William Laud Archb: of Canterbury Prymat of England. W.M. s●ulps    

CHRISTIAN Prayers and holy Meditations, as well for Private as Public exercise: Gathered out of the most godly learned in our time, by Henry Bull.  
Whereunto are added the prayers, commonly called lidley's prayers.  PSAL. 55. 
In the Evening and Morning, and at Noon, will I pray unto the Lord, and he will hear my prayer.  
¶ AT LONDON, Printed by Henry Middleton, dwelling in Fleetstreet at the sign of the Falcon.   


januarie hath xxxj. days.  1 A The Circumcision of Christ. 2 b On which day No being in the Ark upon the waters, began to see the tops of the high mountains. Gene. 8.13. 3 c 4 d 5 e  6 f The epiphany: Or apparition of our Lord jesus. 7 g 8 A  9 b  10 c The 10. Nabuchodonosor besieged once again jerusalem. 2. Reg. 15. 11 d 12 e  13 f  14 g  15 A The mid Winter after Ptolomaeus. 16 b  17 c The 17. the good Prince Scanderbag king of Epirus, a scourge to the Turk, as upon this day died. 1466. 18 d 19 e 20 f  21 ●  22 A The 22. the Duke of Somerset as upon this day was beheaded. 1552. 2● b 24 c  25 d  26 e  27 f The 27. Saint Paul as upon this day, of a persecuter was converted, as he joinneyed unto Damascus. Acts. 9.3. 28 ● 29 A 30 b  31 c   

February hath xxviii. days.  1 d  2 e The Purification of Marie. 3 f As upon this day Christ our Saviour was offered unto the Lord in the Temple at jerusalem, and his mother the Virgin Marie, was purified according to the Law, Luk. 2.22. 4 g 5 A 6 b 7 c 8 d  9 e  10 f  11 g The 11. 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. 12 A 13 b 14 c 15 d  16 e  17 f  18 g The eighteen day, No put out once again the Dove, which brought an Olive branch. 19 A 20 b 21 c  22 d  23 e  24 f Matthie Apostle. 25 g The Dove was sent the third time, & returned no more to Noe. 26 A 27 b  28 c  
March hath xxx●. days.  1 d  2 e  3 f The third, the Temple of jerusalem was wholly finished and consecrated. 1. Esdras. 6. 4 g 5 A 6 b  7 c  8 d  9 e  10 f The 10. as upon this day, Christ being on the other side of jordan, was advertised of the sickness of Lazarus. joh. 11.3 11 g 12 A 13 b The 13. the feast of Hester was celebrated, because that day was appointed to put the jews to death. 14 c 15 d 16 e The 16. Lazarus was raised up again. john. 11. 17 f 18 g  19 A  20 b The 20. Christ made his entrance into jerusalem. 21 c 22 d  23 e  24 f The 24. he made his Supper. 25 g Annunciation of Marie. 26 A The 25. was taken. 27 b The 26. was crucified. 28 c The 27. he rested in the Sepulchre. 26 d The 28. he rose again from death. 30 e  31 f  
April hath thirty. days.  1 g No uncovered the Ark. Gene. 8. 2 A The tabernacle was prepared by Moses. Exod. 40. 3 b 4 c  5 d jesus Christ the eight day after his resurrection appeared again to the Apostles which were assembled, where S. Thomas was present. 6 e 7 f 8 g 9 A  10 b The 10. the people of Israel went over Iorden dry footed. josua. 3.4. 11 c 12 d The 13. Assuerus gave out proclamation to put all the Jews within his kingdom to death. Hester. 3. 13 e 14 f 15 g The 14. was the celebration of the Passeover. 16 A 17 b The 15. the people came out of Egypt Exod. 22. 18 c 19 d The 18. the people went over the read sea dry footed, & Pharaoh was drowned with all his host. 20 e 21 f 22 g The 22. the people came to Mara, the waters whereof they could not drink. Exod. 5. 23 A 24 b 25 c Mark Evangelist. 26 d The 24. the revelation was made to Daniel of that which should come to pass, from the time of the Kings of Persia, unto Christ, and from thence until the end of the world. Dan. 10.11.12 27 e 28 f 29 g 30 A 
May hath xxxj. days.  1 b Philip and jacob. 2 c  3 d The ascension of Christ into heaven forty days after his resurrection. Mark. 6. 4 e 5 f 6 g God commanded No to carry victuals into the Ark. Gen. 6. 7 A 8 b  9 c  10 d  11 e  12 f  13 g  14 A The 14. Ezekias did first celebrated the Passeover. Para. 30. 15 b 16 c The 15. the children of Israel murmured after flesh, and God sent them plenty of quails. 17 d 18 e 19 f This was the thirty day after the departure from Egypt. Exod. 16. 20 g 21 A The 16. day GOD made Manna to rain down. Exod. 16. 22 b 23 c The 17. No entered into the Ark. Gen. 17. 24 d 25 e The 20. The people departed from mount Sina. Num. 9 26 f 27 g The 22. fire from above consumed a part of the host of Israel. Num. 11. 28 A 29 b  30 c  31 d  
june hath thirty. days.  1 e This day the children of Israel came to mount Sina, and went thence the third month, where they tarried almost a year. 2 f 3 g 4 A 5 b  6 c The 6, the Temple of Diana in Ephesus was burned, the year before Christ 54. 7 d 8 e 9 f  10 g  11 A  12 b  13 c The 13. day of this month, king Assuerus gave out proclamation in favour of the jews against Haman and his conspiracy. Hest. 8. 14 d 15 e 16 f 17 g  18 A  19 b  20 c  21 d  22 e  23 f  24 g john Baptist. 25 A  26 b The Ark of No was lifted up the seven and twenty day, by the waters of the flood. Gen. 7. 27 c 28 d 29 e Peter the Apostle. 30 f  
julie hath xxxj. days.  1 g  2 A  3 b  4 c  5 d  6 e The 6. day of this month, the josias of our age, EDWARD the sixth, king of England died. Anno. 1553. 7 f 8 g 9 A Dog days begin. 10 b The 9 of this month the city of jerusalem assieged by the space of eighteen moan: h●, was finally taken by the king of Babylon. jere. 39 11 c 12 d 13 e 14 f  15 g About this time, the great Sweat began in England. Anno. 1551. 16 A 17 b  18 c  19 d  20 e  21 f  22 g Marie Magdalen. 23 A  24 b  25 c james Apostle. 26 d  27 e As upon this day the athenans received a great overthrow in Sicilia, of the Syracusians. 28 f 29 g 30 A  31 b  
August hath xxxj. days.  1 c Aaron died in the mountain of Hor being a 123. years old, 40. years after the coming out of Egypt. Num. 20. & 33.38.39. 2 d 3 e 4 f 5 g  6 A  7 b  8 c  9 d  10 e The 10. the Temple of jerusalem was set on fire by the soldiers of Titus, and hath not since been builded again. josephus lib. 6. cap. 26. 11 f 12 g 13 A 14 b  15 c  16 d  17 e  18 f  19 g Dog days end. 20 A  21 b  22 c  23 d  24 e Bartholomew Apostle. 25 f  26 g  27 A Religion as on this day, was reformed, according to God's express truth in the most renowned city of Geneva. Anno. 1535. 28 b 29 c 30 d 31 e  
September hath thirty. days.  1 f  2 g  3 A  4 b  5 c  6 d  7 e Our Sovereign Lady QUEEN ELIZABETH was borne as upon this day, at Greenwich. Anno 1532. 8 f 9 g 10 A The 9 of this month, jerusalem was put to fire and sword, and wholly overthrown, as Christ foretold them. josephus lib. 7. cap. 26. 11 b 12 c 13 d 14 e chrysostom being chased out of his Church of Constantinople, as upon this day, died. 15 f 16 g 17 A  18 b  19 c  20 d  21 e S. Matthewe Apostle. 22 f  23 g  24 A  25 b The 25. Nehemias' did finish the repairing of the walls of jerusalem, Anno 1444. before Christ. Nehe. 6.15. 26 c 27 d 28 e  29 f S. Michael. 30 g  
October hath xxxj. days.  1 A  2 b The jews fasted and wept for Godolias. jere. 41. & 42. 3 c 4 d  5 e  6 f  7 g  8 A  9 b  10 c The 10. day was the feast of reconciliation, which was the only day that God ordained to fast. 11 d 12 e 13 f  14 g  15 A  16 b  17 c  18 d Luke Evangelist. 19 e The 17. day, which was the 150. after the beginning of the flood, the Ark rested upon the mountain Ararat in Armenia. Gen. 8. 20 f 21 g 22 A 23 b  24 c The 24. 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 thirty. days.  1 d All Saints. 2 e  3 f  4 g  5 A The 10. This day happened the woeful slaughter of Varna, where Ladislaus king of Hungary was slain by the Turk, Anno. 1444. Also as upon this day Martin Luther was borne. Anno 1483. 6 b 7 c 8 d 9 e 10 f 11 g  12 A  13 b  14 c  15 d The 15. day was the counterfeit feast by jeroboam, after he had withdrawn the ten tribes of Israel from the obedience of Roboham their lawful king, the 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. 1. Kings. 12. 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  29 d  30 e Andrew Apostle. 
December hath xxxj. days.  1 f  2 g  3 A  4 b  5 c The shortest day. 6 d  7 e  8 f  9 g  10 A  11 b  12 c The 15. day the year before the Nativity of Christ 165. Antiochus the great set up an Idol upon the altar of the Lord in jerusalem. 1. Macha. 1. 13 d 14 e 15 f 16 g The 20. day, Esdras gave forth proclamation to the Israelites, to forsake their strange wives that they had married, and to sand them away. 1. Esdr. 9 17 A 18 b 19 c 20 d  21 e Thomas Apostle. 22 f  23 g S. john Evangelist died in Ephesus, being of the age of 89. years, under Trai●n 24 A 25 b The Nativity of Christ. 26 c S. Stephen. 27 d S. john Evangelist. 28 e Innocentes. 29 f the Emperor, about 30. years after the destruction of jerusalem. 30 g  A    

A rule to know when the Term beginneth and endeth.  
HIlarie Term beginneth the three and twenty of januarie, if it be not Sunday: if it be, than the next day after, and endeth the twelfth of February.  
Easter Term beginneth seventeen days after Easter, and endeth four days after the Ascension.  
Trinity Term beginneth the next day after Corpus Christi day, & endeth the wednesday fortnight after.  
Michaelmas Term beginneth the ninth of October, if it be not Sunday & endeth the seven and twenty of November.  
Eight days before any Term begin, the Exchequer openeth, except Trinity Term, which openeth but 4. days before.   

An Almanac for 21. years.  
The years of our Lord. Dominical let. Easter day. Whit sunday. Aduent Sunday. 1578 E 30. Mar. 18. May. 30. Novem. 1579 D 19 April. 7. june. 29. 1580 CB 3 22. 27. 1581. A 26. Mar. 14. 3. Decemb. 1582 G 15. April. 3. june. 2. 1583 FLETCHER 31. Mar. 19 May. 1. 1584. ED 19 April. 7. june. 29. Novem. 1585. C 11. 30. May 28. 1586 B 3 22. 27. 1587. A 16. 4. june. 3. Decemb. 1588. GF 7. 26. May. 1. 1589 E 30. Mar. 18. 30. Novem. 1590. D 19 April. 7. june. 29. 1591. C 4. 23. May. 28. 1592.  26. Mar. 14. 3. Decemb. 1593. G 15. April. 3. june. 2. 1594 FLETCHER 31. Mar. 19 May. 1. 1595 E 20. April. 8. june. 30. Novem. 1596 DC 11. 30. May. 28. 1597 B 27. Mar. 15. 27. 1598. A 16. April. 4. june. 3. Decemb.   

AN INTRODUCTION TO PRAYER.  
FOR AS MUCH AS OF ourselves we are destitute of all good things, and utterly void of all necessary helps to salvation: the Lord our GOD of his own free mercy and goodness, offereth himself to us in Christ, and in him he giveth unto us, in the steed of our misery, all felicity, in the steed of our poverty, the unspeakable riches of his grace: he openeth unto us in him the treasures of heaven, that our Faith might wholly behold him, and our Hope be fully fixed upon him. In whom it hath pleased him that the f●lnesse of his grace should devil, that from thence we might all draw (as out of a most plentiful fountain) the waters of eternal life. This secret and great misery is revealed to such only, whose eyes the Lord hath opened, to see light in his light. Therefore since we are taught by Faith that whatsoever we have need of and is wanting in us, the same is laid up with God for us in Christ: it remaineth that we seek it in him, and with Prayer crave it of him. The Apostle therefore, 
Rom. 10.  to show that true faith cannot be separate from the invocation of God's holy name, hath set this order, that as faith cometh by the Gospel, so by the same faith our hearts are stirred up to call upon the name of God: and therefore he saith, that the spirit of adoption, which sealeth in our hearts the witness of the gospel, raiseth up our spirits that they dare with boldness show forth their desires: it stirreth up in us unspeakable groanings, and causeth us to cry with confidence: Abba Father. By the benefit of prayer therefore we attain to those riches which God hath laid up in store for us: for thereby we have familiar access to God, and boldly entering into the sanctuary of heaven, we put him in mind of his promises: so that now by experience we feel and find that to be true in deed, which by the word we did before but only believe: now we enjoy those treasures by prayer, which by faith we did before but only behold in the Gospel of our Lord jesus.  
Now how necessary and profitable this exercise of prayer is, it appeareth, in that the Lord himself witnesseth our whole salvation to consist in the calling upon his name, whereby he is wholly present, with us: namely by his providence and fatherly care by the which he watcheth over us: by his power, by the which he sustaineth and succoureth our weakness, being every moment ready to perish: and by his goodness & mercy, by the which he receiveth us into favour, being miserably loaden & pressed down with sin▪ And hereby groweth singular rest and quietness to our conscience. For when we have disclosed to him our necessity, herein we find most joyful and perfect quietness, that none of our evils are hidden from him, whom we are persuaded to be both most willing & also most able to help us.  
Now that our prayer may be made in such wise as it aught to be, first we must see that we be in heart and mind no otherwise prepared, then becometh those that enter into talk with God, as we are taught. Eccle. 18. Before thou pray, prepare thyself, and be not as one that tempteth God.  
We must consider therefore when we pray, in whose presence we stand, to whom we speak, and what we desire. We stand in the presence of the almighty creator of heaven & earth, and all things therein contained: to whose eternal majesty innumerable thousands of Angels do assist, se●ue and obey We speak unto him, who knoweth the secrets of our hearts: before whom nothing is more odious than hypocrisy, and dissimulation. We ask those things which be most to his glory and the comfort of our consciences. We must therefore diligently endeavour ourselves to remove all such things as may offend his divine majesty. And first, that we be free from all worldly cares & fleshly cogitations, whereby our minds are carried hither and thither, & being drawn out of heaven, and from the pure beholding of God, are pressed down to the earth.  
And here let us call to mind how unreverently we abuse the great goodness of God, calling us into familiar talk with him, when we have not that reverent fear of his sacred majesty, that we would have of an earthly creature or a worldly Prince: but suffering our hearts to be carried away with wandering thoughts and worldly imaginations, are otherwise occupied, and forsake him in the mids of our prayer.  
As God is a spirit, so he will be worshipped in spirit and truth: that is, in the inward affections of the heart, & with a true, faithful and unfeigned kind of worship. And therefore as at all other times he requireth the heart: so specially in the time of prayer, when we show ourselves in his presence, & enter into communication with him: & thereupon when he promiseth to hear all those that call upon him, he maketh a restraint & saith: that call upon him in truth. Seeing therefore the chief duty of prayer consisteth in the heart, we must with our whole heart pour out our prayers unto God the searcher of hearts, & with a sincere, unfeigned, & ardent affection & opening of our heart before God call upon him, or else we shall not found him.  
Let us know therefore, that none prepare themselves rightly to prayer, but such as have a reverend fear of God's majesty, which they cannot have that come not to it unburdened of earthly cares & affections. And thi● is it that is meant in the Scriptures by the lifting up of hands, that we should remember ourselves to be far off from God, unless we lift up our hearts & minds also on high. An therefore it is said in the Psalm: 
Psal. 25.  To thee have I lift up my soul. The Scripture useth also this manner of speech, To lift up prayer: that they which desire to be heard of God, should not have their minds carried away with earthly cogitations & vanities. And though it be hard to be so bend to prayer, but that we shall find that many buy thoughts will creep upon us to hinder our prayer: yet the more hard it is, the more earnestly we must wrestle to overcome all lets and hindrances, & labour with inward groanings unto the Lord, 
Psal. 86.  that he will link our hearts fast unto him, and not suffer us to beledde away from him, by the vain suggestions of Satan, who at all times compassing us about, is never more busy, then when we address ourselves to prayer, secretly and subtly creeping into our breasts and calling us back from God, so that oftentimes, when we with all reverence should speak to God, we found our hearts, talking with the vanities of the world, or with the foolish imaginations of our own hearts.  
Finally we must be in christian charity, love, and concord with all men, seeking unfeigned, hearty, and brotherly reconciliation, if we have offended any man, before we enter into prayer, or else God will not hear our prayers: yea they are otherwise execrable, & full of damnable hypocrisy in God's sight. And this that is spoken of prayer, may be said also of hearing of God's word, or any other service of God.  
We must therefore say aside all malice, envy, wrath, grudge, contention, wrangling, dissimulation, all guileful, crafty, and subtle dealing, and with a single heart do to other, as we would they should do to us, 
1. Pet. 2.  Peter willeth, that such as have once tasted how good and bounteous the Lord is, and are become new creatures by the heavenly regeneration, through the doctrine of the Gospel, should like holy and innocent babes, lay aside all such works of the flesh, which do deprive a man of the kingdom of God. 
Gal. 5.  And S. Paul commandeth us, that laying aside those cursed works of darkness, we should in the stead thereof, put on (even as the elect of God, holy and beloved) tender mercy, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, long suffering, forbearing one another, & forgiving one another, if any have a quarrel to another, as Christ forgave us: and above all these things, (saith he) put on love which is the bond of perfection, and let the peace of God rule in your hearts. 
Mark. 11.  When ye shall stand and pray (saith S. Mark,) forgive, if ye have any thing against any man, that your father also which is in heaven, may forgive you your trespasses: for if ye will not forgive, your father which is heaven will not pardon you your trespasses.  
Moreover we must have such a fe●ling of our own misery and wretchedness, as may work in us an earnest sorrow and vexation of mind for the same. Example whereof we may see in the dear servants of God, when they, say that out of the deep deepness, and out of the mids of the jaws of death, they utter unto the Lord a sorrowful voice. He that desireth mercy, must have a feeling of his own misery, And therefore saith David: heal my soul O lord, for I have sinned against thee. 
Psal. 41. Psal. 38.  There is no health in my flesh (saith he) because of thy displeasure, neither is there any rest in my bones, because of my sin.  
Thi● anguish and sorrow, stirreth up in God's children a fervent desire to obtain comfort, help, and secure at God's hand, and therefore such as feel themselves oppressed with great calamities, having by the help of man no hope of deliverance, do cry unto God with afflicted hearts, as David did in his distress▪ My soul thirsteth for God, 
Psal. 41.  even for the living God. And, as the heart being wounded, brayeth for the rivers of water, so panteth m● soul after thee, O God.  
This is that godly sorrow which S. Paul saith, worketh in God's children repentance to salvation. 
1. Cor. 7. Psal. 34.  The Lord is nigh to them, saith David, that are of a congrue heart, & will save all such as are afflicted in spirit. To him will I look, 
Psal. 66.  even unto him (saith the Lord) that is afflicted and broken hearted, and trembleth at my words. Therefore David calleth the time of trouble, the fit and convenient time for the faithful to fly unto God by prayer. And albeit they be not at all times in like distress, or continually groaning under the burden of present evils: yet must they needs be ever in dread of new dangers, and carefully afraid of further troubles to follow. As trouble and fear therefore are the very spurs to stir them up to hearty and fervent prayer: so by occasion thereof, they have more free access unto God, as though he did thereby call them unto him.  
This godly sorrow for sin, and fervent desire and longing for God's loving mercy and favour, cometh not of ourselves▪ but of the special goodness of God: for we are of ourselves dull & without all lust to pray: yea, so great is our imperfection, that we know not how to pray as we aught, and therefore the spirit helpeth our infirmity, instructeth us what is right, and guideth our affections. He maketh intercession for the Saints (saith S. Paul) according to the will of God, and that with sighs and groanings which cannot be expressed: that is, he stirs up our hearts, giveth us a desire and boldness to pray: and causeth us to mourn when we are by any means hindered from it, and feel not ourselves moved thereunto with such fervent zeal & affection as we should be.  
Now although we know that it is the only work of the holy Ghost, thus to move and incline our hearts to prayer, notwithstanding we may not be negligent & slothful to dispose and stir up ourselves thereunto, but rather contrariwise, so often as we feel ourselves, cold and not disposed to prayer as we aught to be, we must make our supplication unto the Lord, that it would please him to inflame us with his holy spirit, whereby we may be framed to pray with such fervency of mind, as we aught to do.  
When we are cast down by the sense and feeling of our own infirmity, sin and misery: Yet must we pray (notwithstanding) in sure and steadfast hope to obtain our requests▪ These be things indeed contrary in show, to join with the feeling of the just vengeance of God, sure affiance of favour: which things do yet very well agreed, in that it is the goodness of God only that raiseth us up being oppressed with our own evils, from the which of ourselves we cannot rise. For as repentance and faith are knit as companions together, (albeit the one driveth us down with fear, and the other lifteth us up again with comfort) so in praying they must needs go together. And this agreement David expresseth in few words. 
Psal. 5.  I will (saith he) in the multitude of thy mercies enter into thy house, and in the temple of thy holiness, I will worship thee with fear.  
Therefore when we are once touched with true repentance and feeling of our own misery, we must withal have such a persuasion of God's favour and mercy towards us in all our prayers, that they shall be accepted of God so far forth as it shall be necessary for us. This is the assurance, saith S. john, 
1. john. 5.  that we have in God, that if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us. If we have not a sure trust and confidence in the mercy and promises of God, it is unpossible to make our prayer to him aright: and whosoever doubteth whether God heareth his prayer, that man obtaineth nothing: for to such prayers, God hath made no promise. But contrariwise he saith, What s●eye shall ask in prayeer, 
Matth. ●● Mark. 11.  if ye believe, ye shall receive it. And again: whatsoever ye desire, believe that ye shall obtain it, and it shall be done unto you. Ask saith Saint james, in faith, and waver not, for he that wavereth, is like to the waves of the sea, 
James. 1.  which are tossed of the wind and carried away. And why should we waver or doubt, seeing the holy scriptures testify of God, that he is faithful, just and true in all his words and promises, saying: The Lord is faithful in all his words, he will ever be mindful of his covenant: the tr●the of the Lord endureth for ever?  
And although our faith be not so strong, and therefore our prayer so hearty and zealous as it aught to be, yea though our faith be faint and cold, yet let us hold fast this principle, that our prayers are not frustrate or in vain.  
For our comfort herein, we have an example in the father which brought his son, first to the Apostles, & afterward to Christ, and said: 
Mark. 9  If thou canst Lord, help: and yet afterwards he acknowledged the weakness of his faith▪ & desired to be made strong. I believe Lord (saith he) help mine unbelief. How often do the children of God complain of this imperfection and imbecility of faith? Such as are exercised in true prayer, do feel, that in craving of God the forgiveness of their sins, they bring scarcely the tenth part of that sacrifice which David speaketh of, 
Psal. 51.  where he saith: An acceptable sacrifice to God, is a troubled spirit: a broken and an humble heart, O God, thou wilt not despise. Many times they are driven to wrestle with their own dullness and coldness in prayer: many times their minds slip aside and wander away in vanity: many times they feel not their own lack and misery to prick them sharply enough to prayer: yea, and many times they are so beaten down with the sense and feeling of their own sin and misery, as though they were forsaken of God, and their faith utterly extinguished.  
In what horror and anguish of heart was David when he said unto the Lord: 
Psal. 8●.  Why dost thou reject my soul? Why hidest thou thy face from me? And again, Cease from me until I go away and be not. 
Psal. 39  Whereby it might seem, that he (like a desperate man) desireth nothing else, but that the hand of God ceasing, ●e might rot in his evils: but it is not so. For he saith it not, for that he would have God to departed from him, as the reprobate do: but only he complaineth, that the wrath of God was too heavy for him to bear. A hard temptation is it, when the faithful are compelled to cry: 
Psal. 80.  How long wilt thou be angry against the prayers of thy servants as though their very prayers made God more angry. So when jeremy saith, The Lord hath shut out my prayer: 
Lamen. 3.  no doubt, he was shaken with a vehement pang of temptation.  
These are the imperfections of God's children, which even in believing and hoping do oftentimes utter, some unfaithfulness, and in the very remedies fall into new diseases: for there is no prayer they make, which the Lord would not worthily loathe and abhor, if he should not wink at their spots and imperfections. And such examples are common in the scriptures. Whereby we see, that the Lord often times suffereth his to be grievously tempted and afflicted, and hideth from them the comfort of his spirit, as though they were clean forsaken, but to their great consolation in the end.  
This is the school wherein the wisdom of God nurtureth and trieth her children, as we may see Ecclesi. 4. First she will walk with them (saith he) by crooked ways, and bring them unto fear and dread, and torment them with her discipline, until she have tried their souls, and have proved them by her judgements: then will she return the straight way unto them, and comfort them, and show them her secrets, and heap upon them the treasures of knowledge and understanding of righteousness. Thus we see the state of God's children, that when the Lord hath showed them what they are of themselves by the sight and horror of their sins and terror of God's judgement for the same: then will he show them what they are in Christ, 
Esai. 54.  as Esai saith. For a time, a little while I have forsaken thee, but I will gather thee together in wonderful mercies. In a short time of wrath I hide my face a while from thee, but I will have mercy on thee for ever, saith the Lord thy redeemer.  
Such is the loving kindness and mercy of God towards the afflicted, when they are sorry for their sins, lamenting and mourning in their hearts to be delivered from the same, that they might serve God in the freedom of conscience.  
This is that mourning, this is that hunger and thirst that Christ speaketh of: Blessed are they that mourn, 
Matth. 5  for they shall be comfort: blessed are they that hunger and thirst after righteousness▪ for they shall be satisfied.  
God for his truth sake, will put the righteousness of Christ on them, and wash their unrighteousness away in his blood. The bruised Reed will he not break, and the smoking flax will he not quench. 
Esai. 42.  The afflicted▪ the heavy and broken hearted, the weak and feeble will he not forsake: Yea, be they never so feeble and frail, yet so long as this lust, desire and mourning to be delivered from their sin and misery, remaineth in them, God seeth not their sins, reckoneth them not, nor layeth them to their charge, for his truths' sake and love to Christ. He is not a sinner in the sight of God, that would be no sinner. He that would be delivered, hath his heart loosed already: his heart sinneth not, but mourneth, repen●eth, and consenteth to the law and will of God, & justifieth God, that is, he beareth record that God which made the law, is righteous and just: and such an heart trusting in Christ's blood, in Christ's righteousness, is accepted for righteous, and his weakness, infirmity and frailty is pardoned, and his sins not looked upon, until God put more strength in him: the increase whereof he shall daily feel in such sort, that at the length he shall in all troubles be able to say with David: 
Psal. 23.  If I should go through the shadow and dangers of death, I will not fear whatsoever happen.  
Now to stir up our hearts in consideration of our great misery and necessity to a more fervent prayer, the Lord himself hath commanded us to call upon him for help and secure. Therefore let us have the commandments of God always in our sight touching prayer, and whiles we pray, let us call them to our remembrance▪ 
Matth. 7. Psal. 40. Ephe. 6.  Ask, seek, knock, watch, and pray. Call upon me (saith God) in the day of thy trouble. Pray always with all manner of prayer and supplication, & watch thereunto with all diligence. 
1. Tim. 5.  Rejoice alway, pray continually, in all things be thankful: for this is the will of God in Christ jesus towards you▪ 
Col. 4. Philip. 4.  Continued in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving, Let your requests be showed unto God in prayer and supplication, with giving of thanks.  
And this we are also no less bound to do by the commandment, whereby we are forbidden to take the name of God in vain. For in that we are there forbidden to take the name of God in vain, we are commanded also to take and to use it to his glory, giving unto him the praise of all goodness, help, and succour, whiles we ask and look for the same at his hand. Wherefore except we fly unto him in our trouble, & necessity, except we call upon him for relief & soccour, we provoke his displeasure no less, then if we should make unto ourselves Idols, or worship strange gods: for in the contempt of every one of the commandments, we show like contempt and disobedience to the will of God, and all these sentences which command us to call upon God do appertain unto his commandment: Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain, and so prayer is a work and chief service belonging to this commandment. We may not therefore think that there are no sins but Idolatry, murder, theft, whoredom, & such like, but that it is undoubtedly a great sin also, not to tender this service to God, that is, not to pray, not to ask, not to look for help from God in our necessities not to tender thanks for the benefits we have received.  
Therefore if our unworthiness at any time do cry out against us, stop or fear us, in such sort, that our consciences are astonished and flee from God: if we doubt whether God hath respect to our prayers, groanings, and tears, we must set before our eyes, how that we are commanded, though we be never so unworthy and our sins never so many and great, to pray for reconciliation, God's favour and forgiveness of our sins. For else, whereas God commandeth us to abstain from theft, murder, whoredom, etc. we may in like sort excuse ourselves and say, that we are unworthy to obey God's commandments. Great is our iniquity, and manifest is our contempt and despising of God, when we neglect & delay to call for his help. Such as flee unto God therefore & call upon him in their necessities, obey his will, & found therein no small consolation, knowing that thereby they do unto him most acceptable service, for as much as he pronounceth that nothing is to him more acceptable, than obedience to his will & commandment  
As we are commanded of God boldly and without all respect of our own unworthiness to come unto him as a merciful father, and one that knoweth our necessity, & pitieth out misery: so hath he promised very graciously to hear us, and grant our requests. And hereof riseth yet a far more comfortable and greater consolation: wherein consisteth our whole confidence and trust of obtaining succour and mercy at Goods hand. Wherefore he allureth us w●●h many sweet promises to call upon him. 
Matth. 7.  Ask, saith he, and ye shall have: seek, and ye shall found: knock, and it shall be opened unto you. You shall cry unto me, 
Jere. 25.  and I will hear you: ye shall seek me & ye shall find me. 
Psal. 50. Psal. 145.  Call upon me in the day of trouble, and I will deliver thee. The Lord is nigh to all them that call upon him, that call upon him in truth: he doth the will of them that fear him, and he will hear their prayers. He shall call upon me, 
Psal. 91.  and I will hear him: I will be with him in his trouble, I will deliver him and glorify him. 
Esai. 65.  At the voice of thy cry he will ●rtainelie have mercy on thee, when he heareth thee, he will answer thee. He that is Lord over all, 
Rom. 8.  is rich and bountiful towards them that call upon him. 
Psal. 145.  He will fulfil the desire of them that fear him, he will hear their cry, & will save them. And God to declare his readiness in hearing of sinners, 
Esai. 6●.  saith: Before they cry I will answer, and whiles they are yet thinking what to speak, I will hear.  
Among many sweet promises of GOD, though these might be sufficient to provoke us to fervent and hearty prayer, yet there be certain other notable and most comfortable promises, which we should specially have in remembrance, 
Luk. 11.  as these: If ye which are evil, can give good gifts to your children, how much more shall your heavenly father give the holy ghost to them that desire him? 
Ecclus. 2  Consider the old generation▪ and mark them well: was there ever any confounded that put his trust in the Lord? or who hath continued in his fear and was forsaken? or whom did he ever despise that called upon him? And of all other that is the most notable, which by the Prophet joel is added immediately after the prophesy of that horrible destruction that was at hand, saying: whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord, shallbe saved.  
HERE let us consider the order of the promises, which pertain either outwardly to the body, or inwardly to the soul. Which part (the soul I mean) because it is much more precious than the other, we must first crave such things as properly belong to the salvation thereof. But first of all confessing our sins unto God with most humble and penitent hearts, let us set before us the promises of remission of the same. For this sentence is true: God heareth no sinners, that is, such as delight and continued in sin. Wherefore in all our prayers, yea, when we be about to ask any other things, whatsoever they be, let us first think of the remission of sins, 
1. john. ●.  having always in our sight some comfortable promises thereof, as this: If we confess and acknowledge our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive our offences, and to cleanse us from all iniquity. And hereunto let us crave the light of the holy ghost, to kindle & confirm in us the true knowledge of God. Let us pray for the continuance of God's holy word and Gospel amongst us, for the enlarging of his kingdom, and the advancing of his glory. Let us beg the gift of faith, repentance, fear, patience, prayer, hope, love, joy, peace of conscience, with such other fruits of the spirit, and for everlasting life.  
And here also we must remember that we do not only call ourselves continually to accounted for our new sins, craving at God's hand, mercy and forgiveness of the same, but also for those sins which might seem to have been long ago forgotten: 
Psal. 51.  as David having confessed an heinous offence, by that occasion returneth even to his mother's womb, wherein he had gathered the infection, heaping together the sins of his whole life. Even so in an other place when he asketh an other thing, 
Psal. 25.  he saith: Remember not he sins of my youth: remember me according to thy mercy, for thy goodness sake, O Lord Again, look upon mine affliction and travel, and forgive all my sins.  
When we have thus prayed for things pertaining to the soul and to the kingdom of God, we must pray also for corporal benefits, as well common as private: as peace & tranquillity of those countries which give harborough to the true professors of the gospel & godly congregations, being in this life as Daniel in the mids of the lions. Pray for the peace of jerusalem, 
Psal. 122.  saith David. Also for defence from misery, deliverance from trouble, for happy success in the works of our vocation, for health, living, protection of life, goods, name, etc.  
And although the Lord knoweth before we ask what we have need of, & is ready to give liberally, yea and doth give often times undesired: and furthermore hath promised, that seeking first the kingdom of God & the righteousness thereof, all other things should be given us: yet he commandeth us to ask corporal benefits, & that for three causes.  

FIRST, that we should know that he is the author and giver thereof, and therefore should not only be thankful for the same, but also stirred up, thereby to seek, love, and worship him.  
SECONDLY, that we should be well persuaded of his good providence towards us, 
josu. 1.  when we understand that he doth not only promise' that he will never fail us, but also hath his hand always stretched out to help them that call upon him.  
THIRDLY, that our faith of reconciliation & forgiveness of sins, should be exercised through the ask of those corporal things.   
And herein we must specially & above all things seek the glory of God, & therefore we must pray for these corporal things in such sort, that we may offer therewith our obedience unto God. Hereof we have examples of Christ when he said: father, if it be possible, let this c●p pass from me: nevertheless, not as I will, but as thou wilt. With this obedience to the will of God spoke David, when he desired to be brought again into his kingdom, saying: If I shall found favour in the sight of the Lord, 
2. Reg, 15  he will bring me again: but if he shall say unto me, thou dost not please me: I am ready: let him do as it seemeth him good. 
job▪ 3  And job saith: though he kill me, yet will I put my trust in him.  
Therefore for as much as we do know that it is the lot of God's children to be always under the cross, and therefore concerning these corporal benefits, we know not how, or what to ask as we aught: we must herein offer our obedience unto GOD, abiding his good will and pleasure so long as it shall seem good unto him to exercise us in the want thereof, who suffereth us sometime to be afflicted for our chastisement, and for the probation of our continuance, and also that we may receive with greater gladness (if to his divine wisdom it seem expedient for us) that which with ardent desire we long looked for. 
1. Cor. 15  S. Paul saith, When we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, because we should not be condemeed with the world. But when we pray for spiritual things, we must ask them absolutely and without condition: for thereunto do pertain the chief promises of the Gospel, of the which God would have us most assured. 
john. 6.  Verily, verily, I say unto you (saith Christ) he that believeth in me, 
Eze. 33.  hath everlasting life. As sure as I live (saith the Lord) I will not the death of a sinner, but that he return and live.  
To the promises of God we must join examples, whereby we learn that God hath heard & holpen those that call upon him. For all deliverances, whether they be of other (whereof the scripture is full) or of our selves (whereof we have experience) are examples of God's promises. Hereby did David comfort himself in the anguish and heaviness of his heart, 
Psal. 77.  saying: I will remember the works of the Lord, and call to mind thy wonders of old time. Thou hast mightily delivered thy people, even the sons of jacob and joseph. Again, 
Psal. 31.  I will be glad and rejoice in thy mercy: for thou hast seen my trouble, thou hast known my soul in adversity. And thus being warned both by promises and examples, let us learn to cast our care upon the Lord, to call upon him, and to look for help at his hand: So shall our faith by little and little be more firm & certain, and our heart shall rest in hope & expectation of God's help.  
But for as much as of ourselves we are unworthy to appear in God's sight, whose terrible majesty coming once into our mind, it is impossible, but that we should fly from him as a fearful judge: therefore he hath given unto us a mediator, even our Lord ●esus, that he being a mean between GOD and us, might change the throne of dreadful glory into the throne of grace, and that we by his merits having access unto God, might have assured trust to find grace in his sight. 
1. joh. 2.  If any man sin, saith S. john, we have an advocate with the father, jesus Christ the just, and he is the Reconciliation for our sins. To him saith S. Peter, bear all the Prophets witness, 
Acts. 10  that through his name all that believe in him, shall receive forgiveness of their sins. 
Ephe. 5.  By whom saith S. Paul, we have boldness and entrance in all confidence through faith in him. 
Heb. 4.  And again, We have not an high Priest which can not have compassion on our infirmities, but was in all points tempted like as we are, sin execpted: let us go boldly therefore unto the throne of his grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.  
And as we are commanded to call upon God, and have a promise also to be heard: even so we are commanded to make our prayers unto him in the name, faith, and confidence of this our mediator, and we have no promise to be heard without him: in whom are all the promises of God, yea, and Amen, 
2. Cor. 1. Luk. 11.  confirmed and fulfilled. And no man cometh to the father, but by the son. For he is our mouth whereby we speak to the father, he is our eye whereby we see the father, and he is our right hand whereby we offer ourselves to the Father. Whatsoever therefore we ask in his name, we have a promise to obtain it. 
john. 16.  Verily, verily (saith Christ) I say unto you, whatsoever ye shall ask the father in my name, he shall give it you: in my name, that is, for my sake: your high bishop praying for you. Hitherto ye have not asked any thing in my name: 
joh. 14  ask and ye shall receive. In that day ye shall ask in my name, and whatsoever ye ask, I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.  
Of prayer there be two parts, Petition, and thanksgiving. By petition we pour forth our desires before God, requiring first those things that may set forth his glory, and then such benefits as are profitable and necessary for us. By giving of thanks, we praise and magnify his benefits bestowed upon us, acknowledging that whatsoever good things we enjoy, we have received them of his free goodness and liberality. Therefore David joineth these two parts together in one verse, when he saith: Call upon me in the day of necessity: 
Psal. 5  I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me  
The scripture commandeth us to use both, and that continually. For our necessity is so great, our life is so full of troubles and calamities, and so many dangers hang over our heads every moment, that we have all cause enough, yea even the most holy with sighs and groanings continually to fly unto God, and to call upon him in most humble wise. But this we may better perceive in things pertaining to the soul.  
For when shall so many great sins, whereof we know ourselves guilty, suffer us to be without care and not to crave pardon of GOD for the same? when will sathan give us rest and quietness? when will he cease to range about, seeking whom he may destroy? when shall our temptations give ustruce, so that we shall not need to hasten unto GOD for help? Finally, the desire of the kingdom and glory of God aught so to draw us wholly unto it, not by fits, but continually, that all times should be fit & convenient for us to pray. Wherefore, not without cause we are so often commanded to pray continually. And though we be not driven with like necessity at all times to pray, yet in this case S. james teacheth us what we aught to do. Is any man heavy or afflicted, saith he? Let him pray, that i●, let him crave of God help and comfort: & who so is merry, let him sing, that is, let him praise God.  
Moreover the benefits and blessings of God, are large and plentiful towards us, which way so ever we turn us, that we can never want matter and occasion of praise and thanksgiving. And seeing we aught to acknowledge God to be the author and giver of all good things▪ we should always receive the same at his hand with thanksgiving▪ for to that end God continually bestoweth his good blessings and benefits upon us, that we should continually show forth his praise, and be thankful unto him for the same, and so we tender v●●o him his due honour. And S. Paul, when he saith, that they are sanctified by the word and prayer, signifieth, that to us they are not holy and clean without the word and prayer; and therefore David saith, when he had felt the liberality of the Lord, that there was put into his mouth a new song▪ that is, a new occasion of praise and thanksgiving. Whereby he signifieth, that it is a wicked silence, if we pass over any of God's benefits without praise▪ seeing that as of●ē as he doth good unto us, so often he giveth us occasion to speak good of h●m. We should therefore continually, that is, as much as is possible, at all times, in all places, and in all things, as occasions are continually offered unto us, lift up our prayer unto God in craving help at his hand, and confessing his praise, whereby we may both obtain of him all good things, & also praise & magnify his name for all.  
How this perseverance in prayer is required of us, Christ himself teacheth us by the parable of the three loaves, and of the widow, 
Lu. 11.18  and wicked judge: whereby we are taught to continued in prayer, with all earnestness and fervent supplication, and never to faint or give over, until we be assured in our spirit, that our prayer is heard.  
The prayer of the humble, (saith the son of Sirach) goeth through the clouds: 
Eccle. 35  it ceaseth not until it come near, and it will not depart until the most high God have respect thereunto. Behold saith David, 
Psal. 123.  as the eyes of the servants look unto the hand of their masters, and as the eyes of a maiden unto the hand of her mistress: so our eyes wait upon the Lord our God, until he have mercy upon us. And thus must we not cease to do, until we may boldly say also with David: The Lord hath heard the vo●ce of my weeping, the Lord hath heard my humble petition, the Lord hath received my prayer.  
Now, concerning the form and manner of praying, least we should follow our own fantasy, being of ourselves so blind that we know not how to pray, or what is meet and expedient for us, the Lord himself hath sufficiently instructed us: Who as he hath taught us, throughout the whole scripture, how and for what things we aught to pray: so hath he set forth one manner of prayer, in the which he hath briefly comprehended all such things as we aught, yea or in any wise may ask of God. Wherein he hath expressed what is due, pleasing and acceptable to him, what is necessary for us, and what he will grant: so that there is nothing herein omitted, that might be thought upon, to the praise and glory of GOD, or come into the mind of man for his profit and commodity. And this is that prayer that our Lord jesus Christ taught his Disciples: 
Matth. 9 Luke. 11.  when they asked of him how they should pray.  
Whosoever therefore shall ask any thing that is not contained in this prayer, they presume to add some thing of their own to the wisdom of God, they are not obedient to his will: and they pray without faith, having no word of God to warrant them, and therefore they shall obtain nothing. This prayer, saith Tertullian, is the doctrine of the wisdom of God, wherein he hath taught whatsoever he willed, & willed whatsoever was needful. Albeit we are not so bound to this form of prayer, that we should not use any other kind of words then the Lord himself herein hath used. For there are elsewhere set forth in the scriptures, many prayers far differing from this in words, and yet written by the same spirit, and very profitable to be used of us. And many prayers also are continually uttered of the faithful by the same spirit, which vary from the same in words. But this is required of us, that none should look for, seek, or ask any other thing at all, then that which is briefly comprehended in this praye●; and which, though it differ in words, yet differeth not in sense and substance: like as it is certain that all the prayers which are found in the scriptures, and which do continually proceed from the hearts of the faithful, are referred by the direction of God's spirit unto this prayer, howsoever they differ in the variety of words.  
Many good and godly men, even in our days well exercised in prayer, have left unto us most worthy examples and testimonies hereof, furnished with ample and large matter to form holy and true prayer, and full of power to inflame the heart to a fervent invocation of God's holy name: whereof we have given here some taste unto the godly, and especially to the simple, not yet well exercised.  ¶ Read them, meditate, and pray, and ye shall find comfort in your souls.  

A Meditation concerning Prayer.  
THE MIND OF man hath so large roomth to receive good things, that nothing in deed can fully fill it, but only God, whom then the mind fully possesseth, when it fully knoweth him, fully loveth him, and in all things is framed after his william. They therefore (dear Lord God) that are thy children, and have tasted somewhat of thy goodness, do perpetually sigh, that is, do pray until they come thereto: and in that they love thee also above all things, it wonderfully woundeth them, that other men do not so, that is, love thee, and seek for thee with them.  
Whereof it cometh to pass, that they are inflamed with continual prayers and desires, that thy kingdom might come every where, and thy goodness might be both known, and in life expressed of every man.  
And because there are innumerable many things, which as well in themselves, as in others, be against thy glory, they are kindled with continual prayer and desire, sighing unspeakably in thy sight, for the increase of thy spirit. And sometimes, when they see thy glory more put back, than it was wont to be, either in themselves, or in any other, then are they much more disquieted and vexed.  
But because they know, that thou dost rule all things after thy good will, and that none other can help them in their need, they oftentimes do go aside, all business laid apart, and give themselves to godly cogitations & talk with thee, complaining to thee, as to their father, of those things that grieve them, begging thereto, and that most earnestly, thy help, not only for themselves, but also for others, specially for those whom singularly they embrace in thee, and often do repeat and remember thy gracious benefits both to others, and to themselves also: wherethrough they are provoked to tender to thee hearty thanks, thereby being inflamed, as well-assuredly to hope well of thy good will towards them, and patiently to bear all evils as also to study and labour to mortify the affections of the flesh, and to order all their whole life to the service of their brethren, and to the setting forth of thy glory.  
This they know is that prayer, which thy son jesus Christ our Lord commanded to be made to thee in the chamber, the door being shut. In this kind of prayer he himself did watch often, even all the whole night. Herein was Paul frequent as all thy Saints be. This kind of prayer, is the true lifting up of the mind to thee. This standeth in the affections of the heart, not in words and in the mouth. As thy children be endued with thy spirit, so frequent they this talk with thee. The more thy spirit is in them, the more are they in talk with thee. O give me plentifully thy spirit, which thou hast promised to pour out upon all flesh, that thus I may with thy Saints talk with thee night and day, for thy only beloved sons sake, jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.  
Moreover, thy Saints, to provoke them to this kind of prayer, do use first their necessity, which they consider in three sorts: inwardly, concerning their souls: outwardly, concerning their bodies: and finally concerning their name & fame: whereto they add the necessity of those that be committed to them: the necessity of thy Church, and of the Common weal.  
Secondly, they use thy commandments, which require them under pain of sin, to pray to thee in all their need.  
Thirdly, they use the consideration of thy goodness, which art naturally merciful to young Ravens calling upon thee, much more than to them, for whom Ravens and all things else were made: for whom thou hast not spared thy dear son, but given him, etc.  
Fourthly, they use thy most sweet and free premises, made to hear; and help all them that call upon thee in Christ's name.  
Fiftly, they use examples, how that thou which art the God of all, and rich unto all them that call upon thee in Christ's name, hast heard and holpen others calling upon thee.  
Sixtly, they use the benefits given them before they asked, thereby not only provoking them to ask more, but also certifying their faith, that if thou wast so good to grant them many things unasked, now thou wilt not deny them any thing they ask, to thy glory and their weal.  
Last of all, they use the reading and weighing of Psalms and other good prayers, because they know that thereby peculiarly, besides the other Scriptures, there is no small help: as may appear by Paul, Ephes. 5. Col. 3. where he willeth the congregation to use Psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, but so, that in the heart we would sing and say them. Not that thy children do not use their tongues and words in praying to thee: for they do use their tongues, speech, and words, to stir up their inward desire and fervency of the mind, full well knowing, that else it were a plain mocking of thee, to pray with lips and tongues only. O that I might feel now thy spirit so to affect me, that both with heart and mouth, I might hearty and in faith pray unto thee.  
Now concerning the things that are to be prayed for, thy children know, that the prayer taught by thy son, most lively and plainly doth contain the same, and therefore they often use it, first ask of thee their heavenly father, through Christ, that thy name might every where be had in holiness and praise: then, that thy kingdom by regeneration and the ministery of the gospel might come: & so thirdly, that willingly, perfectly, and perpetually, they might study to do, yea do in deed, thy will with thy holy and heavenly Angels, and spirits. These things they seek and pray for, namely thy kingdom and thy righteousness, before and worldly benefit.  
After which petitions, because all things, yea even the benefits of this present life do come from thee, they do godly desire the same under the name of daily bread, being instructed of thy wisdom, that after spiritual benefits to ask corporal, is not unseemly unto thy children, which know both spiritual and corporal to come from thy mercy.  
In the other petitions they pray for things to be taken from them, beginning with forgiveness of sins: which were impudently prayed for, if that their hearts were not so broken, that they could forgive all things to all men for their part. They add their profession, that is, charity, whereby they profess, that they have forgiven all offences done to them.  
Howbeit, because it is not enough to have pardon of that which is past, except they be preserved from new offences, they pray thee, not to lead them into temptation, by permitting them to the perverse suggestions of Satan, but rather to deliver them from his importunity and power: understanding Satan the author of all evil. O (dear God) that thou wouldst endue me with thy spirit of grace and prayer with thy children accordingly, to make this prayer always when so ever I do pray.  
As for outward evils, so long as they do not (as it were) enforce thy people to sin, in that christian perfection doth accounted them amongst thy benefits: thy Son hath not taught thy Church to pray for the taking away of them in this prayer: for here he hath contained but those things, for the which all Christians generally and particularly may of faith pray at all times.  
It often cometh to pass, that exterior evils, because they be not evils in deed, that is, they be not against God's grace in us, therefore they cannot of faith be prayed for, to be taken away: for thy children that have faith, do always prefer thy judgement, before their own. The which judgement, when they know by that which happeneth to them, they submit themselves thereto wholly: although the spirit make his unspeakable groanings to help their infirmities by prayer, not to have them taken away, but that they might have strength and patience to bear the burden accordingly. Which burden, if it be too heavy in the better sense and feeling thereof, they in their prayers do complain something, rather than pray to have it taken away, as our Saviour did in the garden, when he added to his complaint: Not my will, but thy will be done.  
So do thy people in all their complaints add, Not as we will, but as thou wilt: for they are taught by thy spirit, no otherwise to pray for the taking away of corporal evils, either from themselves, or from others, unless they by the same spirit do certainly see the same to make to thy glory: as did thine Apostles and servants, when absolutely and without condition they did ask health or miracle for any, when they healed or raised the dead by prayer: for they knew, nothing can be better than when it is according to thy william. O that I might always know thy will in all things, and for ever apply myself thereto.  
Hereof it cometh that thy saints and dear children, which love their neighbours as themselves, do yet notwithstanding, in their prayers ask vengeance of some (as we may read in the Psalms of David) because in praying and talking with thee, they see by thy holy spirit (for without it is no true prayer) sometimes thy judgements upon some, which they perceive to sin to death, and therefore aught not to be prayed for: because thy glory can not be set forth as it should be, without their destruction.  
Thy will is always best, and the thing whereto they frame all their desires. Therefore, when they perceive that it is decreed with thee, such and such by their destruction to set forth more mightily thy glory, how should they but desire and pray for the same, and writ it as David hath done, that the godly in reading and weighing such prayers, might receive comfort, and the ungodly be afraid: else, when that they perceive not so manifestly the determined judgement of God, they in their prayers do most hearty pray for them, as Samuel did for Saul, Moses for the Israelites, and Abraham for the Sodomites, O good father, for thy mercy's sake, give me the true love of mankind, but yet so, that I may love man for thee, and in thee, and always prefer thy glory above all things, through Christ our Lord.  
Now though thy children do know that thy will can not but be done, and nothing can be done, but that thou of thine own will hast determined to do, although no man should desire the same, yet are they earnest and frequent in prayer: first to tender obedience to thee, which requirest prayer as a spiritual service to thee: secondly, because thou hast ordained prayer to be as an instrument and mean, by the which thou workest things with thee already decreed and determined.  
Thy children do use prayer to offer thee their service, if it shall please thee to use the same: and as they do eat and drink, which is a mean ordained of thee for the conservation of their life, not looking hereby to lengthen their days above their bounds, which already thou hast appointed, but as becometh them, to use thy means, which thou hast ordained to serve thy providence: so do they (as men herein not curious to know thy providence further than thou revealest it) use prayer as a mean by the which thou art accustomed to work many of thy children's desire, that according to thy good will, thou mayest use the same.  
They do not think a mutability in thee (for thou art GOD, and art not changed, with thee there is no variableness,) and therefore they pray, not as men which would have thy determinations and ordinances, (which are in most wisdom, and mercy) to be altered, but rather that they might submit their wills to thine, and make them more able to hear thy will and pleasure.  
They know thou hast promised to help them calling upon thee: wherefore they doubt not, but so thou wilt do, and therefore pray accordingly.  
They love thee heartily, and therefore they can not but desire much to talk with thee, that is, to pray: even as a well mannered and loving wife will not take upon her to ask any thing of her husband at all, but that she hopeth he will take in good part, & do of his own free-will, although she had spoken nothing thereof.  
When she knoweth what her husbands will is in things, she gladly talketh with him thereof, and according as she seeth he is disposed to do, she will often desire him to do it. Even so thy children (I say) which heartily love thee, in that they know thy wisdom and will is best, how can they but often talk with thee, and desire thee to do that which they know is best, which they know also thou wouldst do, if none should ask or pray for the same?  
Thy children use prayer, as a mean, by the which they see plainly thy power, thy presence, thy providence, mercy and goodness towards them, in granting their petitions, and by prayer they are confirmed of them all. Yea thy children use prayer, to admonish them, how that all things are in thy hands. In prayer they are (as it were) of thee put in mind of those things which they have done against thee, their good Lord. By reason whereof repentance en●ueth, and they conceive a purpose to live more purely ever afterwards, and more hearty to apply themselves to all innocency and goodness.  
Who now considering so many great commodities to come by reason of prayer, would marvel, why thy children are much in prayer, and in labouring to provoke others thereunto? For as none that is a suitor to any other, will use any thing which might offend or hinder his suit: so no man that useth prayer, will flatter himself in any thing that should displease thee, to whom by prayer he moveth suit, whensoever he prayeth: so that nothing is a more provocation to all kind of godliness than prayer is.  
As concerning outward things which thy children pray for, although they know thy will and decree is not variable, & thy purpose must needs come to pass, yet do they receive by their prayer no small commodity. For, either they obtain their requests or not. If they do obtain them, then prove they by experience that thou dost the will of them that fear thee, and so they are more kindled to love and serve thee. And in deed for this purpose thou art wont, when thou wilt do good to any, to stir up their minds to desire the same good of thee, to the end that both thou and thy gifts may be so much the more magnified and set by of them, by how much they have been earnest suitors and petitioners for the same. For how can it but inflame them with love towards thee, to perceive and feel thee so to care for them, hear them, and love them?  
If they do not obtain that they pray for't, yet undoubtedly they receive great comfort, to see that the evils which press them, and whereof they complain still, do not oppress and overcome them, and therefore they receive strength to bear the same the better. O good father help me, that I might hearty love thee, complain to thee in all my needs, and always by prayer to pour out my heart before thee. Amen.  
john Bradford.   

A meditation upon the lords prayer.  

Our Father.  

Exod. 1.  THou good Lord which madest heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is therein, together with thy dearly beloved son jesus Christ, and with thy holy spirit, thou the same God which openest thyself to Adam by thy promise: 
Gen. 3. Gen. 12.22.23.24.25. Exod. 13.14.15. Exod. 19.20.  thou the God of Abraham, Isaac, & jacob▪ that which broughtest thy people of Israel forth of Egypt with a mighty hand, and a stretched out power: thou which gavest thy law upon Mount Sinai: thou which spakest by thy Prophets, 
Heb. 1  and last of all in these latter days, by thy dearly beloved son jesus Christ, whom thou wouldst should be made a second Adam, 
1. Cor. 15 Rom. 5.  that as by the first▪ we are Children of wrath, carnal, and full of concupiscence: so by him we might be made children of grace, and spiritual, by communicating with him the quality, merits, virtues, and grace of his flesh, through the operation of his holy spirit, as he communicated with us the substance of our flesh, in the womb of the Virgin Marie, in the operation of the same holy spirit, 
Matth. 1. Luk. 1.  being that blessed seed which was promised to Adam, 
Gen. 3.12 26.28. Psal. 89.2. Reg. 7. Luk. 1. Psal. 110.  Abraham, Isaac, jacob, and David, which should bruise the Serpent's head, which should bring the blessing on all nations, which should reign over thy house for ever, and mightily overcome thine and our enemies, as indeed he did by his incarnation, nativity, circumcision, exile, baptism, fasting, temptation, doctrine, miracles, workings, agonies, bloody prayer, passion, death, resurrection, and ascension, 
Rom. 8.  and yet he still doth by his meditation and intercession for us, 
Matth. 24  and at the length will on all parts fully accomplish by his coming to judgement, which will be suddenly in the twinkling of an eye, 
1. Cor. 15.  in the blast of a trumpet, and shout of an Archangel, 
1. Thes. 4.1 2. Cor. 5. Exod. 32.33. Psal. 5. joel 2. Psal. 15. Gen. 6.  when he shall be seen with thousands of Saints, & innumerable thousands of Angels, all the whole world being on fire, & all the people that ever were, are, or shall be, then standing before his tribunal or judgement seat, to tender an account of that they have done in this body, be it good or bad: Thou (I say) this God which art holy, righteous, true, wise, pure, chaste, mighty, merciful, good, gracious, a hater of sin, & a revenger of unrighteousness, etc. 
* Our heart is by nature so corrupt and unsearchably evil, that out of it springeth all wicked concupiscence, so that the inclination thereof is prove to evil, even from our birth up: & our mind and understanding is so darkened that of ourselves we cannot perceive those things that be of god as is all the wisdom which we receive from Adam naturally, or otherwise attain by labour or study before regeneration.  wouldst that I which am borne in sin, and conceived in iniquity, which by nature am a child of wrath, and in whom dwelleth continual enmity against thee: that I which am nothing but sin, and one that doth evil always before thee, should call thee and believe thee, this God and Father of our Lord & Saviour jesus Christ, to be in very deed my father: that is, thou wouldst I should be most assured, that thou of thine own good will which thou barest to me wards before I was, yea before the world was, hast in Christ chosen me to be thy child, and through him art become my most loving Father, from whom I should look for all good things, & be most certainly persuaded that look how much thou art more than a man, so much thy love and fatherly providence towards me, passeth the love and providence of any father towards his child, in loving me, caring how to help me, providing for me, nurturing me, and helping me in all my needs. So certain thou wouldst have me to be of this, that to doubt of it doth most displease thee and dishonour thee, as though either thou were not true, or not able to do these things, or else becamest not my father in respect of thine own goodness in Christ only, but also in respect of my worthiness and deserts.  
And that I should not waver or doubt of this, 
Causes to comfort our faith, that God ●s our father.  that thou art my dear Father, and I thy child for ever, through jesus Christ, it is required in the first commandment, which saith: I am the Lord thy God, thou shalt have none other Gods but me.  
Again, thy son doth here command me to call thee by the name of father. Moreover, in the first article of my belief, I profess the same, in saying: I believe in God the Father almighty. Besides this, there are many other things to confirm me herein, as the creation and government of the world generally, and of every creature particularly, for all is made and kept for man, and so for me, to serve me for my commodity, necessity, and admonition. Again, the creation of me, in that thou hast made me after thy Image, having a reasonable soul, body, shape, etc. where thou mightest have made me a toad, a Serpent, a Swine, deformed, frantic, etc. Moreover, thy wondered conservation, nourishing and keeping of me hitherto in my infancy, childhood, youth, etc. all these (I say) should confirm my faith of thy fatherly love.  
But of all things, the opening of thyself by thy word and promise of grace made after man's fall, first to Adam, then to Abraham, Isaac, jacob, and so to other, being published by the Prophets from time to time, & last of all accomplished by thy dear Son jesus Christ, 
2. Cor. 1.  in whom thy promises are yea and Amen: the opening of thyself thus (I say) in and by Christ, is the most chief and sure certificate, that thou art my father for his sake, & I thy dear child, although of myself I am most unworthy. For thou according to thy promises, 
john 3 Ephe. 5.  hast not spared thy dear son jesus Christ, but given him to the death of the Cross for my sins. Thou wouldst he should be made flesh of our flesh, and blood of our blood, in the womb of the Virgin Marie, by the operation of thy holy spirit, that we by the working of the same spirit, through the merits of his flesh and blood, might be made flesh of his flesh, and blood of his blood: that is, as he hath the substance of our flesh and blood: even so we might have and for ever enjoy in him and through him, the qualities, virtues, and gifts of righteousness, holiness, innocency, immortality, and glory, wherewith he hath endued our nature in his own person for us all, that as now in faith and hope we have the same, so in his coming, we might fully enjoy them in very deed: for than shall our bodies now vile, 
Phil. 3●  be like to his glorious body.  
Herein appeareth thy love, 
1. john 3  not that we loved thee, but that thou lovedst us, and hast given thy Son for us. Herein dost thou commend unto us thy love, that when we were yet sinners, Christ thy dear son died for us, so that nothing should separate us from thy love in Christ jesus, 
Rom. 5.  neither affliction, anguish, persecution, famine, neither life nor death, 
Rom. 8. Rom. 5.  etc. For if when we were enemies, we were reconciled unto thee by the death of thy son, much more we being reconciled, shall be saved by his life.  
And that I should not doubt hereof, but certainly be persuaded all this to pertain to me, where I might have been borne of Turks and Infidels, lo thou wouldst I should be borne of Christian Parents, brought into thy Church by Baptism, 
What Baptism is, and what it requireth  which is a Sacrament of adoption, and requireth faith as well of remission of my sins, as of sanctification and holiness, to be wrought of thee in me by thy grace and holy spirit.  
Where I might have been borne in an ignorant time & Region, thou wouldst I should be borne in this time and Region, wherein is more knowledge revealed, then ever was here, or in many places is.  
Where I might have been of a corrupt judgement, and entangled with many errors, lo, thou of thy goodness, as thou hast reformed my judgement, so dost thou keep it, & now for the same judgements sake, dost vouchsafe, somewhat by the cross to try me. 
What is the effect or fruit that cometh of this certain persuasion, that God is our Father.  By all which things I should confirm my faith of this, that thou always hast been, art, and wilt be for ever my dear father.  
In respect whereof, as I should be certain of salvation, & of the inheritance of heaven for ever: so should I be thankful, call my whole care on thee, trust to thee, and call on thee, with comfort and certain hope for all things that I want.  
For in that thou hast given to me this benefit to be thy child undeserved and undesired on my behalf, simply and only in respect of thine own goodness and grace in Christ, lest at any time I should doubt of it, how should I but hope certainly that nothing profitable to me can be denied, in that thy power is infinite. For as thy good will is declared in adopting me, so nothing can be finally wanting in me, which may make for my weal, for than should not thy power be almighty: & therefore my belief requireth, that I should believe in thee the father Almighty.  
In consideration whereof, I should in all things behave myself as a child, rejoice in thee, praise thee, trust in thee, fear, thee, serve thee, love thee. call upon thee, etc.  
But alas, how heavy hearted am I? How unthankful am I? how full of unbelief, and doubting of this thy rich mercy? how little do I love thee, fear thee, call upon thee, & c?  
O be merciful unto me, forgive me, good Father for thine own sake, and grant me the spirit of thy children, to reveal thyself unto me, & jesus Christ thy dear Son our Lord, by whom we are made thy children, that I may truly know thee, hearty love thee, faithfully hung upon thee in all my needs, with good hope call upon thee, tender faithfully this honour to thee, that thou art my God and father, and I thy dear child through thy grace in Christ, and so always be endued with an assured hope of thy goodness, and a faithful obedient heart in all things to thy holy william.  
At thy hands and from thee, as I must look for all things, so come I unto thee, & pray thee to give me these things, which thy dear children have, and thou requirest of me, that I may come and ask them of thee, as now I do, through jesus Christ our Lord  
As by this word (Father) I am taught to glory of thee and in thee, and all that ever thou hast (for thou art wholly mine, my Lord, my God, my father:) so by this word (Our) I am taught to glory of all the good that all and every of thy servants that ever were, are, or shall be, had, have, or shall have. For now I am taught to believe that thou hast called me into the communion of thy Church and people, whom hereby I perceive thou hast commanded to be as careful for me, as for themselves, and in all their prayers to be as mindful of me, as of themselves.  
Again, as by this word (Father,) I am taught to remember and tender my duty I own to thee wards, faith, love, fear, obedience, etc. so by this word (Our) I am taught my duty towards thy people, to be careful of them, and to take their sorrow, poverty, affliction, etc. as mine own, and therefore to labour to help them in heart and hand after my vocation and ability, utterly abhorring all pride, self-love, arrogancy, and contempt of any.  
By reason whereof I have great cause to lament, and to rejoice. To lament, because I am so far from consideration, much more from doing my duty to thy people, in thoughts, words and deeds. To rejoice, because I am called of thee, and placed in the blessed society of thy Saints, and made a member and citizen of the heavenly jerusalem: & because thou hast given in commandment to all thy Church, to be as careful for me as for themselves.  
But alas, how far am I herefrom? As I am guilty of unthankfulness for this thy calling me into the blessed communion of thy dear son and Church, yea of thyself: so am I guilty of self-love, unmercifulness, pride, arrogancy, forgetfulness, and contempt of thy children: for else I could not but be otherwise affected, and otherwise labour than I do.  
O be merciful unto me good father: forgive me, and grant for Christ's sake, that as my tongue soundeth this word Our, so I may in heart feel the true joy of thy blessed communion, and the true love and compassion which thy children have and feel towards their brethren: that I may rejoice in all trouble, in respect of that joyful communion: that I may deny myself to honour thy children upon earth, and endeavour myself to do them good for thy sake, through jesus Christ our Lord. I come only to thee, to give me that which I can not, nor must not elsewhere have, and thou requirest it of me, that therefore I should as thy child, come and crave it to thy glory.   

Which art in heaven.  
AS by these words Our Father, I am taught to glory & rejoice for the blessed communion which I am called to with thee, dear Father, with thy Christ, and with thy holy Church: so also am I here taught by these words, Which art in heaven, to rejoice in respect of the place and blessed joys whereunto at the length in thy good time I shall come. For now I may perceive that as heaven is thy home, so is it mine also, being, as I am, thy child through Christ, although here for a time I am bodily on earth and in misery.  
Again, by these words, which art in heaven, I am admonished, not only to discern thee from earthly Fathers, and to know how that thou art Almighty, present in all places, and of most purity, to confirm thereby my faith, to be provoked the more to fear thee, to reverence thee, etc. But also I am admonished to judge of thy fatherly love, by heavenly benefits, and not by corporal, simply and alonely: for oftentimes the wicked prospero more in the world, and have more worldly benefits than thy children. So that by this I see, thou wouldst pull up my mind from earth and earthly things, to heaven and heavenly things, and that I should see further by corporal benefits, thy heavenly providence for me. For if thou place me thus on earth, and thus bless me as thou dost, and hitherto hast done from my youth up, in that thou art nothing so careful for my body as for my soul: how should I but think much of thy providence, for it is thy home, where is such glory as the eye hath not seen, etc. Of which things these corporal benefits of thine given me on earth, should be (as it were) inductions, & the taking of them away, admonitions to be more mindful of permanent things, and less mindful of transitory things.  
By reason hereof I have great cause to lament, and to rejoice. To lament, because I am so earthly minded, so little desirous of my home, so unthankful for thy providence and fatherly protection here on earth.  
To rejoice, because of my home, and the great glory thereof: because thou dost so provide for me here, because thou dost so correct and chasten me, etc. But alas, I am altogether a wretch, earthly, and unthankful, not only for these corporal benefits, health, riches, friends, fame, wisdom, etc. for thy fatherly correction, sickness, temptation, etc. but also for thy heavenly benefits, for Christ jesus, for the promise of thy spirit, for thy Gospel, etc. yea, even for heaven itself and thy whole glory, 
〈◊〉. 106.  as the Israelites were for the land of Canaan, and therefore never enjoyed it, but perished in the wilderness. I am proud in prosperity and forget thee, waxing secure and careless. I am impatient in the cross, and too much consider worldly discommodities.  
O dear father, forgive me for thy Christ's sake all mine unthankfulness, love of this world, contempt and oblivion of thy heavenly benefits, and grant me thy holy spirit to illuminate the eyes of my mind with the light and lively knowledge of thy presence, power, wisdom, & goodness in thy creatures, but specially in Christ jesus thy son, & so by the same spirit inflame mine affections, that I may desire nothing in earth but thee, 
Col. 3. Philip. 3.  and to be present with thee, that my conversation may be in heaven continually, from whence grant me still to look for the Lord jesus, to make this my vile body like unto his own glorious and immortal body, according to his own power, by which he is able to do all things. As thou hast given me to be thy child: so I pray thee, give me these things which be the properties of thy children, given from thee in thy good time.   

Hallowed be thy name.  
THy name is that whereby thou art known: for names serve to discern & know one thing from an other. 
Rom. 1.  Now, though thou art known by thy creatures, yet in this our corrupt state, they serve but to make us excuseless. Therefore most properly, lively, and comfortably thou art known by thy holy word, & especially by thy promise of grace, and freely pardoning and receiving us into thy favour for Christ jesus sake. 
Psal. 48.138. How Gods name is hallowed  For the which goodness in Christ, thou art praised and magnified, according to thy name, that is, so much as men know thee in Christ, they magnify thee, & praise thee, which here thou callest hallowing or sanctifying. Not that thou art the more holy in respect of thyself, but in respect of men, who the more they know thee, the more they cannot but sanctify thee: that is, they cannot but as in themselves by true faith, love, fear, & spiritual service honour thee: so also in their outward behaviour and words, they can not but live in such sort, as other seeing them, may in, and by their holiness and godly conversation, be occasioned, as to know thee, so to sanctify thy name accordingly: and therefore thou settest forth here unto me, what is the chief & principal wish and desire of thy children and people, 
The chei● desire of gods chi●●dren.  namely that thou in Christ mightest be truly known and honoured, both of themselves and of other, inwardly and outwardly: as by the contrary a man may easily perceive, 
The greatest grief of God's people.  that the greatest sorrow and grief thy people have, is ignorance of thee, false service or religion, and wicked conversation. Against the which they pray and labour diligently after their vocations, as they for the obtaining of the other, both to other and to them selves, do take no small pain in prayer, study, and godly exercise.  
By reason hereof I see, that I am far from this desire and lamentation which is in thy children. 
Our ignorance.  I see mine ignorance of the true knowledge of thee and thy name: for else it had not needed thee so by thy word to have revealed thyself. I see also mine own ignorance of the excellency of the same: for else wouldst thou not have told me, that the sanctfying of thy name is the chiefest thing thou requirest of every man.  
Again, 
Our great need.  I see my great want of holiness: for else thou needest not to teach me to seek and pray for that I want not.  
Moreover, I see my great perversity, which would not seek at thy hands for sanctification, although I see my need thereof. For the which thou wouldst not have commanded me to pray, if I seeing my want, would have prayed unto thee for the same.  
Last of all, 
God's love.  I see thy wonderful goodness, which wilt undoubtedly give unto me sanctification and holiness: for thou wouldst not that I should ask for that thing, that thou wilt not give me.  
So that I have great cause to lament and rejoice. To lament, because I am so far from this desire and lamentation which thy children have. Also because of my ignorance, poverty, perversity, unthankfulness etc. but most of all, because thy holy name, word and religion is so blasphemed both in doctrine & in living, of many, especially in this realm.  
To rejoice I have great cause, for thy exceeding goodness and mercy, which wouldst so disclose thyself by thy works, word, and Gospel: which wouldst open these things thus unto me, and also give unto me and others sanctification in thy sight by faith, and in the sight of men by pureness of life, and godly conversation. But, alas, I do hearty neither the one nor the other, that is, lament or rejoice, as thou father which searchest my heart, dost right well know.  
O be merciful unto me, and forgive me, yea, give me of thine own pity, thy holy spirit to reveal and open to my mind effectually my miserable estate and condition, my ignorance, perversity, & my carelessness for thy true honour and dishonour: in such sort, that I may hearty lament these evils, and have them pardoned & taken from me, through jesus Christ our Lord  
Again, good Father, give me the same thy holy spirit, to reveal to me thy name, word, and Gospel, that I may lively know thee, unfeignedly love thee, hearty obey thee, and above all things desire and labour by all means lawful, that all godliness in doctrine and conversation may be exercised both in me and in all others, for whom thou wouldst I should pray.  
Here think upon the state of religion, and the life of the professors of the Gospel, that thou mayest lament some, pray for some, and give thanks for some.   

Let thy kingdom come.  

God's kingdom in respect of his power.  THY kingdom is in two sorts to be considered: universally and particularly. Universally, according to thy power, wherewith thou governest all things every where in earth, heaven, hell, devils, Angels, men, beasts, fowls, fishes, and all other creatures.  

Psal. 104.  Of this kingdom spoke David when he said: This kingdom ruleth over all Particularly thy kingdom is to be considered according to thy grace, 
God's kingdom in respect of his grace.  wherewith thou reignest only in thy Church and elect people, ruling and governing all and every member of thy Church, to thy glory and their eternal comfort. Not that out of this Church I exclude thy power, (for as therewith thou defendest thy people, so thou punishest thy enemies:) but because thy grace is specially considered, being (as it were) the very keeper that keepeth and guideth thy people.  
The time will be when this kingdom of grace and power, 
God's kingdom in respect of his glory.  now being as distinct, shall be united and made one kingdom of glory: which will be when Christ shall give up his kingdom into thine hands, that is, in the resurrection, when death the last enemy shall be subdued, & thou shalt be all in all.  
In the mean season, this kingdom of grace is miraculously and mightily propagated, 
How Gods kingdom is here conserved and enlarged.  enlarged, and governed by the true ministery of thy word and sacraments, through the working of thy holy spirit. And this is the mean and way whereby, as thou didst first plant, so dost thou enlarge, amplify, and preserve the same.  
This kingdom of grace begun, continued, and enlarged by the true preaching of thy Gospel, and ministration of thy sacraments, is the thing which Christ teacheth here thy children to pray for, that it might come: that is to say, that thy Gospel might so mightily, purely, and plenteously be preached (maugre the head of all thine enemies) that the number of thine elect might be brought in, and so the kingdom of thy glory might appear. So that, as I see thy children desire, pray, and labour that thy Gospel might be truly preached, heard, and lived in themselves and in others: so they lament the not preaching and refusing, the not living and not believing thy Gospel: yea they lament the lingering of the coming of thy Christ: for in his coming they know they shall be like unto him, and having this hope, 
1. joh. 3.  they purify themselves as he is pure. By reason hereof I see, first that I am far from this desire and lamenting, which thy chilhave: 
Our ignorance.  I see my ignorance of thy kingdom and power every where: also of thy grace in thy Church only, and of thy glory when all the enemies of thy grace shall be cast down, and thy glory and power shall embrace each other. I see my ignorance, how acceptable a service to thee is the true preaching, and the hearing of thy Gospel: for else thou hadst not needed to have placed this petition next to the petition of the sanctifying of thy name.  
Again, I see here mine unableness to enter into thy kingdom, and to attain to it: for else what need should I have to pray for that to come from thee, which otherwise may be achieved?  

Our perversity.  Thirdly, I see my perversity and contempt of thy kingdom & grace: for although I see my want, yet I would not desire thy kingdom to come, if thou didst not command me so to pray: and if I would have prayed for it, thou wouldst not have commanded me.  

God's goodness.  Last of all, I see thy goodness, which wilt bring thy kingdom, and that as generally, by sending forth ministers to preach truly: so particularly, by regenerating me more and more, & by giving me, as grace here, so glory elsewhere: for thou wouldst not I should pray for that which thou wilt deny.  
So that I have great cause to lament and rejoice. To lament, because of my miserable state and condition: because of my sin, ignorance, rebellion, perversity, satans power, contempt of thy grace, thy Gospel, and ministery here, or elsewhere. To rejoice, because of thy goodness & great mercy which hast brought me into thy Church, keepest me in it, and wilt do so stil. Also because of the ministery of thy word and sacraments, by which the holy Ghost is and will be effectual: and finally because of the great glory whereunto thou hast called me, and which now thou wilt give unto me ask the same.  
But alas, how unthankful I am and sorrowless, Lord thou knowest, for my heart is not hid from thee. O be merciful unto me and forgive me good father, and grant me the spirit of thy children, to reveal unto me my ignorance of thy kingdom, my poverty and perversity, that I may lament the same, and daily labour for thy help and thy holy spirit, to suppress the kingdom of sin in myself and in others.  
Again, grant me that same thy holy spirit to reveal to me thy kingdom of power, grace and glory, to kindle mine affections, to regenerate me more and more, to reign in me as in a piece of thy kingdom, to give to me to desire, to pray, and to labour for thy kingdom both to myself and to others effectually to thy glory, and to assure my conscience of thy goodness, that thou wilt give me grace and glory, etc.  
Here call to mind the state of the ministery and ministers, the light and life of gospelers, the errors and heresies which men be entangled withal.   

Thy will be done.  

God's omnipotent will unknown and unrevealed.  AS thy power is infinite, so is thy wisdom accordingly.  
Whereby, as we may perceive that nothing is, or can be done against thy power, or otherwise then by it: so is there not, nor cannot be any thing done against, or otherwise then by thy omnipotent & secret will, which is always (as thou art) good holy, and just, how far so ever it seem otherwise to our foolish reason and judgement: and therefore here we are taught to pray, that thy will may be done here without sin on man's behalf, as it is on the Angel's behalf in heaven.  
Again, for as much as thou art incomprehensible of thyself, as well concerning thy power, 
Gods w●l revealed and known.  as concerning thy wisdom: we may not according thereto search thee, but rather adore and worship thy majesty, and tremble at thy judgements, and works, and therefore pray always, that we may be content with thy will, and be buxom and obedient thereto.  
And for as much as thou hast revealed to us so much of thy will in thy word written, as is necessary for us in this life to know, yea, as we can attain unto, and a little further: we aught to take all things done against the same, as sin and transgression, although thou canst use the same sin, to serve thy providence: of the which providence we can not, nor may not judge further than thou hast, and shalt open it unto us.  
So that this petition, Thy will be done, is not simply to be understood concerning thy omnipotent will unrevealed, against the which nothing is nor can be done, but rather concerning thy will revealed in thy law and Gospel, the which thou here teachest me that we should desire, not only to know it, but also to do it, and that in such perfection and willingness, as it is in heaven. The which thing I perceive hereby, that thy children do desire daily in and for themselves and others, and do lament that contrary, in whom so ever it be: so that often their eyes gush out with rivers of tears, 
Psal. 119.  because men keep not thy laws.  
By reason hereof I see that I am far from the sighs and tears of thy people. I see my ignorance of thy will, 
Our ignorance.  if thou hadst not opened the same by thine own mouth. I see my ignorance, how acceptable a service obedience to thy will is, and therefore dost thou place this petition among the first and continual desires of thy children.  
Again I see my poverty in godly obedience, 
Our need.  which had need to be taught to pray for it, thereby to signify unto me my want and unability to attain it, but by thy gift.  
Thirdly, 
Our disobedience.  I see my disobedience: for else never wouldst thou have commanded me to have prayed for the doing of thy will, if I seeing my want, would have prayed so.  

God's goodness.  Last of all, I see thy goodness, which wilt give to me and others, to obey thy will: that is, to love thee with all our hearts, to love our neighbour as ourselves, to die to ourselves, to live to thee, to take up our cross and to follow thee, to believe, to repent, etc. for else thou wouldst never have bidden us to pray for a thing which we should not look for.  
So that I have great cause to lament and rejoice. To lament, because of my miserable state and condition, because of my sin, ignorance poverty, and perversity: also because thy will is every where, either not known or contemned, and satans will, the will of the world, and of the flesh, readily obeyed.  
To rejoice I have great cause, for that thou hast opened thyself and will unto mankind: for that also thou peculiarly hast taught me these things, and because thou wilt grant me grace to do the same. But alas, how unthankful I am, and how hard hearted, thou Lord dost know.  
O be merciful unto me, and forgive me: I beseech thee gracious God. Grant me thy holy spirit to reveal to me my ignorance of thy will, my poverty & perversity, that I may heartily bewail it, etc. and by the help and working of the same spirit, may suppress the will of the flesh. Again, grant me thy holy spirit to reveal to me thy will declared in thy law and Gospel, that I may truly know the same: and inflame so my affections, that I may will and love the same in such sort, that it may be my meat and drink to do thy william.  
Here call to mind the ten commandments of God particularly or generally, what therein he requireth, and pray for the same particularly as you see your need, and that not only for yourself, but also for others.  
Pray for patience to suffer what cross so ever God shall lay upon you, and pray for them that be under the cross, that they may be patiented: pray for spiritual wisdom in every cross, peculiar or public, that you may see and love Gods william.   

Give us this day our daily bread.  

Bread.  BY Bread, the food of the body, are understood all things necessary for this corporal life, as meat, drink, health, success in our vocation, etc.  

Give.  By this word Give we should understand, that not only spiritual things, but also corporal benefits are Gods free gifts, and come not for our worthiness or travel taken about the same, although our travels be oftentimes means, by the which God doth give corporal things.  
By Daily we understand the contented minds of thy children, 
Daily.  with that which is sufficient for the present time, as having hope in thee, that they shall not want, but daily shall receive at thy hands plenty and enough of all things.  
By this word Our are as well understood public benefits, 
Our.  as peace in the Common weal, good Magistrates, good laws, seasonable weather, etc. Also particular benefits, namely children, health, success in the works of our vocation, etc. And besides this, by it we should see the care, even for corporal things which thy children have for others, as well as for themselves.  
So that here I may learn how far I am from that I should be, and that I see thy children are come unto, I see my ignorance also, how that, as spiritual things do come from thee, so do temporal things: and as they come from thee, so are they conserved and kept of thee: and therefore thy children are thankful, & look for them as thy mere gifts, notwithstanding the means which they use if they have them: howbeit they use them but as means, 
Psal. 127.  for except thou work therewith, all is in vain.  
Again, here I am taught to be content with that which is sufficient for the present time, as thy children be which have the shortness of this life always before their eyes: and therefore they ask but for daily sustenance, knowing this life to be compared to a day, yea a watch, a sound, a shadow, etc.  
Moreover, I may learn to see the compassion and brotherly care which thy children have one for an other. Last of all, here I may see thy goodness, which as thou wilt give me all things necessary for this life, (or else thou wouldst not bid me ask, etc.) so thou commandest all men to pray and care for me, & that bodily, much more then, if they be able, they are commanded to help me both in body and soul.  
By reason whereof I have great cause to lament and rejoice. To lament, because I am not so affected as thy children be, because of my ignorance, my ingratitude, my perversity and contempt of thy goodness, and of the necessity of thy people, which (alas) be in great misery, some in exile, some in prison, some in poverty, sickness, etc.  
To rejoice I have great cause, because of thy goodness in teaching me these things, in commanding me to ask what so ever I want, in giving me so many things unasked, in keeping the benefits given me, in commanding men to care for me, to pray for me, to help me, etc.  
But alas, how far I am either from true lamenting or rejoicing, Lord thou knowest. O be merciful unto me, and help me, forgive me, and grant me thy holy spirit to reveal to me my need, ignorance, great ingratitude, and contempt of thy mercies and thy people, and that in such sort, that I might hearty lament and bewail my misery, & through thy goodness be altered with thy people, to mourn for the miseries of thy children, as for mine own.  
Again, reveal to me thy goodness, dear father, even in corporal things, that I may see thy mercy, thy presence, power, wisdom and righteousness in every creature and corporal benefit, and that in such sort, that I may be thoroughly affected truly to reverence, fear, love, and obey thee, to hung upon thee, to be thankful to thee, and in all my need to come unto thee, not only when I have ordinary means, by the which thou commonly workest, but also when I have none, yea, when all means & helps are clean against me.  
Here remember the state of your children and family: also your parents, neighbours, kinsfolks: also your friends, country, Magistrates, etc. as you shall have time thereto, and by God's good spirit shall be provoked.   

Forgive us our debts, as we forgive them that are debtor unto us.  

Debts.  BY Our debts we understand, not only the things we have done, but the omission and leaving undone of the good things we aught to do.  

Our.  By Our we understand, not only the particular sins of one, but also generally the sins of all, and every one of the Church.  

Forgiveness.  By Forgiveness we understand, free pardon and remission of sins, by the merits and deserts of thy dear son jesus Christ, who gave himself a ransom for us.  

Our forgiving.  By Our forgiving of other men's offences to us ward, we understand thy good will, not only that it pleaseth thee that we should live in love and amity, but also that thou wouldst have us to be certain of thy pardoning us of our sins. For as certain as we are, that we pardon them that offend us, so certain should we be that thou dost pardon us: whereof the forgiving our trespasses is (as it were) a sacrament unto us.  
So that by this petition I am taught to see that thy children, although by imputation they be pure from sin, yet they acknowledge sin to be & remain in them, and therefore do they pray for the remission and forgiveness of the same.  
Again, I am taught hereby to see how thy children do consider and take to heart, not only the evils they do, but also the good they leave undone: and therefore they pray thee hearty for pardon.  
Moreover, I am here taught to see that thy children are careful for other men, and for their trespasses, and therefore pray that they might be pardoned in saying: Our sins, and not My sins.  
Besides this, I am taught here to see how thy children not only forgive all those that offend them, but also pray for the pardoning of the offences of their enemies, and such as offend them: So far are they from maliciousness, pride, revengement, etc.  
Last of all, I am taught to see how merciful thou art, which wilt have us to ask pardon (whereof thou wouldst that we should in no ●oint doubt, but be most assured, that for Christ's sake thou hearest us) & that not only for ourselves, but also for many others: for thou dost not command us to ask for any thing which thou wilt not give us.  
By reason whereof I have great cause to lament and rejoice. To lament, because of my miserable estate, which am so far from these affections that are in thy children: which am so ignorant and careless of sin, not only in leaving good undone, but also in doing evil, and that daily, in thought, word, & deed, etc. I speak not of my carelessness for other folk's sins, as of my parents, children, family, magistrates, etc. neither of the sins of them to whom I have given occasion to sin.  
To rejoice I have great cause, because of thy mercy in opening to me these things, in commanding me to pray for pardon, in promising me pardon, and commanding others to pray for me. And surely I aught to be persuaded of thy mercy, though my sins be innumerable: for I see not only in this, but in every petition, how that every one of the Church prayeth for me, yea Christ thy son, who sitteth on thy right hand, prayeth for me, etc.  
O dear father, be merciful unto me, and forgive me all my sins, and of thy goodness give me thy holy spirit to open mine eyes, that I may see sin, the better to know it, the more truly to hate it, and most earnestly to strive against it, and that effectually, both in myself and others.  
Again, grant me the same thy holy spirit, to reveal unto me the remedy of sin by Christ only, and to work in me faith to embrace the same by Christ, and thy mercies in him, that I may henceforth be endued with thy holy spirit, to begin to obey thy good will more & more, and to increase in the same for ever.  
Here call to mind the special sins you have committed heretofore. Remember, if you have occasioned any to sin, to pray for them by name. Remember that God's law should be so dear unto us, that the breaking thereof in others, should be an occasion to make us to lament with tears, etc.   

Led us not into temptation.  
Because of our continual & great infirmities: because of the great diligence and subtleties of our enemies: and because thou art wont to punish sin with sin (which of all punishments is the greatest & most to be feared) in this petition thou wouldst have thy children to have the same in remembrance, and for a remedy hereof thou hast appointed prayer, so that the only cause why any are overcome and led into temptation, is for that they forget what they desire in the petition going before this, which should never be out of their memory, to provoke them to be more thankful to thee, and more vigilant and heedy hereafter for falling into the like perils.  
For which to be avoided, thou dost most graciously set forth a remedy, in commanding us to pray after pardon for our sins past, & for thy grace to guide us, so that we be not led into temptation, but might be delivered from evil. And because thou wouldst have all thy children to hung wholly upon thee, to fear thee only, & only to love thee, thou dost not teach them to pray, suffer us not to be led, but lead us not into temptation, that (I say) they might only fear thee, and certainly know that sathan hath no power over so much as a pig, but what so ever thou givest unto him, and of thy secret, but most just judgement dost appoint him to use, not as he will (for then we were all lost) but as thou wilt, which canst will nothing, but that which is most just: as to give them to the guiding of sathan, which will not be guided by thy grace, as thou didst Saul, etc.  
Occasions to evil are in two sorts: 
Occasions to evil in two sorts  One by prosperity and success: an other by adversity and the cross, etc. The evils coming of success, commonly are unthankfulness, pride, security, and forgetting of our selves forgetting of others, forgetfulness of God, of our mortality, &c The evils coming of adversity, commonly are impatiency, murmuring, grudging, despairing, contemning of God, flattering of men, stealing, lying, with many other evils, whereto temptations will entice a man that is left to himself: 
What temptations are to the godly, & what the● are to the wicked.  where as to one that is guided with God's spirit, temptations are but trials to the glory of GOD, comfort of the tempted, and edifying of thy Church. But (as I said) if a man be left alone, temptations entice even to the devil himself: and therefore thy children pray to be delivered from evil, understanding thereby Satan himself, the sour and supporter of all evil. And this thy children do as well for others, as for themselves. So that I may learn hereby many good things: First to remember often our infirmity and weakness, and the dangerous estate we stand in, in respect of our flesh, of the world which is full of evil, of Satan which seeketh to sift us, & as a roaring Lion to destroy us, and of our sins which deserve all kind of punishments and correction, that I might with thy children fear thee, watch, pray, and desire the day of redemption and deliverance from all evils.  
Again, I may learn here, that to avoid all dangers and evils, is not in the power of man, but only thy work. By reason whereof, I should consider thy great goodness, which hitherto hast kept me from so many evils both of soul and body, yea of name, goods, &c, as thou hast done in my infancy, childhood, youth, middle age, etc.  
Thirdly, I may learn here that I should be careful for others, both that they might be delivered from their evils, and that they might be preserved from temptation, & from being overcome in the same, & therefore thou teachest me not to pray, Deliver me from evil simply, but, deliver us from evil.  
Last of all, I am taught hereby to see thy goodness towards me, which wilt deliver me from evil, and from being overcome in temptations: for thou wouldst not have me ask for that which I should not certainly look for at thy hands. By reason whereof thou wouldst have me to be in a certainty of my salvation for ever. For else I can not believe my prayer to be heard, if that finally I should not be delivered from evil: and therefore thou joinest hereto a giving of thanks, which with thy Church I should say: For thine is the kingdom, thine is the power, thine is the glory, for ever.  
By reason whereof, I have great cause to lament and to rejoice. To lament, because of my corruption, infirmity, weakness, oblivion, and carelessness for thy people, ingratitude, etc. because of satans power, vigilancy, & prudency, which hath overcome most, grave, wise and holy men, whereof some never recovered: as Cain, Cham, Achitophel, Saul, judas etc. To rejoice, because of thy goodness, which teachest me this, and showest me the remedy, commandest all thy Church to pray for me, and wilt at length deliver me from all evil, and give me glory. But alas, I am altogether careless and miserable. O be merciful unto me dear father, and for Christ's sake forgive me all my sins: grant me thy holy spirit, to reveal to me mine infirmities, weakness, perils, dangers, etc. in such sort, that as I may hearty lament my miseries, so I may ask and obtain thy grace to guide me from all evil for evermore.  
Again, grant me the same thy holy spirit to reveal to me thy love and kindness towards me (and that in eternity:) in such sort, that I may be thoroughly persuaded of the same, become thankful unto thee, & daily expect and look for the revelation of thy kingdom, power, and glory, as one that for ever shall have the fruition of the same, through thine own goodness and mercy in Christ, prepared for me before the beginning & foundation of the world was laid.  
Here call to mind our security, satans vigilancy, our negligence, his diligence, our infirmity, his ability, our ignorance, his craft and subtlety, etc.  
Again, call to mind, how that he hath overthrown for a time, many of the dear Saints of God, to whom we are to be compared in nothing: as Adam, Eve, Lot, judas, Thamar, Moses, Aaron, Myrian, Samson, Gedeon, Ely, David, Solomon, Ezechias, josias, Peter, Thomas, & innumerable more.  
Also call to mind the goodness of God, and of our shepherd Christ, which hath kept us hitherto, keepeth us still, and teacheth us here to know that he will keep us for ever: for he would not have us ask for deliverance from evil, if that he would not we should certainly look for the same. If thou doubt of final perseverance, thou dishonourest God. Be certain therefore, rest in hope, be still in his word. See also how he hath commanded his whole Church, and every member thereof, to pray for thee as well as for themselves, in these and all other things.  
Now and then go about to reckon how many & divers kinds of evils there be, & thereby as you may know you are delivered from none but by God's great goodness: so may you see that the number of evils that you have, are nothing to be compared to the multitude of evils wherewith, if your Christ were not, the devil would all to bewray you, infect & corrupt you.  
But what are all the miseries and evils that can be, to be compared to the lest joy prepared for us in heaven? O think of those joys, and pray that when the tide of death cometh, we may hale forth of the haven of this flesh, and this world joyfully.  
In praying this petition, call to mind the evils you have been in, the evils you are in, & the evils you may fall into, if God should not preserve you, that you might be stirred up the more to thankfulness, to prayer, to trust in God.   

For thine is the kingdom, thine is the power, thine is the glory, for ever.  
AS in the beginning of this prayer by these words (Our father which art in heaven) thy children are excited & stirred up to a full confidence of obtaining the petitions following, & all things necessary: so in the later end thou hast added for the same purpose these words (For thine is the kingdom, thine is etc.) wherein I am taught these many things. First that in prayer I should have such consideration of thy kingdom, power, glory, and eternity, that my mind should be stricken with an admiration of the same. Secondly, that I should so consider them, especially in prayer, that I should not doubt, but that thou workest rulest and governest all things every where, in all persons and creatures, most wisely, justly, and mercifully. Thirdly, that in prayer all my petitions should tend to the ●etting forth of thy power, of thy kingdom, and of thy glory.  
Last of all, that in prayer I should in no wise doubt of being heard, but be assured that thou, which hast commanded me to pray, and hast promised to hear me, do●st most graciously for thy mercy's sake, & truths sake, hear my petitions, according to thy good will, through jesus Christ thy dear son our Lord and only Saviour.  
By reason whereof I have great cause to lament and rejoice. To lament, because I consider not these things in prayer, in such sort as should move me to admiration, and gratitude: because I consider not thy power and wisdom generally in all things: because I am so careless for thy kingdom: and because I am so full of dubitation and doubting of thy goodness. To rejoice I have great cause: because thou revealest these things unto me on this sort: because of thy power, kingdom and glory, which maketh to the hearing of my prayers, and helping of me: because thou wilt use me as thine instrument to set forth thy kingdom, power, and glory: and because it pleaseth thee to hear my prayers, and assuredly wilt save me for ever.  
But alas, how far am I from these lament and rejoicings? By reason whereof I deserve damnation. O, be merciful unto me, and forgive me, and of thy goodness grant me thy holy spirit, to reveal to me my blindness, oblivion, and contempt of thy kingdom, power, and glory, with the greatness of my doubtings, that I may hearty, as lament them, so have them pardoned and taken from me, through the merits of jesus Christ thy son.  
Again, give me thy holy spirit to reveal to me in such sort, thy kingdom, power, glory, and eternity, that I may always have the same before mine eyes, be moved with the admiration thereof, labour effectually to set forth the same, and finally, as to have the fruition thereof after this life: so to increase in an assured, certain, and lively expectation of the same, that I may always and in all things rejoice in thee, through Christ, and give lauds, thanks, and praises perpetually, unto thy most holy name: O blessed Father, Son, and holy Ghost, three persons and one God, to whom be all honour and glory, world without end.  
Here think that if the kingdom, power, glory, and eternity be Gods, which is our Father, what our dignity is, which be his children. If the power be our fathers, of whom should we be afraid? If the devil be subject to the lords power and kingdom, (as he is) how can the subject have power over us which be sons and heirs, in that he hath not power over Porkets, without the providence and permission of God? Therefore full well should we pray, Led us not into temptation, rather than, let us not be lead into temptation: for power is the Lords, and the devil hath none but that he hath of God's gift. Not, he were not able to receive power, if God did not make him able, although the execution of it, is rather of God's permission.  Give all thanks, praise, and glory, to God our Father, through Christ our Lord and Saviour. So be it. 
john Bradford.    

PRIVATE PRAYERS for the Morning and Evening, and for other times of the day.  

When you awake out of your sleep, pray thus.  
MOst merciful God and father of our Saviour jesus Christ, I most humbly thank thee for the sweet sleep and comfortable rest which thou hast given me this night past: beseeching thee, that like as thou hast now awaked my body from sleep, so thou wouldst awake my soul from the sleep of sin and darkness of this world: and that which thou hast now awaked out of sleep, thou wouldst after death (whereof this sleep is but an image) restore and raise again to life everlasting. O gracious God, make my body, I hearty pray thee, such a companion, or rather a minister of godliness to my soul, this day and all the time of this present life, that in the life to come, it may be partaker with the same of everlasting happiness, through Christ jesus our Lord  
Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall show light unto thee. Ephe. 5.  

Occasions to Meditate.  
Here call to mind the great mirth & blessedness of the everlasting resurrection. Also remember to muse upon that most clear light, that bright morning and new clearness of our bodies after the long darkness which they have been in. All then shall be full of unspeakable joy and felicity.    

When you behold the daylight, pray.  
O Lord God, thou most glorious, & true light, from whence this light of the day and sun doth spring, and shine unto us: O light which lightenest every man that cometh into this world: O light which knowest no night nor evening, but art always a midday most clear and fair: without whom all is most horrible darkness, and by whom all things are most clear and bright: O thou wisdom of the eternal father of mercies: lighten my mind, that I may see those things only which please thee, and may be blinded to all other things. Grant me so to walk in thy ways by the light of thy holy word, that nothing else may be light and pleasant unto me.  
Lighten mine eyes, O Lord, that I sleep not in death, lest mine enemies say, I have prevailed against him. Psal 30.  

Occasions to Meditate.  
Muse a while, how much the light and eye of the mind and soul is better than of the body. Also how much more we aught to care for the soul, that it may see well, then for the body. Moreover, that beasts have bodily eyes as well as men, but men only have eyes of the mind, and that, such as are godly wise.    

When you arise, pray.  
OUr first parents cast down themselves from a most excellent, high, & honourable state, into shame & misery, & into the deep sea of all wickedness and mischief: but o Christ, thou putting forth thy hand, didst raise them up again. Even so we, except we be raised up by thee, shall lie still for ever. O good Christ, our most gracious redeemer, as thou dost mercifully raise up now this my body, even so I beseech thee, raise up my mind and heart to the true knowledge & love of thee, that my conversation may be in heaven where thou art.  
If you be risen with Christ, think upon those things that be above. Col. 3.  

Occasions to Meditate.  
Think how foul the fall of Adam was by reason of sin: and so of every one of us from the height of God's grace. Again, think upon the inestimable benefit of Christ, by whose help we daily arise again from our fallings.    

When you apparel yourself, pray.  
O Christ, cloth me with thine own self, that I may be so far from making provision for the flesh to fulfil the lusts thereof, that I may clean put off all desires, and crucify the kingdom of the flesh in me. Be thou unto me a garment to keep me warm, and to defend me from the cold of this world. If thou be absent (dear Lord) all things are cold, weak, and dead: but if thou be with me, all things are warm, fresh, and cheerful, etc. Grant therefore, that as I compass this my body with this garment: so thou wouldst clothe me wholly (but specially my soul) with thine own self.  
Put upon you, as the elect of God, bowels of mercy, meekness, love, peace, etc. Col 3.  

Occasions to Meditate.  
Call to mind a little how we are incorporate into Christ. Again, how he doth clothe us, govern and nourish us, and under his wings, protection & providence, preserveth us.    

When you are made ready, to begin the day withal, pray.  
O Almighty God and most merciful father, thou knowest and hast taught us also something to know, that the weakness of man and woman is great, & that without thy grace they can neither do nor think any good thing. Have mercy upon me, I humbly beseech thee, thy most weak, frail, and unworthy child. Lighten my mind, that I may with pleasure look upon good things only. Inflame my heart with the love thereof, that I may carefully covet them, and at the last by thy gracious conducting may happily attain them, through jesus Christ our Lord. I distrusting altogether mine own weakness, commend and offer myself, both soul and body into thy hands.  
Thy loving spirit lead me forth into the land of righteousness. Psal. 143.   

Cogitations meet to begin the day withal.  
Think first that man consisteth of soul and body, and that the soul is from heaven heavenly, firm and immortal: but the body is from the earth earthly, frail, and mortal.  
Again, think that though by reason of sin wherein you are conceived and borne, the parts of the soul which do understand and desire, be so corrupt, that without special grace to both parts, you can neither know nor love any good thing in God's sight, much less than do that is good: yet this notwithstanding, think that you are regenerate by CHRIST'S resurrection, (which your Baptism requireth you to believe) and therefore have both those parts something reformed, both to know, and to love, and therefore to do also some good in the sight of God through Christ: for whose sake our poor doings are accepted for good, the evil and infirmity cleaving thereunto, not being imputed through faith.  
Think that by faith, which is God's seed (for they which believe are borne of God, and made Gods children) given to those that be ordained to eternal life: think (I say) that by faith you receive more and more the spirit of sanctification, through the use of God's word and sacraments, and earnest prayer, to illuminate your minds, understanding, judgement, and reason, and to bow, form, frame, and inflame your affections with love and power to do that which is good, and therefore use you the means aforesaid accordingly.  
Think that by this spirit, you are through faith coupled to Christ as a lively member, and so to God, and (as it were) made one with him: and by love, which springeth out of this faith, you are made one also with all that be of God, and so you have fellowship with God and all good men that ever were or shall be, in all the good that God and all his Saints have or shall have.  
Think that as by faith, and love, through the spirit of God you are now entered into this communion (the blessedness whereof no tongue can express (so after this life you shall first in soul, and in the last day in body also enjoy for ever the same society most perfectly, which now is but begun in you.  
Think then of your negligence, that do so little care for this your happy estate.  
Think upon your ingratitude to God for making you, redeeming you, calling you, and so lovingly adopting you.  
Think upon your folly in fantasying so much earthly & bodily pleasures.  
Think upon your deafness and blindness, which hear not God not see him, he calling you so diligently by his works, word and sacraments.  
Think upon your frowardness which will not be led of God, and his spirit.  
Think upon your forgetfulness, & in consideration of your heavenly estate, how your body is the temple of the holy Ghost, your members are the members of Christ, the whole world, and all things therein are your own. Therefore say unto your soul, O my soul, arise, follow God, contemn this world, purpose well and pursue it, long for the Lords coming, be ready and watch, that he come not upon thee unwares. And for so much as you must live to God's pleasure, see the vocation and state of your life whereunto God hath called you, and pray to God for grace, knowledge, and ability, to take the most profitable things in hand, well to begin, better to go on, and best of all to end the same, to God's glory, and to the profit of your brethren, and think that time lost wherein you speak not, or do not, or at the lest think not some thing to God's glory, and the commodity of your brethren.   

When you go forth of the doors, pray.  
Now must I walk among the snares of death, stretched out of sathan and of his mischievous ministers in the world, carrying with me a friend to them both, and a foe to myself, even this body of sin and sinful flesh. O grand captain Christ, lead me and guide me, I beseech thee. Defend me from the plagues & subtleties, whereof I am in danger. Grant that I may take all things that happen, as I should do, and setting mine eyes upon thee only, I may so go on forward, in thy ways, as by nothing I be hindered, but rather furthered, so that all my doings may tend to thy glory.  
Show me thy ways (O Lord) and teach me thy paths. Psal. 25.  

Occasions to Meditate.  
Consider, how vainly the most part of men are occupied: how many ways they trouble and cumber themselves, thereby much alienating their minds from the knowledge and cogitation of that which they should most esteem, and so become a let and an offence to others. As in going abroad you will see that your apparel be seemly in the sight of men: so see how seemly you appear in the sight of God.    

When you are going any journey, pray.  
THis our life is a pilgrimage. From the Lord we came, and to the Lord we make our journey: howbeit through dangerous and perilous ways, which our cruel enemies have and do prepare for us, being now more than stark blind by reason of sin. O Christ, which art a most true loades-man and guide, and also most expert, faithful and friendly, put thou out thine hand, open mine eyes: make thy high way known unto me, which thou didst first enter into, out of this corruptible life, and hast prepared the same for us to immortality. Thou art the way, lead us unto the father by thyself, that all we may be one with him, as thou and he together be one.  
Show me the way that I should walk in, for I lift up my soul unto thee. Psal. 124.   

Or pray thus.  
Merciful father, thou art wont to sand to thy servants & men of simple hearts, thine Angels to be their keepers, & (as it were) guides, as elder brethren to watch upon thy weak children. So didst thou to young Tobias, to jacob, to Abraham's servant, to josua, etc. O gracious God, though we be much unlike unto them (so many are our sins) yet for thine own goodness sake, sand thine holy Angels to pitch their tents about us, to hide us and defend us from Satan & his slaves, to carry us in their hands, that we come not into further danger than thou wilt deliver us out of, for thine own sake.  
His Angels are ministers for them that are heirs of salvation. Heb. 1  
Satan sleepeth not, but seeketh always to destroy us. 1 Pet. 5.  

Occasions to Meditate.  
Think something how we are strangers from our country, from our home, from our original, I mean from God. Again, think upon our madness, that do linger and loiter so gladly in this our journey and pilgrimage. Also how foolish we are to fantasy things which we can not carry with us, and to contemn conscience, which will always be a companion to us, to our joy, if it be good, but to our shame and sorrow if it be evil and corrupt. Finally how unnatural we are, which so little desire to be at our home, to be with our only father, Master, fellows, and friends.    

When you are about to receive your meat, pray thus.  
THis is a wonderful mystery of thy work (O maker and governor of the world) that thou dost sustain the lives of men and beasts with these meats. Surely this power is neither in the bread nor food, but in thy will and word, by which word all things do live and have their being. Again, how great a thing is it that thou art able continually to give sustenance to so many creatures? This is spoken of by thy prophet in setting forth thy praises: All things look up to thee, 
Psal. 145.  and thou givest them meat in due season: thou openest thy hand, and fillest with thy blessing every living thing.  
These doubtless are wonderful works of thine Almightiness. I therefore hearty pray thee (O most liberal Lord and faithful father) that as thou by meat, through thy word dost minister life to these our bodies: even so by the same word, with thy grace thou wouldst quicken our souls, that both in soul and body we may please thee, till this our mortal carcase shall put on immortality, and we shall need no more any further food, but thee only, which then wilt be all in all.  
Taste and see how good the Lord is. Psal. 34.  
Bless the Lord (O my soul) which feedeth and filleth my mouth with good things. Psal. 103.  

Occasions to Meditate.  
Think a little how great God's power is that made us. Also think how great his wisdom is to preserve us. But most of all, think how many things are given to our use: how wonderful it is to give us life, but most of all to propagate and advance to immortality the life of the soul by his only beck. Last of all think, that God by his providence for thy body, would have thee to confirm thy faith of his providence likewise for thy soul.    

In the meal time pray.  
O Most liberal distributor of thy gifts, which givest us all kind of good things to use, and being pure, givest pure things, being holy givest holy things: grant to us thy grace that we misuse not these thy gracious gifts given to our use and profit. Let us not delight in these things, but let us delight in thee from whom they come, as necessary for us for a season: till we come unto thee. Grant us to be conversant amongst thy gifts, soberly, purely, temperately, and holily, because thou art so. Then shall we not turn that to the poison of our souls, which thou hast given for the medicine of our bodies: but using thy benefits thankfully we shall find them profitable, both in soul and body.  

Occasions to Meditate.  
Think that the meats and drinks set before you, are given to you to use and not to abuse. Think they are given to profit, and not to hurt you. Think that they are not given to you alone, but unto others also by you. In eating and drinking, think that you do but feed the worms. Remember the poor prisoners, the sick, the afflicted, etc. as though you were in their case.  

●ohn 6. ●ohn 4.  Think upon the food of your soul, Christ's body broken, and bloodshed. Desire the meat that lasteth for ever: labour for it. Christ's meat was to do his fathers william.    

After your meat, pray.  
BY corporal meats thou dost sustain our corporal daily life, ready otherwise to perish. The which surely is a great work: but yet this is much greater, more profitable and more holy, that thy grace (O jesus Christ) doth preserve us from the death of the soul. For this life we aught much to thank thee: and because thou dost prolong it with thy good gifts, we most hearty praise thee. How be it, this life is but the way to eternal life, which we beseech thee for thy deaths sake that thou wilt give us, and so shall we not only give thee (as we may) thanks for a time, for temporal things: but also eternal thanks for eternal things. O grant to us these our desires for thy mercy's sake. Amen.  

Occasions to Meditate.  
Think now that God hath given thee this his blessing of food and sustenance, and thereto time that thou mightest, as repent, so seek his glory, and the commodity of thy brethren: therefore go thereabouts: but first pray for grace well to begin. Again, consider how thou hast been partaker of other men's labours, as of the Husbandman's, the Milners, the Bakers, the Brewer's, the Butchers, the Cooks, etc. See therefore that thou be not a drone Bee, but rather such a one as may help the hive. If God have thus fed thy body which he loveth not but for thy soul's sake: how can it be then, but that he will be much more ready to feed thy soul? Therefore take a courage to thee, and go to him for grace accordingly.   

Cogitations for about the midday.  
As thy body is now compassed on every side with light, so see that thy mind may be also. As god giveth thee thus plentifully this corporal light, so pray him that he will give thee the spiritual light. Think that as the Sun is now most clear, so shall our bodies be in the day of judgement. As now the Sun is come to the highest, and therefore will begin to draw downward: so is there nothing in the world so perfect & glorious, which when it is at the full, will not decrease and so wear away.    

When you come home again, pray.  
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 can not give, being such a peace as passeth all men's understanding. Houses are ordained for us, that thereby we might be defended from the injury of the wether, from cruelty of beasts, from disquietness of people, and rest from the toils of the world. O gracious father, grant that through thy great mercy my body may enter into this house, from outward actions, but so, that it may become boxom 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. Amen.  
Peace be to this house, and to all that devil in the same. Matt. 10.  

Occasions to Meditate.  
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. What so ever here is pleasant and joyful, the same is nothing but a very shadow in comparison of that which is to come.    

At the Sun going down, pray.  
How unhappy are they, (O Lord) from whom thy Sun goeth down & giveth no light, I mean thy grace which is always clear as the midday. Dark night unto them is the midday, which departed from thee. In thee is never night, but always day light most clear. This corporal Sun hath his courses, now up, now down: but thou dear Lord, if we love thee, art always one. O that this block and veil of sin were taken away from me, that there might be always clear day in my mind.  

Occasions to Meditate.  
Think that as we are not sorry when the Sun goeth down, because we know it will rise again: even so we should not sorrow for death, wherethrough the soul and body do part asunder: for they shall eftsoons return and come together again in most glorious wise. 
This is meant of the bloody time of queen Marie.  So long as the Sun is up, wild beasts keep their dens, Foxes their burrows, Owls their holes, etc. but when the Sun is down, then come they abroad: so wicked men and hypocrites keep their dens in the time of the Gospel, but it being taken away, then swarm they out of their holes, like Bees, as this day doth teach.    

When the candles be light, pray.  
MOst thick and dark clouds do cover our minds, except thy light (O Lord) do drive them away. Thy sun (O most wise worker) is as it were a firebrand to this world. Thy kingdom whereby light cometh both to soul and body, is a firebrand to the spiritual world. After day when the night cometh, thou hast given for the remedy of darkness a candle. After sin for the remedy of ignorance, thou hast given thy doctrine, which thy dear son hath brought unto us. O thou that art the author and master of all truth, and art the true light, make us so to see, that the dimness of our minds may be driven clean away.  
Lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon us, and sand joy and gladness into our hearts. Psal. 4.  
Thy word is a lantern to my feet, and a light unto my paths. Psal. 119.  

Occasions to Meditate.  
Think that the knowledge which God giveth unto us by the candlelight, (whereby we see those things in this night of our bodies which are expedient for us) should make us to wish much more for this doctrine of God and spiritual light of our souls, and when we get it, the more to esteem it, and diligently to embrace it. Again, that as all would be horror without candlelight, so there is nothing but mere confusion, where God's word taketh no place.    

When you make yourself unready, pray.  
THis our life and weak knit body by reason of sin, by little & little shall be dissolved, & so shall be restored to the earth from whence it was taken: then will be an end of this vanity, which by our folly we have wrought to ourselves. O most meek father, so do thou untie me (for thou art he that hast knit these our weak members together) that I may perceive myself to be loosed & dissolved, and so may remember both of whom I was made, & also whither I must go, lest I be had unprovided unto thy tribunal seat.  
Put off the old man with his lusts and concupiscences. Col. 3. Ephe. 4.  
Be content with joseph to put off thy prison apparel, that thou mayest put on new. Gen. 41.  

Occasions to Meditate.  
Think that as we do willingly put off our garments, because we shall receive them again when the night is past: so we should not willingly forsake our bodies when God by death shall call us, because we shall receive them again in the resurrection of the just.    

When you enter into your bed, pray.  
THe day now ended, men give themselves to rest in the night, and so this life finished, we shall rest in death. Nothing is more like this life then every day: nothing more like death then sleep: nothing more like to our grave, than our bed. O Lord our keeper and defender, grant that I now laying me down to rest, being unable to keep myself, may be preserved from the crafts and assaults of the wicked enemy: And grant further, that when I have run the ●ace of this life, thou wouldst of thy mercy call me unto thee, that I may live and watch with thee for evermore. And now gracious God give me to take my rest in thee: and bring to pass, that thy goodness may be even in sleep before my eyes, that sleeping I be not absent from thee, but may have my dreams to draw me unto thee, and so both soul and body may be kept pure and holy for ever.  
I will lay me down in peace, and take my rest. Psal. 4.  

Occasions to Meditate.  
Think that as this troublesome day is now past, and night come, and so rest, quietness, and pleasant sleep, which maketh most excellent Princes & poor wretches alike: even so after the tumults, troubles, temptations and tempests of this life, they that believe in Christ, have prepared for them an haven and rest most pleasant and joyful. As you are not afraid to enter into your bed, and to dispose yourself to sleep, so be not afraid to die, but rather cheerfully prepare yourself thereunto.  
Think, that now you are nearer your end by one days journey, than you were in the morning.    

When you feel sleep to be coming, pray.  
O Lord jesus Christ, my watchman and keeper, take me into thy protection. Grant that my body sleeping, my mind may watch in thee, and be made merry by some sight of that celestial and heavenly life, wherein thou art the king and prince, together with the father and the holy Ghost, where the Angels & holy souls be most happy citizens. O purify my soul, keep clean my body, that in both I may please thee, sleeping and waking for ever. Amen.    

A GENERAL CONfession of sins, with other prayers for the Morning and Evening, to be used in families and public assemblies.  
O Most merciful and loving father, whose love is infinite, whose mercy endureth for ever, we sinful creatures, trusting in thine unspeakable goodness and love toward us, do appear this morning before thy divine majesty, most humbly confessing our manifold sins and innumerable transgressions of thy commandments and fatherly william. Against thee only, against thee (O Lord) have we sinned, we acknowledge our offences: we accuse ourselves unto thee (O merciful Lord) and will not hide our unrighteousness. We found in ourselves nothing but ignorance of thy will, disobedience, mistrust, doubtfulness in thy goodness, and incredulity, hatred and contempt of all spiritual things, self-love, confidence in ourselves, & fervent lusting after earnall things of this world: and this tree of our corrupt nature, bringeth forth continually in us none other fruits but rotten and unsavoury works of the flesh, in thoughts, words and doings unto condemnation.  
Wherefore we humbly beseech thy fatherly goodness, even for thy son jesus Christ's sake, (whom thou hast set forth for a purchaser of mercy to us through faith in his blood) make our hearts clean: take away our stony hearts, and give unto us a true and lively faith, working in us unfeigned repentance and amendment of our sinful life. Have mercy upon us, and forgive us our sins for thy sons sake: certify our consciences of remission of the same, by thy holy spirit: by whose operation so mortify in us our old man, the whole body of sin, that we continually dying, unto sin, may walk in newness of life, to the glory of thy holy name, through jesus Christ our Saviour. Amen.  

another confession of sins.  
O Eternal God and most merciful father, we confess, and acknowledge here before thy divine majesty, 
Rom. 3. Psal. 14.  that we are miserable sinners, conceived and borne in sin and iniquity, 
Psal. 51. Rom. 7.  so that in us there is no goodness: for the flesh evermore rebelleth against the spirit, whereby we continually transgress thy holy precepts and commandments, and so purchase to ourselves through thy just judgement, death, and damnation. 
Gal. 5. Rom. 2. jere. 3 Esai. 20.  Notwithstanding, (O heavenly father) for as much as we are displeased with ourselves for the sins we have committed against thee, and do unfeignedly repent us of the same, we most humbly beseech thee for jesus Christ's sake, to show thy mercy upon us, to forgive us all our sins, and to increase thy holy spirit in us, 
Col. 3. Rom. 6. Ephe. 4.5. 1. Pet. 2.  that we acknowledging from the bottom of our hearts our own unrighteousness, may from henceforth, not only mortify our sinful lusts and affections, but also bring forth such fruits as may be agreeable to thy most blessed will, through jesus Christ our only Saviour: whom thou hast already given an oblation and an offering for our sins, and for whose sake we are certainly persuaded that thou wilt deny us nothing that we shall ask in his name, according to thy william. For thy spirit doth assure our consciences, that thou art our merciful father, and so lovest us thy children through him, that nothing is able to remove thy heavenly grace and favour from us. To thee therefore with the son and the holy Ghost, be all honour and glory, world without end. So be it.   

A prayer to be said in the Morning.  
O Eternal GOD and heavenly father, seeing that by thy great mercy we have quietly passed this night, grant we beseech thee, that we may bestow this day wholly in thy service, so that all our thoughts, words, and deeds, may redound to the glory of thy name, and good example of our brethren. And as it hath pleased thee to make the sun to shine upon the earth, to give us bodily light: even so vouchsafe to illuminate our understanding with the brightness of thy spirit, to direct us in the way of righteousness, so that what thing so ever we shall apply ourselves unto, our special care and purpose may be to walk in thy fear, and to serve and honour thee, looking for all our wealth & prosperity, to come from thy only blessing, and that we may take nothing in hand, which shall not be agreeable to thy most blessed william.  
Furthermore, that we may in such sort travel for our bodies, and for this present life, that we may have always a further regard, that is, to the heavenly life, which thou hast promised to thy children: and in the mean season, that it may please thee to preserve and defend us both in body and soul, to strengthen us against all the temptations of the devil, and to deliver us from all perils and dangers that may happen unto us, if we be not defended by thy godly power.  
And for as much as to begin well and not to continued, is nothing: we beseech thee to receive us not only this day, into thy holy protection, but also for the time of our whole life, continuing and increasing in us daily, thy grace and good gifts thereof, until thou shalt bring us to that happy state, where we shall fully and for ever be joined unto thy Son jesus Christ our Saviour, which is the true light of our souls, shining day and night perpetually.  
And to the end that we may obtain such grace at thy hand, vouchsafe (most merciful father) to forgive and forget all our sins, which we have heretofore committed against thee, and for thine infinite mercy's sake to pardon the same, as thou hast promised to those that ask of thee with unfeigned heart, for whom, as for ourselves, we make our humble petitions unto thee, in the name of thy son our Lord and Saviour jesus Christ, in such sort, as he hath taught us, saying: Our father, etc.   

another prayer to be said in the Morning.  
O Almighty and most gracious God, we heartily thank thee for the sweet sleep and comfortable rest, which thou hast given us this night past: and for as much as thou hast commanded by thy holy word, that no man should be idle, but all occupied in godly and virtuous exercises, every man according to his calling: we most humbly beseech thee, that thine eyes may attend upon us, daily defend us, cherish, comfort, govern us, and all our counsels, studies, and labours, in such wise, that we may spend and bestow this day according to thy most holy will, setting thee always before our eyes, living in thy fear, working that may be found acceptable before thy divine Majesty, through jesus Christ our Lord. So be it.   

another prayer for the Morning.  
WE humbly and hearty give thanks unto thee (O heavenvly father) through thy dearly beloved son jesus Christ, that to thy innumerable benefits, hitherto powered upon our souls and upon our bodies, thou hast kept us this night passed from many evils, both spiritual and corporal, and now of thy mercy dost offer & give us time to repent and to amend our lives, so that we might live henceforth, not as we will, but as thou wilt: and as our bodies do draw continually nearer and nearer their end (the grave I mean:) so our souls might approach to their end, that is, heaven and not hell: for in one state we stand not still, but either we are nearer & nearer the happy state of life, or else the unhappy condition of death eternal.  
Wherefore we beseech thee to be merciful unto us, good father, and as of thy goodness thou givest us time to repent and live godly, so of the same thy goodness in Christ, we humbly beseech thee to give us thy gracious gift of true, holy, perfect, & perpetual repentance, that we may more and more lament our former sinful life, trusting unfeignedly in thy rich mercy, through the merits of jesus Christ, for the pardon of all our sins, and that we may unfeignedly purpose, and effectually labour to amend our lives this day, & so long as we have to live, in all our doings and words, and even in our very thoughts, to the praise of thy holy name, and good example of our brethren.  
And for as much as thou knowest our weakness, our ignorance, and great untowardness to carry any great cross or affliction: we beseech thee our sweet father, so to temper and order all things towards us this day and for ever, that we be never further proved & tempted, than thou wilt make us able to bear, and so to help us in the same, as may be most to thy glory and our salvation, through jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.   

An Evening prayer.  
O Lord God, father everlasting, and full of pity, we acknowledge and confess, that we be not worthy to lift up our eyes to heaven, much less to present our selves before thy divine Majesty, with confidence that thou wilt hear our prayers and grant our requests, if we consider our own wretched deservings. For our consciences do accuse us, & our sins witness against us, & we know that thou art an upright judge, which dost not justify the sinners and wicked men, 
exod 2.  but punishest the faults of 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 & desperation, 
●sal. 50. ●sal. 18.  we utterly renounce all worldly confidence and trust, & flee to thy sovereign goodness, as our only stay and refuge, beseeching thee not to call to remembrance our manifold sins and wickedness, 
Psal. 79.  whereby we continually provoke thy wrath and indignation against us: neither our negligence, nor our unkindness, which have neither worthily esteemed, nor in our lives sufficiently expressed the sweet comfort of thy holy Gospel revealed unto us: but rather to accept the obedience & death of thy son jesus Christ our Lord, 
Heb. 9.10  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) and forgive us our offences. Teach us by thy holy spirit, 
Psal. 19  that we may rightly way them, and earnestly repent us for the same: and so much the rather (O Lord our God) because that the reprobate, 
●sal. 58. ●sal. 5.  and such as thou hast forsaken, can not praise thee, nor call upon thy name: but the repenting heart, the sorrowful mind, the conscience oppressed, hungering and thirsting for thy grace, shall ever more set forth thy praise and glory.  

●sal. 22.  And albeit we be but worms & dust, yet thou art our creator, and we be the work of thy hands: 
●. Cor. 6.  yea thou art our father, and we thy children: thou art our shepherd, and we thy flock: thou art our redeemer, and we thy people whom thou hast dearly bought: 
●ere. 10.  thou art our God, and we are thine inheritance.  

●sal. 6.  Correct us not therefore in thine anger (O Lord our God) neither according to our deserts do thou 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, 
czech. 18  thou wilt put away all his wickedness out of thy remembrance, as thou hast promised by thy holy Prophet.  
Finally, forasmuch as it hath pleased thee to make the night for man to rest in, as thou hast ordained him the day to travel, 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 full deliverance out of this mortal life, 
Luke 12. Matth. 6. Luke 22.  and in the mean season that we be not overcome by any fantasies, dreams, or other temptations, but may fully set our minds upon thee, love thee, fear thee, and rest in thee, in such sort that our very sleep also may be to the glory of thy holy name.  
Furthermore, that our sleep be not excessive or over much, after the insatiable desire of the flesh, but only sufficient to content our weak nature, that we may the better be disposed to live in all godly conversation to the glory of thy holy name, and profit of our brethren, through jesus Christ our Lord: in whose name we make our humble petitions unto thee, as he hath taught us.  Our father which etc. 
Almighty and everliving God, vouchsafe we beseech thee to grant us perfect continuance in thy lively faith, augmenting and increasing the same in us daily, until we grow to the full measure of our perfection in Christ: whereof we make our confession, saying: I believe in God the father, 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. 2. Cor. 13.   

another Evening prayer.  
MOst merciful God and tender Father, which besides thine inestimable mercies declared and given unto us in the making of the world for our sakes, in redeeming of us by the death of thy dear Son jesus Christ, in the calling of us to the knowledge of thy blessed word, in keeping of us hitherto in thy holy Church, and in thy most gracious governing of us, and all things hitherto for our singular wealth and commodity, hast also most fatherly cared for us, and kept us this day from all dangers both of soul and body, giving us health, food, apparel, and all other things necessary for the comfort and secure of this poor and miserable life, which many other do want: for these and all other thy good gifts and gracious benefits, which thou of thine own goodness only and fatherly providence hast hitherto powered upon us, and dost presently power upon us and many other, we most humbly thank thee and praise thy holy name, beseeching thee, that as all things are now hidden by means of the darkness which thou hast sent over the earth, so thou wouldst vouchsafe to hide and bury all our sins, which this day or at any time heretofore we have committed against thy holy commandments: and as now we purpose to lay our bodies to rest, so grant the guard of thy good Angels to keep the same this night & for evermore: and when soever our last sleep of death shall come, grant that it may be in thee good father, so that our bodies may rest both temporally and eternally, to thy glory and our joy, through jesus Christ our Lord. So be it.   

another Evening prayer.  
O Eternal God and most merciful father, who this day, and all the time of our life hast graciously defended, nourished, and preserved our souls and bodies, and made such fatherly provision for us poor sinners, the of thy loving kindness we have rich portions, not only in the creatures of heaven and earth, but also in that plentiful redemption which thy most dear son jesus Christ hath purchased for us: grant unto us (O merciful father) the assistance of thy grace and holy spirit, that as our bodies shall now take their natural rest, even so our souls and minds, at the beholding of thy goodness towards us, may quiet themselves in thee, and conceive such inward pleasure & heavenly sweetness in thy love, that whatsoever we shall from henchfoorth, either think, speak, or do, it may be all to the honour of thy holy name, through jesus Christ thy dear son our Lord and only Saviour. Amen.  
Thy mighty hand and outstretched arm (O Lord) be still our defence: thy mercy and loving kindness in jesus Christ thy dear son, be our salvation: thy truth and holy word our instruction: thy grace and holy spirit, our comfort and consolation unto the end, and in the end.   

A prayer for the remission of sins.  
O Almighty and everliving Lord God, the dear Father of our Saviour jesus Christ, which hast made heaven and earth, the sea, & all that therein is, which art the only ruler and governor, conserver and keeper of all things, together with thy dearly beloved Son Christ jesus our Lord, and with the holy ghost the comforter: O holy, righteous, & wise: O strong, terrible, mighty, and fearful Lord God, governor of the whole world, judge of all men: O exorable, patiented, and most gracious father, whose eyes are upon the ways of all men, and are so clean, that they cannot abide impiety: thou searchest the hearts, and triest the very thoughts and reins of all men, thou hatest sin, and abhorrest iniquity.  
For sins sake thou hast grievously punished mankind, thy most dear creature, as thou hast declared by the penalty of death laid upon all the children of Adam: by the casting of Adam & his offspring out of Paradise, by the cursing of the earth: by the drowning of the world: by the burning of Sodom & Gomor: by hardening the heart of Pharaoh, so that no miracle could convert him: by the drowning of him and his people in the red sea: by the overthrowing of the Israelites in the wilderness, so that of six hundredth thousand there were but two that entered into the land of promise: by rejecting King Saul: by the punishments upon thy servant David, notwithstanding his hearty repentance: by grievously afflicting Solomon in himself and his posterity: by the captivity of the ten tribes: and by the thraldom of the jews, wherein until this present day they continued, a notable spectacle of thy wrath to the world, against, and for sin.  
But of all spectacles of thy anger against sin the greatest and most notable is the death and bloody passion of thy dearly beloved son jesus Christ. Great was thine anger against sin, when in heaven & earth nothing could be found which might appease thy wrath, save the bloodshedding of thine only & most dearly beloved son, in whom, was and is all thy delight. Great was the sore of sin that needed such a salve: mighty was the malady, that needed such a medicine. If in Christ, in whom was no sin, thy wrath was so fiarce of our sins, that he was constrained to cry: My God, my god, why hast thou forsaken me? How great & importable then is thine anger against us, which are nothing but sinful? They that are thy children, through the contemplation of thine anger against sin, set forth most evidently in the death of Christ, do tremble and are afraid, lamenting themselves upon him, and hearty crying for mercy: whereas the wicked are altogether careless and contemptuous, nothing lamenting their iniquities, or crying to thee hearty for mercy and pardon. Amongst whom we are rather to be placed, than amongst thy children, for that we are so shameless for our sins, and careless for thy wrath, heaping daily sin upon sin, so that the measure hath overflowed and ascended up to heaven, and brought thy heavy plagues upon us, which are but earnest for greater to ensue: therefore to us pertaineth shame, and nothing else is due but confusion.  
What shall we do? what shall we say? who can give us penitent hearts? who can open our lips, that our mouths might make acceptable confession unto thee? Alas, of our selves we cannot think any good, much less wish it, and lest of all do it. As for Angels, or any other creatures, they have nothing but that which they have received, and they are made to minister unto us: So that where it passeth the power of the master, the minister must needs want. Alas then, what shall we do? Thou art holy, and we unholy: thou art good, and we nothing but evil: thou art pure, and we altogether impure: thou art light, and we most dark darkness: how then can there be any agreement betwixt us? O what now may we do? Despair? Not, for thou art God, and therefore good: thou art merciful, and therefore thou forgivest sins: with thee is mercy and propitiation and therefore thou art worshipped.  
when Adam had sinned, thou gavest him mercy before he desired it: and wilt thou deny us mercy which now desire the same? Adam excused his fault and accused thee: but we accuse ourselves and excuse thee: and shall we be sent empty away? No found favour when thy wrath abounned, and shall we seeking grace, be frustrate? Abraham was pulled out of Idolatry, when the world was drowned therein: and art thou his God only? Israel in captivity in Egypt was graciously visited, & delivered: & dear God, the same good Lord shall we always be forgotten?  
How often in the wilderness didst thou defer and spare thy plagues at the requests of Moses, when the people themselves made no petition to thee? and seeing we not only now make our petitions unto thee through thy goodness, but also have a mediator for us, far above Moses, even jesus Christ, shall we (I say) dear Lord depart ashamed? So soon as David said, I have sinned, thou didst forthwith answer him, that he should not die: thou hadst taken away his sins: and gracious God, even the self same God, shall not we which now with David gladly confess, that we have sinned, shall we (I say) not hear by thy good spirit, that our sins be pardoned? O grant that with Manasses we may find favour and mercy.  
Remember that thou hast not spared thine own only dear Son jesus Christ, but given him to die for our sins, to rise for our righteousness, to ascend for our possession taking in heaven, and to appear before thee for us for ever, a high priest after the order of Melchizedech, that through him we might have free access to come to thy throne, now rather of grace, then of justice. Remember that thou by him hast bidden us ask, and promised that we should receive, saying: Ask and ye shall have, seek and ye shall find, knock and it shall be opened unto you▪ O dear GOD and most meek and merciful father, we hearty beseech thee to be merciful unto us, for this thy Christ's sake, for his death's sake, for thy promise, truth, and mercy's sake. Have mercy upon us, pardon and forgive us all our sins, iniquities and trespasses, what so ever we have committed against thee, in thought, word or deed, ever or at any time hitherto by any means. Dear father, have mercy upon us. Though we be poor, yet our Christ is rich: though we be sinners, yet he is righteous: though we be fools, yet he is wise: though we be impure, yet is he pure and holy: for his sake therefore be merciful unto us.  
Call to mind how thou hast promised that thou wilt power out of thy clean waters, and wash us from our filth, and cleanse us from our evils. Forget not that thou hast promised to take from us our stony hearts, and to give us soft hearts, new hearts, and to put into the midst of us right spirits. Remember thy covenant, namely, that thou wilt be our God, and we shall be thy people: that thou wilt put out of thy memory for ever, all our unrighteousness, and hast promised to writ in our minds and hearts thy law and testimonies.  
Remember that thou dost straightly charge us to have none other Gods but thee, saying, that thou art the Lord our God. O then declare the same to us all, we hearty now beseech thee. Forgive us our sins, forget our iniquities, cleanse us from our filthiness, wash us from our wickedness, power out thy holy spirit upon us. Take from us our hard hearts, our stony hearts, our impenitent hearts, our distrusting and doubtful hearts, our carnal, our secure, our idle hearts, our impure, malicious, arrogant, envious, wrathful, impatient, covetous, hypocritical, and epicurical hearts: and in place thereof give us new hearts, soft hearts, faithful hearts, merciful hearts, loving, obedient, chaste, pure, holy, righteous, true, simple, lowly, and patiented hearts, to fear thee, to love thee, to trust in thee for ever.  
Writ thy law in our hearts, grave it in our minds, we hearty beseech thee. Give us the spirit of prayer: make us diligent and happy in the works of our vocation: take into thy custody and governance for ever our souls and bodies, our lives, and all that ever we have. Tempt us never further, than thou wilt make us able to bear: and what so ever thou knowest we have need of in soul or body (dear God and gracious father,) vouchsafe to give us the same in thy good time: and always, as thy children guide us, so that our life may please thee, and our death praise thee, through jesus Christ our Lord: for whose sake we hearty pray thee, to grant these things thus asked, and all other things necessary for soul and body, not only to us, but to all others also, for whom thou wouldst that we should pray, specially for thy children that be in thraldom, in exile, in prison, misery, heaviness, poverty, sickness, etc.  
Be merciful to the whole realm of England, and grant us all true repentance, and turn from us the evils that we so wickedly have deserved. Pardon our enemies, persecutors and slanderers, and if it be thy pleasure turn their hearts. Be merciful unto our parents, brethren, and sisters, friends, kinsfolks, and familiars, neighbours, and such as by any means thou hast coupled and linked to us by love or otherwise: and unto us poor sinners here gathered together in thy holy name, grant thy blessing and holy spirit to sanctify us, and dwell in us as thy dear children, to keep us this day and for ever from all evil, to thy eternal glory, and our everlasting comfort, & the profit of thy Church, which mercifully maintain, cherish and comfort, strengthening them that stand, so that they never fall, lifting up them that be fallen, and keep us from falling from thy truth, through the merits of thy dearly beloved son jesus Christ our only Saviour, which liveth and reigneth with thee and the hol●e Ghost, to whom be all praise and honour, both now and for ever. Amen.  
I B.   

A prayer for the true knowledge of the mystery of our redemption in Christ.  
O Almighty God, and father of our Lord jesus Christ, and by him also our father, the father of all mercy, & God of all consolation, have mercy upon us and hear our prayers. We most humbly beseech thee, for thy dear son jesus Christ's sake, for his merits and cruel death which he suffered to deliver us from eternal death, and the power of darkness: sand into our hearts thy spirit of truth, to work in us a true, lively, & steadfast faith, that the clear light and brightness of thy Gospel, the glory of Christ, may shine unto us, and lighten our minds, that we may learn and understand the wonderful and unspeakable riches of the mystery of our redemption in Christ and by Christ. 
Ephe. 2.  O Father of glory, give unto us the spirit of wisdom, and bring us into the true knowledge of this thy beloved Son jesus Christ, and the knowledge of thyself. Open and lighten the eyes of our minds and understanding, that we may know what the hope is whereunto thou hast called us, and how rich the glory of thine inheritance is upon thy Saints, and the exceeding greatness of thy power towards us: that by true faith, by understanding & knowledge of thine eternal wisdom (which is jesus Christ) we may be in deed as we are called, true Christians, and unfeigned professors of thy holy name, to worship thee in spirit and truth, and to set forth the glory of thy grace given unto us in Christ jesus our Lord. Amen.  
O dear Father, writ in our hearts love of thy law, hate to all sin, thankfulness of heart, and continual heat of thy holy spirit, for thy son jesus Christ's sake: To whom with thee and thy holy spirit, be all honour, majesty, glory, thanks, rule, empire and dominion, for evermore. Amen.   

A form of thanksgiving for our redemption, and prayer for the strength & increase of faith.  
Lord increase our faith.  Luk, 17. 

Ephe. 4.  Eternal praise and thanks be given unto thee, dear God and father of our Lord jesus Christ, which hast blessed us with all spiritual blessing in heavenly things by Christ, in that thou hast chosen us in him before the foundation of the world was laid, that we should be without blame before thee through him, by whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of our sins: in whom, after we heard the word of truth, the gospel of our salvation wherein we believed, we are sealed with the holy spirit of promise, which is the earnest of our inheritance, which spirit hath and doth bear witness unto our spirits, that we are thy children, and therefore crieth in our hearts: Abba Father. 
〈◊〉 8.  And thus (most gracious father) when thou hast once given the earnest penny of our salvation into our hearts, thou dost not repent of thy gift and calling, neither wilt thou at any time break thy covenant of grace and mercy in Christ thy sons merits, confirmed in us by that seal and love token. For what though we be weak in our belief, 
Rom. 3.  shall our unbelief make thy promise of no effect? Not, thou wilt always be found true, but all men are liars. And yet Lord, thou dost most graciously behold and accept, be it never so little a spark of faith. We say therefore and cry unto thee, with one that wept and said: 
Matth. 9  I believe Lord, help my unbelief. Yea, that little, be it never so little, is thy mere gift also. The which as thou begun, so (most merciful Lord) increase the same more and more, to the peace and comfort of our conscience, and the glory of thy name, through jesus Christ. Amen.   

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

A prayer for true mortification.  
O God my creator, preserver and everlasting defender, where first in my creation I was made like unto thine own likeness, the devil (alas) hath since by Adam's fall made me ugly, monstrous, and like evil favoured to himself. For what are now, 
Col. 3.  Lord, mine earthly members, but (as thine Apostle writeth) adultery, whoredom, uncleanness, unnatural lusts, evil concupiscence, covetousness (which is the worshipping of Idols) and such other, for the which thy wrath is wont to come upon the children of unbelief? Nevertheless, Lord, of thy great mercy and goodness, against this so great a mischief, a much greater remedy thy fatherly providence hath ordained: for thou hast sent jesus Christ thy dear & only natural Son into this world, the vale of miseries, to lose the works of the devil, 
1. john 3  and to take away my sins.  

1. john 5.  Therefore sathan hath now nothing to brag of, for through Christ, all that believe in thee and so become thy children, do overcome the world, the flesh, 
john 3  and the devil. And this is the victory which overcometh them all, even our faith. That faith I mean, which is persuaded that who so ever believeth in Christ, shall not perish, 
1. john 5.  but have everlasting life.  
That faith which believeth the testimony to be true which thou God the father dost testify of thy son, so making thee no liar: and this is the testimony, that thou hast given us eternal life. 
Rom. 8.  That faith which believeth that thou father, who raisedst up Christ from death, shalt also quicken our mortal bodies through thy holy spirit dwelling in us. That faith which believeth it to be true which thy Son Christ affirmed with a double oath, 
john 14.  verily, verily I say unto you, he that believeth in me, the works that I do, the same shall he do, and greater works then these shall he do, because I go to my father. And finally, that faith which believeth that now Christ hath been lift up on the cross, 
john 12.  he shall draw all things unto him. This faith (I say) is the victory which overcometh our enemies, the devil, the world, and our flesh.  
Thou therefore, dear father, which hast promised to give what so ever I shall ask in thy dear son jesus name, 
john 14  for thy great mercy and infallible truths sake, do now in me the thing that he came for: loose in me the works of the devil, & take away my sins, 
1. Iohn ●  I beseech thee: make steadfast my faith and confidence in thy promised mercies and merciful promises: so that I assuredly believing in thee, may have (as thou promisest) everlasting life, & making thee (dear God) no liar, may believe, feel, and know in my heart and conscience, that the same everlasting life is thy mere and free gift unto me, yea, already of thy great goodness, undoubtedly given me, being now translated from death to life.  
Of a thankfulness whereof, Lord, 'cause me now daily to mortify my earthly members: 
Rom. 8.  yea, dear father, sith thy spirit which raised up Christ from death, dwelleth within me, do thou (who raisedst Christ from death) quicken my mortal body through thy spirit so dwelling in me, I beseech thee: yea Lord jesus, according to thy promise (because thou art now gone to thy father) make me work this wonderful great work that thou spakest of, 
john 14.  I mean, make me being of myself but a lump of sin, and a monster most ugly, (as the vices whereon the members of my earthly body are above declared to be compact, 
Col. 3.  do prove) make me, I say, yet through thy grace, to hate, abhor, flee, and subdue all adultery, whoredom, uncleanness, unnatural lusts, evil concupiscence, unordinate desires, wantonness, tenderness, delicateness, idleness, drunkenness, gluttony, slothfulness, distrust, despair, ignorance, weakness, wilfulness, idolatry, superstition, hypocrisy, heresy, error, sects▪ variance, strife, wrath, envy, slanders, lying, swearing, cursing, vainglory, pride, covetousness, theft, deceit, flattery, and what so ever else, O Lord, fighteth or rebelleth against thy holy spirit: and then (O Father) I will boast & make vaunt against mine enemy the devil, that I have done greater works than thy dear son jesus did, 
john 14.  at what time he spoke these words among the jews, because albeit he vanquished Satan, yet in as much as he himself was utterly without sin, the victory seemed the more easy. But I to vanquish sathan, being myself altogether sinful, yea, contrary to my most sinful nature to subdue sin, the devil, and mine own flesh, it seemeth a more victory and a greater work than the other. For the which nevertheless, I will with all submission acknowledge unto thy divine majesty, that the whole victory, Lord, in deed, is thine, and thy holy spirit the beginner and finisher both of the will and the work.  
Now therefore (Lord jesus) strengthen me with thy grace and might, that thou mayst by me a most sinful wretch, draw all these my earthly members and horrible vices before rehearsed, under my feet, that I may not only fight against them, but also subdue them, 
Rom. 8. john 12.  so that they may all turn to the best for me, as meet matter whereon I may exercise my faith, power forth my hearty prayer, and give thee most hearty thanks for victory: whereby I may learn and have experience that thou hast in me drawn all things unto thee, insomuch as thou thus (Lord) of thy divine power drawest both the devil and the sin that dwelleth in me, to set forth thine honour and glory, which thing for thy mercy's sake bring to pass, O God my creator, preserver & everlasting defender.   

A meditation for the exercise of true mortification.  
HE that will be ready in weighty matters to deny his own will, and to be obedient to the will of God, the same had need to accustom himself to deny his desires in matters of less weight, and to exercise mortification of his own will in trifles. For if that our affections by this daily custom be not (as it were) half slain, surely, surely, when the plunge shall come, we shall find the more to do. If we can not watch with Christ one hour, (as he saith to Peter) we undoubtedly can much less go to death with him. Wherefore, that in great temptations we may be ready to say with Christ: Not my will, but thy will be done: (for as much as this commonly cometh not to pass, but where the roots of our lusts, by thy grace dear father, are almost rotten and rooted out by a daily denial of that they desire) I humbly beseech thee for Christ's sake to help me herein.  
First pardon me my cherishing, and (as it were) watering of mine affections, obeying them in their devices and superfluous desires: where through, in that they have taken deep root, and are too lively in me. I secondly do beseech thee to pull them up by the roots out of my heart, and so henceforth to order me, that I may continually accustom myself to weaken the principal root, that the by roots and branches may lose all their power. Grant me (I beseech thee) that thy grace may daily mortify my concupiscence of pleasure in things, that is, of wealth, riches, glory, liberty, favour of men, meats, drinks, apparel, ease, yea, and life itself, that the horror and impatiency of more grievous things may be weakened, and I made more patiented in adversity.  
Whereunto I further desire and pray thy goodness, dear father, that thou wilt add this: namely that I may for ever become obedient and ready to do thy good will in all things heartily and willingly to serve thee, and do whatsoever may please thee. For doubtless although we accustom ourselves in the pleasant things of this life, to a mortification and denial of ourselves, yet we shall find enough to do, when more better & weighty crosses come. For if thy son our saviour (ever wont to obey thy good will) prayed so heartily and often: Not my will, but thy will be done, (whereby he declareth himself to be very man) how can it be, but we, whose nature is corrupt, not only in nativity, but in the rest of our whole life also, shall found both our hands full in great and greevos temptations, wholly to resign ourselves unto thee.  
Grant therefore dear father, for thy Christ's sake, to me a most miserable wretch, thy grace and spirit to be effectual in me, that daily I may accustom myself, to deny my will in more easy and pleasant things of this life, that when need shall be, I may come unto thee with a resigned will, always steadfastly expecting thy mercy, and in the mean season, continually obeying thee with readiness and willingness, doing what so ever may most please thee, through Christ our Lord, who liveth with thee, etc.   

A meditation of the coming of Christ to judgement, and of the reward both of the faithful and unfaithful.  
O Lord jesus Christ the son of the everliving God, by whom all things were made, are ruled and governed: as of thy love for our redemption thou didst not disdain to be our mediator, & to take upon thee our nature in the womb of a virgin purely and without sin, by the operation of thy 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 to thine own glorious and immortal body, according to the power wherewith thou art able to subject all things unto thee: as (I say) of thy love for our redemption thou becamest man, and that most poor and afflicted upon earth, by the space of three and thirty years at the lest, in most humility, and paiedst the price of our ransom by thy most bitter death and passion: (for the which I most hearty give thanks to thee) so of the same thy love towards us, in thy good time thou wilt come again in the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory, with flaming fire, with thousands of Saints, with Angels of thy power, with a mighty cry, shout of an Archangel, and blast of a trump, 
Matth. 24  suddenly as a lightning which shineth from the East, etc. when men think lest, even as a thief in the night, when men be asleep, thou wilt so come, I say, thus suddenly in the twinkling of an eye, 
Matth. 2●  all men that ever have been, be, or shall be, with women and children, appearing before thy tribunal seat, to tender an account of all things, which they have thought, spoken, and done against thy law, openly and before all Angels, Saintes, and devils, and so shall their corruptible body put on incorruption: then shall they be endued with immortality, and glory: then shall they be with thee, and go whither thou goest: then shall they hear: Come blessed of my father, possess the kingdom prepared for you from the beginning etc. then shall they be set on seats of majesty, judging the whole world: then shall they reign with thee for ever: then shall God be all in all with them and to them: then shall they enter and inherit heavenly jerusalem, and the glorious restful land of 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 always joy without sorrow, mirth without measure, pleasure without pain, heavenly harmony, most pleasant melody, saying and singing: Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of hosts, etc.  
Finally the eye hath not seen, the ear hath not heard, neither hath it entered into the heart of man, that they shall then inherit and moste surely enjoy, although here they be tormented, prisoned, solicited of Satan, tempted of the flesh, and entangled with the world, wherethrough they are enforced to cry: 
Apoc. 22.  Thy kingdom come: Come Lord jesus, etc.  
How amiable are thy tabernacles? Like as the heart desireth the water brooks, 
Psal. 42.  etc. Now let thy servant departed in peace. I desire to be dissolved and to be with Christ. 
Rom. 8.  We mourn in 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 & look for these things, with the full fruition of those heavenly joys which thou hast prepared for all them that fear thee, and so rest with thee for evermore.  
I.B.   

A meditation of the 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 Mat. 25. 1. Cor. 15. Heb. 4.11.13. 1. Pet. 1. it plainly appeareth & elsewhere 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 piety 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 be so, let us then eat and drink, 
1. Cor. 15  for to morrow we shall die. Lord preserve us from this Saduceall 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, 
Where this eternal life is.  and the place appointed for them that be thy servants, all men do grant to be with thee. Albeit they do not think, that because thou art every where, therefore eternal life is every where. For they by thy word do know, that in as much as no man can see thee and live, 
john 4.  this eternal life and thy blessed presence is most pleasant and had in fruition, after in an other world, whereunto by corporal death they do departed, and are translated to a place above them, 
●. Tim. 6.  where thou dwell jest in a light whereunto no man can approach. Abraham's bosom (they read) was above, as the place for the wicked was allow and beneath. Helias was caught up into heaven, and thy dear Son our Saviour prayed, the where he is, 
john 17.  those also might be which thou hadst given him, and might see his glory. Now he (dear father) we learn by thy spirit, was ascended & taken up in his very body into heaven, 
Acts. 7.  whither Stephan looked up & saw thy Christ standing on thy right hand, to whom he prayed, O 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, 
1. Cor. ●.  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. What so ever therefore can be spoken or imagined of thy kingdom, of the clearness, joy, and felicity of the same, is nothing in comparison, as we may see by thy prophets: which (because they could not otherwise) under corporal things, have shadowed the same. 
What knowledge may be had in this life of the life everlasting.  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 have given here so many things in a strange place, how many are the great good things that be at home? if in prison are so many mercies, how many are they in the Palace? If the wicked have so many benefits, what is the store prepared for thy servants, O Lord? If thy children find such comforts in the day of tears & mourning, what shall they found in the day of the marriage? If with beasts men being, have the use of innumerable blessings, O how many are the blessings which they shall enjoy with thy Angels, and with 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, & that for evermore.  
This thy children do not so see as they now believe it: I say that even in their bodies they shall see it for ever: as job said. 
job. 19  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. 
1. Cor. 13  Now they see but as in a glass, even in a dark speaking: but then they shall see thee face to face. 
Heb. 11.  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, 
1 joh. 13.  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. O great prerogative to see Christ as he is: which is not to be considered so much for the manhood, as for the godhead itself, as Paul doth also writ, 
1. Cor. 15  that when all things are subject unto the Son, then shall he be subject unto thee dear father also, that God may be all in al. 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 is now in earth.  
Then thou blessed Trinity, God the Father, God the Son, and God the holy Ghost shalt be all in all: thou shalt be the end of our desires: thou shalt be looked upon without 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 no kind at all of loathsomeness. Satiety of joys shallbe in the beholding of thee. 
Psal. 16.  Pleasures are on thy right hand for ever. We shall be satisfied when we arise after thine image, 
Psal. 17.  I mean in the resurrection.  
O dear father, show thyself unto us, and we ask no more. O 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: 
Apoc. 5.  Thou Christ jesus which wast slain, art worthy to receive power, & riches, and wisdom, and strength, & 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. O that we might see now a little with saint john that holy city new jerusalem, descending from heaven prepared of God as a bride trimmed for her husband. O 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 sha' be no more, nor weeping, nor crying, nor sorrow, for the former things are gone.  
I B.   

another meditation of the blessed state and felicity of the life to come.  
THis body is but a prison, wherein the soul is kept, and that verily not beautilfull nor bright, but most foul and dark, disquiet, frail, & filled up with much vermin & venomous vipers (I mean it concerning our affections) standing in an air most unwholesome, & prospect most loathsome, if a man consider the excrements of it by the eyes, nose, mouth, ears, hands feet, and all the other parts. So that no Bocardo, no Little ease, no Dungeon, no Bishop's prison, no Gatehowse, no sink, no pit, may be compared in any point to be so evil a prison for the body, as the body is for and of the soul: wherethrough the children of GOD have been occasioned to cry & lament their long being in it. O saith David, How long shall I lie in this prison? O wretch that I am (saith Paul) who shall deliver me out of this body of sin? 
Rom. 7.  which is an heavy burden to the soul, as the wiseman saith. And the godly cry: 
Luke 2.  now let thy servant departed in peace. O the I were dissolved, & had put off this earthly and frail tabernacle. 
Psal. 143.  Take me unto thee, and bring my soul out of this prison, that it may give thanks unto thee, O Lord For so long as we be in this body, we can not see the Lord: yea, it is as an heavy habitation, and depresseth down sore the spirit from the familiarity which it else should have with God. This world & life is an exile, a vale of misery, a wilderness of itself, being void of all virtues and necessaries for eternal life, full of enemies, sorrows, sighings, sobbings, groanings, miseries, etc. In danger to hunger, cold, heat, thirst, sores, sickness, temptations, trouble, death and innumerable calamities, being momentany, short, unstable, and nothing but vain, and therefore is compared to a warfare, a woman's travel, a shadow, a smoke, a vapour, a word, a storm, a tempest, in the which Gods people feel great molestations, griefs, & troubles, now of satan himself, now of the world, now of their own flesh, & that so wonderfully, diversly, dangerously, and contrarily, that they are enforced to cry: O Lord, when shall we come and appear before thee? when shall this misery end? when shall we be delivered out of this vale of misery? out of this wilderness? out of these continual afflictions and most perilous seas?  
But where thou art (Lord and dear Father of mercy) there is not only no prison, no dolors, no sorrow, no sighings, no tears, no sickness, no hunger, no heat, no cold, no pain, no temptations, no displeasure, no malice, no pride, no uncleansure, no contention, no torments, no horror, no sin, no filth, no stench, no dearth, no death, no weeping, no tears, no misery, no mischief: there is (I say) not only no such thing, or any evil, noisome, or displeasant thing, but all liberty, all light, all pleasantness, all joy, rejoicing, mirth, pleasure, health, wealth, riches, glory, power, treasure, honour, triumph, comfort, solace, love, unity, peace, concord wisdom, virtue, melody, meekness, felicity, beatitude, and all that ever can be wished or desired in most security, eternity, and perpetuity, that may be thought not only of man, but of Angels an Archangels, yea above all thoughts. 
1. Cor. 2.  The eye hath not seen the like, the ear hath not heard, nor no heart is able to conceive in any point, any part of the blissful beatitude which is with thee most dear Lord and Saviour, most gracious God and comforter.  
Where thou art, O blessed God, the Archangels, Angels, Thrones, Powers, Dominations, Cherubins, Seraphins, patriarchs, Prophets, Apostles, Martyrs, Virgins, Confessors, and righteous spirits cease not to sing night and day: Holy, Holy, 
Apoc. 4.  Holy, Lord God of Hosts, Honour, majesty, glory, power, empire, and dominion, be unto thee, O God the creator, O Lord jesus the Redeemer, O holy spirit the comforter. 
Apoc. 5.   
In recordation of this, O how thy children rejoice? how contemn they the pleasures of this world? How little esteem they any corporal grief or shame? how desire they to be with thee? How amiable are thy tabernacles, O Lord GOD of hosts, 
Psal. 84.  say they? My soul hath a desire to enter into the Courts of the Lord: my heart and my soul rejoiceth in the living GOD: blessed are they that devil in thy house, that they may be always praising thee. For one day in thy Courts, is better than a thousand elsewhere. I had rather be a door keeper in the house of my God, then to devil in the tents of ungodliness, for the Lord God is a light and defence. 
Psal. 42.  And again, Like as the heart desireth the water brooks, so longeth my soul after thee, O God. My soul is a thirst for God, yea, even for the living God. When shall I come to appear before the presence of God? My soul thirsteth for thee, 
Psal. 63.  my flesh also longeth after thee, in a barren and dry land, where no water is.  
They (thy children I mean O Lord) desire the day of that their redemption. 
Rom. ●.  Still they cry, Let thy kingdom come. 
Apoc. 22▪ Phil. 3  They cry, Come Lord jesus. They lift up their heads, looking for thy appearing, O Lord, which will make their vile bodies, like to thine own glorious and immortal body. For when thou shalt appear, they shallbe like unto thee. Thy Angels will gather them together, 
Matt. 24.  and they shall meet thee in the clouds, and be always with thee. They shall hear this joyful voyce●: Come ye blessed of my father, possess the kingdom prepared for you from the beginning.  
Then shall they be like to thy Angels. Then shall they be like unto the Son in thy kingdom. 
Matt. 13. Apoc. 7.  Then shall they have crowns of glory, and be endued with white garments of innocency and righteousness, having palms of victory in their hands. O happy is he that may but see that immortal and incorruptible inheritance which they shall enjoy for evermore. Amen.  
I B.   

A meditation of the presence of God.  
THere is nothing that maketh more to true godliness of life, than the persuasion of thy presence, (dear father) and that nothing is hid from thee, but all to thee is open, and naked, even our very thoughts which one day thou wilt reveal and open either to our praise or punishment in this life: as thou diddest David's fault which he did secretly. 2. Reg. 12. or in the life to come Math. 25. for nothing is so hid that shall not be revealed. Therefore doth the prophet say: Woe to them that keep secret their thoughts, to hide their counsel from the Lord, and do their works in darkness: saying, who seeth us?  
Grant me therefore dear God, mercy for all my sins, especially my hid and close sins. Enter not into judgement with me, I humbly beseech thee, give me to believe truly in thy Christ, that I never come into judgement for them, and that with David I might so reveal them unto thee, that thou wouldst in thy great mercy cover them. And grant further, that henceforth I may always think myself continually conversant before thee, so that if I do well, I need not to pass of the publishing of it, as hypocrites do: if I think or do any evil, I may forthwith know that the same shall not always be hid from men.  
Grant me that I may always have in mind that day wherein the hid works of darkness shall be illuminated, and also that sentenee of thy son, that nothing is so secret which shall not be revealed. So in trouble and wrong I shall find comfort, and otherwise be kept through thy grace from evil, which do thou work I humbly beseech thee for Christ's sake.  
I.B.   

A meditation of the providence of God.  

God worketh all in all marvelously, justly, and holily.  THis aught to be unto us most certain, that nothing is done without thy providence, (O Lord) that is, that nothing is done, be it good or bad, sweet or sour, but by thy knowledge, that is, by thy will, wisdom, and ordinance, (for all these knowledge doth comprehend in it) as by thy holy word we are taught in many places, that even the life of a sparrow is not without thy will, 
Matth ●●  nor any liberty or power upon a porket have all the devils in Hell, 
Matth. ●.  but by thy appointment and will: which will we always must believe most assuredly to be all just and good, how so ever otherwise it seem unto us: for thou art marvelous and not comprehensible in thy ways, and holy in all thy works.  
But hereunto it is necessary also for us to know no less certainly, 
God worketh▪ by means, without means, & against means.  that though all things be done by thy providence, yet the same providence hath many and diverse means to work by, which means being contemned, thy providence is contemned also. As for example. Meat is a mean to serve thy providence for the preservation of health and life here, so that he which contemneth to eat because thy providence is certain and infallible, the same contemneth thy providence.  
In deed, if it were so that meat could not be had, then should we not tie thy providence to this mean, but make it free as thou art free, that is. that without meat thou canst help and give health and life, for it is not of any need that thou usest any instrument or mean to serve thy providence. Thy power & wisdom is infinite, and therefore should we hang on thy providence even when all is clean against us. But for our erudition & infirmities sake, it hath pleased thee by means to work and deal with us here, to exercise us in obedience, and because we cannot ●lse (so great is our corruption) sustain thy naked and bore presence.  
Grant me therefore dear father, I humbly beseech thee for Christ's sake, the as I something now know these things, so I may use this knowledge to my comfort & commodity in thee: that is, grant that in what state soever I be, I may not doubt but the same doth come to me by thy most just ordinance, yea, by thy merciful ordinance: for as thou art just, so art thou merciful: yea, thy mercy is above all thy works.  
And by this knowledge grant me that I may humble myself to obey thee, and look for thy help in time convenient, not only when I have means by which thou mayest work, and art so accustomed to do: but also when I have no means, but am destitute thereof, yea, when all means be directly and clean against me: grant I say that I may yet still hung upon thee and thy providence, not doubting of a fatherly end in thy good time.  
Again, lest I should contemn thy providence, or presume upon it by uncoupling those things which thou hast coupled together: preserve me from neglecting thy ordinary & lawful means in all my needs, if so be I may have them, & with good conscience use them, although I know thy providence be not tied to them further than pleaseth thee: and grant that I may with diligence, reverence and thankfulness, use them, and thereto my diligence, wisdom and industry in all things lawful to serve thereby thy providence, if it so please thee: howbeit, so that I hung in no part on the means or on my diligence, wisdom, and industry, but only on thy providence: which more and more persuade me to be altogether fatherly and good, how far so ever otherwise it appear and seem, yea, or else is felt of me. By this I being preserved from negligence on my behalf, and despair or murmuring towards thee, shall become diligent and patiented through thy mere and alone grace: which give and increase in me, to the praise of thy holy name for ever, through jesus Christ our Lord and only Saviour. Amen.  
I B.   

A Meditation of God's power, beauty, goodness, etc.  
Because thou Lord wouldst have us to love thee, not only dost thou will, entice, allure, and provoke us, but also dost command us so to do, promising thyself unto such as love thee, and threatening us with damnation, if we do otherwise. Whereby we may see both our great corruption & naughtiness, & also thine exceeding great mercy towards us.  
First concerning our corruption and naughtiness: what a thing is it, that power, riches, authority, beauty, goodness▪ liberality, truth, justice, (all which thou art good Lord) can not move us to love thee? Whatsoever things we see fair, good, wise mighty, are but even sparkles of that power, beauty, goodness, wisdom, which thou art. For to the end thou mightest declare thy riches, beauty, power, wisdom, goodness, etc. thou hast not only made, but still dost conserve all creatures to be (as David saith of the heavens) declarers & setters forth of thy glory, & as a book to teach us to know thee.  
How fair thou art, the beauty of the Sun, Moon, Stars, light, flowers, rivers, fields, hills, ●irdes, beasts, men, and all creatures, yea, the goodly shape and form of the whole world doth declare.  
How mighty thou art, we are taught by the creation of this world even of nought, by governing the same, by punishing the wicked mighty Giants thereof, by overthrowing their devices, by repressing the rages of the sea within her bounds, by storms, tempests, & fires. These & such like declare unto us thine invisible, almighty, & terrible power, whereby thou subduest all things unto thee.  
How rich thou art, this world, thy great and infinite treasure house doth well declare. What plenty is there not only of things, but also of every kind of thing? Yea how dost thou yearly and daily multiply these kinds? How many seeds dost thou make of one seed? Yea what great increase dost thou bring it unto? These can not but put us in remembrance of the exceeding riches that thou hast. For if to thine enemies which love thee not (as the most part in this world be) if to them thou givest so plentifully thy riches here, what shall we think that with thyself thou hast laid up for thy friends?  
How good thou art, all creatures generally and particularly do teach. What creature is there in the world which thou hast not made for our commodity? I will not say how that thou mightest have made us creatures without sense or reason, if thou hadst would. But amongst all things, none doth so teach us thy great love towards us, as doth the death of thy most dearly beloved son, 
john 15.  who suffered the pains & terrors thereof, yea and of hell itself, for our sakes. If this thy love had been but a small love, it would never have lasted so long, nor Christ should never have died.  
I.B.   

A Meditation concerning the sober usage of the body, that it may be subject and obedient to the soul.  
THis our body which God hath made to be the Tabernacle and mansion of our soul for this life, if we consider it accordingly, we could not but use it otherwise than we do: that is, we would use it for the souls sake being the guest thereof, and not for the body itself, and so should it be served in things to help, but not to hinder the soul. A servant it is, & therefore it aught to obey to serve the soul, that the soul might serve God, not as the body will, neither as the soul itself will, but as God will, whose will we should learn to know & behave ourselves thereafter. The which thing to observe is hard for us now, by reason of sin which hath gotten a mansion house in our bodies, and dwelleth in us as doth the soul. To the which (sin I mean) we are altogether of ourselves inclined, because we naturally are sinners and born in sin, by reason whereof we are ready as servants to sin, and to use our bodies accordingly, making the soul to sit at reward, and pampering up the servant to our shame.  
O therefore (good Lord) that it would please thee to open this gear unto me, and to give me eyes to consider effectually this my body what it is, namely a servant lent for the soul to sojourn in, and serve thee in this life: yea it is by reason of sin that hath his dwelling there, become now to the soul nothing else, but a prison, and that most straight, vile, stinking, filthy, and therefore in danger of miseries to many in all ages, times and places, till death have turned it to dust whereof it came, & whither it shall return, that the soul may return to thee from whence it came, until the day of judgement come, in the which thou wilt raise up that body, that then it may be partaker with the soul, and the soul with it inseparably of weal or woe, according to that is done in and by the same body here now in earth.  
O that I could consider often and heartily these things, than should I not pamper up this body to obey it, but bridle it that it might obey the soul: then should I fly the pain it putteth my soul unto by reason of sin and provocation to all evil, & continually desire the dissolution of it with Paul, and the deliverance from it as much as ever did prisoner his deliverance out of prison: for alonely by it the devil hath a door to tempt, and so to hurt me: in it I am kept from thy presence, & thou from being so conversant with me, as else thou wouldst be: by it I am restrained from the sense and feeling of all the joys and comforts (in manner) which are to be taken as joys and comforts in deed. If it were dissolved and I out of it, than could Satan no more hurt me, then wouldst thou speak with me face to face, than the conflicting time were at an end, than sorrow would cease, and joy would increase, & I should enter into inestimable rest. O that I could consider this accordingly.  
I.B.   

Another Meditation concerning the sober usage of the body and pleasures in this life.  
THe beginning of all evil in our kind of living, springeth out of the depravation and corruptness of our judgement, because our will always followeth that which reason judgeth to be followed. Now, that which every man taketh to be friendly and agreeing to his nature, the same doth he judge necessarily to be good for him, and to be desired. This is meat, drink, apparel, riches, favour, dignity, rule, knowledge, and such like, because they are thought good and agreeing, either to the body or to the mind, or to both, for they help either to the conservation or to the pleasure of man accounted of every one amongst good things.  
Howbeit, such is the weakness of our wit on the one part, & the blindness and too much rage of our lusts on the other part, that we being left to ourselves, can not but in the desire of things which we judge good and agreeing to our nature, by the judgement of our senses and reason, we can not (I say) but overpass the bounds whereby they might be profitable unto us, and so we make them hurtful unto us, which of themselves are ordained for our health.  
What is more necessary than meat and drink, or more agreeing to nature? but yet how few be there which do not hurt themselves by them? In like manner it goeth with riches, estimation, friends, learning, etc. yea although we be in these most temperate, yet when there wanteth the spirit our regeneratour, we are so drowned in them, that we utterly neglect to lift up our minds to the good pleasure of God, to the end we might imitate and follow God our maker by yielding ourselves over, duly to use his gifts to the common & private utility of our neighbours.  
But now, God only is life and eternity, and can not but demand of us his handy work, that we should tender ourselves and all we have to the end wherefore we were made, that is, to resemble for our portion, his goodness, as they which be nothing else but witnesses and instruments of his mercy: So that when we wholly do naturally strive against that kind of life whereunto he hath created us, by seeking always ourselves, what other thing aught to ensue, but the he should again destroy us, and take away his notable gifts, wherewith he therefore endued us, that by all kind of well doing we should resemble his image: yea what other thing may ensue, but that he should leave us, and that eternally, that we might feel and by experience prove how bitter a thing it is to leave the Lord, in whom is all goodness? O that I might therefore find such favour in thy sight (dear father) that thou wouldst work in me by thy holy spirit, a true knowledge of all good things, and hearty love to the same: through Christ jesus our Lord and only Saviour. Amen.  
I B.   

A Meditation of death, and the commodities it bringeth.  
WHat other thing do we daily in this present life, but heap sin upon sin, and hoard up trespass upon trespass? so that this day is worse always than yesterday by increasing, as days, so sins, and therefore thy indignaiion, good Lord, against us: but when we shall be let go out of the prison of this body, & 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 what so ever good we can wish, that shall we have, and what so ever we loathe, shall be far from us. O dear father, that we had faith to behold these things accordingly. O that our hearts were persuaded thereof, and our affections inflamed with the desire of them. Then should we live in longing for that which now we most loathe. 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 departed 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 manner oppressed with darkness, because we do but remember the night of the body, forgetting the light of the mind and of the 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 failing over the sea to thy home and country: it is like a medicine or purgation to the health of soul & body: it is the best Physician: it is like to a woman's travel. For as the child being delivered cometh into a more large place, than the womb wherein it did lie before: so thy soul being delivered out of the body, cometh into a much more large and fair place, even into heaven.  
I B.   

A meditation upon the passion of our Saviour jesus Christ.  
O Lord jesus Christ, the son of the everliving God, by whom all things were made, and be ruled and governed: thou the lively Image of the substance of the Father, the eternal wisdom of God, the brightness of his glory, God of God, light of light, coequal, coeternal and consubstantial with the Father: thou which of the love thou hadst to mankind, when he was fallen from the fellowship of God into the society of Satan and all evil, didst vouchsafe for our redemption, to become a mediator between God and man taking to thy godhead our nature, as concerning the substance of it, and so becamest man, also the heir of all, and most merciful Messiah, which by the power of thy Godhead and merits of thy manhood, hast made purgation of our sins, even by thine own self, whilst thou was here on earth, being now set on the right hand of thy father for us, even concerning our nature, in majesty, glory, and power infinite. I pray and humbly beseech thy mercy to grant me at this present to rehearse some of thy passions and sufferings for me the last night that thou wast here before thy death, that thy good spirit might thereby be effectual to work in me faith, as well of the pardon of my sins by them, as mortification of mine affections, comfort in my crosses, and patience in afflictions, Amen.  
In the midst of thy last supper with thy dear apostles, these things could not but be before thee, namely that they all would leave thee, the most earnest would forswear thee, and one of the twelve should most traitorously betray thee: which were no small crosses unto thee. judas was admonished of thee to beware, but when he took no heed▪ but wilfully went out to finish his work, contemning thy admonition & counsel, he could not but vex thy most loving heart.  
After supper there was contention amongst thy Disciples, who should be greatest after thee, yet dreaming carnally of thee and thy kingdom, & having this affection of pride and ambition busy amongst them, notwithstanding thy diligence in reproving and teaching them.  
After thy admonition to them of the cross that would come, thereby to make them more vigilant, so gross were they, that they thought they could with their two sword put away all perils, which was no little grief unto thee. After thy coming to Gethsemane, heaviness pressed thee, and therefore thou wouldst thy disciples to pray. Thou didst tell to Peter and his fellows, that thy heart was heavy to death. Thou diddest will them to pray, being careful for them also lest they should fall into tentation. After this thou wentes● a stones cast from them, and didst pray thyself, falling flat and groveling upon the earth: but (alas) thou feltest no comfort, and therefore thou camest to thy disciples (which of all others were moste sweet and dear unto thee) but lo, to thy further discomfort they pass neither of thy perils, nor of their own, & therefore sleep apace.  
After thou hadst awaked them, thou goest again to pray, but thou foundest no comfort at all, and therefore didst return again for some comfort at thy dearest friends hands. But yet again, (alas) they are fast a sleep. Whereupon thou art enforced to go again to thy heavenly father for some spark of comfort in these thy wonderful crosses and agonies. Now, here thou wast so discouraged & so comfortless, that even streams of blood came running from thine eyes and ears, and other parts of thy body. But who is able to express the infiniteness of thy crosses, even at thy being in the garden? All which thou suffered'st for my sake, as well to satisfy thy Father's wrath for my sins, as also to sanctify all my sufferings, the more gladly to be sustained of me.  
After thy bloody prayer thou camest and yet again foundest thy disciples a sleep, and before thou canst well awake them, lo, judas cometh with a great band of men to apprehended thee as a thief, and so doth, leading thee away bound to the high Bishop's house Annas, and so from him to Caiphas. Here now to augment this thy misery, behold thy disciples flee from thee: false witnesses be brought against thee: thou art accused and condemned of blasphemy: Peter even in thy sight forsweareth thee: thou art unjustly stricken for answering lawfully: thou art blindfold, stricken and buffeted all the whole night in the Bishop Caiphas' house of their cruel servants.  
In the morning betimes thou art condemned again of the priests of blasphemy, and therefore they bring thee before the secular power to Pilate, by whom thou art openly arraigned as other thieves and malefactors were: and when he saw that thou wast accused of malice, yet he did not dismiss thee, but did send thee to Herod, where thou wast shamefully derided in coming and going to him and from him all the way, especially after Herod had appareled thee as a fool.  
Afore Pilate again therefore thou wast brought and accused falsely: no man did take thy part, or speak a good word for thee.  
Pilate caused thee to be whipped and scourged, and to be handled most pitifully, to see if any pity might appear with the prelate's, but no man at all pitied thee.  
Barrabas was preferred before thee: all the people, head and tail, was against thee, and cried: hung him up. Unjustly to death wast thou judged thou wast crowned with thorns that pierced thy brains: thou wast made a mocking stock: thou wast reviled, beaten & most miserably handled.  
Thou goest through jerusalem to the place of execution, even to the Mount of Caluarie: a great cross to hung thee on, was laid upon thy back to bear and draw, as long as thou wast able.  
Thy body was racked to be nailed to the tree, thy hands were bored through, and thy feet also, nails were put through them to fasten thee thereon: thou wast hanged between heaven & earth, as one spewed out of heaven, and vomited out of the earth, unworthy of any place: the high Priest laughed thee to scorn: the elders blasphemed thee, and said, God hath no care for thee: the common people laughed and cried out upon thee, thirst oppressed thee, but vinegar only and gall was given thee to drink: heaven shined not upon thee: the sun gave thee no light: the earth was afraid to bear thee: sathan tempted thee and thine own senses caused thee, to cry out: My God my God why hast thou forsaken me? O wondered passions, which thou suffered'st. In them thou teachest me: in them thou comfortest me: for by them GOD is my father: my sins are forgiven. By them I should learn to fear God, to love God, and never to leave him for any temptations, but with thee to cry: Father into thy hands I commend my spirit.   

A prayer to Christ crucified.  
AS thou, O Lord, wast crucified for me, so I beseech thee crucify me with thee, that I may rise again with thee to everlasting life. Thy flesh was crucified for me: crucify with thee (O Christ) the kingdom of the flesh, which hath dominion in me, that I may put off the old Adam, and by newness of life may be transformed into thee the second Adam, sin, infidelity, and the whole tyranny of sathan being vanquished and overcome.  
Bring to pass (O Lord) that by thy cross and painful suffering, thy yoke may be to me made light, and thy burden easy, that willingly & gladly following thee, I may come whither thou art gone: that is, to thy father most blessed and immortal, from whom nothing shall afterward be able to separate us.  
God forbidden that I should rejoice in any thing but in the cross of our Lord jesus Christ, whereby the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.  Gal. 6.  

A prayer to Christ ascended and reigning in glory.  
O good Christ, our first begotten brother and tender hearted joseph: O natural son of that Father, to whom we are made children of adoption through thee: O our head reigning on high in glory: forget not us thy poor members here on earth, whereunto abasing thyself thou camest down and suffered'st for us most cruel death. Out of this thy throne of Majesty & glory, thou puttest us in assured hope and confidence, that we also shall attain to that blessed place, whither thou art gone before to take possession for us. O our strong tower of defence and succour, what can hurt us now trusting in thee? Most unhappy are they which are ignorant of thee: Most happy are they, which always behold thee. Blessed are they which have known thee here in the days of their mortality: But more blessed are they which see thee in the heavens, and shall see thee reigning with thy Father in joys incomparable. O Lord the only joy and comfort of our souls, show us thy loving countenance, embrace us with the arms of thy mercy: receive us, O good joseph, thy younger brethren with the kiss of comfort: power into our hearts thy holy spirit: pluck us up from the earth & earthly things: open our eyes & lift them up unto thee: open thy mouth, & call us unto thee: open our ears that we may hear thee, so that whatsoever we do, speak or think, it may be directed unto thee alone our redeemer, mediator and advocate.  
If ye be risen again with Christ, seek the things which are above, where Christ sitteth at the right hand of God: set your affection on things that are above, & not on things which are on the earth.  Col. 3.  

An other.  
THou Lord diddest put away Marie Magdalen from the kissing of thy feet, 
john. 2●.  because thy flesh was not yet exalted, and she knew not yet the dignity of thy clarified body, and beautified with the glory of immortality, but was addicted only to thy bodily presence.  
She yet sought the living among the dead, 
Luke. 24.  neither was it known to her that thou wast equal with thy father. Wherefore thou wouldst not suffer her so much as to kiss thy feet: because it was a thing unworthy for thy majesty, O thou mighty Lion of the tribe of juda: thou conqueror of hell and death, ever living and immortal, thou art now risen from death for us: thou art now ascended to thy father and our father, and sittest at his right hand in glory: suffer us to come near unto thee that we may kiss thee: yea, Lord, thou lover of our souls, 
Cant. 1.  come thou rather unto us, and kiss us with the kiss of thy mouth, that we may be glad and rejoice in thee: draw us that we may run after the savour of thy sweet ointments: 
Psal. 17.  that we may behold thee in righteousness, and when thy glory shall appear we may be satisfied: for in thy presence there is fullness of joy, 
Psal. 16.  and in thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.   

A prayer for true repentance.  
MOst gracious God & merciful Father of our Saviour jesus Christ, because I have sinned & done wickedly, and through thy goodness have received a desire of repentance, whereunto this thy 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, so to humble, mortify, and fear my conscience for my sins to salvation, that in thy good time thou mayst comfort and quicken me again, through jesus Christ thy dearly beloved son, So be it.  
I B.   

A prayer for the strength and increase of faith.  
O Merciful God and dear father of our Lord and saviour jesus Christ (in whom as thou art well pleased; so hast thou commanded us to hear him) for as much as he often biddeth us to ask of thee, and also promiseth that thou wilt hear us, and grant us that which in his name we shall ask of thee: lo gracious father we are 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 us 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, & serve thee in holiness and righteousness all the days of my life.  
I B.   

A prayer for the true sense and feeling of God's ●auour and mercy in Christ.  
O Lord God and dear Father, what shall I say that feel all things to be (in manner) with me as in the wicked? Blind is my mind crooked is my will, and perverse concupiscence is in me, as a spring or stinking puddle. O how faint is faith in me? How little is my love to thee or to 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 merciful father, and whether I be thy child or no. In deed worthily might I doubt, if that the having of these were the cause, & not the fruit rather of thy children. The cause why thou art my father is thy mercy, goodness, grace & truth in Christ jesus which can not but remain for ever. In respect whereof thou hast borne me this goodwill, 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 diverse times by the ministery of thy word into thy kingdom: besides thy innumerable other benefits, always hitherto powered upon me. All which thou hast done of this thy good will which thou of thine own mercy barest 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 needs I should come unto thee as unto a Father, and make my moan without mistrust 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 and advocate jesus Christ, who sitteth on thy 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 thou for a little while hast left me, so 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 (O Redeemer) in eternal mercies thou wilt show thy compassions. For when thou leavest us, O Lord, thou dost not leave us very long, neither dost thou leave us to our own loss, but to our iucre and advantage: even that thy holy spirit with bigger portion of thy power and virtue, may lighten and cheer us, that the want of feeling of our sorrow, may be recompensed plentifully with the lively sense of having thee to our eternal joy: and therefore thou sworest that in thine everlasting mercy thou wilt have compassion on us. Of which thing, to the end we might be most assured, thine oath is to be marked, 
Esai. 54.  for thou sayest: 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 bond of my peace shall not fail thee. Thus sayst thou, the Lord our merciful redeemer.  
Dear father, therefore I pray thee remember, even for thine own truth and mercy sake, this promise and everlasting covenant, which in thy good time I pray thee to writ 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.  
I B.   

A prayer against our spiritual enemies, the devil, the world, and the flesh.  
O Lord God, the devil goeth about like a roaring Lion, seeking whom he may devour: the flesh lusteth against the spirit, the world persuadeth unto vanities, that we may forget thee our Lord God, & so for ever be damned. Thus are we miserably on every side beset and besieged of cruel & unrestful enemies, and like at every moment to perish, if we be not defended with thy godly power against their tyranny. We therefore poor and wretched sinners despairing of our own strength, which in deed is none, most heartily pray thee to endue us with strength from above, that we may be able through thy help, with strong faith to resist sathan, with fervent prayer to mortify the lusts of the flesh, with continual meditation of thy holy law, to avoid the foolish vanities and transitory pleasures of this wicked world: that through thy grace we being set at liberty from the power of these our mortal enemies, may serve thee here in true holiness and righteousness, and after be partakers of the everlasting joys prepared for thy children, which as they are great and unspeakable, so are there few that do enjoy them. For strait is the way, and narrow is the gate that leadeth thereunto, & few there be that found it. Notwithstanding (O God) thou hast a little flock to whom it is thy pleasure to give that joyful kingdom: whose names are written in the book of life. Make us therefore of the number, for jesus Christ's sake, and place us amongst those thy sheep which shall stand on thy right hand to receive the blessed inheritance, and devil with thee for evermore.   

A prayer for present help in tentation.  
Dear father, to whom it is more easy to do all things, then for me to think any one good thing: Lo, do thou but speak a word, and thy deadly sick servant my soul, shallbe made whole. Help (O Lord) for thy great mercy sake, for thy truth sake, and for thy dear son jesus Christ sake, and let thy strength suffice against my weakness, and thy holy spirit against my sinful flesh and old man.  
Thou art faithful (O Father) who hast promised that I shall not be tempted further, then▪ thou wilt make me able to bear. Give now therefore thy grace and strength unto thy servant, that I may with a strong faith in thine infallible truth and promised mercy, vanquish and subdue what so ever rebelleth against thy most blessed wil Preserve and keep holy my soul and body, and let them not be defiled & made a dungeon of devils & wicked spirits, through delectation in sin. Behold dear father, the posts thereof are sprinkled with the precious blood of thy dear son, & of thy great mercy they are made the temple and tabernacle of thy holy spirit. Shall now (alas) the devil, the world, or the flesh, pluck from thee that thing which presently crieth to thee with assured trust in thy promised help? Nay father▪ but grant that I may by thy mighty power, turn all their crafts, deceits, and raging assaults unto the increase of my faith, & that by experience of thy fatherly assistance in this my present temptation, I may with assured hope & trust in thy ready help & comfort, overcome my said enemies hereafter in like assaults, and praise thy holy name for the victory, through jesus Christ our Lord  
My son, if thou wilt come into the service of the Lord, stand fast in righteousness and fear, and prepare thy soul to tentation.  Eccle. 2.  

Remedies against sinful motions and temptations.  
First remember that sin is so heinous a thing, that God by his justice might worthily damn thee for the same, and is therefore to be abhorred as a sweet poison, a flattering death and destruction of the soul which would out thee off from God thy Saviour, and make thee a bondslave to sathan thy deadly enemy.  
Avoid therefore even at the first the occasions thereof, 
Psal. 137.  and betimes quash out the brains of the children of Babylon against the hard stones, whiles yet they be young and weak, lest when they be grown elder and stronger, they dash thee to pieces.  
And for remedy against the same, flee unto God, who commandeth thee to call upon him in thy troubles, and promiseth to deliver thee, and will not suffer thee to be further tempted than he will make a way out, 
1. Cor. 11.  whereby thou shalt escape: and doubt not, but he that causeth thee to hate the sin which thy nature is to love, will deliver thee also from the danger thereof, and make thee to triumph over sathan, to his confusion, to God's glory, and to thy great comfort: which are causes that our tender loving father sendeth temptations unto us: and he that is not tempted, what is he?  
Now after thou hast obtained the victory, remember two things: first to give most hearty thanks to God for his grace and assistance, whereby thou hast overcome, and be not unthankful in any wise: and then that he who continually goeth about like a roaring Lion, seeking whom he may devour, will not be long or far away from thee, but will attempt again the same or as evil ways to overcome thee. Watch therefore and pray.   

A prayer for the avoiding of God's heavy wrath & vengeance for our sins.  
O Lord God, strong & mighty, great and fearful, which dwellest in the heavens, and workest great wonders, we thy miserable children here upon earth, do most humbly beseech thee to be merciful unto us, to pardon our offences, and to forgive us all our sins. O Lord, enter not into judgement with thy servants, for if thou do, there shall no flesh be saved in thy fight.  
We confess and acknowledge, O Lord, that it is our sins, which hath moved thee to wrath, and to show such fearful tokens of thy displeasure towards us in these our days: first with fire from heaven, betokening thy hot burning indignation and wrathful displeasure for sin, which aboundeth at this day: then with such horrible and monstrous shapes against nature, as were never seen here in our days, nor in any time before us, which do betoken to us none other thing, but thy plagues to come upon us for our degenerate and monstrous life and conversation: and now besides all this, by great mortality, plague, and pestilence thou hast terribly threattened us, fatherly warned us, & mercifully called us to repentance. The axe is set to the root of the tree, and if we be not as rotten members without all sense and feeling, we may perceive our fearful destruction and desolation to be at hand, (unless we speedily repent and turn to thee) because we have been so long taught out of thy most holy and sacred word, & yet no fruits of repentance or Christian life will appear.  
Woe and alas to these our days, that neither preaching by word most comfortable, nor preaching by fire most terrible, nor preaching by monsters most strange and ugly, neither yet by plagues and pestilence most horrible, will stir up our stony hearts, and awake us from our sins.  
We fear (O Lord) that the Turks with all the rest of the unbelieving will condemn us in the last day: which if they had been so long instructed by the comfortable preaching of thy word, and sweet promises of thy Gospel, or seen the wonders which we have seen, no doubt their righteousness would have shined at this day, to our great shame and confusion. Thou hast no less warned us (O Lord) of thy fearful displeasure & heavy plagues at hand for our great wickedness, than thou diddest the Israelites of that horrible destruction which came upon them, whom thou first in mercy didst call to repentance by the preaching of thy word: but when no warning would serve, thou didst sand them monstrous and fearful signs and tokens, to declare that thy visitation was not far off. But they like unto us at this day, did always interpret these things after the imagination of their own vain hearts, promising to themselves peace, when destruction was over their heads.  
Which things when we do call to mind (for as much as they are written for our learning, example and warning) it maketh us to tremble and quake for fear of thy just judgements. For if thou hast thus dealt with thine own dear and chosen children, in token of thy great wrath against sin: what shall we look for, who do no less deserve thy fearful scourge (for of mercy it is that thou dost thus long forbear us) and live as though there were no God at all to be revenged upon our sins? It maketh us to fear & cry inwardly in our souls: Come Lord jesus, holy & true in all thy doings, & shorten our days: 
Apoc. 22.  bring this our pilgrimage to an end: suffer us not to heap sin upon sin until the day of vengeance, lest we be caught up amongst the number of the wicked and reprobate, which shall never see thy loving countenance.  
It maketh us to cry to thee (O Lord) Let thy kingdom come, and end this our sinefull life, wherein we do nothing but provoke thee to wrath.  
Correct us not, 
Psal. 6.  O Lord, in thine indignation, neither chasten us in thy heavy displeasure. And though to us belongeth nothing but shame & confusion, though our offences have deserved to be visited with the rod, 
Psal. 89.  and our sins with scourges: yet in mercy Lord, & with fatherly correction, chasten us, and thy loving kindness take not away from us. 
Psal. 57  To thee we flee for secure: under the wings of thy mercy shallbe our refuge, until thou turn thy wrathful countenance from us. We know that thy mercy is above all thy works, 
Eccle. 2.  and even as great as thyself: therefore wit we say with holy job, 
job. 13.  Though thou kill us, yet will we put our trust in thee.  
Thou camest to comfort & pluck out of the dungeon of hell, such wretches as we are. Thou art the good Samaritan that camest to heal our deadly wounds: thou art that good Physician that camest to cure our mortal infirmities: thou art the good shepherd that camest to seek us wandering and lost sheep, 
Luk. 15.  and to bring us to thy fold again: & more than that, 
Ephe. 5.  thou art our brother, flesh of our flesh, and bone of our bones, which hast tasted of our infirmities, felt our temptations, 
Esai. 53.  and borne the burden of our sins: therefore at thy hands we look for mercy against the day of vengeance. And though thou punish us, yet our hope is and ever shallbe, that thy rod shall no further touch us, then shall make to thy glory, our commodity, and the strengthening and increase of our faith.  
Let this thy Preaching sundry ways (O Lord) be sufficient for our warning, and grant that we may speedily & from the bottom of our hearts repent, endeavour to do thy righteous and blessed will revealed in thy word, and frame our lives according to the same, that we may here live in thy fear all the days of our life, and after this our sinful course is ended, may dwell with thee in thy blessed kingdom, through the death & merits of jesus Christ our only redeemer. So be it.   

Another prayer for the avoiding of God's deserved wrath hanging over us for our sins.  
WHen we look back and behold our sinful life passed, what a dungeon of errors, vice, & wickedness, openeth itself unto us? so that there is no man but he must needs be ashamed of himself when he calleth to mind what he hath been: & trembleth when he considereth the wickedness and sinful course of his life to come: for who shall undertake that the rest of our life shall be any better than that is past? How can we then sufficiently magnify & praise thy great mercy, which hast deferred thy punishment so long? Beholding therefore this our dangerous & miserable state we come unto thee (O thou great and mighty judge) in trembling and fear, humbly beseeching thee not to heap upon us thy deserved vengeance, but let thy tender kindness & love thou bearest to jesus Christ thy son our gracious Lord and redeemer, cover our iniquities: for whose sake (though we deserve all extremity) thou dost pardon us.  
If thou Lord shall straightly mark our iniquities, O Lord, who shallbe able to abide it?  Psal. 103.  

A prayer to be said of all such as suffer any kind of cross.  
Almighty God, king of all kings, & governor of all things, whose power no creature is able to resist, to whom it belongeth justly to punish sinners & to be merciful unto them that truly repent: we confess thou dost most justly punish us, for we have grievously sinned against thee, and we acknowledge that in punishing us thou dost declare thyself to be our most merciful father, as well because thou dost not punish us in any thing as we have deserved, as also because by punishing us thou dost call us, and (as it were) draw us to increase in repentance, in faith, in prayer, in contemning of the world, and in hearty desiring for everlasting life and thy blessed presence.  
Grant us therefore gracious Lord, thankfully to acknowledge thy great mercy, which hast thus favourably dealt with us in punishing us, not to our confusion, but to our amendment. And seeing thou hast sworn that thou wilt not the death of a sinner, but that he turn and live, have mercy upon us and turn us unto thee, for thy dearly beloved son jesus Christ's sake, whom thou wouldst should be made a slain sacrifice for our sins: thereby declaring thy great and unspeakable anger against sin, and thine infinite mercy towards us sinful wretches.  
And for as much as the dullness, blindness, & corruption of our hearts is such, that we are not able to arise up unto thee by faithful and hearty prayer, according to our great necessity, without thy singular grace and assistance: grant unto us, gracious Lord, thy holy and sanctifying spirit, to work in us this good work, with grace to weigh and consider the need and greatness of that we do desire, and with an assured faith and trust that thou wilt grant us our requests, because thou art good and gracious, even to young Ravens calling upon thee, much more than to us for whom thou hast made all things, yea, and hast not spared also thine own dear son: because thou hast commanded us to call upon thee: because thy throne whereto we come, is a throne of grace and mercy: because thou hast given us a mediator Christ to bring us unto thee, being the way by whom we come, being the door by whom we enter, and being our head on whom we hung and hope, that our poor petitions shall not be in vain, through him and for his name's sake.  
We beseech thee therefore of thy rich mercy, wherein thou art plentiful to all them that call upon thee, to forgive us our sins, namely, our unthankfulness, unbelief, self-love, neglect of thy word, security, hypocrisy, contempt of thy long suffering, omission of prayer, doubting of thy power, presence, mercy, and good will towards us, unsensibleness of thy grace, impatiency, etc. and to this thy benefit of correcting us, add thy gracious gift of repentance, faith, the spirit of prayer, the contempt of this world, and hearty desiring for everlasting life. Endue us with thy holy spirit according to thy covenant & mercy, as well to assure us of pardon, and that thou dost accept us into thy favour as thy dear children in Christ and for his sake, as to writ thy law in our hearts, and so to work in us, that we may now begin and go forwards in believing living, fearing, obeying, praying, hoping, and serving thee, as thou dost require most fatherly and most justly of us, accepting us as perfect in thy sight, through jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.   

A prayer of the afflicted for the profession of God's word.  
O Gracious God, which seekest all means possible, how to bring thy children into the feeling and sure sense of thy mercy, and therefore when prosperity will not serve, than sendest thou adversity, graciously correcting them here whom thou wilt have elsewhere to live with thee for ever: we poor wretches give humble praises and thanks to thee, that thou hast vouched us worthy of thy correction at this present, hereby to work that which we in prosperity and liberty did neglect. For the which neglecting and many other our grievous sins, whereof we now accuse ourselves before thee, (most merciful Lord) thou mightest most justly have given us over, and destroyed us both in soul and body. But such is thy goodness towards us in Christ, that thou seemest to forget all our offences, and as though we were far otherwise then we be in deed, thou wilt that we should suffer this cross now laid upon us for thy truth and gospels sake, and so be thy witnesses, with thy Prophets, Apostles, Martyrs, & Confessors, yea, with thy dearly beloved son jesus Christ: to whom thou dost now here begin to fashion us like, that in his glory we may be like to him also.  
O good God, what are we on whom thou shouldest show this great mercy? O loving Lord, forgive us our unthankfulness and sins. O faithful father, give us thine holy spirit now to cry in our hearts, Abba dear father: to assure us of our eternal election in Christ: to reveal more and more thy truth unto us: to confirm, strengthen, and stablish us so in the same, that we may live and die in it as vessels of thy mercy, to thy glory, and to the commodity of thy Church. Endue us with the spirit of thy wisdom, that with good conscience we may always so answer the enemies in thy cause, as may turn to their conversion or confusion, and our unspeakable consolation in Christ jesus: for whose sake we beseech thee henceforth to keep us, to give us patience, and to will no otherwise for deliverance or mitigation of our misery, then may stand always with thy good pleasure & merciful will towards us.  
Grant this dear father, not only to us in this place, but also to all others else where, afflicted for thy name's sake, through the death and merits of jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.  
I B.   

A prayer to God the father, the Son, and the holy Ghost.  
O Almighty and everliving God, the eternal father of our Lord jesus Christ, which of thy unmeasurable goodness hast opened thyself unto us, and with a loud voice hast said of thy son jesus Christ our Lord, Hear him: O maker & preserver of all things, with thy coeternal son our Lord jesus Christ, which reigneth with thee, and was manifested in jerusalem, & with thy holy spirit, which was powered upon the Apostles: O wise God, merciful judge, and mighty Lord which hast said: As truly as I live, I will not the death of a sinner, but rather that he should convert & amend: which also hast said: Call upon me in the day of thy trouble, & I will deliver thee: have mercy upon us for jesus Christ's sake, whom thou wouldst of thy marvelous and incomprehensible counsel should be made for us a slain sacrifice, mediator, reconciler, 
Heb. 9.10  and peacemaker, to the end that thou mightest show thine exceeding great wrath against sin, and thine inestimable mercy towards mankind. Sanctify & illuminate our hearts and souls with thy holy spirit, that we may truly believe in thee, call upon thee, be thankful unto thee, and obedient to thy holy william. Defend, govern and cherish thy Church, as thou hast promised, 
Esai. 59  saying: This is my covenant that I have made with them, my spirit which is in thee, and my word which I have put in thy mouth, shall not depart out of thy mouth, nor out of the mouth of thy seed for ever. Preserve those kingdoms and common weals, which give harborough to the people, and maintain the ministery of thy holy word and Gospel, that the kingdom of thy son jesus Christ may increase and shine throughout all the world.  
O jesus Christ, Son of the everliving God, 
A prayer to God the son  crucified for us, and raised also from the dead, and now reigning at the right hand of thy father, that thou mayest give gifts unto me, which hast said: Come unto me all ye that labour, 
john. 14.  and are heavy laden, and I will refresh you, have mercy upon us, & pray for us unto thy eternal father: sanctify and govern us with thy holy spirit: help and secure us in all our necessities as thou hast promised, saying: I will not leave you comfortless.  
O holy and blessed spirit, 
A prayer to the holy ghost.  together with the father and the son, one true and everliving God, full of majesty and power, which with thy heavenly inspiration quickenest the minds of those that afore were dead in sin, makest joyful the hearts of the faithful penitent, bringest in to the way of truth, all such as have erred and gone astray, comfortest the souls of such as hunger & thirst after righteousness, and plenteously inrichest those with diverse gifts, which ask them in jesus Christ's name: purify our hearts (we beseech thee) and inflame them with the fire of thy love: replenish them with thy heavenly benefits and spiritual blessings, that they may be made meet temples for thee: lead us into all truth, which art the only fountain of truth, and mortify in us whatsoever proceedeth not of thee.  

Or else pray thus.  
O Holy spirit, powered upon the Apostles, which hast promised unto us by the son of God our Redeemer, to kindle in us a true knowledge and invocation of God, as it is written: 
Zach. 12.  I will power upon you the spirit of grace & of compassion: make to arise in our hearts a true fear of God, and a true faith and knowledge of thy mercy, which the eternal father of our Lord jesus Christ hath promised unto us for his sons sake. Be our comforter in all our counsels and dangers. Illuminate our understanding, & fill our hearts with new affections and spiritual motions, and renew us both in soul and body, that we may die to sin, and live to righteousness, and so in true obedience may praise the father of our Lord jesus Christ, & his son our redeemer, and thee also our comforter everlastingly.    

A thanksgiving to God the Father, the Son, and the holy Ghost.  
WE tender thanks unto thee, O almighty & eternal GOD, with thy dear son our Lord jesus Christ, & with thy holy spirit, for that of thine exceeding great goodness, thou hast made thyself known unto us by most assured and evident testimonies: & for that thou hast gathered and chosen unto thyself, a perpetual Church, & wouldst that thy son our Lord jesus Christ should suffer death, to restore us from death to life: for that thou hast given to us thy Gospel and the holy Ghost: for that thou forgivest us our sins, deliverest us from the power of the devil, and from eternal death, and givest unto us everlasting life: finally, for that thou hast visited us with many great benefits, giving us life, food, doctrine, peace in such places as we have lived in, & hast diminished the pains which we have justly deserved.  

A thanksgiving to the son  We give thanks unto thee, O Lord jesus Christ, son of the living God, crucified for us and risen again, because thou hast coupled unto thee our human nature, and of thy inestimable love didst give thyself to death for us, turning upon thee the great wrath of God thy father conceived against us, to reconcile us unto him, and to purchase us eternal redemption: because thou hast brought us to this grace, wherein we stand and rejoice in hope of the glory of GOD: because thou dost preserve, cherish, and defend thy Church against the Devil and all thine enemies: because thou givest & renewest often the light of thy Gospel, and maintainest the ministery of thy word: because thou dost forgive us our sins, and givest unto us everlasting life: because thou art our Mediator, and makest continual intercession for us: & finally because thou dost secure and preserve us in all our necessities, dangers and afflictions.  
We give thanks also unto thee, 
A thanksgiving to the holy Ghost.  O holy spirit, the giver of life, which wast powered upon the Apostles, because thou kindlest thy light in our hearts: because thou rulest, instructest, admonishest, and helpest us: because thou governest and guidest the labours and works of our vocation, and sancti●iest us to eternal life.   

A prayer to God for his help & protection against the obstinate enemies of the truth.  
MOst righteous judge, God of all mercy and comfort, which by thy secret judgement and wisdom dost suffer the wicked to triumph and increase for a time, for trial of the faith of thy well-beloved little flock, and the mortifying of their lusts, but at length to the utter confusion of thy enemies, and joyful deliverance of thy people: look down we beseech thee on thy dispersed sheep, out of thy holy habitation in heaven, and strengthen our weakness against their furious rages: abate their pride: assuage their malice: confound their devices, wherewith they lift up themselves against Christ jesus thy son our Lord & saviour, to deface his glory, and to set up Antichrist. We be not able of our selves to think a good thought, much less to stand against their assaults, except thine undeserved grace and mighty arm defend and deliver us. Perform thy promises made to jacob, and stop the mouths of the cursed Edomites. Call them to repentance whom thou hast appointed to salvation: bring home them that run astray, lighten the blind and teach the ignorant: forgive all those that wilfully and obstinately rebel not against thy holy william. Let thy fearful threatenings pierce our stony hearts, and make us tremble at thy judgements. Make the examples of them whom thou hast overthrown in their own devices, as Cain, Cham, Nimrod, Esau, Pharaoh, Saul, Achitophel, judas, and such other to be a warning for us, that we set not up ourselves against thy holy william. Grant free passage to thy holy word: that it may work effectually in us the work of life and blessed hope of our salvation, to the eternal praise of thy majesty through our mediator Christ I●sus: to whom with thee & the holy Ghost, three persons and one God, be praise and thanksgiving in all congregations, world without end. So be it.   

A prayer for the afflicted and persecuted under the tyranny of Antichrist.  
O Merciful Father, who never dost forsake suc● as put their trust in thee: stretch forth thy mighty arm to the defence of our brethren, by the rage of enemies persecuted, and grievously tormented in sundry places for the true profession of thy holy Gospel, who in their extreme necessities cry for comfort unto thee. Let not thy long suffering, O Lord, be an occasion, either to increase the tyranny of thy enemies, or to discourage thy children, but with speed O Lord, consider their great miseries and afflictions. Prevent the cruel devise of Haman: stay the rage of Holophernes: break off the counsel of Achitophel: Let not the wicked say, Where is now their God. Let thy afflicted flock feel present aid and relief from thee O Lord: look down upon them with thy pitiful eye from thy holy habitation: sand terror and trembling among their enemies: make an end of their outrageous tyranny: beat back their boldness in suppressing thy truth, in destroying thy true servants, in defacing thy glory, and in setting up Antichrist. Let them not thus proudly advance themselves against thee and thy Christ, but let them understand and feel that against thee they fight. Preserve and defend the vine, which thy right hand hath planted, and let all Nations see the glory of thine anointed. Amen.   

A prayer to be said before the preaching of God's word.  
Almighty God and most merciful father, whose word is a lantern to our feet, and a light unto our steps, we most humbly beseech thee to illuminate our minds, that we may understand the mysteries contained in thy holy law, and into the self same thing, that we godly understand, we may be virtuously transformed, so that of no part we offend thy divine majesty, through jesus Christ our Lord.   

An other.  
IN this great darkness of our souls (O Lord) thou shinest divers ways unto us by the light of thy grace, but in nothing so effectually as in the preaching of thy word. Great is the Harvest (as thou thyself hast said) and the workmen are few. The greatest part of men are ignorant & wrapped in miserable blindness, and few there be that teach thy word truly, and as they aught. We beseech thee therefore to send forth workmen into thy harvest. Send teachers (O Lord) which are taught of thee, and instructed by the spirit of godly wisdom and understanding, which by their preaching will seek, not themselves, but thee, because they are godly: and can so do, because they are wise & understand. Give to the preacher of thy word here present, out of the treasures of thy wisdom, that which he may power upon us to our salvation: and unto us give thy grace & holy spirit (O Lord) so to hear and to receive thy word, that the good seed which falleth upon us be not choked with thorns, or withered away with heat, or devoured by the fowls of the air, but may grow up in a good ground, and fructify with great increase.   

A prayer to be said after the Preaching of God's word.  

1. Pet. 5.  Almighty God & most merciful father, we hearty beseech thee that this seed of thy word now sown amongst us, 
Num. 29. Deu. 9 jos. 7. Matth. 13  may take such deep root, that neither the burning heat of affliction, or persecution 'cause it to whither, neither the thorny cares of this life do choke it, but that as seed sown in good ground, it may bring forth thirty, sixty, and an hundredth fold, as thy heavenly wisdom hath appointed. And because we have need continually to crave many things at thy hands, we humbly beseech thee (O heavenly father) to grant us thy holy spirit, 
Luke. 11. Rom. 8. James. 5. 1. john. 5. Rom. 12. Wisdom. 9.  so to direct our petitions, that they may proceed from such a fervent mind, as may be agreeable to thy most blessed william.  
And seeing that our infirmity is such, 
2. Cor. 3. john. 19 Philip. 2 Psal. 40. 1. Pet. 1.  that we are able to do nothing without thy help, and that thou art not ignorant with how many and great temptations we poor wretches are on every side compassed and enclosed, let thy strength (O Lord) sustain our weakness, 
1. pet. 5. Luke. 17.  and assist us with thy grace, that we may be safely preserved against all the assaults of Satan, who goeth about like a roaring Lion seeking to devour us. Increase our faith (O merciful Father) that we do not serve at any time from thy heavenly word. Augment in us hope and love, 
Psal. 95. Heb. 3.15 1. john. 2  with a careful keeping of all thy commandments, that no hardness of heart, no hypocrisy, no concupiscence of the eyes, nor enticements of the world, do draw us away from thy obedience. And seeing the times are dangerous wherein we live, let thy fatherly providence defend us against the violence of all our enemies, and specially against the furious rage of that romish idol, enemy to thy Christ.  

1. Tim. 2.  Furthermore for as much as by thy holy Apostle we be taught to make our prayers and supplications for all men, we pray not only for ourselves here present, but beseech thee also to reduce all such as be yet ignorant, from the miserable captivity of blindness and error, 
Rom. 15. 1. Cor. 1. Ephe. 4.  to the pure understanding of thy heavenly truth, that we all with one consent and unity of mind, may worship thee our only God and saviour.  
We beseech thee also (most dear father) for all pastors and ministers to whom thou hast committed the dispensation of thy holy word, and charge of thy chosen people, 
joh. 21. Math. 28. 2. john. 9 Mark. 6.  that both in their life and doctrine they may be found faithful, setting only before their eyes thy glory, and that by them all poor sheep which wander and go astray, may be sought out and brought to thy fold.  
Again, that it would please thee to deliver thy Church from such idle shepherds, wolves, and hirelings, as seek themselves and their bellies, and not thy glory, and the safeguard of thy flock.  
Moreover because the hearts of rulers are in thy hands, 
Pro. 21. Rom. 17. joh. 16. Rom. 13. john. 16.  we make our prayers unto thee for all Princes and Magistrates, to whom thou haste committed the administration of justice: 
john. 16.  especially (O Lord) for the Queen's Majesty, that it would please thee to endue her with thy plentiful grace and principal spirit, that she may with a pure faith acknowledge jesus Christ thy only son to be King of all Kings, and governor of all governors, even as thou hast given all power unto him both in heaven and in earth: & so work in her heart, that she considering whose minister she is, may heartily seek, and zealously promote thy true honour and glory, carefully traveling to bring thy people committed to her charge, (& yet remaining almost in all parts of this realm in miserable blindness and dark ignorance) to the true knowledge of thee, ruling and guiding them, as she is taught & commanded by thy holy word.  
Also we beseech thee, to endue all such as are in any authority under her, with thy grace and holy Spirit, that they may be found upright & faithful in their calling, favourers and furtherers of thy holy Gospel, maintainers & defenders of the true Preachers and ministers thereof, and such as in singleness of heart will seek not themselves, but thy glory and the commodity of thy people.  
And for that we be all members of the mystical body of Christ jesus, 
2. Cor. 2. Rom. 12. jacob. 5.  we make our requests unto thee, (O heavenly father) for all such as are afflicted with any kind of cross or tribulation, as war, plague, famine, sickness, poverty, imprisonment, persecution, banishment, or any other kind of thy rods, whether it be grief of body, or unquietness of mind, 
2. Cor. 1. Heb. 13.  that it would please thee to give them patience and constancy, till thou send them full deliverance out of all their troubles. Finally (O Lord) we most humbly beseech thee to show thy great mercy uppon-our brethren which are persecuted, cast in prison, and daily condemned to death for the testimony of thy truth, 
Heb. 13. Rom. 8. Psal. 41. john. 1.  and though they be utterly destitute of all man's aid, yet let thy sweet comfort never departed from them, but so inflame their hearts with thy holy spirit, that they may boldly and cheerfully abide such trial as thy godly wisdom shall appoint: 
1. Pete. 1. Acts. 2. Math. 10. Luk. 21.  so that at length as well by their death as by their life, the kingdom of thy son jesus Christ may increase and shine through all the world. In whose name we make our humble petitions unto thee, as he hath taught us, saying: Our father which art, etc.   

A prayer to be said before the receiving of the communion.  
O Father of mercy and God of all consolation, seeing all creatures do acknowledge 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 majesty: 
Gene. 1. Ephe. 2. Galat. 1 Gen. 3. Acts. 4. Heb. 9  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: 
Apoc. 5 john. 3. Heb. 8. Heb. 4. 1. Pet. 1. Esa. 43.53. Matth. 3.17. jere. 31.  from the bondage whereof neither man nor Angel was able to make us free: but thou (O Lord) rich in mercy & 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, 
Heb. 8. Rom. 5. Heb. 2. john. 6. Gen. 3. Rom. 5: Ephe. 3  sin excepted, that in his body he might receive the punishment of our transgression, by his death to make satisfaction to thy justice, and by his resurrection to destroy him that was author of death, and so to bring again life to the world, from which the whole offspring of Adam was most justly exiled.  

Ephe. 2. joh. 6.17 Gene. 6. Rom. 3. Esai. 64. Psal. 5.12 Rom. 7. Math. 16. 1. Cor. 2. Luk. 11. Mark. 10.  O Lord, we acknowledge that no creature was able to comprehend the length and breadth, the deepness and height of that thy most excellent love, which moved thee to show mercy where none was deserved, to promise' and give life where death had gotten victory, to receive us into thy grace when we could do nothing but rebel against thy majesty. 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, 
Matth. 16 Luk. 22. 1. Cor. 11. john. 8. Galat. 5. Rom. 8. 1. Pet. 1. Ephe. 5. Ephe. 2. Heb. 4. Rom. 3. Math. 25. Philip. 3. Ephe. 1 Ephe. 2. Apoc. 13.  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, and with whom we have our conversation presently in heaven, and by whom our bodies shall be raised up again from the dust, & 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. 
Rom. 3. Ephe. 2. Titus. 3. Rom. 8.  And these most inestimable benefits we acknowledge and confess to have received of thy free mercy and grace, by thine only beloved son jesus Christ. For the which therefore we thy congregation, moved by thy holy spirit, do tender to thee all thanks, praise and glory for ever and ever.   

A thanksgiving after the receiving of the Communion.  
MOst merciful father, we tender unto thee all praise, thanks, honour and glory, for that it hath pleased thee of thy great mercies to grant unto 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, 
1. Cor. 10  whom thou hast delivered to death for us, 
Rom. 4. john. 6.  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 increase daily more and more in true faith, 
Luk. 25. Galat. 5. 1. Tim. 4. Ephe. 5. 2. Pet. 3. Matth. 5. 1. Pet. 2.  which continually is exercised in all manner of good works: and so much the rather, (O Lord) confirm us in these perilous days & rages of Satan, that we may constantly stand and continued in the confession of the same, to the advancement of thy glory, which art God over all things, blessed for ever.   

A lamentation of a sinner afflicted in conscience for his offences.  
IN the mids of the desperate assaults of my soul, the intolerable heaviness of my mind hath heretofore (Lord) cried as shrill in thine ears, as though I had shrieked and with lamentations cried out saying, help: help me my God, my creator, my most provident keeper and everlasting defender, for behold I perish.  
On this occasion (Lord) when heaviness of mind did heretofore assault me, I remembered that thou hadst many times set before mine eyes the wonderful greatness of thy most tender love towards me, by the great multitude of thy benefits powered upon me, which benefits every of thy works (as they came before mine eyes) gave me just occasion to be mindful of.  
Would not (thought I) if I had in a manner any grace at all, would not such love bring now into my heart a wonderful delectation, joy, and comfort in God for the same? And again, could such delight in Gods sweet mercy and tender love towards me (if I were not as evil as a castaway that were none of God's children) be without loathing of my sin, and lust and desire to do Gods holy will? And these things thought I (fie upon me unthankful wretch) are either not at all in me, or else in deed so coldly and slenderly, that they being truly weighed and compared to righteousness, 
Esai. 64.  are more vile than a filthy cloth starched in corrupt blood.  
O (thought I) I am afraid, I have deceived myself: for thy servants at all times (I trow) feel otherwise then I now do, the fruits of thy spirit, as love, joy, peace, & such like. But my love (alas) towards thee, what is it? my joy is not once almost felt of me: for my very soul within me (as David in his heaviness said) refuseth comfort, 
Psal. 77.  and fareth as though it did utterly despair: & what peace can I feel then, or certainty of thy favour and love? justly may I power out this dolorous lamentation of Zion: The Lord hath forsaken me, 
Esai. 49.  and my Lord hath forgotten me.  
Even in the midst (I say) of these my former desperate assaults, mine intolerable heaviness cried to thee, O my God, and from heaven thou heardest my groanings, and thereupon first preparedst my heart to ask comfort of thee, & then thou didst accept my prayer, and gavest me plentifully my ask.  
O my soul, consider well that thou art never able to declare the exceeding goodness of God in this, that he heard the very desires of thee being afflicted: who is so ready favourably to grant the requests of the afflicted, that oftentimes he tarrieth not until they do call, but or ever they call upon him, he favourably heareth them, as the Psalmist saith: 
Psal. 10.  The desire of the afflicted thou hearest O Lord: thou preparest their hearts, & thine ears heareth them.  
O Lord my God, marvelous things are these, whether I consider this marvelous manner of thy hearing, or else the marvelous nature and property of thy goodness. marvelous (no doubt) is that thy hearing, whereby the very desires of the afflicted are heard: but much more marvelous is this thy goodness, which tarriest not until the afflicted do desire thy help, but preparest first their hearts to desire, and then thou givest them their desires.  
Yea Lord (worthy of all praise) it cannot otherwise be. For how shouldest thou do otherwise then thy nature and property is? Art not thou very goodness and mercy itself? How canst thou then but pity and help misery?  
Art not thou both the creator and also the conserver of all things? in so much as the lions whelps roaring after their prey, 
●sal. 104. ●sal. 147.  do seek their food at thy hands, and the ravens birds lacking meat, do call upon thee.  
If then thy fatherly providence and tender care (O Lord) upon all thy creatures be so great, that the very beasts and fowls have this experience of thy goodness in their necessities that their roarings and cryings have the strength of earnest callings and desires: how much rather do these sighings, groanings, and desperate heaviness of men, but chief of thy children, cry and call loud in thine ears, though they speak never a word at all?  
Should I then now despair of thy fatherly mercy, whiles presently I feel thee, 
Psal. 77.  stir up my soul and heart to crave help at thy hand? Should I think that thou wilt absent thyself for ever? that thou wilt be no more entreated? that thy mercy is clean gone? that thy promise is come utterly to an end? and that thou wilt now shut up thy loving kindness in displeasure.  
Nay Lord, for all alterations are of thy right hand, and turn always to the best to them that fear thee, All this is but mine own infirmity: for thou art ever one, thy promises be infallible, and thy love towards thine, everlastingly during. I will therefore in this my present tentation, & grievous assault, power out the heaviness of my heart before thee dear father. Out of the deep will I cry, 
Psal. 77.  & lift up my soul unto thee, from whom I assuredly know my help is coming. I will also for my present comfort, call to remembrance (O Lord my God) thy tender mercies towards me already showed, the multitude of thy benefits, the greatness of the same, the long continuance of them, even from my conception until this instant, & finally thy continual lust & desire to power them upon me.  
And moreover, sith thy goodness is so great (O Lord) that thou dost not only pity misery, but also callest the heavy hearted and afflicted unto thee, 
Matth. 11  promising that thou wilt ease their misery: for as much as by the motion of thy good spirit I loath and abhor my sins, feel the grievousness of them, and thy heavy wrath towards me for the same, and finally, what need I have of thy gracious aid and secure: therefore (O Lord) in thy Son Christ's name, with sure confidence and trust in thine infallible promise, in this mine anguish & trouble I come unto thee at thy merciful calling, and crave comfort at thy hand. For thou hast promised, that when I loathe my sins, thou wilt utterly forget them: when I feel the grievous burden of them, thy mercy swalloweth them up: when I seek that I want, thou wilt assuredly grant it me, For sith thou movest my heart to desire help, how should I mistrust, but thou wilt for thy truth sake, give me my ask?  
Yea, where I know not how, or what to desire as I aught, thy holy spirit graciously working in me, 
Rom. 8.  maketh intercession mightily for me with groanings which can not be expressed, and therewithal certifieth my spirit, that by adoption through thy great mercy and goodness I am become thy child and heir.  
Why should I not then be of good comfort and joyful in thee my God? For if thou be on my side, who can be against me? Since thou didst not spare thine own son, but gavest him for me, even when I was thine enemy: 
Rom. 8.  how shalt thou not with him, now that by his death I am brought into thy favour, give me all things with him, and for his sake? Who shall lay any thing to the charge of thine elect? It is thou Lord which justifiest me. It is Christ that hath died for me, yea rather that is risen again for me, who also is set on thy right hand, & hath taken possession, yea, and perpetually maketh there intercession for me, until that joyful day be come, when I shall have full fruition of the most glorious presence of thy divine majesty, 
Ephe. 1  in that kingdom which thou hast prepared before the beginning of the world, but in time (to thy gracious goodness thought best) made known to me, by giving thy holy spirit into my heart: whereby, when I first (Lord) believed thy holy word (which is thine own power to save all that believe) I was sealed, 
Rom. 8.  confirmed, and established in the certainty of that thine everlasting kingdom and inheritance.  
For the which inestimable benefit of thy rich grace (O Lord my God) I beseech thee, even for the love thou bearest to Christ jesus thy son, & thy mercy thou hadst on him when he cried on the cross: 
Matt. 27.  My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? Help, help, I say & inflame my heart with love so plentifully towards thee again, that I may be even swallowed up in the joyful feeling of the same, in such sort that I may of very thankfulness love thee my GOD alone, thee I say my dear GOD, and nothing but thee, and for thy sake. O holy spirit whose work this is in me, increase this thy work of thine infinite mercy, and preserve me that I never become unthankful unto thee therefore, Amen.   

A prayer for the sick.  
O Most merciful God, which according to the multitude of thy mercies dost so put away the sins of those which truly repent, that thou remember'st them no more: open thy eyes of mercy, and look upon this thy sick servant, who most earnestly desireth pardon and forgiveness. Renew in him (most loving father) whatsoever hath been decayed by the fraud and malice of the devil, or by his own carnal will and frailty. Preserve and continued this sick member in the unity of thy Church. Consider his contrition▪ accept his tears, assuage his pain as shall be seen to thee most expedient for him. And for as much as he putteth his full trust only in thy mercy, impute not unto him his former sins, but take him unto thy favour, through the merits of thy most dearly beloved son jesus Christ.   

A prayer to be said at the hour of death.  
O Lord, jesus Christ, which art the only health of all men living, and the everlasting life of them that die in thee: I wretched sinner do submit myself wholly unto thy most blessed will, and being sure that the thing cannot perish which is committed unto thy mercy, willingly now I leave this frail and sinful flesh, in sure hope that thou wilt in better wise restore it to me again at the last day in the resurrection of the just. I beseech thee most merciful Lord jesus Christ, that thou wilt by thy grace make strong my soul against all temptations, and defend me 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 salvation, but all my confidence, hope, and trust, is in thy rich mercy and goodness. I have no merits or good works which I may allege before thee: of sins and evil works (alas) I see a great heap: but yet through thy mercy I trust to be in the number of them to whom thou wilt not impute their sins, but wilt accept and take me for righteous and just, and to be an inheritor of everlasting life.  
Thou merciful Lord wast borne for my sake: thou didst suffer both hunger and thirst for my sake: thou didst teach, pray, and fast for my sake: all thy holy actions, and works thou wroughtest for my sake: thou suffered'st most grievous pains and torments for my sake: finally thou gavest thy most precious body and blood to be shed on the cross for my sake. Now, most merciful Saviour, let all these things profit me, that thou freely hast done for me, which hast given thyself also 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 bloudsheding be the satisfaction for my sins. Give me Lord thy grace, that the faith of my salvation in thy blood waver not in me, but may ever be firm and constant: that the hope of thy mercy and life everlasting never decay in me: that love wax not cold in me: finally, that the weakness of my flesh be not overcome with the fear of death.  
Grant me merciful Saviour, that when death hath shut up the eyes of my body, yet the eyes of my soul may still behold and look upon thee: and when death hath taken away the use of my tongue, yet my heart may cry and say: Lord into thy hands I commend my soul: Lord jesus receive my spirit.   

A prayer for a woman with child.  
THou art wonderful (O Lord) in all thy works, and what so ever thy good pleasure is, that dost thou easily bring to pass, neither is there any thing unpossible with thee that thou wilt have done. And albeit this thy almighty power showeth itself abundantly in all thy works, yet in conceiving, forming, and bringing forth of man, it shineth most evidently.  
At the beginning O (Father) when thou madest man and woman, thou commandedst them to increase, multiply, and replenish the earth. If through the subtle enticements of Satan they had not transgressed thy commandment by eating the forbidden fruit, the woman whom thou hast appointed to be the instrument and vessel to conceive, nourish and bring forth man through thy wondered workmanship, had without any labour, pain or travel brought forth her frutie.  
But that which thy goodness made easy, sin and disobedience hath made hard, painful, dangerous, and without thy special help and succour, impossible to be brought to pass: so that now all women bring forth their children in great sorrows, pains, and troubles. Notwithstanding, that which through their own imperfection and feebleness, they are not able of themselves to pass, thou through thine unspeakable power makest easy in them, and bringest unto a joyful end.  
We therefore being fully persuaded of thy favour and goodness, of thy present help, and of thy sweet comfort in all miseries and necessities, knowing also by the testimonies of thy holy word how great and intolerable the pains of women are that travel of child, if through thy tender mercy they be not mitigated and eased: most humbly pray thee for jesus Christ's sake thy son our Lord, to help and assist this thy servant now in travel and labour, that by thy almighty power she may safely bring forth that which by thy goodness she hath conceived, and that thy loving kindness may make that easy and tolerable unto her, which sin hath made hard and painful.  
Ease (O Lord) the pains which thou most righteously hast put upon her and all women, for the sin and disobedience of our grandmother Eve, in whom all we have sinned. Be present with her in her trouble, according to thy merciful promise: Give her strength, and make perfect that which thou hast so graciously begun. Let thy power be showed no less in the safe bringing forth, then in the wonderful forming and fashioning of that she beareth. Make her a glad and a joyful mother, that she through thy goodness, being safely delivered and restored to health again, may live and praise thy blessed name for ever.   

A psalm to be said in the time of any common plague, sickness, or other cross and visitation of God.  

Psal. 9 5.  O Come let us humble ourselves and fall down before the Lord with reverence and fear.  
For he is the Lord our God, and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hands.  

Osee. 6.  Come therefore, let us turn again unto our Lord, for he hath smitten us, and he shall heal us.  

Acts. 1.  Let us repent and turn from our wickedness, and our sins shallbe forgiven us.  
Let us turn, 
jonas. 3.  and the Lord will turn from his heavy wrath, and will pardon us, and we shall not perish.  
For we acknowledge our faults, 
Psal. 51.  and our sins are ever before us.  
We have sore provoked thine anger (O Lord: 
Lamen. 3 ) thy wrath is waxed hot, and thy heavy displeasure is sore kindled against us.  
Thou hast in thine indignatiom stricken us with grievous sickness, 
Esai. 64.  and by and by we have fallen as leaves beaten down with a vehement wind.  
In deed we acknowledge that our punishments are less than our deservings: 
Judith. 8 job. 11. Sapi. 124  but yet of thy mercy Lord correct us to amendment, and plague us not to our destruction.  
For thy hand is not shortened, that thou canst not help: neither is thy goodness abated, that thou wilt not hear.  

Esa. 65.  Thou hast promised, O Lord, that afore we cry thou wilt hear us: whilst we yet speak, thou wilt have mercy upon us.  

Tobias. 3 job. 5. Oseas. 6.  For none that trust in thee shall be confounded: neither any that call upon thee shallbe despised.  
For thou art the only Lord, who woundest and dost heal again, who killest & revivest, bringest even to hell, and bringest back again.  

Sapie. 22  Our fathers hoped in thee, they trusted in thee, and thou didst deliver them.  
They called upon thee, and were helped: they put their trust in thee, and were not confounded.  

Psal. 6.  O Lord, rebuke us not in thine indignation: neither chasten us, in thy heavy displeasure.  
O remember not the sins and offences of my youth: 
Psal. 25.  but according to thy mercy think thou upon us, O Lord, for thy goodness.  
Have mercy upon us, O Lord, for we are weak: O Lord heal us, for our bones are vexed.  
And now in the vexation of our spirits and the anguish of our souls, 
Baruc. 3 jonas. 2.  we remember thee: and we cry unto thee, hear, Lord, and have mercy.  
For thine own sake, 
Danie. 9  and for thy holy names sake incline thine ear and hear, O merciful Lord  
For we do not power out our prayers before thee, trusting in our own righteousness: but in thy great and manifold mercies.  
Wash us thoroughly from our wickedness: and cleanse us from our sins.  
Turn thy face from our sins, and put out all our misdeeds.  
Make us clean hearts, O God: and run a right spirit within us.  

Psal. 70.  Help us O God of our salvation, for the glory of thy name: O deliver us, and be merciful unto our sins for thy name's sake.  
So we that be thy people, & sheep of thy pasture, shall give thee thanks for ever, and will always be showing forth thy praise from generation to generation.  
Glory be to the father, etc.  
As it was in the beginning, etc.   

A psalm of thanksgiving for deliverance from the plague, or any other kind of sickness, trouble or affliction.  
LOrd, thou art become gracious to thy land, 
Pal. 85.  thou hast turned away the afflictions of thy servants.  
Thou hast taken away all thy displeasure, and turned thyself from thy wrathful indignation.  
For if thou Lord hadst not helped us, 
Psalm. 94.  it had not failed but our souls had been put to silence.  
But when we said: our feet have slipped, thy mercy (O Lord) helped us up.  
In the multitude of the sorrows that we had in our hearts, thy comforts have refreshed our souls.  
Our souls waited still upon the Lord, 
Psal. 62.  our souls hanged upon his help, our hope was always in him.  
In the lords word will we rejoice, in God's word did we comfort ourselves.  
For the Lord said: 
Psalm. 50  Call upon me in the time of trouble, and I will hear thee, and thou shalt praise me.  
So when we were poor, 
Psal. 40  needy, sickly, & in heaviness, the Lord cared for us: he was our helper and our deliverer according to his word.  

Psal. 17.  In our adversity and distress he hath lift up our heads, and saved us from utter destruction.  

Pal. 33.  He hath delivered our souls from death: he hath fed us in the time of dearth, he hath saved us from the noisome pestilence.  

Psal. 27.  Therefore will we offer in his holy temple the oblation of thanksgiving with great gladness: we will sing and speak praises unto the Lord our Saviour.  

Psa. 106.  We will give thanks unto the Lord, for he is gracious, & his mercy endureth for ever.  

Psal. 86. Psa. 103.  The Lord is full of compassion and-mercie, long suffering, plenteous in goodness and pity.  

Psal. 57 Psa. 108.  His mercy is greater than the heavens, and his gracious goodness reacheth unto the clouds.  

Psal. 103  Like as a father pitieth his own children: even so is the Lord merciful unto them that fear him.  
Therefore will we praise thee and thy mercies, 
Psam. 71.  O God: unto thee will we sing, O thou holy one of Israel.  
We will sing a new song unto thee, 
Psalm. 68  O God: we will praise the Lord with Psalms of thanksgiving.  
O sing praises, 
Psal. 47.  sing praises unto our God: O sing praises, sing praises unto our king.  
For God is the king of the earth: sing praises with understanding.  
We will magnify thee, 
Psal. 145.  O God our king: we will praise thy name for ever and ever.  
Every day will we give thanks unto thee, and praise thy name for ever and ever.  
Our mouth shall speak the praises of the lord, & let all flesh give thanks to his holy name, for ever and ever.  
Blessed be the Lord God of Israel 
Psal. 72.  for ever: and blessed be the name of his majesty, world without end▪ Amen.  
Glory be to the father, etc.  
As it was in the beginning. etc.   

Prayers to be said before meals and after.  
ALL things depend upon thy providence (O Lord) to receive at thy hands due sustenance in time convenient. 
Psa. 104.  Thou givest to them, and, they gather it: thou openest thy hand and they are satisfied with all good things.  
O heavenly father which art the fountain and full treasure of all goodness, we beseech thee to show thy mercy upon us thy children, and sanctify these gifts which we receive of thy merciful liberality, 
1. Tim. 4.  granting us grace to use them soberly and purely, according to thy blessed will: so that hereby we may acknowledge thee to be the author and giver of all good things: 
Tim. 2,  and above all, that we may remember continually to seek the spiritual food of thy word, 
john. 6.  wherewith our souls may be nourished everlastingly, through our saviour Christ, who is the true bread of life, which came down from heaven, of whom whosoever eateth shall live for ever, and reign with him in glory world without end. So be it.   

another prayer before meals.  
WHether ye eat or drink (saith S. Paul) or whatsoever ye do else, 
1. Cor. 10  let all be done to the praise and glory of God.  
Eternal and everliving God, father of our Lord jesus Christ, who of thy most singular love which thou barest to mankind, hast appointed to his sustenance, not only the fruits of the earth, but also the fowls of the air, the beasts of the field, and fishes of the sea, and hast commanded thy benefits to be received as from thy hands with thanksgiving, assuring thy children by the mouth of thine Apostle, that to the clean all things are clean, as the creatures which be sanctified by thy word and prayer: grant unto us, so moderately to use these thy gifts present, that our bodies being refreshed, our souls may be more able to proceed in all good works, to the praise of thy holy name, through jesus Christ our Lord. So be it.  
Our father which art in heaven, etc.   

An other.  
O Eternal God, the very God of peace and all consolation: which broughtest again from death our Lord jesus the great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant: make us fruitful in all good works to do thy will, and work in us that which is acceptable in thy sight. Sanctify us throughout, and keep our whole spirit, soul, and body, faultless unto the coming of thy dear Son our Lord jesus Christ. Thou art faithful (O Father) who hast promised this, who also shalt bring it to pass: to thee therefore be given everlasting praise, honour, and glory. Amen.   

A thanksgiving after meals.  
LEt all nations magnify the Lord, let all people rejoice in praising and extolling his great mercies: For his fatherly kindness is plentifully showed forth upon us, and the truth of his promise endureth forever.  
We tender thanks unto thee, O Lord God, for the manifold benefits which we continually receive at thy bountiful hand, not only for that it hath pleased thee to feeede us in this present life, giving unto us all things necessary for the same: but specially because thou hast of thy free mercy fashioned us a new, into an assured hope of a far better life, the which thou hast declared unto us by thy holy Gospel.  
Therefore we humbly beseech thee O heavenly father, that thou wilt not suffer our affections to be so entangled and rooted in these earthly and corruptible things, but that we may always have our minds directed to thee on high, continually watching for the coming of our Lord jesus Christ, what time he shall appear for our full redemption. To whom with thee and the holy Ghost be all honour and glory, for ever and ever. So be it.   

another thanksgiving after meals.  
Glory, praise, and honour be unto thee most merciful and omnipotent father, who hast fed and daily dost feed (of thy most bontifull goodness) all living creatures: we beseech thee, that as thou hast nourished these our mortal bodies with corporal food, so thou wouldst replenish our souls with the perfect knowledge of the lively word of thy beloved son jesus Christ, to whom with thee and the holy Ghost be praise, glory and honour for ever. So be it.   

¶ An other.  
Most bountiful and gracious God, which feedest all flesh, and hast promised that ask of thee, we shall not lack, if we first seek thy kingdom and the righteousness thereof, we feeling presently the benefit of this thy gracious promise in feeding our bodies with this corporal food, do tender unto thee most hearty thanks for the same, beseeching thee likewise to feed our souls with that heavenly food which perisheth not, but abideth into everlasting life: so that we being nourished by thy goodness both in body and soul, may be apt and ready to do all good works which thou hast prepared for us to walk in, through jesus Christ our Lord  
Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his blood, and made us kings and Priests unto God his father, be all glory, power & dominion for evermore. Amen.   

An other.  
THe God of glory who hath created, redeemed, and presently fed us, be blessed for evermore. Amen.  
The God of all power, who hath called from death the great pastor of the sheep our Lord jesus, comfort and defend the flock which he hath redeemed by the blood of the eternal testament: increase the number of true preachers: repress the rage of obstinate tyrants: lighten the hearts of the ignorant, relieve the pains of such as be afflicted, but specially of those that suffer for the testimony of the truth: and finally confounded Satan by the power of our Lord jesus Christ. So be it.    

PRAYERS, COMMONly called lidley's prayers, with certain godly additions.  
Before thou prayest, forgive, if thou hast any thing against any man, & come not to GOD with a double heart, but lift up pure hands without wrath or doubting.  1. Tim. 2. 
Almighty and most merciful father, I thy poor creature and work of thy hands, acknowledge and confess unto thee my manifoulde sins and offences, which I from my youth up unto this day, have committed against thee in thought, word, and deed, beseeching thee for jesus Christ thy dear sons sake, to have mercy upon me, and to pardon the same, according to thy great mercy, which hast promised, that At what time so ever a sinner doth repent him of his sin, from the bottom of his heart, thou will put all his wickedness out of thy remembrance.  
O Lord, I confess that I was borne in sin and conceived in wickedness, and am by nature a Child of wrath: For in my flesh dwelleth no good thing, and of myself I am not able to think a good thought, much less to do that thou in thy law requirest of me, saying: Cursed is he that continueth not in all things that are written in the law, to do them. Again Thy law is spiritual, but I am carnal, fold under sin. Therefore, O Lord I come unto thee for grace (which hast said, Ask & ye shall have: seek & ye shall found: knock & it shallbe opened you) to prevent & draw my will unto all goodness: for none can come unto thee except he be drawn: and except we be borne from above, we cannot see the kingdom of God.  
Therefore (O Lord) renew in me a right spirit, that I may receive strength and ableness, to do thy righteous william.  
Grant that I may ever desire & will that which is most pleasing and acceptable to thy william.  
Thy will be my will, and my will be always to follow thy william.  
Let there be ever in me one will and one desire with thee, and let me never desire to will or not to will, but as thou wilt.  
Grant me that above all things I may rest in thee, and fully quiet and pacify my heart in thee: for thou Lord art the true peace of the heart, and the perfect rest of the soul.  
Thou knowest Lord, what is most profitable & expedient for me: wherefore do with me in all things as it shall seem best unto thee. For it may not be but well that thou dost, which dost moste justly & blessedly dispose all things after thy most godly wisdom. Therefore whether it be by prosperity or adversity, loss or gain, sickness or health, life or death, thy will be done.  
Cast out of my heart, all unprofitable cares of worldly things, and suffer me not to be led with the unstable desires of earthly vanities: but give me grace that all worldly and carnal affections may be mortified & die in me.  
Grant unto me the strength of thy holy spirit, to subdue this body of sin with the whole lusts thereof, that it may be obedient both in will, mind and members, to do thy holy william.  
Assist me with thy grace (O Lord) that I may be strengthened in the inward man, 
Ephe. 9  and be armed with thy holy armour, which is the brest-place of righteousness, the shield of of faith, the hope of salvation for an helmet, and the sword of the spirit, which is thy holy word, that I may stand perfect in all that is thy will and be found worthy, through, Christ, to receive the crown of life which thou hast promised to all them that love thee.  
Give me grace that I may esteem all things in this world as they be, transitory & soon vanishing away, and myself also with them drawing towards mine end: For nothing under the sun may long abide, but all is vanity and affliction of spirit.  
O Lord God which art sweetness unspeakable, turn into bitterness unto me all transitory and earthly delights, which may draw me from the love of eternal things: and for all worldly comforts, give me the sweet comfort of thy holy spirit: for thou Lord art my joy, my hope, my crown, and my glory:  
Blessed are they that for the love of thee, set not by the pleasures of this world, but crucify the flesh and the lusts thereof, so that in a clean & pure conscience they may offer their prayers unto thee, and be accepted to have company with thee, together with thy Angels & heavenly spirits.  
O everlasting light, send down the beams of thy brightness, & lighten the inward parts of my heart.  
Open my heart, that I may behold thy laws, and teach me to walk in thy commandements.  
Behold my weakness (O Lord) and consider my frailness, best known unto thee.  
feign would I clea●e fast to heavenly things, but worldly affections and temptations pluck me back: they daily rebel, and suffer not my soul to live in rest.  
Which although they draw me not away to consent, yet nevertheless their assaults be very grievous unto me.  
O what a life may this be called, where no trouble nor misery lacketh? where every place is full of snares of mortal enemies?  
For one trouble or tentation overpassed, an other cometh by and by, and the first conflict yet during, a new battle suddenly ariseth.  
Tedious it is to me to live in such battle: but I perceive such conflicts are not unprofitable for me, whilst I know myself and mine infirmities the better, and am thereby compelled to seek help at thy hand.  
It is good for me (O Lord) that thou hast thus exercised and humbled me, that I may learn to dread thy secret and terrible judgements, which scourgest every child that thou receivest, which bringest down to the gates of hell, and bringest back again.  
I yield thee thanks therefore that thou hast not spared my sins, but hast punished me with scourges of love, and hast sent afflictions and anguish within and without.  
Of grace & favour it is (O Lord) that thou sufferest thy servants to be troubled and afflicted in this world, because they should not be condemned with the world.  
Thou wouldst that they should here be broken with affliction, that they may after rise in a new light, & be clarified and made glorious in thy kingdom.  
O holy father, thou hast ordained it so to be, and it is done as thou hast appointed.  
Wherefore (O Lord) give me the grace to rest in thee above all things, and to quiet my heart in thee above all creatures, above all glory and honour, above all dignity and power, above all health and beauty, above all riches and treasure, above all joy and pleasure, above all fame and praise, above all mirth and consolation that man's heart may take or feel besides thee. For thou Lord art most good, most wise, most righteous, most holy, most just, most blessed, most high, most mighty, most comfortable, most beautiful, most loving, most glorious, in whom all treasures of goodness most perfectly rest.  
And therefore whatsoever I have besides thee, it is nothing unto me: for my heart may not rest, nor fully be pacified, but only in thee.  
O Lord jesus▪ who shall give me wings of pefecte love, that I may flee up from these worldly miseries, and rest with thee?  
O Christ, the king of everlasting glory, my soul crieth unto thee with continual groanings, & saith: how long ●arieth my Lord God to come to me?  
O, when shall the end come of all these miseries?  
When shall I clean be delivered from the bondage of sin?  
When shall I Lord, have my mind only fixed on thee, and be merry in thee with perfect joy and gladness?  
When shall that blessed hour come that thou shalt visit me, and make me glad with thy blessed presence, when thou shalt be to me all in all?  
When shall I come unto thee, and feel and enjoy those sweet consolations which with thy blessed saints are always present?  
When shall I have peace without trouble, peace without, & peace within, & on every side steadfast and sure?  
O Lord jesus when shall I stand and behold thee, and have full sight and contemplation of thy glory?  
When shall I be with thee in thy kingdom, that thou hast ordained for thine elect before the beginning?  
O blessed mansion of that heavenly city: O most clear day of eternity, whom the night may never darken.  
This is the day always clear and merry, always sure and never changing.  
This day shineth clearly to thy saints in heaven (O gracious God) with everlasting brightness: but to us here on earth (so great is the darkness of sin in us) it shineth obscurely, and as it were a far off: we see but a glimmering thereof.  
Would to God this day might shortly appear, and shine unto us, and that these worldly vanities were at an end.  
Thy heavenly Citizens know and feel how joyful this day is: but we the Children of Eve, strangers and exiles here on earth, do lament and bewail the bitter tediousness of this present life, short and evil, full of sorrow and anguish.  
Where man is oftentimes defiled with sin, disquieted with troubles, oppressed with cares, busied with vanities, blinded with errors, overcharged with labours, vexed with temptations, overcome with vain delights and pleasures of the world, & miserably wrapped in many kinds of calamities.  
Wherefore, O Lord arise, and help me: comfort mine exile: assuage my sorrow: destroy the power of mine enemies, the kingdom of sin, Satan, the world, and my wicked flesh, which always make battle against me, and bring these conflicting days to an end. So shall I sing praises unto thee (O God of my salvation) and magnify thy holy name world with out end. Amen.  

A confession of sins, and a prayer for the remission thereof.  
O Lord God, rich in mercy, and of great goodness, who of thy tender love towards us, even when we were thine enemies, didst sand into the world thine own dear son jesus Christ to be a slain sacrifice for our sins: so that whosoever believeth in him, should not perish, but have life everlasting: have mercy upon me, according to thy great mercies, and according to the multitude of thy, compassions put away mine iniquities▪  
For mine iniquities are gone over my head, 
Psal. 38.  and as a weighty burden they press me down.  
Against heaven and against thee have I sinned, 
Luke. 15.  O Lord, I am not worthy to be called thy child.  
I am ashamed to lift up mine eyes unto thee, for my sins are ascended up into thy sight.  
There is nothing sound in my flesh because of thy displeasure, 
Psal. 38.  neither is there any rest in my bones because of my sin.  
Behold I am sold under sin, 
Rom. 7.  and in my flesh there dwelleth no good thing.  
For the good which I would do, I do not: but the evil which I would not do, that I do.  
Wash me therefore O Lord from mine iniquities, & cleanse me from my sin.  

Psal. 51.  Purify my heart by the sanctifying of thy holy spirit▪ and by the sprinkling of the blood of thy dear son, from the filth of sin and an evil conscience.  

Psa. 51.  Make me to hear joy and gladness, that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice.  
Created in me a new heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.  
Cast me not away from thy presence, and take not thy holy spirit from me.  
Restore to me the joy of thy salvation, and establish me with thy free spirit.  

Psal. 9  For thou art good to them that trust in thee, and to the soul that seeketh thee.  

Psal. 25.  Albina thy ways are mercy and truth, to them that seek out thy covenant, and thy testimonies.  
The fountain of thy goodness is ever full and overflowing: thy mercy never decayeth.  
Thou woundest and healest again, thou killest and revivest, bringest even down to hell, and bringest back again.  
Thou raisest up those that are fallen, thou comfortest the broken hearted.  
Thou strengthenest the weary hands and crooked knees: and out of the gulf of hell thou deliverest the afflicted.  
Out of darkness thou bringest light, out of death, life, and out of damnation thou bringest salvation.  
Hear me therefore, O Lord, according to thy loving kindness: turn unto me according to the multitude of thy tender mercies.  
Look upon mine affliction and my 
Psalm. 2●  travel, and forgive all my sins.  

Psal. 63.  Remember not the offences of my youth, nor my rebellions against thee.  

Psal. 130  For if thou, Lord, shouldest mark our iniquities, Lord, who should be able to stand in thy sight?  

job. 15.  Seeing thou hast found iniquity even in thine Angels, and the heavens are not clean in thy sight: much more is man abominable & filthy, which drinketh iniquity like water.  
Notwithstanding thou hast said, O Lord, that as the righteousness of the righteous man shall not save him whensoever he offendeth: so shall not the wickedness of the wicked man hurt him whensoever he forsaketh his wickedness and turneth to thee.  
For thou knowest thine own handy work: thou remember'st what we are: thou seest that we are but weak and feeble flesh.  

Psal. 83.  Look not therefore upon my sins, O Lord, but look upon the face of thine anointed.  
For he hath borne our iniquities, 
Esai. 52  he hath carried our sorrows.  
He was wounded for our transgressions: he was broken for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace is laid upon him.  
He gave his body to be beaten, and his cheeks to be stricken: he bore the sins of many, and prayed for the offenders.  
He came to bring glad tidings to the poor, 
Esai. 61.  to bind up the broken hearted, to preach liberty to the captives, to comfort them that mourn in Zion, and to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of gladness for the spirit of heaviness: that they might be called trees of righteousness and the planting of the Lord  
For his sake therefore, O Lord, be merciful unto me, and say unto my soul: behold I am come to thee, thy health and thy salvation.   

A prayer for the true knowledge and understanding of the word of God.  

●sal. 119  LEt my prayer come before thee, O Lord, and give me understanding according to thy word.  
Blessed art thou, O Lord, teach me thy statutes:  
That with my lips I may declare all the judgements of thy mouth:  
That I may delight in the way of thy testimonies above all riches:  
That I may meditate in thy precepts, and consider thy ways:  
That I may take pleasure in thy statutes, and not forget thy word.  
Be good unto me thy servant, O Lord, that I may live & keep thy word.  
Open mine eyes, that I may see the wonders which are in thy law.  
I am a stranger upon earth, notwithstanding hide not from me thy commandments.  
For my heart languisheth with the desire that it hath to thy judgements.  
Thy testimonies are my delight and my counsellors.  
I will praise thee with an upright heart, when thou hast taught me the judgements of thy righteousness.  
Show me thy ways, 
Psal. 25.  O Lord, & teach me thy paths.  
Lead me forth in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art my God and my salvation, in thee do I trust all the day long.  
Make me understand the way of thy precepts, 
Psal. 119.  and I will consider thy wondrous works.  
Thy hands have made me and fashioned me, give me understanding that I may learn thy commandements.  
That they which fear thee, seeing me, may rejoice: because I have trusted in thy word.  
Show the light of thy countenance upon thy servant, and teach me thy ordinances.  
Thou art good and gracious, therefore according to thy goodness teach me thy statutes.  
O Lord, of whose goodness the earth is full, teach me thy ordinances.  
O Lord, I beseech thee accept the sacrifice of my lips, and teach me thy judgements.  
The righteousness of thy testimonies is everlasting: grant me understanding and I shall live.  
Deal with thy servant according to thy mercies, and teach me thy statutes.  
I am thy servant, grant me understanding, that I may know thy testimonies.  
My lips shall show forth thy praise, when thou hast taught me thy statutes.  
My tongue shall talk of thy word, for all thy commandments are righteous.  
For in thee is a well of li●ing waters, 
Psalm. 36  and ever flowing, & in thy light shall we see light.   

A prayer for the leading of a Godly life.  
I Cry unto thee with my whole heart, 
Psal. 119  hear me (O Lord) and guide me, that I may keep thy stautes.  
I call upon thee: save me, that I may keep thy testimonies.  
Let my prayer be directed in thy ●ight as incense, 
Psal. 141.  and the lifting up of my hands, as an evening sacrifice.  
I have gone astray like a lost sheep: 
Psa. 119.  seek thy servant, for I do ●●●● heaven and earth, and all things therein contained: O incomprehensible unity: O always to be worshipped most blessed Trinity: I humbly beseech thee and pray thee by the assumption and crucified humanity of our Lord jesus Christ, that thou wouldst incline and bow down the great depth of thy deity, to the bottomless pit of my vility. drive me from all kind of vice, wickedness and sin. Created in me a clean heart, and renew in me a right spirit, for thy holy names sake.  
O Lord jesus, I beseech thy goodness, for the 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 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 that this my love may 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 conformable unto thee in all my life and conversation, thou dwelling in me, and I in thee, my heart being suppled with thy grace, and settled in thy faith for ever.  
O my God, lose and set at liberty my spirit from all inferior things. Govern my soul and so work, that both in soul and body I may be holy, and live to thy glory, world without end. Amen. I B.   

A prayer necessary to be said at all times.  
O Bountiful Lord jesus, O sweet saviour, O Christ the son of  
God, have pity upon me, mercifully hear me, and despise not my prayers. Thou hast created me of nothing, thou hast redeemed me from the bondage of sin, death, and hell, neither with Gould nor Silver, but with thy most precious body once offered upon the cross, and thine own blood shed once for all for a ransom. Therefore cast me not away, whom thou by thy great wisdom hast made. Despise me not, whom thou hast redeemed with such a precious treasure, nor let my wickedness destroy that which thy goodness hath builded.  
Now whiles 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. While I have time to repent, look upon me with thy merciful eyes, as thou diddest vouchsafe to look upon Peter thine Apostle, that I may bewail my sinful life, and obtain thy favour, to live and die therein. I acknowledge that if thou shouldest deal with me according to thy justice, I have deserved everlasting death.  
Therefore I appeal to thy high throne of mercy, trusting to obtain thy favour: not for my merits, but for thy deserts (O jesus) who hast given thyself an acceptable sacrifice to thy father, to appease his wrath, and to bring all sinners truly repenting and amending their evil life, unto his favour again.  
Accept me (O Lord) among the number of them whom thou hast in Christ elected and chosen to salvation. 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, patient in adversity, obedient to my rulers, in all my doings faithful, dealing truly with all men, to live chastened in wedlock, to abhor adultery, fornication and all uncleanness, to do good after my power unto all men, to hurt no man: that thy name may be glorified in me during this present life, and that I afterward may attain everlasting life, through thy mercy, and the merits of thy death and passion. Amen.   

A prayer for grace and remission of sins.  
O Lord God merciful father, I poor wretched sinner come unto thee in the name of thy dearly beloved son Christ jesus my saviour, beseeching thee for his sake, to be merciful unto me, and to cast all my sins out of thy sight, even through the merits of his bloody death. Pour upon me (O Lord) thy holy spirit of grace and wisdom, to govern and lead my body and soul in thy holy word and commandments. Show thy mercy upon me, and so lighten the natural blindness and darkness of my heart through thy grace, that I may daily be renewed by thy holy spirit. Open my hard heart and gross ears, to hear and read thy word and heavenly voice, and to believe and follow it in my conversation, and ever to hold fast that blessed hope of everlasting life. Mortify and kill all vice in me, that my life may express my faith in thee. Mercifully hear the humble supplication of thy servant, and grant me thy peace all my days. Graciously pardon my infirmities, and defend me in all dangers, both outwardly in my body, goods and name, and inwardly in my soul, against all evil temptations and subtle baits of sathan that roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Grant (O Lord) that I and every member of thy Church in his vocation and calling, may truly and godly serve thee. graft in my heart the love of thy name: increase in me true religion: replenish me with all goodness, and of thy great mercy keep me in the same unto the end. Give unto me the spirit of prayer, true humility, perfect patience, and continual joy in the holy ghost. I commend unto thy protection (O Father) my house and all that thou hast given me: my whole family, my wife and children: aid me, that I may well & holily govern, nourish, and bring them up, in thy fear and service.  
And forasmuch as in this world I must always be at war, not with one sort of enemies, but with an infinite number: not only with flesh and blood, but with the devil, which is the prince of darkness, grant me thy grace, that being armed with thy defence, I may stand in this battle with an invincible constancy against all corruption which I am encompassed with on all sides, until such time as I having ended the combat which during this life I must sustain, in the end I may attain to thy heavenly rest which is prepared for me through Christ my Lord and Saviour. Amen.   

A prayer taken out of the first Psalm  
Almighty and most gracious God take away from us all evil counsel, and then our sins: suffer us not to run into an ungodly and wicked life: and finally keep our minds far from the contempt of godliness and scorning of virtue, and in the stead of these evils, grant that we may continually be occupied in thy law and sacred scriptures, that we be not carried about like the wicked, as light dust and fruitless chaff, with every blast of affection and doctrine: but rather that we as trees planted by the water brooks, endued with the life of thy spirit and faith, may also bring forth the fruits of good works: and that what so ever we take in hand may prospero, and tend to the praise and glory of thy name and furtherance of our salvation: and at the last, when the wicked shall fall away in thy judgement▪ we may stand steadfast and be made perfect through jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.   

Out of the same Psalm.  
ALmighty God we are sufficiently taught, that grievous calamities and miserable plagues do therefore daily vex and trouble thy Church, because we have not ceased to follow the counsel of the ungodly: which being once known, we aught to have eschewed. The way also of the wicked we have not shunned: yea we have not ceased to walk their race by continual transgressing of thy commandments. we have also of long time, contemned all godly correction and discipline, and whatsoever hath been taught us out of thy word, hath been too little regarded▪ yea without all shame neglected and scorned.  
Wherefore it is no marvel, if we in the steed of that happiness and quiet peace, which we (alas) have too long abused, be now compelled to suffer all heavy, grievous, and most bitter plagues. But now, O God, in humbleness of heart we flee unto thee confessing our grievous offences, and we most humbly and heartily beseech thee, that those evils which we so foolishly and wretchedly have committed, thou wilt mercifully forgive us, and frame our minds wholly to the obedience of thy law, in such wise that our hearts may be occupied both day and night in nothing else, but in the meditation of thy holy scriptures, for so shall we giving credit to thy words, bring forth seasonable and pleasant fruit, and shall not be spoiled of the graces of the Holy Ghost: yea our doings shall never be without happy success Now we are tossed hither & thither not unlike to leaves and chaff, with the wind of adversity and affliction: yet grant (O most merciful father) that our life perish not with the wicked, but that the cause of the just, may be defended by thy singular providence and protection: so that in judgement and in the company of the just we may be able to stand, and not to be confounded: through jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.   

Out of the same Psalm.  
Almighty God, for as much as we have now learned, that a great part of our felicity, so long as we live here, consisteth in this, that we refrain from ungodly counsel and wicked manners, and also avoid the company of those that despise and deride all good things: and that in the stead of these evils, we give ourselves to the heavenly study of thy holy law, to be occupied and exercised therein both day and night, (whereby we do perceive that we have very much erred and strayed from this way of our salvation, yea we have in these things most wickedly offended:) therefore we beseech thee, even for thy mercy's sake that thou wilt pardon our offences, and that henceforth by the continual study and exercise of thy word, thou wilt vouchsafe to make us fruitful plants, that we may not only bring forth wholesome fruits in thy Church whiles we live here, but also may be able in the other world to stand in judgement before thee, who best knowest the way of the just, through jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.   

A prayer taken out of the second Psalm.  
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 the Gospel and ● building up again of thy Church, to be an intolerable bondage & hard yoke. Wherefore they labour by all possible means, to break a sunder the societies and congregations of the faithful, and cast away all discipline. But forasmuch as thou sittest in heaven, and 〈◊〉 not ignorant what the devil or wicked flesh goeth about: laugh thou to scorn their ●aine counsels, and bring their purposes to naught Let them feel thine anger to bekindled against them, and make them astonished at the fiercnes of thine indignation, so that they may not be able to destroy thy Church, over whom thou hast appointed jesus Christ our only saviour to be a governor, that in it he might reign by his word and spirit with inuincibl● might and power. Wherefore grant unto us although unworthy and shrinking children, such faith and constancy, that we may find him and 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 thy 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 and protection, by Christ jesus our Lord▪ Amen.   

Out of the same Psalm.  
Most Mighty and merciful Lord God, though the devil rage, the powers of the world daily rise up, and the flesh with all her bondslaves conspire against the kingdom of thine only begotten son jesus Christ our Lord: yet make us to understand, & with constant faith to be persuaded, that thou deridest & contemnest all such whom thou caused in thine anger & fierce displeasure when thou wilt, suddenly destroy and bring to naught. In this faith, seeing we are sometimes so weak; that being overcome with sundry kinds of terror and dread, we are not so obedient to thy commandments as we aught to be▪ we therefore beseech thee, for thy great▪ goodness sake to be merciful unto us, and grant that we may constantly believe thy son our king and our redeemer, to have the highest power and dominion with thee in all things. For seeing thou hast begotten him, thou hast also delivered to him all nations to be ruled by his power, as his own inheritance. Grant therefore unto us, that yet at the length we may be wise & understand, in such sort as we may serve thee with all due fear and worship, that in the last day we be not dashed in pieces as earthen vessels, with the rod of thine indignation: through jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.   

A prayer which M. john Bradford said a little before his death in smithfeelde.  

Mat. 27.  MErciful God & father, to whom our saviour Christ approached in his fear and need by reason of death, and found comfort: gracious God and most bounteous Christ, on whom Stephen called in his extreme need, 
Acts. 7.  and received strength: most benign holy spirit, which in the midst of all crosses and death didst comfort the Apostle S. Paul with more consolations in Christ, than he felt sorrows and terrors in the world: have mercy upon me, a most miserable, vile and wretched sinner, which now draw near the gates of death, deserved both in soul and body eternally, by reason of my manifold, horrible, old and new transgressions▪ which to thine eyes (O Lord God) are open and known. O be merciful unto me, and forgive me for the bitter death and bloodsheading of thine only son, jesus Christ. And though thy justice do require in respect of my sins that now thou shouldest not hear me, contemning thy daily callings: yet let thy mercy which is above all thy works, and wherewith the earth is filled, let thy mercy (I say) prevail towards me, through the merits and meditation of Christ our saviour, for whose sake it pleaseth thee to bring me forth now as one of his witnesses and a record bearer of thy verity and truth taught by him, to give my life therefore. Of which dignity I do acknowledge (dear God) that there was, never any so unworthy and unmeet, not not the thief that hanged with him on the cross. I humbly therefore pray thee that thou wouldst accordingly aid, help, and assist me with thy strength and heavenly grace, that with Christ thy son I may find comfort, with Stephen I may see thy presence and gracious power, with Paul and all others, which for thy name's sake have suffered afflictions and death, I may find so present with me thy gracious consolation, that I may by my death glorify thy holy name, set forth and ratify thy verity, comfort the hearts of the heavy, confirm thy Church in thy truth, convert some that are to be converted, and so departed out of this miserable world (where I do nothing but daily heap sin upon sin) and enter into the fruttion of thy blessed mercy: whereof now give and increase in me a lively taste, sense, and feeling, where through the terror of death, the torments of fire, the pains of sin, the darts of sathan, and the dolours of hell, may never overcome me, but may be driven away through the working of that most gracious spirit which now plenteously endue withal, that through the same spirit I may offer (as now I desire, & am ready to do) in Christ and by him myself wholly soul and body, to be a lively sacrifice, holy and acceptable in thy sight (dear father) whose I am and always have been even from my mother's womb, yea even before the world was made: to whom I commend myself, faith, and name, family & friends, country and all the whole Church, yea, even my very enemies, according to thy good pleasure, beseeching thee entirely to give once more to this Realm of England, the blessing of thy word again, with godly peace, to the teaching and setting forth of the same. O dear father, now give me to come unto thee: so purge and purify me by this fire in Christ's death and passion through thy spirit, that I may be a burnt offering of sweet smell in thy sight, which livest and reignest with the son and the holy Ghost, now and evermore world without end. Amen.   

The Litany.  
O God the father of heaven, have mercy upon us miserable sinners.  
O God the father of heaven, etc.  
O God the son redeemer of the world, have mercy upon us miserable sinners.  
O God the son redeemer of etc.  
O God the holy Ghost proceeding from the Father and the son: have mercy upon us miserable sinners.  
O God the holy Ghost, etc.  
O holy, blessed, and glorious Trinity, three persons and one God, have mercy upon us miserable sinners.  
O holy blessed and glorious etc.  
Remember not Lord our offences, nor the offences of our forefathers, neither take thou vengeance of our sins, spare us good Lord, spare thy people whom thou hast redeemed with thy most precious blood, and be not angry with us for ever.  
Spare us good Lord  
From all evil and mischief, from sin, from the crafts and assaults of the Diuel● from thy wrath, and from everlasting damnation.  
Good Lord deliver us.  
From blindness of heart, from pride, vain glory & hypocrisy, from envy, hatred and malice, and all uncharitableness.  
Good Lord deliver us.  
From all fornication, and all other deadly sin, and from all the deceits of the world, the flesh, and the Devil.  
Good Lord deliver us.  
From lightning and tempest, from plague, pestilence & famine, from battle and murder, and from sudden death.  
Good Lord deliver us.  
From all sedition and privy conspiracy, from all false doctrine and heresy, from hardness of heart & contempt of thy word & 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 glorious resurrection and ascension, and by the coming of the holy ghost.  
Good Lord deliver us.  
In all time of 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 right way.  
We beseech thee to hear us good Lord  
That it may please thee to keep & strengthen in the true worshipping of thee, in righteousness and holiness of life, thy servant Elizabeth our most gracious queen and governor.  
We beseech thee to hear us, etc.  
That it may please the to rule her heart in thy faith, fear, and love, and that she may evermore have affiance in thee, and ever seek thy honour and glory.  
We beseech thee to hear us, etc.  
That it may please thee to be her defender and keeper, giving her the victory over all her enemies.  
We beseech thee to hear us, etc.  
That it may please thee to illuminate all Bishop's 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 to hear, 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 to hear us, 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 to hear us, etc.  
That it may please thee to bless and keep all thy people.  
We beseech thee to hear us, etc.  
That it may please thee to give to all nations unity peace and concord.  
We beseech thee to hear us, 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 to hear us, 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 affection, & to bring forth the fruits of the spirit.  
We beseech thee to hear us, etc.  
That it may please thee to bring into the way of truth, all such as have erred and are deceived.  
We beseech thee to hear us, etc.  
That it may please thee to strengthen such as do stand, and to comfort and help the weak hearted, and to raise them up that fall, and finally to beat down sathan under our feet.  
We beseech thee to hear us, etc.  
That it may please thee to secure, help and comfort all that be in danger, necessity and tribulation.  
We beseech thee to hear us, etc.  
That it may please thee to preserve all that travel by land or by water, all women labouring of child, all sick persons and young children, and to show thy pity upon all prisoners and captives.  
We beseech thee to hear us, 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 to hear us, etc.  
That it may please thee to have mercy upon all men.  
We beseech thee to hear us, etc.  
That it may please thee to forgive our enemies, persecutors and slanderers and to turn their hearts.  
We beseech thee to hear us, etc.  
That it may please thee to give and preserve to our use the kindly fruits of the earth, so as in due time we may enjoy them.  
We beseech thee to hear us, &c▪  
That it may please thee to give us true repentance, to forgive us all our sins, negligences and ignorances, and to endue us with thy holy spirit, to amend our lives according to thy holy word.  
We beseech thee to hear us, etc.  
Son of God, we beseech thee to hear us.  
Son of God, we beseech thee, 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 desires of such as be sorrowful, mercifully assist our prayers that we make before thee in all our troubles & adversities, when soever 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 naught, and by the providence of thy goodness they may be dispersed, that we thy 〈◊〉 being hurt by no persecution 〈◊〉 evermore give thanks unto thee in thy holy Church, through jesus Christ our Lord  
O Lord arise, help us▪ and deliver us for thy name's sake.  
O God, we have heard with our ears, and our fathers have declared unto us the noble works that thou diddest in their days, and in the old time before them.  
O Lord arise, help us, and deliver us for thine honour.  
Glory be to the father, and to the son, and to the holy ghost.  
As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shallbe world without end. Amen.  
From our enemies defend us O Christ.  
Graciously look upon our afflictions.  
Pitifully behold the sorrows of our hearts.  
Mercifully forgive the sins of thy people.  
Favourably with mercy hear our prayers.  
O Son of David▪ have mercy upon us.  
Both now and ever vouchsafe to hear us O Christ.  
Graciously hear us O Christ, graciously hear us, O Lord Christ.  
O Lord let thy mercy be showed upon us:  
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 names sake, turn from us all those evils that we most righteously have deserved, & grant that in all our troubles we may put our whole trust and confidence in thy mercy, and evermore serve thee in holiness and pureness of 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 the 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 spirit, that she may always incline to thy will and walk in thy fear, endue her plentifully with heavenly gi●es, grant her in health and wealth long to live: ●●rength● her, that she may vanquish and overcome all her enemies, and finally after this life, she may attain everlasting joy and felicity: through jesus Christ our Lord▪ Amen.   

A prayer for Bishops and Ministers of the Church.  
Almighty and everliving God, which only workest great marvels, sand down upon our Bishops & Curates, & all congregations committed to their charge, the healthful spirit of thy grace, and that they may truly please thee, power upon them the continual dew of thy blessing. Grant this (O Lord) for the honour of our advocate and mediator jesus Christ.   

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

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

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

In the time of War.  
Almighty God, king of all kings and governor of all things▪ whose power no creature is able to resist, to whom it belongeth justly to punish sinners, and to be merciful to them that truly repent: save and deliver us (we humby beseech thee) from the hands of our enemies: abate their pride, assuage their malice, and confound their devices, that we being armed with thy defence may be preserved from all perils, to glorify thee, which art the only giver of all victory, through the merits of thy only Son jesus Christ our Lord. So be it.   

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

A prayer for the strength and comfort of the holy ghost.  
Almighty and most merciful God, which giveth to thine elect people thy holy spirit, as a sure pledge of thy heavenly kingdom, we most humbly beseech thee so to replenish our hearts with the grace of thy holy spirit, that he may bear witness to our spirits that we be thy children, and heirs of thy kingdom, and that by the gracious working of this thy good spirit, we may kill all ●a●nall-lustes, vnlaw●full pleasures concupiscences and evil affections, contrary to thy most blessed will, through our Lord and Saviour jesus Christ. So be it.   

For sure hope and true taste of everlasting life.  
O Almighty God, which hast prepared everlasting life for all those that be thy faithful servants, grant unto us sure hope of this life everlasting, that whiles we be here, in this miserable world, we may have some taste & feeling of it in our hearts, through the merits of our Lord and Saviour jesus Christ. So be it.   

For the true knowledge of God and his word, and a life agreeable to the same.  
Grant unto us (O merciful God we most heartily beseech thee) knowledge and true understanding of thy blessed will and word, that all ignorance being expelled, we may know what thy will and pleasure is in all things, and how to do our duty, and truly to walk in our vocation, and that also we may express in our living those things that we do know, that we be not only knowers of thy will and word, good Lord, but also may be hearty and faithful workers of the same, through our Lord and saviour jesus Christ. So be it.   

A prayer for the strength and increase of faith.  
O Almighty & everlasting God, which not only givest every good and perfect gift, but also increasest those gifts that thou hast given: we most humbly beseech th●e to increase in us the gift of faith, that we may t●●●ly believe in thee, and in thy promises made unto us in Christ jesus our Lord, and that neither by our negligence nor infirmity of the flesh, nor by grievousness of temptations, neither by the subtle crafts and assaults of the devil, we be driven from this faith in the blood of our Lord & Saviour jesus Christ. So be it.   

For a godly life.  
Almighty God, give us grace that we may cast away the works of darkness and put upon us the armour of light, now in the time of this mortal life (in the which thy son jesus Christ came to visit us in great humility) that in the last day, when he shall come again in his glorious majesty to judge the quick and the dead, we may rise to the life immortal, through him who liveth and reigneth with thee and the holy ghost, now and for ever. So be it.   

A prayer for true perseverance and assured hope of eternal life.  
BLessed God, which hast caused all holy scriptures to be written for our lea●●ing, grant that we may in such wise hear them, read them, mark them, & inwardly print them in our hearts, that by patience and comfort of thy holy word, we may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life which thou hast given us in our Lord and Saviour jesus Christ. So be it.   

A prayer for the obtaining of our petitions.  
Almighty God which hast given us grace at this time with one accord, to make our common supplications unto thee, & dost promise' that when two or three be gathered together in thy name, thou wilt grant their requests: fulfil now (O Lord) the desires and petitions of thy servants, as may be most expedient for them, granting us in this world knowledge of thy truth, and in the world to come life everlasting. Amen.    
The end of the Litany.   

¶ A GODLY INSTRVction, containing the sum of all the divinity necessary for a Christian conscience:  Made by john Bradford. 
A MAN that is regenerate and borne of God (the which thing that every one of us be, our Baptism the sacrament of regeneration doth require under pain of damnation, and therefore let every one of us with the virgin Marie say: Be it unto me▪ O Lord according to thy word, according to the sacrament of Baptism, wherein thou hast declared our adoption, and let us lament the doubting hereof in us, striving against it as we shallbe made able of the Lord) a man (I say) that is regenerate, consisteth of two men (as a man may say) namely of the old man, 
The old man.  and of the new man. The old man is like to a mighty giant, such a one as was Golyah, for his birth is now perfect: 
The new man.  but the new man is like unto a little child, such a one as was David, for his birth is not yet perfect, until the day of his general resurrection.  

Why the old man is stronger than the new.  The old man therefore is more stronger, lusty and stirring then is the new man, because the birth of the new man is but begun now, and the old man is perfectly borne. And as the old man is more stirring, lusty, and stronger than the new man: so is the nature of him clean contrary to the nature of the new man, as being earthly and corrupt with Satan's seed, the nature of the new man being heavenly and blessed with the celestial seed of God. 
In what respect one man is both an old man, & also a new man.  So that one man, in as much as he is corrupt with the seed of the serpent, is an old man: and in as much as he is blessed with the seed of God from above, he is a new man. And as, in as much as he is an old man, he is a sinner and an enemy to God: so in as much as he is regenerate, he is righteous and holy, and a friend to God, the seed of God preserving him from sin, so that he cannot sin, as the seed of the serpent, wherewith he is corrupt even from his conception, inclineth him, yea, enforceth him to sin, and nothing else but to sin. So that the best part in man before regeneration, in God's sight is not only an enemy, but enmity itself.  
One man therefore which is regenerate, 
How one man may be called always sinful & always just.  well may be called always just and always sinful: just in respect of God's seed and his regeneration: sinful in respect of Satan's seed and his first birth. Betwixt these two men therefore, there is continual conflict and war most deadly. 
Why the old man oftentimes prevaileth against the new man.  The flesh and the old man by reason of his birth that is perfect, doth often for a time prevail against the new man (being but a child in comparison) and that in such sort, as not only other, but even the children of God themselves think that they be nothing else but old, 
The old man so mightily prevaileth sometimes against the new man in the children of God, that the spirit and seed of God seemeth to be utterly taken from them, whereas in deed it is not so, as afterward. to their great comfort they find and feel.  and that the spirit and seed of God is lost & gone away, where yet notwithstanding the truth is otherwise, the spirit & the seed of God, at the length appearing again, and dispelling away the clouds which cover the Sun of God's seed from shining, as the clouds in the air do the corporal Sun: so that sometimes a man cannot tell by any sense, that there is any sun, the clouds and winds so hiding it from our sight: Even so our cecity or blindness, and corrupt affections do often shadow the sight of God's seed in God's children, as though they were plain reprobates. Whereof it cometh, that they praying according to their sense, but not according to the truth, desire of God to give them again his spirit, as though they had lost it, and he had taken it away. Which thing GOD never doth indeed although he make us to think so for a time: for always he holdeth his hand under his children in their falls, that they lie not still as other do which are not regenerate. And this is the difference betwixt God's children, which are regenerate and elect before all times in Christ, and the wicked castaways: that the elect lie not still continually in their sin, as do the wicked, but at the length do return again by reason of God's seed, which is in them hid as a sparkle of fire in the ashes: as we may see in Peter, David, Paul, Marie Magdalen, and others. For these (I mean God's children) God hath made all things in Christ jesus: to whom he hath given this dignity, that they should be his inheritance and spouses. This our inheritor Christ jesus, God with God, light of light, coeternal & consubstantial with the father and with the holy Ghost, to the end that he might become our husband (because the husband and the wife must be one body and flesh) hath taken our nature upon him, communicating with it and by it in his own person, to us all his children, his divine majesty, (as Peter saith) and so is become flesh of our flesh, 
2. Pet. 1.  and bone of our bones substantially, as we are become flesh of his flesh, and bone of his bones spiritually: all that ever we have pertaining to him, yea even our sins, as all that ever he hath, pertaining unto us, even his whole glory. So that if sathan should summon us to answer in our debts, and sins, in that the wife is no suitable person, but the husband, we may well bid him ever his action against our husband Christ, and he will make him a sufficient answer.  
For this end (I mean that we might be coupled & married thus to Christ, and so be certain of salvation, & at peace with God in our consciences) God hath given his holy word, which hath two parts (as now the children of God do consist of two men: 
The law pertaineth to the old man: and the Gospel to the new man. ) the one part of God's word being proper to the old man, and the other part of God's word being proper to the new man. The part properly pertaining to the old man is the law: the part properly pertaining to the new man, is the gospel.  

What the law is.  The law is a doctrine which commandeth and forbiddeth, requiring doing, and avoiding. Under it therefore are contained all precepts, threatenings, promises upon conditions of our doing and avoiding▪ etc.  

What the Gospel is.  The Gospel is a doctrine which always offereth and giveth, requiring on our behalf, not as of worthiness or as a cause, but as a certificate unto us, and therefore under it are contained all the free and sweet promises of God: as I am the Lord thy God, etc.  
In those that be of years of discretion it requireth faith, 
The conscience feared & beaten down with the terror of God's judgement against sin, may not look upon the law, but i'll to the Gospel for relief & comfort.  not as a cause, but as an instrument whereby we ourselves may be certain of our good husband Christ, and of his glory: and therefore when the conscience feeleth itself disquieted for fear of God's judgement against sin, she may in no wise look upon the doctrine pertaining to the old man, but to the doctrine only that pertaineth to the new man, in it not looking for that which it requireth, that is, faith, because we never believe as we should: but only on it which it offereth, and which it giveth, that is, on God's grace and eternal mercy and peace in Christ. So shall she be in quiet when she looketh for it altogether out of herself in gods mercy in Christ jesus: in whose lap if she lay her head with S. john, 
john. 13. When the conscience is quiet & at peace with God, the law serveth only to keep down the old man  then is she happy, and shall find quietness indeed. When she feeleth herself quiet, than (in God's name) let her look on the law, and upon such things as it requireth, thereby to bridle and keep down the old Adam, to stay the Goliath: from whom she must needs keep the sweet promises, being the bed wherein her spouse & she meet & lie together. For as the wife will keep her bed only for her husband, although in other things she is contented to have fellowship with others, as to speak, sit, eat, drink, go, etc. so our consciences which are Christ's wives, must needs keep the bed, that is gods sweet promises all only for ourselves and our husband, there to meet together, to embrace and laugh together, and to be joyful together. If sin, the law, the devil, or any thing else would creep into the bed and lie there, then complain to thy husband Christ, & forthwith thou shalt see him play Phinees part. Thus my dearly beloved, 
Num. 25.  I have given you in few words, a sum of all the Divinity which a Christian conscience cannot want.  
FINIS.   

 

  

  

  

  

  

   

The Table.  
AN introduction to prayer. 
fol. 17.  A meditation concerning prayer. 
49.  A meditation upon the Lord's prayer. 
68  Private prayers for the morning, evening, & other times of the day 
132  When you awake out of your sleep. 
eod.  When you behold the day light. 
134  When you arise. 
135.  When you apparel yourself. 
136.  When you are made ready to begin the day withal. 
138.  Cogitations meet to begin the day withal. 
139  When you go forth of the doors. 
143  When you are going and journey. 
145  When you are about to receive your meat. 
148  In the meal time. 
150  After your meat. 
152  When you come hom● again. 
155  At the Sun going down. 
156  When the candles be light. 
158  When you make yourself unready. 
160  When you enter into your bed. 
161  When you feel sleep to be coming. 
163  A general confession of sins, with other prayers for the morning and eu●ning, to be used in families and public assemblies. 
165  An other confession of sins. 
167  A prayer to be said in the morning. 
169  An other. 
172  An other. 
173  An evening prayer. 
176  An other. 
181  An other 
183  A prayer for remission of sins. 
185  A prayer for the true knowledge of the mystery of our redemption in Christ. 
197  A form of thanksgiving for our redemption, and a prayer for the strength and increase of faith. 
200  A thanksgiving to God for his great benefits. 
202  A prayer for true mortification. 
205  A meditation for the exercise of true mortification. 
211  A meditation of the coming of Christ to judgement, and of the reward both of the faithful and unfaithful. 
215  A meditation of the life everlasting, the place where it is, & the incomparable joys thereof. 
222  An other meditation of the blessed state & felicity of the life to come▪ 
231  A meditation of the presence of God. 
238  A meditation of the providence of God. 
240  A meditation of God's power, beauty, goodness, etc. 
245  A meditation concerning the sober usag of the body that it may be subject and obedient to the soul. 
249  An other meditation concerning the sober usag of the body and pleasures in this life. 
252  A meditation of death and the commodities it bringeth. 
256  A meditation upon the passion of our saviour jesus Christ. 
259  A prayer to Christ crucified. 
267  A Prayer to Christ ascended and reining in glory. 
268  A prayer for true repentance. 
272  A prayer for the strength & increase of faith. 
273  A prayer for the true sense and feeling of God's favour and mercy in Christ. 
274  A prayer against our spiritual enemies, the devil, the world and the flesh. 
279  A prayer for the present help in tentation. 
281  Remedies against sinful motions and temptations. 
284  A prayer for the avoiding of God's heavy wrath and vengeance for our sins. 
286  An other. 
263  A prayer to be said of such as suffer any kind of cross. 
595  A prayer of the afflicted for the profession of god's word. 
299  A prayer to God the father▪ the son, and the holy ghost. 
302  A thanksgiving to God the father, the son & the holy ghost. 
307  A prayer to God, for his heple and protection against the obstinate enemies of the truth. 
310  A prayer for the afflicted and persecuted under the tyranny of Antichrist. 
312  A prayer to be said before the preaching of gods word. 
314  A prayer to be said after the preaching of gods word. 
316  A prayer to be said before the receiving of the communion. 
323  A thanksgiving after the receiving of the communion. 
326  A lamentation of a sinner afflicted in conscience for his offences. 
327  A prayer for the sick, 
338  A prayer to be said at the hour of death. 
339  A prayer for a woman with child. 
343  A psalm to be said in the time of any common plague, sickness, or other cross and visitation of God. 
346  A Psalm of thanksgiving for deliverance from the plague or any other kind of sickness, or affliction. 
350  Prayers to be said before meals & after. 
354  An other prayer to be said before meals. 
455  An other 
356  A thanksgiving after meals. 
357  An other thanksgiving after meals. 
359  An other. 
360  An other. 
361   

Prayers, commonly called lidley's Prayers, with certain godly additions.  A Confession of sins. 
362  A confession of sins, and a prayer for the remission thereof. 
374  A prayer for the true knowledge and understanding of the word of God. 
380  A prayer for the leading of a godly life. 
383  A prayer for the deliverance from sin, & to be restored to God's grace & favour again. 
387  A prayer necessary to be said at all times. 
489  A prayer for grace and remission of sins. 
392  Prayers taken out of the first Psalm. 
395  Prayers taken out of the second Psalm. 
400  A prayer which M. john Bradford said a little before his death in Smithfield. 
404  The Litany. 
409  For the Queen's majesty. 
420  For Bishops and ministers of the Church. 
421  For rain. 
421  For fair weather. 
422  In the time of dearth & famine. 
423  In the time of war. 
423  In the time of any common plague or sickness. 
424  For the strength and comfort of the holy ghost. 
425  For sure hope and tr●● taste of everlasting life. 
426  For the true knoweledg of god & his word, & a life agreeable to the same. 
ibid.  For the strength & increase of faith. 
427  For a godly life. 
428  For the true perseverance and assured hope of eternal life. 
429  A prayer for the obtaining of our petitions. 
429  A godly instruction, containing the sum of all the Divinity necessary for a Christian conscience. 
431   
FINIS.   

Imprinted at London by Henry Middleton, dwelling in Fleetstreet at the sign of the Falcon.