A boke of prayers called ye ordynary faschyon of good lyuynge

¶ The exhortacyon to the reder .

MOst crysten reder I wyll exhorte the to thre thynges ( that is ) pray se god , feare god , and loue god , auoyde synne , and folowe vertue , auoyde I saye all synnes and the occasyons of them . And specially those abhomynable synnes which aske for vengeauns be fore god , as abhomynable Sweryng and blasphymynge the name of god : deceyuynge the infaunt , the wydowe and the pore man wylfull periury or procuremente of any mannes deathe wrongfully : also synne agaynste nature called the dumme synne : or wyllyngely to procede and contynue in synne contrarye to the inspyracyon of god : these be to abhomynable to be spoken of : vse therfore vertu & meanes to attayne grace ( which be these . )

☞ Repentaunce , prayer , restitucyon , reconsylemente , almes and fastynge , and specially to exersyce that vertue which is contrary to the synne wherein ye are moste corrupted ( as shal be declared here after ) but nowe to retourne to my purpose of praysynge god & fearynge him : Let vs consyder the cause of oure creacyon howe that god hath created vs lyke to his owne Image and hathe gyuen vs a soule wyte , reason , & vnderstandynge more then he hathe done to other beastes . And why hathe he created man thus verely nat bycause he shuld only eate and drynke and slepe , and take his pleasure in this worlde lyke a swyny or a best , or that he shulde gather the goodes of this worlde togyther : and stryue with his neyghbour for the giftis and benefytes that god hath sent : them lyke as doggis dothe fyght for a bone whiche theyr mayster hath cast them : or that he shulde onely folow , or occupye his crafte & scyence what so euer it be ( be it neuer so lawful ) and do nothyng els : nay god ordayned nat him therfore : but he gaue him wytte and reason because he shulde prayse hys lorde god ( as the angels do ) and gyue him thankes for all hys benefyces : And therfore he gaue vs this commaundement : Remember to kepe holy thy Saboth daye : as who shulde saye thou shalt honour me : I made the therfore this is the commaundement of god which yf we marke wel we may perceyue the cause of our creacion . Let vs therfore prayse and magnyfye oure lorde god as our dutye is : and lyue in the feare of him , let vs feare him ( I say ) for he is the lorde of power : whiche vtterly abhorreth synne . As it appereth in that he banished Adam from the ioyes of paradyse bycause he agreed to the sinne of Eue. Also he caused almost the hole worlde to be drowned at Noyes floud for sine . And at another tyme he caused fyre & brymstone to rayne downe from heuen vpon the cytyes of Sodoma and Gomore for theyr wykednes . And so the people ther were brente & the cytye sanke into the see : yea truly god hated synne so muche , that when chryst beynge in the bosomme of his father dyd praye hym to be fauorable and to forgyue the synne of the world yet he wolde nat be intreated , but caused his onely sonne chryst to come downe into the worlde : and to take mans shape vpon hym . And to suffre dethe ( he beynge without faute or synne ) for to redeme vs wretched synners : so straytely dothe god loke vpon syne therfore let vs feare hym & loue hym : Let vs loue hym ( I saye ) because he made vs and created vs lyke to his owne Image , & spared nat his onely sonne chryst for our sakes , but sende hym downe for to make vs fre and to redeme vs : when as our synnes coulde nat be taken away by any other meanes : but onely by hym that was without sinne . And let vs loue him also because he taketh vs nat awaye at the worste out of this present lyfe : but suffreth vs to liue that we myght repente . and lerne to knowe him : it is he also the preserueth vs . And dayly gyueth vs meate and drynke & al thynges necessary to our lyuyng : when we be synners & do nothyng deserue it , yet dothe he preserue vs then & holdeth his holy hande ouer vs : or els the deuyl myght teare vs in peces as we go , or we inyght syncke into the earthe for our synnes ( as we be wel worthy ) but onely that god is more mercyfull to vs then we do deserue , let vs therfore prayse him & loue hi for his great fauour & mercy shewed to vs so many waies . As in that he hath redemed vs by his onely son ne Jesu chryst . And also hath apoynted that the selfe same chryst our mercyful lorde ( which suffred death for vs ( shal be our iudge at the great daye of iudgemente ( here is comforte ) who can dispayre , or what herte wyll nat be in flamed nowe to loue god . And to magnyfye him and thanke him for all his benefytes . And to kepe his lawe euen for very pure loue , consyderynge hys greate mercy and loue towarde vs so many wayes , or who wyll nat feare him consyderynge the thynges before rehersed : therfore yf thou haste eyther eyes to rede this , or eares to here it and vnderstandynge for to perceyue it , then consyder who hath gyuen the these giftes . And who may punisshe y● sodaynly , and take them away agayne consyder therfore the goodnes of god and cause of thy treacion . And prayse him contynually . And folowe the example of holy men , as Dauyd Iob. Danyell , & dyuers other whiche vsed customably to make their prayers vnto god at dyuers tymes bothe in the daye and in the nyght , bycause they wolde nat forget theyr dutye towarde hym . As Dauyd sayth Psal . 42. My herte was troubled at mydnyght , and I called vpon the lorde , and watred my bedde with the teares of myne eyes ( Also he sayth ) Psal. 54. I wyll crye to god . And my lorde wyl saue me , at nyght and in the mornynge & at mydday shal I pray hertely vnto him that he maye here my voyce . Lo here Dauyd doth prescrybe thre solempne tymes whan a man ought to praye : As at nyght whan he goeth to bedde , in the mornynge when he ryseth , & at mydday when he goeth to meate . Danyell also the prophete vsed to pray thre tymes in the day , at whose example the churche dyd ordayne the thre houres which be songe or sayd at this present daye in the churche after pryme . And therof the thre houres toke theyre begynnyg with diuers other examples which were to long to reherse : but let vs take an example at them for to serue god in prayer twyse a day at the least , the is at euenyng & mornyng ( al busynes layde a syde ) accordyng as I haue exhorted you before . And it were conuenyent that we shulde also gyue thankes vnto hym at our meale tymes , tor who wyll gyue a man his dyner . And wyl nat loke to be thanked of him for it , or who wyl gyue a chylde but anapple , and loke nat to haue thankes for it , muche more arre we bounde to thanke and magnyfie our lorde god that fedeth vs dayly , and asketh none of our goodes for it , who dar therfore sytte downe at his table . ( excepte he be worse then a best ) and eate of the meate that god hath sente , & nat giue him thankes for it ? or who dare ryse in the mornynge and loke vpon the bryght sone whiche god hath created for to gyue lyght vnto vs , & wyll nat thanke hym for it ? or who darre go abrode in the worlde amongest his enemyes , and amonge the temptacyons of the deuyl ? And wyl nat call fyrste vpon god for helpe : or who dare go to bedde at nyght ( lyke a beast ) without thankes gyuynge to god , for suche be nefytes as he hath receyued that day and for suche dangers as he hath escaped ? yea and also knoweth nat , whether he shall lyue tyl the next morowe or no , let vs therfore repent euery houre & call vpon god for mercy , & truste onely in hym . And let vs take an example at these holy fathers to vse an ordynary fasshyon of prayeng because we shall nat forget our dutye . And chefely , let vs folowe the example of our mayster chryst : Whiche prayed vnto god his father dyuers tymes in the mounte olyuete , and also when he made he last soper , & dyd institute the sacramente of his moste blessed body he bothe prayed and gaue thankes to his father in heuen . And also he commaunded his discyples and apostels to pray contynually lest they shuld be led into temptacion let vs therfore to lowe both his example & commaundementes , yf we wyl be called his discyples or crysten men . And let vs nat leade oure lyfe lyke beastes , but lyke men and remember ( as I sayde fyrst ) the cause of our creacyon : and vse an ordynary fasshyon of prayenge . And although that I haue appointed thre tymes in the day for prayer : as in the mornynge : at mydday : and at nyghte as tymes most conuenyent , and approbated by Dauyd & other holy fathers yet wolde I that euery man shulde pray as ofte as he is moued in spryte & nat to deferre it to these thre tymes onely : nor agayne I wolde nat that any man shulde thynke that I wolde bynde him of necessyte to these thre tymes a day : as to a thynge which may nat be lefte vndone , vpon payne of vtter damnacyon ( nay truely I wolde nat haue any man so scrupulous ) but yet I wolde nat haue them leaue it vndone , specyally at nyght and in the mornynge . And although that I oughte nat to teache other men : but haue more nede to lerne my selfe : yet I maye exhorte them as one cristen man shulde do an other : for as this ordynary fasshyon of prayenge . And suche other : trustynge that by my exortacyon they wyl nat do the worse : but rather amende and procede by lytel and lytel to most parfyte perfeccyon : to which he brynge vs all : that lyueth & reygneth worlde without ende . Amen .

¶ In the mornynge blesse the and say thus .

BLessed be the name of the father , the sonue , & the holy gost nowe & for euer more And blessed be the father of heuen that made me : & blessed be his sonne Jesu Chryst that redemed me , and blessed be the holy gost that preserueth me : to them thre as to one god and one power , which is my lorde and god , in whom I truste be all honor and prayse , worlde without ende Amen . Our father whiche arte in heuen . &c.

¶ And then saye this prayer folowynge .

O Lorde I thanke the for all thy benefites : & for that thou haste preserued me alyue this nyght and brought me forthe to the begynnyng of this day : beholde therfore lorde I enter into it , all thynges to do accordynge to thy wyll & pleasure : kepe me lorde and defend me , and sende downe thy holy spryte for to istructe me that I may lyue this day in thy seruyce .

¶ An other prayer for . mornynge .

O Lorde my god most mighti and mercyfull haue mercy on me wreched liner , lorde I say which art the most hiest power , to whome al powere be subiecte bothe in heuen and in earth , and knoweth the secretes of our hertes , to the O lorde do I cal vpon for helpe , dsyrynge the to strenght me this day , agaynst al the teptacions and assaultes of the deuyll and the worlde , and to confyrme me with thy pryncypal spryte , that I may continue thys day in thy seruice : gyue me therfore lorde these gyftes . Gyue me the herte that may repente : the wyll and desyre to haue knowlege of thy lawe and commaundementes , the eares that wyl be redy to here the , & nat the worlde : the eyes that shall beholde ryghtwysenes and regarde the poore man : the handes ( I say ) that shal worke no euyl , the mouth in which shal be founde no deceyte , the tonge that maye euer shewe forth thy prayse , to whom be all honour and glory by the mouthes of all men : worlde withoute ende .

Amen .

¶ Also say this prayer .

LOrde behold me that am thy handy worke , & put forth thy helpynge hande vnto me .

❧ And when ye haue sayd thus , them go aboute youre wordly busynes , remembrynge alwayes this great and special commaundment of god ( which is ) ☞ Thou shalte nat do nor go about to do the thyng to an other , which thou woldest nat haue done to thy selfe .

❧ Remember this well , yf thou desyre to be saued .

¶ At nyght say these prayer folowynge .

AT nyght knele downe on thy kneys & make thy confession to god : and aske hym mercy , and repent truly in thy herte .

¶ Repentaunce .

TRue repentaunce is to lament & be sory for thy synnes , & vtterly to forsake them , & neuer to vse them agayne ☞ But to vse and practyse that vertue which is contrary to the vyce wherin ye arre most corrupted .

☞ As contrary to couetousnes , make restitucyon agayne out of hande wher as ye haue done wronge , & dispose the resydue of your gooddes lyberaly to the pore .

☞ Contrary to swerynge , vse rather scilens & lerne to vse sobernes and pacyens . Contrary to malyce & wrathe , vse pacyens & shewe loue & gentylnes bothe in worde & dede & forgyue , remembrynge that chryst dyd forgyue & suffered pacyently the wordes of the Jewes : yea he suffred death wrongfully amonge them .

❧ And thus in euery degre of synne , vse and practyse that vertu whiche is contrary to the synne wherin ye arre moste corruptdd . And so by vertue ye shall ouercome vyce & synne : for it is the best meanes that can be deuysed to brynge a man to perfyte lyuynge .

¶ Here folowith a prayer to be sayde at nyght after confession made and true xepentaunce had . ❧ The prayer of the penytent

O Heuenly father that creatour and maker of all thynges to whom bothe heuen & earth is obedient . And to whom the algels do seruyce & do synge with a contynuall voyce , Holy holy , & most holy lorde god of power callynge the euyn so , for thy great power & almyghtynes whose excellente maiestye no thought nor tongue of men or angels can expresse . Now when I haue sinned agaynst the , & do remember with my selfe , what a lorde of power I do offende , with my great and innumerable synnes : then I abhorre mine owne folisshenes . And also when I consyder howe gentyll & louynge a father I haue forsaken . I vtterly dis pyse my madnes , & great vnkyndnes And whan I beholde & se from what & howe blessed a lyberte my spryte is banysshed from ( which is the ioy that I was wonte to haue . In the my lorde god ) and nowe in what a myserabte case & bondage of sinne & the deuyll I haue wrapped my selfe in : then am I al togyther myscontented with my selfe and sore troubled in my consciens . And haue nothynge els before myne eyes but hell , & desperacyon : for then my conscyence trembeleth & feareth much the greate Justice of god ( whiche in deade is ineuitable ) and no man can escape it . But yet contrary wyse on the other side : when I beholde lorde thy vnmesurable loue & goodnes toward mankynde . And thy mercy wherin ( as the prophetꝭ do testifie ) thou dost passe & excelle . Which sadyst , I wyll nat the deathe of a synner : but rather that he shulde lyue & be conuerted . I therfore remembryng thy greate kyndenes ( alwayes shewed vnto vs ) and these thy most gentyl wordes : do saye vnto my selfe . A wreche ( that I am ) why haue I offended so mercyfull a lorde : and therat I am halfe astoned agayne & discūforte i my selfe . But then commeth into my mynde a nother swete saynge of thy mouth ( which saydest ) That in what houre so euer the synner dothe repente : I wyll no more remember hys vnkyndnes . And therwith I am so muche conforted agayne : that I am compelled euen to meruayle and lay with my selfe . O the wonderfull loue of god towarde vs for his mercy is without ende . And then I saye vnto my selfe : why shulde I be in dispayre to haue remyssyone of my synnes at his handes : whiche in the tyme of my noughty lyuynge hathe preserued me that I myght lyue & lerne to knowe him . And nowe of his owne mere mocyon calleth me to repentance bycause he delyteth in me and wolde haue me saued : for truly he hathe great delyte and comforth . In a repentant synner that commeth vnto hym as he hath declared vnto vs , by manye parables : As in the .x. Chapter of Luke by the parable of the woman hauynge ten groses whiche yf she lose one : then she lyghtethe a candell and swepethe the house and sekethe dylygently tyll she haue founde it . And when she hathe founde it she calleth in her neyhgbours and lo , uers : saynge my frendes reioce with me For I haue founde the grote agayne that I lost , euen so lykewyse more ioye and reioysynge shal be in heuen ouer one synner that repenteth : then ouer nynety & nyne iuste psons that haue nat offended . And sykewyse it is let furth in the parable of the hundereth shepe that were lette vpon the hyll for to go to seke one shepe that was lost : with dyuers other parables : but it is most expresly sette forthe in the parable of the prodygall sonne whose Image I vtterly recognyce & konwlege in my selfe for vnhappely lefte I So louynge a father buthryftely myspending his substaunce and gyftes . And whyles I do folowe styll the carnall desyres of my owne wyll : vtterly forgetyng , lorde thy pre ceptes . I do tomble my selfe all to gy ther in the seruytude of vyce : And so I beyng blynde & voyde of all bertu brought to extreme pouerte can nat se whether to fle . But vnto hi agayne that I dyd forsake for he is the lorde of power & father of mercye . Yes truly I am vnworthy lorde to be receyued of the. Or to lyfte vp myne eyes vnto the : or that I shulde call the by the name of a father : but I most humbly beleche the to loke gently towardes me with the eye of thy mercy : for thy gentyl loke & the inspyracyon of thy spryte is of suche strength that it reuyueth a synner beyng deade . And it restoreth a sike man to his helth againe : For truly in that I am dyspleased nowe with my selfe and do perceyue myne owne faute . I must nedes referre it vnto the : for it commeth of the grace . And nat of my selfe for I beyng long blynde & wanderynge farre out of the ryght way : thou hast wytsafe to loke towardes me and to restore me my ryght agayne : that I may se nowe & perceyue in what case I am . And what daunger I have escaped : And with what myscheffes , & trobles . I was laden & cumbred withal : I therfore lord beyng an vnthryfty seruant and worthy of muche punysshement . Am nothynge worthy to be honored & regarded lyke a sonne , nor I wyl nat desyre it , but it shal be suffycyent for me . Yf it wolde please the of thy goodnes but to admytte me into thy seruyce . And to accepte me amongest the sympleste and lowest sore of thy seruauntes : that I may attayne to Saluacyon through thy mercy : for in thy holy place there be many mencyon places or seates . And it shall be suffycyent for me yf I may but syt at the feete of thy blessed seruauntes : haue merci therfore on me my lorde and father , for I do vtterly abhorre myne olde corrupte lyfe . And am come nowe for to dwell with the. And wyll neuer forsake the agayne : But wyll contynue in thy seruyce all the dayes of my lyfe . And I wyl forsake all the pompes and pleasures of this worlde & a● the desceytful wayes that I haue vsed . And wyl nat be afshamed here in this worlde to liue aster a pore sorte : and to be acumpted a mongest the most abiecte & symplew : so that I may wynne euerlastynge honour with the to whom be al prayse & glory nowe & foreuer more .

Amen

¶ The prayer of Salomon .

O Lorde great ryches : or extreme pouerte gyue me nat : but prouyde for me in the meane : accordinge to thy wyl & pleasure for by hauyng the one I shall forget the , & by hauynge the other I shal be dryuen to forsake the.

¶ Prayers to be sayde at messe tyme in the begynnynge say thus at coufiteor .

O Lorde I am nat worthy to enter and come into this noble house of thyne whiche is the house of prayer : but lorde beholde I come as a penyēt synner I do saye with the publycane Lorde be mercyfull to me a synner : for I haue offended the many wayes and am nat worthy to lyfte vp myne eyes into the : not to lyue vpon the earthe but lorde be thou mercyfull vnto me a synner accordynge to the greate mercy and I wyll confesse my synnes vntd the which yf I wolde I can nat hyde from the : for thou arte the lorde of power thou knoweste the secretes of our hertes : haue mercy therfore on me , O Lorde accordinge to thy great mercy and let me nat cast awaye the thynge throught my wrechednes : which thy almyghty goodnes hath created & redemed : but forgyue me lorde and sende thy holy spryte into me : that I may kepe thy lawe and commaundementes .

¶ A prayer to be sayd at the sacrament of messe .

BLessed & praysed be the father of heuen that sent downe his onely sonne Chryst for to redeme vs . And blessed be our lorde Jesus chryst that shede his blode for our sakes . And hath lefte his body here amonge vs in fourme of breade & wyne . As a pledge for to witnesse vnto vs : that he hathe bene all redy here in the worlde & hath shedde his blode plenteously for our redempcyon . Therfore O father of heuen I praye the accept his deathe as a sufficent oblacion and satystactyon for my synnes . And set his passyon betwene thy iudgemente and my soule . And loke nat vpon my synnes : but haue mercy on me for his sake , and sende thy holy spirite into me : that I may kepe thy lawes & commaundementes .

Amen .

¶ When ye do kysse the pax say thus to your selfe

O Lorde gyue me grace to forgyue myne aduerlaryes frely for thy sake : that I may kysse worthely togither with my neyghbours in the holy kysse of charyte according to thy commaundement .

¶ When ye take holy breade say thus to your selfe .

LYke as ther be many graynes of corne in thꝭ brede : euyn so be we al membres of one bodi in our lord Jesus chryst : in whom there was neuer malyce nor cōtrauersyfoūd : let vs therfore agre togyther as the members of one body . And so take brede louingly togyther .

Amen .

¶ When ye take holy water say thus .

BLessed and praysed be our lorde Jesus chryst wich hath wasshed away our sinnes in his blode : And is mercyfull to vs for euer .

❧ The holy water also is a token of our Baptyme .

¶ Grace to be sayd be fore meate .

LEt vs eate in the name of the lorde and satysfye our body temporaly with suche meate as he hath sente .

¶ The answere .

ANd let vs desyre hym lyke we se to satysfy our soule with the gyfte of good lyuynge that we may be euer as redy to all good workes : as we be nowe to our meate .

Grace to be sayde after meate .

THankes be to our lord god : that hathe sente vs thus .

☞ The answere .

ANd let vs prayse hym that causeth bothe fisshes to swymme in the water . And beastes to lyue on the earth for our sustenaunce : to hym be prayse and glory for euermore .

Amen

❧ A prayer to be sayd of a syke man at the poynte . 〈◊〉 ●●ath

O Lorde I thanke the : for that thou hast preserued me from al soden death . And hast gyuen me nowe this syckenes and knolege of my death & ende : that I myght repente & beleue and trust in the my lorde god : which art mercyfull and dost all thynges for the best : for I knowe that thou louest them : whom thou dost chastyse . And I thanked the that thou hast gyuen me know lege and faithe in thy sone lesu chryst by whom I knowe that I shall be saued euyn aswell as the thefe was , or Mary Magedelyne : or any other creature whiche were synners aswell as I am . I wyll therfore lorde synge furth thy prayse : come forth nowe all people & say with me : let vs reioyce in the lorde our sauynge helth : and lette vs prayse him in psalmes and cantycles .

☞ For he is the great lorde : And is aboue all goddes and wyll nat caste away his people .

❀ For he hath loked from his hyght holy place aboue : yea he hathe loked from heuen into earth .

⚜ That he myhht here the greuous syghes of the penitent : and that he myght saue and delyuer the chyldren of them that were lost .

¶ Let vs therfore prayse the lorde : And saye that he is good vnto vs : for his mercy is without ende .

❀ He hath nat done vnto vs accordynge to our synnes : nor he hath nat rewarded vs accordynge to our wyckednes : but as the father shuld haue mercy ouer his chyldren : euen so hath the lorde taken mercy vpon vs that loue hym and here hym .

☞ For loke how far dystaunce there is bytwene the East & the west . And so farre hath the lorde set our sines from vs

❧ Let vs therfore praise hi continual ly : that was borne of the virgyn Mary .

⚜ And suffred death for vs so mercy fully : and ascended vp into heuen so glorously .

¶ To prepare a waye for vs and to be our medyatour : contynually before god the father .

❧ And wyll be our iudge at the great daye of Judgemente : to iudge vs in mercy is his intente .

❧ Into his handes therfore I commytte my soule : trustyng onely in the father the sonne and the holy gost : to whom be all prayse and glorye nowe and for euer more .

Amen .

¶ Here after foloweth rules of wysdome & vertue .xx. i nomber . MAke thy prayer to god , twyse in a day at the leaste . 2 ¶ Auoyde ydelnes , & be alwayes occupyed in some honest busynes or studye . 3 ☞ Be obedyent to kynges & princes : and to theyr offycers . 4 ❧ Here muche but be nat rasshe thy selfe in spekynge . 5 ❀ Use sobrenes & humylyte , and thou shalt be called wyse . 6 ⚜ Rebuke lyght & wanton persons and specyally swerers . 7 ❧ Shewe good example of vertuous lyuynge to the people , 8 ❀ Order thy housholde quietly , & instructe them in goddes wordes . 9 ⚜ Yf thou be called to promocion mynyster Justyce : without brybes or false dissymulacyon . 10 ☞ Gyue faire language to all people : and specyally to pore folkes . 11 ❧ Be nat percial for fauour or lucre : nor agre nat to wronge doers . 12 ¶ Get thy goodes truly : and spende them acordynge to thy degre mesurably . 13 ¶ In prosperyte beware of pryde remember thy olde estate : and lyue in the feare of god . 14 ☞ Desyre some frende of thyne to tell the of thy fautes , and so shalte thou lyue suerly . 15 ⚜ Here thy frende in wysedome and mystrust euer thyne owne iudgemente . 16 ¶ In matters of wayght : be nat hasty in answerynge : but take respyte . 17 ☞ For of hasty answeryng par aduenture repentaunce myght folowe but in proces of tyme commethe wysdome and knolege . 18 ❀ In aduersite forgyue and be pacyent and trust to goddes helpe . 19 ⚜ Studye alwayes howe to be stowe thy tyme here : in this worlde to goddes pleasure . 20 ❧ Remember well thy last daye : and thynke often vpon death .

❧ FINIS .