Isai. Ixiv.

1 Cor. ii.

they appear to die, but they are in peace. They shine as the sparks that run through
the reed bush. They glister as the shining of heaven. They are as the stars world
without end. They are as angels of God. They are clad with white garments, and
have golden crowns upon their heads. They do service day and night before the
glorious throne of thy divine Majesty. They neither hunger nor thirst any more,
neither doth the sun or any heat fall upon them; for the Lamb which is in the midst
of the throne governeth them, and leadeth them unto the living fountains of waters.
They follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. They have such joys as eye hath not
seen, nor ear hath heard, neither is there any heart able to think them. Infinite and
unspeakable are the treasures, O Lord, which thou hast laid up for them that depart in
thy faith. For these thy fatherly benefits toward the souls of the faithful, and for that it
hath pleased thee to call our christian brethren and sistern from this vale of misery
unto thy heavenly kingdom, we give unto thee most hearty thanks, humbly beseeching
thee that thou wilt take like care for us, and so govern us with thy holy Spirit, both
in sickness and in health, that we may live a good and godly life in this present world,
and, whensoever it shall be thy good pleasure to call us hence, we may, with strong
faith in thee and in thy Son Christ Jesu our Lord, commend both our bodies
and souls into thy merciful hands, and through thy goodness be placed

in thy glorious kingdom, among thy faithful chosen people, and

so for ever and ever praise and magnify thee our heavenly

Father; to whom with thy dearly-beloved Son Jesu

Christ our Lord and Saviour, and the Holy

Ghost, that most sweet Comforter,

be all glory and honour,

worlds without end.

Amen.

Give the glory to God alone.

THE

POMANDER OF PRAYER,

BY

THOMAS BECON.

TO THE

MOST HONOURABLE AND VIRTUOUS LADY

ANNE OF CLEVE', HER GRACE,

SISTER TO THE HIGH AND MIGHTY PRINCE WILLIAM, DUKE

OF CLEVE, &c., THOMAS BECON WISHETH THE

FAVOUR OF GOD, LONG LIFE, AND

CONTINUAL HEALTH.

AMONG many other godly and noble virtues, which God by his holy Spirit hath graffed in your grace's breast, most honourable lady, the fervent affection and continual desire of praying unto the Lord our God hath neither the last nor the least place in you. And as God hath wrought in you by the Holy Ghost this godly mind to call upon his holy name with diligent prayer, so likewise doth your grace stir up and confirm that spiritual motion with the exercise of daily prayer, lest that godly affection should be quenched, which the Holy Ghost hath kindled in your heart.

For your grace doth right well consider, that God delighteth in nothing more than in the invocation of his blessed name, and in the sacrifice of thanksgiving for his benefits. Where the name of God is diligently called upon, and most humble and hearty thanks given unto him for his fatherly and friendly gifts, there is his blessing, grace, and favour plenteous; there is the Holy Ghost present, there is a merry conscience; there all things prosper, there wanteth no good thing. Continue therefore, most honourable lady, as ye have godly begun, both you and all your faithful family, to call for the glorious name of the Lord our God with fervent prayer, and forget not to be thankful unto him for his benefits, wherewith above many other he hath richly endued your grace. So shall he be your loving Lord and gracious God, your favourable Father and strong shield. So shall he make your grace to prosper in all your doings, and bless you both with long life and much honour.

And that your grace may have at hand convenient prayers to pray unto the Lord our God, I thought it good, considering your grace's manifold virtues, to give unto you this my Pomander of Prayer, wherein are briefly contained such godly prayers as are most meet in this our age to be used of all degrees and estates, most humbly beseech. ing your grace to take in good part this my rude and bold enterprise, according to your accustomed gentleness.

God, whose glory you heartily love, whose word you joyfully embrace, whose name you earnestly call upon, mought vouchsafe to preserve

your grace in continual health and increase

of honour! Amen.

Your grace's most humble and faithful orator, Thomas Becon.

It may,

[1 Of Anne, daughter of John duke of Cleve, the fourth wife of king Henry VIII., little is recorded by historians, excepting the particulars of her marriage to that monarch, and a notice of her divorce six months afterwards. Into the details of these events it is not necessary here to enter. however, be said that, the preliminaries having been agreed on in 1539, the princess landed at Deal, Dec. 27, in that year. The king had an interview with her at Rochester, Jan. 3 following, and in three days' time the marriage took place. It does not appear that she was ever crowned; and Henry, having conceived a dislike of her person, speedily endea

voured to release himself from the connexion. In July, 1540, the convocation having pronounced against the legality of this marriage, an act to invalidate it was passed by parliament; and Anne, having laid down the title of queen, consented to live still in England, in the enjoyment of certain estates settled upon her on condition that she should not go beyond the sea. She survived her retirement seventeen years, and died in her house at Chelsea, July 17, 1557. She was of a courteous and gentle temper, much esteemed by her friends. Her accomplishments extended little beyond the exercise of the needle, with reading and writing.]