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* 1.1ALmighty God and most merci∣full Father, we hartily beseech thee that this seed of thy word now sowen amongst vs, may take such deep root, that neither the burning heat of affliction, or persecution cause it to wither, neither the thor∣ny cares of this life do choake it, but that as seed sowne in good ground it may bring foorth thirty, sixty, and an hundred folde, as thy heauenly wisedome hath appointed. And be∣cause
we haue need continually to craue many things at thy hands, we humbly beseech thee (O heauenly Father) to grant vs thy holy spirit,* 1.2 to direct our petitions, that they proceed from such a feruent mind, as may be agreeable to thy most blessed will.
And seeing that our infirmity is such, that we are able to do nothing without thy helpe, and that thou art not ignorant with how many and great tentations we poore wretches are on euery side compassed and in∣closed,* 1.3 let thy strength (O Lord) sustaine our weakenesse, & assist vs with thy grace that we may be safe¦ly preserued against all the assaults of Satan, who goeth about like a roaring Lion, seeking to deuoure vs. Increase our faith (O mercifull fa∣ther) that we doe not swarns at a∣ny time from thy heauenly word.
Augment in vs hope and loue with a carefull keeping of thy comman∣dements,* 1.4 that no hardnesse of heart, no hypocrisie, no concupiscence of the eies, nor inticements of the world, doe draw vs away from thy obedi∣ence. And seeing the times are dan∣gerous wherein we liue, let thy fa∣therly prouidence defend vs against the violence of all our enemies, and specially against the furious rage of that Romish Idoll, enemy to thy Christ.
Furthermore, forasmuch as by thy Apostle we be taught to make our praiers and supplications for all men;* 1.5 wee pray not onely for our selues here present, but beseech thee also to reduce al such as be yet ignorant, from the miserable capti∣uity of blindnesse and error, to the pure vnderstanding of thy heauenly truth, that we all with one consent,
and vnity of mind may worship thee our only God and Saviour.
We beseech thee also most (deare Father) for Pastors and Ministers,* 1.6 to whom thou hast committed the dispensation of thy holy word, and charge of thy chosē people, that both in their life and doctrine they may de found faithfull setting only before their eies thy glory, & that by them all poore sheepe which wander and goe astray, may be sought out and brought to thy fold.
Againe, that it would please thee to deliuer the Church from such idle shepheards, wolues, and hirelings as seeke themselues, their bellies,* 1.7 and not thy glory, and the safegard of thy flocks.
Moreouer, because the hearts of rulers are in thy hands, we make our praiers vnto thee for all princes and magistrates, to whom thou
hast commited the administration of iustice: especially (O Lord) for the Kings Maiesty) that it would please thee to endue him with thy plentifull grace and principall spirit, that he may with a pure faith ac∣knowledge Iesus Christ thy only sonne to bee king of all kings, and gouernour of all gouernors euen as thou hast giuen all power vnto him both in heauen and earth, and so worke in his heart, that he conside∣ring whose minister he is, may hear∣tily seeke, and zealously promote thy true honour and glory carefully tra∣uelling to bring thy people commited to his charge (and yet remaining almost in all parts of his Realms in miserable blindnesse and darke ig∣norance) to the true knowledge of thee, ruling and guiding them as hee is taught and commanded by thy ho∣ly word.
Also we beseech thee, to indue al•• such as are in any authority vnder him, with thy grace and holy spirit, that they may be found vpright and faithfull in their calling, fauourers and furtherers of thy holy Gospell, maintainers & defenders of the true Preachers and ministers therof, and such as in singlenes of heart wil seek not themselues, but thy glory and the commodity of thy people.
And for that wee be all members of the mysticall body of Christ Ie∣sus, wee make our requests vnto thee (O heauenly father) for al such as are afflicted with any kinde of crosse or tribulation, as war, plague,* 1.8 famine, sicknesse, pouerty, imprison∣ment, persecution, banishment, or any other kinde of thy roddes whe∣ther it be griefe of body, or vnquiet∣nesse of minde that it would please thee to giue them patience and con∣stancy,* 1.9
till thou send them full deli∣uerance out of all their troubles.
Finally (O Lord) we most humbly beseech thee: to shew thy great mer∣cie vpon our brethrē which are per∣secuted, cast into prison, and daily condemned to death for the testimony of thy truth,* 1.10 and though they be vt∣terly destitute of all mans aid, yet let thy sweet comfort neuer depart from them, but so inflam their harts with thy holy spirit, that they may boldly and cheerefully a bid such trial as thy godly wisdome shall appoint:* 1.11 so that at length aswel by their death, as by their life, the kingdome of thy Son Iesus Christ may increase and shine throughout all the world. In whose name we make our humble petitions vnto thee, as he hath taught vs sai∣ing; Our father which art, &c.
1 Pet. 4. Num. 26, Deut. 29. Iosu. 7. Mat. 13.
Luke 17. Rom. 8. Iames. 5. 1 Joh. 5 Rom. 12. Wis 6.
2 Cor. a9. Iohn 5. Phil. 2. Psal. 303 1. Pet. 1. 1. Pet. 5. Luk. 17.
Psal. 95 Heb 14. 2. Joh. 2.
Epl. c. 13. Rom. 11. 2. Cor. 4.
John 21. Mat 18. John 9. Mat. 6.
Pro 21. John 16.1. Rom. 13. Iohn 6.
1. Cor. 2. Rom. 12. Jacob. 5.
2. Co. 12. Heb. 13.
Heb. 13. Rom. 8. Psal. 4. John 1.
1. Pet. 1. Acts 2. Mat. 10. Luk 21.