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.

Another praier against hardnesse of hart, and con∣tempt of the word of God.

FOr as much as thy sacred doctrine, O most mightie God, is especiallie taught in the sacred Church, wher∣by both thou thy selfe art manifest∣lie knowne, singularlie preached, and highlie magnified; and we also thereby still called to heauen and heauenlie things: it behooueth vs, as manie as professe to be of thy schoole, greatlie to re∣ioice to be there; and as thy faithfull Disciples with all our harts to desire for to giue diligent eare vnto thee alone, and thy most wholsome instructions. For thou hast oftener than once, (as thou diddest vnto the Israelites) both by thy sacred Scriptures, and also through the ministers of thy blessed word protested vn∣to vs, on this wise: Giue eare vnto me, O my people, & acknowledge me trulie to be thy God; not in words, I saie, onelie; but in mind verelie, and with a perfect and most pure worshipping.

But we (alas) haue turned our harts from thy ho∣lie words, and so wretchedlie despised the doctrine of thy sacred lawe and Gospell; that we haue alwaies hitherto beene a slander vnto the same. But now are we verie hartilie sorie for it; who trusting in the death and bloudshedding of thy sonne Iesus Christ our Sa∣uiour, doo with great feruencie, and most earnest prai∣ers, lamentablie call vpō thee for pardon of all our sin∣full crimes. And seeing we acknowledge thee to be our onlie God, we earnestlie desire thy gratious goodnesse, to grant vs this request; that we may now, and from hence-foorth for euer, giue eare onelie vnto thy diuine Maiestie, and honour thee alone; neither make anie thine equall, or prefer anie thing before thee.

Suffer not our sinfull hart, which of nature is dis∣posed vnto euill, to be hardened at thy fatherlie and friendlie admonitions: make the same soft, we harti∣lie praie thee, with the inspiration of thy good grace and holie spirit; neither suffer vs, whom thou, of thine infinite goodnesse, and not for our merits sake, hast cho∣sen to be thy blessed people, and sheepe of thy pasture, to striue & struggle against thy blessed commandements; like vnto the stiffe-necked Iewes, who wouldest often∣times put therto the traill of thy mightie power. But grant thou, O most deere and excellent Father, who speakest alwaie peaceable matters, and those things which are for our singular commoditie; that we, which haue heretofore beene maruellous rebellious, stub∣borne, burdenous, and troublesome vnto thee; may now become thy tractable, conformed, and obedient children; and euer hereafter haue so great a regard to thy blessed words, that with verie attentiue minds we may giue good eare to those things, which thou spea∣kest and willest vs to doo. So dooing, we shall not onlie be saued, & adorned with glorie; but also, euerie thing of ours shall be replenished with goodnesse, truth, righ∣teousnesse, and peace. Faith shall abound, and through the same shall we be plentiouslie iustified, through Ie∣sus Christ our Lord, Amen.

From all sedition and priuie conspiracie, from all false doctrine and heresie; from hardnesse of hart, and contempt of thy word and commandement: good Lord deliuer vs.

That it may please thee to giue to all thy people in∣crease of grace, to heare meekelie thy word, and to re∣ceiue it with pure affection, and to bring foorth the fruits of the spirit: we beseech thee to heare vs, good Lord.

That it may please thee to bring into the waie of truth, all such as haue erred, & are deceiued; to streng∣then

such as doo stand, and to comfort and helpe the weake-harted, and to raise vp them that fall; and fi∣nallie to beate downe Satan vnder our feete: we be∣seech thee to heare vs, good Lord,

Amen.