[The flour of godly prayers] [most worthy to be used in these our days…[The flour of godly praiers] [most worthy to be vsed in these our daies…

Grant that all temporal rulers may use their office justly and godly, seek not only to be feared but also to beloved,¹ maintain the good, punish the evil, accept no person in judgement, allow no false accusation,² shed no innocent blood, hear the small so well as the great, receive no bribes, set forth thy glory advance thy holy word, promote thy faithful preachers, and in all their doings seek the profit of the comm•n weal, and ⟨p. lxi⟩so behave them selves that they may be found worthy officers in thy sight.³ Grant that the subjects may show all reverent submission to their rulers, obey them in all things, be faithful and true to them, yea and that not only for fear of punishment but also for conscience sake.⁴ Grant that the Bishops, the preachers of thy word & all other spiritual ministers may take heed to them selves and to all the flock,⁵ in the which the holy ghost hath appointed them overseers to feed thy holy congregation which thy dearly beloved son purchased with his blood,⁶ and take the oversight of them, not as though they were compelled, but willingly, not for the desire of filthy lucre, but of a good mind, not as lords, over the Parishes, but that they be an example unto the flock. Grant that they may lay aside ⟨image 77⟩all tyranny and haughtiness of mind▪ and walk with all gentle softness and tender compassion toward the sheep of Christ committed to thei• cure and charge. Let them be as most loving fathers to Christs flock, & if any of the sheep chance to run astray & to go out of the way let them not therefore ungently entreat them, but as it is the office of a good shepherd, by fair means call them home again unto y sheep folde, seeking rather their salvation then destruction.