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* 1.1BY Bread, the foode of the bodie, are vnderstoode all thinges necessarie for this corporall life, as meate, drinke, health, successe in our vocati∣on, &c.
* 1.2By this worde Giue we should vnderstand, that not only spirituall thinges, but also corporall benefites
are Gods free giftes, and come not for our worthinesse or trauell taken about the same, although our trauels be oftentimes meanes, by the which God doth giue corporall things.
By Daily we vnderstand the con∣tented mindes of thy children,* 1.3 with that which is sufficient for the pre∣sent time, as hauing hope in thee, that they shall not want, but daily shall receiue at thy handes plentie and ynough of all things.
By this word Our are as wel vn∣derstoode publike benefites,* 1.4 as peace in the Common weale, good Magi∣strates, good lawes, seasonable wea∣ther, &c. Also particular benefites, namely children, health, successe in the workes of our vocation, &c. And besides this, by it we should see the care, euen for corporal things which thy children haue for others, as well as for them selues.
So that here I may learne howe farre I am from that I should be, and that I see thy children are come vnto, I see my ignorance also, howe that, as spirituall thinges doe come from thee, so doe temporall thinges: and as they come from thee, so are they conserued and kept of thee: and therefore thy children are thankfull, & looke for them as thy meere giftes, notwithstanding the meanes which they vse if they haue them: howbeit they vse them but as meanes,* 1.5 for ex∣cept thou worke therewith, all is in vaine.
Againe, here I am taught to be content with that which is sufficient for the present time, as thy children be which haue the shortnesse of this life alwayes before their eyes: and therefore they aske but for daily su∣stenance, knowing this life to be cō∣pared to a day, yea a watch, a sound,
a shadowe, &c.
Moreouer, I may learne to see the compassion and brotherly care which thy children haue one for an other. Last of all, here I may see thy goodnesse, which as thou wilt giue me all things necessarie for this life, (or else thou wouldest not bid me aske, &c.) so thou commaundest all men to pray and care for me, & that bodily, much more then, if they be a∣ble, they are commaunded to helpe me both in body and soule.
By reason whereof I haue great cause to lament and reioyce. To la∣ment, bicause I am not so affected as thy children be, bicause of my ig∣norance, my ingratitude, my peruer∣sitie and contempt of thy goodnesse, and of the necessitie of thy people, which (alas) be in great miserie, some in exile, some in prison, some in po∣uertie, sicknesse, &c.
To reioyce I haue great cause, bicause of thy goodnesse in teaching me these thinges, in commaunding me to aske what so euer I want, in giuing me so many things vnasked, in keeping the benefites giuen me, in commaunding men to care for me, to pray for me, to helpe me, &c.
But alas, how far I am either frō true lamenting or reioycing, Lorde thou knowest. Oh be mercifull vnto me, and helpe me, forgiue me, and graunt me thy holie spirit to reueale to me my neede, ignoraunce, great ingratitude, and contempt of thy mercies and thy people, and that in such sort, yt I might heartily lament and bewayle my miserie, & through thy goodnesse be altered with thy people, to mourne for the miseries of thy children, as for mine owne.
Againe, reueale to me thy good∣nesse, deare father, euen in corporall
things, that I may see thy mercie, thy presence, power, wisedome and righteousnesse in euerie creature and corporall benefite, and that in such sort, that I may be throughly affec∣ted truely to reuerence, feare, loue, and obey thee, to hang vpon thee, to be thankefull to thee, and in all my neede to come vnto thee, not onely when I haue ordinarie meanes, by the which thou commonly workest, but also when I haue none, yea, when al meanes & helpes are cleane against me.
Here remember ye state of your chil∣dren and familie: also your parentes, neighbours, kinsfolkes: also your friendes, countrie, Magistrates, &c. as you shall haue time thereto, and by Gods good spirit shal be prouoked.
Bread.
Giue.
Daily.
Our.
Psal. 127.