TO THE READER. THrough two fields, Christian Reader, the way is directed: the one full of briars, hath the perfest Path to Salvation, the other (more pleasant to the vicious mind) leads to endless misorie: church with advice, and shun with discretion. And to me thy unknown frtend, lend (I pray thee) us friendly judgement, as I shall wish for thy prosporous estate: farewell. Januarie hath 31. days. The Moon 30. The day is 10. hours. The night is 14. hours. 1 A ¶ The circumcision of Christ. 2 b On which day Noah being in the Ark upon the waters, began to see the tops of the high Mountains. 3 c 4 d 5 e 6 f ¶ The Epiphany. 7 g The 10. day, Nabuchadonozor, assieged noce again jerusalem, 2. King. 15. 8 A 9 b 10 c The 11. day, No, forty days after he had seen the tops of the Mountains, sent out the Raven, and after that the Dove, which returned, Gen. 8. 11 d 12 e 13 f 14 g 15 A 16 b Ezechias, in his extreme sickness, was healed by God, his life was prolonged by 15. years. 17 c 18 d 19 e 20 f The Sun to the wonder of all the world, returned his course backward by 10. degrees. 4. King. 20. Esd. 38. 21 g 22 A 23 b 24 c ¶ The mid winter. 25 d The conversion of S. Paul. 26 e jacob fled from his brother Esau, & went to his uncle Laban, where after 7. years, he married Lea and Rachel, & by them, and their handmaids had the 12. patriarchs. Gen. 29 27 f 28 g 29 A 30 b 31 c February hath 28. days. The Moon 29: The day is 10. hours. The night is 14. hours. 1 d 2 e ¶ The purification of Mary. 3 f 4 g 5 A 6 b The holy man john the Baptist, being sent of God as a messenger, or tidings bringer of our health and salvation, began to prepare the way, against the coming of Christ. Mark. 1. 7 c 8 d 9 e 10 f 11 g 12 A 13 b Our Saviour and redeemer jesus Christ, after he was baptized of john in jordan, began to preach, and spread abroad the kingdom of God. Mark. 1. 14 c 15 d 16 e 17 f 18 g 19 A The 18. day, No put out once again the Dove, which brought an olive branch. 20 b 21 c 22 d 23 e 24 f ¶ S. Matthy Aposntle. 25 g 26 A The Dove was sent the third time, and returned no more to Noe. 27 b 28 c March hath 31. days. The Moon 30. The day is 12. hours. The night is 12. hours. 1 d 2 e 3 f The third day, the temple of lerusalem was wholly finished, & consecrated. 1. Esd. 6. And that was 500 and 15. years before the birth of our Lord, 4 g 5 A 6 b 7 c 8 d 9 e 10 f The tenth day, Christ was on the other side of jordan, where he was advertised of Lazarus sickness. 11 g 12 A 13 b 14 c The 13. day, the Fast of Hester was celebrated, because that day was appointed, to pat the Jews to death. Hester. 3. 15 d 16 e 17 f 18 g 19 A The 16. day, Lazarus was raised up again. john. 11. 20 b 21 c The 20. day, Christ made his entrance into jerusalem. 22 d 23 e The 24. day, he made his Supper, and was taken. 24 f 25 g ¶ The annunciation of Mary. 26 A The 25. day, was crucified 27 b The 26. day, he rested in the Sepulchre. 28 c 29 d The 27. day, he rose again from death. 30 e 31 f April hath 30. days. The Moon 29. The day is 13. hours. The night is 11. hours. 1 g Noah uncovered the Ark. Gen. 8 2 A The Tabernacle was prepared by Moses Exod. 40. 3 b 4 c jesus Christ, the 8. day after his resurrection, appeared again to the Apostles, which were affembled where S. Thomas was present. 5 d 6 e 7 f 8 g 9 A The 10. the people of Israel went over jordan dry footed. jos 34. 10 b 11 c 12 d The 13. day, Assuerus gave out proclamation, 10 put all the Jews within his kingdom to death. Hester. 3. 13 e 14 f 15 g 16 A The 14. day, was the celebration of the Passeover. 17 b 18 c The 15. day, the people came our of Egypt. Exo. 12. 19 d 20 e The 18. day, the people went over the red Sea dry footed, and Pharaoh was drowned with all his host. 21 f 22 g 23 A 24 b 25 c ¶ S. Mark Evangelist. 26 d The 22. day, the people came to Mara, the waters whereof of they could not drink, wherefore they murmured. Exod. 5. 27 e 28 f 29 g 30 A May hath 31. days. The Moon 30. The day is 16. hours. The night is 8. hours. 1 b ¶ Philip and Jacob. 2 c The Ascension of Christ into heaven, forty days after his resurrection. Matth. 16. 3 d 4 e 5 f God commanded Noah to carry victuals into the Ark, Gen. 6. 6 g 7 A 8 b ¶ Term beginneth. 9 c They which have not celebrated the Passcover in the first month, did celebrate the 14. day, Num. 19 10 d 11 e 12 f 13 g The 14. Ezechias did first celebtate the Passeover. Par. 30 14 A 15 b The 15. the Children of Israel murmured after flesh, & God sent them plenty of quails This was the 30 day after the departure from Egypt. Exo. 16 16 c 17 d 18 e 19 f 20 g The 16. God made Manna to rain down. Exo. 16. 21 A 22 b The 17. day, No entered into the Ark, Gen. 7. 23 c 24 d The 20. day, the people departed from mount Sina. Numb. 9 25 e 26 f 27 g The 22. day, fire from above, consumed a part of the host of Israel. Num. 12. 28 A 29 b 30 c The 27. day, No came forth of the Ark. 31 d June hath 30. days. The Moon 30. The day is 16. hours. The night is 8. hours. 1 e This day this children of Israel came to mount Sina, and went thence the third month, where they tarried almost a year. Exod. 9 2 f 3 g 4 A 5 b 6 c The 6. day, the temple of Diana in Ephesus was burned, the year before jesus Christ, 54. which temple was accounted the most excellent of all the heathen Churches. 7 d 8 e 9 f 10 g 11 A 12 b 13 c 14 d 15 e 16 f 17 g The 23. day of the month, King Assuerus gave out Proclamation in favour of the jews, against Haman and his conspiracy. Hester. 8. 18 A 19 b 20 c 21 d 22 e 23 f 24 g ¶ S. John Baptist. 25 A 26 b The Ark of Noah was lifted up this day by the waters of the flood. Gen. 8. 27 c 28 d 29 e ¶ S. Peter the Apostle. 30 f July hath 31. days. The Moon 30. The day is 15. hours. The night is 9 hours. 1 g The 9 of this month, the city of lerusalem was assieged by the space of 18, months, was finally taken by the King of Babylon. jerem. 39 2 A 3 b 4 c 5 d 6 e 7 f ¶ Dog days beginneth. 8 g The 50. day, after that the Israelites were thus departed and were come to the mount of Sinai, the law of the ten Commandments was to them given by almighty God, with a great and terrible magnificence, at which time also God gave to them certain polnike governande, & a special kingdom, in which nothing wanted, that appertained to the true worshipping. 9 A 10 b 11 c 12 d 13 e 14 f 15 g 16 A 17 b 18 c 19 d 20 e 21 f ¶ Marry Magdalen. 22 g 23 A 24 b ¶ S. james the Apostle. 25 c Of God and of whom Christ in time to come should be borne. So that among his people always remained the Church, and the true word of God, until after Christ had suffered. Exod. 19 & 20. 26 d 27 e 28 f 29 g 30 A 31 b August hath 31. days. The Moon 30. The day is 14. hours. The night is 10. hours. 1 c Aaron died in the mounraine of Hor, being 1 2 3. years old, 40. years after the coming out of Egypt. Numb. 20. and 33.38.39. 2 d 3 e 4 f 5 g 6 A The same day Esdras entered into lerusalem, with a compame of Jews, and was received by those, which 80. years before, he went up thither with Zorobal el, the year before the coming of lesus Christ. 457. Esd. 7. 7 b 8 c 9 d 10 e 11 f 12 g 13 A 14 b The 10. day, the Pemple of jerusalem was set on fire by the Soldiers of Titus, and hath not since been builded again, josephus lib. 6. chap. 26. 15 c 16 d 17 e 18 f 19 g 20 A ¶ Dog days end. 21 b 22 c 23 d 24 e ¶ Bartholomew Apostle. 25 f 26 g 27 A Religion as on this day was reform, according to God's express truth in the most renowned city of Geneva. 1535. 28 b 29 c 30 d 31 e September hath 30. days. The Moon 29. The day is 12. hours. The night is 12. hours. 1 f Susanna the most chaste matron of the Hebrues, by two false Priests, was accused of adultery, but by the possicie of young Daniel, she was purged, and the Priests committed to the fire. Dan. 13. 2 g 3 A 4 b 5 c 6 d 7 e 8 f 9 g The ninth day of this month, lerusalem was put to fire and sword, and wholly oucrthrowne, as Christ foretold them forty years before josephus. lib. 7. cap. 26. 10 A 11 b 12 c 13 d 14 e 15 f Chrisostome being chased out of his Church of Constantinople, as upon this day died. 16 g 17 A 18 b 19 c 20 d 21 e ¶ Saint Matthew. 22 f 23 g 24 A The 25. Nehemias did finish the repairing the walls of jerusalem. Anno 300. before the Nativity of Christ. Nehem. 6. 25 b 26 c 27 d 28 e 29 f ¶ Saint Michael. 30 g October hath 31. days. The Moon 30. The day is 10. hours. The night is 14. hours. 1 A The Feast of Trumpets, commanded to the jews. Levit. 23. 2 b 3 c 4 d The jews fasted & wept for Gedaliah, jerem. 47. 5 e 6 f 7 g 8 A 9 b 10 c ¶ Term beginneth. 11 d The 10. day, was the feast of reconciliation, which was the only day that God ordained to fast. 12 e 13 f 14 g 15 A The 15. day, the feast of Tabernacles began, and lasted seven days. Levit. 22. 16 b 17 c 18 d ¶ S. Luke Evangelist. 19 e The 18. day, which was the 150, after the beginning of the flood, the Ark rested upon the Mountain of Ararat in Armenia. Gen. 8. 20 f 21 g 22 A 23 b 24 c The 24. day, Titus gave forth 3000. jews to the wild beasts. Anno. 73. 25 d 26 e 27 f 28 g ¶ Simon and Jude. 29 A 30 b 31 c November hath 30. days. The Moon 29. The day is 9 hours. The night is 15. hours. 1 d ¶ All Saints. 2 e The Emperor Constantinus, son of Constantine, died this day 364, after the Nativity of jesus Christ. 3 f 4 g 5 A 6 b The 10. day happened the woeful slaughter of Verna, where Ladissan king of Hungary was slain by the Turk, ann. 1445. Also as upon this day. Martin Luther was borne. 7 c 8 d 9 e 10 f 11 g 12 A 13 b The 15. day was the counterfeit Feast by jeroboam, after he had withdrawn the ten tribes of Israel, from the obedience of Roboam their lawful King, which he ordained in Dan and Bethel, after he had set up the golden Calves, to the intent the people should go no more to worship in jerusalem. 3. King. 22. 14 c 15 d 16 e 17 f 18 g 19 A 20 b 21 c 22 d 23 e 24 f 25 g The 17. day of this month, Queen Elizabeth began her reign. 26 A 27 b 28 c ¶ Term endeth. 29 d 30 e ¶ S And●ew Apostle. December hath 31. days. The Moon 30. The day is 8. hours. The night is 16. hours. 1 f 2 g 3 A 4 b 5 c 6 d 7 e 8 f 9 g 10 A 11 b ¶ Shortest day. 12 c The 15. the year before the nativity of Christ, 145. Antiochus the great, set up an idol upon the Altar of the Lord in jerusalem. 1. Mach. 1 13 d 14 e 15 f 16 g 17 A 18 b 19 c 20 d 21 e ¶ Saint Thomas Apostle. 22 f Saint john Evangelist died in Ephesus, being of the age of 89. years, under trajan 23 g 24 A 25 b ¶ The Nativity of Christ. 26 c ¶ Saint Stephen Martyr. 27 d ¶ Saint John Euangelisnt. 28 e ¶ Jnnocents' day. 29 f the Emperor, about thirty years after the destruction of jerusalem. 30 g 31 A A rule to know, when the Terms beginneth and endeth. Hilary Term beginneth the 23. day of Januarie, if it be not Sunday, than the next day after: and endeth the 12. of February. Easter Term beginneth 18. days after Easter, and endeth four days after the Ascension day. Trinity Term beginneth the next day after Corpus Christy day, and endeth the wednesday, fourteen days after. Michaelmas Term beginneth the 10. day of October, if it be not Sunday, and endeth the 28. day of November. The degrees of Marriage. con. No man may marry his Grandmother. of. Grandfather's wife. of. wives grandmother. con. Father's sister. con. Mother's sister. of. Father's brothers wife. of. Mother's brothers wife. of. wives fathers sister. of. wives mothers sister. con. Mother. con. Stepmother. of. wives mother. con. Daughter. of. wives daughter. of. sons wife. con. No woman ought to marry her Grandfather. of. Grandmothers husband. of. Husband's grandfather. con. Father's brother. con Mother's brother. of. Father's sisters husband. of. Mother's sisters husband. of. Husband's fathers brother. of. Husband's mothers brother. con Father. con. Stepsather. 1 Husbands father. con Son. of. Husband's son. of. Daughter's husband. con. No man may marry his Sister. of. wives sister. of. Brother's wife. con. sons daughter. con. Daughter's daughter. of. sons sons wife. of. Daughter's sons wife. of. Wines sons daughter. of. Wines daughters daughter. con. Brother's daughter. con Bisters daughter. of. Brother's sons wife. of. Sister's sons wife. of. Wines brothers daughter. of. wives sisters daughter. con. No woman ought to marry her brother. of. Husband's brother. of. Sister's husband. con. Daughter's son. con Sons son. of. Daughter's son. of. sons daughters husband. of. Daughter daughter's husband. of. Husband's sons son. of. Husband's daughters son. con. Brother's son. con. Sister's son. of. Brother's daughters husband of. Sister's daughters husband. of. Husband's daughters son. of. Brother's sisters son. How a man shall behave himself in the Morning when he riseth. When thou risest in the morning, look that thou with all humbleness of mind, kneel down, and lifting up thy heart. thy hands, & thine eyes into heaven, unto God the father almighty, pray on this manner. A Prayer for the Mcrning. OAlmghty and most grntle God, we thank thee for that sweet sleep and comfortable rest that thou hast given us this night. And forasnitich as thou hast commanded by thy holy word, that no man should he idle, but always occupied in virtuous exercises, every man according to his callin. g We most humbly beseech thee, that thine eyes may attend upon us, daily defend us in sorrow, secure us, cheresh, comfort, and govern all our counsels, studies, and labours. In such wise, that we may so spend this day, according to thy most blessed will, without hurting of our neighbour, that we may diligently and warily eschew, and audide all things that should displease thee, se thtem always before our eyes, live in thy fear, and ever work that that may be found acceptable before thy divine Majesty, unto the praise of thy holy name, through jesus Christ our Lord. So be it. After thou hast prayed on this manner (seeing that we be all sinners) it shall be expedient (if thou hast convenient leisure thereunto) to confess thyself on this manner, unto God the father. The confession of our sins unto God the father. O Almighty God, and heavenly Father, and maker of heaven & earth I confess myself unto thee, even from the very heart, that I am a milerable, wretched and abominable sinner. And have wickedly transgressed all thy holy commandments, & the divine precepts of thy godly will. The sins (alas) which I have committed in my flesh against thee, are so great, and so exceedingly increased, that they are no less innumerable than the sands of the Sea: and they thrust me down, even as an intolerable burden. In these wicked sins (oh Lord God) have I hitherto walked according to the will of the Prince of this world, whiles I did that was pleasant to the fleshand ill lusts, through bane thoughts, the blindness of the heart, the outward pretence of godliness, and feigned faith. This came to pass (oh wretch that I am) because that I did never earnestly strive against the suggestions of Satan, nor the concupiscences or desires of the world, nor yet the lusts of the flesh. But filthily obeyed them a thousand times more than the motions of thy holy Spirit, O Lord my God. It came to pass also, that I did set nought by thy godly counsel, despised thy holy name, and feaed thy vengeance and heavy vispleasure nothing at all. But whatsoever I have in this behalf offended thy most godly majesty, it sore repenteth me, and the fault grieveth me, even unto the very heart. And if it were not (O most merciful Father) that thou hadst laid up mercy in the bowels, blood, and wounds of jesus Christ thy Son, and or Lord, for so many as unfeignedly repent, and truly believe, be their sins never so great & many, I should see no other way, but throw myself down headlong through despecation, into the bottomeys pit of hell. But forasmuch as thou hast set thy welbeloned Son jesus Christ, to be our Mediator and mercy stock and haste promised grace, mercy, and forgiveness of sins, to as many as ask it in his name, through faith in his blood. Therefore, in this time of grace & mercy, I miserable sinner come now unto thee, and desire thee my Lord God, that thou wilt grand me through that our Lord jesus Christ, a right & true saith. And for his lake forgive me all my sins, and make me to walk daily more and more in a new heart, and in the fruits of the holy Ghost, tha● I may utterl despise all the ungodly lusts of this world, and that I may be found con●●●ent, pure of living, temperate, good, righteous, bonest, diligent in all goodness, meek, merciful, modest, humble, and ready to forgive such as offend me even from the very heart. And so live all the days of my life, according to thy divine will, and true fear: that I may die to the world, to all sin, and to myself. And with a good confience, and merry heart, look for the coming of the Lord and my Saviour, jesus Christ. To whom with thee and the holy Ghost, be all honour and glory, for ever and ever. So be it. Thou mayst (if thou wilt) after thy confession, say the lords prayer. And so commending thyself unto God, fall to some honest and virtuous exercise, according to thy calling, but whatsoever thou do't, do it with pureness of heart, and with singleness of eye. Yea, so do it, as though God were present and looked upon thee, as undoubtedly he doth. When thou goest to thy labour or work. O Most kind and gentle heavenly Father, thou knowest and hast also taught us, how great the weakness of man is, so that no man (without thy good help) can do any thing. Thus bouchsafe to send us thy holy spirit, that he may strengthen, 〈◊〉, and move our understanding and reason in all things, that we this day outwardly shall go about and take in hand, or of that we inwardly shall think or have in mind, to the intent that it may all be done to his glory, and to the profit of our neighbour. Amen. A Prayer for the Evening. O Lord God, Father ever lasting 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 divine majesty with confidence that thou wilt hear our prayers and grant one requests, if we consider our own deseraings. For our consciences do accuse us, and our sins witness against us, and we know that thou art an upright judge, which dost not justify the sinners & 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 upon thee in all our troubles and adversities, promising even then to help us, when we feel ourselves, as it were swallowed up of death and desperation: we utterly renounce all worldly confidence, and flee to thy sovereign goodness, as our only stay and refuge, beseeching thee not to call to remembrance our mavifold sins and wickedness, whereby we continually provoke thy wrath and indignation against us: neither our negligence and wickedness, which have neither worthily esteemed, nor in our lives sufficiently expressed the sweet comfort of the Gospel revealed unto us: but rather to accept the obedience and death of thy Son jesus Christ, 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. & each us by the ●oly spirit, that we may rightly weigh them, and earnestly repent for the same: and so much the rather, O Lord, because that the reprobate and such as thou hast forsaken, cannot 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 works of thy hands: yea, thou art our redeemer, and we be 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 so ever a Sinner doth repent him of his sin from the bottom of his heart, thou wilt put away all his wickedness out of thy remembrance as thou hast promised by thy holy Prophets. Finally, forasmuch as it hath pleased thee, to make the night for man to rest in, as thou hast ordained him the day to travail: grant (O dear Father) that we may so take our bodily rest, that our souls may continually watch for the time, that our Lord jesus Christ shall appear for our deliverance out of this mortal life, and in the me and season, that we be not overcome by any sautasies, dreams, or other temptations, but fully set our minds upon thee, love thee, sear thee, and rest in thee, in such sort that our very sleep also may be to the glory of thy name. Furthermore, that our sleep be not excesssive or over much after the insatiable desire of the flesh: but only sufficient to content our weak nature, that we may be better be disposed to live in all godly conversation, to the glory of thy holy name, and profit of our Brethren, thorough jesus Christ our Lord, in whose name we make our humble petitions unto thee, as he hath taught us, saying: Our father which art in Heaven, etc. Almighty and everlasting God, vouchsafe we beseech thee to grant us perfect continuance in thy lively faith, augmenting and increasing the s●me in us daily, until me grow to the full measure of our persectiotn in Christ: whereof we make our confession, saying: I beleene in God the Father almighty 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, and the communion of the holy Ghost be with us and remain with us for ever. So be it. When a man is bound to ward any journey. THis our life most merciful Lord, is nothing else but a pilgrimage & thoroughfare: for we have here no abiding or dwelling place. We are come from thee, and we must return again unto thee. But amongst or between all the traps assaults, pits, and snares which the Devil hath laid out, and spread abroad for us, blinded in sin: Vouchsafe thou, O Lord jesus Christ, to lead us with thy right hand, for thou art a true, trusty, and a sure friend. Open our eyes to the intent that we miss not the way, which thou thyself art, but lead us through, and by thyself, unto thy Father, to the intent that all we may be made one with thee and him, even like as how art one with him. O most merciful Lord, like as thou dost send thine holy Angels to be defenders of as many as serve & please thee with a simple, innocent and pure heart, by the which they be led like as young children, orens, are lead of them which are elder and stronger than they. And like as thou didst vouchsafe to send thine Angel Raphal to be a guide unto the Son of that roverent man Toby: Vouchsafe even so (O Lord) to send us the same Angel, (although we are not so worthy as the same Toby was) that he may encourage and lead us thorough that way, which is not pleasant unto us, but unto thee. So be it. A Prayer for a Christian life. MOst merciful & mighty God, take away from us all evil counsel, and then our sins: suffer us not to run into an ungodly and wicked life, and sinally, keep our minds far from the contempt of godliness, and scorning of virtue, and in the stead of those evils, grant that we may continually be occupied in thy law and sacred Scriptures, that we be not carried about like the wirked, as light dust, and fruitless chaff, with every blast of affection and Docirine, but rather that we as trees planted by the water brooks, endued with the life of the spirit and faith, may also bring forth the fruits of good works: and that whatsoever we take in hand may prosper, and tend to thy praise, and glory of thy name and furtherance of our salvation: and at the last, when the wicked shall all away in thy judgement, we may stedfasily stand and be made perfect, through jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. A Prayer in distress. SEeing that (O almighty God) our wretch eduesh and poverty is right greattherefore have we very much need of thy saivation, for see long as we now flee unto the● to the intent thou shouldst be our speedy succour and assured defence, we call to remembrance our most grievous sins, corrupt life, and lewd behaviour, which neither we will hide, or yet if we were willing thereto, could keep the same secret from thee. Thou right well perceivest all our naughtiness, which we truly acknowledge and confess unto thy divine majesty: we have grievously sinned, we have done greatly amiss, we have been marvelous disobedient, very stubborn, and exceeding wilful against thee, who deserve far more heinous displeasures, than these, which we now feel and suffer. But bow thou down thy favourable look (O excellent father) and give care unto our fervent Prayerse, have compassion upon us, that cry out daily unto thee, and lift up our sorrowful eyes, and heavy minds towards thy most excellent mercy's seat, having this assured confidence, that thou art ready to forgive, rich in loving kindness towards such as call upon thee, and exceeding mighty in thy works, above all Gods, wilt not despise us in so great distress, and tribulation. Thou art most puissat, thou showest wonderful things, & thou art God alone. Teach us therefore thy perfect ways, cause us to walk in thy blessed truth: call back our wandering heart unto thee, that it may stand greatly in fear of thy holy name. Thou verily hast nobly made us partakers of thy excellent merey, but for as much as we were very ungrateful, the hosts of the ungodly are risen up against us, and the forefrone of cursed men's battles have assaulted us, who neither regard thee at all, nor make any account o● thy most blessed name & pure doctrine, indevoucing all only by their most lewd practices, thorough the same mean to destroy at one push both the true worshinping of thee, and our Souls also. Seeing that therefore thou art a very merciful God, long suffering, of great love, and truth to trust unto, have an especial regard unto the children of thy loving promise, be favourable, strengthen and defend them, advance thy banner to our salvation, so that the cruel adversaries may be confouded, and that all may right well see and evidently perceive thee only to be our most good and loving God, through jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. A Prayer for the prosperous success of Christ's kingdom against the enemies thereof. OUR daily petition is (O Almighty God) that the kingdom of our Lord jesus Christ may be augmented, & appear at length to be most perfect, which thing we now also desire very instantly in our hearty praters and humble supplications. Be always mindful thereof (O good God) of his fat and most pleasant obsation, which he made for us upon the altar of the Cross, and grant, that by the triumph of his most perfect victory and conquest, we may take both Salvation and delightful pleasure. Although we deny not, but that the same shall come to pass without our deserts, who have (through our manifold wickedness) offended thee very many and infinite ways: yet for (thy tender loving mercies sake) put them to shame and confusion, that repose all their trust in Charets, horse, and worldly power: but raise and lift up to salvation such as are wholly bend to depend upon thee, and bow down thy merciful and favourable ears, to hear the fervent prayers and petitions which we make unto thy divine majesty, for the mighty enlarging of our Lord jesus Christ's kingdom, through the same jesus Christ our Lord. So be it. A Prayer for comfort in persecution. We perceive most merciful & mighty God, that not only Antichrist, but also the power and strength of the whole world conspireth against thee and against thy Christ: which think thy Gospel, and the redification of thy Church to be an intolerable bondage and hard yoke. Wherefore they labour by all means possible to break asunder the societies and congregations of the faithful, and cast away all discipline. But for as much as thou sittest in heaven, and art not ignorant what the devil and wicked flesh goeth about, laugh thou to scorn their vain counsels, & bring their purposes to nought, let them feel thine anger to be kindled against them, and make them astonished at the fierceness of thine indignation, so that they may not be able to destroy thy Church, over whom thou hast appointed jesus Christ our only Saviour, that in it he might reign by the word and Spirit, with invincible might and power. Wherefore grant unto us, although unworthy and shrinking children, such faith and constancy, that we may find him, & also confess him, to be our only King, and that we may nothing doubt but that we be his nation, people and heritage, being most assured of this, that he is of such strength and power, that with his word, more strong than iron, he is able to destroy whom he will, and break them in pieces like earthen pots. Therefore (O God) turn the Kings and Princes of the world unto thee, that they may be wise and understand, whereby they may unfeignedly acknowledge, embrace, and kiss the Son, lest when his anger shall once be kindled, they perish and be destroyed for ever. And when it shall be thy good pleasure, make them blessed for evermore, which commit themselves to thy governance 〈◊〉 protection. So be it. A Prayer for a true Subject. AS it is thy godly appointment (O Lord God) that some should bear rule in this world, to see thy glory set forth, & the common peace kept: so it is thy pleasure again, that some should be subjects, and inferiors to other, in their vocation, although before thee there is no respect of persons. And forasmuch as it is thy godly will and pleasure, to appoint and set me in the number of subjects: I beseech thee to give me a faithful & boedient heart unto the higher powers, that there may be found in me no disobedience, no unfaith fullness, no treasons, no falsehood, no dissimulation, no insurrection, no commotion nor conspiracy, nor any kind of rebellion in word or deed, against the civil Magistrates, but all faithful obedience, quietness, subjection, humility, and whatsoever else becometh a subject: that I living here in all lowliness of mind, may at the last day, through thy favour, be lifted up into everlasting glory, where thou most mermcifull Father, with the Son and the holy Ghost, livest, and reignest very God for ever and ever. Amen. For Fathers and Mothers. THe fruit of the womb, and the multitude of children is thy gift and blessing, O Lord God, given to this end, that they may live to thy glory, and to the commodity of their neighbours. Forasmuch therefore as thou of thy goodues haste given me children: I beseech thee give me also grace to traive them up even from their cradles in thy nurture, and doctrine, in thy holy laws and blessed ordinances, that from their very young age they may know thee, believe in thee, fear, love, and obey thee, and dili\gently walk in thy commandments all the days of their life, unto the praise of thy glorious name: through jesus Christ our Lord. So be it. Of Children. THou hast given a commandment in thy law (O heavenly Father) that Children should honour their Fatherse and Mothers: I most humbly beseech thee therefore, to breathe thy holy spirit into my breast, that I may reverence and honour my Father and Mother, not only with outward gestures of my body, but also with the unfeigned affections of my heart, love them, obey them, map for them, help them, and do for them both in word & deed, whatsoever lieth in my power, that thou seeing my unfeigned hartygoodwil towards my parents, mayst become my loving heavenly Father, and number me among those thy children, whom from everlasting thou hast appointed to be heirs of thy glorious kingdom: through thy well-beloved Son our Lord jesus Christ. Amen. Of Householders. TO have children and servants is thy blessing, O Lord, but not to order them according to thy word, deserveth thy dreadful curse. Grant therefore, that as thou hast blessed me with an household, so I may diligently watch, that nothing be committed of the same that might offend thy father lie goodness, and be an occasion of turning thy blessing into cursing, but that so many as thou hast committed to my charge, may eschew all vice, embrace all virtue, live in thy fear, call upon thy holy name, learn thy blessed commandments, hear thy holy word, and avoiding idleness. diligently exercise themselves, every one in his office, according to their vocation and calling, unto the glory of thy most honourable name. Amen. Of all Christians. ALbeit, O Heavenly FAther, all we that unfeignedly profess thy holy religion, and faithfully call on thy blessed name, are thy sons and heirs of everlasting glory, yet as all the members of a body have not one office, so likewise we being manx, and making one body, whereof thy dearly beloved Son is the head, have not all one gift, neither are we all called to one office, but as it hath pleased thee to distribute, so receive we: we therefore most humbly prithee, to send the Spirit of love and concord among us, that without any disorder or debate, every of us may be conent with our calling, quietly live in the same, study to do good unto all men, by the true and diligent exercise thereof, without too much seeking of our private gain, and so order ourselves in all points, according to thy godly will, that by well-doing we may stop the mouths of such foolish and ignorant people, as report us to be evil doers, and cause them through our good works, to glorify thee our Lord God, in the ay of visitation. Amen. A Prayer meet for all men, and to besaid at all times. O Most merciful Father, grant me to cover with an ardent mind, those things which may please thee, to search them wisely, to know them truly, and to fulfil them perfectly, to the laud and glory of thy name, Order my living so, that I may do thatwhich thou requirest of me, and give me grace, so that I may know it, and have will and power to do it, and that I may obtain those things which be most convenient to my soul. Cacious Lord make my way sure & straight to thee, so that I fall not between prosperity and adversirie, but that in prosperous things, I may give thee thanks, and in adversity be patiented, so that I be not lift up with the one, nor oppressed with the other. And that I may rejoice in nothing but that which moveth me to thee, nor to be sorry for any thing, but for those things which draw me from thee, desiring to please no body, nor fearing to displease any besides thee: most loving father, let all worldly things be vile unto me for thee, and be thou my most special comfort above al. Let me not be merry with the joy that is without thee. And let me desire nothing besides thee: let all labour delight me which is for thee, and let all the rest weary we, which is not in thee. Make me to lift up my heart oftentimes to thee: and when I fall, make me to think on thee, and be sorry, with a steadfast purpose of amendment. Loving Lord, make me humble without feigning, merry without lightness, sad without mistrust, sober without dullness, true without doubleness, fearing thee without desperation, trusting in thee with out presumption, telling my neighbours their faults meekly without dissimmulation, teaching them with words and examples, without any mocking, obedient without arguing, patiented without grudging, and pure without corruption: give me also I beseech thee, a waking spirit, that no curious thought with draw me from thee. Let it be so strong, that no filthy affection dram me backward, so stable, that no tribulation break it: grant me also to know thee, diligently to learn a godly conversation to please thee: and finally, hope to embrace thee, for the precious blood sake of that immaculate Lamb, our only Saviour jesus Christ. To whom with thee, O Father and the holy Ghost, three persons and one God, be all honour and glory, world without end. Amen. A Prayer for the obtaining of saith. O Merciful God, & dear Father of our Lord and Saviour jesus Christ, in whom as thou art well pleased, so hast thou commanded us to hear him, forasmuch as he often biddeth us to ask of thee, and thereto promiseth that thou wilt hear us, and grant us that, which in his name we shall ask of thee. Lo gracious Father, I am bold to beg of thy mercy, through thy Son jesus Christ, one sparkle of true faith, and certain persuasion of thy goodness and love towards me in Christ, where through, I being assured of the pardon of all my sins, by the mercies of Christ thy Son, may be thankful to thee, love thee, and serve thee, in holiness and righteousness, all the days of my life. So be it. A Prayer for repentance. MOst gracious God, and merciful father of our Saviour jesus Christ, because I have sinned and done wickedly, and through thy goodness have received a desire of repentance, whereto this long suffering doth draw my hard heart: I beseech thee for thy great mercy's sake in Christ, to work the same repentance in me, and by thy Spirit, power and grace, to humble, mortify and tear my conscience for my sins to salvation, that in thy good time, thou mayst comfort and quicken me, thorough jesus Christ thy dearly beloved Son. Amen. A Prayer for remission of sins, and for the comfort and true feeling of God's savour and mercy. OH Lord God and dear Father, what shall I say that feel all things to be in manner with me, as in the wicked? Blindis my mind, crooked is my will, and perverse concupiscener is in me, as a spring or stinking puddie. Oh how feign is saith in me? How little is my love to thee, or thy people? How great is self-love? How hard is my heart, by the reason whereof I am moved to doubt of thy goodness towards me, whether thou art my mercifufll father, and whether I be thy child or no? Indeed worthily might I doubt, if that the having of these were the cause, and not the fruit rather of thy Children. The cause, and not the fruit rather of thy Children. The cause why thou art my Father, is the mercy, goodness, grace and truth in Christ jesus, the which cannot but remain for ever. In respect whereof, thou hast borne me this good will, to bring me into thy Church by Baptism, and to accept me into the number of thy Children, that I might be holy, faithful, obedient and innocent, and to call me divers times by the ministering of thy word, into thy kingdom, besides the innumerable other benefits, always hither to powered upon me; all which thou hast done of this thy good will, that thou of thine own mercy, bearest to me in Christ, and for Christ, before the world was made. The which thing as thou requirest straightly, that I should believe without doubting, so wouldst thou that in all my deeds, I should come unto thee, as to a father, and make my moan without distrust of being heard in thy good time, as most shall make to my comfort. Lo therefore to thee dear father, I come through thy Son our Lord, Mediator & advocate jesus Christ, who sitteth on the right hand making intercession for me, and pray thee of thy great goodness and mercy in Christ to be merciful unto me, that I may feel in deed thy sweet mercy as thy Child. The time. O dear father I appoint not, but I pray thee, that I may with hope, still expect and look for thy help. I hope that, as for a little while thou hast left me, thou wilt come and visit me, and that in thy great mercy, whereof I have need, by reason of my great misery. Thou art wont for a little season in thine anger to hide thy face from them whom thou lovest but surely, oh redermer in eternal mercies, thou wilt show thy compassion. For when thou leavest us, oh Lord thou dost not lean us very long neither dost thou leave us to our own loss, but to our juere and advantage: Even that for holy spirit, with bigger portion of thy power and virtue, may lighten and there us, that the want of feeling to our sorrow, may be recompensed plentifully with the linely since of having thee to our eternal joy: and therefore thou swearest, that in thine ever lasting mercy, thou wilt have compassion on us Or which thing to the end we might be most assured, thine oath is to be marked, for thou sayst, as I have sworn, that I will never bring any more the Waters to drown the world. so have I sworn, that I will never more be angry with thee, nor reprove thee. The Mountains shall remove, and the Hills shall fall down, but my loving kindness shall not move, and the band of my peace shall not fail thee: Thou sayest, thou the Lord our merciful redeemer. Dear Father, therefore I pray thee remember, even for thine own truth and mercy's sake, this promise and everlasting covenant, which in thy god time, I pray thee to write in my heart, that I may know thee to be the only true God and jesus Christ whom thou hast sent, that I may love thee with all my heart for ever: that I may love thy people for thy sake: that I may be holy in thy sight, through Christ, that I may always, not only strive against sin, but also overcome the same, daily more and more as thy children do, above all things desiring the sanctification of thy name, the coming of thy Kingdom, the doing of thy will here on earth, as it is in heaven, etc. through jesus Christ our redeemer, Mediator and Advocate. Amen. A Prayer for delinerance from sin, and to be restored to God's grace and favour again. O Almighty and everlasting Lord God, which hast made heaven and earth, and all things therein contained: Ourcomprehensible unity: O always to be worshipped most buissed Trmitie: I humbly beseeth thee and pray thee, by the assumption, and crucified human●●●e of our I orde Irius Christ, that thou wouldst inclide and how down the great depth of thy deity, to the bottomless priormy uriticie. Drive from me all kind of vice, wlikeduesse and sin, and make in me a clean heart, and renew in me a right spirice, for thy holy names sake. O Lord jesus, I beseech thy goodness, for that exceeding great love which drew thee out of thy Father's bosom, into the womb of the holy Virgin, and for the assumption of man's nature, wherein it hath pleased thee to save me, and to deliver me from eternal death, that thou wouldst draw me out of myself, into thee my Lord God, and grant this my love mya recover again to me thy grace, to increase and make perfect in me that which is wanting, to raise up in me that which is fallen, to restore to me, that which I have lost, and to quicken in me, that which is dead and should live, that so I may become can ormable unto thee in all my life and conversation, thou dwelling in me, and I in thee, my heart being souple with thy grae, and settled in thy faith for ever. O thou my God ●oo●e ●nd set at liberty my spirice from all inferior things: govern my soul●, and so work, that both in soul and body, I may be holy and live to thy glorite, world without end. Amen. A Prayer necessart to be said at all times. O Bountiful Lord Iesu● O sweet Saviour. O Christ the son of God, have vittie upon me, mercifully hear me and despise not my prayers. Thou hast created me of nothing, thou hast redcemed me from the hondage of sin, death, and hell, neither with gold nor si●u●r, but with thy most pre●●us ●oote once off●●ed upon the Cross, and th●●● own blood shed once for all, for my ransom: therefore cast me not away, wham thou by thy great wisdom hast made: bespise 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 on 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 bewailmy sinful life, and obtain thy favour, and die therein: I reknowledge that if thou shouldest deal with me according to very justice, I have deserved everlasting death. Therefore I appeal to thy high throne of mercy, trusting to obtain God's favour, not for my merttes, 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 that shall be saved, forgive me my sins, give me grace to lead a godly and innocent life: grant me thy 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 tha● trust me, dealing truel● with all men: to live chast●●e in wedlock, to abhor adultery, formcation, and all uncleanness, to do good after my poer to all men, to hurt no man, that thy name may be glorified in me, during this present life, and that I after ward may obtain eneriusting life: through the mercy and merits of thy passion. So be it. A Prayer for the written congregation of Christ. Show thyself goutle and gracious (O Almighty God) towards thy beloved Church, for thy exceeding great glories sake, and mercy most magnificent, that we may be miraculously delivered from the horrible farthel and cruel bondage of our deadly sins: who have hitherto been bondslaves to the flesh, and wretched prisoners of the Devil, and yet thou vouchsafest to release and forgive us the whole number of our deadly iniquities, and covered all heinous offences. Notwithstanding therefore, we are now also very ungrateful, and such as be not worthy of thy gracious benefits, our earnest request is, that thou wouldst withould thyself from thy wrathful indignation. Surely thou art justly angry with us, but (for the glory of thy name) repress this fury which is stirred up by reason of our grievous sins, and lead us into the siraite way of perfice health for as much as it appertaineth not to thy loving kindness, to be always offended with thy faithful servants, or to contiwe thy heavy wrath, and fierce indignation, unto many generations. Deal with us after thy old accustomed manner, & not according to our leaned deserts, scatter abroad our cruel enemies, and put them to flight whom thou (being provoked through our great default) wouldst that we should feel. Thou which in thy great wrath dost kill and being pacified, quickened again: show thy mercy and saving health, like as thou hast set destruction before our eyes, to the intrut thou wouldst both terrify and chastise us. Grant that we (which have heretofore been marvelous rebellions and very stubborn, may ever hereafter, give obedient care to these ●●●ngs which thou ●p●akest, and willest us to do Let thy ●nspeakeable loving mercy and famous truth be linked in us together, and vouchsafe that peace and righteousness may with an undissoluble band stick fast in our hearts, that when as thou hast delivered us from the hands of the most outrageous Antichrist, and his cruel champions, we may yield unto thee the plentiful fruits of holiness: through jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. A Prayer upon the xiii. Psalm. O Lord, how long wilt thou forget me for ever? O good God how long wilt thou hide thy gracious countenance from me? How long shall I be carried and tossed about, with heause and trouble some cogitations and thoughts? How long shall my heart whither and dry up with sorrow? But now O my Lord God, consider me, regard me with the eyes of thy mercy, he are me O Lord, lighten mine eyes, and my understanding, O my God, lest I be blinded with the reprobate, and superish in my sins. I beseech thee most humbly, let not my enemy's glory and triumph among themselves, as though they had won the victory: let them not rise up against me as if I were vanquished grant me Lord, that my heart may ●●●or●● to thy salvations so that with own voice. I may sing praises and render thanks to thee, for that through thy help, A aut redeemed and brought against into joy after my gricuous transgressions and sorrows. Amen. A Prayer upon the xiv Psalm. O Lord delier me from all impiety and unrighteousness: deliver me from my blind ignorance, that I may earnestly seek th●●, for we be all generally borne in calamity and forgetfulness, and there is not one man, which can unshackle or deliver himself by his own proper strength and virtue, there is no help but only by thy grace and power. O Lord, grant that I may call upon thee with an unfeigned heart whensoever I shall be tempted by these adversaries. Let steadfastness of faith always go before me: let me not be troubled with fear of any thing, save only of thy judgements, let all my trust, defence and fortress be in thee, O Lord, Send, O good God, from thy celestial Zion, that only protector, which shall deliver thy people from the horrible captivity of a troublesome conscience, so that we may reidyce in him without ceasing. So be it. A Prayer upon the xv. Psalm. O Lord purge me again, and justify me through faith from mine offences, that I may dwell in thy tabernacle, and continue blessed in thy holy Mountain. Grant me (O Lord) this benefit, that I may confess thy truth without hypocrisy, with an upright heart. Grant me that I deceive no person, neither by wrong to cirumvent any creature, Keep me from flattering the perverle and wicked men, that I may love and obey those which love God in reverence, whatsoever occasion the wicked take thereby to slander me: let me not be trouble some or burdenous to any man, but that I may serve all with unfeigned affection, to edify my brethren thorough faith in jesus Christ. Amen. A moditarion upon the Lord's Prayer. Our Father which art in heaven. We being gloriously form unto the image of thy divine majesty, & created by thy gracious goodness, to most high honour: how beit through sin, disfigured with vileness, deserving damnatien, and yet by Christ's death redeemed and restored unto grace, to be Citizens with saints of the samilie of God, now altogether in Christian unity, as members of one body, we pray, desire, and trust to obtain of thee our heavenly father, according unto thy gracious goodness mighty power and faithful promise unto us that ask abundance of thy grace. That thy name may be hallowed. That thy divine power and glorious majesty may be certainly known, and reverently honoured. That the hearts of us men, by thy word and prayer may be sanctified from all sin and vanity, so that we with all that we have, serving thee in holiness and righteousness, may so shine afore men upon earth, that they may thereby be occasioned to honour thee our Father, which art in heaven. Thy kingdom come. That thy word may be so fruitfully preached amongst us thy people, that we may be thoroughly instructed, and taught to bridle our sensual appetites by natural reason, and to submit our ●●●s and reasons unto a godly spirit, and to try our spirits by the true Scriptures. So that within us may reign the kingdom of God, which is neither meat nor drink: which is neither superstitious ceremoutes, voluptuons pleasures, nor vaiur glory, but righteousness, peace and comfort in the holy Ghost, by the which we now tasting of thy heavenly joys, may be made from henceforth weary of all worldly vanities, continually looking & praying for the appearance and coming of thy eternal and everlasting kingdom. Thy will be done in earth as it is in Heaven. In Heaven the Angels of reverent love do thy will and commoundement, with comfortable courage, and joyful pleasure. In hell the wicked Spirits thorough malice and envy, repining and grudging, do torment and vex themselves whatsoever they be doing. And upon earth, men being subject unto sin, do think it is a labour and pain to be occupied in any thing that is good and godly. Wherefore we pray thee, that the grace of thy heavenly spirit may so work in our earthly bodies, that we being delivered from sin and vanity, may freely delight and take pleasure to do thy will and commandment here on earth, as thy glorious Angels do in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. We having great need and not able of ourselves to deserve any thing, beseech thee of thy fatherly goodness, to give freely unto us all, so that none be hurt nor hindered this day, when we cry unto thee, constrained by present need, not greedily craving (through vain care against to morrow) our daily Bread, our daily and necessary food and relief, both bodily and ghostly: and especially, so that the spiritual food of Christ's flesh, and his blood, by daily preaching of thy Gospel, and the ministration of the Sacraments, may replenish our heart, and minds, with continual remembrance of his death and passion, daily to be used for our necessary and spiritual consolation. Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive them that trespass against us. We feeling and knowing our own sinifulnes, do desire thy merciful forgiveness of our faults and trespasses, which we have committed against thee, so that we freely forgiving all other that have offended us in any thing, whatsoever it be, may be sure that mercy springing in thee, hath proceeded unto us, & being graciously offered of thee, hath been thankfully received of us, and being charitably used of us towards other, shall most certainly be confirmed and enlarged of thee towards us: so that by free mercy springing & proceeding from thee, all faults may be freely forgiven. Even as those which other have committed against us, so likewise those which we have done against thee. And lead us not into temptation. Suffer not the Devil, by the abuse of thy benefits, to lead us Cap\tiveses into deceitful and damnable temptation, drawing us by dainty meats unto greedy Gluetonie, by money and rithes unto unsatiable covetousness, and by wealth and prosperity unto pride and vainglory, and by all thy godly and gracious gifts, unto every devilish and abominable sin. But deliver us from evil. Deliver our goods from abuse, our bodies from corruption, our souls from damnation. Deliver us by Christ jesus from the bondage of sin, unto the liberty of the Gospel: so that from the danger of the devil, and all his temptation, traming and enticing towards danmation, we being delivered, may serve thee in holiness and righteousness all the days of our life. For thine is the kingdom, the power and glory, for ever and ever, Amen. For such is thy riches and regiment, power and authority, praise and excellency, that whatsoever treasures, lands, and possessions, might, wisdom, and superiority, dignity, honour and maieslie hath been, is, or shall be in any persons, times and places, the same of equity, duty, and necessity, begin, continue, and end, so as the Eternity, Verity, and Majesty of thy only kingdom, power and glory may best appear and be known, to be far past all creatures ability, understanding, or capacity in thee only Lord God of truth, without beginning, change, or decay eternally: yea, every other kingdom, power and glory, be but slender shadows and shows, serving for this transitoric time, to make us more mindful, and desirous of thy eternal kingdom, power and glory. By reason whereof out hope and the promise of eternal salvation, and glory in Christ be, Amen: that is to say, most certain. So be it. Almighty and everlining God, vouchsafe we beseech thee to grant us perfect continuance in thy lively faith, augmenting the same in us daily, till we grow to the full measure of our perfection in Christ, whereof we make our coufession, saying. The Crede of the Apostles. I Believe in God the father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth. And in jesus Christ his only Son our Lord. Who was conceived by the holy Ghost, borne of the Virgin Mary. Suffered under Ponce Pilate, was crucified, dead and buried. He descended into hell. The third day he rose again from death. 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 eathelike Church. The communion of Saints. The forgiveness of sins. The resurrection of the body. And the life everlasting. Amen. The Confession of the Christian faith. I Believe and confess my Lord God eternal, infinite, unmeasurable, incomprehensible, and invincible, one in substance, three in person: Father, Son, and holy Ghost, who by his almighty power and wisdom, hath not only of nothing created heaven, earth, and all things therein contained, and man after his own Image, that he might in him be glorified, but also by his Fatherly providence, governeth, maintaineth, & preserveth the same, according to the purpose of his will: I believe also and confess jesus Christ the only Saviour and Messiah, who being equal with God, made himself of no reputation, but took on him the shape of a servant, and became man in all things like unto us (sin except) to assure us of mercy and forgiveness. For when through our Father Adam's transgression we were become Children of perdition: there was no means to bring us from that yoke of sin, and damnation, but only jesus Christ our Lord, who giving us that by grace, which was his by nature, made us (thorough faith) the Children of God, who when the fullness of time was come, was conceived by the power of the holy Ghost, borne of the Virgin Mary (according to the flesh) and preached on earth the Gospel of salvation, till at length by tyranny of the Priests, he was guiltless condemned under Pontinus Pilaie, than Precedent of jury, and most slanderously hanged on the Cross betwixt two thieves, as a notorious trespasser, where taking upon him the punishment of our sins, he delivered us from the curse of the law. And for as much as he being only God, could not feel death, neither being only man could overcome death, he joined both together, and suffered his humanity to be punished with most cruel death: feeling in himself anger and severe judgement of God, even as if he had been in the extreme torments of hell, and therefore cried with a loud voice: My God, my God, why hast thou for saken me: Thus of his free mercy without compulsion, he offered up himself as the only sacrifice, to purge the sins of all the world, so that all other sacrifices for sin are blasphemous, and derogate from the sufficiency hereof. The which death, albeit it did sufficiently reconcile us to God, yet the scriptures commonly do artribute our regeneration to his resurrection: for as by rising again from the grave the third day, he conquered death: even so the victory of our faith standeth in his resurrection, and therefore without the one, we cannot feel the benefit of the other. For as by death sin was taken away, so our righteousness was restored by his resurrection. And because he would accomplish all things, and take possession for us in his kingdom, he ascended into heaven, to enlarge the same kingdom, by the abundant power of his spirit: by whom we are most assured of his continual intercession towards God the Father for us. And although he be in heaven, as touching his corporal presence, where the father hath now set him on his right hand, committing unto him the administration of all things, as well in Heaven above, as in the Earth beneath, yet is he present with us his members, even to the end of the world, ini preserving and governing us, with is effectual power and grace, who (when all things are fulfilled, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his Prophets since the world began) will come in the same visible form, in the which he ascended with an unspeakable majesty, power and company, to separate the Lambs from the Goats, the Elect from the reprobate. So that none, whether he be alive then, or dead before, shall escape his judgement. Moreover, I believe and confess the holy Ghost, God equal with the Father and the Son, who regenerateth and sanctifieth us, ruleth and guideth us in all truth, persuading most assuredly in our consciences, that we be the Children of God, Brethren to jesus Christ, and tellowe heirs with him in life everlasting. Yet notwithstanding it is not sufficient to believe, that God is omnipotent and merciful: that Christ hath made satisfaction; or that the holy Ghost hath his power and effect: except we do apply the same benefits to ourselves, which are Gods Elect. I believe therefore, and confess one holy Church, which (as members of jesus Christ, the only head thereof) consent in faith, hope, and charity, using the gifts of God: whether they be temporal, orspirituall, to the profit and furtherance of the same. Which church is not seen to man's eye, but only known to God, who of the lost Sons of Adam hath ordained some as bessels of wrath to damnation: and hath chosen others, as vessels of his mercy to be saved: the which also in due time he calleth to integrity of life, and godly conversation. to make them a glorious church to himself. But that church which is visible and seen to the eye, hath three tokens or marks whereby it may be discedice. First, the word of God contained in the old and new Testament, which as it is above the authority of the same Church, and only sufficient to instruct us in all things concerning salvation, so it is left for all degrees of men to read and understand. For without this word, neither Church, counsel or decree can establish any point touching Salvation. The second, is the holy Sacraments, to wit, of Baptism and the Lords Supper: which Sacraments Christ hath left unto us as holy signs and seals of God's promises: for as by Baptism once received, is signified that we (as well infants as others of age and discretion) being strangers from God by original sin, are received into his family and congregation, with full assurance, that although this root of sin lie hid in us, yet to the elect it shall not be impured. So the Supper declareth, that God as a most provident Father, doth not only feed our bodies, but also spiritually nourisheth our Souls, with the graces and benefits of jesus Christ, (which the Scripture calleth eating of his flesh, and drinking of his blood) neither must we in the administration of these Sacraments, follow man's fantasy, but as Christ himself hath ordained, so must they be ministered: and by such as by ordmarie vocation be thereunto called. Therefore, whesoever reserveth or worshippeth these Sacraments, or contrariwise contemneth them in time and place, procureth to himself damnation. The third mark of this Church, is Ecclesiastical discipline: which standeth in admonition and correction of faults. The finiall end whereof is excommunication by the consent of the Church, determined, if the offender be obstinate. And besides this Ecclesiastical censure: I acknowledge to belong to this Church, a political Magistrate: who ministereth to every man justice, descending the good, and punishing the evil, to whom we must render honour and obedience in all things, which are not contrary to the word of God. And as Moses, Ezechias, josias, and other godly rulers, purged the Church of God, from Superstition and Idolatry: so the defence of Christ's Church appertaineth to the Christian Magistractes, against all Idolaters and Heretics, wherein standeth only remission of sins purchased by Christ's blood, to all them that believe, whether they be jews or Gentiles, and leads us to vain confidence in Creatures, and trust in our own imaginations. The punishment whereof, although God oftentimes deferreth in this life: yet after the general resurrection, when our souls and bodies shall arise again to immortality, they shall be damned to unqueachable sire, and then we, which have forsaken all man's wisdom, to cleave unto Christ, shall hear that joyful voice. Come ye blessed of my Father, inherice ye the kingdom prepared for you, from the beginning of the world, and so shall go triumphing with him in body and soul, to remain everlastingly in glory, where we shall see God face to face, and shall no more need one to instruct another, for we shall all know him, from the highest to the lowest: To whom with the Father, the Son and holy Ghost, be all praise honour, and glory, now and for ever. So be it. The Commandments of God given by Moses, and expounded by Christ. The first Table. THou shalt have none other Gods bt me. Exo. 20. Deut. 6. I am the Lord thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. Christ. Mat. 6. Hear Israel, Our Lord God is one Lord, and thou shalt love thy Lord God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength. Matth. 4. Thou shalt worship thy Lord God, and him only shalt thou serve. ij. Thou shalt not make to thyself any graven image, nor the likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or in the earth beneath, nor in the water under the earth, thou shalt not bow down to them, nor worship them. For I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, and visit the sins of the Father upon the children, unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me, and show mercy unto thousands in t hem that love me, and keep my commandments. john. 1. No man hath seen God at any time. The only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, hath declared him Christ. john. 4. God is a Spirit, and they that worship him, must worship him in spirit and truth. Acts 18. For as much as we are the generation of God, we ought not to think, that the Godhead is like unto Gold, Silver or Stone, graven by craft, or imagination of man. 1. job. 5. Babes, keep you from Images. Sap. 14. Cursed is the I dol that is made with hands: yea, both it, and he that made it, because it was called God, whereas it is but a frail thing. For the ungodly and his ungodliness are both like abominable unto God. iij. 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. Christ, Mattth. 5. Ye have heard how it was said unto them of old time: Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform thine oaths to the Lord. But I say unto you, Swear not at all, neither by heaven, for it is God's seat, nor yet by the earth, for it is his footstool, neither by jerusalem, for it is the ciite of the great King: neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou caused not make one white hair. or a black. But let your communication be yea, yea, and nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than that, cometh of evil. Eccl. 24. The man that useth much swearing, shall be filled with iniquity, and the plague shall not be out of his house. Zachar. 5. The Prophet saith, that the curse of God shall rest in the house of fhim that sweareth falsty, and consume it with the Timber and stones thereof. iiij. Remember that thou keep holy the Sabbath day, six days shalt thou labour and do all that thou hast to do, but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God, in it thou shalt do no manner of work, thou, thy son, and thy daughter, thy man servant, and thy maid servant, thy cattle, and the stranger that is within thy gates, for in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the Sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the Lord blessed the seventh day and hallowed it. Christ, Matth. 12. It is lawful to do a good deed on the Sabbath day. Matth. 2. For the son of man is Lord even of the Sabbath day. The Lord saith by his Prophet Esay, Esay 26.58. hebrews 4. That his Sabbath is hallowed and kept: when we rest and cease to do our own ways: when we in word, thought and deed fulfil his will, and not ours: and when we suffer him to do his works in us. That at the last we may come to that Sabbath and true rest, even eternal life, which Christ the Lord of the Sabbath hath obtained for us by his blood. The second Table. v. Honour thy Father and thy Mother, that thy days may be long in the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee. Christ, Matth. 15. Honour thy Father and Mother: that is the first Commandment that hath any promise, that thou mayest be in good estate and live long on the Earth. By this Commandment Christ teacheth us not only to have our Father and Mother in reverence, and to obey them, as he himself was so subject unto his mother, he Virgin Mary. But also to minister unto their necessities. Match. 15. Mark 7. Eccles. 3. He that feareth the Lord, honoureth his Father and Mother, and doth them service, as it were unto the Lord himself, Honour thy Father in deed and word, and in all patience, that thou mayst have God's blessing, and his blessing shall abide with thee at the last. The blessing of the Father buildeth up the houses of the children: But the mother's curse, rooteth the foundation, etc. vj. Thou shalt do no murder. Christ. Math. 5. Ye have heard how it was said unto them of the old time. Thou shalt not kill. Whosoever killeth, shall be in danger of judgement. But I say unto you: whosoever is angry with his Brother, shall be in dauger of judgement: Whosoever saith to his brother, Racha, shall be in danger of a Counsel. But whosoever saith, thou fool, shall be danger of hell fire. Item, ye have heard how it is said, thou shalt love thy neighbours and hate thine enemies: But I say unto you, love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, pray for them that do you wrong, and persecute you: that ye may be the children of your Father which is in Heaven. For he maketh the Son arise on the evil, and on the good, and sendeth his rame on the just and on the unjust. seven. Thou shalt not commit adultery. Christ, Matth. 5. Ye have heard how it was said to them of the old time: Thou shalt not commit adultery. But I say unto you: that whosoever looketh on a wife, lusting after her hath committed adultlerie with her already in his heart. 1. Cor. 6. know ye not that your bodies are the members of Christ: Shall I now take the members of Christ, and make them the members of an Harlot? God forbidden. Do you not know that he which coupleth himself with an Harlot, is become one body? For they (saith he) shall be two in one flesh. But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit. Flee fornication: Every sin that a man doth is without the body, but he that is a fornicator, sinneth against his own body. Either know ye not, how that your bodies are the tempses of the holy Ghost, which dwelleth in you, whom you have of God, and how that you are not your own? For ye are dearly bought, therefore glorify God in your bodies and in your Spirits, which are Gods. Hebr. 13. Let wedlock be had in price in all points, and let the Chamber be undefileld: for whoremongers and adulterers God will judge. viii. Thou shalt not steal. Christ, Matth. 10. Steal not. Detraude no man. Matth. 5. If any man will sue thee at the law, and take thy coat from thee, let him have thy cloak also. Give to him that asketh, and from him that would borrow, turn not away. 1. Corin. 6. Now is there utterly a fault among you, because ye go to law one with another. Why rather suffer ye not wrong? Why rather suffer ye not yourselves to be rob? Nay, ye yourselves do wrong and rob, and that the brethren. Ephes. 4. Let him that did steal, steal no more, but let him rather labour with his hands same good thing, that he may have to give him that needeth. jx. Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour. Christ, Mark. 10. Bear no false witness. Matth. 13. I say unto you, that of every idle word which men shall have spoken, they shall give accounts at the day of judgement. Ephes. 4. Wherefore put away lying, and speak every man the truth to his neighbour: for as much as we are members one of another. Let no filthy communication proceed out of your mouths: but that which is good, to edify with all when need is, that it may have favour with the hearers. Let all bitterness, fierceness, and wrath, roaring and cursed speaking, be put away from you. Ephe. 5. Let not frithinesse, foolish talking, nor jesting (which are not comely) be once named among you: but rather giving of thanks. x. Thou shalt nor desire thy neighbour's house: thou shalt not desire thy neighbour's wife, nor his maid, nor his Ox, nor his Ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbours. Christ, Math. 7. Whatsoever ye would men should do to you, even so do ye to them. Mark. 7. To love a man's neighbour as himself, is a greater thing than all Offerings and Sacrifices. Matth. 14. Be not overcome with just, for the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, Hebrews. 13. Let your conversation be without covetousness, and be content with that ye have already. 1. Tim. 6. Godliness is great riches, so a man be content with that he hath. For we brought nothing into the world, and it is a plain case, that we carry nothing out. When we have food and raiment, let us therewith be content. They that will be rich, fall into temptations and suares, and into many foolish and noyseme lusts, which drown men in perdition and destruction. For Covetousnisse is the root of all evil, which while some lusted after, they erred form the faith, and tangled themselves with many sorrows. Deut. 6. These words which I command thee this day shall be in thine heart, and thou shalt whet them in thy Children, and shalt talk of them, when thou art at home in thine house, and as thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up, and thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine head. And they shall be papers of remembrance between thine eyes, and thou shalt write them upon the posses of thy house and upon thy gays. Deut. 3. Take heed and hear all these words which I command thee, that it may go well with thee, and with thy Children after thee for ever, when thou dost that which is good and right in the sight of the Lord thy God. Deut. 6. See thou do that which is right, and in the sight of the Lord, that thou mayst prosper. Deut. 12. He shall not the after all these things that we do here this day, every man what see moth him good in his own eyes, but whatsoever I command you, take hée●●e do, and put nought thereto, nor take ought thereiron. Deuter. 27. Curied be he that maintaynech not all the words of the law to do them. Galat. 3. Christ hath delivered us from the curse of the law, in as much as he was made accursed for us (for it is written: Cursed is every one that hangeth on tree) that the blessings of Abraham might come on the Gentiles, through jesus Christ, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. jerem. 31. This is the Testament that that I will make with the house of Israel. After those days (say the Lord) I will put my Laws in their minds, and in their hearts I will write them, and their sins and iniquities I will no more remember. And I will be with my people. The sweet and loving promises of almighty God in such as keep his Commandments. Deut. xxviij. IF thou hearken diligently unto the voice of the Lord thy God to observe and do all his Commandments: Blessed shalt thou be in the town, and blessed in the fields. Blessed shall be the fruit of thy body, the fruit of the ground, and the fruit of thy cattle, the fruit of thine Oxen, and the flocks of sheep. Blessed shall thy Barns be and thy siore, blessed shalt thou be both when thou goest out, and blessed when thou comest in. The Oration of job in his most grievous adversity and loss of goods. job. 1. NAked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I turn again, and the Lord hath taken away, as it hath pleased the Lord, so is it done, now blessed be the name of the Lord. A Prayer in prosperity. I Give thee thanks O God Aloughtie, which not onty hast endued me with the gifts of nature, as reason, power, and strength, but also hast plentifully given me the substance of this world. I acknowledge (O Lord) that these are thy gifts, and confess with holy Saint james that there is no perfect nor good gift, but it cometh from thee (O Father of light) which givest freely & castest no man in the teeth, I acknowledge with the Prophet Agge, that gold is thine and Silver is thine, and to whom it pleaseth thee thou givest it, to the godly, that they may be the disposers and distributers thereof, and to the ungodly, to heap up their damnation with all. Wherefore my most merciful God. I humbly beseech and desire thee, to frame in me with the holy Spirit, a faithful heart and ready hand, to distribuce these thy good gifts according to thy will and pleasure, that I treasure not up here where thieves may rob, and moths corrupt: but to treasure up thy heavenly kingdom, where neither Thief may steal, nor moth defile, to mine own comfort (whom of thy mercy thou hast promised to reward therefore) to the good example of the humble and meek of the Congregation, and to the glory of thy name. To whom with thy Son, and holy Ghost be all honour and praise, world without end. Amen. A godly prayer to be said in thy adversity and trouble. O Lord GOD, without whose will and pleasure a sparrow doth not fall on the ground, saeing it is thy will and permission that I should be in this misery and adversity, and seeing also thou dost punish me with adversity and trouble not to destroy me, and cast me away: but to call me to repentance, and save me: for whom thou dost love, him dost thou chasten. Furthermore, seeing afflictions and adversity worketh patience, and who so patiently beareth tribulation, is made like unto our Saviour Christ the head: Finally, seeing that in all tribulation and adversity, I am in assurance of comfort at thy gracious hands, for thou commandest me to call upon thee in time of tribulation, and hast promised to hear and secure me: grant me therefore, O almighty God and merciful Father, in all trouble and adversity to be quiet, without impatience, and mururing, without discouraging and desperation to praise and magnify thee, to put my whole trust and confidence in thee, for thou never forsakest them that trust in thee, but workest all for the best to them that love thee, and seek the glory of thy name. Tot he he glocie for ever: So be it. A prayer to be said before the receiving of the Communion. O Father of mercy and God of all consolation, seeing all creatures do knowledge and confess thee to be their governor and Lord, it becometh us the workmanship of thine own hands, at all times to reverence and magnify thy godly Maiesti. e First, for that thou hast created us to thine own Image and similitude, but chief, because thou hast delivered us from that everlasting death and damnation, into the which Satan drew mankind by the means of sin: from the bondage whereof neither man nor Angel was able to make us free: but thou (O Lord) rich in mercy, and infinite in goodness hast provided our redemption, to stand in thine only and well-beloved son, whom of very love, thou didst give to be made man, like unto us in all things, sine xcepted, that in his body, he might receive the punishment of transgression by his death, to make satisfaction to thy justice, and by his resurrection to destroy him that was the author of death, so to bring again life to the world, from which the whole spring of Adam was most justly exiled. O Lord, we acknowledge that no creature able to comprehend the length and the breadth, the deepness, and heigot of that most excessent love, which moved thee to show mercy, where none was deserved, to promise and give life, where death had gotten the victory, to receive us into thy grace when we could do nothing, but rebel against thy majesty, O Lord, the blind dullness of our corrupt nature, will not suffer us sufficiently to weigh these thy most ample benefits: yet nevertheless, at the commandment of jesus Christ our Lord, we present ourselves to this thy Table (which he hath left to be used in remembrance of his death, until his coming again) to declare and witness before the world, that by him alone we have received liberty and life: that by him alone thou dost acknowledge us to be thy children and heirs: that by him alone we have entrance to the throne of thy grace: that by him alone, we are possessed in our Spiritual kingdom, to eat and drink at his Table, with whom we have our conversation present in Heaven, and by whom our bodies shall be raised up again from the dust, and shall be placed with him in that endless joy, which thou (O father of mercy) hast prepared for thine elect before the foundation of the world was laid. And these most inestimable benefits, we acknowledge and confess to have received of thy free mercy and grace, by chine only beloved son jesus Christ. For the which therefore we thy congregation, moved by the holy Spirice: render to thee all thanks, praise and glory, for ever and ever. Amen. ¶ A thanks giving after the receiving of the holy Communion. MOst merciful father, we render to thee all praise, thanks, honour, and glory, for that it hath pleased thee of thy great mercy to grant us miserable sinners, so excellent a gift and treasure, as to receive us into the fellowship and company of thy dear son jesus Christ our Lord, whom thou hast delivered to death for us, and hast given him unto us, as a necessary food and nourishment unto everlasting life. And now we beseech thee also (O heavenly father) to grant us this request, that thou never suffer us to become so unkind, as to forget so worthy benefits, but rather imprint and fasten them sure in our hearts, that we may grow and inicrease daily more and more in true faith which continually is exercised in all manner of good works: and so much the rather (O Lord) confirm us in these perilous days and rages of Satan: that we may constantly stand and continue in the confession of the same, to the advancement of thy glory, which art God over all things blessed for ever. Amen. A comfortable Prayer. O Lord God almigbtie, and Father most merciful, there is none like thee in heaven or in earth, which workest all things, for the glory of thy name, and the comfort of thine elect. Thou didst once make man ruler over all thy creatures, and placed him in the garden of all pleasure, but how soon (alas) did he in his felicity, forget thy goodness. Thy people Israel also in their wealth, did evermore run astray, abusing thy manisld mercies: like as all flesh contimually rageth, when it hath gotten liberty, and external prosperity. But such is thy wisdom adjoined to thy mercies (dear Father) that thou seekest all means possible to bring thy children to the sure sense, and lively feeling of thy fatherly favour. And therefore, when prosperity will not serve, than sendest thou adversity, graciously correcting all thy Children whom thou receivest into thy household. Wherefore I wretched and miserable sinner, render unto thee most humble and hearty thanks, that it hath pleased thee to call me home to thy fold, by thy fatherly correction at this present, whereas in presperlite and adversity, I did neglect thy grease offered unto me. For the which negligence and many other grievous sins, where of I now accuse myself before thee, thou mightest most justly have given me up into a reprobate mind, and induration of heart, as thou hast done others. But such is thy goodness (O Lorod) that thou seemest to forget all my offences, and hast called me of thy good pleasure from all idolatry, to profess thy name, and to suffer some Cross amongst thy people for thy truth, and Gospel sake, and so to be thy witness with the Prophets and Apostles, yea with thy dearly beloved son jesus Christ our head, to whom thou dost, being here, fashion me like: that in his glory, I may also be like him when he shall appear. O Lord God what am I upon whom thou shouldest show this great mercy? O most loving Lord forgive me my unthankfulness, and all my sins, for jesus Christ's sake. O heavenly Father, increase thy holy Spirit in me, to teach my heart to cry Abba, dear Father, assure me of thy eternal election in Christ, to reveal thy will more and more towards me, to confirm me so in thy truth, that I may live and die therein, and that by the power of the same Spirit, I may boldly give an account of my faith to all men, with humbleness and meekness, to the glory of thy most holy name. Thorough jesus Christ our Lord and only Saviour. So be it. A meditation for a woman with child, and specially when she entereth in to travel. O Almighty and merciful Father, which of thy bountiful goodness hast fructified my womb, and of thy gracious blessing hath created me a reasonable creature, I most hearty thank thee, not only for this thy gracious gift, but also for that thou hast at all times, since I conceived, preserved me from all perils, both of soul and body, and hast so moderated all my nips, pinches, throws, and pangs, that I have hitherto right well escaped them, I acknowledge (O Lord) justly for our sinful transgression of thy commandments, thou saidst unto the first woman, and in her to us all: I will increase thy sorrow when thou art with child: with pain shalt thou bring forth thy children. And our pains therefore that we suffer in this behalf, are none other thing but a worthy Cross laid upon us, by thy godly ordinance, to the which with heart and mind, I humbly submit me, trusting surely, and being fully persuaded in my faith, that thou callest none into peril and danger, but both thou canit and wilt at convenient season deliver them. Thou (most gracious GOD) hast commanded us in all our trouble to call upon thee for aid and help: and not only hast commanded us, but also of thy merciful goodness hast promised to us good deliverance, saying: Call upon me in the time of trouble, and I will deliver thee. O good Lord, how greatly do these words comfort my heart, and sustain my silly soul? Who would not greatly rejoice, that knoweth certainly almighty God to be present with him in his trouble? Saith not God thus: Or ever they call (saith he) I shall answer them, while they are yet but thinking how to speak, I shall bear them, and in the Psalm, I am with him, saith God, in his trouble, out of which I will deliver them. What a comfortable Lord is this? He is more ready to help, than we to call for help. He is more ready to give grace, than we to ask it. There was never any yet, that with a sure faith asked grace of this Lord, but he had it. Christ saith, ask and ye shall have. Every one the excenteth none. Verily, verily, I say unto you (saith Christ) whatsoever you shall ask my Father in my name, he shall give it you. Our Saviour Christ saith this, and he is God. And shall not I hearken to my Lord God his commandments and promises? Verily, I will stick surely to it. For sure I am, that sooner shall heaven and earth perish, than God's promise. be unpersourmep. For albeit every man naturally is a liar and deceiver, yet God is always true and just in all his words and promises. I will therefore make my suit unto him, whom I need not go far to seek, for he is every where present iwth his elect, and is nigh unto all them that call upon him faithfully. And thus I will pray unto him. A prayer of a woman with Child. FAther of mercy, and God of comfort and consolation, I thy poor handmaid, humbly beseech thee, for Christ jesus sake, and in his blessed and holy name that thou wilt vouchsafe to torgive me all my sins and trespasses, that I have heretofore offended thy holy Majesty, either in thought, consent, delectation, word or deed and that thou wilt hereafter during my life, mercifully preserve me from transgressing of thy Commandments, and daily increase in me perfect repentance for my sins, a sure purpose of amendment of life, a diligent study to walk in thy commandments, increase in me also a lively faith, a sure hope, and and ardent charity. Ingreffe in me humbleness of heart, meekness of mind, cleanness of Conscience. Grant me, that I may be wise, sad, sober, discreet, circumspect, and well advised in all my sayings. And that I may strongly overcome all the temptations of mine enemies the Devil, the world, and the flesh. And that whether by sleeping, waking, eating, drinking, or whatsoever I doetall may be to thine honour and glory. Grant me also that I may humbly reverence, and faithfully love mine Husband, and be obedient to all his honest, lawful, and godly requests. And chief of all, grant me (O Lord) that I may fear and dread thee. For well assured I am, that look how high the heaven is, in comparison of the Earth, and so great is God's mercy towards them that fear him. Look how wide the East is from the West, so far hath he set our sins from us, Yea, like as a Father pitieth his own children, even so is the Lord merciful to them that fear him. And as touching my deliverance of this burden and thy gracious gift, I am right well assured, that unless thou prosper my travel, all women's help, & all phificke is in vain: but my full trust is, that like as thou hast created this child in me, and hast breathed into it the spirit of life, so at such time, as shall be seen most meet to thy godly Majesty, thou both caused, and wilt prosper the child's birth and my deliverance. In consideration whereof, I humbly beseech thee of thy fatherly pity, so strengthen me in this my dangerous labour and travel: and so sustain me, that I may patiently bear all the throws and pangs, and according to thy promise, suffer me not to be tempted above my strength, but in the midst of my temptation, make a way to come out, that I may bear it. Increase my faith, O most merciful Saviour Christ, that I may constantly believe thy word, which sayest, ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy. A woman when she travaileth hath sorrow, for her hour is not come, but when she is delivered of the child, she thinketh no more of the anguish for joy that a man child is borne into the world. I beseech thee therefore, in the dangerous time of my cravell, grant me speedy deliverance, and joyful beholding of my child, that I being a merry mother, may render unto thee honour, laud, praise and thanks, for thine abundant mercy, and gracious gifts and benefits. And finally, above all things, I beseech thy gracious goodness, to endue my child with grace, that it may be one of the number of thine elect, baptized, and regenerated in the holy Ghost. And that at the years of discretion, it may learn to know thee, and knowing thee, may trust surely in thy mercy, and trusting in thy mercy, may heartile love thee, loving thee, may fear to displease thee, and fearing to displease thee, may walk and continue in the obedience of thy Commandments. And finally attain ●uerlasting joy and felicity. Through ●ur Lord jesus Christ, which liveth and ●●igneth with thee, and the holy Ghost, world without ●●●. So be it. 〈…〉 she is delivered. O My Lord GOD, I thank thee with all my heart, wit, understanding, and power, for that thou hast vouchsafed to deliver me out of the peril of this most dangerous travel, and hast sent into this world, out of my woeful womb this child a creature of thine own fashioning, forming, and shape, like unto the rest of the Children of thy creation, for which I am not able worthily enough of my own fail nature, to give to thee condign thanks, praise, honour, and glory, for thy so great benefits showed unto me, in pulling me out from the pits brink of death, easing and relieving all my woeful sorrows, laborious pangs, and most grievous throws, bitter anguishes, and unspeakable pains, which I could never have escaped, without thy most singular aid, help, relief, and secure: wherefore, I thy most humble handmaid, with steadfast and pure heart and hands, do power our before thee my Lord God and only Saviour, these my simple prayers of thanksgiving (the fruit of my faith, hope, trust, charity, and assured confidence) which I have in thee as certeining myself, that now thou hast preserved me for a further trial of my nocation and service towards thee, in this vail of tranuncorie life, wherein I may have time, by thy divine permission and sufferance, to direct all my steps in thy ways, and to honour and glorify thee in my soul, and body, with condign thanks in rejoicing in thy holy name, according to thy most blessed word, wherein thou hast declared, that a woman as long as she is in travel of her child bearing, she is sorrowful, heavy, and full of anguish, and intolerable pames, but as soon as the child is borne, she learneth straighe ways to forget all her pains, not remembering them any longer, and beginneth to rejoice, for that she hath brought forth a child into the world. Even so O Lord fareth in with me, thy poor, humble, and obedient servant, now rejoicing, in that it hath pleased thee, to make me a glad mother, in bringing forth this child, whom now I do present before the face of thy divine majesty, with an earnest zeal of a godly spirit, and most pure affection, praying and beseeching thee everlasting God, here to preserve this child, according to thy most holy will, that it may enjoy the benefits, of all thy heavenly Sacraments, to live, and serve thee in pureness of life, as a faithful member of the Christian congregation, wherein thy name by it may be glorified, honoured, and praised world without end. So be it. A prayer when a man comet home from his labour. THere is nothing, O Lord, more like to thy holy nature, than a quiet mind. Thou hast called us out of the troublesome, disquietness of the world, into that thy quiet rest and peace which the world cannot give, being such a peace, that passeth all men's understanding. Houses be ordained for us, that thereby we might be defended from the in●urie of weather, 〈…〉 ●oyles of the 〈◊〉. O gracious father, grant that through thy great mercy my bo●●● may ●●ier into this house, from outward actions, but so that it may become luxome, and obedient to the soul, and make no resistance against the same, that in soul and body, I may have a godly quietness and peace, to praise thy holy name. So be it. Peace be in this house, and to all that dwell in the same. Think what a return, and how merry a return it will be, to come to our eternal, most quiet, and most happy home. Then will all grief and sorrow cease. Whatsoever here is pleasant and joyful, the same is nothing but a very shadow in comparison of that which is to come. A prayer for the sick. O LORD look down from heaven, behold, visit, and relieve this thy servant: look upon him with the eyes of thy mercy, give him comfort and sure confidence in thee, defend him from the danger of the enemy, and keep him in perpetual peace and safety: through jesus our Lord. Amen. ¶ Another prayer for the sick Hear us 〈◊〉 ●●ghty and most ●●●●ifull GOD and Saviour, intend thy accustomed goodness to this thy Servant, which is grieved with sickness, visit him (O Lord) as thou didst Peter wives mother, and the captains servant. Restore unto this sick person his former health (if it be thy will) or else give him grace to take thy visitation, that after this payvefull life ended, he may dwell with thee in life everlasting. Amen. Another prater for the sick. O Lord jesus Christ thou only Son of the heavenly Father, ou● a●one Redeemer and omnisufficient Saviour, we most humbly beseech thee, deliver this sick and weak person, now being in great pains, and at the point to departed out of this world, from all uglisome and terrible assaults and temptations of the Devil, sin, and Hel. Deliver him (O Lord) as thou deliveredst Noah from the raging waves of the Sea. Lot from the destruction of Sodom. Abraham from the fear of the Chaldees. The Children of Israel, from the tyranny of Pharaoh, David from the hand of Goliath, the three men from the violence of the fiery Furnace in Babylon. Daniel from the mouth of the Lions, jonas from the belly of the Whalefish, and Peter from the prison of Herode. Even so, O gracious Lord, deliver the soul of this person, both now and whensoever he shall depart hence, from all perrilland danger. Open unto him at the hour of death, the door of Paradise, the gates of heaven, and the entry of everlasting life. O Lord jesus Christ, forgive him all his sins, and lead him with joy, into the kingdom of thy heavenly father, even unto the bosom of Abraham, and appoint him unto everlasting rest, that he may reiayce with thee, and with all the elect Children of God, in everlasting life. Amen. The stick man's Prayer. LOrd hearken unto my prayer, and give ear to my most humble requests. O most merciful God: O father of all mercies, the father of our Lord and samour jesus Christ, be merciful to me a sruner. Have piety on me, and quickly help me noore wretch, for the most better passion, and most precious death of jesus Christ thy only begetten Son, and our alone redeemer, and Saviour. Enter not into judgement with thy setuant, O Lord, Haudle me not according to my deserts and merits, neither reward me afeer mine iniquities, but for thine infinite and unmeasurable bounty and exceeding great mercy, receive me, and take me into thy favour. I miserable and weak creature, am in thy hand, I am thy boud servant and thy debtor, O most gentle God, O most favourable Father, forsake me not, cast me not away, poor wretch that I am. For I am thine with all there ever I can make. No man is able to strengthen me, no man is able to deliver me, no man is able to help me, but thou alone. Thou art the true helper in adversity. Thou art the most sure and present comforter of all necessity. Thou alone art our helper, our Bulwark, our Fortress, and our most mighty and strongly defended tower. Thou, O God, art our reiuge, thou art our helper in all our tribulations. In thee O Lord, do I trust, let me not be confounded. Let me never be put to shame, let me not be deceived of my hope, but preserve me, for thy righteousness sake. Bow down thine ear unto me, make haste to deliver me. Be my befender, O God, and my strong hold, thou shalt mayest save me. For thou art my strength, and my refuge, yea, thou art my God, and my de●●●●ies are in thy hands. Lighten thy countenance upon thy servant, and save me for thy mercy's sake, O Lord. And forasmuch (O sooecte father) as it is thy godly y●●as●●, to call me now from this miserable life and wretched morld, I most ●ntirely beseech thee to defend me, in this agony of death, that neither Satan nor his Ministers prevail against me, but that I con●●●●e faithful and constant unto the end, in the confession of thy holy name, looking for full remission of all my sins, in the precious blood of thy weldeloved Son and my only Saviour jesus Chrst, and that I departing in this faith, and perfect trust, may be placed among thy blessed saints and heavenly Spirits, and so for ever and ever remain with thee in glory. Grant this, O most merciful Father, for thy dear sons sake, jesus Christ our alone mediator and advocate. Amen. My Testament. THis I make my Testament and last Will, in the name of the eternal living God, the Father, the Son, and the holy Ghost, in whose name I was baptised. In whom only I hope and believe to be saved. Amen. First I bequeath my soul into thy hands, O God, Father, Son, and holy Ghost. Thou hast first made me, and thou hast given thy Son to become man, and died for my sins, and for the sins of the people. O father for thy sons sake have mereie upon me. O Lord jesus Christ, thou Son of God, thou hast bought me with thy precious blood by one oblation, sufficiently for all that believe in thee. O Christ, God and man, which are in Heaven, have mercy upon me, and be thou my merciful mediator for me unto thy Father, that I may be saved. O holy Ghost, God conqual with the father & the son, have mercy upon me, work thy diume power in me thorough thy gracious mipiration. Drame me unto jesus Christ, that I may find fanour, and be saved. Amen. The second part. As concerning my body: that I bequeath unto the earth, from whence it came. My Consission. I Knowledge and confese with all my heart, that I am a sinner, yea, such a sinner as hath need of the grace, mercy, and favour of God. My faith joined with hope. I believe that the Lord will have mercy upon me, for he hath first made me, and if it shall please him, he may save me: This I believe, whether I live or die, I am the Lords. My hope. I Hope that I shall find both grace and mercy for my sins of God the Father, even for jesus Christ's sake, in him I believe, he is my redeemer, he liveth for ever and ever: He maketh intercession for sins. So this I know, that now I am a corruptible body, but I hope through Christ to rise an uncorruptible body. Now a mortal body, but through Christ and his merits, I hope to have, though now an earthly body, than an heavenly body. For as many as shall be saved, shall shine in the kingdom of God, as bright as the Sun. This my faith and hope I lay up in my mind, the mind of my Soul, trusting only to be saved, thorough the merits of jesus Christ, God and man, which is in Heaven. From whence we look again, the which shall change our vile body, and make it like his own most glorious body, whereby he is ablel to subdue all things unto himself. O Christ have mercy upon me, thou hast redeemed me, O Christ save me. A Prayer for the Sick. OH how sick am I? My weakness increaseth more and more. Lord be merciful unto me, and give me grace patiently and thankfully to bear the cross, and in the midst of this my sickness, always to say: Thy will O heavenly Father be done, and not mine. Another Prayer for the Sick. O Lord jesus Christ, which art the only health of all men living, and the everlasting life of them which die in thy faith: I wretched sinner, give & submic myself wholly to thy most blessed will. And I being sure, that the thing cannot perish which is committed unto thy mercy, most humbly beseech thee (O Lord) to give me grace, that I may now willingly leave this frail & wicked flesh, in hope of the resurrection, which in better wise shall restore it to me again: I beseech thee (O most merciful jesus Christ) that thou wilt by thy grace make strong my soul, against all temptations, and that thou wilt cover and defend my with the Buckler of thy mercy, against all the assaults of the Devil. I see and acknowledge, that there is in myself, no help of life and fasuation, 〈◊〉 my confidence, hope, and trust, i● in thy most merciful goodness. I have no merits 〈◊〉 good works which I may allege before thee. Of sins and evil works, (alas) I see a grace heap, but through thy mercy I trust to be of the number of them to whom thou wilt not impute their sins, but take and accept me for righteous and just, and to be the inheritor of everlasting glory. Thou (O most merciful Lord) waste borne for my sake. Thou didst suffer both hunger and thirst for my sake. Thou didst preach, and teach, thou didst pray and fast for my sake. Thou diddest all good works and deeds for my sake. Thou suffered'st most grievous pains and torments for my sake. And finally, thou gavest thy most precious body to die, and thy most blessed blood to be shed on the Cross for my sake. Now most merciful Saviour, let all these things profit me, which thou freely hast given me, which hast given thyself for me: let thy blood cleanse and wash away the spots and foulness of my sins. Let thy righteousness hide and cover my unrighteousness. Let the merits of thy passion, and blood, be the satisfaction for my sins. Give me Lord thy grace, that my faith, and persuasion in thy blood waver not in me, but ever be firm and constant, that the hope of thy mercy, and life everlasting never decay in me, that Charity wax not cold in me: finally, that the weakness of my flesh, be not overcome with the fear of death. Grant me also (O most merciful Saviour) that when death hath shut up the eyes of my body: yet the eyes of my Soul may still behold and look unon thee, and that when death hath taken away the use of my tongue and speech yet that my heart may cry, and say unto thee, O Lord, into thy hands I give and commit my soul. Lord jesus take my Spirit. A thanks giving to God for the departure of the faithful out of this world. O How can we (most loving Father) render unto thee sufficient thanks for thine inestimable goodness toward thy faithful servants? Whom thou calling out of this wretched world, vouchsafe to place in thy heavenly Ringdome among the glorious company of thy holy Angels, and blessed Saints. O full precious is the death of the faithful, in thy sight. Blessed are the dead that die in the Lord. For they are at rest from their painful travels and labour. The souls of the righteous, are in thy hand, O God, and the pain of death shall not touch them. In the sight of the unwise they appear to die, but they are in peace. They shine as the sparks, that run through the red bush. They glister as the shining heaven. They are as the stars, world without end. They are as the Angels of God, They are clad with white garments, and have golden Crowns upon their heads. Tey do service day and night before the glorious Throne of thy Divine Majesty. They neither hunger, nor thirst any more, neither doth the Sun, or any heat fall upon them, for the Lamb, which is in the midst of the Throne, governeth them, and leadeth them unto the living fountain of waters. They follow the Lamb, whithersoever he goeth. They have such joys, as eye hath not seen, nor ear hath heard, neither is there any heart able to think them, infinite and unspeakable are thy treasures (O Lord) which thou hast laid up for them, that depart in thy faith. For these thy fatherly benefits toward the soul of the faithful, and for that it hath pleased thee, to call this our Christian brother, from this vale of misery, unto thy heavenly kingdom we give unto thee most hearty thanks, humbly beseeching thee, that thou wilt take like care for us, and so govern us, with thy holy Spirit both in sickness, and in health, that we may live a good and godly life in this present world, and whensoever it shall be thy good pleasure to call us hence, we may with strong faith in thee, and in thy son Christ jesus our Lord, commend both our bodies, and souls into thy merciful hands, and through thy goodness be placed in thy glorious kingdom, among thy faithful chosen people, and so for ever and ever, praise and magnify thee our heavenly Father, to whom with thy dearly beloved Son, jesus Christ our Lord, and Saviour, and the holy Ghost that most sweet comforter, be all glory and honour, world without end. Amen. A Prayer of the coming of Christ to judgement, and of the reward both of the faithful and unfaithful. OH Lord jesus Christ, the Son of the everliving God, by whom all things were made, are ruled and governed, as of thy love for our redemption, thou didst not disdain to be our mediacour, and to take upon thee our nature, in the womb of a Virgin purely, and without sin, by the operation of the holy spirit, 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 up 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 the love for our redemption, thou becamest man and that most poor, and afflicted upon earth, by the space of three and thirty years at the least, in most humility, and paydest the brice of our ransom, by thy most bitter death and passion, for the which I most heartily give thanks to thee: so of the same by 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, shower of an Archangel, and blast of a Trump, suddenly as a lightning, which shmeth from the East, etc. when men think least, even as a Thief in the night, when men be asleep, thou wilt so come, I say, thus suddenly in the twinekling 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 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 that 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 or shall be, into Hell fire, which is unquenchable and of pains intolle rabble, easellesse, endless, hopeless, even from the face of thy glorious and mighty power: but if they have repent and believed thy Gospel: If they be found watching with their Lamps and Dyle in their hands: if they be found ready appareled, with the wedding garment of innocency; if they have not hardened their hearts, and hoardward up the Treasure of thy vengrance, 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 here 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 Faggoctes, and cast into thy 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 immortalitte and glory: then shall they be with thee, and go whither thou goest. Then shall they hear: Come ye blessed of my Father, possess the kingdom prepared for you from the beginning. 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 Canaan, where it is always day and never night, where is no manner of weeping, tears, infirmity, hunger, cold, sickness, envy, malice nor sin: but all ways 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 inio, although here they be tormented, prisoned, burned, solicited of Satan, tempted of the flesh, and entangled with the world, where through they are enforced to cry: Thy kingdom come Lord jesus, etc. How amiable are thy Tabernacles. Like as the Hart desireth the water brooks, etc. Now, let thy Servants depart in peace: I desire to be dissolved, and to be with Christ: we mourn to ourselves, waiting for the deliverance of our bodies, etc. O gracious Lord, when shall I find such mercy with thee, that I may repent, believe, hope, and look for these things, with the fruition of those heavenly joys, which thou hast prepared for all them that fear thee, and to rest with thee for ever more. A prayer concerning life everlasting, the place where it is, and the incomparable joys thereof. THat there is an everlasting life none will deny, but such as will deny God. For if he be true and just (which he must needs be, or else he is not God) then can there not be but an eternal life. That he hath both spoken it, and promised it in Matth. 25.1. Cor. 16. Hebr. 4.11. and 13.1. Peter. 1. it plainly appeareth, and else where in very many places. So that to deny an everlasting life, is to deny God, to deny Christ, and all that ever he did: also to deny all duty and religion, to condemn of foolishness all good men, Martyrs, Confessors, Evangelists, Prophets, patriarchs. Finally, the denial of eternal life, is nothing else but a denial of the immortality of the Soul, and so a plain making of man nothing better than beasts. If it so be, let us then eat and drink, for to morrow we shall die. Lord preserve us from the saduciall and Epicuriall impiety, and grant us for thy mercy's sake (dear God) that we may be assuredly persuaded, that there is in deed an eternal life, and bliss with thee, for them that put their trust in thee: amongst whom, account me for thy mercy's sake. Again, this eternal life and the place appointed for them that be thy servants, all men do grant to be with thee, because thou art every where: therefore eternal life is every where. For they by thy word do know, that in almuch as no man can see thee and live, this eternal life and thy blessed presence is most pleasant, and had in fruition after in an other world, whereunto by corporal death, they dodepart, and are translated to a place above them, where thou dwellest in a light, whereunto no man can approach. Abraham's bosom (they read) was above, as the place of the wicked was allow and beneath. Helias was caught up into Heaven, and thy Son our dear Saviour prayed, that where he is, those also might be, which thou hadst given him, and might see his glory. Now here (dear Fatehr) we learn by thy ppirit was ascended and taken up in his very body into heaven, whether Stephen looking up and saw thy Christ standing on thy right hand: to whom he prayed. Oh Lord jesus receive my spirit. Grant, I beseech thee gracious God and Father, that I may have a clean heart, more and more to see thee, and so in spirit to see and look often upon this place, whither bring me at the length in body also I humbly pray thee. Now, what a thing this everlasting life is, no man is able to conceive, much less able to utter. For the peace of God which is eternal life, passeth all understanding. The eye hath not seen, the ear hath not heard, neither can man's heart conceive those things, which thou (dear God) hast prepared for them that love thee. Whatsoever therefore can be spoken or imagined of the kingdom, of the clearness, joy and felicity of the same, is nothing in comparison, as we may see by the Prophets, which because they could not otherwise, under corporal things have shadowed the same: so that the confidence of eternal life what a thing it is, can in no wise be told. Howbeit somewhat we may be brought into some sight of it, by earthly things, to think on this sort. If God hath given here so many things, in a strange place, how many are the great good things that be at home? If in a prison are so many mercies how many are they in the Palace? If the wicked have so many benefits, what is the siore, prepared for thy servants, Oh Lord? If thy Children find such comforts in the day of tears and mourning, what shall they find in the day of the Marriage? If which beasts men being, have the use of innumerable blessings, Oh how many are the blessings which they shall enjoy with thy Angels and with thee thyself (O dear God) when they shall see thee, and have the fruition of thee, in whom is fullness without loathing of all good and fair things, so that nothing can be more desired, and that for evermore? This thy children do not see, as they now believe it: I say, that even in their bodies, they shall see it for ever, as job said. They believe that they shall see thee, and their own eyes behold thee, when these our corporal eyes, our bodies being raised shall do their duties. Such a knowledge of thee, they believe to have, as shall not be only intellectual, and by faith, as now it is: but even a full sight, and fruition, yea a conjunction, and fellowship with thee. Now they see but in a glass, even in a dark speaking: but then they shall see face to face. For faith, though it be the substance of things hoped for, and a certain dark sight of thee: yet it may not be compared to the reward of faith and glorious sight, which we shall see in the life to come, when faith and hope shall cease. Now thy children know that they be thy Sons, though it yet appear not what they shall be. We know (say they) that when our Christ, God, and man shall appear, then shall we be like unto him, for we shall see him, even as he is. Oh great prerogative, to see Christ is he is. Which is not to be considered so much for the manhood, as for the godhead itself: as Paul doth also write, that when all things are subject unto the son, then shall he be subject unto thee (dear Father also) so that God may be all in all. And therefore Christ our Saviour prayed for us, that we might know thee, the only true God: not that our Christ thy Son is not with thee, the true coequal and substantial God, but that we might know how that after the judgement, such a mystery of his mediatorship, shall not be in heaven, as it is now in earth. Then thou blessed Trinity, God the Father, God the Son, and God the holy Ghost, shall be all in all: thou shalt be the end of our desires: thou shalt be looked upon with out end, thou shalt be loved without loathing, thou shalt be praised without weariness. Although loathsomeness be wont to follow fullness, yet our fullness in the contemplation of thy pleasures, shall bring with it, now kind at all of loathsomeness. Society of joys shall be in the beholding of thee. Pleasures are on thy right hand for ever. We shall be satisfted, when we arise after thine Image, I mean in the resurrection. Oh dear father, show thyself unto us, and we ask no more. Oh grant us with thy Saints in everlasting life to praise with perpetual praises, thy holy name. Happy then, and happy again were we, if that day were come, that we might sing with thy Angels, Elders, and innumerable thousands, a new song, and say, thou Christ jesus, which wast stain, art worthy to receive power and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing. In this blessed life all kind of maladies, griefs, sorrows and evils, be far away, and all full of all kind of mirth, joy and pleasure. Oh that we might see now, a little with Saiut john, that holy City, now jerusalem, descending from Heavan, prepared of God as a Bride trimmed for her husband. Oh that we might now something hear the great voice speaking out of the throne, behold the Tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and he shall be unto them their God, he will wipe away all tears from their eyes, and death shall be no more, nor weeping, nor crying, nor sorrow, for the former things are gone. A prayer of death, and the commodity it bringeth. WHat other thing do we daily in this present life, then heap sin upon sin, and hoard up trespass upon trespass. So that this day is worse always then yesterday, by increasing of days so sins, and therefore thy 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. O 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 must loath. O 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 Christ. What is this life, but a smoke, a vapour, a shadow, a warfare, a bubble of water, a word, grass, a flower? That thou shalt die it is most certain, but the time, no man can tell when. The longer in this life thou dost remain, the more thou sinnest, which will turn to thy more pain. By cogitation of death, our minds be often (in a manner) oppressed with darkness, because we do but remember the light of the body, forgetting the light of the mind, and for thy resurrection. Hereto remember the good things, that after this life shall ensue, without wavering in certainty of faith, and so shall the passage of death be more desired. It is like a sailing over the Sea, to thy home and country. It is like a medicine, or purgation to the health of soul and body: it is the best Physician: it is like to a woman's travail. For as the child being delivered, cometh into a more large place then the womb, wherein it did lie before, so mysoule being delivered out of the body, cometh into a much more larger and fairer place, even into heaven. A devout prayer to be said daily. O Almighty and eternal God, which vouchsafest that we as it were heaveuly Children, should every one of us call thee our heavenly Father. Grant that among us be pureness and example of innocent life, thy most holy name may be sanctified, that all other Nations beholding our goodness and virtuous deeds, that thou workest in us, may be stirred to hallow and glorify thee. Grant (O Lord) that the kingdom of thy grace and mercy, may reign continually in our hearts, so that we may be worthy to be partakers of the Realm of glory and majesty. Grant that unto the very death, we refuse not to follow thy divine will, and that we, according to the example of the celestial Citizens, agreeing together quietly united in spirit, all controversy in opinions laid apart, the lusts of the flesh being subdued, and the flattering assaults of the world and the Devil overcome, never wrestle against thy most holy will, but obey it in all things. Grant (O Lord) for our body needful sustenance, that we may the more freely serve thee. Give us (we beseech thee O merciful Father) that Hearuenly bread, the body of thy Son jesus Christ, the very food and health of our souls: give us the bread of thy divine precepts, that we may truly walk, and live after them. Give us the bread of thy heavenly word, which is the strong fortress and sure defence of our Souls, that we being well fed and filled with this food, may worthily run to the celestial feast, where as is no hunger. Grant (O Lord) that we patiently bear and suffer our enemies, and such as hurt us, and willingly to forgive the offences committed against us, that so we may find the Lord in forgiving us our trespasses, mild and merciful. Grant (O Lord) that we be not utterly led into temptation, that there by we should be lost. But in all perils of temptation and in the midst of the stormy tempests and tribulations, let us thy children, perceive and feel thy fatherly succour, ready to help us, lest that we be (overcome with the naughty crafts, and deceits of the tempter) should be drawn into everlasting destruction, but when we be well assayed, approved, and purged with the fire of temptation, then let us finish our course, and so well and valiantly fight, that we may for evermore live with thee in that heavenly City, where and against the which, no manner temptation canprevaile. Finally, grant most merciful Father, that we through thy benign goodness, may be delivered from all evils present and to come both in body and soul, and that at the last, that yoke of that foul fiend being shaken off, we may possess the heritage of the heavenly kingdom, which thy Son with his precious blood bought for us thy children: and therefore ever to have the fruition of celestial delectations, accompanied with Angels and blessed Saints, through the help, benignity, and grace of our Saviour jesus Christ, to whom, and to thee our father, and to the holy Ghost, be all glory and honour, now and ever. Amen. Another Prayer. O Heavenly father God almighty, I pray and beseech thy mercy benignly to behold me thy unworthy servant, that I may by thy gift of thy holy Spirit, fervently desire thy kingdom, that I may known thy will and work thereafter. Give me O Lord wisdom. Make me constant, patiented and strong in thee. Keep me Lord from the slighty invasion of the old wily Serpent. Defend me from the counsels and cursings of evil tongues, let thy mighty arm be my shield against all the malignity of the wicked world. Remember not O Lord mine offences: instruct, prepare me to repent and to be sorry for my sins. Make me to love justice, and hate wrong, to do good, and abstain from all evils, that I may be worthy to be called thy child. To thee be honour and glory, for ever and ever. Amen. A devout Prayer. LORD hearken to my words, consider the thought of my heart. Behold how loud I cry unto thee, let my just prayer enter into thy cares, which unfeignedly cometh from my heart. Hear me Lord, for I am poor and destitute of man's help. Take care for my Soul, save me thy Servant which wholly trust in thee, have mercy upon me (O Lord) for I will never cease crying to thee for help For thou art mild and more merciful than any tongue can express, as often as adversity assaileth me, I will cry and call for help unto thee, I will call upon thee in the day time, and in the night my cry shall not be hid from thee, O thou God of the heavens, and maker of the waters, and Lord of all creatures, hear me a poor sinner calling upon thee and putting my whole trust in thy mercy. Have mercy upon me for thy manifold mercy's sake, forgive me all mine offences. Amen. The Litany. O God the father of heaven have mercy upon us miserable sinners. O God the father, etc. O God the son, redeemer of the world, have mercy upon us miserable sinners. O God the son, etc. 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 all blindness of heart, from pride, vainglory, and hypocrisy, from envy, hatred and malice, and all vucharitablenesse. Good Lord deliver us. From fornication, and all other deadly sin, and from all the deceits of the world, the flesh and the devil. Good Lord beliner 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 doctrien 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 beseech thee to hear us (O Lord God) and that it may please thee to rule and govern thy holy Church universally in the true worshipping of thee, in righteousness and holiness of life, thy servant Elizabeth our most gracious Queen and governor. We beseech thee, etc. That it may please thee to rule her heart in thy faith, fear, and love and that she may evermore have arfiance in thee, and ever leek thy honour and glory. We beseech thee, etc. That it may please thee to be her defender and keeper, giving her the victory over all her enemies. We beseech thee, etc. That it may please thee to illuminate all Bishops, Pastors, and Ministers of the 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, etc. That it may please thee to endue the Lords of the Counsel, and all the Nobility, with grace, wisdom, and understanding. We beseech thee, etc. That it may please thee to bless and keep the Magistrates, giving them grace to execute justice, and to maintain truth. We beseech thee, etc. That it may please thee to bless and keep all thy people. We beseech thee, etc. That it may please thee to give to all nations, unity, peace, and concord. We beseech thee, etc. 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, etc. That it may please thee to give all thy people increase of grace, to hear meekly thy word, and to receive it with pure affretion, and to bring forth the fruits of the spirit. We beseech thee, etc. That it may please thee to bring into the way of truth, all such as have erred and are deceived. We beseech thee, etc. That it may please thee to strengthen such as do stand, and to comfort and help the weak hearted, and to raise up them that fall, and finally to beat down Satan under our feet. We beseech thee, etc. That it may please thee to secure, help, and comfort all that be in danger, necessity, and tribulation. We beseech thee, etc. That it may please thee to preserve all that travail 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, etc. 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 etc. That it may please thee to have mercy upon all men. We beseech thee, etc. That it may please thee to give and preserve to our use, the kindly fruits of the earth, so that in due time we may enjoy them. We beseech thee, etc. 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, etc. Son of God, we beseech thee to hear us. Son of God, etc. 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. And lead us not into temptation. But deliver us from evil. Amen. 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 desire 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 persecution, may evermore give thanks to 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 derlared 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, etc. As it was in the beginning, 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. Favourable with 〈◊〉 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 those evils that we most righteously have deserved: And grant that in all out troubles we may put our whole trust and confidence in thy mercy, and evermore serve thee in holiness, and pureness of living, 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 dost 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 always incline to thy will, and walk in thy way, endue her plentifully with heavenly gifts, grant her in health and wealth long to live, strength her, that she may vanquish and overcome all her enemins. Adn finally after this life, she may attain everlasting joy and felicity: through jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. A prayer for Pastors and Ministers of the Church. 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 pleas, thee, power upon them the continual dew of thy blessing. Grant this, O Lord, for the honour of our Advocate, and meditatour jesus Christ. Amen. A prayer of Chrysostome. Almighty God, which hast given us grace at this time with one accord, to make our common supplication unto thee, and dost promise that when two or three be gatherens 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. A prayer necessary for all persons. O Merciful GOD, I a wretched sinner reknowledge myself bound to keep thy holy commandments, but yet unable to perform them, and to be accepted for just, without the righteousness of jesus Christ thy only Son, who hath perfectly fulfilled the Law, to justify all them that believe and trust in him. Therefore grant me grace, I beseech thee, to be occupied in doing of good works which thou commandest in holy Scripture, all the days of my life to thy glory, and yet to trust only in thy mercy, and in Christ's merits, to be purged from my sins, and not in my good works, be they never so many. Give me grace to love thy holy word fervently, to search the scriptures diligently, to read them humbly, to understand them truly, to live after them effectually. Order my life so, O Lord, that it be always acceptable unto thee. Give me grace, not to rejoice in any thing that displeaseth thee, but evermore to delight in those things that please thee, be they never so contrary to my desires. Teach me so to pray, that my petitions may be graciously heard of thee. Keep me upright among diversity of opinions and judgements in the world, that I never serve from thy truth taught in holy Scripture. In prosperity, O Lord, save me, that I wax not proud. In adversity help me, that I neither despair, nor blaspheme thy boly Name, but taking it patiently, to give thee thanks, and trust to be delivered after thy pleasure. When I happen to fall into sin through frailty, I beseech thee to work true repentance in my heart, that I may be sorry without desperation, trust in thy mercy without presumption, that I may amend my life, and become truly religious without hypocrisy, lowly in heart without feigning, faithful and trusty without deceit, merry without lightness, sad without mistrust, sober without slothfulness, content with mine own without covetousness, to tell my neighbour his faults charitably without dissimulation, to instruct my household in thy Laws truly, to obey our Queen and all governors under her unfeignedly, to receive all laws and common ordinances (which disagree not from thy holy word) obediently, to pay every man that which I own unto him truly, to backbite no man, nor slander my neitghbour secretly, and to abhor all vice, loving all goodness earnestly. O Lord, grant me thus to to do, for the glory of thy holy Name, Amen. GOd preserve our Queen Elizabeth, God destroy all her enemies, God preserve her most honourable Counsellors. God aid te Clergy in fetting forth of his truth. God preserve the Nobility of this Realm, and all the Commons of the same. God defend the favourers of the Gospel,. God change the hearts of our enemies, and send them a better mind. The power ●f God destroy Autichrist with all his wicked kingdom. God send the Gospel a joyful and free passage through the whole world. God send unto all degrees such grace that they may walk worthily in their vocation and calling. Amen. FINIS.