou wast hanged between heaven and earth as one spewed out of heaven, and vomited out of the earth, unworthy of any place. The high Priests laughed thee to scorn. The Elders blasphemed thee, and said, God had no care for thee. The common people also laughed and cried, Out upon thee. Thirst oppressed thee, but vinegar only and gall was given thee to drink. Heaven shined not on thee; the Sun gave thee no light; the earth was afraid to bear thee; sathan even then tempted thee, and thine own human senses caused thee to cry out, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?  
Oh wonderful passions, which thou sweet jesus suffered'st for me and all mankind. In them thou teachest me; in them thou comfortest me; for by them God is my father; my sins are forgiven me. By them I should learn to fear God, to love God, to hope in God, to hate sin, to be patiented, to call upon God, and never to leave him for any temptations, but with thee to cry, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit,  
Amen.   

The prayer wherein we confess ourselves to be the very cause of all these Christ his passions.  
WHat hast thou committed oh Lord, that thou shouldest be so judged? what hast thou offended that thou shouldest be so cruelly handled and ordered? what was thy fault? what was thine offence? what was the cause of thy death? what was the occasion of thy condemnation? I, Lord, I am the cause of thy sorrow, the fault is in me that thou wast killed; for I have deserved thy death. I committed the offences that were avenged upon thee. Oh marvelous kind of judgement, and unspeakable disposition, or ordering of mysteries! The unjust man offendeth, and the righteous is punished. The guilty doth evil, and the innocent is beaten. The evil doth trespass, and the good is condemned. That which the evil man deserveth, the same doth the good and just suffer. That which the servant doth amiss, the master maketh amends. That which man trespasseth, God suffereth it.  
Oh thou which art the Son of God, how low did thine humility descend? How greatly did thy charity even as it were wax hot, and burn towards us? How far did thy pity exceed? Whither did thy benignity and gentleness grow and extend? How far did thy love stretch? How far came thy compassion? For I did wrongfully, and thou wast punished. I committed the mischievous deeds, and they were avenged upon thee. I did the fault, and thou submittedst thyself to the torments. I was proud, and thou wast humble and meek. I was swelled and puffed up, thou wast extenuate and appaired. I was disobedient, nevertheless thou being obedient, barest the pains and punishments of disobedience. I obeyed, and was as it were a servant to all excess and gluttony, and thou wast punished with scarcity, and lack of food. The tree did draw me in my grandmother Eve, unto unlawful concupiscence and desires, but perfect charity led thee unto punishment, and to endure the torments upon the cross. I presumed being forbidden, but thou didst smart therefore. I took my pleasure with delicateness, thou wast vexed with the cross. I abound, and have plenty of all pleasures, thou art all to torn with nails. I do taste the pleasant sweetness of the apple, and thou the bitterness of gall.  
Behold O king of glory, mine iniquity and ungodliness, and thy pity and goodness is manifest. Behold mine unrighteousness, and thy justice is plainly declared. What thing O my God, and my King, shall I render unto thee for all these things, which thou hast bestowed upon me? For nothing can be found in the heart of man, that may worthily recompense such rewards. Can man's wit excogitate or imagine any thing that is worthy to be compared unto thy divine mercy? Neither is it the office of a creature to go about to recompense fully and justly the aid & help of a Creator.  
There is truly O Son of God, in this thy marvelous dispensation and appointments, some what, in which my frailness may help a little; if so be that my mind once pricked and stirred by thy visitation, do punish the flesh, with the vices also and evil concupiscences thereof. And this thing if thou wilt grant and give me grace to do, then shall it begin as it were to suffer and sustain sorrows and griefs, because that thou also didst vouchsafe to die for my sins, and so by the victory of the inward man, it shall be armed (thou being a captain) for the external and outward victory; forasmuch as the spiritual persecution once overcome, it shall not be afraid for thy sake to be obedient unto the material sword and cross of this world; and so the slenderness of my state and condition, if it please thy goodness, shall be able according to the little power thereof, to answer unto the greatness and excellency of my Creator.  
And this is the heavenly medicine O good jesus; this is as it were a preservative of thy love; this I beseech thee, by thine accustomed & ancient mercies, to power into my wounds, the fowl and filthy matter of the venomous contagion and infection once cast away, which may refresh and restore me to my former purity and cleanness; that when I have tasted of the pleasant sweetness, which is, to abide in thee, it may make me to despise, and utterly set nought by the enticements of this world, and to fear for thy sake none adversities thereof, and that I remembering thine everlasting nobility & excellency, may always abhor and disdain the troubles of this transitory world.  
And as thou, O Lord, wast crucified for me, so I beseech thee crucify me with thee, that I may rise again with thee to everlasting life. Thy flesh was crucified for me, crucify with thee, O Christ, the kingdom of the flesh, which hath dominion in me, that I may put off the old Adam, and by newness of life, may be transformed into thee the second Adam, sin, infidelity, and the whole tyranny of sathan being vanquished and overcome. Bring to pass, O Lord, that by thy cross and painful suffering, thy yoke may be to me made light, and thy burden easy, that willingly and gladly following thee, I may come whether thou art gone, that is, to thy father, most blessed and immortal, from whom nothing shall afterwards be able to separate us,  
Amen.  
I have sinned, I have sinned, my God my God have mercy upon me.  
God forbidden I should rejoice in any thing, but in the cross of our Lord jesus Christ, whereby the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.  Galath. 6.  

Another prayer to Christ crucified, wherein we devoutly call to mind what great things he hath done for us, and what benefits we reap by the remembrance of his holy wounds.  
EXceeding greatly have I sinned against thy Majesty, O Lord, and mine own conscience findeth me guilty of many offences; and yet do I not despair, neither will I in any thing at all be doubtful, because that whereas sin hath abounded, there hath thy grace O God, over-abounded. He that despaireth of the forgiveness of his sins, denieth thee O God to be merciful. Yea great wrong doth he to thee, O God, which distrusteth in thy mercy. For (as much as in him lieth) he denieth thee to be loving, true and mighty, which are the things wherein my whole hope consisteth, that is to weet, in the love of thy adoption, in the truth of thy promise, and in the power of thy redeeming.  
Now let my unwise imagination murmur as much as it listeth, and say, Who art thou? how great is thy glory? and by what deserts hopest thou to obtain it? and I will answer boldly; I know whom I have credited, and that thou of thine exceeding great love, hast adopted me to be thy child; that thou art southfast of promise; that thou art mighty of perseverance, and that thou mayst do what thee listeth. I can not be feared with the multitude of my sins, if I bethink me of the death of thee my Lord, because my sins are not able to overcome thee. Thy nails and thy spear cry unto me, that I am throughlie reconciled to thee O Christ, if I love thee. Longius hath opened me thy side dear jesus with his spear, and I am gone into it, and there do I rest in safety. He that is afraid, let him love, for love driveth fear out of the doors. There is no remedy so mighty and effectual against the heat of lechery, as is the death of thee my redeemer. Thou stretchest out thine arms upon the cross, and thou holdest out thy hand in a readiness to embrace us sinners. Between the arms of thee my saviour mind I to live and die; there shall I sing safely; there will I glorify and exalt thee, O Lord; because thou hast taken me up, and hast not given mine enemies their pleasure over me.  
Thou, O our Saviour, hast bowed down thy head at thy death, to receive the kisses of thy beloved, and so often do we kiss thee, O Lord, as we be throughlie touched with the love of thee, who for love to mankind, being God, camest to man, camest into man, and becamest man; who for love, being an invisible God, becainest like thy servants, and who for very love, wast wounded for our sins; and in those wounds of thine O my Saviour, is the safe and quiet rest of us weaklings and sinners: there do I dwell at ease, and by thy wounds have I a way in unto the bowels of thy mercy. Whatsoever is wanting of myself, that do I borrow out of the bowels of thee my Lord: for in them is abundance of mercy, and there want no holes for it to flow out at.  
By the holes of thy blessed body are opened unto me the secrets of thy heart, a great pledge of thy kindly love, even the bowels of the mercy of thee our God, whereby the day spring hath visited us from aloft. Thy wounds, O sweet jesus Christ are full of mercy, full of pity, full of sweetness, and full of love. They bored thy hands and thy feet, and pierced thy side with a spear. By these holes may I taste how sweet and mild thou art in deed, and how merciful thou art to all that call upon thee in truth, to all that seek thee, and chiefly to all that love thee. Plenteous redemption is given unto us in thy wounds O sweet Saviour jesus Christ. Great abundance of sweetness, great plenty of grace, and great perfection of virtues is given us in thy precious wounds O sweet Saviour jesus Christ.  
O most bountiful jesus, grant therefore I humbly beseech thee, that whensoever any fowl thought assaulteth me, I may forthwith run to thy wounds O Christ. When my flesh presseth me down, I may rise up again by remembering thy wounds O Lord. When the devil layeth wait for me, I may flee to the bowels of thy mercy O jesus, so shall he quickly depart from me. Or if at any time the heat of lechery provoke my members, let it be quenched I pray thee, by calling to mind thy wounds O Son of God. Finally, in all mine adversities, let me find no remedy so effectual as thy wounds O Christ. In them, I say, let me sleep without care, and rest without fear. Thou, O Christ, hast died for us, and now is there nothing so bitter to the death, which is not swallowed up by thy death, O sweet jesus. All my whole hope therefore is and shall be in thy death O Lord my God. Thy death is my desert and my refuge, my welfare, life, and resurrection; and thy mercifulness O Lord is my merit. I am not poor of merit, so long as thou the Lord of all compassions failest not. As long as thou art manifold in mercy, so long am I also manifold of deserts. The mightier thou art to save, the more am I without care.  
Wherefore O most excellent goodness, withdraw not thy mercy; O most mighty maker, despise not thy work; O most prudent redeemer, suffer not to perish the price of thy redemption: O most gentle, ghostly, and heavenly host and guest, purify, save, dress, and keep thy house and dwelling place, the which thou dedicatedst and sanctifiedst to thee in the sacrament of Baptism. O most blessed, most charitable and sweet jesus; O most bounteous, excellent and glorious jesus; O most innocent, merciful, meek, loving and dear jesus, have mercy upon me, have mercy upon me, and forgive me all my sins. When shall I love thee? When shall I be sorry for my sins? When shall I loath and forsake my sins? When shall I detest and abhor my sinful life, and turn unto thee by grace? When shall I remember thy benefits, thy meekness, thy poverty, and bitter passion, thy patience, thy obedience, thy love, and thy charity? When shall I sanctify, worship, magnify, and love heartily thee in heaven, and thy Saints on earth, and celebrate thy feasts accordingly; that is to say, thy incarnation, passion, resurrection, ascension, and such other, with due reverence, & Christian devotion. If thou be the most dreadful master, where is my dread Lord jesus? If thou be the most loved Father, where is my love? If thou be my Lord and my Redeemer, where is my service? If thou be mine host, and dwell in my soul by thy grace and mercy; where is my chastity, purity and cleanness meet and according to such an host? If thou be the life of Saints, the fairness and beauty of Angels, where is my thanking? Now therefore good Lord Jesus Christ, wound my heart with thy most holy wounds, moist my mind with thy most precious blood, that whither soever I turn me, I may behold above me thee crucified, and whatsoever I see, it may appear to me ruddy with thy most precious blood, that thus be holding, I may fix my sight in nothing but only in thee, which livest and reignest one God world without end, So be it.  
I have sinned, I have offended, my God my God have merceie on me.   

A prayer, wherein through commemoration of Christ's passion, we desire pardon of our sins, and continuance in virtue and godliness.  
BEhold O pitiful Father, thy most pitiful Son, which suffered for me being so wicked. Behold O most merciful King, who suffered; and remember as thou art loving and kind, for whom he suffered. Is not this O my Lord that innocent, whom although he were thy Son thou didst deliver to redeem and ransom a servant? Is not this the author and beginner of life, which being led as a sheep to be killed, and being made obedient to thee, even unto death, was not afraid to take upon him the most cruel and sharp kind of death▪ Call to remembrance, O thou distributer of all health, that this is he, whom although thou didst beget him by thy power, yet notwithstanding thou wouldst have to be made partaker of thine infirmity and weakness. Truly this same is thy God head, which did take upon him thy nature, which was hanged upon the gibbet of torment or cross, which in the flesh which he had taken upon him, did suffer sorrowful punishment.  
Turn the eyes of thy Majesty O Lord my God, towards the work of thine unspeakable pity. Look on thy dear Son, whose whole body is stretched forth. Mark the harmless hands and pure, which do drop and distill down innocent blood. And I beseech thee be pacified, and pardon the wicked deeds which my hands have committed. Consider his bare and naked side, being thrust through cruelly with a spear, and renew and wash me with the holy fountain or well, which I believe did flow from thence. Mark the unspotted feet, which have not stood in the way of sinners, but always have walked in thy law, how they are pierced through with sharp nails; and make perfect my steps in thy paths, and make me of thy loving kindness to hate all ways of iniquity. Remove from me the ways of iniquity, and make me of thy mercy to choose the way of truth. I beseech thee, O King of holy men, by this holy one of all holy ones, and by this my redeemer, to make me run the way of thy commandments, that I may be united and knit unto him in spirit, which did not disdain to be clad in my flesh.  
Dost thou not look upon and mark O pitiful Father, the head of thy most dearly beloved Son, a young man, how it leaned upon his shoulders when it was passed the most precious death? Behold O my most gentle creator, the humanity and gentleness of thy beloved Son, and have compassion upon the feebleness of thy weak and feeble handiwork. Behold O most glorious parent, the torn and rend members of thy most kind & loving child, and remember gently what substance I am of. Behold the pains of him that is God and man, and release and lose man, which is thy creature, out of misery & bondage of sin. Behold the punishment of him that did redeem, and pardon the offences of them that be redeemed. This is he, O Lord, whom thou didst strike for the sins of the people, although he be thy well-beloved, in whom was found no guile, and yet nevertheless, was he reckoned amongst them that were full of iniquity. Look down therefore, O Lord, thou lover of labouring and laden hearts, with the eyes of thy pity, see the altar of the cross, where thy son, thine only beloved babe is slaughtered. Behold O father of heaven, this thy bleeding babe, whom for our sakes thou hadst made under the law a curse thereof, in giving him to the death, even the accursed & shameful death of the cross, that he might thereby redeem us wretches that were his enemies from the law, and from the curse and condemnation of it. O look upon him, I say, which is the saviour of the world, and who in his sufferings, and in his life and death hath fulfilled all the prophecies; behold him, that was made a castawaie of the jews, and a scorn of the Gentiles, which endured treasonable hate of his friends, and deadly terrors in his troubled soul, that we might have peace of conscience, and be reconciled unto thee. And let his shame and ignominy, I pray thee, be our honour and triumph; his wounds our medicine, his curse our bliss, and his death our life: finally, so lighten our minds, I beseech thee, with thy holy spirit, that we may be able to conceive and understand the height and depth, the length & breadth, and by all means the infinite measure of this so exceeding love towards us, that the sight and knowledge of so great love, may so inflame us with the love of thee again, that all our thoughts, and deeds may wholly be set upon thee, showing our thankfulness unto thee in all obedience unto thy word, and glorying in nothing but in thy Christ, and him crucified, that in the end we may enjoy the full fruit of all his passions, and of this thine unspeakable love towards us in our everlasting salvation, through jesus Christ our only Lord and redeemer, to whom with thee O father, and the holy Ghost, be given all praise, honour, and glory, for ever and ever,  
Amen.   

Another godly meditation or prayer, wherein we declare unto God the Father, that the passion of his Son before rehearsed, was for our reconciliation and atonement with God.  
BEhold, O almighty God, Father of my Lord jesus Christ, I beseech thee of thy benignity and gentleness to have mercy upon me, because of the most precious thing that I could find, the same I have offered devoutly unto thee; the thing of most estimation that I could imagine, I have presented humbly unto thee. I have left nothing, but I have declared it unto thy Majesty. There is nothing remaining that I may add more, because I have committed and betaken my whole hope unto thee. I have sent unto thee mine advocate and spokesman, even thy well-beloved Son jesus. I have sent thy glorious child to be a mediator betwixt me and thee. I have sent, I say, an intercessor, by whom I trust to get pardon and forgiveness of my sins. In a word, I have sent the word: which word, as I have said, was sent for my misdeeds.  
And behold, I have rehearsed unto thee the passion of thy most holy Son jesus Christ, which passion, I believe was suffered for me; I believe that the Godhead which was sent of thee, did take upon him mine humanity and nature, in the which he thought not scorn to suffer buffets, bonds, spittings, mocks, yea, he took upon him to suffer the cross, nails and dart. I believe also that his manhood, being of this my nature, during his infancy, was troubled with creeping and scralling, and was wrapped in clothes after the manner of other children; was vexed in his youth with labours; made lean with waking and fastings; wearied with journeying; afterward whipped and all to torn and rend with divers kinds of punishments, reckoned among the dead, and when it was endued with the glory of resurrection, he carried it into the joys of heaven, and placed it upon the right hand of thy Majesty.  
This I say, he is my manhood, way, and means of pacifying and appeasing thee, & the way and means of having mercy upon me. Mercifully look upon me, hear the wretch whom he did redeem, and the bondservant whom he delivered. Behold him a Creator, and do not despise a creature. Receive the shepherd, welcomed with a gentle and loving countenance, and mercifully look upon the sheep which he hath brought home upon his own shoulders. This is that most faithful shepherd, which by many and divers labours and travels over steep hills, and through headlong and deep valleys, did search for his own sheep that was strayed away, which also when he had found it faint and almost dead through long wandering, got himself under it with great rejoicing, and making it fast unto him with a marvelous bond of charity, lifted it up out of the depth of confusion, and brought it home to the ninety and nine.  
Behold O King, my king and God almighty, behold a good shepherd, which rendereth to thee that which thou committedst to his charge. He took upon him through thine ordinance to save man, whom he hath delivered unto thee clean and pure from all spots, through the washing in his blood. Lo thy most dearly beloved Son hath reconciled unto thee thy handy work, which was gone astray far out of the way. Lo, a gentle shepherd bringeth home again to thy flock, her that the violent pirate and robber had driven away. He hath brought unto thy sight the servant, whom her own conscience had made to run away; that she which by herself had deserved punishment, by thy Son being her solicitor, hath deserved forgiveness, unto whom also for her offences, everlasting fire was due: nevertheless, being a subject under such a prince and captain, she doth hope to be brought home to her own country.  
I was able, O holy father, by myself to offend thee, but I was not able of myself to pacify and appease thee. Thy well-beloved Son, O my God, was made my helper, by taking upon him mine humanity, to the intent he might cure mine infirmity, that whereof the first occasion of thy wrath did spring, of the same he might offer up to thee a sacrifice of praise, and that he might render and make me also wellpleasing to thy goodness, by that thing, in the which he sitting now at thy right hand, did always show and declare himself to be equal with my substance, and as it were fellow with the same.  
Lo, my hope, behold in whom is all my trust. If thou despise me (as it were meet) for mine iniquities, yet look upon me (at leastwise) mercifulle, for the charity of thy well-beloved Son. Give heed to thy Son, whereby thou mayest have mercy upon thy bondservant. Look upon the sacrament of flesh, and pardon the offences of flesh. How often soever thou dost remember the wounds of thy blessed Son, so oft, I beseech thee, let mine iniquity be hid. And because flesh hath stirred thee to wrath, let flesh I beseech thee move thee to mercy; that like as flesh hath seduced and led me to sin, so flesh may get and obtain for me remission.  
For certainly, it is much that mine iniquity hath deserved, but much more it is that the goodness of my Redeemer may even of right require. Mine unrighteousness is great, but his righteousness is bigger. For look how much God is superior unto man, even so much is my malice & evil inferior unto his goodness, both in quality and quantity. For what have I sinned being a man, that the Son of God being made man hath not redeemed? What pride could be in me so exceeding high, but such humility as was in him should bring it down? What power of death was there in me so great, but the punishment, which the Son of God suffered upon the cross, might deface it, and utterly destroy it? Truly my God, if the sins of sinful men or women should be weighed in a just and equal balance, with the love and favour that was in our redeemer towards us, the East is not so far distant from the West, nor the innermost part of the earth so much separated from the uppermost part of the heaven, as they should be unlike, so much less should mine iniquity be than is his goodness.  
Now, O most noble Creator of light, now pardon mine offences, for the unmeasurable travels & pains that thy beloved Son did sustain. Now I beseech thee let his goodness be set against my wickedness, his modesty and temperance against mine ungracious frowardness, and his meekness against my fierce cruelty. Let his humility recompense my pride, his patience mine impatience, his gentleness mine unkind churlishness, his obedience my disobedience, his quietness mine unquietness, his pleasant towardness my bitter frowardness, his sweet facility and gentleness mine angry and fretting fumes; to conclude, let his charity make amends for my heinous and detestable cruelty,  
Amen.  
I have sinned, I have sinned, my God my God have mercy on me. God forbidden that I should rejoice in any thing, but in the cross of Christ, whereby the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world, So be it.    

9 On Easter day. Of Christ his resurrection, and the Passover of Christians.  

The Preface.  
CHrist is risen again from the dead, and now dieth no more. Halleluiah.  
Death from henceforth hath no more power of him. Halleluiah.  
Christ is risen again, the first fruits of them that sleep. Halleluiah.  
By Christ, all men that were dead in sin, are restored to life. Halleluiah.  
In thy resurrection, O Christ, both heaven & earth do rejoice and say. Halleluiah.  
Thanks be unto God which giveth us victory through our Lord jesus Christ. Halleluiah.  
Who having spoiled all principalities and powers, hath made a show of them, openly triumphing over them in his own person. Halleluiah.  
Awake O my Christ; awake up my glory, and sing Halleluiah.  
For Christ our passouer is offered up, and as this day revived, rose again for our justification. Halleluiah.  
Let us rejoice therefore, I say, O my soul, and keep it holiday to the Lord. Halleluiah.  
Not with old leaven of maliciousness and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of pureness and truth. Halleluiah.  
That when we awake up after his likeness, we may be satisfied with his presence in righteousness and glory. Halleluiah.  
And be blessed and holy with those that have part in the first resurrection, and on whom the second death hath no power, but sing Halleluiah.  
O death where is thy sting? O hell where is thy victory? Halleluiah.  
This is the day which the Lord hath made, we will rejoice and be glad therein, and evermore sing Halleluiah, Halleluiah.   

The Prayer.  
OF thy wonderful victory and resurrection from death, and glorious kingdom O Son of God, it was said, In that day the root of jesse shall stand to be a sign to the people; unto him shall the nations fly, and his rest shall be glory. Thou art that blessed branch of David; thou tookest man's nature upon thee, and camest of the line of David: but in the time of thy humiliation thou wast but a sprig as it were in a dry ground: a notable and heavenly plant, but oppressed with miseries. Thy soul dried away, being beaten with the mighty tempest of God's displeasure against our sins: notwithstanding, that goodly root through the power of thy divine nature was not utterly choked. Thou art delivered from the midst of death, and by thy divine power thou standest victoriously over thine enemies, and art ready to bring us thy soldiers from all evils, and make us partakers of thy most glorious conquest in thy kingdom, which is altogether otherwise than the triumph and glory of this world. Death endeth all the pride, power and pomp of this world, but thy death and rest is glorious; thy kingdom and glory beginneth when our life is ended.  
O Christ Son of God, how wonderful was thy rest? Man at the first was made to be a noble and holy Temple, wherein a perpetual Sabbath should be celebrated, and a divine nature should abide, filling and comforting him with plenty of heavenly riches. But this rest was turned into unquietness, and this joy into sorrow, through the hatred of sathan thine enemy which profaned this temple and sabbath, & brought in an horrible misorder and wickedness. Wherefore it pleased thine almighty Father of his goodness to send thee his only Son, from his own bosom, to restore again this Sabbath. Hence it was, that after a wonderful manner, in the day of the great Sabbath according to the law of Moses, thine human nature (through death which separated the soul from the body) rested in the sepulchre, and the word (which forsook not that nature, no not at the grave) revived that flesh the third day, and so thou rosest again, when the time of our redemption was expired, victoriously unto thy kingdom, and givest an eternal Sabbath and rest to such as fly unto thee.  
O Son of God, call thou sinners, even us miserable and unclean persons, unto that sacred feast, which in this world through thee the chief Priest is begun, and shall be then made perfect, when the elect for evermore shall follow the Lamb whithersoever he go. Put on us the festival garment, the garment of thy righteousness and benediction, that we putting away the leaven of malice and wickedness, may celebrate the feast in the sweet bread of sincerity, & serve thee in pureness of living and truth.  
This year from thine incarnation 1582. are passed 3091 years, since the first passover which the Israelites did celebrate going out of Egypt; so long hast thou preserved thy Church, and we beseech thee preserve it everlastingly, notwithstanding the rage of the devil and his ministers. And as thou defendedst thy people which eat of the Lamb; and moreover, going through out Egypt, slaiedst in thy righteous judgements all the first borne in the land; so assist us, that with a lively faith we may feed on thee the true Lamb. Keep us among all the miseries of this last age of the world. The carcases remaining, were cast away and condemned; but thy oblation is grateful in the sight of God, it appeaseth the wrath of the eternal Father, and by the eating of thee, which art the Lamb of God taking away the sins of the world, righteousness and life is given to believers. The word raiseth again and quickeneth the flesh, that unto us engraffed thereunto by faith, the like life may be given, and the body of sin mortified in us, and thou live and reign in us for evermore, wherefore let thy glorious rest be in us.  
We are made of earth, and after sin, our bodies were appointed to the earth; yea the ungodly shall abide for ever in the earth, and never appear in thy glorious heaven. But after thou touchedst the death with thy lively flesh, thou madest it light, thou tookest away the heaviness thereof. Through the blast of the first serpent many times, even man's flesh is turned into very serpents. And in the grave of the wicked, more horrible is the filth of spiritual dragons and serpents which devour them everlastingly, and keep them in perpetual death. But thou, O Son of God makest the graves of thy saints even pleasant chambers as it were. Thou drivest far away from thence all filthiness of sathan. Thou settest about them the watchmen, even thy pure Angels, which bring their souls into paradise, commending them into the hands and bosom of thy Father, and keep also their ashes, which both were and shall be at thy return the house of the holy ghost.  
Beautify us in like manner with this thy glory of true knowledge and calling upon thee. Be present with us at the point of death; receive our souls at their departure into thine hands, show thou thy comfort & joy, till at the resurrection of mankind thou crown thine elect with perfect & endless glory, a taste whereof might be seen in those forty days after thy resurrection. Never was there so goodly a world as that was, when thou rosest from death, and broughtest out of their graves a great company of thy Saints, as the Scripture plainly (but briefly for the ungodly) doth testify. Familiarly did the holy fathers and matrons remain with thy sweet mother and Apostles. Pleasant speeches and much talk was made, no doubt of the miseries of man, of the unspeakable benefits gotten by thee, and of the glory of eternal life.  
O Lord, raise thou up our hearts, that with a true desire, we may long to come into this fair company. Let us turn ourselves in cogitation unto that holy assembly. Let us hearken unto and learn thy wisdom revealed in thy word. In this life thy Church is in darkness, in miseries; men are occupied in the observation of outward ceremonies, as those godly women; they will anoint thy body. Many times thy Church seemeth to be deprived of thy sweet presence, and uttereth these sorrowful words: They have taken away my Lord, and I can not tell where they have laid him. But O Son of God, amend the mortal darkness within us; kindle in our soul thine inward service which pleaseth thee; manifest thyself unto us in affliction; speak these comfortable words in our calamity unto us, Weep not; that even in death we may think with ourselves that thou art present, and after death rise again to the fruition of eternal life, with thy blessed Saints,  
Amen.   

Another.  
Almighty God, and most merciful heavenly Father, who hast raised up thy Son for our justification, as thou gavest him to death for our sins, grant that thy holy spirit may work that faith in us, whereby we may be made partakers of that righteousness, which he hath for those that trust in him. And because without the blessed hope of rising again from the dead, our faith is in vain, and we are yet in our sins, therefore we beseech thee to confirm and strengthen it in us, that as thou hast already raised up Christ our head, so we may be assured thou wilt also raise us up, that the body may be joined to the head. And furthermore, as thou hast left this holy story of thy Son, that we might believe in him, and by faith obtain everlasting life; so we beseech thee work the fruit of it in us, in constant faith, to the salvation of our souls, and thy everlasting glory, to whom with the Son and the holy Ghost, be all honour, praise and glory, now and for ever,  
Amen.   

Another.  
Almighty God, and most merciful heavenly Father, who according to all that had been written before in the law of Moses, and in the Prophets, that it behoved the Saviour of the world to suffer death, and to rise again from the dead the third day, and that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be preached amongst all nations in his name, and so from point to point hast fully accomplished all these things in Christ jesus thine only Son, whom thou didst raise from the grave, as this day, not only to live again in this world, but even to sit at thy right hand, and providing for our infirmity, hast given us a great many of witnesses, both of holy men and women upon the earth, and of Angels from heaven, to confirm the truth of this matter unto us, that we might have strong assurance of salvation in him through faith. Open our minds to understand the holy Scriptures, and grant us steadfastly to believe this thy Gospel, that by this faith, being made one with him, we may receive the forgiveness of our sins, and the estimation of righteous men in thy sight, through him. And furthermore also grant, that by this his mighty conquest, whereby he hath triumphed over the last enemy which is Death, in raising himself again unto life, we may both rise with him from the death of sins, to the life of grace, by leading a new conversation, and sit with him at thy right hand in hope, having our life hid in him, that when he shall appear to come to judgement, our life also here being led in the obedience of faith, may then be made manifest, and we receive that which we now in faith possess, and in a blessed hope look and wait for at his coming, which is the salvation of our souls, to the glory of thy name, to whom, with the Son, and the holy Ghost, be all praise and honour now and for ever,  
Amen.   

A thanksgiving.  
WE lift up our hearts unto thee, O Lord; for it is very meet, right, and our bounden duty, that we should at all times, and in all places give thanks unto thee O Lord, holy Father, almighty everlasting God: but chiefly we are bound to praise thee for the glorious resurrection of thy son jesus Christ our Lord. For he is the very paschal Lamb which was offered for us, and hath taken away the sins of the world; who by his death hath destroyed death, and by his rising to life again, hath restored to us everlasting life. Therefore with Angels and Archangels, and with all the company of heaven, we laud and magnify thy glorious name, evermore praising thee, and saying: Holy holy holy Lord God of hosts; heaven and earth are full of thy glory; Glory be to thee O Lord most high, So be it.    

10. On Ascension day. Of Christ his glorious ascending into the heavens, in the sight of his Apostles.  

The Preface.  
GOD is gone up with a merry noise, and the Lord with the sound of the trumpet, Glory to God on high. Halleluiah.  
He humbled himself unto the death, wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and set him on his right hand in heavenly places, far above all powers and dominion. Halleluiah.  
God is gone up on high, and hathled captivity captive, and received gifts for men. Halleluiah.  
He that descended first into the low parts of the earth, is even the same also that ascended up, far above all heavens, to fulfil all things. Halleluiah.  
God is gone up with a merry noise; the Lord is ascended in great triumph. Halleluiah.  
Lift up your head O ye gates, and be ye lift up ye everlasting doors, that the King of glory may enter in. Halleluiah.  
Yea, be thou exalted Lord in thine own strength, so will we praise thy power perpetually, and evermore sing, Glory to God on high, Halleluiah.   

The prayer.  
THou, O Christ son of God, forty days after thy resurrection, continuedst in the world to the unspeakable comfort of thy Church, which being expired, thou ascendedst gloriously in the sight of thy Saints into the heavens. We yield thee most hearty thanks for this thy benefit, beseeching thee most humbly to number us among the saints and soldiers which wait upon thee triumphieng. The hand-writing dependeth on the testimony of our guilty conscience, to our condemnation; but by thy death, the sentence of condemnation is abolished, and thy blood washeth us from all our sins. The enemies of thine elect, even the devil and death, are lead bound, and the whole company of the saints both in heaven and earth, is filled with joy, & speak of thy victory and benefits. Thy Saints in heaven visibly do behold thy glorious victory. Thy Saints in earth are saved by faith, for the ornament and glory of the king's daughter is glorious within.  
In the sight of many godly auditors of thine, and of thy holy mother the blessed virgin Marie, thou wast carried visibly from the earth in the clouds into heaven. Thou gavest a taste of eternal life to thine Apostles wondering at thy departure, and preachedst to them of thy return into judgement. Thou hast glorified thine human nature with unspeakable glory, and placed the same on the right hand of thy Father, upon the throne of triumph and victory, as having for our sakes, vanquished all our enemies. But thine human nature is not only above, as be thy Saints, but is exalted also to such a light, as cannot be attained to by any creature. Thou reignest visible with the Father, replenishing the whole celestial congregation with righteousness and divine glory. Govern thou also in this mortal life, outwardly in thy ministery, and inwardly in our minds. Thou hast ascended on high, and lead captivity captive, to bestow thy benefits upon man.  
Before thy departure thou renewedst the institution of thy ministery, thou gavest thy disciples a commandment to preach to all nations; for which thy goodness, we give thee most hearty thanks: for thereby thou hast called us to the society of thy Saints. Assist us with thy spirit, that we may believe the Gospel, and keep for evermore the covenant which in our baptism we have made with thee. Thou adornedst thine Apostles which were to carry a new doctrine over the face of the whole earth, with singular testimonies of miracles, that the Church might assuredly know they erred not. Continue among us in like sort thy ministery, together with the purity of thy word. Send among us Evangelists, pastors and teachers, which may join themselves to the doctrine of the Apostles, and diligently spread the same abroad, and speak thou which art the head of the ministery within to our hearts, and raise up godly motions through thy spirit.  
Thou art ascended on high to be the head of thy Church, filling all things; finish thy work in us; engraff us to thy glorified body, and power upon us from thy divine nature a like spirit, which may intermingle itself with our soul, and begin while we here live, in us an eternal life, which may create in us a new man, fashioned accordingly to thy similitude and likeness. And inspire in us such a perfection and righteousness, as thou shalt think meet and convenient for our weak and frail nature; and let holy motions agreeing to thine heavenly will be planted in us. drive away the darkness of our minds, extinguish the wicked affections of our heart, and let the new man daily prosper and increase in perfection. Defend thy Church by thy mighty right hand, against all the power both of man and devils. Fill our flitting souls with a taste of a new life, receive them into thine hands, and grant that at the resurrection and glorification of thy Church, we may joyfully behold thee, returning and triumphing gloriously, and so be placed in that kingdom, which thou wilt deliver to thy Father, for their everlasting happiness,  
Amen.  
Halleluiah. Glory be to God on high.   

Anotherverie devout meditation and prayer, wherein the mind is very much moved, and plenteously stirred to contemplation of heavenly things, if it be said in quietness.  
MOst mighty King, my very good, gentle, & loving Lord jesus Christ, which of thine inestimable charity and unspeakable pity, taking upon thee to be the seed of Abraham, not of Angels, didst vouchsafe not only willingly to suffer for our sins both bonds, cross, wounds, yea death and sepulchre, and after three days (death being overcome) didst rise again for our justification, wast seen of thy disciples, reforming their hearts, and establishing them that were almost declining from thee: but also after thou hadst glorified our mortal nature with the stole of holy resurrection and immortality, the fortieth day after thou in the sight of thy disciples, didst with the triumph of thy glory, gloriously ascend into heaven, and cariedst it above the heavens, and above all the melodious company of Angels, above Cherubin and Seraphin, placing it upon the right hand of God thy Father, where the Angels do praise that same human nature of ours, and all the powers of heaven do even tremble to see a man to be God over them, and where thou O Lord sittest and livest everlastingly now, and reignest throughout all worlds.  
Behold, I thy seely creature, which with the weight of my frailness am drawn ever downward, and so not able to live holily, virtuously, and as I ought to live, without thy continual help, whereunto I think it necessary for me to stick and cleave, most humbly beseech thee to draw me upward toward thee, that I may run after thee in the sweet savour of thine ointments. Let me run, and not faint, when thou drawest me and leadest me running. Draw the mouth of the soul that thirsteth after thee, unto the high floods and streams of thine eternal abundance and satiety: yea draw me wholly unto thyself, which art the living well, to the intent I may, according to my capacity, drink of that whereupon I do live.  
O my God, my life, thou didst say with thy holy and blessed mouth; If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. O well of life, grant unto my thirsty soul, alway to drink of thee, that according to thy holy and true promise, waters of life may flow out of my belly. O well of life, replenish and fill my mind full of the river of thy pleasure. Make my heart to be drunken as it were in thy love, that after the manner of them that be drunken with wine, which forget all things save the cup, so I may forget all vain & earthly things, and continually have nothing else in my remembrance, but thee only, according as it is written; I remembered God and was delighted. Give me the holy Ghost, whom those waters did signify, which thou didst promise to give to them that thirsted after thee.  
Grant I beseech thee, that I may assay to go with my whole desire and all my study toward that place, unto the which I believe thou didst ascend the fortieth day after thy resurrection, that in this present misery I may be only in body, but in thought and desire always with thee, that my heart may be there whereas thou art which art my treasure, worthy to be coveted, and much to be loved, wherewith no treasure is worthy to be compared.  
Bring to pass, O Lord Christ, that through thy gift I may be stirred and carried upward: for I fervently desire to ascend, yea I make certain ascensions in my heart, lifting it upward, and sing the song of stars. With the lamp of thy love, I say, am I kindled and moved to go with thee thither, whereas thou my portion reignest, and I believe to reign; thither, whereas thou my flesh art glorified, and I believe to be glorified; thither, where thou my blood rulest, and I perceive me to bear rule, that is, even unto the peace of jerusalem, to jerusalem I say which is my country; to jerusalem which is my mother, would I now go upward. For when I remember jerusalem, I extend and stretch forth towards it the senses of my heart, and towards thee, O Christ, which art a King over her; her light, her father, her defender, her patron, her governor, her keeper, her chaste and strong delight, her only and whole pleasure, and of whom all her goodness and felicity cometh, because thou art the chief good, and the true good: and I will never turn back, until thou bring me home from this pilgrimage, in which I am deformedlie scattered abroad, unto the place of my dearly beloved mother, whereas be the first fruits of my spirit; and until thou, O God, which art my mercy, fashion me, and confirm me for ever. Whither go we now upward? to the peace of jerusalem? Because I was glad & rejoiced in those things which were spoken unto me, therefore will I go into the house of the Lord, there hath he placed us, there will he give us all good things, therefore will I will & desire nothing else, but to tarry & remain there before the Lord for ever. But, oh Lord, forasmuch as whilst we be clad in this body, we do as it were go astray, & are strangers unto thee; we have not here an abiding place for ever; but we seek for one that is to come: our abiding place is in heaven, whither thou art ascended. Therefore thy favour and grace my guide, I enter into the chamber of my heart, and sing unto thee songs of love, my King and my GOD, mourning with marvelous sighings in this place of my peregrination, whereas thy justices are my songs, and whereas I am tossed with storms on every side. For in this great flood of this life, there is no steadfast standing, or place high enough above the waters; no not for the foot of a dove to rest upon. In this life, I say, there is no safe or quiet peace; no where any sure rest; everywhere battle and strife; everywhere enemies and fightings without doors, and frights and fears within doors.  
And for as much as the one part of us is heavenly, and the other earthly; our body which is corrupt, doth laden, and is burdenous unto the soul: therefore my mind, which is my fellow and friend, being weary with wandering forth of the way, is sick, and lieth all to torn and rend of those things, which it hath passed by. It hungereth and thirsteth greatly after vanities, and I have nothing to set afore it, because I am poor and a beggar. Thou, O Lord my God art rich in all good things, and the most plenteous giver of the dainties of heavenly satiety. Give meat unto the weary; not such as it thirsteth after, but such as is convenient for it. Gather together the dispersed; renew and refresh the torn. Lo, he standeth at the door and knocketh. I beseech thee, by the bowels of thy mercy, wherewith thou being the daie-spring from an high hast visited us; open the hand of thy pity to a wretch that knocketh, and vouchsafe mercifully to enter into thee; and that I may rest with thee, and be refreshed of thee, which art the living & heavenly bread, wherewith when I am once fed, and that my strength is come to me again: I may ascend unto more high things, and be lifted up out of this vale of misery and tears, and with the wings of my godly desires I may fly up unto thee, and the heavenly kingdom.  
Let my spirit, O Lord, I beseech thee, take wings as an Eagle, and fly without fainting: let it fly up, and come to the beautifulness of thine holy house, and to the place of heaven, where thy glory dwelleth; whereas upon the meate-tables of thy supernal citizens, it may be fed full of thy secrets in the place of thy pasture by the most plentiful rivers sides. Let mine heart rest in thee, my God; my heart, I say, which is as though it were a great sea swelling with waters. Thou didst rebuke the winds and the sea, and there was made streightwaies a great calm: O come and wake upon the floods of mine heart, that all things which belong unto me, may be made calm and clear: that I may embrace thee, which art mine only God, and that I may behold thee, which art the sweet light nf mine eyes without any blind darkness of troublesome cogitations and thought. Let my mind fly, O Lord, under the shadow of thy wings for meat, that it being covered with the temperateness of thy pleasant coolness, may sing joyfully, and say; I will lay me down, and rest in peace. Finally, let my memory sleep, O my God, I beseech thee, from all evils; make it to hate iniquity, and to love righteousness. For what can be better, or more delectable, than in the mids of the darkness of this life, and among the manifold and bitter miseries of the same, to desire fervently heavenly sweetness? To covet everlasting blessedness? Or our mind to be held ever there, whereas we may be most sure to have infallible and true joys?  
Oh Lord, which for thy loving kindness art most worthy to be desired, and coveted of all things: when shall I see thee? When shall I appear before thy face? When shall I be satisfied of thy glory? When wilt thou bring me forth of this dark prison, that I may confess thy name, so that afterward I be no more pricked? When shall I pass, and go to that marvelous and beautiful house of thine, whereas the voice of gladness and rejoicing doth sound in the tabernacles of just men? Blessed are they that dwell in thine house, O Lord; they shall praise thee ever world without end. Blessed are they, yea blessed indeed, whom thou hast chosen, and taken into that heavenly inheritance. Behold, O Lord, thy Saints flourish before thee, like unto lilies. For they are replenished with the plenteousness of thine house, and thou doest give them to drink of the flowing river of thy pleasure, because thou art the well of life, and in thy light and brightness they do see light; and that so greatly, that they themselves, which are a light, and are made bright by thee, O Lord, which dost give them light, do shine like unto the sun in thy sight.  
O how marvelous, how fair and beautiful, how acceptable are the mansions and dwelling places of thine house! O Lord of powers, my sinful soul doth covet to enter into them. O Lord, I have loved the comeliness of thine house, and the place where thine honour dwelleth. I asked one petition of the Lord, and the same will I require; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life. Like as the Hart coveteth to go unto the water brooks; even so doth my soul desire to come unto thee, O Lord. When shall I come and appear before the face of my Lord? When shall I see God, after whom my soul longeth very sore? When shall I see him in the land of the living? For in this land of the dead he cannot be seen with mortal eyes.  
What shall I do wretch that I am, which am fettered with the heavy gyves of mortality? What shall I do? Whiles we continue in this body we go astray from the Lord: we have here no abiding place for ever; but we labour for one that is to come. Our free city is in heaven. Woe is me; me think I dwell among the barbarous nations and infidels, and not amongst the faithful Israelites. I lead my life in the tents of Cedar. My soul hath dwelled too long with them that hate peace and quietness. Who will give me wings as a dove, that I may fly away, and rest me? There is nothing that I desire, or delight so much in, as to be in my Lord's company. It is good for me to cleave unto God. Oh grant me, O Lord, whilst I am in these frail members, to stick unto thee, as it is written; He that cleaveth unto the Lord, is all one spirit with him. Give me therefore, I beseech thee, the wings of contemplation, wherewith when I am appareled, I may fly upward. And for as much as every unlucky and infortunate thing lieth beneath: do thou, O Lord, hold up my mind, lest it fall headlong into the lowest bottoms of the dark valley, and lest the shadow of the earth should come between and separate it from thee, that art the bright sun of righteousness; and lest it once hid with the clouds of darkness, should not have liberty; but be letted to look for heavenly things which be above.  
Therefore I do assay to go upward unto the joys of quietness and peace, and unto the delectable and pleasant state of light. O hold mine heart with thine hand, because it cannot be drawn unto high things without thee. Thither do I make haste, whereas most chief and principal peace reigneth, and continual quietness shineth forth. Hold and govern my spirit, and take it according to thy will, that thou being a guide unto it, it may ascend into the region and country of plentifulness, whereas thou feedest Israel everlastingly with the food of truth, to the intent, that there at the leastwise with my swift cogitation and thought, I may come nigh thy wisdom, which remaineth above all things, overpasseth all things, and governeth all things.  
But alas, there be many things, which when my soul would fly unto thee, do cry out upon it. Command them all, O Lord, to hold their peace, and speak not unto me. As for my soul itself, let it give never a word to answer. Let it pass by all things. Let it climb above allthings that be created, & come unto thee. And that it may fasten the eyes of faith upon thee, which art the only Creator of all things. Let it covet unto thee, and be bend towards thee. Let it think upon thee by meditation and contemplation; let it lay thee before her eyes for itself. Let it roll and toss thee in her heart; thee, I say, which art the true and chief goodness, and the joy that will remain without ending.  
There are surely many contemplations, in the which man's soul is marvelously fed of thee; but in none of them is my soul so much delighted, or yet hath so good rest in, as in thee, and when as it thinketh upon thee, and hath thee only in contemplation. Oh how much is thy sweetness, O Lord! How marvelously doest thou inspire the hearts of them that love thee? How delectable is thy love, the fruition whereof they have that love nothing but thee; they seek nothing else; they covet nothing else: happy are they, whose only hope thou art; which have no trust, but in thee only, and all their whole work is prayer. Blessed is he that sitteth solitary alone, and holdeth his peace, and standeth upon his ward, that he is set to keep continually day and night, that yet whilst he is in this frail body, he may be able to taste somewhat thy pleasures.  
I require thee by those thy wounds, which bring health unto us, which wounds thou suffered'st upon the cross for our health; out of the which thy precious blood (wherewith thou redeemedst us, did distill and drop down,) wound this my sinful soul, for the which also thou didst vouchsafe to die: wound it, I say, with the fire and mighty dart of thy great charity. For the word of God is lively and effectuous, and more piercing and sharp than any two edged sword. Thou, O chosen dart, and most sharp sword, which art able by thy power to pierce through the hard shield, or buckler of man's heart, fasten and strike the shaft of thy love in mine heart, that my soul may say unto thee; I am wounded with thy charity, so that forth of that same wound of thy love, tears may flow most plenteously both day and night.  
Strike, O Lord, strike I beseech thee this most indurated and hardened heart and mind of mine, with the sharp dart of thy love, and pierce it deeper & deeper into the innermost parts thereof, by thy mighty power, and so bring out of my head abundance of water, and out of mine eyes a very well of tears, continually running, through the great affect, and marvelous desire to see thy glory, that I may mourn day and night, without taking any comfort in this life, until in thy heavenly wedding chamber I may see thee my well-beloved and beautiful spouse, my God and my Lord, and that there when I see thy glorious, marvelous, and beautiful face full of all sweetness, together with them which thou hast chosen, than I say, I may worship humbly thy Majesty, and there at the last being replenished with heavenly and unspeakable rejoicing of everlasting gladness, I may ever cry out with them that love thee, saying: Behold, that which I have long desired, now I have obtained, for I am joined in heaven unto him, whom when I was in earth, I loved with all my strength, with all my charity. I embraced him, unto whom with all my love I did stick and cleave. Him do I praise, bless, and worship, that liveth and reigneth God world without end,  
Amen.   

Another prayer to Christ, ascended and reigning in glory.  
OH good Christ, our first begotten brother, and tender-hearted joseph! Oh natural Son of that father, to whom we are made children of adoption through thee! Oh our head, reigning on high in glory, forget not us thy poor members here on earth, where-into abasing thyself, thou camest down, and suffered'st for us most cruel death! Out of this thy throne of majesty and glory thou puttest us in assured hope and confidence, that we also shall attain to this blessed place, whither thou art gone before to take possession for us. Oh our strong tower of defence and succour, what can hurt us now trusting in thee? Most unhappy are they which are ignorant of thee, and most happy are they which always behold thee. Blessed are they which have known thee here in the days of this mortality: but more blessed are they which see thee in the heavens, and shall see thee reigning with thy Father in joys incomparable.  
Oh Lord, the only joy and comfort of our souls, show us thy loving countenance, embrace us with the arms of thy mercy. Receive us, O good joseph thy younger brethren, with the kiss of comfort. power into our hearts thy holy spirit. Pluck us up from the earth and earthly things. Open our eyes, and lift them up unto thee. Open thy mouth, and call us unto thee. Open our ears, that we may hear thee, so that whatsoever we do speak or think, it may be directed unto thee alone our redeemer, mediator and advocate,  
Amen.   

Another.  
THou Lord didst put away Marry Magdalen from thee kissing of thy feet, because thy flesh was not yet exalted, and she knew not yet the dignity of thy clarified body, and beautified with the glory of immortality, but was addicted only to thy bodily presence. She yet sought thee living among the dead; neither was it known to her that thou wast equal with thy Father: wherefore thou wouldst not suffer her so much as to kiss thy feet, because it was a thing unworthy for thy Majesty.  
O thou mighty Lion of the tribe of juda; thou conqueror of hell and death, everliving and immortal; thou art now risen from death for us. Thou art now ascended to thy Father and our Father, and sittest at the right hand in glory: grant that we also in heart and mind may thither ascend, and with thee continually dwell. Suffer us to come near unto thee, that we may kiss thee. Yea Lord, thou lover of our souls, come thou rather unto us, and kiss us with the kiss of thy mouth, that we may be glad & rejoice in thee. Draw us, that we may run after the savour of thy sweet ointments, that we may behold thee in righteousness, and when thy glory shall appear, we may be satisfied. For in thy presence there is fullness of joy, and on thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore, So be it, Halleluiah.   

A thanksgiving.  
WE lift up our hearts unto thee, O Lord God: for it is very meet, right, and our bounden duty, that we should at all times, and in all places, give thanks unto thee O Lord holy Father, almighty everlasting God, through thy most dear beloved Son jesus Christ our Lord, who after his glorious resurrection, manifestly appeared to all his Apostles, and in their sight ascended up into heaven, to prepare a place for us, that where he is, thither we might also ascend to reign with him in glory. Therefore, with Angels, and Archangels, and with all the company of heaven, we laud and magnify thy glorious name, evermore praising thee, and saying, Holy holy holy, Lord God of hosts, heaven and earth are full of thy glory, Glory be to thee O God most high, So be it.    

11. On whitsunday, or the feast of Pentecost. Of the sending of the Comforter, even the spirit of truth.  

The Preface.  
THE spirit of the Lord filleth the round compass of the world, and upholdeth all things. Halleluiah.  
The spirit of wisdom is loving, and will not absolve him that blasphemeth with his lips. Halleluiah.  
The holy spirit of discipline flieth from deceit, and withdraweth himself from thoughts that are without understanding. Halleluiah.  
This therefore is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men love darkness more than light. Halleluiah.  
But O Father, leave us not comfortless, but come unto us, and give us the Comforter, even the holy spirit of truth, which the world can not receive, that he may abide with us, and dwell within us for ever. Halleluiah.  
Come holy Ghost, and teach us in all thy ways, and bring all things to our remembrance whatsoever God hath commanded unto us, that we may speak with new lips, and magnify God, according to his will. Halleluiah.  
Make me a clean heart O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Halleluiah.  
Cast me not away from thy presence, and take not thy holy spirit from me. Halleluiah.  
O give me the comfort of thy help again, and 'stablish me with thy free spirit. Halleluiah.  
Then shall I teach thy ways unto the world, and sinners shall be converted unto thee. Halleluiah, Halleluiah.   

The Prayer.  
IF ye love me, keep my commandments, and I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever, even the spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, etc. Oh heavenly speech to be had in perpetual remembrance! Thou O Christ promisest such as keep thy commandments, such as in faith and a good conscience obey thee, to be loved entirely of thy Father, and their breasts to be the inhabiting place of thy divinity. Nothing is more lamentable, than to be cast from God into fear and fire unquenchable; nothing more comfortable; than to have thy favour, and to be loved of God. This so excellent a benefit thou dost promise to thy disciples, wherefore engraff us to the blessed company which thy Father doth love, whose sins are forgiven through thy deserts, and they are received into mercy, and the inheritance of eternal life through thy death. Neither is it thy will to have us present in love, and by the imputation of thy righteousness only, but also by a natural participation and real conformity with God in deed.  
Man deceived by the devil, forsook God his governor, & conceived so highly of himself, that he would rule himself without God. Let God defend thy life, the rest seek from thyself, say the wise men of this world; and they commend that man whose only hope dependeth upon himself. But O lamentable darkness, how shamefully doth man fall without God assist! How miserably doth he perish, whom God forsaketh! Wherefore taking pity on our wretched state, thou restorest the ancient order, interrupted through sin, and wilt that the hearts of the faithful shall again be made the dwelling place, & temple of divinity.  
The Godhead in deed is every where, upholding as long as he thinketh good, the whole frame of the world, and the substance of every particular thing therein: and again destroying all when he thinketh good so to do; notwithstanding, he abideth only in the soul, which receiveth Christ: into it do the Father and the word breath of their spirit, and link it to themselves in like light, righteousness and life. In the Son the glory of the Father doth shine, and filleth that human substance, which the word, through an eternal covenant, coupleth to himself with the same spirit, and poureth it into the hearts of believers, to make them like unto him. For the word, through the same spirit, quickeneth both his own and our flesh. And this is the beginning of eternal life in this miserable world. This spirit imprinteth the image of God, which the word (present in our minds) doth speak in our soul, kindling a light and knowledge conformable to the Gospel, turneth us to the true service of GOD, and stirreth up in our wills so holy motions, agreeing to the law of Christ, as shine in that human nature of Christ now glorified, who cureth our infirmity.  
He cometh from the Father sent by the Son to renew us according to the image of Christ. He returneth to the Son and Father to couple us unto God; to make intercession for us with groans unspeakable, and to move the heart of eternal God unto mercy and compassion towards us. Such is our nature, that through God's spirit we reason christianly, and think godly: then how can it be, but that the spirit must raise godly cogitations & good motions in our minds, which is by nature a God, and therefore substantially doth he mingle himself with our spirits, springing in our nature, but regenerated by him to imprint in us another light and newness, than is natural wisdom and righteousness; and therefore many sighs do we fetch, even these deep sighs.  
And thou word dwelling in our minds, be thou present, and kindle our hearts by thy blast. Convert us, Lord, and we shall be converted. Turn us to the acknowledging of our sins; erect us by the preaching of the Gospel, and grant that through faith we may receive the promise of the spirit. Strengthen us, that we may retain so excellent a gift, and at no time be entangled in the snares of Satan, neither yet forego so noble a guest, for our wickedness, Make us to walk circumspectly, not as fools following our vain concupiscence; to shun all occasions of falling, & evermore to crave at thine hands, that this precious gift may from time to time continue with us, and increase.  
And as upon this day thou hast taught the hearts of thy people, by the sending to them the light of thine holy spirit; so grant us by the same spirit, to have a right judgement in all things, and evermore to rejoice in his holy comfort. Let the same spirit bring into our memory, that which thou hast said; make it firmly to retain the foundation of sound doctrine, uttered from the bosom of the Father, and at no time to seek new revelations, as do the Enthusian heretics, both without and beside the warrant of thy word. Let us never invent feigned gods, and false worshippings; but follow only and sincerely that, which thou hast said and taught.  
The world followeth vain pleasure, seeketh prosperity, and hunteth after wealth and worship, especially the last age of this world doth so: it altogether doteth, and is become secure; but fill thou our hearts with true peace, wherewith we may stay ourselves in the combat of conscience, fight before the judgement of God. And in our agonies, when a separation shall be made both of soul and body; then give us grace to be mindful of this thy saying; Let not your hearts be grieved; I go, and come again unto you.  
Let not thy comfortable presence departed from our soul: thou wilt certainly come again, even to raise us from the dead, to place us in thy kingdom. Wherefore we rejoice at thy departure unto thy Father. For the Father is greater than thou. Thou hast prepared a place, and blessed mansion in the house of thy Father, exalted to the right hand of the Father, and hast respect of the person sent even till the consummation of the world. Cease not to apply the merits of thy sacrifice unto us, make continual intercession for us. Thou abidest our King and Priest, until thou deliverest the kingdom to thy Father. And therefore as a Mediator thou dost verily obtain those good things, which thou hast promised to all believers.  
Thou valiantly didst conquer Satan, to make us partners of thy victory. Thou willingly gavest thy life, that it might satisfy for many. Thou wast obedient to thine eternal Father, in the race of thine humiliation, that by thy death we might live. Wherefore, seal within us this faith and righteousness; grant that continually we may retain thy saying in our minds; that we may enjoy thy peace, and keep a place for thy divinity in our hearts, while we live in this world, through our first fruits, and so hereafter in the life to come, we shall attain the tenths, and be made like unto thee, beholding God face to face: So be it.   

Another meditation and thanksgiving, for the good effects that the holy Ghost worketh in us by his coming.  
ALL possible praise and thanks I yield unto thee, O God heavenly Father, and unto thy dear Son jesus Christ my Saviour, for sending down thy spirit of truth our comforter, sanctifier, and regenerator, the holy Ghost into this world. The which thing verily I believe thou didst for this only end and purpose, that because the grape of thy son our Saviour Christ's flesh was carried to the winepress of the Cross, and there being pressed, yielded forth the sweet wine of his Godhead: it pleased thee therefore of thy great mercy to send the same thy holy Ghost, to make ready the vessels of men's hearts, that the new wine might be put into new vessels: first to season their hearts from marring of the wine that should be put into them, and afterward to hoop them well for leaking, when the wine was powered into them: that is to say; to cleanse them from delighting in sin, and to bind them from delighting in vanity. For that which is good, could not come in, till that which is evil, was first rid out.  
Oh wonderful work! Oh unspeakable benefit of thy surpassing goodness and mercy, most worthy of all praise, that man on earth, or Angels in heaven may give or render! The holy name of thy sacred Majesty be therefore blessed, magnified, and extolled, for ever and ever, Amen. And now, O gracious God, and good Father, I most humbly and entirely beseech thee, that for as much as delighting in wickedness (which is to love sin) doth defile us, and make our vessels fowl; yea leadeth to death: and that the delighting in vanity (which is to be in love with transitory things of this world) sheddeth out, and maketh the vessel of our bodies full of crannies and rifts, yea enticeth and deceiveth us to our destruction; it may please thee therefore of thine ancient and accustomed mercy and goodness, to give me grace to cast out the thing that is evil in me, that I may be fit to take in and receive the thing that is good in thee, and so to power out all sourness of sin and wickedness, that I may be filled with the sweetness of all virtue and godliness.  
Yea, do thou thyself, O gracious Father (even with the same thy blessed finger, and mighty power, wherewith in times passed by thy son Christ Jesus thou didst rebuke and throw the devils and unclean spirits forth of those that were possessed,) vouchsafe also I beseech thee, of the same thy singular love and pity, to cast out of me the fowl spirit of the devil, which worketh delight in wickedness, and is the occasion of faults: yea so, and in such sort to abandon him, that he, nor any of his, may ever return into my vessel any more to dwell therein. I beseech thee furthermore, to expel forth of my vessel, the spirit of this world, which worketh delight in vanity, and is a fault of itself; that I be never enticed, nor deceived any more therewith hereafter. Finally, I humbly pray thee to throw out of me all other evil and unclean spirits whatsoever, which are noisome enemies to my soul and salvation: and grant that thy spirit, O God, even the holy Ghost, I mean, with all the fruits, gifts, virtues, and graces thereof, may vouchsafe to come and enter into the tabernacle of mine heart and mind, to work in me good delights, & good love, whereby the love of the world, and the love of sin, may be utterly driven away from me for ever: and my mind be continually enlightened; my conscience still cleansed; mine heart ever gladded; and thou thyself, my GOD, my Sanctifier and Saviour, be more and more showed, and made manifest unto me,  
Amen.   

A thanksgiving unto God for our regeneration and sanctification, not unproper to be used also at public Baptism.  
O God the holy Ghost, which proceedest from the Father & the Son, and with them art worshipped and glorified in the unity of the true and eternal Deity, and art also the substantial amity between the Father and the Son, we worship thee, we praise and glorify thee, and with our whole heart we thank thee for all thy benefits, especially for calling us by the voice of thy Gospel, unto the Christian congregation, for illuminating us with thy gifts; for sanctifying us with a steadfast faith; and for keeping us hitherto in the same. For by the fount of the wholesome laver, that is, by the water of holy Baptism, being powered into us, thou doest continually work in us regeneration and renewing of the inward man. hearken, we beseech thee, unto our supplication, and teach us miserable women, which by the proper strength of our only reason, can by no means trust in, or approach to Christ our Lord and Saviour: teach us, O our God, what thy pleasure is, and lead us into all truth. For without thine assistance, none can say that jesus is the Lord.  
O blessed Lamp of light, fill the inward parts of the faithful with the holy oil of thy manifold heavenly gifts and graces, without the which nothing is light and pleasant in man, but every thing dark, obscure, and hurtful. Wash thou that is filthy; water that is dry; heal that is wounded; bow the obstinate; cherish the frozen; and reclaim them which wander. Give to the faithful trusting in thee, the reward of well-doing, the entrance into happiness and everlasting comfort. Thou in thy gifts sevenfold, which art the spirit of the Lord, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and strength, the spirit of knowledge, and of the fear of the Lord; inspire into us through the preaching of the Gospel, thine heavenly wisdom about thine essence and dinine pleasure, which is hid from the world. Grant that we may know the Father and the Son by thee, and may always believe that thou art the spirit of them both, & so worship one God in Trinity, and the Trinity in unity, whose will is, that not one should perish, but be converted & live; and that as many as believe in the Son, should have everlasting life. For the Father sent the Son, not to condemn the world, but that the world through him might be saved.  
O lightener of the mind, power upon us thy new light, and purge the horrible darkness of our minds, so that we may see & know our chief Father, whom pure eyes only do behold. O thou heavenly comforter, give unto us a testimony, and grant unto our minds a token of the certainty of our belief, so that we doubt not, neither waver about thy divine goodness towards us. Make our hearts quiet and secure, that with a full trust and confidence we may approach to the throne of thy heavenly grace, receiving by adoption the right of children; and inflamed with spiritual joy in all boldness and liberty, may cry Abba, Father.  
Thou most faithful advocate, strengthen us against all the assaults and temptations of sathan, so that we may never doubt of thy divine providence and predestination, whereby we are chosen and called in Christ unto everlasting life; and never being strooken with a servile fear, and oppressed with dreadful doubtings, may in a rage flee and forsake our God. O surpassing comforter, leave us not destitute of thine aid and patronage; but vouchsafe evermore to be present with us in our crosses & troubles, lest otherwise we faint: but rather make us to rejoice in tribulations, knowing that a crown of life is laid up for such as love him. O thou teacher of men, instruct us how, and what we ought to pray for, according to thy will, that we may be heard; and make thou intercession for us with sighs that can not be expressed.  
O thou cleanser of the heart, give us the simplicity of mind without gall and bitterness, which descendedst in jordan upon our Lord and Saviour Christ in the likeness of a dove, that we may be void of bitter envy and contention in our hearts, and have no root among us, that bringeth forth gall and wormwood. O thou substantial flame, proceeding from the breast of the Father, and his eternal Son, lighten our hearts with the fire of chaste and burning love. Thou which appearedst as upon this day at the feast of Pentecost unto the Apostles in cloven tongues like fire, see our coldness, and comfort us with thy quickening heat and breathings, that we may receive thy chrism and annointment. O thou guest of the soul, make thee a mansion place within the secret parts of our hearts, that we may be an house for thy divinity, which may dwell perpetually in our members, and never departed from us, through our Lord & Saviour jesus Christ,  
Amen.   

A thanksgiving.  
WE lift up our hearts unto thee, O Lord God. For it is very meet, right, and our bounden duty, that we should at all times, and in all places give thanks unto thee, O Lord holy Father, the almighty, everlasting GOD, through jesus Christ our Lord; according to whose most true promise, the holy Ghost came down this day from heaven, with a sudden great sound, as it had been a mighty wind; in the likeness of fiery tongues, lighting upon the Apostles, to teach them, and lead them to all truth, giving them both the gift of divers languages, and also boldness, with fervent zeal constantly to preach thy Gospel unto all nations, whereby we are brought out of darkness and error into the clear light and true knowledge of thee, and of thy Son jesus Christ. Therefore with Angels, and Archangels, & with all the blessed company of heaven, we laud and magnify thy glorious name, evermore praising thee, and saying, Holy holy holy Lord God of hosts: heaven and earth are full of thy glory. Glory be to thee, O Lord most high: So be it.    

12. On Trinity Sunday. An acknowledgement of the almighty Trinity, and his undivided Godhead, essence, power and majesty.  

The Preface.  
WHen jesus was baptized in the water; lo, the heavens opened, and the spirit of God descended like a dove, and lighted upon him: and behold, there came a voice from heaven, saying; This is my dearly beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.  
Holy, holy, holy; Lord God almighty. Halleluiah.  
There are three, which bear record in heaven; the Father, the Word, and the holy Ghost, and these three are one.  
Holy, holy, holy; Lord God of Saboth. Halleluiah.   

The Prayer.  
O Most high Trinity, one only power, and undefiled majesty, our God, God almighty, the beholder and searcher of mine heart, I the abject and hindmost of all thy servants, confess and acknowledge thee, and being the least member of thy Church, I worship thee with a due sacrifice of praise, for so much as I am able and can, according to that which thou hast vouchsafed to endue me withal. And forasmuch as I am destitute of outward gifts to offer unto thee, those vows of praise which I have of the gift of thy mercy, behold willingly and gladly I offer them unto thee, which be an unfeigned faith, and a pure conscience.  
I believe therefore with all my heart, O king of heaven, and Lord of the earth, and with my mouth do I confess thee, the Father, the Son, and the holy Ghost, to be three persons, and one in substance; the true and very God almighty, of one simple, incorporal, and invisible nature, incomprehensible, and of such a nature, as is not in a place as other natures be, and that thou hast nothing superior or above thyself, or lower, or any thing bigger than thyself, but in all manner of means perfect, without all spot of deformity. And that thou art great without quantity; good without quality; everlasting without time; life without death; strong without infirmity or weakness; true without lying; present in every place without any situation, or being placed in any place, to be all every where without place; fulfilling all things without stretching forth thy hand; going every where without any contradiction or gaine-saieng; passing over all things without moving; abiding in all things without any kind of proportion; making all things, having need of nothing; governing all things without labour; giving all things their beginning, having no beginning thyself; making all things mutable and variable, thyself being without all kind of mutability and variableness.  
I confess thee to be in greatness without measure; in power almighty; in goodness the chief and best; in wisdom inestimable; in counsels, intents, and purposes terrible and fearful; in judgements most upright and just; in cogitations and thoughts most secret; in words true; in works holy; in mercies abundant and plentiful; toward offenders most patiented; towards the penitent, and those that be heartily sorry for their sins most gentle & loving; always the same, everlasting, and continually continuing, immortal, and incommutable, impossible to be changed or altered.  
Whom neither the amplitude or largeness of places doth make bigger, nor the shortness or littleness of places make lesser, nor any places or corners can contain or press together. Neither doth thy will or intent vary or alter, nor familiarity or acquaintance corrupt thee, nor sorrowful things trouble or amaze thee, nor glad things make thee pleasant or frolic as a man would say. For from thee can forgetfulness take nothing, nor mindfulness or remembrance give any thing. Neither are things passed unto us, passed also unto thee; nor things which to us are to come, to come towards thee. For neither beginning doth give any beginning to thee, nor time any increase, nor yet chance giveth thee any end; but before all worlds, and in all worlds, and by worlds into everlasting thou doest live, and thou hast continual praise and perpetual glory; most high power, and singular honour; everlasting kingdom, and rule, and empire without end, through the infinite, and unwearie, and immortal world of worlds.   

Another meditation of the right belief in the unity of persons and plurality in God.  
THese, and much more things have I learned of the holy mother the Church, whereof through thy grace I am made a member. Of her have learned how thou the alone and true God, both hast no body, and also art unsubiect to passions, & how nothing of thy substance or nature is any way violable, or changeable, or compounded, or created: and therefore certain it is, how thou canst neither be perceived by any bodily eyes, nor could ever be seen in the proper nature of any mortal man. For hence it may evidently be gathered, that where Angels do now behold thee, there we also after this life shall see thee, nay, the very Angels neither are able to see thee as thou art in thyself, naïe to conclude, the almighty Trinity is known to none but only to thyself, O blessed Trinity.  
And thou, an unity of the Godhead, through the plurality of persons manifold, art in number infinite, and therefore measurably unmeasurable, and waightily unwaiable. For we knowledge no beginning of the sovereign goodness, the which thou art, of whom, through whom, in whom are all things, but through participation thereof we say all good things are. For thy divine essence hath always been, and yet is without matter, although it lack no form, to wit, informed, the form of forms, the most well-formed form, the which while thou imprintest as a seal to every particular thing, thou makest them doubtless to differ from thyself, without any either of your augmenting, or diminishing, but whatsoever is in the world it is thy creature.  
O simple Trinity, and triple unity, God, whose almightiness both possesseth, and ruleth, and replenisheth all things which thou hast created. Neither in saying how thou fillest all things, mean we that they contain thee, but rather that thou conteinest them; neither by parts fillest thou all things, nor yet may it be thought, that every thing, according to the greatness of the portion it hath, receiveth thee, that is, the greatest thing more, and the smallest thing less, thou rather being in all things, or more truly, all things in thee, whose omnipotency includeth all things. Neither can any man find a way to escape thy power. For whosoever hath not thy favour, can by no means avoid thy displeasure, as it is written, Neither from the East, nor from the West, nor from the South, but God is the judge. And again, Whither shall I go from thy spirit? Or whither shall I go from thy presence?  
The immensity of thy divine greatness is this, that we know thee to be within all things, not as included; and without all things, yet not as excluded. And therefore thou art within, that thou mayst contain all; and therefore without, that all things may be comprehended within the immensity of thine uncircumscribed greatness. So then by that thou art within, thou art known to be a Creator; by that thou art without, we perceive how thou art the governor of all things. And lest all things, which are created might be without thee, thou art within and without, that all things may be included of thee, not by local greatness, but by thy mighty presence, who art everywhere present, and all things present before thee: although some understand these things, yet some do not.  
The unity then of thine inseparable nature, can not have separable persons; because, as thou art a Trinity in unity, and an unity in Trinity; so can you not have a separation of persons. Sometimes indeed, those persons are particularly named; but so thou wouldst, O God the Trinity, declare thyself inseparable in persons; that there is no name in any one person, but may be referred unto another, according to the rule of relation: as the Father unto the Son, & the Son unto the Father; so hath the holy Ghost true relation both unto the Father & the Son. Also, those names, which signify either your substance, O GOD, or person, or power, or essence, or else what, which properly is called God, do equalliie agree to all the persons: as great God, almighty, eternal, and generally all things, which natural are spoken of God. So that there is no name of nature, which so may agree unto thee, God the Father, but the same also may fitly be referred unto the Son, and holy Ghost.  
We say how thou the Father art naturally God; so is the Son naturally God, and the holy Ghost naturally: and yet not three Gods; but one God naturally, the Father, the Son, and the holy Ghost. And therefore, O God holy Trinity, in persons thou art inseparable; in sense are they to be understood, though in sound you have separable names. For you receive no plural number in the nature. For hereby it is declared, how the persons in the holy Trinity, which is one very God, can not be divided: for that the name of every person, respecteth alway another person. If I say the Father, I point unto the Son; if I name the Son, I presuppose a Father; if I mention the holy Spirit, I must necessarily understand of whom he is the Spirit; namely, of the Father, and of the Son. For this is the true faith, proceeding from sound doctrine: this undoubtedly is the catholic and right faith, which God of his goodness hath taught me in the bosom of the mother Church.   

The faith or belief of a true Christian, concerning the blessed Trinity, most notably described.  
O My light, I praise thee for enlightening me, whereby I know thee; but how do I know thee? I know thee to be God alone, a living God, a true God, my Creator. I know thee to be the maker both of heaven and earth, of all things visible and invisible, a very GOD, almighty, immortal, invisible, uncompassable, unlimitable, everlasting, to whom none can approach unto, nor comprehend, nor find out; who art unchangeable, unmeasurable, infinite, the beginning of all creatures, be they visible or invisible, by whom all things were created; through whom all the elements do consist: whose majesty, as it never had beginning; so it shall never have end.  
I know thee to be one God alone, the true God; namely, the eternal Father, Son, and holy Ghost; three persons indeed, but one simple substance, and unparted nature; the Father made of none; the Son of the Father alone; the holy Ghost of the Father and of the Son; always without either beginning or end. A Trinity, yet but one only, and very God, omnipotent; the only beginning of all things, maker of all creatures, both visible and invisible, spiritual and temporal, which by thine almighty power at the beginning didst of nothing make together, both creatures, spiritual & corporal, that is to say, Angelical and worldly, and after the human, as a middle nature consisting of body and spirit.  
I know and confess thee GOD the Father, to be unbegotten; thee God the Son, to be begotten of the Father; thee God the holy Ghost the comforter, to be neither made, nor begotten. With mine heart I believe unto righteousness, and with my mouth I confess unto salvation, this holy and single Trinity, in the three coequal, consubstantial, and coeternal persons, to be a Trinity in unity, and an unity in Trinity.  
I know thee jesus Christ our Lord, to be a true God, the only begotten Son of God, and the Creator, Saviour, and Redeemer, not of me only, but also of all mankind: whom I acknowledge to be begotten of the Father before all worlds, God of GOD, light of light, very God of very God, begotten, not made, being of one substance, and coeternal with the Father and the holy Ghost, by whom all things at the beginning were made: steadfastly believing, and truly confessing, that thou jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God, for our salvation, by the consent of the whole Trinity tookest flesh; and wert conceived by the holy Ghost, of the virgin Marie, and wert made very man, of a reasonable soul, and human flesh subsisting.  
Thou, for so much as in respect of thy Godhead, being the only begotten Son of God, thou couldst neither suffer, nor die, through thine exceeding love, wherewith thou hast loved us. Thou, the very same Son of God, for all that, becamest subject to sufferings, and mortality, in respect of thy manhood: and, O only Son of God, for the salvation of mankind didst suffer death upon the wood of the Cross, to save us from everlasting death. Thou, the author of light, descendedst into hell, and like a glorious conqueror, rosest again the third day, taking to thee again thy sacred body, which for our sins had lain in the sepulchre; and quickening it according to the scripture the third day, that thou mightest place the same at the right hand of the Father.  
For thou, the very Son of God, taking again unto thyself the substance of our flesh, that is to say, the soul and human body, which thou tookest of the glorious virgin, art ascended up above all the heavens, and mounted above the orders of Angels, where thou sittest at the right hand of God the Father, and whereas the fountain of life is; the light which none can attain unto: and the peace of God, which passeth all understanding. There we do worship thee; there we do believe thee to be the very God, and very man; confessing God to be thy Father, and from thence we look, that thou wilt come a judge in the end of the world, to judge both the quick and the dead, and to render to all men, good and bad, according to their deeds, which they have done in this life, either reward or punishment, according as every one is worthy, rest or torment. For all men, even as many as have received souls in their human flesh, which they had in this world, shall rise at that day, through the sound of thy power: that whole man may receive either the glory of heaven, or the pain of hell, according to his deserts. Thou art our resurrection, and the life itself, whom we look for; even the Lord jesus Christ our Saviour, who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body.  
I know thee the holy Spirit, both of the Father and of the Son, to be one God, and a very GOD, proceeding alike from them both, of one substance, and coeternal with the Father and the Son, our comforter, and advocate: which camest downe in the likeness of a dove upon the same God, and our Lord jesus Christ, and showedst thyself upon thine Apostles in fiery tongues: which also even from the beginning hast instructed, with the gift of thy grace, all the Saints and chosen of God; and opened the mouths of the Prophets, that they might declare abroad the wonderful mysteries of the kingdom of God; who also together with the Father and the Son, of all the Saints of God art worshipped and glorified. Among whom I thine handmaid do glorify thy name, because thou hast enlightened me. For thou art the very light; the true light; the fire of God; the master of spirits, which by thine ointment teachest us all truth, the Spirit of truth, without which it is impossible to please God. For thou thyself art God of God, and light of light, unspeakably proceeding from the Father of lights, and from his Son our Lord jesus Christ, with whom thou reignest and art glorified most singularly, being of one substance, coequal, and coeternal with them in the essence of one and the same Trinity.  
I know thee Father, Son, and holy Ghost, to be one, a living, and a very God: three I confess in persons, yet but one in essence; whom I acknowledge, worship, and glorify with mine whole heart, being the true God, the only God, holy, immortal, invisible, unchangeable, whom no man can either attain unto, or find out. This God I acknowledge to be one light, one sun, one bread, one life, one happiness, one beginning, one end, one Creator both of heaven and earth, by whom all things do live; by whom all things subsist; by whom all things are governed, ruled, and quickened, both the things in heaven, and the things in earth, & things under the earth: besides whom there is no God, neither in heaven, nor in earth.  
Thus know I thee, O blessed Trinity, my Lord God, who knowest me. Thus know I thee, through the faith, which thou hast inspired to me. I know thee O my light, the sight of mine eyes, O Lord my GOD, the hope of all the ends of the earth: the joy rejoicing my youth, and the good sustaining mine age. For in thee, O Lord, all my bones rejoice, saying; O Lord, who is like to thee? Among the gods, who is like to thee? Not that whom the hands of men have made; but thou who hast made the hands of men. The idols of the nations are silver and gold, even the works of men's hands: so is not he which made man. All the gods of the people are idols; but the Lord made the heavens. Let those gods, which made not the heavens, and the earth, perish from the earth, and from under these heavens; but let both heaven and earth praise him, which created both earth and heaven,  
Amen.   

A zealous prayer unto the blessed Trinity.  
WHerefore, O Lord, my faith, which thou hast given me to my salvation, calleth unto thee. For the faithful soul liveth by faith; he enjoyeth in hope, which one day he shall behold in thee. O my God, unto thee crieth my pure conscience, and the sweet love of my faith, which the darkness of ignorance being driven away, thou hast brought unto the knowledge of the truth: which also thou hast plucked from the foolish bitterness of this world, and made comfortable and pleasant to me through thy sweet love.  
Unto thee, O blessed Trinity, doth the clear voice and sincere love of my faith call, the which nourishing the same from the cradle, thou hast enlightened alway by the light of thy grace, & confirmed mightily in me through the instructions of our mother the Church. Unto thee do I call, O happy, blessed, glorious, and single Trinity, Father, Son, and holy Ghost; God, Lord, and Comforter; love, grace, and communion; the begetter, the begotten, the renewer; the very light of the very light, the very illumination, the spring, the flood, and the watering: of one, all; through one, all; in one, all things: of whom, through whom, and in whom are all things. The living life, the life from the living, the quickener of such as live. One of himself; one of one; one of two. A being of himself; a being of another; a being from both. The Father is true, the Son truth, and the holy Ghost truth: so that the Father, the Word, & the Comforter, are one essence, one power, one goodness, and one blessedness; of whom, through whom, and in whom, all things be blessed, whatsoever things are blessed. I beseech thee therefore, that as thou hast given me grace, by the confession of a true faith, to acknowledge the glory of the eternal Trinity, and in the power of the divine majesty, to worship the unity: so grant, that through the steadfastness of this faith, I may evermore be preserved, comforted & defended in all my troubles & adversities; which livest and reignest, three persons and one God, blessed for ever,  
Amen.   

Another devout prayer to the holy Trinity.  
WIth all my heart and mouth do I confess, praise, & bless thee O God the Father unbegotten, and thee O God the Son only begotten, also thee O holy Ghost & Comforter; to thee be glory in the world of worlds, Amen.  
O blessed Trinity, thou three coequal and coeternal persons, and one very God, the Father, Son, and holy Ghost, who dwellest alone in everlastingness, and in unapprochable light, which hast founded the earth by thy mighty power, and rulest the whole world by thy wisdom. Holy holy holy Lord God of hosts, dreadful, strong, righteous, merciful, marvelous, praiseworthy, to be beloved, one God, three persons, one being, power, wisdom, goodness, and one unspeakable Trinity: I cry unto thee. Open me the gates of righteousness, and when I am come in, I will praise thee O Lord. Behold, I poor beggar knock at thy door; O sovereign householder, command the gates to be opened at my knocking, according as thou hast said; Knock ye, and it shall be opened.  
For truly, O most merciful Father, the desires of my groaning heart, and the cries of my weeping eyes, do knock at thy door. All my desire is before thee, and my groaning is not hid from thee. Lord turn not thy face any more away from me, neither fling thou away from thy servant in a fume. O Father of mercies, hear the howling out of thy Ward, and reach her thy singular good helping hand, that it may draw me out of the deep waters, and out of the lake of misery, and out of the mire of filthiness, that I perish not; thy pitiful eyes seeing it, and the bowels of thy mercy beholding it, but that I may wade out unto thee my Lord God, so as I may see the riches of thy kingdom, and always behold thy face, and sing praises to thy holy name, O Lord, which workest wonders, which cheerest my heart with remembering thee, and which inlightenest my youth: despise not mine old age, but make my bones to rejoice, and my hoary hears to wax fresh again as the Eagle.   

A thanksgiving.  
WE lift up our hearts unto thee O Lord, for it is very meet, right, and our bounden duties, that we should at all times and in all places give thanks to thee O God almighty, and everlasting God, which art one God, one Lord; not one only person, but three persons in one substance. For that which we believe of the glory of the Father, the same we believe of the Son, and of the holy Ghost, without any difference, or inequality. Therefore with Angels and Archangels, and with all the company of heaven, we laud and magnify thy glorious name, evermore praising thee, and saying, Holy holy holy Lord God of hosts; heaven and earth are full of thy glory. Glory be to thee O Lord most high, and in earth peace, good will towards men. We praise thee, we bless thee, we worship thee, we glorify thee, we give thanks to thee for thy great glory, O Lord God heavenly King, God the Father almighty, O Lord the only begotten Son jesus Christ. O Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father, that takest away the sins of the world, have merry upon us. Thou that takest away the sins of the world, have mercy upon us. Thou that takest away the sins of the world, receive our prayers. Thou that sittest at the right hand of God the Father, have mercy upon us. For thou only art holy, thou only art the Lord, thou only O Christ, with the holy Ghost, art most high in the glory of God the Father; to whom be all kingdom, power, honour and glory world without end,  
Amen.    

13. On every Sunday, holiday, or weekedaie. Of Christ his second and last coming to judgement.  

The Preface.  
THE kingdom of heaven is near at hand, even at the doors. Take heed, watch and pray.  
The son of man shall come as a thief in the night suddenly and unwares, at an hour that ye know not. Take heed, watch and pray.  
Even jesus, which was taken up from us into heaven, shall so come again to gather us unto him, as he was seen to have gone into heaven. Come Lord jesus.  
Behold, he cometh with clouds, and every eye shall see him, yea even they which pierced him through, and all kindreds of the earth shall vail before him. Come Lord jesus.  
Our God shall come, and shall not keep silence: there shall go before him a consuming fire, and burn up his enemies on every side: the hills shall melt like wax at the presence of the Lord, & a mighty tempest shall be stirred up round about him. Come Lord jesus.  
He cometh, he cometh to judge the earth, and with righteousness to judge the world, and the people with equity and truth. Come Lord jesus.  
Therefore yet a very little while O my soul, take heed, watch & pray; and he that shall come, will come, and will not tarry. Come Lord jesus.  
Surely I come shortly saith Christ, and my reward is with me, to give to every one according as his works shall be, either good or bad. For I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last. Blessed are they that watch; and keep my commandments unto the end. Come Lord jesus.  
Even so saith the spirit and the bride. Come Lord jesus, come quickly:  
Amen, Amen.  
Halleluiah.   

The prayer to have Christ's sudden coming, even in our remembrance, and that we may be in a readiness against his most glorious appearing. The Preface, Vt supra jesus. The Prayer.  
BEholding, O heavenly Father, the day of accounts over all flesh to be even now at hand, namely the last day, the day of judgement, the great and notable day of the Lord, wherein the whole generation of mankind, from the beginning of the world, shall rise again, & shall appear both in body and soul, before the presence of the most just judge thine eternal Son, and our righteous God, to receive their own doom for weal or woe, for life or death, for joy or pain, and that eternally with the saints in heaven, or for ever with the devils in hell: we beseech thee most humbly, O gracious God, to have mercy upon all thine inheritance dispersed in these our evil and dangerous days, in the midst of this wicked, most sinful, and untoward generation, upon the face of the earth, amongst whom we are most miserably entangled, contemned, cruelly dealt withal, and stirred to all abominations.  
O heavenly Father, we acknowledge before thee, in ourselves the greatness of our own frailty, our corrupted lust to lewdness, the fullness in ourselves of our own iniquity, and our accustomed inclination at all times to wickedness. O Father of mercies, tender us in our weakness; have compassion upon our infirmities, pardon our sinfulness, and grant unto us thine holy spirit, to work speedy mortification in us, to keep low the pride of our flesh, to humble our souls in thy sight, to strengthen us in righteousness, to fear always thy judgements, to think upon thy wrathful indignation, and upon the hour of the vengeance to come, when thou for our wickedness shalt turn away thy face from us.  
Have mercy upon us, O Lord, have mercy upon us, for Christ jesus thy Son sake; and so prepare all our hearts, souls, and bodies, to the necessity of the time, that we may have therein good regard to ourselves, that our hearts be not overcharged with excess of eating, surfeiting, and drunkenness, or otherwise vexed with the cares of this wretched world, to hinder us, and to draw us back from our careful attendance, or diligent waiting for the Lords sudden coming to judgement; but that we may continually attend, wait, watch and pray for the speedy appearance of his glorious Majesty, that when he shall at the rising again of all flesh, by the sound of the last trumpet, come to judge both the quick and the dead, we may be then in a readiness to meet him above in the heavens, and there to stand before his presence, to behold the glory of his most gracious countenance, to see how in mercy he shall separate us from the wicked, as sheep from the goats, to set us also on his right hand, to give the sentence of blessing upon us, and to commend us unto the kingdom of thee his heavenly Father, which he himself hath prepared, and so pretiouslie purchased with the price of his own blood, there with him, with thee, O Father, and with the holy Ghost, to live in everlasting joy and felicity. Grant this, O heavenly Father, even for the only merits sake of that thy dear Son, and our Saviour jesus Christ,  
Amen.   

Another meditation of the signs, which shall appear before the end of the world.  
IT is thy saying, O Son of God, that in the last and doting age of the world, both greater, and more grievous miseries and confusions among men should be, than ever were; and also for all that, that thou which art the defender of thy Church, in the midst of such calamities and cruelty of thine enemies, wilt preserve some remnant of the faithful, that thy service be not utterly extinguished before the end of this world. Wherefore being oppressed, through the intolerable burden of miseries, heaped therefore upon us, because the sins of this withering world, are most grievous and lamentable: but especially for that Satan thine enemy seethe the day of judgement to be very nigh at hand, wherein his abomination shall openly be laid before all thy chosen creatures, and he be cast headlong into eternal torments; which makes him extremely to rage against thy chosen flock, and to seek by all means that possibly he can, to withdraw us from thee, and to make us blaspheme thy sacred Majesty. We, as it standeth us upon, fly unto thee with all humbleness of mind in these our extremities. The whole frame of this world groaneth also with thine elect, and earnestly desireth to be renewed.  
Therefore, according to thy gracious admonition, we call into mind the signs, which shall come before the final destruction of this world, and thank thee for thy goodness in foretelling us of them. We lift up our heads unto thee, which art aloft on the right hand of the eternal Father, and in faith and prayer look for that joyful day, when thou wilt appear most gloriously in the clouds, for the deliverance of thy people out of these calamities. Govern us by thy word and spirit, O most mighty protector, that we may be watchful, and shun the cares of this transitory world, which withdraw the mind from the exercise of godliness, and choke all virtuous motions raised by thine holy spirit; and fly from wantonness, bellie-cheere, and unlawful pleasures, which both cause thy spirit to forsake our minds, and make our bodies the receptacles of unpure spirits, whereby we are carried, being secure, unto abominable wickedness, and from thence unto everlasting destruction.  
Finally, purge thou our hearts by thy spirit, and let thy knowledge appear in us, which may both expel our gross darkness, and inflame in us godly motions, that all the days of our life we may continue in the true and sincere confession of thy name. And for so much as thou hast promised to defend us, and to mitigate our pains, grant that we may both escape evils to come, and stand joyfully before thee at thy return,  
Amen.   

Another.  
Almighty God, and most merciful heavenly Father, as in the destruction of jerusalem thou hast left a fearful example of thy horrible judgements against the contempt of the Gospel, and the wickedness of men; & threatenest such plagues to come for like wickedness upon the world, as shall cause men to die for fear of them before they come: grant us so to read thy truth, and to be obedient unto it, that when the signs of these things shall come, which shall astonish the wicked, we may hold up our heads with comfort, waiting for our redemption so near at hand; watch with continual prayer, that we may escape all these things which shall come upon the world in that day, and that we may stand before thy Son, when he shall come to judgement, and be received of him to everlasting glory; to whom with thee, and the holy Ghost, be all honour, glory, and praise, for ever and ever,  
Amen.   

A godly meditation of the coming of Christ to judgement, and of the reward both of the faithful and unfaithful.  
O Lord jesus Christ, the Son of the everliving God, by whom allthings were made, are ruled, and governed; as of thy love for our redemption thou didst not disdain to be our mediator, and to take upon thee our nature in the womb of a virgin, purely and without sin, by the operation of the holy Ghost, that both thou mightest in thine own person wonderfully beautify and exalt our nature, and work the same in us also: first abolishing the guiltiness of sin by remission, than sin itself by death; and last of all death, by raising again these our bodies, that they may be like unto thine own glorious and immortal body, according to the power wherewith thou art able to subject all things unto thee. As, I say, of thy love for our redemption thou becamest man, and that most poor and afflicted upon earth, by the space of three & thirty years at the least, in most humility, and paiedst the price of our ransom, by thy most bitter death and passion; for the which I most heartily give thanks to thee: so of the same thy love towards us, in thy good time, thou wilt come again in the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory, with flaming fire, with thousands of Saints, with Angels of thy power, with a mighty cry, shout of an Archangel, and blast of a trumpet suddenly as a lightning, which shineth from the east, etc. When we think least, even as a thief in the night, when men be a sleep: thou wilt so come, I say; thus suddenly in the twinkling of an eye; all men that ever have been, be, and shall be, with women and children, appearing before thy Tribunal judgement seat, to render an account of all things, which they have thought, spoken, and done against thy law, openly, and before all Angels, Saints, and devils: and so to receive the just reward of thy vengeance, if they have not repent, and obeyed thy Gospel, and so departed from thee to the devil, and his angels: and all the wicked, which ever have been, be, or shall be, into hell fire, which is unquenchable, and of pains intolerable, endless, hopeless; even from the face of thy glorious Majesty, and mighty power.  
But if they have repent, and believed thy Gospel; if they be found watching like wise virgins, with their lamps and oil in their hands; if they be found ready appareled with the wedding garment of innocency; if they have not hardened their hearts, and hourded up the treasure of thy vengeauce, in the day of wrath to be revealed: but have used the time of grace, the acceptable time, the time of salvation; that is, the time of this life, in the which thou stretchest out thy hand, and spreadest thine arms, calling and crying unto us, to come unto thee, which art meek in heart, and lowly. For thou wilt ease all that labour, and are heavy laden. If they have visited the sick and prisoners; comforted the comfortless; fed the hungry; clothed the naked; lodged the harbourless: if they have not laden their hearts with gluttony, and surfeiting, and carefulness of this life: if they have not digged, and hid their talon in the ground, doing no good therewith: but have been faithful to occupy thy gifts to thy glory, and have washed their garments in thy blood by hearty repentance; then shall the Angels gather them together, not as the wicked, which shall be collected as faggots, and cast into the fire; but as the good wheat that is gathered into thy barn.  
Then shall they be caught up to meet thee in the clouds; then shall their corruptible body put on incorruption; then shall they be endued with immortality and glory; then shall they be with thee, and go whither thou goest, then shall they hear these joyful words: Come ye blessed of my Father, possess the kingdom prepared for you from the beginning, etc. Then shall they be set on seats of Majesty, judging the whole world; then shall they reign with thee for ever; then shall God be all in all with them, and to them; then shall they enter, and inherit heavenly jerusalem, and the glorious restful land of Chanaan, where it is always day, and never night; where is no manner of weeping, tears, infirmity, hunger, cold, sickness, envy, malice, nor sin: but always joy without sorrow, mirth without measure; pleasure without pain; heavenly harmony; most pleasant melody; saying, and singing; Holy, holy, holy; Lord GOD of hosts, etc. Finally, the eye hath not seen; the ear hath not heard; neither hath it entered into the heart of man, that they shall then inherit, and most surely enjoy; although here they be tormented, prisoned, burned, solicited of Satan, tempted of the flesh, and entangled with the world, wherethrough they are enforced to cry; Thy kingdom come. Come Lord jesus etc. How amiable are thy tabernacles? Like as the heart desireth the water brooks, so longeth my soul after thee O God. Now Lord let thy servant departed in peace. I desire to be dissolved, and to be with Christ. We mourn in our souls, waiting for the deliverance of our bodies, etc.  
Oh gracious Lord, when shall I find such mercy with thee, that I may repent, believe, hope, and look for these things, with the full fruition of those heavenly joys, which thou hast promised and prepared for all them that fear and love thee, and so rest with thee for evermore?  
Amen.  2. Peter 3, 10, 11, 12. 
The day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in the which the heavens shall pass away with a noise, and the element shall melt with heat, and the earth with the works that are therein shall be burnt up.  
Seeing therefore that all these things must be dissolved, what manner persons ought ye to be in holy conversation and good lives, looking for the hastening unto the coming of God, by the which the heavens being on fire, shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with heat!    
  

¶ Other godly Prayers to be used upon every Saint's day, as they fall orderly in the year; And first,  

1. On Saint Andrew's day. My heart is ready, O God, my heart is ready prepared to seek thee, and to follow thy Law: O let me not go wrong out of thy commandments.  
WE thank thee, O Son of God, head, and keeper of thy Church, for gathering to thyself out of the unclean company of men, an holy Church, which is knit to thee in true confession, righteousness, and life. Many times didst thou repeat thy promise touching the bringing of man fallen, into thy favour again, and by the continual preaching of thy Ministers, hast given us the light thereof. Thou didst in like manner appoint a tower, and ordain the Commonwealth of Moses in the midst of that part of the world inhabited, from whence it might be heard of all mankind. At the length, thou appearedst in the flesh, brakest the bands of the old testament, and entredst into a new covenant with us, and called'st thine holy Apostle Andrew, and the rest, to be the publishers and witnesses of thy truth, and gavest them authority to preach, and sufficient testimony, that they publish the truth. Maintain among us this light, that we may give credit to thy Ministers and their writings, as to a voice sounding from heaven, that we may be citizens of that company which is builded upon the foundation of the Prophets and Apostles, in which building thou art the corner stone, bearing the whole house by the word of thy power. Grant that imitating the examples of Saint Andrew, and the rest of the holy Doctors and Apostles, who by thy grace readily obeyed the calling of thy Son. jesus Christ, and followed him without delay, we also being called by thy holy word, may likewise forthwith give over ourselves obediently to follow thee and thy holy commandments. Of them it it is said, They went forth and sowed their seed with tears, but they shall return with joy. Give also to thy Church in all ages for evermore, faithful and holy teachers, which may be fishers of men; retain the form of sound doctrine; dispense thy mysteries faithfully, and gather to thy kingdom great companies, till the number of thine elect being filled, the net shall be cast off, and thy whole Church enjoy thy visible and blessed sight for evermore,  
Amen.   

2. On Saint Thomas day. I believe, O Lord, help mine unbelief, and increase my faith.  
Loathsome is the darkness, and horrible the streams of diffidence and mistrust, even in the elect, as the Apostle Thomas, albeit he had sensibly heard the voice of the Son of God, & seen the miracles which bare testimony that he taught and preached the truth: yea albeit in mind inwardly he beheld the presence of his Lord, yet believed he not the resurrection of Christ, which is the principal article of our faith, neither gave he credit to such as had seen the Lord living again: which doubting thou didst suffer in him for the more confirmation of the faith. But confirm thou us, as thou didst confirm this thy weak disciple Thomas, and grant us so perfectly, and without all doubt to believe in thy Son jesus Christ, that our faith in thy sight never be reproved. Strengthen our frailty by thy lively presence. Appear to us in the night, that human darkness do not extinguish the light in us. Bring thy gifts into houses shut up, into our poor cottages, which are in great danger, by reason of thine enemies. Speak thou unto us with thy blessed voice, outwardly by thy word, and inwardly by thy spirit working thy peace within us, that filled with the sense of thy presence, we may rest, coupled through thee in the spirit unto thine eternal Father. Take us up being frail and fallen down in this life. Show us thy wonders, that in the fight of our conscience with the displeasure of thine eternal Father, we may remember thy merits. Lay us miserable and weak ones in thy side and wounds, that we may be hid and covered from the wrath of God, and suck from thy body the water which washeth all our uncleanness, and the lively nourishment of thy blood, which may strengthen us into everlasting life, that we be not unbelievers, but in the number of the faithful, and from our heart may imitate that noble confession of this thine Apostle Saint Thomas, and against all the blasphemous spirits, and thine enemies, acknowledge that thou art the Lord, and our God, even that God, which from the beginning hath been present with his Church, both externally by his Ministers, and inwardly by the secret working of his holy spirit, which may evermore defend his Church against the rage of his enemies, and by a covenant with mankind, knitteth the faithful to his own flesh. Grant O Son of God, and mighty jehova, that firmly we may believe this thy promise, depend upon thee, hope of thine aid against hope, & begin our salvation from thy word revealed, that believing in thee our Saviour, which art Christ our high Priest & King, we may find eternal life in thee,  
Amen.   

3. On Saint Steevens day; Who was the first that was martyred, and shed his blood for Christ crucified. They gather themselves together against the soul of the righteous, and condemn the innocent blood.  
O Christ our Lord and saviour, which with grief of heart didst bewail the ingratitude of the jewish nation, which both unkindly contemned thy benefits, & killed thy Prophet's most cruelly; we beseech thee make us evermore to have in mind, and acknowledge the greatness of thy love towards mankind.  
Thou art that natural hen. Thou begettest to thyself a congregation by the egg, and singular seed of thy first promise made in Paradise. Thou gatherest such as believe and depend thereon under thy wings; by thine intercession, against the wrath of God, which is a consuming fire; and by thy lively heat thou nonrishest them, pouring upon them thy spirit, which is a substantial fire flowing from the breast both of thee and thine eternal Father, expelleth the coldness of our nature, and quickeneth such as are engraffed in thee unto a new life. Thou encounterest with Kites, ravening birds, raging spirits, and all the mortal infernal enemies, for the safeguard of thy poor chickens. Wherefore keep us, we humbly pray thee, among thy chickens, which with a wonderful and entire affection acknowledge thy voice when thou callest, which cover themselves under thy wings, and draw from thy breast most godly comfort in their grief of heart, and strength against all enemies.  
And, O comfortable guest of the soul, leave not our houses desolate, cease not to fill us by thy continual presence, with thy life and righteousness: give us the true comfort of mind, that before all worldly things we may prefer the confession of thy truth, even as that reverend old man Zacharie father of john Baptist, between the temple and the altar with his blood, as with a precious burnt sacrifice, did confess thee to be the Messiah sent from thine eternal Father. Save us from bloodshedding, O Lord our Saviour, that we wrap not ourselves in pains most intolerable, wherewith thine enemies, which have defiled themselves with the innocent blood of thy martyrs, are oppressed.  
And as thy glorious martyr and trusty Deacon of thy Church Steeven, when most heinous faults were laid upon him, as though he had proclaimed defiance both to God and his Church, did continue constant in thy faith; using a most excellent and effectual form of prayer for his enemies thy persecutors, containing the sum of true doctrine; saw the heavens open, and thee, O Son of God, standing on the right hand of thy Father, to whom at the point of death he commended his soul: so assist us with thy grace, that we by his example may learn both to love, and pray for our enemies, and that we fear not the perverse opinions of the wicked world. Be thou with us in trouble according to thy promise; open to us the heavens; show us thy lively countenance by thy good presence; comfort our sorrowful minds; make it known unto us, that thine eternal Father is pacified through thee. And finally, when our souls shall departed from our bodies, receive them, we heartily beseech thee, into thine almighty hands. Give grace, that quietly we may rest, and fall asleep, till at the resurrection of mankind, thou bringest thy Church and chosen to thy visible presence in the heavens, where thou remainest, and watching full tenderly over thy flock, thou placest the same at the right hand of thy Father,  
Amen.   

4. On Saint john the Evangelists day: Being the Disciple whom Christ so dearly loved, and who at the resurrection of Christ was 22. years old, and lived in all eighty nine years. With the bread of life and understanding shall the Lord feed him, and give him the water of wholsowe wisdom to drink.  
O Son of God, full sixty and seven years did thy beloved disciple john, among great miseries, & grievous combats, spread abroad thy Gospel in Asia the lesser, where much idolatrous service, curiosity, and Greekish lightness was used. He rested himself not only corporally upon thy bosom or shoulders, being conversant with thee in the earth, and loved of thee as thy kinsman; but spiritually also drew from thy breast the spirit of wisdom, replenishing his mind and heart with heavenly light, strength of faith, and celestial virtues. He saw the woeful destruction of his country, and beheld the tragical overthrow of his nation. He saw the decay of that Commonweal, that was ordained of God; and of that temple, which in all the world was the only temple of God. He encountered with Ebion and Cerynthus, most wretched heretics, which were the trumpets of Satan to blow abroad damnable opinions; which as the first Cain, by the provocation of the devil, did contumeliously deal with the Son of God, & derided his promise. And as afterward the nations by their monstruous multitude of feigned gods did reject Christ, and his benefits: so in a desperate boldness did they set themselves against heaven, and blasphemously detract from the Son of God his divinity.  
But thanks be to thee, O Son of God, which art the substantial image and word of the eternal Father, thou hast by the doctrine and authority of this thy blessed Apostle & Evangelist S. john, not only enlightened thy Church greatly with the bright beams of thy heavenly light of divine knowledge; but also by the testimony of thy judgement, with horrible punishment cut off those blasphemers and heretics that troubled thy Church, and delivered the truth of that article unto us. O preserve this light among us henceforward, that we may attain thereby to thine everlasting gifts, and suffer us not to be wrapped any more in idolatrous darkness and superstition, which is contrary to thy glory.  
more enemies also, Lord, hath Satan stirred up to deface this thy truth and glory, even the horrible power of the Turks, which with brazen faces, both blasphemously deal with thee, and persecute thy Church, confessing thy truth: but suffer not, O Son of God; suffer not, we beseech thee, the true knowledge of thee, by the power of Satan, and his ministers, to be blotted out: but keep for thyself an holy seed among us, which against all the gates of hell may profess thee to be the eternal Son of the everliving God, to whom the whole society of Saints with one consent doth ascribe all power, all knowledge, all heavenly virtues, and willeth all prayers and supplications to be directed to thee alone, which art God alone. Maintain also among us the true sense of the difference between human righteousness and thine. Grant that willingly we may obey thee, leading us unto the exercises of true repentance, unto the cross, unto troubles, and unto death, where our will is truly bound, and obeyeth altogether. Give grace likewise, that we move not unnecessary strife, through pride, ambition and curiosity, as did Samosatenus, Arrius, and many more; but may follow thee, and in our vocation both in teaching, and learning, and living, may continue in the truth of doctrine; that we may be found in that company, which thou lovest entirely, and wilt provide for, until thou return,  
Amen.   

5. On the holy Innocents day: Which washed their garments in the blood of the Lamb even in their infancy, by the cruelty of Herod. The souls of the righteous are in the hands of God, and there shall no torment touch them.  
O Son of God, in the time of thine humiliation, even from thy nativity and infancy, truly didst thou taste the stream of man's misery. Poorlie thou wast borne; naked and despised in the straw wast thou laid, and among the beasts didst thou send forth thy cry. The seed of David had almost withered away. Thy good mother, that blessed virgin Marie, nursed and nourished thee up as a spring in a dry land, among much troubles; and in thy tender age, what with the tyranny of Satan, and the cruelty of Herod, into a far country thou wast exiled. The good old man joseph, thy foster-father, and thy blessed mother Marie, at the commandment of the Angel astonished, through the fear of danger at hand, in the night stole away with thee, and took a long journey, even with grief of heart. An hundred miles traveled they through the desolate wilderness, by the craggy and solitary places of Arabia, even through that nation, which alway for theft, robbery, thievery, and cruelty, hath been most infamous, and at length they brought thee into the province of the Emperor of Rome, whom God would should be thy protector. The watch of Angels did defend thee with thy blessed mother; they were thy leaders, and companions of thy banishment, and drove away the cruel thieves always from thee.  
Hereby hast thou, O Son of God, put us in mind both of our misery, and of thy benefits. For mankind was banished out of paradise, from the state of happiness and joy, into the miseries of this life. Yea, thy Church in this world is in banishment, and oppressed with men of might. The most excellent members of thy Church, most commonly are pursued to the death; but taking compassion on our miseries, of thine own accord thou becamest an exile for our sakes, and an intercessor for mankind. Thou madest thyself of no reputation, thou tookest upon thee the miserable mass and skin of our nature: thou wast a pilgrim in this world; thou hadst not a place to hide thine head in; thou usurpedst none authority without calling: after a wonderful manner did the word lurk, thy flesh suffering and dying, and all to bring us again into our native country indeed, from whence our beginning was, and where our city is.  
Wherefore from the bottom of our heart we beseech thee Son of God, instill into us a true love of that celestial country; kindle within us a true desire of thy company; comfort us in this our banishment; and send thine holy Angels to protect us, & to drive away the tyranny of Satan, and of thine enemies. Finally, when our souls shall departed out of this vale of miseries, place them, we beseech thee, in the tower of our true country. And as thou savedst thy Church, notwithstanding the raging tyranny of cruel Herod, when both thou with thy careful parents tookedst thy flight into Egypt; and john the Baptist was hid in the desert beyond jordan: so hence forward defend us against the fury of devils and men.  
Oh Lord, from the breasts and embracements of their tender mothers, did the cruel and wicked servants of bloody Herod the tyrant, as this day, pluck away the young infants. And such is the outward state of thy Church many times, that of her it may be said; Rachel would not be comforted, because her children were not left alive unslain: yet maintainest thou for all that, some remnant, and castest thine enemies into eternal damnation.  
Wherefore, as thy praise was this day confessed and showed forth, not in speaking, but in dying, by the young babes, infants and innocents, who washed their wounds, and tender skins in the blood of the Lamb, and bare witness of thy coming in the flesh by their death; the which are exalted into a far better life, where thou wipest all tears from their eyes: and at the glorifying of thy Church, wilt place before all thine elect this sweet company in unspeakable glory; and rebuke to their utter confusion the devil and his instruments hired for their wickedness: so mortify and kill all vice in us, that in our conversation, our life may express thy faith, which with our tongues we do confess: and keep us in the profession of thy truth. Mitigate the troubles of thy Church, that it perish not altogether, and being delivered from this sorrowful banishment; join us to the citizens of thy kingdom, which follow the Lamb whither soever he goeth, and cheerfully sing; Glory be to God on high:  
Amen.   

6. On the day of Saint Paul's conversion, from a persecuter, to an Apostle. Their sound is gone out into all lands, and their words into the ends of the world.  
WE yield thee most hearty thanks, O Lord Christ, Son of the living God, for gathering always to thyself a Church out of mankind, through the voice of the ministery, and especially at this time, for sending thine elect vessel Paul thine Apostle, to spread forth the memorial of thy benefit among the Gentiles and people, whose life at that time was most filthy under that monster among men Nero the Emperor. Great was the benefit which came by his preaching, and as great was and is the commodity which they did in foretime, and we in these last days of the world do reap by his godly and heavenly writings. We beseech thee even with deep sighs, continue oh continue among us thy light inflamed through the ministery of this heroical Doctor. And grant, that as thou hast taught all the world, through the preaching of this thy blessed Apostle; so we which have his wonderful conversion now in remembrance, may follow and fulfil the holy doctrine that he taught. Grant that many labourers mightily may be thrust into thy vineyard, and faithful observers of the doctrine of Paul, earnest seekers of the advancement of thy truth, right dividers of the word of life, learned in showing the difference between the Law and the Gospel; wise in comforting the troubled conscience of the wicked, patterns of the faithful in word and conversation; such as may become all in all, to win many to the glorying in afflictions; fearing neither the hatred of men, nor the ingratitude of the world; showing constancy unto the death in the confession of the truth.  
Bless also the hearers of Saint Paul's preaching, that they may prove the true followers of Paul, fight a good fight, keeping faith and a good conscience, casting off the old man, and putting on the new, even thee jesus Christ, being renewed by thy spirit, unto a true light and life, truly touched with a desire of thee, truly coveting to be dissolved, and to be with thee, that translated out of this darkness into thy wonderful light, they may see thee face to face, and know the causes of secret things, which are hid from us in this life.  
And forasmuch as in this world thou wilt have the beginning of thy wisdom to be learned, and biddest us to draw our water from thee the fountain, grant that herein also many may imitate the faithfulness and labour of thine Apostle: make them as diligent in reading and preaching, so in bridling and chastising their bodies, painful, and constant in thy service, till they be brought unto thy school, where all thy Saints in a clear and perfect light shall behold thee,  
Amen.   

7. On the feast day of the purification of Saint Marie the virgin, and mother of Christ. The word became flesh, and dwelled among us: Halleluiah.  
O Eternal Father of thine only Son our Lord and Saviour Christ, which in the Commonwealth of Israel (ordained according to thy wisdom, and adorned with excellent statutes necessary for the state of mankind, and signifying secret and heavenly things) didst make divers laws concerning uncleanness, and the keeping of women with child, and another for the first borne; and that not only to put us in mind of order in this life, and thankfulness towards thy ministery; but also to teach, that this our guilty and polluted nature, like the foul and menstruous cloth of a woman, is washed by the blood of thy Son, which is thy first borne, thy substantial image, and the word sounding thy will, whom from the heavens thou commandest to be hearkened unto.  
Govern us by thy first and only begotten Son. Give us thy holy spirit, that earnestly we may bewail our uncleanness and pollusion; ask help at thy merciful hand, be purified by the blood of thy Son, and be redeemed by him unto true integrity and cleanness, which pleaseth thee, that for his sake we may be adopted into thy children, and find favour in thine eyes.  
And as that good old man father Simeon, notwithstanding that publicly little or no talk was used of thy benefits, by reason of the manifold sects than sprung up, and horrible tyranny of Governors; yet was confirmed by thy holy spirit in the truth, and received a singular promise, that he should see the Messiah: so by the same thy spirit kindle in us faith, whereby we may escape the palpable and cursed darkness of idolatry, which in the world well-nigh is used. And grant that we may apprehend thy Son, who as this day was presented in the Temple in substance of our flesh, and in his arms depart in peace, and be presented unto thee with pure and clean minds. Assist us, that from our hearts, as did good father Simeon and holy jacob, we may firmly keep him among the fears of conscience, and pangs of death. Grant that he may be our light, inflaming the darkness of our feeble minds with the brightness of his glory. Blot out all our doubtings; heal the diseases of our soul; and kindle that benefit and excellent light of true religion, that being made followers in the spiritual society of thy people Israel, whose glory is thy Son, witnessing, that among that people the promises and revelations of the essence and will of the true God were made, we may also come to thy glory, which our nature needeth, and be adorned by thy Son, with the heavenly blessing of the forgiveness of our sins, and receiving righteousness and eternal life,  
Amen.   

8. On Saint Mathias day. Thou hast exalted one chosen out of the people, to publish thy law: blessed be thy name, O Lord.  
Almighty God, and most merciful heavenly Father, who (because the Scripture must needs have been fulfilled, which the holy Ghost, through the mouth of David, spoke before of the Traitor judas, who was guide to the jews that took jesus thy dear Son our Lord, and who now in reward of his iniquity, for betraying thine innocent Son his Lord and Master, went & hung himself in the field of blood called Acheldama, till he burst asunder in the midst, and all his guts and bowels gushed out) didst afterward, at the earnest prayers and petition of the rest of thy disciples, choose thy faithful servant Mathias out of all the company that followed thee, or had their conversation with thine Apostles, to be of the number of thy twelve Apostles, and ordeinedst him to be a witness with them of thy sons resurrection, as it is written in the 109. Psalm, Let his habitation be void, and no man be dwelling therein, and his Bishopric or charge let another take: grant we beseech thee, that thy Church being alway preserved from hirelings, traitors, and false Apostles, may be ordered and guided by godly, faithful, and true pastors and ministers.  
O Christ Son of God, greatly didst thou rejoice at the gathering of the Church; and high thanks didst thou yield to thy Father, because he had chosen an holy seed out of mankind, and suffered not their pains to be altogether frustrate. We thank thee also from our hearts, for rejoicing at our well-doing, and for repressing the devil by thy power, that some may be saved. Gather hereafter, we beseech thee, from among us a righteous people pleasing thee. And although miserable and ugly be the outward show of thy Church, and they which seem to be the light of the world, despise thy wisdom; even as neither Tiberius the Emperor, with the Senate of Rome, neither the Princes and Priests of the jews would vouchsafe to hear thee wandering with thy Disciples & Christian auditory: yet assist us, that these sinister judgements of the world do not dismay us, but that we may bring our minds into a godly captivity, acknowledge thee by a true and lively faith, to be the Son of thine eternal Father, & receive the words from thee, which from the bosom of thy Father utterest the counsel concerning the restitution of man, to whom all things both in heaven and earth are given for us, which are thy partners.  
Lead us by thine hand, by thy word and spirit, before the presence of thy Father: show us in a new light inwardly in our souls the presence of thy Father, which is pleased with us for thy sake. Abide thou among us. power on us by thy spirit the beginning of that light and righteousness, which appeareth in thee, being the light of light, lightning the darkness of our nature.  
Behold O good Samaritane, and Physician of our souls, to thee do we lift up our hands: we are wounded: we labour and are heavy laden: thine enemy hath spoiled us, and wounded us to the death. We are so burdened with the weight and grievousness of sickness, that our soul is comfortless, ready to faint and fall into death and damnation. Wherefore comfort our miserable soul with thy joyful wine and oil, with thine heavenly and quickening balm raise us from death: utter thy comfort to our hearts, and grant that our souls may find rest and gladness in thee.  
Put on us thy sweet yoke: tame our flesh by thy spirit. Raise up in us new motions, and holy cogitations agreeable to thy will and word. Thou art meek in deed, not desirous of revengement. Thou hast not thrown miserable man into everlasting damnation, as thou didst the devils, but hast suffered punishment for us in thy body, and prayed for thine enemies. Thou art meek and lowly in heart. Thou flangest thyself under all angels and men; thou tookest our frail and fowl flesh upon thee; thou showedst not the power of thy divinity in the time of thy passion, but hidst (if it might be) thy divinity, after a wonderful & unspeakable manner, that thy human nature might suffer and die. Quench also in us by thy spirit merciless fires of hatred, and desire of revenge (which as worldly men do say, is sweeter than life itself) with all the flames of pride. Grant that acknowledging our filthiness prostrate before thy face in true lowliness, we may ask thine help, & being healed, may persevere in the imitating of thy perfect example. Assist us, that while we live in every trouble and temptation of ours, we may draw the water of comfort from thee, which art the well of life, and afterward enjoy perfect ease, and a joyful sabbath, and feastful holidays in the heavens, at such time as thou wilt show thy Father to thine elect, where each shall behold the other face to face,  
Amen.   

9 On the feast day of the annunciation of the blessed virgin Marie. Show us thy mercy, O Lord, and grant us thy salvation.  
BY thy wisdom, O eternal God, are the times distinguished, whereby we are certified of thy benefits, and everlasting bliss, which after this life, and destruction of the world, is prepared for thine elect. Now are there passed 5543 years, sith the creation of heaven and earth, of thine Angels, & of all creatures. By thy word thou madest man out of the slime of the earth; thou breathedst on him the breath of life, and inspiredst into him a soul adorned with perfect wisdom and righteousness.  
Afterward thy Son did utter a secret decree about the restoring of man, fallen through sin out of thy favour into everlasting death. About the same time of the year was innocent Abel murdered, which was a figure of the sacrifice to come, whose blood indeed crieth unto thee Father in heaven, and beggeth the forgiveness of sins to all believers. In the like time was Isaac carried to be offered: and thou commandedst the people of Israel to keep holy these days, in which thou wouldst have thy benefits to be spoken of. Likewise on this solemn and joyful day of the Equinoctial spring time, which sithence is 1582 years, thy Son, as the Angel Gabriel signified to Marie the virgin, by the working of the holy Ghost, coupled the human nature to himself, after a wonderful and unspeakable manner. The same day 1549 years sithence, thy Son, redeemer of mankind, in his weak and bloody flesh hung upon the Cross, being the true Silo. And when the sun going between Orion and the Pleiades loseth his light, he left his life through intolerable sorrow and torments. And an old saying it hath been, that about this time of the year, our Lord and Saviour Christ will return in the clouds, both to vanquish his enemies, and to exalt his Church and chosen most graciously unto a new and eternal kingdom.  
O Son of God, stir us up unto the consideration of those so excellent mysteries, and work thou so in our hearts by thy grace, that as we have known thy holy incarnation by the message of an Angel, so by thy cross and passion, we may be brought unto the glory of thy resurrection. Through the protection and watch of thine Angel, the holy families of chaste virgins and matrons remained safe and unspotted among infinite dangers: by thy spirit the truth was sealed in them, that they could not be subdued by the errors of the pharisees and Saducees. Preserve likewise in this last age of the world, some holy assemblies, and suffer not the whole world, before thy coming again, to become blasphemers. This shall be the wisdom of eternal life, in which thou wilt open the causes why thou wouldst after this manner restore mankind, and how God the word could couple our flesh to himself.  
Assist us, that in this life we may learn the elements, and in true faith be joined through the holy spirit to thy body, which thou tookest from the sanctified body of the sacred virgin. And as thou carriest, and livest in the same flesh; so make us branches of the tree of life, and fruitful vine, and replenish us with like light, life, and glory. Be thou our Saviour through thy merit and virtue. Thine eternal Father hath placed thee in the throne of David, that thou mayst be the head of the Church, working all in all; and the giver of all good things, and of the blessings promised to David. Thou reignest in this life by thy ministery, gathering to thyself an eternal Church, and repressing thine enemies by thy mighty power. Thou sittest exalted in light, and incomprehensible glory at the right hand of thy Father, making always intercession for us, until thou bring thy Church unto thyself in glory at the generail resurrection, and shine in them visibly, and for ever.  
O Son of God, we are bone of thy bones, and flesh of thy flesh. Thou broughtest not thy flesh from heaven, neither was the same borne of the substance of thy Father; but truly thou tookest thy flesh from the seed of Abraham, out of the sanctified womb of the holy and blessed virgin S. Marry. This nature did the word couple to himself by an eternal covenant, and adorneth the same with surpassing glory, which thou showedst not in the time of thine humiliation. Therefore in truth did blessed Marie bear God, even that person, in which two natures, that is to say, the word and flesh were united together, and that without any confusion; even as the soul and body are coupled in us men.  
Wherefore we come unto thee our Mediator, God and man; and respecting thy promise in a lively faith, we beseech thee have mercy upon us; wash us with thy blood, and make us members of thy body and nature. No man at any time hath hated his own flesh: make us to stick unto thee by the same spirit, and to draw from thee the juice, which may strengthen us to eternal life,  
Amen.   

10. On Saint Marks day. Thou hast made them princes in all lands, therefore shall they remember thy name, O Lord, from one generation to another.  
O Eternal, omnipotent, and everliving God, Father of our Lord jesus Christ, which together with the Son and the holy Ghost, hast not only created the whole frame of this world, with all things therein contained; but also appointed thy Son the word, to be a Mediator for us men, and for our salvation: we beseech thee, most humbly from the bottom of our hearts, thou which art the good husbandman, engraff us in thy Son, which is the true vine: make us branches of his body; purge us from the horrible corruption of our nature; give us grace to continue in the vine, that being delivered from sin, we may bring forth abundance of fruit to thy honour and glory.  
O Christ, thou art the vine, we are the branches, through thy grace, not of our own goodness; graciously behold us, we beseech thee, that evermore we may cleave to thee. For (alas) without thee, what can we do that good is? Abide thou in us, that we may abide in thee; give us of thy virtue; let thy light shine in our hearts, to the extinguishing of the fowl darkness of our filthy flesh: and quicken us to the bringing out of that fruit, which both may please thee, and profit thy Church: so shall we escape the unquenchable fire, into which they which depart from thee are cast, and be sure to obtain whatsoever we shall ask at thy merciful hands in true faith and fear. For thy Father is glorified through our willingness, which is also his gift to obey him. Furthermore, as thou hast instructed thy holy Church with the heavenly doctrine of thine Evangelist S. Mark: give us grace likewise, that we be not, like children, carried away with every blast of vain doctrine; but firmly to be established in the truth of thy holy Gospel.  
And thou holy Ghost, come thou incessantly into our hearts: first to instruct our minds with thine heavenly and eternal will, and being instructed, confirm us in the fear of thy Majesty, that at no time we depart from the path of thy commandments. For our continuance in the race of the commandments of God, is a special argument, that we love God unfeignedly, whom we see not. And secondly, that we may find joy and comfort in all our troubles, crosses, and persecutions whatsoever; that in this life we may always abide among the company of the regenerate, and in the other be made partakers of eternal happiness ordained for the elect, before the beginning of the world,  
Amen.   

11. On Saint Philip and james day. The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament showeth his handy work.  
O Son of GOD, whom truly to know is everlasting life, and without whom no man cometh unto the Father: grant us perfectly to know thee to be (as thou hast said of thyself) the way, the truth, and the life, as thou hast taught Saint Philip, & other the Apostles. Bring us wandering travelers into the way of salvation; show unto us thy truth; quicken us by thy spirit; lead us to thy Father, that by thee, and thine human flesh now exalted and glorified, the light and life of thine heavenly Father may be spread in us. Make us, miserable exiles, citizens of thine everlasting kingdom; prepare us places & mansions, where we may draw from thee, which art the true vine of eternal life, in the house and table of thy Father, the new juice of heavenly comfort, and may continually be there, where thou art; that truly thine eternal Father may be glorified in us,  
Amen.   

12. On Saint Barnabas day. Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits.  
O Christ, Son of GOD, which art perfect charity, loving us to the end, and suffered'st upon the altar of the Cross a most shameful death for our sakes, to deliver us from death and damnation, and to allure us by that thine example unto mutual amity and goodwill: we beseech thee, inflame our cold hearts with the burning affections of hearty love. And as thou hast endued thine holy Apostle Barnabas with singular gifts of the holy Ghost: so let us not be destitute of thy manifold gifts, nor yet of grace to use them alway to thine honour and glory, as he did. Give us grace, I say, first above all things to love thee the true and only God, with the Father and the holy Ghost, with all our hearts, with all our soul, and with all our strength, that continually we may cleave unto thee with full purpose of heart, as this thine holy Apostle exhorteth. Raise up secondly a desire of brotherly goodwill towards our neighbours; that we may help one another, and as members of one body, have a mutual compassion each of other, so that we may love among ourselves unfeignedly, and abound in mutual goodwill, that our hearts may be unblamable in holiness before God.  
Inflame our breasts, that by thine example we may love even our very enemies, and bless them, which curse us; do good to them, which hate and hurt us, leaving revengement always unto thee. For he, which loveth not his brother, knoweth not God; but abideth in death, and doth vainly boast against the truth. Wherefore, let not the Sun go down upon our wrath; but make us quiet, putting on tender mercy, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, and above all, charity, which is the bond of perfection; the end of the commandments, and fulfilling of the law: so that by love our faith may be fruitful, and we at no time severed from thee. For thou art love, and he that dwelleth in love, dwelleth in God, and God in him: so that we shall be no more servants, but friends, in doing the will of the heavenly Father, through the gracious goodwill of thee his only begotten Son our Saviour, which hast chosen us to bring forth fruit, whereby we shall so please his and thy sacred Majesty, that we shall be sure to obtain whatsoever we ask at his hands through faith in thy name,  
Amen.   

13. On Saint john Baptists day. I give mine own self the blame, and take repentance in dust and ashes.  
O Eternal Father of our Lord jesus Christ, we yield thee most hearty thanks for gathering to thyself, for and through thy Son, an holy company, praising and celebrating thy goodness for evermore. Also for sending from time to time teachers adorned with excellent gifts and warrants from heaven, to spread forth and publish the truth to mankind, among whom, we know right well, that the famous fore-runnner of thy Son, even the holy and reverent Saint john the Baptist excelled. He by thy providence was wonderfully borne, and sent to prepare the way of thy Son our Saviour, by preaching repentance. He was the first publisher of the new Testament; the first purger of the Gospel from the gross errors of the superstitious Pharisees; the spreader abroad of the articles of our faith, and the imprinter of jesus Christ the Son of God in the hearts of men.  
We humbly beseech thee, gather from among us an eternal Church. Teach our hearts by thine heavenly spirit, that unfeignedly we may listen to, and love the doctrine which john soundeth to the world. Make us so to follow his doctrine and holy life, I say, that we may truly repent according to his preaching, and after his example constantly speak the truth, boldly rebuke vice, and patiently suffer for the truth sake, as he did, that being engraffed into thy flock, we may become his disciples, and bring forth fruit worthy repentance, and behold the divinity which he saw; so shall we be delivered from the wrath of God, and admitted into the fellowship of eternal life,  
Amen.   

14. On Saint Peter's day. Their speech is gone out into all lands, and their words into the ends of the world.  
O Lord jesus Christ, Son of God, which art the word of the eternal Father, and the Ambassador sent from the beginning unto thy Church, speak thou inwardly to our hearts thine heavenly wisdom: lighten our nature & understanding with thy new light, that being demanded in every anguish, we may truly acknowledge and confess that thou art the Son of the living God our King and Saviour. And for as much as great is the rage, and mighty the power of thine enemies, which fight against the truth, mercifully defend thy Church, sounding forth this thy wisdom, defend the same we beseech thee against the very gates of hell.  
And as thou hast given to the Apostle Saint Peter many excellent gifts, and commandedst him earnestly to feed the flock, whereby at the infancy as it were of thy Church, he was a glorious light of the Gospel, and publisher of the truth: so keep among us thy ministery, and send godly preachers, which may godly and rightly use the keys in comforting and correcting. Make, we beseech thee, all Bishops and pastors diligently to preach thy holy word, and the people obediently to follow the same, that in this life we may be, and abide citizens of the blessed fellowship, which thou doest protect, and receive the crown of everlasting glory, as heirs of thine eternal kingdom,  
Amen.   

15. On Saint james the Apostles day. When my father and my mother forsake me, thou, O Lord, takest me up: therefore I made haste, and prolonged not the time to keep thy commandments.  
O Son of God, Lord and Saviour Christ, which camest into this world to give thy life for many, stir up our hearts unto the true cogitation of thy benefits and obedience, which was a sufficient ransom for the sins of all mankind, pacifying the wrath of God, and giving everlasting life to as many as approach unto thee in true faith. We beseech thee, forsomuch as in us doth, as in thy disciples did, stick great uncleanness; heal our minds by thy spirit. Quench in us our vain desires of superiority, which marvelously do boil within the hearts of men. Grant that the ministers may know rightly the difference between civil policy and religion, that they cast not unto thee in mockery, purple; neither prick thine head with a crown of thorns: but may serve thy Church in humility, as faithful dispensators of thy mysteries, following thine example, in whom perfect humility appeared, when thou flangest thyself down under Angels & men. Assist us also, that we may drink of thy cup, & be baptized with thy Baptism in true calling upon thee, and perfect patience in all our adversities. And grant, that as thine holy Apostle james, leaving his father and all that he had without delay, was obedient unto thy calling, and most willingly followed thee: so we forsaking all worldly and carnal affections, may be evermore ready to follow thy commandments, till thou draw us up unto the sight of thy visible kingdom, which is the right hand of thine eternal Father,  
Amen.   

16. On Saint Bartholomew the Apostles day. I believed, and therefore will I speak, that I may walk before the Lord in the land of the living.  
O Christ Son of God, great was the weakness and sluggishness of thy disciples, both in thy last supper when they contended about superiority, and worldly government, & in thine agony, when they slept: and as great is the wickedness and security of this last age, which making war for wealth, under the cloak of favouring the Gospel, seeketh after honour and promotion, sleepeth soundly, and is nothing moved with the blasphemous idolatry, wherein the whole world is wrapped, to thy great dishonour: yea the grievous punishments which thou sendest everywhere, do nothing terrify them from their sin. But, O Son of God, break our deadly sleep; teach the hearts of our ministers, that they must not be ambitious, neither strive about excellency, nor transform the Gospel into civil policy: but assist us, that we may all think of thy commandment, which is, Learn of me, for I am meek and lowly in heart. power upon us such virtues as thou hast in thyself most abundantly. Thou destroiedst not mankind, which had offended thee, but flangest thyself under all Angels and men, and tookest this miserable flesh of ours upon thee, & that to save, and serve us truly in great humility.  
Thou, O Son of God, which hast given grace to thine Apostle Bartholomew, truly to believe, and to preach thy word, grant we beseech thee unto thy Church, both to love that he believed, and to preach that he taught. And as thou sittest for ever at the table of the Father, in which all heavenly wisdom doth abound; so place us miserable ones in the lowest seats of that thy table, where thine Apostles and teachers, which have instructed many unto righteousness, do shine as the lights of the Church, and differ in wonderful glory from other inferior members: albeit, it sufficeth us, so we gather crooms from thy table, which filleth such as eat and digest them with everlasting joy,  
Amen.   

17. On Saint Matthewes day. Incline my heart unto thy testimonies, and not to covetousness.  
IT was thy saying O Christ Son of God, that the sick need the Physician: wherefore we humbly beseech thee, heal us miserable folks with thine heavenly Physic. Be merciful unto us sinners, and feed us with the dainty dishes of thy spiritual comfort. Have mercy on the Church, whose whole body is grievously afflicted through manifold diseases and evils. The teachers sit as do the merchants for gain: they transform the Gospel into an outward pomp, and bait for preferment. Wherefore keep thou some sound part, which may unfeignedly acknowledge thee to be the only and best Physician, which hast delivered us from the curse of the law, and restored us to life and righteousness. And grant O blessed Son of God, that as thou didst call Matthew from the receipt of custom to be an Apostle and Evangelist; so give us grace to forsake all covetous desires, and inordinate care of riches, and to follow thee in all things thou hast commanded.  
Furthermore, thou O Christ hast taught, that the church of the new testament is not tied unto the Mosaical government, neither unto the ceremonies and traditions of man, & hast reproved also the Pharisaical error, which in all ages hath shamefully obscured the light of thy Gospel, that ceremonies are to be preferred before the works of the moral law. Continue this light among us. Grant that we may worship thee, not in the works and precepts of men, but in observation of thy commandments, and worshipping thee in spirit and truth. Work, O work within us an obedience answering to thy laws in both tables, that retaining faith and a good conscience, we may sit with thee for evermore in thy celestial kingdom after our resurrection,  
Amen.   

18. On Saint Michael's day, and all Angels. O praise the Lord ye Angels of his, ye that excel in strength, and fulfil his commandment.  
O Almighty, everlasting, and everliving God, which before all times didst beget a Son in thine own image, in whom shineth the heavenly light, which no creature can apprehend, as it is in deed, albeit some taste and spark thereof thou bestowest upon men, by lightening them by thy Son to unfeigned repentance, & sorrow for their sin. Thou commandedst that light should be made, and so not only bodies shining with noble light yet unreasonable were made, but beside also other spiritual natures, as Angels, were brought forth, into which thou pouredst the beams of thy light, of thy wisdom, of thy righteousness and life, and appointedst a company of them, which remained in their innocency to everlasting righteousness and life, that always they might behold the countenance of the eternal Father, being replenished with perfect goodness.  
Thou hast ordained and constituted in a wonderful order, that most excellent nature of all Angels, to serve thy Church, to defend the weak and feeble company of men, which in this life turn unto thy Son our very Michael. Thou commandest those heroical and valiant spirits, to protect thy Church, kingdoms, and godly schools, and places where thy Church doth abide, calling upon thee in fear, and continuing in thy service. We thank thee from our hearts for this great and unspeakable benefit; beseeching thee most humbly mercifully to grant, that they which alway do thee service in heaven, may by thine appointment succour and defend us here in earth.  
Convert us, O Lord, and we shall be converted, teach us to confess this thy goodness, and following the example of thine holy Angels, to serve thee and thy congregation in true and sincere humility. Compass our Churches, Commonweals, and houses, with the watch of thine Angels: drive away from us and our houses, devils thine enemies, lying, blasphemous, cruel, murdering, and incestuous spirits, which through extreme hatred of thee and thy Son, torment man, labouring to bring it about, that all flesh may blaspheme thee. Repress the rage of them in their members, in false teachers, in the enemies of thy truth, in Turks, and other tyrants, which persecute us. Help us in this world, being engraffed into that Church, which thou doest protect, and may continue faithful unto the death, and afterward being translated into eternal life be like the Angels, yielding immortal thanks unto thee for thine infinite benefits,  
Amen.   

19 On Saint Luke the Evangelists day. It is neither herb nor emplaster that restoreth us to health; but thy word, O Lord, which healeth all things.  
O Omnipotent, almighty, and everliving God, which called'st Luke the Physician, whose praise is in the Gospel, to be a Physician of the soul; it may please thee by the wholesome medicine of his doctrine, to heal all the diseases of our souls. And as by thy Son our Lord and Saviour Christ, thou hast commanded us to pray, that labourers may be thrust into thy harvest: so grant unto us, for the same thy son, Bishops of thine own instructing, good shepherds, sound preachers, faithful workmen, and godly ministers, which may faithfully oversee, and by thy word of salvation prosperously govern thy Church, being dearly bought with the precious blood of thine only Son. Give unto us such teachers, as are both learned in thy word, and commended for their good living: direct them being illuminated with thine heavenly light, that they may rightly deliver, and divide unto us the principles of good doctrine, the word of truth, and the Gospel of life, and open the difference between the law and the Gospel: teach us to beware of the leaven of the pharisees, and the contagious doctrine of man's traditions; inform us in all spiritual wisdom, and bring us by the operation of thine holy spirit unto perfection, both in the eyes of God, and sight of the world. Grant that their labours may take good success, to the increase of thy celestial harvest. Give them grace to continue constant in their profession, fearing neither the hatred, nor ingratitude of this world, believing certainly that such as despise them, are despised of thee, and that thou neither wilt of thine holiness, nor wilt of thy justice suffer such blasphemous impiety to go unpunished,  
Amen.   

20. On Simon and judes day Apostles. Thou hast made them princes in all lands: therefore shall they remember thy name, O Lord, from one generation to another.  
Almighty God, which hast builded thy congregation upon the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets, jesus Christ himself being the head corner stone: grant us so to be joined together in unity of spirit by their doctrine, that we may be made an holy temple acceptable to thee. And, O Lord jesus Christ, which after this manner didst comfort thine Apostles, whom the world would hate and abhor, saying; I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. Separate us, we humbly beseech thee, from the darkness, idolatry, and wickedness of this world, and join us to that company, among which thy Godhead doth dwell. Grant that in true love we may be joined unto thine eternal Father, through thy spirit, which is the bond of peace. Make us nothing to dread the sinister judgements of the world, neither yet for any perils to forsake thy truth: but patiently suffer the injuries, from which thyself wast not free. Let us always think, that the servant is not greater than the master; and so together with thee and thine Apostles, suffer those troubles and crosses, which of God for our sins and amendment shall be laid upon us,  
Amen.   

21. On All Saint's day. Let the righteous be glad, and rejoice before God: let them also be merry and joyful.  
WE thank thee, O almighty God our heavenly Father, for that of thine infinite mercy, through our Lord and Saviour, and working of thine holy spirit, thou gatherest out of mankind an everlasting Church, & hast knit together thine elect in one communion and fellowship in the mystical body of the same thy Son Christ our Lord, & defendest the same mightily against the rage of the devils, and tyranny of his members: yea, and hast promised one day by thy Son to raise the same from death, and to adorn it with unspeakable glory. We beseech thee have mercy on us, for the sake of the same thy Son our Mediator and Saviour; and grant us grace so to follow thy holy Saints in all virtue and godly living, that we may come to those unspeakable joys, which thou hast prepared for them that unfeignedly love thee. And gather from among us evermore some religious company, which may serve thee in faith, and a good conscience. Assist, that in this life, that benefit of eternal life may begin, that we may in a contrite heart obey thee, patiently suffer the troubles, which accompany thy Gospel, show ourselves meek, and merciful, hungering and thirsting from our heart after thy righteousness, and seeking for the food of our soul above all things. Make our joy perfect, and rejoice in deed, looking through faith upon that blessed company of Angels and men, which enjoy thy visible presence, among whom thy Son is, whom they see face to face: and filled with unspeakable delight, here discoursing of thy wonderful wisdom, both in gathering and preserving thy Church; bring us, gracious Lord, unto the blessed company of thy Saints in this world, and afterward make us citizens of thine eternal kingdom, together with all thine Angels and men. O Lord, blessed are they, which dwell in thine house, forever & ever they will praise thee,   
Amen.  
See another, pag. 622.   

THE DOLEFUL DOOVE, Or  
David's penitential Psalms, very necessary to be used (as most effectual prayers) of all godly and devout Christians, especially when being afflicted and chastised of the Lord for their sins, either by sickness or otherwise, in body or mind, they feel Gods heavy hand, and fear his dreadful threats, whereby they are moved, not only truly to convert and turn unto him by hearty repentance, earnest contrition, and humble confession of their faults and infirmities; but also by earnest and fervent petitions in fasting, weeping, lamentation, & mourning, most desirously to crave at God's hands, as well mercy and forgiveness of their sins; as also mitigation of their present miseries, and deliverance from all evils bodily and ghostly. There with all inwardly thirsting and longing in soul, not only to be restored to God's grace and favour again; but also to be governed by his holy spirit, the better to spend the rest of their life in the true fear and service of God, as David that holy man, and his chosen vessel did, to the glory of God, and our everlasting comfort.  

1. Domine ne in furore. Psal. 6.  
O Lord, rebuke me not in thine indignation: neither chasten me in thy displeasure.  
Have mercy upon me, O Lord, for I am weak: O Lord heal me. For my bones are vexed.  
My soul is also sore troubled: but Lord, how long wilt thou punish me?  
Turn thee, O Lord, and deliver my soul: Oh save me, for thy mercy's sake.  
For in death no man remembreth thee: and who will give thee thanks in the pit?  
I am weary of my groaning, every night wash I my bed: and water my couch with my tears.  
My beauty is gone for very trouble: and worn away because of all mine enemies.  
Away from me all ye that work vanity: for the Lord hath heard the voice of my weeping.  
The Lord hath heard my petition: the Lord will receive my prayer.  
All mine enemies shall be confounded, and sore vexed: they shall be turned back, and put to shame suddenly.   

2. Beati quorum. Psal. 32.  
BLessed is the man whose unrighteousness is forgiven: and whose sin is covered.  
Blessed is the man unto whom the Lord imputeth no sin: and in whose spirit there is no guile.  
For while I held my tongue: my bones consumed away through my daily complaining.  
For thy hand is heavy upon me day and night: and my moisture is like the drought in summer.  
I will knowledge my sin unto thee: and mine unrighteousness have I not hid.  
I said, I will confess my sins unto the Lord: and so thou forgavest the wickedness of my sin.  
For this shall every one that is godly make his prayer unto thee, in a time when thou mayest be found: but in the great waterfluds they shall not come nigh him.  
Thou art a place to hide me in; thou shalt preserve me from trouble: thou shalt compass me about with sons of deliverance.  
I will inform thee, & teach thee in the way wherein thou shalt go: and I will guide thee with mine eye.  
Be ye not like horse and mule, which have no understanding: whose mouths must be holden with bit and bridle, lest they fall upon thee.  
Great plagues remain for the ungodly: but who so putteth his trust in the Lord, mercy embraceth him on every side.  
Be glad O ye righteous, and rejoice in the Lord: and be joyful all ye that are true of heart.   

3. Domine ne infurore. Psal. 38.  
PUt me not to rebuke O Lord in thine anger: neither chasten me in thy heavy displeasure.  
For thine arrows stick fast in me: and thy hand presseth me sore.  
There is no health in my flesh because of thy displeasure: neither is there any rest in my bones by reason of my sin.  
For my wickednesses are gone over my head: and are like a sore burden too heavy for me to bear.  
My wounds stink and are corrupt: through my foolishness.  
I am brought into so great trouble and misery: that I go morning all the day long.  
For my loins are filled with a sore disease: and there is no whole part in my body.  
I am feeble and sore smitten: I have roared for the very disquietness of my heart.  
Lord, thou knowest all my desire: and my groaning is not hid from thee.  
My heart panteth, my strength hath failed me: and the sight of mine eyes is gone from me.  
My lovers and my neighbours did stand looking upon my trouble: and my kinsmen stood a far off.  
They also that sought after my life, laid snares for me: and they that went about to do me evil, talked of wickedness, and imagined deceit all the day long.  
As for me, I was like a deaf man and heard not: and as one that is dumb, which doth not open his mouth.  
I became even as a man that heareth not: and in whose mouth are no reproofs.  
For in thee, O Lord, have I put my trust: thou shalt answer for me, O Lord my God.  
I have required that they (even mine enemies) should not triumph over me: for when my foot slipped, they rejoiced greatly over me.  
And I truly am set in the plague: and my heaviness is ever in my sight.  
For I will confess my wickedness: and be sorry for my sin.  
But mine enemies live, and are mighty: and they that hate me wrongfully, are many in number.  
They also that reward evil for good, are against me: because I follow the thing that good is.  
Forsake me not, O Lord my God: be not thou far from me.  
Haste thee to help me O Lord God my salvation.   

4. Miserere mei Deus. Psal. 51.  
Have mercy upon me, O God, after thy great goodness: according unto the multitude of thy mercies do away mine offences.  
Wash me throughlie from my wickedness: and cleanse me from my sin.  
For I knowledge my faults: and my sin is ever before me.  
Against thee only have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified in thy saying, and clear when thou art judged.  
Behold, I was shapen in wickedness: and in sin hath my mother conceived me.  
But lo, thou requirest truth in the inward parts: and shalt make me to understand wisdom secretly.  
Thou shalt purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: thou shalt wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.  
Thou shalt make me hear of joy and gladness: that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice.  
Turn thy face from my sins: and put out all my misdeeds.  
Make me a clean heart, O God: and renew a right spirit within me.  
Cast me not away from thy presence: and take not thy holy spirit from me.  
O give me the comfort of thy help again: and establish me with thy free spirit.  
Then shall I teach thy ways unto the wicked: and sinners shall be converted unto thee.  
Deliver me from bloud-giltinesse, O God, thou that art the God of my health: and my tongue shall sing of thy righteousness.  
Thou shalt open my lips O Lord: and my mouth shall show thy praise.  
For thou desirest no sacrifice, else would I give it thee: but thou delightest not in burnt offerings.  
The sacrifice of God is a troubled spirit: a broken and contrite heart, O God, shalt thou not despise.  
O be favourable and gracious to Zion: build thou the walls of Jerusalem.  
Then shalt thou be pleased with the sacrifice of righteousness, with the burnt offerings and oblations: then shall they offer young bullocks upon thine altar.   

5. Domine exaudi. Psal. 102.  
Hear my prayer, O Lord: and let my crying come unto thee.  
Hid not thy face from me in the time of my trouble: incline thine ears unto me when I call, O hear me, and that right soon.  
For my days are consumed away like smoke: and my bones are burnt up as it were a firebrand.  
My heart is smitten down, and withered like grass: so that I forget to eat my bread.  
For the voice of my groaning: my bones will scarce cleave to my flesh.  
I am become like a Pelican in the wilderness: and like an Owl that is in the desert.  
I have watched, & am even as it were a sparrow: that sitteth alone upon the house top.  
Mine enemies revile me all the day long: and they that are mad upon me, are sworn together against me.  
For I have eaten ashes as it were bread: and mingled my drink with weeping.  
And that because of thine indignation and wrath: for thou hast taken me up, and cast me down.  
My days are gone like a shadow: and I am withered like grass.  
But thou, O Lord, shalt endure for ever: and thy remembrance throughout all generations.  
Thou shalt arise and have mercy upon Zion: for it is time that thou have mercy upon her, yea the time is come.  
And why? thy servants think upon her stones: and it pitieth them to see her in the dust.  
The heathen shall fear thy name, O Lord: and all the kings of the earth thy Majesty.  
When the Lord shall build up Zion: and when his glory shall appear.  
When he turneth him unto the prayer of the poor destitute: and despiseth not their desire.  
This shall be written for those that come after: and the people which shall be borne, shall praise the Lord.  
For he hath looked down from his Sanctuary: out of the heaven did the Lord behold the earth.  
That he might hear the mournings of such as be in captivity: and deliver the children appointed unto death.  
That they may declare the name of the Lord in Zion: and his worship at Jerusalem.  
When the people are gathered together: and the kingdoms also to serve the Lord.  
He brought down my strength in my journey: and shortened my days.  
But I said, O my God, take me not away in the midst of mine age: as for thy years they endure throughout all generations.  
Thou Lord in the beginning hast laid the foundations of the earth: and the heavens are the work of thy hands.  
They shall perish, but thou shalt endure: they shall all wax old as doth a garment.  
And as a vesture shalt thou change them, and they shall be changed: but thou art the same, and thy years shall not fail.  
The children of thy servants shall continue: and their seed shall stand fast in thy sight.   

6. De profundis. Psal. 130.  
OUt of the deep have I called unto thee, O Lord: Lord hear my voice.  
Oh let thine ears consider well the voice of my complaint.  
If thou Lord wilt be extreme to mark what is done amiss: oh Lord, who may abide it?  
For there is mercy with thee: therefore shalt thou be feared.  
I looked for the Lord, my soul doth wait for him: in his word is my trust.  
My soul flieth unto thee Lord: before the morning watch, I say before the morning watch.  
O Israel trust in the Lord, for with the Lord there is mercy: and with him is plenteous redemption.  
And he shall redeem Israel from all his sins.   

7. Domine exaudi. Psal. 143.  
Hear my prayer, O Lord, consider my desire: hearken unto me for thy truth and righteousness sake.  
And enter not into judgement with thy servant: for in thy sight shall no man living be justified.  
For the enemy hath persecuted my soul, he hath smitten my life down to the ground: he hath laid me in the darkness, as the men that have been long dead.  
Therefore is my spirit vexed within me: and my heart within me is desolate.  
Yet do I remember the time past, I muse upon all thy works: yea, I exercise myself in the works of thy hands.  
I stretch forth my hands unto thee: my soul gaspeth unto thee as a thirsty land.  
Hear me, O Lord, and that soon, for my spirit waxeth faint: hide not thy face from me, lest I be like unto them that go down into the pit.  
O let me hear thy loving kindness betimes in the morning, for in thee is my trust: show thou me the way that I should walk in, for I lift up my soul unto thee.  
Deliver me, O Lord, from mine enemies: for I flee unto thee to hide me.  
Teach me to do the thing that pleaseth thee, for thou art my God: let thy loving spirit lead me forth into the land of righteousness.  
Quicken me, O Lord, for thy name sake: and for thy righteousness sake bring my soul out of trouble.  
And of thy goodness slay mine enemies: and destroy all them that vex my soul, for I am thy servant. 
Glory be to the Father, to the Son, and to the holy Ghost. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end,   
Amen.  
Hereunto you may add (as occasion and time will serve) these select and notable Psalms of David, as they are at large in the Psalter, that is to say, the 5, 7, 13, 17, 22, 25, 31, 35, 42, 43, 55, 56, 57, 69, 71, 77, 86, 88    

Other Psalms or Prayers, compiled out of holy Scriptures, very necessary to be used of the afflicted soul, for obtaining the remission of sins, and mitigation of miseries.  
O Lord of lords, GOD almighty, great and dreadful, which by thy word hast made heaven, earth, the sea, & all things contained in them.  
Nothing is able to resist thy power: thy mercy is over all thy works.  
All things be under thy dominion and rule: both man and beast, and all living creatures.  
Thou art merciful to whom thou wilt: and hast compassion on whom it pleaseth thee.  
Thy counsel shall stand for ever: and whatsoever thou wilt, shall be done.  
Power, dominion, and glory, is thine: which art above all things, and in all things, and in us all.  
Thou art Father of mercies, and God of all grace, peace and comfort: which wilt not the death of a sinner, nor delightest in the damnation of souls.  
O Lord God, which art rich in mercy, and of thine especial love towards us, even when we were thine enemies, didst send into the world thine only begotten Son jesus Christ; that whosoever believeth duly in him shall not perish, but have everlasting life.  
Have mercy upon me, have mercy upon me, according to thy great mercy.  
And according to the multitude of thy mercies, put away mine offences.  
O God most holy, wash me from my wickedness, and make me clean from mine uncleanness.  
For I acknowledge, O Lord, my heinous sins: and accuse myself of mine unrighteous deeds.  
I confess against myself the wickedness of mine heart, which hath been ever unfaithful, and rebelling against thy precepts.  
I have been an untrue and froward child to thee, and have provoked thee with my vanities.  
O holy Father, I have offended thy divine Majesty, and am not worthy to be called thy child.  
Because I provoked thee to anger through the multitude of my sins: and have not exercised myself in thy righteous laws.  
I have turned back from thy ways, and done evil before thee.  
I have done wickedly, and unjustly behaved myself, leaving thy commandments, and murmuring against thy correction.  
I have turned myself away, and not kept my promise made unto thee: I have walked in an evil way after mine own thoughts and fantasies, choosing the things that thou wouldst not.  
O Lord God almighty, I have not feared thee, nor showed due reverence unto thee: but I have been disobedient and stubborn unto thee.  
As a common harlot is without shame, even so am I without shame of my sins: for behold, I speak unto thee, and yet I sin more and more.  
I have left that which is good, and gone back from thee: and I have not put my trust and hope in thee, my maker; but have sought for help and safeguard otherwise.  
I have ploughed wickedness, and reaped iniquity, and eaten the fruit of lies: because I have trusted in mine own way.  
I have cast thy laws behind my back, not regarding thy commandments, nor leaving mine own lewd customs.  
I have not given my heart to return to thy paths: for I would not know thee, but have fallen through mine iniquity.  
I never unto this day turned truly unto thee with all my heart: but as a woman that breakech her fidelity and promise unto her husband: even so, O LORD God, I have broken my promise unto thee.  
For I have lived abominably, and have had no remorse, nor repentance for my evil deeds, but have run from sin to sin, following the lewd desires of my heart.  
Thou knowest all things, O Lord, how I have provoked thee to displeasure by my lewd inventions: and none of all my sins be hid from thee.  
I hated thy discipline and correction: and regarded not thy words and sayings.  
I have not done penance for my malice: but have increased in much vanity.  
Mine heart hath been void of truth: and my hands have wrought unrighteousness.  
My tongue hath spoken sinfully, and I have laboured with the imaginations of mine heart, to find out lies and deceits, and no truth hath been in my ways.  
I have accustomed my tongue to speak trifles and vanities, fulfilling my fleshly desires and thoughts, my purposes and inventions have been contrary to thy will, whereby I have offended the eyes of thy Majesty.  
Thou hast seen all these things, O Lord, and hast holden thy peace: and yet they were evil in thy sight, and displeased thee.  
In thine anger thou hast cast me away, and art divided from me now many days.  
Thou hast given me up to the desires of my heart: to do the things, which be not seeming.  
Woe I am, that I have gone from thee: great is my misery, that I have led my life in sin.  
Woe is me, that I have forsaken thee to do my devices: not after thy mind, to accomplish my thoughts, which have not proceeded of thy spirit, but have heaped up sin upon sin.  
Mine infamy and reproach is daily before mine eyes: and for shame I dare not show my face.  
And now, O Lord God, why forgettest thou me? Why keepest thou away so long thy mercy from me?  
Hear now my cause graciously, although thou hast been displeased with me a great while: for thou art merciful; be not angry always, I beseech thee.  
Cast not away a contrite and penitent person, a wretch, and an abject, which humbly calleth upon thy name.  
Turn again a little toward me, O Lord God, and forgive me my mischievous deeds.  
Order me not according to my sins, nor punish me as my wickedness deserveth.  
Show not forth thy power against a poor wretch: persecute her not so sore, which is without all strength.  
Turn not thy face away from my prayers: but according to thy promise, take me again unto thy favour.  
For I am thine, O righteous Father, whom thine only dear Son hath redeemed with his precious blood.  
And now my soul abhorreth mine old conversation: and of thee, which art judge of all men, I ask mercy.  
I do submit myself unto thy mighty hand: for after thine anger thou showest mercy, and in the time of tribulation thou doest forgive sins.  
I acknowledge, that I am a sinner, beseeching thee, Lord God almighty, of thy goodness to do with me according to thy great mercy.  
I am confounded, and ashamed to lift up mine eyes unto thee: for my sins are ascended up unto thy sight.  
Against thee, O Father, against thee have I sinned, and done evil before thee: thou seest that mine iniquity is great.  
Truly I have been an offender against thee, even from my cradle: and since I sucked my mother's breasts, I have not ceased to do evil.  
Behold, I was begotten in iniquity: and my mother brought me into this world defiled with sin.  
For the corn of an evil seed is sown in mine heart, and how much wickedness hath sprung thereof unto this day, thou knowest, O Lord.  
I can not shake off my sins and offences; but I carry still with me the infamy of my youth.  
Behold Lord, I am sold under sin, and in my flesh I find not that which is good.  
For the good that I would, that do I not; but the evil that I hate, that I do.  
All the thoughts and imaginations of mine heart have been set to do evil, ever since I was young.  
O why do I die in my sins, Lord God: seeing thy will is not, that a sinner die, but return from his sin and live?  
For thou art good and merciful, and according to thy great mercy, savest them that be unworthy.  
For albeit no man is able to bear the punishment, which thou dost threaten against sinners, yet the mercy, which thou hast promised, is great and unsearchable.  
Thou hast showed mercy a thousand times heretofore: to make the same glorious, as it is even yet still.  
The old fathers in their necessities cried unto thee, and thou didst deliver them: they put their trust in thee, and they were not confounded.  
When they were at their wit's end, and witted not what to do: this was their only refuge, to lift up their eyes to thee.  
Thou didst save them for thy name sake, to show in them thy might and strength.  
Many a time they provoked thee through their iniquities, and stirred up thy goodness to displeasure.  
Yet when thou sawest their tribulation, and their lowly submission unto thee;  
Thou didst remember thy promise, and by and by hadst pity and compassion upon them: according to the multitude of thy mercies.  
Have mercy upon me, O Lord God omnipotent, have mercy upon me: for I am a miserable & a wretched creature. Make me whole, I beseech thee, whom thou hast stricken for my sin and iniquity.  
My soul is troubled greatly: and how long, O Lord, wilt thou not look towards me?  
How long wilt thou reject my prayer, thus crying out unto thee? Wilt thou hear me at no time? How long wilt thou turn away thy face from me?  
Where be thine old mercies, O Lord, whom thou hast established in thy truth?  
Wilt thou now, O Lord God, cease to show mercy? Or wilt thou withdraw thy goodness in displeasure?  
Hast thou cast me away for ever, that thou wilt never hereafter be pleased with me?  
Thine hand is not weakened, but it may help: and thine ears be not stopped, that they refuse to hear.  
How long shall my mind be troubled with painful and heavy thoughts? How long shall sorrow torment mine heart?  
How long shall mine enemy have the upper hand of me? Look towards me, Lord GOD, and hear my prayer.  
Give light to mine eyes: for I have slept too long in death, and my sins have prevailed against me.  
Turn again, O Lord, turn again, and deliver my soul: and save me for thy great mercy sake.  
Lo, now is the accepted time: now be the days of health and grace.  
In death, who shall remember thee? In hell, who shall laud or praise thee?  
He that liveth, he that liveth shall praise thee: and shall make thy mercy known.  
Lord rebuke me not in thine anger: nor punish me in thy great displeasure.  
Cast not thy darts at me: nor lay not thy heavy hand upon me.  
For I have borne thine anger a long while: & of the cup of thy high displeasure I have droonke very deep.  
There is no health in my flesh, for fear of thy displeasure: I have no peace nor rest, when I behold my sins.  
Mine iniquities be gone over mine head: and like an heavy burden they daily press me down.  
The wounds in my soul do fester and stink, even through mine own folly.  
I am a wretch cast away from thy favour and presence, and go morning all the day long.  
My soul is full of filthiness, and no part of me is whole and sound.  
Wherefore mine enemies do persecute me the more, the greatness of my pain maketh me to roar and cry.  
My heart fainteth and trembleth within me, and my strength is gone away.  
O Lord, thou knowest my desire, and thou seest my necessity.  
Forgive me all my sins, O Lord God almighty, for thine own sake, and put out of thy sight my heinous offences: for according to thy goodness thou hast promised forgiveness of sins to them that do penance.  
Have mercy on me Lord for the glory and honour of thy name, and be no longer displeased with me, and then thou shalt surely be known to be just and true in thy words, & shalt overcome when thou art judged.  
For by this, thy great grace shall be known: that thou takest mercy on them, which have not whereof they may glory in thy sight.  
And all the dwellers on the earth shall learn and know thy goodness, when thou shalt confer and give thy benefits to us for thy great name sake, and not after our evil ways and wicked deeds.  
verily Lord God, except thou show unto us thy manifold mercies, the world shall not have life, nor they that dwell therein.  
And if thou help us not with thy goodness, how may they which have offended, be raised up from their sins?  
Have mercy on me, O good Father, have mercy on me, and for thy glorious name, be no longer angry with me.  
Take me a sinner unto thy mercy for the name of thy holy Son jesus, whom thou hast sent to be the obteiner of mercy for our sins, through faith in his blood.  
Behold holy Father, behold thy child, whom thou hast chosen: behold thy well-beloved Son, in whom thy soul delighteth: upon whom thou hast put thy holy spirit, and sent him to preach the Gospel to the poor; to heal them, which for their sins be sorrowful and contrite: to comfort them that mourn, to preach pardon to the prisoners, and sight to the blind.  
Behold thy little one, which was borne for us; behold thy Son, which is given to us, whom thou hast not spared, but given to death for us all, to be a sweet offering and sacrifice to thee.  
verily he took upon him in his body our infirmities, and he bore our pains.  
He was made weak for our sins: and he was wounded for our offences.  
The correction for our peace was laid upon him, and by the strokes that he suffered, our wounds were healed.  
All we went astray like sheep, every one followeth his own way, and thou, O Lord, puttest on him our iniquity, striking him for the offences of thy people.  
He gave his body to be beaten, and his cheeks to be stricken, he turned not away his face from them that scorned him.  
Through his love and mercy, he hath redeemed them that were lost, and by his blood shed on the cross, he hath pacified all things in heaven and earth.  
He gave himself to death, and made his prayers for them which were offenders.  
Look O merciful Father, and consider who it is that thus did suffer: and remember, I beseech thee, for whom he hath suffered.  
For this is that innocent, whom thou gavest to death for us, even then when we were sinners: and shall we not, being now justified by his blood, much rather be saved from wrath through him?  
If we, when we were yet enemies, were reconciled to thee by the death of thy Son, shall we not being reconciled, much rather be saved by his life?  
Behold that pure and immaculate Lamb, which taketh away the sins of the world, by whose precious blood we are redeemed from our iniquities.  
Look upon that most meek innocent, which like a Lamb was led to his death: and being most cruelly entreated, once opened not his mouth.  
Behold thine only Son, whom although thou begattest of thine almighty power, substance and nature; yet thou wouldst he should be partaker of mine infirmity.  
Which being God in nature, thought it no ravin to be equal with God, but made himself low, taking upon him the shape of a servant, and coming in the similitude of sinful flesh, condemned sin in the flesh, submitting himself unto thee, O Father, even to the death of the cross, and there put out the hand-writing that was against us contained in the law written, and taking it out of the way, fastened it to his cross, on the which he spoilt potestates and powers, and made a show of them openly, and triumphed over them in his own person.  
Turn the eyes of thy Majesty, O Lord God, and look upon the work of thine ineffable goodness.  
Behold thine own sweet Son, how all his body was drawn and stretched forth on the cross.  
Look upon all the parts of his body, from the crown of the head, unto the sole of the foot, and no pain shall be found like unto his pain.  
Behold, O loving Father, the blessed head of thy dear Son crowned with sharp thorns, and the blood running down upon his godly visage.  
Behold his tender body, how it is scourged: his naked breast is stricken and beaten: his bloody side is thrust through: his heart panteth: his sinews be stretched forth: his godly eyes dazzle, and lose their sight: his princely face is wan and pale: his pleasant tongue is inflamed for pain: his inward parts wax dry and stark: his arms both blue & wan, be stiff: his bones be plucked one from another: his beautiful legs be feeble and weak: and the streams of blood issuing out of his body, ran down apace upon his feet.  
Look, O my Father, upon the humility and gentleness of thy dear Son: and pity the infirmity of thy weak handiwork.  
Behold, O glorious Father, the body of thy dear Son, all to rend and torn: and remember I beseech thee, of how small substance I am.  
Look upon the pain of him that is both God and man: and release the misery of man whom thou hast made.  
Behold the grievous suffering of the Redeemer, and forgive the sin of her that is redeemed.  
Keep me from all evil ways: and teach me by thy holy spirit, to choose the way of truth.  
I beseech thee, O thou king of holiness, by him that is most holy, by this my Redeemer Christ, that thou bring me again into the right way, that I may be united, and made one with him in spirit, which abhorred not to be united with me in flesh.  
Make me to go perfectly in thy paths, and to hate all wicked ways.  
Wash my heart from malice, and cleanse me from my secret sins.  
Cleanse me, O holy Father, with the blood of the new testament of thy well-beloved Son, which hath loved us, and washed us with his blood from our sins, and hath redeemed us from all iniquity.  
Purify my heart by the sanctification of thy spirit, and the sprinkling of the blood of thy Son, from all filthiness of sin, and evil conscience.  
O God almighty, be merciful unto me a sinner: for thy glorious name sake, and remember my sins no longer.  
For thou art God, gracious, and merciful, and patiently doest suffer us: and wouldst that no man should perish, but that all men should return to penance.  
Make me, O Lord God, to return from mine evil ways and wicked thoughts.  
Remember not the sins and abominations of my youth: according to thy mercy, be mindful of me for thy goodness sake O Lord.  
Look not upon me with a grienous countenance: for there is no man that dare speak for me.  
Enter not into judgement with thy servant: for if thou accuse me, I shall never be quit.  
For if thou, O Lord, mark my sins and iniquity, who shall not fall before thee?  
This is certain and sure, that then in thy sight no man living shall be justified, seeing thou hast found iniquity even in thine Angels.  
How much rather in man, which is abomination and filthiness, and dwelleth in the earthly house of his body, and drinketh iniquity as it were water?  
Who is clean from filthiness, when all be corrupted? truly not one: no though he have lived but one day on the earth, and though his months may be easily numbered.  
Of a truth there is no mortal man, which hath not done wickedly; nor there is any righteous on earth, which doth good and sinneth not.  
Yet because mercy is in thy hand, O Lord, although thou be dreadful, my hope is in thee, in whom my soul trusteth.  
My soul looketh for thee, because mercy and plentiful redemption is with thee.  
For this I know assuredly, that thou wilt not cast me away for ever: but although thou cast me away for my sins awhile, yet thou wilt have mercy upon me again, according to the multitude of thy mercies.  
For thou, O Lord, art full of pity and mercy: and wilt not turn thy face away from us, if we will return to thee.  
Thou art our God, full of sweetness, verity, and patience, and disposest all things by mercy.  
The fountains of thy goodness be ever full, and flow over: thy grace never decayeth.  
All thy ways be mercy and truth, to them that seek out thy covenant and testimonies.  
How gentle and loving the father is to his children, so gentle and loving art thou O Lord, to them that fear thee, and for the abundance of thy mercy thou doest pardon our infirmities.  
Thou knowest thine own handiwork, thou remember'st what we are: thou seest we are flesh, and of no strength.  
Thou hast not forgotten, that this world is full of unrighteousness and wickedness: and that it is wholly set and bend on evil.  
Yea, nevertheless thou art merciful and full of grace, and like a merciful Lord, forbearest to punish sinners when they repent themselves, and return from their sins.  
Have mercy upon me, O Lord God my saviour, for the glory of thy name: and deliver me, and forgive me my sins for thy name sake.  
O righteous Father, look not straitelie upon the multitude of my sins: but look on the face of jesus thy holy Son, which being without sin, bore our sins in his body on the tree of the cross.  
Turn away thy face from my sins: and put out all mine iniquities.  
Make a clean heart in me, O God, and renew me with a right spirit.  
Cast me not away from thy presence, and take not thine holy spirit from me.  
Give me again the comfort of thy help, and 'stablish me with thy mighty spirit.  
Mollify mine heart, O Lord GOD, that I may return to thy paths: for I have wandered over long in the way of error.  
Turn me to thee, and I shall be turned: for thou art my maker, and I am the clay and work of thine hands.  
Turn not thy face away from me, nor go not from thy servant in thine anger.  
Be mine helper, and forsake me not: despise me not, O Lord, which art my God, and my health,  
Amen.   

Another Psalm for the remission of sins.  
O Most mighty GOD of Angels and of men: whose judgements be unsearchable, & whose wisdom is profound and deep.  
Near the prayers of thy servants: and cast not away the humble suits of thy poor creature and handy work.  
For as long as I shall live, I will speak unto thee: and I will not hold my peace, so long as the breath is in my body.  
I do turn my soul unto thee, and I set mine eyes directly upon thee.  
Let thine anger be turned away from me, I beseech thee, and grant that I may find grace and favour in thy sight.  
According to the greatness of thy mercy, forgive me all my sins.  
Pluck me away from mine heinous offences: and heal my soul, which hath offended thee; make me free from the guilt of my transgression: for I acknowledge mine iniquity, and am sorry for my sins.  
I have forsaken thy way; and I, knowing thy commandments, have done all things contrary to them.  
I have broken the covenant that I made with thee: and have despised to keep thy law.  
verily I have sinned against thee, O Lord GOD, and the blemish of my sin abideth still with me, even unto this day.  
I have forsaken thee, O God my maker, and gone away from thee my Saviour, & have rebelled against thee, like an ox that winceth and striveth when he should be yoked.  
I have hardened my heart against thee: and I have lifted up my neck proudly after my sin.  
I have trusted in lies, and through deceit would not knowledge thee: but I have followed the lewdness of mine heart.  
My pride and arrogancy have beguiled me: and the foolish boldness of mine heart hath brought me into desolate ways.  
Mine own counsels and advises have brought me these things: such is the malice and rebellion that possesseth the hearts of men.  
My soul is put from quietness and rest, and I can not think of any good thing.  
The yoke of my sins is waxed very heavy: it is lifted up and fastened about my neck.  
Thou hast spoken to me, but I would not hear; thou hast called me, but I would not answer: I believed not thy words, nor would abide thy counsel.  
I regarded not thine holy word: and I gave not my mind to thy sayings.  
Thou hast stricken me, but I would not know the cause thereof: thou hast corrected me, but I would not take thy discipline.  
I did not consider in mine heart, that thou wouldst not forget my sin and malice.  
With my mouth and my lips I glorified thee: but mine heart was far from thee.  
I hide my sin as Adam did: to the intent to have mine iniquity unknown.  
I asked not counsel of thy mouth: and I would not follow thy law.  
I have sinned before thine eyes, and therefore my soul is made unstable.  
I forsook thee, which art the fountain of continual springing waters: to the intent to dig to myself muddy pits, which have no water.  
In all these things I am not returned to thee: nor I have not prayed unto thee, that I might leave my wicked ways.  
See Lord, and behold how vile I am made, all the beauty of my soul is perished and gone: in so much that now I dare not in any wise behold and look upon thee.  
And there was no cause why I should forsake thee, and vainly follow vain things.  
Lord have mercy upon me, and hear my prayers: for thou art my God, and there is no Saviour besides thee.  
Turn away from me thy heavy displeasure: and destroy me not for the sins of my youth.  
I humbly beseech thee, O Lord, forgive me: forgive me for thine exceeding mercy.  
O Lord God of hosts, if thou be determined to save, who can let orresist? If thou stretch out thine hand, who shall turn thee away?  
Thou mayst do to me, as the potter doth to his pot: for behold, I am in thine hand, as the clay is in his.  
Amend me, O Lord, but in mercy, not in thine anger, lest thou utterly consume me: make me to understand and know how hurtful and deadly a thing it is to forsake thee, my Lord GOD, and to cast away from me, the fear of thee.  
There is no man that can heal me, nor cure my plague: no man can deliver me, but thou O Lord, which woundest, and makest whole; which strikest, and healest again.  
My destruction cometh of myself: my help and salvation standeth only in thee.  
For none is like unto thee: thou art mighty, and great is the name of thy strength.  
Turn me to thee, O Lord, and I shall be turned: take away from me this sinful heart, that thy law may bring forth fruit in me.  
Remember me, Lord, for thy goodness sake: and for the great love thou bearest towards me.  
O Lord God, behold, thou hast made both heaven and earth by thy great might: and nothing is hard to thee.  
Thou art that puissant and mighty, whose name is the Lord of hosts: great & marvelous in thy counsel.  
As soon as thou hast spoken the word, all things be done: as soon as thou hast commanded, things be: and thy word returneth not to thee void, and without effect.  
Thou, O Lord GOD, she west mercy unto all, for thou canst do all: and thou makest as though thou sawest not the sins of men, because they should do penance, and amend their lives.  
For thou lovest allthings that be, and hatest nothing that thou hast made: for nothing thou madest, or hast ordained of any hatred.  
Thou sparest and tenderest all men: for all things be thine, and thou lovest the souls of men.  
Thou dost minister mercy, equity, and justice in the earth: and therefore in these virtues thou greatly delightest.  
Truly, O Lord, thou art righteous and gracious, notwithstanding I have offended thee, transgressing thy covenant, and trespassing against thee.  
O Lord, thou hast seen all mine abominations: look on my cause, and consider how vile and wretched I am: see and behold my great confusion.  
In the time of reconciliation hear me, and in the day of salvation have mercy on me.  
Be merciful unto me, and have mercy on me, which have none other help but thee: whose will nothing can resist, whensoever thou dost purpose to save.  
Hear me, which am a wretch making supplication unto thee: make me to trust in thy name, and deliver me by thy power.  
Have regard to me from heaven, O Lord, and look down from thine holy habitation, & from the throne of thy glory.  
Destroy me not because of mine iniquity: but remember the sorrow and pain that I suffer.  
Be not still angry with me, O Lord, forget all my sins, and remember them no longer.  
Let my prayer ascend up unto thee, say unto my soul, Behold I am come to thee, thy health, and thy salvation,  
Amen.   

Another Psalm for the remission of sins.  
O GOD eternal, just, and holy, which keepest covenant and mercy with them that love thee, and keep thy commandments.  
Look at me, and have mercy upon me: for I have trespassed against thee, & done evil in thy sight.  
Show forth upon me the tender affections of thy mercy, that thy servant may have an heart to pray unto thee.  
I humbly make my prayer before thy face, not trusting in mine own righteousness, but in thy great mercies.  
For I am unclean and filthy: and all my righteousness is like a foul bloody clout.  
Unto thee, O Lord, be justice, mercy, and pity: but unto me be confusion and shame for mine iniquities.  
Certainly, even from my beginning I have used myself proudly against thee, doing wickedly, and not ceasing.  
O Lord, thou hast redeemed me, and yet I have not ceased to offend thee, and mine heart hath not been strait in thy sight.  
Thou hast taught and instructed me, and established my power, and I have been evil affected towards thee, being like a deceitful bow.  
My pride and presumption accuse me to my face, I am overthrown in mine own wickedness: I do seek thee, O Lord, I beseech thee that I may find thee: thou art separated from me, for I have greedily followed filthiness.  
Yet will I accuse mine own sinful ways before thee, O Lord, until thou have mercy upon me, and receive me again into thy favour.  
God forbidden, that ever I should departed from thee again, and not diligently seek for thy promises.  
I will never hold my peace, nor keep silence: until thou have established that covenant with me, which thou hast made and ordained in times past.  
That is to say, like as the justice of a just man shall not deliver or save him, what time soever he shall offend: so the wickedness of a wicked man shall not hurt him, what time soever he shall return from his wickedness.  
In hope of this, O Lord God, I will tarry thy pleasure: for thou art good to them that trust in thee, and to the soul that seeketh thee.  
Thou keepest thy truth for evermore: and the words which issue forth of thy mouth, shall not be void, and of none effect.  
Destroy me not good Lord, for my sins: nor reserve not eternal punishment for me.  
Open thine eyes, and behold the greatness of my pain and mine affliction: for mine iniquity is great in thy sight, and my sins have brought me into this trouble.  
Destroy me not utterly, nor leave me in my sins: for thou art God of mercy, and very gracious.  
Execute not the punishment upon me, which thou hadst purposed: do to me according to thy name, although my defaults and sins be many.  
O Lord, thou art my God; and thy name hath been put upon me: leave me not in the deepness of my troubles.  
Thou hast chastised and reform many, and hast strengthened the weary hands; thy words have set up him that staggered, and thou hast made straight the crooked knees.  
Wherefore I will seek thee O Lord God, which hast wrought great things, unsearchable & innumerable.  
Thou hast taken up the poor out of the dust, and hast exalted them, which were abjects.  
For thou doest deliver the poor in his misery out of the strait and bottomless pit of tribulation: and out of the wide mouth of anguish and affliction, into rest and quietness.  
Thou art gracious and merciful, for that thou showest mercy to them, which be not yet come into the world: and thou art very merciful to them, which diligently observe and keep thy laws; and thou doest patiently suffer sinners, giving them time and place, whereby they may be changed from their malice.  
Hear me poor wretch making supplication unto thee, for in thee and thy name I have put my trust and affiance.  
Take me thy servant unto thee, and make me good, and let me not be disappointed of that that I look for.  
Come again O Lord God, and save my soul: destroy me not, whom thou hast redeemed by thy great might and power.  
Look not upon the hardness of my heart, nor upon my sins; but like as thou hast many times showed mercy, so now be merciful, and forgive me.  
Hear me, O Lord, and be pacified: regard my prayer, and do according to thy great name.  
O Lord, I look to have help and salvation from thee: and this is my daily meditation and exercise.  
For thy mercies be great: and thy goodness is inestimable.  
Hear me now favourably: and withhold thy mercies no longer from me.  
In the way of thy judgements I will look after thee: my soul desireth to magnify thy name, and to have thee in memory.  
Incline my heart to do thy commandments: and direct my ways evermore in thy sight.  
Let me never hereafter go away from thy ways: nor leave me not now in the deepness of my troubles.  
Turn not thine eyes away from me, but teach me, O Lord, to do those things which are pleasant in thy sight.  
Make a perpetual league and covenant with me, that thou wilt put thy fear into my heart, that I never serve from thee in all my life.  
Withdraw not thy goodness from me for ever, but keep thy promise and fidelity.  
Be good unto me with benevolence and favour: for thou art merciful, and thy displeasure continueth not for ever.  
Remember me with favour and kindness: and visit me with thy salvation.  
I know, O Lord God, that thou art gracious and merciful, patiented, and of great mercifulness.  
Thou art good and merciful, thou keepest covenant and mercy with thy servants, which walk before thee in their whole heart.  
There is none other God but thou, which regardest and carest for all.  
For thou hast been ever very merciful to me, delivering my soul from the deep hell.  
Let thy goodness, O Lord, be ever with me, for all my wealth resteth only in thee.  
In the time of tribulation, I call upon thee, O Lord, for thou art nigh unto them, which call upon thy holy name.  
Secure me, O God, and look merrily upon me: show me the light of thy countenance, in thee my soul trusteth, and my heart rejoiceth.  
Let my prayer come unto thy throne: bow down thine ear unto my cry.  
Hear me now being penitent, O Lord, whom thou hast hitherto patiently suffered: to the intent I should repent and amend my life.  
O God, I have opened unto thee my life: save me for thy name sake, for my trust is in thee.  
What care I for worldly things: this one thing only I need and desire, that I may find grace and favour in thy sight.  
Wherefore I beseech thee, O Lord, take away from me this pain and sorrow: or at leastwise mitigate and assuage it, either by comfort, or by counsel, or by what means soever it shall be seen good to thee.   

Another Psalm, or complaint of a penitent sinner, which is sore troubled and overcome with sin.  
O Lord God merciful and patiented: and of much mercifulness and truth.  
Which for thine abundant charity, and according to thy great mercy, hast taken us out from the power of darkness: and hast saved us by the fountain of regeneration and new birth, and the renewing of the holy Ghost: whom thou hast shed upon us abundantly by jesus Christ our saviour.  
If I have found grace and favour in thy sight, suffer me to speak a word unto thee, and be not displeased with me.  
Why doest thou ever forget me, and leavest me in the midst of my troubles and evils?  
Where is become thy zeal & thy strength? Where is the multitude of thy tender affections, and of thy mercies?  
O Lord, may not he which is fallen, rise up again? Or may not he which hath gone away from thee, return to thee again?  
Shall my sorrow ever endure? Shall my wound be incurable and never healed?  
How cometh it to pass, that I turn still away from thee? My sin daily increaseth, and of myself I can not return.  
In as much as it is not given to man to direct his own ways, neither to make perfect his own proceed.  
For in thy hand is the life of every living thing: and the spirit also of every man.  
Thou showest thy mercy to whom thou wilt: and thou art gracious to them whom thou favourest.  
Thou doest kill, and thou doest quicken: thou leadest down to hell gate, and bringest up again.  
Thine eyes behold the ways of every man: and thou searchest the hearts of men.  
There is no place so secret or dark, wherein sinners may hide themselves from thee.  
Nor any man may so lurk and hide himself in caves, but thou shalt see him, which doest fulfil both heaven and earth in every part.  
Why hast thou cast me away from thy presence, and takest me for thine enemy?  
Why hast thou laid upon my head the heavy weight of my sins, seeing no man is able to bear thy displeasure?  
What meaneth it, that thou showest thy power against a wretch? Why destroyest thou me for the sins of my youth?  
If I have sinned, what shall I do to thee? And if my sins be increased, what shall I do?  
If I do justly, what shall I give to thee? Or what shalt thou receive at my hand?  
My wickedness shall hurt myself: and my righteousness shall profit me.  
The life of man is a temptation upon the earth: and if I have sinned, as all men have, what may I do?  
Shall any man be found clean, and without sin before thee? Or shall any man be without default in his deeds?  
How may a mortal man be pure from sin in thy sight? Or how may he, which is borne of a woman, be righteous?  
Remember, O Lord, I beseech thee, that thou hast made me of the earth: and that thou shalt bring me again into the dust of death.  
My days pass and vanish away like smoke: they waste daily, there is no tarrying.  
My life flieth away as the wind: and considereth not that which is good.  
I was but lately borne into this world, and shortly I shall be taken away hence by death: I never continue still in one state.  
The days of my life be few, and short: thou hast appointed an end, which I shall not pass.  
Naked and bare I came out of my mother's womb: and naked and bare I shall return again, truly all men living are vanity.  
Have pity, O Lord, on them that are in misery: and despise not the works of thy hands.  
Though we sin, yet are we under thee; for we know thy power and strength: and if we sin not, then are we sure that thou regardest us.  
Cease thine indignation, O Lord, and turn it from me: and cast all my sins behind thy back.  
Take away thy plagues from me, for thy punishment hath made me both feeble and faint.  
For when thou chastisest a man for his sins, thou causest him by and by to consume and pine away.  
Whatsoever is delectable in him perisheth, like unto the cloth that is eaten with moths.  
Would God I had one to defend me a while, until thine anger were turned away: or that thou wouldst set me a time, in the which thou wouldst remember me.  
I am clean cast away from thy presence: shall I never hereafter see thy face again?  
Behold, I have opened the griefs of my soul: the days of my sorrows have taken me.  
The floods of tribulation compass me round about, and the streams of thy fury run over me.  
And I cry unto thee, O Lord God, but thou hearest me not: I ask mercy, but thou rejectest my prayers.  
Why thrustest thou down a poor wretch from thy presence? Or why forsakest thou me so long time?  
Why takest thou not away mine iniquity? And why puttest thou not away the wickedness of mine heart?  
Arise, and tarry no longer, O Lord: arise, and reject me not for ever.  
Have me in remembrance, I beseech thee: for I thoroughly tremble and shake for fear.  
Yet I will not hold my tongue, but cry still unto thee with a morning and an heavy heart.  
Turn away the stroke of thy vengeance from me: bring my mind out of troubles into rest.  
I am here no long continuer, but a pilgrim, and a stranger, as all other mortal men be.  
And what is man, that thou shouldst be angry with him? Or what is mankind, that thou shouldest be so heavy Lord unto us?  
What? Wilt thou bring sorrow upon sorrow? I pant for pain, and find no rest.  
My sorrow grieveth me, when I should eat, and sudden sighs overwhelm mine heart.  
I am as if my bones were all to broken, when I hear mine enemies rail upon me, and say to me day by day; Where is thy God?  
Why turnest thou thy face away from these things, O Lord? Why hast thou no regard of my trouble?  
I earnestly make my prayers daily in thy sight, and the heaviness of mine heart I do show unto thee.  
My spirit is careful and troubled within me: and desperation hath entered into mine heart.  
Is it thy pleasure, O Lord God, to cast away thine own handy work?  
Deliver my soul from corruption, and my life from everlasting darkness.  
What availeth it me that ever I was borne, if thou cast me strait into damnation, seeing that the dead shall not praise thee: nor any of them that go down to hell?  
I have sinned, what shall I do to thee? Why hast thou put me to be contrary to thee? I am weary of mine own self.  
Why searchest thou out my sins so narrowly: when there is no man that can take out of thine hand.  
If I would say, that I were righteous and without sin: then thou mightest worthily condemn me to the fire, prepared for the devil and his angels.  
But I confess that I am a sinner, and do humble mine heart in thy sight.  
Surely, if any man would stand with thee in judgement, he shall not be able to answer one word to a thousand things, wherewith thou mightest charge him.  
This maketh me to fear all my deeds: knowing that thou sparest not him that offendeth.  
If I look upon thy power, O how mighty and strong art thou! If I shall call for judgement, who shall defend my matter, or speak for me?  
To thee O Lord, I call and cry: to thee, my God, I make mine humble suit.  
Turn away thine anger from me: that I may know that thou art more merciful unto me, than my sins deserve.  
What is my strength, that I may endure? Or what is the end of my trouble, that my soul may patiently abide it?  
My strength is not a stony strength, and my flesh is not made of brass.  
There is no help in myself, and my strength flieth away from me.  
Although thou hide these things in thine heart: yet I know that thou wilt remember me at length.  
For thou art true and just, O Lord God, thou doest not condemn unjustly: which rewardest man according to his deserts.  
All this is come upon me, because I have forgotten thee: and not used myself truly in thy testament.  
Mine heart hath turned backward: and I have followed the desires of my flesh.  
And thou hast surely known this thing: which knowest the secrets of the heart.  
Lay not against me, O Lord, the sins of my youth: nor have in remembrance mine old injuries done against thee.  
Daily sorrow overcometh me: and sadness possesseth mine heart.  
I look after peace, but I can not have it: I look for a time of health; but my grief continueth still.  
When the time of thine anger is past, let mercy come: yet am I unhappy more and more.  
woe and alas that ever I sinned! mine heart therefore mourneth and is sad, all mirth and joy be banished from me.  
How am I wasted? How miserably am I confounded, because I have forsaken and cast away thy law?  
Death hath ascended up by the windows; piercing the inward parts of mine heart.  
When I daily one while muse secretly with myself, another while with loud voice cry out and complain, the mean time my life draweth near to the pit.  
Who shall give me a place to rest in from all my griefs and troubles? And I will forsake all men, and get me away from them.  
Who shall give me water to mine head, and a fountain of tears to mine eyes, that I may bewail my sins both night and day?  
And I will look for him, which may save me, and deliver me from the wrath to come.  
I have no trust neither in life nor death: but I fear thy judgement, O Lord, and the pains prepared for wicked sinners.  
The fear of my sin maketh me careful: and the burden of my conscience oppresseth me sore.  
O GOD, which tenderly lovest mankind, and art a most rightful judge: spare me now, I beseech thee, and show me some favour while time is.  
Forgive that, which I fear; put away that, which I dread: before I depart hence, and shall not return again.  
My sins do vex and trouble me sore: they be so great that none can be greater.  
Alas my fall! alas my misery! alas the grief of my plague and stroke! certainly my sin is the cause of all this, and so I will take and suffer it.   

A very devout and effectual prayer unto Christ, for mercy and grace, to be heartily said, and often used, especially when ye fast, or prepare yourself to receive the Communion.  
O Lord jesus Christ, Son of the living GOD, which being upon the Cross, with thine hands spread abroad, for the redemption of all mankind, didst drink the most bitter cup of thy passion, I beseech thee that thou wouldst vouchsafe to give me help this day (or night) and ever. Lo, I a poor wretch come unto thee, which art rich; a sinner unto thee that art merciful: let me not return home contemned, and despised with nothing; I begin an hungered, let me not leave off fasting; I come unto thee, as though I were famished, let me not go away unfed. Although before I eat, I sigh and sorrow: yet after my sorrow, give me somewhat to eat.  
First of all, good jesus, I acknowledge before thy Majesty mine unrighteousness towards thee. Behold, O Lord, I was conceived in sin, and borne in the same; and thou didst wash them off from me, and sanctified me; but I afterward defiled myself with bigger, and more grievous sins. For I was borne in sin of necessity, because I could be borne none otherwise: but afterward I rolled myself willingly in sins. Nevertheless, thou O Lord, being mindful of thy pity, didst take me out of the house of my carnal father, and out of the tents of the ungodly, and hast inspired me, and put me in mind to follow thee with the generation of them that seek thy face, of them that walk in the right path of purity; of them that abide and continue among the lilies of virginity and chastity, and of them that sit down together with thee at supper of most scarcity and least excess.  
But I an unkind wretch, forgetting so many great benefits, after that I was entered into thy service, have committed many unlawful things. I did offend wonderful ungratiouslie, doing many a foul sin. And where I should of right have amended mine evil life, and left my sins, I heaped sins upon sins. And these be the evils, wherewith I (whom thou didst create after thine own similitude and likeness) have dishonoured thee, O Lord, and have spotted and defiled myself: namely, with idolatry, superstition, pride, vainglory, covetousness, and other many evils and foul vices, wherewith mine unlucky soul is vexed, punished, torn, and destroyed.  
Behold, O Lord, mine unrighteousness is gone over mine head, and is like a sore burden over heavy for me to bear: and except thou, whose property is ever to have mercy, and to forgive, do lay under me the right hand of thy Majesty: I shall be constrained miserably to sink into the deep, and be drowned. Give heed, O Lord God, and behold, because thou art holy: look how mine enemy assaulteth me, saying; GOD hath forsaken him, I will persecute him, and catch him, because there is no man that will deliver him; but thou, Lord, how long? Turn again and deliver my soul, oh save me for thy mercy's sake.  
Have mercy upon thy daughter, whom thou hast brought forth with no small sorrow and pain, and be not so intentive unto mine evilness, that thou forget thine own goodness. What father is there, but he will deliver his child? Yea, and what father is there, that will not correct his child, and chasten it? But with the rod of pity. Therefore, O Father and Lord, although I be a sinner, yet can I not choose but be thy daughter, because thou hast made me, yea and made me again when I was marred with sin. Repair and amend me now evermore, O Lord; but first of all, I being mended and chastised as thy child, with thy gentle scourge, deliver me to thy Son.  
Can a mother forget the child she bore of her womb? And surely although she sometime be forgetful, yet thou, O Father, hast promised not to forget us. Behold I cry, and thou doest not hear me; I am vexed with sorrow, and thou comfortest me not. What shall I say? Or what shall I do most wretched caitiff that I am? I being desolate of so great comfort, am cast out from the sight of thine eyes. Woe be unto me! From how great goodness into how great a mischief am I fallen? Whither purposed I to go? And whither am I come? Where am I? And where am I not? Whom did I labour to attain unto? And what evils have I obtained? I sought for good things, and behold I have found trouble, anguish, & care. Behold now I am in a most miserable case, even in the state of death and damnation. For jesus is not with me; my jesus is departed from me: and surely it were better for me to have nothing at all, yea no being at all, than to be without jesus. It is better not to live, than to live without life.  
And thou, O Lord jesus, where be thine old mercies? Wilt thou absent thyself for ever? Wilt thou be angry towards me a wretch for evermore? O be pacified I beseech thee, and have mercy upon me! Be pacified I say, and turn not thy face away from me, which to the intent thou mightest redeem me, didst not turn away thy face from them that rebuked thee, scorued thee, and spitted upon thee. I confess and acknowledge that I have sinned, and my conscience deserveth damnation, and the penance that I am able to do, is not sufficient to make amends for mine iniquity: but sure and certain I am that thy mercy exceedeth all offences that a man can do.  
Oh do not I beseech thee, most pitiful Lord, writ my heinous sins against me, that thou shouldest enter into judgement with thy servant; but according to the multitude of thy mercies now have mercy upon me, and cross and blot out all mine iniquities, before I depart hence, and shall be no more seen in this world. For else, woe be unto me wretch that I am, when the day of judgement cometh, and the books of consciences shall be laid wide open: when it shall be said of me, Lo, look upon this woman and her works, how wicked she is, and abominable they are. What shall I do then, I say, O Lord my God, when the heavens which I have offended, shall reveal and show forth mine iniquity; and the earth which I have polluted, shall arise up and testify my manifold misdeeds against me? Behold, I shall be able alas to give never a word to answer, but to stand in thy presence, trembling, quaking, utterly confounded, and holding down my head for shame, as condemned also by the testimony of mine own guilty conscience, unto eternal damnation.  
Alas wretch that I am, what shall I say? I will cry unto thee O Lord my God. Why am I consumed and fretted with holding my peace? But if I should speak, my grief would not cease: and if I hold my peace, I shall be most bitterly vexed within. Go to therefore O my soul, mourn and lament as a widow for her husband that she had in her virginity. howl wretch and cry out with weeping, because thy spouse Christ hath forsaken thee. O caitiff cry aloud in the ears of thy God, and say, O God almighty, let not thine anger fall upon me. Deal not with me after my sins, neither reward me after mine iniquities, because that if thou lay so much to my charge as is due for my sins, it is so much that I cannot receive it; surely Lord, my power is not able for to suffer or bear it.  
Wherefore, O Lord, have mercy upon me, lest I despair: but in despairing I will take heart to me, and be somewhat comforted. For although I have committed so much, that thou mayst condemn me worthily, yet thou hast not lost that, wherewith thou wast wont to save sinners: neither doest thou rejoice at the destruction and loss of them that die. Yea to the intent that dead men might live, thou thyself didst die, and thy death did kill the death of sin: and if they were revived again, and did live by thy death, I beseech thee let not me die now that thou livest. Send down thy hand and power from high, and deliver me out of the hands of mine enemies, that they rejoice not over me and say, Let us devour him.  
Who ever, O good jesus, needed to mistrust of thy mercy, which when we were thine enemies, didst redeem us with thy blood, and reconciled us unto God? Behold therefore, I being hid under the shadow of thy mercy, do come unto the throne of thy glory, requiring: and I do run crying and knocking, until thou take pity upon me. For if thou didst call us to pardon and forgiveness before we laboured for pardon, how soon shall we obtain forgiveness when we ask it? Do not remember, O most bountiful jesus, thy justice towards a sinner; but think upon thy liberality and gentleness toward thy creature. Do not remember thine anger toward the guilty, but remember thy pity and mercy toward a wretch. Forget me, in that I proudly did provoke and move thee unto wrath, and look upon a wretch that calleth upon thee. For what is jesus but a Saviour? Therefore O good jesus, for thine own sake, arise and help me: and say unto my soul, I am thy health and thy safeguard.  
Thus I presume much, and am very bold of thy goodness, O Lord, because thou doest teach us to ask, to seek, and to knock: wherefore, I being admonished by thy word, do ask, seek, and knock. And thou O Lord, that commandest us to ask, make me able to receive. Thou that givest counsel to seek, grant that I may find. Thou that teachest us to knock, open to me when I knock, and confirm me which am unstable and wavering. Restore me that am lost, raise me that am dead: and vouchsafe to direct and govern in thy favour, all my senses, my thoughts, and doings, that from henceforth I may serve thee, I may live toward thee, and that I may commit myself unto thee. I know, O my Lord, that through this that thou hast made me, I own and am in debt unto thee even mine own self: and because thou hast redeemed me, and waste made man for my sake, for this I own unto thee more than myself. Lo, I have no more, neither can I give that which I have unto thee, without thee; but do thou take me, and draw me unto thee, that I may be thine in following and loving thee, like as I am thine in condition and creation, which livest and reignest one God in blessed Trinity, worlds without end,  
Amen.   

The PSALTER, which S. AUGUSTINE composed out of every Psalm of David a verse, for the use of his Mother.  
O Lord God almighty, and king of eternal glory, who doest acknowledge him to be a blessed man, that abhorreth the way of sinners, and doth meditate in thy law day and night.  
Teach thou me a wretched sinner, faithfully to serve thee with fear and trembling of the heart.  
And seeing with all humility of heart I do call unto thee with my voice, hear me, have mercy upon me, and so hearken unto my prayer, that neither thou for thy part rebuke me in thy wrath, nor that old enemy to mankind, lying in wait for his part to devour my soul like a Lion, and tear it in pieces while there is none to help.  
But Lord, whose name is excellent in all the world, turn thou mine enemy back, that he fall again, and perish at thy presence.  
Let him not entrap my soul with his fiery snares, and suffer not brimstone and stormy tempests to torment me.  
But for the oppression of the needy, and for the sighings of the poor, now thou doest arise; behold and hear me, O Lord my God, because thou art the counsel and trust of the poor.  
Make me to walk uprightly, and to work righteousness, that thy favourable kindness may be the portion of mine inheritance.  
Keep me as the apple of thine eye. Hid me under the shadow of thy wings, because thou art my strength, my rock, and my refuge.  
Cleanse me from my secret faults, and keep thy servant from presumptuous sins.  
Send me help from thy sanctuary, and give me mine heart's desire.  
Save me from the Lion's mouth, and lead me in the paths of righteousness, that I may ascend into thy mountain, and stand in thine holy place, having innocent hands, and a pure heart.  
Remember not the sins of my youth, nor my rebellions.  
Gather not my soul with the sinners, neither give me unto the lust of mine adversaries.  
But so favourably hearken thou unto the voice of my petitions, that calling upon the glory of thine holy name, thou do hear me, and have mercy upon me.  
And so trusting in thee, let me never be confounded: but forgive the punishment of my sin.  
Let thy mercy, O Lord, be upon me, as I trust in thee, and delivering me out of all my fear, say unto my soul, I am thy salvation.  
And because I trust under the shadow of thy wings, give me mine heart's desire, and haste thee to help me, O my Lord, my salvation.  
Lord, let me know mine end, and the measure of my days what it is, let me know how long I have to live.  
Incline unto me, and hear my cry: bring me out of the lake of misery, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon the rock, and order my doings.  
Deliver me in the time of trouble, that I may go into thy glorious house: for thou art the God of my strength.  
Let not my steps go out of thy paths, that I may love righteousness, and hate iniquity.  
Be thou mine hope and strength: for thou art a great King over all the earth.  
Thou which art a God for ever, deliver my soul out of the power of hell: for it hath received thee.  
And when thou shalt appear to judge us, have mercy upon me, according to the multitude of thy mercies, and take not thine holy spirit from me.  
O most gracious GOD, in that hour hide thy face from my sins, and put away all mine iniquities.  
Create in me a clean heart, O God, renew a right spirit within me, that I may appear like a green olive tree, in the house of my God, and there with jacob rejoice, and everlastingly be glad with Israel.  
Save me, O God, by thy name, and by thy power judge me.  
Hid not thyself from my supplication; but be merciful unto me.  
Send thou from heaven, and save me from the reproof of them that would swallow me up.  
Break their teeth, O God, in their mouths: break the jaws of the young lions, O Lord.  
Thou art my defence, and my merciful God.  
Help me with thy right hand, and under the covering of thy wings let me be protected, when thou art to render every man according to his works.  
While my soul thirsteth for thee, hide me from the conspiracy of the wicked.  
Sith all flesh shall come unto thee, put not back thy mercy from me.  
Neither take from me thine holy spirit; but cause thy face to shine upon me.  
Send me a good passage, O our God, which savest us, that the deep swallow me not up, nor the pit shut her mouth upon me.  
Be thou mine helper and my deliverer; O Lord, make no tarrying.  
Sith in thee, O Lord, I do trust; let me never be confounded, when thou shalt judge the people.  
Lo, they which withdraw themselves from thee shall perish. Oh let not me oppressed return ashamed!  
Because thou art a righteous judge, thou makest low, and thou exaltest: and who shall stand in thy sight when thou art angry?  
Thou art the God that doest wonders.  
As thou nourishedst thy people with bread in the wilderness, and didst not turn them from their lust: so let thy grace refresh me an hungry soul; make haste, and let thy tender mercies prevent me.  
And thou my defender, give me the bread of tears, and the bitterness of a troubled mind, in the time of tribulation; and grant withal, that from the honey of the rock, I may taste the sweetness of inward consolation.  
O God, who judgest between the innocent and the sinners; who alone art the most high over all the earth, have mercy upon me, and give grace and glory, who hast ordained a law.  
Forgive the iniquity of mine heart; cover all my sins, and save thou thy servant that trusteth in thee.  
O God, who layest the foundations of thy Church upon the holy mountains, incline thine ear unto my cry.  
Let thine hand therefore establish me, and turn me not unto destruction; but deliver me from the snare of the hunter, from the pestilence, and from the plague that destroyeth at noon day: that being planted in thine house, I may flourish like a palm-tree, & grow like a Cedar in Libanon, bringing out fruit even in mine old age; because holiness becometh thine house, O Lord, for ever.  
Be thou my refuge, O my God, the rock of mine hope: for thou Lord art a great God, & a great King above all gods.  
When thou wilt judge the world with righteousness, and thy people in truth, I shall enjoy light with the righteous, and joy with the upright in heart.  
Let thy right hand, and thine holy arm preserve me.  
Thou which sittest upon the Cherubims, make me to come before thy presence with joyfulness, that I may walk in the uprightness of mine heart in the midst of mine house.  
Let a froward heart departed from me, but cause mine eyes to be turned unto the faithful, that I may sit with them walking in a perfect way, when through thy judgement thou shalt cut off all the workers of wickedness from the city.  
O Lord hear my prayer, and let my cry come unto thee.  
Hid not thy face from me in the time of trouble: incline thine ears unto me.  
Pardon all my sins, and redeem my soul from destruction.  
Satisfy my longing with good things, thou which lookest upon the earth, and it trembleth; and broughtest forth thy people with joy, and thy chosen with gladness.  
Make me to keep judgement, and to work righteousness at all times.  
Bring me out of darkness, and out of the shadow of death, that with a prepared heart I may sing and give praise.  
Save me, O Lord, according to thy mercy, that in the glory of Saints, in the assembly and congregation of the just, my righteousness may endure for ever, and mine horn be exalted with glory.  
That while thou raisest the needy out of the dust, and liftest up the poor out of the dung, making judah thy sanctification, and Israel thy dominion, I may bless thee, O Lord, from henceforth, and for ever: then shall I walk before the Lord in the land of the living.  
Break thou my bonds, and confirm thy mercy towards me: when I call upon thee in my trouble, O Lord, hear me, and set me at large.  
Teach me, O Lord, the way of thy statutes, that I may live, and keep it unto the end.  
Give me understanding both to search thy law, and to observe it also with mine whole heart.  
I have gone astray like a lost sheep: O seek thy servant, and deliver my soul!  
Preserve my going out, and my coming in, that my feet may stand in the courts of jerusalem.  
I lift up mine eyes unto thee that dwellest in the heavens.  
Deliver my soul out of the snare of the fowlers, lest I put forth mine hands unto wickedness.  
Fill my mouth with laughter, and my tongue with joy: replenish my longing with good things, that thy beloved may find rest, and bless me out of Zion, that I may see the wealth of jerusalem, having escaped the cords of wickedness.  
Let thine ears attend unto the voice of my prayers, O Lord.  
Let not mine heart be haughty, nor mine eyes lofty; but give me grace to think humbly, until I find a place for the Lord, an habitation for the mighty God of jacob.  
There the Lord hath appointed the blessing, and life for ever. There will I lift up mine hands to thy sanctuary, and praise thee, who judgest thy people, and art pacified towards thy servants.  
O God of gods, and Lord of lords, now weeping and worshipping towards thine holy temple, try me, and know me, mark and consider my paths, and lead me in thy way for ever.  
Deliver me, O Lord, from the evil man, and preserve me from the cruel man.  
Let my prayer be directed in thy sight as incense.  
Bring my soul out of prison, that I may praise thy name.  
Hear my prayer, O Lord, in thy righteousness, and enter not into judgement with thy servant.  
Hear me speedily, O Lord, lest my spirit fail me: for thou God art my refuge and my deliverer.  
And forasmuch as thou art great, and most worthy to be praised, and thy greatness is incomprehensible, raise up the crooked, lose the shackled, and give sight to the blind, thou which doest build up jerusalem.  
And when thou hast made the bars of thy gates strong, let me be coupled to thy children within.  
As the Angels and all the powers in the kingdom of heaven do praise thee, there let me triumphing gloriously in the congregation of the Saints, with the sounding Cymbals of my lips praise and magnify thy name, the which is holy and glorious, and reigneth now and everlastingly,  
Amen.   

Shus-hanna her Psalter, containing very devout prayers for remission of sins; for the avoiding of all kind of sin, and for the leading of a godly life.  
O Almighty and everliving GOD, thou God of all power, before whose eyes all things be naked and bare: O Lord, thou great and terrible God, I say, that keepest covenant & mercy with them that love thee, and do thy commandments; Let thine ears be open, that thou mayst hear the prayers of thy servant, which I make before thee at this time, and let them ascend up before thy presence, and be accepted in thy sight, for jesus Christ's sake.  
Have mercy upon me thy poor creature, and work of thine hands. For I have sinned, and done wickedly, and have offended thy Majesty grievously, in that I have gone back and departed from all thy precepts and judgements, and have not followed thy servants the Prophets, that spoke unto me in thy name; but have from day to day provoked thy just wrath and indignation against me.  
O Lord, I acknowledge and confess unto thee my manifold sins and wickedness, the which I have unrighteously & most grievously committed against thee in thought, word, and deed, from my youth up until this day: for the which I am now taught by thy word and grace to be heartily sorry, and do unfeignedly repent, purposing evermore, through the assistance of thy grace, to walk in a new life. Desiring thee for the precious bloodshedding of jesus Christ, thy dear Son our Lord, to have mercy upon me, and forgive me all those mine offences, according to thy great mercy and promise, which hast said; At what time so ever a sinner doth repent him of his sin from the bottom of his heart, I will put all his wickedness out of my remembrance.  
O Lord remember not therefore the multitude of my misdeeds, I beseech thee: but according to thy great mercies think upon me.  
Call to remembrance for Christ's sake thy loving kindness, and thy tender mercy, the which hath ever been of old.  
Hid not thy face from me, nor cast not off thy servant in thy displeasure.  
For thy mercy's sake deliver me from all my sins, and make me not a scorn unto the foolish.  
Turn not away thy mercy from me, but let thy most loving kindness and truth alway preserve me.  
Help me for thy name sake, and deliver me in thy strength.  
Hear my prayer, O Lord, and consider the words of my mouth, for my misdeeds prevail against me: O be thou merciful unto my sins.  
Let the sorrowful sighing of the prisoner come before thee, O Lord, and comfort the soul of thy servant, for unto thee do I fly for secure.  
Satisfy me with thy mercy, and that soon, so shall I rejoice and be glad in thee all the days of my life.  
Look not extremely what is done amiss in me, for I have sinned against heaven and before thee, and am no more worthy to be called thy child: yet Lord, of thy great goodness power down some of the crumbs that fall from thy children's table, and make me as one of the least of them.  
Reward me not according to my deservings, for than I must needs perish, for unto me pertaineth nothing but open shame, confusion, and damnation, but with thee there is mercy, forgiveness, and plenteous redemption.  
Therefore I come unto thee, O Lord, thou lover of souls, not hoping in mine own righteousness, but trusting only in the multitude of thy great mercies, which thou hast made and laid forth before the eyes of all people, offering salvation to the whole world, and hast promised, that whosoever he or she be of the whole generation of man, that will receive grace, repent and turn unfeignedly from his sins, shall have free remission and forgiveness, through jesus Christ our Lord, which is our only advocate and mediator, in whom our salvation lieth, and of whom thou hast said, This is my dear Son, in whom I am well pleased and well pacified.  
For this thy sons sake (by whom I am bold to come unto thee, which appeareth now in thy sight, making continual intercession for us) have mercy upon me, O thou mighty God: cleanse me from all my sins, and do away all mine iniquities.  
Oh let me feel thy mercies towards me, for I do confess my sins unto thee, O Lord, and hide not mine unrighteousness. I do acknowledge mine offences, and accuse myself before thee of all my misdeeds.  
Help me, O God my saviour, for the glory of thy name: O deliver me, and forgive me my sins for thy rich mercy's sake.  
Remember not the offences of my youth, O Lord, but think upon thy great mercies and covenant made unto me in Christ jesus.  
For thy tender mercy sake, lay not my sins to my charge, but forgive that is past, and give me grace to amend my life, to decline from sin, and incline to virtue, that I may walk with an upright heart, a clean conscience, and single eye before thee this day (or night) and evermore.  
Put me not from thy presence, oh thou God of all comfort, but incline thine ear unto my calling.  
Strengthen thy servant with the power of thy right hand, and help thine handmaiden.  
Comfort my soul with thy sweet promises, and let thy mercies cover mine infirmities.  
O most merciful Father, consider mine infirmities, I say, which are many and great, & bear with mine imperfection, for thy Son my saviour jesus Christ's sake, which had good experience of our infirmity, that he might be merciful unto all them that are afflicted.  
Consider the enemy hath gotten an open way into my flesh, wherein I confess that there dwelleth nothing but sin, wretchedness, and misery. Yea O Lord, I acknowledge that I was borne in sin, and conceived in wickedness, and am by nature a child of wrath. For in my flesh dwelleth no good thing, and of myself I am not able to think a good thought, much less do that thou in thy law requirest of me to be done, which hast said, Cursed is he that continueth not in all things that are written in the law to do them. Again, the law is spiritual, but I am carnal, sold under sin.  
Therefore O Lord my God, I call unto thee for grace (which hast said, Ask, and ye shall have; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you) to prevent and draw my will to all goodness: for none can come unto thee except he be drawn; and except we be borne from above, we cannot see the kingdom of God.  
Assist me therefore, and guide me with thy holy spirit from time to time. Draw me, and I shall run after thee, and give me strength and ableness through Christ our Lord, to accomplish and fulfil thy righteous will, and to stand against all the assaults of the devil, that they may have no place in me, but that the old man which I bear about in my body, may be crucified, and daily die in me; that the lusts of sin may utterly be destroyed; that I may evermore be renewed in the spirit of my mind; and that the life of Christ may always appear in me.  
Good Lord for thy great mercy's sake, deliver me from all kinds of evil, namely, from the spirit of pride, boasting, vainglory, hypocrisy, wantonness, haughtiness of mind, presumption, self-love, and make me poor in spirit, humble, meek, gentle, and low in mine own sight; that I lift not up myself above my brethren and sisters; but esteem myself to be as a servant and hand-maiden to all men and women, to do them good, after the example of Christ, who came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, who also hath said, Blessed are the poor in spirit. Again, Thou resisteth the proud, but givest grace to the humble.  
Take from me my stony, unbelieving, blind, doubtful, unfaithful, and unthankful heart; and give me an heart of flesh, to love and incline to thy will; my carnal, secure, and impenitent heart take away from me, and give me an heart to fear, love, and obey thee; writ thy law in my heart; grave it in my mind, that I may believe, trust, and live in thee for ever.  
Take from me the wicked spirit of suspicion, envy, hatred, variance, strife, sedition, sects, evil jealousy, vain surmises, murmuring and grudging, backbiting or slandering of any, especially such as be in authority, and ministers of thy holy word.  
O Lord keep me from all wrath, malice, and hastiness, all respect of persons in the faith, all idolatry, superstition, vanities, lying, evil words, debate, contention, murder, theft, false-witness-bearing, flattering, dissimulation, hypocrisy, blasphemy, and vain swearing by the name of God, his works or creatures; from all lightness, idle words, and all unstableness of heart.  
Oh Lord deliver thou my heart from all surfeiting, drunkenness, gluttony, and lechery, and from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, from all unclean thoughts, and unlawful desires, evil concupiscence, fornication, adultery, and lusts of the body.  
Take utterly from me also covetousness, and inordinate care of riches, all deceit and guile, or doing of wrong to any in my calling and office: all idleness, sloth, and beastly security, and give me not over unto an unshamefast and obstinate mind; but hold me always unto thy nurture and correction, and bow my heart always unto thee, that I may serve thee all the days of my life, in such holiness and righteousness, as is acceptable before thee.  
Give me thy grace, oh Lord, that I may have thee always before mine eyes; that I may also have a respect unto thy judgements, that whatsoever I say, think or do, it may be agreeable to thy holy will and word: that I be not minded, as the ungodly and wicked men and women are: let me have no pleasure in such things as please them; and grant, that whensoever I be overtaken with any kind of sin and wickedness, either in thought, word, or deed, or that I feel mine own infirmity and weakness, I may immediately with hearty repentance return to thee again, and not to lie still in the security of sin.  
Make me able and contented with patience to hear all occasions of offence, when they be offered or given me, and not to recompense evil for evil, and suffer me not, good Lord, to give occasions of evil to any man, and if I do, make me willing to confess my fault, and to amend it.  
Give me grace that I never envy any good man's love or woman's, because they do either love God and his people more than I, or else that they be beloved of him or his more than I. Make me to rejoice in other men's gifts, and not to envy them, because they be better than mine, but rather to give thanks for them with all my heart, desiring that they may be increased in them and in me.  
Increase my faith, O Lord my saviour, in thee and in thy Christ, & make it strong to believe thy promises.  
Increase my love, O my redeemer, to thee and to thy righteous people, and make it perfect, true, and unfeigned to all virtue and godliness.  
Increase a sure hope in me of my salvation, O my justifier, without doubt or wavering in adversity, and without pride or presumption in prosperity, so that I may serve thee with reverence and godly fear all the days of my life.  
Increase in me strength to resist sin, and to get the victory and mastery to stand against all evil temptations and assaults of the flesh, the world, and the devil, that they may have no place in me, and that according to thy promise I be never further proved nor tempted than thou wilt give me strength to overcome.  
Increase in me, O Lord, all other virtues agreeable to a godly life: for I come unto thee my God, as unto the well and everlasting fountain of all health and salvation.  
Good Lord give me grace therefore all the days of this my pilgrimage, to walk with a good conscience and pure mind both before thee, and towards all men in my doing: that I be not a reader of thy holy word, and a talker only, but that it may appear also in my life and conversation.  
Regenerate my heart with the spirit of grace daily more and more: give me an inward taste and feeling of thy favour and mercy towards me in Christ jesus our Lord, that I may know thee to be my God and Father, and myself to be thy child for evermore.  
Assist thy servant against this world, with the vain pomp, pleasures, and beauty thereof, that it may be unto me as vile dust, filth and slime; that I may use it, as though I used it not, and that it may serve me, and I not it; that I may take my part thereof unto my necessity with thanksgiving; that I do not use thy creatures voluptuouslie, but that I may live soberly and godly in this present life to thy glory.  
Preserve and defend thy servant from all false opinions, that I be not deceived and carried away in the error of the wicked, but that I may grow in grace and knowledge of our Lord and saviour jesus Christ.  
O Lord give me wisdom, knowledge, and understanding to perceive those false, lying, and flattering spirits, which do deceive the hearts of innocents, and beguile unstable souls.  
Give me also, O Lord, a right, a reverent, and a pure judgement and understanding of thy holy word, and to avoid all rash judgements, and perverse interpretations, that I may never serve from the true sense and meaning thereof; and grant, that my chiefest felicity may be in the same thy holy word, in hearing, reading, and talking of it, and in watching, prayer, fasting, mortifying mine own will and members.  
O Lord, plant in me true obedience to thy law, and let not the cares of this world choke thy word in me.  
Make me to lift up my heart oftentimes to thee, and if I chance to fall or slip, make me to think on thee, and to be sorry with a steadfast purpose of amendment.  
Oh Lord, I offer up myself wholly with all my crooked and corrupt nature, so much as it is, in will and works, unto thy mercy to be corrected, and reform at thine own will and pleasure.  
O let not the hand of the ungodly cast me down, but save my soul, O my Lord God, whither it be through prosperity or adversity, loss or gain, sickness or health, life or death.  
Aid, strengthen, succour and defend thy servant in all adversities, tribulations, and temptations, and suffer me not to be tempted above my strength.  
Increase my joy and comfort in thee and thy holy spirit, that I may rejoice in all trouble and affliction, and embrace the same to my consolation and comfort, and think myself happy, when I am counted worthy to suffer any trouble for thy name sake.  
Take from mine heart the thoughts of earthly comforts, only set before mine eyes the joy of the cross of Christ, that I may take comfort therein, and despise the shame, for the great reward that is laid up in heaven for all those, that with patience suffer in adversity, and continue in well-dooing unto the end.  
Oh Lord, take from me, I say, a careful heart in all worldly things: let them be vile unto me for thy sake, and grant that neither poverty oppress me, and drive me to despair or falsehood, neither wealth and prosperity lift me up to forget thee, or myself, but that in prosperity I may be thankful, and in adversity patiented and humble.  
Lord, let me be merry without lightness; sad without mistrust; sober without dullness; fearing thee without desperation; trusting in thee without presumption: let me not be merry with the joy that is without thee, and let me desire nothing besides thee.  
Good Lord give me joyfulness of heart, and peace of conscience, continual gladness and consolation in thy word and promises, that I may evermore be thankful unto thee, and praise thy name for ever.  
Let thy kingdom come unto me, which is righteousness, peace, and joy in the holy Ghost, long suffering, gentleness, goodness, faithfulness, meekness, temperance, strength, and patience, with all such like virtues as are prescribed unto me in thy holy word.  
Grant me, O God, a tender, loving, and merciful heart towards my brethren, long amity, and perfect patience, to bear all things well that thy providence shall see meet to lay upon me.  
Of thy fatherly mercy, O God, leave me not to myself; but stand thou always by me. For I am too weak of mine own power to do any thing that is good; but my righteousness and strength lieth only in thee. Therefore, O Lord, I come unto thee, requiring mercy in thy sight, and the assistance of thy grace, that I may be strengthened with power in the inward man, and be armed at all assays with thine holy complete armour, which is the breastplate of righteousness; the shield of faith; the hope of salvation for an helmet, and the sword of the spirit, which is thy holy word: that I may stand perfect in all that is thy will, and be found worthy through Christ to receive a crown of life, which thou hast promised to all them that love thee in pureness of mind.  
Now therefore, O Lord, I give over myself into thine holy hands, desiring thee for Christ's sake, that I thus armed may remain under the protection and strong defence of thy power, and that thine holy Angels may pitch their tents round about me, and compass me always.  
And I beseech thee, O Lord, give unto thy servant the strength of thine holy spirit to subdue this body of sin, with the whole lusts thereof, that it may be made obedient, both in will, mind, and members, to do thine holy will: that when thou shalt appear to reward every one according to their deeds, I may rejoice, and not be ashamed of thee at thy coming.  
Moreover, O Lord, I beseech thee think upon all thy people, which are strayed here and there from the farthest part of the earth, which be entered into covenant with thee, and are minded to walk after thy will. Grant, O Lord, that we may grow together in love, through the knowledge of thy word: to keep the unity of the spirit through the bond of peace, to the utter confounding of error, and all false opinions, and to keep us clean from all hypocrisy and superstition, and to make us strong in all trouble and affliction.  
O heavenly Father grant unto me and all other, I say, wheresoever they be dispersed throughout the universal world, which profess thy holy word, so to live, that we may die to sin, and lead a godly conversation, walking innocently before thee.  
Rule and confirm our hearts with thy spirit, O Lord; lighten our minds, and guide us always with the lightsome lamp of thine holy Gospel. Govern and preserve thy Church, and defend those Realms and Cities, that give succour and harbour to thy people: make us all diligent and happy in the works of our vocation; take into thy custody for ever our souls and bodies, our lives, and all that ever we have.  
Be gracious and favourable, oh Lord, to all men, and even to our very enemies, and according to thy good will and purpose, forgive them their sins: convert unto thy truth all those, whom thou hast appointed in jesus Christ to salvation.  
Be merciful, O God, to all our brethren and sisters, that suffer any kind of persecution or affliction, whether in mind or in body, especially such as suffer for thy name and Gospel: give them patience, constancy, and steadfast hope, till thou send them full and good deliverance of all their troubles.  
Be gracious to all those, whom thou hast coupled and linked to us in love and friendship, whose hearts thou hast moved to pray for us, to wish us good, to secure and help us in our necessities: grant us all thy blessing and holy spirit, to sanctify us in the unity of faith, and dwell in us for ever.  
Finally, oh Lord, have mercy upon mine husband, children, and family, which thou hast given us; make me to be content with him as thy gift, and increase thy fear in our hearts, that we may truly love thee, and one another of us in thee: so that we may be pure both in soul and body, and may godly live together, according to thine holy ordinance.  
Give him an heart of wisdom and understanding, and set thy fear alway before mine eyes, that as joseph cast off all surmises of the mis-behaviour of Marie his spouse, and obeyed the word of thine holy Angel; so he may bear with mine imperfections, and be obedient in word, deed, and thought, to all that is thy will.  
Oh Lord, give us the power of thy spirit to govern ourselves holily, and to rule and bring up these our children and family, in all godly fear, nurture, information of the Lord, and knowledge of thy holy word, and that we may be always unto them an example in all godliness and virtue, to the praise of thine holy name.  
Plant in mine heart all virtues that be necessary and requisite in a Christian woman, & give me grace so to use them, and all other good gifts, which I have received at thy merciful hands, as may be most to thy glory and praise, to my consolation and salvation, and to the profit of thy Church.  
Behold Lord, although I am but dust, earth, and ashes; yet I have taken upon me, and am bold to come and make these petitions and requests unto thee, not trusting in mine own worthiness or righteousness, which I do acknowledge with the Prophet to be stained and defiled; but only in thy great mercy and promise, and through the merits of Christ's death & bloodshedding, to lay mine humble prayers before thee, requiring mercy, pardon, and forgiveness of all my sins, and also the assistance of thy grace, to do thy will all the days of my life, and to obtain all these my petitions.  
O therefore hear me speedily, good Lord; forgive me favourably, O Lord, and tarry not overlong; but for thine own sake do it, and for thy dear Son jesus Christ's sake, in whom all thy promises are Yea and Amen, which is our only Redeemer, Mediator, Saviour, and justifier; to whom with thee, O Father, and the holy Ghost, be all honour, glory, and praise, now and ever,  
Amen.   

Another good and godly prayer, to be said at all times of every Christian, both man and woman.  
O Almighty, and everlasting GOD, Father, Son, and holy Ghost: thou that hast made heaven and earth, and all things in them contained; have mercy upon me poor wretched sinner, daily assaulted with all kind of misery and wretchedness. I beseech thee O Father, for the love of thy Son jesus Christ, consider my weakness, frailty, and imperfection, and have mercy upon me. Increase thy graces in me, my sovereign Saviour, my dear Redeemer, and mine only justifier. For I come unto thee O Lord, according to the words of our Saviour Christ, who hath said; Come unto me all ye that labour, and are laden, and I will ease and refresh you. Oh most merciful Father, ease me of and from the great burden of my sin, which I have unrighteously committed against thee, either in thought, word, or deed; and refresh my soul daily with thy mercies. Sprinkle me with the sweet hyssop of thy mercy, and then shall I be clean: wash me, and then shall I be whiter than snow. power upon me joy and gladness, and make my bones rejoice which thou hast smitten. Turn thy face from my sins, and put out all my misdeeds. Make me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from thy presence, and take not thy holy spirit from me. Oh give me the comfort of thy help again, and 'stablish me with thy free spirit. Then shall I teach thy ways unto the wicked, that sinners may be converted unto thee. Deliver me from blood guiltiness, O God, thou that art the God of my health, that my tongue may praise thy righteousness. Open my lips, O Lord, then shall my mouth show forth thy praise.  
Consider mine imperfection, and help it with thy mercies. Remember thine old wonted mercies, and faithful promises made unto our forefathers, Abraham, Isaac, and jacob, and all other Patriarches, Prophets, Apostles, Martyrs, and other thy Saints, in our Saviour Christ jesus, who being compassed with infirmity, and weakness of the flesh, came unto thee, O Lord, as unto the well and everlasting fountain of their health and salvation, and thou mercifully susteinedst them, keepedst them, & deliveredst them in all their temptations and tribulations. If their feet at any time slipped, or went out of the way, and committed sin against thee; yet thy mercy was always ready, so that thou by thine holy spirit didst procure them to repentance, so that they turned again unto thee; which conversion and turning again thou mercifully acceptedst at their hands. For because they were desirous to live perfectly in thy sight, thou preseruedst them, so that they were found faithful before thee.  
O Lord, thou art the same, and thy years endure for ever. I beseech thee, O Father, bear mine imperfection, and help it likewise with thy mercy, if at any time I happen to fall, and commit sin against thee, as thou saiedst by thine holy Apostle Paul; Let thy grace at all time be sufficient for me in such wise, that I may immediately turn again by true repentance unto thee, which conversion and turning again, accept always at mine hands for jesus Christ's sake; so shall I be found perfect before thee. For although the spirit be willing, yet is the flesh untoward and weak.  
Therefore do I not leave mine own righteousness before thee. For I know and confess in me, that is to say, in my flesh is nothing but plain misery, wretchedness and sin. Therefore do I come unto thee, and beseech thee for Christ's sake to extend thy merciful hand towards me, and to do away mine offences. For I know, O Lord, that all grace and goodness cometh of thee, and therefore art thou praised, loved and feared in the congregation among the Saints. For thou art only he that givest victory, O Lord of hosts, and that as thou sayest by thy Prophet, neither through an host of men, nor through strength, but through thy spirit. Therefore, I beseech thee, give me not only strength and knowledge of thee, but also a ready earnest purpose and will to subdue mine imperfections, and grace at all times to live as thou in thy holy word hast prescribed unto me.  
Moreover I beseech thee, make me perfect in thy sight, that I may render continual thanks by jesus Christ to thee. And where I have not hitherto endeavoured myself, according to that power, which thou hast given me to live after thy will, I pray thee forgive me for jesus sake. And now I protest before thee, through the help of the spirit, to order my life from hence forth according to thy word, and to walk perfectly before thee: nevertheless I beseech thee for Christ's sake, at all times to bear the imperfections that shall or may at any time be found in me, and deliver me by thy power and mercy.  
Increase my faith O my saviour; increase my faith O my justifier; increase my faith O my redeemer; increase faith, hope, and charity, and all other virtues in me, consonant and agreeable to a godly life. For I come unto thee the well and everlasting fountain of all health and salvation. O my heavenly Father, let me and all other men and women live in thy sight, which seek thy word, to the intent to forsake sin and all ungodly living, and to walk in a godly conversation innocently before thee.  
And I thank thee, O Lord, with all my heart and mind, that it hath pleased thee of thy great mercy and goodness to create and form me of the mould of the earth, and given me all my members requisite and needful to the body, and that it hath pleased thee to preserve all that which thou hast created in me, sith the time of the creation until now, and that it hath pleased thee to defend me this day (or night) and all the days and time of my life hitherto, from all hurt and perils, and delivered me from the hour of temptation and tribulation, as well when I was asleep and forgetful, as when I remembered and called upon thee. And that it hath pleased thee to minister to my necessity, meat, drink, and clothing, inward rejoicing, quietness of mind, health of body, and such like, and that it hath pleased thee to give me this man, and my brother in profession T. B. to be my husband, vail, remedy, consolation, and comfort in my necessities. Grant me grace in him, O Lord, truly to honour, love, serve, and obey thee: for I know, whatsoever I do to him, be it good or evil, it shall be rewarded of thee. Lighten us daily with thy grace, that we may govern ourselves, the household and children which thou hast given us, in the true faith, fear and knowledge of thee, so that it may be an acceptable sacrifice unto thee by jesus Christ our Lord.  
And seeing it hath pleased thee O Father, to lighten the inward eyes of my mind with thy grace, and to call me from the great blindness of ignorance and sin, wherein all men are borne, to the knowledge of thee; let it now more (as S. Paul saith) please thee to preserve me and all other whom thou hast called, which are daily oppressed by sin, which desire to turn, and to come unto thee, of what tongue or nation soever they be through the whole world.  
And seeing it hath pleased thee to call me by grace to the knowledge of thy word, & given me a will to seek it, to love, and believe it: let it be thy will to direct my ways, that I err not. Oh stay my feet with thy holy hand, and preserve me with thine arm, for I am else far too weak, without thee I can do nothing.  
Oh let me live in thy sight, O Lord, and put me not from thee, but give me a new heart, and a new spirit, yea a pure mind, and a clean conscience make thou in me, then shall I be perfect before thee. Then shall I call upon thee in time of my trouble, and offer acceptable sacrifice unto thee by jesus Christ, even the fruit of these lips, which confess thy name, and patiently receive the cup of health at thy hand; and call upon thy name in time of adversity.  
Oh hear my prayer, I beseech thee: let my power and pleasure alway be in the tree of life, and in the fruit thereof, which standeth in the midst of the Paradise of God. O accept this voluntary sacrifice at my hand, as the sweet smell of incense, and let the lifting up of my heart with my hands be an evening sacrifice, pleasant and acceptable unto thee, through jesus Christ our Lord, to whom be everlasting praise, honour and glory now and ever,  
Amen.   

Another Christian prayer for grace and remission, to be daily used.  
O Most mighty God, merciful and loving Father, I wretched sinner come unto thee in the name of thy dearly beloved son jesus Christ my only saviour and redeemer, and most humbly beseech thee for his sake, to be merciful unto me, and to cast all my sins out of thy sight and remembrance, through the merits of his bloody death and passion.  
power upon me, O Lord, thy holy spirit of wisdom and grace. Govern and lead me by thy holy word, that it may be a lamp unto my feet, & a light unto my steps. Show thy mercy upon me, & so lighten the natural blindness and darkness of my heart through thy grace, that I may daily be renewed by the same spirit & grace: by the which, O Lord, purge the grossness of my hearing & understanding, that I may profitably read, hear, & understand thy word & heavenly will, believe and practise the same in my life & conversation, & evermore hold fast that blessed hope of everlasting life.  
Mortify and kill all vice in me, that my life may express my faith in thee. Mercifully hear the humble suit of thy servant, and grant me thy peace all my days. Graciously pardon mine infirmities, and defend me in all dangers of body, goods and name, but most chiefly my soul, against all assaults, temptations, accusations, subtle baits, and sleights of that old enemy of mankind Satan, that roaring Lion, ever seeking whom he may devour.  
And here, O Lord, I prostrate with most humble mind crave of thy divine Majesty, to be merciful unto the universal Church of thy Son Christ. And especially, according to my bounden duty, I beseech thee for his sake to bless, save, & defend the principal member thereof, thy servant, our most dear and sovereign Lady Queen Elizabeth: increase in her royal heart true faith, godly zeal, and love of the same, and grant her victory over all her enemies, a long, prosperous, and honourable life upon earth, a blessed end, and life everlasting.  
Moreover, O Lord, grant unto her majesties most honourable Counsellors, and every other member of this thy Church of England, that they & we in our several callings, may truly and godly serve thee. Plant in our hearts true fear and honour of thy name, obedience to our Prince, and love to our neighbours. Increase in us true faith and religion. Replenish our minds with all goodness, and of thy great mercy keep us in the same till the end of our lives. Give unto us a godly zeal in prayer, true humility in prosperity, perfect patience in adversity, and continual joy in the holy Ghost.  
And lastly, I commend unto thy fatherly protection all that thou hast given me, as husband, children, and servants. Aid me, O Lord, that I may govern, nourish, and bring them up in thy fear and service. And forasmuch as in this world I must always be at war and strife, not with one sort of enemies, but with an infinite number; not only with flesh and blood, but with the devil, which is the prince of darkness, and with wicked men executors of his most damnable will: grant me therefore thy grace, that being armed with thy defence, I may stand in this battle with an invincible constancy against all corruption, which I am compassed with on every side, until such time as I having ended the combat, which during this life I must sustain, in the end I may attain to thy heavenly rest, which is prepared for me, and all thine elect, through Christ our Lord and only saviour,  
Amen.   

Another prayer for mortification and holiness.  
O Lord our God, most gracious and most merciful, I do acknowledge before thee that I am unworthy to appear before thy high Majesty, to offer up unto thee a sacrifice of prayer, being full of sin and corruption, naturally glad of evil, and unprofitable to good: yea, being so miserable, that I see not my misery, I feel it not, I bewail it not as I ought to do, but multiply mine iniquities, provoking thy just judgement against me. My zeal is cold, my love feeble, my exercises of religion faint and few, and I take no way but that which leadeth from evil to worse, and finally, would lead me from sin, to the reward of sin. All this is true, dear Father, yet my heart is not moved with fear; all this true, yet I do not sorrow for it, but walk with joy, where I must (if I continue) reap affliction. Therefore, be merciful unto me, and bless me: be merciful unto me, and in Christ jesus wash away all mine iniquities: be merciful unto me, and create in me a new heart, and prepare it to prayer, and to thy holy service. For thou alone, O Lord, art my hope, and the mighty God of my salvation. Thou hast given me a desire to serve thee, O teach me that I may do it! and the good work which thou hast begun, make it perfect in me, that I may no more love goodness, and yet follow vanity; but that my good desires in thee may be increased, and all of them accomplished, so shall I praise thee, and magnify thee for ever. For there is no honour but thy honour; no glory but thy glory, O Lord. It is in vain to trust in princes, but truly to trust in the Lord, bringeth plentiful salvation. From age to age it hath appeared, that thou O Lord God art merciful, and that in thy courts there is nothing but truth and holiness. This world is full of vanity, full of pride, full of rebellion, and the flesh also. The world hath many baits to destruction, and the flesh doth delight in them, they are sworn together to betray us to Satan, yea we betray ourselves. Therefore, dear Father, by the cross of Christ, mortify in us the deeds of the flesh, and crucify both us to the world, and the world to us, that our souls may live.  
In our general calling make us obedient to serve thee in holiness and righteousness all the days of our life: in our particular callings also make us faithful, that we may neither put away a good conscience, nor make shipwreck of faith. I believe; O Lord, help mine unbelief. In the day of peace and prosperity make us sober; in the day of trouble and adversity make us to look up, and cheerfully to wait and trust in thee for our deliverance, that our enemies mouths may be stopped by our godly conversation, and their hearts pricked with zeal to turn unto thee.  
Neither do I pray, O Lord, for myself alone, but for the whole body, unto the which I am engraffed by Christ jesus; that is, for thy Church, O God; for thine inheritance, that thou wouldst increase it from one end of the world to another, that all nations may worship before thy footstool. Especially, O Lord, I pray for them that profess thy Gospel: as for this our nation, that thou wouldst be merciful unto it, turning our hearts to thee; for our gracious Sovereign the Queen, and for all her Counsel, that thou wouldst power thy graces upon them, to the discharge of their duty, and our peace: for all the holy teachers of thy Church, that thou wouldst bless them and their labours; for the peace and full beauty of this Church; for the peace and wealth of the Commonwealth. We pray thee also for to bless the means to bring this to pass: also we pray thee for our parents; for all others to whom we own especial love or service; but principally we beseech thee, to show thy compassion upon all that are in persecution for thy Gospel: O Lord, increase and renew their strength, give them victory, and turn their adversaries hearts, if they appertain to thine holy election; otherwise, O Lord, bring upon them the confusion, that they would bring upon others; and into the pit that they have digged, let them fall, and never rise up again. O Lord, hear us in these suits, pardon our dull spirits in prayer, and give us these and all other graces needful for us, and thy Church, to thy glory, for our Lord jesus Christ's sake, in whose name, as he hath taught us, so we pray, saying: Our Father, etc.  
After that, you may add any morning or evening prayer.   

Another very devout prayer for grace and mercy.  
O Lord God almighty, three in persons, yet but one GOD, who both art in all, and waste before all, and wilt be in all things, a blessed God for evermore. Now and always into thine hands I do commend, both my soul, my body, my sight, hearing, tasting, smelling, and feeling, with all my cogitations, affections, actions, outward and inward things, my sense, and understanding, my memory, my faith and belief, and perseverance, that thou mayest keep them day and night, every hour and moment.  
O sacred Trinity hear my petition, and save me from all evil, from offending, and from sinning any manner of way; from all snares and pursuits of Satan, and of enemies visible and invisible. Expel far from me the haughtiness of mind, and increase within me the sorrow of heart; diminish my pride, and establish true humility within my breast; fetch tears from mine eyes, mollify mine hard and stony heart, and save Lord both me and my soul from all traps of the enemy, and continue me in thy pleasure. Teach me to do thy will: for thou art my God. Give me perfect sense and understanding, O Lord, that I may be able to conceive the deepness of thy mercy. Grant me grace to beg that at thy hands, which may both be joyful for thee to grant, and behoveful for me to receive. Make me unfeignedly to be wail my sins, and manifold offences. Hear O my Lord and my God; hear O light of mine eyes; hear my petition, and grant, that what I request, I may obtain. If thou despisest me, I am utterly undone; if thou hearest me I take heart again; if thou examinest my righteousness, lo, I stink like a dead carrion: but if in mercy thou respect me, thou raisest him that stinketh out of the grave. What thou hatest in me, remove far from me, and engraff the spirit of chastity, and of a clean life in my mind, that in ask any thing at thine hands, I may not offend thee in ask the same. Take from me whatsoever is hurtful to my soul, and give whatsoever is behoveful. O Lord, give me a salve to heal my grievous wounds.  
Endue me, good Lord, with thy fear, with sorrow of heart, with humility of mind, and with a pure conscience. Give me grace, Lord, to keep brotherly concord evermore; to remember my transgressions; not to meddle with the dealing of other men or women. Pardon my soul; pardon my sins; my wickedness pardon; O pardon mine offences: visit me that am weak; cure me that am sick; heal me that do languish, and raise me, which am dead. O Lord, give me both an heart to dread thee; a mind to love thee; sense to know thee, ears to hear thee; eyes to see thee. Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me; look upon me from the holy seat of thy Majesty, and illuminate the darkness of mine heart with the beams of thy brightness. Give me wisdom, O Lord, to discern between good and evil, and grant me a watchful understanding. Forgive all my sins, I beseech thee, and in this time of necessity and trouble, be thou good and gracious to me, I only beseech thee. After thy wonted mercy, and most loving kindness, O Lord, I beseech thee vouchsafe to give me the life, which ever shall endure.  
O Lord jesus Christ, give both to thy ministers unity of mind, and to magistrates judging uprightly, peace and tranquillity. Furthermore, O Lord, my request is for the whole catholic and holy Church; for men and women; for religious, and for secular men; for all Christian governors and people believing in thy name, which labour for thine holy love, that they may have grace to continue in well-dooing. O Lord, eternal King, give to virgins, chastity; to the unmarried, continency; to the wedded, purity; to repenters, mercy; to widows and orphans; comfort; to the poor, protection; to travelers, a safe return; to mourners, consolation; to seafaring men, a joyful haven; to the good, zeal to persist, to the well inclined, a mind to prove better; to the wicked and sinful, as to me a wretch and chief of sinners, grace with speed to repent.  
O sooeete Lord, and most merciful jesus Christ, Son of the living God, redeemer of the world: I acknowledge that among all, and above all sinners, I am most wretched; but thou most gracious, and high Father, who takest mercy upon all, canst not suffer me to be utterly destitute of thy mercy. O thou Lord, King of kings, who grantest truce of life, stir in me a mind alway, and above all things to seek, to desire, to love, to fear thee, and to do thy will, who art everywhere all whole, a Trinity, and but one God. Especially, O Lord holy Father, who art blessed and glorious for evermore, I beseech thee in most humble sort, vouchsafe to govern and keep them from destruction, who either do make mention of me in their prayers, or have commended themselves to mine unworthy supplications, or have done good, whether it be unto my body with temporal benefits, or to my soul with profitable instructions; or be linked unto me either in kindred, friendship, or goodwill. Furthermore, both for all Christians, which are alive, I pray thee stand thou at their elbow to assist them: and for such also as are dead, and everlastingly do rest from their labours, I yield thee immortal praise. Finally, this one thing more grant me, O Lord, I do earnestly beseech thee, who art Alpha and Omega, that when the uttermost day and end of my life shall come, thou wilt be a merciful judge to me, against that malicious accuser the devil, and that thou wilt continually protect me against the snares of the old Serpent; and finally conduct me into the society of Angels, and of all Saints in thine holy paradise, who art blessed now and evermore,  
Amen.   

Another prayer for grace and newness of life.  
O Lord my God, give me grace from the very bottom of mine heart to desire thee; in desiring to seek thee; in seeking to find thee; in finding to love thee; in loving utterly to loathe my former wickedness. O Lord my GOD, give I beseech thee, to mine heart repentance; to my spirit contrition; to mine eyes a fountain of tears; to mine hands liberality unto the poor. O my King, quench in me the desires of the flesh, and inflame within my breast the fire of thy love. drive away from me the spirit of pride, O my redeemer, and of thy mercy bestow upon me the treasure of thine humility. O my Saviour, remove from my mind the rage of wrath, and graciously give me the shield of patience. Pluck even from the very root of mine heart the rancour of malice, O my Creator; and make me to enjoy the sweetness of a quiet mind. Give me, O most loving Father, a sound faith, a right hope, and a constant love.  
O my governor, drive away far from me all vanity, and suffer me to have neither an unconstant, nor a wandering heart; nor a scurrilous mouth; nor a proud look; nor a greedy belly; nor a slandering tongue; nor itching ears after curiosity; nor a covetous mind after riches; nor polling hands to abuse my power; nor ambitious motions to get vain glory: let both cursed hypocrisy, and poisoned flattery, and proud contempt of the poor, and violent oppression of the weak; let both burning covetousness, and cankered envy, with damnable blaspheming of thy name be always far from me thy servant. O my maker, make a large distance between me and rashness; between me and wickedness; between me and frowardness; between me and unquietness; between me and idleness; between me and drowsiness; between me and blockishness. Grant that mine heart prove not blind; my senses obstinate; my manners savage: but let me delight in goodness, and follow counsel, and never lose the bridle to my tongue; nor cruelly make a pray of the poor; nor violently oppress the weak; nor unjustly slander the innocent; nor negligently regard inferiors committed to my charge. Finally, let me use neither cruelty towards my servants, nor treachery towards my friends, nor violence upon my neighbours.  
O my God, my merciful God, even through thy beloved Son, I beseech thee give me grace to exercise myself in the works of mercy, and in godly cogitations; namely, to weep with them that weep; to instruct such as go astray; to help the afflicted; to cherish the poor; to comfort the sorrowful; to relieve the oppressed; to nourish the hungry; to refresh them which mourn; to forgive my debtor, to pardon them which have hurt me; to love them which hate me; to render for evil good; to despise none, but to honour all; to imitate the virtuous; to shun the wicked; to embrace virtue; to flee sin: in adversity to be patiented, in prosperity to be continent: to set a watch before my mouth, and a seal of wisdom before my lips: to despise earthly, and to covet after heavenly things.  
Thus, my maker, I have asked much, and yet have deserved nought, I confess; yet alas I confess that not only I deserve not those blessings which I do require, but also do deserve many & exquisite torments: notwithstanding even publicans, harlots, & thieves, who in a moment plucked from out the jaws of the enemy, are taken into the arms of the shepherd, do embolden me to do as I do. Wherefore have mercy upon me, O good Lord I beseech thee, and vouchsafe favourably to hear me, and grant my requests, So be it.   

A prayer called, o bone jesus: necessary to be said at all times for mercy and grace.  
O Bountiful Lord jesus Christ, O sweet Saviour, O Christ the son of God, have pity upon me, mercifully hear me, and despise not my prayers. Thou hast created me of nothing: thou hast redeemed me from the bondage of sin, death, and hell, neither with gold nor silver, but with thy most precious body once offered upon the cross, and thine own blood shed once for all for my ransom. Therefore cast me not away, whom thou by thy great wisdom hast made; despise me not, whom thou hast redeemed with such a precious treasure, nor let my wickedness destroy that which thy goodness hath builded. Now whilst I live, O jesus, have mercy upon me. For if I die out of thy favour, it will be too late afterward to call for thy mercy. Whilst I have time to repent, look upon me with thy merciful eyes, as thou didst vouchsafe to look upon Peter thine Apostle, that I may bewail my sinful life, and obtain thy favour to live and die therein.  
I acknowledge, that if thou shouldest deal with me according to thy justice, I have deserved everlasting death: therefore I appeal to thy high throne of mercy, trusting to obtain thy favour, not for my merits, but for thy merits, O jesus, who hast given thyself an acceptable sacrifice to the Father, to appease his wrath, and to bring all sinners truly repenting and amending their evil life, into his favour again. Accept me, O Lord, among the number of them, whom thou hast in Christ elected and chosen to salvation: forgive my sins, give me grace to lead a godly and innocent life: grant me the heavenly wisdom, inspire my heart with faith, hope, and charity: give me grace to be humble in prosperity, patiented in adversity, obedient to my rulers, faithful unto them that trust me, dealing truly with all men, to live chastely in wedlock (or in this my single life) to abhor adultery, fornication, and all uncleanness: to do good after my power unto all men, to hurt no man, that thy name may be glorified in me during this present life, and that I afterward may attain everlasting life, through thy mercy, and the merits of thy precious death and passion,  
Amen.   

A form of prayer, containing a paraphrasis of these words of David in his 119. Psalm: Order my steps in thy word, and so shall no wickedness have dominion over me.  
O Eternal God, Father of our Lord jesus Christ, which with thine only begotten Son, and the holy Ghost, art the maker, preserver, and helper of all creatures. Upon thee do I call, in the name of Christ the Mediator. Help and govern me with thy holy spirit, that with a steadfast purpose I may constantly clean unto thy word: that my steps, my thoughts, intents, purposes, actions, and all the course of my life, may be directed & made conformable to thy commandments and promises, and that I may ever have thy word before mine eyes, to follow it as the only and most infallible rule of my life, and lightsome lamp to my feet.  
Order my steps in thy word, that I may fear in my heart thy great wrath and threatenings against sin, and quake and tremble at the dreadful examples of punishments, which therefore from the beginning, thou hast published in the world against all the wicked and ungodly ones, that have and do contemn thy word, and that I may acknowledge those punishments to be forewarnings of thy judgements to come, in the which this most dreadful sentence shall be pronounced against all the ungodly, Go ye cursed into everlasting fire.  
Order my steps in thy word, that in true fear and awe of thy Majesty, I may tame my mind, bridle my lusts, keep under mine affections, rule mine imaginations, restrain my thoughts, repress and stop all vicious motions, shun all wickedness, and kill the life of sin in me.  
Order my steps in thy word, that in frights and fears, in terrors and temptations, in all astonishments, troubles, afflictions, distresses and dangers bodily or ghostly, with fixed eye and firm faith, I may behold & look upon thy grace and mercy, which for thy son our Lord jesus Christ's sake is showed and declared unto us in thy Gospel; and never seek thy will any where else but in thy word, and surely persuade myself that truly to be thy will, which in thy word and promises is revealed and set forth. Help me also, O God, I beseech thee, that in all mine agonies & fears, I may cheer and raise up myself with the heavenly comfort of thy word, and so with a constant faith in thy merciful promises that I find there, I may repose my trust, and quiet my conscience in Christ my merciful Mediator, assuring myself undoubtedly that for his sake I shall be both heard, received, helped, delivered, and saved.  
Order my steps in thy word, that in all this short course of my life I may be obedient unto thee, and serve thee faithfully and diligently in my vocation: that I may keep myself within the limits of my charge, and serve thee truly in those works which thou requirest of me in my several calling.  
Order my steps in thy word, that this knowledge of thy word in me be firm, constant, certain, immovable, and unchangeable, that my mind waver not, nor wander to and fro, neither be carried hither and thither inconstantlie with every blast of opinions.  
Order my steps in thy word, that in the race & course of this life, there be no obstacles, lets, or vain strife and contention between flesh and blood, to burst the bonds of my vocation; but let it be constant, healthful, happy and prosperous to the end, and help me therein, that I may persevere in a right course, and win the goal; and make me an instrument and vessel of mercy, caring and ministering healthful and good things both to myself and to others, that I may be comforted in this thy promise, which saiedst, Thy labour shall not be in vain in the Lord, and all that thou doest shall prosper.  
But alas, sin dwelling and sticking in this our corrupt nature, doth too too much trouble, and hinder our steps. Our untamed lusts, uncomely affections, and inordinate desires, even like furious mad men, do solicit us, vex, disquiet, and torment us, and quite draw, drive, and carry our steps forth of the true way, which thy word showeth, into the bypaths, and strange ways that are most perilous, dangerous, pernicious, and lead to destruction, Yea alas (such is the misery of our corrupt nature) that sin, a thing most horrible and detestable, doth smile upon us, and is become very delightful and pleasant unto us, and most willingly and gladly we obey, and are ready to follow the flickering enticements and vain allurements of all manner of vices. Yea so great and lamentable is the weakness and imbecility of our nature thus corrupted, that quickly and easily we suffer ourselves continually to be more and more removed, driven back, and distracted from the right way that leadeth to thee.  
Order my steps therefore in thy word, O Lord I beseech thee, and so rule, direct, govern & help me, that sin neither dwell in me, nor have dominion over me in action nor to damnation. O let not sin reign in me, I say, to action, as it did in David, by forcing me to follow the sugared suggestions of Satan, the delightsome vanities of the world, nor the brittle and short pleasures of the flesh, nor by compelling and driving my deeds and actions to obey clean contrary to my conscience. Neither let sin reign in me to damnation, as it did in Saul, by not regarding thy word, by fury, wrath, malice and contempt of thy commandments: that I be not overwhelmed in terrors and wonderful great furies, nor drowned in eternal damnation; but help me, that in temptations I may constantly stand, and valiantly resist, and in all dread and distress be lifted up, and comforted with the voice of the Gospel, as it is written: Sin shall not bear rule over you, for you are not under the law, but under grace. So shall it come to pass, that though this tyrant sin rob and rage never so cruelly, yet I through faith embracing the sweet comfort of the Gospel, and believing surely that it is pardoned, and the terrors of the law overcome, by the conquest and triumph of our mediator and Lord jesus Christ, it shall not overcome me; but I it in him, through the help of his holy spirit, power and grace, which grant unto me, O Lord I beseech thee, for thy holy name sake,  
Amen.   

Meditations after prayer.  
O Lord God heavenly Father, which to declare thy readiness in hearing of sinners, most mercifully hast said, that before they cry, I will answer, and whilst they are yet in thinking what to speak, I will hear: vouchsafe, we beseech thee, for the same thy great mercy's sake, favourably to hear our requests, and graciously grant all these our poor petitions, which we have asked of thee, not trusting in our own righteousness, which we acknowledge with the Prophet to be stained and defiled, but only in thy manifold mercies and promises. And grant, that at what time soever thy good spirit doth move us to call upon thee, we may ask such things, and in such sort as thou requirest, to thy honour and glory, our neighbours profit, and our own soul's health, through jesus Christ our Lord,  
Amen.   

Or thus, for a conclusion of the whole prayers.  
O My good God, which hast commanded all men to call upon thee in all their troubles, need and necessity, and hast promised so to hear them, and deliver them, that they shall praise thee: and hast promised to be priest and ready at hand to all such as fear thee, and call upon thee faithfully, and that thou wilt fulfil their desires, and help them: now I have called upon thee, not in mine own worthiness, for to me belongeth nothing but wrath, shame and confusion: but in the name and worthiness of thy sweet Son jesus Christ mine only mediator and advocate. For unto thee belongeth mercy and forgiveness.  
Oh dear God, I beseech thee for his sake forgive me all my sins; increase my faith; purge my corruption; help mine infirmity; confirm mine hope, and grant me all those things that I have prayed for, and all other things, that thou knowest to be most necessary, profitable, and expedient for me, and thy whole Church, (although mine infirmity dare not, and my blindness can not ask them) so as the same may redound to thy glory, and profit of thy Church, the reformation of my life, and mine assured salvation and consolation in thy Son jesus Christ mine only Lord, Mediator, and Saviour, in whose name I beseech thee: Our Father which art, etc.   

EVENING prayers, and first, At the Sun setting pray.  
O Sun of righteousness, evermore arising, and never going down. O brightness of perpetual charity, ever shining, and never darkened. In this Evening now the Sun hath run his course, and is going down; and the day being far spent, it draweth towards night. I pray thee de part not thou from us, neither let the Sun of thy grace set, or cease to give light unto our souls: but that in thee we may abide, and always have day light most clearly in our minds, to know, love, and praise thee perpetually in the vision of that light, where thou the Sun of all glory doest everlastingly shine upon thine elect, making them to shine as the Sun before thee, & where the Sun shall not go down by day, nor the Moon lie hid by night. For there shall be no night, neither light of the Sun or Moon: but thou, O Lord our God, shalt be our everlasting light, and enlighten us with unspeakable glory for ever, Amen.  
Lord let not the Sun go down upon our wrath: but make us to fear thee as long as the Sun and Moon endureth.  

Meditation.  
Think now of the brittle state of the world, the glory whereof, like the Sun or Moon, is very unconstant, variable, and now up, now down: but the goodness of God only is permanent, and endureth for ever.  
Think also, that as it is no grief for us to see the Sun to set, because we expect his arising again in the morning: no more ought we (as men without hope) to be sorry for the death of the body, knowing that in the morning light of the resurrection it shall eftsoons arise, & receive the soul again to joy, or pain eternal.   

When the candles or lamps be light, pray:  
THanks be given to thee O Lord, which after day, when night cometh, hast given us for the remedy of darkness this artificial light of the candle or lamp, whereby we see and discern those things in this night of our bodies, which are expedient for us to use. But especially we render immortal praise unto thine holy Majesty, for the light of thy doctrine, which thy Son against the horror of sin and ignorance, hath brought unto us for a remedy against death eternal. Grant, we beseech thee O Lord of light, and Master of all truth, that the most thick and obscure clouds of our minds may be so driven away and expelled by the lamp of thy grace, and candle of knowledge and right understanding, that in body corporally, and in soul spiritually, we may ever see by both these lights to glorify thee, both in our lives and in our deaths.  
Thy word, o Lord, is a lamp to our feet, and a light unto our paths. O light thou our candle, and make our darkness to be light, that with our lamps ever burning, we may still watch for thy coming!  
Amen.   

Meditation.  
Think now, that as without this material light of the candle all would be horror and uncouth darkness: even so without the spiritual light of God's divine word and wisdom, all our light is darkness; our knowledge error; and our life death and utter confusion.  
Think also, that as the candle is not put under a bushel, but set on a candlestick to give light to all in the house: so likewise ought we to let the light of our faith shine bright before men, that other seeing our good works may therefore glorify God.   

Evening prayers for Sunday to be said kneeling by the bedside, before you make you unready. ¶ Here you may say one of the confessions for the Sabbath day, as before, pag. 384, 387.  
WE render unto thee everlasting praises, most merciful Father, for that of thy gracious favour and love towards us, thou hast vouchsafed to preserve us this day, and the rest of our life hitherto under the shadow of thy most merciful protection, beseeching thee also to take us into thy tuition this present night and ever, that we be not tempted with any suggestion of Satan; but being thoroughly armed with the holy Ghost, we may have power and force to resist his assaults, by a sure faith and confidence in the blood of thy blessed Son our Lord and Saviour Christ jesus. Give us grace to repent us of our sins unfeignedly; to crave remission of them uncessantly; to embrace thy holy word and commandments sincerely; and to express them in our living effectually: whereby we may walk uprightly in our conversation, with sure and certain hope of the resurrection to eternal life, by the merits of Christ jesus, that with the wise virgins we may be found waking and watching for his coming, when he shall come to judge the world with equity, and to reward every man according to the works of his body. Grant us grace, most merciful Father, to behave ourselves so uprightly in this life, that then we may be made partakers of thy kingdom with thine elect, there to live in eternal joy and felicity, world without end,  
Amen.   

Another Evening prayer on the Lord's day.  
O Almighty and eternal God, Father of our Lord jesus Christ, which together with thy Son and the holy Ghost, didst create man after thine own likeness, and breath into him the breath of life, the which through thy goodness continueth at thy pleasure. Thou hast made of one blood all mankind, and assigned times, and length of our life in this world: thou givest life to the people on the earth, and breath to the walkers therein, which if thou take away, they shall departed, and be turned into dust. We bless thee heavenly Father, and with all our hearts give thee thanks, not only for saving us this day from dangers: but also from our cradles for defending both our souls and bodies from death. Wherefore magnify the Lord, O our souls, and our spirits rejoice in God our Saviour. For he hath looked upon the baseness and afflictions of his servants. He that is mighty hath done for us great things, and holy is his name. Wherefore we will praise the Lord for evermore, because his mercy endureth from generation to generation on such as fear him. We will show forth his power in the evening, and when we go to bed, we will remember his mercy. Arise now our souls in the night, praise your God. In the beginning of the watches power out your hearts like water before the face of the Lord. For the Saints will be joyful with glory, & sing loud upon their beds. Wherefore we also will praise thee continually, and will confess thy name for evermore. For thou art the God, which delighteth our hearts, and maketh our soul's merry. Therefore in the night we will think upon thy benefits, and our spirits shall consider of thy wondrous works. For thou hast commanded that thy mercy be celebrated in the day time, and thy truth in the night season.  
O our Lord, and God of mercy, gentleness, patience, pity, and truth, which she west mercy unto thousands, and blottest out all our offences: we lift up our souls unto thee, and from our hearts we pray thee, put not before thine eyes the horrible confusion, uncleanness, and wickedness of our minds, being replenished with loathsome darkness and ignorance, full of doubtings and errors. Our hearts and will are turned from thee our God, and all the powers and strength both of our souls and bodies are defiled, and filthily weakened: but Lord, of thy great merice blot out our offences, look upon the troubles and dolours of our hearts, and forgive all our sins. For lo, our souls are wounded, and can not be helped, but only through mercy. There is no health in our flesh because of thine anger, neither is there rest in our bones, because of our sins. For our iniquities have gone over our heads, and as an heavy burden have pressed us down. Our wounds are putrefied and corrupt, because of our foolishness. Assuage thine anger, and turn from thine indignation. Pardon our faults, remit all punishment, and restore in us the light of thy goodness, which was lost. O Lord hear; O Lord forgive; hearken O our God, for thine own sake. For thy name is called upon by us.  
O God of heaven and earth, in this evening tide do we call unto thee, that remitting our sins, which this day especially we have committed against thee in breaking thy Saboth, and profaning this our holy day with our unholy deeds, speech and cogitations, thou wouldst receive us into thy protection, and keep us and all ours this night, that the devil have no power over us. Be thou watchful over us, O eternal Saviour, lest the subtle tempter apprehend us. For thou art made for us an everlasting protector. For behold, whether we sleep or wake, whether we live or die, we are thine: thou art our Creator and redeemer. Stand therefore on our behalf in the watch with the army of thy celestial warriors thine Angels, which being filled with perfect goodness, and perpetual integrity, behold thy face always in the heavens. Expel from us and our houses wicked spirits, which be our mortal enemies, that they damage us in no case, and deliver us from persecutors, which lay snares for our destruction. Turn not away thy mercy and truth from us. O God assist us, that peaceably we may rest, and sleep in quiet. We will lay us down in peace, and sleep. For thou Lord alone makest us to dwell in safety without danger. Hid us in thy tabernacle, O Lord, that sitting in thy secret place, and abiding under the shadow of thy wings, we may say unto thee; Lord, thou art our keeper, and our refuge. O God, we will trust in thee, and will fear no danger. And although we were in extreme darkness, yet will we not fear. Though we should walk in the midst of the shadow of death, yet will we dread none evil, for thou art with us; thy rod and thy staff they do comfort us. Let thy mercy, O God, follow us all the days of our life, that we may dwell in thy house in longness of days, praising thee evermore with the Son & holy Ghost one true God, reigning worlds without end,  
Amen.   

Another more large Evening prayer, with Confession.  
O Lord God, Father everlasting, and full of pity, we acknowledge and confess, that we be not worthy to lift up our eyes to heaven, much less to present ourselves before thy Majesty, with confidence that thou wilt hear our prayers, and grant our requests, if we consider our own deservings. For our consciences do accuse us, and our sins bear witness against us; and we know that thou art an upright judge, which doest not justify the sinners and wicked men, but punishest the faults of all such as transgress thy commandments. Yet most merciful Father, since it hath pleased thee to command us to call on thee in all our troubles and adversities, promising even then to help us, when we feel ourselves as it were swallowed up of death & desperation: we utterly renounce all worldly confidence, and fly to thy sovereign bounty, as our only stay and refuge, beseeching thee not to call to remembrance our manifold sins and wickedness, whereby we continually provoke thy wrath and indignation against us: neither our negligence and unkindness, which have neither worthily esteemed, nor in our lives sufficiently expressed the sweet comfort of thy Gospel revealed unto us, but rather to accept the obedience and death of thy Son, who by offering up his body in sacrifice once for all, hath made a sufficient recompense for all our sins. Have mercy therefore upon us, O Lord, & forgive us our offences. Teach us by thy holy spirit that we may rightly way them, and earnestly repent for the same; and so much the rather, O Lord, because that the reprobate, & such as thou hast forsaken, can not praise thee, nor call upon thy name, but the repenting heart, the sorrowful mind, the conscience oppressed, hungering and thirsting for thy grace, shall ever set forth thy praise and glory. And albeit we be but worms & dust, yet thou art our Creator, and we be the work of thy hands: yea thou art our Father, and we thy children; thou art our shepherd, and we thy flock; thou art our redeemer, & we the people whom thou hast bought; thou art our God, and we thine inheritance. Correct us not therefore in thine anger, O Lord, neither according to our deserts punish us, but mercifully chastise us with a fatherly affection, that all the world may know, that at what time soever a sinner doth repent him of his sins from the bottom of his heart, thou wilt put away his wickedness out of thy remembrance, as thou hast promised by thy holy Prophet.  
Finally, we humbly thank thee, O merciful Father, by thy dearly beloved Son jesus Christ our Saviour, for all thy benefits bestowed upon us from the beginning of the world to this time, for our election, our creation, our redemption, our sanctification, & continual preservation; and namely, for that of thy mercy and goodness thou hast preserved us this day, and all the time of our life hitherto, from all misfortunes, hurts and dangers bodily & ghostly. And forsomuch as it hath pleased thee to make the night for man to rest in, as thou hast ordained him the day to travel, and that whither we sleep or wake, live or die, we are always thine: grant, O dear Father, that we may so take our bodily rest this night, that our souls and hearts being kindled with the light of thy countenance, may continually watch for the time that our Lord jesus Christ shall appear for our deliverance out of this mortal life. And in the mean season, take thou, O God, care and charge of us and all ours, that we perish not in the works of darkness, and that we (not overcome by any fantasies, dreams, or other temptations) may fully set our minds upon thee, love thee, fear thee, and rest in thee. Furthermore, that our sleep be not excessive or overmuch, after the insatiable desires of the flesh, but only sufficient to content our weak nature, that enjoying sweet sleep and comfortable rest both in body and mind, we may healthfullie and joyfully rise again, and be the better disposed to live in all godly conversation and perfect obedience of thy word, to the glory of thy holy name, and profit of thy Church, through jesus Christ our Lord, in whose name we furthermore make our humble petitions unto thee, not only for ourselves, but for all others, whom thou wouldst we should continually pray for, saying as he in his holy word hath taught us, Our Father which art in heaven, etc.  
O Lord increase our faith, strengthen it in thy manifold sweet promises, and grant us a perfect continuance therein to our lives end, whereof we humbly make our confession, saying: I believe in God, etc.  
Let thy mighty hand, and outstretched arm, O Lord, be still our defence; thy mercy and loving kindness in jesus Christ thy dear Son our salvation; thy true & holy word our instruction; thy life & holy actions our imitation; thy grace & holy spirit our comfort & consolation unto the end & in the end: and the blessing of God almighty, Father, Son, and holy Ghost, be with us, and remain with us now & ever,  
Amen.   

A form of general prayer, to be used in private houses and families every Evening. O Lord prepare our hearts to prayer: for if we pray with our lips only, our prayers are abominable. O teach us therefore by thy holy spirit to pray rightly, according to thy will, and give ear graciously to our calling.  
O Gracious Lord & loving Father, according to thy commandment we do here present ourselves before thy Majesty, humbly prostrating ourselves before thy throne of mercy, acknowledging and confessing from the bottom of our hearts, that we be miserable sinners, daily breaking thy commandments both in thought, word, and deed, wherein we justly deserve everlasting damnation, and to be utterly thrown from thy presence. Yet, O Lord, we see thy goodness again towards us, who not suffering us thus to perish in our sins, hast sent thine own dear Son jesus Christ, to take upon him whatsoever is due, to reconcile and make us at one with thee again. In him therefore, good Lord, and through him do we come unto thee, beseeching thee for his sake, that we feeling the grievousness of our sins, and groaning under the burden of them, may feel the release and ease of them, in that we be through thy holy spirit assured, and steadfastly believe, that Christ hath borne the burden of them even for us. Grant O Lord, that we being assured hereof in our conscience, may through thy holy spirit be renewed in the inward man, to hate, detest, and abhor sin, and to study to live according to thy blessed will during this whole life.  
We do not only pray for ourselves, O Lord, but also for all the whole Church, especially such as be persecuted for thy word: grant unto them, that whither it be by death or life, they may glorify thy name to their lives end. Be merciful to this Church of England and Ireland we beseech thee good Lord, and preserve every part and member of the same, especially thy servant Elizabeth our gracious Queen and Governor. Grant her all such gifts as be needful for so high a calling, to the advancement of thy glory, and the benefit of this Commonwealth: to the establishing of a perfect government of thy Church, according to the prescriptrule of thy blessed word, to the rooting out of all superstition, idolatry, and relics of Antichrist, to the governing of her subjects in all peace and tranquillity. Defend her, O Lord, from all conspiracies, treasons, and rebellions, and so work in the hearts of all her subjects, that knowing her authority doth come from thy heavenly Majesty, they may with obedient hearts humbly obey her in thee and for thee. Preserve the whole Counsel & the Magistrates of the Realm, that being lightened by thy holy spirit, they may defend the truth, suppress wickedness, and maintain equity. Behold all the pastors and preachers of thy word: bless their labours, increase the number of them; place over every Church a painful watchman: remove all idle lubbers, and confound the power of Antichrist, and turn the hearts of the people, that they may be obedient to the truth. Bless the two Universities, Cambridge and Oxford, and all the students of the same, with all the Schools of learning. Behold all those that be afflicted with any kind of cross, that they may profit by thy correction in newness of life.  
lastly for ourselves here gathered together, we render most hearty thanks to thy Majesty, O Lord, which hast hitherto from our infancy preserved us by thy mercy, from all perils and dangers both of soul and body, whereunto frail man is subject, that thou hast sent unto us all things necessary for this present life, as health, food, apparel, and such like, which many of thy dear children do want, being notwithstanding as pretiouslie bought with the precious blood of thy dear Son as we be, and yet lie in misery and calamity, oppressed with poverty, nakedness, imprisonment, and banishment; in which case also dear Father, thou mightest have brought us, save only that thou dealest herein more favourably with us than with them. For the which thy loving kindness, we give thee hearty thanks, desiring thee, that as thou hast hitherto thus favourably in mercy preserved us by thy protection, and even presently this day hast brought us past all the dangers thereof: so we beseech thee good Lord, in like favour behold us this night, that we taking our natural rest and quietness, may through thy protection be so defended, that our bodies resting, our souls may be occupied in beholding thy favour and mercy towards thy children, still looking for the coming of our Lord and Saviour jesus Christ, for our full redemption. Grant that our sleep be not immoderate, according to the lusts of the flesh, but as much as is sufficient to refresh our weak nature, that being thus refreshed, both the body & the mind may be more able to do their several office and function in that vocation wherein thou hast placed us. Grant, that we laying our bodies down to rest, may be thereby put in mind of our long rest of death: that as we do lay down our bodies in bed, so we may be thereby admonished, that hereafter they shall be laid down in grave, to be consumed to dust, earth, and ashes, from whence they were taken, that we having this before our eyes, may be stirred up in mind warily to walk in this our pilgrimage, not knowing when the time shall be of our departure, but always be found ready with our lamps of pure faith clearly burning, that we may be accepted to meet the bride groom, when our mortal, earthly, and corruptible bodies shall be made like to the glorious body of our Lord and Saviour Christ jesus, there to reign with him in perpetual joy & consolation, together with all the elect children of GOD, continually lauding with all the heavenly multitude the glorious Majesty of thee our Lord God and heavenly Father, in our Lord and Saviour jesus Christ. In whose name for these thy mercies, and whatsoever else thou knowest to be needful for us, and thy whole Church, we pray unto thee, as he himself hath taught us, saying: Our Father, which art in heaven, etc.  
The Lord bless us and save us, the Lord make his face to shine upon us, and be merciful unto us: the Lord turn his favourable countenance towards us, and grant us his peace.  
The grace of our Lord jesus Christ, the love of God the Father, and the most comfortable fellowship of the holy Ghost be with us, preserve and keep us this night and evermore,  
Amen.   

When you unclothe yourself, and make you unready to bedward, pray:  
THis our life and weak knit body by reason of sin, by little and little shall be dissolved, and so shall be restored to the earth, from whence it was taken: then will be an end of this vanity, which by our foolishness we have wrought to ourselves. O most meek Father, so do thou untie and lose me (for thou hast knit me together) that I may perceive myself to be loosed and dissolved, and so may remember both of whom I was made, and also whither I go, lest I be had unprepared unto thy tribunali and judgement seat. And as I willingly now put off my garments, which in the morning I shall put on again: so let me not unwillingly put off this my body, whensoever by death it shall please thee O God, to call me; especially for that I know that after the night of this world is expired, I shall receive it on again in much better light to immortality: So be it.  
Put off the old man with his lusts and concupiscences, and be content with joseph to put off your prison apparel, that you may put on new.  
I have put off my clothes: how shall I put them on? O Lord, I will confess my wickedness, and that of myself I have nothing.  Cant. 5, 3.  

When you wash your feet, pray thus to yourself.  
O Most meek and loving jesus, the perfect pattern of all humility, who being Lord of heaven and earth, didst not disdain to wash thy Disciples feet, and wipe them clean with the towel wherewith thou wast girt, and that for our example to teach us to love and serve one another in thee: have mercy on me a miserable sinner, which from top to toe, both within and without, am altogether polluted and defiled with sin in thy sight. And with Peter I humbly beseech thee, vouchsafe now to wash me in the sweet bath of thy precious blood, from all the filth and pollusions of my sins, that I may be whiter than snow. Wash thou, I say, not my feet only, O Lord, but my hands and head: yea my very heart, soul, and conscience also. For if thou wash me not, I shall have no part with thee; but if thou wash me, I shall be clean every whit in all parts, yea cleaner than the glass. O wash me therefore clean from mine uncleanness, and do away all my sins, negligences, and ignorances: yea so purge and scour all mine affections by thy grace and mercy, that with both my feet, that is to say, with perfect love to thee, and true charity to my neighbour, I may walk in the paths of thy peace by the direction of thy spirit, and at the last come pure and clean unto thee my purifier, to the confusion and shame of mine enemies, which in the day of my death shall most busily watch to trip and overthrow me: so shall I bless and praise thee, with thine elect and holy Saints in everlasting happiness,  
Amen.  I have washed my feet: how shall I file them again. Cant. 5, 3.  

Another.  
O Most merciful jesus, which gently suffered'st that sinful woman Marie Magdalen to approach unto thy presence, and to wash thy blessed feet with her tears; to wipe them with her hear; and to kiss and anoint them with costly oil, and didst greatly commend this her fact to all posterity, have mercy on me a more sinful woman in thy sight; and grant me grace likewise continually to wash thy feet with the tears of true contrition; to wipe them with the hear of mine obedience; to kiss them with the kisses of fervent love of thee and thy Saints, and to anoint them with the sweet oil of devout prayers, confessions, and thanksgiving, that I may obtain by thy mercy forgiveness of all my manifold sins, and feel myself much bound unto thee for my salvation. Finally, let me thine handmaid be a servant, I pray thee, to wash the feet of the servants of my Lord: make me I say, of the number of those holy matrons, that willingly wash the feet of thy Saints, that minister unto them that are in adversity, that are continually given to every good work, and be well reported of for their virtues, through jesus Christ our Lord,  
Amen.  Wash you, make you clean, take away the evil of your works from before mine eyes: cease to do evil, and learn to do well. isaiah. 1, 16.  

When you enter into your bed, pray:  
I Enter into my bed, and lay me down to rest, in the name of the Father, the Son, and the holy Ghost. The Lord jesus Christ, which was crucified, dead, and buried for me, bless, preserve, and keep me both body and soul, and raise me with him, at the last day by the power of his glorious resurrection to life everlasting, Amen.  
And grant, O God, I beseech thee, that as I am not afraid now to enter into my bed, and to dispose myself to sleep: so I may not be afraid or loath to die; but rather cheerfully prepare myself thereunto, and evermore desire to be dissolved, and to be with Christ my Saviour,  
Amen.   

Being new laid in your bed, say this Psalm.  
O Lord, thou hast searched me out, & known me, thou knowest my down lying, and mine uprising, thou understandest all my thoughts long before.  
Thou art about my path, and about my bed, and spiest out all my ways. For lo, there is not a word in my tongue; but thou, O Lord, knowest it altogether.  
Thou hast fashioned me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful and excellent for me, I can not attain unto it.  
Whither then shall I go from thy spirit? Or whither shall I go from thy presence?  
If I climb up into heaven, thou art there: if I godowne to hell, thou art there also: if I take the wings of the morning, and remain in the uttermost parts of the sea; even there also shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me.  
If I say, Peradventure the darkness shall cover me, then shall my night be turned to day: yea the darkness is no darkness with thee, but the night is as clear as the day: the darkness and light to thee are both alike.  
For my reins are thine: thou hast covered me in my mother's womb. I will give thanks unto thee, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. marvelous are thy works, and that my soul knoweth right well.  
My bones are not hid from thee, though I be made secretly, and fashioned beneath in the earth. Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect, and in thy book are all my members written, which day by day were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them.  
How dear are thy counsels unto me, O God? O how great is the sum of them? If I tell them, they are more in number than the sand, when I wake up, I am present with thee.  
Try me, O God, and seek the ground of my heart; prove me, and examine my thoughts; look well if there be any way of wickedness in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.  
Let me never imagine mischief upon my bed, as do the ungodly that set themselves in no good way, and can not sleep before they have done some harm; but make me to abhor the thing that is evil, and to commune with mine own heart, and in my chamber to be still, that with the Saints I may be joyful with glory, and rejoice on my bed with them that praise thee day and night.  
Finally, grant that I may behold thy presence in righteousness, and when I awake up after thy likeness, bring to pass that I may be satisfied with it, and glorify thee eternally,  
Amen.   

The Prayer.  
THE day now ended, men give themselves to rest in the night, and so this life finished, we shall rest in death. Nothing is more like this life than every day; nothing more like death, than sleep; nothing more like to our grave, than our bed. O Lord our keeper and defender, grant that I now laying me down to rest, being unable to keep myself, may be preserved from the crafts and assaults of the wicked enemy: and grant furthermore that when I have tun the race of this life, thou wouldst of thy mercy call me unto thee, that I may live and watch with thee for evermore. And now, O gracious God, give me to take my rest in thee, & bring to pass that thy goodness may be even in sleep before mine eyes, that sleeping I be not absent from thee, but may have my dreams to draw me unto thee, and so both in soul and body may be kept pure and holy for ever,  
Amen.  I will lay me down in peace, and take my rest: for it is thou Lord only that makest me dwell in safety. Psal. 4. 9  

Another prayer to be used of the husband and wife so soon as they are laid in their bed.  
O Lord our GOD, our protector and defender, which didst graciously preserve and keep thy servant holy Toby, when he lay with his wife Sara, by the guard of thine holy Angel, so that Satan was bound, and had no power over them, keep us also, O King of kings, and Lord of lords this night and evermore, that that subtle Serpent by no means have power to vex or grieve us; but that we may sleep this night in the remembrance of thee, into whose tuition and keeping we commit us both body and soul, which hast bought & redeemed us with the precious blood of that immaculate Lamb thy dear son, and our dear beloved Saviour jesus Christ; to whom with the holy Ghost be all honour and glory,  
Amen.   

Meditation.  
REmember now, that you be nearer your end by one days journey than you were in the morning.  
Also that this troublesome day is past, and night come; and there withal rest, quietness, and pleasant sleep, which maketh most excellent princes and poor wretches all alike for the time: even so, after the tumults, troubles, temptations, and tempests of this life, if we believe in Christ, we have prepared for us an haven and rest most pleasant, joyful, and perpetual.   

When you put out the candle, say:  
THE light of the ungodly shall be put out, and the light of his candle shall not shine: the light shall be dark in his dwelling, and his candle shall be put out with him: yea full often shall the candle of the wicked be put out, and their destruction shall suddenly come upon them, so that all shall be horror, and full of darkness with them. O Lord, let not our candle be put out, nor the light that is in us be turned into darkness: but lighten thou our candle, and make thou our darkness to be light: yea lighten thou our darkness, we beseech thee O Lord, that we sleep not in death, and by thy great mercy defend us from all perils and dangers of this dark and dreadful night, and lighten & illuminate thou every dark corner of our habitation with thy light, that our candle go not out by night: for the love of thy Son our Saviour jesus Christ: So be it.   

A little while after say.  
O God, although we were in extreme darkness, yet will we not fear: and though we should walk in the midst of the shadow of death, yet will we dread none evil. For thou art with us, thy rod and thy staff do comfort us.  
Now therefore that we lie in darkness, be thou our protector, bring us to thy light, and save us from utter darkness, where is weeping and gnashing of teeth: that we may behold thee in that clear light of the perpetual morning, where shall be no darkness, no night, nor need of any candle or material light: but thou, Lord wilt enlighten us with unspeakable glory, So be it.   

When you feel sleep to be coming, and dispose yourself to rest, pray.  
O Lord jesus Christ, my watchman and keeper, take me to thy care, grant that my body sleeping, my mind may watch in thee, & be made merry by some sight of that celestial and heavenly life, wherein thou art the King and Prince, together with the Father & the holy Ghost, where thine Angels and holy spirits be most happy citizens. Oh purify my soul, keep clean my body, that in both I may please thee sleeping and waking for ever,  
Amen.  Lord, into thy hands I commend my spirit. For thou hast redeemed me, o Lord thou God of truth. Psal. 31, 6.  

Another prayer to be said last of the husband and wife, before they give themselves to sleep.  
O Lord assist us, that peaceably we may now rest and sleep in quiet. Let our eyes sleep, but let our hearts wake unto thee. O lighten thou our eyes, that we sleep not in death, that Satan hurt us not, and our enemy say; I have prevailed against thee: but watch over us, O eternal saviour, lest the subtle tempter overtake us, and we sleep a perpetual sleep, and wake no more. For thou art made our everlasting helper and protector.  
Give us this night a good sleep, that quietly without cares and anguish of mind we may take our rest. Let not troublesome dreams, and vain fantasies and apparitions of the night nor the devil disquiet us. Defend us this night from unclean and troublesome spirits, let not their rushings, ragings, and misrule disquiet us. Keep us, good Lord, from sights of Satan, from snares and illusions of the devil.  
But admonish our souls of miseries to come, even as thou didst arm the patriarchs and Prophets by dreams and visions in the night, when sleep came upon them, from dangers nigh at hand, through thine heavenly oracles; so govern and preserve us in sleep, that our souls come not into danger, danger, neither fall upon the sword and pit of perils.  
Let us not sleep in sin and contempt of salvation, as do the children of night and darkness, but make us of the number of those which sleep in jesus, and whom thou, O Lord, in the resurrection of the just, & coming of thy Son, shalt not suffer to be prevented with sleep, but wilt bring with thine elect to meet him in the clouds, that whether we wake or sleep, we may live together with him, and obtain everlasting salvation, through the merits of his death & passion.  
In thy name, O sweet jesus, will we give sleep to our eyes, and slumber to our eye lids. O Saviour of the world: save us Lord watching, and keep us sleeping, that in peace we may both rest and wake; and let our sleep be sweet and healthful to our bodies, that waking in the morning, we may rise in good health, and delight in thee our God.  
Grant also, that both being in bed asleep, and awake, we may always remember our death, which is a passing to an immortal life, and withal our joyful resurrection to everlasting glory.  
Finally, at our last gasp, when our hearts pant, our strength faileth, our sight departeth, our hearing is deaf, our mouth dumb; when our feet cannot go, nor our hands feel; when all our senses forsake us, give us, O blessed Trinity, some sense of eternal life, that we may taste in this world the beginning of thine everlasting joy, and at our departure out of this world, behold by faith thy divine presence, and so sleep quietly to eternal life, Amen, Amen.  
Lord have mercy upon us.  
Christ have mercy upon us.  
Lord into thy hands we commend our souls, because thou hast redeemed us.  
Lord jesus receive our spirits.   

At midnight, if you happen to awake, pray:  
Have mercy upon me, O God, after thy great goodness, according to the multitude of thy mercies do away mine offences.  
Turn thy face from my sins, and put out all my misdeeds.  
Make me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.  
Cast me not away from thy presence, and take not thy holy spirit from me.  
I will remember thee, O God, in my bed, and think upon thee now that I am waking, because thou hast been mine helper.  
Even now in the night season, while thou holdest mine eyes waking, I say, will I think of thee my creator, and make my prayers unto thee my redeemer, and God of my life, that my soul may not refuse her comfort.  
In my bed now by night will I seek thee whom my soul loveth: O let me find thee, and my soul embrace thee.  
For with my soul do I desire thee now in the night season, and with my spirit within me will I seek thee in the morning.  
Yea at midnight I will arise up to give thanks unto thee, O Lord, because of thy righteous judgements, and in the night watches I will lift up my hands towards thy holy place, and bless thee, and power out my heart before thee, and say:  
Have mercy upon me, O God, have mercy on me a most miserable sinner.  
From the snares of the devil, O Lord deliver me: from the midnight evil defend me, and in the hour of death, help me.  
Our father which art in heaven, etc.   

Meditation.  
AT midnight there was a cry made; Behold the bridegroom cometh, go out to meet him: blessed are those virgins, whom the Lord, when he cometh, shall find waking.  
O my soul, let us therefore take heed, watch and pray, that we may be found prepared with our Lamps burning, ready to enter with our spouse and Lord jesus unto the wedding.   

In the night, when you hear the clock strike, pray:  
THE clock of our conscience doth ring every minute the hour of death to be at hand. O merciful God, grant unto me therefore I beseech thee a happy hour, & blessed departure out of this life, whensoever it shall please thee to call me hence, and cause my soul to fly out of this body. Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me a most miserable sinner, and deliver me from the hour of temptation, death and damnation, through jesus Christ our Lord,  
Amen.   

Meditation.  
HE that hath ears to hear, let him hear. The day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night.  
Watch therefore; because ye know neither the day, the time, nor the hour when the son of man will come to judgement.   

When you give yourself to sleep again, and commend yourself last to God, Pray:  
INto the hands of thy unspeakable mercy, O Lord, I commend my wretched soul and body, my senses, speech, counsel, thoughts, works, & all things belonging unto me, my lying down, and rising up, my faith and conversation, the whole course and end of my life, the day and hour of my departure out of this world: finally, my death, burial, rest and resurrection; beseeching thee, O Lord, now suffer mine eyes to sleep, & mine eye lids to slumber, & the temples of my head to take some rest, that my bed may comfort me, and my couch give me some refreshing. Grant that I may so sleep, govern, and end my life, that I may sleep in peace, and rest in thee. Stick thou to me, O my God, even to the end, that sleep with rest, and rest with quietness, & quietness with everlastingness, may receive me. For lo, I give myself once again to sleep and rest in the name of thee, O Father, Son, and holy Ghost, evermore crying and saying, Have mercy on me, O glorious Deity; Have mercy on me, O triumphant humanity; Have mercy on me, O blessed Trinity, and receive my spirit (yea rather thy spirit) into thy holy hands, & send me a joyful resurrection with all thy Saints, & elect people:  
Amen, Amen.     

The Conclusion.  
NOt unto us O Alpha, not unto us O Omega; but unto thy name O jehova be given all the glory, for thy loving mercy and for thy truth's sake. For thou hast directed the thoughts of our hearts, and prospered the works of our hands upon us; even thou I say, O Lord, hast governed all our counsels & enterprises from heaven, & hast graciously wrought all our works for us. O let our mouths therefore be filled with thy praise, and make us continually thankful, that we may give worthy honour and glory to thee for so great graces and manifold benefits bestowed upon us.  
And now, forsomuch as thou hast given every one of us that portion of thy graces that hath pleased thee, and hast commanded us to occupy and use them to thy honour, till thou come: grant us, whether we have received little or much, that we do not idly or slothfullie neglect our duty herein. Suffer us not I say, O sweet Christ with the rest of the world; to fall asleep in the pleasant vanities of this life, and to forget the waiting for thy coming: but rather stir us up by thy holy spirit faithfully to use thy gifts given unto us, and in all wary watching, fasting, and earnest prayer continually to prosper and go forward in our holy calling, provoking one another by good example to follow thee in true worship, and due obedience: and grant that all ambition, vain glory, hypocrisy, and dissimulation being removed, our chief care may be in all our doings, studies and labours, ever to seek the increase of thine honour, and the advancement of thy kingdom; and so with a single eye respecting the praise which is of thee, look and wait for the reward and recompense of our labours, not of men but of thee; that in that day of thy second coming, which shall be sudden and fearful to the wicked, we may with joy and comfort meet thy son in the air; and when thou shalt hear our accounts, we may also receive of thee through our redeemer jesus, not only praise and commendation, as thy good and faithful servants, whose lives are hid in thee; but also obtain the final end of our faith, and all holy exercises of the same, even the salvation of our souls, to thine everlasting praise, high glory, and perpetual renown, now and for ever, Amen.  
(I say) To God only be given all the Glory.  
FINIS.   

A Table of all the principal prayers and meditations contained orderly in this fourth Lamp of Virginity, and first  

¶ Morning prayer before you arise.  
So soon as ye first awake pray, Page. 363.  
Being well wakened, & before you arise, pray and meditate, page. 364.  
Hearing the clock strike, pray and meditate, 365.  
So soon as ye see the day break and light to appear, pray & meditate, 366, 367.  
At the Sunrising; pray and meditate, 368, 369.  
Putting off your nearest garment, meditate, 369.  
Beholding your nakedness, meditate, 370.  
Putting on your nearest garment, meditate, 371.  
Being about to rise out of your bed, pray & meditate, 372.  
In your arising pray, 373.   

¶ After you are up, and before you be made ready.  
Being risen, bless & pray, 374.  
In appareling yourself, pray and meditate 375.  
In easing your body, meditate, and consider the corruption thereof, 375.  
Washing your hands, pray & meditate, 376, 377   

¶ After you be ready, before you go about any thing.  
A premeditation before prayer, 378, 379.  
Confessions of sins, & prayers for mercy and grace, 379. 380, 387, 389.  
A Confession of sins proper for Sundays, 382, 384.  
Morning prayers and meditations, etc. 392, 394, 397.   

¶ Of going to church.  
Sentences of holy scripture, exhorting all to the diligent frequenting of the Church & God's divine service therein used, 401.  
An exhortation to be used of masters and dames to their families every sunday morning. 402.  
Prayers and psalms to be learned by heart, and used by the way as ye go to church, 403, 405, 406, 407.  
When you enter into the church, etc. 408, 409, 410.  
As you pass by the people into your pew, salute the congregation, etc. 410.   

¶ Private prayers to be used both before and after common prayer.  
A salutation or first form of prayer to be used at your first kneeling down in the church, 417.  
Sentences of holy scripture, exhorting to the reverent behaviour in God's house, the church, 411.  
Meditations wherein is showed how we ought to be very attentive to the public prayers and psalms in the church, 411, 415.  
A prayer that God would vouchsafe to hear the prayers of the congregation afflicted, etc. 418.  
A psalm of preparation to public prayer in the morning, 419.  
A psalm of preparation to puplike prayer in the evening, 420, 421, 423.  
A psalm of exhortation to the worship of GOD, morning or evening, 424.  
A psalm exhorting all creatures to praise God, 425.  
A psalm of God's presence in the church, 427.  
A psalm of the beauty of god's house, etc. 427.  
A psalm for the prosperity of the church, and that all people may praise and bless the Lord, 429.  
A prayer for a pure and clean soul, etc. 431.  
A prayer to serve God sincerely in the church, 433.  
Meditations exhorting & showing how the soul should rightly worship and praise the Lord, etc. 434.  
Another very forcible prayer or meditation to move the mind, etc. 439.  
A complaint that we be not moved or pricked in our contemplations and prayers like as the Angels be which tremble at the sight of God, page. 440.  
A very devout prayer for grace to praise God, etc. 442.  
A godly meditation of the joys of the celestial paradise, 448.  
Another divine meditation of the happiness of the souls that are departed, etc. 450.  
Other meditations of desires or longings of the soul after the joys of heavenly Zion, page. 451, 452.  
A godly and christian prayer for the church and congregation, etc. 455.  
A prayer for the church universal, 456.  
Another godly prayer for the preservation of the universal church, 458.  
A prayer for unity in faith and religion, 461.   

¶ The Litany.  
Collects and prayers to be used after the litany as occasion serveth for sundry purposes page. 469, 470.  
For the Queen's majesty, 470.  
For bishops and curates, 470.  
For rain in time of drought, page. 471.  
For the fruits of the earth, 473.  
For fair weather, 475, 476.  
In time of thunder, lightning, tempest, and unseasonable weather, 477.  
In the time of dearth & famine page. 480.  
In the time of any common plague, sickness, war, penury or scarceness, 480, 481.  
A godly and fruitful form of prayer to be used of householders and their families in time of the plague, 482.  
A psalm commonly used in public prayer in time of the plague, 490.  
A prayer in time of immortality, 498.  
A psalm of thanksgiving for deliverance from the plague or any other kind of sicknesses, 498.  
A prayer at the appearing of monsters, or in any earthquakes, etc. 498.  
In the time of any general earthquake, 500, 503.  
At the sight of any blazing star or other meteors or prodigious signs of God's judgements in the heavens, pray to prevent the evils foreshown thereby, 504.  
In time of war, 505.  
In time of rebellion or civil war, 505.  
A thanksgiving for the suppressing of rebellion, 508.  
A thanksgiving after our deliverance from the tyranny of strange enemies, with prayer for continuance of peace between realms, 511.  
In time of invasion by the Turk & infidels, etc., 513.  
A thanksgiving unto God for the christians victory had against the Turks, 516.   

¶ Other prayers and meditations to be used in the church.  
Before the first or second lesson, 517.  
After the first or second lesson read, 588.  
Before the sermon or homily sentences of scripture exorting to the attentive hearing of God's word, 519.  
A prayer for the heedful hearing of God's word, 521.  
A prayer both for the preacher and auditors, etc. 522▪ 526.  
Another prayer to be used of any hearers, etc. 527.  
A prayer that God would both feed and defend his church, to be used at a sermon before the communion, 530, 532  
A prayer to be said before the sermons at the court, 533, 534  
A prayer against hardness of heart, and contempt of the word of God, 535.  
A prayer against hypocrites, false teachers, and deriders of the Gospel, 537.  
A prayer for unbelievers, and that all men may embrace the Gospel, 539.   

¶ After the Sermon.  
Sentences of scripture exhorting to the diligent keeping and following of the word of God heard, 542.  
A thanksgiving and praise to be used after the sermon, 543 547, 548, 549.  
A thanksgiving for the knowledge of God's word, 544.  
A prayer for the accomplishment of Gods will reavealed in his law, 549.  
A prayer for strength speedily to accomplish Gods divine law, 550.   

¶ At excommunication and public penance doing in the congregation.  
A prayer of any excomunicate person, or notorious sinner, doing open penance in the church, etc. 552.  
A thanksgiving of a reconciled offender, etc. 555.  
A prayer of the beholders in the behalf, and for the conversion of any notorious offender, etc. 558, 561.  
A thanks giving for the conversion and repentance of any public offender, 561.   

¶ At public Baptism.  
Before the administration of the sacrament, etc. 562.  
Anothor prayer for the spiritual washing away of sins, 563.  
Another that the benefits of both the holy sacraments may be applied unto our soul's health, 564.  
A prayer that we may rightly & truly receive the blessed sacraments, 565.  
After public baptism, a thanksgiving, etc. 565, 838.  
A prayer for the fruits of baptism, 567.  
A prayer for the continuance of the true institution of the sacraments, 567.   

¶ At the holy communion and ministraion of the sacrament.  
At a sermon before the communion, 532.  
Before ye receive the holy communion an effectual meditation, etc. 563.  
Prayers to be used of every communicant before they presume unto the Lord's table, 574, 575, 578, 931.  
When you kneel down at God's board, 580, 583, 547.  
A little before you receive the sacramental bread, 588.  
When ye are about to receive the bread, 591, 592.  
When you see the sacramental wine, 592.  
When you are about to receive the cup of wine, 595.  
After you have received the holy communion, 596  
Another thanksgiving after the communion, 597.  
A meditation of the trust which a christian soul ought to have, 599.  
Another effectual thanksgiving or meditation after the receiving of the holy communion, 601.  
Another fruitful meditation of a christian soul, etc., 668  
The prayer, etc. 603.   

¶ At the solemnisation of matrimony.  
A godly prayer to be used of any christian in the church at the solemnisation of matrimony, 615.  
¶ See more in the first lamp, 48, 41, 50.   

¶ At Burials.  
After a funeral sermon, 450.  
A meditation and prayer to be used at burials, etc. 615.  
Another devout prayer or meditation of the brevity and misery of man's life, 616.  
Another meditation, 618.  
Another sweet meditation of the longing of the soul to be with God, 619.  
Another very godly meditation, etc. 621, 622.   

¶ After common prayer ended.  
A prayer of Christ our high bishop, etc. 634.  
That God would vouchsafe to hear graciously our prayers, 624.  
When the people arise to departed out of the church, 625.  
So soon as ye be out of the church, etc. 625.  
Going homeward, 625, 626.  
When you enter into your house, 627.  
Being come home, 627.   

¶ Before meals.  
Before meat pray, 628.  
Another that day that you receive the communion, 629   

¶ In the meal time.  
When you begin to eat, 630  
For the sober using of your meat and drink, 630.  
When you take salt, 631.  
Cautions or remembrances to be said of the child in the meal times, 632.  
A prayer to be used before a chapter be read at meal times, 622.  
A prayer to be used after the chapter read, 633.   

¶ After meat.  
A thanksgiving after our bodily sustenance and reading some part of God's word, page. 634.  
Another prayer after meat on the Lord's day, 639.  
Another prayer after meat that day you have received the holy communion, 636.  
Another more general thanks giving for our food and sustenance, 636.   

¶ At noontide.  
A prayer to be used at midday, when the sun is at the highest, 639, 640.   

¶ On Sunday before or after noon.  
A prayer for the right keeping of the Sabbath holy: clean to the end, 6416, 42.  
Ghostly meditations meet for all christians once in the day, or at least once in the week, 643.  
A meditation of God's wonderful works, etc. 650.  
A thanksgiving for the creation of the world, 653.  
A meditation of man's creation, 654, 655.  
A meditation of the creatures put in subjection by GOD under man's dominion and service, 661.  
A meditation of gods heavenly power, excellent beauty, & surpassing goodness considered, etc. 661, 664.   

¶ Meditations to be used in the four seasons of the year.  
In the spring time, 665.  
In summer time, 666.  
In harvest time, 667.  
In winter time, 668.  
At all seasons and times in the year, 669.   

¶ Praises and thanksgivings to God on Sundays.  
The song of the three children in the fiery furnace, etc. 669.  
A meditation of the incomprehensible praise due to God for all his works, 671.  
A meditation of God's manifold benefits, etc. 673.  
Another meditation of God's great benefits, 676.  
Another form of thanksgiving to God for all his benefits, etc. 679.  
Another to the same effect, 681.   

¶ Prayers and meditations upon the principal feast days in the year.  
On advent Sunday, 747, 748.  
On Christmas day. 750, 751, 754, 755, 758, 759.  
On New years day. 760.  
On twelve day, 764, 766.  
On Ashwednesdaie, 768, 769.  
On the first sunday in Lent, 771, 772, 776, 777.  
On maundie thursday, 775, 780  
On good friday, 782, 784, 791 795, 798, 802, 805.  
On Easter day, 809, 810, etc.  
Ascension day, 816, 817, etc.  
On whitsunday, 430, 831. 835, 837, 840.  
Trinity sunday, 841, 843, 846 850, 852, 853.  
On every sunday & holy day, page. 854, 857, 858, 859.   

¶ Prayers and meditations upon the Saints days.  
On S. Andrews day, 863.  
Saint Thomas day, 864.  
Saint Steevens day, 864.  
S. john's Evangelists day, 868.  
The holy Innocents day, 870.  
The day of S. Paul's conversion, 872,  
The purification of our Lady, 874.  
Saint Mathias day, 876.  
The annunciation of our Lady page, 878.  
Saint Marks day, 881.  
S. Philip and james day, 883.  
S. Barnabas day, 883.  
S. john Baptists day, 885.  
Saint Peter's day, 886.  
Saint james day, 887.  
Saint Bartholomews' day, 888.  
Saint Matthews day, 889.  
S. Michael's day, 890.  
S. Simon and judes day, 893.  
On all Saint's day, 893.  
On the 17. day of November commonly called Queen Elizabeth's day, etc. 683. to page, 728.  
For the whole state of Christ's church, etc. 729, 745.   

¶ The doleful dove or penitential psalms of David.  
The first, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, Psalms from page, 895, to 902.  
Other psalms and prayers for the remission of sins, etc. page. 903, 916, 920, 925.  
A devout prayer for mercy & grace, etc. 931.  
S. Augustine's psalter, etc. 937.  
Susanna's psalter, etc. 943.  
Other devout prayers to be daily used, etc., 956, 960, 963  
A prayer for mortification, 962  
Another for grace, etc. 968.  
The prayer for mercy & grace called, o bone jesus, 970.  
A paraphrastical prayer, 971.  
Meditations after prayer, 975.  
A conclusion 975.   

¶ Evening prayers.  
At the sunset, etc., 976, 977.  
When the candles or lamps be light, 977.  
Evening prayers for sundays, page, 978, 979, 982.  
A form of prayer to be used in private houses, etc. 985.  
When you unclothe yourself page, 988.  
When you wash your feet, page, 989, 990.  
When you enter into your bed, 991.  
Being new laid in your bed, page, 991, 993.  
Another prayer to be used of the husband and wife, 993.  
When you put out the candle, 994.  
A little while after, 995.  
When you give yourself to sleep, 995.  
Another to be used of the husband and wife, 995.  
At midnight if you wake, 997  
Hearing the clock strike in the night, 998.  
Commending yourself last to God, 999.  
The conclusion of all, 200.   
FINIS.   

Faults escaped.  
Page. Line. Fault. Correction. 413. 20. Wherein, Whereby. 415. 20. Without, With. 473. 31. enjoying, Abiding, 480. 33. Repentance, Resistance. 521. 24. Martha, Marie. 568. 24. In the sacrament, In receiving the sacrament, 574. 15. Sacrifice, Banquet, 597. 1. Merit, Joy. 623. 33, 34. We may deserve, ship and merchandise being saved, to attain, We may (ship and merchandise being saved) attain. 649. 14 We may stretch out our hands, (add) Through his grace preventing us. 662. 4. Thou inhonorest, Thou honour'st. 764. 24. Wait for me, Wait for thee. 787. 35. Thy sweet, Our sweet. 827. 12. Wound, Pearse. 833. 22. By nature a God, & therefore substantially, By nature God, and therefore effectually. 843. 25. Of her have I learned how thou, Of her have I learned, by thy word, how thou. 954. 32. Surmises of the misbehaviour. Surmises of any misbehaviour.