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.

On Sundaie. A praier for the right keeping of the Sabboth or Sundaie.

O Eternall father of our Lord Iesu Christ, which togither with thy Sonne, and the holie Ghost, didst create man, & of thine infinite mer∣cie powredst into him a similitude of those things, which are most ex∣cellent in thee the fountaine of all goodnesse; and wouldest in that na∣ture, as it were in a Temple (seeing thine image to shine therein) continue, and celebrate the ioifull Sab∣both. When man had defaced thine image, and was pluckt from thee, it was thy will that the Sonne of thine owne substance should take our flesh vpon him, and be made a sacrifice for the sinnes of mankind, bee crucified, die; yea and on the great Sabboth daie of the lawe, lie in the graue, where the word after an vn∣speakable manner rested, that we may receiue againe the societie of the new and celestiall Sabboth.

We beseech thee grant that thy Sonne, which is the Lord of that Sabboth, may begin in this life to rest in vs; to heale the corruptions of our nature by his holie spirit, which is the heauenlie fire; to drie vp the dropsie of our flesh; that he may loue vs, which are bone of his bones, to make vs one with him through his spirit; and finallie, to bring vs into that glorious companie, where the eternall Sabboth is in such ex∣cellencie, as can not be conceiued by the hart of man.

In the meane while, let vs ceasse from this hurlie burlie, this toiling, and drudging, in the vaine trumpe∣rie of this world; so as once at last we may religiouslie halowe, and keepe the godlie rest of the new Sabboth, in doing such things as be allowable and pleasant vn∣to

thee, and sanctifieng thee in true rest and peace. Drawe vs from the vaine fantasies of present things, that we may attend and await vpon thee, and thy ioi∣full comming. Grant I saie, that we may be humbled vnder thy mightie hand, that we may knowe our in∣firmities, obeie thee in our crosses and correction, looke vnto thee in a liuelie faith and hope of a ioifull deliue∣rance, which then shall be perfect, when thy Sonne by his trumpet shall summon the new Sabboth, and drawe vnto him on high, where he sitteth at thy right hand exalted, thine elect; all thine enimies, which through beastlie arrogancie blushed not to contend and fight against thee, being subdued,

Amen.