A poore mans rest founded vpon motiues, meditations, and prayers. Expressing to the inward man, true consolation. In all kindes and times of afflication. By Io. Norden.

A Prayer to be vsed of a Widdow.

Doth not the teares runne downe the Widdowes checkes? and her cry is a∣gainst them that causeth them: for, from her cheekes doe they goe into heauen, and the Lord which heareth them, doth accept them,

Ecclus. 25. 15.

Shee that is a Widdow indeede, and left alone, trusteth in God, and continueth in supplications and prayers night and day: But shee that liueth in play, is dead while shee liueth,

1 Tim. 5. 5 6.

O Eternall, and most mercifull God, which according to thine holy will hast made mée a poore distressed Widdow, by taking away my beare and louing husband out of this transitory world: vnto thée do I cry in this my misery: haue mercy on mée, I humbly beséech thée, and forgiue all mine offences, which I haue commit∣ted against thy diuine ••aiesty: be fa∣uourable vnto mée, O Lord, and take

pitty on mée, for I am alone and com∣fortlesse. Behold mine affliction and misery: relieue my wants, as thou didst relieue that Widdow of Sarepta, whom thou diddest most miraculously preserue by the Prophet Elias: take the like compassion on mée, assist mée, behold my necessity, and deliuer mée out of all troubles. Grant likewise that I may finde fauour in the sight of all Gouernours and Magistrates, that I be not iniured contrary to equi∣ty. In like manner let mée finde a∣mongst men Christian consideration, and commiseration of my present ••∣state, and succour with godly coun∣sell, protect mée from false tongues, which are like rasors, cutting deceit∣fully, and as the sharpe arrowes of a mighty man, Kéepe mée (O Lord) from slander, and from the tongues of wicked men, which with poysoned words haue bent themselues to cast downe the poore and néedy, and to de∣stroy such as are of vpright conuersa∣tion. I humbly betéech thée (O Lord) to giue mée grace to liue in this mine estate of widowhood, chastly and god∣ly, shewing my selfe an example of godlinesse to others, putting alwayes

my hope and affiance in thy mercy: let me with all patience and fortitude, in∣dure all crosses laid vpon me, and con∣tinue faithfully in making of suppli∣catious night and day vnto thée. Looke how the eyes of a seruant are vpon her Mistresse, so are mine eyes bent vpon thée my Lord, vntill thou haue mercy on me. Haue mercy therefore (O Lord) on mée, for I am full of infir∣mity: heare me (O Father) euen for Christs sake, thy Sonne and my Sauiour: to whom be giuen all praise and honour now and euermore.

Amen.