The diamond of deuotion cut and squared into sixe seuerall points: namelie, 1 The footpath to felicitie. 1 2 A guide to godlines. 81 3 The schoole of skill. 181 4 A swarme of bees. 209 5 A plant of pleasure. 245 6 A groue of graces. 283 Full of manie fruitfull lessons, auaileable to the leading of a godlie and reformed life: by Abraham Fleming.

The second Branch, of Petition.

The first Blossome conteining A praier to God, at our vprising in the morning.

O Bountifull GOD, which among all o∣ther thine aboundant blessings, hast giuen vs the bright daie and Sunne shine, to be the guide

and gouernour of all our doings, we beseéch theé, that as thou art the father of light, and hast sent light among vs, not onlie the light of the cleére daie, but also the light of thy glorious Gospell, so thou wouldest direct all that we go a∣bout in light, that we may shew our selues children of light, in ap∣plieng our labour, and occupieng both our minds and bodies in the workes of light, that when the daie of retribution shall come, when thou wilt reward euerie one accor∣ding to the measure of their me∣rits, we maie enter into that light, whose brightnes shall neuer be darkened, there to liue with him, who is the light of the world, Ie∣sus Christ the righteous, to whome, with theé, and the holie Ghost, be all laud, praise, honour, and glorie for euer∣more,

Amen.

The second blossome conteining A petition to be said at the putting on of our clothes.

O Eternall and most mercifull Father, we beseéch theé, as thou hast giuen vs clothes to couer our bodies, to hide our nakednes, & to preserue our corporall health: so to decke and beautifie our soules with the riches of thy true knowledge, which is the summe and substance of all perfect happi∣nes: through Iesus Christ our sa∣uiour,

Amen.

The third Blossome conteining A petition to be said at the washing of our hands.

GRant O mercifull sauiour, that as with this water, the filth and vncleannes of our bodilie members are washed and scowred: so our inward soules may by the dailie remembrance and vertue of thy bloudie death and passion, be

purged from all sinne and iniqui∣tie: that both bodie and soule being voide of blemish, we maie come the neérer vnto theé in perfection,

Amen.

The fourth Blossome conteining A petition to God, at our going abroade, about our world∣lie businesse.

O Gratious God, which sancti∣fiest the hearts of thy chosen seruants, and circumcisest their thoughts, in so much that they be∣come wholie acceptable vnto theé, and are altogether cleansed from carnalitie and corruption: we be∣seéch theé so to pitch the tents of thy protection and prouidence a∣bout vs this present daie, that all things whatsoeuer we purpose, may by thy gratious guiding be so disposed and prospered, that our hearts be not carried awaie with the cares of this world, as hauing little hope in thine all sufficiencie and bountifulnes. O Lord, so sea∣son

vs with the salt, not of vnsa∣uourinesse, least we be throwne out vpon the dunghill of reprobation, and so troden vnder foote as out∣casts of none account: but with the salt of sinceritie and righteousnes so powder our spirits, that what∣soeuer we take in hand this pre∣sent daie, may be so furthered, hel∣ped forward, and prospered by thy goodnes, that we thereby may reape sufficient commoditie, none offended or discontented either with vs, or our labour, nor thou by anie meanes dishonoured, but highlie praised and glorified both in vs and in our doings, according to the saieng of thy sonne, in the ho∣lie Gospell: Let your light so shine before men, that they seéing your good workes, may glorifie your fa∣ther which is in heauen. This, O Lord, and all other graces necessa∣rie, grant vnto vs for thy sonnes sake, our onlie mediatour and aduocate,

Amen.

The fift Blossome conteining A petition to be said when we are at worke, and about our businesse.

PRosper, O Lord, by the pre∣sence & assistance of thy grace, the businesse which we haue in hand. Put into our minds to do it faithfullie, and rather for consci∣ence sake, than couetousnes. Fur∣ther our affaires, we beséech thée of thine infinite goodnes, giue our labours prosperous & happie suc∣cesse, and graunt vs grace to glo∣rifie thée in thy blessings,

Amen.

The sixt Blossome conteining A petition vnto God at the lea∣uing off from our labour, whether it be of bodie or minde.

ALmightie God, and most mer∣cifull father, which cloathest the lillies of the field, with such roialtie, as Salomon when he sat vpon the throne of his maiestie,

neuer possessed: which feedest the birds of the aire, the beasts of the land, and the fish of the sea with su∣stenance conuenient and agréeing with their nature: we beséech thée to accept at our hands, this sacri∣fice of thankesgiuing, offered vp vnto thée for thy manifold bene∣fits, and among all other, for that thou hast hitherto prospered vs in our busines and labour, which thou hast not made frustrate and vnfruitefull, but with due measure and weight of profit & aduantage, hast let it passe out of our hands.

And we beséech thée, O father, that as thou hast hitherto bene the ouerséer of all our studies and tra∣uels, making them fruitefull and beneficiall vnto vs, so it would please thée to continue still thine accustomed bountifulnes, and to giue vs grace, that for the same we may offer vnto thée not onlie the calues of our lips, but also of our hearts, through Christ Iesus our onlie sauiour and redéemer,

Amen.

The seuenth Blossome conteining A petition to be said at the putting off of our apparell.

GRant, O gratious God, thou giuer and preseruer of all crea∣tures, that as we put off this our apparell, and cast it from vs: so we may also, thy grace helping and as∣sisting vs, put off the old man, euen the man of sinne, that clogged with the lesse vice, and clothed with the more vertue, we may be found fit for thée, whensoeuer it shall please thée to call vs out of this world: thorough Iesus Christ our saui∣our,

Amen.

The eight Blossome conteining A petition vnto God at our going to take naturall rest.

HEauenlie God, which art so prouident, and watchfull for the health and preseruation of thy children, that they want nothing necessarie for the supportation and maintenance of this their transi∣torie

life, not houses to harbour in, not garments to put on, not foode wherewith to be nourished: final∣lie, nothing, whatsoeuer it is, that they stand in neede of, whiles they leade their liues in this transitorie tabernacle: we beseech thée, that as thou hast let this daie passe lucki∣lie ouer our heads, safelie defen∣ding vs from all dangers, and gi∣uing vs the fruits of our labours, least our working should be waste: so it would please thée in like mea∣sure of mercie, and peize of com∣passion, to be our watchman, this present night, and euerie night, so long as our bodies and soules re∣maine coupled in this vale of vile∣nes and miserie.

Also, O father, we heartilie be∣séech thée, that although darkenes dimme the eies of our bodie, wher∣by the vse of our externall and out∣ward sight is made frustrate and voide, yet the eies of our mind may still be broade waking and open, continuallie looking for that com∣fortable

comming of thy Christ in glorie, that we may be in a readi∣nesse, when the trumpet soundeth, Arise ye dead and come to iudge∣ment, which whether it be in the euening, at midnight, at the cock∣crowing, or at the dawning of the daie, none can tell, no not the An∣gels. But whensoeuer it is, O Lord, so kéepe vs waking, that when thou cōmest, our lamps may be found burning. Graunt this most mercifull father, for thy sons sake, Iesus Christ the righteous, to whome, with thée, and the holie Ghost, thrée persons, and one om∣nipotent, almightie, euerlasting, and onlie wise God, be all laud, praise, honour, dominion, and glo∣rie, now and for euer,

Amen.

The ninth Blossome conteining A petition for a godlie life.

OPen our cies, O Lord, that we may behold the woonder∣full secrets of thy lawe, and ther∣in

as in a steele glasse, discerne and sée our owne weakenes, and by our weakenes our wickednes, and by them both our accursednes. O procure thou the pleasant com∣forts and consolations conteined in thy Gospell, to sound the verie deapth and bottome of our soules, by the plummet of a true and liue∣lie faith in Christ Iesus.

Graunt also, we beséech thee, that our drie and stonie harts, by the swéete dewes and showres of thy heauenlie grace, dropping downe and soking therinto, may be so moistened and softened, that like good ground they may euer be yéel∣ding forth plentifull and pleasant fruits, to the glorifieng of thy most holie name, the supplanting of sin, and the aduancement of vertue: through the death and bloud∣shead of our Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christ,

Amen.

The tenth Blossome conteining A petition to be said in time of health, being a thankesgi∣uing vnto God for that good blessing.

WE knowe O mercifull fa∣ther, that a rotten trée can not fructifie, no more can the bodie of man diseased, take anie pleasure in the vse of thy creatures, at least∣wise verie little, if anie at all. For as the morning deaw, or waterie clouds, falling vpon the field, moi∣steneth the ground, and maketh it fruitefull and pleasant: euen so health and soundnes possessing e∣uerie limme, maketh the whole bo∣die, and all the members of the same, apt and able for anie exercise. By the benefit whereof, we pur∣ueie for our selues, all such necessa∣ries as are requisite for this our fraile life. Knowing this most mer∣cifull father, we referre it vnto thy goodnes, praising and magnifieng thée for the same, and humblie be∣séeching

thee to continue it in vs, and to giue vs grace that we a∣buse it not anie manner of waie. Graunt this O bountifull God, for Iesus sake,

Amen.

The eleuenth Blossome conteining A petition in forme of a confessi∣on, to be said in the time of sicknesse, or otherwise, when the partie dis∣eased seemeth to be in danger.

ALmightie and most mercifull father, the punisher of sinne, and the iust rewarder of iniquitie, I confesse vnto thée, that the mul∣titude of my transgressions, and the lothsomnes of my life, cannot but déepelie displease thy diuine Maiestie, and deseruedlie crie out for vengeance against me: yea, ven∣geance to death, for my misdéedes craue no better reward. I knowe that sinne is such a filthie and ouglie thing in thy sight, that who soeuer are stained and defiled ther∣with▪

are euen an abhomination vnto thee: for thou being the God of righteousnes, delightest not in wickednes, neither canst take anie pleasure in iniquitie. I confesse that for sinne, thou hast sent manie strange and terrible punishments vpon diuers people.

The olde world, in the fulnes of their offences, were ouerwhelmed with water from heauen, to their vtter destruction. The Sodo∣mites were burned, and their neighbours about them, euen with fire and brimstone, for the filthines of their offences. The Aegypti∣ans, a people obstinate and rebelli∣ous, and alwaies setting shoulder against the Prophets, were re∣warded for their misdeédes, with most horrible plagues, in the heate of thine indignation.

Yea, the Israelits, a people pe∣culiarlie chosen to serue theé, at what time they sinned greéuouslie, and displesed thy diuine Maiestie, turning by the manifoldnesse of

their transgressions, thy mercie into furie, thy clemencie into an∣ger, thy long suffering into re∣uengement, they felt the smart of thy rod, not wrathfullie confoun∣ding them as castawaies, but lo∣uinglie correcting them like chil∣dren.

So most mercifull father, ho∣ping that in the bloud of Christ Iesus, I am adopted into the number of thy children, albeit my misdeédes are so manie, that they far passe the sands in the seas, or the starres in the skies: yet I be∣leéue that thy mercie, which is a∣boue all thy workes, is able to dis∣pense with the multitude of my sinnes, and throughlie to cleanse and wash me from the blots and spots of mine iniquities.

And therfore (O gratious God) with vnfeined repentance I pro∣strate my selfe before theé, crieng and calling vnto theé, to deale with me in the measure of thy mercie, and not in the weight of thy furie,

though my transgressions exceede number. For if thou shouldest rec∣kon with me in rigour, I should be found more light than vanitie, it would fare with me as with chaffe before the winde, or as with ba∣uen in a scorching fornace: mine end would be death, my reward confusion. O heare me therefore, O louing Lord, faithfullie calling vpon thee, with him that said, O sonne of Dauid, haue mercie vpon me: and with her that said, If I might but touch the hemme of his garment, I shall be whole: and with him that said, Lord, I be∣leéue, oh helpe mine vnbeleéfe: and with him that said, Father I haue sinned against heauen, and against theé: and with him that said, O Lord be mercifull vnto me a sin∣ner. Cast downe thy louing lookes vpon me▪ lamenting Lazarus, li∣eng in wofull case, visited by thy hand, and groning vnder the rod of thy correction: spare me O God, spare me O good Lord, and be not

angrie with me for euer. I take it for an vndoubted truth, that all manner of punishments proceéde from theé, as accustomed meanes and wonted waies which thou v∣fest to call thy best children home: and therfore I am in so much the more comfort, that this thy visita∣tion and chastisement is no signe of thine endles anger against me, though sicknes, and all kind of an∣noiances sprang and issued from sinne: but a token and argument of thy fauour and louing kindnes.

Yea Lord, though it tend to tem∣porall death, whereby my bodie is wounded, yet I am reposed in this hope and affiance, that my soule shall not seé corruption, but shall be receiued into heauen, to rest in the bosome of faithfull Abraham, till the time be come of the generall iudgment & glorious resurrection.

I knowe, and it is the duetie of all true Christians to confesse no lesse, that from the beginning thou visitedst thy children: yea, on them

whome thou most tenderlie lo∣uedst, thou diddest laie some porti∣on of thy correction: partlie, to trie them in tribulation, and to con∣firme their faith by patience in ad∣uersitie: but speciallie to assure their spirit, that they are thy chil∣dren, and thou their father: they thy shéepe, and thou their shepheard: they thy people, and thou their go∣uernour: they thy souldiours, and thou their captaine: they thy cho∣sen, and thou their glorie. Thou calledst to the inheritance of thy kingdome, after the daies of his pilgrimage were spent, Abraham the father of the faithfull. Thou calledst vnto the ioies of heauen Iacob and Ioseph, when they had runne their appointed race. Thou calledst vnto endlesse blessednesse, that mild minded man, the mirrour of méekenes, Moses I meane, thy righteous seruant, when he had fulfilled his course. Thou calledst vnto the place of eternitie, Iosua and Caleb, and other gratious

Iudges of thy people, when the houreglasse of their life was run out. Thou calledst vnto the fort of felicitie, Samuell and Dauid, pro∣phets of thine owne appointment, when their full yeares were expi∣red. Thou calledst vnto the Para∣dise of perfect pleasure, Ezechias, Iosias, & other vertuous Kings, when their earthlie tabernacle was torne and rent in sunder.

Thou calledst vnto euerlasting happinesse, Esaie, Ieremie, and the rest of thy seruants the Prophets, when they had liued their full time in this world. Thou calledst vnto thy kingdome, Iames, Iohn, Paule, Peter, and other thine A∣postles, when they had discharged their dutie in fulfilling their com∣mission. And to conclude, thou calledst vnto the throne of triumph and victorie, Iesus Christ thy son, that immaculate and vnblemished lambe, that innocent shéepe, that swéete Samaritan and surgion of our soules, when he had finished

the spirituall building, whereof he himselfe was the foundation, and chéefe corner stone: when (I saie) he had accomplished thy will, and vanquished sinne, Sathan, death, and hell. In bringing which things about, thou didest vse ordi∣narie meanes, euen death the waie of all flesh: that by their example, thy seruants might be comforted in sicknes, that as thy kindnes was plentifullie declared vnto them, in deliuering them out of this wildernes, and translating them to eternall happinesse: so to me no lesse than vnto them, though for a time thou laiest thy hand vp∣on me, and scour gest me with thy rod, thy fatherlie loue and affe∣ction is manifest. For whome thou louest, him thou chastenest, and whippest euerie child thou adop∣test and choosest, that the consola∣tion of their spirit may be the more increased. Wo were I, if thou shouldst not visit me (O Lord:) wretched were my state, and con∣dition,

it thou shouldest not trie me with the fire of afflictions. Sick∣nes is thy messenger: pouertie is thy messenger: yea, death is thy messenger, whome thou incessant∣lie sendest vnto thy seruants, to call them vnto thée and thy kingdome. In consideration whereof, I thy child, as I faithfullie beléeue, a∣dopted in Christ, visited at this present by thy hand, and patient∣lie abiding the sharpenesse of thy scourge, am erected and incouraged with a certaine and infallible hope, that at thy good pleasure thou wilt worke all in me for the best, to my soule saluation, and to thy selfe glorification.

Why should I murmur against thée, though I am griped with anguish? Why should I mistrust thy mercie, though my paines be somewhat extreame? Why should I despaire, as though thou wert not mercifull? No, no: so long Lord, as there remaineth breath in my nostrels: and so long as mine

eies are open: and so long as my tong hath the power of speach, thy spirit being present with me, and comforting me, I will thus thinke with my selfe: The Lords will be fulfilled: when he séeth best time he will make an end of my tribulati∣on. He doth not punish me as a re∣probate, to my condemnation: but he correcteth me as a child, to my saluation. I am the worke of his hands, he created me, and made me of nothing: to the honour of him∣selfe did he make me, and therefore I hope he will not destroie his owne workemanship, though it re∣steth in his will and pleasure, to dispose all things as séemeth best to his diuine Maiestie.

His child I am, adopted in the bloud of his sonne Iesus Christ, inheritour of the kingdome of hea∣uen through the spirit of sanctifica∣tion, a member of his mysticall bo∣die, a grape of his vine, a sheafe of his haruest, a shéepe of his flocke: and therefore I trust he will be my

gratious God. This is my com∣fort, that thus thou doest chastise me, not in iudgement, to desperati∣on: but in mercie, to consolation: and this is my ioie, that hereby I am assured, that my name is writ∣ten in his register: and as for my faults, he hath raced them out of his reckoning booke.

Why then should I hang downe my head, as though confusion were the portion of mine inheri∣tance? To them that loue God, all things turne to good. This his vi∣sitation is but a preparatiue to further felicitie, which in due time he will reueale to me his seruant, when he hath taken sufficient proofe and experience of my pati∣ence, which I beséech him to esta∣blish and confirme, that the posses∣sion of eternitie may be the reward of my sufferance.

Wherefore, O most mercifull fa∣ther, if it be thine appointment, (as thy determinations are secret, and hidden from the heart of man,)

that this my sicknes and trouble be vnto death, O then gratiouslie heare my supplication, and let the voice of my crie enter into thine cares. Giue me not ouer in my distresse and weakenesse, when Sathan is most busie to spoile me: but stand thou like an inuincible Giant on my right hand, let the wings of thine almightines ouer∣shadowe me, euen vntill my last gaspe. Moreouer, graunt most mercifull father, that at the sepa∣ration and dissolution of my soule and bodie, I may still continue thine, my bodie turning into dust, whence it tooke first substance: and my soule possessing heauen, whence it receiued bring. O Lord, send me a toifull resurrection, at the date of iudgement, and let me be numbred among the lambes, whome thou hast chosen to be ioint-heires with thée of thine owne happines in heauenlie ioies.

O Lord heare my praier, and let my crie come vnto thee. Lord haue

mercie vpon me, Christ haue mer∣cie vpon me, O holie Ghost be my comforter: O blessed Trinitie, re∣ceiue my soule into the place of glo∣rie,

Amen.

The twelfe Blossome conteining A petition to be said at the houre of death, ouer the partie visited, and lieng speechlesse.

O Eternall God, the wel∣spring of life, and the treasure of true and e∣uerlasting riches, thou God of the quicke and the dead, thou which hast appointed euerie man a mansion in this earthlie pil∣grimage, and placed vs here as te∣nants at thy pleasure, to remoue and depart when it is thy will to call vs. thou, euen thou which ri∣dest vpon the wings of the winde, whose seate is the heauen of hea∣uens: whose footstoole is the earth: whose messengers are the Angels and celestiall hoast: O bow downe thine cies of pitie, & looke vpon vs.

O thou glorie of Sion, thou beautie of Hierusalem, thou Alpha and Omega, thou which art in∣comprehensible, the first person of the holie. Trinitie, open thy grati∣ous eares, and heare the petitions of vs thy seruants. O heare vs, and that betimes, thou sauer of soules, whiles breath is in the no∣strels of this thy diseased and sicke creature: for after this life, it is too late to make intercession. Thou hast chastened him O Lord in∣wardlie and outwardlie, his strength is turned into weake∣nes, his health into sicknes, his flesh consumeth, his limines are lame, his eiesight waxeth dimme, his spéech is stopped, all his senses are numined, his hart panteth, life and death struggle within him, and wrestle for superioritie. He lieth in pangs, he is past hope of recouerie to our iudgement, he re∣fuseth sustenance, he can take no rest, O looke vpon him, thou com∣fort of Israell, and deliuer Ioseph

out of this prison. O Lord haue mercie vpon him, O God make him strong to endure this sharpe and bitter conflict. Let not the ter∣rour of death, the torinent of his sicknes, the losse of life, or depar∣ting from anie transitorie pleasure, withdrawe his heart from thée: but, as thou didst create it, and powredst it into his bodie, so vouchsafe to reserue it for thy selfe, that thou maist be glorifiedin it, both now, and héereafter, when it shall please thee to raise it vp with the rest of the bodie in the last resurrection.

Behold Lord, he is not able to praie for himselfe, thy hand is so heauie vpon him at this present, he can not so much as lift vp a limme, thou hast whipped him so sore: he is past hope of health in the eies of man, thou hast made such déepe furrowes vpon his backe: he is spéechlesse, because thou hast taken awaie the vse of his tongue: lo Lord, he lifteth vp his eies vnto

heauen, notwithstanding all these infirmities & weakenesses: O re∣member him, forgiue him his sins, remit and blot out of thy reckoning booke, the ten thousand talents which he oweth thée.

He is not able to testifie the in∣ward sorowe of his heart concei∣ued for sinne, so sharpe and seueare is thy present visitation, which iustlie and deseruedlie thou hast laid vpon him: and surelie, though thou didst punish him more rigo∣rouslie, yet thou art not accusable of iniustice. For iust art thou O Lord in all thy workes, and righ∣teous in all thy iudgements. But yet Lord we beséech thée, to as∣swage the heate of thy wrath, which if it burne still, and continue vnquenched, alas, who shall be a∣ble to abide it?

Behold Lord how lowe he is brought, all his bones are out of course, which waie so euer he is turned, he féeleth nothing but an∣guish: no rest, no ease, no quietnes

can he take, such is the weight of thine anger against him, for the instruction of vs that are aliue, and here present at his visitation, that we may learne thereby to de∣test sinne, which is the cause of thy displeasure, and to amend, least a worse thing happen vnto vs.

O Lord we beséech thée to con∣sider our supplications, and to ac∣cept the praiers which we powre out in thy presence, in the behalfe of this our diseased brother. And louing Lord, if it be thy will to take him hence, O then we beséech thee to shorten his time, to end his lingering sicknes, and so to deliuer him from all earthlie trouble. But if it be thy pleasure to raise him vp, being thus cast downe, and to quicken & strengthen him, whome thy hand hath driuen almost to deathes dore, then at the interces∣sion of vs thy seruants, hasten his time of recouerie, and restore him vnto health and soundnes. We praie for him O Lord, not kno∣wing

the secrets of thy counsell, which is vnchangeable, deale with him as it pleaseth thée: thine he is to order and dispose. For thou art the potter, and he but a lumpe of claie, vnto thée we commit his soule and bodie: thy will be done in earth as it is in heauen, for thine is the kingdome, the power and the glorie, for euer and euer,

Amen.

The thirteenth Blossome, conteining

1 Gods vniuersall gouernement. 2 That he annointeth Kings and Queenes, and why. 3 A petition vnto him in the behalfe of our gratious Queene Elizabeth. 4 His mercie in preser∣uing her in time of tribulation. 5 A praier for the continuance of her good estate. 6 Against the enimies of the truth, either to be conuerted, or confounded. 7 The Church of God, and the Commonwealth, two sisters. 8 The death of Christ a full ransome for all our sinnes. 9 Requestes to be dailie made of euerie true Christian.

1 O Gratious Lord, and most mercifull father, we acknowledge thee the Lord of Lords, and the King of kings, creating at the beginning, & ruling all things euermore in heauen and earth, ac∣cording to thy wonderfull wise∣dome and power: and our selues to be thy poore seruants, the worke of thy hands, and the shéepe of thy pa∣sture, subiected to thy Maiestie, and depending vpon thy fatherlie prouidence for all things.

2 Neuerthelesse, séeing thou in thy wisedome annointest Kings and Quéenes, appointing them to rule ouer thy people, to sit as Lieu∣tenants in thy seate, to minister iu∣stice, and most of all, as Fathers and Nurses to mainteine and che∣rish thy Church: commanding vs not onlie to obey and honour them, but moreouer to praie for them, as watching ouer vs for our good.

3 We therefore beséech thée for the great mercies sake, and for

Iesus Christes sake, to shew thy mercie to all Kings and Princes, that mainteine thy glorious Gos∣pell: but especiallie we praie thée to blesse our most gratious Queene and gouernour, Elizabeth thine handmaid, with all spirituall bles∣sings in Christ Iesus, and with all temporall blessings, according to thy good pleasure, that in the great measures of thy effectuall loue, she may more and more finde great increase of vertue, and wise∣dome, and strength in Christ Ie∣sus, to the faithfull and happie dis∣charge of her dutie, that her holi∣nesse, and ioie, and zeale of thy house may be multiplied and euer∣lasting.

4 And séeing it hath pleased thée, of thy singular mercie, to giue her this speciall honour, first to suffer for thy glorious truth and after∣ward miraculouslie deliuering her out of the hands of her enimies, to set a crowne vpon her head, and to make her the instrument to ad∣uance

thy glorie and Gospell, for which she suffered, and to bring it out of darkenes into light, out of persecution, into this great and long peace.

5 As we giue thée most hartie thankes for this singular benefite, so we beséech thée to make her and vs euermore thankefull for it, and in thy good pleasure still to pre∣serue her for the continuance of these blessings towards vs, with all increase from time to time, to thy glorie, the benefite of the Church, and her infinite peace in Christ Iesus, the prince of peace.

6 And furthermore, we praie thée for her, and the estate, that such as be enimies of the Gospell, and her enimies also, for the de∣fence thereof, may not despise the peace offered them to repentance, but that they may account thy long suffering, and her peaceable and vnbloudie gouernement, an oc∣casion of saluation to their soules, and vnfeigned loue to the truth,

and their mercifull souereigne. O∣therwise, if they still remaine diso∣bedient to the truth, rebellious to her highnesse, and dangerous to the state, then (O God of our sal∣uation) as thou hast discouered them, so discouer them still, as thou hast preuented them, so preuent them still, and let their eies waxe wearie with looking, and their hearts faint with waiting for the comming of that, which yet com∣meth not, neither let it come (O Lord) we beséech thee, but a blessed, and a long reigne to her, and peace to Sion for euermore.

7 Also (deare father) so blesse, so loue, so in thy spirit sanctifie and kéepe her, that she may in the spirit of counsell and fortitude so rule that other sister also, namelie, this her Commonwealth, that they may flourish together, and growe vp together as palme trées, in beautie, and in strength, giuing aide and helpe one to another, that in the Church the glorie of God

may appeare, as the Sunne in his brightnesse, and that the land may flowe with milke and honie, and true peace abound therein, as in the triumphant reigne of Debora.

8 These graces (O Lord) are great, and we miserable sinners vnworthie of the least of them: therefore looke not to vs, but to thy selfe, not to our iniquities, but to thy great mercies, accepting the death and passion of thy Sonne, as a full ransome for all our offen∣ces, throwing them into the bot∣tome of the sea, and making his crosse and resurrection effectuall in vs to all obedience and godlinesse, as becommeth thy Saincts: that to all other thy good blessings to∣wards our gratious souereigne, this may be added, that she gouer∣neth blessedlie, ouer a blessed peo∣ple, a people blessed of the Lord, and beloued of the Lord.

9 Yea Lord, that thy graces may abound as the waters of the Sea, in the Prince and in the people, in

the Church, and in the Common∣wealth, from daie to daie, till the daie of our translation into thy kingdome, where iustice inhabi∣teth, where also we shall inhabite and reigne with thée, according to thy promise for euer. Graunt these things (O mercifull father) for thy deare sonne our Lord Iesus Christ his sake, in whose name we craue them at thy mercifull hand, praieng furthermore for them, as he hath taught vs to praie: Our Father which art in heauen, &c.