Supplications of Saints, Part 3
Supplications OF SAINTS. The Third Part. Dauid alone.
PSAL. 142. 1. 2.
With my voyce vntounto the Lord did I make my Supplication. I powred out my complaint before him.
This Part containeth Prayers in the names of diuers parties, of ſeuerall eſtates: with a forme of generall thanskgiuing.
PSALME 112. 6.
The righteous ſhall be had in euerlaſting remembrance.
Queene Elizabeths Prayer of Thankſgiuing, for the ouerthrow of the Spaniſh Nauy, ſent to inuade ENGLAND, Anno 1588.
MOſt omnipotent Creator Redeemer, and Conſeruer. When it ſeemed moſt fit time to thy worthy Prouidence to beſtow the workmanſhip of this worlds Globe: with thy rare iugdement, thou didſt diuide, into foure ſingular parts, the forme of all this Mold, which aftertime hath tearmed Elements: all they ſeruing to continue in orderly Gouernment of all the maſſe. Which all, when of thy moſt ſingular bountie, and neuer yerſt ſeene care, thou haſt this yeere made ſerue for inſtruments to daunt our foes, and to confound their malice. I moſt humbly with bowed heart, and bended knees, doe render my humblieſt acknowledgments, and lowlieſt thanks. And not the leaſt; for that the weakeſt Sexe hath been ſo fortified by thy ſtrongeſt helpe, that neither my people need finde lacke by my weakneſſe, nor Forreiners tryumph at my ruine: Such hath beene thy vnwonted grace in my DAYES; as though Sathan hath neuer made Holy-day, in practiſing for my life and ſtate: yet thy mightie hand hath ouerſpread both with the ſhade of thy wings, ſo that neither hath beene ouerthrowen, nor receiued ſhame, but abide with bleſſing, to thy moſt glory, and their greateſt ignominy. For which, Lord, of thy meere goodneſſe, graunt vsus grace to be hourely thankfull, and euer mindfull. And if it may pleaſe thee to pardon my requeſt, giuegive vsus thy continuance in my dayes, of like goodneſſe; that my yeares neuer ſee change of ſuch grace to me, but eſpecially to this my kingdome: which LORD graunt (for thy Sonnes ſake) may flouriſh many ages after my end, Amen.
Queene Elizabeths Prayer for the ſucceſſe of her Nauie, Anno Domi. 1596.
MOſt omnipotent MAKER and GVIDER of all Worlds Maſſe, that onelyonly ſearcheſt and fadomeſt the bottome of all hearts-conceits, and in them ſeeſt the true originall of all actions intended: Thou that by thy foreſight doeſt truely diſcerne, how no malic of reuenge, nor quittance of iniurie, nor deſire of bloodſhed, nor greedines of lucre hath bred the reſolution of our now ſet-out Armie, but a heedfull care, and a wary watch, that no neglect of foes, nor ouerſuertie of harme, might breed either danger to vsus, or glory to them.
Theſe being the grounds, thou that didſt inſpire the mind, we humbly beſeech thee with bended knees, proſper the worke, and with the beſt fore-windes, ſpeed the Iourney, giuegive the victorie, and make the returne the aduancement of thy glory, the trump of thy Fame, and ſuertie of thy Realme, with the leaſt loſſe of Engliſh blood. To theſe deuout petitions, Lord giuegive thy bleſſed graunt, Amen.
Queene Elizabeths Prayer for her Nauie, Anno Dom. 1597.
O GOD, All-maker, Keeper and Guider. Inurement of thy rare ſeene, vnuſed, and ſeeldheard-of goodnes powred in ſo plentifull ſort vponupon vsus full oft, breeds now this boldnes to craue with bowed knees, and hearts of humilitie, thy large hand of helping-power to aſſiſt with wonder our iuſt cauſe, not founded on prides motion, nor begun on malice-ſtock, but as thou beſt knoweſt (to whom nought is hid) grounded on iuſt defence from wrongs, hate, and bloody deſire of conqueſt.
For ſithens means thou haſt imparted to ſaue that thou haſt giuen, by inioying of ſuch a people, as ſcornes their blood-ſhed, where ſafetie ours is none. Fortifie, deare GOD, ſuch hearts in ſuch ſort, as their beſt part may be worſt, that to the trueſt part meant worſt, with leaſt loſſe to ſuch a Nation as deſpiſe their liues for their Countryes good. That all forraine Lands may laud and admire the omnipotencie of thy worke, a fact alone for thee onelyonly to performe. So ſhal they name be ſpred for wonders wrought, and the faithfull encouraged to repoſe in thy vnfellowed grace: and we that minded nought but right, be in chained in thy bonds for perpetuall ſlauery, and liue & die the ſacrificers of our ſoules, for ſuch obtained fauour. Warrant deare Lord all this with thy command, Amen.
The Houſholders Prayers.
Pſal. 55. 22.Caſt thy burthen vponupon the Lord and he ſhall ſuſtaine thee, he ſhall not ſuffer the righteous to be moued.
O MOST mightie God, mercifull and louing Father, I wretched ſinner come vntounto thee, in the Name of thy dearely beloued ſonne Ieſus Chriſt, my onelyonly Sauiour and Redeemer, and moſt humbly beſeech thee, to be mercifull vntounto me, and to caſt all my ſinnes out of thy ſight & remembrance, through the merites of his bloody death and Paſſion. Powre vponupon me (O Lord) thy holy Spirit of wiſedome and grace: gouerne and leade mee by thy holy word, that it may be a Lanthorne vntounto my feete, and a light vntounto my ſteps. Shew thy mercy vponupon me, and ſo lighten the naturall blindneſſe and darkneſſe of my heart, thorough thy grace, that I may dayly be renewed by the ſame Spirit and grace: By the which (O Lord) purge the groſſeneſſe of my hearing & vnderſtanding, that I may profitably read, heare and vnderſtand thy word and heauenly will, beleeue and practiſe the ſame in my life and conuerſation, and euermore hold faſt the bleſſed hope of eternall life.
Mortifie and kill all vice in me, that my life may expreſſe my Faith in thee: mercifully heare the humble ſute of thy ſeruant, and grant me thy peace all my daies, graciouſly pardon all mine infirmities, and defend mee in all dangers of body, goods or name, but moſt chiefly my ſoule againſt all aſſaults, temptations, accuſations, ſubtile ſleights, and baites of that old enemie of mankind Sathan, that roaring Lyon, euer ſeeking whom hee may deuoure. Fauourably protect and keepe all that thou haſt giuen mee, as Wife, Children or Seruants, and aide me (ô Lord) with thy grace, that I may be able to gouerne, nouriſh, and bring them vp in thy feare and ſeruice.
Caſt a gracious eye vponupon mee, and lend mee thy directing hand, that the labour and paines which I am to vndertake this day, may proſper and let all my dealings be iuſt and true. Bleſſe, (ô Lord) thy Vniuerſall Church, and perfect the worke which thou haſt begun amongſt vsus: Beare out moſt gracious King Iames, the Queene his wife, their royall Sonne Prince Henry, and all their Children, alwaies in thine owne boſom; and ſet thine eies alwayes vponupon them for good. Let the ſpirit of knowledge and holineſſe remaine in his Miniſters. Bleſſe all his Counſell, with wiſedome and diſcretion; his Nobles with fortitude & courage: his Iudges with iuſtice and merciemercy: his Magiſtrates with diligence and faithfulneſſe: his people with feare & obedience, that we may all with one minde, and one mouth, ſay with the Prophet, He that is mightie hath done great things for vsus, and Holy is his Name. Amen.
¶Another of the Houſholders.
Epheſ. 9 6.Know that your Maiſter alſo is in Heauen, neither is there reſpect of perſons with him.
LEad me (ô Lord) in the way of thy truth and righteouſnes: and gouerne all mine actions to thy glory, the good of thy Church, and the diſcharge of my dutie. Defend and deliuer me from all temptations, from all mine enemies, and from all deceits, and dangers. Kindle my heart and minde with a feruent zeale of thy holy word, that I may vnderſtand and know thy will, and walke in thy wayes. Strengthen mee with thy holy ſpirit, boldly and conſtantly to profeſſe the honour and ſeruice of thy holy Name, leaſt at any time through feare of worldy afflictions, I fall from thee.
GiueGive mee a contented minde with my eſtate, and ſuch bleſſings as thou (O LORD) of thy bountifull goodneſſe and merciemercy haſt beſtowed vponupon mee: that I may vſe them, & be thankfull for them. Graunt mee patience in all my troubles and afflictions, that I neither grudge at thy fatherly corrections (knowing them to be tokens of thy louelove, and inſtruments of my exerciſe and tryall) neither ſeeke reuenge of my wrongs knowing vengeance to bee thine, and that thou wilt reward it in due ſeaſon.
Keepe my minde from all euill thoughts, my tongue from lewd and vaine ſpeeches, my body and eueryevery member thereof, from all ſinfull actions. Let all my louelove, my faith, and hope, my delight and confidence only and alwaies be in thee. Open my heart to hauehave pitty vponupon the poore brethren, giuegive mee the gift of chaſtitie, that I may poſſeſſe my veſſell with ſanctification and honour, and not in the luſt of concupiſcence, euen as the Heathen doe, which know not God.
GiueGive me ô Lord, ſorrow for my ſinnes, thankfullnes for thy benefites, feare of thy iudgements, and louelove of thy mercies, and teach me to bring vp my children and gouerne my ſeruants, in good order and godly diſcipline, according to thy holy ordinance: & becauſe by thy grace I am that I am, let thy demaunds, be no greater then thou haſt giuen mee grace to performe. O Lord, pardon and forgiue all my ſinnes, and grant me grace to liue in thy feare, and die in thy fauour, that I may riſe to liue with my Lord Ieſus, & euermore dwell with him, in thy moſt glorious and ioyfull kingdome, the onelyonly thing which I deſire and hope for, through the merits and merciemercy of the ſame Ieſus Chriſt, thy onelyonly Sonne, and my onelyonly Sauiour and Lord, Amen.
The Wiues Praier for her Husband, in abſence, or otherwiſe.
Pſal. 37. 4.Delight thy ſelfe alſo in the Lord, and he ſhall giuegive thee the deſires of thy heart.
O Lord God, which haſt made euerie marryed Couple one fleſh, and haſt ordained that they ſhould be of one mind, and one iudgement, and carefull one for another, as members one of another: I beſeech thee, leade mee and my husband in the way of thy Truth and Righteouſneſſe. Gouerne all our actions to thy glory, the good of thy Church, and the diſcharge of our duties. Defend and deliuer vsus, (ô Lord) from all temptations, from all our enemies, and from all deceits and dangers, here, or elſewhere.
Grant my husband being abroad, to proſper in his buſineſſe, & ſend him a healthfull and happie returne home: that I who without him am ſorrowfull in my ſelfe, and ſhould be a ſtranger to the world, if he were not, may with him liue in the eſtate of thine honourable ordinance, in peace and comfort, and alwayes for thy great goodneſſe and merciemercy towards vsus, prayſe thy moſt holy Name.
Grant vsus both grace, (ô Lord) one to louelove & cheriſh the other, one to be faithfull & dutifull towards the other: and giuegive vsus both the gift of Chaſtitie and Sobrietie, that both in body and minde, wee may liue a pure life, bring vp our children, and gouerne our ſeruants with godly Diſcipline and good order, in and according to thy holy word.
O LORD, pardon and forgiue both of vsus all our ſinnes, and grant vsus both grace to louelove; honor, feare, and ſerue thee all the dayes of this our miſerable and ſinfull life▪ that in this life wee may hauehave comfort in that which thou haſt giuen vsus, and after our death, we may receiue the fruites of that hope which wee hauehave layde vp in thy mercies, through the merites and mediation of thy Sonne Ieſus Chriſt, our onelyonly Lord and Sauiour, Amen.
The VViddowes Prayer.
Deut. 10 18.The Lord doth execute the iudgement vntounto the fatherleſſe & Widdow, & loueth the ſtranger, in giuing them food and rayment.
O Lord God which art neerely touched with a care of the afflicted, and deſpiſeſt not the Widdow when ſhe powreth out her Prayers before thee, I beſeech thee, to hauehave compaſſion vponupon mee, a poore and deſolate Widdow. And whereas the bands of death hauehave made a ſeparation between me & my husband, who was my head, & the beſt ſtay I had in this World, next vnderunder thee: I beſeech thee let me not take this croſſe impatiently, but truſt in thy goodneſſe, that nothing may be able to ſeparate mee from thee, which art mine onelyonly ſtay, & the ioy of my ſoule.
Preſerue me Lord, from the pawes of rauenous and greedy cormorants, which lye in waite to ſupplant the weakeſt, and deuoure our Houſes vnderunder the pretence of godlineſſe and colour of right. Grant that in the ſight of all Gouernours and Iudges, I may finde fauour and equall dealing in my ſuites and complaints, againſt all violence and oppreſſors. GiueGive vntounto all men willing and ready mindes to doe mee good, and open their hearts, to helpe and pleaſure mee in all reaſonable demands. Prouide for mee, by miniſtring cloths and nouriſhment fit for mine eſtate; hauehave pitty vponupon me in all my neceſſities, and ſtretch out thy hand to deliuer me.
Bleſſe mee as thou didſt that poore Woman of Sarepthah, that that ſmall thing which thou haſt giuen mee, may ſerue to ſupply the neceſſarie vſes of me & mine Diſpoſe the hearts of my children & ſeruants to obedience, peace, and holineſſe, that I which am the weaker veſſell, depriued of him whoſe countenance ſhould hauehave kept them in awe, may by thy help, bring them vp in godly Diſcipline. GiueGive mee the grace of thy holy Spirit, that at all times, and in all mine afflictions, I may truſt in thee, and continue in Prayers and Supplications day and night: not giuen to any qualitie, but ſuch as befitteth a modeſt matrone, and the hand-maid of the Lord, for Ieſus Chriſts ſake, our onelyonly Sauiour and Redeemer, Amen.
¶The Prayer of Women with Child.
Iohn 16. 21.A woman when ſhe is in trauell hath ſorrow, becauſe her houre is come.
O Lord GOD, by whoſe Decree, for the offence of our firſt Parents, wee beare in our wombs, & bring forth children in paine & ſorrow, be mercifull vntounto me, that now feele the accompliſhment of that ſentence in my ſelfe: and as thou haſt vouchſafed me this bleſſing to conceiue in my wombe, and to nouriſh that which thou haſt wrought, vntill this time; ſo graunt, that in due time I may ſee the fruit of my body, ſafe, ſound, and perfect, without blemiſh or deformitie.
Keepe me (ô Lord) from an vntimely birth: graunt that through Prayer, faith, and patience, I may eſcape all ſudden feares, and vnaduiſed thoughts. Comfort me when I ſhall draw neere vntounto my hard labour, and when I ſhall fall into thoſe terrors, horrors and pangs which accompany that houre, ſhew thy merciemercy vponupon mee and my Babe; that my ſinnes may be forgiuen me, and that it may not be puniſhed for my offences. GiueGive me patience, that I be not too fearefull, and vnruly, but that I may remember what modeſtie befitteth a woman in thoſe dangers, and repoſe all my affyance in thee. O Lord, ſend mee help, and preſerue mee that I periſh not.
Grant thee (O Lord) ſafe deliuerance in due time, & make me a ioyfull Mother, when that hour commeth, let not my ſinnes ſo many, be called in queſtion either now, or at that inſtant, but forget, O LORD, and forgiue them: bleſſe my poore infant, and lodge it in the vertue of thy couenant, and when thou ſhalt be pleaſed to call it into open light, giuegive me wiſedome & ſtrength to bring it vp in thy feare, and (as it were) to trauell againe with it, till it be borne againe vntounto a heauenly life, to thy greater glory, and my further ioy, through Ieſus Chriſt, our Lord, Amen.
The Midwifes Prayer.
Pſal. 68. 35.O God, wonderfull art thou in thy holy places: euen the God of Iſrael, he will giuegive strength and power vntounto his people. Bleſſed be God.
O LORD GOD, who onelyonly haſt power to take all children out of their mothers wombes, and to bring them to the light of this world, I thine vnworthy ſeruant, whom thou haſt deputed to this great Buſineſſe, for the helpe and comfort of many in their extremities, doe moſt humbly on bended knees, beſeech thee, to vouchſafe me thy gracious aſſiſtance in the ſame.
HaueHave mercy vponupon mee, ô Lord, and in all mine actions let me hauehave thy feare before mine eyes, that I may be carefull, both for rich and poore, to doe good and not hurt, to ſaue life and not to deſtroy. Helpe mine infirmities &c imperfections, that I be neither too feareful, nor too violent in doing my dutie: and grant me skill and iudgement happily to finiſh eueryevery worke that I ſhall vndertake.
GiueGive mee, O Lord, an vnderſtanding and tender heart, a readie, ſteedie, and gentle hand, a watchfull eye, and a willing minde. Mercifully looke vponupon me, ô Lord, that whenſoeuer I ſhalbe called to doe mine office, either by night or day, to the ſicke, or to the ſound, I may be defended from all bodily harmes, & preſerued from the infection of all contagious diſeaſes by thy gracious fauour. Proſper, ô Lord, the workes of my hands, ô proſper thou my handie worke, that I may doe all things to thy glory; the comfort of all good women, and mine owne credite, through Ieſus Chriſt our Lord and Sauiour. Amen.
A Prayer in time of womens trauell.
Let thy worke (O Lord) appeare vntounto thy ſeruants,Pſa. 90. 16▪ 3. and thy glory vntounto their Children.
O Gracious God, and louing father, of whom the whole familye in heauen and earth is named, wee beſeech thee mercifully heare the voyce of all vsus thy hand-maydes heere aſſembled in thy name, for the help of this our Siſter in her Agonie now approaching. Lord, looke vponupon her in merciemercy, and mittigate the iudgement which thou haſt laid vponupon her, and all Women for ſin. GiueGive her courage of heart, and ſtrength of body to beare the pangs of her labour ſo fearfull and vehement. Sweeten them with the drops of thy mercy, and qualifie them by thy gracious power▪ pardon her offences, and receaue her prayers.
Louing Father, giuegive her patience and willingneſſe to be aduiſed and ordered by her friends in ſo great a worke: that ſhee may remember, that as in iuſtice thou haſt greatly increaſed her ſorrowes and conceptions: ſo it is thy will to hauehave a holy ſeed brought forth into the world, which being ſanctified by thy grace, may be conſecrate here to ſuch godly ſeruices, as thou haſt appointed, and afterward made partaker of thy glory, in the kingdome of heauen. And therefore (O Lord) we pray thee, bleſſe her and the fruit of her Wombe, let thy merciemercy be no leſſe ſhewed in the birth, then in the wonderfull forming and faſhioning of that ſhe beareth. Guide all our hands that are about her, and laie to thy helping hand with vsus. GiueGive her an eaſie, & ſpeedy deliuerance. But if it be thy will to laye any greater weight of thy wrath vponupon her acording to thy doome, yet good Lord we beſeech thee, let thy holy ſpirit ſo comfort her inwardly, with thy promiſes made to all, and thy goodnes ſhewed to others, that neither her naturall frailtie, northe temptations of Sathan, nor the extremities of her Throwes cauſe her to faint. Comfort her, helpe her, finiſh thy worke in her (ô thou preſeruer of mankind) that ſhe being ſafely deliuered, and her Babe preſerued, they may both liue to thy will and pleaſure, and wee altogether prayſe thy holy Name, through Ieſus Chriſt our Lord, Amen.
A Prayer after the deliuerance of women.
Pſal 127. 3Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord, and the fruit of the wombe is his reward.
O LORD God, by whom all men and women are wonderfully & fearefully made, we giuegive thee moſt humble thankes, that in thy iudgement towards this our Siſter, thou haſt remembred merciemercy, in giuing her ſafe deliuerance, together with a comely fruit of her body. Good Lord wee pray thee continue thy great goodneſſe towardes her, and keepe her from all further annoyance and dangers of Child-bed. Preſerue her day and night, ſleeping and waking, that ſo in her time ſhee may be reſtored to her former health and ſtrength, and walke in her vocation according to thy will, with thankſgiuing.
GiueGive thy bleſſing to the Infant now borne,Leaue out all this, if the child be not born aliue. that it may in due time increaſe in wiſedome, and ſtature, and fauour with God and man: that it may be partaker of the ſacred Seale of holy Baptiſme, & borne anew by the power of thy Spirit, liue a holy and ſanctified life in this world, & afterward be made heire of euerlaſting life. O Lord, bleſſe the mother alſo for the BABES good, that ſhee may hauehave ſtrength & meanes to bring it vp to thy glory, and vſe all ſuch good endeuours as become a carefull and naturall Mother.
Lord giuegive thy grace to all vsus, which hauehave beene eyewitneſſes of this thy mercy and goodneſſe: and let this and all other thy workes daily put vsus in minde to be thankeful vntounto thee, for our creation, preſeruation, and all other thy good gifts: to call vponupon thee, louelove and feare thee, walking in thy ſight in all ſobrietie, chaſtitie, and godlines, from this day forward for euermore, for IESVS Chriſts ſake, Amen.
¶The Childrens Prayer, in their Parents life time.
Pro. 10. 1.A wiſe ſonne maketh a glad Father: but a fooliſh ſon is the heauineſſe of his mother.
O HEAVENLY Father, Father of our Lord Ieſus Chriſt, and all that beleeue in him, endue mee, I beſeech thee, with thy holy Spirit, that I may be a babe of thy heauenly Family, regenerate and made a new creature in the ſame Chriſt Ieſus, my Sauiour. Make mee by all meanes to honour my Parents, after the example of thy Sonne our Sauiour, and not by any means to breed their ſorrow & griefe: that when thou ſhalt ſee it good to make mee ancient, and bleſſe mee with children, then I may hauehave ioy in them, by their obedience and holineſſe.
Ioyne, (O Lord) vntounto the towardneſſe of my Nature the ayde of thy grace, that I be not ſeduced by falſe teachers to corruption, either in Faith or manners: but that all my vnderſtanding and conceits may tend to the good of my ſoule, and the bettering of my life.
Reſtraine (O Lord) the vntamedneſſe of my youth, which at this time is wont to begin to ſhew it ſelf: that I neuer paſſe the limites of thy good pleaſure. Keepe me from wandering concupiſcence and idlenes, from wicked company & naughtie fellowſhip.
Forgiue me all the miſdemeanors which I hauehave at any time committed againſt thee & my parents, and giuegive mee abilitie and grace to help them in their weakeſt age, and greateſt neede; remembring the paines which my mother endured for mee, and the charges of my father. Make mee obedient vntounto them, and all other my betters, teachers and Gouernours: help me in all dangers and neceſſities, and grant mee thy fauour all the dayes of my life, and thy kingdome at the end, for Ieſus Chriſts ſake, Amen.
Another Prayer of Children.
Pſal. 37. 5.Commit thy way vntounto the Lord, truſt alſo in him, and he ſhall bring it to paſſe.
O LORD GOD, I beſeech thee, to lead my Parents in the way of thy Trueth and righteouſnes. Gouerne all their actions to thy glory, the good of thy CHVRCH, and the diſcharge of their duties. Defend and deliuer them from all their enemies, and from all deceits and dangers; that I who am a childe in age, vnderſtanding and diſcretion, may by their godly wiſedome, care, and painefulneſſe, be brought vp in all godly inſtructions, nourture, and good order, and ſo liue and ſerue thee in righteouſneſſe and holineſſe all my da…es.
Grant mee (ô Lord) an obedient and dutifull mind not onelyonly towards my Parents, but all ſuch as it ſhall pleaſe them to make inſtructors and Rulers ouer mee: that I may ſubmit my ſelfe to their godly admonitions and gouernment. Incline my heart now in my tender years, to ſeek for wiſedome and good learning with all diligence. Preſerue mee from all euill wayes, and lewd companie.
Mortifie (O Lord) the raging luſtes, and follies of youthful affections. O Lord pardon and forgiue mee all my ſinnes, that I may liue in thy feare, and dye in thy fauour, & ſo receiue the inheritance of that place, which thou in heauen haſt prepared for mee, through Ieſus Chriſt, my onelyonly Lord and Sauiour, Amen.
The Orphans, or fatherleſſe Childes prayer.
Pſal. 27. 10.When my Father and my Mother forſake me, then the Lord will take me vp.
O Lord GOD, the ſuccour of all them that are in diſtreſſe, and Father of the Fatherleſſe: I poore Orphane, by thine appointment depriued of my Parents and chiefeſt ſtay in this World, beſeech thee to heare my deſire, & to ſet thine eyes vponupon mee for good. HaueHave pitty vponupon me (O Lord) and in all perils & neceſſities ſtretch out thine helping hand, & deliuer me appoint me faithfull Patrons & Gardians, which will be touched with an earneſt care of my wel-fare, that I may be brought vp in thy feare vntounto eueryevery good worke.
GiueGive mee grace to be obedient to thoſe that hauehave the ouer-ſight of mee, to hearken to good counſell, to feare thee, and flye euill company. Grant that I may finde fauour and vpright dealing at the handes of them that hauehave the ouerſight of mee, and before all other Gouernors & Iudges whatſoeuer. Let me not be oppreſſed by the mightie, nor ſeduced by the craftie and ſubtile, but deliuer me from greedie and deuouring cormorants, & diſſembling friendes that would make a pray of me.
Let me not run too and fro to ſeeke my bread, but prouide for mee (O Lord) I pray thee, food and rayment, and ſo furniſh me in this ſhort time of my Pilgrimage, that I may hauehave a competent liuing. Bleſſe my ſtudies and endeuours, increaſe my yeeres and knowledge to ſitte alwayes my eſtate and calling, direct mee with thy Spirit, and bleſſe mee now and euermore, for Ieſus Chriſts ſake, Amen.
The Schollers Prayer.
Pro. 6. 23.The Commaundement is a Lampe, and the Law is light, & reproofe of inſtructions are the way of life.
O Lord God which haſt ſaid, If any man lacke wiſedome, let him aske of GOD, (which giueth to all men liberally, and reprocheth no man,) and it ſhall be giuen him. I beſeech thee, breath into my Soule the Spirit of Vnderſtanding, that in my childe-hoode, I may learne; and as I grow further into yeares, practiſe the ſtudy of thoſe things only, that are agreeable to thy lawes. HaueHave mercy vponupon me, & lighten mine vnderſtanding with the beams of thy diuine wiſedom, that I may hauehave iudgement to make the beſt choiſe, witt and capacitie to conceiue, and memorie to retaine & beare away all ſuch good things as I ſhall either heare or read.
Lord, hew and ſquare the rough table of my heart, prepare it, and make it ſmooth & fit to receiue into it the impreſſions of thy diuine grace and wiſedome. Graunt that I may carefully ſeek for the pearls of true knowledge, and obediently ſubmit my ſelfe to all thoſe that are my teachers, and hauehave the ouerſight of mee. GiueGive me ſuch a deſire to attaine vntounto knowledge, that my ſtudy through thy working, may be a pleaſure vntounto me, and that I may not wilfully loſe or vainely beſtow that precious time, which neuer can be called againe. Poure into mee thy holy Spirit, that all my trauell & paines in ſtudy being bleſſed by thee, I may plentifully reap the fruit of my labours, and be thankfull vntounto thee.
O louing Father, be thou my Schoole-maiſter, to inſtruct mee, and let all my ſtudies be referred to the right end, that I be neither infected with Hereſie, nor partaker of any Sect or Schiſme. Lord, when I ſhall hauehave attained vntounto any meaſure of knowledge, let it not puffe me vp to ſtand high in mine owne conceit, or be proude of thy gifts; but let mee be wiſe vntounto ſobrietie, and cary my ſelfe humbly, lowly, and modeſtly; and ſo order all my ſtudies & endeauors, good Father, that I may firmely reſolue, ſpeedily be, and conſtantly continue in performing any thing that is agreable to thy will, that ſo eueryevery thing may ſerue mee for the furtherance to a godly and vertuous life, & the diſcharge of a good conſcience, through Ieſus Chriſt our Lord, Amen.
¶The Souldiers Prayer.
Exod. 15. 3The Lord is a man of Warre, his Name is Iehouah.
O LORD God of hoſts, which teacheſt my hands to fight, and my fingers to battell, I humbly beſech thee, to hauehave mercy vponupon me, that am ſubiect to ſo many dangers eueryevery day, that I fall not before mine enemies. Touch my heart, that I may truely feele my ſins, and worthily lament them before thy Maieſtie: and ſince I hauehave vndertaken this ſeruice, not for any couetouſneſſe, or reuenge of blood, but in obedience to my Prince, & to defend a righteous cauſe, ſuffer me not (I beſeech thee) to giuegive my members as weapons of vnrighteouſneſſe vntounto ſin; but to looke carefully vntounto my wayes, ſeeking to diſcharge my duty towards thee, and to acquit my ſelfe in all loyaltie towards my Prince.
O Lord, gird mee with ſtrength, and make my way vpright: conduct me with thy hand, encourage mee with the Trumpet of thy Word, arme me with faith and hope to thee-ward, and ſtrengthen mee to the combate. Bleſſe all our company in our attempts, and ſuggeſt vntounto vsus the beſt meanes to ſaue our ſelues, and defeat the purpoſes of our enemies. Arme vsus with thy grace, that wee may manfully fight in thy quarrell: make our name fearefull to our enemies, and abate their Pride. Range vsus within the limites of truth and honeſty, that we be not giuen to thoſe vices which accompany the War, vile affections, inordinate motions, and merciles cruelties. Lord, it is nothing with thee to help with many, or with no power: Helpe vsus, O Lord our God: for we reſt on thee, and in thy Name are wee come againſt this multitde. O Lord thou art our GOD, let not man preuaile againſt thee.
Keepe vsus (O Lord) from treaſons, mutinies, and conſpiracies, either againſt our Prince or Captaines. Lord heare the mournings of all Captiues detained in the hands of their enemies, and worke meanes for their deliuerance: And if it pleaſe thee at any time to lay that croſſe vponupon vsus, or otherwiſe to expoſe vsus to death in the field, then Lord, keepe vsus in thy Faith, that wee may liue and die thy Souldiers, fighting the good fight of hope fixed in thee, and dye in thy fauour, for Ieſus Chriſts ſake, Amen.
The Seruants Prayer.
1 Cor. 7. 22He that is called in the Lord, being a ſeruant, is the Lords freeman.
O Lord God, which haſt made vsus all one in Chriſt Ieſus, whether we be bond or free: I beſeech thee, grant me a contented mind that during the time of my bondage, I bee not aſhamed of that condition of life, wherein thou haſt placed me: Cloath me in the liuery of a true Chriſtian, and grant mee alwayes to beare the minde of an honeſt man. GiueGive me grace to obey, and be ſubiect to mine earthly MASTERS, with all feare; whether they be good and curteous, or froward: and to performe their deſignes which Croſſe not thy Commaundements.
Vouchſafe (O LORD) to ſend mee an vnderſtanding heart, to manage my buſineſſe aright: and make mee faithfull withall, to be circumſpect and diligent, to doe all things for the beſt. Grant mee a ſingle and true heart, without Hypocriſie and diſſimulation, that I doe not paſſe ouer my yeares with an eye-ſeruice, as a man-pleaſer, but iuſtly and ſincerely, that I may in my time procure that Chriſtian libertie and freedom which I ſerue for.
Lord, bleſſe my Maſter in all his affaires and dealings: let him not be ſubiect to any thoughts of crueltie towards me: Strengthen my body to performe that buſineſſe that I am appointed vntounto, and keepe mee from murmuring and grudging againſt any of my betters, & enuious detracting from the eſtimation of others.
Eſpecially (ô Lord) keepe mee from euill company, that I be neuer entiſed to ſpend waſtefully, or embezell any thing committed to my cuſtody, nor hearken vntounto the perſwaſion of any ſuch as wiſh not well vntounto my Lord and Maſter. Send peace and quietneſſe betweene mee and my fellowes, that in louelove and kindneſſe wee may all with one heart, and one minde, conſtantly & chearfully ioyne together, to follow our Maſters buſineſſe, and ſerue thee, and after this life become free-men of the new Ieruſalem in heauen, in the bleſſed company of all faithfull people, for Ieſus Chriſts ſake, Amen.
¶Another of the ſame.
Whatſoeuer good thing any man doth,Epheſ. 6. 8 the ſame ſhall he receiue of the Lord, whether he be bond or free.
LEad me (ô Lord) I beſeech thee, in the way of thy Trueth and righteouſneſſe. Gouerne all mine actions to thy glory, the good of thy Church, and the diſcharge of my dutie. Defend and deliuer me, (O Lord) from all temptations, from all mine enemies, and from all deceits and dangers.
Bleſſe (O Lord) I beſeech thee, my Lord, Maſter, and Miſtreſſe, with all heauenly wiſedome, vnderſtanding and godlyneſſe, and with worldly health and happineſſe: that I who am their Seruant, may by them and vnderunder them receiue, not onelyonly the ſpirituall food of my ſoule, but alſo the temporall ſuſtenance of my bodie: doing my ſeruice not outwardly, as deſirous to pleaſe men: but with ſingleneſſe of minde from the heart, as fearing thee (O Lord my God) that thereby I may receiue that reward which thou haſt promiſed.
GiueGive me (ô Lord) an obedient and duti-full mind towards them, that I may ſubmit my ſelfe to their honeſt and lawfull commandements, and do them true and faithfull ſeruice with all humbleneſſe and patience. Grant me grace (ô Lord) to frame my life according to thy holy word; nouriſh mutual louelove and good wil between me & my fellowes: preſerue me from all euill wayes, from lewd company, & from idleneſſe. Keepe my minde from euill thoughts, my tongue from lewd & vaine ſpeeches, and my body and eueryevery member thereof from all ſinfull actions. Mortifie in mee (O Lord) the raging luſts, and follyes of youthfull affections. O Lord, pardon and forgiue me all my ſins, and grant me grace to louelove, honour, and ſerue thee, in holines & righteouſnes all my dayes, that I may glorifie thee in this world, and be glorified of thee in the world to come, through Ieſus Chriſt, my onelyonly Lord and Sauiour. Amen.
The Maydes prayer.
1 Sam 25. 24Let thy hand-mayd, I Pray thee, ſpeake in thy audience and heare the words of thine hand-mayd.
BLeſſed LORD, which in former times haſt not deſpiſed the low eſtate of thy Hand-mayds, when they ſought vntounto thee: vouchſafe to lend thine eares to the heartie deſires of mee thy poore ſeruant. Conſider, O Lord, that in the labours both of body and minde, I am the weaker veſſel, of leſſe capacitie, and more infirmitie: and beſtow vponupon my youth ſuch competent ſtrength, that I may grow in ſtature, wiſedome and fauour with God and man. As I grow vp in years, ſo Lord, let me grow vp in grace: Crowne my Virginitie with chaſte and religious thoughts, and my body and mind with godly watchfulneſſe to waite for thy comming with the wiſe virgins.
GiueGive me grace to thinke alwayes that a good Name, and honeſt reputation, is better then any dowry to a modeſt Maide. Make my behauiour meeke, my talke ſober, my body chaſt, and keep me from lewd & wanton company, that I partake not with them in the follies of youth Pardon my fore-paſt vanities, and by the power of thy Spirit enable my weakneſſe, to auoyde all euill. Defend me from ſlanderous and bad tongues, ſurmiſing mindes, and wicked temptations, I beſeech thee.
O Lord make mee faithfull and truſty, wiſe and warie in the ordering of ſuch goods, as are committed to my cuſtody by my Maſter or Miſtreſſe, father or mother. Marry me vntounto thee, O Lord, in righteouſnes, in iudgement, in mercy and compaſſion: and if it be thy will hereafter to call mee to the honorable eſtate of corporal Matrimonie, make me to follow Rachel in louelove, Rebecca in wiſedom, Sara in faithfulneſſe and obedience to my husband, and all other worthy Matrons in modeſtie and honeſtie, for Ieſus Chriſts ſake, our onelyonly Lord and Sauiour, Amen.
The Prayer of one afflicted in conſcience for ſinne.
Dan. 9. 19.O Lord, heare: O Lord, forgiue: O Lord hearken and doe: deferre not for thine owne ſake, O my God.
O Moſt mercifull God, which by the ſending of thy Sonne into the world, haſt brought to paſſe, that where ſinne abounded, there grace abounded much more. I forlorne wretch diſquieted in mind, and afflicted in conſcience for feare of thy iudgements vponupon my ſin, doe with bended knees, and teares vnfeined, a moſt humble ſupplyant, beg & craue of thee ſome ſuccour and reliefe, open, ô open the gates of thy mercy to the greatnes of my miſeries: my abiect countenance witneſſeth my diſtreſſed minde. My ſpirit is ſorrowfull, my heart is heauie, my words are ſtopt with ſighes, and my plants watered with teares: to thee I hold vp my hands, to thee I lift vp my heart, to thee I pray, requiring thee of merciemercy. O Lord, what ſhall I deſire of thee, that deſerue nothing at thy hands? what can I hope for, that am euen heartleſſe? Lord if thou haſt ſaid, Shall not my ſoule be auenged on ſuch a one as this, remember thy promiſe elſe where, I will hauehave mercy on him that could finde no mercy, and let it light vponupon me: if Sathan preſume, God hath forſaken him: thinke vponupon the decree for the ſeed of the Woman, and let the power of thy Sons Paſſion defeate all the deuiſes of the deuill againſt me.
O Lord heare mee ſpeedily, if thou doe not, then I am out of hope; my conſcience accuſeth me, my memory giues euidence againſt me, my reaſon condemneth mee. My ſpirit is weary of this bondage, and I hauehave bid my life farewell. My conſcience is clogged, when I behold the bloody wounds of my ſoule: the voyce of ioy and mirth is gone from me: I am deepely plunged in diſcomfort, I hauehave neither worth to appeaſe thy wrath, nor patience to endure thy indignation. I pray thee therefore ſend the comfort of thy holy Spirit into my heart, and ſtrengthen my faith, that I be not ſwallowed vp with ouer much heauineſſe. O Lord let thy Maieſtie appeare in thy mercy, forgiue my ſinnes, the vnhappy ground of all this woe, and I am recouered of all mine infirmities. Trye not the lawe with mee, leſt I come to iudgement: ſanctifie all thoſe good means vntounto me wherein I ſeeke reliefe, as Prayer, Conference, Reading, and hearing of thy holy WORD. Moderate and mitigate my vexation, increaſe Faith, eſtabliſh hope, graunt patience, and keepe mee from deſpaire. Take away this Cup from me, if it be thy will: if not, ſuffer mee not to be tempted aboue my ſtrength.
I hauehave an humbled and contrite heart (O LORD) looke vponupon me: I go mourning all the day long, and am like vntounto him that is at the point to die, O Lord, comfort me: thou that wilt not breake a bruiſed Reed, ſpare me: thou that delighteſt not in the death of a ſinner, reuiue me: though my heart condemne mee, yet good Lord acquite me, relieue me, releaſe me, ſay vntounto my ſoule, I am thy ſaluation. Hearken Lord vntounto my Prayer, and grant my requeſts, for Ieſus Chriſts ſake, Amen.
The Sicke-mans Prayer.
Iob. 1. 21.Naked came I out of my Mothers wombe, and naked ſhall I returne thither.
O Louing LORD, and moſt holy Father, I poore wretch thy ſeruant, feeling in this ſickeneſſe which thou haſt layd vponupon mee, the puniſhment of that corruption & tranſgreſſion that is in mee, and all fleſh, doe moſt willingly ſubmit my ſelfe to thy holy ordinance to beare this Croſſe, and taſte of this bitter cup which I hauehave deſerued, and much more: ſo I may follow thee whither thou art gone.
Therefore (O Lord) ſince thou haſt not yet called me to the Barre of death, but ſent thy Heralds to ſommon mee to a tryall: I beſeech thee, looke on mee with thine eye of mercifull pittie, and helpe me in this day of Viſitation. Poure thine oyle of grace into my wounded conſcience, purge my defiled ſoule, forgiue me all my ſins: and giuegive me competent comfort & conſolation in this diſtreſſe. Let me not dye ere I begin to liue, giuegive mee time to repent, & occaſion to amend. But if thou wilt needs put any more of thy wine of correction into my feſtred ſores, lay no more, (ô Lord) lay no more vponupon me, then I ſhalbe able to beare▪ make good vntounto mee that goodneſſe, which thou haſt granted mee vnderunder the great Seale of thy promiſe. Supplie my want, pardon my ſinnes & aide me againſt all temptations, & I am recouered of mine infirmities.
I offer here vntounto thee (O Lord) a penitent heart for the time paſt, and promiſe through thy grace amendment, if it ſhall pleaſe thee to draw out the thread of my life any longer: yet I neither deſire the continuance of this mortalitie, nor a more ſpeedy deliuerance, otherwiſe then as thou wilt. Lord looke not vponupon my merits, for they are either none, or not good: nor vponupon my life, for it hath been naught: but looke vponupon Chriſt, thy deare Sonne, who from the Altar of the Croſſe cryed vntounto thee on my behalfe, and accept his ſatisfaction for my ſinnes.
Arme mee with patience to take vp my Croſſe, and follow thee, euen to beare thy viſitation willingly: and giuegive mee ſtrength by faith, to reſiſt the aduerſarie in in the brunt of temptations. With my ſorrow and paine increaſe thy grace, that when I am in greateſt agony, I may finde comfort, beleeuing, and ſaying with the holy Prophet.Pſal. 73. 26 My fleſh faileth, and my heart alſo, but GOD is the ſtrength of my heart, and my portion for euer. O Lord, if thy decree be gone foorth, as it was to Hezekiah, that I ſhall dye; and not liue, giuegive me grace to put in order my things of this world, that I may depart in more peace: and when the pangs of death hauehave ſhut vp the eies of my body, and taken away the vſe of my tongue (I beſeech thee) let the eyes of my ſoule ſtill behold, and looke vponupon thee, ſo that when I ſhall leaue my earth to earth, and my body to the graue, thine angels may carie vp my Soule vntounto thee, and I be partaker of a ioyfull reſurrection, through Ieſus CHRIST our LORD Amen.
¶A Prayer to be ſayd at the point of death.
O Lord, my time is at hand, my ſoule is heauy euen vntounto death. Looke downe vponupon me, poure thine oyle of grace into my heart, pardon my ſins, ſtrengthen my Faith, ſhorten my paines, and driue away Sathan. Helpe mee in this conflict.
Looke vponupon thy Chriſt, hee is my Sauiour and Redeemer. Come LORD Ieſus; welcome. Into thy hands I commend my ſoule: take it (O Lord) take mee, the worke of thine owne hands, and let me die in thy feare, and riſe againe in thy fauour, that I may come to thy bliſſe, for IESVS Chriſts ſake, Amen.
A Generall Thankeſ-giuing, to be vſed by all men, at all times.
Pſal. 86. 12. 13I will prayſe thee, O Lord my God, with all my heart: and will glorifie thy Name for euermore. For great is thy mercy towards me.
O Bleſſed LORD and euer-liuing GOD, whoſe mercy is ouer all thy workes, and of whoſe fulneſſe wee hauehave all receiued, and Grace for grace: I poore SAMARITANE that hauehave beene holpen, healed and honoured by thy holy Hand, doe poure foorth my heart vntounto thee, that I may neither vngratefully remember thy benifits, nor vngraciouſly forget thy ſeuere iudgements, who both in the one and the other, haſt beene beyond all meaſure ſo gracious vntounto mee. I thanke thee, O Lord, for all the externall & internall graces beſtowed vponupon mee, the Spirituall and corporall, the Caeleſtiall and terreſtriall bleſſings which I hauehave receiued.
And in earthly matters, ô Lord, I acknowledge my ſelfe deeply bounden vntounto thee, for my Being, breathing, life, and motion. That thou haſt made mee of a more noble nature then the reſt of the Creatures, creating mee after thine owne Image, enduing mee with reaſon, furniſhing me with excellent faculties of the minde, and perfect ſenſe.
And I giuegive thee thankes, O LORD, that thou haſt giuen mee a BODIE ſo ſound and ſo free from great infirmities, and haſt ſet mee in a calling ſo fit for my condition, and giuen mee ſuch a competent eſtate. That thou haſt preſerued mee from ſo many harmes in ſuch dangerous accidents: as in ſicknes, thunder, lightning, plague, peſtilence, fire, and water: and from the aſſaults of theeues and robbers, by Sea and Land, attempted or intended againſt my bodie, houſe, or goods; and deliuered mee out of ſo many troubles and vexations as I hauehave fallen into.
O Lord, how am I bound vntounto thee, that thou haſt lent me ſuch kinde friends; and that I liue in ſuch honeſt reputation among my neighbours: that I hauehave ſuch libertie of ſeemly recreation, ſuch quietneſſe of life, ſuch opportunitie of well-doing, and thine Angels by thine appointment to protect & ſafe-gard mee in all my wayes.
Theſe things (O Lord) I enioy, though vnworthy, by thy goodneſſe: whereas there be many that hauehave not found the like fauour at thy hands, Bleſſed be thy Name therefore. And yet ô Lord, thou haſt been much more gracious vntounto me: thy Spirituall fauours and thy Caeleſtial bleſſings exceed all theſe. Therefore as I am bound, ſo, much more I bleſſe thee, that thou didſt elect me before all worlds to glorie: that thou didſt worke my redemption by the blood of Chriſt Ieſus in his bitter Paſſion: that I was borne in the light of the Goſpel, to know thee, and through Sanctification in thee, hauehave had the grace to take vponupon mee the profeſſion of the Truth, to abandon all Superſtition and Hereſie, to doe good vntounto any, and to doe any thing that may doe good, either publike or priuate, & in ſome meaſure to keepe my ſelfe vnſpotted of the world.
Oh, what ſhall I giuegive vntounto my Lord, that hath done ſo great and mightie things for mee? O Lord, I giuegive thee thanks that thou haſt giuen mee ſuch an honourable Calling and vocation of Chriſtianitie, that thou haſt incorporated me a member of the Church, giuing me ſuch a gracious portion of Faith, hope, louelove, zeale, patience, peace and ioy, the beginnings of Regeneration.
What am I (O Lord) that thou haſt granted mee ſuch things? to receiue ſuch profite by the preaching of thy Word, and the Priuiledge of thy bleſſed Sacraments; to bee waſhed with thy blood, to ſit at thy Table, and to feed on thee the euerlaſting Bread?
Theſe I thanke thee for, and for theſe alſo; euen for my part which I hauehave in the Communion of Saints; for the benefit which I hauehave of their Prayers in the Church militant, the ayde of their counſels, with the pleaſure and comfort of their godly examples, for the bettering of my life: that thou haſt giuen me a care to vſe a good Conſcience in dealings in this world, and an earneſt deſire to continue ſo ſtill: yea, rather to grow better.
And in fine, I cannot forget (O Lord,) thy mercy of longanimitie and patience towards mee: That thou haſt granted mee ſo long and ſo large a time of Repentance, and haſt vouchſafed mee therein, to hauehave thy Sonne IESVS Chriſt, for my Mediatour, by whoſe interceſſion my Prayers hauehave acceſſe▪ vntounto thee, and receiue their happy anſweres.
I prayſe thee, I glorifie thee, I worſhip thee, I magnifie thy bleſſed Name, O Lord, by whoſe goodneſſe I want nothing fitte for a Chriſtian; nor any thing that may fit mee for Heauen: where, I thanke thee, for making ſo glorious a prouiſion, and ſuch a gracious preparation for my Soule, and whither I beſeech thee to bring me, O my GOD, in thy due time, and in the meane time to continue thy goodneſſe vntounto mee, for Ieſus Chriſt ſake, my onelyonly Sauiour and Redeemer. Amen.
Soli Deo gloria.
FINIS.