THE Pathway to please God. Which way whomsoever walketh, especially in the time of any worldly affliction, shallbe defended against all temptations. Thy Word O Lord, is a lantern to my feet, & a light unto my paths. Printed by W. jaggard. The Pathway to please God. A godly Prayer. O Almighty God, and Heavenly father, direct our steps in thy word, and lead us into the Path of thy commandments, for thou art the GOD of our salvation: so, we love the habitation of thy house, & greatly do we delight in the Company of such as fear thee: therefore will we worship and fall down and kneel before thee, O Lord our ●aker, for we are the people of thy Pasture, and the sheep of thy hands: O God hear us in the truth of thy salvation, Amen. Godly prayers to be said at all times. For the morning. O Heavenly▪ Father, I give thee most hearty thanks, land, and praise, for a number of thy blessings bestowed upon me: and amongst the rest, this is not the least, that thou hast not only preserved me from my youth up hitherto from mine enemies and adversaries in this world but for that also thou hast defended and kept me this night past, from all perils and dangers of the same, and hast given me quiet rest and sleep, and hast safely brought me to the beginning of this day. I beseech thee of thy abundant mercy and kindness, so to direct and govern me in this day, and ever with thy holy spirit, that all my thoughts, words, & deeds may only be in thy service faith, fear, & love, to the glory of thy holy Name, Amen For mercy and grace. Have mercy on me, O Lord, remember not my faults which deserve no favour at thy hands, nor any part of these thy benefits: but mitigate thy anger, which I have deserved. Bestow thy grace on me, & let thy holy Spirit evermore abide with me, & so serve thee in holiness and righteousness of Life, to the honour and glory of thy holy name, amen. From all perils and dangers. Only in thee, O merciful Lord, lieth all power and might, to defend me from all perils & dangers of this world, and in myself is all disability to do any thing which may please thee, so that I am altogether subject to the World by the flesh, wherein I was created, & to all other things else, which may draw me from thee, if thou in mercy do not defend me, that neither sathan, sin, hell, nor death have the dominion & upper hand of me. Due my heart, O Lord with the true understanding of thy holy word, that I may be ready manfully to fight under the standard of thy dear son jesus Christ, to whom with thee & the holy ghost be praise now and for ever, Amen. To withstand all temptations. MAke me able O heavenly father, through thy power, to with stand all temptations, whereby I may be drawn from thee, and overthrow all those thine enemies, who are too strong for me, and to whom through sin and flesh, I am become thrall. So shall I O Lord be able to live in the world, & yield thee praise, world without end. At our uprising. O Lord GOD and heavenly Father. I humbly beseech thee, that this my uprising, thou wilt vouchsafe to look upon me, and bless me so bountifuly with thy grace that I may spend this day, & the rest of my life in thy Service, that all my travails and endeavours may please thee, and that I do not in any thing serve or fall from thee, we most humbly beseech thee that thine eyes may attend upon us, daily defend us in sorrow▪ secure us, cherish, comfort, and govern all our Counsels, studies and labours, in such wise, that we may so spend this day, according to thy most blessed will, without hurting of our neighbour, that we may diligently & warily avoid all things that should displease thee, unto the praise of thy most holy name, through Christ our Lord, Amen. To the glorious and blessed Trinity. Save me, O Father, my Creator, through thy power, O God the son have pity upon me, and be thou mine advocate to entreat for me. O holy Ghost, I humbly beseech thee to remain with me, and govern me. O blessed and glorious trinity, three persons, and one GOD, strengthen me, & comfort me, and defend me for ever more, amen. Proverbs chap. 21 wonderful are thy works O Lord God thine Omnipotency most marvelous, thy wisdom most in searchable, thy power more than any Creature can comprehend. There is (O Lord) no power in earth that may contend or strive against thee, or is able to abide the stroke of thy mighty hand. If in thy power thou Correct our Just deservings: no wisdom, no Counsel, nor policy may prevail against thee, O lord Therefore, O God, I am afraid of thy displeasure and my soul doth tremble to think upon my manifold sins and iniquities: and contrariwise, mine assured hope, trust, and confidence in thee▪ do thoroughly persuade me of thy goodness and mercy, and do (as it were) convert that fear, which I have of thy displeasure, in respect of my sins, into love, honour, and obedience of thee, in respect of all thy manifold benevolences, which I have received at thy most bountiful hands, through thy dear son jesus Christ our Lord, Amen. That we may forsake the world, and the vanities thereof. LEt me not (O merciful Lord and heavenly Father) fall from thee to fall unto the world, and the vanities thereof. Let not thy Grace nor fear fall from me, lest mine enemies catch me in their snares. Let me not through the allurement of the world be drawn from thee, and from the care of thee, lest I forget to love, honour and obey thee as I ought. To the glory of thy most holy name, through thy dear son jesus christ our Lord, Amen. A prayer to God for forgiveness of sins and offences. O Lord, of thine infinite Mercy, have compassion upon me. Lay not to my charge, my former offences, but to grant (as thou hast hitherto vouchsafed) to defend and preserve me through thy power, so likewise I humbly beseech thee (my Lord and Redeemer) evermore hereafter to keep me safe in thy protection, against all perils and dangers of this world. For in thee (O loving father) is all my hope▪ in thee is my sure trust and confidence, in thee alone resteth all my comfort joy bliss, happiness, and felicity of the world to come. So be it. ¶ A prayer declaring the Omnipotent power of God, and the miserable estate of man. O God, whose mercy is most manifold, whose goodness is most excellent: whose power is omnipotent, and whose favour is more than any Creature can deserve: and contrariwise, man a manifold sinner, excelling all creatures in naughtiness, most weak and yet striving against thy power, most sinful, and yet instead of craving thy favour, for pardon of our sins, a thousand ways deserving thy heavy displeasure These things considered with myself (my loving saviour) make me (ah vile wretched sinner) almost in despair, & desperate of Mercy, but thy sweet and loving promises do encourage me with assured hope and undoubted Faith, that at what time soever I, even I, a most wretched and abominable sinner, shall from my heart hearty, and not with Words alone outwardly, cry unto thee for mercy, remission of my sins, and Favour: that then even at that instant, thou wilt have compassion upon me, and pardon and release me of all my sins and iniquities. To thee therefore O Lord God, with most humble and hearty Repentance I cry for mercy for my sins past, and beseech thee of thy grace and holy Spirit to govern me ever hereafter, and truly to guide me in all truth and righteousness, and in the perfect knowledge of thee, & thy holy laws, so long as I shall here continue in this vale of misery, even for thy dearly beloved son Christ his sake: So in most assured hope & faithful trust to thy mercies, cleaving unto thy promises laying my heavy burden upon thy most mighty shoulders, and prostrating myself before thy heavenly throne, from the very bottom of my heart, I cry unto thee, saying: O our Father which art in heaven. A prayer for grace, wherein is declared the weakness of man. ALmighty, eternal, and everlasting God, grant that thy holy Spirit may always remain in our hearts, and that through the inspiration of thy most Heavenly grace, we may evermore perform the effects of thy holy Laws, and live according to thy blessed commandments. And although man is always more prone & ready to transgress against all thy precepts generally then any thing at all able to perform the least jot of thy Divine pleasure: yet O most merciful lord GOD, of thy great and tender Mercy, grant us grace and willing minds and obedient hearts, diligently to read thy Holy Scriptures for our learning▪ and so to follow them in our living that fruits thereof may spring out to thy glory, and to the profit of our Neighbours. Always confessing and affirming with the holy Apostle, that when we have done all that we can do, yet than we are unprofitable servants: Grant us thus thy grace, O loving GOD, that we may live in thy fear, and leave this transitory life in thy favour: and after this life remain with thee in thy heavenly habitation, amongst thy blessed Angels, singing to thee with heavenly melody: O holy, holy▪ holy, Lord God of Sabbath. To whom be all laud, praise and thanks, for evermore, Amen. A prayer to our Saviour Christ, for remission of sins. O Christ my Redeemer, & only saviour, vouchsafe of thy great clemency to have regard unto me whom thou hast redeemed, who am now most miserably wrapped in so unmeasurable a number of grievous sins as nothing may rid me from the heavy wrath of my heavenly father, due for my deserts, unless thou be mine advocate and Peacemaker for me. And I do know assuredly, that the Holy Spirit, sent from my heavenly father through thy mediation, and being through his bountiful goodness poured into my sinful heart, is the only and chief medicine salve and precious Oil, which cureth and comforteth my wounded Conscience and wretched soul. Have mercy uppoa me O Christ, and now behold with thy Glorious eyes, the Sorrows and hearty griefs wherewith I am oppressed: and as I am of a vile piece of earth made and constituted, to the likeness and shape of thine own image, & thou hast also breathed life into me, & endued me with reason. So likewise, I humbly beseech thee, to show thy loving countenance unto me, to grant that thy grace may evermore remain with me, to pardon and release me of all my sins and iniquities, and when thy good will and pleasure is to dissolve this flesh in me, and to take me out of this miserable life to thy mercy. And in the mean time, grant unto me the perfect gift of patience and humbleness of heart meekly to hear and suffer all those thy crosses and afflictions of body & mind, wherewith it hath pleased thee in mercy thus loungly to visit me. Strengthen me O my Saviour, that I despair not, and weaken the force of my ghostly enemy that he have no power to subdue my soul by any manner of temptation so shall my tongue, heart and soul with full consent, yield laud and praises to the high and glorious majesty of thy heavenly father and to thee mine only saviour with the holy Ghost, with full assured trust, by thine only merits and bloodshedding O christ, to have full remission of my sins: and so finally to obtain a resting place in thy heavenvly habitation, for ever and ever, world without end. So be it. Other prayers for remissin of sins, and remedy against temptations. TO thee, O heavenly father, king of all kings, and most mighty Creator & Governor of all things: I thy most wretched creature, presume with all humbleness of heart, to make my complaints unto thee. Hearken, O God, to the prayers which my sinful soul doth pour out before thy Divine majesty, with assured confidence to be relieved at thy merciful hands. Out of thine heavenly throne, and Glorious habitation, vouchsafe to behold the grievous affliction of me thy poor & wretched servant. Make me strong by thy mighty Power, to withstand all temptations and assaults of all mine Enemies both bodily & ghostly, lest they prevail against me, and overcome me. Assist me always with thy grace, and renew in me an humble spirit and willing mind, to perform my duty towards thee and my neighbour. Increase in me true contrition of heart, to confess, bewail, & lament my sins past, and grant me grace to amend my life hereafter, and persist only in those things which may please thee and be acceptable before thee. Strengthen me good Lord with thy power and grant perfect patience and meekness unto me, humbly and willingly without grudging, to suffer and obey thy loving corrections sith with my hear I do acknowledge myself to have deserved much greater punishments, if thou shouldest deal with me according to mine offences: wherein (O Lord) vouchsafe to spare me, & grant unto me thy favour and loving countenance for thy dear son jesus Christ his sake. In whom with thee, and the holy Ghost, resteth my true, perfect, and only saluaon, which from my heart I confess, saying, I believe in God, etc. Waken me, O my loving father, from my sluggish sleeping in sin, lighten my heart with thy heavenly grace and show thy bountiful mercy toward me. Assuage the rigour of thy heavy displeasure which I have deserved. Give me diligence to hear and receive thy holy word and let the same take such deep root in my heart that I may truly learn to know thee, and be diligent and careful in doing my duty towards thee daily endeavouring myself to lead this my mortal life according to thy Godly & holy precepts. Lord, let not any vile temptation, worldly desire, or fleshly lust prevail against me, nor be of force to draw my mind, heart, or Soul from thee. Let not my sins further increase which are already so innumerable, that I fear thy wrath and heavy displeasure. Nevertheless, with the holy prophet, I trust and confess, saying: In thee O Lord GOD do I put my trust let me not be confounded. Save thou my soul which putteth her trust in thee. Receive the same, O Lord, into thy merciful tuition. Be thou, O God, my ready help and comfort, when any temptation doth assail me, and suffer me not to be tempted beyond my power, but show thy loving countenance unto me, now and ever: Amen. A prayer declaring the unthankfulness of man, for the manifold benefits of our heavenly Father. O Eternal and omnipotent GOD, who doth rule and govern all things by thy power, to whom all creatures in the world as well man in what state or degree soever thou of thy goodness hast constituted or placed him, or also all Beasts of the field, Fishes of the sea, and fowls of the air are subject. Which creatures thou by thy diutne wisdom, hast not only created in his kind but also hast limited and appointed unto every one of them, a certain knowledge & order, whereby each Creature in his kind doth obey thee. Saving man, to whom thou hast been most beneficial whom thou hast endued with Reason, discretion, & Wisdom, besides a number of thy heavenly blessings, and hast also placed him in this world as chief above all other creatures, and hast ordained and appointed all Fowls of the Air, fishes of the sea, and fruits, and beasts of the earth, for his sustenance & necessity. Notwithstanding, O most gracious and loving Father, we are altogether unthankful for thy great and manifold gifts, so largely, plentifully, and abundantly bestowed upon us and careless of our duties towards thee not regarding thy goodness and Loving favour, as we ought, but abusing & misusing those good Virtues and gifts which thou hast bestowed upon us, neither using Wisdom Reason, nor Discretion, or any other endeavour to such purpose, as may tend to the performance of thy godly pleasure, but contrariwise in all our doings, actions trade of life, and ungodly thoughts, we daily and hourly commit most abominable and heinous offences, & transgressions against thy divine Majesty, whereby we provoke thy Wrath and grievous displeasure against us, for our just punishments, which worthily should fall upon us: were not thy manifold mercies about our infinite offences: and thy great love toward us, more than our deserving according to thy loving and favourable kindness, manifested unto us by those most comfortable declarations of thy favour towards us, affirming that thou wilt not the death of a sinner, but rather that he may return from his wickedness and live. Nevertheless (O most comfortable. Saviour) such is the froward mind and vile condition of Man, that he is always more ready to transgress and rebel against thee and thy helye Laws, then at any time showing his due Obedience, rather stubbornly striving against thy mighty power, that reasonable submitting of himself unto thy fatherly and loving corrections, knowing in our consciences how many ways we daily do offend thee, and how justly we do deserve thy heavy wrath. Lord God of thy loving mercy and accustomed clemency, and bountiful grace, take thy grievous wrath from us, correct us not in thy heavy displeasure, deal not with us according to our iniquittes: spare us good Lord, yea spare thy people whom thou hast redeemed Bee gracious and favourable unto us. Pull out of our hearts, minds and thoughts ●hose Subtle slights, injuring Duties, and vain affections, which either the world through vanity, the deviil through policy, or the flesh through filthy desire have rooted in us, to the end, to draw us away from thee. Receive us (O Lord GOD) into thy favour again, renew the right spirit of grace in our hearts purge & cleanse our souls from the most filthy and foul spots of pride, gluttony, envy, fornication, drunkenness, and all other abominable sins, wherein we have long wallowed, to the utter confusion and damnation of our own souls (if that thou O Lord be not merciful. Plant and engraff in us all lowliness, meekness, Obedience, love, charity, patience and all other gifts of virtue which may subdue and overcome vice in us. This O lord, we beseech thee in mercy grauntunto us, for the Love of our Lord and only Saviour jesus Christ. To whom with thee and the holy Ghost, be all praise▪ honour, and glory, amen. An humble confession of sins. I Most humbly beseech thee, O Christ, the true and only son of our heavenly Father, that for thy mercy sake thou wilt have pity and compassion upon me, that thou wilt with thy favourable eyes behold the great affliction of mind, and hearty grief of me thy poor Servant, whom thou hast redeemed. Unto thee are all my sins and offences known, and I humbly confess that it is not in the power of any creature on earth or work of any man's hand, that the intercession nor prayer of any S. Apostle, or angel in heaven, that may relieve me or help me: But only thou, who by thy precious bloodshedding, hast purchased full redemption, and perfect salvation for so many as do trust in thee and withunfaigned heart, do confess their sins unto thee, & do call upon thee to entreat for mercy thee to entreat for mercy to our heavenly and almighty father. Even now therefore, O Christ my Redeemer, I do confess unto thee my manifold sins, and with my heart I am inwardly sorry that I have been so unthankful for the sundry & innumerable benefits which through thee I have received of my Heavenly father. And it doth grieve my wretched Soul, that I have been so negligent a labourer in the Lord's vineyard where is much plenty and great abundance of all good things, and so great store of pleasant and most sweet mirth: whereof we unthankful and disobedient creatures of all others most wretched, receive the whole increase and profit to the relieving of our necessities. All which notwithstanding, so subject unto our weak and frail flesh, so led by the desires and affections of the world, and so blinded with the subtle sleights of our adversary the devil, that we do altogether fall from thee, and do not in any wise seek the Honour and Glory of our Heavenly father: but do rather purchase to ourselves, Death, and utter Damnation, if thou, O Christ, of thy continual Mercy, didst not entreat for the mitigation of the just punishment due for our offences. Refuse not, O most gentle and loving Advocate, mine humble suit which now I make unto thee, for that I have been so long a sluggish loiterer careless servant, and negligent workman in the service of my Lord God. The remembrance whereof my loving saviour, and the horrible fear of his heavy displeasure do make me to consume my days in sorrow, and to abhor this wretched life, wherein man so many ways doth fall from thee. But even for thine own agony and passion sake, I beseech thee to entreat my Heavenly father for me, to release and pardon my former negligence and wretched, & careless unthankfulness, and to forgive my great transgressions and offences. Through which I have spent so long a time without calling for Grace receive my, humble Petitions, and hearty submission accept my repentance which my heart, mind, and soul do yield unto thee, and with perfect consent & agreement do earnestly sue unto thee for thy favour and loving countenance, with assured hope that thou wilt entreat for me, and strengthen me, and that thorough thee I may obtain grace from above, whereby I may ever hereafter truly serve my Lord God, and never fall from him again. Suffer thou not my merciful Redeemer, that sathan and his wily Ministers and subtle spirits who according unto their kind, can craftily change themselves into Angels of light, bearing, or rather counterfeiting the countenance of truth, & by their practices and sundry temptations, are able to overthrow and deeeive so many, over whom thou givest them power to prevail, and generably over all creatures, whose force is over-weake, if thy grace and holy Spirit be not assistant, or rather a defendant) in the behalf of us miserable wretches against the assaults and allurements of so great & mighty adversaries. Wherefore, O Christ, in thy might defend us, keep us under thy protection, be thou our continual mediator unto our Heavenly Father, for us his prodigal children, the straying sheep from his fold, and the widows lost groat: Be thou our advocate, that he may receive us again as obedient and penitent children, confessing our Sins against him, with most hearty repentance. Our only hope and trust of salvation, O Christ, resteth in thee, and our utter and everlasting Damnation, cometh through our own manifold transgressions, & nothing can help us, nor other remedy we have none but this, that it pleased our heavenly father to send thee to be our redeemer and Saviour, even so many as do faithfully believe, through thy Death for us to have received full & free redemption and remission of sins. Such (O Christ) have everlasting life and shall not come unto damnation but are escaped from death unto life. Be thou therefore continually with us i● grace, faith, and hope: comfort us in all distress, affliction, and troubles: accept and receive our lamentable and grievous complaints for our sins past. Mollify these our stome hearts, that we may truly, heartily, and sincerely cry unto our heavenly father for mercy, & that we may serve him, with all our hearts, minds, and strength, and diligently search the holy scriptures for in them we have eternal life, and they are the Testimony and witness bearers of our Heavenly Father. Deny not O most dear Christ, thy mercy to us penitent and sorrowful sinners. Let us that seek thy favour, and hearty repent us of our wicked lives find release and forgiveness at thy pitiful hand. Open unto us, O Christ, even unto us that do earnestly knock, with the heavy Tears of our hearts at the still & gentle gates of thy tender mercy those gracious gates from which all Mercy doth abound, according to that heavenly and glad proclamation, commanding us to ask, and we shall obtain mercy, to seek and we shall find favour, to knock and it shall be opened unto us: what, even all abundance of Grace, plenty of mercy & favour free remission and forgiveness of sins: yea, and all joy, bliss, and life everlasting: If we return from this world unto thee, if we leave following the desires thereof, and cleave unto thee thou art the only peacemaker betwixt us and our Heavenly father. To whom with thee & the holy Ghost, be all praise, honour, and glory, for ever. Amen. A prayer to be said going to bed. Thanks be given to thee O Lord God, for all thy mercies. Hallowed be thy name, for all thy wonderful works Vouchsafe this night to preserve me in thy safe custody as thou hast this day passed defended me. Make me strong through thee to understand all manner of temptations, illusions, dreams and fantastes of the night through the deceits whereof, a number of wretched souls have fallen from thee. Ah my Lord God, I do hearty beseech thee that I may not only receive quiet rest of body but that my mind may also be quiet, and my soul safely preserved from all perils and dangers. Save me for Christ his sake, in thy blessed tuition and lighten in me the bright flames of thy grace. We miserable sinners, O Lord God, even all the number of earthly creatures, have no power of ourselves to withstand the assaults & temptations of our bodily and Ghostly adversaries, but through thee. Again, such are the fierce temptations subtle baits, and craft● fl●ights of our Enemies, that if thou be not our defender our souls cannot escape the snares which day and night are laid to catch us and bring our souls unto confusion. Loving father, all this thou know'st, and dost not wish the death of a sinner, remember us how weak we are, and defend us, sith in thee is all our trust. Let not our enemies by night or day prevail against us, for if thou be our keeper, no evil can subdue and overcome us, unless thou O Lord God dost permit and suffer it. Into thy hands commend I my Soul, beseeching thee to receive the same into thy blessed tuition. Show unto me thy loving Countenance, and make me thy true servant strengthen me in all good things that may make me able to serve thee. Let thy peace and grace remain with me at all times: and that the love of thy blessed son Christ, showed towards all creatures, in redeeming us, may evermore continue towards us, to the comfort of our souls: and let the comfortable fellowship of thy holy spirit, direct all my thoughts and works, assuring my Life in this vale of wretchedness, that in my life I may serve thee, and at my death glorify thee. Through Christ our Lord, Amen. A prayer to be said in the time of sickness. Through the extremity of this thy gentle & loving correction, O Lord I am put in remembrance of my grievous sins, through which I have fallen from thee, & I acknowledge to have deserved more sharper scourge: But such is thy mercy to chastise me so gently for which I heartily thank thee, & am heartily sorry that I have so much displeased thee. Lord have mercy upon me and regard mine humble submission and reject me not because I have been stubborn heretofore. In thee alone resteth all my hope, comfort & consolation, & I trust through our Lord jesus Christ, thy dear son to have remission and free pardon of all my sins and offences which are in numerable, and which do deserve great punishment, if thou shouldest revenge in thy wrath, or deal with me according to my worldly acts: but I do firmly believe, that through the only merits of christ, all my faults shallbe utterly blotted out of thy sight at the day of thy general judgement, & that my name shallbe registered ●…n the book of everlasting ●…fe. Mitigate, O Lord GOD thy heavy wrath which I have deserved: ●…elease me of those punishments, wherewith thou 〈…〉 mercy hast proved me. Even as thy will is, (O Lord) solet it be with me unto the end of this transitory life. This thy gentle chastisement which we call a gentle correction, by the which we whom it hath pleased thee to visit, are touched with grief of the stomach, ache of the bones & pain of the head, and generally in all other parts of the Body, is not a sufficient correction for us. I know O lord God that in myself is not one good thought, or deed and that thereby▪ I thy miserable & wretched creature, have justly deserved death and damnation, both of body and soul, were not thy Mercies above my innumerable iniquities: wherefore I do humbly sue unto thee for relief and comfort, in whom resteth all health of Body in this world, and the salvation of the soul in the world to come: nothing doubting, but that it will please thee to have pity and compassion upon me, & to restore unto me my health again in this world and that always I may hereafter live in thy fear, or that it will please thee to dissolve this flesh in me, and when thy good pleasure is, take me out of this life, & give me a place with thee among thy holy Angels. A prayer for Grace and Wisdom. MOst mighty God, and merciful father, pour into my heart thy heavenly grace & Wisdom. Comfort my sinful soul with thy heavenly manna, mollify my hard heart, with the sweet and pleasant Oil of thy most holy word. Suffer me not, O merciful Lord to swerver or slide from the ways of truth, but grant that by help of thy holy Spirit I may walk in the same unto my lives end, and let not thy heavenly wisdom departed from me at any time during this life. According to the multitude of thy mercies, do away mine offence. Preserve me from this my youth and infancy, under thy favourable protection. Give me, O Lord, that grace that I may even to the grave continue a faithful & manly soldier in defence of thy truth & that I may in all my life, daily grow to the ripe perfection of godly wisdom, and truly and justly acknowledge thee my onelyl God that I may only fear and honour thee. That I may cleave fast unto thee: that I may trust only to thee. That I do not after the abomination of any idolatrous people, worship stocks or stones. Neither let me, O Lord, hearken to any false Prophets, that reach their own imaginations, and not the word of God. Now vouchsafe O Lord God to hear me, and let thy holy wisdom govern me, I know, O GOD that no creature can truly say, I have done my duty in the service of the Lord: neither is it in the power of Man, who is so deeply subject to sin, to escape all these stumbling blocks which have made our ways so dangerous and perilous, through those innumerable slights and practices, wherewith sathan our great enemy, through his malice & craft hath devised to entrap our sinful souls, to our utter destruction. Lord of thy great mercy root and pull out of my heart all the works of sathan, namely, fornication Adultery, uncleanness, Wantonness pride, envy, unnatural desires, unpure thoughts, lewd behaviour, idleness, and all other vicious and naughty actions, which being followed according to the pleasures and delights of the World in this Life, bring with them everlasting Damnation of body and soul in the world to come. Increase in me (O Lord) such abundance of thy Grace, Wisdom, and Heavenly Blessing, that through the operation of the same in me, I may prove a true workman in thy harvest, such a servant as occupieth his masters Talent unto gain, a witness that beareth testimony of Christ, to all People, and at all times, and in every place continue constant in thy truth, during the whole course of this my mortal life. In thy truth, O God do I delight, therefore make me perfect in that same. In thee alone do I repose my whole trust and confidence save me O god of all mercy, and defend me against my enemies. Establish and confirm me. O Lord, in faith towards thee Keep thou my lips, and govern my tongue. Suffer not my heart to purpose any thing that may displease thee: nor my tongue or lips at any time to speak ought whereby I should purchase thy wrath. Whosoever doth trust in thee, O God, shall understand thy truth, & the faithful shall have rest in thy favour, but the ungodly according to their own wicked thoughts shall find corruption. The souls of the just are in the hands of God and the force of death shall not touch them. All wisdom cometh from the Lord, and hath been with him always, and is with him from the beginning The fear of the Lord doth expel sin, Lord of thy great mercy grant me thy Heavenly wisdom, whereby I may truly learn to know thee rightly, and be diligent to perform all thy precepts effectually. Lord leave me not in my young days, but let thy heavenly wisdom enter into my heart, & make thy habitation in my soul, so shall I live in thy favour, and persever in thy laws through thy grace. Let not them that trust in thee, O Lord GOD of hosts be ashamed: let not those that seek thee be confounded. O God hear me in the truth of thy salvation. In thee alone, O heavenly Father, are all good things generally & what is not of thee is altogether nought. Replenth & ofesse me, O Lord, with all good gifts: show thy loving countenance towards me, govern me by thy grace, continued me in the favour, and protect and defend me now and evermore, under the wings of thy manifold mercies, so shall no vile temptation have power to prevail against me. Such is the force of thy Heavenly Wisdom, O God, that whosoever obtaineth the same, and directeth his life accordingly, shall prosper & see good days. O Lord GOD, vouchsafe to grant these things unto me for thy sons Christ his sake, our only Lord and saviour. Amen. A godly prayer for the preservation of the King's Majesty. GRant O lord God unto this little Realm of England, that our royal King james, may long live reign, and rule over us: pour the rich & plentiful gifts of thy heavenly wisdom and grace into his godly heart by the continual operation whereof, he may evermore from hence forth as heretofore his grace hath done, ordain & establish good & wholesome laws, both for the increase maintenance and preservation of the free passage of thy holy word, and sure and perfect establishing of the same in all parts of his Realms and dominions, according to his highness godly will, great care and zealous endeavour, so many years already spent, and that most earnestly toward the setting forth of thy glory. Lengt he nand prolong his happy days, grant unto him, a long quiet, and prosperous reign, many years to endure & continue, eu●n for thy truths sake. Bless his Grace with the heavenly influences of thy Grace and holy spirit, and evermore preserve and keep him from all his enemies. This (O Lord) we beseech thee grant, for the love of thy son Christ jesus, Amen. A godly Prayer for Bishops and ministers of the word of God. INflame and enure the hearts, minds and lives of all Bishops, Pastors, Ministers, and professors of thy holy word, with perfect Love, and fervent zeal and affection toward the setting forth of thy glorious Gospel. Give them O Lord, abundance of learning effectually to search and find out the hidden secrets and mysteries contained in the Scriptures and Letters, containing and comprehending thy holy word, Gospel, and truth, written by the blessed Apostles Evangelists & Prophets, and left to them by Christ himself, declaring his old and new Testament, first written bythe finger of Gods own hand, as true and certain testimonies of his great love and Favour towards us and of his wonderful works and miracles wrought in the creation, redemption, and salvation of all us wretched and sinful People: Lord give us grace to be thankful. Let thy heavenly grace O Lord God cast out her bright beams of godliness into their hearts, and grant them true understanding, and perfect knowledge, so that they may rightly interpret, set forth and declare thy holy Scriptures, to the edifying of weak, simple, and unlearned people, and that each one in his degree and calling, may be painful Pastors and diligent shepherds over the flock committed to them. Lord let their Doctrine & lives agree in all virtuous and godly conversation. Grant that the diligent travels and careful oversights of all Bishops and chief Pastors be examples to interior Ministers, whereby they may be approved faithful members of thy glorious and most precious word, and that of all parts the people may be truly taught: sin abolished, Idolatry rooted out, Antichrist overthrown, sathan trodden down hell may be conquered, the gospel may flourish and righteousness may shine: that God may have due praise, Thanks and glory, for evermore, Amen. A Godly Prayer for love and obedience. Almighty God, of thy manifold great mercies, vouchsafe to pour into the hearts of all thy People, earnest love and true affection towards thy most holy Gospel, make them diligent and willing hearers of thy word, and obedient followers and performers of thy heavenly will and pleasure in all their lives to the setting forth of thy glory, and the attainment of the only true Salvation of their souls. Establish also in their hearts, true subjection unto our most virtuous King, faithful obedience toward his laws, and just dealing one with another, that so all the whole nation of this English Flock or Country, may agree and consent to and in one unity and agreement of one perfect religion and doctrine, utterly rejecting all sects, schisms, and erroneous Opinions whatsoever. Lord thou hast promised by the holy Prophets, that thou wilt give to thy people a New heart, that thou wilt deliver to them a new Spirit, that thou wilt take away their stony hearts, and give unto them hearts of flesh, that so they may walk in thy precepts that they may keep thy judgements and perform them: that they shall be thy people, and thou wilt be their God, O Lord let it so come to pass for thine only names sake, to whom be all honour and Glory, both now and for evermore, Amen. A Prayer for the Church, for daily increase of God's holy word. LEt thy holy word, O Lord daily increase: let thy true church triumph, and thine infallible truth flourish: let us forsake our old blindness and ignorance and cleave only unto thee▪ In thee, O Saviour, resteth our hope and confidence Give us grace therefore to rejoice only in thy truth and holy word, which testifieth thy great mercy towards us. Give unto us one heart, one mouth, and one spirit and that of one truth, by and through the which we may rightly agree in all things that may please thee Lord let us persever in the same, and we shallbe saved Confirm and strengthen our hearts in faith. Grant likewise, that we being justified by faith may have peace with God, through our Lord jesus Christ, to whom with the father and the holy Ghost, be all praise, honour, and glory, both now and evermore, Amen. A fruitful Prayer, that God of his mercy woules stop the mouths of all the wicked that rise up against his truth. STop and shut up O lord the mouths of all papists Anabaptists, sectaries, and schismatics, through whose erroneous and superstitous Doctrines, thy people have been, and yet are daily blinded in ignorance, and the Glorious light of thy holy Gospel dimmed, and almost utterly extinguished, if of thy mercy thou hadst not in time turned thy wrath away from us, restoring us to thy loving and favourable countenance again, sent us a most godly and gracious prince by whom thy undoubted true church hath bene●●dified, and thy true and sincere Doctrine restored amongst us: God make us to show ourselves thankful therefore. Plant in thy Church godly ministers, and painful preachers, which are able by true and sound doctrine to stir up thy people to the love of thee, and thy most holy word: Such as are the true salt of the earth Mat. 5, 13. And such as are the light of the world, who hold forth the true Gospel of Christ to all the world. Let them O Lord be true fishers of men, by whom we may be won unto thee & brought to thy fold. By whom we may be carefully and truly taught our duties towards thee in this world, that after this life we may remain and dwell with thee in thy heavenly Kingdom, through our Lord and only Saviour jesus Christ, Amen. Godly prafers to our heavenly father for continual grace and assistance, to avoid the temptations of the world, the devil and flesh our monstrous enemies. GRant us, O heavenly father, our humble petitions, which we thy sinful creatures destre of thee and vouchsafe of thy great mercy to send thy holy spirit into our hearts, which may govern, direct & lead us into all good things, and defend us from all manner of temptations Lord for thy manifold mercies, let thy Heavenly grace always remain with us. Let thy truth be evermore with us, and make us constant in the same, that we n●uer be afraid of any thing that lieth in man over our bodies, confessing that if thou be with us in grace and truth man cannot prevail against thee. Increase faith love, charity, and fear of thee in the hearts of all people. Let not the desires of the world draw us from thee through the frailty of the Flesh, which causeth our daily fall from thee, whereby sathan doth overthrow and triumph over us, who by all means seeks our utter confusion both of body and soul. Defend us from all temptations of the World, the flesh, and the devil, lest we fall into them: for to such as follow the world, and fly from thee, follow their own destruction in this mortal life, and everlasting damnation in the world to come. O merciful God of thy goodness and loving kindness strengthen us: be favourable unto us, and also bless us. Let thy holy spirit be with us for evermore, and that by the operation of thy grace in us, we may serve thee in all humbleness and obedience due to thy glorious majesty and that we may with all our hearts acknowledge thee to be the true Messiah, the offered Lamb, even our Saviour and Redeemer Christ jesus, through whose death and merits a● people shall receive salvation, and through whose mediation, the wrath of our heavenly Father, for our iniquities is appeased Before whom as our chief and high judge, we shall rise to judgement: who as the most high steward will call us to account of our travels in this our pilgrimage, & render every one their just reward, either with punishment or mercy. Receive us, O Lord, into thy merciful tuition and protection, and be our continual Governor in the whole race of this our life. Be thou also our defender and grant unto us thy countenance, make us strong against all temptations. Weaken the strength of our great enemy Satan. Let not him and his ministers have power over us, for that he is but thy bondslave, whose power cannot prevail against us without thy sufferance: & whose snares can take no hold upon us if thou direct our steps wherefore even for thy mercy sake, vouchsafe to consider our weakness, and grant that we may do all things to please thee, and find favour at thy hands, who alone art our defender against Satan and a●l his sleights. To whom be all praise, honour, and glory for ever and ever, Amen. FINIS. London imprinted by W. jaggard, and are to be fold by john Hammon, dwelling in Angell-alley in Aldersgate street. 1617.