Rightuousnesse shall crowne thee Through thy euil gotten goods shalt thou perish The ioy and cherefulnesse of the hart is the pure life of man And his cleare conscience a sure fortresse against death The Tree of the field is knowen by his fruite So are the rotten thoughtes of the dissemblinge personne by his open deedes of malice Forgeue thy neighboure the hurte that he hath done thee so shall thy sinnes be forgeuen thee when thou praiest Remember the ende and lette enmitie passe which seketh death and destruction abide in the commaundement of thy God that thou maiste reape his blessinge They that reioyce at the fall of the rightuous shall be taken in the snare anguishe of harte shall consume them before they die Wrest not thou the law nor know whose eyes veweth all vertue seekes tâ— punish al wickednesse be not in the number of suche Hester 16. My right hand shal not spare the sinners and my sword shall not cease ouer them that sheadde the innocent bloud vpon earth Esdras 15. Despise not a man that turneth himself away from Sinne and cast him not in the teethe withal but remember we be all fraile and offenders Ecclesiast 8 Three thinges there be that my Spirite fauoureth the vnitie of Brethren and the loue of Neighbours a Man wife that agree well togeather Three things thereâ—f which my Soule hateth a Ritch man Couetous a poore man proude an Olde man that is vnchaste Eccle. 25. Oppresse not thou the Lawe nor knowe any person neither take any reward for gifts blind the wise and peruert the words of the Rightuous that which is iust shall then followe that thou mayst liue Leuit. 19. See that thou know no faces in iudgemente nor doo any vnrightuousnesse in iudgement in meatte Yearde in Waighte or in Measure trewe Ballances trewe waightes a trewe Ephâ— and a trewe line shall you haue to all men Ibidem Thou shalt not fauoure the poore nor honoure the mighty but in rightuousnesse shalt thou iudge thy Neighbour Ibidem Thou shalte not aduenge thy self nor be mindeful of a wrong but shalt loue thy Neighbour euen as thy selfe Iames. 1. As the Sunne riseth is heat and the grasse withereth and his flower falleth away the bewty of the fashion of it perisheth euen so shal the malitious ritch vnrightuous and dissemblinge person perish in the wickednesse of his waies Iudge nothinge before the time which will lighten thinges that are hidden in darknesse and open the Counsels of the harts so shall euery man haue praise of god Corinth 4. See thou robbe not the poore because he is weake and oppresse not the simple in iudgement for the Lorde him selfe wil defend their cause and doo violence to them that haue vsed violence Prouerb 22. God resisteth the prowde and geueth grace vnto the lowlie Iames. 4. Dispise not thou the chastening of the Lorde neither dispaire when he geueth thee aduersity for whom the Lorde loueth him he chasteneth yea he scourgeth with affliction euery sonne that he receiueth Hebr. 12 Lette euery man be swifte to heare slowe to speake slowe to wrath for the wrath of man worketh not that which is rightuous before God wherefore lay aparte all malice and with all meekenesse of harte exercise truthe and quietnesse Iames. 1. Lay aside all maliciousnesse and all guile fainednesse and enuie all backbitinge and as new borne Babes desire ye that Milke not of the Bodie but of the Soule whiche is without disceipte that ye may grow therby vnto saluacion 2. epist. Petr. The eies of the Lorde do gouerne the Rightuous and his eares open vnto their Praiers Ibidem cap. 3. The desire of the Lowlie is acceptable and the Lorde will encrease it but the hope of the Prowde is the indignation and in the freshnes of theyr labours wil he roote them out He that casteth out his words rashly woorketh care to his life but who so through silence seasoneth his thoughtes with wisedome is the Authoure of longe rest Euery labour geueth foorthe his fruite onely lippe laboure destroyeth time bringeth forth penurie The daies of aduersity are a blessing of God a cleare conscience is a continuall feaste A malitious man kindleth strife a foole vttereth his wrath in hast but a discrete person couereth wrong The Lorde abhorreth the praier of the malitious but who so humbleth his Praier in faith and Charitie shall finde his desire The desires of the Couetous man bring vpon him confusion but who so gathereth his Ritches with loue and fauour shall prosper Through Mercie and truthe sinnes are pardoned through Rightuousnesse and Faithe are thy prayers hearde and euill eschewed Rightuous lippes are pleasaunt vnto Kinges and dissemblinge tongues ouerthrowe hie Pallaces Better it is to be of humble minde with the Lowlie then to deuide the spoyles with the prowde Presumptuousnesse goeth before destruction after a prowd stomacke followeth a foule fall Mercie and faithfulnesse preserueth the Kinge and with louing kindenesse his seate is holden vp Who so followe Rightuousnesse and Mercy shal finde both life rightuousnesse and honour Like as the Golden pillers are vpon the sockettes of Siluer so are the bewtifull partes of the body vpon a wooman that hath a constant minde The harte of the foolishe is like a Carte wheele and his thoughts runne aboute like the Axeltree The wise man tempereth his rage with patience seasoneth his woordes with wisedome Who so is Mercifull and geueth Almes that is the righte thanckes offeringe but he that stoppeth his eares at the crie of the poore shal be cast downe crie him selfe and be not hearde All that is of the Earth shall turne to the Earthe againe all Brybes and Vnrightuousnesse shall perishe but Faithfulnesse and Truthe shall endure for euer Rewardes and giftes blinde eyes of the wise and make him runne that he cannot tell menne their faultes Let not thy mouth be accustomed with swearing for in it ther be many falles The heauinesse of the hart is al the pounishment and the wickednes of a woman goeth aboue all Like as to clime vp a sandie waie is to the feete of the aged euen so is a wife ful of woordes to a still quiet man. That woman that hathe bene vnfaithfull to the Lawe of the Highest and hathe broken Couenaunt with her Husband her children shall take no roote and as for her braunches they shall beare no fruit A shamefull reporte shall she leaue behinde her and her dishonoure shall not be put out Like as the Sunne when it ariseth is an ornamente in the highe Heauen of the Lorde so is a vertuous wife the bewty of all her house Perpetuall are the foundations that be laide vpon a whole stoany Rocke so are the Commaundements of God vpon the hart of a holy woman What so euer happen vnto thee receiue it suffer iâ— heauinesse shewed vnto thee that be aboue the capacitie of men Be not ashamed of thy freend in his aduersitie and keepe not backe thy counsell when it
make me pray with such humblenesse of harte and sorrowfull sighinges as no tongue can tell That guift most pretious will hold me vp where fleashe would fall and guide my feeble feete in the light of thy Law. Thy Spirite I say will purge mee from all earthly effects and lift me vp to heauenly thinges Therfore conioyne mee oh God of all mercy to thy holy Spirite to teache mee to treade the steady steppes of thy worthy will. So shall I leade my Life in the true Lawe of thy louinge kindenesse and with a stronge and stable minde perseuer in Prayer vnto the ende Graunt me therefore for thy Truthe and Sonnes sake that I may enioy this sweete possession of thy holy Spirite which may alwaies leade my laboures after thy liking and keepe my harte in thy feare Sweete Iesu make a couenaunt with me that I neuer become enimy with thee any more neither be found vnworthy of thy ritche mercy and bountifull benefites but that the remainder of my life imployed in thy Seruice may iustly mooue thee to forgeat the iniquitie of my tender yeares Continue thou God of all comfort with increase by the assistaunce of thy grace what I haue heare begunne So shall I liue to glorifie thy might and mercy for euer and euer Amen ZEale anger carefulnesse and sorovve cause celetitie of olde Age Iustice mercie equitie and truthe make glad the Holy Ghoste and to a merie harte is geuen long life and svveete taste ZAcharie spake from thee O Lorde saying Like as I deuised to punnishe you what time your Fathers prouoked me vnto wrath and spared not Euen so am I nowe minded to do wel vnto the house of Iuda and Hierusalem therefore feare it not Now the things you shall do saith the Lorde are these speake euery man the truthe to his neighbour execute Iudgement truly and peaceably within your Portes none of you imagine euill in his harte and loue no false othes O Lorde of my selfe I am so sinful and ignorant that I cannot speake or thincke a good thought much lesse to doo well in deede Assist mee therefore with thy grace that I may doo as thou hast commaunded And let mee comfort my selfe with thy sweete woordes by thy Prophete which are That as the house of Iuda and Israell were accurst emongest the Heathen so thou dooest promise to make them a blessing Am not I an Ofspringe of that seede O Lorde to whome thou diddest promise this blessinge Or were not these thinges written to putte mee in minde of thee and cause mee turne from my wickednesse and truste by thy mercy to obtaine fauoure againe Remember then O Lorde in thy Mercie Turne mee and I shal be turned saye to my Soule I am come vnto thee thy health and thy saluacion A Double tongued man is to be abhorred and he that beareth hatred can neither praie rightly nor speake truelie of whome beware for the malicious and double tongued hath ouerthrowen Highe Palaices laide waste stronge Cities who so harkeneth to them shall neuer finde reste nor dwell in safetie neare the Prince they are more perilous then a Fistula in the breste to the healthe of Man. AVenge not thy cause on me thou God of all iustice forgeue mee my contemptes of thy Commaundements and omission of Prayer If thou geue me equall pay of my Merites I perish Forgette my vnkindenesse I beseeche thee and clothe mee with comfort of thy compassion Purifie my Soule and Body wash away my wickednesse with the bloude breakinge from the woundes of my Sauioure Christe and I shall no more be vnkinde Geue me wisedome to knowe all thy preceptes and pleasure graunt thy mercy euer to keepe me and thy grace to guide me It yrketh mee that euer I did forsake so sweete a Lorde Sauioure my sorrow wasteth mee and my sighes ouerwhelme my harte Haue mee in remembraunce therfore for I tremble quake were not thy mercie knowen I should vtterlie despaire Turne away the stroke of thy vengeaunce from mee bringe my minde out of trouble into rest Fetch now againe thou most pretious Prince of all power that which thy puisaunt mighte hath shapen Restoare Sonne of the Father thee Almightie that which thou hast so well guided and bought with thy terrible torments Take againe into the Sacred seat of thy blessed custody Lord God Holy Ghoste my Body and Soule that haue wandred Thou haste pitifully preserued them long from the violence and vtter destruction of the wicked Serpente and throwes of worldly chaunce Moste mighty God sith thou haste aduaunced thy Glory by such compassion continue in me hartie Prayer put about mee the girdle of thy grace and linke my loue in the lore of thy lawes and my hart shal be thankfull Day and nighte will I say blessed is the Lorde And will praise thy Name and magnifie thy mercie for euer and euer BE ashamed of sinnes and vnrighteousnesse be ashamed to turne thy face away from thy friende in his neede be ashamed to obbrede thy friende with thy guiftes be ashamed to take and not to geue but be not ashamed of the truthe of God and his Couenaunte but do thy best to fulfil it and thou shalt liue BE my comforter in al coūselles and daungers oh God make cleare my vnderstanding and heape my sorte with newe effects and Spiritual motions Renew my Body and Spirite that all sinne flie from mee and graunt that I liue to rightuousnesse Power vpon mee the Spirite of thy grace loade me with the Trewe knowledge of thy woorde Holde my harte alwaies in thy feare builde a true faith and hope of thy promises and mercy in the Bowels of my breast The heauenly Father of our Lorde Iesu Christe hath promised it vnto mee for his Sons sake I seeke it for that thou maist ouercome when thou arte Iudged denie me not Though there belong nothing to mee but confusion and shame yet Lorde correcte mee not in thy dreadfull displeasure but with the louing fauoure of thy face looke vpon my festured woundes Heale them good Lorde from the bottome lette them be healed Mingle thy mercy and preceptes and sowe the seede of them so deepe in my Harte that no burninge blastes of persecution make asshes therof neither any thorny cares of this life doo choke it but that it may bringe foorth as thou hast appoynted like good ground thirtie sixe and an hundred folde The fruites of my haruest Lord shal be the flowers of thy glory My tongue shal alwaies speake of thy maruaylous workes and my hart shall keepe thy Lawes I wil not deny thee my God for the power of any wicked but will seeke thy grace hope of thy mercie and say The mightie God of Israell is to be loued feared and obeyed world without ende Amen EVill seedes see thou sovv not in the Furrowes of vnrighteousnesse so shalt thou not reape thee seuenfolde labour sue not vnto Man for any Lordship neither vnto the Kynge for the Seate of Honour
with thy truth and merites of Christes deathe and passion to lay my Prayers before thee requyringe mercy and forgeuenesse of all my sinnes and also the assistance of thy Grace to do thy will all the daies of my life and to obtaine all these my petitions through Iesus Christ thy deere Sonne and my only sauiour to whom with thee and the Holy Ghoste be all Honour power Dominion and Glory for euer and euer Amen A Meditation vpon the Lordes Prayer ¶ Our Father which art in Heauen TRuely thou O almighty father haste iuste cause to execute thy seuere iudgemente vpon vs sinners whiche so often and greeuously moue thy wrath and indignation againste vs but sithence by thy mercy thou dooste not onely pardon but also commaundeste and teacheste by thy Sonne Iesus Christe that wee should holde thee for a Father wee pray thee throughe him that thou wilt geue vs a full and sure truste in thy Fatherly clemency and that we may likewise feele some taste of that security whiche thy Children haue and with ioye call thee Father acknowledge thee loue thee and in all our troubles call vpon thee defende and guide vs that wee may perpetually abide thy children let vs not goe out of thy protection Though we be the children of wickednes yet let vs not holde thee in steede of a seuere Iudge whē thou wilt that wee shall not onely call thee Father but our Father and that wee pray not in our owne name alone but in the name of all thy Children Geue vs therefore an vniforme and brotherly loue that in deede wee may perceiue our selues to bee Brothers and Sisters and thee our generall Father Let vs pray for all the rest no otherwise then Fathers were wont to pray for their children neyther suffer any of vs to seeke his own and forget his brother but taking away what enuie hatred or discord so euer raigneth emonge vs that as becommeth Gods children wee may mutually loue one another and truely call thee not Father but our Father Of our carnall and earthely Father we receiue this brickle body and he is such a one as is subiect to death neither are wee sure how longe he shall remaine a father Furthermore if aduersity happen he can not chaunge that but thou arte a Heauenly Father truely farre better and more Nobler So much more righte is it then that we contempne for thee our Father Countrey Kindred Ritches Fleashe Bloude yea and what so euer is in this worlde vnder the scope of Heauen This also graunt to vs that we may be thy heauenly Children whom thou doest teache that we shall regarde nothinge but the soule healthe and that heauenly Heritage leaste in this carnall and earthly Countrey deceiued stirred vp or letted by ritches wee become heyres of sensuality but truly let vs say our heauenlie Father and that truely wee may be thy heauenly Children Halowed be thy name ALmighty God heauenly father thy holy name is miserably prophaned many wayes in this worlde scorned taunted and blasphemed when it is applied to those thinges in whiche is no glorye of thy Deitie yea many abuse it imployinge it to sinne and truly that vnwoorthy life in a Christian man deserueth to be called a prophanation of thy holy name graunt therefore to vs good Lorde through thy mercy that wee may beware of all those things by which the honoure and glory of thy name is diminished and purifie vs that the Artes of Magike may be abolished let people cease to enchaunt Diuels or other Creatures by thy name see that all distrust and supersticion perish Heresie and wicked Doctrine also whiche notwithstandinge they preferre thy name yet they deceiue many lette them perishe and be broughte to nothynge graunte that thy people be not deceyued through any outwarde shewe of truthe rightuousnesse or holynesse Suffer not any man to forsweare hym selfe lye or deceyue others by thy name Take from vs O Lorde all false aydes which take vpon thē a shewe of thy name remooue from vs that spyrite of Pryde and vaine glory and the study of prayse and glory Graunt that in all our troubles and euiles we may cal vpon thy holy name yea in the feare of our consciēce and euen when deathe assaileth let vs not be forgetful of thy holie name See that in al our successe both in wordes and deedes wee may praise and worship thee onely and not seeke out of these ours but the glory of thy name which alone possessest al things take from vs O Lorde that most foule vice of ingratitude Plant in vs such good woorkes and life that others may be allured to vs not to our but to thy praise and glory Lorde let not others be offended through the vices or euill workes which yet remaine in vs least thy name for our sinnes should be ill spoken of or not henceforth praised Suffer vs not to aske any thing of thee either momentary or eternall which agreeth not to the glory of thy holy name praise if wee do aske any suche thinge of thee in that heare vs not graunt vs so to liue as becommeth Gods Children that wee seeme not vnworthy of thy holy name Thy kingdome come IN this miserable and wretched life all kindes of sensuall apetide and wickednesse beare rule in vs and the euill spirite head and fountaine of all sinne hath gouernmente But in thy kingdome O Lorde grace and vertue guide the sway and Iesus Christe thy deere sonne true patrone of all grace and vertue holdeth Empyre Thou therefore deere Father fauoure vs with thy grace Geue vnto vs a true constant faith in Christe fortifie vs with a firme hope in thy mercie wherwith our weake and feble conscience may be raised vp from the feling of sinnes lade vs with an earnest loue both towardes thee and al other thy good Creatures Take frō vs distrust desperation and hatred remooue from vs the delightes of the fleash and plant in their steede an earnest studye of chastitie with perfect faith in thee which may worthely winne the reward of vndefiled battaile Make vs free O Lorde from discordes ambition warre and discention and let thy kingdome come and let vs leade a peaceable mutuall and quiet life Graunt that neither zeale anger or other vices with the whiche dissemblinge hatred are nourished raigne in vs but a milde simplicity brotherly loue al kinde of duties contentment and humility suffer vs not to be affected with immoderate sorrowe and heauinesse but let vs feele the pleasantnesse of thy grace and mercie and that in fine all my sinnes may be taken away wee abounding through grace and vertu in good works may be thy kingdome I say our minde our soule with al our strength whiche thou hast powred on vs may obey thy commaundementes and beare thy gouernment and neither folowe themselues the world the fleash nor the Diuell See Lord that this thy kingdome happely begonne in vs may so growe and be increased that wee be not
and I will not remember ought that he hath donne Haue I pleasure in the death of a sinner saith the Lorde God or rather woulde I not his conuersion from his euill waies that he might liue And againe he saith Returne and repente you of your faultes and your iniquitie shall not preuaile against you Caste awaie euil cogitations and take you a new Spirite And why wilte thou die O House of Israell I will not the deathe of a sinner returne and thou shalt liue O wretche why despairest thou sithe to this ende God sente his Sonne into the Earthe that thou mightest haue comforte This is the loue of God wherof Dauid speaketh saiyng Wee haue seene thy louinge kindenesse euen in the middest of thy Congregation Be early at the Chuâ—ch occupied in praier abide in the Apostolike faithe beware of Idolatry imbrace the louinge kindenesse of God who crieth vnceassantly I wil not the death of a Sinner but rather he conuert and liue Harke to this sweet Oracle shake of the drousinesse of errour and rise with Christ that thou maiste liue in him Marke how liberally he promiseth At what hower so euer a sinner shall repente I will put all his wickednesse oute of my remembraunce He hath no respecte to the nature of thy faultes he forceth not the greatnesse or number of thine offences repent but as thou oughtest he wil blotte thy wickednesse out of memorie That our prayer may be more acceptable to God the Prophet Osee telleth vs how wee shoulde pray Returne vnto the Lorde and say to him Lorde take away mine iniquitie receiue if I haue any my goodnesse and I will geue thee the batlinges and Sacrifice of my lippes Let vs reuerte that haue shamefully erred to him which taketh away the sinnes of the worlde and let vs say Take awaie from vs the euill which wee haue donne and accept this good what good Euen the Sacrifice of our lippes wee geue thee thanks mighty God to whom wee owe all that wee haue Take from vs which is ours accept of vs the which is thine owne Returne saith Ioell to your God because he is louing and gratious long suffring and of much mercy ready to pardon mischief Though the waight of sinne astonne thee yet let the mightinesse of Gods mercy vpholde thee which the Prophet doothe many waies exaggerat God saith he is gentle whiche he addeth that wee shoulde not dispaire of pardon God saith he is gratious that wee shoulde vnderstande how he not onely helpeth vs but that he pitieth oure miseries And thinking not this sufficient he adioyneth Long suffering And yet art thou doubtfull sinner Harken then what foloweth And of great mercie If thy faultes be many care not great is the goodnesse of God. What remaineth now but that thou turne and goe to him that inuiteth thee Thou wilte saie the horrible threatninges of punishmente feare mee Geue eare and mark And he is ready to pardon mischief that God which is so often stirred to anger of his owne accorde mooueth thee to repentaunce calleth thee to forgeuenesse forgetteth his threats denieth thee the tormente of hel in steede of punishmente geueth thee his blessing not onely turneth to thee that repentest but wilingly goeth to meet thee and embraceth thee This is it which was promised by Zacharie Turne vnto me saithe the Lorde of Hostes and I will be conuerted vnto you What meaneth he by Returne vnto mee that is acknowledge thy weakenesse and aske mercie And what is meant by this And I will be conuerted vnto you That is of a reuenger I will become a healper I will assist your indeuours and looke what throughe your owne strengthe you can not bringe to passe thou shalt attaine to by my fauoure No man can freely hate his owne sin vnlesse God mollifie his stoany harte geue him a fleashly hart vnlesse for a defiled conscience he make a cleane hart vnles for a corrupt soule he renewe a right spirite in him Peruse Reade vnreade the conuersation life of Christ there thou shalte finde nothinge but of his euerlasting mercy towardes all men He freely healed the sicke fedde the hungrie deliuered them that were in daunger cleansed the Leapers gaue sight to the Blinde restored the Lame cast out Diuels raised the deade to life and pardoned the wicked Search again the vniuersall discipline of God what other thinge conteineth it then the maruailous compassion of the Almightie Doth he not inculcate into our mindes by Parables to the intente wee shoulde not fall by any meanes To that ende serueth the parable of the lost sheepe which was brought againe on the Sheepeheardes shoulders the Parable of the lost and found groate of the hole men that wanted not a Phisition of the seruaunt to whom his debts were forgeuen of the Publicane and the Pharisey of the broken man whom the Samaritane cured of the good stewarde towards his dettours and of the crafty Stewarde towardes his Maister of the Prodigall Childe taken againe into fauoure As touchinge the bare name of the Gospell doth it not promise mercie Yes it geueth lighte to the Blinde libertie to the Captiue Health to the broken and laste of all a gratefull gaine to the Lorde who thirsteth nothing but the Saluation of sinners Likewise the name of Iesus that is of a sauiour what els doth it promise to the sinner but mercie and blisfulnesse If he had come representinge the Maiestie of a Iudge there had ben som cause why euery one mighte haue feared but knowinge him to come as a Sauioure dooste thou dispaire Saluation for the surer hope of Saluation the Sonne of God suffered death and offered vp him self a valiaunt Sacrifice for the sinnes of manne And hanginge on the Crosse praieth for his persecutoures and thinkeste thou that he will deny thee the forgeuenesse of thy sinnes that dooste acknowledge thy wretchednesse and craue remission Trust him that is mercifull and thou shalte finde compassion A sure hope obtaineth any thinge at Christes hande who so mistrusteth the Phisition hindreth his owne health The wooman of Canaan cried and her Daughter was cured The Centurian beleeued and his Seruaunte was made whole againe The Father praied and his Sonne was cleansed of the foole spirite The Apostles cried out Healpe Lorde for wee perishe and they were deliuered And wee see that in diuerse he hathe not respected the Prayers of the mouth but onely the Faith. He did but perceiue the faith of the people and saide to the sicke of the Palsie Be of good cheere my sonne thy sinnes are forgeuen thee The Mother and her companions do but weepe and her sonne is raised from deathe to life Martha and Mary did but mourn and Lazarus was reuiued Mary the sinner bewaileth he annointeth her kisseth her and saithe Thy sinnes are forgeuen thee He sufficiently asketh that confesseth his infirmitie he asketh effectually that lamenteth and beleeueth The woman troubled with superfluity of bloud secretly touched the vesture of Iesus