[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.
I Am not able to express (oh wretched sinner that I am) how grievously the burden of my sins oppress me, whither soever I turn me, whatsoever I do speak or think, I perceive such corruption ⟨image 19⟩and wickedness, such abomination & uncleanness to reign in me,1 that it utterly confoundeth my conscience, and in a manner fettereth me with the chain of desperation. No marvel. For my outward man is flesh, earth, ashes, dust, dung, and all that most vile is. My thought & disposition is altogether nought even from my very cradles, my heart is unclean, defiled with most filthy sin, lewd, & unable to be searched, for the manifold wickedness thereof, but of God alone. My works are abominable and loathsome in the sight of the most highest, yea my very righteousnesses, if any I have, are even as a defiled cloth. Again my inward man hath lost his former beauty. In stead of the Image of god he is miserably deformed with the wicked visor of wily Satan. In the ⟨p. iiii⟩place of innocency, faith, love, hope▪ patience, mercy, obedience goodness, gentleness, liberality, joy, and such other fruits of the holy ghost: wickedness, unfaithfulness▪ hatred, desperation, vengeance, covetousness, rebellion, maliciousness, churlishness, unmercifulness, pensiveness of mind & such other damnable works of the flesh are entered into me, and holy posses me, so that whether I consider my outward or inward man, I find my self the bond slave of Satan,
the vile dunghill of sin, the miserable debtor of the law, the fire brand of hell, the child of wrath, the vessel of vengeance the son of perdition, the wandering sheep, the wounded man an hypocrite, an unprofitable servant, inheritor of everlasting pain & all that ever nought is. To rid my self of all these most
⟨image 20⟩
detestable enormities, I am not able. To seek remedy at any other mans hand, to buy their merits, prayers, watchings, fastings & their other works oh, it is but vain.
Moses can not heal my diseases, neither the Levite, nor the priest can bind up my wounds, and make them whole. For vain is the health that is looked for at mans hand.
Al have sinned, all have gone astray, all owe to that heavenly king ten thousand talents. Al are become abominable, there is not one that doth good, no not one. Ah who then can be made clean of them that are unclean? Ah, who being sick,
will seek to be made whole of them that are altogether diseased?
I Am not able to expres (oh wretched sinner yt I am) how greuously the burden of my sins oppresse me, whyther soeuer I turn me, whatsoeuer I do speke or thinke, I perceiue such corruption ⟨image 19⟩and wickednes, such abhominacion & vnclennes to raign in me,1 that it vtterly confoūdeth my conscience, and in a manner fettereth me with the cheyne of desperaciō. No maruell. For my outward manne is flesh, earthe, ashes, duste, donge, and all that moost vile is. My thought & disposicion is altogether nought euē frō my very cradels, my harte is vnclean, defiled wt most filthy synne, leude, & vnable to be searched, for ye manifolde wickednes thereof, but of God alone. My works are abominable and lothsome in the syght of ye most highest, yea my very ryghtousnesses, if any I haue, are euen as a defyled cloth. Againe my inward mā hath lost his former beautye. In steade of the Image of god he is miserabli deformed with the wicked visare of wily Satā. In the ⟨p. iiii⟩place of innocencye, fayth, loue, hope▪ pacience, mercy, obedience goodnes, gentilnesse, liberality, ioy, and suche other frutes of the holi gost: wickednes, vnfaithfulnes▪ hatred, desperacion, vengeaunce, couetousnes, rebelliō, maliciousnes, churlishnes, vnmercifulnes, pensiuenes of minde & such other dampnable works of the fleshe are ētred into me, and holy posses me, so that whether I consider my outwarde or inward mā, I fynde my self ye bōd slaue of Sathan,2 the vile dōghil of sīne, the miserable debtour of the law, the fyre brond of hel, the childe of wrath, the vessel of vengaunce the sonne of perdicion, ye wandring shepe, the woūded mā an hipocrite, an vnprofitable seruant, enheritour of euerlasting payne & al that euer noughte is. To ryd my selfe of al these most ⟨image 20⟩detestable enormities, I am not able. To seeke remedy at any other mans hand, to bie their merit•s, praiers, watchings, fastīgs & their other workes oh, it is but vayne.3 Moses can not heale my diseases, neither the Leuite, nor the priest can binde vp my woundes, and make them whole. For vayne is the health that is loked for at mannes hand.4 Al haue sinned, all haue gone astray, al owe to that heauenly king ten thousand talentes. Al are become abhominable, there is not one that dothe good, no not one. Ah who then can be made cleane of thē yt are vncleane? Ah, who beynge sycke,5 wyl seke to be made whole of them that are altogether diseased?
Ah, who being weak, will wish to be stayed up by him, which for feebleness is not able too ⟨p. v⟩stand? Can the man of Inde change his skin?1 or the cat of the mountain her spots? No more can they make me good, which are them selves naught. Ah whither then shall I f•e? unto mi self, and unto mine own righteousness?2 I am a most damnable sinner, and of my self not able to think a good thought? Unto the law? it woundeth, killeth, & condemneth me: It is a yoke,3 that neither we, neither our fathers were ever able to bear. Unto creatures? they have not oil enough for them selves. Ah wretch that I am, destitute and void of all mortal help, shall I despair? Far be that from me. But were there not another manner of doctrine, than the doctrine of the law, which maketh no man perfect,4 were there not another manner of ⟨image 21⟩righteousness then is found in my self,5 or in any other sinful creature I see none other but plain desperation, death, damnation. But thanks be unto the (O heavenly father) which tendering the health of thy creatures, although sinful, so oft as they repent, believe, and study to amend their life, hath set forth in •hi hol• scriptures another doctrine, even the doctrine of the gospel, that most sweet, pleasant, and joyful tidings of our salvation, which con forteth, cheereth, & maketh merry weak consciences, & sorrowful hearts and another righteousness even the righteousness of thy well-beloved son Jesus Christ,6 for whose sake art thou well pleased with man, and for whose innocency and righteousness, thou freely of thy bountiful goodness forgivest the since of so many as ⟨p. vi⟩with hearty repentance flee unto thy mercy. I therefore (O most merciful father) staying, and comforting my weak conscience with the sweet promises that I find in the holy gospel of thy dearly beloved son, made unto all that be faithfully penitent without respect of persons, in the precious blood of thine aforesaid son Jesus Christ, am bold (notwithstanding the multitude of my sins at this present) to come unto the throne of thy mercy, most humbly beseeching thee not to weigh my deserts,7 nor to deal with me according to my merits (for if thou shouldest narrowly mark our iniquities, oh Lord, who shall abide it?)
Ah, who beyng weake, wyll wish to be stayed vp by him, whiche for feablenes is not able too ⟨p. v⟩stande? Canne the man of Inde chaunge his skinne?1 or the catte of the mountaine her spots? No more canne they make me good, whych are them selues naught. Ah whither then shal I f•e? vnto mi self, and vnto mine own righteousnes?2 I am a moste damnable sīner, and of my self not able to thinke a good thought? Unto the lawe? it woundeth, kylleth, & condēneth me: It is a yoke,3 that neyther we, neyther our fathers wereuer able to bear. Unto creatures? thei haue not oyle inough for them selues. Ah wretche that I am, destitute and voyde of all mortall helpe, shal I dispayre? Farre be that from me. But wer ther not a nother maner of doctrine, thē the doctrine of ye lawe, whych maketh no man perfecte,4 were ther not another maner of ⟨image 21⟩righteousnes then is foūd in my selfe,5 or in any other sinful creature I se none other but playne desperacion, death, damnatyon. But thākes be vnto the (O heauēly father) which tēderinge the health of thy creatures, although sinful, so oft as they repente, beleue, and study to amende their life, hath set forth in •hi hol• scriptures another doctrine, euen the doctrine of the gospell, that most sweete, pleasaunt, and ioyful tidings of our saluacion, which cō forteth, chereth, & maketh merye weake consciences, & sorowfull herts andanother righteousnes euē the righteousnes of thy welbeloued sonne Iesu Christe,6 for whose sake art thou wel pleased with mā, and for whose innocē cy and righteousnes, thou frelye of thy bountifull goodnes forgeuest the synnes of so manye as ⟨p. vi⟩wyth herty repentaūce flee vnto thy mercye. I therefore (O most merciful father) staying, and cō fortyng my weake cōsciēce with the swete promises that I finde in the holi gospel of thy derely beued sonne, made vnto al that be faythfully penitent withoute respect of persons, in the precyous bloud of thine aforesaid sōne Iesu Christ, am bold (notwithstanding the multitude of my sinnes at this presente) to come vnto the throne of thy mercy, moste humbly besechyng the not to weighe my deserts,
which deserve nothing but wrath and damnation, but for the innocency and righteousness of thy only begotten son Jesus Christ,1 whom thou haste given ⟨image 22⟩me to be mine own, & with him all his merits & good deeds, to be through faith so truly mine, as though I my self had done and wrought them, to forgive me, my since according to thy promise, to renew thy fatherly love toward me, to receive me into thy favour, to make me a vessel of mercy, to number me in the company of thy chosen people, and to endue me with thy blessed spirit, which may mortify mi carnal affects, s•ea old Adam in me, work new and those spiritual and heavenly motions in my heart, & with his holy breath make me a new & perfect man according unto thy blessed image.2 O most loving father weigh not my since, but remember thy most gentle promises. Consider not my evil works, but have respect unto the undefiled deeds of thy son ⟨p. vii⟩Jesus Christ,3 whom thou hast given to be my redeemer, my saviour my righteousness, my atonement maker, my satisfaction, & the alone and all wholly sufficient sacrifice for all my since. For his sake, for his innocency, and righteousness have mercy on me (O God) according to thy great mercy, and put a way all my unrighteousnesses for thy tender compassion. I have gone a stray like a sheep that was lost,4 yet O lord for thy mercies sake, seek me up, lay me upon thy shoulders, and bring me home again to thy sheep fold. I have been a lost son. I have riotously spent away my goods with the wicked, yet for thy goodness sake (O father) receive me, and take me home again, if not as thy son yet as one of thy servants. I am grievously wounded, & can ⟨image 23⟩be holp neither by priest nor Levite,5 yet cast me not away good lord for thy tender merces sak•, but pour wine & oil into my wounds. bind them up, & never leave me till thou haste made me perfectly whole. So shall I after this be the more circumspect in training my life according to thy godly will, and evermore sing continual praises to thy most blessed name through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom with the & the holy ghost be all glory and honour worlds without end. Amen.
whych deserue nothing but wrath and dānacion, but for the innocēcy and righteousnes of thy only begotten sonne Iesu Christ,1 whome thou haste geuen ⟨image 22⟩me to be myne owne, & with him all his merites & good dedes, to be thorow fayth so trulye myne, as though I my self hadde done and wrought thē, to forgyue me, my synnes accordynge to thy promise, to renue thi fatherli loue towarde me, to receiue me into thy fauoure, to make me a vessell of mercy, to number me in the company of thy chosen people, and to endue me with thy blessed spirit, which may mortify mi carnal affects, s•ea old Adam in me, work new and those spiritual and heauenly mocions in my harte, & wt his holy breath make me a new & perfect mā according vnto thy blessed ymage.2 O moost louynge father weyghe not my synnes, but remember thy moste gentell promises. Consider not my euel works, but haue respecte vnto ye vndefyled deedes of thy sonne ⟨p. vii⟩Iesu Christ,3 whom thou hast geuē to be my redemer, my sauiour my ryghteousnes, my atonemēt maker, my satisfaction, & the alone and al wholely sufficient sacrifice for all my synnes. For hys sake, for his innocency, and righteousenes haue mercy on me (O God) according to thy great mercye, and put a way al my vnrightuousenesses for thy tender compassion. I haue gone a stray like a shepe that was lost,4 yet O lord for thy mercies sake, seke me vp, lay me vppon thy shoulders, and brynge me home agayne to thy shepe foulde. I haue bene a loste sonne. I haue ryotously spent away my goodes wyth ye wicked, yet for thy goodnesse sake (O father) receyue me, and take me home againe, if not as thy sonne yet as one of thy seruauntes. I am greuously wounded, & can ⟨image 23⟩be holp neyther by priest nor Leuite,5 yet cast me not away good lord for thi tēder merces sak•, but pour wine & oile into my woūds. bynde them vp, & neuer leue me tyl thou haste made me perfectly whole. So shal I after this be ye more circūspect in trayninge my lyfe accordyng to thy godly wyll, and euermore synge continuall prayses to thy most blessed name thorow Iesu Christ our Lord, to whome with the & the holy goste be al glory and honour worldes wythout end. Amen.
3Isaiah. xii▪ xliii.xliiii. and, xlix. Matthew, i Luke. ii. i, Cor, i, i, Timo, ii, i. John. ii. Hebr▪ ix▪ x, Psalm▪ li▪ Psa, cxviiiEsaye. xii▪ xliii.xliiii. and, xlix. Mathew, i Luke. ii. i, Cor, i, i, Timo, ii, i. Iohn. ii. Hebre▪ ix▪ x, Psalm▪ li▪ Psa, cxviii
The tyranny of satan mine old enemy,1 which ceaseth not daily to assail me with his subtle temptations, and to wound me with his cruel darts compelleth me at this present (O blessed redeemer & mine alone saviour Jesus Christ, the son of the ⟨p. viii⟩true and living god) to f•e for succour unto the pitiful bowels of thy tender mercy, lest I be for ever swallowed up as a pray of that dreadful Dragon.2 O Lord I am feeble and weak, but Satan is strong and mighty, the Prince of darkness & God of this world, having at his commandment an infinite multitude both of wicked spirits, and of ungodly men, which both daily and diligently, travail to satisfy his cruel tyranny, and to work my destruction, whom to resist I am not able.3 Notwithstanding lord, thou art more valiant then he, stronger then all his army, more able to save than he to condemn.4 Yea he is thy bond slave. Thou rulest him as thy good pleasure is▪ He can rage against thine elect no further▪ than thy most godly will is to suffer him. Thou therefore (o lord ⟨image 24⟩my God) art able to deliver me from his ravening teethe, and to keep me safe from his blood thirsty ministers.5 For thou art the blessed seed of the woman, that treadeth down the head,6 destroyeth the power of that old serpent. Thou art that Lord,7 which hath swallowed up hell. Thou art the king of glory, which by thy death destroyest him that had the power of death, that is the devil. Thou art that Michael,8 which hast fought with the Dragon and overcome him.9 Yea thou art that Lion of the tribe of Judah, which haste vanquished all our enemies.
THe tirrānye of satā mine old enemy,1 which ceaseth not daylye to assayle me with his subtile temtacions, and to woūd me with his cruel darts compelleth me at this present (O blessed redemer & mine alone sauiour Iesu Christ, the son of the ⟨p. viii⟩true and liuing god) to f•e for succoure vnto the pitiful bowels of thy tēder mercy, lest I be for euer swalowed vp as a praye of that dreadful Dragon.2 O Lord I am feble and weake, but Satan is strong and mightye, the Prynce of darknes & God of this world, hauing at his commaundmēt an infinite multitude bothe of wicked spirites, and of vngodly mē, which both dayly and diligently, trauayle to sat•sfy his cruel tirā ny, and to worke my destrucciō, whome to resist I am not hable.3 Notwithstandyng lord, thou art more valeaunt then he, stronger then all hys armye, more able to saue thē he to condēne.4 Yea he is thy bond slaue. Thou rulest hym as thy good pleasure is▪ He can rage agaynst thyne elect no further▪ thē thy most godly wyl is to suffer him. Thou therfore (o lord ⟨image 24⟩my God) arte able to delyuer me from hys rauenynge teethe, and to kepe me safe from hys bloude thyrsty ministers.5 For thou art ye blessed sede of the wo•ā, that tredeth down the head,6 destroieth ye power of that old serpent. Thou art that Lord,7 which hathe swalowed vp hel. Thou art the king of glorye, whych by thy death destroiest him that had the power of deathe, that is ye deuil. Thou art that Michael,8 which hast fought with the Dragon and ouercome him.
1•. Peter. v,
2John, xii, •iiiii.•v ii. Cor. iiii Ephesi, vi.Iohn, xii, •iiiii.•v ii. Cor. iiii Ephesi, vi.
Moreover not only Satan and his angels, but also the world and the flesh most grievously assail me, yea and lead me away captive as their pray. The world with his vain pleasures, deceitful riches, & transitory possessions, so ⟨p. ix⟩blindeth the eyes of my heart, that I can not love the (o most sweet saviour) with such pureness of mind as I ought.1 Notwithstanding this comforteth me▪ well that thou haste overcome the world, & that when soever it pleaseth the to endue me with thy holy spirit, I may through thy grace subdue the world, and make it a bond slave unto me,2 which now so mightily reigneth, ruleth and triumpheth over me. The flesh also with her subtle enticements so wholly occupieth me, y• I am all together flesh, and all that nought is, and by this means wholly without thy holy spirit.3 Yet haste thou by the pureness of thy blessed flesh which thou haste unfeignedly taken of the undefiled maid Mary thy mother by the wonderful operation of the holy ghost, so slain the raging lusts of our sinful ⟨image 25⟩flesh, that whensoever we lament our cause unto thee, confessing our misery and weakness,4 thou both art able and also wilt through thy holy spirit quench those raging lusts, mortify those carnal affects that so inordinately boil in our inward members, and make us truly spiritual. Thus seest thou (O most merciful redeemer) with how great a multitude of enemies I am besieged & set round about, which without ceasing seek my destruction, & have all ready most tirantelye, spoiled me of all my garments, & most grievously wounded me, leaving me half dead,5 so that without thy help I must needs perish. Help therefore (O most sweet saviour) & deliver me from these mine enemies. Heal thou me O Lord & I shall be healed. Save thou me, and I shall be saved,6 Ah good Jesus, my ⟨p. x⟩sins are great and infinite. I confess, but thy mercies are much greater and more infinite. Mi wounds are many and grievous,7 but thou art that most loving Samaritan full of pity and compassion, which by pouring wine and oil into my wounds are sufficiently able to heal them,8 although they were ten. M. more. I am a sinner but thou art a saviour.9 I am sick but thou art a Physician. I am blind,10 but thou art the light of the world. I am Satan's prisoner, but thou art a redeemer.11 I am dead in sin, but thou art the resurrection and life.12
Moreouer not onlye Satan and his angels, but also ye world and the fleshe mooste greuously assaile me, yea and lead me away captiue as theyr pray. The world wt his vaine pleasures, deceitful riches, & transitory possessiōs, so ⟨p. ix⟩blindeth the iyes of my harte, that I cā not loue the (o most swete sauiour) with such purenes of mind as I oughte.1 Notwythstandynge this comforteth me▪ wel that thou haste ouercome the worlde, & that when soeuer it pleaseth the to endue me wyth thy holye spyryte, I may thorow thy grace subdue the worlde, and make it a bond slaue vnto me,2 which now so mightely reigneth, ruleth and triumpheth ouer me. The fleshe also with her subtile entisementes so wholelye occupieth me, y• I am all together fleshe, and al that nought is, and by thys meanes wholely without thy holye spyryte.3 Yet haste thou by the purenes of thy blessed flesh which thou haste vnfainedlye taken of the vndefiled mayde Mary thy mother by the wounderfull operacion of the holye ghooste, so slaine the raging lustes of our sinfull ⟨image 25⟩fleshe, that whēsoeuer we lamēt our cause vnto the, confessīg our miserye and weakenes,4 thou bothe arte able and also wylt thorow thy holy spirit quenche those ragynge lusts, mortifye those carnal affectes that so inordynatelye boil in oure inwarde mēbers, and make vs truly spiritual. Thus seest thou (O mooste mercyful redemer) with how greate a multitude of enemeies I am beseiged & sete rownd about, which without ceassing seke my destruccyon, & haue all readye mooste tirantelye, spoyled me of al my garments, & most greuouslye wounded me, leauing me half dead,5 so that without thy helpe I must nedes perishe. Helpe therfore (O most swete sauiour) & delyuer me from these mine ennemies. Heale thou me O Lord & I shalbe heled. Saue thou me, and I shalbe saued,6 Ah good Iesu, my ⟨p. x⟩
I am hungry but thou art the living bread.1 I am thirsty, but thou art the well of life. I am poor,2 but thou art the lord of all wealth. I am a barren tree, but thou art that true and fruitful vine. I am the lost sheep, but thou art that good shepherd ⟨image 26⟩I am that riotous son, but thou art that gentle father.3 I am by nature the child of wrath, but thou art by nature the Son of the living God. I am by nature sinful man, but thou art by nature man righteous & innocent. I am a daily offender, but thou art a continual mediator. I am a breaker of the law, but thou art a fulfiller of the same. I have lost the heavenly inheritance through sin, but thou haste recovered it by •hi death, I have wrought mine own destruction, but thou by thy precious blood haste wrought unto me salvation. Thus all be it (O most merciful saviour) I find in my self nothing but sin▪ death and damnation, yet in the find I grace, mercy, favour, reconciliation forgiveness of since and everlasting life. Take away therefore that is mine, which is all nought, & give me that is thine, which is all good ⟨p. xi⟩Thou art called Christ, anoint me therefore with thy holy spirit. Thou art called a Physician,4 according therefore to thy name heal me.5 Thou art called the son of the living God,6 according therefore to thy power deliver me from the devil, the world and the flesh. Thou art called the resurrection,7 lift me up therefore from the damnable state, wherein I most miserably lye. Thou art called the life, quicken me up therefore out of this death,8 wherewith through sin I am most grievously detained. Thou art called the day, lead me therefore from the vanities of this world▪ and from the filthy pleasures of the flesh unto heaven lye and spiritual things. Thou art called the truth, suffer me not therefore to walk in the way of error,9 but to tread the path of truth in all my doings. Thou art ⟨image 27⟩called the light▪ put away therefore from me the works of darkness,10 that I may walk as the child of light in all goodness, righteousness, and truth. Thou art called a Saviour, save me therefore from my sins according to thy name.
I am hongry but thou arte the lyuynge breade.1 I am thyrstye, but thou arte the well of lyfe. I am poore,2 but thou art the lord of al wealthe. I am a barren tree, but thou art that true and frutfull vine. I am the looste shepe, but yu art that good sheperd ⟨image 26⟩I am that ryotous sōne, but thou art that •entle father.3 I am by nature the childe of wrathe, but thou arte by nature the sonne of the lyuyng God. I am by nature sinful man, but thou arte by nature man rightuous & innocēt. I am a daili offēder, but yu art a cōtinual mediator. I am a breker of ye lawe, but thou arte a fulfiller of the same. I haue lost the heauēly enheritaūce thorow sin, but thou haste recouered it bi •hi death, I haue wrought mine own dis•ruccion, but thou bi thy precyous bloud haste wrought vnto me saluacion. Thus all be it (O most merciful sauiour) I find in my self nothinge but sin▪ death and damnacion, yet in the finde I grace, merci, fauour, reconciliaciō forgiuenes of synnes and euerlasting life. Take awai therfore yt is mine, which is al noughte, & gyue me that is thine, which is all good ⟨p. xi⟩Thou art called Christ, annoynte me therefore wyth thy holye spyryte. Thou art called a Phisicion,4 accordynge therefore to thy name heale me.5 Thou art called the son of the liuing God,6 accordyng therfore to thy power deliuer me from the deuil, the world and the fleshe. Thou art called the resurreccion,7 lift me vp therfore from the damnable state, wherin I most miserablye lye. Thou art called the lyfe, quicken me vp therefore oute of thys deathe,8
Thou art Called Alpha,1 and Omega, that is, both the beginning & end of all goodness,2 begin thou therefore a good life in me, & finish the same unto the glory of thy blessed name, So shall I receiving these benefits at thy merciful hand praise thee, and magnify thy blessed name For evermore. Amen,
Thou art Called Alpha,1 and Omega, yt is, both the beginninge & ende of al goodnes,2 beginne thou therfore a good life in me, & finish the same vnto the glory of thi blessed name, So shall I receyuyng these benfits at thy merciful hand prayse the, and magnify thy blessed name For euermore. Amen,
O Most blessed And holy spirit, Equal God with God the Father,1 and God the Son, I miserable sinner confounded in my conscience, & almost fallen through ⟨p. xii⟩the multitude of my since, into the hell-like pit of desperation, am come at this present before thy divine majesty, most humbly to confess, and from the bottom of my heart to lament all those my sins, and wickednesses which from my youth hitherto I have unjustly committed, in word, dead, or thought against thy goodness: most entirely beseeching the mercifully to forgive me all those mine offences,2 and abominations, and to make in me a clean heart, endued with a new and right spirit, which may from henceforth through thy godly governance so direct me in all my doings, that I may only attempt such enterprises, as be agreeable to thy blessed will, profitable to my neighbour,3 and pleasant to my soul, O lord my God where thou art, there is liberty. ⟨image 28⟩But I through the crafts of Satan the lusts of the flesh, and the pleasures of the world, am in most miserable captivity, slavery, bondage and thraldom, whereby I evidently perceive that thou dwellest not in me, neither ye I am thy temple, nor yet have that ghostly freedom wherewith all be endued that have the dwelling in them. O Lord have mercy on me, and take away from me that heavy bondage of the flesh, wherewith I am most grievously enclosed, & give me that sweet & free liberty of the spirit, which bight is wrought in the hearts of the faithful, that I being delivered from the power of mine enemies may serve thee in holiness and righteousness all the dais of my life:4 again that thou making me a new creature by mortifying old Adam in me, and by giving me a good spirit, mayest delight in ⟨p. xiii⟩me as a father in his son, and continually dwell in me as in thy holy temple.
O Moost blessed And holye spirite, Equall God wyth God the Father,1 and God the Sonne, I myserable sinner cōfoūded in my consciēce, & almost fallen thorow ⟨p. xii⟩the multytude of my synnes, into the hellike pit of desperacyon, am come at thys preasente before thy deuyne maiestye, moste humbly to confesse, and from the boto•e of my hearte to lamente all those my sinnes, and wickednesses whiche from my youthe hytherto I haue vniustly cōmitted, in word, deade, or thoughte against thy goodnes: most entirely besechynge the mercyefullye to forgeue me all those myne offences,2 and abhominacions, and to make in me a cleane hearte, endued wyth a newe and ryghte spirite, whiche maye from hencefourth thorowe thy godlye gouernaunce so derecte me in all my doynges, that I may onlye attēpt such enterprises, as be agreable to thy blessed wyll, profytable to my neyghboure,3 and pleasaunt to my soule, O lord my God wher thou art, there is lybertye. ⟨image 28⟩But I thorow the craftes of Satan the lustes of the flesh, and the plesures of the world, am in most miserable captiuity, slauery, bondage and thraldome, wherby I euidently perceiue that thou dwellest not in me, neyther ye I am thy temple, nor yet haue that ghostlye fredome wherwyth all be endued that haue the dwellyng in them. O Lorde haue mercye on me, and take awaye from me that heauye bondage of the flesh, wherwith I am most gre uously enclo•ed, & geue me yt swete & free liberty of the spirite, which bithe is wrought in the hartes of the faithfull, that I being deliuered from ye power of mine enemies mai serue ye in holines and righteousnes al the dais of my life:4 again that thou makīg me a new creature by mortifying old Adam in me, and by geuīg me a good spirite, mayeste delyght in ⟨p. xiii⟩me as a father in hys sonne, and continually dwell in me as in thy holy temple.
1John. xiiii xv, • xvi. i. John. vIohn. xiiii xv, • xvi. i. Iohn. v
O blessed spirit forgive me my since, purify my mind with thy holy inspiration, comfort my weak heart with thy joyful presence, make merry my troubled conscience with true & spiritual mirth, lead me,1 which have so long erred into all godly truth, give me the knowledge of all heavenly and spiritual things, even so much as is necessary for my salvation, put on me the shield of faith,2 that I may be able to quench the fiery darts of the devil, kindle my hart with the fire of Christen love, make me a fruitful olive tree in the congregation of the my Lord God give me patience in tribulation,3 take away from me vain glory in prosperity, engraft in my heart continual humility, make be bold to confess the truth of thy Gospel ⟨image 29⟩before the tyrants of this world, and give me grace to persevere in the same, unto the end. Replenish my breast with thy heavenly gifts and spiritual treasures that the devil, the world, & the flesh, with all their works, pomps and vanities from me utterly secluded and put a part, thou mayest continually dwell in me by thy godly inspirations. and I in the through true and undoubted faith, doing that alway, that is good & pleasant in thy sight unto the glory of thy blessed name, which livest & reignest with god the father and God the son in one Majesty, power and glory, very god worlds without end. Amen.
O blessed spirite forgiue me my synnes, puryfye my mynde wyth thy holy inspiracion, comfort my weake hert wt thy ioiful presence, make mery my troubled cōcience with true & spiritual myrth, lede me,1 which haue so lōg erred into all godlye truthe, geue me the knowledge of al heauenly and spiritual things, euē so much as is necessary for my saluacyon, put on me the shield of faithe,2 that I maye be able to quenche the fyrye dartes of the deuyl, kyndle my hart with the fire of Christē loue, make me a frutful oliue tre in the congregaciō of the my Lord God geue me pacience in trybulation,3 take away from me vayne glorye in prosperytie, engraf in my heart continual humilitie, make be bold to confesse the truthe of thy Gospell ⟨image 29⟩before the tyrauntes of thys worlde, and gyue me grace to perseuer in ye same, vnto the end. Replenysh my brest with thy heauenlye gyfts and spirituall treasures that the deuyll, the worlde, & the flesh, wyth al their worckes, pompes and vanities from me vtterli secluded and put a part, thou maiest continuallye dwelle in me by thy godlye inspiracio ns. and I in the thorowe true and vndoubted faith, doing that alway, yt is good & plesant in thy sight vnto the glory of thi blessed name, which liuest & reignest with god the father and God the sonne in one Maiestye, power and glory, very god worlds wythout ende. Amen.
O Lord our heavenly father, which by thy dearly beloved son Jesus Christ haste commanded us to take no thought ⟨p. xiiii⟩thought for our mete,1 drink and cloth, but hast promised to give us all things necessary for this our pore and needy life, if we first seek thy kingdom and the righteousness thereof: we most heartily thank y•, that it hath pleased thy fatherly goodness according to thy promise to send us meat at this present for the comfort of our miserable and hungry bodies, desiring the to bless these thy gifts & to give us grace so to taste of them, that we may ever remember thee,2 and never forget our needy brethren: but even as thou art merciful and liberal to us by giving us these thy benefits, so likewise we again may show mercy & kindness to our pore neighbours by distributing to them part of these thy gifts, that both they & we being refreshed with thy gifts of thy liberality, may with one mouth glorify, & with one mind praise thy holy name for ever & ever
O Lorde our heauenlye father, whyche by thy dearelye beloued sonne Iesu Christe haste commāded vs to take no thought ⟨p. xiiii⟩thought for our mete,1 drinke and cloth, but hast promised to giue vs all thyngs necessary for thys our pore and nedy life, if we first seke thi kingdome and the righteousnes therof: we most harteli thāk y•, that it hath pleased thi fatherly goodnes accordinge to thi promise to send vs meat at this present for the cōfort of our miserable and hōgri bodis, desiring the to blesse these thy giftes & to geue vs grace so to tast of thē, that we may euer remember the,2 and neuer forgette our neadi brethren: but euē as thou art merciful and liberall to vs by geuyng vs these thy benefits, so likwise we again may shew merci & kindnes to our pore neighbours by distrybuting to thē part of these thy gifts, that both thei & we being refreshed wt thi giftes of thy liberality, may wt one mouth glorifi, & wt one mynd praise thi holi name for euer & euer
but thou art that most louing Samaritan full of pytye and compassyon, whiche by pourynge wine and oile into my wounds are suffycyentelye able to heale them,
wherewyth thorowe synne I am most greuouslye detayned. Thou arte called the day, lede me therfore from the vanites of this world▪ and from the filthye pleasures of the flesh vnto heauē lye and spirituall thynges. Thou art called the truth, suffer me not therefore to walcke in the waye of erroure,
that I may walk as the child of light in al goodnes, ryghteousnes, and truth. Thou art called a Sauiour, saue me therfore from my sinnes according to thy name.
