THE DEVOTIONS AND FORMS OF PRAYER, DAILY USED IN THE KING OF SWEDENS ARMY: Being the first part of our intended Book concerning the SWEDISH DISCIPLINE; Religious, Civil, and Military. The Reason for our publishing this by itself, we desire the Reader to look for in the Epistle. LONDON, Printed for nathanael Butter and Nicholas Bourne. 1632. ¶ The Stationer to the Reader. Favourable and judicious: THat having been heretofore by promise engaged to give you all the three parts of the Swedish Discipline, we are here enforced to present you with the first only, and that dismembered from the other two; We humbly desire you to accept of this fair excuse for it. 'tis done to prevent your being abused by another: who aiming (as may be suspected) more at his own profit, than the benefit of his Reader: upon hope of venting his Book under that most acceptable name of this victorious King; is about to thrust these following Prayers upon the world; barely taken, and perchance not so literally translated, out of the Book called Arma Suecica. One thing or two (besides the uselessenesse of the volume he is about to Print it in) over-slipped in his Translation, we here think fit to tell you of, which upon sight of some of the printed sheets (the Copy having by himself been before sold unto us) we discovered. First, That his Translator hath no where observed how many sentences in these Prayers (which are taken out of the Common Prayer Book used in the Kingdom of Sweden) are the same with those in our English Common Prayer Book: the reason of it being, for that both our Common Prayer Book and theirs, were taken out of one and the same Treasury of Antiquity. The second omission of his Translater is this: That he hath not been diligent enough to turn unto those places of holy Scripture, out of which the most of these Prayers are gathered: nor hath observed the allowed and best Translation of our Church; but done it in his own phrases. And that our Book hath been careful in this point, we appeal to the Scriptures quoted in the Margin: which is a third thing in which his other Book is also defective. As for other differences in performance, in the faithfulness and literallnesse of Translation; that we wholly refer unto the judgement of the able Readers. Thus having made you acquainted with our purpose; we also refer it unto your discretions, either to stay your hands from buying of either; or those that buy ours, to keep it till next week that the other two Parts come out also: at which time they may be bound together, as was at first intended. The second part of the Intelligencer is likewise now in hand, which we hope ere long to furnish you with, if it pleases God. Vale. THE CHRISTIAN PART OF THE KING OF SWEDENS DISCIPLINE. The first Part. IT is not without a mystery, I suppose, that the old Israelites had an Armoury in their Temple: they would show us, That these two cannot well be parted. And truly, methinks, that a Temple in an Army, is none of the weakest pieces of fortification. How prevalent an Orator, the prayers of devout warriors have been with the Lord of Hosts; the conquests and examples of the same old Israelites, may abundantly inform us. How often hath victory (and that almost visibly too, I am sure, sensibly) come riding down upon the triumphant wings of devout prayer? The Tabernacle carried about by that most Christian Emperor Constantine, where ever his Camp went; and where, in stead of a Temple he celebrated his daily devotions: conquered more, perchance, for him, than ten of his heathen Legions. If Moses prays, whilst josuah fights, Exod. 17. Amalek must needs be dung down. This our most pious Conqueror now, that he might as nearly as might be, resemble that great Hebrew General, that first of the nine Worthies: and that ever-glorious Constantine, that first of the Christian Emperors; hath not courage enough (it seems) to adventure himself into the field, till he first be impregnably fortified with this holy Spell, this whole armour of God. Upon the days of the Israelites March, when their Camp in the Wilderness removed, and the Ark of God with it; Moses had prayers then twice a day: at the Rising, namely, and at the Setting down of the Ark again, Num. 10.35 had Israel a set form of prayer. And that this religious King, might not seem to fight the Lords Battles, without the Lords direction, he hath taken order to have it called for, by most solemn and frequent prayers; twice aday used throughout his whole Leaguer. And that not only when the Camp removes; but when it lies still too: not only before a battle, or a danger (as if he were at Sea) but even when no enemy is at hand; even than he prays too. And not only commands his Army twice a day; but himself, as I hear, uses to set apart many whole days, to his own pious privacy, and his closest devotions: upon which may no man then speak to him, because he than speaks with God Behold here are two swords; Fight and Praying, and Praying & Fight: thus hath the King of Sweden learned to conquer. It is none of the unpolitikest parts of his Majesty's new Discipline, that I now present you with; which the exemplary piety of that religious Prince, hath taught me to put in the first place of his Discipline; seeing in the following Articles of his civil Discipline, himself gives the first place unto those Articles, which concern God and his service. To cross that Proverbial Verse therefore which says that Soldiers have neither Faith nor Religion in them, I will here afford you some of those Forms of his daily prayer, frequented in every Quarter of his Leaguer, as I find them in the Book called Arma Suecica, Pag 77. ¶ The Prayers. In time of our Necessities, and for the Christian Church. O Almighty and eternal Lord God, who delightest not in the death of a sinner, but wouldst rather that all should live and come to the knowledge of the truth: we humbly entreat thee by thy Christ, thine only Son, our Lord; that thou wouldst please to bestow thy grace upon all faithful Doctors and Teachers; to the intent they may purely and clearly deliver thy Word: and that all such as either hate it, or with false doctrine corrupt it, or by force persecute it; thy teachers may be able manfully to resist; and so enlighten them, that they may bring them to the knowledge of thyself. Grant, merciful Father, thy Holy Spirit unto all Christian and lawful Magistrates, that they may well and peaceably rule their own Subjects; and that under them we all leading a quiet and a blameless life; may with a true faith celebrate the riches of thy grace; and with a constant mind in all holiness and righteousness, as may be pleasing; serve thee the true God and Lord of Lords, through thy only beloved Son jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Another Prayer to the same purpose. Almighty and everlasting God, Creator of Heaven and Earth; we thy poor children, do from the bottom of our hearts in the name of thy beloved Son jesus Christ entreat thee: that by the power of thy Spirit thou wouldst be pleased to direct thine own Christian Church, with all the true servants of it: that with constancy they may cleave unto thy Word; so increasing in faith, hope, charity, and patience unto to the end, that they may be saved. Vouchsafe thy divine grace also, unto all Christian Kings, Princes, and Governors; and especially the King our Sovereign Lord: and to all their Counselors and chief Officers; that they may so rule their Subjects, thy people, well and according to thy good pleasure; as that peace, good dealing, and righteousness, may be cherished; troubles, injustice, and all wickedness, may be banished, and quite taken out of the way. Look mercifully upon our enemies, and upon all those that persecute us: cause that both they and we, may seriously repent us of our sins: grant them and us and all the whole Christian world, such a mind to the love of peace, that we may serve thee, O holy God, in all piety and honesty. Comfort, moreover, all those that are afflicted, poor, sick, sorrowful, distressed captives, troubled in mind, those that suffer persecution or temptation; that they may bear the cross patiently, and obtain at last a happy issue out of all their troubles. Bless the fruits of the earth also unto us, for the necessary nourishment of our bodies; and preserve them from all danger and ill weather. And especially be thou present with us in this our expedition; pardon our sins, and mercifully turn away from us these punishments which we have deserved. Keep safe, moreover, our Lord the King from all dangers both of soul and body, preserve all his Captains & Commanders, higher and lower together with his whole Army, and our fellow-soldiers. Grant us, O Lord our God, unanimous and sincere minds, wise direction, happy proceed, and our desired end, in all our actions and endeavours: So as may best make to the glory of thy holy Name, the quietness, peace, comfort, joy, and happiness, finally, both temporal and eternal; of ourselves, Country, and all these afflicted Christians, which profess the Orthodox and true faith. Show us some token for good, Psal. 86.17. that they which hate us may see it and be ashamed: because thou Lord hast helped us, and comforted us. These blessings that thou wouldst vouchsafe unto us, we thy poor children entreat thee humbly, by the death & passion of thy only Son jesus Christ, who liveth and reigneth with thee world without end. Amen. Another Prayer to the same purpose. OMnipotent and eternal God, Father of our Lord jesus Christ, Creator and preserver of all things: most humbly we entreat thee, together with thy beloved Son and holy Spirit, that thou wouldst be pleased to be favourable unto us; even for the merits of thy Son jesus Christ: whom in thy wonderful counsel thou hast given us to be a Sacrifice for our sins, and whom thou hast apppointed to be our Advocate and Mediator; that by Him thou mightest express thy justly conceived anger against the sins of the world; and thy mercies towards us. Sanctify Lord and guide us by thy Holy Spirit: gather, govern, and preserve thy Christian Church; give us thy grace, that according unto what thou hast in thy holy Word prescribed us, we may live holily and unblamedly in this present world. Preserve our Lord the King, The Queen of sweden name is Maria Eleonora; sister unto George William, now marquis & Elector of Brandenburg. This young Lady their Daughter being the only child of the King of Sweden, now living, is named Christina: who was by the States of Sweden in the Parliament of Stockholme. An. 1627. received for their Queen, in case the King should dye without other Issue. our sovereign Lady the Queen, their royal Daughter, and all the regal Family, unto the glory of thy Name, and the general comfort and protection of us all. Grant us a good government in the Commonwealth, and whatsoever else is necessary for our well-being; Peace, namely, a happy government, with a good and an honest neighbourhood. Bless, finally, our counsels & our enterprises: and that through jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the holy Spirit, one God true and coequal. Amen. Another Prayer to the same purpose. MOst merciful God, and heavenly Father: we give unto thee all thankes for those thy benefits, which until this day thou out of thy Fatherly goodness hast bestowed upon us. And first of all, for that thou hast redeemed us by thy Son, and hast in thy Word revealed him unto us, in whom thou offerest remission of sins, righteousness, and everlasting life, unto all men, that with a penitent heart and true faith embrace it. Preserve we beseech thee pure and uncorrupt, thine own holy Word & Sacraments, in these dangerous times, against all Heretics and false Teachers. Especially against the Papists: who at this present with many bloody slaughters, and inhuman tyranny, do like ravening Wolves & roaring Lions, undeservedly scatter and devour thy poor Christian flooke. Look down O Lord upon the miserable condition of thy people, refrain the insolency of their enemies, hinder thou their bloody purposes, that so they may perceive, that thou thyself fightest for thy holy Church; nor wilt give it for a prey unto them. Next, O Lord, pray we for all those Deputies of thine, to whom thou hast committed the government of the Commonwealth, and the sword of justice. For our own King first of all, whom thou in mercy hast set over us, to be our head and protector: Preserve his Majesty from all perils, as well secret as open: grant prosperity of success unto him: victory and deliverance against the enemies of his person and Kingdom. Defend him, Lord, with the strength of thy right hand in this present and dangerous expedition; which for the safety of his own Kingdom, and for the obtaining of a good Peace, he hath undertaken: and grant that the Wars being brought unto a happy end, both himself and his whole Army, may safely return again into their own Countries. Nor less earnestly do we recommend unto thee our Sovereign Lady the Queen's Majesty, with her royal Daughter: Bless Lord both him and her, and keep them both with thy Fatherly goodness and mercy. We recommend unto thee in like manner the Right Honourable the privy Counselors and chief Magistrates of his Kingdom: so govern and direct them all with thy Holy Spirit; that they may prefer thy glory before all; and with an honest and a good heart, study the prosperity both of King and Kingdom, Pray we also for his Majesty's Army, and Navy, and for all his Mettle mines, and all things else, which may be beneficial unto the Commonwealth, and commodious unto the Subject. Turn away, for thy Christ's sake, what ever may either destroy or endanger them: and give a blessing unto any thing, that may any ways advance the truth of our Religion, and our Country in general. Look favourably, O heavenly Father, upon all the Professors of the same true religion with us; who being sorely at this present oppressed by the Papists, suffer the loss both of their lives and fortunes: Secure them, Lord, that they may be delivered from these troubles. Keep us in health from the noisome pestilence, from sudden and unhappy death; from dearth, famine, scar-fires, mutinies, disagreements amongst ourselves, and from hail and tempest. Infuse into our heart's concord, faithfulness, and mutual charity. Comfort all those that are afflicted, sick, in prison or calamity. Succour and comfort all widows and fatherless, women with child, and that give suck. Be thou guide unto all those that travel either by land or by water: that they walking in thy right paths, and having prosperously dispatched their own business, may safely return at length unto their own families. Deliver us, Lord God, from all evil: and when our fatal hour of death shall come, mercifully receive us into thy Kingdom: translate our souls out of this vale of misery, into thy heavenly Paradise, where we may laud and praise thee for it, world without end, Amen. II. A Prayer for forgiveness of sins. O Lord God, heavenly Father, who delightest not in the death of a sinner, nor wouldst that he should perish, but that he should be converted and live: we humbly entreat of thee, mercifully to turn from us those punishments which our sins have deserved: and that thou wouldst be pleased in plentiful manner to bestow thy mercy upon us, through jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Another Prayer to the same purpose. O Well-beloved Lord jesus Christ, have mercy upon us miserable sinners; and look with the eyes of compassion upon us, as thou sometimes didst upon Mary Magdalene, that penitent sinner, when lying at thy feet, she from the bottom of her heart sincerely bewailed her own transgressions: and the Publican in the Temple when he smote upon his breast, and implored thy favour: and the Thief upon the Cross when he entreated and obtained thy pardon. Lord grant us to receive the same this day from thee: absolve thou us in Heaven, forgive us our sins, O God, thou author of all comfort. Cast us not away from thy presence; but cause us so to walk in thy fear, that in faith and love we may serve and please thee, through jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. III. For Peace and Concord. Give peace, in our time, O Lord: because there is no other that fighteth for us, but only thou O God. Give peace unto our King, and all other Princes: direct them rightly to govern the Commonwealth: and grant that under them we may live a quiet and a peaceable life, in all piety and honesty. Amen. Another. O Lord God heavenly Father, from whom all courage of mind, good counsel, and just works do proceed; give unto thy servants that peace which the world cannot give: that both our hearts may depend upon thy Commandments; and also that being safe under thy protection, we may pass our time in rest and quietness, through jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Another. O Almighty and eternal God, King of glory and Lord of Heaven and Earth; by whose Spirit all things are governed, and by whose beck and providence all things are directed: thou only art the God of peace, from whom all peace and concord do proceed: we humbly beseech thee to forgive us our sins, and to give us thy holy peace and true concord: that in thy fear we may serve thee, and for ever laud & praise thee: who together with the Son and Holy Ghost livest and reignest one true and eternal God. Amen. iv For the King. Almighty God, heavenly Father, for jesus Christ thy beloved Son we beseech thee, favourably to look down upon our King: guide him with thy holy Spirit: keep him with a guard of thine Angels, against all dangers both of soul and body: keep him safely from all misfortunes: so bring it to pass, that by the expedition which he now makes, we may be delivered from our enemies; and that by his safe return, we being made joyful; may from thenceforth laud, honour, and praise thee, world without end. Amen. Another. THe King shall rejoice in thy strength, O Lord: Psal. 21. exceeding glad shall he be of thy salvation. Thou hast given him his hearts desire; and not denied him the request of his lips For thou hast filled him with the best of thy blessings; and hast set a Crown of pure gold upon his head. He asked life of thee, and thou gavest him a long life, even for ever and ever. His honour is great in thy salvation: glory and great worship hast thou laid upon him. For thou hast filled him with all kind of blessings for ever; and thou shalt make him glad with the joy of thy countenance. Hear him, Lord, Psal. 20.1. in the time of trouble, let thy Name set him in a safe place. Send him help from the Sanctuary, and strengthen him out of Zion. Remember also all his offerings; and accept his Sacrifice. Grant him his hearts desire, and fulfil all his mind. Help Lord thine Anointed, and hear him from thy Sanctuary, through jesus Christ. Amen. Another. GRant peace, O God, unto our King and all his Officers, well to govern the Commonwealth: that under them we may lead a Christian, a quiet, and a peaceable life, in all devotion, and in honesty, Amen. Another. O Eternal and merciful God, heavenly Father, that hast the hearts of all Kings in thy hands, and bowest them which way thou pleasest; so bring it to pass that by this troublesome war, the means of making a good agreement, and of establishing a sure peace, may be found out: all heartburning, offences, and dissension removed. Thou from whom all help in earch cometh, help us; that so we may live peaceably and quietly in all devotion and honesty. We have, to confess the truth, plucked down all thy plagues, upon ourselves, by our sinfulness, faultiness, and transgressions. But rebuke us not in thine anger, neither chasten us in thy heavy displeasure. Correct us, to amend us, but not utterly to destroy us. Enlighten our eyes, that we sleep not in death. Return at length, and be gracious unto us: satisfy us with thy goodness, that we may rejoice & be glad all the days of our life. Comfort us according to the time thou hast afflicted us; and the years wherein we have suffered adversity. Remember not our former iniquities. Have mercy upon us, and that soon; for we are brought very low. Help us, O God our helper, for the honour of thy Name. Deliver us and forgive us our sins, for thy Names sake; because thou are the Lord, the highest above all the world: thou art long-suffering, of great goodness, and gracious: nor art thou prone unto anger and to vengeance; seeing to those that repent, thou hast promised remission of all their sins. So shall we thy people, and the sheep of thy pasture, give thee thankes for ever, and will speak of thy praise from generation to generation. Amen. V Against all evil. O Lord God, heavenly Father, that despisest not the sighing of the miserable, nor the desire of such as be afflicted, mercifully hear our prayers which we make before thee in these our necessities: and grant that those evils which the Devil or man worketh against us, be brought to nought, and that by the providence of thy goodness, they may be dispersed: that we being hurt by no persecution, may give thee thankes in thy holy Church, and praise thee evermore for the same, through jesus Christ thy Son our Lord. Amen. Another Prayer. O Lord God heavenly Father, who well knowest, that by reason of our humane frailty we are not able of ourselves to subsist in so many dangers: grant such strength unto us both of soul and body, that whatsoever doth vex or trouble us by reason of our sins, we may by thine assistance be able to overcome, through jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Another. Almighty and eternal God, which out of thine own mere mercy hast called us miserable sinners unto the knowledge of thyself in jesus Christ; we from the bottom of our hearts entreat thee, to govern us by thy Holy Spirit, and to guard us by thy holy Angels; that neither the Devil, or naughty people, no nor the wickedness of our own sinful flesh, may thrust us headlong into security, or to the leading of a wicked life, to the offence of our brethren: but that being by thee delivered out of all their snares, we may have thee always before our eyes, love thee above all, and our neighbour as ourselves: profiting thereby in faith, charity, hope, and patience; until the coming of our blessed Saviour jesus Christ, to deliver us out of all these evils, with which we have a daily conflict here in this world; and to translate us unto joys celestial: To whom with thee and the Holy Ghost, be all honour and glory world without end. Amen. VI Against our enemies. O Lord jesus Christ, Son of the living God; thou only art the true Soldier and Captain, the Lord mighty in Battle: Behold, thine enemy's rage mightily, and those that hate thee rise up against us: they take subtle counsel together against thy people, and lay their heads together against thy secret ones. Go too, say they, let us cut them off that they be no more a people, & that the name of Israel may be blotted out. For we put not our trust in our own strength; for we know, that there is no King that can be saved by the multitude of an Host; Psal. 33.15. neither is any mighty man delivered by much strength. An horse is counted but a vain thing to save a man; neither shall he deliver any man by his great strength: but our trust is in thee, that art our refuge, and a Tower of defence against our enemies. Thou being our Captain, Psal. 18.29. we shall discomfit an Host of men; and with the help of our God, we shall leap over the wall. Thou being our aid, we shall do famous exploits; thou art able to beat our enemies to dust: they compass us about; but in thy name we will destroy them: they come about us like Bees, & smoke against us like fire among thorns; but in thy Name we will destroy them. Thou overthrewest Pharaoh and his Host in the red Sea; thou constreynedst Senacherib to turn again into his own Country: thou overthrewest proud Haman; and threwest own the haughty Holofernes. So Lord deal with our enemies: do unto them as thou didst unto the Madianites, and as unto Sisera and jabin at the brook Kison. Make their Princes like Oreb and Zeb; and their Leaders like unto Z●ba and Salmana. Let the mischief which they prepare for others, fall upon their own heads; and their wickedness upon their own pates. So shall we sing of thy power, and praise thy goodness betimes in the morning For thou God art our Protector, & our refuge in all our necessities Amen. A Prayer of King Asa, 2 Chron. 14.11 etc. AS A cried unto the Lord his God and said; Lord, it is nothing with thee, to help, whether with many, or with them that have no power. Help us O Lord our God, for we rest on thee, and in thy name we go against this multitude. O Lord thou art our God, let not man prevail against us. A Prayer of judas Macchabaeus unto his Soldiers, 1 Macchab. 4.8. THen said judas to the men that were with him, Fear ye not their multitude, neither be ye afraid of their assault. Remember how our Fathers were delivered in the red Sea, when Pharaoh pursued them with an Army. Now therefore let us cry unto Heaven, if peradventure the Lord will have mercy upon us, and remember the Covenant of our Fathers, and destroy this Host before our face this day. That so all the Heathen may know, that there is one, who delivereth and saveth Israel. A Prayer of Luther for Soldiers, found in the 3. Tom of the Edition at jena, fol. 330. HEavenly Father, here am I by thy divine will in this external calling, under the Command of my General; first to serve thee, as is fitting; and then for thee to obey my Captain. I give due thanks unto thy goodness and mercy, that thou hast called me unto this condition, and set me about that work, which I assuredly know to be no sin, but a right action, and a service acceptable unto thy will. And for that I have learned out of thy saving Word, that our own good works do not profit us for the meriting of salvation; and that no man is saved for that he is a Soldier, but for that he is a Christian; I will not therefore put my confidence in this work and service of mine: but what ever I do, I will do it with a good will, as to do thee a service: and I out of the bottom of my heart believe, that I am redeemed and saved, only by the innocent blood of thy beloved Son, my Lord jesus Christ, which according to thy will, he shed for me upon the Altar of the Cross. In this belief I resolve to stand, in this will I live and dye; for this do I now fight and take pains: O Lord God, heavenly Father, preserve and increase this faith in me, through thy Holy Spirit. Amen. Against the Plague, and other noisome Diseases. A Almighty God, Lord and Father of all grace and consolation, have mercy upon us, and upon thy Christian people. Consume us not in thy fury by this contagious pestilence: but as in the time of David thou commandest the destroying Angel to hold his hand, and give over killing: so cause, O most gracious Lord, this terrible rod of thine anger to cease from us, and not to destroy thine afflicted people. Strengthen us with the wholesome power of thy Word, that we may be healthy both in soul & body; that we may laud & praise thee here on earth for a time, and for ever in the Heavens. O Lord jesus Christ, secure us in this sickly time, for those bitter pains that for our sakes thou sometimes enduredst: make intercession for us with thy heavenly Father: defend us against the heavy wrath of God; forgive us our trespasses; give thine innocency unto us. Call to mind in this grievous plague-time, how much our Redemption cost thee, and suffer not that thy bloodshed for us, to be lost, or become in vain. O Holy Ghost, vouchsafe thou to descend sweetly into our languishing hearts; refresh thou and recreate our souls. And if it so fall out that this plague strike us also, then take thou the cure of our souls in that hour, in which we must departed out of this life: lay us in the most sweet bosom of Christ our Redeemer, that we may be there partakers of eternal joy and quietness. Fulfil all thy most sweet promises in us, which are in thy Word made unto us. Take from us all unbelief, doubting, and impatience: make us ever ready to obey the will of God, even thou, who with the Father and the Son, livest one God world without end. Amen. Of forgiveness of Sins: and of the Lords Supper. O Good Lord jesus Christ: I am no way able either in words or thought, sufficiently to make expression of thy great love, which thou hast declared towards me, at such time as thou receivedst me miserable sinner into grace, and hast made me to eat and drink of thy true body and blood, unto everlasting life. Accept in the mean time this sacrifice of Thanksgiving of my heart and mouth, which in this mortal body I am able to pay unto thee; until I come home unto thee, where I shall for ever praise thee. Give thy Holy Spirit unto me, who may teach me to know how much good thou hast already wrought in me: that so in faith, charity, hope, & patience, I may begin to lead a new life; unto thy praise, mine own amendment, and the good of my neighbour. Grant this for the merit of thy precious blood, and the redemption which thou thereby hast made, Amen. And these be some of those devout prayers, with which this most pious Prince teaches his Army, to call upon the Lord of Hosts and Victory. Now unto these good prayers, let all religious Readers that wish well unto this King; add this or the like, for a close unto the rest. The Lord hear thee in the time of trouble, and the name of the God of jacob defend thee; be unto thee a Shield, and Buckler, against thine enemies: arm thee with the sword of Gideon: and the Lord of Hosts go forth with thine Armies: that the Victories which God shall give thee, may bring freedom and justice unto the innocent and oppressed, enlargement to Religion, liberty to Germany: and the benefits of a sweet and a lasting peace unto all Christendom. This grant us for the Prince of Peace his sake, jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. ANd now that you may know that the King of Sweden doth not only enjoin others to pray, but that in his own person he practices these devotions by himself; I will here subjoin you two several prayers, conceived, no doubt, in his own more private and premeditated consideration; and uttered in public, and extempore, as it seemed. The first was at his Majesty's first landing upon the coasts of Germany; where so soon as ever he out of his long boat set his foot upon the dry Land, he thus by prayer and thanksgiving, in God's Name took possession of the Country; himself whilst his men were landing, stepping a little aside, and before them all, upon his knees, uttering these words of devotion. O most great God, that commandest what ever thou pleasest both in heaven, and earth, and in the surging Seas: what thankfulness am I now bound to render unto thee, for that thou hast preserved me thus safely, in all this so perilous a voyage? Again and again do I from the very bottom of my heart and soul, give thankes unto thee: and here I humbly beseech thee, that seeing, as thou very well knowest, I have not undertaken this expedition for any private end of mine own, but only for thine honour's sake; and to be some comfort and assistance unto thine afflicted Church: so (if so be the time which thyself hast apppointed, be already come) thou wouldst now be pleased to favour and bless me hereafter also: and that, especially, thou wouldst send me a fair wind and a prosperous; that the Army yet left behind, which out of so many people and Nations I have gathered together; I may with joyful eyes shortly here behold, and with a happy beginning promote with them the glory of thy holy name. Amen. When his Counsellors and Commanders than next his person, saw their devout King thus on the bare ground upon his knees; and heard with what a fervency of spirit he uttered these devotions; an inward comfort and an holy joy they took at it, wrought more with them than their enemies could yet ever do; that is, even forced, and pressed tears out of their manly eyes. This his pious Majesty then perceiving, Forbear to weep, says he to them, but hearty conjoin your prayers with me: for the greater the army of prayers is, the greater and more assured shall the victory be. He that prays diligently, hath in part overthrown the enemy already, and already gotten the victory. Thus having said, he out of two hundred long boats lands his men, then on the shores side, and then sends them to his ships to fetch more: and God so heard him, and the wind so favoured him; that according to his former prayers, his whole Army very shortly, and very safely arrived. I will not here compare this prayer of this pious and victorious Prince, unto that of the great josuah; at whose request the Sun stood still, as the wind here did at his: but that you may see that God did indeed hear the prayers of this King too; I will now give you a more eminent example of it. The Papists, had one of theirs done it, would undoubtedly have cried out, A miracle: and well they might: for few such they have, but I will only think of it, as of a present and a visible blessing sent from that great God, to whom the winds and the Seas obeyed. And thus it was. The King a little after this, having a design upon Stetin; and his Army now ready upon the shore, and his boats ready upon the River to embark them; the wind, behold, was contrary, and so had been for some days before. This the King observing, turning a little aside, he before his Army with bended knees, and hands lift up to Heaven, uttered these words. O thou most just God full well thou knowest, that this enterprise I did not at first undertake, out of any rashness, or ambition, but for the glory of thy most holy Name, and the defence of the truth of thy Word: here, therefore, now call I upon thy Godhead, and most humbly do I beseech thee; that with the air of thy favour, and with a prosperous wind, thou wouldst vouchsafe to breath upon this my undertaking. Amen. No sooner was this prayer ended, but the wind suddenly, as a man might say, chopped about, and swelled the Swedish sails with so hard a gale, that the whole Fleet passing the Swing, or arm of the Oder, was in two hours' space run full six German miles (twenty of ours perchance if not more) and all on the sudden, when they were little looked for, came to an Anchor within an English mile of Stetin, to the great admiration of the beholders, and the greater defeat of the hopes and purposes of the Imperialists; who had a design within two days after, to have laid siege to the same Town, had not God thus miraculously prevented them. And thus much, though I now give you, out of a Latin Copy; yet, to confess the truth, did I in the writing of my former Book, find mentioned in one of the weekly Currantoes: how that the King's Fleet was by a strong and a sudden Northerly wind, strangely advanced through the Oder, even to the very walls of the City. But this I durst not then writ, upon the bare credit of a common Coranto; nor durst I with this wind (though a strong one it were) adventure to stem the tide of popular opinion; which I found not only to run against, but (to use the language of the Sea) with a stiff currant strongly to be set against the credit of these weekly Currantoes. Which wariness of mine, made me indeed to leave out many notable particulars, which I since find reported, in the Book called Arma Suecica. God Almighty, that hath so graciously both heard and granted, these two prayers of this pious King; hear all the rest also; both those that himself makes, and what other good Christians make likewise for him. And those Englishmen that will not, I wish they would say Amen unto it. FINIS.