At our vprising .

GOd the Father , that saidst in the beginning , Let light be made , & it was made : lighten my eies , Psalm. 12. that I sleepe not in death , lest at any time mine enemie say vnto me , I haue preuailed against him .

God the sonne , light of light , the great & truest light , from whence this light both of sunne and day ariseth , thou light shining in darkenesse , and illuminating euery one Iohn 1. that commeth into this worlde : driue from me all darknes of ignorance : and giue me vnderstanding , that in thee , and by thee I may know the Father : to know whom , is to liue : and to serue whom , is to reigne .

God the holy Ghost , thou fire both illuminating , and warming , kindle in me thy light , that I may know the deceitful delights of this world , and the true ioyes of heauen : Enlighten my minde , that I may see how great a good our enemy soliciteth vs to change for a light shadow . Grant that I may onely see those things that are thine , and be blinde to the rest : infuse also into my minde the gift of thy charity , that forsaking those transitorie things , I may with a feruent zeale and continuel desire , endeuour to attaine those things , which are eternall .

Holy Trinity , one God , defend me this day from all the assaults of the diuell : keepe me this day from all sin and defend me this day from sudden and vnexpected death . Be thou vnto me solace in tribulation , assistance in temptation , and in death a pleasant refuge .

Thou hest raised my body ( O Lord ) which was drowned in sleep , I beseech thee that thou wilt deliuer my soule likewise from the sleep of sins , & the darknes of this world : and that which thou hast recalled from sleepe vnto waking , may it please thee after death to restore to the same life : for sleepe is to thee , as death to vs . To thee be praise & cleernes , wildome , thanksgiuing , Apoc. 7. honor , vertue , & fortitude , for euer and-euer . Amen .

When we rise .

RIse , O my soule that sleepest , arise from death , & Christ shal Ephe. 5. shine vnto thee : Arise O thou daughter of Sion , O my soule redeemed by Christs blood , shake off the dust of sinnes , & set in thee the Esay 52. peace of Christ , purchased for thee by his merits .

Christ , thou mercifull aduocate of mankind , as thou releeuest this greeuous burthen of my body by thy benefit , so lift vp our minds to the knowledge & loue of thy Maiesty : and grant that the body may be a companion & Minister of pietie to the soule in this life , to the end that in the life to come , it may be partaker of that eternal blessednes , where thou liuest & reignest , with God the Father , and the holy Ghost , world without end

Amen .

A thankesgiuing for our preseruation the night past , together with a prayer wherin we beseech almighty God to take the like care of vs this day .

OMnipotent & eternall Lord , the Father of our Lord Iesus Christ : I praise thee . I blesse thee , and with my whole heart giue thee thanks , that according to thy vnmeasurable goodnes , thou hast by thy fatherly prouidence , preserued me this night : that it hath pleased thee to be present with me , so that the diuell durst not drawe neere to assaile me : that thou hast protected me from all euill , both of soule and body ; that thou hast defended me ( being drowned in profound sleepe ) by the assistance of thy holy Angels , as it were with an impregnable wall against the deceits and snares of the old aduersary , who neuer letteth slip any opportunity to hurt vs : Finally , for that thou hast sweetly raised me from sleepe , ( the true image of death ) lest I should bee choaked in the darknesse of my sins , to the end I might haue space and time ( yet at the length ) to recollect , and earnestly repent my selfe .

Now likewise ( O father of mercy and God of all consolation ) 2 Cor. 1. I beseech thee ( and from the bottome of my heart intreat thee ) that this day thou wilt take me also into thy fatherly protection , and behold me with thy mercifull eies , direct me in the way of thy commaundments , and giue me those gifts of thy holy spirit , by whose means I may begin , continue , and end this day likewise to the praise and glory of thy holy name , to the profit of my neighbors , and the saluation of my soule : endeuouring my selfe euery where and in all things , without neglect of my duty , to discharge euery way that vocation to which I am called .

Keep me ( O Lord ) from all sin ; restraine my flesh and blood prone to all iniquitie , and friend and minister to that old Adam : coole , by the dewe of thy spirit , the heate of concupiscence , that reigneth in my members , lest this day at any time I fall into any sinne , and prouoke thy wrath and indignation against me . Grant O mercifull father , and vouch safe ( O deere Lord ) that I may lead the remnant of my life in thy feare and loue .

Direct this day my heart and my body , my senses , speeches , and my actions in thy law , & in the workes of thy commaundements . Turne my hart from all transitory things and conuert it to eternal : that forsaking the riches and delights of this world , I may alwaies thirst after thy kingdome .

Curb and restraine the power of the diuell , our old and sworne enemie , that although hee rangeth about like a roaring Lion , seeking whom he may deuoure , he may not yet hurt , or any wayes hinder mee . But because my merits are none at al for which I deserue to be heard , behold I bring with me thy onely begotten Son , who is the propitiation for my sins : behold him O mercifull father , and for the iustice sake of thy Son , forgiue the sins of thy seruant : grant mee that by thy mercy , which is not my due in iustice : who liuest & reignest God for euer and euer .

Amen .

Morning exercises .

A Cōmendatory morning praier , wherin , together with our selues we commend all faithfull Christians vnto God .

I Adore , blesse , and glorifie thee 〈◊〉 holy Trinity , omnipotent God Father , Son , and holy Ghost . Behold I offer vp my selfe to thy diuine maiesty , and yeeld me tributary to thy most holy and irreuocable will . I pray thee ( O Lord ) take from me , & from all faithfull christians whatsoeuer is displeasant vnto thee : and giue whatsoeuer is gratefull in thine eies , and cause vs become such as thou commandest vs to be . I commend vnto thee my father , my mother , brothers , sisters , sons , cousins , benefactors , friends , familiars , & neighbors , and all those that haue recommended themselues to our praiers , or for whom I ought to pray . I commend vnto thee , thy holy catholike Church : bring to passe ( O Lord ) that all and euery one may know thee : all may honour thee : all may loue thee , and may likewise be beloued by thee . Reduce the ignorant into the right way : destroy heresies , let all those bee conuerted to the true and sincere faith , who haue no knowledge of thy most holy name . Giue vs peace , and conserue vs in the same : yet in all things , let thy will , not our will , bee fulfilled : Comfort and helpe all those that are in tribulation , and such as leade their liues in miseries , temptations , perturbations , and afflictions , as well of the body as the soule . Finally , I commend all creatures to thy protection , that to the liuing thou m●…est giue grace , and to the dead et●…nall rest .

Amen .

A praier before we goe out of doores .

OMnipotent & eternall God , who art the way the life , and the truth , behold I am to walke amidst the snares of the diuell , the world his minister , laid in waite for me : I beare likewise about mee the temptations of my fraile flesh , so that it cannot be that I shall walke without harme , tither of body or soule , amongst so many gulfs & dangerous heaps of temptations , which that cursed enemy hath beset vs with , being swallowed in sin , except thou stretch thy right hand to assist vs . Leade mee therfore , thou most assured & faithfull guide : open mine eies , & conduct me in the high way , that I Psal. 24. may neither turne on the right nor on the left hand : Shewe mee thy Prou. 4. pathes , & teach me thy waies : make my path straight , & direct my iournies in peace . O Lord , in thy righteousnesse Psal. 5. leade me because of mine enemies : direct thou my waies in thy sight : Thou that to holy men sendedst thine Angels for guardians , by whom as the weaker sons they should be directed as by their elder and more stronger brothers : Thou that to To●…y , the modest son of an honest father , sendedst Raphael thy minister , to accompany him on the way in his intended iourney : send me , being sarre inferiour to Tobias in vertue , but confident in thy goodnesse , thy holy Angel , who may now leade mee in these paths that are most pleasant in thy sight , and at length bring mee to the hauen of eternall life : In the Name of the Father , and of the Sonne , and the holy Ghost ,

Amen .

When you enter any iourney .

O God that broughtest Abraham thy seruant from Vr of the Chaldees and keptst him in safety in the whole course of his pilgrimage : we beseech thee vouchsafe to keepe vs thy seruants . Be vnto vs , O Lord , in our setting out , our succour : in our way our solace : in heate , a shelter : in raine and cold , a garment : in wearines , a wagon : in aduersity , a helper : in the slippery way , a staffe : in shipwrack a hauen : that by thy conduct wee may attaine thither with happines whither we trauell , and at last returne in safety to our owne households , through Iesus Christ our Lord .

Amen .

A praier before the Sermon .

O Lord Iesu Christ , that d●…scendedst from the bosome of thy father into this world 〈◊〉 our teacher , that thou mightest shew the will of thy Father to wretched mortall men , and teach them in the way of ●…aluation : Behold I come to heare thy word , and haue many yeares since repaired to the same : ( but alas ) with small fruit of my soule : I came vnto the light , and I am not illuminated : to the bread of life , & behold I die for hunger : to the fire , and I starue for cold : to the medicine , & 〈◊〉 am oppressed with diuerse infirmities of sinne . The dew of diuine doctrine falleth without intermission vpon my earth , and yet hitherto hath it brought forth nothing but thorns and thistles : what need more ? daies , months and yeeres are past , and I remain in the same state of sinne .

It is a great benefit O Lord , that thou hast left vs the seed of thy diuine word , otherwise we had bene like Sodome and Gomorra . It is likewise a great benefite that thou sendest laborers into thy vineyard , that thou leauest vs Doctors and Catholicke preachers : but in vaine teach they outwardly , except thou mooue inwardly . I beseech thee therefore ( O good Iesus ) open the eares of my heart , that that which is instilled by the eare of my flesh , may penetrate euen vnto the marrow of my spirit , and there worke such holesome effects , that thy word returne not againe in vaine .

Uouchsafe , I say , O Lord , that this seed which at this time falleth on me , be not choked with the thornie cares of this world , neither wither through drought and defect of the deaw of the holy Ghost , in the time of tribulation , neither be deuoured by the birds of the aire : but warmed by the heate and operation of the holy Spirit , may flourish in a fruitful mould , and bring forth the fruits of eternall life : that I may know thee , loue thee , and laud thee with perpetual praise , who art laudable and glorious for euer .

Amen .

A prayer after the Sermon .

LOrd Iesus Christ , eternall Sauiour , I giue thee thanks for that thou hast fed me wi●…h the food of thy word , 〈◊〉 abundantly nourished me : I beseech thee that the vnderstanding of thy word be effectuall and healthfull to mee , that the same celestiall seede do not perish in me without fruit . Keepe my heart , and enclose it with the sence of thy grace , and prohibite that the infernall foule do not plucke it out of my heart , but prepare it vnto thee , that it may keepe thy word , and as a new thing , be infixed in my memorie . Thou art he that saidst by thy Prophet , The word that shall issue from my mouth , shall Esay 55. not returne to me in vaine , but shall prosper in that for which I send it . Goe to Lord , and let thy word heard by me , from the mouth of thy minister , prosper in me : giue me strength , that my life may bee answerable to the doctrine I haue receiued . Giue increase to thy word , O thou celestial husbandman , that it may augment and increase in me , that by thy holy word it may not onely bring me to the knowledge of thy will , but also that I may fulfill and execute that which thou biddest and wilt , and so I may perseuer vnto the end , vntil I may attaine to thy celestiall and euerlasting kingdome .

Amen .

When we goe about any worke .

WE , that are thrust into the most obscurest darkenesse through the fal of our first parents , O thou fountaine of eternall wisedome , know not what is pleasing or displeasant to thee , and what is expedient or hurtfull for vs : notwithstanding , O bountifull & mercifull Lord , I , notwithstanding the labour bee great , if I respect my strength : light & easie , if I regard thy assistance , doe now vndertake the same , not knowing whether thou wilt that the same should bee done by me , or likewise whether it shall be profitable or hurtfull vnto me : O thou light of diuine maiesty , O beauty of the glory of the Father , O giuer of gifts , I beseech thee , let the drops of thy grace fall vpon me , that herein I may know thy will .

To thee therefore , O thou that dwellest in the highest , God and Father omnipotent , with humble heart , godly affection , and deuout praier , doe I fly , crauing thy helpe and assistance in beginning this worke For thou vnderstandest the depth of my ignorance , my pouerty in vertues , my sluggishnesse in weldoing , and the great deformity of my maners : all which make me vnworthy to finish such a wor●…e : giue me therefore wisedome , that assisteth thy seat : send her from thy holy heauens , that shee may bee with mee , and labour with mee . Strengthen me , O Lord God of Israel , and at this houre behold the workes of my hands : Giue mee strength , assist and helpe mee , that the euill spirit do not hinder me in atchieuing this worke , or the detractious of wicked men reuoke me from the same : let mee faile other waies , or let me fall before the end of the worke , but vnder such a moderator and rector , let me institute and end all things orderly , namely Iesus Christ the mediator , who is God to bee praised for euer .

Amen .

A thanksgiuing when the worke is finished .

O Most sweete Lord Iesus Christ , thou redeemer of mankinde , who art Alpha and Omega , the beginning and end , by whom al things are made , & without whom nothing is done , who weighest vowes , crownest merits , and giuest rewards : I giue thee thanks , that I haue ended the work begun by thy prouidence , and ended by thy assistance . Thine it is , O good Iesus , at this present , to weigh the value therof : If I haue any waies defaulted therein , all that is mine : and if any thing hath beene gracious in the eies of thy Maiesty , all that do I ascribe vnto thee . For being conceiued in sin , borne in sin , & bred vp in sin , what other thing can wee doe but sinne ? And how can we performe any good thing , except thou giue it , O Lord ? It remaineth now , O God , that by the same mercy wherewith thou wroughtest this worke with me , by the same now thou wilt direct it to a wished scope and end , lest the fruits thereof doe perish , either to my selfe , or to my neighbour .

And if for al those benefits which thou hast bestowed on vs , wee should giue thee thankes , most bountiful Iesus , all our whole life should bee spent in that one thing ; so that it behooued vs to think on no other thing but the same . But now our duety calleth vs hencefoorth to another thing : our vocation exacteth another thing at our hands : yet are thy new benefits alwaies to bee receiued with a new giuing of thanks . For which cause I also , for that it hath pleased thee so faithfully to finish this worke in me , and by me , although thy vile & vnworthy instrument , I blesse thee and praise thee , and glorifie thee .

But grant me also ( O Lord ) not onely to giue thee thankes , but also to haue them , that is , to remember continually thy bounties , imploied on mee ; that when as thou findest mee not ingratefull , thou maiest continue the increase of thy gifts in me , vntil by these of thine I may attaine the perpetual fountaine of all goodnesse and blessednesse .

Amen

When we prepare ourselues to studie .

WE , whatsoeuer we be , by a hidden instinct of nature , desire knowledge ; but in so palpable darkenesse are wee conuersant , that not onely wee are ignorant of those things which wee ought to know , but also how wee ought to know . For it is the punishment of the first sinne , that this naturall light , wherewith in the state of innocency our vnderstanding was illuminate , is now extinct , and we , as it were blinde , grope for the wall , and as it were without eies , handle it .

To thee therefore , O Wisdome , dwelling in the highest heauens & resident in the fathers bosome , make I recourse : enlighten ( I beseech thee ) my nunde , & giue mee an vnderstanding heart , that I may know the truth , which thou thy selfe art , follow and take hold of it . Uerily I desire to know , because I haue read , that thou repulsest those that repine at Sciences : I haue read that they that are learned shal shine like the brightnes of the firmament , and they that instruct many in the waies of iustice , shall bee as a star in the perpetuities of eternities .

But because I know not how I ought to know , I beseech thee shew me the meanes & order : grant that I may first learne the which is most conuenient to saluation , and that most ardently , that vrgeth most vehemently to loue . Grant that I may not desire to know for vaine glory sake , not for curiositie , nor in respect of profite , but onely for the edification both of my selfe and of my neighbour .

O thou Creator of all things , thou meridian light , O the reward of the elect , thou knowest the depth of mine ignorance , my vnpolisht speech , my defect of vertues , and my sluggishnesse in apprehending good and ghostly things , is not hidden from thee . Notwithstanding , O vncreated Wisdome , which at thine owne pleasure , of the wicked makest iust , and of the ignorant , suddainly and without delay learned : send from the seate of thy Maiestie , thy light and thy truth , that may illuminate my darknesse , and giue mee ( the vnworthy ) the vnderstanding of thy chaste and holy word . Make me wiser & better , that I may impart to others likewise , part of that light which thou impartest vnto mee .

I atribute nothing to mine industry , cunning , or wit , ( for I know that all those who are rightly wise , are wise by thy teaching ) but from thee I expect that thou shouldest open vnto mee the treasures of thy wisedome .

Be assistant , bee assistant therefore , O thou brightnesse of diuine Maiestie , O beauty of thy Fathers glory , O giuer of rewards , be assistant I beseech thee , vnto me , and from the height of thy throne , powre the sparkling light of thy grace into the heart of thy seruant , that being solely taught inwardly by thee , I may vnderstand not that which the prudence of the flesh perswadeth , but that which thy celestiall wisedome doth allow : that I may vnderstand also with sobrietie , and not whilst I perswade others to goodnesse , make my selfe arrogant and euill : but that I may first of all conuert to mine owne profit , whatsoeuer is giuen mee by thee : then from mee let it redound to my neighbour , that by the benefite of this imperfect science , I may at last come to the contemplation of the most perfect wisedome , which thou thy selfe art : Who liuest and reignest GOD world without end .

Amen .

When the clocke striketh .

BLessed bee the houre in which my Lord Iesus Christ was borne & died for vs : O Lord haue me in remembrance at the houre of my death .

A praier before repast .

IT is the admirable mystery of thy work , O thou Maker and ruler of the world , that thou sustainest by these meates the liues of men and of beasts : Truly that power is neither in the bread nor meate , but it is in thy will and word , by which all things liue and haue their beeing . And how great is that likewise that euery yeare thou so prouidest , whereby so many sorts of liuing creatures are sufficiently satisfied ? Which thy holy Prophet testified in the publishing of thy praises : That all things looke vp Psal. 145. vnto thee , that thou mightest giue them meat in due season . Thou openest thy hand , & fillest with thy blessing euery liuing creature . These are the wonderfull workes of thy omnipotencie ; wee beseech thee thou Prince & magnificent father , that as thou ministrest life vnto our bodies , by meates , and by thy word : so also it might please thee to quicken our soules with grace , by the same word . Grant that thy helpe may be present with vs , lest wee wickedly abuse those things which thou hast created for our good vses : let vs not loue thee because thou giuest those things , but let vs loue those things because they come from thee , & for a time are necessary vnto vs , returning vnto thee .

Let vs conuerse soberly , purely , moderately , holily amongst thy gifts which thou giuest vs , lest wee conuert those things which thou giuest vs , as a medicine of our life , to the venome and death of our soules . But rather duely and thankefully receiuing them , they may become holsome both to our soules and bodies , that we may be worthy that thou like a good Father shouldest deseruedly nourish vs like thy deare children with holsome nourishment , till we obtaine to that perfection of thy Son Iesus Christ , in which this mortall shall out on immortality : neither any more want nouriture , beeing made one with thy selfe : who art blessed for euer and euer .

Amen .

A praier after meate .

WE feele a double eating ( O bountiful & liberal Father ) in our members : by this the naturall heate daily consumeth somewhat of the substance of our bodies : by that , not the natural , but the noxious concupiscence consumeth somewhat of that iustice which by thy larges is infused into our soules . If thou repairest not , and daily strengthenest not our body with corporall meats , it dieth : and that naturall life which is in it is extinguished : & except thou daily nourish our soule by thy grace , it is first weakned , and at length dieth , not a temporall , but an eternall death .

For as we consist of two-fold substance , so haue wee neede of a double aliment . We pray thee therfore ( O Lord God ) to giue our bodies our daily bread ; wee beseech thee also impart to our soules thy continuall grace : by the one the bodie is strengthened : by the other the soule is inriched : by this wee liue , by that we liue happily . Now hast thou nourished ( O most gracious father ) the corporall life of thy children with corporall meates : we pray thee that with the same beneficence , thou wilt now also nourish in vs the spirituall life with the crummes of thy mercy falling from thy table , that by thy grace thou maiest driue away the death of our soules . Truly we are much indebted vnto thee for this present life : and because thou prolongest the same by thy bounty , wee giue & yeeld thee most humble thankes : but this now is the way to that eternall life , which wee beseech thee by the death of thine only begotten Sonne , to bestow vpon vs by thy bounty and immortall blessednesse . Here , but for a temporall life wee giue thee thanks , but temporarie , & such as we may : there , for eternall graces shall we giue thee eternall thanksgiuing . For there shall we truly be satisfied when thy glory Psal. 36. shall appeare , which thou shalt giue vs through Iesus Christ thy Sonne : who with thee and the holy Ghost liueth and reigneth world without end .

Amen .

A praier to almightie God about Sunne setting .

O Lord , the way of the iust shineth like a cleere light , and increaseth Prou. 4. euen vnto the perfect day of eternity , but the wicked knewe not , neither vnderstood : they walk Psal. 81. in darknes , they shall descend from the interior darknes of the mind to the exterior darkenesse of hell . O therefore most miserable are they , & foure-times more miserable are they to whom that thy sunne doth set , that sun I say , that to thy saints neuer setteth , but is alwaies meridian , cleere & shining . A grieuous night also in the noonestead attendeth their minds , who depart from thee . They expect the light , and beholde Esay , 59. darkenesse : the light , and they walke in darknes : they feele like the blinde for the wall , & grope as it were without eies : they stumble at noone day as it were in the darke , and in obscuritie like the dead : but they that are conuersant with thee , the day is neuer darkenesse vnto them , but shineth clearely . Heere the etheriall Sun keepeth his course , ariseth , setteth , draweth neare vs , and departeth from vs : But thou ( O Lord ) if we truely loue thee , hast no changes : thou risest alwaies , and settest neuer : thou commest to vs , and remainest with vs to the Math , 28. worlds end . O thou that risest from the highest , lighten mee that fit in darkenesse , and in the shadow of death : O light of the Father , Luk. 1. O eternall Sonne , illumine my inward darknesse , lest after this life , I be drawne to the exteriour . O mercifull , and sweete Iesu , remaine with mee , because it waxeth darke , and the day is already at an end : for as long as wee enioy thy presence , wee abide in light and clearenes , but if thou shalt depart from vs , what thing can bee pleasant , nay , what not heauy and dolesome vnto vs ? When wee haue thee present wee are fedde by thy sweetnesse , we enioy thy familiaritie , we rest in thine armes , wee are delighted by thy inward conference , wee are freed from earthly cares and desires , wee esteeme thee for our chiefest good , with thee wee dwell , with thee we liue . All these benefits die vnto vs , if thou , O eternall light , bee hidden from vs . Abide therefore with vs , O Lord , and remoue from vs the weight of our sinnes , to the end that perpetuall day may shine in our hearts : stay with vs , O Lord .

Amen .

An Euening confession .

I Confesse my sinnes vnto thee eternall Bishop , minister of the Saints , and the Priest of the true taberna●…le , who ence in the yeare of this world , hast entred into the sacred Secret , and giuen the holy and immaculate Lambe of thy body for a sacrifice for our sinnes : To thee I confesse , that I am inindebted , not onely in ten thousand talents of my sins , but that I am bound to yeeld thee account of my whole life . Because I know that there is not one Commandement of thine , in my whole life that I haue perfectly obserued , wherein either in word , sight , hearing , taste , worke , thought , perswasion , or consent , I haue not offended . But now ( O Lord ) I come before thy face in confession , and in the presence of all thine Angels and holy Saints : I 〈◊〉 vnto thee all my sins , wherwith this day I haue offended thee : Here if there bee any more grieuous sins , let them be repeated . Neither these alone do I confesse , but also all other my misdeeds , whatsoeuer I haue committed from my infancy hitherto , euen vnto this present houre either wittingly or ignorantly , in deeds , in words , in thoughts , and in omissions , discouering also in particular the euilltree of my heart , with all his roots , twigs , leaues , fruits , & with al his deformities , swellings , rottennes , all which are very well knowne vnto thee : for thou beholdest not onely the interior desires , doubts , & denials of thy prouidence , but also these grosse externall offences , which we wretchedly commit in our words and deeds .

Wherefore ( O most mercifull Father ) according to the measure of my weakenesse , I beseech thee ( although I am altogether vnapt to pray ) forgiue my offences , pardon my sinnes , and forget all the multitude of my misdeeds , as well those that I haue committed this day , as also those which thou knowest me guilty of from my infancie hitherto . Circumcise likewise , for thy goodnesse sake , my very stony heart : for this old one , create in mee a new , and endue it with a new spirit : water it with the iuice of celestiall grace , and the spirituall fountaine of waters , whereby the internal venome , and corrupt iuice of the flesh may bee dried vp , the custome of the old man may bee changed , and my heart may not heereafter bring foorth brambles and thornes , as fewell to the fire , but spirituall fruits in iustice and holinesse .

Amen .