When Lady Jane Grey Dudley went to the scaffold to face execution on 12 February 1554, she carried with her a small prayerbook. According to an account of the execution published in the summer of 1554, in the moments before her death Jane handed the book to Thomas Brydges (Bridges), brother of Sir John Brydges, himself the lieutenant of the Tower of London. She had already inscribed the book to Thomas’s brother, the ‘good Master Lieutenant’, as seen below at Folio 74.

     The book has survived to the present day, though its full content has never before been published. From Mr Brydges, the book eventually passed into the extensive collection of Robert Harley and his son Edward, first and second Earls of Oxford. The second earl left the collection to his wife and daughter upon his death in 1741. They, in turn, sold the collection to the British nation in 1753 in order to help found the British Museum. Following the establishment of the separate British Library system in 1973 and the opening of the British Library facility at St Pancras in 1998, the prayerbook has been a part of the permanent Treasures of the British Library exhibition in the Sir John Ritblatt Gallery on the main floor.

     The book is in very fragile condition, to be expected in light its 460-plus years of age. It is therefore on display only periodically. When not on display, it is held in a climate-controlled vault deep beneath street level. Access to the book is strictly prohibited, even for scholars and historians. Instead, the British Library many years ago produced a microfilm of the entire book. Though the film is of rather poor quality, due in part to primitive filming techniques at the time the microfilm was created, it remains the only way in which the entire book can be viewed.

     The book itself has suffered considerable damage over the years, long prior to being microfilmed. Curious hands have left their smudges, pages have been crumpled, liquids have soaked some pages, and the ink has faded away and/or leeched through the pages in many places. As a result, many of the pages cannot be read in full, especially toward the front of the volume.

     The book is very small ... less than three inches in both height and width. It was hand-written on rag paper by at least three different scribes. The dominant penmanship style is a variation of Gothic blacklettering called ‘littera cursiva formata’. The pages are inconsistently decorated, or ‘illuminated’, suggesting that the book may have been created in stages or assembled using portions of other, separate books. From folio 1 through folio 61, the decoration is limited to the first letter of individual prayers. Between folios 62 and 137, there is a marked increase in the frequency of decoration together with a change in style, with the first letter of each sentence colorfully painted and various motifs added into empty spaces between sentences. After folio 137, all decoration ceases entirely and the handwriting changes dramatically to an unembellished common handwriting style resembling what is referred to by historians as ‘secretarial script’.

A New Note on the Provenance of the Prayerbook:
     On 30 April 2011, I received an email alerting me to an exciting possibility regarding the origins of Jane Grey’s prayerbook. A correspondent wrote to elicit my opinion on a new claim by Dr Janel Mueller, emeritus William Rainey Harper Professor in English Language & Literature at the University of Chicago, that the prayerbook was actually written by Queen Katherine Parr entirely in her own hand. Mueller further claims that Parr gave the book to Jane around the time of Parr’s death in September 1548.

     Following the release in June 2011 of Professor Mueller’s book on Parr’s writings (Katherine Parr: Complete Works and Correspondence), I discovered that Mueller offered little evidence to support her claim. She seems to have relied heavily on a similar prayerbook now held at the town hall in Kendal, Cumbria (England), yet the authenticity of any link between that book and Parr has never been demonstrated. Mueller does not offer within her study the kind of detailed paleographical analysis required to sustain her assertion.

     I had never before investigated the precise origins of the prayerbook, but the email and Mueller’s published claims stimulated me to conduct my own review of the evidence. Certainly the Kendal prayerbook bears a close resemblance to Jane Grey’s prayerbook, but in the current complete absence of any documentation confirming that Parr ever actually owned the Kendal book, much less penned it herself, the most we can conclude is that the two books are similar, nothing more.

     I can tentatively agree with Professor Mueller’s assertion, however, that the handwriting on the last five folios or leaves of Lady Jane’s prayerbook (folios 137r.–141r.) may be that of Katherine Parr. It is therefore remotely possible that Katherine Parr once owned the prayerbook. But I must disgaree with Mueller regarding the penmanship of the vast majority of the text. The handwriting in the prayerbook bears numerous fundamental and marked differences in individual letter-forms when compared to Parr’s own hand. This is especially evident in the formation of the letter r, as well as in the tails of all g’s and y’s. The forms are the result of habitual, almost ‘instinctive’, pen motions made by the writer, motion governed largely by deep-seated motor memory that would require conscious, deliberate effort to alter. Thus I must conclude that Parr did not write out the content of Harley 2342 in her own hand. It is far more likely that the book was penned by a professional scribe. Whether or not Parr once owned the book and gave it to Jane Grey must remain a matter of conjecture.

     Perhaps originally bound in a custom-made binding of gold similar to the one seen above, the book is now in a later eighteenth-century binding made to match the other volumes owned by the Harley Earls of Oxford. The original binding has been lost.

     The pages of the volume were not originally numbered. At some point in the modern era, page numbers were inserted in pencil in the upper right-hand corner of the front side (recto) of each folio, or ‘page’. The back (verso) of the folio remains un-numbered. Some numbers were inadvertently repeated. For example, there are two successive folios numbered ‘4’. The penciled numbering found in the book is used in the transcription below, unaltered and uncorrected.

     The left-hand column below is an exact transcription of the book, with the original spelling, letter forms, spacing, and punctuation retained. Letters or portions of words commonly denoted by standard symbols of abbreviation are shown in [square brackets] in the transcript. Editor’s notes pertaining to textual issues are contained in {curved brackets}. Words between ^carats^ appear as superscript insertions in the original. All other marks are found in the original.

     The right-hand column presents the text using modern spelling and punctuation, though original word choice and syntax remains largely unchanged, except where necessary to clarify archaic word meanings.

     The content of the prayerbook is necessarily deeply religious in nature. Its presentation here is intended simply to make the document available to students and researchers. No assessment of the theology of the text is intended or implied.

we have often redde of his
wepinge but neuer of his
laughing. When he was
but a childe he was sought
to haue byn dystroyed
after {faded}
{faded}
suffered the hartes of {blot}
folk[es] he was solde and be
trayed of his owne dissiples
taken and {illegible}ssher of the
{blot}es {illegible} dyd no
{entire line blotted}

we have often read of his
weeping but never of his
laughing. When he was
but a child he was sought
to have been destroyed
after .............................
.....................................
suffered the hearts of ...........
folks he was sold and betrayed
of his own disciples
taken and ..............sher of the
........es ................ died no
......................................

{faded}sed aboute with {faded} wunce
spitte vpon beatyn w[i]th blowes
mocked Cursed crowned w[i]th
thornes betyn with {blot}
scordged naled {blot}
crosse naled {illegible}
of nayles in hys handes &
fete. of af{illegible} &
it all p{faded}ed w[i]th bloode
springynge oute of
wondes when at his dethe
he was {overexposed and illeglible}
{overexposed and illeglible}

and beinge so cruelli confound
he {faded}slered hym selfe a sacrefice
to god his father for vs all
who {overexposed and illeglible}
{overexposed and illeglible}
{overexposed and illeglible}
{overexposed and illeglible}
{overexposed and illeglible}
{overexposed and illeglible}
of enuyous {overexposed and illeglible}
{overexposed and illeglible}vyll
can be don vnto me which

my synnes hath not deserued
Therfor I will nto suffer greuo
usly that thinge which the
bestowed rightuously. but I
shal pray my lorde ^gode^ to graunt
me pasience in all thinges. &
in that pasience pourgynge
and forgeuenes of myne vn
graciousnes that he which
vouchesaued to make me par
taker of his paynes may also
makeme p[ar]taker of his glorie
accordinge to thapposteles

sayinge as the by {illegible} of his
passions so shal the be of his
compforte, And ageyne and
we die w[i]th hym saith he: we
shal all lyve w[i]th hym; And
yf we suffer with hym we
shal also raigne w[i]th hym
therfore whether we be pro
uoked w[i]th private envy: or els
ane vyolente power take away
our cyth or we haue cruell
sikenes or oftyn deth of oure
dere {illegible} or any other ad

uersitie chaunce vnto vs/ we
muste gyve thank[es] for all thing[es]
confesse and say: Lorde: thow
art Iuste and thie Iudgement
ys true: Reproue not the rebu
kinge of our lorde. For he
woudeth and gyueth medy
synce / he smyteth & hys hand[es]
shall hele Paule and Sa
lus beinge betyn with codd[es]
in macidone put in preson
and laide in feares sange
prayses to o[ur] lorde. and our

Lorde hymeselfe whan he
take the chealys & gaue thank[es]
to tech vs: to gyve thank[es] to
god as often as we be greved
and punisshed w[i]th any adver
sitie: for by the Challys ys
vnder{faded} the {faded}
of this worlde accordinge
to that sayeinge Lette this
Challes passe from me: there
fore lette thank[es] be gyven
vnto hym for all thing[es]: by
whose prouidence all thing[es]

do {illegible}by
that {illegible}ay be proved {illegible}
to pa {illegible and faded}
not vnkynd {illegible and blotted} ame[n]
 
        A prayer {illegible and blotted}
        the love of my neighbo[ur]
Moste swete Lord Ihu
Criste which {blot}
tiste nothinge w[hi]che
the well done yf I {faded}
will and be ge{faded}
man which ha{faded}

{faded} harte. But lorde it ys
amech: gretter thinge and
liker to thie meste highe
ben[n]ignitie yf I love myn
enymy and alweis will
good & do it yf I can to hym
which hath done me hurte
this procedeth of thie grace
and goodnes no thinge is
liker to the in nature then
that man which is gentill
& peaseble to his yll wil
lers and enymyes that

hurte hym: For he that loueth
his enemyse folow[i]th the: w[hi]che
dideste love vs and not on
ly didest love vs but also
woldeste then die for vs: the
moste s{faded}mfull deth: and
dideste pray for thie {blot}
Also thow haste commau[n]ded
vs to love o[ ur] enymyse as it
vs {illegible}
{illegible} good to them which
hate vs {faded} the rewarde
that thow p[ro]miseste folow[i]th

to th{faded}ye may be ^the^ chil
dren of the my fader w[hi]ch ys
yn heuyn : for o[ur] lorde Ihu
Criste whose propertie ys
to haue mercy and to for
gyve. The only and hole
prose of love ys: yf we love
hym which is ageynste
the and letteth o[ur] welth
Also love the w{faded} to be p[ro]
ued by the only con[n]ceaue
of hate. Wherfore as may
the ouer com with wordely

prosperyte: so ys the devyll
ouercom w[i]th love of a[n] enymy
O Lorde Ihu Christe moste
mercifull in love and most
lovynge in mercy I know
that separattinge from the
vs deth of the sowle & contry
wise k{faded}ynge to the {blot}
vs lyfe. Therefore as euery
man naturally loveth his
bodyly helth and ferethe
deth. So likewise he ought
to love newe ^the^ love and eschew

hate. For he that hathe not
that love remayneth in deth
of some and dett[or] of et[er]nal
deth. O moste merciful lord
Ihu Christe. from whom love
cannot be baneshed: although
those thyng[es] be not hyd from
the which I moste wicked
synner haue commyted &
yf I confesse with my harte
and mouth that I haue
lyved vngraciously, and by
the reasen of my malles and

iniquitie I haue lacked trew
love. besides other thinges
lorde which I haue evill
conceaved & done I haue
hated myne enymy. And
although I knewe by thy co[m]
maundement that I ought to
love hym yet I have dispised
and sette lytell by thy com
maundement[es] I haue concea
ued hatefull dyspleasure a
geynste many and after the
conceavinge there of I haue

fulfilled the {faded} my harte
and mynde And although at
sum tyme I performed it not
in dede yet I purposed to hai
betinge& selaunderinge. Ther
fore moste petifull lorde Ihu
Christe helpe me through
thy blessed and mercifull
love grauntinge me forgy
venes. And that I maye
amend my myserable life/
and so loue the and all other
for thie sake. That love may

neuer {large blot}
into life {large blot}Amen
 
O holy trynitie the
father the sonne the
holy goste Thre
eagall coeternall persons &
one god almyghty: haue m[er]cy
vpon me vyle abiecte: abo
mynable synfull wretche:
Mekely knowlegynge befor

thy hye maieste my longe
contynued synfull life / euen
fro[m] my childhed hetherto/
thow good gratious lorde as
thow gyueste me thy grace
to knowledge them/ so gyve
me thie grace not in only
woorde but in harte also. w[i]th
sorowful contrition to repente
them and vtterly to forsake
them. Forgyf me these syn[n]es
also {blot} myn owne
defa{blot} throwe euyl affecti

ons and {blot} enstunce my
reson is w[i]th sensualitie so blyn
ded that I cannot disserve
them for synn. And illumen
good lord myn h[ar]te & gyue me
grace to knowlege them. And
for gyue memy syn[n]es
necligently for getten And
bringe them to my mynde
w[i]th grace in be p[ro]perly confes
sed {illegible}{blot}savyour god
gyue me from hens forthe
thie grace w[i]th litell respecte

vnto the worlde so to sette & fixe
fermely my harte vpon the
that I may say w[i]th the blessed
Apostell Saunte Paule. the
worlde ye crufified to me & I
to the worlde Criste is to me
life/ & to dye ys my gayne &
adv[a]untage: I desire to be lewsed
and to be w[i]th Christe/ Lorde
gyue me thi grace to amend
my lyfe and to haue an eye
to myne ende w[i]thoute anye
grudge or fere of deth which

to them that die in the good Lord
ys the gate of a welthy lyfe
Almyghty god tech me to do
thy will: Take my right hand
and lede me into the {faded}
for myn enymys. Drawe me
after the. bynd my mouth w[i]th
asnafel & bridell when I wy[ll]
not drawe vnto the. O
gratius god al synful fere
all synfull sorowe and
pensiuenesse all synful
hope/ all synfull myrth

{faded} frome on the other
side/ concernynge such fere/ such
hevynes/ suche co[m]fort co[n]solacon
& gladnes/ as shalbe p[ro]fitable to
my sowle / do w[i]th me according
to thie greate goodnesse Good
Lorde gyue me grace in all
my fere and agony to haue
recourse to that great fere
and wonderfull agony
that thowe my Swete
Savyour haddest at the
mounte of olyuet before thi

moste bytter passion and in the
meditaton {faded} of to co[n]ceave
gostely co[m]forte & consolacon
p[ro]fitable for my soule Almyghty
god take fro[m] me al vayneglori[ous]
myndes: all apetit[es] of myne
owne prayse: al enuy: couetusnes
^glotony^ slewth: & lechery: all wrathfull
affection[es]: all aptite of reven
ginge: all desire or delite of
other fok[es] harme: all pleasure
in provokynge any parsen to
wrath and anger: all delite of

tauntinge or mockynge any
parsons in their affliction or trou
bles And gyue me good lord an
humble lowly get pesable pa
tient cheritable kynd tendre &
petyfull mynde in all my wor
kes, all my wordes, and all
my thought[es] to have acceste
of thye holye blessed sprite,
Gyve me good Lorde a full
faithe, a ferme hope, a fervent
Cherytye, A Love to
the Good Lorde incomperable

aboue the loue of my selfe and
that I loue no thinge to thie dis
pleasure, but every thinge
in ad{damaged} order to the: Syne
me good lorde alongynge to
be w[i]th the not s{faded}he advoydi[n]ge
of the {faded}yties of this wret
ched worlde not so muche for the
aduoidynge of the pay[n]es
of helle nother so muche for
the atteynynge of the Ioyes
of hevyn in the respecte of
myne owne com[m]oditie as

{faded}for every love to the:
And bere me ^goode lorde^ this loue & fauo[ur]
which thinge my loue to the
warde ware it neuer so grete
coulde not but of thie greate
goodnes disserve. And p[ar]don
me good lorde that I am so
bolde to aske the so hye petici
ons beinge so vyle a synnfull
wretche and so vnworthy to
atteyne the loweste. but yet
^goode lorde^ suche they be as I am bounden
to desire & wisshe & shulde be

never the affectall desire of the
yf my manyfolde synnes
were not the lett. From which
O glorious tryn[n]ytie wicthe ser
ue of thie goodnes to wasshe
me w[i]th that blessed blood that
thow O swete sauyo[ur] Christe
sheddest oute of thy body
in the dyuers torment[es] of thye
moste bitter passyon Take fro[m] me
good lorde this lyke warme fas
sion or rather caye colde man[or]
of medytacons & this dulnes

he prayinge vnto the: and geue
me warme delyte and quietnes
in {damaged}kinge vpon the and
geue me thye grace {??} longe for
the and {damaged} although
{damaged} Christes
of {damaged} body
the {damaged}
save lorde to kepe vs this day
w[i]thoute synne have m[er]cy only
lorde have m[er]cy on vs lette
thy mercy bestywed vpon
vs as we have trysted in the

O lord in the haue I trysted
lette me neuer be confunded
eternally. Amen.
 
A prayer for {damaged}
{damaged}
haue mercy on me &
all them that bere
me evyll wyll and woulde
me harme And ther fault[es]
and myne to gether by suche
easy tender mercifull mercy
nessoas thyne Infynyte

{faded and damaged}
vouchesafe to amend & redres
and make vs
{faded and damaged} to gether where we m{hidden by binding}
w[i]th the and thy blessed saintes
O gloreus {illegible}for thie bytt[er]
passion of oure swete sauyo[ur]
Criste. Amen.
 
Lorde geve me pacy
ens in tribulation
grace in euery thi[n]g

to conferme my will to thyn
that I may truly saye thye
wille be fulfilled in erth as
it ys in hevyn. The thing[es]
good lorde that I pray for
gyue me g[ra]ce to labo[ur] for. Ame[n]
 
O lorde god almighte w[hi]ch
longe arte saidest by the
mouth of Iames thyn Apostle
If any of you {blot}
hym ask it of {blot}
plenteously to a {blot}

noman in the tethe, & it shalbe gyuen
hym. Here my peticon for this thi
p[ro]mes sake. Lette my p[ra]yer ascende
lukely into thi sight like incense. Let
thou care be accent vnto my depe
desyre. Geue me wisdom w[hi]ch is eu[er]
assistent aboute thi seate. And putte
me not out fro[m] among thi children for
I am thi s[er]uant & the son of thi handmad
Oh send her I mene thi godli with
oute of thyn holi heauens & fro[m] the
trone of thi ma[j]esti th[a]t she may be w[i]th
me & lab[or] w[i]th me. th[a]t I may knowe

what is acceptable in thi sight Oh lern
me goodnes nurt[ur] & knowlege, for I
beleue thi com[m]andment[es]. Thow art
good & g[ra]cious, instruct me in thyn
ordinance. Let myn herti besichy[n]g
ascend into thi p[re]sens. Geve me vn
derstonding according to thi worde.
Oh geve me vnderstonding & I shall
kepe thi lawe, yee I shall kepe it w[i]th
all myn h[ar]te. Shewe me thie
{hidden by binding}avcs o Lorde, & teche me thy
patthes. Led me into thi trueth

& lerne me, for thow art the god
of my helth & on the do I depe[n]d
alwei . Here now my w[or]des O
Lord w[i]th w[hi]ch I haue cryed vnto
haue m[er]ci vpon me and grac
ously here me for Iesus
Crist[es] sake o[ur] Lorde whiche
lyueth and reygneth with
the hys father and the holy
goeste worlde with oute
ende. Amen. Lead me o lord
{same but smaller hand}
in thy way & lette me washe my {damaged}
Oh lette my h[ar]te delyte in fearing thi na {hidden by binding}
Ordre my going[es] after thi worde thi {hidden by binding}
keduce raign in me. kepe my stt {blot}
thi pathes lestt my fete turne {blot}
{blot}
 
{overall hand changes}

and learn me, for you are the God
of my health and on you do I depend
always. Hear now my words, O
Lord, with which I have cried unto,
have mercy upon me and graciously
hear me for Jesus
Christ’s sake, our Lord which
lives and reigns with
you his Father and the Holy
Ghost, world without
end. Amen. Lead me, O Lord

in your way and let me wash my ................
Oh let my heart delight in fearing your na.....
Order my goings after your word thi...........
keduce reign in me. Keep my st.................
your paths lest my feet turn .......................
................................................................

I myserable synner am not wor
thie to name or caule vpon nor
thynke on in my harte I hambly
besyche the good lorde mercyfulie
to looke on me thyne vnkynde
seruaunte and haue petie on me
lyke as thow haddeste petye and
Dydeste forgeue the woman of
Chanane, Mary magdaleyne the
Publican, and the thefe hanging
on the crosse. I confesse vnto the
moste m[er]cyfull father all my
synnes whiche yf I {faded}

nor hide frome the Forgeue me
my lorde Ihu chryste, where as
I wretched synner haue offended
the, in pride, in cuetousenes, in
slouthe, in wrathe, in enuye, in
glotenye, in lechery, in vayne glo
rye, in adulterie, in thefte, in lyng
in blasphemynge, in wanton
gestes and sportes, in heringe
in senige, in castinge, in felyng
in {faded}nge, in thinkinge,
in workinge, and in all in anne{illegible}
waies wherein I an vnstable

and frayle creature myghte
offende my maker by anny fa
ate or trepas. Therefore I by
syche thie mercy and goodnesse
whiche cam downe from he
uen to erthe for my soule helth
whiche also reysed vp kynge
Dauyd frome the faule of syn[n]
to forgeue me Forgeue me
good lorde whiche forgaueste
Peter that denyed & forsoke the
Thow arte my maker my hel
per my redemer my sauuor

my father, my lorde, my king
my god thow arte my hope
my truste my gouernaunce
my helpe my comforte my
strength my defence my de
lyveraunce my lyfe my
helth my resurrection
Thow arte my stave & my
Refuge my lighte my desire &
my socoure good lorde I besiche
the helpe me & I shalbe saffe,
gouerne me and defende me
Comforte me and confirme

me in gladnes Geue me light.
and viset me Renyue me th[a]t am
dede in synne Despise me nat
good lorde for I am the worke of
thi handes thi seruaunt I am thou
gh I be euell though I be a syner
& vnworthie, yet howeuer I be
good lorde I am thyne. To whom
than shoulde I fle good lorde, but
onelie to the. If thow caste me oute
who will receyue me, If thow
despise me, who will regarde me
Therefore good lorde though I be

vnworthie, vyle and vncleane,
yet knowlege me returnyng
againe vnto the For yf I be vyle &
filthie, thow mayste make me
cleane If I be blynde thow mayst
make me se agayne If I be seke
thow mayste make me me hole If I
be dede & buried in tyme thowe
mayste veuyus me For thi ma[jes]tye
is gretter than myne Inyquyte
th[o]u mayste forgeue more than I ca[n]
{faded} Therefore good lorde con
syder not the number of my faul[tes]

but according to the abyundauns
of thie petye, haue mercy on me
& be gracious vnto me moste
myserable synnar.
O Good lorde w[hi]ch saidest, I
will not th[a]t a synner shoulde dye
but rather that he shoulde lyue
and be conuerted to goodnesse
Say now vnto my soule, I am
thie helth, turne me good lorde
towarde the and be not desplea
sed with me
O moste mercyfull lorde &

father, I besiche the for thie Inestr
mable mercye and goodnesse
brynge me vnto a goode ende
Amen.
O blyssed Ihu make
me to loue the {illegible}plye
O moste mercyfull sauvo[ur] make
thow me to loue the. for w[i]thoute
the blyssed Ihu I cannot {faded}
wherefore I besiche the moste lo
uyng lorde make thow me to
loue the {faded}shall my

harte w[i]th all my mynde & withe
all my power & streu[n]gth.
O moste blissed Ihu, I woulde
fayne loue the. but I cannot w[i]th
oute thie helpe. O moste swete
Ihu my comforte and solace fa
yne woulde I loue the but w[i]thout
thie helpe I can do nothinge, my
great enemyes, the worlde, the
flesshe, and the feende, be right
fearce and cruell & euermore
Redye to lette me frome thi loue,
helpe me therefore good lorde

and strengthun w[i]th thie grace
so that I may euer loue the as
thie willst. O blyssed Ihu lett
me derelye considre the content[es]
of thie loue towardes me O my
lorde god almyghtie thow arte
my maker, thow arte my rede
mer, thow arte my sauyo[ur], thow
good lorde haste made me not
a stone w[i]thoute lyfe, nor of a tre
w[i]thoute sencyble parceyuyng,
nor a beeste withoute resonne,
but thow haste made me a p[er]fecte

creature hauyng lyfe sencyble
parceyuyng and reasonable vn
drestanding. Also thow haste
Redemed me not w[i]th corruptible
golde and silver. but w[i]th thie
moste precyous bloode. wherby
thow haste made me partaker
of thie grete glorie & Ioye in
heuen. Moreouer thow haste
preserued me frome myche yll
& yet daylie thow doeste preserue
me & norysshe ^me^ both bodely and
gostely. Graunte me myne

owne good lorde depely to plante
w[i]thin my breste, the remembrau
nce of this thie greate loue towa
rds me. O blyssed Ihu geue me
grace hartely to thank the for thi
benefites. O moste gracious
lorde I am full of fraylte & feble
as thow knoweste beste & vtterly
insufficyent of my selffe to ren
dre thank[es] vnto thie goodnesse
for my creacon, for my redem
con and conseruacon. Thow
therefore blyssed lorde Ihu

Receyue me after thy wyll and
geue me grace hartely to thank
the for this and other of thye ma
nyfolde benefett[es]. O blyssed
Ihu geue me good will to serue
the & suffer for the. O moste good
and lyberall lorde thow arte the
very gyuer of all good thinges.
geue me good lorde a good will
to loue the, to dread the, and to suf
fre my dewtye good lord is gret
and my power ys but smalle
I oughte to loue the aboue all cre

creatures and my neyghbour
as my selffe I aught to fle synne
for thy sake & onely to folow the
I aught to be content w[i]th all my
trybulacon and gladlye to suf
fre theym for the loue of the but
a nowrse I canne do this by
{illegible} power & strength
helpe me therefore blyssed Ihu
w[i]th thy specyall grace and geue
me good wille thus to serue the
obediently and pacyently to suf
fre. O swete Ihu geue me con

tynuall remembraunce of thy
passyon. O moste benyng Ihu
myne hole helthe & welthe I con
fesse me and lowly submytte my
selffe vnto thi greate mercy and
goodnesse for I have lytle reme[m]
bred the, and lesse I have thanked
the for thi great kyndnes shewed vn
to me and almankynde. Where
as thow werte pyche, for o[ur] sakes
thow becamest full {illegible}, thow
tokest great labo[ur] to ease vs, then
suffreste many paynes to Releu

vs. where we were bounde the
madest vs fre, we were condem
ned by Iustice of the paynefull
pryson of hell And thow by thi
m[er]cys madest vs inheritours to
the Ioyfull kingdome of heuyn.
Thow werte vnkyndely betraied.
Thow werte traiterousely taken
and cruelly bounde w[i]th harde ropes
Thow werte mocked & scorned
And spitted vpon. Thow werte
beaten and bebbed and crow
ned w[i]th sharpe thornes. Thow

werte drawen and stretched and
through perced into thy harte the
senewes and paynes were bry
ken and thy skynne and flessh
was torne, thie handes and
feete nayled to the crosse. thowe
shedeste all thi bloode and yelded
vp thi goste. All this and mych
more thow dideste and suffrest
for synfull mannes sake.
Morste my drye hart blyssed
Ihu w[i]th thie swete droppes of thi
grace and geve me contynuall

were drawn and stretched and
through-pierced into your heart, the
sinews and pains were broken
and your skin and flesh
was torn, your hands and
feet nailed to the cross. You
shed all your blood and yielded
up your ghost. All this and much
more you did and suffered
for sinful man’s sake.
Moisten my dry heart, blessed
Jesus, with your sweet drops of your
grace and give me continual

remembraunce of thie thie
paynefull passyon O swete
Ihu possesse my harte and kepe
it onely to the. O moste noble &
myghtye prynce lorde of all
lordes and kynge of all kyng[es]
thow makeste heuen and erth
& all the creatures in theym
by creacon so make thow me
euer thyne by possession
make thow me {illegible} to con
fesse myne owne ded[es] wordes

remembrance of your
painful passion. O sweet
Jesus, possess my heart and keep
it only to you. O most noble and
mighty prince, Lord of all
Lords and king of all kings,
you make heaven and earth
and all the creatures in them
by creation, so make me
ever yours by possession,
make me ...........to confess
my own deeds, words,

and thoughtes, and to put my
hole truste and confidence in thi
grace Make me vtterly to des
pyse thie wretched worlde &
all the vnlawfull pleasures &
desyres of the same, make thow
me meke patyent and petyfull
and geue me parfecte faythe.
hope and charyte Make thow
my harte also O moste swete
Ihu a pleasante Palles for
thie high magestye and possesse
it holde it and kepe it onelye to

and thoughts, and to put my
whole trust and confidence in your
grace. Make me utterly to despise
this wretched world and
all the unlawful pleasures and
desires of the same, make me
meek, patient, and pitiful
and give me perfect faith,
hope, and charity. Make my
heart also, O most sweet
Jesus, a pleasant palace for
your high majesty and possess
it, hold it, and keep it only to

the good lorde Amen
The praier of Quene Ester
For help agayn her enymyes
Thow lorde, thow
onely arte o[ur] kynge
helpe me desolate woman w[hi]ch
have no helper but the for my
mysery and destruction ys
harde at my hande Thinke apo[n]
{illegible} O lorde and shew thi selffe in
the tyme of oure destres & of o[ur]
trouble Strength me O thow
kynge of godes lorde of all

you, good Lord. Amen.
The prayer of Queen Esther
for help against her enemies.
You Lord, you
only are our king.
Help me, desolate woman, which
have no helper but you, for my
misery and destruction is
hard at my hand. Think upon
......... O Lord, and show yourself in
the time of our distress and of our
trouble. Strengthen me, O you
king of gods, Lord of all

{illegible} delyver vs w[i]th thye hand
and helpe {illegible} solace woman
whiche have no defence nor
helper, but onelye the Lorde
thow knoweste all thinges {illegible}
knoweste and woleste my neces
site. O lorde thwo god ^of^ habraha[m]
O thow myghtye god aboue all
here the uoyce of theym that haue
none other hope and delyuer
vs oute of the handes of the wicked
and delyuer me oute of my fere
Amen

............ deliver us with your hand
and help ........ solace woman
which have no defense nor
helper, but only you, Lord.
You know all things ........
Know and will my necessity.
O Lord, you god of Abraham,
O you mighty God above all,
hear the voice of them that have
no other hope and deliver
us out of the hands of the wicked
and deliver me out of my fear.
Amen

The praer of Sara the dought[er] of
Ragaell whan she was slandred
Blyssed be thie name
O god of oure fathers
whiche whan thow arte wroth
shew marcye and in the tyme
of trouble thow forgeueste the
synnes of theym that call apo[n]
the vnto the lorde turne I my
face vnto the lyste I vppe myne
eyes I betrete the O lorde loose me
oute of the bondes of thie rebuke
After a storme thow makest the

The prayer of Sara, the daughter of
Rachel, when she was slandered.
Blessed be your name,
O God of our fathers,
which when you are wrathful
show mercy and in the time
of trouble you forgive the
sins of those that call upon
you, the Lord. Turn I my
face unto you, lift I up my
yes, I entreat you, O Lord, loose me
out of the bonds of your rebuke.
After a storm you make the

{damaged}
{damaged}
geuest greate Iere Thy name
O god of Isralieit be praysed for
Euer Amen
The praiere of Iudas {illegible}
{illegible} Of Olyffernes.
O Thow god of the
heuene thow maker
of the waiers and lorde of all
creatures here me {illegible}
{illegible} calling apon the and
putting my truste in thie

......................................
.....................................
give great ire. Your name
O God of Israelites, be praised for-
ever. Amen.
The prayer of Judas ..........
..................... Of Holifernes.
O You god of the
heaven, you maker
of the waters and Lord of all
creatures, hear me ................
............. calling upon you and
putting my trust in your

Mercy Remembre thie con
uenaunt O lorde and mynys
tre wordes in my mouth and
stablysshe this deuyse in my
harte thwo arte and ther
re none other but thowe
Amen The praier of Iessus
           the sonne of God.
I Thanke the O
Lorde and kynge &
Prayse the O god my sauyoir
We yelde prayse vnto y[ou]r name
{damaged} my defendre &

mercy. Remember your covenant,
O Lord, and minister
words in my mouth and
establish this devise in my
heart. You are and there
are no others but you.
Amen. The prayer of Jesus
          the son of God.
I Thank you, O
Lord and king, and
Praise you, O god my savior.
We yield praise unto your name
.............. my defender and

helper and haste preserued
my bodye frome destruction
frome the snare of traitorous
tonges and from the lyppes th[a]t
are occupied w[i]th lyes / Thow haste
bene my helper frome such
as stood vppe agaynste me and
haste delyuered ^me^ after the mul
tytude of thie mercy and for thi
holy nameis sake Thow haste
delyuered me frome the roring
of theym that prepared them
selffes to deuoure me After
out of the handes of

helper and have preserved
my body from destruction,
from the snare of traitorous
tongues, and from the lips that
are occupied with lies. You have
been my helper from such
as stood up against me and
have delivered me after the multitude
of your mercy and for your
holy name’s sake. You have
delivered me from the roaring
of them that prepared themselves
to devour me
out of the hands of

suchd as soughte {damaged}my lyfe
Frome the multytude of theym
that troubled me and went
aboute to sette fere apon me
on euery syde so that I am not
burned in the myddle of the
fyer From the depe of helle
Frome an vncleane tonge
From lying wordes From
an unryghtuous tonge
my soule shall prayse the
lorde vnto death, for my lyfe
drew nye vnto hell They

such as sought ......my life.
From the multitude of them
that troubled me and went
about to set fear upon me
on every side, so that I am not
burned in the middle of the
fire. From the deep of hell,
from an unclean tongue,
from lying words, from
an unrighteous tongue.
My soul shall praise you,
Lord, unto death, for my life
drew near unto hell. They

compassed me rounde aboute
on euery syde and there was
no man to helpe me I loked
aboute me yf there were any
man that wolde socoure me
but there was none Then
thought I apon thye mercye
O lorde, and apon thy actes,
that thow haste done euer of
olde namely thow delyverest
suche as put theyre truste
in the and reddeste them oute
of the handes of theyre enemyes

encompassed me round about
on every side and there was
no man to help me. I looked
about me if there were any
man that would succor me
but there was none. Then
thought I upon your mercy,
O Lord, and upon your acts,
that you have done ever of
old, namely you delivered
such as put their trust
in you and rid them out
of the hands of their enemies.

Thyne lyfted I vp my prayer
Frome the erth, and prayed
for delyueraunce frome my
enemyes : I cauled apon the
{damaged} my father that he wolde
not leve me w[i]thoute helpe in
the day of my trouble and in
the tyme of the proude I pray
sed thye name contynuallye
yelding hono[u]r and thankes
vnto yt. And so my prayer
was harde thow saueste me
frome destruction and dely

Then lifted I up my prayer
from the earth, and prayed
for deliverance from my
enemies. I called upon you
........ my Father that he would
not leave me without help in
the day of my trouble and in
the time of the proud. I praised
your name continually,
yielding honor and thanks
unto it. And so my prayer
was heard. You saved me
from destruction and

uereste me from the vnryght
wyse tyme. Therefore will
I acknowledge and prayse the
and magnyfye the name of the
lorde. A men.
The p[r]aier of the iij children th[a]t were delyv
ered from the hote burnyng fyre
Blissed be thow O lord
God of oure Fathers
Righte worthie to be pray
sed and honoured ys that
Name of thyne for euermore
For thow arte Rightwise in

delivered me from the unright-
eous time. Therefore will
I acknowledge and praise you
and magnify the name of the
Lord. Amen.
The prayer of the 3 children that were
delivered from the hot burning fire.
Blessed be you, O lord
God of our Fathers,
right worthy to be praised
and honored is that
name of yours for evermore.
For you are righteous in

all those thinges that thow
haste done to vs / yea fayth
full are all thye woorkes / thye
wayes are righte and thye
Iudgementes trew/ yea ac
cordinge to ryghte and equy
te haste thow broughte these
thinges apon vs bycause
of oure synnes / for whye
we have offended and doone
wickedlye / deparetinge from
the / in all thinges have we
trespassed and not obeied thye

all those things that you
have done to us. Yea, faithful
are all your works. Your
ways are right and your
judgments true. Yea
according to right and equity
have you brought these
things upon us because
of our sins. For why
we have offended and done
wickedly, departing from
you, in all things have we
trespassed and not obeyed your

commaundementes nor
kepte theym neyther done as
thow haste beden vs. that we
myghte prospere wherefore
all that y[o]u haste broughte apo[n]
vs and euery thinge th[a]t thow
haste done to vs, thow haste
done theym in trew Iudgeme[n]t
as in delyueryng vs into the
handes of oure enemyes, yet
for thy names sake we besych
the geve vs not vppe foreuer
breke not thy conuenaunte

commandments, nor
kept them, neither done as
you have bidden us that we
might prosper. Thus
all that you haste brought upon
us and every thing that you
have done to us, you have
done them in true judgment,
as in delivering us into the
hands of our enemies. Yet
for your name’s sake we beseech
you, give us not up forever.
Break not your covenant

and take not away thi mercye
frome vs for thy beloved
Abrahames sake for thy serua
unte Isaacis sake and for thi
holy Israelies sake to whom
thow haste spoken and pro
mysed that thow woldest mul
typlye theire sede as the star
res of heuen and as the sande
that lyeth vpon the se syde sor
we O lorde are become lesse
then any people and be kept
vndre this day in all the worlde

and take not away your mercy
from us, for your beloved
Abraham’s sake, for your servant
Isaac’s sake, and for your
holy Israelites’ sake, to whom
you have spoken and promised
that you would multiply
their seed as the stars
of heaven and as the sand
that lies upon the sea side shore.
We, O Lord, are become less
than any people and be kept
under this day in all the world

bycause of oure synnes, nev[er]
thelesse in a contryte harte &
an humble spyrytte let us
be receyved th[a]t we may optay[n]
thi merci for th[a]t is no confusion
vnto them that put theyre trust
in the and now we follow the
w[i]th all o[u]r harte we fere ye and
seke thy face, Put vs not to
shame but deale w[i]th vs after
thy louyng kyndnes and accor
ding to the multytude of thy
mercyee delyver vs by thy

because of our sins. Nevertheless,
in a contrite heart and
a humble spirit let us
be received, that we may obtain
your mercy, for that is no confusion
unto them that put their trust
in you. And now we follow you
with all our heart. We fear you and
seek your face. Put us not to
shame but deal with us after
your loving kindness and according
to the multitude of your
mercy. Deliver us by your

myracles O lorde and gette
thy name an hono[u]r that all
they whiche do thy servaunt[es]
euyll may be confounded.
Let them be asshamed thro
ugh thy almyghtey power
& let thi strength be broken th[a]t
they may know how that thou
onely arte the lorde god and
hono[u]r worthy through oute
all the worlde. Blyssed be the
holy name of thy glory for it
is worthy to be praysed and

miracles, O Lord, and get
your name an honor [so] that all
they which do your servants
evil may be confounded.
Let them be ashamed through
your almighty power
and let your strength be broken that
they may know how that you
only are the Lord God and
honor-worthy throughout
all the world. Blessed be the
holy name of your glory for it
is worthy to be praised and

magnyfied in all worldes.
Blyssed be thow in the holye
temple of thi glory for above
all thinges, thow arte to be pra
sed. yea and more worthye
to be magnyfied for euer.
Blyssed be thow in the trone
of thi kingedome for aboue all
thow arte worthye to be well
spoken of and to be more then
magnyfied forever Blyssed
be thow that lokeste through the
depe & sitteste apon the Cherubym

magnified in all worlds.
Blessed be you in the holy
temple of your glory, for above
all things you are to be praised.
Yea and more worthy
to be magnified for ever.
Blessed be you in the throne
of your kingdom, for above all
you are worthy to be well
spoken of and to be more than
magnified forever. Blessed
be you that looks through the
deep and sits upon the Cherubim

for thow arte worthy to be
praysed and aboue all to be
magynfied foreuer Blyssed
be thow in the fermament of
heuen for thow arte prayse
& hono[ur] worthy foreuer Amen
 
           The praier of Manes
                eth kinge of Iuda.
O lorde almyghty god
Of o[ur] fathers, Abraham
Isaac and Iacob, and of the ryg
htwys sede of them whiche
haste made heuenard earth w[i]th

or you are worthy to be
praised and above all to be
magnified forever. Blessed
be you in the firmament of
heaven for you are praise
and honor worthy forever. Amen.
 
           The prayer of Manes
              eth [Manasseh] king of Juda.
O Lord almighty God
Of our Fathers, Abraham,
Isaac and Jacob, and of the righteous
seed of them which
have made heavenward earth with

all the ornament[es] thereof w[hi]ch
haste ordened the see by the word
of the comaundement: which
haste shate vp the depe and haste
sealed it for thy fearefull and
laudable name whiche all
men feare and tremble be
fore the face of thy {faded} &
for the angre of thy thretynge
the whiche is importable to
synners. But the mercy of
thy promes ys great & vnsear
cheable: for thow arte the lorde

all the ornaments thereof, which
have ordained the sea by the word
of the commandment, which
have shut up the deep and have
sealed it for your fearful and
laudable name, which all
men fear and tremble before
the face of thy ............. and
for the anger of your threatening,
the which is importable to
sinners. But the mercy of
your promise is great and
unsearchable, for you are the Lord

{faded} moste high aboue all {faded}
longe sufferinge and craeving
mercyfull and repentauns for
the malice of men Thow lorde
after thy goodnes haste promy
sed repentance of the remyssyon
of synnes: and thow that arte
the god of the ryghtwes hast no
{faded} to the ryghtves
Abraham Isaac and Iacob
vnto them that haue not syn
ned agaynste the But bicause
{faded} above the nomber

....... most high above all .......
long suffering and craving
merciful and repentance for
the malice of men. You, Lord,
after your goodness have promised
repentance of the remission
of sins. and you that are
the God of the righteous have no
................. to the righteous
Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
Unto them that have not sinned
against you. But because
....... above the number

of the sandes of the see and that
myne Inyquytees are multy
plyed. I am humbled w[i]th many
handes of Iron. and there ys
in me no breathinge. I have
prouoked thyne angre and
haue done euyll before the in
com[m]yttyng abhomynacons
& multyplying offences / and
bow I now the knees of my
harte requyring goodnes of
the O lorde I haue synned lorde
I haue synned and know my

of the sands of the sea and that
my iniquities are multiplied.
I am humbled with many
hands of iron, and there is
in me no breathing. I have
provoked your anger and
have done evil before you in
committing abominations
and multiplying offences. And
bow I now the knees of my
heart requiring goodness of
you, O Lord. I have sinned, Lord,
I have sinned and know my

Inyquyte. I desyre the by prayer
O lorde forgeue me, forgeue
me and destroy me not w[i]th myn
Inyquytees, neyther do thow al
wayes remembre myne euylls
to punysshe them / but saue me
whiche amvnworthy after thi
great mercye and I will preys
the euerlastyngly all the dayes
of my lyfe for all ^the^ vertu of heuen
prayseth the and vnto the be
longeth Glory worlde with
oute ende A men.

iniquity. I desire you by prayer,
O Lord, forgive me, forgive
me and destroy me not with my
iniquities, neither do you always
remember my evils
to punish them, but save me,
which am unworthy, after your
great mercy, and I will praise
you everlastingly all the days
of my life, for all the virtue of heaven
praises you and unto you
belongs glory, world with-
out end. Amen.

Oure mercyfull
father whiche in tea
chinge vs to pray by
the sonne of Chryste haste com[m]a
unded vs to caull the father and
to beleue that we are thye wel
beloued children which ster
reste vppe none of thyne to pray
but to thentente thow woldest
heare them geuynge vs also all
thinges more effectuouslye
& plentyously than we can
eyther aske or thynke/ we besich

Our merciful
Father which in teaching
us to pray by
the son of Christ have commanded
us to call you Father and
to believe that we are your well-
beloved children which stir
up none of yours to pray
but to the intent you would
hear them giving us, also all
things more effectively
and plenteously than we can
either ask or think. We beseech

the for thy sonnes sake geue vs
grace to beleue and to know
stedfastely that thi sonne oure
sauyo[ur] Chryste ys geuen of the
vnto vs to be vnto vs o[ur] sauyo[ur]
oure ryghtwysnes o[ur] wysdom
o[ur] holynes o[ur] redempcon and
o[ur] satisfaction And suffre
not vs to to truste in any other
saluacon but in thi sonne and
by thi sonne onely o[ur] sauyoure
A men.

you for your son’s sake, give us
grace to believe and to know
steadfastly that your son, our
savior Christ, is given by you
unto us to be unto us our savior,
our righteousness, our wisdom,
our holiness, our redemption, and
our satisfaction. And suffer
not us to trust in any other
salvation, but in your son and
by your son only, our savior.
Amen.

Olorde god geue
that my harte maye
desyre the/ In desyringe, seke the
In sekinge the. to fynde the In fyne
ding to loue the/ in louyng the. to
fynde remedye of my euylls &
remedye had. that I maye abide
still in the Graunte me O
lorde my god in my harte, re
pentaunce in my Spiritte con
trition/ in my eyes, a fountayn
of teares/ oute of my handes,
lyberalite of almes/ my kyng

O Lord God, give
that my heart may
desire you; in desiring, seek you;
in seeking you, to find you; in finding,
to love you; in loving you, to
find remedy of my evils; and
remedy had, that I may abide
still in you. Grant me, O
Lord my God, in my heart,
repentance; in my spirit, contrition;
in my eyes, a fountain
of tears; out of my hands,
liberality of alms. My king,

quenche in me the desires and
lustes of the flesshe and kyndle
in me, the fier of thye Loue
My redemer put oute of me
the Spiritte of Pride and grau
nte me Of thye mercy the trea
sure of thye mekenes and humy
lite. My sauyour expell from
me fumysshnes and wrathe
and geue me for thye Petye
sake. the buckeler of pacience.
My creature pull oute of me
the rancoure of mynde and

quench in me the desires and
lusts of the flesh and kindle
in me the fire of your love.
My redeemer, put out of me
the spirit of pride and grant
me of your mercy the treasure
of your meekness and humility.
My savior, expel from
me fumishness {i.e., irritability} and wrath
and give me, for your pity’s
sake, the buckler of patience.
My creator, pull out of me
the rancor of mind and

{faded} thow me that arte so
mercyfull a louyng harte
Geue me o moste tendre and
pytefull father, sure faythe
lyke hope/ and charyte co[n]tynuall
my gouerno[ur] put frome me
all vanyte inconstancye of
mynde, wavering of the harte
Iestyng. or raysyng of my
mouthe, proude lokyng Glo
teny of the bellye, vncharytable
rebukyng of my neyghbo[ur]s
the loue or desyre of worldely

...... you me that are so
merciful a loving heart.
Give me, oh most tender and
pitiful Father, sure faith,
like hope, and charity continual.
My governor, put from me
all vanity, inconstancy of
mind, wavering of the heart,
jesting, or raising of my
mouth, proud looking, gluttony
of the belly, uncharitable
rebuking of my neighbors,
the love or desire of worldly

Ryches, the desyre of vayne glory
the myschefe of hywerysye, the
poyson of flattery, the dysdayne
of the nedye, the oppressyon of the
poore and feable, the ruste of
enuye, the death of blasphemy
Cut away from me O my
maker vnryghtfull rassh
nes. Stuydynes, vnquyetnes
Idlenes, Slouthfulnes, dul
nes of the wytte, Slyndenes
of the harte, Obstynacye of the
mynde, Crewelties of behau[ou]r

riches, the desire of vainglory,
the mischief of heresy, the
poison of flattery, the disdain
of the needy, the oppression of the
poor and feeble, the rust of
envy, the death of blasphemy.
Cut away from me, O my
maker, unrightful rashness,
sturdiness, unquietness,
idleness, slothfulness, dullness
of the wit, blindness
of the heart, obstinacy of the
mind, cruelties of behavior,

& the {faded}of that ys good
resystence agaynste good coun
cal, vnrulynes of my tonge
Pollinge of poore people, vyo
lence dealynge w[i]th the Impotent
Slaundering of Innocentes
Crabbednes agaynste those th[a]t
be with me in howseholde vn
kyndenes towarde my freendes
and famylyer acquayntance,
Rygoure or extreme dealynge
w[i]th my neyghboures, O my
god, my mercy, I pray the for  

and the ........ of that is good
resistance against good counsel,
unruliness of my tongue,
polling {i.e., robbing} of poor people,
violence dealing with the impotent,
slandering of innocents,
crabbedness against those that
be with me in household,
unkindness toward my friends
and familiar acquaintance,
rigor or extreme dealing
with my neighbors. O my
God, my mercy, I pray you for

the loue of thy sonne make me
to do deadee of mercy, to exer
cyse petye, to haue compassy
on on those th[a]t be in afflyctyon
or trouble. To geue concell
to those that be oute thi ryght
way. To socoure that that be
in mysery. To releue the op
pressed, To comforte theym
that be in heuynes. To resveste
the poore. To chere theym th[a]t
wepe. To forgeue theym that
trespas agaynste me. To loue

the love of your son make me
to do deeds of mercy, to exercise
pity, to have compassion
on those that be in affliction
or trouble, to give counsel
to those that be out [of] your right
way, to succor they that be
in misery, to relieve the oppressed,
to comfort them
that be in heaviness, to revest {i.e., clothe}
the poor, to cheer them that
weep, to forgive them that
trespass against me, to love

those that hate me. To recompen
ce good for euyll. To despyse none
but to hono[ur] all men. To folow
the good. To eschew the euyll. To
enbrace vertewe. and to re
fuse vyces. In aduersyte, pacy
ence. In prosperyte, modera
tyon and kepyng of my tong
and to hold close to my lipes warely
To despyse thinges earthly
and to thirste after thinges
heuenly A men.

those that hate me, to recompense
good for evil, to despise none
but to honor all men, to follow
the good, to eschew the evil, to
embrace virtue, and to refuse
vices; in adversity, patience;
in prosperity, moderation
and keeping of my tongue
and to hold close to my lips warily;
to despise things earthly
and to thirst after things
heavenly. Amen.

Moste soueraygne &
holye Trenyte. the fa
ther, the sonne and the holy
goste thre parsons and one
god haue mercy on me. O
blyssed and gloryous Trenyte
haue mercy on me. O the
moste holye mecryfull & euer
lastynge Trenyte haue m[er]cy
on me. O the trew and vn
feyned Trenyte the greate and
incomperable goodnes, the
euerlastyng and swete clen

Most Sovereign and
Holy Trinity, the Father,
the Son, and the Holy
Ghost, three persons and one
God, have mercy on me. O
blessed and glorious Trinity
have mercy on me. O the
most holy merciful and ever-
lasting Trinity, have mercy
on me. O the true and unfained
Trinity, the great and
incomparable goodness, the
everlasting and sweet cleanness,

nes, and the inseparate ma
gestye of the Father, the son[n]
and the holye goste. haue m[er]cy
on me. O good father and
meke sonne. O holye goste
O lighte that cannot be put
oute. O the onely father of he
uen haue mercye on me. The
good lorde do I call vpon. To
the I do make my intercessy
on and prayer. The do I laude
and prayse nowe and is euer
in mynde so to conteynew w[hi]ch

and the inseparable majesty
of the Father, the Son,
and the Holy Ghost, have mercy
on me. O good Father and
meek Son. O Holy Ghost.
O light that cannot be put
out. O you, only Father of heaven,
have mercy on me. You,
good Lord, do I call upon. To
you I do make my intercession
and prayer. You do I laude
and praise now and is ever
in mind so to continue, which

arte the only begynner of all
vertew and goodnes, and the
fynall ender of all good work[es]
O holy god. O stronge god. O
euerlastyng god. haue m[er]cy
on me, and remember me
w[i]th thy manyfeste goodnes
that I vnworthye seruaunt
and handewoorke/ for my
greate Inyquyte and synne
be not w[i]thoute thy m[er]cy loste
and dampned, for thow arte
my make and redem[er] my

are the only beginner of all
virtue and goodness, and the
final ender of all good works.
O holy God, O strong God, O
everlasting God, have mercy
on me, and remember me
with your manifest goodness
that I, unworthy servant
and handiwork, for my
great iniquity and sin
be not without your mercy lost
and damned, for you are
my maker and redeemer, my

onely Ioye and comfort & my
onely hope and health of who[m]
I haue all thyng[es] necessary
to my lyuynge wherefore
I thancke the now and euer.
Amen
O marcifull
God whiche th
rough thye infy
nyte mercye did saue harme
lesse Susanne from deathe
to the whiche she wrongful
ly was accused & condempned

only joy and comfort, and my
only hope and health, of whom
I have all things necessary
to my living, wherefore
I thank you now and ever.
Amen.
O merciful
God which through
your infinite
mercy did save harm-
less Susan from death,
to the which she wrongfully
was accused and condemned,

and did delyuer thy seruante
Danyell frome the lake of
the lyons, and did delyuer the
thre Chyldrenne Sydrack
Mysaac Abdenago. from
the hote burnynge fier and
Didde retche oute thye hande
to thy welbeloued dissyple
Peter beynge in graue Ieobar
dye of drownynge. I desire
the that thow whiche in so
many thinges did shew and
manyfeste they infynyte mercy

and did deliver your servant
Daniel from the lake of
the lions, and did deliver the
three children Shadrach,
Meshach, Abednego from
the hot burning fire and
did reach out your hand
to your well-beloved disciple
Peter, being in grave jeopardy
of drowning, I desire
you that you, which in so
many things did show and
manifest your infinite mercy,

wolde saue and delyuer me
frome all trybulac[i]on and
enymyes/ and from all the
power of all myne enymyes
and frome all theym that
consent to my destructyon
and pardicon, for I am
Ingnoraunt mercyfull
lorde to whom I shoulde
fle or seke for helpe or com
forte but onely to the w[hi]ch
arte my maker & redemer
and I do know none other

would save and deliver me
from all tribulation and
enemies, and from all the
power of all my enemies
and from all them that
consent to my destruction
and perdition, for I am
ignorant, merciful
Lord, to whom I should
flee or seek for help or comfort,
but only to you which
are my maker and redeemer,
and I do know none other

that will helpe and defende
me agaynste this worlde
and deceytfull temptacon
but thow onely my god w[hi]ch
doest raygne and shall ra
ygne thre parsons in one
god, the father, the sonne &
the holy goste w[i]thout end
A men
We are assaulted w[i]th
thre manner of temp
tac[i]ons, The flesshe, the worlde
and the deuyll. Therefore we desyre

that will help and defend
me against this world
and deceitful temptation,
but you only, my God, which
does reign and shall
reign, three persons in one
God, the Father, the Son and
the Holy Ghost without end.
Amen.
We are assaulted with
three manner of temptations:
The flesh, the world,
and the devil. Therefore we desire

the moste dere father, endew vs
wyth thy grace, that we may
w[i]thstande the desyre of the flessh
Make that we resyste and fyght
agaynste thys superslayte of
meats, drinke, slepe, sloathe
and Idlenes. Make that we
may bryng the flesshe into
bondage and sal{faded} wyth
fastynge, tempera{faded}
aenrent {faded}slepe, rest
worke, and labour, so that yt
may {faded}and a{faded}

you, most dear Father, endow us
with your grace, that we may
withstand the desire of the flesh.
Make that we resist and fight
against this superfluity of
meats, drink, sleep, sloth
and idleness. Make that we
may bring the flesh into
bondage and sal....... with
fasting, tempera..............
aenrent ...........sleep, rest,
work, and labor, so that it
may ..........and a.............

{faded} kepe vs fro[m] the grete
synnes of couetousnes andd la
{faded}ly Ryches. Geue vs
grace that we seke not the rule
and waie of the worlde or con
sent to suche desyres. Kepe vs
that the falce subtylte of thys
worlde, the conterfet bryali
ance & entyesemement[es] of the
same parswade vs not to folow
yt. kepe vs that we ^be^ not drawn
by the euylles adn aduersytees
{faded}

......... keep us from the great
sins of covetousness and
.......ly riches. Give us
grace that we seek not the rule
and way of the world or consent
to such desires. Keep us
that the false subtlety of this
world, the counterfeit brilliance
and enticements of the
same persuade us not to follow
it. Keep us that we be not drawn
by the evils and adversities
........................................

auendgement, wrathe, or suche
other vyces. Geue vs grace th[a]t
we may despyse the lyes of the world
coloures. deceytes, promyses &
falsehoode. And to be shorte, th[a]t
we maye esteme of lytle reputa
tyon all th[a]t belongeth to hym
good and euyll, as we haue pro
mysed baptysme, and that
we may contynew in thye pur
pose, going forwarde daylye
more and more, kepe vs fro[m]
the entyesment[es] of the deuyll th[a]t

avengement, wrath, or such
other vices. Give us grace that
we may despise the lies of the world,
colors, deceits, promises and
falsehood. And to be short, that
we may esteem of little reputation
all that belongs to him
good and evil, as we have
promised baptism, and that
we may continue in your purpose,
going forward daily
more and more, keep us from
the enticements of the devil that

we conserne not to pryde, w[hi]ch
{faded}cause vs to sette myche
by oure selffes, and despyse ot
her ryches, kyn, ware, feyence
learnyng, beautye, or anny
other gyftes, or goodes. kepe
vs that we falle not into it
{faded}me of hate and enuye,
w{faded}uer be geuen
{faded} vs. Kepe vs that we {faded}
not in the faithe. {faded}
{faded}
{faded}

we concern not to pride, which
.........cause us to set much
by our selves, and despise
other riches, kin, ware, faience,
learning, beauty, or any
other gifts, or goods. Keep
us that we fall not into it
.......... me of hate and envy,
w....................ver be given
.........us. Keep us that we .....
not in the faith. ..................
........................................
.......................................

thy helpyng hande: oure best
heuenly father to thow it that
fighte and labour agaynste
thys harde and manyfolde
temptac[i]on {leech-through}rte them
that nowe {leech-through}lyfte
theym vp that are fallen &
be ouercom. Yternally ful
fyll vs all w[i]th thy grace that
in thye myserable, and per
lous lyffe (whyche ys com
passed w[i]th so many contynu
all enemyes, that neuer cese

your helping hand. Our best
heavenly Father, to you it that
fight and labor against
this hard and manifold
temptation .........rte them
that now ....................lift
them up that are fallen and
be overcome. Eternally fulfill
us all with your grace that
in your miserable, and perilous
life (which is encompassed
with so many continual
enemies, that never cease)

we may fyghte boldely wyth
stable and noble fayth, and
obteyne the euerlastynge
crowne Amen
          Thys petyc[i]on prayeth
          for all the euylles Of
          paynes and punyshment[es]
O Father delyuer
vs from thy euer
lastyng wrathe &
punysshementes of helle.
Delyuer vs from thy streyt
Iudgement in deathe and at

we may fight boldly with
stable and noble faith, and
obtain the everlasting
crown. Amen.
          This petition prays
          for all the evil of
          pains and punishments
O Father deliver
us from your ever-
lasting wrath and
punishments of hell.
Deliver us from your strait
judgment in death and at

the laste day of dome. Delyuer
vs frome sodayne death. Kepe
vs frome the vyolence of wa
ter and fyre, from thondre
lyghtnyng and haile. Kepe
vs frome hungre and derth
kepe vs frome ware and
manslaughter. Kepe vs fro[m]
thy moste greuous strokes, the
pestylence. Frenche pockes
Falling sikenes/ and suche
other deseases. Kepe vs from
all euelles, and parelles of the

the last day of doom. Deliver
us from sudden death. Keep
us from the violence of water
and fire, from thunder,
lightening and hail. Keep
us from hunger and dearth,
keep us from war and
manslaughter. Keep us from
your most grievous strokes, the
pestilence, French pox,
falling sickness, and such
other diseases. Keep us from
all evils, and perils of the

bodye. Prouyded alway, that
in all these thinges, be the glo
ry of thy name, enereate of
thy kyngdome and fulfilling
of thy wylle. Amen
          Here folow[e]th a deuoute pray
          er to Criste the seconde p[er]son
          in Trynyte o[ur] onely Redemer
O lorde Iesu thow
arte the very lambe of
god: and very god and man
moste meke and kynde: which

body. Provided always that
in all these things be the glory
of your name, increase of
your kingdom and fulfilling
of your will. Amen.
          Here follows a devout prayer
          to Christ the second person
          in Trinity, our only Redeemer.
O Lord Jesus you
are the very lamb of
God, and very God and man
most meek and kind, which

waste offred in the aulter of the
crosse and there suffredste pay[n]
full death. I worshyppe an d
hono[ur] the and magnyfye the,
besyching the that my soule
may escape the daunger of eu[er]
lastyng paynes of death: sithen
thow lorde haste boought me
w[i]th thye precyous bloode Lorde
kynge of glorye, and of m[er]cye
and petye I do beleue and
knowledge that thow suffrest
thy moste holy handes to be

was offered on the altar of the
cross and there suffered painful
death. I worship and
honor you and magnify you,
beseeching you that my soul
may escape the danger of ever-
lasting pains of death. Since
you, Lord have bought me
with your precious blood, Lord
king of glory, and of mercy
and pity, I do believe and
acknowledge that you suffered
your most holy hands to be

drawen abrode and nayled
paynefully on the crosse. Ther
fore I besyche the mercyfull
lorde, for thy infynyte pety
and goodnes: and for that
petyfull woundes and paynes
that thow suffrest in thy blys
sed armes, geue thow me g[ra]ce
lorde that all the dayes of my
lyfe I do not stretche furth my
armes or handes to do anye
wickednes or harme to my
Crysten brother or neyghbo[ur]

drawn apart and nailed
painfully on the cross. There-
fore I beseech you, merciful
Lord, for your infinite pity
and goodness, and for that
pitiful wounds and pains
that you suffered in your blessed
arms, give me grace,
Lord, that all the days of my
life I do not stretch forth my
arms or hands to do any
wickedness or harm to my
Christian brother or neighbor,

but onely to do good warkes to
thy hono[ur] and wo[r]ship, and prof
fette of my euen cristen about
me, or elles where
Also lorde Iesu criste
kynge of mercye and of petye. I
beleue and knowledge that y[o]u
suffreste in thy blyssed fete to be
nayled greuously on the crosse
for o[ur] synnes and offences. I p[ra]y
the lorde Iesu for thy endelesse
mercy and petye. I humebly
besyche the for that paynefull

but only to do good works to 
your honor and worship, and profit 
of my even Christian about  
me, or elsewhere. 
Also Lord Jesus Christ, 
king of mercy and of pity, I 
believe and acknowledge that you 
suffered in your blessed feet to be 
nailed grievously on the cross 
for our sins and offenses. I pray 
you, Lord Jesus, for your endless 
mercy and pity. I humbly  
beseech you for those painful

woundes that thew lorde suf
freste there in thy feete, that y[o]u
lorde forgeue me cleane all
my synne th[at] I haue doone in
going, in working, Idelnes
and vanytees. and geue me
grace that all the dayes of
my lyffe I go not aboute foly
and Idle vanytees, but to con
uerte my steppes to good w[or]ke
pleasante in they syghte, that
it may be pleasante to the &
proffitable to all aboute me

wounds that you, Lord, suffered 
there in your feet, that you, 
Lord, forgive me clean all 
my sin that I have done in 
going, in working, idleness 
and vanities, and give me 
grace that all the days of 
my life I go not about folly 
and idle vanities, but to convert 
my steps to good work, 
pleasant in your sight, that 
it may be pleasant to you and 
profitable to all about me.

Also lorde Iesu kynge
Glorye I beleue and I know
ledge that whan thow saweste
the Cety of Iierusalem geuen
to horryble synnes, for which
it shoulde be destroied: thowe
wepeste full tenderly for oth[er]
mennes synnes. I pray the
Iesu Criste and kynge of m[er]cye,
for thyne endeles mercy & pety
whiche shedde so pyteous teares
for o[u]r synfulnes oute of thy glo
rious eyes, that thow lorde for

Also Lord Jesus, king 
glory, I believe and I acknow- 
ledge that when you saw 
the City of Jerusalem given 
to horrible sins, for which 
it should be destroyed, you 
wept full tenderly for other 
man’s sins. I pray you, 
Jesus Christ and king of mercy, 
for your endless mercy and pity 
which shed so piteous tears  
for our sinfulness out of your glorious 
eyes, that you Lord for- 

geue me all my synnes whiche
I haue doone in my spendinge,
in the sighte of myne eyes and
geue me grace that all the dayes
of my lyfe I may nomore offend
thy goodnes in vayne and syn
full sightes, but onelye lorde to
look on thy creatures, and storie
me to thy loue and dreade. and th[a]t
I may perceyue to do good work[es]
profitable to my soule to thye
pleasure and wille
Also lorde Iesu I beleue:

give me all my sins which 
I have done in my spending, 
in the sight of my eyes and  
give me grace that all the days 
of my life I may no more offend 
your goodness in vain and sinful 
sights, but only Lord to 
look on your creatures, and story 
me to your love and dread. And that 
I may perceive to do good works 
profitable to my soul to your  
pleasure and will. 
Also Lord Jesus I believe,

knoweledge that whan thowe
hongeste nailed on the crosse
thow hardeste thy enemyes re
porte and speke of the myche
falcenesse and selaundre agay
nste thy moste endeles mercye
and pacyence. for all the paynes
that thow suffrest in the hering.
that thow lorde please to forgeue
me all my synnes that I haue
offended, in heringe of euell
tailes and reaportes agaynste
my cristen brother. Geue

acknowledge that when you 
hung nailed on the cross 
you heard your enemies report 
and speak of you much 
falseness and slander against 
your most endless mercy 
and patience. For all the pains 
that you suffered in the hearing, 
that you, Lord, please to forgive 
me all my sins that I have 
offended, in hearing of evil 
tales and reports against 
my Christian brother. Give  

me grace lorde that I spende no
more my tyme in hering of
lesinges, backe bytinge, or re
ioycing in suche lyke thinges
but onely to heare thy trew &
moste holye wordes of the gos
pell preached or taughte, and
to kepe it in my mynde. and to
doo thereafter to the honor[ur] & wor
shyppe of my lorde god. and to
the proffette of my neighbo[ur]
and so to further theym to my
power in worde & dede.

me grace, Lord, that I spend no 
more {of} my time in hearing of  
lessings {i.e., denigrations}, back-biting, or
rejoicing in such like things, 
but only to hear your true and 
most holy words of the gospel 
preached or taught, and 
to keep it in my mind, and to  
do thereafter to the honor and  
worship of my Lord God, and to  
the profit of my neighbor 
and so to further them to my  
power in word and deed.

Also lorde Iesu kynge of
glorye I beleue and knowledge
that whan thow were yet han
ginge on the crosse thow lorde
openeste thy moste holye mou
the and praied for thyne ene
myes and exorting the vnler
ned and conforted theym that
were conforteles. I pray the
lorde Iesu for thyne endeles
mercy and goodnes, and for
the mercyfull woordes that
proceded oute of thie holye

Also Lord Jesus, king of  
glory, I believe and acknowledge  
that when you were yet hanging 
on the cross, you Lord  
opened your most holy mouth 
and prayed for your enemies 
and exhorting the unlearned 
and comforted them that  
were comfortless. I pray you,  
Lord Jesus, for your endless 
mercy and goodness, and for 
the merciful words that  
proceeded out of your holy

mouthe. Forgeue me vtterly
all the synnes the whiche I
haue done in my vile speking
and geue me grace that all
the dayes of my lyfe, I speke no
lesinges, Backe bytinges,
nor harme of any parson
and also that I sow no dys
corde amonge cristen people
but only lorde that I speke the
treuth, and flattre not for
fauo[ur] nor lucre and that I
may speke nothing but

mouth, forgive me utterly 
all the sins, the which I 
have done in my vile speaking,  
and give me grace that all 
the days of my life, I speak no 
lessings, back-bitings,  
nor harm of any person, 
and also that I sow no discord 
among Christian people, 
but only, Lord, that I speak the 
truth, and flatter not for 
favor nor lucre and that I 
may speak nothing but

fruytefull and vertuous wo
rdes to concorde and so at vny
te, peace and charite those th[a]t
be at discorde, that they and I
may loue the and drede the
Lorde.
Also lorde Iesu kynge of
Glorie. I beleue and knowe
ledge that thow thirsted full
sore on the crosse and saideste
I thurste: then thow lorde y[o]u
tasteste of the bitter easell &
galle w[i]th myrre as the holye

fruitful and virtuous words 
to concord and sow at unity, 
peace and charity those that 
be at discord, that they and I 
may love you and dread you, 
Lord. 
Also Lord Jesus, king of  
glory, I believe and acknow- 
ledge that you thirsted full 
sore on the cross and said,  
“I thirst.” Then you, Lord, you 
tasted of the bitter easel and 
gall with myrrh, as the holy

Gospell witnesseth. I pray the
lorde Iesu for thyne endelesse
petye and mercy. and for the
bitternesse of that drynke th[a]t
thow tasteteste of, that thow
lorde please to forgeue me all
my synnes doone agaynste the
whiche I haue offended in tast
tynge and in relysinge of
meates and drinckes and in
superfluous tastetyng there
of. Geue me grace Lorde th[a]t
all the dayes of my lyfe, I no

Gospel witnesses. I pray you, 
Lord Jesus, for your endless 
pity and mercy, and for the 
bitterness of that drink that 
you tasted of, that you 
Lord please to forgive me all 
my sins done against you 
which I have offended in tasting 
and in relishing of  
meats and drinks and in 
superfluous tasting thereof. 
Give me grace, Lord, that  
all the days of my life, I no

more offende the lorde in Glo
teny, in etyng and dring
kinge: but that I may tem
pre my mouthe in eating &
drynckinge and to fede the po
ore that lacke that I haue
to myche Lorde.
Also lorde Iesu kynge of
Glorye and Omnypvtente. I
beleue and knowledge that y[o]u
lorde waste crowned w[i]th a sharp
Garlande of thornes: I pray
the lorde for thy endelesse m[er]cye
and petye, mekenes, and pacience

more offend you Lord in gluttony, 
in eating and drinking, 
but that I may temper 
my mouth in eating and  
drinking and to feed the poor 
that lack what I have 
to much, Lord. 
Also Lord Jesus, king of  
glory and omnipotent. I 
believe and acknowledge that you, 
Lord, were crowned with a sharp 
garland of thorns. I pray  
you Lord for your endless mercy 
and pity, meekness, and patience,

that thow lorde clerely for
geue me all the synnes that
I haue doone in Pride, Boste
and in vayne glorie: and
Geue me grace while I doe
lyue, that I doe vse no Pride
but to vse mekenesse and geue
ensample thereof to all men
where I vse companye with.
Also lorde Iesu kynge of
mercy and petye I stedfaste
ly beleue and knowledge that
thow lorde suffreste thy blissed
bodie to be beten, rente & torne

that you, Lord, clearly for- 
give me all the sins that 
I have done in pride, boast 
and in vainglory. And 
give me grace while I do 
live, that I do use no pride, 
but to use meekness and give 
example thereof to all men 
where I use company with. 
Also Lord Jesus, king of  
mercy and pity, I steadfastly 
believe and acknowledge that 
you, Lord, suffered your blessed 
body to be beaten, rent and torn 

w[i]th scourges, and thie tendre
bodie strayned, in so myche all
the Ioyntes of thie precious
bodie myghte haue been nom
bred and tolde, as the prophet
Dauid sayeth Dinumerave
runt omnia ossa mea. I hum
bly pray the my Lorde god of
thie endelesse fauoure and pety
for all the petyfull woundes
that thow suffreste in thy moste
tendre and pitefull bodie to
forgeue me all the filthie

with scourges, and your tender 
body strained, in so much all 
the joints of your precious  
body might have been numbered 
and told, as the prophet 
David said, “Dinumerave-  
runt omnia ossa mea.” I humbly 
pray you, my Lord God, of 
your endless favor and pity, 
for all the pitiful wounds  
that you suffered in your most 
tender and pitiful body, to 
forgive me all the filthy  

synfulnes of my bodie as in
Lecherie and in all other syn
full operacons that I haue
wroughte in synne of anye
parte of my bodie. Geue me
grace lorde foreuer to despise
all woork[es] of my synfull lecheri
which violeth the temple of
god: whiche is my soule wh
an it is oute of dedely synne
Frome the whiche filthie
synne Geue me grace vtter
ly to expell frome all partes

sinfulness of my body, as in 
lechery and in all other sinful 
operations that I have 
wrought in sin of any 
part of my body. Give me 
grace, Lord, forever to despise 
all works of my sinful lechery 
which violates the temple of 
God, which is my soul when 
it is out of deadly sin. 
From the which filthy 
sin, give me grace utterly 
to expel from all parts 

Of my bodie. and to kepe clene.
my saule whiche is the holye
temple as Saynte Paule
witnesseth.
Also swete Iesu I do know
ledge and beleue, that whille
thow were yet hanging on the
crosse, thow suffreste thie mo
ste blissed side to be persed &
thie glorious harte.
Also with a sharpe sper
that both bloode & water felle
oute thereof. I hartely besich

of my body, and to keep clean 
my soul, which is the holy 
temple, as Saint Paul 
witnesses.  
Also sweet Jesus, I do acknow- 
ledge and believe, that while 
you were yet hanging on the 
cross, you suffered your most 
blessed side to be pierced and 
your glorious heart. 
Also with a sharp spear 
that both blood and water fell 
out thereof. I heartily beseec

the lorde to forgeue me clene
all my crewell synnes w[hi]ch
hathe proceded from my vn
clene harte, by thoughte or
dede in vayne glorie, or in ded
ly synne, In Imagynynge
or delytinge that I hensefurth
whiles I lyue spende nomore
my tyme in suche daunger of
synne and vanyte of thie
worlde, nor in Idle thought[es]
but to vse deuoute exortacons
and to haue com[m]unycacons

you, Lord, to forgive me clean 
all my cruel sins which 
have proceeded from my 
unclean heart, by thought or 
deed in vainglory, or in deadly 
sin, in imagining  
or delighting that I henceforth 
while I live spend no more 
my time in such danger of  
sin and vanity of your  
world, nor in idle thoughts, 
but to use devout exhortations 
and to have communications, 

feruente prayers and holye
desires, that may be vnto thie
peasure and wille, and that
all my hartes desire may al
waye Ioy in the my father
eternall: so that I may thr
ough thie precious bloode &
paynes escape the Immor
tall daunger of helle and
paynes Intollerable and so
surely come to the eternall
fruycon and heritage, w[hi]ch
thow lorde haste prepared

fervent prayers, and holy 
desires, that may be unto your 
pleasure and will, and that 
all my heart’s desire may  
always joy in you, my Father 
eternal. So that I may through 
your precious blood and 
pains escape the immortal 
danger of hell and 
pains intolerable, and so 
surely come to the eternal 
fruition and heritage, which 
you Lord have prepared

for all that hartely loue the
and do thie will and pleas[ur]
in this troublous lyffe.
          A petic[i]on & praier to
          Oure Lorde
Delyuer me from
my enemyes oh god
the god of my helthe, and my
tonge shall triumphe {illegible}
thie rightwisnes. I crye vn
to the, lorde, lorde harken
vnto my voice. Tary not for
 
                     {In lower margin in a different hand:}
youre lovyng and obedyent son
wishethe vnto your grace long
lyfe in this world w[i]th as muche
ioy and comforte, as dyde I

for all that heartily love you 
and do your will and pleasure 
in this troublous life. 
          A petition and prayer to  
          Our Lord  
Deliver me from 
my enemies, oh God, 
the God of my health, and my 
tongue shall triumph .......... 
your righteousness. I cry  
unto you, Lord. Lord harken 
unto my voice. Tarry not for 


Your loving and obedient son 
wishes unto your grace long 
life in this world with as much 
joy and comfort, as did I

I am euen at the poynte of
death. Helpe me lorde, least
I perishe. Oh god. whiche go
uerneste all thinges, w[hi]ch
onely caneste delyure me in
whose handes is the spirite
of lyfe. Rydde and pourge me
frome myne enemyes, de
lyver me frome theym Oh
god, thauctour of my health.
God, in whome onely con
sisteth my saluacon, delyuer
me lorde as thow delyuerst
 
                     {In lower margin in a different hand:}
wyshte to my selfe, and in the
world to come ioy euer lasting
your most humble son to his
dethe GDuddley

I am even at the point of  
death. Help me Lord, lest 
I perish. Oh God, which  
governs all things, which 
only can deliver me, in 
whose hands is the spirit 
of life. Rid and purge me 
from my enemies, deliver 
me from them, Oh 
God, the author of my health.  
God, in whom only consists 
my salvation, deliver  
me Lord as you delivered 
   

wished to myself, and in the 
world to come joy everlasting 
your most humble son to his 
death GDuddley

Noe from the waters of the
Floode. Delyuer me as thow
delyuereste Rothe from the
fier of Sodome. Delyuer
me as thow delyuereste the
Children of Israell from
the deapthe of the Reede See
Delyuer me as thow dely
uereste Ionas from the bel
lye of the whall. Delyuer
me as thow delyuerste the
thre Children from the
Furnace of breimynge fire

Noah from the waters of the 
Flood. Deliver me as you 
delivered Ruth from the 
fire of Sodom. Deliver  
me as you delivered the 
children of Israel from  
the depth of the Red Sea. 
Deliver me as you delivered 
Jonah from the belly 
of the whale. Deliver 
me as you delivered the 
three children from the  
furnace of brimming fire.

Delyuer me as thow delyue
reste Peter frome the perell
of the see. Delyuer me as y[o]u
delyuerste Paule from the
deape of the See. Delyuer
me as thow delyuerste in
finyte synners from the
power of death and from
the gates of helle, and than
my tonge shall tryumphe
apon thie Rightewisnes, for
thie rightwisnes as thap
postle saiethe com[m]eth by the

Deliver me as you delivered 
Peter from the peril 
of the sea. Deliver me as you 
delivered Paul from the 
deep of the sea. Deliver 
me as you delivered infinite 
sinners from the 
power of death and from  
the gates of hell, and then  
my tongue shall triumph 
upon your righteousness, for 
your righteousness, as the apostle 
says, comes by the 

Faithe of Iesus Criste vnto
all, and apon all theym th[a]t
beleue in hym, than shall
my tonge tryumpt in
praysing thie thie right
wisnes com[m]ending thie fa
uoure, Magnyfiyng thie
petie, knowledging my
synnes that thie mercye
may be declared in me w[hi]ch
wolde vouchesaffe to Iusty
fie suche a great synnar
and that all men maye

faith of Jesus Christ unto 
all, and upon all them that 
believe in him. Then shall 
my tongue trumpet in  
praising your righteousness, 
commending your favor, 
magnifying your 
pity, acknowledging my  
sins that your mercy 
may be declared in me, which 
would vouchsafe to justify 
such a great sinner 
and that all men may 

know that thow saueste them
whiche truste in the, delyue
rest them frome extreme
anguysshe and aduersite oh
Lorde God. Amen.
 
My God, my god,
Lo, wherefore,
forsakeste thowe
me, how farre is
thie helpe from my oute
cyringe.
My god, shall I thus crye:

know that you save them 
which trust in you, deliver 
them from extreme  
anguish and adversity, oh 
Lord God. Amen. 
   
My God, my God,  
Lo, why 
forsake 
me? How far is 
your help from my out- 
crying? 
My god, shall I thus cry, 

call apon the all day, and yet
wilte thow not heare/ shalte
I crie all nyghte and neuer
cease.
But yet thow arte he w[hi]ch
Leadeste me oute of my moth
ers wombe myne owne re
fuge euen frome my moth
ers teates.
As soone as I cam vnto
thie worlde, I was laide in
thy lappe. thow arte my god
euen from my mothers

call upon you all day, and yet  
will you not hear? Shall 
I cry all night and never 
cease? 
But yet you are he which 
leads me out of my mother’s 
womb, my own refuge 
even from my mother’s 
teats.
As soon as I came into  
this world, I was laid in 
your lap. You are my God 
even from my mother’s 

wombe.
Go thow not farre from
me, for my trouble draweth
nyghe, neither is there any
man wille helpe.
The lorde is my rocke of
stone, my buckeler, my dely
uerer, my god, my defender,
vnto whose faithfulnes I be
take my selffe, my shelde, my
sauyng power, my refuge.
Thow haste defended me w[i]th
thie sauynge shelde and bucke
ler, and thie righte hande

womb. 
Go you not far from  
me, for my trouble draws  
nigh, neither is there any 
man will help. 
The Lord is my rock of 
stone, my buckler, my deliverer, 
my God, my defender, 
unto whose faithfulness I betake 
myself, my shield, my 
saving power, my refuge. 
You have defended me with 
your saving shield and buckler, 
and your right hand 

staied me, thie fauorable
gentlenes made me to haue
the vper hande of myne ene
myes.
Wherefore I shal magny
fie the Oh lorde w[i]th highe
prayse amonge the nac[i]ons
and shall singe w[i]th thancks
gyuyng vnto thie name
More worthie to be desired
than Golde or precious sto
nes. sweter than the honye
combe whan it droppethe
So thie mercy shall I cleue

stayed me, your favorable 
gentleness made me to have  
the upper hand of my  
enemies. 
Wherefore I shall magnify 
you, Oh Lord, with high 
praise among the nations 
and shall sing with thanks- 
giving unto your name. 
More worthy to be desired 
than gold or precious stones. 
Sweeter than the honey- 
comb when it drops.  
So your mercy shall I cleave 

Lorde whiche arte my stren
gth.
Let the speches of my
mouthe and the thoughtes
of my hartes be pleasante
and accepte vnto the, lorde
my defender and my Redem[er]
Let not the proude men
falle vpon me. neither lette
the vngodly move me.
Verely I haue beene rong
and olde and yet sawe I neu[er]
the rightwis forsaken

Lord, which are my  
strength. 
Let the speeches of my  
mouth and the thoughts 
of my hearts be pleasant 
and accepted unto you, Lord,  
my defender and my Redeemer. 
Let not the proud men 
fall upon me. Neither let 
the ungodly move me. 
Verily I have been wrong 
and old and yet saw I never 
the righteous forsaken. 

In tyme of aduersite they
shall not be shamed, in tyme
of hongre, they shalbe well
filled.
Helthe shall com vnto the
rightwis men from the
lorde, he is theire strength
in tyme of tribulac[i]on.
The lorde for a surety will
helpe theym and wille dely
uer them from the vngodly
and he wolle saue theym by
cause they haue trusted in hy.

In time of adversity they 
shall not be shamed, in time 
of hunger, they shall be well 
filled. 
Health shall come unto the  
righteous men from the 
Lord. He is their strength 
in time of tribulation. 
The Lord for certain will  
help them and will deliver 
them from the ungodly 
and he will save them  
because they have trusted in him.

God ys for vs a defence and
Strength. He is oure moste pre
sente helper, whan aduarsite
thurstethe vs downe.
With priase shall I remember
the worde of god, with praise
shall I remember the promis
of the lorde.
In God shall I truste, and
so shall I not feare what souer
man may do to me.
I Shall make my vowce
Vnto the O god, vnto the shall

God is for us a defense and 
strength. He is our most present 
helper, when adversity 
thrusts us down. 
With praise shall I remember 
the word of God, with praise  
shall I remember the promise 
of the Lord. 
In God shall I trust, and 
so shall I not fear whatsoever 
man may do to me. 
I Shall make my voice 
Unto you O God, unto you shall

I geue praises.
For thow wilte delyuer my
soule frome death, and my fe
te surely frome slyding that I
myghte walke before the, in the
lyuely lyghte.
Looke vppe vnto god, O my
verey stille soule, for vpon hy[m]
dependeth my abiding.
He is verely my defender
my sauyoure, he is also my
strong Castell, leste I be
moued and falle.

I give praises. 
For you will deliver my 
soul from death, and my feet 
surely from sliding, that I  
might walk before you in the 
lively light. 
Look up unto God, O my 
very still soul, for upon him 
depends my abiding. 
He is verily my defender, 
my savior, he is also my 
strong castle, lest I be  
moved and fall.

OF god dependeth my helth
and glorie. it is the power of
god, whereby I am defended &
holpen.
Thie mercie of the lorde shall
I praise in my song perpetu
ally, and thie faithfulnes shall
I declare w[i]th my mouthe into
all ages.
LOrde the god of hostes.
who is lyke the in power. Oh
lorde, all thinges aboute the
are faithfulnes.

OF God depends my health 
and glory. It is the power of 
God whereby I am defended and  
helped.  
Your mercy of you Lord shall 
I praise in my song perpetually, 
and your faithfulness shall  
I declare with my mouth unto 
all ages. 
Lord the God of hosts, 
who is like you in power? Oh 
Lord, all things about you 
are faithfulness. 

And it is thow lorde, whiche
haste the verey mercy, whiche
geueste vnto euery man after
his dealing.
Blissed is the man whome
thow O lorde teacheste and
chastenest[es] and instructest[es]
hym in thie lawe.
I shall surely magnyfie
The w[i]th all my harte in the con
cell of the rightwis, and in the
congregac[i]on.
I loue the lorde, for he hath

And it is you, Lord, which 
has the very mercy, which 
gives unto every man after 
his dealing. 
Blessed is the man whom 
you, O Lord, teach and 
chasten and instruct 
him in your law. 
I shall surely magnify 
you with all my heart in the counsel 
of the righteous, and in the 
congregation. 
I love you Lord, for he has 

harde me, he hathe harde the
depe desires of my harte.
He bowed downe his cares
vnto me, wherefore while I
lyue, I shall call vpon hym.
Excepte the lorde had helpte
me/ my soule had shortelye
dwelte in the place of silenes.
But whan I thoughte now
my foote is sliden away, then
thie mercie Oh lorde helde
me vppe.
Theise manyfolde and care

heard me, he has heard the 
deep desires of my heart. 
He bowed down his cares 
unto me, thus while I 
live, I shall call upon him. 
Except the Lord had helped 
me, my soul had shortly 
dwelled in the place of silence. 
But when I thought now 
my foot is sliding away, then 
your mercy, Oh Lord, held 
me up. 
These manifold and careful 

full thoughtes. brente me not
w[i]thin so sore, but thie consolac[i]ons
Refresshed agayne my soule my
che more.
The lorde shalbe a castle a
fore me, in whiche I may be
saffe, and my god is my rocke
of stone in whome I may be de
fended.
Prayse thow the lorde O
my soule, and all that are w[i]th
in me prayse his holie name.
Praise thow the lorde O my

thoughts, brent {i.e., agitate} me not 
within so sore, but your consolations 
refreshed again my soul much
more. 
The Lord shall be a castle before 
me, in which I may be 
safe, and my God is my rock 
of stone in whom I may be  
defended. 
Praise you the Lord, O 
my soul, and all that are within 
me praise his holy name. 
Praise you the Lord, O my

Soule and forgette not his be
Nefettes.
Whiche forgeueth the all thi
Inyquites and healeth all thy
deseases.
The lorde is prone vnto m[er]
cie and bente vnto fauo[ ur], he is
slowe vnto wrathe, and plente
ous in goodnes.
O how excellente are thie
woork[es], O lorde, all thinges
wiselye haste thow made/ therth
swymmeth in thie goodnes.

soul and forget not his  
benefits, 
which forgives you all your 
iniquities and heals all your  
diseases. 
The Lord is prone unto mercy 
and bent unto favor, he is 
slow unto wrath, and plenteous 
in goodness. 
O how excellent are your  
works, O Lord, all things 
wisely have you made: the earth 
swims in your goodness. 

I shall singe vnto the lorde
while I lyue. I shall singe vnto
my God as longe as I shall ha
{blot}y being.
Remember me O lorde, ac
cordinge to thie good wille pro
myses to thye people, visette w[i]th
thie sauynge helpe, whiche thow
haste promysed.
For thie goodnes is so grete
that it passeth the heuens and
thie faithfulnes also, that it lif
teth vppe it selffe vnto the clowdes

I shall sing unto the Lord 
while I live. I shall sing unto 
my God as long as I shall ha 
...........y being. 
Remember me, O Lord,  
according to your goodwill promises 
to your people, visit with 
your saving help, which you 
have promised. 
For your goodness is so great 
that it passes the heavens and 
your faithfulness also, that it lifts 
up itself unto the clouds.

God in whome I reioyce &
Glorie. holde not thie selffe
frome me.
Helpe me lorde my god
me for thie marcies sake.
Not vnto vs lorde, not vnto
vs. but vnto thie name geue the
glorie and preyse. for thie m[er]cy
and for thie treuthes sake.
Vnto the shall I make the sa
crifices of preyse, and the
name of the lorde shall I call
vpon.

God in whom I rejoice and 
glory, hold not your self  
from me. 
Help me, Lord my god, 
me for your mercy’s sake. 
Not unto us Lord, not unto 
us, but unto your name give the 
glory and praise, for your mercy 
and for your truth’s sake. 
Unto you shall I make the  
sacrifices of praise, and the 
name of the Lord shall I call 
upon. 

Let my aduersaries be we
ried w[i]th shame. and couered w[i]th
confusion. like as w[i]th a cloke.
Let theym curse, but blysse
thow, Let theym rise agaynste
me but to theire owne confusi
on, but yet lette thie seruantes
reioyce.
I shall magnyfie the lorde di
ligently w[i]th my mouthe, I shall
praise hym among manye.
For he will stonde at the po
ore mannes righte hande, to

Let my adversaries be wearied 
with shame, and covered with 
confusion, like as with a cloak. 
Let them curse, but bless 
you, Let them rise against 
me but to their own confusion, 
but yet let your servants  
rejoice. 
I shall magnify the Lord diligently 
with my mouth, I shall  
praise him among many. 
For he will stand at the poor 
man’s right hand, to 

kepe his soule frome Tyrau
ntes in auctoritie.
The lorde kepeth the poore
simpleons. I was full poore
and full of care, and he saued
me.
Wherefore vnto the O lorde
God de, myne eyes are lifted vp
whan in the I put my truste
poure thow not oute my soule.
For thow haste delyuered
mysoule from deathe, myne
eyes frome teares and my

keep his soul from tyrants 
in authority. 
The Lord keeps the poor 
simpletons. I was full poor 
and full of care, and he saved 
me. 
Thus unto you, O Lord 
God, my eyes are lifted up. 
When in you I put my trust, 
pour you not out my soul. 
For you have delivered  
my soul from death, my  
eyes from tears and my 

fete frome sliding.
What shall I geue agayne to
the lorde, for all the benyfittes
whiche he hathe geuen me.
It is thow that arte my gode,
and I shall exalte the.
My helpe cometh frome the
lorde, the macker of heuen and
erthe.
Lorde sette a keper to my mo
uthe, and kepe thow diligently
the dores of my lippes.
Vnto the lorde I cried, before

feet from sliding. 
What shall I give again to 
the Lord, for all the benefits  
which he has given me? 
It is you that are my God, 
and I shall exalt you. 
My help comes from you 
Lord, the maker of heaven and 
earth. 
Lord, set a keeper to my mouth, 
and keep you diligently 
the doors of my lips. 
Unto you Lord, I cried, before 

the lorde I felle downe and ma
de my praier.
Before hym I powred furth
My heauy meditac[i]ons, before
hym I saide my streyte ang
wisshe.
I cried vnto the O lorde and
I saied thow arte my helpe, thow
arte my portion amonge the
lyuyng men.
Attende vnto my cryinge
For I am in a greuous and
wretched state, delyuer me fro

the Lord I fell down and made 
my prayer. 
Before him I poured forth  
my heavy meditations, before 
him I said my strait  
anguish. 
I cried unto you, O Lord, and 
I said, “You are my help, you  
are my portion among the 
living men. 
Attend unto my crying, 
for I am in a grievous and 
wretched state. Deliver me from

my persuers for they haue
preuailed agaynste me.
But yet the name of the lorde
I cauled vpon. I besiche the lorde
delyuer my soule.
The lorde oure rightwis
God reproue vnto fauoure he
is redie and bente vnto m[er]cye
Vnto the O lorde haue I
lifted vppe my mynde, my god
I truste in the. lette me not be
shamed, leste myne enemyes
Reioyce apon me.

my pursuers for they have 
prevailed against me.” 
But yet the name of the Lord 
I called upon. I beseech you, Lord, 
deliver my soul. 
The Lord our righteous  
God reprove unto favor, he 
is ready and bent unto mercy. 
Unto you, O Lord, have I  
lifted up my mind, my God 
I trust in you. Let me not be 
shamed, lest my enemies  
rejoice upon me. 

ARise lorde, Oh god, lifte vp
thie hande despise not the poore
afflicte.
ARise, awake for my defe
ncem Iudgement to affirm
my cause my god and my {blot}
Gyue sentence w[i]th me for
rightwisnes sake. lorde my
god, leaste they reioyce ap
me.
Let theym be shamed and
also confounded together thar
thus reioyse apon my trouble

Arise Lord, Oh God, lift up 
your hand, despise not the poor  
afflicted. 
Arise, awake for my defense 
judgment to affirm 
my cause, my God and my ..... 
Give sentence with me for 
righteousness’ sake, Lord my  
God, lest they rejoice upon 
me. 
Let them be shamed and 
also confounded together there, 
thus rejoice upon my trouble

let theym be clothed w[i]th shame
and Ignomynye that thus
swelle agaynste me.
Let them be gladde and
reioyse that fauour my right
wisnes, and make theym to
say, the lorde moughte euer
be magnyfied, whome it hath
thus pleased to sette his ser
uaunte at reste.
And my tonge also shall
speke to thie rightwisnes day
lye shewting furthe thi praise.

let them be clothed with shame 
and ignominy that thus 
swell against me. 
Let them be glad and  
rejoice that favor my righteousness, 
and make them to 
say, “The Lord ought ever 
be magnified, whom it has  
thus pleased to set his  
servant at rest.” 
And my tongue also shall  
speak to your righteousness, 
daily shouting forth your praise.

My eyes shalbe euer apon
the lorde, for he wille drawe
my fete oute of the nette.
Beholde me and haue m[er]cy
apon me, for I am alone for
saken, full of affliction.
The sorowful sightes of
my harte encrease more &
more: leade me oute of my
angwysshe.
Beholde my poore state &
my heuenes, forgeue me
all my synnes.

My eyes shall be ever upon 
the Lord, for he will draw 
my feet out of the net. 
Behold me and have mercy 
upon me, for I am alone  
forsaken, full of affliction. 
The sorrowful sights of 
my heart increase more and 
more: lead me out of my 
anguish. 
Behold my poor state and 
my heaviness, forgive me 
all my sins. 

Kepe my soule and delyuer
me leaste I be shamed, for I
haue put my truste in the.
Defende me that I may lyue
rightlye, hurting noman
for of the doe I depende, For I
am but a halting criple
redie euer to fall, my sorow
neuer goeth from me.
Spede the to helpe me lorde
my sauyng helthe.
Shew me lorde I besiche the
what myne ende shalbe, or

Keep my soul and deliver 
me lest I be shamed, for I 
have put my trust in you. 
Defend me that I may live  
rightly, hurting no man, 
for on you do I depend. For I 
am but a halting cripple  
ready ever to fall. My sorrow 
never goes from me. 
Speed you to help me Lord, 
my saving health. 
Show me, Lord, I beseech you, 
what my end shall be, or  

what shalbe the measure
of my life. Let me knowe
I besiche the, how shorte is
my tyme.
The lorde will bring all
thinges to passe for me.
O lorde thie mercy standeth
forth foreuer. thow shalte
not forsake the woorke of thi
handes.
The lorde of Israel be praised
fro[m] worldes vnto worldes & th[a]t all
people moughte say Amen.

what shall be the measure  
of my life. Let me know, 
I beseech you, how short is 
my time. 
The Lord will bring all  
things to pass for me. 
O Lord, your mercy stands  
forth forever. You shall 
not forsake the work of your 
hands. 
The Lord of Israel be praised 
from worlds unto worlds and that all 
people might say Amen. 

          The songe of Aus
          teyn & Ambrose.
WE praise the
O god knowlege
the to be the lorde
All thevthe moughte wor
ship the, whiche arte the father
euerlasting.
To the crie furthe all aun
gells, the heauens, and all the
powers therin.
To the thus crieth Cheru
byn and Seraphyn co[n]tynually.
 
            {In lower margin in careful Italic hand: }
Forasmutche as you haue desired so simple
a weman to wrighte in so warthye a booke
goode Mayster Leaftaunte therefore I shall

          The song of Austin 
          and Ambrose. 
WE praise you,  
O God, acknowledge  
you to be the Lord.  
All the earth might worship 
you, which are the Father 
everlasting. 
To you cry forth all angels,  
the heavens, and all the 
powers therein. 
To you thus cries cherubim 
and seraphim continually.  
   
 
Forasmuch as you have desired so simple 
a woman to write in so worthy a book, 
good Master Lieutenant, therefore I shall 

Holy arte thow Holy arte
thow Holy arte thow.
Thow arte the lorde god of
hostes.
Heauen and earthe are fulfil
led w[i]th the glorie of thi magestye.
The glorious companye of the
appostelles praise the.
The godly felowshippe of the
prophetes worship the.
The faire felowshippe ofmar
teres praise the.
The holy congregac[i]on
 
as a frende desyre you and as a Christian requer
you to call vppon god to encline your harte to
his lawes to quicken you in his waye and not

faithfull throughoute all the
worlde magnyfie the.
They knowledge the to be the
Father of an Infynyte maies
tie.
They knowledge thie hono
rable and verie onely sonne.
They knowledge the holy
goste to be a conforter.
Thow arte the kinge of glo
rie O Christe.
Thow arte the euerlasting
sonne of the father.
 
to take the word[es] of trewethe vtterlye oute of youre
mouthe howe styll to dye that by deathe you
maye purchase eternall life and remembre

faithful throughout all the 
world magnify you. 
They acknowledge you to be the 
Father of an infinite  
majesty. 
They acknowledge your  
honorable and very only son. 
They acknowledge the holy 
ghost to be a comforter. 
You are the king of glory, 
O Christ. 
You are the everlasting 
son of the Father. 
   
to take the words of truth utterly out of your 
mouth, how still to die, that by death you 
may purchase eternal life, and remember

Thow whan thow shouldest
take apon the oure nature to
delyuer man dideste not ab
hore the virgens wombe.
Thow haste opened the king
dome of heauen to the beleu[er]s
Deathes darte ouercom.
Thow sitteste on the right
hande of god in the glorie of
the father.
Thow arte beleued to com
oure Iudge.
Therefore we pray the helpe
 
howe the ende of Mathusael whoe as we reade
in the scriptures was the longeste liued that
was of a manne died at the laste for as the

You , when you should  
take upon yourself nature to 
deliver man, did not abhor 
the virgin’s womb. 
You have opened the kingdom 
of heaven to the believers, 
deaths dart overcome. 
You sit on the right  
hand of God in the glory of 
the Father. 
You are believed to come 
our judge. 
Therefore we pray you, help 
   
how the end of Methuselah, who as we read 
in the scriptures was the longest lived that 
was of a man, died at the last, for as the 

thie seruaunt[es] whome thow
thow haste redemed with thi
precious bloode.
Make them to be nombred
w[i]th the sayntes in Ioye euer
lasting.
O lorde saue thie people and
blisse thyne heritage.
Gouerne and also lifte them
vppe foreuer.
We praise the euerie day
and we woship thy name
euer worlde w[i]thoute ende.
 
Precher sayethe there is a tyme to be borne
and a tyme to dye and the daye of deathe is
better than the daye of oure birthe

your servants whom you 
have redeemed with your 
precious blood. 
Make them to be numbered  
with the saints in joy ever- 
lasting. 
O Lord, save your people and 
bless your heritage. 
Govern and also lift them 
up forever. 
We praise you every day 
and we worship your name,  
ever world without end. 
   
Preacher says, ‘There is a time to be born 
and a time to die and the day of death is 
better than the day of our birth’. 

O Lorde. let it be thie pleas[ur]
to kepe vs this day w[i]thout syn
O Lorde haue mercy vpon
vs: haue mercy vpon vs.
O Lorde, let thie mercye
lighten vpon vs, euen as we
truste in the.
O Lorde I truste in the, let
me neuer be confounded.
Criste is deade for o[ur] synnes
And is Risen agayne for
oure Rightwisnes.
 
youres as the lorde knoweth as a
frende Jane Duddeley

O Lord, let it be your pleasure 
to keep us this day without sin. 
O Lord have mercy upon 
us: have mercy upon us. 
O Lord, let your mercy 
lighten upon us, even as we 
trust in you. 
O Lord ,I trust in you, let 
me never be confounded. 
Christ is dead for our sins 
And is risen again for 
our righteousness. 
   
yours, as the Lord knows, as a 
friend Jane Duddeley  

          Saynt Ieroms devoc[i]on
          Oute of Dauyd saulter
Lysten vnto my
wordes lorde and
considre my lowde
complaynte
Gyue eare vnto my cry.
inge my gouernoure and
my god: for before the do I
power furthe my praier.
Oh lorde, rebuke me not
in thie wrathe, neither chas
tise me in thyne anger.

          Saint Jerome’s devotion 
          out of David’s Psalter 
Listen unto my  
words, Lord, and 
consider my loud 
complaint. 
Give ear unto my crying, 
my governor and 
my God, for before you do I 
pour forth my prayer. 
Oh Lord, rebuke me not 
in your wrath, neither chastise 
me in your anger. 

But deale fauorably with
me/ oh lorde for full sore bro
ken am I: heale me lorde for
my bones are ^all^ shaken.
My soule trembleth sore: but
lorde how longe:
Turn the/ lorde and Dely
vere my soule: saue me for
thie mercies sake.
Beholde and aunswer me
lorde my god: keape me wa
kinge, leaste the slombre of
death com vpon me.
 
the lorde comforte youre grace and that
in his worde whearen all creatures
onlye are to be comforted and though

But deal favorably with 
me, oh Lord, for full sore broken 
am I. Heal me, Lord, for 
my bones are all shaken. 
My soul trembles sore. But 
Lord, how long? 
Turn you, Lord, and deliver 
my soul. Save me for 
your mercy’s sake. 
Behold and answer me, 
Lord my God. Keep me waking, 
lest the slumber of 
death come upon me. 
   
The Lord comfort your grace and that 
in his word wherein all creatures 
only are to be comforted and though

Make faste my steppes I p[ra]ye
the in thie pathes: leaste my
fete slide.
Vpon the I call. for thowe
Arte wonte to heare me/ o god
laye thyne eare to me to heare
my speche.
Declare thie excellente
mercy whiche are wonte to
saue men trusting in the, for
they rise agaynst the right
hande.
Kepe me as the apple of thyne
 
it hathe pleased god to take awaye
ij of youre children yet thincke not I
moste humblye beseche youre grace

Make fast my steps, I pray 
you, in your paths, lest my 
feet slide. 
Upon you I call, for you 
are wont to hear me, O God. 
Lay your ear to me to hear 
my speech. 
Declare your excellent 
mercy which is wont to 
save men trusting in you, for 
they rise against the right 
hand. 
Keep me as the apple of your 
   
it has pleased God to take away 
2 of your children, yet think not, I 
most humbly beseech your grace, 

eye. and hide me as though I
were vnder the shadowe of thy
wynges.
Who may perceyue and con
sidre what thinge is synne:
pourge me from secret euels.
But thow Oh lorde be not
farre: O my strength, haste
the to com and helpe me.
Delyuer my lyfe frome the
deathe stroke: and my deare so
ule from the woodenes of
these dogges.
 
that you haue loste them but truste
that we by leasinge this mortall life
haue wanne an im[m]ortal life and I for

eye, and hide me as though I 
were under the shadow of your 
wings. 
Who may perceive and consider 
what thing is sin? 
Purge me from secret evils. 
But you, Oh Lord, be not 
far. O my strength, hasten 
you to come and help me. 
Deliver my life from the 
death stroke, and my dear  
soul from the wilderness of  
these dogs. 
   
that you have lost them but trust 
that we, by losing this mortal life 
have won an immortal life and I for

Saue me frome the mouthes
of these Lyons and defende my
poore symplenes frome the
hornes of these vnycornes.
I shall sprede thie name
amonge my bretherne in the
myd{faded} of the congregac[i]on I
shall praise the.
Shew me thie maice lorde
{faded} me to thy pathes
LOrde remember thie m[er]cy
and thie gracious fauoure
for in these thinge thow excel
 
my parte as I haue honoured youre
grace in thys life will praye for you
in this life.

Save me from the mouths 
of these lions and defend my 
poor simpleness from the 
horns of these unicorns. 
I shall spread your name 
among my brethren in the 
mid......of the congregation. I 
shall praise you. 
Show me your mace, Lord 
....... me to your paths. 
Lord, remember your mercy 
and your gracious favor, 
for in these things you excel. 
   
my part, as I have honored your 
grace in this life, will pray for you 
in this life. 

lestge euen from the begyn
nynge.
But the synnes of my youth
w[hi]che my vngodlynes also re
member thow not: Remem
ber me according to thye
goodnes and for thie m[er]cies
sake oh lorde.
For thie names sake my
Lorde forgeue me wic
kednes: for it is verie mych
cholde my poore state &
my heauenes: forgeue me
 
youre gracys humble daughter
Jane Duddley

lest even from the  
beginning. 
But the sins of my youth 
which my ungodliness also, 
remember you not. Remember 
me according to your 
goodness and for your mercy’s 
sake, oh Lord. 
For your name’s sake, my 
Lord, forgive me wickedness, 
for it is very much 
cold my poor state and 
my heaviness. Forgive me 
   
your Grace’s humble daughter 
Jane Duddley