Supplications of Saints, Part 1
Supplications OF SAINTS.
The firſt part.
Daniels deuotion.
DAN. 6. 10.
Hee kneeled vponupon his knees three times a day, and prayed.
This part containeth priuate Prayers, For Morning, Noone and Euening, eueryevery day in the weeke.
Alſo foure other Prayers for Morning and Euening: and two Prayers vponupon the Paſſion of our Lord Ieſus.
Sunday.
Morning Prayer.
Pſal. 145. 10.
All thy works prayſe thee, O Lord, and thy Saints ſhal bleſſe thee.
Pſal. 119. 170.
O let my Supplication come before thee: deliuer mee according to thy word.
OH LORD GOD, Almightie Father, and thou welbeloued Sonne of the Father, Ieſus Chriſt, with the holy Ghoſt, holy, bleſſed and glorious Trinitie; eternall God, Lord of the Sabbath, and the fountaine of all wiſdome. I do not preſent theſe my Supplications before thee for my righteouſneſſe, but for thy great mercies. I truſt in them truely, without diffidence: I truſt in them only, without any other plea: I truſt in them alwayes without wearines, & therfore I beſeech thee, grant mee mercifull audience. Mercifully heare mee, O Lord, mercifully heare me O Lord God. Firſt, I extoll thy infinite goodneſſe and mercy, together with thine eternall wiſedome and truth, that thou haſt protected me all this night paſt, and made me to reſt and ſleep ſo quietly and ſecurely vnderunder the ſhadow of thy wings. And (I beſeech thee, from the bottome of my heart) to protect me this day with thy mighty hand from all dangers, both of body and ſoule. GiueGive thy holy Angels charge ouer mee, to keepe mee in all my wayes: driue away from mee the euill angell and deadly enemie; remooue all offences of this world. Mortifie and kill in me all carnall luſtes, vnlawfull pleaſures, and euill affections, that they may hauehave no dominion or raigne in my mortall body, & giuegive me a contrite heart to bewaile my former life, and let me find comfort in thy mercy, for the remiſsion of my ſinnes.
Sanctifie me (O holy Father) this holy day, with thine eſpeciall grace, that I may honour thee as a Creator, louelove thee as a redeemer, & expect thee as a Sauiour, and that I may hauehave modeſt cariage in my behauiour, true deuotion in my Prayers, and reuerent attention to heare thy ſacred word; and ſo vnlocke the eares of mine vnderſtanding, that I may obſerue, learne and imbrace, ſuch things as are neceſſary for mee, to the better confirmation of my faith in Chriſt Ieſus, and the ſaluation of my ſoule by his blood. Rayſe mee, O Father, by the power of thy ſonnes reſurrection, from ſinne and iniquitie, and giuegive me ſpirituall, reſt in the communion of Saints, that hereafter when I ſhal leaue this world, I may keepe the euerlaſting Sabbath with thee in the Kingdom of Heauen.
Behold (O Lord) I knock at the doore of thy mercy, for all theſe graces, with all the powers of my ſtrength, ſoule, and mind: beſeeching thee to continue vntounto mee the right vſe of all the powers and faculties of the ſame, and to ſend thy holy Spirit to beare witneſſe to my Spirit, that I am thy child, and ſhall be heire of thy Kingdome, with Chriſt Ieſus our Lord, and through his merits, for whoſe ſake, I beſeech thee, to grant all thoſe things all that I hauehave prayed for. Amen.
Noone.
A prayer for the Miniſters of the Word.
O Lord Ieſus, which haſt cōmanded vsus to pray for labourers to the Harueſt, we beſeech thee, ſend painefull Miniſters into thy Church. Endue them with ſuch wiſedome and ſpeech, as the aduerſaries may not be able to gaine-ſay. Open vntounto them the doore of doctrine, giuegive them the ſpirit of boldneſſe, that they may faithfully diſpenſe thy Myſteries, and ſpeake thy Word freely. Take away all contentions and differences from among them. Make them examples to thoſe that beleeue, in ſoundneſſe of Doctrine, and pureneſſe of life. And becauſe the rule of our life depends vponupon thy word in their mouthes, bleſſe them with all graces fit for their calling, that wee may giuegive thankes vntounto thee, and praiſe thy Name for euermore, Amen.
Sunday.
Euening Prayer.
Gen. 18. 27. 30.
Behold, I hauehave taken vponupon mee to ſpeake vntounto my Lord. Oh let not my Lord be angry, and I will ſpeake.
OH eternall God and merciful Father, from the bottome of my heart I giuegive thee continuall thanks that of thy mercy thou haſt nouriſhed mee, preſerued me by thy power, & gouerned me by thy word, and holy Spirit this day, & all this weeke: yea, & at all other times of my life hitherto: and I moſt humbly beſeech thee, in the merits of Chriſt Ieſus my Sauiour, not to reſpect mine vnworthines, but to couer & bury all my miſdeeds in his graue, which I hauehave either wittingly or ignorantly done; eſpecially, O Lord, thoſe which in this weeke paſt I hauehave committed in thought, word, and deed, againſt thy Diuine Maieſtie.
Water, ô Lord, the ſeed …f thy holy word, which I …aue receyued this day, …ith the dew of thy grace, …hat with ſound iudge…ent and godly deuotion …may put in practiſe ſuch …hings as I know to be …leaſing to thy diuine Ma…eſtie; and that my heart …eing alwayes obedient to …hy Commandements, & …he feare of mine enemies …aken away from mee, I …ay paſſe my time in …eace & holines, through …hy gracious protection.
Be mercifull vntounto me, …O Lord) forgiue the euill …hat I hauehave committed, ſupply the good which I hauehave omitted; reſtore what I hauehave loſt, heale my ſores, clenſe my filthineſſe, lighten my darkeneſſe, and alter the whole ſtate of my minde, that nothing may be wanting to good purpoſes in mee.
O LORD, ſtretch out thy hand ouer me, and of thy wonted goodneſſe defend me this night from all euill: keepe me from fearful & wicked dreams, vnprofitable cares, vaine cogitations and outward violence; preſerue my body from eternall death: reſerue my ſoule from euerlaſting damnation. Compaſſe me about, on eueryevery ſide with thy grace inwardly and outwardly: that when I ſhall eyther take care for things of this life, or carefully ſeeke for thoſe things which appertaine vntounto the Kingdome of Heauen, I may heare the voyce of thy holy ſpirit, ſounding in my heart, from the mouth of the Apoſtle;Philip. 4. 19. My God ſhall fulfill all your neceſstties, through his riches, with glory in Ieſus Chriſt. Grant, O Lord, theſe and all other graces meete for me, euen for Ieſus Chriſts ſake, my onelyonly Lord and Sauiour. In whoſe Name I further pray vntounto thee, ſaying that Prayer which thy Sonne in his Goſpel hath taught vsus, Our Father which art in Heauen, &c.
Munday.
Morning prayer.
Pſal. 66. 20.Bleſſed be God, which hath not turned away my prayer, nor his mercy from me.
O Heauenly Father, and Almightie God, which beyond all meaſure haſt vnlocked the treaſures of thy fauour and bleſsing vntounto mee, from time to time: I moſt heartily thanke thee forthe ſweet ſleepe and comfortable reſt which I hauehave taken this night, through thy gracious preſeruation of me, and now (O Lord) I conſecrate my ſoule and body to thy ſeruice this day againe, and euer hereafter, deſiring that my prayer earely now this Morning, may hauehave acceſſe vntounto thee.
O Lord, I pray thee bleſſe, preſerue, and keepe me this day, by thy power from ſinne, ſhame and all euill, and ſo direct mee with thy grace, that all my thoughts, words, & works, may pleaſe thee. Stand, I beſeech thee, between me and mine enemies, bodily and ghoſtly. And as thou haſt now raiſed vp my body from a ſound and heauie ſleepe: ſo deliuer my ſoule from the dead ſleepe of ſinne, and the darkenes of this world. Helpe, O Lord, the creature which dependeth vponupon thy prouidence only. Further my buſineſſe, that I may truly walke without ſinne, and ſafely worke without danger in that vocation whereunto thou haſt called me in this life.
O Lord Ieſus hauehave mercy vponupon me miſerable ſinner, pardon and forgiue mee all my ſinnes, negligences, and ignorances. Remember not mine obſtinacies, and hauehave compaſſion vponupon mine infirmities. Set thy holy Paſſion, Croſſe, and Death, betweene thy iudgement and my Soule, both now and at the houre of death. Of thy merciemercy, O Lord, ſtrengthen my weakneſſe, and mortifie my corrupt nature, enclining to ſwearing, wantonneſſe, lying, or any other ſinne whatſoeuer; and grant that I may ſo walke in thy wayes, by the light of thy holy word, that no worldly vanitie bewitch me to ſel my ſelfe to worke wickedneſſe.
O holy Father, graunt me a ſound mind, and the right vſe of my ſenſes continually, that knowing what I doe, and practiſing what I know, I may worthily lament the wickedneſſe of my life, and euer vponupon my vnfained repentance, feele thy comforts in my ſoule, and neuer forget the deſire of the life to come. O Lord, bleſſe me in all the paſſages of this life, and after death, reſtore the ſame body and ſoule to life eternal. Heare my prayers, O Lord God, for Ieſus Chriſts ſake my onelyonly Lord and Sauiour, Amen.
Noone.
A Prayer to God the Father.
O Merciful God and louing Father, on whoſe prouidence we depend for all our neceſſaries, wee thanke thee for our royall creation after thine owne Image, and all other good graces now and euer beſtowed vponupon vsus. GiueGive vsus grace, we pray thee, ſo to liue as becommeth thy children, in all holines and righteouſneſſe. Incline our harts to thy law, & not to couetouſnes: open our eies that wee may behold the ſecret things of thy Law. Make vsus fruitfull in all good works, forgiue vsus our ſinnes, and waſh vsus in the blood of thy Sonne; clenſe our hearts, and renew our mindes to thy holy will: proſper the workes of our hands, and bring vsus ſafely from all dangers to the end of this day, for Ieſus Chriſts ſake. Amen.
Munday.
Euening Prayer.
Pſal. 55. 17.Euening and Morning, and at Noone, will I pray and cry aloud, and hee ſhall heare mee.
ALmighty God, which giueſt infinite occaſions vntounto eueryevery creature to prayſe thy holy Name, I come vntounto thee with the holy Prophet, that mine eyes may preuent the night-watches, beſeeching thee to accept this mine Euening Sacrifice of praiſe and thanks, for the depth of thy goodneſſe, which I am not able to expreſſe, and the Sea of thy mercies, which hauehave ouer-flowed this day to my great comfort. Seaſon, O Lord, my ſenſes inward and outward with the Salt of thy grace, that with a ſanctified heart, I may make a godly vſe of all thoſe good things which I hauehave heard, ſeene, or read this day. And further, lighten mine eies that I ſleepe not in death, nor walke in darkneſſe ſpiritual or corporal, to endanger eyther my body or my ſoule.
O Lord, let mine eyes ſleepe, and inioy that moderate recreation which thou haſt appointed for my weariſome condition, but let my ſoule continually watch vntounto thee, to attend thy comming, that when my ſleepe hath not beene vnmeaſurable, to pleaſe exceſſiuely the eaſe of my fleſh, I may be the better diſpoſed to thy ſeruice to morrow.
Preſerue me Lord, from all vncleanneſſe, both of body and ſoule, from all dangers that walke in the night: and keep me from all temptations of him that is the prince of darkneſſe. Forgiue me the ſins and offences which I hauehave committed this day, in thought, word & deed, againſt thee, or my neighbour. GiueGive mee grace to water my Couch with teares, in vnfeined repentance of my ſins paſt, & ſo to paſſe the reſidue of my life, that in regard of thy iuſtice, I may retaine a holy feare, to ſtand alwaies in awe of thee: and in regard of thy mercy conceyue ſure hope neuer to deſpaire.
O Lord, keepe me this night, both in body and ſoule, that I may ioyfully riſe againe, be thankefull vntounto thee, and diligently walke in my vocation and calling, to the glory of thy holy Name, and the commoditie of my neighbour, for Ieſus Chriſts ſake, our onelyonly Lord and Sauiour. Amen.
Tueſday.
Morning Prayer.
Pſalme 90 14.Satisfie vsus earely with thy merciemercy, that we may reioyce and be glad in all our dayes.
O Bleſſed LORD GOD, great in power, fearefull in Iudgement, and rich in merciemercy: which bindeſt, and no man looſeth; and looſeſt, and no man bindeth; I yeeld thee moſt humble and harty thanks, for that of thy fatherly goodneſſe, thou haſt vouchſafed me this laſt nights ſleepe in peace and reſt: and again, looſing the bonds wherewith I was tyed, haſt giuen me power to ſee this Morning light. Now, O Lord, (I beſeech thee) powre vponupon me this day, the dew of thy bleſſing, that through the operation of thy gratious beames, I may bud foorth, and beare the fruits of true faith in my life & conuerſation. Continue thy goodneſſe and mercy towards mee, and by thy power rayſe mee from the deepe ſleepe of all vnrighteouſneſſe, diſcharge me from the workes of darkeneſſe, and clothe me with the Armour of light, that I may walke honeſtly as in the day, and liue ſoberly, righteouſly, and godly, in this preſent world.
Grant me, ô Lord, true vnderſtanding and knowledge of thy word, which is the Glaſſe of thy wil. Increaſe in me all godly deſires, together with true contrition of heart, that I may vnfeinedly deſpiſe the pleaſures of this world, & with harty repentance be conuerted vntounto thee. Send thy holy Angell to guide me, and keepe me in all my waies; and proſper the worke of my hands, that I neuer faile in my vocation to doe good, and eſchew euill.
O Lord, I beſeech thee, preſerue and keepe my ſenſes ſafe and ſound, that I be neither corrupted by proſperitie, nor caſt downe by aduerſitie; nor be too fearefull of thy iudgements, or too bold vponupon thy mercy: But grant mee grace, O mercifull Lord, that I may apprehend all things that come from thee with a religious, contented mind, and in the end of my dayes, by a liuely Fayth, may ioyfully arriue in the Land of promiſe, the Kingdome of HEAVEN, through the merits of IESVS CHRIST, my onelyonly Sauiour and Redeemer, Amen.
Noone.
A Prayer to God the Sonne.
O Bleſſed LORD Ieſus Chriſt, Sonne of the eternall God, bleſſed be thy name for our redemption. Great was thy louelove, ſore was thy Paſsion: Print in our minds, we beſeech thee, the continuall memory thereof, that we may louelove thee which ſo louedſt vsus, and euermore prayſe thee that haſt bought vsus at ſo deare a price. Reiect not our prayers which we offer to be peſented to thy Father, but mercifully helpe vsus, and heale all our infirmities: increaſe our faith, and teach vsus obedience, forgiue vsus our offences, and hide vsus in thy wounds from thy fathers iuſt wrath. Make good thy promiſes vntounto vsus for the world to come, and enable vsus with thy Grace for the performance of all thy Commandements: Proſper, O Lord, our handy worke, and bring vsus ſafely to the end of this day, for thy trueth, and for thy Names ſake, Amen.
Tueſday.
Euening Prayer.
Pſal. 46. 5.Happy is hee that hath the GOD of Iacob for his helpe, whoſe hope is in the Lord his God.
O Moſt holy Father and gracious GOD, which giueſt vntounto all ſorts of men the cheereful light of the day, that in thine aſſiſtance they may follow their honeſt vocations: & likewiſe the ſilent night, that then they may returne thanks vntounto thee for thy benefits, and ſo reſt their wearied limbes, and buſied minds: I ſinnefull creature giuegive thee thankes for the totall ſumme of all this thy goodnes, whereof I hauehave beene this day partaker through thy mercy.
O Lord, looke not vponupon mine vnworthineſſe, folly, and wickedneſſe, but appeaſe thy iuſt anger, conceiued againſt mee, and forgiue what hath beene amiſſe in mee this day, euen for his ſake who is thy welbeloued Sonne, and my deare Aduocate. Root vp the thornes of mine euill inclinations and affections, and in their place make the fruites of vertue ſpring. Inflame my heart with the deſire of heauenlie louelove, that I may keepe thy commandements with zeale as hot as fire, louing thee aboue all things, and mine neighbour as my ſelfe.
GiueGive me grace, ô Lord, to ſerue thee in true faith and holines, all the dayes of my life, & to ouercome my mortall enemies, the deſires of the world, the pleaſures of the fleſh, and the ſuggeſtions of the wicked ſpirit, remembring my promiſe made to thee in Baptiſme, for the performance whereof I depend onelyonly vponupon thy holy ſpirit. Let thine Angels pitch their Tents round about this houſe for defence, now in the time of this darkeneſſe, and grant that this nights ſleep may be quiet vntounto me without griefe or trouble. Preſerue me & mine both in body and ſoule, from al dangers which may come either by fooliſh dreames, noiſome ſpirits, or vncleanneſſe of corrupt Nature. Waken me againe, O Lord, in due time, and let mee behold the light of the next day, prepare me to thy ſeruice eueryevery day in all truth and ſinceritie, that when I hauehave run the race of this life, thou mayeſt be pleaſed to call mee to be partaker of a better, that ſo I may liue and raigne with thee euermore, through Ieſus Chriſt my onelyonly Lord and Sauiour, Amen.
Wedneſday.
Morning prayer.
Pſalme 143. 8.Cauſe mee to heare thy louing kindneſſe in the Morning, for in thee doe I truſt; cauſe me to know the way wherein I ſhould walke: for I lift vp my ſoule vntounto thee.
O Bleſſed GOD and merciful father, the Sun of the world, neuer going downe, which bringeſt forth, nouriſheſt and refreſheſt all things, both in heauen and earth: I moſt humbly thanke thee that thou haſt preſerued me this night, and euer hitherto vnderunder thy protection, ſuffering mee to liue vntill this preſent houre: that thou haſt ſuccoured and defended me in all my needs & neceſſities, and haſt prouided ſo graciouſly and mercifully for mee. Now I beſeech thee (ô Lord) not to abridge the hand of thy mercy toward mee, but let the ſpring of thy grace flowing from the ſanctuary of thy goodnes, ariſe to all the parts of my ſoule, in ſuch proportion, as may be for thy glory and my comfort.
Mortifie (O my God) all corrupt affections in mee, and pardon my innumerable ſinnes. Fill me this day with thy grace, that I may ſpend it to the honour of thy Name. Set a Watch before my mouth, and order my lippes, that I may vtter nothing vnaduiſedly, either before thee or men. Keepe my ſences within their limits, direct my will to that which is good, and order my iudgement, for the accompliſhing of thoſe things that appertaine to my vocation.
O Lord, defend me from all ſhame and diſgraces: ſhield me from al violence, and guide mee ſafely from all perillous & dangerous wayes. Make mee as thy Spouſe, inwardly and outwardly prepared by thy grace, to bee preſented a pure Virgine vntounto Chriſt. Diſplay vponupon me thy banners of louelove, ſpred abroad in my heart by the Holy Ghoſt: that with the eye of Faith, I may beholde and ſee the Croſſe of Chriſt, and his ſacred wounds, the comfortable price of my redemption; and ſtand ſo faſt in this Chriſtian warfare, that nothing make me yeeld to the temptations of the Diuell. O Lord, ſo ſtrengthen mee with thy grace in this vale of miſerie, that all my outward members may follow the direction of my heart, and my heart being ſincerely dedicated vntounto thee, I may ſerue thee in holineſſe and Righteouſneſſe, all the dayes of my life, for Ieſus Chriſts ſake, my onelyonly Sauiour and Redeemer, Amen.
Noone.
A Prayer to God the holy Ghoſt.
O Holy Spirit, the Authour and giuer of life, which haſt guided me thus farre this day, and guarded me from manifold euils; I praiſe thee, I bleſſe thee, I glorifie thee for thy great merciemercy. Continue thy goodnes towards me, I beſeech thee, though I deſerue it not: inſpire my minde with holy motions, conuert me from euil, confirme me in al that is good. Comfort mee, thou comforter, when I ſhall hauehave moſt neede. Cleare the ſtormes of temptation, and inflame the coldneſſe of my zeale, with the fire of thy louelove. Lead me into all truth, and reclayme mee when I goe aſtray: Oh proſper the works of my hands; bring mee ſafely from all dangers to the end of this day, for Ieſus Chriſts ſake, Amen.
Wedneſday.
Euening Prayer.
Pſal. 40. …Withhold not thy tender mercies from me ô Lord: let thy louing kindneſſe and thy truth alwaies preſerue me.
O Lord God, thou who art my life, the length and ſtrength of my dayes; I moſt heartily thanke thee for keeping mee this day from manifold dangers, both of Body and Soule, which might iuſtly hauehave fallen vponupon mee. Nowe I humbly beſeech thee, bring not into iudgement what I hauehave done amiſſe this day, but mercifully pardon the eſcapes and offences of the ſame. Forgiue and forget (O LORD) all mine idle and vaine words, and impute not my fooliſhnes vntounto mee. Deſtroy in me the kingdome of ſinne, the power of Sathan, the deſires of the world, & the vaine delights of the fleſh.
Lord, into thy hands I commend my ſelfe, euen ſoule and body this night and euer. Lighten my darkeneſſe that I ſleepe not in death, & defend me that no euill happen vntounto me. Take not thy holy Spirit from mee, but continue the motions thereof in my heart, that when as the Tempter ſhall come with his aſſaults, I may be furniſhed with the ſhield of faith to quench his fiery darts.
Comfort me (ô Lord) in all thoſe things wherein I hauehave beene any wayes diſmayed this day. Confirme my weakeneſſe, and grant that this nights ſleepe may be ſweet and healthfull to my body, and a profitable memoriall of that ſleepe, which at my laſt end in that great night, ſhall make a ſeparation betweene my body and ſoule. Let thine vnſpeakeable mercy preſerue me, thy endles ſweetnes reioyce mee, thy heauenly truth ſtrengthen mee, thy knowledge embolden me, and thy goodnes keep me, now & for euermore, from mine enemies, viſible and inuiſible: that I may awake in the Morning in perfect ſenſe, & good health, and for the ſame be thankefull vntounto thee, & carefully betake mee to my vocation & calling, for Ieſus Chriſts ſake, my onelyonly Lord and Sauiour. Amen.
Thurſday.
Morning Prayer.
Pſalme 145. 18.The Lord is nigh vntounto all them that call vponupon him: to all that call vponupon him in truth.
O Lord God, which art the light that no man can attaine vntounto, and yet lighteneſt eueryevery one that commeth into this world, and mercifully driueſt away the darknes of the night, & ſhadow of death: I praiſe thy holy Name, & thanke thee that thou haſt vouchſafed me this fauour, to paſſe this night in ſo comfortable reſt, & to be brought again ſafe & ſound, vntounto the morning light. Now (I beſeech thee) by the bleſſed Incarnation, and holy Natiuitie of thy Sonne Ieſus Chriſt (the bleſſed day-ſtar that appeared to the world) let thy mercy this day ariſe vponupon me, & let the day-ſtar of thy light ſhine in my heart, that I be not carried away through the power of darkenes, to ſpend this day after mine owne minde and pleaſure, but that I may carefully follow thy fatherly will reuealed in thy holy word.
Increaſe in me (O Lord) the gift of faith and hope, to beleeue in thee and thy promiſes made in Chriſt, that neither by mine owne negligence, nor the infirmitie of the fleſh, nor the grieuouſnes of temptation, I be driuen away from faith in his blood. Diſperſe O LORD, the thicke miſtes and clouds of mine iniquities, and waſh them away in the blood of thy Sonnes paſſion. GiueGive me a will to worke duely in my vocation this day, that I be not idle; and order my skil with the rule of thy wiſedome, that I bee not vnfruitfull. Bleſſe my body and ſoule, that none euill or harme come vntounto me, & my memory and ſenſes, that they paſſe not the limites which thou haſt appointed them.
O Lord, lighten my mind to looke vponupon good things onelyonly, inflame my heart with the louelove of them, and conduct mee by thy grace to attaine them: that as thou haſt awaked my body from ſleepe; ſo my Soule may bee rayſed from the ſlumber of ſinne, and darkneſſe of this World, and they both being companions and fellowes in the way of godlineſſe, may be made partakers of euerlaſting life at the latter day, through Ieſus Chriſt, our onelyonly Lord and Sauiour, Amen.
Noone.
A Prayer for Sobrietie.
O Lord God, which haſt commaunded vsus to be ſober, and watch, direct my pathes in the right way to all ſobrietie, ſpirituall and corporal. Suffer me not this day, nor any other to abuſe thy good creatures, or turne thy grace into wantonnes: let mee not be ouercome with ſurfetting and drunkenneſſe, but auoide all ſuperfluity, vſing all temperance and moderation, both in meats and drinkes. Graunt me a ſtayed minde, and a lowly conceite of my ſelfe: Bleſſe mee, that I may be wiſe, but to ſobrietie, that I may liue ſoberly, righteouſly, and godly in this preſent world for Ieſus Chriſts ſake, Amen.
Thurſday.
Euening Prayer.
Pſalme 145 9.The Lord is good to all, and his tender mercies are ouer all his workes.
O Lord God, my moſt louing and mercifull Father, great in merciemercy, and conſtant in truth: I doe acknowledge my bounden dutie of thankefulneſſe vntounto thee, for thy manifold graces and benefits imparted vntounto mee this day, though I bee vnable to recount them, and farre more vnworthy to receiue them. Neuertheleſſe, in full aſſurance and confidence of thy louelove to me in Chriſt Ieſus, I commit now into thy hands again this night, my ſoule and body, and all my ſenſes, my thoughts, affections, wordes, and deedes: all within me, and all without mee, my faith and my continuance in the ſame, beſeeching thee of thy mercy to keepe them day & night blameleſſe, and vndefiled againſt the day of thy comming.
Pardon, I pray thee, and forgiue mee all the ſinnes which this day I hauehave either wretchedly effected, or wickedly imagined againſt thine honour, & the good of my Neighbour. Lay not the frailty of my younger yeares vntounto my charge. And for the better confirmation of thy gracious pardon, I humbly intreat thee (ô Lord) to annexe vntounto thy Graunt, the power of thy grace, to attend vponupon me, that I may this night quietly take my reſt, vnderunder the ſhadow of thy wings, void of all feare, ſpirituall darkenes, danger, and deſpaire. Strike my heart (ô Lord) with thy feare, that fearing I may eſcape thoſe things which thou threatneſt, and giuegive mee the comfort of thy ſaluation, that in louing thee, I may obtaine thoſe things which thou promiſeſt: and when the darkeneſſe of this mortall life, (as the darkeneſſe of the day now doth) ſhal come, grant mee (O LORD) a watchfull heart: willingly diſpoſed, and throughly enabled with thy grace to abandon theſe tranſitorie nights and dayes, and depart hence in the peace of a good conſcience, into thine euerlaſting reſt, through Ieſus Chriſt, my onelyonly Sauiour and Redeemer: In whoſe name I further pray vntounto thee, ſaying that forme of prayer that he that taught vsus, Our Father which art in Heauen, &c.
Friday.
Morning Prayer.
Pſalme 73 25.Whom hauehave I in heauen but thee? and there is none vponupon earth that I deſire beſides thee.
O Almighty Lord my moſt louing Creatour, & redeemer, I thy vnworthy ſeruant, giuegive thee humble and hearty thankes, for thy gracious protection and preſeruation of me in health, wealth, and ſafety, this night paſt, and euermore: beſeeching thee ſo to direct me by thy holy Spirit, that I may liue and walke this day according to thy godly will and pleaſure, in all harmeleſſe manner to the profit of my neighbour; and in all holineſſe, to the glory of thy bleſſed name.
Lighten my minde, O Lord, that I may cleerely ſee thoſe things that pleaſe thee. Graunt vntounto me the knowledge and true vnderſtanding of thy word, that without all vanitie or curioſitie, I may know what is thy holy will and pleaſure in all things, and alſo expreſſe in my liuing thoſe things which I know. On bended knees (O Lord I beſeech thee) reiect mee not vtterly for mine offences, neither take thy grace and aſſiſtaunce from mee. Bleſſe my iudgement, and all my ſenſes, that no ſodaine motion make me to conceiue any griefe ſo far as to forfeit my reaſonable vnderſtanding.
Bleſſe (O Lord) my labours and trauailes in this world, that I may hauehave wherewithall to relieue my neceſſities vponupon all occaſions. Indue mee with thy feare, an humble minde, godly ſorrow, and a good conſcience, that I may cary an honeſt & vpright meaning, to deale iuſtly and truely with all men.
O Lord, temper and order all things vntounto mee in ſuch peaceable courſe, that I be neuer further tempted and proued, then thou wilt make me able to beare, and ſo helpe me in the ſame, as may be moſt to thy glory. GiueGive me patience againſt all prouocations, and faith in all temptations; forgiue me all thoſe things wherevnto I hauehave yeelded contrary to thy commaundement, and ſo arme mee with thy holy Spirit, that I may walke more warily, & more wiſely all the dayes of my life, for Ieſus Chriſts ſake, mine onelyonly Sauiour and Redeemer. Amen.
Noone.
A Prayer for Chaſtitie.
ALmighty Lord, which knoweſt that in our fleſh dwelleth no good, and yet haſt made our bodyes the Temple of the Holy Ghoſt, giuegive me grace this day and euer, to crucifie the fleſh, with al the affections and deſires thereof, & to bring it in ſubiection vntounto the Spirit. Quench the flames of all carnall deſires in mee, abate the heate of luſt, and let me not be led away by any wanton company. I know my members are the members of Chriſt, ſanctifie me (I beſeech thee) that whether I be married, or liue ſingle, I may auoyd all vncleannes, and alwayes know how to poſſeſſe my Veſſell in holineſſe, and not in the luſt of Concupiſcence, for Ieſus Chriſts ſake, Amen.
Friday.
Euening Prayer.
Pſal 73. 28.It is good for mee to draw neere vntounto God: I hauehave put my truſt in the Lord God, that I may declare all thy workes.
O Eternall GOD, my mercifull and louing Father in Chriſt Ieſu our Lord, I render vntounto thy Maieſtie due praiſe and thankes for thy fatherly goodneſſe, in protecting mee this day, from many damages and daungers which might hauehave happened vntounto mee, and now (I beſeech thee) to keepe and protect me this night: me, and all thoſe that depend vponupon mee, that we be neither diſquieted by dreams, nor afraid of any terrour. HaueHave mercy vponupon mee (O God) hauehave mercy on mee, and of thy wonted goodneſſe, forgiue mee all my tranſgreſſions, eſpecially thoſe which I hauehave committed this day againſt thy holineſſe: ſhew mee the light of thy countenance, and let me finde comfort in the remorſe of my conſcience. Bleſſe mee (ô Lord) and water mee with the dewe of thy bleſſings, and let the drops of thy ſonnes blood, ſhed for my ſinnes, (and yet crying for mercy) diſtill into my heart by a liuely faith, for the comfort of my ſoule, and the amendment of my life.
I beſeech thee, O Lord, take from mee all manner of darkeneſſe, misbeliefe, infidelitie, carnall luſts, and affections; & ſo ſtrengthen me with thy grace, that the Barke of my weake Faith ſinke not, nor I be ouerturned by the ſtormes of Sathan, the waues of wickedneſſe, nor the tempeſt of a biting Conſcience. Enter thy iudgements in the Tables of my heart, that I may be content to ſpare of my ordinarie ſleepe, and be more earneſt vponupon the meditation of thy ſacred word, then the kings of the Nations hauehave beene to turne ouer their records in the night ſeaſon. Bee mindefull of mee, when I happen to forget my ſelfe, and thinke vponupon me ſleeping and waking.
Graunt me (ô Lord) this freedome and liberty, that I may lie downe in peace and reſt, and riſe vp againe in due time ſafely, to the honour and glory of thy Name, and the managing of my worldly buſineſſe in thy feare, through Ieſus Chriſt, our onelyonly Lord and Sauiour, Amen.
Saturday.
Morning Prayer.
Pſalme …. 8.The Lord will command his louing kindneſſe in the day time, and in the night ſeaſon his ſong ſhall be with me, and my Prayer vntounto the God of my life.
OH IMMORTAL and euerlaſting God, Father of our Lord Ieſus Chriſt, I thy vnworthy ſeruant beſeech thee, to accept this my Morning Sacrifice of prayſe and thankes, due vntounto thee alone, for protecting me with thy mighty hand, from the feares of this night paſt, & refreſhing my weary body with naturall and kindely reſt: and herevnto (I humbly intreat thee) to ioyne thy further grace, for the rouſing vp of my ſlothfull and ſluggiſh nature, that I may ariſe from ſinne, and walke in the way of thy Commandements with all chearefulneſſe this day and euermore.
Pardon (O Lord I beſeech thee) the euils, and abhominations of my life and conuerſation. Cut off the rootes, boughs, leaues, and fruits, of the euill tree of my heart: put away the inward luſts, doubtings, and denying of thy prouidence, with all thoſe groſſe and out-ward ſinnes which I hauehave committed daily againſt thee: and giuegive me a ſure hope of euerlaſting life, that alwaies, while I am in this world, I may hauehave the taſt and feeling of it in my heart.
GiueGive me grace, O Lord, to ſhun and auoid all thoſe things which thou either hateſt, or haſt no pleaſure in. Take from mee a proud looke, and a deceitfull tongue, bloody hands, and a heart any wayes giuen to wicked imaginations. Keep me this day from all perils that may come vntounto my ſoule and body, either by Sathan himſelfe or his Miniſters. Bleſſe my ſenſes and vnderſtanding, that in all things I may heare and ſpeake reaſon: and ſuffer me not (I beſeech thee) to ſpeake, thinke, or doe any thing this day, but that which may pleaſe thee, be anſwerable to my vocation, and tend vntounto the aduancement of thy glory, and the health of my ſoule.
O Lord, I pray thee, ſend thy bleſſing vponupon all my labours, and giuegive me a mind to helpe them that hauehave neede, according to my abilitie. And ſo prepare my heart in all my buſineſſe, that I may alwayes begin it in thy Name, and goe forward in thy feare, and finiſh it with thy bleſsing: that whatſoeuer I ſhall doe, it may proſper. Grant this (O Lord) for Ieſus Chriſts ſake, our onelyonly Mediator and Redeemer. Amen.
Noone.
A Prayer for Patience.
O God which art the God of Patience, and conſolation to the Patient, ſtay my vnbridled nature this day and euer, from all diſcontentednes of minde, and furious actions. GiueGive mee grace to take in good part whatſoeuer doth befal me, and let my heart acknowledge it to be the Lords doing, and not by chance. Quiet my minde in the manifold diſquietings of this world, and open mine eyes that I may ſee helpe in thee. Preuent all that is againſt mee, and all that falleth out, turne to the beſt for mee. Thy will be done, and graunt mee patience for Ieſus Chriſts ſake. Amen.
Saturday.
Euening Prayer.
Pſalme 139. 14.I will praiſe thee, for I am fearefully and wonderfully made. Meruailous are thy workes, and that my ſoule knoweth right well.
HOnour and praiſe be vntounto thee, Oh Lord moſt high and immortall GOD, for thy gracious goodneſſe and merciemercy extended to me this day, and alwayes, notwithſtanding all my wickedneſſes which cry daily againſt mee, and mine enemies that would ſwallow mee vp. I beſeech thee (ô Lord) continue thy gracious and mercifull fauour vntounto mee, let the ſhadow of thy wings be my couer, thy Holy-ghoſt my comfort, & thy holy Name my Rocke and defence, againſt all feare and trembling which may ouertake mee, this night or any other time. Forgiue me all that is paſt, euen all the euill that I hauehave done or thought, and graunt that I may euer hereafter ſerue and pleaſe thee in holineſſe and newneſſe of life. Be thou my ſhield & defence againſt the ſuggeſtions, illuſions, and temptations of Sathan; and all the allurements & baits of the fleſh, with all alterations, prouocations, changes & chances of the world. Sanctifie mee with thy grace, that my body may be kept vndefiled, as the Temple of the holy Ghoſt, and my ſoule defended, cheriſhed, and tendered, as the apple of thine eye.
O good GOD, the Sunne is gone downe, the Webbe of this day is almoſt ſpun, and the night at hand. Bleſſe me (I beſeech thee) this night, and take mee into thy cuſtodie, ſaue me waking, keepe me ſleeping, that I may both ſleep and wake in peace and ſafetie. Prepare me (O Lord) for the day following, the holy ſabbath, the hallowed day of thy reſt, and my great dutie: and then ſo vnlocke the myſteryes of thy holy word vntounto mee, that I may therein learne the leſſons of thy glorious Maieſtie, and mine owne mortalitie.
Graunt me (ô Lord) ſuch grace as I may make a right vſe of all things, and that the hearing of thy word, & the good examples of thy ſeruants, agreeing with the rule of thy word, may bee both as a bridle to reſtraine me from ſin, and a ſpurre to ſet me forward to all holineſſe of life, and conuerſation in this world. O Lord grant mee theſe & all other good things, euen for Ieſus Chriſts ſake my onelyonly Lord and Sauiour. Amen.
A Prayer for the Morning.
O Lord God, moſt mightie & mercifull Father, I vnworthy creature acknowledge mine owne vilenes, naturall corruption and abhominable ſinnes, many times committed againſt thee: I beſeech thee admit mee to render thee my bounden thankes, for thy manifold mercies extended towards me this night paſt, and all other times of my life: for my reſt and ſleep, my food, and rayment, my health, peace and liberty, and the hope of a better life in the merites of thy Sonnes bitter paſsion. Now deare Father, I beſeech thee to continue thy mercifull fauour vntounto me this day and euer hereafter. Forgiue me all mine vnthankfulnes, vnkindnes and prophanenes towards thee, thy word and ſeruice, or towards my Neighbour. Set all my ſinnes ouer to that reckoning, which thy Sonne Ieſus Chriſt, my Lord, hath made vp for them vponupon his Croſſe; neuer lay any of them to my charge, but freely forgiue and forget all.
O Lord ſtrike my heart with thy rod, that I may alway be furniſhed for a true and vnfained repentance; that I may not be blinded in my ſinnes, to delight in them, or to think that thou wilt not reſpect my vntowardneſſe; but that I may be weary of them, grieue for them, and by all means poſsible ſtriue to attaine to a true mortification of the fleſh, and ſo liue holily, and iuſtly, and ſoberly in this preſent world.
O good God, I humbly intreat thee, leaue me not to my ſelfe, mine owne luſts and deſires: but aſſiſt mee with thy grace to hearken vntounto thee and thy word, & to paſſe my time in feare and trembling, as an obedient childe of ſo good a Father.
Bleſſe me Lord this day, and proſper all that I ſhall take in hand; let mee hauehave all my directions from thy will, and the ſucceſſe from thy mercifull hand. GiueGive mee a competent ſtay for the maintenance of this mortall life. Continue may food, and rayment, health, peace and liberty, that I may with a quite minde & thankefull heart paſſe my time in this vale of miſerie, doing good to all men after mine abilitie, without diſgrace to my ſelfe, or harme to any one.
Grant theſe good things moſt mercifull God, and all other needefull graces, not onelyonly vntounto me, but vntounto all thy deere children in the world, to the good of our ſoules and bodies, for Ieſus Chriſts ſake, in whoſe name I further call vponupon thee, as he hath taught vsus, in his Goſpell, ſaying, Our Father which art in Heauen, &c.
A Prayer for the Euening.
O Eternall GOD, and moſt mercifull Father, I doe confeſſe againſt my ſelfe that my heart and hands are full of all filthines and ſinnes whatſoeuer, and I am altogether vnworthy to ſpeake vntounto thee, or to come neere thy preſence. Neuertheleſſe beeing ſo much bound vntounto thee, as this day paſt, and all other times of my life doe witneſſe, I offer vntounto thy holines (by the hands of Ieſus Chriſt my Mediator) my humble dutie of praiſe and thanksgiuing for my creation, election, redemption, vocation and ſanctification, with all other good graces appertaining to this life, or that which is to come. And namely, ô Lord my tongue and lippes ſhall glorifie thee, ſitting aboue the Cherubins, for preſeruing me this day paſt from ſo many miſeries and caſualties whereinto I might iuſtly hauehave fallen, if thou wouldeſt hauehave entred into iudgement with mee. But Lord thou art mercifull & paſſeſt by my offences, to winne me by thy long ſufferance: I beſeech thee make mee thankfull for all thy mercies.
O Lord, pardon and forgiue mee all my ſinnes: graunt me eueryevery day more and more the ſight and feeling of them, with heartie ſorrow and vnfained repentance for the ſame. GiueGive mee grace to belieue all the ſweet promiſes that thou haſt made vntounto mee in Chriſt Ieſus, both for the remiſsion thereof, and the hope of a better life: ſtrengthen me from aboue with thy mighty hand, to walke in eueryevery good way without feare, and to bring forth the fruits of a true & liuely faith in my life and conuerſation, all the dayes of my life.
Arme me O Lord with thy grace and holy ſpirit againſt all the common corruptions of the world, the temptations of the Diuell, and the allurements of the fleſh: and ſettle my minde to the continuall exerciſe of deuout prayer, with the hearing of thy ſacred word watching for thy comming both publike and priuate.
Continue thy goodneſſe towards mee, in prouiding for mee ſuch things as are neceſſarie for the maintenance of this preſent life, and bleſſe the ſame vnderunder my hand: that the little which I hauehave may be increaſed, and the increaſe may ſerue, as well to furniſh my neceſſarie vſes, as to miniſter vntounto the neceſſities of others, according to mine abilitie.
Keepe mee, Lord, this night from all euils, which may happen either vntounto my body, or my ſoule. Extend thy goodneſſe toward all thoſe that depend vponupon me, or I on them. GiueGive me quiet ſleepe and reſt, and when I ſhall awake, let all my thoughts and cogitations be holy meditations on thee and thy law. Bleſſe me O Lord, all the nights and dayes of my life, and at the end thereof ſend me a bleſſed departure, and afterward a ioyfull reſurrection vntounto life eternall.
Graunt me theſe good things moſt mercifull father, and all other needfull graces, for Ieſus Chriſts ſake, in whoſe name I further call vponupon thee, as hee hath taught vsus in his Goſpell, ſaying, Our Father, &c.
Short Prayers for Morning and Euening, by I. F. 1581.
A ſhort Prayer for the Morning.
GOD of Light, who haſt preſerued mee, and brought mee from the darkeneſſe of this night, ſhine into my heart this day and euer, by thy bleſſed and holy ſpirit, that I may be enlightened, and ledde into all Truth, that I may walke faithfully, as the childe of light before thee, caſting away the workes of darkneſſe, in the place that thou haſt ſet me, doing and performing diligently thoſe things that thou haſt required of me, either to the praiſe of thy name, or to the comfort of my Brethren▪ Graunt this good Lord, I humbly beſeech thee, for Ieſus Chriſts ſake. Amen.
A ſhort Prayer for the Euening.
I Thanke thee O Father, for thy gracious protection of me this day. I beſeech thee keepe me alſo this night vnderunder thy wing, that I reſting in thee, may finde ſuch comfort and ſtrength both in body and ſoule, as may enable mee to the performance of my duty. Grant this I humbly beſeech thee for Ieſus Chriſts ſake my onelyonly ſauiour, in whoſe name I further call vponupon thee, as he hath taught vsus, in his Goſpell, ſaying, Our Father which art in Heauen, &c.
A Prayer to God the Father, as a Preparatiue to the Meditation enſuing.
O Gracious Lord, almightie and euerlaſting God, the father of my Lord and Sauiour Ieſus Chriſt; who was borne at Bethlem in great pouerty: Graunt me, I beſeech thee, a roome among the wiſe men of the Eaſt, to offer the poore talent of my weake deuotion vntounto him all the dayes of my life: euen a true Faith, for pure Gold, the perfume of deuout Praier, for ſweet Frankincenſe, and hearty Sorrow, with bitter Teares of Repentance, for dropping Myrrhe.
And becauſe hee came into this world in ſuch humilitie, yet furniſhed with ſuch a meaſure of louelove, that hee was content for my ſake, to be laden with the burthen of all our infirmities, to carry our ſorrowes, to vnderunder goe a world of iniuries and miſeries, and at the laſt in a ſhamefull death to offer vp himſelfe in Sacrifice to thee for my redemption; vouchſafe me thy Grace, that I may pick vp ſome Crummes vnderunder his Table, and gather vp ſome fruits at the foote of his Croſſe, that when I hauehave ſeene, what Iudas ſould, & the Iewes bought: what Iudas loſt, and I hauehave gained, I may bathe my ſoule in the purple ſtreame of his moſt precious blood and then entombe him, & lay him vp in a beleeuing heart, vntill his glorious appearance: So that all the dayes of my life, being waſhed (as the Apoſtle ſaith) being ſanctified, and being iuſtified in the name of the Lord Ieſus, and by the ſpirit of my God, I may neuer be without ſorrow for my Sinnes, thankfulnes for thy Benefits, feare of thy Iudgements, louelove of thy Mercies, nor remembrance of thy preſence. Amen.
A Meditation or Prayer vponupon the Life, Death, and Paſsion of our Lord and Sauiour Ieſus Chriſt.
O LORD Chriſt Ieſus, Sonne of God, thou holy, mighty, & wonderfull God and Man, who art the life of the liuing, and the death of Death, and therefore both in life and death aduantage: Whoſe life for my ſake, was feebled with naturall infirmities, and death cauſed by violent ſorrowes, & yet thy life milde, and thy death qiuet. I beſeech thee giuegive mee a fleſhie heart, to weepe and ſhedde teares downe my cheekes, if not for thy paines (who didſt ſweat drops of blood trickling downe to the ground, & afterward dyedſt for my ſake) yet for my ſins, which then bred thy ſorrow, and now worke my woe.
Lord, I know that for me, the tempeſt of thy Fathers anger, and fire of his wrath was ſtirred and kindled againſt thee; wherfore now with the wiſe men of the Eaſt, and all the Iewes, I come to ſeeke thee in the Stable at Bethleem, and in Mount Caluarie. At Bethleem, where the Manger was thy Bed to be borne in: in Mount Caluarie, where the Croſſe was thy Bed to dye on. In Bethleem, where a handfull of Straw was the pillow for thy ſacred Head to reſt on: in Mount Caluary, where a crowne of Thornes and a number of Nailes pierced and faſtened both head and body. In Bethleem, where courſe ſwadling clothes were thy beſt Roabes: and in Mount Caluarie, where thou didſt hang naked in much miſerie. I come to adore thee, to prayſe thee, to pray thee, that as in thy life time, thou waſt content to be bred, borne & brought vp in manifold infirmities, (to ſtrengthen our frailtie, and to demonſtrate the truth of thy Humanitie) and then at thy death, to diſarme thy ſelfe, and to be broken with them, for the diſcharge of our Captiuitie, & the aſſurance of our acceſſe to the Throne of grace. So thou wilt bee pleaſed as a gracious King to holde out thy golden Scepter of mercy to my fearefull conſcience, that I may come neere to looke into thy wounds, to ſue for compaſſion and pardon, & to taſte of thy goodneſſe, who am a ſinnefull wretch, full of corruption and manifold infirmities.
2 O ſweet Ieſus, how ſhall I recount the large ſeuerals of thine innocent paſſions, from thy poore Natiuity, to thy guiltles death? From thy bloodie ſweat and heauie agonie in one garden, to thy ſtrange buriall in another? How can I thinke of thy labours in preaching, thy wearineſſe in trauailing, thy watchfulneſſe in Praying, thy temptings in faſting, thy teares in pittying, and not confeſſe more iuſtly of thee, then Dauid did of his Ionathan, Very kinde haſt thou beene vntounto mee: thy louelove to mee was wonderfull, paſsing the louelove of women?
Was it not inough, euen for louelove to mee, to be cloathed with the vaile of fleſh, but that thou muſt be compaſſed with the ſhadow of death? Was it not inough to become Earth, Earth, Earth, but thou muſt become alſo Woe, Woe, Woe? The God of heauen to become the Sonne of Man! The Lord of life to bee made the childe of death! The Maiſter to be turned to be a Seruant, and from a Seruant, to be counted a bad Seruant! No proofe brought, and yet ſcourged without meaſure: No Inditement found, and yet crucified without merciemercy! Oh, the beloued of the Lord ran through Bryars of Paſſions! Oh, the holy Lambe was betrayed, carried away, bound, condemned, conſorted with malefactors and Theeues; and, like Ionas, plunged in the maine depth of ſorrowes, and ſwallowed vp of the whale of death! O Lambe of God, that takeſt away the ſinnes of the world, hauehave mercy vponupon mee.
3 O Lord Ieſus, it is the ioy of my heart, that thou haſt taken and borne all mine infirmities. All, ſpirituall and corporall: true euidences of thy humanity, but no impediments to thy Charitie. All of Soule, all of Body, and yet neither deformed in faſhion, nor diſtempered in paſſion, nor tainted with any guilt of ſinne. Thy ſoule heauie to the death, ſhall bring my ſoule to life: I ſhould neuer hauehave beene heartily merry, except thou hadſt beene painefully ſad, and grieuouſly ſorrowfull. I ſhould neuer hauehave beene verily ſatisfied, except thou hadſt truely hungred and thirſted. I ſhould neuer hauehave beene deliuered from feare, and abſolutely bold, except thou hadſt naturally feared.
O thou euer-glorious God, the conſolation of Iſraell, and the hope of all the ends of the earth, relieue my carefull Conſcience, that am ſadde, diſordered and diſturbed in minde for feare of thy iudgements, and becauſe I hauehave diſpleaſed ſo gracious a God, and louing Father.
Oh, neuer let my ſoule be ouertaken with feare ſo farre as to diſpaire: nor ouerwhelmed with the Sea of thy wrath, nor apparailed with the ſuggeſtions of Sathan: But let it alwayes heare the voyce of thy Blood, ſpeaking better things then the blood of Abell, and crying, not for reuenge, but for pardon, for me, who by my manifold tranſgreſſions hauehave robbed God of his honour, the Church of a member, and my ſoule of life.
4 Oh man of ſorrowes, but mirrour of patience: What a weeke of paynes was this to thee? What a good-Friday was that for mee? What dayes of ſorrowes were then one after another to thee? and yet with what patience didſt thou paſſe them ouer? Patient, when Caiaphus ſo deſpightfully vſed thee: Patient, when Pilate ſo vnrighteouſlie iudged thee: Patient, when falſe Iudas ſo cunningly, and treacherouſlie ſaluted thee, and deſigned thee to be taken. Againe, patient, when thou didſt carry thine owne Croſſe: patient, when the Crowne of Thornes drew blood from thy ſacred head; and patient, when all others reuiled, reproached, beſpitted, ſcoffed, and abuſed thee.
Oh thou that ſo patiently & peaceably, mildely, & meekely, didſt carry painefull and pangfull, haynous and heauie ſorrowes for mee: I beſeech thee, let thy patience diſcharge my impatiencie, and let thine infirmities which thou didſt truely take, and willingly beare with ſuch power & innocency, informe mine ignorance, comfort my ſadneſſe, kindle my louelove, diſcharge my feare, and moderate my anger. O Lord, grant me patience to beare thy holy wil in all things, and giuegive me grace in the midſt of all troubles, yet to continue in thy feare.
5 When I deſire grace, O ſweet Ieſus, to fulfill thy commandement of LoueLove and Charitie, which is the end of thy commandement, out of a pure heart, and of a good conſcience & of faith vnfained, where ſhall I take my patterne but from thee, ſuch a louer as is LoueLove himſelfe? for whom didſt thou not louelove? As for thy Diſciples, thou didſt louelove them as Schollers, and cheriſh them as children, and ſtile them thy friends. Thou didſt ſtoope downe to waſh their feete, that were not worthy to vntye thy Shooe. Thou diddeſt reſtore Peter, that had abiured thee: thou didſt ſaue the Theefe that dyed with thee: thou didſt confirme Thomas that douted of thee: thou didſt forgiue Iames and Iohn, that aſked too much of thee. The bloody perſecutors & crucifiers, who did curſe and execrate themſelues & their children, to doe thee a miſchiefe, they, euen they had thine earneſt prayers, before thou diddeſt either diſpoſe of thy Mother, o… pray for thy ſelfe. Yea, that Iudas that betrayed thee and ſould thee for thirtie pence (making no price of thee, but taking a baſe offer) thy holy hands did waſh his vncleane feet, and thy ſacred lips did touch his prophane mouth.
O thou fountaine of LoueLove, that doeſt drench thoſe that louelove thee in the ſtreame of thy pleaſures, & imbalmeſt euen thine enemies with the oyle of compaſſion, and loueſt Mankinde with an euerlaſting louelove, ſo farre, that after they had borne armes againſt thee, thou didſt embrace them in the armes of thy Mercy▪ O thou that didſt grieue till thou mighteſt dye for me: Thou that wouldſt be betrayed with a kiſſe, as it were to meete death in the middle way: Thou that didſt reprooue Peter, when hee diſwaded thee from it, and didſt haſten on Iudas, leſt he ſhould be too ſlacke to bring thee to it. Kindle, ô kindle my deſires to thee, inflame my heart with thankfulneſſe to thee, inſpire my ſoule with the fire of zealous louelove to burne alwayes, and flame vponupon the Alter of my hart, that for thy louelove to mee, I may euermore louelove thee aboue all things, and my neighbour as my ſelfe.
6 This is the Conſummatum eſt, O ſweet Ieſus: Thou haſt giuen mee that which thou didſt not owe mee, and haſt forgiuen me that which I did owe thee: Thou waſt content to be the By-word of the people, and the curſe of the Law, for my ſake. Bleſſed be thy Name; bleſſed be thy Life; bleſſed be thy death. For thy death is my birth: thy crowne of Thornes is my garland the ſcarres of thy body, are the ſtarres of my firmament. Thy gracious wounds are my happie plaiſters. Thy bitter Mirrhe refreſheth me, thine infirmities ſtrengthen me, thy ſtripes heale mee, and thy blood clenſeth me.
Loe, I hauehave nothing to take to but what I hauehave from thee; Therefore Bone Ieſu, eſto mihi Ieſus, O good Ieſus make good thy good name Ieſus vntounto mee, and let thy Paſſion worke compaſſion for me, that by thy mercy I may obtaine remiſſion of my ſinnes, and by thy merits may obtaine euerlaſting ſaluation in the kingdome of heauen. Amen. Amen.