[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…
[The flour of godly prayers] [most worthy to be used in these our days for the safeguard, health, and comfort of all degrees, and estates / newly made by Thomas Becon].[The flour of godly praiers] [most worthy to be vsed in these our daies for the sauegard, health, and comforte of all degrees, and estates / newlie made by Thomas Becon].
Thomas Becon 1512–1567London: printed by John Day, 1550London: printed by Ihon Day, 1550
[32], cliiii [i.e. 312], [14] p. · 55k words · STC 1719.5 · ESTC S1782
No title page in the transcription: set from the catalogue record.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Albeit (O most mighty captain, most valiant warrior and most triumphant Lord Christ Jesus) thou by thy death hast put down him,1 that had Lordship over death, that is to saith devil, that thou mightest deliver them, which ⟨p. xciii⟩through fear of death, were all their life time in danger of bondage, and albeit thou haste spoiled rule and power, and made a show of them openly, and hast triumphed over them in thine own parson, & by this means delivered us from the hands of our enemies,2 that we might serve the all the days of our life in such holiness and righteousness, as are accept before thee, yet the devil for the old malice, which he hath borne against man from his first creation (for through envy of the devil death entered into the world) goeth forth still to rage against us,34and walketh about like a roaring Lyon, seeking whom he may devour. And if he were not restrained by thy godly puissance he would surely swallow us up,5 so great is his tyranny, so mighty is his power. He prevailed against our ⟨image 109⟩first parents, yea and that in the state of their innocency and immortality. He afterward attempted other & prevailed, whereof sone notwithstanding were the chosen vessels of mercy.
Here of getting a courage unto him self, he feared not to assail it with his subtle temptations. Oh is it then to be thought, that he willer us alone so feeble, so weak & ready at every moment to be over thrown. Thou thy self callest him the prince of this world,
and thy holy Apostle nameth him the god of this world. Strong must he needs be, & of no small might whom thy holy word so termeth, strong in deed in comparison of us, but weak and of no force being compared with thee. This Prince, this god of the world doest thou suffer continually to war against thine elect and chosen people (as for the reprobate and wicked,
he hath them all ready in his court at commandment,
⟨p. xciiii⟩
not to destroy them which he most of all wisheth, but to exercise & try their faith, to prove their constancy & in this their conflict to occasion them by hearty prayers to […] unto thy holy name,
which is a strong tower, & mighty fortress, for so many as repair unto it, ye they getting aid at thy hand, may not only enter battle with this their great & immortal enemy, but also by the power of thy might over come hi• and put him to flight.
ALbeit (O most myghtye captayne, moste valeant warryour and most tryumphante Lorde Christe Iesu) thou by thy death hast put doune him,1 that hadde Lordshippe ouer death, that is to saithe deuil, that thou mightest deliuer thē, whych ⟨p. xciii⟩thorow fere of death, wer al their lyfe tyme in danger of bondage, and albeit thou haste spoiled rule and power, and made a shewe of them openly, and hast triumphed ouer them in thine own parson, & by thys meanes delyuered vs from the hands of our enemyes,2 that we myghte serue the all the dayes of oure lyfe in suche holynesse and ryghteousnesse, as are accept before the, yet the deuil for the olde malyce, whyche he hathe borne against mā from his firste creaciō (for thorowe enuye of the deuil deth entred into ye worlde) gothe forthe styll to rage against vs,34and walketh aboute like a rorynge Lyon, seking whō he may deuour. And if he wer not restrained bi thy godli puissāce he wold surely swalowe vs vp,5 so greate is his tiranye, so myghty is hys power. He preuailed against our ⟨image 109⟩fyrste parentes, yea and that in ye state of theyr innocency and immortality. He afterward attempted other & preuailed, wherof sōe notwithstandyng wer the chosē vessels of mercy.6 Here of getting a courag vnto hym self, he feared not to assail yt wt his suttel tēptaciōs. Oh is it thē to be thought, yt he willer vs alone so feble, so weke & redy at euery momēt to be ouer throwē. Thou thy self callest him the prince of this world,7 and thy holy Apostle nameth hym the god of this world. Strong must he nedes be, & of no smal myght whom thy holy word so termeth, stronge in dede in comparison of vs, but weake and of no forse beinge compared wyth the. Thys Prince, this god of ye world doest yu suffer cōtinually to war agaīst thine elect and chosen people (as for the reprobate and wycked,8 he hath thē al redy in his court at cō mādemēt, ⟨p. xciiii⟩not to destroi thē whiche he moste of al wisheth, but to exercise & try their faith, to proue their cōstaci & in this their cōstict to occasion thē bi herti praiers to 〈…〉 vnto thi holi name,9 which is a strōg tower, & mighty fortres, for so many as repayre vnto it, ye thei getting ayde at thy hande, maye not onli enter battel wt this their great & immortal enemy, but also by the power of thy myghte ouer come hi• and put him to flyght.
And as thou hast given satan this liberty to tempt, to exercise,1 prove and try us, whether we be constant in thy faith and word, or not, so doth he take thy proffer. And although thou sufferest him thus to do for our great profit & singular commodity, for we know that all things work for the best unto them that love God,2 even that we of our selves being weak ⟨image 110⟩should have a glorious triumph and noble victory over him through the mighty puissance of the our grand captain, yet hereof taketh he an occasion, to seek our destruction. And that he may bring this to pass, besides the innumerable company of hellish spirits he taketh unto him .ii. other our most cruel enemies,34the world & the flesh. The one with his vain pleasures, the other with her carnal, lusts so compass us round about, that if thy present help were not, we must needs perish. O loving Lord and most gentle saviour, thou seest our weakness, misery,5 and no strength. Thou knowest again the valiant, might and power of our adversaries. Our strength is no more to be compared with their might, then the strength of little David with the mighty power of great ⟨p. xcv⟩Goliath: our spear, our sword, our shield will do nothing in this behalf. Notwithstanding Lord, we do not despair. For all though there be not so great strength in us,6 that we may be able to resist this great company that cometh against us, yet have we this one refuge and succour even to lift up our eyes,7 unto the & to say, our help cometh from the lord our god which made heaven and earth. If God be on our side, who can be against us?8 The battle, O lord God is thine, our faith therefore is, that thou wilt give our enemies into our hands.9 Thou taughtest us to pray that we may not be led into temptation, and hast promised us, that thou wilt not suffer us too be tempted above our strength,10 but wilt in the midst of the temptation make a way ⟨image 111⟩for us to escape. Thou art faithful:11 fulfil therefore thy promise. And forasmuch as thy good pleasure is: that we shall manfully fight with these our enemies (for what is the life of man in this world▪ but a continual warfare?)
And as thou hast geuē satā thys liberti to tempt, to exercise,1 proue and try vs, whether we be costāt in thy faythe and word, or not, so dooth he take thy profer. And althoughe yu sufferest hym thus to do for our great profit & singuler commodity, for we know that all thyngs worke for the beste vnto theym that loue God,2 euen that we of oure selfes beynge weake ⟨image 110⟩shuld haue a gloryous triumphe and noble vyctory ouer hym thorowe the myghty puissaunce of ye our grande captain, yet herof taketh he an occasiō, to seke our destruccion. And that he may bring this to passe, besides ye innumerable companye of hellishe spyrites he taketh vnto hym .ii. other our moost cruel ennemies,34the world & ye flesh. The one with his vain pleasures, the other with her carnal, lustes so compasse vs round about, that if thy presēt help wer not, we must nedes perish. O louyng Lorde and most gentle sauyoure, thou seest our weaknes, myserye,5 and no strength. Thou knoweste againe the valeaunte, myght and power of oure aduersaries. Our strēgth is no more to be compared wyth theyr mighte, then the strength of lytle Dauid with the mightye power of great ⟨p. xcv⟩Goliah: oure speare, oure swerd, oure shielde wyll do nothynge in thys behalfe. Notwythstandyng Lord, we do not despayre. For al thoughe there bee not so greate strengthe in vs,6 that we may be able to resyst this greate company yt cōmeth against vs, yet haue we this one refuge and succour euen to lift vp our eyes,7 vnto the & to saye, our help commeth frō the lord our god whych made heuen and earth. If God be on our syde, who canne be againste vs?8 The battel, O lord God is thine, oure faythe therfore is, that thou wylte geue oure ennemyes into our handes.9
and no man is crowned, except he strive lawfully, we with our very heart despairing of our own strength & courage, most humbly beseech the to be our captain, and valiantly to defend us against our enemies▪ that they may not prevail against us. Make us strong in thee, O Lord, and in the power of thy might. Put on thy holy armour upon us, that we may stand steadfast against the crafty assaults of the devil.1 For we wrestle not against the flesh and blood, but against rule, against power, and against worldly rulers of the darkness ⟨p. xcvi⟩of this world, against spiritual wickedness in heavenly things. For this cause, O most sweet saviour, put upon us thy holy armour, that we may be able to resist in the evil day, and stand perfect in all things. Give us grace therefore to stand, & to gird our loins about with verity, having on the breastplate of righteousness, and shoed with shoes prepared by the Gospel of peace. But above all, grant that we may take unto us the shield of faith. wherewith we may be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked, & to put on the helmet of salvation and the sword of the spirit which is thy blessed word. Grant also, that we being thus godly en armed, may through thy puissance, might and strength, not only enter battle with our enemies, but also valiantly fight with them ⟨image 112⟩courageously put them to flight, & triumphantly carry away a glorious victory over them. So shall it come to pass, that we being valiant conquerors through thy help, shall receive at thy hand according to thy promise, Manna to eat that is hid,2 & a white stone & in the stone a new name written which no man knoweth, saving he that receiveth it. Lord for thy mercies sake, grant us these our petitions. So shall we praise and magnify thy blessed name for ever & ever. Amen.
and no man is crowned, excepte he stryue lawefullye, we wyth our very heart dyspairinge of oure owne strengthe & corage, moost humblye beseche the to be our captayne, and valeauntelye to defende vs agaynst oure enemyes▪ that they may not preuaile agaynste vs. Make vs strong in the, O Lord, and in the power of thy mighte. Putte on thy holy armour vpon vs, that we may stād stedfast against ye crafty as•autes of the deuyl.1 For wee wrastle not against the flesh and bloud, but agaynst rule, agaynste power, and against worldly rulers of ye darknes ⟨p. xcvi⟩of thys world, agaynste spyrytual wyckednes in heauenlye things. For this cause, O mooste sweete sauiour, put vpon vs thy holy armour, that we mai be able to resist in the euil day, and stand perfect in all thynges. Gyue vs grace therfore to stand, & to gird our loynes aboute wyth veritye, hauyng on the brestplate of righteousnes, and shoed with shooes prepared by the Gospell of peace. But aboue al, graūt that we may take vnto vs the shilde of faithe. wherwt we may be able to quēch al the fyry dartes of the wycked, & to put on the helmete of saluacion and the swearde of the spirite which is thy blessed word. Graūt also, that we being thus godly en armed, may thorow thy puissāce, might and strength, not onely enter battel with our enemyes, but also valeauntly fyght with them ⟨image 112⟩coragiously put them to flyght, & tryumphantly cary away a glorious vyctory ouer them. So shall it come to passe, that we being valeaunt conquerours thorow thy help, shal receiue at thy hānd accordyng to thi promyse, Manna to eat that is hyd,2 & a white stone & in the stone a new name wrytten which no man knoweth, sauyng he yt receiueth it. Lorde for thy mercies sake, grant vs these our peticions. So shal we praise and magnyfye thy blessed name for euer & euer. Amen.
IF we wretched sinners, O Lord God, had not loving promises of thy ten der mercy in the holy scriptures for the comfort of our weak consciences and sorrowful hearts, we see none other remedy, so great & infinite are our sins, but that ⟨p. xcix⟩we must needs despair. But forasmuch as what soever things are written,1 are written for our learning, that through patience and the comfort of scriptures, we may have hope, our sis although never so many & abominable do not so much make us sad, as thy loving kindness and tender mercies make us glad. Our since, we confess, are innumerable, but thy mercies are also infinite.2 Thou art that most gentle Lord, which wilt not the death of a sinner,3 but rather that he turn and live.4 Thou for repentance sake dissemblest and wilt not see the sins of men.5 Thou confessest, that thou cammest into this world to save sinners,6 to call not the righteous,7 but sinners unto repentance, and to seek up that, which was lost.8 Thou callest unto thee all them that are diseased and laden ⟨image 113⟩with the heavy burden of sin,9 and promisest that thou wilt ease them.10 Yea by thy prophet thou sayest▪ if we will wash & make clean our selves, put away our evil thoughts out of thy sight, cease from doing of evil, & violence, learn to do right apply our selves to equity, deliver the oppressed, help the fatherless to his right, & hear the widows con plaint, though our sis were as red as scarlet, yet shall they be made whiter than snow. And though they were like purple, yet shall they be made like white wool. Yea thou sayest more over, that for thy own sake, even for thy mercy & name sake thou wilt be good unto us, favour us, & so cast away all our sins behind thy back,11 that thou wilt never remember them more. O lord, thou art the god, which can not lie,12 thou art the self truth, thou art faithful in thy words & holy in all thy works.13 For according to ⟨p. xcx⟩these thy loving promises haste thou ever dealt with the children of men, whensoever they repented & turned unto thee. When they forsook their sinful living & called upon thy holy name, thou forgavest all their sins and he alest all their infirmities.14 Thou savedst their life from destruction and crowned them with mercy & loving kindness. For thou, O Lord God, art full of compassion & mercy, long suffering and of great goodness. Thou wilt not alway be chiding, neither wilt thou keep thy anger for ever.
IF we wretched synners, O Lord God, hadde not louīg promises of thy tē der mercy in the holye scriptures for the comfort of our weake conscyences and sorowful herts, we se none other reamedy, so great & infinit are our sinnes, but that ⟨p. xcix⟩we must nedes despayre. But for asmuch as what soeuer thynges are wrytten,1 are wrytten for oure learninge, that thorowe pacience and the comfort of scriptures, we mai haue hope, our sis although neuer so mani & abhominable do not so muche make vs sadde, as thy louynge kindenes and tēder mercyes make vs gladde. Oure syns, we confesse, are innumerable, but thi mercies are also infynyte.2 Thou art that most gentle Lord, whych wylt not the deathe of a sīner,3 but rather that he turn and lyue.4 Thou for repentaunce sake dissemblest and wylt not se the sinnes of men.5 Thou confessest, that thou cammest into thys world to saue sīners,6 to cal not ye righteous,7 but sinners vnto repē taūce, and to seke vp that, which was lost.8 Thou callest vnto thee al them that ar diseased and ladē ⟨image 113⟩wyth the heauy burden of synne,9 and promysest that thou wilt ease them.10 Yea by thi prophet thou saiest▪ if we will washe & make clene our selfs, put awai our euil thoughts out of thi sight, cese frō doīg of euil, & violēce, learn to do right apply our selfs to equitie, deliuer the oppressed, help ye fatherles to his right, & heare the widows cō plaint, though our sis wer as red as scarlet, yet shal they be made whiter thē snow. And thogh they wer like purple, yet shall they bee made like white wolle. Yea yu saiest more ouer, yt for thy own sake, euē for thy mercie & name sake yu wilt be good vnto vs, fauour vs, & so cast away al our sins behind thy back,
Neither wilt thou deal with us after our since, nor yet reward us according to our wickedness. For look how high the heaven is in comparison of the earth, so great is thy mercy toward them that fear thee. Look how wide the East is from the West, so far doest thou set our since from us.
Neyther wylt thou deale with vs after our synnes, nor yet reward vs accordyng to our wyckednes. For loke how hye the heauē is in cōparysō of the earth, so great is thy mercy toward them that fere the. Loke howe wyde the East is from the West, so far doest thou sette our synnes from vs.
Yea like as a father pitieth his own children, even so art ye merciful unto them that fear thee. For thou knowest whereof we be made, thou rememberest that we are but dust.1 That a man in his time is but as a grass and florisheth as a flour of the field. For as soon as the wind goeth over it▪ it is gone, and the place thereof knoweth it no more. But thy merciful goodness, o lord endureth for ever and ever upon them that fear thee. Of this thy loving kindness & tender mercy, who at any time hath not tasted, if he sought it with all his heart? Forgavest thou not David both his whoredom and manslaughter when he repented & confessed his sin?2 How oft didst thou call back the plagues of thy vengeance,3 when the children of Israel lamented their since and turned unto thee? How merciful ⟨p. xcxi⟩diddest thou show thy self to the Ninevites,4 when they repented & humbled them selves in thy sight? Howe lovingly spakest thou to that sinful woman in thy gospel,5 and forgavest her all her sins, because she repented and believed, Peter thy disciple although most cowardly denying thee,6 after that he had bitterly wept and lamented his sins, thou diddest behold with thy merciful eye, and favourably receivedst him again into the number of thy holy Apostles.7 One of them that died with thee, being both a thief & a murderer, after he had called unto thee for grace, thou placest in Paradise, and makest him partaker of thine eternal felicity. Mani other notable examples of thy great mercies find we in the holy scriptures, which will not suffer us to despair of thy clemency and goodness, be our since ⟨image 115⟩& wickednesses never so many, but they rather do encourage us boldly to come unto the throne of thy grace,8 that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. O most gentle saviour, thou art that most loving shepherd, which diligently soughtest up the wandering sheep, lovingly laidest it upon thy shoulders, and tenderly broughtest it home again.9 Seek us up which have so long run astray, lay us upon thy merciful shoulders, and bring us home again unto the company of thy faithful.
Yea like as a father pytyeth hys own children, euen so art ye mercyfull vnto them that feare thee. For thou knowest whereof we be made, thou remembrest that wee are but duste.1 That a man in hys tyme is but as a grasse and florisheth as a flour of the field. For as soone as the wynd goeth ouer it▪ it is gone, and the place therof knoweth it no more. But thi merciful goodnes, o lord ēdureth for euer and euer vpon thē that fear the. Of this thy louynge kyndenes & tender mercy, who at anye time hath not tasted, if he sought it wt al his hert? Forgauest yu not Dauid both hys whoredome and manslaughter whē he repēted & confessed hys syn?2 How oft didst thou call backe the plages of thy vengeaunce,3 when the chyldrē of Israel lamented theyr syns and turned vnto the? How mercyful ⟨p. xcxi⟩dyddest thou shew thy self to the Niniuites,4 when they repented & humbled them selfs in thy sight? Howe louynglye spakest thou to that synneful woman in thy gospel,5 and forgauest her al her sins, because she repēted and beleued, Peter thy disciple although most cowardly denying the,6 after that he had bytterly wept and lamented his sins, thou dyddest behold with thy merciful eye, and fauorably receiuedst him again into the number of thi holi Apostles.7 One of thē that died wt the, beīg both a theif & a murtherer, after he had called vnto the for grace, yu placest in Paradise, and makest him partaker of thine eternall felicitye. Mani other notable examples of thy greate mercyes fynde wee in the holy scriptures, whyche wyll not suffer vs to despair of thi clemency and goodnes, be our syns ⟨image 115⟩& wickednesses neuer so manye, but they rather do encourage vs boldely to come vnto ye throne of thy grace,8 that wee maye receyue mercy and find grace to helpe in time of nede. O most gentle sauiour, thou art that moost louynge shepperd, which diligētly soughtest vp the wandering sheepe, louyngely laydest it vpon thy shulders, and tenderlye broughtest it home agayne.
1Isaiah. lx. Eccle. xiiii. Jacob. i. •. Pet••. i.Esaye. lx. Eccle. xiiii. Iacob. i. •. Pet••. i.
Thou art that most merciful Samaritan,1 which beholding the miserable state of the wounded man with thy pitiful eye, cammest unto him, madest clean his wounds pouredst in wine & oil, boundedst them up, laidst the sick Samaritan upon thy beast, & carriedst him into the inn ⟨p. xcxii⟩and never leaftest him till he was perfectly whole. O most loving saviour, vouchsafe also with thy merciful eye to look upon our wretched state, which without thy help must needs perish. Our wounds are deadly wounds, & not able to be healed of any, either in heaven or in earth, but of the alone, which art the true Physician and alone healest them that are contrite in heart.2 Our hole head is sick, and the heart is very heavy. From the sole of the foot unto the head, there is no hole part in all our body, but all are wounds, botches, sores and stripes, which can neither be helped, bound up, mollified, nor eased with any ointmē except thou puttest to thy helping hand. Let it therefore please the of thy great goodness to make clean our wounds, to pour in the wine and oil of spiritual gladness, to ⟨image 116⟩bind them up, and never to leave us, till thou hast made us perfectly whole, and brought us into thy heavenly kingdom. Heal thou us, o Lord, and we shall be healed,3 save thou us, and we shall be saved.4 Thou art that most tender father, which receivedst home again with embracing arms that lost son, which had wasted all his goods with riotous living. So soon as he returned unto thee, repented him of his disorder, confessed his sin and humbled himself in thy sight, thou haddest compassion on him, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. Thou commandedst thy servants also to bring forth that best garment and put it on thy son, and to put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. Thou gavest commandment again to fetch a fat calf and ⟨p. xcxiii⟩to kill it, and saidst: let us eat and be merry, for this mi son was dead, and is a live again, he was lost, and now is found. Show this thy favour (O most gentle father) to us thy children also which have ungodly bestowed the godly and virtuous gifts, which thou both friendly, and liberally gavest unto us. This our prodigal and licentious living sore grieveth us and we be heartily sorry that we hau• so grievously offended thy fatherly goodness.
Thou arte that mooste mercyful Samaritan,1 which beholdīg the miserable state of ye woūded mā with thy pitifull eie, cāmest vnto him, madest clene his woūds pouredst in wine & oil, boūdedst them vp, laydst the sick Samaritā vpō thi beast, & caridst him into ye inne ⟨p. xcxii⟩and neuer leaftest him til he was perfectly whole. O most louynge sauyour, vouchsafe also with thy merciful eie to loke vpō our wretched state, whiche wythoute thy helpe muste nedes peryshe. Oure woundes are deadly woundes, & not able to be healed of anye, eyther in heauen or in earth, but of the alone, which art the true Phisicion and alone healest thē that are contryte in herte.2 Oure hole head is syck, and the heart is veri heauy. Frō the sole of ye foote vnto the head, ther is no hole part in al our bodi, but al are woūds, botches, sores and stripes, which can neither be helped, bounde vp, molified, nor eased with any ointmē except thou puttest to thy helpyng hand. Let it therfore please the of thy great goodnes to make clene our wounds, to poure in the wine and oyl of spirituall gladnesse, to ⟨image 116⟩binde them vp, and neuer to leue vs, til thou hast made vs perfectlye whole, and broughte vs into thy heauenly kyngedome. Heale thou vs, o Lorde, and we shall be healed,3 saue thou vs, and we shal be saued.4 Thou arte that mooste tender father, whyche receiuedst home agayne wyth embracynge armes that lost sonne, which had wasted all hys goodes wyth ryotous liuyng. So soone as he returned vnto the, repented him of hys dysorder, confessed hys sinne and hūbled himselfe in thi sight, thou haddest compassion on him, and ranne, and fel on hys necke, and kyssed hym. Thou commaundedst thy seruaunts also to bryng forth that beste garment and put it on thy sonne, and to put a ryng on hys hande, and shooes on hys feete. Thou gauest cōmaūdemēt agayne to fetche a fatte calfe and ⟨p. xcxiii⟩to kyll it, and sayedst: let vs eate and be meri, for this mi sōne was dead, and is a liue againe, he was lost, and now is founde. Shewe thys thy fauour (O most gētle father) to vs thy chyldrē also which haue vngodly bestowed the godly and vertuous gifts, which thou both frendly, and liberally gauest vnto vs. Thys our prodigall and licencious lyuīg sore greueth vs and we be hertely sory yt we hau so greuously offended thy fatherly goodnes.
Notwithstanding according to thy old wont, we most humbly beseech thee, for thy names sake to have mercy on us,1 to forgive us our since, & to receive us again into thy favour. Take away from us all our old beggarly rags, & put on us the new garment of innocency, that precious ring of faith, wherewith we are married unto thee,2 & those most godly shoes ⟨image 117⟩of the evangelic peace, that we may walk from henceforth in the ways of thy holy commandments,3 & do that, which is pleasant in thy sight. Give us grace so unfeignedly to repent and to amend our life,4 that the angels of heaven may rejoice at our conversion.5 And so wash us from our since more and more, that at the last we may be clean and appear beautiful in thy heavenly fathers sight, through the our only saviour, which with the same thy father and the holy ghost, livest and reignest one true & ever lasting God, worlds without end. Amen.
Notwythstandynge acccordynge to thy old wonte, we moste humbly besech the, for thy names sake to haue merci on vs,1 to forgeue vs our synnes, & to receiue vs againe into thi fauoure. Take awai frō vs al oure old begerly ragges, & put on vs ye newe garmēt of innocēcy, yt precius rīg of fayth, wherwith we ar maried vnto ye,2 & those most godly shooes ⟨image 117⟩of the euangelike peace, that wee maye walke from henceforthe in the wayes of thy holy commaundemēts,3 & do that, which is plesāt in thy sight. Gyue vs grace so vnfaynedlye to repēt and to amend our lyfe,4 that the aungels of heauen maye reioyse at oure conuersion.5 And so washe vs from oure syns more and more, that at the laste we maye be cleane and appeare beautyfull in thy heauenlie fathers syght, thorow the our onlye sauiour, which wyth the same thy father and the holy ghoste, lyuest and reignest one true & euer lastynge God, worldes wythoute ende. Amen.
1Thy son and our LORD (O heavenly father) taught us to axe our bodily food of thee,2 and all other things that ⟨p. xcxiiii⟩be necessary for the preservation of this our mortal and corruptible body.3 For thou art the Lord that givest meat to the hungry. Thou fedest all thy creatures in due time. Thou openest thy hand, and replenishest all living things with thy blessing.4 Thy eyes are upon them that fear thee, and upon such as trust in thy mercy that thou mayest deliver their lives from death, and nourish them in the time of hunger. They that fear the shall have no scarceness, nether shall they want any good thing that seek y•. Never was it seen▪ that the righteous man, that is, he that liveth according to thy word,5 was forsaken nether hath his children begged their bread on the earth. How wonderfully didst thou feed thy servant Elijah the prophet, when thou sent him meat twice on a day by the Ravens.6 How marvellously diddest thou increase ⟨image 118⟩the oil and meal of the widow of Sarepta, Elias Hostess▪ How diddest thou provide for thy servant Daniel when he was in prison for setting forth thy glory?7 How wonderfully fedst thou the children of Israel,8 by sending them meat down from heaven by the space of .xl. years in the wilderness? The fouls of the air dost ye feed, which nether sow nor reap, nor yet carry into the barns.9 Thy son also (that we may hang on thy fatherly providence,10 & not despair of a competent living) fed many thousands with a few loves of bread,11 & a little number of small fishes.12 He also at a marriage turned water into wine,13 to show, that those which live according to thy blessed word,14 every one in his vocation, shall want no good thing,15 Thou art the very living God which giveth us abundantly all things to enjoy them.16⟨p. xcxv⟩Thou art our father, thou therefore wilt not suffer us thy children to perish for hunger.17 Thou art our Lord, thou therefore wilt not suffer us thy servants to dye for want of clothes?18 Thou fedest the heathen and the brute beasts, is it then to be thought, that thou wilt leave us succourless, which believe in thee, call on thy holy name, and hang on thy fatherly providence?
1THy sonne and oure LORD (O heauenlye father) taught vs to axe our bodyelye foode of the,2 and all other thynges that ⟨p. xcxiiii⟩be necessary for the preseruatyon of this oure mortall and corruptible body.3 For thou art the Lord yt geuest meat to the hongry. Thou fedest al thi cretures in due time. Thou openest thy hande, and replenysheste all lyuynge thynges with thy blessynge.4 Thy eyes are vpon them that feare the, and vpon suche as truste in thy mercye that thou mayest delyuer their liues frō death, and nourishe them in the tyme of honger. They that fear the shal haue no scarsnes, nether shal thei wāt ani good thing that seke y•. Neuer was it sene▪ yt ye rightous mā, yt is, he yt liueth according to thy word,5 was forsakē nether hathe his children begged their bread on ye erth. How wōderfully dydst yu fede thy seruant Helias the prophet, whē yu sent hym meat twise on a dai bi the Rauēs.6 How maruelously dydest thou encrease ⟨image 118⟩the oyle and meale of ye widow of Saxepta, Helias Ostesse▪ How diddest thou prouide for thy seruant Daniell when he was in prison for setting forth thy glory?7 How wonderfully fedst yu the childrē of Israel,8 by sēding thē meat doune frō heuē by the space of .xl. yeres in ye wildernes? The fouls of the aire dost ye feede, which nether sow nor reape, nor yet carye into the barnes.9 Thy son also (yt we may hāge on thy fatherly prouidēce,10
We therefore being thoroughly persuaded,1 that all good things pertaining ether to the body or to the soul, come from the alone, doubting also nothing of thy bounteous liberality and liberal bounty toward them, that with strong faith depend on thy fatherly providence, are bold at this present to come unto thy divine Majesty, most humbly beseeching the to work in us through thy holy spirit, a mind content with ⟨image 119⟩that is sufficient,2 seeing that no mans life standeth in the abundance of the things which he possesseth, seeing also that we be strangers & pilgrims in this world & have here no continuing city, but seek one to come,3 again, seeing we brought nothing into the world, neither shall we carry any thing out of it.4 For naked came we out of our mothers womb, and naked shall we turn thither again Take away from us all superfluous worldly cares, and teach us to be content with food & raiment.5 Suffer us not after the manner of the heathen to be careful for worldly thin ges, as though thou hadst no care for us, but teach us first of all to seek thy kingdom & the righteousness thereof, and so to look for all worldly and temporal things at thy merciful hand.6 O Lord, give us neither poverty nor richesse, ⟨p. xcxvi⟩only grant thou us a necessary living, lest if we be to full, we deny thee, and say: what fellow is the Lord? And lest we being constrained through poverty fall unto stealing, and forswear the name of the Lord our God. Lord, let it so come to pass for thy dear sons sake Jesus Christ our Lord, & saviour. Amen.
We therfore being thorowli parswaded,1 that al good things pertaining ether to the bodi or to the soule, come from the alone, doubting also nothīg of thy boūteous liberality and liberal bountye toward them, that with strong faith depende on thy fatherlye prouydence, are boulde at this presente to come vnto thy deuyne Maiestye, mooste humblye besechynge the to worke in vs thorow thy holye spirite, a mynd contente wyth ⟨image 119⟩that is sufficiente,2 seyng that no mans life stādeth in the abūdāce of the things which he possesseth, seinge also that we be strangers & pilgrymes in this world & haue here no cōtinuing cytye, but seke one to come,3 agayne, seynge we brought nothing into the world, neyther shal we cary anye thinge oute of it.4 For naked came we out of oure mothers wombe, and naked shal we turne thither againe Take awai frō vs al superfluous worldelye cares, and teache vs to be cōtēt with food & raimēt.5 Suffer vs not after the maner of the hethē to be careful for wordly thī ges, as though thou hadst no care for vs, but teache vs fyrst of all to seke thy kīgdom & the rightuousnes thereof, and so to loke for all wordly and temporall thynges at thy mercyful hand.6 O Lord, geue vs neyther pouertye nor richesse, ⟨p. xcxvi⟩onlye grant thou vs a necessarye liuing, lest if we be to ful, we deni the, and saye: what fellowe is the Lord? And lest we being constrained thorow pouertie fal vnto stealing, and forswere the name of ye Lorde our God. Lorde, lette it so come to passe for thy dear sonnes sake Jesu Christ oure Lord, & sauyoure. Amē.
Thy word,1 O Lord, is a lantern unto our feet, and a light to our pathways. For it showeth unto us evidently,2 how we ought to walk, and turn neither on the right hand, nor on the left, but even that way that thou hast appointed, that we may live & please thee.3 Thy law also is a perfect & undefiled law, it turneth souls and giveth wisdom even unto babes. Thy statutes are right &rejoice the heart,4 thy commandment ⟨image 120⟩is pure, & giveth light unto y• eis. It is nether emplaster nor salve that healeth us, but thy word. O Lord,5 which helleth all things. Through thy word, which y• hast left here among us,6 are we made clean. For it is thy power unto salvation for every one that believeth.7 To hear this thy word, which is sweeter then the honey or honey comb, & more precious then gold, pearl or precious stone,8 we are come hither at this present (O most merciful father) desiring the to send both to thy preacher and to us thy holy spirit,9 that he may teach no thing but thy pure word & the glorious Gospel of thy most dear son, again, that we may diligently note and repose in our memory whatsoever shall be godly & truly spoken of him. And forasmuch as nether he that planteth nor he that watereth is any thing,10 but ⟨p. xv⟩thou, O god, which geve•• the increase, we most entirely pray the that the seed of thy blessed word, which shall now be sown among us, may fall into our hearts as into a good ground, and by no means be choked up of thorns nor dried up for want of moisture,11 nor yet carried away of y• birds of the air, but through the working of the holy ghost, so take rote in our hearts▪ that it may bring forth plenty of good fruit unto the glory and the health of our souls. Amen.
THy worde,1 O Lorde, is a lantarne vnto oure feete, and a lyghte to oure pathewayes. For it sheweth vnto vs euidētly,2 how we ought to walk, and turn neyther on the ryghte hande, nor on the left, but euē that way that thou hast appointed, that we may lyue & plese the.3 Thi law also is a perfecte & vndefyled lawe, it turneth souls and geueth wisdō euē vnto babes. Thy statuts ar right &reioice the hert,4 thi cōmaūdemēt ⟨image 120⟩is pure, & geueth light vnto y• eis. It is nether emplaster nor salue that healeth vs, but thy worde. O Lord,5 which heleth al thīgs. Thorow thy word, which y• hast leafte here amōg vs,6 ar we made clene. For it is thy power vnto saluaciō for euerye one that beleueth.7 To heare this thi word, which is sweter then the hony or honi combe, & more precious then golde, pearle or preycous stone,8 we are come hither at this presente (O mooste mercyful father) desyrynge the to send bothe to thy preacher and to vs thy holi spirite,9 yt he mai teache no thing but thy pure worde & the glorious Gospel of thi most deare sonne, agayn, yt we may diligētly note and repose in oure memorye whatsoeuer shall be godly & truly spoken of him. And for asmuche as nether he that planteth nor he that watereth is anye thyng,10 but ⟨p. xv⟩thou, O god, which geue•• the encrease, we most entirely pray the that the sede of thy blessed word, which shal now be sown among vs, may faul into our heartes as into a good grounde, and by no meanes be choked vp of thornes nor dried vp for wāt of moisture,
Thou taughtest vs to pray that we maie not be ledde into temptacion, and hast promised vs, that thou wilte not suffer vs too bee tempted aboue oure strengthe,
fulfyl therefore thy promise. And forasmuch as thi good pleasu•e is: that we shal manfully fyght with these our enemies (for what is the lyfe of manne in this world▪ but a continual warfarre?)
these thy louinge promises haste thou euer dealt with the children of men, whensoeuer they repented & turned vnto the. Whē they forsaked their sinful liuing & called vpō thi holi name, yu forgauest al theyr sīnes and he alest al theyr infyrmytyes.
Thou sauedst their life from destrucciō and crowned them wt merci & louing kindnes. For thou, O Lord God, art ful of compassion & mercy, lōg sufferīg and of great goodnes. Thou wilt not alwaye be chydynge, neither wilt thou kepe thi anger for euer.
Thou fedest the hethen and the brute beasts, is it then to be thought, that thou wilt leaue vs socourles, which beleue in the, cal on thy holye name, and hang on thy fatherli prouidence?
nor yet carryed away of y• byrdes of the ayer, but thorowe the working of the holy gost, so take rote in our hertes▪ that it may brynge forthe plenty of good frute vnto the glory and the healthe of oure soules. Amen.
