The Chief and Principal Articles of the Christian Faith — Martin Luther

The Chief and Principal Articles of the Christian Faith · Martin Luther

❧ A ſingular and fruteful maner of prayeng, vſed by the famous clarke Doctour Marten Luther, and compple… at the deſyre and inſtaunce of a ſpecial frende of hys, vponupon the Lordes prayer, the tenne commaundementes, and the xij. Articles of the Chriſten fayth, no leſſe neceſſary, then profitable.

FYrſt whan I fele, that through ſtraung dedes or thoughtes, I am be come colde, and vnluſty to prayer, euen as the fleſhe, and the deuyl are alwaies ready to lette and hynder prayer. I take my boke of Pſalmes, get me into my chābre, or yf the day & time ſo requyre into the churche to the congregation, and begynne mouthely by my ſelfe, to ſaye the Tenne commaundementes, the Crede, and after as the tyme doth ſerue me, certayne ſayenges of Chriſte, Paule, or Pſalmes, euen as the chyldren do.

Therfore is it good, that the prayer be vſed for the fyrſte worke in the mornynge, and for the laſt in the euenynge. And that a man beware with all diligence of theſe falſe deceyuable thoughtes, whiche ſaye, Tarye a littel within thys houre wyl I pray, I muſt do thys or that before, for by ſuche cogitations and thoughtes, commeth a man from prayer vponupon workes, whiche do holde and compaſſe hym in ſuch wyſe, that nothynge is done in prayer that daye.

And albeit that ſome workes may be fall, whiche be as good as prayer, or better, ſpecyally whan neceſſitye doth requyre them, as there goeth a Prouerbe vnderunder the name of Saynte Ierome, EueryEvery worke of the faythful is a prayer. And another Prouerbe, he that laboureth or worketh truely, prayeth double. Whiche muſt be ſpoken out of thys ground, That a faithful man in hys labour doth feare and honour God, and thynketh on his cō maundementes, ſo that he wyll do wronge to no man, nor ſteale, nor circumuent or deceyue any man, And ſuche cogitations make doubteles of hys worke a prayer, and beſydes that a ſacrifyce of prayſe.

To the contrary wherof it muſte alſo be true, that the worke of an infidel is a mere curſyng, and he that worketh vnfaythfully, curſeth double, for the cogitacyons and thoughtes of hys harte are ſuche that he deſpyſeth God and thynketh to tranſgreſſe hys commaundemētes, to do hys neighboure wrong, to ſteale, and to deceyue ſuche cogitatiōs, what are they elles but mere curſynges agaynſt God & man, by the whiche hys worke & labour becō meth alſo a double curſe? whereby he curſeth hym ſelf, & ſuche men do alſo remayne at the laſt beggers and of no reputation. Of thys continual prayer doth Chriſt ſpeake vndoubtedly Luc. xi.Luce. xi. that we oughte to praye withoute ceaſyng, for we muſt be ware of ſynne and wrong withoute ceaſyng, whiche can not be done, yf we do not feare God, and hauehave his commaundemētes before oure eyes, as the firſt Pſalme ſaith: Bleſſed is that man, which thinketh on the lawe of god nyght & day.Pſal. i.

Howe be it, we muſt alſo beware that we do not vſe oure ſelues from the ryght prayer, and preſcribe vntounto our ſelues at the laſte, neceſſary workes, which notwithſtandynge are not to the purpoſe, & are therby at the laſt made ſlouthful and vnluſty, cold and yrkeſome or lothſome to prayer, for the deuil is not ſlouthful nor vnluſty or ydel aboute vsus, Alſo our fleſſhe is yet to quicke and iocunde inclyned and proued to ſynne, and agaynſt the ſpirite of prayer.Iob .i. i. Pet. v

Nowe whan the harte is warmed thorough ſuch ſpeakyng of the mouth & is come to it ſelf, Then knele doune, or ſtande with thy handes folden, and thyne eyes erected into heauen, and ſaye or thynke in the ſhorteſt maner, that thou canſt. Oh God oure heauē ly father, I am an vnworthy pore ſynner,Lu. xviij not worthy to lyft vp myne eyes or handes towardes the, or to praye, notwithſtandyng foraſmuch as thou haſt cōmaunded vsus al to praye, & alſo haſt promyſed to heare vsus, and beſydes that haſt taught vsus thy ſelf, bothe wordes and maner, through thy dearly beloued ſonne oure Lorde Ieſus Chriſte, I come vponupon thys, thy commaundement, to be obedyent vntounto the truſtyng to thy gracyous promyſe, & in the name of my Lord Ieſus Chriſt, I praye with all thy holy Chriſtians in earth, as he hath taught me.Mat vij Luc. xi. Ioh. xiiij xv. xvi. Mat. vi Luc. xi.

Our father whiche arte in heauen &c. Hole oute from worde to worde. The fyrſt Peticyon.

After that repete one pece, or as much as thou wilte, namely the fyrſte peticyō. Halowed be thy name and ſaye. Oh Lorde God & mercyfull Father, voucheſafe I beſeche the to ſanctifye thy name, bothe in oure ſelues, and in al the worlde deſtroye, and put doune al abhominacyon, Idolatrye, and hereſye of the Turke, of the Pope, and of al falſe doctryne, and erronyous ſpirites, whiche falſely beare thy name, and ſo ſhamefully abuſe it, and ſo abhominably blaſpheme it, ſaynge and boaſtyng, that it is thy word and the churches cōmaundement, notwithſtandynge that it is the lye and deceyt of the deuyll, whereby they ſeduce ſo many poore ſoules in all the worlde vnderunder thy name, and beſydes that alſo kyl, ſhede innocent bloude, & perſecute, thynkyng thereby to do the a hygh ſeruyce.

O Lorde God, here conuerte and lette, Conuerte them, that yet ſhall be conuerted, that they with vsus and we with them maye ſanctifye and prayſe thy name, bothe with pure and true doctryne, and alſo with a good holye lyfe and conuerſation, And reſiſte, or let them, that wyll not be conuerted, that they maye ceaſe to abuſe, blaſpheme, and dyſhonour thy holye name, and to ſeduce the poore people, Amen.

The ſeconde Peticyon. (Thy kyngedome come) ſayenge.

Oh Lord God, mercyful father, thou ſeeſt that not onelyonly the wiſedome and diſcretion of the worlde blaſphemeth thy name, and geueth thyne honoure to the lye, and to the deuyl, But alſo al theyr power, myght, rycheſſe, and honoure, which thou haſt geuen them vponupon earth, to rule in the worlde, and to ſerue the with theſame, is ſet and ſtryueth agaynſt thy kyngdome, they are great, mighty, and many thicke fatte and full, and plage, hynder, and deſtroye the ſmall heape of thy kyngdome, Thoſe that be weake deſpyſed and feawe, wyl they not ſuffre vponupon earthe, and thynke neuertheles thereby to do thy a hyghe Goddes ſeruice. O Lorde God father almightye here conuerte & reſiſte, Conuerte them that yet ſhall be chyldren and membres of thy kyngdome, that they with vsus, and we with them, maye ſerue the in thy kyngdome in true fayth, and perfecte louelove, and maye come oute of thys kyngdome into euerlaſtyng kyngedome. And reſiſte them that wyll not ſuffre theyr power, and myght to be tourned away, from the deſtructiō of thy kyngedome, that they beynge depoſed from theyr ſeate, and beyng humbled maye ceaſſe. Amen.

The thyrde peticion. (Thy wyl be done in earth as it is in heauen) ſayenge.

Oh Lorde GOD father almighty, thou knoweſt that the worlde, yf ſhe can not brynge thy name to noughte, … deſtroy thy kyngedome, imagineth wickednes night & daye, vſyng many crafty Imaginations and dyuers ſubtill deuices, counſaylynge and whyſperynge together, they conſorte and ſtrengthen them ſelues, threatenynge and curſynge, beinge full of all euill will agaynſte thy name, worde, kyngedome and Children, howe they maye deſtroye the ſame. Therfore oh Lorde God and Father, conuerte and withſtande. Conuerte thoſe, that ſhall yet know thy good wil, that they with vsus, and we with them, maye be obediēt vntounto thy will, and vponupon the ſame, willingly, paciently and gladly ſuffre, all euill, croſſe and aduerſitie, and maye herein knowe, proue and vnderſtande thy bountifull gracious, and perfect will. And withſtande them that will not deſiſte and ceaſſe from their furye and ragynge, hatynge, threatenynge, and euill will to do miſchiefe. And diſſipate and confounde their counſayll their wicked imaginations and deuices, that they fall vponupon their owne heades, as the.vij. Pſalme ſyngeth.Pſal. vij Amen.

The fourth Peticion. (Geue vsus this daye oure dayly breade,) and ſaye.

Oh Lorde God Father euerlaſtinge, graunte vsus alſo thy bleſſynge in this temporall & bodely lyfe, geue vsus gratiouſly thy peace, defend vsus frō warre and enemitie. Geue vntounto our ſouetain Lord the Kyng & Protector proſperitie and healthe agaynſte his enemies geue them wyſedome and vnderſtanding, that the maye gouerne his terreſtriall kyngedome quietly and healthfully. Geue to al kynges, Princes and Lordes good counſayll, and will to entretayne their laude and ſubiectes in tranquillite and good iuſtice, ſpecially help and further oure ſouereigne Lord the Kyng vnderunder whoſe protection and defence thou doeſt preſerue vsus, that he beynge preſerued from all euill, falſe from falſe tonges and vntru ſubiectes maye rule godly and bleffully. Geue to all ſubiectes grace truely and faithfully to ſerue and to obeye, Geue vntounto all eſtates citezens and huſbandemen that they maye be good, & deale louingly and faithfully one with another. Geue gracious wether, and frutes of the felde. I commende alſo vntounto the houſe, farme, wyfe & childe, helpe that I may will rule them, and Godly educate an brynge them vp. Withſtande and hynder the deſtroyer, & all wicked Angelles that do hurte and hynderaunce herein, Amen.

The fyfte peticion. (Forgeue vsus our treſpaſſes as we forgeue thē that treſpaſſe againſt vsus,) and ſaye.

Pſalm, cxliij.O Lorde God Father almightie, enter not into iudgement with vsus, for in thy ſyghte is no man lyuinge righteous. Oh counte it not vntounto vsus for ſynne that we (alas) are ſo vnthankefull for thyne ineſtimable benefites ghooſtly and bodely, and that we do dayly ſtumble and ſynne many tymes, more than we knowe and can perceyue. Pſalm. xviij.Pſal.xviij. But regarde not good Lorde howe good or wicked we are. But hauehave reſpecte to thyne ineſtimable mercy geuen vsus frely in Chriſt thy dearely beloued ſonne. Forgeue alſo al oure enemyes, and al them that do vsus diſpleaſure or wronge, euen as we alſo forgeue them withall our hartes. For they do thereby vntounto them ſelues the greateſt diſpleaſure, in that they offende the in vsus. And we hauehave no pleaſure in their deſtruction. But woulde rather ſe them ſaued with vsus Amen. And whoſoeuer feleth hym ſelfe here, that he is not redy and willynge to forgeue, maye call for grace, that he may be willing to forgeue. But this belongeth to the Sermon.

The ſyxth petition. (And leade vsus not into temptation,) and ſaye.

O good Lorde, God Father almightie, kepe vsus wakyng… and luſty, feruēt and diligent in thy worde and ſeruice, that we do not waxe ydell ſlouthfull & vnluſty, as though we had nowe all thinges, that the rompinge deuill do not begyle and ouertake vsus, and ſpoyl vsus agayne of thy mooſt holy worde, or ſtirre vp diſcorde and Sectes amonge vsus, or leade vsus otherwyſe into ſynne & ſhame, both ſpiritually and corporally, but geue vsus trough thy Spirite, wiſedome & power, that we maye valiauntely withſtande hym, and gette the vpper hande of hym, Amen.

The ſeuenth peticion. (But delyuer vsus from euill,) and ſaye.

O Lord God Father almightie. This miſerable lyfe is ſo full of Calamities and wretchednes, ſo full of periculoſitie & vnſtablenes, ſo full of infidelitie and iniquitie (as S. Paule ſayeth. The dayes are euill)Phil. i. Gal. ij. vi. that we ſhould by reaſon, be wery of this lyfe and deſyrous of death. But thou O Father knoweſt our weakenes. Therfore helpe vsus to go ſafe thorough ſuch manyfolde euilles and iniquities, and whan the tyme cometh geue vsus a gracious houre, and a bleſſed departinge out of this valley of wretchednes, that we do not feare death nor be faynt harted, but maye commende oure ſoules into thy handes with a ſure and ſtedfaſte faythe, Amen.

Laſt of all marke that thou muſt alwayes make the Amē, ſtrong, & doubt nothinge. But that God is thyne vndoutedly with all his graces, and ſaye yea to thy prayer. And thynke that thou doeſt not knele and ſtande there alone. But the vniuerſall Chriſtianite or all righteous Chriſtians with the, & thou among them in an vniforme prayer, whiche God can not deſpiſe. And go not frō thy prayer before that thou haſt ſayde or thought. This prayer is hearde in the ſyght of God. This do I knowe ſurely and vndoubtedly. That is, Amen.

Alſo thou ſhalt knowe, that I will not hauehave all theſe wordes ſpoken in the prayer. For thereof ſhoulde at the laſt growe babbling and a vayne mō belinge, beynge reade out of the boke after the letters, euen as oure Ladyes Pſalter hath ben among the laye people, and the prayers of Prieſtes and Monkes. But I will thereby hauehave the harte ſtirred and inſtructed, what cogitations or thoughtes it oughte to vſe in the Lordes prayer. But ſuche thoughtes or cogitations can the harte (whan it is through warme and luſty to praye) expreſſe well ynough with farre other wordes, yea alſo with fewer or more wordes. For I my ſelfe alſo, will not be bounde to ſuche wordes and ſillables, but ſpeake the wordes to daye thus, to morowe otherwyſe, accordinge as I am warme and luſty, howe be it as uere as I can, I abyde by the ſame ſence and meanynge. It commeth alſo often to paſſe that I come in one pointe or peticion, into ſo plenteous digreſſions and thoughtes, that I leaue all the other ſyxe. And alſo when ſuche riche and plentyfull cogitation, come we ought to let the other prayers alone and to geue place to ſuche cognitations and to heare them gentely, and not to hynder them in any wyſe. For there preacheth the holy Ghooſt hym ſelfe. And one worde of his preachinge is farre better than a thouſande of oure Prayers. And I hauehave alſo oftentimes learned more in one prayer, than I coulde hauehave gotten by much readinge, and enditynge.

Therfore lyeth the greateſte vtilite in this, that the harte be made voyde and luſty to prayer. As alſo Eccleſ…. ſayeth.Eccli. xviij. Before thou prayeſte, prepare thy ſoule that thou be not as one that tempteth God. What is it elles but to tēpte God, whā the mouth babbleth & the hart is ſcatered elles were?Eſa. xxix. As one Prieſte prayed, whiche prayed on this wyſe.Mat xv Deus in adiutorium meum intende, ſeruaunt haſt thou, made ready the carte? Domine ad adiuuandum me feſtina. Mayde go thy wayes, and mylke the cowe. Gloria patri & filio & ſpiritui ſancto. Runne hoerſon that a miſchief on the &c. Of whiche kynde of prayers. I hauehave hearde and knowen many in my dayes in the Papacye, & all their prayers for the mooſt parte be after that ſorte. Thereby is god but mocked, and it were better that they did playe in ſteade of ſuche a prayer. Yf they woulde or coulde do no better thynge. For I my ſelfe hauehave Prayed many ſuche horas Canonicas in my dayes (whiche nowe I Lamente) that the Pſalme or houres was at an ende, or euer I was were, whether I was in the begynnynge or in the myddeſte of it.

And although they do not all come out with it ſo rudely myng lynge their buſynes with theirprayers by mouthe as the aboue named prieſt, did yet do they ſo in their thoughtes, caſtynge the hundreth amonge the thouſande, and whan it is oute, they knowe not what they hauehave done, or howe they are come to the ende, they beginne at Laudate, and by and by theyr myndes run at rouers, ſo that I thynke, that no ingling can come before any man, which ſhoulde moue him more to laugh, than yf he might ſe the thoughtes, which a colde, vndeuoute harte, choppeth together in prayer. But nowe I ſee well ynough thankes be to God, that it is not wel prayed, yf a mā forgette what he hath ſayde For a right prayer thinketh on all the wordes and thoughtes from the beginnynge, vntounto the ende of the prayer.

Lyke as a good diligente barber muſt hauehave his mynde and eyes very ſharpely fixed, and attendaunt vponupon the raſoure and vponupon the heares and forgette not, where he is in ſhauinge or cuttynge. For yf he ſhoulde be full of wordes and bablinges, or thinke and loke ſome other waye he myghte cutte awaye a mannes mouthe and noſe, yea alſo his throte. So hole will eueryevery thinge hauehave a man, yf it ſhall be done as it oughte to be done, with all his wittes and membres, as men vſe to ſaye. Pluribus intentus minor eſt ad ſingula ſenſus. He that thynketh many maner of wayes, thynketh nothinge at all, neither dothe he any good. Howe muche more will prayer hauehave the harte alone, hole, and onelyonly, yf elles it be a good prayer.

This is brefely ſpoken of the Pater noſter or prayer, as I am wont to praye my ſelfe. For euen yet at this daye I ſucke on the Pater noſter, as a Chylde, eate and drynke as an olde man, and can not be ſatiſfied of it, and it is alſo to me the beſte prayer, euē aboue the Pſalter (whome not withſtandinge I louelove not a littel). Truely, it appeareth that the righte mayſter hath ordeyned and taughte it. And it is pitie, and greate pitie, that ſuche a prayer of ſuche a Mayſter, ſhoulde be ſo babbled and blabberede, withoute all deuotion in all the worlde. Many men praye paraduenture eueryevery yere certayne thouſandes of Pater noſter. And though they ſhoulde praye ſo a thouſande yeres, yet hauehave they not taſted nor prayed oue lettre or tittel therof. Summa, the Pater noſter is the greateſt martyre (as well as the name & worde of God) in earth. For eueryevery man doth plage and miſvſe it, fewe there be that do conſorte it in the right vſe.

But whan I hauehave time and place before the Pater noſter. I do alſo in lyke maner weth the Tenne cōmaundementes, and reherſe one pece after another, that I maye be made apte. (As muche as is poſſible) to prayer. Makinge of eueryevery commaundement foure partes, or a fourefolde garlande As I take eueryevery commaundement, fyrſt as a doctrine, euen as it is in hym ſelfe, remembringe. What oure Lorde God therin ſo earneſtly requireth of me. Secondely do I make a thankes geuinge therof. Thirdely, a confeſſion. Fourthly, a prayer, namely thus, or with ſuche lyke thoughtes or wordes.

I am the Lorde thy God, which hauehave brought the out of the Lande of Egipte, out of the houſe of bondage.

The fyrſt commaundement. Thou ſhalt hauehave none other Goddes but me. Thou ſhalt make thy no grauen Image, neither any ſimilitude that is in heauē aboue either in the earth beneth, or in the water, vnderunder the earth. Thou ſhalte not worſhip thē neither ſerue thē &c.

Here do I thynke, Fyrſte that God requyreth of me, and teachet a hartty confidence in hym, in all thinges, and it is his great earneſt, that he will be my God, and ſo muſte I take hym vponupon payne of damnation. And that my harte ſhoulde not truſt nor buyld vpō any thinge elles, whether it be goodes honour, wyſedome, power, holynes or any creature. Secōdarely, I do thanke his infinite mercy, that he ſo fatherly geueth hym ſelfe to me damned creature, here benethe, and offereth hym ſelfe to me vndeſyred, vnſought for and vndeſerued, to be my God to care for me, and wil be my conforte, defence helpe and ſtrength. Notwithſtanding that we pore blynde creatures hauehave ſought ſo many maner of Goddes, & yet ſhoulde be fayne to ſeke, yf he did not cauſe hym ſelf ſo opēly to be heard and did not offer hym ſelfe vntounto vsus in our humayne language, that he would be oure God. Who is euer able ſufficiently to thanke hym for this? Thirdely do I confeſſe and knowledge my great ſynne and vnthankefulnes, that I ſo ſhamefully throughout al my lyfe hauehave deſpiſed, and littel regarded this hoo…ſome doctrine & excellent gyfte, & hauehave ſo abhominably with innumerable Idolatries prouoked his wrath & indignation, wherfore I am ſory, & cry for mercy. Fourthly do I praye, ſayēg: Oh my God & Lord helpe me through thy grace, that I mai daily better learn and vnderſtande this thy commaundement, & do therafter with a harty confidēce, kepe my herte, that I be no more ſo forgetfull and vnthankefull, that I ſeke neither truſte nor conforte in any other Goddes, nor in any Creature. But that I maye continue onelyonly, ſyncerely and purely by the myne onelyonly Lorde God and Father, Amen.

After this (yf I hauehave tyme and ſpace) the ſeconde commaundement, alſo digeſted into foure partes, on this wyſe.

The ſeconde commaundement. Thou ſhalt not take the name of the Lorde thy God in vayne. For the Lorde will not hold hym gylteleſſe that taketh his name in vayne.

Fyrſt, I do learne, that I muſt kepe the name of God Glorious, Holy and cleane that I ſhall not ſweare, curſe or lye thereby, that I ſhall not be proude ſekynge myne owne honour & name, but that I ſhall humbly worſhip adore, prayſe and boaſt hys name. And let all this be myne honour and reioyſinge, that he is my God, and that I am his poore creature, and vnworthy ſeruaunte. Secondarely, I do thanke hym of his glorious gyft, that he hath reueled and geuen me his name, that I may boaſt of his name, and be called a ſeruaunt or Creature of God, &c. That his name is my refuge, as a ſure hold (as Salomon ſayeth) to the which the Righteous doth flye, and is ſaued and defended. Thyrdely, I do cōfeſſe & knoweledge myne abhominable & greuous ſynnes, which I hauehave committed againſt this cōmaūdemēt, frō my youth wher as I hauehave not onelyonly left worſhipping, boaſtinge and honouringe of his name, but alſo hauehave ben vnthākeful for ſuche giftes, & hauehave abuſed the ſame to al maner of vngraciouſnes, with ſwearing lyeng, deceyuing. &c. Wherfore I am ſory, and deſyre grace and mercy &c. Fourthly, I do praye for helpe and ſtrength, that I may from hence furth learne thys commaundement, and kepe my ſelfe from ſuche ſhamefull vnthankefulnes, abuſe & ſynnes, agaynſt hys holy name, but that I maye be founde thākeful, and in the true feare and honour of hys name.

And as I hauehave ſayde before in the Pater noſter, ſo do I admonyſſhe agayne, that in caſe the holy Ghooſte ſhoulde come amonge ſuche thoughtes, & begynne to preache in thy harte with rychely illumyned cogitations, Then geue hym the honour, let theſe cogitacyons go, whiche thou haſt takē in hande, be ſtyl, and heare hym, that can do it better than thou, And whatſoeuer he preacheth, the ſame marke, and note it, then ſhalt thou ſe marueylous thynges (as Dauid ſayth) in the lawes of God.

The thyrde commaundemēt Remember the Sabboth daye, that thou ſanctifye it.

Herein do I learne fyrſte, that the Sabboth is iuſtituted, not for to go ydell, nor for carnal pleaſures, but that he ſhoulde of vsus be ſanctifyed, but through oure workes and doynges is he not ſanctifyed, for our worhes are not holy, but through the word of GOD, whiche onelyonly is … hole pure and holy, & ſanctifyeth all whatſoeuer is accompanyed with it, whether it be tyme, place, perſon, worke, reſt. &c. For throughe the worde are oure workes alſo made holy, as Paul ſaith.i. thi. iiij. i. Thi. iiij. That alſo al creatures are ſanctifyed through the worde and prayer, Therfore do I knowledge herein, that at the furtheſt vponupon the holy daye, I ought to heare and to remembre the worde of God, and after that to thanke hym in the ſame worde, and lande hym for al hys benefytes, and to pray for my ſelfe and al the world, whoſoeuer doeth thus vſe hym ſelfe vponupon the holy day, doeth ſauctifye the Sabboth daye, he that doeth it not, doeth worſe than they that laboure or worke vponupon it.

Secondarely I do geue thankes in thys commaundement, for this greate fayre bene fyte and grace of God, that he hath geuē vsus his word & preaching, and commaunded vsus ſpecially to vſe it vponupon the Sabboth daye, which treaſure no mans harte is able ſufficiently to remembre, for hys worde is the onelye lyghte in the darkenes of thys lyfe, and the worde of lyfe, of conforte and of al ſaluation, And whereſoeuer thys ſwete and holeſome worde is not, there is nothynge, but fearfull and horryble darkenes, errour, corruption, death, all euyll, and the Deuyls owne Tyrannye, as we ſee dayely before oure owne eyes.

Thyrdely, I do confeſſe and knoweledge my greuous ſynnes, and my ſhameful vnthankefulnes, that I hauehave ſo lewdely ſpent the holye dayes in my tyme, and ſo contemptuouſely deſpyſed hys holy worde, and hauehave ben ſo ſtouthful, vnluſty & lothſome to heare theſame. I omitte that I ſhould hauehave deſyred it mooſte hartely, or that euer I ſhoulde hauehave geuen hym thankes for it, & ſo hauehave ſuffered my deare Lorde and God to preache vntounto me in vayn, not regardyng this noble treaſure, but treadynge it vnderunder my fete, which he hath ſuffered of me with mere godly pacience and bountyfulnes, and hath not therfore ceaſſed frō preachyng vntounto me ſtilfurth, and from callynge me to the ſaluacyon of my ſoul with al fatherly and Godly louelove and faythfulnes, wherfore I am ſory, and crye for mercy and forgeuenes.

Fourthly, I do praye for my ſelfe, and for al the worlde, that our heauē ly father voucheſafe to kepe vsus by his holy worde, and not to take theſame from vsus, becauſe of oure ſynnes, vnthankefulnes and ſlouthfulnes, That he wyll preſerue vsus from all ſectyſſhe and erronyous ſpirites, and falſe doetrynes, and ſende vsus faythfull & true labourers in hys harueſt, that is, true and good curates & preachers, Geue vsus grace alſo, that we maye humbly heare, receyue and honour the wordes of them, as his owne worde, and beſydes that maye hartely thanke & laube hym for it.

The fourth commaundement. Thou ſhalt honour thy father and thy mother.

Fyrſt do I learne here to knowe God my creatour, howe wonderfully he hath ſhapen me with body and ſoule, and geuen me lyfe through my pareutes, and hath geuen them the mynd that they as the fruyie of theyr body hauehave ſerued me, with all theyr power, brought me into the worlde, educated me, tēded me, gouerned me, & brought me vp with great diligence, care daunger, labour, and trauayle, and hath preſerued me hys creation vntounto this houre in body and ſoule from innumerable daungers, and neceſſities, and hath alſo oftentymes delyuered me from them, as though he created me a newe eueryevery houre. For the deuyll woulde not hauehave vsus lyue the ſpace of one moment.

Secondarely, I do thanke our ryche and bountyful creatour for me ſelf and for al the worlde, that in thys cō maundement he hath inſtituted and preſerued the increaſe, multiplication and entretaynement of mankynd, that is, houſe and Towne, beynge or oeconomyam, and Politiam, for withoute theſe two beynges or regimentes, the worlde were not able to continue one yere, ſeyng withoure worldely gouernaunce, there can be no peace, where no peace is, there can be no houſe holde, where no houſholde is, there can neyther chyldren be broughte furthe nor educated, And the eſtate of fatherhode and motherhode ſhoulde altogether ceaſſe, But therfore is thys cō maundement ordeyned, which kepeth and entretayneth bothe houſekepyng and Townekepynge, and commaundeth the chyldren, and the ſubiectes obedience. It doth alſo loke to it, that it be done, or yf it be not done, it leaueth not the tranſgreſſours vnpunyſſhed, If thys were not the children through theyr diſobediēce would hauehave deſtroyed and made waſte the houſekepynge long a goo, and the ſubiectes through theyr ſediciou in lyke maner the Towneſhyp or Townekepyng, for ſo much as the numbre of them doth farre excede the numbre of parentes & rulers, Therfor is this benefite alſo inexplicable. Thyrdely, I do confeſſe & knoweledge myne execrable diſobedience & ſynne, that I cōtrary to thys cōmaundement of my God, hauehave not honoured nor obeyed my parentes, that I hauehave oftentymes angred & troubled them, & hauehave taken theyr fatherly correction vnpacientely, murmured and grudged agaynſt them, deſpiſed theyr true exhortacions & admonicions, and hauehave rather followed wicked perſons and euyl companye, notwithſtandyng that God hymſelfe curſeth ſuche diſobedyent chyldren,Exo. xx and denyeth them longe lyfe, euen as we ſe very manye that therfore do peryſſhe before they attayne to mannes ſtate, for whoſoeuer wyll not obeye hys father and hys mother, muſt obeye the hangeman, or elles otherwyſe loſt hys lyfe wickedly through Goddes indignation. &c. For al theſe thynges am I ſory and I praye for grace and mercy.

Fourthely I do praye for my ſelfe, and for all the world, that God wyll geue hys grace, & poure out hys bleſſyng plenteouſly, bothe ouer the houſkepynge, and ouer the Townekeping that we from hencefurth maye waxe good, kepe our Parentes in honour be obedyent to the rulers, withſtande the deuyl, and followe not hys entyſynge to diſobedience and diſcorde, & ſo helpe with the dede to amēde houſe and lande, and to entretayne the peace to the laude and prayſe of God, and to the vtilite and profite of oure ſelues, and that we maye knoweledge theſe hys benefytes, and thanke hym for them. Here ought alſo ſupplicatiō to be made for oure parentes and magiſtrates, that God wyl geue them vnderſtandynge and wyſedome peaceably and godly to defende, and to gouerne vsus, That he wyl preſerue them from Tyrannye, furye, and vntragyouſnes, that they may ſeke the honour of Goddes worde, and not perſecute it, nor do any man wronge, for ſuche greate gyftes muſte be obtayned by prayer, as Saynt Paule teacheth, or elles is the deuyll the hyeſt Abbot in the courte, and it goeth euyl and wyldely to worke.

And whan thou arte alſo father & mother, than is it here tyme that thou forgette not thy ſelfe, nor thy chyldren and familye, but that thou praye earneſtly, that our mercyful father, whiche hath ſet the in the honour of hys name and offyce, and wyl hauehave the alſo called father, and honoured, wil geue the grace and bleſſynge, godly, and chriſtenly to rule and to educate thy wyfe, chyldren and familye, geue the wyſedome and power, well to brynge them vp, and geue them a good harte and wyll, to followe and to obeye thy doctryne. For the gyftes of God are bothe chyldren, and the good profe of them, bothe the well chaunſynge, and the continuynge of them in goodnes, elles ſhoulde a houſe be none other, but a hogges ſtye, yea a ſcoolehouſe of vnthriftes, as we maye ſe by the vngodly rude people.

The fyfthe commaundement. Thou ſhalt not kylle.

Here do I learne fyrſte, that God requyreth of me, that I ſhoulde louelove my neyghboure, ſo that I ſhoulde not hurte hym in hys body, neyther with wordes, nor with dedes, nor reuenge me ſelfe vponupon him, or endamage hym, through anger, impacience, enuye, hatred or any malyce, but ſhould knowe that I am bounde to help, and to counſayll hym in al the neceſſities of hys body, for he hath commaunded me by thys commaundement, to kepe my neyghbours body, and contrarywyſe commaunded my neyghboure to kepe my body, And as Syrach ſayeth, he hath committed vntounto eueryevery one of vsus hys neyghbour.

Secondely, I do here thanke the vnſpeakeable louelove care and faythfulnes towardes me, that he hath ordeyned ſuche a great, ſtronge, defence and wael about my body,Pſalm, xxxiiij. that al men are bounde to fauoure and to defende me, and contrarywyſe I alſo towardes al mē in like maner, he doth alſo ſtraightely commaunde it to be done, and if it be not done, he hath commaunded the ſwearde to be vſed for the punyſſhement of them that do it not,Ro. xiij. elles yf this hys commaundement and ordinaunce were not, the deuil would make ſuche a murther amonge men, that noman ſhoulde be one houre in ſanegarde of hys lyfe, euen as we ſe, it come to paſſe, whan GOD is diſpleaſed, and punyſſheth the diſobedyent and vnthankeful worlde.

Thyrdely I do here Confeſſe, and lamente myne and the worldes iniquitie, that we are not onelyonly ſo vnthankefull for theſe hys fatherly louelove, and care for vsus, but alſo that (whiche is to ſhamefull) we knowe not theſe commaundementes and doctryne, neyther wyl learne them, but deſpyſe them, as though they pertayned not to vsus, or as though we had no thynge to do with them, beynge alſo careleſſe, and makynge no conſcience of it, that we do ſo deſpyſe, forſake, yet alſo perſecute and hynder our neyghboure, contrary to thys commaundemente, or alſo kyl hym in oure hartes, followynge oure anger fearſnes and al iniquitye, as though we dyd well in it. Truely here is it tyme to lament and to wepe ouer vsus wicked perſonnes, and blynde, wylde, vngracyous people, which treade, puſſhe, ſcratche, rente, byte and eate oure ſelues one amonge another, as the vnreaſonable and feare beaſtes, not fearynge thys earneſt commaundement of GOD. &c.

Fourthely, do I pray, that our mercyfull father wil teache vsus to knowe thys hys holy commaundement, and helpe, that we may alſo guyde oure ſelues to lyue thereafter, Saue vsus all together from the murtherer, whiche is mayſter of all murther and deſtruction, and geue hys plenteous grace, that the people (and we with them) one with another maye be frendelye meke and gentyll, and that one maye hartely forgeue another, and that the one do Chriſtenly and brotherlye beare the others faute and burthen, and ſo lyue in true peace and vnite, as this commaundement teacheth and requyreth.

The ſixte commaundement. Thou ſhalt not breake wedlocke.

Here do I learne agayne what god requyreth of me, and what he wil hauehave of me, namely, that I ſhould lyue chaſtely, honeſtly and meaſurably, bothe in thoughte, worde and dede, & leaue eueryevery mās wyfe, doughter and mayde vndefyled, but help, delyuer, defende, and do al whatſoeuer partayneth to the preſeruation of theyr honour and honeſtie. Alſo helpe to ſtoppe the vngracyous monthes, that do cut awaye or ſteale theyr honour or honeſtye. For al this I am bounde to do, and God requyreth of me, that I ſhal not onelyonly leaue my neyghbours wyfe, and hys vndefyled, but alſo ſhal be bounde to helpe, to kepe, and to ſaue hys honour and honeſtye, euen as I woulde that my neyghbour ſhoulde do to me in lyke caſe, and vſe thys commaundemēt towardes me and myne.

Secondarely I do thanke the heauenly father for this his grace & benefyte, that with this commaundement he taketh in hys tuition, protection & defence, my huſbande, ſonne, ſeruaunt wyfe, daughter, mayde, & cōmaundeth ſo earneſtly and ſtrayghtly, that they ſhal not be defyled, for he geueth me ſafe conduyt, He doth alſo execute it, and leaueth it not vnpunyſſhed, although he ſhoulde do it hym ſelfe, noman eſcapeth hym, he muſte eyther paye it here, or elles at the laſte receyue hys rewarde for ſuche pleaſures in hell fyre. For he wyl hauehave chaſtite, and wyll not ſuffre adulterye, euen as we ſe dayly in al impenitent and ryotous people, that at the laſt they are ouertakē by the wrath of GOD and ſhamefully deſtroyed, or elles it were not poſſyble to any man to kepe hys wyfe, chyld or familie one houre in honeſtye and clenlynes, for the vncleane ſpirite, for they woulde vſe mere dogges feaſtes, and beſtyal a cō uerſacion, euen as it commeth to paſſe whan God in his diſpleaſure withdraweth hys hande, and letteth all thynges go at large.

Thyrdely, I do confeſſe and knowledge my ſynnes (and the ſynnes of al the worlde) whiche I hauehave done agaynſt thys commaundement, all the dayes of my lyfe, whether it be in thoughte, worde, and dede, and hauehave not onelyonly ben vnthankeful for thys hys goodly doctryne & gyfte, but alſo hauehave murmured and grudged againſt god, that he cōmaunded this clenlines and chaſtite, and hath not left all maner of vnclenlynes and vngraciouſenes at libertie and vnpunyſſhed, hauehave alſo deſpyſed and condemned wedlock &c. Euen as the ſynnes of thys commaundemēt are of al other the rudeſt and mooſt knowen, which are not hydden nor couered. Wherfore I am ſory &c.

Fourthely, I do praye for my ſelfe and for al the world, that God wil geue vsus grace, to kepe thys commaundement with luſte and louelove, that not onelyonly we maye lyue chaſtely oure ſelues, but alſo helpe and counſayl other therto.

Euen ſo do I procede with the other commaundementes, yf I hauehave tyme and ſpace, or yf I amluſty, for as I hauehave ſayde, I wyl hauehave nomā bound to theſe my wordes or thoughtes, but onelyonly hauehave ſhewed myne exāple, whiche may followe, whoſoeuer wil, or amende it whoſoeuer can, & take afore hym at one tyme all the cōmaundemē tes, or as many as he wil, for the ſoule whan ſhe deſyreth a thinge, be it good or bad, yf it be earneſt vntounto her, can thynke more in the twynkelinge of an eye, than the tonge is able to ſpeake in tenne houres, and the penne to write in tenne dayes, ſuche a ſwyfte ſubtill and mightie thinge is the ſoule or ſpirite, therefore can ſhe ſoone execute the tenne commaundementes throughout all the foure partes whan ſhe wil, and is earneſtly diſpoſed.

The ſeuenth Commaundement. Thou ſhalt not ſteale.

Fyrſte do I learne here, that I ſhall not take my neighbours goodes, nor hauehave them againſt his wil, neither preuely nor apearily, that I ſhall not be vntrue nor falſe, in occupyenge, ſeruinge or labouringe, whereby I might gette my goodes theuyſſhely, but ſhall lyue & earne my lyuinge in the ſweate of my browes, and eate myne owne bread with al trueth.Gen. iij Itē, that I ſhould helpe, that my neyghbours goodes through the aboue named poynctes be not taken awaye from hym. I do learne alſo, that God by this cōmaundement doth, aſſure and defende me my goodes, of Fatherly care, & greate earneſt, for ſo muche as he commaundeth, that nothinge ſhalbe ſtolen from me. And yf it be not obeyed, he hath ordeyned a punyſſhement for it, and hath committed the gallowes, & corde to maiſter Iohn, or yf he can not, than doth he punyſſhe hym ſelfe, that at the laſt they muſt become beggers. Accordinge to the common prouerbe, he that loueth to ſteale in his youth goeth a begginge in his age. Item, wrongfully gotten goodes do not proſpere. And euill gotten, euill ſpent.

Secondarely, I do thanke his truthe and goodnes, that he hath geuen to me and to all the worlde ſuche a good doctrine, and therwith alſo protection and defence. For yf he did not defende, noman were able to kepe one peny, or a morſell of breade in his houſe.

Thirdely, I do cōfeſſe al my ſynnes and vnthākefulnes, how ſoeuer I hauehave done any man wronge or falſehode, all the dayes of my lyfe. &c.

Fourthely, I do praye that he will geue grace, that I and all the worlde maye learne and remembre this his cō maundement, & alſo take amendement therof, that there may be leſſe ſtealing robbinge, ſpoylinge, falſehode, & wrōg and briefely, that through the later day (to which ende the prayers of all ſayntes and Creatures are directed Rom. viij.) an ende may be made of al. Amē.

The eyght cōmaundement. Thou ſhalt beare no falſe witnes agaynſte thy neighbour.

This teache vsus Fyrſt, to be true one to another, and to eſchue all maner of lyes and ſchlaunders, gladly to ſpeak and to heare the beſte of other. And hereby is a wall and defence ordeyned for oure good name and innocēcye agaynſte the euill mouthes and falſe tonges, which alſo God ſuffereth not vnpunyſſhed, as hath ben ſayd of other Commaundementes.

Therefore ought we to thanke hym bothe for the doctrine & for the defence whiche he geueth, is ſo graciouſly by this commaundement.

Thirdely ought we to confeſſe & to deſire mercy that we hauehave ſo vnthākefully and ſynfully ſpent all the dayes of our lyfe, with lyenge, with falſe and euill tonges agaynſte our neighbour. Whome notwithſtanding we owe delyueraunce and preſeruation of all his honour & innocēcye, euen as we would be done to oure ſelues.

Fourthly, we pray for helpe to kepe this cōmaundement from hencefurth and for a holſome tonge, &c.

The nynth and tenth commaundementes. Thou ſhalt not deſyre thy neyghbours houſe, nor his wyfe, &c.

This teacheth vsus fyrſte, howe that we by no coloure of right or Iuſtice, ſhall put our neighbour beſydes his goodes or whatſoeuer is his, but helpe, that he maye kepe it, euen as we oure ſelues woulde, that other men ſhoulde do to vsus. And it is alſo a defence againſt the ſpiteful inuentions and prankes of the wittye men of the world which neuertheles at the laſte hauehave alſo theire punyſſhement.

Secondarely ought we to geue thā kes for it.

Thirdly, to cōfeſſe our ſynnes with ſorowe and repentaunce.

Fourthly to pray for helpe & ſtrēgth that we maye waxe good, & kepe theſe commaundementes of God.

Whoſoeuer nowe hath tyme ſuperfluous, or elles is Luſty, maye do in lyke maner with the Crede or beleue, and make a fourefolde garlande therof. But the Crede hath thre greate Principall partes or Articles, according to the thre perſonnes of the Godly Maieſtie, euen as they are deuyded before, and alſo in the Catechiſmus.

The fyrſt Article of the Creation. I beleue in God the Father almightie, maker of heauen and earth.

Here ſhyneth fyrſt a great lighte in thy harte. Yf thou wilte hauehave it. And teacheth the with fewe wordes that, whiche can not be expreſſed with all tonges, nor written with many bokes, Namely what thou arte, whence thou comeſt, and whence heauen and earth do come. For thou arte the creatiō, makynge, Creature and handy worke of God. That is, of thy ſelfe, and in thy ſelfe, arte thou nothing, canſt nothing knoweſt nothinge, and arte able to do nothinge. For what waſt thou a thouſande yeres a gone? Vvhat was heauē and earth ſixe thouſande yere agone? Euen ſo hole nothing, as the thing is nothinge, whiche neuer ſhall be made. But whatſoeuer thou arte knoweſte, canſt or mayeſt, the ſame is the creatiō of God, euen as thou doeſt here confeſſe with thy mouthe, wherefore thou haſt nothing to reioyce of before God but that thou arte nothinge at all, and that he is thy maker and creatour, and can tourne the to nothinge eueryevery momente. Of this light knoweth the imagination of man nothinge at all. Many highe learned men hauehave ſought and ſearched, what heauen and earth. Man and creature might be, but they hauehave not founde it. But here ſayth oure belefe, that God made all thinges of nought. Here is the pleaſaunt garden of the ſoule to walke in, in the workes of God, howe be it, it is to longe to writte of it at this tyme.

Secondarely, ought we here to geue thankes, that we through the goodnes of God are made of nought, and are dayly preſerued of nought ſuche a goodly creation, whiche hath body and ſoule, diſcretion and the fyne wittes, &c. and ordeyned Lordes and rulers ouer the earth, fyſſhes, foules & cattel. Hither belongeth the .i.ij. and .iij. chapiter of Gene.

Thirdely ought we to confeſſe & to lamente our vnbeleue and vnthankefulnes, that we hauehave not regarded beleued, remēbred nor knowledgede theſame, worſe then the vnreaſonable cattell. &c.

Fourthely, to praye for a true and ſure faith, that we maye from hence-furth earneſtly beleue & take the true God for our Creatour, accordinge to the ſayenge of this Article.

The ſeconde Article of the redemption. And in Ieſu Chriſte his onelyonly ſonne our Lord. &c.

Here ſhyneth agayne as greate a lighte, and teacheth vsus: Howe we are redemed through Chriſt the Sonne of God from death wherein we are fallē after our creation through the ſynne of Adam, and muſt eternally peryſſhe. And here is it tyme, lyke as in the fyrſt Article thou muſt alſo counte thy ſelf for one amonge the creatures of God and doubte nothinge therein. Euen ſo muſte thou counte thy ſelfe alſo for oure amonge them, that are redemed and doubte nothinge at all. And ſet by eueryevery worde the fyrſte worde (oure) as Ieſus Chriſte oure Lorde, euen ſo lyke wyſe, oure ſuffered Oure dead, oure ryſen, that he be all hole oures. And that thon arte alſo vnderunder the ſame oure, euen as the worde it ſelfe doth geue it.

Secondarely we ought hartely to geue thankes for this great grace and be glad of this redemption.

Thirdely, bitterly to Lamente and to confeſſe oure ſhamefull vnbeleue & doubtefulnes, concerninge this grace, Oh what a heape ſhalte thou fynde here for to remembre, howe muche Idolatrye thou haſte vſed contrary to this, with ſo many ſeruynges of ſaynctes, and innumerable workes of thyne owne, whiche hauehave ben quite and cleane againſt this redemption.

Fourthely muſte thou praye that God wil kepe the by the true and ſyncere faith in Chriſt thy Lord, frō hence furth vntounto the ende.

The thyrde Article of the Sanctification. I beleue in the holy Ghooſt, &c.

This is the thyrde greate lighte, whiche teacheth vsus. Where this Creatour and redemer in earthe externally is to be founde and to be taken, and where al thinges ſhall become at the laſt, whereof there were muche to ſay: And briefly this is the ſumme. Wherſoeuer the holy Catholyke Churche is, there is founde God the Creatour, God the redemer, and God the holy Ghooſt, that is to ſaye: whiche dayly ſanctified through forgeuenes of ſynnes, &c. And the Churche is, wherſoeuer Goddes worde is truely preached and knowledged of this faythe. Here haſte thou agayne many thinges to remembre of all that the holy Ghooſt doeth dayly exercyſe in the churche. &c.

Therfore geue here thankes, that thou arte alſo come and called into this Church.

Confeſſe and Lamente thyne vnbeleue and vnthankefulnes, that thou haſt not regarded all this. And praye for a righte ſure faythe, whiche maye continue and abyde, vntill thou comeſt where as all thing ſhall continue for euer, that is, after the reſurrection of the deade in the lyfe euerlaſtinge.

AMEN.

A prayer agaynſte the Pope & the Turkes, the Mortall enemies of Chriſt and of his Churche.

HEuēly Father, ful well hauehave we deſerued, to be corrected of the.

But correcte vsus Lorde thy ſelfe accordinge to thy mercy, and not after thy fury. It is better for vsus to geue oure ſelues into the correctiō of thy handes, than in the handes of men or of the enemy, as Dauid prayed alſo. For great is thy mercy. We hauehave ſynned agaynſte the, and hauehave tranſgreſſed thy commaundementes.

But thou God almightie Father knoweſt, that we hauehave not ſynned agaynſt the deuill, Pope, or Turkes. And that they alſo hauehave no authorite nor power vsus to correcte. Howe be it thou canſt and mayeſt vſe them, as thy fearful ſcourge, agaynſt vsus, which agaynſt the hauehave offended, and deſerued all myſchief.

Yea deare God, heuenly father, we hauehave done no ſynne againſt thē, wherfore they might lawfully punyſſh vsus. But muche rather would they, that we with thē moſt abhominably ſhoulde ſynne againſt the. For they regard it not, yf we to the were diſobedient, blaſphemed the, vſed al maner of Idolatry (as they do) & went aboute with falſe doctryne, falſe fayth, and with lyes, and committed agaynſt the aduoutry, vnclenlynes, murther, thefte, robbery, Sorcery, and al maner of enyl. But this is our treſpaſſe againſt them, that we preache, beleue, & knowledge the, God the father to be the onelyonly true God, and thy welbeloued ſonne, our Lord Ieſus Chriſt, and the holy ghooſt, to be one onelyonly God, yea thys is the ſynne that we committe agaynſt them, but yf we ſhoulde denye the, then ſhoulde the deuil, world, pope and turcke fulwel leaue vsus in reſt, accordynge to the ſaynge of thy deare Sonne, yf ye were of the worlde, the worlde woulde louelove her owne. &c.

Here ſhewe thy mercy, O merciful father ouer vsus, and earneſt iudge ouer oure enemyes, for they are more thyne enemyes then oures. Becauſe that when they perſecute and ſtryke vsus, then do they perſecute and ſtryke thy for the world, which we preache, beleue and knowledge, is not oures, but thyne, and the work of thy holy ghoſt in vsus.

The deuil wil not ſuffre ſuch thynges, but in ſteade of the he wyl be our god, in ſtede of thy word he wil ſtabliſ ſhe lyes in vsus. The Turke wil ſet hys Machometh in the rowme of thy deare ſonne Ieſus Chriſt. For he ſpeaketh euyl of hym, and ſayth: That he is no ryght God, and that hys Machomet is hyer and better then he.

Yf it be ſynne, that we holde, knoweledge and boaſte the father, and the Sonne and the holy Ghooſt, for the true onelyonly God, Then arte thou the ſynner thy ſelfe, whiche workeſt thys in vsus, and commaundeſt vsus to do it. Therfore do they hate, ſtryke, and correcte thy ſelfe, whē they for ſuch matters, do hate ſtryke or punyſſhe vsus.

Wherfore awake O Lorde God, & ſanctifye thy name, whome they blaſpheme, ſtrengthen thy kingdom, whiche they diſtourbe in vsus, & let thy wyl be done, whiche they will quenche in vsus, and ſuffer not thy ſelf ſo to be troaden vnderunder fete for our ſynnes ſake, of them, that do not correcte our ſynnes in vsus, but woulde quenche in vsus thy holy worde, name, and worke, to thintent, that thou ſhouldeſt be no God, & hauehave no people to preache, beleue, and knoweledge the. Voucheſafe o Lorde gracyouſly to heare this oure petitiō, and do accordynge to oure beleue and truſte, By the deare Sonne oure Lorde Ieſus Chriſte, whiche lyneth and raygneth, with the and the holye Ghooſte worlde without ende.