The safegard of the soule Declaring sundry soueraigne salues tending to the comfort and saluation of the same: very necessarie to bee learned and obserued of all men, and at all times, but chiefely in the extremitie of sicknes, and grieuous pangs of death. Composed by Lawrence Bankes, preacher of the word of God: and parson of Staunton, in the county of Glocester.

THE SECOND PART OF THIS Booke pertaining to the SICKE. (Book 2)

THe first dutie of the sicke person, visited by God, is to confesse his Faith, and to make open protestation of the same before his Pastor, and the rest that stand by at his end, that they may be

witnesses with him, and te∣stifie after God hath receiued his soule into eternall rest, that hee liued and dyed the Child of God, the true Seruant of Iesus Christ his Sauiour, and as becommeth a charita∣ble Christian, and one of the houshold of Faith.

The confession of the Faith.

I beleeue in God the Father Almightie, &c.

The summe of this Beliefe confessed.

I Am fully perswaded, and vndoubtedly I doe confesse and acknowledge

before God, and all you heere present, that euery point and Article of this my beliefe, is true and ne∣cessarie vnto saluation: for without Faith wee cannot* 1.1 please God, or bee saued. And therefore I stedfastly beleeue in my heart, that this in very deede is the true, ancient, Catholike and Apostolike faith, which all good Christians ought to hold, to the hazard both of liuing and life, if cause require.

Of this our be∣liefe there be 4. prin∣cipall parts.

• ...The first concer∣neth GOD the Father.
• ...The second, God the Sonne.
• ...The third, God the holy Ghost.
• ...The fourth, the holy Church, or congregation of God.

Of which faith, I make protestation, as followeth.

I constantly beleeue in heart, that which I now out∣wardly confesse with my mouth: (viz.) That there is but one true, almightie, euerlasting, liuing, iust and mercifull God; of incom∣prehensible

glory, maiestie and might, inuisible, infi∣nite and immortall. And yet in this Godhead are in∣cluded three distinct per∣sons; the Father, the Sonne, and the Holy Ghost, vnited together in Deitie and sub∣stance inseparably: of like equalitie in will, might, and glory: without beginning, without ending: frō whom (as from a most cleere foun∣taine) all vertue and good∣nes proceedeth to man, and euery liuing creature: By whom we liue, mooue, and* 1.2 are. In whom alone we are blessed, and without whom we are accursed, miserable,

and wretched. Which in∣comprehensible, and inuisi∣ble God hath reueiled him∣selfe vnto man many waies:

1. Miraculously by his workes.

2. Outwardly by his Word: And

3. Inwardly by his holy Spirit.

First, I will confesse my beliefe touching the Fa∣ther; Then I will proceede to the Sonne; and finally to the Holy Ghost: not that I preferre one person be∣fore another; but because naturally man doth best ap∣prehend and conceiue this order: namely, that the Fa∣ther

should bee set before the Sonne, and the Father and the Sonne together, before him that procee∣deth from them both. And yet, neuerthelesse, all the three persons bee but one God, equall and co∣eternall.

First, therefore, I doe be∣leeue [unspec 1] in God the Father, the first Person in Trini∣tie; who by his vnsearch∣able wisedome, and infi∣nite power, hath mightily made me and all mankind; yea, heauen, earth, the Sea, and all things therein con∣tained: as the light of the Firmament, the Sunne,

Moone, and Starres, the Fowles of the Ayre, the Beasts of the Field, the fruits of the Earth, and the fishes of the Sea. All these of his great goodnes hee hath made, blessed, and increased for man to doe him seruice, and that in most wonderfull and plen∣tifull manner. Yea, they were all created before man was made, to the end that Man at his first entry into the world, should come (as it were) into a house ready furnished, and so take full and quiet pos∣session of all Gods crea∣tures, and become Lord

and Ruler ouer them: and they all from time to time to be seruiceable vnto him as to their King. Onely he would that man should be obedient, and shew him∣selfe thankefull vnto his God for these his bles∣sings. In performing w^ch dutie, I for mine own part haue too often failed; God graunt that I may hereafter both know his will, and by the fruits of Faith shew my selfe more dutifull towards his Ma∣iestie, euen to my liues end.

Secondly, I beleeue in God the Son, the second

Person in Trinitie, who of his great goodnes hath mercifully redeemed mee and all mankinde, from* 1.3 the thraldome of Satan, Death, and Sinne, and from the torment of Hell fire due to the same, being of my selfe condemned thereunto by Gods iust iudgement, through diso∣bedience and transgressi∣on. Yet I firmely beleeue that I am acquitted, dis∣charged, and fully ranso∣med from the same, by my sweet Sauior Iesus Christ, that did sweat water and bloud for my sinne; who willingly of his owne ac∣cord

came down from the seate of his Maiesty in the highest heauens, into the vile and stinking bowels of the earth, where he for my sake, and all his elect, did not abhorre to take flesh of the pure Virgin Mary, and became man, and in the same flesh, suffered most bitter paine and tor∣ment, being condemned by an earthly iudge, to the most shamefull death of the Crosse, and so was buried, and descended in∣to Hell, rising againe for our iustification, and as∣cending into heauen, for our glorification, and to

open vs the gate of salua∣tion, which before was barred, and fast shut vp a∣gainst vs. And my be∣liefe is, that as before hee came as a Lambe in humi∣litie and mercie to seeke and saue sinners: So hee shall come againe as a Ly∣on in the end of the world, in great glory & Maiesty,* 1.4 accompanied with An∣gels and heauenly Souldi∣ers, as a righteous Iudge of the quicke and dead; separating the Sheep from the Goates, adiudging the one as hirelings of Hell, and the other as inheritors of Heauen. And this (a∣mong

many others) is a singular comfort to me, to know assuredly that no o∣ther shall bee my iudge, but he that is the Sauiour of my soule, and suffered for my sinnes. So that in all my perplexitie, perill, and danger, I set this Iesus a Sauiour before mine eyes, as a shield, a buckler, and sure wall between me and my spirituall soe the Diuel, and all his tyranny, assuring my selfe by this confidence, that neither he by his cruelty, nor all the Armie of hell can euer hurt or harme me, or any of Gods Elect.

Thirdly, I beleeue in [unspec 3] God the holy Ghost, the third Person in Trini∣tie; who by his grace lo∣uingly preserueth and sanctifieth mee and all the Elect people of God, who dayly gouerneth and di∣recteth mee in all my wayes and godly actions, who sealeth vp my saluati∣on, by the stedfast hope that I haue in Christ Iesus, assuring me inwardly, that all his benefits are mine, and by that meanes ma∣keth me apply the same to the comfort of my soule, who also mortifieth sinne in me, who openeth and

expoundeth vnto mee the diuine mysteries of God, and moueth me to leade a godly life.

This is that blessed wind which bloweth where it listeth, euen the Spirit of God, which of carnall, ma∣keth vs spirituall; of cruell, meeke; of malicious, cha∣ritable; of couetous, libe∣rall; of dissolute, tempe∣rate; of foolish, wise; of earthly, heauenly; of the bondslaues of Satan, the deare sonnes of GOD, whereby wee may boldly cry, Abba Father. I be∣leeue that this holy Ghost is the earnest penny here

on earth, of my saluation in heauen, and that hee will neuer forsake mee, no not in the houre of death and my greatest danger: but that hee will comfort me continually in all woe and temptations: so that although I bee tryed by the touchstone of afflicti∣on, grieued with extreme paine of bodie, or torinen∣ted with inward vexation of minde; yet I shall not be ouercome, neither shall my crosse be greater then I shal be able to beare and endure. For I know assu∣redly, that this holy Ghost wil mercifully preserue me

both in body and soule vn∣to the comming of our Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christ to iudgment, at the dreadfull day of doome, and there present me holy and without blame, before his Throne of grace, (al∣though of my selfe vnwor∣thy,) yet this sweet Com∣forter* 1.5 doth, of his especiall grace, beare witnes with my spirit and conscience, and that in most comfor∣table manner, that I am of the number of those which shall be saued, and that I shall stand in the last day on the right hand of Christ, and heare that

cheerefull sentence to my great ioy and comfort▪ Come, ye blessed of my Fa∣ther,* 1.6 possesse the Kingdome prepared for you from the be∣ginning of the world. You haue beene long Pilgrims on earth, but now you shal bee Citizens in heauen: you haue mourned a long time, but now you shall laugh for euer. I will wipe away all teares from your eyes. Enter at last (now that the heate of the day is past) into your Masters ioy.

All these three persons before rehearsed, I be∣leeue to bee one God in

essence, whose seate is in the heauens aboue, and whose footstoole is the earth beneath. Vnto whom all the Powers, Angels, and Saints in heauen are subiect, and doe their day∣ly seruice in setting forth his praises, casting downe their crownes at his foote, and ascribing all honour and glory to the crowned King that sitteth vpon the Throne, and reigneth for euermore; and also to the Lambe his beloued sonne and our Sauiour. God grant that wee may doe him like seruice here on earth.

Fourthly, and finally, I [unspec 4] doe beleeue the holy Ca∣tholike Church, which is Gods Elect people, or the Congregation of the faithfull, and is called the Kingdome of Christ Iesus. Of this Kingdome, Christ* 1.7 onely is Prince; of this bo∣dy, Christ onely is Head; and of this Spouse, Christ onely is the Bridegroome. This Church is called the Temple of the Holy Ghost, a spirituall House, a holy Nation, a Royall Priesthood, the Citizens of Heauen, the Pillar of Truth, the Arke of Noah, the Cōmunion of Saints:

Agreeing at this day in all points of Scripture, Faith and Religion, with the Primitiue Church of God: Firmely holding, and boldly confessing one God, one Faith, one Bap∣tisme, one Lord and Saui∣our of all, Iesus Christ: being the sheepe of Gods pasture, to whom belong∣eth one fould, and one Shepheard, which here on earth is called the militant Church, and in Heauen the triumphant Church of God. Out of which Arke all perish, and out of which Church there is no salua∣tion: but whosoeuer is not

found therein, he is, with∣out all doubt, damned. Of this Catholike Church of God, I beleeue, and am fully resolued that I am a member, and that GOD hath a care of me, and will preserue mee safe, vntill I haue the fruition of his heauenly Ierusalem.

This Church is knit to∣gether, and vnited by faith, through the operati∣on of the Holy Ghost, as members of one bodie.

This Church hath the pure Word of God truely and sincerely preached, and the Sacraments duely and faithfully administred

among them: These sheep heare the voice of the true Shepheard Christ Iesus, and hee knoweth them, and* 1.8 they follow him, and hee will giue vnto them eter∣nall life, and they shall ne∣uer perish, neither shall a∣ny plucke them out of his hand; nay, the gates of* 1.9 hell shall not preuaile nor ouercome this Church. They which bee of this Church, shall haue remis∣sion of their sinnes, conti∣nuall peace and ioy: They shall shine and glister as the Stars of Heauen: they shall bee clad with white garments, and follow the

Lambe whithersoeuer he goeth: they shall haue gol∣den crownes clapped on their heads, and shall see God face to face, and haue fellowship with his Saints who continually sing prai∣fes to the eternall King, which was, and is, and is to come. And I beleeue, that they which continue in this Church on earth, shall after the Resurrecti∣on & general Iudgement, obtaine euerlasting life, and rest from their labors; which life and perpetuall peace God grant mee and all his children. And from this Church I pray God

I neuer at any time swarue or decline, either in faith, doctrine, life, or Religion; but that I may dye & liue therin. And I humbly be∣seech God, euen w^th al my heart, to kindle & increase this Faith in me; that this hope being stedfastly fixed in my heart, I may to∣wards mine end cry and call with the Saints of God, and with a good* 1.10 conscience, Come, Lord Ie∣su, come quickly, and hasten thy Kingdome, that wee may raigne with thee in perpetuall ioy in the life euerlasting.

Amen.

The protestation of the Sicke.

I A wretched sinner, re∣deemed [unspec 1] with the preci∣ous bloud of my Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christ, do protest here before you all, that with a free and franke heart I doe pardon and forgiue all people, which by any manner of meanes haue spoken, thought, or wrought mee iniury, either in word, wri∣ting, or deed whatsoeuer: Desiring, that as I know assuredly in my heart and conscience, that I am re∣conciled

to God: So in like manner I may bee re∣conciled to the world. And therefore I most heartily pray as wel all you that bee heere present be∣fore me, as others that be absent, to forgiue mee wherein soeuer I haue of∣fended you, being most willing to part out of this world in the fauour of God and good men.

I protest and acknow∣ledge, [unspec 2] that I haue beene a grieuous and horrible sin∣ner all my dayes, both in thought, word, and deede: And that I haue not liued so vpright and holy before

my Lord God and the world, as I ought to haue done. I acknowledge my offences to be mo in num∣ber then the Starres of Heauen, or the sands in the Sea: for my negligence in not doing that which is good, and my dayly trans∣gressions, in committing the things which are euill, are infinite. I acknowledge that all my life hath been such, as looking my selfe now at last in the glasse of my conscience, I find daily confusion, and my minde and body so blemished with spots of vncleannes and filthinesse, that I may

be ashamed to looke God in the face, or once to lift vp mine eyes towards Heauen. Therefore I fall downe to the earth with the poore Publican, and with lowly spirit, and humble minde, I aske mer∣cie and forgiuenes of my Lord God, being sorry in my heart, that euer I offen∣ded this my deare Fa∣ther, and beeing fully pur∣posed with my selfe (if God restore my former health) neuer so grieuously to offend him againe; but to auoid Vice, & embrace Vertue: yea, to hate and abhorre the sinne, which

before I loued, and whol∣ly to conforme my selfe to the will of God in his Word.

I doe protest, that al∣beit* 1.11 I haue thus grieuous∣ly and many wayes offen∣ded God; yet I doe not despayre nor distrust the louing mercy of my sweet Sauiour and Redeemer Ie∣sus Christ. But I hope, by the merit of his death and Passion (and not mine own merits which are no∣thing but a loathsome life) to be partaker of the hea∣uenly inheritance.

I protest furthermore, [unspec 4] that I do beleeue, that this

holy Passion of Iesus Christ is a sure Rocke, Re∣fuge, and defence where∣vnto I may boldly trust and stay my selfe. And therefore in all aduersitie and trouble, I set the same against my inuisible ene∣mies, as a strong Tower, bulwarke, or spirituall har∣nesse, wherewithall the faithfull Souldiour and Seruant of Christ ought to bee armed: Assuring my selfe, that the punish∣ment of all my sinnes is thereby fully discharged, the ransome paid, and the obligation, whereby I was tyed to the Law, cancel∣led:

and that the vertue of this Passion of Christ per∣taineth not onely to o∣thers, but also to me.

I protest before the om∣nipotent God, and before all his holy. Angels and Saints, that I couet & de∣sire to end my life in that faith, which becommeth a true Christian, and the Child of God: That is, I beleeue all the Canonicall Scriptures mentioned in the Old and New Testa∣ment, and set downe by the holy Prophets of God, and the Apostles of his Sonne Christ, as the Pen∣men and writers; but in∣stinct

and prompted by the holy Ghost, the finger of God, as the Author and Inditer: which haue been from time to time, and in all ages, receiued and be∣leeued of the true Catho∣like Church and Congre∣gation of Iesus Christ: So that, if through the tentation or suggestion of the Diuell, or being op∣pressed with the violence or smart of sicknesse, I should thinke, speake, or doe any thing contrarie to this my confession and protestation made, I doe now beforehand vtterly debarre, and reuoke the

same, and doe witnesse and confesse before God and you, that by no means I will willingly consent or yeeld my selfe in the know∣ledge and vnderstanding of my heart, to any such thoughts, words, or workes.

Finally, I protest, that I [unspec 6] reioyce in Spirit, for the sweet mercy and merits which I feele inwardly to bee offered mee, by the death of Christ Iesus. And I doe giue most hearty thankes vnto God the Fa∣ther my Creator, for his graces offerd vnto me in his deare Sonne my Saui∣our;

by whose vnspeake∣able goodnes, I trust, I shall dye the Seruant of God: and into whose ho∣ly hands and tuition, I commend my body and soule, both now and in the houre of my death.

Amen.

The second dutie of the sicke Person.

THe second thing that is requisite in a sicke person, is faithfull & hear∣tie Prayer to God, either for his speedy deliue∣rance out of all woe and wretchednesse: or else for constancie in his con∣flict,

and patience in his paine.

A godly metion or Medita∣tation before Prayer: In which, we craue for Grace, Faith, and Pati∣ence.

O Lord, I am very sick, my body is weake, my strength faileth me, my sinnewes shrink, my hands and my feete waxe feeble, mine eyes dazell and lose their sight, all things are vnsauourie to me, my flesh putrifyeth, my breath stin∣keth, my heart panteth, and my life draweth to an

end. I perceiue there is but one way with me: The Lord bee mercifull vnto mee, and bee my guide in this my last iourney: goe I must, death is at doore with his dart readie to strike, hee stealeth neerer and neerer towards mee: he is euen now at my bed∣side ready to worke his feate; I cannot preuent him, neither can I auoid or flye from him. There∣fore (O Lord) I make haste to runne to thee for succour, which art the true Physician both of bodie and soule. Heale mee (O Lord) and I shal be whole;

preserue mee, and I shall be safe vnder thy protecti∣on: for thou beeing my defence and shield, I need not to feare the force of any foe. But who am I (O mercifull God) that beg∣geth so boldly at the doore of thy mercy? I am a sinner, and in sinne I was begotten of my Fa∣ther, and conceiued of my Mother. I confesse my wretchednesse, and my vn∣cleannesse is too manifest, both to thee, and the world, it troubleth my minde, and woundeth my guilty conscience: woe is mee therefore. Yet spare

me (O Lord) I humbly beseech thee, destroy me not in thine anger, but chastice me in lenitie. And albeit I am a grieuous sin∣ner; yet I perswade my self I am thy sonne, and that thou canst not but haue a fatherly care ouer me, for my elder Brothers sake, Christ Iesus thy beloued. Wherefore arise and help me (O Lord) arise, I say, and cast me not away for euer: forgiue mee all my sinnes, and raise thy poore Seruant out of the dung∣hill, that being released by thee from paine & griefe, and also deliuered from

eternall death, I may pray vnto thee faithfully during my life: and after death obtaine of thee euerlasting life, which thou hast pre∣pared for me, by the death and Passion of thy deare Sonne Iesus Christ my Lord and Sauiour, in whom thou art well plea∣sed, and by whose stripes I am cured, and trust to be saued, whose holy name bee blessed and praised, now and for euer.

Amen.

A fruitfull Prayer for the assistance of God, in the extremitie of sicknes.

O Deare Father of Hea∣uen, and Gouernour of the wide world, and the worker of our wealth: whose goodnes is vn∣speakeable, and vvhose wifedome is incompara∣ble: whose mercy reach∣eth vnto the Clouds, and vnto whose power all crea∣tures are subiect. Thou God of the quicke and the dead, which hast placed me heere on earth, as a pil∣grime

or tenant at will, to remoue at thy pleasure, and hast appointed mee and all men liuing our bounds which we cannot passe: Haue respect vnto the worke of thy hands, bow downe thine eyes of compassion (O Lord) visit and comfort the pensiue soule of thy poore priso∣ner. Open thy gracious eares, and heare my peti∣tion, thou which art the Sauiour of my soule; grant mee pardon of my sinne, and patience in my paine, that I neuer blaspheme thy holy name, but suffer this thy scourge and punish∣ment

meekely, as becom∣meth a good Christian and seruant of God: So that in this conflict of sick∣nes, when my flesh consu∣meth away, my limmes waxe lame, my sight fai∣leth, my heart fainteth, and all my sences become nummed; yea, when life & death struggle and warre within me for superioritie, and I lye linked in woe, in the paine and pangs of death; receiuing no food, taking no rest, but being past all recouerie of health to the iudgement of man; Then looke vpon me with the eyes of mercy, O thou

glory of Sion: Thou Comfort of Israel, and beauty of Ierusalem. Then let thy strength help my weakenesse, and thy mercy cure my misery. Then de∣liuer poore Ioseph thy Ser∣uant out of Prison: De∣fend thy deare darling from the deuouring Dog: Stop the mouth, and wea∣ken the force of the ro∣ring Lyon, and all his di∣uelish practises, that they neuer preuaile against me. O Lord haue mercy vpon me, & establish my heart, that I neuer faint in this my last and bitter death. Remember (O Lord) what

metall I am made of, that I am but sraile flesh and filthy earth. Let it bee thy pleasure therefore (O gra∣cious God) to forgiue me my sinnes; to remit and vtterly blot out of thy rec∣koning Booke the tenne thousand Talents, which I owe thee. I acknowledge the debt, cancell therefore the Obligation: for seeing I am not able to pay the debt, I must needs craue a generall pardon, or else perish for euer.

Spare mee therefore (deare Father) and com∣fort the soule of thy Ser∣uant, which repenteth his

former folly, and hum∣bleth himselfe here before thy Maiestie. O Lord, let not the terrour of Hell, the feare of death, the vexati∣on of minde, the bitter torment of sicknes, the losse of life or worldly wealth withdraw my soule from thee: But as thou did∣dest create it, and breathe it into my body: Euen so vouchsafe of thy great goodnes, to preserue it du∣ring life, and after death receiue it with the soules of the righteous into thine owne hands and custody, and place it in perpetu∣all felicitie: So that at

the generall Iudgement, and the glorious Resur∣rection of all flesh, I may both body and soule rise to life euerlasting, and praise thee continually with the Angels & Saints in Heauen, through Iesus Christ our Sauiour: to whom with thee and the holy Ghost, be all honour, and glory, world without end.

Amen.

A pithy & profitable Prayer when wee are in danger of death: wherein we commit our selues to God, renounce the world, craue pardon for our sinnes, and for∣giue our enemies.

O Lord, my good and gracious God, the Creator of Heauen and earth, King of Kings, and Lord of Lords, which hast made me of nothing to thine owne likenes, and redeemed me with thine owne bloud: whom I a wretched sinner am vn∣worthy to name, to call

vpon, or once to thinke in my heart: Here I pro∣strate and submit my selfe before thy diuine Maie∣stie, and acknowledge my grieuous sinnes, which I haue committed against thee, in thought, word, and deede: humbly cra∣uing pardon thereof at thy fatherly hands. And I doe also for mine owne part, most willingly for∣giue all men that haue of∣fended mee, euen as I looke to bee forgiuen of thee my louing and mer∣cifull God, whose wrath & iust iudgement I haue too often and that deseruedly

prouoked against me. But neuerthelesse, howsoeuer I haue liued hitherto in my fraile flesh, and in this body of sinne: yet I trust that thou, of thy graci∣ous goodnesse, wilt grant me a happy end: for I vt∣terly renounce the world, and the vanities thereof, which all my life time hi∣therto, I haue too much coueted and delighted in; onely I am now carefull for my soule, that it may be saued: and my earnest desire is, that I may dwell with the Lord in the land of the liuing, which I trust to obtaine by the bloud

of the innocent Lambe of God Iesus Christ, and so to be partaker of the hea∣uenly ioyes, and Commu∣nion of Saints in the tri∣umphant Church of God. In the meane time, vvhi∣lest I remain in this earth∣ly Tabernacle, I beseech thee (O Lord) to increase my faith, comfort my sil∣ly soule, lighten my vn∣derstanding, strengthen my feeble body, and grant me patience in my paine, that my faith neuer faile. And I willingly surrender my body and soule to thy carefull disposition, and as willingly leaue my goods

to the world where I had them: Rendring to thee most hearty thanks for the vse I haue had of them hi∣therto, and for all other thy greater benefits, and spirituall blessings; as my Election, Creation, Salua∣tion, Sanctification, Pre∣seruation, and hope of Glo∣rification in thy heauenly habitation. O Lord, thy holy Name bee praised therefore, and thy blessed will be fulfilled in me eue∣ry way; whether it bee by life, or by death; let it be to thy glory, and then I haue my hearts desire: for I am in thy hands, as the

Clay is in the Potters; therefore doe with me as best pleaseth thee. Make me (O Lord) a fit sacrifice for thy selfe, by punishing my fleshly body, and par∣doning my sinfull soule. Grant mee perfect re∣membrance of the houre of my death & last gaspe, that I may thankefully take this thy fatherly visitation, and willingly beare my crosse, after thy deare Son Iesus Christ my Sauiour. O Lord, prepare me for the good houre which thou hast appointed for the de∣liuerie of my soule out of this wretched world:

settle my thoughts, and fixe my faith on the life to come, that I neuer shrinke from thee and thy sauing health, what paine or tor∣ment soeuer thou inflictest vpon mee here on earth: yet (deare Father) let hea∣uen be my reward in the end. Finally, so dispose of me, good Lord, as may be most meete for thy glory, and mine own saluation in Christ Iesus my mercifull Redeemer and Sauiour: to whom with thee and the holy Ghost, be all honour, power, and praise, world without end.

Amen.

A Prayer to be said in the pangs of Death.

O Infinite Deitie and vnmeasurable good∣nes! O blessed and glori∣ous Trinitie! O perfect loue and charitie, haue mercy on mee, and open the bowels of compassion vpon mee a wretched sin∣ner, wrapped in woe, and ouerwhelmed with an∣guish of soule, and vexati∣on of spirit. Into thy hands (O Lord) I wholly commit and resigne my selfe: make haste (O Lord) to deliuer mee, for it is

high time. My flesh trem∣bleth, my bones are bru∣sed, mine eyes wax dimme, my strength faileth, my heart panteth, and my sor∣row and paine euery way increaseth. O mercifull Creator, shew mercy to thy creature. In thee (O Lord) alone is all my trust. In my misery and smart I haue no other to make my mone vnto, but onely to thee, O thou preseruer of men. Therefore forsake me not vtterly, but stand by me, and with comfort relieue me in this my ex∣tremitie and last combate. Stretch out thine arme (O

Lord) and hold thy hands of pitie ouer me that lyeth here in woe and misery. O Iesu, O sweet Iesu, mer∣cie. O Sonne of Dauid, haue mercie vpon me: O Father of Heauen, help me: O holy Spirit of God, confirme & comfort me. O God the Father, God the Sonne, and God the Holy Ghost, three persons and one God, haue mer∣cie vpon me.

O Iesus, my sweet Saui∣our, receiue my silly soule into thy holy hands. Place it (O LORD) for thy mercie sake, with thine owne selfe in thy heauenly

Kingdome, among thine holy Angels and Saints. O my good God, and my heauenly Father, pitie my case, ease my paine, com∣fort my soule, and be mer∣cifull vnto me. Lord shew the light of thy louing countenance vpon mee: And in the houre of my death strengthen my faith; So that my body retur∣ning to the earth from whence it came, my soule may ascend to thee which gaue it: and at the day of doome, & generall iudge∣ment, when they shall both meete againe, they may rise to life euerlasting, tho∣row

our Lord and Saui∣our Iesus Christ.

Amen.

Short Petitions collected for the Sicke: Partly out of other Authors.

BEhold (O gracious Fa∣ther) [unspec 1] the body of thy deare Sonne all to rent and torne: and remember (I most humbly beseech thee) of how small & base substance I am. Behold, O good God, the grieuous paine & Passion of Christ my Redeemer: and for∣giue the sinnes of me thine vnworthy and vnprofita∣ble Seruant, which am

therby redeemed. O Lord looke downe from Hea∣uen, incline thine eares vnto my prayers, confort my sobbing soule, cheere my carefull conscience, increase my faith, forgiue me my sinnes, and haue mercy vpon me, through Iesus Christ my Sauiour. Amen.

O Lord, I beseech thee, [unspec 2] mercifully heare my pray∣ers, and spare mee which doe confesse my sinnes to thee, that I, whose consci∣ence by sin is accused, by thy mercifull pardon may be absolued, through Ie∣sus Christ our Lord. Amen.

O GOD the Father, [unspec 3] which made mee, blesse mee: O God the Sonne, which redeemed me, pre∣serue mee: O God the ho∣ly Ghost, which sanctifieth me, confirme and streng∣then me. The blessing, defence, and sauing health of the Almighty God, the Father, the Sonne, and the holy Ghost, preserue mee from all euill, and bring mee to euerlasting life, through Iesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Glory be to thee O Fa∣ther [unspec 4] my Maker: Glory be to thee O Sonne my Re∣deemer: and glory bee to

thee, O holy Ghost my Comforter; from age to age; from posteritie, to po∣steritie; both here and in the world to come: and let all people say, Amen.

The peace of our Lord [unspec 5] Iesus Christ, and the power of his Passion, the prayers of his Elect, the Communion of Saints, the sword of the Spirit, and the shield of Faith, bee betwixt mee and all mine enemies, bodily and ghost∣ly, publike and priuate, vi∣sible and inuisible, both now and in the very houre of my death. Amen.

O Lord, into thy hands [unspec 6]

I commend my Spirit. Thou hast redeemed mee (O Lord) thou God of Truth. Lord Iesu, at thy pleasure, and at the time which may be acceptable vnto thee; receiue my spi∣rit into thy heauenly King∣dome.

Amen.

The third Dutie of the Sicke.

THe third and last duty of the sicke person, is to be patient in his sicknes or any other aduersitie, willingly to beare the bur∣then of Christs Crosse, & so to follow him: for the

better performance wher∣of, I haue thought good to annex to the premisses, this short Treatise of Pati∣ence: wherein I will ob∣serue this order:

First, I will perswade by [unspec 1] Precepts to suffer aduersi∣tie, and all kinde of cala∣mitie.

Secondly, I wil produce [unspec 2] out of the Scriptures, some speciall and particular ex∣amples, which may pro∣uoke vs both to suffer af∣fliction, and to be patient therein.

Thirdly, I will shew [unspec 3] some Reasons to allure vs thereunto.

1. Precepts perswading.

FIrst, it is an old saying; Patience in aduersitie is a goodly vertue: and truely so it is: and Patience is a rare vertue, and so it may well bee; because it is so seldome seene, and neuer so seldome as in these our dayes, wherein wee haue many motions to euill; but few or none to that which is good.

We offer wrong, we will take none: Wee giue shrewde words to others, wee can brooke none to∣wards our selues: Wee

haue Eagles eyes to espy a mote in our Brothers eye, but like blinde buzzards, wee see none at all in our owne: We complaine of euery griefe in our selues, bee it neuer so little: wee pitie none in others, bee it neuer so great. And there∣fore we had need both of Precepts to perswade, and Examples to prouoke: but I feare, neither the one nor the other will preuaile or take place in vs. And why? Mens hearts are steeped in bitter gall: their hands are cruell; their feete swift to shead bloud; their braine busie to inuent mischiefe:

And to speake the truth without flattery; Loue is lost, Charitie is cold, Faith is not to be found, Pietie maketh mone, being pin∣ched by aduersitie, and patience is gone, beeing forced by extremity. Wel, what is to bee done in this wofull case? Wee must comfort our selues with sentences and examples, which are written for our instruction in holy Scrip∣tures.

Indeede, this I must needs confesse, that no kinde of crosse, bee it of minde or body, is simply on our parts to be wished,

because it is grieuous to flesh and bloud, and not delightfull to the minde of man. And yet notwith∣standing, such crosses and calamities are dayly to be expected of the godly, and when they come, patiently to be suffered, without ei∣ther murmuring or grud∣ging against God that sendeth them, or against man that offereth them. Alwayes perswading our selues, that they come not vnto vs by chance or for∣tune, but by Gods diuine prouidence and permissi∣on, who will not suffer one hayre of our heads to pe∣rish,

neither permit vs to be* 1.12 tempted aboue our strength. And therefore we may as∣sure our selues, in all our af∣flictions and tryals, that GOD hath some good worke in hand; the end whereof shall, at last turne to our great ioy and com∣fort.

For we must weigh and consider with our selues, that God our heauenly Father sendeth vs sundry crosses, for sundry causes.

Sometime to set forth [unspec 1] his glory, might, and Ma∣iestie, that hee may bee knowne to be a God.

Sometime to punish [unspec 2]

our former sinnes, and thereby to call vs to re∣pentance.

Sometime to keepe vs, [unspec 3] lest we fall into sinne, and so forget God: and this is good for vs.

Sometime to try our [unspec 4] faith and patience, whe∣ther we be true or falsehar∣ted: whether wee will cleaue vnto him, or shrink from him. And therefore in the middest of our ad∣uersities our Sauior Christ doth comfort vs, saying: By your patience possesse your* 1.13 soules: that is, Be of good comfort, faint not, but liue cheerefully vnder the

crosse; let patience bee a plaister for euery wound, and a soueraigne salue for euery fore. It seemeth that the Apostle Saint Paul was of the same minde, in his experienced griefe; where he saith, Wee reioyce in tri∣bulations;* 1.14 knowing that tri∣bulation bringeth forth pa∣tience; and patience, experi∣ence; and experience, loue. And therefore in his grea∣test perils by Land and by Sea, at home, and abroad; yea, euen when hee was whipped, beaten, stoned, and cast into Prison, he reioyced greatly. So the* 1.15 Apostles being beaten, re∣ioyce

that they were counted worthy to suffer rebuke for Christs name, Act. 5. 41.

Therefore, Cast not away* 1.16 your confidence which hath great recompence of reward.* 1.17 For yee haue neede of pati∣ence, that after ye haue done the will of God, ye might re∣ceiue the Promise. For yet a [unspec 37] little while, and he that shall come, will come, and will not tarry. Christ neuer com∣meth empty-handed: Come he soone, come he late, he bringeth his Fa∣thers blessing with him for all his louing children, which patiently beare the rod of his correction. And

therefore happy is that ser∣uant, whose manners his Master amendeth, while hee remaineth in this life, that hee may be blessed in the life to come. For our God is a plentifull rewar∣der of the patient: if thou sustaine iniury, he is a re∣uenger of wrong: if thou sustaine losse, he is a resto∣rer of right: if thou su∣staine sicknes, he is a skil∣full Physician: if thou suf∣fer death, he can raise thee vp to life. Yea, this pati∣ence is such a Noble Ver∣tue, that it fenceth our Faith; preserueth Peace; increaseth Loue; helpeth

Humilitie; moueth Re∣pentance; ruleth the Flesh; reuiueth the Spirit; bride∣leth the Tongue; refrai∣neth the hand; comfor∣teth the poore, and stayeth the rich: of enemies it maketh friends, it hea∣peth vp coales vpon their heads, & conuerteth their hatred into loue. For we reade of cruell and wicked Tyrants, who beholding the force of patience in the godly, haue presently tur∣ned to God, and forsaken their crueltie.

Lactantius maketh men∣tion of one Tyrant, which persecuted three Christi∣ans;

who when he beheld and saw their constancie and patience, that they feared no punishment, but meekly suffred torment; he presently vowed & said, Et ego Christianus ero: that is, I will become a Christian also. In like manner: Ne∣buchadnezzar seeing the Faith, Constancie, and Pa∣tience of Shadrach, Me∣shach and Abednego in the fierie furnace, that they would not bee forced to worship his feigned and false god Bel, hee was so∣dainely moued to blesse and praise the liuing God, and say: Blessed bee the God* 1.18

of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, who hath sent his Angell, and deliuered his Seruants, that put their trust in him, and haue changed the Kings commandement, and yeelded their bodies, ra∣ther then they would serue or worship any god, saue their owne God.

Thus also the Vulgar sort, when they see men torne in pieces with diuers kinde of torments; as Whipping, Racking, Hanging, Burning, &c. willingly to take their death, yea, and to wearie their Tormentors and Hangmen, with their in∣uincible

patience, they are of the same minde that some were, who behold∣ing our Sauiour Christs end, said, Verily, this was* 1.19 the Sonne of God. So, they seeing the patience & con∣stancie of these men, are moued in their conscience to think (as well they may) that neither the consent of so many men; neither the patience and constancie of those that dye, is in vaine; and that they were neuer able to ouercome such paine, except God himselfe were with them: for Trai∣tors, Murtherers, Theeues and Malefactors, neither

can, nor will abide such torment, if by any meanes they may escape it. But they cry, they mourne, they fret, they fume, they sweare, they rage, they blaspheme God, and reuile men: They despayre, and are swallowed vp of sor∣row. Contrariwise, the godly endure all aduersi∣tie patiently, and that with boldnes; contemning the punishment & threatnings of cruell tyrants, resigning and committing them∣selues to God; who in the middest of our misery, sheweth most mercie. Therefore the more wee

are tryed by aduersitie, the purer we are. The more the Gold is beaten, the better it is: The more the iron is rubbed with the fyle, the brighter it is: The more the corneis threshed and fanned, the cleerer it is: So the more that God tryeth vs in the furnace of tribulation, the more hee loueth vs, and the more we glorifie him.

A Vessell, if it be foule, must bee scowred before Wine be put in it: and be that will make his ground fruitfull, must first pull vp the weedes, before hee sowe good seede: Euen so

by these sharpe medicines of Gods correction must the body be purged, that the mind may bring forth her due fruit in feare and reuerence.

The good Corne for a time lyeth vnder the Chaffe, Flowers grow a∣mong weedes, and the sweet Rose that smelleth, commeth vp with the sharpe Thorne that prick∣eth: So the godly for a time are kept vnder, and vexed with the wicked, and oftentimes God doth more punish them with pouertie, paine, and sick∣nes, then he doth the wic∣ked

weeds of the world: but all this is for out good, to make vs more obedient in dutie towards his Maie∣stie. And therfore all these crosses and losses, are pati∣ently of our parts to bee suffred, as infallible tokens of Gods loue.

Let no man therefore cast downe his heart in sicknes, or any other afflic∣tion: for hee that smiteth, healeth; & he that sendeth trouble, giueth strength; and against euery extre∣mitie God hath prepared a remedy, that fearefull man should not distrust Gods carefull prouidence;

but haue his soule settled in him that can both bind and loose, saue & destroy: that can send health after sicknes; life after death; and ioy after paine.

Sicknes, sores, afflicti∣ons, aduersities, vexation and troubles, all these are no nouelties to the godly. Our forefathers the Patri∣arkes and Prophets had good experience hereof, and wee must taste of the same sawce, if wee meane to enioy the same reward with them in Heauen. For all that will liue godly in* 1.20 Christ Iesus, must suffer per∣secution. So likewise Saint

Iames aduiseth vs, saying, Be patient therefore, my Bre∣thren,* 1.21 vnto the comming of the Lord. Behold, the Hus∣bandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, vntill he receiue the former and the later raine. Be ye also* 1.22 patient, and settle your hearts: for the comming of the Lord draweth neere. Take, my Brethren, the Pro∣phets [unspec 9] for an ensample of suf∣fering aduersitie, and of long patience, which haue spoken in the Name of the Lord, &c.

Two Examples prouoking.

VVOrks are of more worth thē words, and the life of any person, especially of a Preacher, is more regarded then his Doctrine: the reason is, be∣cause mē are more moued by Examples which they see with their eyes, then by naked and bare Precepts, which they heare with their eares: For wee count words, bee they neuer so good, but a lip-labour, or as a blast of winde, that entreth in at the one eare, and passeth out at the o∣ther.

When the old Crab said to the yong, daughter, goe forward (for the na∣ture of the Crab is to goe backward:) The yong an∣swered againe, I prae, se∣quar: that is, Goe you be∣fore (you are my elder) and I will follow after. As the old Cock crowes, the yong learnes: and all the world is bent to follow the examples of their elders or betters. Therefore we cōmonly say, Such a Ma∣ster, such a Man: Such a Fa∣ther, such a Sonne: Such a Mother, sach a Daughter: A good Iack makes a good Gill: a good Husband, a good wife:

a good Father, a good Sonne: a good Mother, a good Daugh∣ter. A vicious Father can∣not make a vertuous Son: a sluttish Mother can ne∣uer make a cleanly Daugh∣ter: a rude Mistresse shall hardly make a mannerly Maid: neither can a negli∣gent or ignorant Schoole∣master make a diligent or learned Scholler. I will not deny, but words may somtimes perswade a man to beare the burthen of aduersitie, and to be pati∣ent therein: but examples of others doe more moue vs.

We reade in prophane

Histories of diuers, which for their constancy in their profession, and for their patience in affliction, haue willingly suffered many torments.

Some haue beene bur∣ned by Arrians.

Some stripped naked, to the shame of the world.

Some hewed in pieces and cast to Hogges.

But my purpose is not to name or recite any out of prophane Authors. We haue Christians good store (God bee thanked) that haue in their life time both learned, and borne the burthen of Christs

Crosse, which haue be∣gunne with Christs crosse from the A. B. C. continued vnder it all their life long, and ended with it at their death.

Among infinite exam∣ples, I will rehearse but some speciall persons, whereof I haue warrant in the Word.

First, I will begin with [unspec 1] old Abraham, the father of the faithfull. When Abra∣ham, that good old man, was commanded by Gods owne mouth to offer vp his onely Sonne Isaac, his greatest ioy vnder God in this world: for so sayth the

Text; Take thine onely Son,* 1.23 whom thou louest, and there∣fore his present death must needs be the fathers griefe: It is a wonder to see how faithfully and patiently he went about that woful worke: Hee riseth vp early, saddled his Asse, and went to the place appointed: hee doth neither stagger nor study at the matter; nei∣ther doth he murmure or grudge against God, say∣ing, Is this Gods promise, that said hee would blesse all Nations in my seede? Hath he giuen me a sonne past expectation in my old dayes; and shall I now go

cut his throate with mine owne hands? I would to God I had neuer begotten him. How can God ful∣fill his promise to mee? No, no, wee must debarre all Howes? and Cans? if we haue to deale with him, with whom nothing is vn∣possible. Neither must we match mans reason, with Gods wisedome. And therefore Abraham makes no doubt, but regarding Gods will, maketh haste with his sonne, to the place appointed, without stay or delay. And there he binds his obedient sonne, hand and foote, stretching forth

his owne hand with the knife to cut his throate: But that good God, who is alwayes at hand in our extremities, sent forth his Angell to restraine that bloudy fact; who called vnto him from heauen, saying; Abraham, Abra∣ham:* 1.24 Stay thy hand, lay not thine hand vpon the Child for any worlds good. For now* 1.25 I know that thou fearest God. And therefore hee cryed vnto him the second time from Heauen, and said, By my selfe I haue sworne* 1.26 [unspec 16] (saith the Lord) I wil mul∣tiply thy seede as the Starres of Heauen, and as the sand

which is vpon the Sea shore, &c. Let old Abraham therefore, for his faith and patience, be set in the fore∣front to leade the way.

Well, who shall bee* 1.27 next? Surely some of his seede, but they are innu∣merable as the Starres of Heauen; and therefore I must skip a great number, or else weary my selfe in writing, and you in rea∣ding or hearing. Oh, re∣member now another old Abraham, or at leastwise one of his seede; whose pietie and patience, nei∣ther man, nor the Diuell could moue, do what they

could. And who is that, I pray you? Wee will fol∣low him by Gods grace, if wee may but know his name.

It is iust Iob, one that fea∣red* 1.28 God, and eschewed euill. Whose mouth is able to vtter the suffering and pa∣tience of Iob, the mirrour of meekenes, who hath the name at this day, and shall haue to the end of the world, of patient Iob? Neither hath he his name for nought, for he well de∣serueth it: who being sud∣denly cast downe from the highest top of earthly felicitie, to the very dust

and bottome of calamity: when God had taken away his Oxen and Asses, a great part of his wealth: when he had burnt vp his Sheepe and Seruants with celestiall fire: when he had taken away his Camels by the Chaldeans, and his children by sodaine death: when the Messengers came hastily with these heauy newes, and that, thicke and threefold, one in the necke of another; so that this godly man could not haue any time to breathe himselfe in, God heaping losse vpon losse, and sorrow vpon sor∣row;

and that in fearfull manner:

Notwithstanding all these calamities: What doth this Man of God? What bee his words? or what answere giueth he to the Messengers in this his misery? Doth he despayre of Gods goodnes? Doth hee grudge at his losses? Doth he fret and fume in himselfe? Doth he chide the Messengers for bring∣ing so bad tidings? Doth hee rage, or blaspheme God? No, no: Iob did no∣thing, spake nothing, ima∣gined nothing, vnfitting or vnseemely a patient and

perfect person. In all this* 1.29 did not Iob sinne, nei∣ther doth he charge God foo∣lishly, as the wicked doe: But hee humbled himselfe, fell downe to the earth, and worshipped. And then hee cryed, and said: The Lord hath giuen, and the Lord hath taken it: Blessed be the Name of the Lord. Thus this innocent and iust man is content to sucke vp his owne sorrow in silence; confessing God to be gra∣cious, albeit he had laid his heauy hand vpon him and his: for after all losses and crosses, Iob himselfe was smitten with sore

Byles, from the sole of his foote, vnto his crowne: Hee sate in sorrow vpon the dunghill: his Wife al∣so* 1.30 rebuking him, who* 1.31 should haue relieued him. Neuerthelesse, Iob regar∣ded* 1.32 not her words, but re∣maineth righteous, and saith, Thou speakest like a [unspec 10] foolish woman. What? Shall we receiue good at the hand of God, and not receiue euill? As though he should say, Shall wee taste of the sweet, and not of the sowre?

Shall wee alwayes bee merry, and neuer sorrie? alwayes laugh, and neuer

weepe? Should wee al∣wayes liue in health, and neuer bee sicke? Alwayes haue plenty, and neuer feele penury? Then should we be like Angels in hea∣uen, free from all aduer∣sities; and not like men on earth, subiect to many mi∣series.

Behold heere a plaine picture of patience; take him for an ensample of suffering aduersitie, and of long patience. His suffe∣ring was intolerable; his patience vnspeakable; and, except Christs, incompa∣rable. Let no man there∣fore excuse himselfe, and

say, I cannot be quiet, I cannot forgiue, I cannot be patient; The iniury of∣fered is so great: Such slanderous words, & hard dealing, is able to prouoke any man to impatiencie, if he were a Saint. Soft a little (good Brother) stay thy selfe: Remember iust Iob, let him bee an en∣sample to thee. I pray thee, had not hee an oc∣casion of impatiencie? Yes truely, and of vtter blasphemie, had not Gods grace preuented mans strength. Iob had the whole world, Sun, Moone, and Starres against him:

heauen and earth against him. For first and for∣most, God himself seemed for a season to forsake him, and to haue no care of him. The Diuell in the meane season neuer cea∣sed to tempt him, and that in sundry sorts. His Wife that lay in his bo∣some, and should haue bound vp his head, and comforted him; shee dis∣dained him, and vpbrai∣ded him euen with his good deeds. Shee coun∣selled him to renounce God, and to blaspheme him euen to his face.

What should I speake

more of this man? With∣in him, he had heauinesse of heart; without him, his kindred and friends dis∣couraging him; on euery side him, signes of sorrow. His Goods were spoiled, his Cattell destroyed, his Children sodainely killed, his owne body pitifully plagued, and no whole part of him from top to toe free from filthy sores and Byles: which way so euer hee turned him, hee could finde no rest, but wallowed in woe, and lay in extreme misery: Not on soft Downe, but on the stinking dunghill,

tossing and tumbling his loathsome and blistered body in the ashes, scraw∣ling and scraping his scur∣uy and scabbed skin with potsheards. O miserable man! O meeke minde! O wofull wight! O rufull and pitifull sight! And O spite∣ful Serpent, what hast thou done? whom hast thou stinged, and so dolefully wounded? Doest thou know whom? Couldest thou finde no other to spit thy spitefull poyson a∣gainst, but iust Iob; and ho∣nest man, an vpright man both in the sight of God, and man; the singular Ser∣uant

of God, and the pa∣tientest man that euer the earth did beare?

O cruell and cursed Wife, where is thy natu∣rall affection towards so louing and godly a Hus∣band? And O vnnaturall Cousins, & fained friends, where is your comfort and compassion towards your poore afflicted Kinsman? But O iust Iob! O constant creature! O perfect pi∣cture of long patience! In all this did not Iob sinne with his lips, but manfully brideled his affections, committing himselfe and his crosse, to him that sent

it, and suffered it. And so ought wee to doe in all extremities, & miseries, be it of body or minde, losse of goods, losse of friends, losse of lands, or losse of life; which is so deare and sweet to some, that I feare, they neuer looke for any other life; they are so wed∣ded to the world, and the vanitie thereof, as it may easily appeare by their im∣patiencie, if God deale with them, as he did with his Seruant Iob: that is, if hee doe but once touch their goods or bodies ne∣uer so little.

VVe reade also of god∣ly [unspec 3]

Tobias, notwithstanding* 1.33 his innocent life, his truth, almes-deeds, iustice and friendly goodwill in bury∣ing the dead, with perill of his owne life: Yet for all that, he was led captiue to Niniue, where hee was sought to bee slaine, and had all his goods confis∣cate and spoiled: So that in heauinesse of heart, and sorrow of soule, hee was forced to weepe. Yet for* 1.34 all this, he continued con∣stant in his goodnes, made graues, buried the dead, if not by day, yet by night; patiently suffering the mockes and taunts of his

spitefull neighbours, and nothing fearing death, in so good a cause; but meekely abode the repro∣ches of his owne Wife, who cast him in the teeth, saying, Where are thine almes, and thy righteousnes? This moued Tobias no* 1.35 deale, but hee praised God, and gaue himselfe to Prayer, confessed his sinnes, and most worthily in all these assaults, acknowledgeth Gods iustice, his mercy, and truth.

There bee infinite o∣thers, Men, Women, Old and Yong; of all sorts, and of all ages and de∣grees,

which being simple and silly sheepe (and yet the faithfull seruants of GOD) haue had their bloud sought and suckt; whose milde mindes, the wicked haue vexed; whose godly conuersation, they haue falsely slandered; whose liues they long lay in wait for; and whose bodies in the end, they haue most maliciously murthered, racked and tormented, and that with∣out all mercy, and mea∣sure: As Abel, Esau, Ie∣remie, &c.

But I will not trouble the gentle Reader, nor

weary the attentiue Hea∣rer, with many mo exam∣ples. I will therefore passe ouer the Old Testament, and come to the New, and there among many, set downe one or two, for our further instruction.

And here I may not [unspec 4] forget, neither omit the pietie and patience of Saint Stephen, whose ex∣ample of suffering, may bee a glasse to looke our selues in.

This holy man, and Martyr of God, when he should bee slaine of the Iewes, and cruelly stoned to death, what doth he?

Doth hee reuile his ene∣mies? Doth hee vvith∣stand his persecutors? or doth hee blaspheme his Maker? No, no, He pati∣ently taketh his Martyr∣dome. He doth not curse or desire vengeance from heauen to light vpon his Aduersaries: but most humbly falleth downe vp∣on his knees, praying for his persecutors, and say∣ing, Lord, lay not this sinne* 1.36 to their charge.

Behold heere an exam∣ple of a witnesse, and true Professor of Christ Iesus; a Martyr of such mode∣stie and meekenesse, as

seldome or neuer hath bin seene.

This Disciple had both learned and recorded his Masters lesson: Resist not* 1.37 euill, but loue your enemies: Blesse them that curse you: Doe good to them that hate you, and pray for them that persecute you. See how neere this man followeth his Masters manners. Christ cryeth in the mid∣dest of his enemies: Fa∣ther, forgiue them, they wot not what they doe. Stephen cryeth in the middest of his Stoners, Lord, lay not this sinne to their charge.

Christ said in his Passi∣on,

Father, into thy hands I commend my Spirit. Ste∣phen* 1.38 said in his stoning, Lord Iesu, receiue my Spirit. Christ beeing crucified, meekely gaue vp the Ghost: Stephen being sto∣ned, [unspec 60] sweetly fell on sleepe. Here the man followed the Master at heeles, yea, euen to death. Well, in the extremitie of their suf∣ferings, they both haue pa∣tience; they both pray; they both forgiue; they both resigne themselues and their soules, to him that smiteth and healeth. I say no more, but God grant wee may tread in

Stephens steps, and doe as he did, and then wee shall haue that hee had, that is, in the end of our suffering heere on earth, wee shall haue heauen opened vnto vs, see the glory of God, and* 1.39 Iesus standing at the right hand of God.

But what should I stand [unspec 5] longer to repeat the ex∣amples of men, who are mortall? if I should pro∣ceede, I should be weary in writing, and you in rea∣ding the examples of those which were neuer weary of suffering. There re∣maineth one Prophet: VVhat, did I say a Pro∣phet?

Yea, and more then a Prophet, of whom all the Prophets haue pro∣phesied: The Prince of Prophets, the Prince of Peace, and the Prince of Patience: VVho as he is most commendable, euen so he is incomparable. I neede not to name him, he was named of the An∣gell in his mothers womb, before he was borne into this sinfull world. You know whom I meane: the King of Glory, the Head of the Church, the Saui∣our of the VVorld, Christ Iesus the innocent Lambe of God, who patiently

suffered death for our sins: Of whom S. Peter repor∣teth, saying, Christ suffered* 1.40 for vs, leauing vs an exam∣ple, that we should follow his steps: VVho being his Fa∣thers best Beloued, in whom* 1.41 his soule was well pleased, yet suffered hee continuall crosses. He that did many good deeds, suffered many euill. He suffered the Di∣uell to tempt him, his owne Disciple to betray him, the Iewes to deride him, the malicious to blas∣pheme him, and his ene∣mies to slander him.

Againe, beeing spitted vpon, beaten backe and

side, buffeted on his face with fists, whipped on his bare body, cloathed in purple, crowned vvith thorne, &c. hee behaued himselfe as meekely as the Innocent Lamb, or shiftles sheepe vnder the hand of the shearer. His aduersa∣ries cry alowd: Cruoifie him, Crucifie him: Christ crieth as fast, Forgiue them, forgiue them. They cry a∣gainst him: Hee prayeth for them. Hee that might haue commanded all the Angels and Saints in hea∣uen, and haue had them at a beck to reuenge his quarrell, and defend his

innocencie; was so farre from requiting wrong, that hee sharpely rebuked the rash enterprise of Pe∣ter, that drew his sword, and gaue but one blowe; and hee healeth the partie whom he neuer wounded. Hee cured the vnthanke∣full▪ he gaue place to those that laid in wait for him; and refused not to kisse the venemous lips of Iudas that betrayed him. Hee despised no mans person, were hee neuer so poore; he refused no mans house, were it neuer so homely; and yet for all this, his doc∣trine was contemned, and

his person persecuted. He that giueth victorie to those that ouercome, was beaten on the face vvith rods. He that gaue hea∣uenly and wholesome meate to others, had bit∣ter gall offred to himselfe: He that gaue the water of life, had vineger giuen to drinke: He that was Inno∣cencie it selfe, was coun∣ted among the wicked: Hee that healed others, was wounded himselfe: Hee that was the Truth, was condemned by false witnes: And he that must iudge all men, was iudged of man.

And when his blame∣lesse and innocent life drew neere to an end, and he ready to suffer a most shameful and bitter death, the death of the Crosse; How meekely he tooke it: how modestly hee answe∣reth: how patiently hee suffereth: how feruently he prayeth; and how freely he forgiueth: it is a matter worthy to be noted, and printed in the perpetuall memory of man, and to be an example to all posteri∣ties.

Art thou a Christian or follower of Christ in his crosse? Art thou slande∣red

and handled as hee was? Then follow him, looke vpon him, and take him for an ensample of suf∣fering aduersitie, and of long patience. Hee was not crowned before hee was crucified, and thou must not be crowned be∣fore the victory. If the world be iniurious to thee, Christ is a rewarder, cleaue to him, forsake thy sinne, and take vp his crosse and follow him. Forsake the world, and feare neither the Diuell, nor affliction; set Christ naked, whipped, crow∣ned and crucified continu∣ally

before thine eyes. See how hee was bought and sold, hated, slandered, and reiected of his owne.

The Iewes cry, Away with him, let him bee cruci∣fied: that is, let him bee tormented and hanged. What euill hath hee done, saith the Iudge? I finde no fault in the man. He hath committed nothing wor∣thy of death, I take him to bee an innocent or sim∣ple man; Let vs therefore whip him, and send him packing. O no (say they) if thou let him goe, thou art not Caesars friend. The Iudge seeming still to fa∣uour

his innocencie, ma∣keth another offer: You haue (saith he) a custome to let one prisoner loose vnto you: We haue one Barabbas who is in for a Bird, and fast in hold; a Thiefe, a Murtherer, and a seditious fellow: yee shall hang him, and save Christ aliue. Ah no (say they) Barabbas is a good fellow: Deliuer him, and Crucifie Christ.

Well, if there bee no remedy (saith Pilate) I will* 1.42 wash my hands here before you all, in witnes that I am innocent from the shedding of the bloud of this Iust

Man. This protestation of the Iudge, and cleering of Christ, might haue bri∣dled them and their affe∣cted crueltie. But alas, they were as the world is now, and euer will be, peruerse and wilfull. No reason could rule them, no coun∣sell could moue them, no words could perswade them. They runne head∣long on their owne de∣struction, saying, His bloud* 1.43 be vpon vs, and on our chil∣dren.

The more that Pilate seemed to fauour him, the more they seeke meanes to murder him. To be short,

they haue their desire, they preuaile in their suite, The Sonne of Man is deliuered vp into the hands of sinners; the Sheep to the Wolfe; the Lambe to the Lyon: the wicked worke their will with him, there is no way but one with them: suffer he must, die he must, and he is content to sub∣mit himselfe with all mo∣destie that may be. It is no asking any reason or cause wherefore. Vnreaso∣nable men can yeeld no reason of any thing they doe, but that which is ty∣rannicall; Sic volo, sic iubeo, &c. that is, So we will, and

so we command: let will in place of reason stand. If hee* 1.44 were not an euill doer, wee would not haue deliuered him vnto thee. Well, well, be∣hold the end of this dea∣ling: In the meane season, they take him, they blind∣fold him, they bob him and box him about the eares, they spet in his face, they wagge their heads, they make mowes and iest at him, they make them∣selues sport with him, tos∣sing him to and fro, as it were a Tennis ball.

All these reproches he patiently abideth: he run∣neth not from them: he of∣freth

no strokes: he giueth them not one foule word. At last, when his enemies had euen wearied them∣selues in their wickednes, they proceede forward, they cause him to carrie his owne crosse on his weake and feeble body to be hanged on. After sen∣tence of condemnation, he is brought to the place of execution. He is crow∣ned with Thorne, which was himself the Crowned King of the Heauen, which came to crush the sharpe and bitter thornes of our sinnes, and crowneth Mar∣tyrs with eternall Glory.

Hee is fast bound hand and foote, which freeth o∣thers from their fetters. He is pearced heart and head, which healeth the sinnes of the people, and saueth their soules from destruction.

I would aske one que∣stion of thee (gentle Rea∣der:) What could these villanous Iewes, & sworne enemies of our Sauiour Christ Iesus haue done more against him, if hee had beene the vilest crea∣ture vpon the earth; the arrantest thiefe in the world; or the greatest di∣uell in Hell? I admonish

thee therefore (good Bro∣ther) apply Christs suffe∣ring to thy soule, and fol∣low his patience.

Now what saith Christ to this geare? or what dooth Hee to his Tor∣mentors? Doth hee goe roundly to worke with them? or doth he handle them in their kinde? that is, Doth he cause the earth to open her mouth and swallow them vp aliue, as vnworthy men to liue any longer therein? Or doth hee command fire from Heauen to destroy them as they well deserued? Or doth hee of himselfe con∣demne

them presently to hell fire, as he could if he would?

No verily, no such mat∣ter, hee suffereth them thus farre forth: He bles∣seth, and yet curseth not: he seeketh still to saue, and not to destroy.

O mercifull Christ! O Prince of Peace, and pat∣terne of patience! VVhat man is hee this day that beareth breath in his body (if he be flesh and bloud) that is able to suffer such torment, without offering any stroke or one froward word? Christ doth nei∣ther, which might and

could haue done both: but he came to suffer, and not to smite: for his death gaue life to his enemies; yea, they that shed the bloud of Christ, were sa∣ued by the bloud of Christ. Such was his loue, such was his patience, that he suffered all these things for our sake. His Righte∣ousnes couered our filthi∣nesse; his labour, lightned our loade; his shame, was our ioy; and his damna∣tion, was our Saluation.

But O stiffenecked Iewes! O cruell Crucifiers! O corrupt Iudge! O wicked world, that wrought this

woe vpon him, that suffe∣red for thy sinne! Is this thy thankefulnesse for so great a benefit? Is this thy reward for the worke of Saluation?

Tell mee one thing, but tell me truely. Hast thou any reason to wound him, that healed thee; to binde him, that loosed thee; to condemne him, that sa∣ued thee; to deride him, that redeemed thee; and to hang him that helped thee? Let Heauen, let Earth, let Hell it selfe cry out against this crueltie. O wicked Nation! O proud Citie Ierusalem, and O in∣nocent

Christ! his death declared his innocencie. The earth trembled there∣at: the Elements were troubled: the Starres were abashed: yea, all the pow∣ers of Heauen were mo∣ued: the Moone gaue no light. the Sunne shined not: but darknes closed vp the light of the day, lest the Sunne should bee for∣ced to behold the bloudy and cruell fact of the Iewes. The Temple rent in twaine: the stones claue in sunder: the Graues ope∣ned, and the dead bodies did rise: insomuch that the beholders of his Passion,

and some of those which consented to his death, and wished that his bloud might light vpon them, and their children, are now so wounded in heart, and pricked in conscience, that they now change their minde, sing a new song, and confesse indeed hee was the Sonne of God. They now become blanke, which before were so bold. They now accuse them∣selues, which before con∣demned Christ. They now wish him aline againe with a wring by the eare, which before crucified him. They now lament,

which before laughed. They now mourne, which before mocked. They now knocke their brests full of heauines, with teares in their eyes, water on their cheekes, and sorrow in their hearts, which before shaked their heads, spet in his face, called him wretch, and cryed fie vpon him. I will say no more, eyther of Christ, either of any Prophet before him, or Martyr that shall come af∣ter, as of late there haue been many: but conclude all that haue beene, are, or shall bee, in one round Ring, seemely Circle, and

sure Seale. viz. Qui patitur, vincit: that is, That man whatsoeuer he be, that suf∣fereth aduersitie patient∣ly, in the end hee ouer∣commeth and getteth the victory.

Three Reasons alluring.

THe precepts going before, and the ex∣amples propounded, may of themselues seeme rea∣sonable to perswade most men (if they be not void of reason) to suffer aduer∣sitie, and to be patient. For the Lord himselfe is patient,* 1.45 and mercifull, slow to anger,

and of great goodnes. Hee beareth with our sinnes, and patiently expecteth our amendment. And therefore wee must beare one with another. The Husband must beare with his Wife as with the wea∣ker vessell; the Master with his seruants; and the Cre∣ditor must haue patience with his Debter, &c.

But the greatest reason to mooue a man to suffer aduersitie, and to bee pati∣ent therein, is the reward after suffering; for being made like to Christ by suf∣fering, we shall in the end bee made partakers with

him in glory: Who, after his patient suffering, was so exalted of his Father, that hee hath giuen him a name* 1.46 aboue euery name, that at the name of Iesus, should e∣uery knee bow, both of things in heauen, and things in earth, and things vnder the carth. If therefore we suf∣fer* 1.47 with Christ, we shall also reigne with him.

Art thou desirous to liue for euer? and to reigne with Christ in eternall glory? Then arme thy selfe with patience to suf∣fer aduersitie heere on earth, that thou maist haue place in Heauen.

Take counsell of Saint Paul, who saith: Let vs by* 1.48 patience runne in the race which is set before vs, loo∣king to Iesus the Captaine, and finisher of our Faith; which for the ioy that was set before him, suffered the Crosse, contemned the shame, and sitteth on the right hand of the Throne of God.

Behold heere a reward after the race, & a crowne after the conflict. The con∣sideration whereof moued all the Martyrs and holy men of GOD to beare Christs Crosse, were it ne∣uer so grieuous and hea∣uy for the time, & to suf∣fer

mocks, stripes, bands, rackings, famine, impri∣sonments and death: and so must we doe: the whole course of our life heere on earth sheweth the same.

Troubles try our pati∣ence, and tame the flesh, lest wee should bee condem∣ned with the wicked world; and therefore wee begin our life with teares, before we be able to speake; we leade it in sorrow & care, and we part from it with great griefe: or otherwise wee should put too much confidence in our quiet e∣state, as Dauid testifieth: I* 1.49 said in my prosperitie, I shall

neuer bee mooued. And therefore, lest wee should bee too proud in our pro∣speritie, the Lord often∣times bridleth our appe∣tites by losses and crosses, and so sheweth his loue by afflicting vs for our good. As for example, if for Gods cause, or his Truth, we be shriuen of all our riches heere on earth, our portion shall bee the greater in Heauen. If wee bee thrust out of our hou∣ses, or offices, we shall bee receiued into the Family of God. If we be contem∣ned among men, wee shall be highly esteemed with

God. If we be cast downe in the world, our seates shal be the higher in Gods Kingdome. If we be mur∣thered, and so lose our life, this shall bee a meanes to bring vs to eternall life. For if there were no griefe in pouertie; no torment in sicknes; no sorrow in slan∣der, nor horrour in death, what tryall could there be of Gods people? None at all. Therefore in our greatest extremitie, let vs say, Fiat voluntas Domini, that is, The wil of the Lord be fulfilled in mee; come life, come death; come sicknes, come health; come

prosperitie, or aduersitie. And let that man neuer boast himselfe to be an A∣bel, whom the malice of Cain hath not afflicted: Nor a Iacob, whom an Esau hath not hated: nor a faithfull Mardocheus, whom a spitefull Haman hath not slandered: nor a Paul, whom a Nero hath not persecuted: nor a Christian, whom a Iudas hath not betrayed.

Where the good are, there must of necessitie be some bad to try them. The Wheate is tryed by the Fanne; the Iron by the file, and the gold by the

fire: euen so is a Christian knowne by affliction: and being so tryed, he cannot lose his reward. It is great in heauen, and not for gotten on earth. For we see dayly, that ioy follow∣eth sorrow; life, death; glory, miserty; and prospe∣ritie, pouertie. Patient Iob had his substance dou∣bled. The holy Patriarks, Prophets and Martyrs of Christ, which suffered sundry sorrowes heere on earth, are now crowned Kings in Heauen. And so shall we, if we runne their race: for many runne, but it is the wrong way, that

leadeth to destruction: But wee must so runne, that wee* 1.50 may obtaine, and in the end get the wager. The Mer∣chant resuseth no perill by Sea; the Husbandman no labour by Land; the Cap∣taine no wound in warres: and they doe it for a tem∣porall reward: How much more ought wee patiently to indure any losse of goods, torment of body, or griefe of minde, for e∣uerlasting life, and heauen∣ly ioy?

The Wise man consi∣dering this, affirmeth, that the day of death, is better* 1.51 then the day of birth.

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Saint Paul was of the same minde, when he said, I de∣sire* 1.52 to be loosed, & to be with Christ, which is best of al: for then shall Christ our Saui∣our wipe away all teares* 1.53 from our eyes, and sorrow from our hearts. We shall neede to suffer no more, our troubles are at an end. Neither shall there bee any more death, neither griefe, neither crying, neither paine. Our paines here haue endured but a time, the pleasures there shall be perpetuall. What is he therefore in the vniuer∣sall world, but would wil∣lingly hazard life and li∣uing;

yea, and yeeld his soule to God, his body to the blocke, and his flesh to the fire, for such cele∣stiall ioyes as are prepared for those that fight Gods battell heere on earth?

Therefore (my deare Brethren) to conclude; Let vs runne our race, and passe our painefull pilgri∣mage in this transitorie world, so godly and pati∣ently, by the example of the Prophets, of Christ and his Apostles, that in the end of the course, when death shall shut vp the eyes of our bodies, we may with a firme faith and

good conscience, say with Saint Paul: I have fought a* 1.54 good fight: I haue finished [unspec 7] my course: I haue kept the [unspec 8] Faith. For henceforth there is laid vp for me a crowne of righteousnes, which the Lord a righteous Iudge shall giue me at that day: and not to me onely, but to all them that loue his appearing.

Then in the end of our race we shall haue rest and ioy, yea perfect, complete, and full ioy: Ioy aboue vs, ioy beneath vs: ioy before vs, ioy behinde vs: ioy on our right hand, ioy on our left hand: ioy within vs, ioy without vs: and ioy on

euery side vs. Vnto the which ioy he vouchsafe to bring vs, which dearely hath bought it for vs, not with siluer and gold (for it cost a great price) but with the sheading of his preci∣ous bloud, euen Iesus Christ the righteous: vnto whom with the Father, and the holy Ghost, three per∣sons, and one euerlasting, iust, and mercifull God, be all honour, power, and glory both now and euer.

Amen.

A generall and fruitfull Prayer for all Christians, to bee reuerently said at all times, Morning, Euen∣ing, Night, or Day.

O God our Maker, thou most mighty and ho∣ly IEHOVAH, in thy name, and to thine ho∣nour and glory, we begin, continue, and end these our Prayers. And we offer this our dutifull seruice vn∣to thy diuine Maiestie, as to our Soueraigne Lord, and mighty Creator of Heauen and Earth, and of all things therein contai∣ned.

O sweet Lord Iesus Christ, wee offer vnto thee our selues, body and soule, and all the powers & parts thereof within vs, and without; for by right they are all thine, because thou hast dearely bought and paid for the same, with the peerelesse price of thy pre∣cious bloud. And wee most humbly beseech thee, O holy Ghost our Com∣forter, to giue vs grace and strength to doe thy will in all things, and to offer these our prayers with cleannesse of heart, vp∣rightnes of action, and in the vnity of thy true

Church, and Catholike Faith; that so they may ascend into thy sight as a sweet sacrifice of incense, for our health, help, and o∣ther things necessarie for our bodies and soules; for the true mortification of our flesh, and the right di∣rection of our whole life, that hereafter it may bee pleasing and acceptable vnto thee; and so by faith in Iesus Christ, bring vs to euerlasting blisse. And we offer the same for the health and help of all o∣ther persons, that thy bles∣sed will is to haue prayed for, within the Church,

and without, in speciall, and in generall. And for whom and whatsoeuer else thy wisedome know∣eth necessary, and our frailetie cannot aske, that may be most conuenient for vs to receiue, and best becommeth thee to giue. That it may please thee of thy gracious goodnes, to grant vnto vs true and vn∣fained repentance for our former sinfull life; patience in all our temptations and tribulations, ghostly and bodily: protection and defence against our ene∣mies, visible and inuisible: constancie and perseue∣rance

in all vertue & good∣nes: help and reliefe in all our needs and necessities: succour and comfort, in all our woe and distresse: ease and deliuerie out of all our troubles, calamities, & af∣flictions, that we are in, or may any way happen vnto vs. O most tender God, & deare Father, we beseech thee also of thy mercy and forgiuenes of sinnes, for our selues, and all others: and mitigation of thy iu∣stice towards vs, now and in the houre of our death and last iudgement parti∣cular and generall. Open vnto vs (O Lord) we most

humbly beseech thee, the plentifull streame and fountaine of the bloud of CHRIST IESVS which for our sake, and for our saluation, issued most aboundantly out of his grieuous wounds han∣ging on the Crosse: Drowne vs in them: hide vs in them: wash vs in them: write & print them deepely in our hearts, that all our sinnes may bee so bathed in his bloud, buri∣ed in his death, and hid in his wounds, that they neuer more be seene to our confusion in this world, or to our condemnation in

the world to come: But put them al into his most dear∣ly beloued wounds, and cast them into the bot∣tomelesse depth of his mercie and merits. We call and cry dayly vpon thee for thy fatherly assi∣stance, that we may con∣quer al our enemies. Heare vs therefore (O Lord) in that mercie which hath no measure, and looke not vpon vs with the eyes of Iustice; neither draw a∣gainst vs the sword of iudgement; for then wee are vtterly lost, and perish for euer: But subdue all power of Satan and sinne

in vs; and giue vs strength to resist; patience, to en∣dure; and constancie, to perseuer. And if men as∣sault or tempt vs to any e∣uill, good Lord, giue vs wisedom to discern them; feare to follow them; and zeale to defie them. And rule thou euer as Lord and King ouer vs, and ouer all that wee haue: ouer body and soule; ouer heart and minde; ouer worke and word: for Iesus Christ his sake, we heartily craue it, euen in fauour at thy Fa∣therly hands. And fur∣thermore, wee commend vnto thee (O Lord) in

these our Prayers, the whole Catholike Church. Renue in it (wee beseech thee) puritie and sinceritie of life and conuersation, from the which in these euill and latter dayes it is vtterly declined and wan∣ting, in all sorts of persons, as well Ecclesiasticall, as Ciuill. And grant vnto e∣uery member therof from the highest to the lowest; from the Prince vnto the People, that they may cor∣rect and amend in them∣selues, that which is amisse. Nourish and keep among them, vnitie, peace, & mu∣tuall charitie, to loue thee

aboue all, and their neigh∣bours as themselues. Make their hearts so meeke and gentle (good Lord) by thy working power, that they may gladly, and vnfained∣ly, freely and frankely, heartily and wholly, for∣giue all men that haue ha∣ted or hurted them by word or by deede. Such as doe erre and goe astray in the path of Perdition, call back and bring againe into the way of Saluation, and vnderstanding. Extin∣guish all Sects, Schismes, Innouations, Diuisions, O∣pinions & Heresies, wher∣by, and wherewithall thy

Church in these euill and latter dayes hath beene wonderfully molested and troubled, and as it were e∣uen rent and shaken in pie∣ces: and conuert all those to the knowledge of thy true, ancient, Catholike, Apostolike, holy and Chri∣stian Faith, which as yet goe astray and wander out of the right way. O Lord, of thy gracious goodnes fetch them home, as sheep of thy pasture, to thine owne Fold and Family: preserue and keepe them euer safe in the lap and vnitie of thy Catholike Church: And grant vn∣to

them true vnderstand∣ing to know thee; dili∣gence, to seeke thee; wise∣dome, to finde thee; con∣uersation, to please thee; and euermore faithfully to serue thee vnto their liues end. Comfort and lift vp (O Lord) all those that are troubled & vexed in minde, or in body: and teach them to see their owne happinesse, through tentations and troubles, and that the readiest way to Heauen, is euen to goe thither by Hell, and that euery paine heere, is as it were a preuention of the paines of Hell, and eue∣ry

ease in paine a foretaste of the ease and ioyes of Heauen.

And finally, grant that wee may all with quiet mindes, and good con∣science, patiently passe the time of this our pain∣full pilgrimage heere on earth, peaceably spend and end our dayes in thy seruice; and so at the last come to thy heauenly Kingdome, & life euerlast∣ing thorough Iesus Christ the Author of life: In whose holy name wee are bold to lift vp our hearts, hands, and voices, praying vnto thee, as hee hath

taught vs, saying, Our Fa∣ther, which, &c.

All glory and praise bee onely giuen vnto God.

A Prayer for Morning.

MOst gracious God, and deare Father, we yeeld vnto thee from the bottome of our hearts most humble thankes, in that it hath pleased thee not onely to defend and preserue vs this night from all our enemies both ghostly and bodily: but also of thy fatherly pitie to giue vnto these our earthly and languishing bo∣dies such sufficient sleepe and rest, as hath satisfied the ear∣nest desire of our weake and feeble nature. And as thou of

thy mercy hast safely brought vs to the beginning of this present day, and shewed vs the light thereof: so we hum∣bly beseech thee (O God) grant that our soules may bee spiritually lightened with the brightnes of thy Word and sacred mysteries, whereby we may walk in the steps of Chri∣stianitie, and leade a life agree∣able to our vocation in Christ Iesus our Lord. Assist vs also with thy grace and holy Spi∣rit, O God, that wee may ne∣uer shrinke from thee for any earthly torments, but dili∣gently apply our selues to the performance of thy will, and giue our selues wholly there∣vnto, hauing a strong and stedfast faith in the truth of thy promises. Indue vs with

wisedome from aboue, that we may dayly increase in the fulnesse of our Sauiour Christ. Behold vs with the eye of thy mercie, and vouch safe to de∣fend vs that commit our selues wholly vnto thee both now and euermore. Giue vnto vs a heart alwayes affected to ho∣nour thee, a minde euer medi∣tating of thy righteousnesse, and a spirit burning with zeale of thy worship, that wee may warily stand vpon our guard, and neuer yeeld to the treacherie of the Aduersarie: Blesse and prosper our enter∣prises (O Lord) that whatso∣euer we take in hand, we may by thy direction bring it to good successe, and euermore praise thy holy Name for thy gracious assistance, and singu∣lar

goodnes: grant this, O Fa∣ther, for Iesus Christ his sake, our onely Sauiour and redee∣mer.

An Euening Prayer.

GOod God, the Creator and Maker of all man∣kinde, seeing it hath pleased thee, of thy diuine prouidence, to ordaine the night as a meane to deliuer vs from the trauels of the day, and to minister ease and gladnes to the wea∣ried limmes of our bodies, to the great comfort and refresh∣ing of the same, by the fruitiō of quiet sleepe and rest, accor∣ding to humane nature, wee beseech thee therefore (O Lord) of thy vnspeakeable goodnesse and mercie, to bee

our watchman and defender this night, that wee bee not o∣uercome by fantasies, dreames, or other illusions: but that through thy permission, wee may take such quiet rest, and voluntarie sleepe, as nature re∣quireth, & though our grosse sences are at such times stop∣ped; yet vouchsafe euer to grant vs the assistance of thy grace and holy Spirit, that our soules may respect the com∣ming of thy Sonne our Saui∣our Iesus Christ, that at what time soeuer he calleth, we may bee sound watchfull, and con∣tinually ready to performe his will: that after this life en∣ded, wee may eternally rest in glory: and as the brightnesse of the Sunne doth in the mor∣ning disperse the darke clouds

and thicke mists from the face of the earth, whereby the same was before couered with dark∣nesse: so wee humbly beseech thee, vouchsafe to disperse and bury our sinnes (in the bloud and obedience of thy deare Sonne) which doe as it were shadow vs from the bright beames of thy fauourable countenance, and euermore assist vs with thy gracious goodnes, that our sleepe may be so healthfull vnto vs, that wee with willing mindes a∣rising in the morning, may vt∣terly shake off all manner of drowsinesse, and make haste to exercise our selues in such Christian labours, as thy di∣uine prouidence hath ordai∣ned vs vnto, to the aduance∣ment and renowne of thy ho∣ly

name, credit of thy Church, comfort and reliefe of our Christian Brethren, and our euerlasting saluation. In mercy grant this (O Lord, we be∣seech thee) for Iesus Christ his sake, our onely Redeemer and Sauiour: vnto whom with thee and the holy Ghost, be all power and do∣minion for euer,

Amen.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Heb. 11. 6.
• * 1.2

  Act. 17. 28.
• * 1.3

  Gal. 3. 13. Tit. 2. 14. Apoc. 5. 9.
• * 1.4

  Mat. 25. 31
• * 1.5

  Rom. 8. 15, 16.
• * 1.6

  Mat. 25. 34
• * 1.7

  Apoc. 21.
• * 1.8

  Ioh. 10. 3.
• * 1.9

  Mat. 16. 18
• * 1.10

  Apoc. 22. 20.
• * 1.11

  3▪
• * 1.12

  1. Cor. 10. 13.
• * 1.13

  Luke 21. 19.
• * 1.14

  Rom. 5. 3.
• * 1.15

  2. Cor. 11. 24.
• * 1.16

  Heb. 10. 35,
• * 1.17

  36,
• * 1.18

  Dan. 3. 28.
• * 1.19

  Mat. 27. 54.
• * 1.20

  2. Tim. 3. 12.
• * 1.21

  Iam. 5. 7.
• * 1.22

  8,
• * 1.23

  Gen. 22. 2.
• * 1.24

  11,
• * 1.25

  12,
• * 1.26

  15,
• * 1.27

  ••.
• * 1.28

  Iob 1. 1.
• * 1.29

  Iob 1. 22.
• * 1.30

  Iob 2. 7,
• * 1.31

  8,
• * 1.32

  9,
• * 1.33

  Tob. 1. 3.
• * 1.34

  Tob. 2. 7.
• * 1.35

  Tob. 3. 1.
• * 1.36

  Act. 7. 60.
• * 1.37

  Mat. 5.
• * 1.38

  Act 7. 59.
• * 1.39

  Act. 7. 55.
• * 1.40

  1. Pet. 2. 21
• * 1.41

  Mat. 3. 17.
• * 1.42

  Mat. 27. 24
• * 1.43

  Mat. 27. 25
• * 1.44

  Ioh. 18. 30.
• * 1.45

  Psal. 145. 8
• * 1.46

  Phil 2. 9, 10.
• * 1.47

  Rom. 8. 17.
• * 1.48

  Heb. 12. 1, 2.
• * 1.49

  Psal. 30. 6.
• * 1.50

  1. Cor. 9. 24.
• * 1.51

  Eccl. 7 3.
• * 1.52

  Phil. 1. 23.
• * 1.53

  Apoc. 4. 21
• * 1.54

  2. Tim. 4.