GOd the high guide of all godly attempts , & the beholder of all the deuises of man , requireth of all men obedience to his will , & prayer for his ayde , without which , mans endeuours are but as seed sowen on the sand , and as a foundation laid vpon the waters . And therfore such as vndertake so high & weightie a businesse as the businesse of warre , must found it on the feare of God & wade in it vnder his power in prayer for his presence and ayde . For so did Hezekiah against the king of Ashur , 2. King . 19. and preuailed , and Jehosophat beeing endaungered with enemies , 2. Cron. 18. 31. prayed and was preserued . God no doubt is so well pleased with this exercise of prayer , zealously and faithfully performed , as hee is wonne so to regard the causes of his children , that although they haue deserued the foyle by their sinnes , hee will yet giue them the victorie in his mercies . The Israelites preuailed while Moyses praied , and fell before the enemie when he was mute . In many places it appeareth how needfull a thing prayer is , not onely of them that are in the daunger of the battell , but of such also as are secure at home in their houses , who if they neglect the cause of God and their countrie , God will holde them not onely vnprofitable droanes , but reprobates : and will giue them the dregges of their neighbours daungers to drinke , and will not affoord them the least shelter of his defending power in their deepest perils . For if he in generall termes commaund vs to pray at all times one for another : as Jam. 5. 16. much more in the time of daunger and warre , especially for the cause of Gods annoynted , and state of our countrie , 1. Tim. 2. 1. 2. Let no man therefore thinke that it conscerneth not him to praye for the good of such as the Prince hath appoynted , for the restauration of the peace of Gods Church , and quiet of our Realme , by the suppressing of the violence , and quenching of the furie of that bloudie Tyrone , and his rebellious adherents in Ireland : for God is a iealous God , and holdeth no man guiltlesse that maketh no conscience of his brothers daungers . And such is the regard which hee hath of his owne glorie and his prouidence for the preseruation of his children , that hee will not admit any attempt , bee it in our owne eyes neuer so lawfull , to bee taken in hande without him , without whome all things and meanes are vaine . Our owne power , and prouidence , and counsell , and multitudes of men , and munition , and money , and what else soeuer wee vse for defending our selues , or offending the enemie , are all as cloudes in the ayre of our owne vaine conceites , that will vanish with the winde of his displeasure , without any deawe of good successe to comfort our countrie . To pray for them that fight for vs , is the least dutie , and an easie seruice : yet it preuaileth much if it be feruent . And if we seeme colde in that , wherin can we be zealous for our countrie ? if carelesse of it , how can we say we loue our owne liues , libertie , lands , wiues , or children ? when all these are subiect also to suddaine subuertion , without God that preserueth them vnto vs , & vs in himselfe . Therefore as God hath his eye of mercy fixed on his destressed people , to deliuer them , and his eye of iudgement vpon the rebellious to confound them : So let euery man make this generall cause his owne priuate case . And for the preuenting of future perill , beare a part with them that in our behalfes are employed in this seruice abroad : let vs pray for them at home , while they encounter the enemie abroad : Let vs I say , pray for them , that God will prosper them , and that we may prosper by their blessed successe .

Sée therefore and beholde their mallice , and let thy powre weaken their powre , who else will boast themselues against thée , and saye their owne powre hath gotten themselues the victorie , and that by their owne pollicies , they are become Lordes of thine heritage . Oh take part therefore with thy seruants , and suppresse these rebels : then shall thy praise be encreased , thy mercie and powre shall be séene , and thy name shall be for euer glorified . And though ( deare father ) our sinnes doe make vs vnworthie of this great benefit , yet for thine owne names sake deale mercifullie , in giuing good successe vnto their procéedings , that in thy name haue vndertaken this worke of reducing that Realme to Christian obedience . And the more the enemie séemeth to swell eyther in furie or pride : weaken him so much the more oh Lorde , and giue him sorrowe for his vaine hope . Let nothing that he taketh in hand against thy people preuaile , but let it appeare by his fall , how thou laughest his vaine attempts to scorne . And let him know good father , that he striueth against thée and against thine appointed in vaine . Manifest thine anger against his deuises , by frustrating his desires . Breake his enterprises , and bring his inuentions as coales enkindled vpon his owne pate . Let him eyther trulie conuert , or be suddainly confounded . And déere Father , be vnto that thy seruant the Earle of Essex , and his associates , as thou wast vnto Moyses , Iosuah , Gedion , Dauid , and the rest that haue fought vnder thy protection . Be vnto him and his companies a Father to comfort them , a Captaine to conduct them , and their God to preserue them . Let their armies marche vnder the shelter of thy wings , make strong their armes to the battell , and teach their fingers to fight . Frame their hearts to feare thee , and not to faint at their enemies power , giue them thy light to follow thée , and let them euer be preserued by thée , let nothing necessarie be wanting vnto them , but blesse them in all things . Giue them wisdome from aboue , wherein they may vse and dispose thy meanes in their seruice rightly . And in an absolute godly desire , to bring their cause to a prosperous end . Moreouer most mercifull Father , blesse the shipping , which are imployed in this action , and all other tending to the good of thy church , make their Gouernours prudent and valiant , the windes prosperous , and the successe to thy glorie : That we thy children , tasting the swéet benefit of peace , both there and héere at home , may giue glorie vnto thy name , and in more godly zeale studie to serue thée in our callings , and endeuour more effectually to plant thy sacred word in those parts , to the encrease of thy Church , and comfort of all the members of the same . Amen .