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.

Mother.

TO thee, O heauenlie Father, be all thanks, honour & glorie, for because it hath pleased thee, through the merits of Iesus Christ, to deale so mercifullie with vs. For looke how high the heauen is in comparison of the earth, so great hath thy mer∣cie beene towards vs, at all times, and in all things, much beyond that that our foolish harts could wish or desire. For the which, as we doo yeeld vnto thee all possible thanks, from the bottome of our harts; euen so doo we humblie beseech thee, with thy fatherlie goodnesse, to supplie all our infirmities wherewith we dailie offend thee. Blesse thou there∣fore, and be mercifull vnto thy Church vniuersallie, and to all the members thereof, and namelie vnto all Princes and ciuil Magistrates, that by their go∣uernment thy name may be alwaies sanctified, and thy glorious kingdome faithfullie prepared. Unto all Bishops and spirituall pastors, that they may diligent∣lie execute the charge committed vnto them. Unto all subiects and inferiors, that they may in thee, and for thee, obeie, serue, loue, honor all superior powers. Unto the ignorant, and such as are not yet brought to the knowledge of thy truth, that their eies may be ope∣ned, to the vtter abolishing in them, whatsoeuer is not of faith. Unto the malicious persecutors also, that ei∣ther their harts may be turned, or else that thou take them awaie from among vs. Unto the persecuted and afflicted, that they may end their conflicts with victo∣rie, whether it be by death or deliuerance. Unto thy

haruest, that it perish not for lacke of reapers. Unto Uniuersities and Schooles, that they may attaine to ripenesse of good and godlie knowledge, and vse the same to the furtherance of thy kingdome. Unto this our Realme, that we may hartilie repent vs of all our sinnes; that thou maist also repent thee of the punish∣ment, which thou hast prepared for vs, and euer conti∣nue thy goodnesse towards vs as thou hast begonne. Giuing vnto vs, among thine other benefits, such au∣thoritie of the ecclesiasticall sword, to the amendment of all things, and reformation of all estates, as may be most to the propagation of thy truth and true reli∣gion. Finallie, vnto vs all that are of the houshold of faith, that all other things set apart, we may onelie seeke thee and thy kingdome, and euer sing praises vn∣to thy holie name. These, O Lord, and all other gra∣ces agreeable to thy holie will, and expedient for vs, grant vnto thy seruants in the name of Iesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with the holie Ghost, be all thanks, ho∣nour and glorie, now and euer.

Daughter:

Amen.