EXTRACTS FROM THE 1610 EDITION OF PHILIP STUBBES’S PERFECT PATHWAY TO FELICITIE, A SHORT TREATISE PRAIERS AND SUPPLICATIONS, WRITTEN IN 1592. (The original 15 a pretty little dun broad. Collation V1-8. A. to Tin 8s. ‘4, the 1st leaf, is blank; the Ist leaf and page before it (TF. 8 and 7 back) are blank too ; all the leaves are borderd. Mr Hy. Huth's copy (from Heber's library), which he has Kindlly lent me, is in its original gilt vellum cover, with the initials RD, separated by a rose, on each of the two sidts. ‘The borders and initials in this partial reprint are not of the same patterns as those in the original.) mpty ‘13 inches high by 2 inches WYCONTENTS OF STUBBES'S PATHIVAY, ED. 1592 (AND 1610). Tr. Blank, %2. Title, 13, The Epistle Dedicatorie. 18. +The Preface. A.2, Certaine Graces to bee saide be- fore and after meat. A 3. Thankesgining after meate, A3, bk. Another prayer before meate, A 4 bk. An other praier after meate. ASS, A praier before meate, A6. A thankesgiuing after meate, A7. A note to knowe the beginning and ending of the foure ‘Tearmes of the yeare, (A 8, back, blank.) Bt. Speciall Meditations for all times and for all persons. B 4, bk. Precepts and directions for the morning. B 5, Meditations in the morning. BO6, bk. Meditations to bee considered of at the rising of the Sunne. GA praier for the moming. G4 Precepts at thy going foorth of thy Chamber. C4, bk. Meditations in the washing of ones face and hands, C55, bk. A praier to be said at the 1g of ones face and C6, Meditations before and at dinner. C7. A praier before meate, 8. Directionshow aChristian should fe at the table. Dr iuing to God after D2 litations after dinner. D 3, bk. ns how to behaue thy selfe before and after Supper. D4 bk. A thankes giuidg [17] to God pper, D6, bk. A thankesgiuing to God after Supper. D 7. Directions of Christian behauiour after Supper. D8. + Meditations when thou comest into thy chamber. E2, bk. tA Prayer when ‘cometh ypon one. sleepe E6. A Praier when one awakes out of sleepe. E 6, bk. +Meditations when oneawak- eth out of sleepe. E 7. +A Praier to be said at the breake of the day. E8. +Meditations at the appearing of the day. Fi. $A Praier when one ariseth forth of his bed. F 1, bk. +Meditations when one aris- eth out of his bed. F2, bk. +A pmier to be said at the putting on of a mans clothes. F3. ¢Christian directions for the Moming. + [Fresh Title.] ASsone / Treat. ‘ite, of praters | and Si tions ; | COMPRISING | briffe summe of all suck [ things 28 ‘we stand | in need of in this | Jife. | By the same Author. | P.S, Gent. /(F 5, back, blank.) F6, +A Praier for the Moming. 7. +A Prayer for the Euening. ¥ 8, bk, +A generall confession of our sins to God the Father, neces- sary to be said at all times. G 3, bk, A confession of our sinnes to ‘Christ Tesus our sautiour, with desire of forgiuenes. itfull praier to God the holie Ghost. G6, bk. A Praier for the Queenest Maiesti G8, bk. A praier to be said of all such as be maiestrates and rulers in ‘the common wealth. H 2, A praier for the increase of faith. 113, bk. A praier against the deuill, the world and the flesh. H 4, bk, A praier for Gods direction in all things which we take in hand. H 5, bk, A praier for a competent and ‘a necessarie lining. H 7, bk. A praier for grace that wee may vse our wealth to the glorie of God. Fs. © Kings, ed. x610, which also alters her to Ais, and (our souereigne) ‘Ladle and gouernesse! to ‘Lord and gonermer! t From tke 1610 edition, my copy of the x39 one being iiperfects [Continued at back of Title}A pertect Pathway. to Felicitie, Containing godlie Meditations, and Pray- ers, fit for all times, and neceffarie to be prac- ticed of all good Chriftians. AT LONDON, Imprinted by Humfrey Townes, dwelling on Bread Street hill, at the figne of the Star. 1610.CONTENTS OF STUBBES’S PATHWAY, 1592, 1610. Ir. A praier to be said of women with childe. 13, A praier for godly wisedome, 14, bk. A praier against all kind of enemies, 16, A praier when one taketh a iour- ney in hand. 17, bk. A thanksgiuing to God after ones returue home from his foumey. Kr. A praier for euerie subiect of a comnion wealth. K 2, bk. A praier to be said of those that be vnmaried, XK 3, bk. A praier to be said of those that are maried. K 5, bk. A praier to be said of those that be maisters of housholds, K 7. A pier to be said of seruants. K& A praier to obtaine the grace and fauour of God. L2, A praier to God for a quiet con- L3, bk. A praler for a true and liuely faith, L 4, bk. A praier for loue and charitie, LO. A praiet ageinst pride, and for sumilitie. L7._A praier for a good name. 1-8, bk. A praier for patience in sicle- nesses M2. A praier for the assistance of ‘The first edition of 1592 en 1592. uerlasting GOD bee all /honour, glorie, prayse do/!minion power, and thanks/giuing for evermore, Amen, Visi Deo & trina sit, omnis gloria FINIS. [Omament.] Gods holie Angels in any extremitic or neede whatso- ever. M43, bk. A praier against sudden death, 'M 5. A praier for one that is sicke, and at the poynt of death, M7, Dk, A praier for those that be rich and wealthie, N 1, bk. A praier for those that bee poore and needie. Nj. A praier for the increase and preseruation of the fruits of the earth. N 4, bk. A praier against couetousnes N 6, bk. A praier to be said before the reading, studying, or hearing of Gods word. N 8A praier against swearing. 01, bk. A praier against drunken. snesse. 03, A praier against slouthfulnesse and idlenesse. 04, A praicr for those that are per- ‘secuted for the truth. 06, bk. A praier for Godly wisedome, 0 7, bk. A praier forgrace to be mind- full to Px, bk, $A Thanks-giuing to God forall his graces and blessings Destowed vpon vs. ids on the back of sign. P 5. 1610, and euerlasting GOD, be all honour, glorie, praise, might power maiestie and A dominion, now and for euer. Amen. (1) A Praier for the Church. © Singular louer of vs, Christ Tesu, O Bride- groome to whom thy Church i most deare, and which hast promised that thou wilt ne- uer faile her: increase her; The after prayers in ed. 1610 are:—(2) A Prayer for the forgiuenes of sinnes (P6, back). (3) Another (Q3). (4) Prayse and _ (5) Prayer for Gods mercy towards vs (Q 5, back). (6) A Prayer, in meditating on Christs Passion (R 4, back), (7) Another i 5). (8) A Prayer to Christ in glove, (R 6, Back}. (9) A Prayer before the hearing of Gods word (R §). (10) A Prayer for Gods Grace (S 2). (11) A Prayer for conficlence in Godt alone (S3, back). (12) A Prayer for true enlightning (S 4, back). (13) A Prayer that’ the olde man may die in vs (S 6, back). (14) A. Prayer to be vsed by the sicke (T 2). (15) A Prayer, in the time of Pestilence (T 5). Finis. (17 front). Back of T 7, and T’8, blank, tho’ with borders. 2 sign. Ps, back. a ——To the right worthipfull, vertwous, and godlie Gentle- woman, Miftreffe Katherine Milward, moft faithful fpoufe to the no lefle worfhipfull, wife and religious Gentleman, Mafter /illi- am Milward. Efquire, P. 8. witheth all happie facceffe in this life, with in- creafe of worthip, and in the life to come, eternal felicity in the Heanenly Hierachie by Tefus Chrift. Io things peraduenture (Right Worfhipfull) ‘may be maruailed at, concerning this little Look: 2a namely, firfi, why T have pub- Tifhed it, confidering the great number of Books, either of the fame, or verie like Argument, extant in thefe dayes. Secondly, wherfore I hawe dedicated it rather vnto® you then to anie other. For the firjt, I proteft before God, who knoweth the fecrets of all hearts, I haue not publifhed it, either for vain glory, lucre, or Againes, nor yet for any other priuate refpel of my owne whatsoeuer ; but at the inflant requeft and earneft defire of one of my verie good friends, and alliance alfo, who yet being liuing, & the onely man that hath borne the whole charges of the impreffion thereof, both can, & I Know will (if need fhould require) infiifie the fame againf! any that Sriold Sauerre the contrarie. And for the fécond, when I confidered with my felfe how much bound I hawe alwaies bene to your worship L sign, V3. 2 sign, 1 3, backs 3 vnso orige « sign. 4. 6 sign. 9 4, back.A perfect Pathway to Felicity. *Precepts at thy going forth of thy Chamber. HEN thou goeft foorth of thy chamber, salute thy bed fellow (if thou haft anie), giuing him the time of the day, and in meeting others doe the like (for ciuilitie requireth it). And when thon commeft into the prefence of thy Parents, not onely salute them, but alfo fall downe vpon thy knees before them, 2and defire them to praie to God to bless thee. When thou haft fo don, wath thy face & thy hands, & keep thy body cleane and neat: in the doing wherof, meditate thus with thy felfe. Meditations in the wafhing of ones face and hands. § y° filthines and pollution of my bodie is wathed & made clean by y¢ element of water ; fo is my Sbodie and foule purified and wafhed from the fppots & blemithes of fin, by the precious blood of Iefus Chrift. Think, alfo, this wathing putteth me in remembrance of my baptifin, of my {pi ual birth and regeneration, whereby I am not onelie borne anew by the operation of the Holy-ghoft, but alfo am fealed yp to eternall faluation, thorowe the redemption that is in Chrift. Thefe Meditations ended, pray as followeth : 4A praier to be faid at the wa- JShing of ones face & hands. Of gratious God, and louing Father, who haft giuen thy onelie begotten Son Iefus Chrift, to fuffer death vppon the Croffe for my redemption; graunt, I moft intirely befeech thee, for his fake, that as this my bodie is now wathed 1 sign. C4. 2 © 4, back, oly 45, back.UN SSSeSSP2RHSSHRHLLLLVLSSL]LVLLVEK 216 A perfect Pathway and made cleane by the element of materiall water, fo my body and foule maie both bee purified & purged from all vneleanneffe and filt nefle of fine, thorow the efficacie of thy fonne his moft precious bloud. Thefe things thus ordered, go forth to thy labours in the feare of God, doing all things to his glorie, and the good of thy brethren, . Lee2e2 Direétions how a Chriftian fhould behaue himfelfe at the Table. Hen thou commeft to the Table, thew all obeyfance and curtefie, behauing thy felfe modeftlie, humbly, and foberly, as in the prefence of God. Eate fo much as nature requireth, not how much infatiable appetite defireth. Be {pare, as well of hande as tongue. Let thy countenance be amiable and pleafant toward all men. Let all thy communication bee feafoned with falt, as the Apofile fpeaketh, that it maie gine grace to the hearers, remembring that wee mutt gine accounts at the daie of indgement for euerie idle word. Vie not to laugh much, to ieft, or {coffe, to flonte or mocke, to deride, backbite, or 4detraét anie man behinde his backe, but in all things fo demeanor thy felfe, that thou maift neither difhonour thy God, nor give either offence or euill example ynto any at the table. Dinner being ended, giue God thanks as followeth. A Thankf-giuing to God ofier dinner, Of holy-father, Lord of heauen & earth, I giue thee thankes in the name of Tefias Chrift for all thy benefites and bleffings in mercy beftowed ypon mee euer fince I was borne. And nainelie, O Father, I praife thee for feeding my hungry body, as alwaies heretofore, fo now prefentlie at this time, with earthlie foode; befeeching thee to feede my foule likewife with the 2 sign. D. sign, D, back. WSSRVSSLSTHSHHVVVHVVSVVLSSVSHVVHSAHVHTSAVAVVE7SS: VOLKLLSLKHASSSHSLHSHHHHHAHAAANARTSHRVKHEVELESEES HASSHHS HHH HHHH ASH AHVaALVAaTSEKto Felicity. celeftiall foode of thy holie word. And TJ pray thee, good Lord, that as thou haft giuen vnto mee the vie of thefe earthly creatures in great meafure, fo thou wilt in mercie vouchfafe to giue vnto me the continual fupply of all my neceflities & wants, needfull either for my foule, or bodie, to the end, and in the end, thorow Tefus Chrift our *A Thanks-giuing to God before Supper. a7] Ather of mercie, and God of all truth, looke a O70 downe, I befeech thee, from the throne of thy hheauenly palace vpon vs thy humble feruants, albeit moft wretched and miferable finners: fanctifie both our bodies & foules, by the preferice of thy holie Spirite, and bleffe thefe thy creatures vnto vs: give them ftrength to nourifh our bodies, and our bodies their naturall powers and force, euerie member to performe his office and dutie, according as thou haft appointed, & as thou feeft to bee beft for thy glorie, and the fuftaining and repairing of our ruinous and weake natures. And we praie thee, good father, alfo, to feede our foules with the celeftiall Manna of thy bleffed worde, and bring vs once to fappe with thee in the kingdome of heauen, thorow the precious bloud of Iefus Chrift. Then fall to thy meate reuerently, as before at dinner, hauing al- waies a diligent eye, that thou abufe not the good creatures of GOD, by gluttony, drunkenefle, gourmandife, or any other kinde of riot or exceffe. Remember that nature is fatiffied with a little; and what is more then will suffice nature is fuperfluous; and one daie thou thalt be accomptable for it to the great Iudge of all the earth. Thy body beeing fatiffied, forget not to relietie the neceffities of the Saints, according to thy abilitie, that God maie bleffe thee, & multiplie thy fore. When Supper is ended, giue god thanks, either as followeth, or otherwife, as the fpirit of God shall illuminate thy heart. 1 sign. D2. 3 sign. D 4, back. 3 Ends D 6, front,1A Thankf-giuing to God 2 218 A perfect Pathway ‘a! eo = ofter Supper, render all praife & thankf-giuing to thy foueraigne maieity, for all thy benefites and bleffinges fo plenti- fully beftowed vppon vs. And namelie® we thanke thee (holy father) for thefe thy good creatures, which et vs thankefull for them, & pardon our vnthankfulneffe, for Iefus <@\ Chrift his fake. Finally, make ys all thy true, obedient, & faith- tebe full feruants, and bring vs to euerlafting life in thy good time, for thy ‘@)\ great mercies fake in thy beloued, Amen, Direétions of Chriftian behaui- our after supper. He reft of the time after Supper, vatill thou goeft to bedde, {pend with thy familie, either in finging of Pfalmes and fpirituall fongs, finging and making ferring, reafoning, difputing, and talking of the word f@® of God, in reading, expounding, or interpreting of the fame. Then, S@\ when time calleth thee to goe to bed, call thy whole housholde together WX in foe conuenient place, make publike confelfion of your finnes to God the Father, craue “pardon and forgiueneffé for Iefus Chrifts fake, BN and prsie for grace to bee able to reff fin hereafter, with all meats, fed 26 & allurements leading thereunto, W! @) chamber, reuoluing with thy felfe thefe and the like things following. ich done, repaire to thy ‘e' 1D6,back. * especially. * D7, back, * sign. D 8, EGG G9 G9 99 D999 99 59 99 99 999) melodie to the Lord in your hearts; or elfe in con- \ PEE EES ea thou haf at this prefent in full meafure giuen vnto vs, Oh Lord, make Ye iri ir PRD KHLNERL SIR BITUMEN A perfect Pathway SAE » S ° A Prayer when {leepe com- meth upon one. Oft mercifull Father, with whome there is no difference of time, nor yarietie of chaunge, feeing thou haft appointed the daie for man to trauaile in, and the Inight for him to take his naturall reft, I befeech thee that as my bodie hath beene occupyed and employed this daie in the labours of this life, fo it maie receiue by thy proteétion quiet reft and fleepe this night, that I may be the abler to goe forwarde in the exercife of good works, in the reft of my life that I haue to liue, to the praife and glorie of thy bleffd name: and in this my fleepe defend mee, I befeech thee, from all perilles 2and daungers, and from all the force and vio- lence of mine enemies both fpirituall and corporall. And as it maie pleafe thee to graunt to my bodie quiet reft and fleepe ; fo let it be thy good pleafure to make my foule watchfull and vigilant to waite vpon thee, and diligently to looke for the comming of thy deare fone Tefus Chrift ynto iudgement for my redemption. Keepe me from all fearefull dreams and vifions, from all phanta‘fticall apparitions & diuelith illufions of the wicked enemie, from all carnall pollations & -vngodlie faggeftions of the wicked fpirite. Finally graunt, that both my bodie and my foule, refting vnder thy diuine proteétion, may be fafe from all enmitie & hoftilitie whatfoeuer, and at the laft maie attaine euerlafting life, thorough Iefus Chrift, my onelie Sauiour & Redeemer. This done, difpofe thy felfe to reft, com‘mitting both thy bodie and foule into the hands of God, praying him to be thy watch- man that night. Then defcend thou into the fecrets® clofets and priuie chambers of thine heart, fearch euery place, and ranfacke euerie corner; and if thou findeft anie filthineffe or vncleanneffe therein (as indeed thou fhalt finde nothing elfe) wath it away with the teares of repentance, & make it cleane with the broome of contrition. Then thinke thus with thy felfe; ‘My bed dooth reprefent vnto me my 1 sign. E 3, 2 sign. E 3, back. § sign, B 4. 4 seoretest? oy secret 5 4, back, OEs, LELERLOVR BALMER OR ALLMRIT LT GOL FOOFEWU FEMS E LE OS FEL SEMEL EOD RL GOR ELLAARE MALLSserene ci -claaa 4 to Felicity. 227. tt = ey a ae §raue, wherein I muft once fleepe; and the clothes, the earth, where- withall I fhall fhortlie be couered in my fepulchre or graue: And as thefe fleas and gnats do bite & gnaw my fkinne, fo fhall the wormes eate and confume thé frame of my bodie, in the duft of the earth, when the Lord doth pleafe.’ When the morning beginneth to dawn, and the dayftarre to appeare, 1thinke thus; ‘As now the morning com- meth on, and the daie ftarre beginneth to appeare, fo fhall Chrift Tefus, the true morning ftar, fhew him{elfe at the time appointed of his Father, to iudge both the quicke and the dead.’ And when thou heareft the crowing of the Cocke, the founding of belles, or anie other noise whatfoeuer, think alwaies, that thou heareft the Trumpe of the Archangel found, faying, “Arife, you dead ®and come vato indge- © ment. When thou awakeft out of fleepe, praie to this effecte as fol- loweth. eos A Praier when one awakes out of fleepe. Freifull father, grant that as thou haft now awaked my earthly body out of this naturall fleepe, fo thou wilt alfo vouchfafe to raifé me vp from the fleep of fin, and in the a i general refurreétion of all *fleth, to eternall life, thorow Tefus Chrift my only Sauiour & Redeemer... . . . PEPE LS eee *Chriftian direétions for the Morning. Hen thon haft attired thyfelfe decently and comely, not pompoufly, nor proudly, goe forth of thy Ee chamber, and if thou beeft a matter of a houfehoulde, call thy familie together, confefle your finnes, craue os pardon for Tefus Chrift his fake, pray for grace to be refift finne hereafter, prayfe God for all his benefites and bleffings in mercie beftowed vppon you, pray for continuance of them. Thanke him for your prote@tion that night, befeeching him to prote& you that day, and to bleffe all your workes and labours. And fifnally, defire him 1 Es, back. 1B6. 2 E6, back, ¢ on sign. F 3. pan ab as eee ae eas ean ORa SS222 A perfect Pathway to Felicity. to keepe and defend you that day, and euer, from all perils and dangers, both bodily and ghoftly whatfoeuer, and to bring you to cuerlafting life at the time appointed, through the precious blood of Tefus Chrift. This done, goe forth to thy labours in the feare of God, doing all things with fingle eie and good confeience, to the praife of him that made thee ; being affured that as in mercie hee will not leaue the leaft 1 good worke that wee do, vnrewarded ; fo in iuftice hee will not leaue the leaft euill that wee doe commit, either in thought, word, or deed, vnpunithed, except we repent. To God, therefore, our Father, to Chrift Tefus our Sauiour and redeemer, and to God the Holie-ghoft our Comforter and Sanctifier, three perfons and one true and euerliuing God, bee all honour, glorie, praife, dominion & thanks- giuing for euermore. Amen. 1 4 back,3 : = 2 a ue Py Sey RT Treatife, of praiers and Supplica- trons ; COMPRISING a brief fumme of all fuch things as we ftand in need of in this life. By the fame Authour, PiomGent, : : :224 A perfect Pathway to Felicitie. pees ee M a =) 1A Praier for the Queenes a Maieftie, big a E render all prayfe and thanks to thee, oh?king #4 of all kings, and gouernour of all things, for that in the multitude of thy mercies thou haft vouchedfafe to place ouer vs thy little flock, fo godly & vertuous a guide, fo gracious & wife a princes, as the worlde nener had her peere. i SAK WARES +\ 5 And we humblie pray thee, holie father, with thy fauourable coun- ‘ tenance to beholde the fame thy feruant, our fouereigne Ladie and gouerneffe. And fo fanétifie her heart with the grace of thy *holie fpir[i}te, that thee maie bend all her ftudie and indeuour to y* fetting yt forth of thy glorie, y* maintenance of thy holie religion, the aduaunce- ew ment of true vertue and godlines, the fupplanting of vice and com- moditie of this her maiefties common weale vnder thee: kindle in her a feruent zeale of thy glory and a vehement desire to eftablith whatfoeuer is defeétiue or wanteth in this thy Church & vineyard 7] in England, for the *true & fincere difeipline & gouernment of thy i d church & common welth. Saue and defend her from al forreigne i “= 2Ee7; power, & authoritie, from all traitterous con{piracies, plots and prac- a tifes, either of papifts, Atheiffs, or any other feGaries whatfoeuer. Giue her goalie wile, & religious counter, fuch as may refpee yg onlie thy glorie, that her maieftie ruling acording to thy wil, they counfelling according to the infpiration of thy holy fpirit, °and we i : her fubiects faithfully obeying, may altogether in the end receiue the =; incorruptible crowne of eternall glorie in the heauenlie Hierufalem, 3 thorow Iefus Chrift our Lord, Amen, 1 From ed. 1592, sign. G6, back. ? sign. G7. G7, back, © sign, G & ° G8, back, SS RU ET eee eeeA perfect Pathway is nothing, without the continencie of the minde, bridle therefore, I — befeech thee, all the motions and affeétions of my heart; that I, ban- ‘\ ithing all wicked thoughts and yncleane imaginations out of 1my mind, may live in all holy innocencie, puritie, and integrity, both of Bodie & foule, vnto my liues ende, thorow the efficacy, power, & ftrength of the pretious bloud of Tefus Chrift, Amen. A Prayer to bee faid of thofe that be maried. eC Father, wee are taught by thy facred word, the breath of thy own mouth, that after *thou had@t created all things, the laft of all other thou createdft man, & woman of a rib of his fide, giuing her vnto him in holy wedlocke, adding vnto them thy blefling, faying: ‘Increafe and multiplie, and replenith the earth:’ I giue thee moft humble & harty thanks, for that it hath pleafed thee to call me to the honorable ftate of mariage. And I moft heartily befeech thee that we may live together in thy true faith, feare, and loue, all the daies of our liues. Giue ys grace, the one to loue the other, & both of vs to loue thee, and our brethren for thy fake. Keepe vs (good lord) farre from all wicked ielofie, hatred, malice, and con_ tention one with the other. And as our bodies are incorporate to- gither, and become, as it were, but one bodie ; fo vouchfafe, holy father, that as thy owne Turtle doues, we may liue togither in chaftitie and continencie, both of bodies and mindes, * without defrauding one the other. And if it pleafe thee to bleffe vs with children, gine vs grace to bring them vp in fach holy exercifes, difeipline, and learning, as thou requireft of vs in this life. Grant that wee may labour and tranaile, either of vs in our vocation, that by thy bleffing, we may al- waies haue fufficient to maintain our eftates withall in thy holie feare ; that wee be not chargeable to others, but lining forth of debt Sand 1 sign. K 3, back, * sign. K 4. 3 sign. K 4, back. * sign. K 5, ® sign, K 5, back.228 A perfect Pathway faithfully, uftlie, and trulie towards all men, in all things, and not to inrich my felfe by picking, ftealing, imbezeling, purloyning, or conueying anie thing from anie man by any finifter praétice 1whatfo- euer; but fo to behaue my felfe towards all men, as there may be no fault found in me: that thy name may be glorified, and my faluation in Chrifi Iefus fealed vp vnto mee. Grant this, O Lord, for thy mercies fake, Amen. ..... *\ Prayer in the time of Peftilence. T is no marueile, O moft righteous Father, that the elements of this worlde are fierce againft vs, fometime with earthquakes, fometime with tempefts & lightnings, fometimes with ouerflowing Sof Seas & Riuers, fome- time with peftilent concourfes of the heauenlie lights, and fome- time with corruption of the infeéted ayre: for we do comnionly fe ¢ abufe thy gifts. We acknowledge, that euen in this cafe alfo the creatures ferne and obeie their Creator, whofe commandements wee negleét fo oftentimes. Alfo wee acknowledge thy fatherlie nurturing of vs, whereby thou calleft vs backe from ‘the truft of this world with gentle correction, and draweft vs to the defire of the euerlafting life. We humblie befeech thee to remember thy mercy euen in thy wrath, and fauorablie to withdrawe the affliétions which thou haft laid vpon vs in thy difpleafure. The infection of y* peftilence thall do vs no great harm, if we withdrawe our felues from the infedion of finne. But both thofe things are of thy gift, O 5Father of mercie, namelie, 1 a5 well to haue our mindes free from the poyfon of finne, as to haue Nour bodies fafe from y¢ infeétion of y* plague. Such as haue faftened the Anchor of their hope in this life, are wont in their perils to flie for remedie to fuch fhifts as thefe: namely, fome to certain Saints, as to S. Rooke, or S. Anthonie; and fome to the pernicious Art of witchcraft. Ys But we, who are fully perfuaded that no man can efcape thy hand 1 sign. K 8. 2 On sign. T 5. 3 sign. T 5, back. « sign. T 6. 5 sign. T 6, back. 6 sign. T 7.FEDERER 230 A perfect Pathway to Felicitie. 1A praier to be faid of all fuch as be maicfirates and rulers in the common wealth. Orafmuch as it hath ple God, ruler of all kinges and *kingdoms, to con- fed thee, oh eternall ftitute and appoint me (though altogither vn- worthie) to be a ruler and gouernour of thy people vnder my foueraigne, I befeech thee, giue me grace, fo to execute my office, and minifter iuftice in the common wealth, that I maie pleafe thee in all things, iniurie no man, oppreffe no man, damnifie no man, neither in bodie, nor in. goods, but by thy gracious working, may indge inftly®, neither fauoring ‘the rich nor mightie for defire of gifts, nor yet difpifing the poore for want of rewardes, that I, seeking thy glorie, the aduauncement of thy holie word, and Gofpell, and the common benefite of all men, may be found accept able vnto thee in thy beloued, and may heare that fweete haruest fong5, ‘well, good feruant, thou haft beene faithfull in fall thinges of this life, (which are but vanities and trifles to the things in the life to come) enter into the ioy of the Lord’. Oh Lord, let it be fo, for Tefus Chrift his fake. Amen. 1 From ed. 1592, sign. G 8, back. Given for Justice Shallow’s sake, 2 sign. HL. 3 Compate 2 Henry FV, Act V. se. i. Davy. 1 beseech you, six, to countenance William Visor of Wincot against Clement Perkes of the hill. Shal. There are many complaints, Davy, against that Visor; that Visor is an arrant knaye on my knowledge. Davy. 1 grant your worship, that he is a knave, sir: but yet, God forbid sir, but a knave should have some countenance at his friend’s request. An honest man, sir, is able to speak for himself, when a knave is not. Lhave served your worship truly, sir, these eight years; and if I cannot once or twice in 4 quarter bear out'a knave against an honest man, I have but a very little credit with your worship. ‘The knave is mine honest friend, sir; therefore, I beseech your worship, let him be countenanced. ‘Shal, Goto; Tsay, he shall have no wrong. Look about, Davy. [2xit Davy] 4H 1, back. © sung, ed. 15923 song, ed. 1610. SENSE TT DEAE