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.

The praier.

THou, O Christ sonne of God, fortie daies after thy resurrection, conti∣nuedst in the world to the vnspeak∣able comfort of thy Church, which being expired, thou ascendedst glo∣riouslie in the sight of thy Saints into the heauens. We yeeld thee most hartie thanks for this thy be∣nefit, beseeching thee most humblie to number vs a∣mong the saints and souldiers which wait vpon thee triumphieng. The hand-writing dependeth on the te∣stimonie of our giltie conscience, to our condemnati∣on; but by thy death, the sentence of condemnation is abolished, and thy bloud washeth vs from all our sins. The enimies of thine elect, euen the diuell and death, are lead bound, and the whole companie of the saints both in heauen and earth, is filled with ioie, & speake of thy victorie and benefits. Thy Saints in heauen visiblie doo behold thy glorious victorie. Thy Saints in earth are saued by faith, for the ornament and glo∣rie of the kings daughter is glorious within.

In the sight of manie godlie auditors of thine, and of thy holie mother the blessed virgin Marie, thou wast carried visiblie from the earth in the clouds into heauen. Thou gauest a taste of eternall life to thine A∣postles wondering at thy departure, and preachedst to them of thy returne into iudgement. Thou hast glori∣fied thine humane nature with vnspeakable glorie, and placed the same on the right hand of thy Father, vpon the throne of triumph and victorie, as hauing for our sakes, vanquished all our enimies. But thine humane nature is not onelie aboue, as be thy

Saints, but is exalted also to such a light, as cannot be attained to by anie creature. Thou reignest visible with the Father, replenishing the whole celestiall con∣gregation with righteousnes and diuine glorie. Go∣uerne thou also in this mortall life, outwardlie in thy ministerie, and inwardlie in our minds. Thou hast as∣cended on high, and lead captiuitie captiue, to bestowe thy benefits vpon man.

Before thy departure thou renewedst the instituti∣on of thy ministerie, thou gauest thy disciples a com∣mandement to preach to all nations; for which thy goodnesse, we giue thee most hartie thanks: for therby thou hast called vs to the societie of thy Saints. As∣sist vs with thy spirit, that we may beleeue the Gos∣pell, and keepe for euermore the couenant which in our baptisme we haue made with thee. Thou adornedst thine Apostles which were to carrie a new doctrine o∣uer the face of the whole earth, with singular testimo∣nies of miracles, that the Church might assuredlie knowe they erred not. Continue among vs in like sort thy ministerie, togither with the puritie of thy word. Send among vs Euangelists, pastors and teachers, which may ioine themselues to the doctrine of the A∣postles, and diligentlie spread the same abroad, and speake thou which art the head of the ministerie with∣in to our harts, and raise vp godlie motions through thy spirit.

Thou art ascended on high to bee the head of thy Church, filling all things; finish thy worke in vs; in∣graffe vs to thy glorified bodie, and powre vpon vs from thy diuine nature a like spirit, which may inter∣mingle it selfe with our soule, and begin while we here liue, in vs an eternall life, which may create in vs a new man, fashioned accordinglie to thy similitude and likenesse. And inspire in vs such a perfection and righteousnesse, as thou shalt thinke meete and con∣uenient

for our weake and fraile nature; and let holie motions agreeing to thine heauenlie will be planted in vs. Driue awaie the darkenesse of our minds, extinguish the wicked affections of our hart, and let the new man dailie prosper and increase in perfection. Defend thy Church by thy mightie right hand, against all the power both of man and diuels. Fill our flitting soules with a tast of a new life, receiue them into thine hands, and grant that at the resur∣rection and glorification of thy Church, we maie ioi∣fullie behold thee, returning and triumphing glori∣ouslie, and so be placed in that kingdome, which thou wilt deliuer to thy Father, for their euerlasting happi∣nesse,

Amen.

Halleluiah. Glorie be to God on high.