The monument of matrones conteining seuen seuerall lamps of virginitie, or distinct treatises; whereof the first fiue concerne praier and meditation: the other two last, precepts and examples, as the woorthie works partlie of men, partlie of women; compiled for the necessarie vse of both sexes out of the sacred Scriptures, and other approoued authors, by Thomas Bentley of Graies Inne student.

EVENING praiers, and first, At the Sunne setting praie.

O Sunne of righteousnesse, euermore ari∣sing, and neuer going downe. O bright∣nesse of perpetuall charitie, euer shining, and neuer darkened. In this Euening now the Sunne hath run his course, and is going downe; and the daie being farre spent, it draweth towards night. I praie thee de part not thou from vs, neither let the Sunne of thy grace set, or cease to giue light vnto our soules: but that in thee we may abide, and alwaies haue daie light most cleerelie in our minds, to knowe, loue, and praise thee perpetuallie in the vision of that light, where thou the Sunne of all glorie dooest euerlastinglie shine vpon thine elect, making them to shine as the Sunne before

thee, & where the Sunne shall not go down by daie, nor the Moone lie hid by night. For there shall be no night, neither light of the Sunne or Moone: but thou, O Lord our God, shalt be our euerlasting light, and in∣lighten vs with vnspeakable glorie for euer, Amen.

Lord let not the Sunne go downe vpon our wrath: but make vs to feare thee as long as the Sunne and Moone en∣dureth.

Meditation.

THinke now of the brittle state of the world, the glorie where∣of, like the Sunne or Moone, is verie vnconstant, variable, and now vp, now downe: but the goodnesse of God onelie is per∣manent, and endureth for euer.

Thinke also, that as it is no gréefe for vs to sée the Sunne to set, bicause we expect his arising againe in the morning: no more ought we (as men without hope) to be sorie for the death of the bo∣die, knowing that in the morning light of the resurrection it shall eftsoones arise, & receiue the soule againe to ioie, or paine eternall.

VVhen the candles or lamps be light, praie:

THanks be giuen to thee O Lord, which af∣ter daie, when night commeth, hast giuen vs for the remedie of darknesse this artifi∣ciall light of the candle or lampe, whereby we see and discerne those things in this night of our bodies, which are expedient for vs to vse. But especiallie we render immortall praise vnto thine holie Maiestie, for the light of thy doctrine, which thy Sonne against the horrour of sinne and ignorance, hath brought vnto vs for a remedie against death eternall. Grant, we beseech thee O Lord of light, and Maister of all truth, that the most thicke and obscure clouds of our minds may be so driuen awaie and expel∣led by the lampe of thy grace, and candle of knowledge and right vnderstanding, that in bodie corporallie, and

in soule spirituallie, wee may euer see by both these lights to glorifie thee, both in our liues and in our deaths.

Thy word, ô Lord, is a lampe to our feete, and a light vn∣to our paths. O light thou our candle, and make our dark∣nesse to be light, that with our lamps euer burning, we may still watch for thy comming!

Amen.

Meditation.

THinke now, that as without this materiall light of the can∣dle all would be horrour and vncouth darknesse: euen so without the spirituall light of Gods diuine word and wisedome, all our light is darknesse; our knowledge errour; and our life death and vtter confusion.

Thinke also, that as the candle is not put vnder a bushell, but set on a candlesticke to giue light to all in the house: so likewise ought we to let the light of our faith shine bright before men, that other séeing our good works may therefore glorifie God.

Euening praiers for Sundaie to be said kneeling by the bedside, before you make you vnreadie. ¶ Here you may saie one of the confessions for the Sabboth daie, as before, pag. 384, 387.

WE render vnto thee euerlasting prai∣ses, most mercifull Father, for that of thy gratious fauour and loue to∣wards vs, thou hast vouchsafed to preserue vs this daie, and the rest of our life hitherto vnder the shadowe of thy most mercifull protection, be∣seeching thee also to take vs into thy tuition this present night and euer, that we be not tempted with anie suggestion of Sathan; but being thoroughlie armed with the holie Ghost, we may haue power and force to resist his assaults, by a sure faith and confidence in the bloud of thy blessed Sonne our

Lord and Sauiour Christ Iesus. Giue vs grace to repent vs of our sinnes vnfeinedlie; to craue remissi∣on of them vncessantlie; to imbrace thy holie word and commandements sincerelie; and to expresse them in our liuing effectuallie: whereby we may walke vp∣rightlie in our conuersation, with sure and certaine hope of the resurrection to eternall life, by the merits of Christ Iesus, that with the wise virgins we may be found waking and watching for his comming, when he shall come to iudge the world with equitie, and to reward euerie man according to the works of his bo∣die. Grant vs grace, most mercifull Father, to behaue our selues so vprightlie in this life, that then we may be made partakers of thy kingdome with thine elect, there to liue in eternall ioie and felicitie, world with∣out end,

Amen.

Another Euening praier on the Lords daie.

O Almightie and eternall God, Fa∣ther of our Lord Iesu Christ, which togither with thy Sonne and the holie Ghost, didst create man after thine owne likenesse, and breath in∣to him the breth of life, the which through thy goodnes continueth at thy pleasure. Thou hast made of one bloud all mankind, and assigned times, and length of our life in this world: thou giuest life to the people on the earth, and breth to the walkers therein, which if thou take awaie, they shall depart, and be turned in∣to dust. We blesse thee heauenlie Father, and with all our harts giue thee thanks, not onelie for sauing vs this daie from dangers: but also from our cradles for defending both our soules and bodies from death. Wherefore magnifie the Lord, O our soules, and our

spirits reioice in God our Sauiour. For he hath looked vpon the basenesse and afflictions of his seruants. He that is mightie hath done for vs great things, and ho∣lie is his name. Wherefore we will praise the Lord for euermore, bicause his mercie endureth from gene∣ration to generation on such as feare him. We will shew foorth his power in the euening, and when we go to bed, we will remember his mercie. Arise now our soules in the night, praise your God. In the beginning of the watches powre out your harts like water be∣fore the face of the Lord. For the Saints will be ioi∣full with glorie, & sing lowd vpon their beds. Where∣fore we also will praise thee continuallie, and will con∣fesse thy name for euermore. For thou art the God, which delighteth our harts, and maketh our soules merie. Therefore in the night we will thinke vpon thy benefits, and our spirits shall consider of thy woonde∣rous works. For thou hast commanded that thy mer∣cie be celebrated in the daie time, and thy truth in the night season.

O our Lord, and God of mercie, gentlenesse, pati∣ence, pitie, and truth, which she west mercie vnto thou∣sands, and blottest out all our offences: we lift vp our soules vnto thee, and from our harts we praie thee, put not before thine eies the horrible confusion, vnclean∣nesse, and wickednesse of our minds, being replenished with loathsome darknesse and ignorance, full of doub∣tings and errors. Our harts and will are turned from thee our God, and all the powers and strength both of our soules and bodies are defiled, and filthilie weake∣ned: but Lord, of thy great merice blot out our offen∣ces, looke vpon the troubles and dolours of our harts, and forgiue all our sinnes. For lo, our soules are woun∣ded, and can not be holpen, but onelie through mercie. There is no health in our flesh bicause of thine anger, neither is there rest in our bones, bicause of our sins.

For our iniquities haue gone ouer our heads, and as an heauie burden haue pressed vs down. Our wounds are putrified and corrupt, bicause of our foolishnesse. Asswage thine anger, and turne from thine indignati∣on. Pardon our faults, remit all punishment, and re∣store in vs the light of thy goodnesse, which was lost. O Lord heare; O Lord forgiue; harken O our God, for thine owne sake. For thy name is called vpon by vs.

O God of heauen and earth, in this euening tide doo we call vnto thee, that remitting our sinnes, which this daie especiallie we haue committed against thee in breaking thy Saboth, and prophaning this our ho∣lie daie with our vnholie deeds, speech and cogitations, thou wouldest receiue vs into thy protection, and keepe vs and all ours this night, that the diuell haue no po∣wer ouer vs. Be thou watchfull ouer vs, O eternall Sauiour, least the subtill tempter apprehend vs. For thou art made for vs an euerlasting protector. For be∣hold, whether we sleepe or wake, whether we liue or die, we are thine: thou art our Creator and redeemer. Stand therefore on our behalfe in the watch with the armie of thy celestiall warriers thine Angels, which being filled with perfect goodnesse, and perpetuall in∣tegritie, behold thy face alwaies in the heauens. Ex∣pell from vs and our houses wicked spirits, which bee our mortall enimies, that they damage vs in no case, and deliuer vs from persecutors, which laie snares for our destruction. Turne not away thy mercie and truth from vs. O God assist vs, that peaceablie we may rest, and sleepe in quiet. We will laie vs downe in peace, and sleepe. For thou Lord alone makest vs to dwell in safetie without danger. Hide vs in thy tabernacle, O Lord, that sitting in thy secret place, and abiding vn∣der the shadowe of thy wings, we may saie vnto thee; Lord, thou art our keeper, and our refuge. O God, we will trust in thee, and will feare no danger. And al∣though

we were in extreame darknesse, yet will wee not feare. Though we should walke in the midst of the shadowe of death, yet will we dread none euill, for thou art with vs; thy rod and thy staffe they doo comfort vs. Let thy mercie, O God, followe vs all the daies of our life, that we may dwell in thy house in longnesse of daies, praising thee euermore with the Sonne & holie Ghost one true God, reigning worlds without end,

Amen.

Another more large Euening praier, with Confession.

O Lord God, Father euerlasting, and full of pitie, we acknowledge and confesse, that we be not woorthie to lift vp our eies to heauen, much lesse to present our selues before thy Maiestie, with confidence that thou wilt heare our praiers, and grant our requests, if we consider our owne deseruings. For our consciences doo accuse vs, and our sinnes beare witnesse against vs; and we knowe that thou art an vpright iudge, which dooest not iustifie the sinners and wicked men, but punishest the faults of all such as transgresse thy commandements. Yet most mercifull Father, since it hath pleased thee to command vs to call on thee in all our troubles and aduersities, promising euen then to helpe vs, when we feele our selues as it were swallo∣wed vp of death & desperation: we vtterlie renounce all worldlie confidence, and flie to thy souereigne boun∣tie, as our onlie staie and refuge, beseeching thee not to call to remembrance our manifold sinnes and wicked∣nesse, whereby we continuallie prouoke thy wrath and indignation against vs: neither our negligence and vnkindnesse, which haue neither woorthilie esteemed, nor in our liues sufficientlie expressed the sweet com∣fort of thy Gospell reuealed vnto vs, but rather to ac∣cept

the obedience and death of thy Sonne, who by of∣fering vp his bodie in sacrifice once for all, hath made a sufficient recompense for all our sinnes. Haue mercie therefore vpon vs, O Lord, & forgiue vs our offences. Teach vs by thy holie spirit that we may rightlie way them, and earnestlie repent for the same; and so much the rather, O Lord, because that the reprobate, & such as thou hast forsaken, can not praise thee, nor call vpon thy name, but the repenting hart, the sorowfull mind, the conscience oppressed, hungering and thirsting for thy grace, shall euer set forth thy praise and glorie. And albeit we be but woorms & dust, yet thou art our Crea∣tor, and we be the worke of thy hands: yea thou art our Father, and we thy children; thou art our shep∣heard, and we thy flocke; thou art our redeemer, & we the people whom thou hast bought; thou art our God, and we thine inheritance. Correct vs not therefore in thine anger, O Lord, neither according to our deserts punish vs, but mercifullie chastise vs with a fatherlie affection, that all the world may knowe, that at what time soeuer a sinner doth repent him of his sins from the bottome of his hart, thou wilt put awaie his wic∣kednesse out of thy remembrance, as thou hast promi∣sed by thy holie Prophet.

Finallie, we humblie thanke thee, O mercifull Fa∣ther, by thy deerelie beloued Sonne Iesus Christ our Sauiour, for all thy benefits bestowed vpon vs from the beginning of the world to this time, for our electi∣on, our creation, our redemption, our sanctification, & continuall preseruation; and namelie, for that of thy mercie and goodnesse thou hast preserued vs this daie, and all the time of our life hitherto, from all misfor∣tunes, hurts and dangers bodilie & ghostlie. And forso∣much as it hath pleased thee to make the night for man to rest in, as thou hast ordeined him the daie to trauell, and that whither we sleepe or wake, liue or die, we are

alwaies thine: grant, O deere Father, that we may so take our bodilie rest this night, that our soules and harts being kindled with the light of thy counte∣nance, may continuallie watch for the time that our Lord Iesus Christ shall appeare for our deliuerance out of this mortall life. And in the meane season, take thou, O God, care and charge of vs and all ours, that we perish not in the works of darkenesse, and that we (not ouercome by anie fantasies, dreames, or other temptations) may fullie set our minds vpon thee, loue thee, feare thee, and rest in thee. Furthermore, that our sleepe be not excessiue or ouermuch, after the insati∣able desires of the flesh, but onlie sufficient to content our weake nature, that enioieng sweet sleepe and com∣fortable rest both in bodie and mind, we may health∣fullie and ioifullie rise againe, and be the better dispo∣sed to liue in all godlie conuersation and perfect obedi∣ence of thy word, to the glorie of thy holie name, and profit of thy Church, through Iesus Christ our Lord, in whose name we furthermore make our humble pe∣titions vnto thee, not onlie for our selues, but for all o∣thers, whome thou wouldest we should continuallie praie for, saieng as he in his holie word hath taught vs, Our Father which art in heauen, &c.

O Lord increase our faith, strengthen it in thy ma∣nifold sweet promises, and grant vs a perfect continu∣ance therein to our liues end, whereof we humblie make our confession, saieng: I beleeue in God, &c.

Let thy mightie hand, and out-stretched arme, O Lord, be still our defence; thy mercie and louing kind∣nes in Iesu Christ thy deere Sonne our saluation; thy true & holie word our instruction; thy life & holie acti∣ons our imitation; thy grace & holie spirit our comfort & consolatiō vnto the end & in the end: and the blessing of God almightie, Father, Sonne, and holie Ghost, be with vs, and remaine with vs now & euer,

Amen.

A forme of generall praier, to be vsed in priuate hou∣ses and families euerie Euening. O Lord prepare our harts to praier: for if we praie with our lips onlie, our praiers are abhominable. O teach vs therefore by thy holie spirit to praie rightlie, according to thy will, and giue eare gratiouslie to our calling.

O Gratious Lord & louing Father, according to thy commandement we doo heere present our selues before thy Maiestie, humblie pro∣strating our selues before thy throne of mer∣cie, acknowledging and confessing from the bottom of our harts, that we be miserable sinners, dailie brea∣king thy commandements both in thought, word, and deede, wherein we iustlie deserue euerlasting damnati∣on, and to be vtterlie throwne from thy presence. Yet, O Lord, we see thy goodnesse againe towards vs, who not suffering vs thus to perish in our sinnes, hast sent thine owne deere Sonne Iesus Christ, to take vpon him whatsoeuer is due, to reconcile and make vs at one with thee againe. In him therefore, good Lord, and through him doo we come vnto thee, beseeching thee for his sake, that we feeling the greeuousnesse of our sins, and groaning vnder the burthen of them, may feele the release and ease of them, in that we be through thy ho∣lie spirit assured, and stedfastlie beleeue, that Christ hath borne the burthen of them euen for vs. Grant O Lord, that we being assured heereof in our conscience, may through thy holie spirit be renewed in the inward man, to hate, detest, and abhorre sinne, and to studie to liue acording to thy blessed will during this whole life.

We doo not onlie praie for our selues, O Lord, but also for all the whole Church, especiallie such as be persecuted for thy word: grant vnto them, that whi∣ther it be by death or life, they may glorifie thy name to their liues end. Be mercifull to this Church of Eng∣land

and Ireland we beseech thee good Lord, and pre∣serue euerie part and member of the same, especiallie thy seruant Elizabeth our gratious Queene and Go∣uernour. Grant hir all such gifts as be needfull for so high a calling, to the aduancement of thy glorie, and the benefit of this Common-wealth: to the establi∣shing of a perfect gouernement of thy Church, accor∣ding to the prescriptrule of thy blessed word, to the roo∣ting out of all superstition, idolatrie, and relikes of An∣tichrist, to the gouerning of hir subiects in all peace and tranquillitie. Defend hir, O Lord, from all conspi∣racies, treasons, and rebellions, and so worke in the harts of all hir subiects, that knowing hir authoritie doth come from thy heauenlie Maiestie, they may with obedient harts humblie obeie hir in thee and for thee. Preserue the whole Counsell & the Magistrates of the Realme, that being lightened by thy holy spirit, they may defend the truth, suppresse wickednesse, and mainteine equitie. Behold all the pastors and prea∣chers of thy word: blesse their labours, increase the number of them; place ouer euerie Church a painefull watchman: remoue all idle lubbers, and confound the power of Antichrist, and turne the harts of the people, that they may be obedient to the truth. Blesse the two Uniuersities, Cambridge and Oxford, and all the stu∣dents of the same, with all the Schooles of learning. Behold all those that be afflicted with anie kinde of crosse, that they may profit by thy correction in new∣nesse of life.

Lastlie for our selues heere gathered togither, we render most hartie thanks to thy Maiestie, O Lord, which hast hitherto from our infancie preserued vs by thy mercie, from all perils and dangers both of soule and bodie, wherevnto fraile man is subiect, that thou hast sent vnto vs all things necessarie for this present life, as health, food, apparell, and such like, which manie

of thy deere children doo want, being notwithstanding as pretiouslie bought with the pretious bloud of thy deere Sonne as we be, and yet lie in miserie and cala∣mitie, oppressed with pouertie, nakednesse, imprison∣ment, and banishment; in which case also deere Father, thou mightest haue brought vs, saue onlie that thou dealest heerein more fauourablie with vs than with them. For the which thy louing kindnesse, we giue thee hartie thanks, desiring thee, that as thou hast hitherto thus fauorablie in mercie preserued vs by thy prote∣ction, and euen presentlie this daie hast brought vs past all the dangers thereof: so we beseech thee good Lord, in like fauour behold vs this night, that we ta∣king our naturall rest and quietnesse, may through thy protection be so defended, that our bodies resting, our soules may be occupied in beholding thy fauour and mercie towards thy children, still looking for the com∣ming of our Lord and Sauiour Iesu Christ, for our full redemption. Grant that our sleepe be not immode∣rate, according to the lusts of the flesh, but as much as is sufficient to refresh our weake nature, that being thus refreshed, both the bodie & the mind may be more able to doo their seuerall office and function in that vo∣cation wherein thou hast placed vs. Grant, that wee laieng our bodies downe to rest, may be thereby put in mind of our long rest of death: that as we doo laie downe our bodies in bed, so we may be thereby admo∣nished, that hereafter they shall be laid down in graue, to be consumed to dust, earth, and ashes, from whence they were taken, that we hauing this before our eies, may be stirred vp in minde warilie to walke in this our pilgrimage, not knowing when the time shall be of our departure, but alwaies be found readie with our lamps of pure faith clearelie burning, that we may be accepted to meet the bride groome, when our mortall, earthlie, and corruptible bodies shall be made

like to the glorious bodie of our Lord and Sauiour Christ Iesus, there to reigne with him in perpetuall ioie & consolation, togither with all the elect children of GOD, continuallie lauding with all the heauenlie multitude the glorious Maiestie of thee our Lord God and heauenlie Father, in our Lord and Sauiour Ie∣su Christ. In whose name for these thy mercies, and whatsoeuer else thou knowest to be needfull for vs, and thy whole Church, we praie vnto thee, as he himselfe hath taught vs, saieng: Our Father, which art in hea∣uen, &c.

The Lord blesse vs and saue vs, the Lord make his face to shine vpon vs, and be mercifull vnto vs: the Lord turne his fauourable countenance towards vs, and grant vs his peace.

The grace of our Lord Iesus Christ, the loue of God the Father, and the most comfortable felowship of the holie Ghost be with vs, preserue and keepe vs this night and euermore,

Amen.

VVhen you vncloth yourselfe, and make you vnreadie to bedward, praie:

THis our life and weake knit bodie by reason of sinne, by little and little shall be dissolued, and so shall be restored to the earth, from whence it was taken: then will be an end of this vanitie, which by our foolishnes we haue wrought to our selues. O most meeke Father, so doo thou vntie and loose me (for thou hast knit me togither) that I may perceiue my selfe to be loosed and dissolued, and so may remember both of whom I was made, and also whither I go, least I be had vnprepared vnto thy tri∣bunali and iudgement seate. And as I willinglie now put off my garments, which in the morning I shall put on again: so let me not vnwillinglie put off this my

bodie, whensoeuer by death it shall please thee O God, to call me; especiallie for that I knowe that after the night of this world is expired, I shall receiue it on againe in much better light to immortalitie: So be it.

Put off the old man with his lusts and concupiscences, and be content with Ioseph to put off your prison apparell, that you may put on new.

I haue put off my cloaths: how shall I put them on? O Lord, I will confesse my wickednesse, and that of my selfe I haue nothing.

Cant. 5, 3.

VVhen you wash your feete, praie thus to your selfe.

O Most meeke and louing Iesu, the perfect paterne of all humilitie, who being Lord of heauen and earth, didst not disdaine to wash thy Disciples feet, and wipe them cleane with the towell wherewith thou wast girt, and that for our example to teach vs to loue and serue one another in thee: haue mercie on me a miserable sinner, which from top to toe, both with∣in and without, am altogither polluted and defiled with sinne in thy sight. And with Peter I humblie be∣seech thee, vouchsafe now to wash me in the sweet bath of thy pretious bloud, from all the filth and pollusions of my sinnes, that I may be whiter than snowe. Wash thou, I saie, not my feet onelie, O Lord, but my hands and head: yea my verie hart, soule, and conscience also. For if thou wash me not, I shall haue no part with thee; but if thou wash me, I shall be cleane euerie whit in all parts, yea cleaner than the glasse. O wash mee therfore cleane from mine vncleannesse, and doo awaie all my sinnes, negligences, and ignorances: yea so purge and scowre all mine affections by thy grace and mercie, that with both my feete, that is to saie, with

perfect loue to thee, and true charitie to my neighbor, I may walke in the paths of thy peace by the direction of thy spirit, and at the last come pure and cleane vnto thee my purifier, to the confusion and shame of mine enimies, which in the daie of my death shall most bu∣silie watch to trip and ouerthrowe me: so shall I blesse and praise thee, with thine elect and holie Saints in euerlasting happinesse,

Amen.

I haue washed my feete: how shall I file them againe.

Cant. 5, 3.

Another.

O Most mercifull Iesu, which gentlie sufferedst that sinfull woman Marie Magdalen to ap∣proch vnto thy presence, and to wash thy bles∣sed feet with hir teares; to wipe them with hir heare; and to kisse and annoint them with costlie oile, and did∣dest greatlie commend this hir fact to all posteritie, haue mercie on me a more sinfull woman in thy sight; and grant me grace likewise continuallie to wash thy feete with the teares of true contrition; to wipe them with the heare of mine obedience; to kisse them with the kisses of feruent loue of thee and thy Saints, and to annoint them with the sweet oile of deuout praiers, confessions, and thanks-giuing, that I may obtaine by thy mercie forgiuenesse of all my manifold sinnes, and feele my selfe much bound vnto thee for my saluati∣on. Finallie, let me thine handmaid be a seruant, I praie thee, to wash the feet of the seruants of my Lord: make me I saie, of the number of those holie matrons, that willinglie wash the feet of thy Saints, that mini∣ster vnto them that are in aduersitie, that are continu∣allie giuen to euery good worke, and be well reported of for their vertues, through Iesu Christ our Lord,

Amen.

Wash you, make you cleane, take awaie the euill of your works from before mine eies: cease to doo euill, and learne to doo well.

Esai. 1, 16.

VVhen you enter into your bed, praie:

I Enter into my bed, and laie mee downe to rest, in the name of the Father, the Sonne, and the holie Ghost. The Lord Iesu Christ, which was crucified, dead, and buried for me, blesse, preserue, and keepe me both bodie and soule, and raise me with him, at the last daie by the power of his glorious resurrection to life euerlasting, Amen.

And grant, O God, I beseech thee, that as I am not afraid now to enter into my bed, and to dispose my selfe to sleepe: so I may not be afraid or loth to die; but rather cheerfullie prepare my selfe thervnto, and euer∣more desire to be dissolued, and to be with Christ my Sauiour,

Amen.

Being new laid in your bed, saie this Psalme.

O Lord, thou hast searched me out, & knowne me, thou knowest my downe lieng, and mine vprising, thou vnderstandest all my thoughts long before.

Thou art about my path, and about my bed, and spiest out all my waies. For lo, there is not a word in my tongue; but thou, O Lord, knowest it alto∣gither.

Thou hast fashioned me behind and before, and laid thine hand vpon me. Such knowledge is too woonder∣full and excellent for me, I can not attaine vnto it.

Whither then shall I go from thy spirit? Or whi∣ther shall I go from thy presence?

If I clime vp into heauen, thou art there: if I go∣downe to hell, thou art there also: if I take the wings of the morning, and remaine in the vttermost parts of the sea; euen there also shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me.

If I saie, Peraduenture the darkenes shall couer me, then shall my night be turned to daie: yea the dark∣nesse is no darkenesse with thee, but the night is as cleere as the daie: the darkenesse and light to thee are both alike.

For my reines are thine: thou hast couered me in my mothers wombe. I will giue thanks vnto thee, for I am fearefullie and woonderfullie made. Maruel∣lous are thy works, and that my soule knoweth right well.

My bones are not hid from thee, though I be made secretlie, and fashioned beneath in the earth. Thine eies did see my substance, yet being vnperfect, and in thy booke are all my members written, which daie by daie were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them.

How deere are thy counselles vnto me, O God? O how great is the summe of them? If I tell them, they are more in number than the sand, when I wake vp, I am present with thee.

Trie me, O God, and seeke the ground of my hart; prooue me, and examine my thoughts; looke well if there be anie waie of wickednesse in me, and leade me in the waie euerlasting.

Let me neuer imagine mischiefe vpon my bed, as doo the vngodlie that set themselues in no good waie, and can not sleepe before they haue done some harme; but make me to abhorre the thing that is euill, and to commune with mine owne hart, and in my chamber to be still, that with the Saincts I may be ioifull with glorie, and reioice on my bed with them that praise thee daie and night.

Finallie, grant that I may behold thy presence in righteousnesse, and when I awake vp after thy like∣nesse, bring to passe that I may be satisfied with it, and glorifie thee eternallie,

Amen.

The Praier.

THE daie now ended, men giue themselues to rest in the night, and so this life finished, we shall rest in death. Nothing is more like this life than euerie daie; nothing more like death, than sleepe; nothing more like to our graue, than our bed. O Lord our keeper and defender, grant that I now laieng me downe to rest, being vnable to keepe my selfe, may be preserued from the crafts and assaults of the wicked enimie: and grant furthermore that when I haue tunne the race of this life, thou wouldest of thy mercie call me vnto thee, that I may liue and watch with thee for euermore. And now, O gratious God, giue me to take my rest in thee, & bring to passe that thy goodnesse may be euen in sleepe before mine eies, that sleeping I be not absent from thee, but may haue my dreames to drawe me vnto thee, and so both in soule and bodie may be kept pure and holie for euer,

Amen.

I will laie me downe in peace, and take my rest: for it is thou Lord onlie that makest me dwell in safetie.

Psal. 4. 9.

Another praier to be vsed of the husband and wife so soone as they are laid in their bed.

O Lord our GOD, our protector and defender, which diddest gratiouslie preserue and keepe thy seruant holie Tobie, when he laie with his wife Sara, by the gard of thine holie Angel, so that Sathan was bound, and had no power ouer them, keepe vs also, O King of kings, and Lord of lords this night and euermore, that that subtill Ser∣pent by no meanes haue power to vexe or greeue vs; but that we may slepe this night in the remembrance of thee, into whose tuition and keeping we commit vs

both bodie and soule, which hast bought & redeemed vs with the pretious bloud of that immaculate Lambe thy deere sonne, and our deere beloued Sauiour Iesus Christ; to whom with the holie Ghost be all honour and glorie,

Amen.

Meditation.

REmember now, that you be néerer your end by one daies iournie than you were in the morning.

Also that this troublesome daie is past, and night come; and ther withall rest, quietnesse, and pleasant sléepe, which maketh most excellent princes and poore wretches all alike for the time: euen so, after the tumults, troubles, temptations, and tempests of this life, if we beléeue in Christ, we haue prepared for vs an hauen and rest most pleasant, ioifull, and perpetuall.

VVhen you put out the candle, saie:

THE light of the vngodlie shall be put out, and the light of his candle shall not shine: the light shall be darke in his dwelling, and his candle shall be put out with him: yea full of∣ten shall the candle of the wicked be put out, and their destruction shall suddenlie come vpon them, so that all shall be horror, and full of darknes with them. O Lord, let not our candle be put out, nor the light that is in vs be turned into darknesse: but lighten thou our can∣dle, and make thou our darknesse to be light: yea ligh∣ten thou our darknesse, we beseech thee O Lord, that we sleepe not in death, and by thy great mercie defend vs from all perils and dangers of this darke and dred∣full night, and lighten & illuminate thou euerie darke corner of our habitation with thy light, that our can∣dle go not out by night: for the loue of thy Sonne our Sauiour Iesus Christ: So be it.

A little while after saie.

O God, although we were in extreame darke∣nesse, yet will we not feare: and though we should walke in the midst of the shadowe of death, yet will we dread none euill. For thou art with vs, thy rod and thy staffe doo comfort vs.

Now therefore that we lie in darknesse, be thou our protector, bring vs to thy light, and saue vs from vtter darkenesse, where is weeping and gnashing of teeth: that we may behold thee in that cleere light of the per∣petuall morning, where shall be no darknes, no night, nor need of anie candle or materiall light: but thou, Lord wilt inlighten vs with vnspekable glorie, So be it.

VVhen you feele sleepe to be comming, and dispose your selfe to rest, praie.

O Lord Iesu Christ, my watchman and keeper, take me to thy care, grant that my bodie slee∣ping, my mind may watch in thee, & be made merie by some sight of that celestiall and hea∣uenlie life, wherein thou art the King and Prince, to∣gither with the Father & the holie Ghost, where thine Angels and holie spirits be most happie citizens. Oh purifie my soule, keepe cleane my bodie, that in both I may please thee sleeping and waking for euer,

Amen.

Lord, into thy hands I commend my spirit. For thou hast redeemed me, ô Lord thou God of truth.

Psal. 31, 6.

Another praier to be said last of the husband and wife, before they giue themselues to sleepe.

O Lord assist vs, that peaceablie we may now rest and sleepe in quiet. Let our eies sleepe, but let our harts wake vnto thee. O lighten thou our eies, that we sleepe not in death,

that Sathan hurt vs not, and our enimie saie; I haue preuailed against thee: but watch ouer vs, O eternall sauiour, least the subtill tempter ouertake vs, and we sleepe a perpetuall sleepe, and wake no more. For thou art made our euerlasting helper and protector.

Giue vs this night a good sleepe, that quietlie with∣out cares and anguish of mind we may take our rest. Let not troublesome dreams, and vaine fantasies and apparitions of the night nor the diuell disquiet vs. Defend vs this night from vncleane and troublesome spirits, let not their rushings, ragings, and misrule disquiet vs. Keepe vs, good Lord, from sights of Sa∣than, from snares and illusions of the diuell.

But admonish our soules of miseries to come, euen as thou didst arme the Patriarches and Prophets by dreames and visions in the night, when sleepe came vpon them, from dangers nigh at hand, through thine heauenlie oracles; so gouerne and preserue vs in sleepe, that our soules come not into danger, danger, neither fall vp∣on the swoord and pit of perils.

Let vs not sleepe in sinne and contempt of saluation, as doo the children of night and darkenesse, but make vs of the number of those which sleepe in Iesus, and whome thou, O Lord, in the resurrection of the iust, & comming of thy Son, shalt not suffer to be preuented with sleepe, but wilt bring with thine elect to meete him in the clouds, that whether we wake or sleepe, we may liue togither with him, and obteine euerlasting saluation, through the merits of his death & passion.

In thy name, O sweet Iesu, will we giue sleepe to our eies, and slumber to our eie lids. O Sauiour of the world: saue vs Lord watching, and keepe vs slee∣ping, that in peace we may both rest and wake; and let our sleepe be sweet and healthfull to our bodies, that waking in the morning, we may rise in good health, and delight in thee our God.

Grant also, that both being in bed asleepe, and a∣wake, we may alwaies remember our death, which is a passing to an immortall life, and withall our ioifull resurrection to euerlasting glorie.

Finallie, at our last gaspe, when our harts pant, our strength faileth, our sight departeth, our hearing is deafe, our mouth dumbe; when our feet cannot go, nor our hands feele; when all our senses forsake vs, giue vs, O blessed Trinitie, some sense of eternall life, that we may tast in this world the beginning of thine euerlasting ioie, and at our departure out of this world, behold by faith thy diuine presence, and so sleepe quietlie to eternall life, Amen, Amen.

Lord haue mercie vpon vs.

Christ haue mercie vpon vs.

Lord into thy hands we commend our soules, because thou hast redeemed vs.

Lord Iesu receiue our spirits.

At mid-night, if you happen to awake, praie:

HAue mercie vpon me, O God, after thy great goodnesse, according to the multitude of thy mercies doo awaie mine offenses.

Turne thy face from my sinnes, and put out all my misdeeds.

Make me a cleane hart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.

Cast me not away from thy presence, and take not thy holie spirit from me.

I will remember thee, O God, in my bed, and thinke vpon thee now that I am waking, because thou hast beene mine helper.

Euen now in the night season, while thou holdest mine eies waking, I saie, will I thinke of thee my creator, and make my praiers vnto thee my redeemer,

and God of my life, that my soule may not refuse hir comfort.

In my bed now by night will I seeke thee whom my soule loueth: O let me find thee, and my soule embrace thee.

For with my soule doo I desire thee now in the night season, and with my spirit within me will I seeke thee in the morning.

Yea at mid-night I will arise vp to giue thanks vn∣to thee, O Lord, because of thy righteous iudgements, and in the night watches I will lift vp my hands to∣wards thy holie place, and blesse thee, and powre out my hart before thee, and saie:

Haue mercie vpon me, O God, haue mercie on me a most miserable sinner.

From the snares of the diuell, O Lord deliuer me: from the mid-night euill defend me, and in the houre of death, helpe me.

Our father which art in heauen, &c.

Meditation.

AT mid-night there was a crie made; Behold the bridegrome commeth, go out to meet him: blessed are those virgins, whom the Lord, when he commeth, shall find waking.

O my soule, let vs therfore take héed, watch and praie, that wée may bée found prepared with our Lamps burning, readie to enter with our spouse and Lord Iesus vnto the wedding.

In the night, when you heare the clocke strike, praie:

THE clocke of our conscience dooth ring eue∣rie minute the houre of death to be at hand. O mercifull God, grant vnto me therefore I beseech thee a happie houre, & blessed depar∣ture out of this life, whensoeuer it shall please thee to call me hence, and cause my soule to flie out of this bo∣die.

Be mercifull vnto me, O God, be mercifull vnto me a most miserable sinner, and deliuer me from the houre of temptation, death and damnation, through Iesus Christ our Lord,

Amen.

Meditation.

HE that hath ears to heare, let him heare. The daie of the Lord will come as a théefe in the night.

Watch therefore; because yée know neither the daie, the time, nor the houre when the sonne of man will come to iudgement.

VVhen you giue your selfe to sleepe againe, and commend your selfe last to God, Praie:

INto the hands of thy vnspeakable mercie, O Lord, I commend my wretched soule and bodie, my senses, speech, counsell, thoughts, works, & all things belonging vnto me, my lieng downe, and rising vp, my faith and conuersation, the whole course and end of my life, the daie and houre of my departure out of this world: finallie, my death, buriall, rest and resurrection; beseeching thee, O Lord, now suffer mine eies to sleepe, & mine eie lids to slum∣ber, & the temples of my head to take some rest, that my bed may comfort me, and my couch giue me some refreshing. Grant that I may so sleepe, gouerne, and end my life, that I may sleepe in peace, and rest in thee. Sticke thou to me, O my God, euen to the end, that sleepe with rest, and rest with quietnesse, & quietnesse with euerlastingnesse, may receiue me. For lo, I giue my selfe once againe to sleepe and rest in the name of thee, O Father, Sonne, and holie Ghost, euermore cri∣eng and saieng, Haue mercie on me, O glorious De∣itie; Haue mercie on me, O triumphant humanitie; Haue mercy on me, O blessed Trinitie, and receiue my spirit (yea rather thy spirit) into thy holy hands, & send me a ioifull resurrection with all thy Saints, & elect people:

Amen, Amen.