life, we may rest in him, as our hope is this our brother doth, and that at the Generall Resurrection in the last day we may be found acceptable in thy sight, and receiue that blessing which thy wel-beloved Son shall then pronounce to all that love and fear thee, saying, Come, ye blessed Children of my ffather; receiue the Kingdome prepared for you from the begining of the World. Grant this, we beseech thee, D mercifull ffather, through Jesus Christ our Mediator and Redeemer. Amen,

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the holy Ghost, be with us all ever more. Amen.

The 328

niam. Psal.

The thanksgiving of Women after Child-birth, commonly called, the Churching of Woomen.

The Woman at the usual time after her delivery, shall come into the Church decently apparelled, and there shall kneel down in some convenient place, as hath been accustomed, or as the Ordinary shall direct and then the Priest shall say vnto her,

:

fforasmuch as it hath pleased almighty God of his goodness to give you safe deliverance, and hath preserued you in the great danger of Childbirth, you shall therefore give hearty thankes vnto God, and say.

(Then shall the Priest say this Psalme)

Dilexi quo. I am well pleased that the Lord hath heard the voice of my prayer.

116.

That he hath inclined his ear unto me: There

fore will I call vpon him as long as I live.

The snares of death compassed me round about: and the paines of hell gate hold vpon me.

I found trouble and heaviness, and I called vpon the Name of the Lord Ô Lord, I beseech thee, deliver my soul.

1. 1. The 332nd page of the MS. Book commences with the words "The thanksgiving"; it has no head-line.

329

The Thanksgiving Churching of Women,

Gracious is the Lord, and righteous: yea, our
God is mercifull.

The Lord preserueth the simple I was in
misery, and he helped me.

Turn again then vnto thy rest, ô my soul: for
the Lord hath rewarded thee.

And why? thou hast delivered my soul from
death mine eyes from teares, and my feet from
falling.

:

I will walk before the Lord in the land of the
living.

I beleeued, and therefore will I speak, but I was
sore troubled I said in my hast, all men are
Liars.

:

What Reward shall I giue vnto the Lord for
all the benefitts that he hath done vnto me?

I

I will receiue the Cup of salvation and call
vpon the name of the Lord.

I will pay my vows now in the presence of all
his people in the Courts of the Lords house,
even in the midst of thee, Jerusalem. Praise

the Lord.

Glory be to the ffather, and to the Son: and to
the holy ghost;

As it was in the begining, is now, and ever shall
be world without end. Amen,

Head-line.

The uncancelled words in different character and darker ink.

1. 18. The 333rd page of the MS. Book commences with the words "I will". 1. 27. After "be", a period altered into the colon.

The Thanksgiving Churching of Women,

Or this Psalme.

Nisi Domi. Except the Lord build the house: their labour is but lost that build it.

nus. Psal. 127

Except the Lord keep the City : the watchman waketh but in vaine.

:

It is but lost labour that ye hast to rise vp
early, and so late take rest, and eat the bread of
carefulness for so he giveth his beloved sleep.
Lo, Children and the fruit of the womb are an
heritage and gift that cometh of the Lord.
Like as the Arrows in the hand of the Giant:
even so are the young Children.

Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of
them they shall not be ashamed when they
speak with their enemies in the Gate.

Glory be to the ffather, and to the Son and to the holy ghost;

As it was in the begining, is now, and ever shall be world without end. Amen.

Then the Priest shall say,

Let us pray

Lord, haue mercy vpon vs.
Christ, haue mercy vpon vs.

Lord, haue mercy vpon vs■

Our father which art in heaven,

thy Rame. Thy Kingdom come■

allowed be

Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven! Give us this day our dayly bread. And forgive us our

U. Pr.

1. 1. Or, Psalm cxxvii. Nisi Dominus.

Q. Pr.

against vs.

trespasses, as we forgiue them that trespass And lead vs not into temptation: but deliver vs from evill. For thine is the Kingdom, And the power and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.

1. 7. The 334th page of the MS. Book commences with the word "Minister." 1. 14. After "enemy", a colon altered into the period.