The Booke of Thenseygnementes and Techynge that the Knyght of the Towre made to his Doughters/Chapter 2
HOW THE MATYNS AND HOURES OUGHT TO BE SAID.
ND bycause that the fyrst werke and labour that man or woman ought to doo is for to adoure and worshipe oure lord and saye his seruyse; that is to understāde, that as soone as he awaketh he ought to knowleche hym for his lord and maker, and hym self to be his creature; that is to wete, to say his matyns, houres, and his orysons, yf he be a clerk, and to rendre and yelde to hym thankynges and preysynges, as to say, laudate dominū omnes gentes, Benedicamus patrem et filium cum sancto spiritu, or suche other thynges as yelde and gyue thankynges & preysynges vnto god. For it is a gretter thyng to thanke and blysse oure lord god than to requyre & demaunde him. For requeste demaunde yefte of guerdon; & thankynges and to yelde preysynges is thoffyce of angels, whiche alwey gyue thankynges, honoure, and preysyng vnto god. For it is better to thanke god than to requyre hym, by cause he knoweth better what is good for a man or a woman than they wote them self. After, we ought to praye for them that ben dede to fore we goo to slepe, and also the dede men praye for them that praye for hem. And also forgete not the blessid and swete Vyrgyne Marye, whiche nyght and day prayeth for vs, and also to recommaunde yow to the hooly sayntes of heuen. And when this is done, thenne maye ye well goo slepe, for this ought to be done as ofte as ye awake.