come it naturallye or by any chance or accident 8. To loose my life by suddayne death or else by longe sicknesse as it shal please God 9. To receiue harme in my Imagination whereby I may haue my braines crackt or become a very foole or madd man And to be content with all this if God permitt the case to befall mee 10. That my Body putrifie and corrupt slowly and with lenth of tyme and that others obserue and take notice of such putrifyinge and in their natures abhorre it and mee for itt 11. To endure and suffer the Agonye of Death and the vnwillingnesse and horrour that nature hath in the separation of the soule from the Bodye Iâ— is continued THE III. EXERCISE 1. I am resigned to dye a natural death or otherwise a violent and paynefull death procured by others which of them may best please thee my Lord. 2. To dye when where and in what manner it shall best please God and that without the helpe of any of the Sacraments if I cannot come by them 3. Beinge dead to want not only honorable but euen Christian Burial And my Body to be a prey and food to beasts and fowles as hath beene and often is the case of Martyrs 4. In the Agonye of death to endure such terrours Afflictions temptations as the diuel doth then vsuallye rayse and procure or my deare God permitt Heere follow Resignations about externall Goods 5. To be depriued of the Cloths I haue or may haue be they neuer soe necessarie for mee The like for good bookes conuenient lodginges and to haue these things bestowed vppon one whom in my nature I am most auerted from 6. To be driuen to weare cloths that seeme base or insufficient or vnfitt for the bodyâ— as ouer heauy ouerhott for the summer or ouer thynne and light for the cold winter or else cloths that are of hayre rugged and paynefull to the Bodye 7. To be streitned or otherwise ilaccomodated for chamber or lodginge hard beddinge to want necessaries in my lodginge and beddinge 8. To want necessarie cloths soe as to be brought to that pouertie that I am not onlye barely and basely clothed but hardlye able to couer my nakednesse whereby I maye be wonderfully contemned and dispised by others 9. To be turned out of doores and to be depriued of all certayne and proper place of Habitation and thrust into the wide world and soe entirely left to such destinye as God shall permitt to fall vppon mee 10. To haue all the temporal goods whereof I haue the proprietie or vse taken from mee and to be left as poore naked and desolate as euer Iob was or any man or weoman can be 11. To endure the Crosses that in any sort spirituall or corporal maye fall vppon my friends or kindred or vppon those who in my nature I most affect as to endure their deaths imprisonments dishonors losse of their lands or goods their extreame pouertie or whatsoeuer else may happen vnto them 12. And on the other side to forbeare and restreigne my selfe from all inordinate ioye and complacence that I may take in their prosperities 13. I am resigned alsoe and hope to be well content that my friends and kindred louers and well wishers doe alienate and withdraw their affections from mee doe forgett and neglect mee yea and come to be auerted from mee and to conceiue and speake euill of mee and doe mee euill offices yet soe as I committ noe sinne or giue noe iust occasion of such auersion from mee 14. And further I resigne my selfe to be left and forsaken of all creatures in the world soe that I haue noe Man or any thinge to cleaue vnto saue thee only my Iesus who will aboundantly suffice mee 15. I am resigned and indifferent in what place and in what companie I liue and in particular to liue with them from whom my nature is most auerted and to liue with strangers aswell as with my familiars 16. And to liue with them with whom and from whom I shall find and receiue most contradictions discurtesies and hard vsages if it shall be the blessed will and pleasure of thee my Lord to allot or ordayne mee to liue in such companye 17. I am resigned to abide in this life in all sorts of Afflictions for soe longe tyme as it shall please God though it were to the end of the world 18. And not to yeild to the Motion or inclination of my nature that would perhaps out of wearisomnesse fayne haue life at an end But in this I wholy submitt my will to the will of God Amen Heere follow Resignations about good name Honour and Estimation THE IV. EXERCISE 1. I Am resigned not only not to be beloued or well thought of by Superiors Bretheren sisters or others but euen hated and euil thought of by them Yet wil I take heed through Gods Grace not by any sinne to giue iust Occasion of such hatred or euil opinion of mee 2. And I am resigned that all others yea myne enemyes be in greater Grace fauour loue and good opinion with superiors and all others then I am 3. To vndergoe all manner of disgraces Reproaches slaunders infamyes Dishonors Taunts contempts neglects scoffs backbitings and iniuries in my fame And to endure all these be they done to my face or behind my Back whither I haue iust occasion for them or noe and I am sorrie for the sinne soe farre as there was a sinne in it and I am glad of the occasion growne by it of my Resignation and Mortification 4. And whither they be done mee by my Superiors or betters or by myne equalls or els by such as in the condition of the world are inferior to mee 5. And whither they be done by such as I esteemed my friends and of whom I had better deserued or by any professed foes or as such behaue themselues towards mee though I esteeme them to be in charity with mee and all the world 6. I am resigned that my life or manner of my death be execrable odious and hatefull to others and beinge dead to be euil thought of and euil spoken of by others and to haue noe man that will uouchsafe to pray for mee beinge dead but to be either cleane forgotten or to haue an ill memorie and esteeme 7. Yea thought by all the world to haue dyed out of the state of Saluation and soe damned for euer Yea moreouer to haue it soe sett downe and expressed in a printed booke or Cronicle not only to my owne euerlastinge shame but to the shame and confusion of my kindred and familye 8. And finally in this life to be held for the scumme and outcast of all the race of Mankind and forsaken by All both as to their doings and to their Affections towards mee 9. In sicknesse and other occasions and necessities to be chargeable and troublesome to others and my selfe to be profitable to none at all nor in any sort to be
who is most auerted from mee and is like to be most contradictoriâ— and troublesome to mee And of this mind with the Grace of God I purpose to be while I liuâ— though I liue neuer soe longe And shall by the grace of God be contented if not reioyce that I am and shall be held insufficient and vnworthy of any office or employment of worth or creditt 2. And on the otherside there is not or shall be any Office or employment soe meane base contemptible paynefull or otherwise vngratefull but that I will accept of it if it be the will of God and abide iâ— it soe longe as it shall please God out of pure obedience to His holy will though the Office or imployment were to continue all my life â—yme that I liue and dye the most abieâ—â—â— neglected and contemptible person not only of all the howse but euen of all others that are in the whole world This present matter of Resignation is very necessarie to be vsed in Prayer but more necessarie to be stood vnto in practice when the occasion happens Read consider practise The virtue of prayer is Practise out of prayer This is the rule of Rules and the only aduise as â—ften it doth For God seeinge the soule to haue ouer much pride and to want that humilitie hee would haue in her will not perhaps haue her to be chosen to such an office or place of Authoritie or dignitie which hee foreseeth would increase pride in Heâ— at least would not worke in her that Humilitie which were requisit for her And therefore hee prouides out of his greate loue to her that some other who perhaps seemes to be much inferior in Worth aâ—â— talents to be chosen to itt And oftentymes God for her further Humiliation in leiâ— of the higher place doth cause her to be chosen to some Other lâ—w or base place which shee in her nature contemneth And a soule that meanes or desires to be good doth obserue the deuine Ordinances and dispositions about her and doth thervnto conforme and subiect herselfe though extreamely perchance against the Inclination of her nature But a soule that neither is humble nor desires to be humble but would exalt herselfe aboue and against Gods â—ill by contradictinge his deuine Prouidence doth groâ— and become willfull impatient and takes occasion by itt of much harme yea perhaps of vtter ruine and Fall As it appeareth by almost inâ—init Examples that heeretofore haue falne out and doe yet dayly fall out For this hath beene the very cause of Apostatisinge of all Arch-heretiâ—es as Luther Beâ—nardinusâ— Ochinus and Others And in verie deed if you obserue itt you shall find euen at this day and as it hath soe euer it will be the causes and rootes of all the stirrs factions and contests that are in all Religâ—ous Conuents doe most commonly if not alâ—ayes arise out of Pride Ambition Irresignation in the point of Offices and places now last mentioned Which is that either wee couet places of Honour or Credit for our selues or for our Friends who beinge in the Places would fauour vs or else wee repine at the puttinge in of those whom our nature doth not affect for the place Lett vs therefore with the Grace of God ouercome ourselues in itt and stand vnto the most louinge Prouidence of God for our humiliation and finall Perfection in his loue which is the proper cause and end of our beinge Religious or our vndertakinge a Spirituall course of life The true end of our vndertakinge a Religious life And if wee doe not heerin seeke to subdue our selues but yeild to Ambition wee doe heereby resemble and serue the most ambitious Lucifer shall withoâ—â— adhaerents be pertakers with him and his adhâ—â—rentsâ— in his vnspeaâ—able euerlastinge torments from which God of his goodnesse preserue vs. Amen 3. I resigne my selfe to vndergoe not only such Crosses and Difficulties as shall fall vppon myne owne person of which kind are all the precedant acts of Resignations but alsoe all such calamities Crosses Pestilence famine scandal infamies desâ—lations deuasâ—ations disgraces pouertye and Other Afflictions of what kind soeuer thâ— Deuine Prouidence shall by any meanes permitt to fall on this communiâ—ie or vppon any particular member or members thereof And I purpose with the grace of God euer to serue and adhere to him euen in the midst of those calamities or troublesome alterations 4. In like manner I resigne my selfe vppon all publicke scandals giuen by others and vppon all publicke calamities falne on the whole Church or any member of it or vppon any particular Countrey and namely vppon our owne or vppon the citie or Countrey wherin this Monasterie Colledge or Howse is fearedâ— and in all cases to continue my adhereinge loue and good will to God as if such accidents had not at all happened 5. I resigne my selfe to dye when and in what manner it shall please God and in particular to liue in a howse the like for any other Danger which hangs ouer my head soe longe as God shall soe ordayne that is very like to fall and thereby oppresse and kill mee and that â—oe suddaynely that I shall not haue the tyme or space to say or thinke soe much as Lord haue mercie vppon mee Or perhaps I shall be fast a sleepe when it shall fall vppon mee and oppresse mee ere I be awake Or peraduenture the fall will not suddenly bereaue mee of my life but will bruise my bodye or my limmes and make mee liue in such intollerable payne that death would be a greate â—ase and pleasure to my nature I resigne my selfe I say heerin and the like to the deuine will and Prouidence in all such like cases Still crauinge and begginge of God that in whatsoeuer manner tyme or place my death may happen that I may dye in his Holy Grace and fauour for the saluation and eternall weale of my soule 6. Finally I render and resigne my selfe to thee Almâ— God whose I am by Iustice froÌ„ whoÌ„ this my beinge depends with all that I am haue or can doe or suffer in soule and Body Fame or externall goods for tyme and Eternitie Soe that I doe reserue to my selfe noe will at all but in all doe accept thy Will vtterly forsakinge neglectinge contemninge myne owne will as if I had noe will at all By which thou onlye deare God maye reigne in mee doeinge with mee and about mee as beinge but an instruement of thyne what thou best likest and pleasest now and euer more Fiat Fiat Amen Amen An Exercise of Deuotion to our Blissed Lady Mother of God 1. HAILE sweete Mary hayle most sacred Virgin whoÌ„ God before all ages did choose for his most Sacred Mother 2. Thou art betwixt God and man that Blissed Mediatrix by whom the highest things are ioyned to the lowest 3. Thou art the beginninge of life the Gate or entree of Grace the safe Hauen of the world sufferinge shipwracke
4. Obtayne for mee I beseech thee perfect pardon of my sinns and the perfect Grace of the Holy Ghost 5. That I maye diligentlye worship chastlye and feruentlye loue thy Sonne my Sauuiour and thee the Mother of Mercie 6. Hayle sweete Marie whom forshewed in sundrie figuratiue speeches and promised in diuers Oracles of the Prophets the Ancient Fathers did coueâ— most earneâ—tly 7. O my Lady receiue mee for thy poore seruant Adopt mee O Mother for thy Sonne 8. Graunt that I may be numbred amonge them whom thou dost loue whose names are written in thy Virginall breast and whom thou dost teach direct helpe cherishâ— and protect 9. Hayle sweete Marie whom God by a most Honorable Priuiledge did preserue from sinne 10. And adorned with most singular Grace and most excellent guifts 11. O Glorious Virgin ô Gratious Virgin ô moâ—t pure Virgin chosen amongst thowsands 12. Doâ— not repell mee wicked sinner doe not dispise and reiect mee defiled with the filth of sinne 13. But heare mee miserable wretch â—ryinge vnto thee comfort mee desiringe thee and helpe mee trustinge in thee Amen An Exercâ—se to the Holy Angells and especiallye the Angell Guardian 1. I Salute you ô Holy Spirittâ— and with all myne Hart Congratulate your Happinesse who continuallye contemplate and behold the Deuine Face and Allsatiatinge goodnesse 2. You ô Seraphin Cherubim and Thrones who are of the higher Ierarchie you ô dominations virtues and powers of the middle you ô Princes Archangells and Angâ—lls of the lowest who continuallye singe Holy Holye Holye Lord God of Sabaoth 3. Thou ô my Lord hast made these holy Spirits Angells for my Benefitt and hast commanded them to keepe mee in all my wayes 4. They doe therefore assist vs with greate care and with watchfull endeauour at all tymes and in all plaâ—es succouringe vs. 5. They present our sighs and sobbs to thee ô Lord they inflame our will illuminate our vnderstandinge and replenish our mind with holy thoughts 6. They walke with vs in all our wayes reioycinge at our virtues and contristated at our vices 7. Their loue is greate and excessiue towards vs. 8. They helpe such as are takinge pains they protect such as are at rest they encourage such as fight they crowne the conquerors they reioyce with such as ioye I meane such as ioye in thee and they suffer with such as suffer I meane such as are in sufferance for thee 9. Greate and very greate is the Honour done to man to haue Angells to wayte on and assist him 10. O my Deare Angell Guardian gouerne protect and defend mee illuminate comfort and direct mee now and euer more 11. O Blissed Angells be you euer blissed and praysed for all and euerie Fauour and benefitt you haue most louingely and powrefullye bestowed on mee and vouchsafed mee and one on my owne experience a most singular one 12. Graunt ô Father of Heauen and Earth that they may euer reioyce concerninge vs that is by our practise of vertue and that thou maist euer be praysed by them and vs and that both they and wee maye be brought into one sheepefould that together wee maye confesse to thy holy name O Thou Crâ—atsr of men and Angells Amen AN EXERCISE OF Deuotion Towards our Holy Father and Religious founder S. Bennet 1. HAYLE most blissed â—and glorius Father I congratulate with all my hart thy glorie and grace with God 2. I prayse likewise and thanke the deuine goodnesse that made thee worthyâ— and brought thee to the same 3. Bestowingâ— on thee in this life very greate naturall and supernaturall guifts and graces by meanes whereof thou hast obtayned thy present most glorious and happie condition 4. In particular I prayse and magnifie the same deuine goodnesse for that it gaue thee the grace in the very flowre or prime of thy youth with a thristye mind to seeke after the sole felicitie of the future life 5. And for that end to forsake all the vayne pleasures of this life the solaces of thy Parents kinred and Countrey the desire of humane sciences and learninge and generallye all things that might not be needfull for thee towards attayninge the foresaid felicitie 6. And I prayse and magnifie the same deuine goodnesse for that by such callinge and takinge of thee soe tymelye out of the world and the snares of it hee freed and secuâ—ed thee from worser habits and multitudes of sinns which the world if thoâ— hadst remayned longer in it had beeâ—e apt to breed and cause in thee 7. I prayse and magnifie the same deuine goodnesse for leadinge thee to a place of solitude and there prouidinge for thee all corporall necesâ—aries towards his holy seruice and thyne owne soules good 8. And especiallye for that the same deuine goodnesse itselfe vouchsafed to become thy immediate Maister and Director inspiringe thee and teachinge thee what to doe continuallye 9. And gaue thee Grace and strenth to performe and accomplish the things necessarie and expedient to the end Hee called thee to 10. And namelye to liue in mortification of body and will And as it were in continuall prayer and high Contemplation 11. I prayse and glorifie the same deuine Goodnesse for bestowinge on thee the most necessarie guift of perseuerance by which thou didst remayne constant in such perfect deuine seruice from thy first call to the verie period of thy life 11. That comeinge to dye euen ripe for a most holye death thou didst as it were passe from life to life as one thaâ— feeles not what corporall death meanes 13. Soe that thy expiration was Aspiration accordinge to what S. Gregorie the great saith of thee Vltimum Spiritum inter verba Orationis efflauit To witt His last breath was Prayer Passinge forth of the faithfull Contemplation of this life to the reall and beatificke contemplation of the other 1â— I now cordiallye congratulate the perfect felicitie thou enioyest 15. And since I am called by the deuine Grace as I truly hope to liue accordinge to thy holye Rule for my Saluation and Perfection vouchsafe thy Holy intercession for that end that I maye through Gods Grace liue accordinglye and dye consummated and perfect therin and thereby for without his Grace I can doe nothinge 16. And as the said S. Gregorie saith thou framedst thy Rule accordinge to thy holye life sweete Iesus giue mee grace interiorlye and exteriorlye to be a faithfull Imitator thereof 17. That I may be led by the same Guide the Holy Ghost 18. And Exercise true Spirituall Prayer the only meanes to all vertues 19. That I may in all things abandon my selfe with all puâ—itie of Intention 20. And doe all good and abstayne from all euill which interiorlye and exteriorly may concerne mee 21. Especially in all things occurringe patientlye to suffer all iniuries â—â—d Crosses 22. And that all maye be accomplished God grant mee as hee did to thee the guift of perseuerance 23. That I expiringe maye be admitted into the happy societie of thee and thy
the soule O Et Praesidium dulce Decus meum 1. O thou art both my safeguard and my sweet Ornament Da quod iubes Iube quod vis 2. Graunt mee to doe what thou commandest and command what thou wilt O vita Animae meae 3. O life of my soule O lumen oculorum meorum 4. O light of myne eyes In manus tuas Domine commendâ— Spiritum meum 5. Into thy hands ô Lord I doe commend my Spirit Ecce Ancilla Domini fiat mihi secundum verbum tuum 6. Loe the hand maid of our Lord be it done vnto mee accordinge to thy word Paratum cor meum Deus paratum cor meum 7. My hart is readie ô God my hart is readie Ecce ego mitte me 8. Loe heere I am send mee Tolle quod tuum est vade 9. Take what is thyne be gone Dominus meus Deus meus 10. My Lord and my God Domine quid mihi est in caelo à te quid volui super terram 11. O Lord what is there in Heauen or what vppon earth that I would haue besides thee Domine quid me vis facere 12. Lord what wilt thou haue mee to doe Hei mihi quia incolatus meus prolongatus est 13. O wooe is mee that my seiorninge is prolonged In ditione tua Domine cuncta sunt posita 14. All thinges ô Lord are in thy powre and Dominion Domine tu scis quia amo Te animam meam ponam pro Te. 15. Thou knowst ô Lord that I loue thee and will bestow my life for thee Quemadmodum desiderat ceruus ad fontes aquaaum ita desiderat Anima mea ad Te Deus 16. Euen as the hart doth thirst after the Fountayne of Water soe doth my soule thirst after thee ô God Infaelix Homo quis me liberabit de corpore mortis huius 17. O vnhappy Man that I am who shall deliuer mee from the Bodye of this Death Cupio dissolui esse cum Christo. 18. I desire to be dissolued and to be with Christ. Quando veniam apparebo ante faciem Domini 19. When shall I come and appearâ— before the face of our Lord Argentum Aurum non est mihi quod autem habeo hoc tibi Do. 20. I haue neither gold nor siluer but what I haue that I giue vnto thee Praecor celestem Regem vt me dolentem nimium faciat eum cernere 21. I beseech the heauenlye Kinge to cause mee who am very much greiued for want of it to come to the sight of Him whom I soe much loue Domine si inueni gratiam in oculiâ— tuis ostende mihi faciem tuam 22. Lord if I haue found fauour in thy sight shew vnto mee thy face Nouerim Te nouerim me 23. Lett mee know thee let mee know my selfe Te Deum landamus Te Dominum confitemur 24. Wee prayse thee ô God wee acknowledge thee ô Lord. Benedic Anima mea Domino omnia quae intra me sunt nomini sancto eius 25. O my soule and all that is within mee blisse yee our Lord and prayse his holye name Benedicam Dominum in omni tempore semper laus eius in ori meo 26. I will blisse our Lord at all tymes his prayse shal euer be in my mouth Benedicite omnia opera Domini Domino 27. Blisse yee our Lord All the workes of our Lord. O vos omnes qui transitis per viam attendite videte si sit Dolor sicuâ— Dolor meus 28. O All yee that passe by the waye looke and see if euer there were greife like my greife Sanctus Sanctus Sanctus Dominus Deus Sabaoth pleni sunt caeli terra Maiestatis gloriae tuae 29. Holye Holye Holye Lord God of Sabaoth heauen and earth are full of the Maiestie of thy Glorie Deus Deus meus ad te de luce vigilo 30. O God â— my God to thee I wake in the morninge Deus Deus meus respice in me quare me dereliquisti 31. O my God my God looke vppon mee why hast thou â—orsaken mee Deus meus Adiutor meus sperabo in Te 32. O my God my helper I will hope in thee Domine in caelo misericordia tua veritas tua vsque ad nubes 33. O Lord thy mercie is in heauen and thy truth reacheth to the clowdes Ad te leuaui oculos meos qui habitas in caelis 34. To thee haue I lifted vp myne eyes who dwellest in Heauen Fili Dei miserere mei 35. O Sonne of God haue mercie vppon mee Dilectus meus mihi ego illi 36. My beloued to mee and to I him Regnum tuum regnum omnium saeculorum domenatio tua in omni generatione generatione 37. Thy Kingdome is a Kingedome for euer and thy reigne is for all Generations and generations O quam pulchra es Amica mea quam puchra es 38. O how faire art thou my beloued how faire art thou Tota pulchra es amica mea macula non est in te 39. Thou art all faire ô my Loue there is not a spott in thee Vulnerasti cor meum sponsa mea vulnerasti cor mâ—um 40. Thou hast wounded my hart my Spowse thou hast wounded my hart Adiuro vos filiae Ierusalem si inueneritis dilectum meum vt nuntietis ei quia amore langueo 41. I adiure you ô daughters of Ierusalem if you shall find my beloued you tell him that I languish with Loue. Pulchra es Amica mea suauis decora 4â— Thou art faire ô my loue sweet and comelie Veni Dilecte mi Veni 43. Come thou my beloued come Dilectus meus candidatus rubicundus electus ex milibus 44. My beloued is white and ruddie chosen out of thowsands Quo abijt Dilectus tuus Quo declinauit Dilectus tuus quâ—remus eum tecum 45. Whither is thy beloued gone whither is thy beloued turned aside And wee will seeke Him with thee Reuertere reuerterâ— Sunamitis vâ— intue amur te 46. Returne returne ô Sunamitenesse that wee may behold thee Quam pulcra es qnam decora charissima in delicijs 47. How beautifull and how comelye art thou my dearest in delights Quis mihi det vt inueniam Te deosouler Te 48. Who shal procure vnto mee that I may find thee and kisse thee Osculetur me osculo oris sui 48. Let him kisse mee with a kisâ—e of his month Fac me audire vocem tuam 49. Cause mee to heare thy voyce Ecce tu pulchra es amica mea ecce tu pulchra es 50. Behold thou art faire my beloued behold thou art faire Trahe me post te curremus in odorem vnguentorum tuorum 51. Draw mee after thee wee shall ruÌ„ne in the odour of thine ointmeÌ„ts Exultabimus laetabimur in teâ— 52. Wee shall exult and reioyce in thee Indica mihi quem diligit Animâ— mea vbi pascas vbi câ—bes 53. Thou whom my soule loueth shew
whatsoeuer displeaseth thy sight and make mee a Man accordinge to thy hart 150. Wound mee ô Lord wound the most inward part of my soule with the darts of thy Loue 151. And make mee drunke with the wine of thy perfect Charitie 152. O when shall this be 153. When shal I please thee in all things 154. When shall all dye in mee which is contrarie to thee 155. When shall I be altogether thine 156. When shall I liue to be noe more myne owne 157. When shall nothinge else liue in mee but thou ô Iesus 158. When shall I loue thee most feruentlie 159. When shall the flames of thy loue wholie consume mee 160. When shall I be altogether melted pearsed through with the woÌ„derfull efficacie of thy sweetenesse 161. When wilt thou take mee hence by force drowne mee transport mee and hide mee in thy selfe where I maye neuer more be seene 162. When wilt thou free mee from all these impediments and distractions and make mee one Spirit with thee that I maye not any more depart from thee 163. O Dearely Beloued O Dearelie Beloued of my soule 164. O sweetenesse of my Hart 165. Heare mee ô Lord not for my merits but for thy infinitt Goodnesse and Mercie 166. Teach mee enlighten mee direct mee and assist mee in all things that I may doe or say nothinge but what is agreable to thy blissed will and pleasure 167. O my God my well beloued my dearest Hart and the very God of my soule 168. O my sweete loue 169. O my greate Delight 170. O my strenth Helpe mee 171. O my light guid mee towards thee 172. O God of my soule why giuest not thou thy selfe to thy poore Creature 17â— Thou fillest Heauen and earth and wilt thou leaue my hart emptie 17â— Thou bathest the Lillies of the field giuest meate to the little birds and feedest the wormes of the earth why then dost thou forgett mee who endeauours to forgett all others for thy sake 175. Too late haue I haue I knownâ— thee ô infinitt Goodnesse 176. Too late haue I loued thee ô Beautie soe ancient and soe new 177. Wooe to the tyme I loued thee not 178. Blind I was that I saw thee not 179. Thou wert within mee and I went seekinge thee abroad 180. But now that I haue found thee though late suffer not Good Lord that I euer leaue thee Amen Amen Amen FINIS ACTS OF RESIGNATION To be vsed accordinge TO THE DIRECTIONS ACTS OF RESIGNATION in things concerninge the Body THE FIRST EXERCISE 1. I Resigne my selfe for the Loue of my God my deare Lord to vndergoe these ensuinge Paines or Difficulties in my Bodie soe farre as God hath alreadie laid them or any of them vppon mee or shal be pleased heereafter to laye or permitt them or any of them to fall vppon mee To witt Agues Feauers falling-sicknesse crampe collicke Consumption or other bodilie sicknesse whatsoeuer Especiallie such sicknesse or infirmitie as troubles mee at this present or to which through my nature or Bodilie complexion and constitution I am most disposed and inclined 2. As weaknesse feeblenesse lamenesse Toothache or any other ache or paine in my head or any other part of my Bodie 3. Deformitie or vglinesse in the sight of others as it was in the case of holy Iob Lazarus and others that were full of Biles botches and other more odious externall defects in Bodie 4. Extremitie of Heate such as wee feele or maye feele in some time of the summer extremitie of cold such as wee feele or maye feele in some tyme of the winter And in tyme of summer to be driuen to weare and beare perhaps out of Obedience or other necessitie more cloaths then our nature needeth or is willinge to beare And in the cold of winter to be contented to want cloaths which wee conceiue our nature needes when that obedience or necessitie denies them vs. 5. Want of sleepe as when beinge in bed one cannot â—leepe through â—ome bodilie indisposition or other or when obedience will not permitt mee to haue soe much tyme for sleepe as my nature would desire to haue or maye seeme needfull to haue 6. Hunger thirst the difficulties of fastinge and Abstinence scarcitie in meate or drinke as not hauinge soe much in Quantitie as my nature would haue or perchance requireth or lesse then I see some others haue Or when the qualitie of the meate or drinke doth not please my nature and yet obedience will yeild mee noe better or when my meate is not soe well dressed as I could wish it were or when I haue it not in such a season as in my nature I could wish but is delayed mee for some tyme. 7. I am resigned and contented to see others better serued or prouided for in meate drinke cloath lodginge and beddinge then I am though I conceiue and imagine that I deserue and need as much as they doe and yet obedience will not allow it mee Likwise when it seemeth to mee that others are more spared from corporal labours then I am yet it seemeth to mee that they need or deserue noe more indulgence or sparinge then I doe 8. Indisgestion vomitinge or other payne or defect in the stomacke not to be able to gett downe some meate that is vngratefull to the stomacke or palate And yet obedience or pouertie will perhaps afford mee noe better 9. Paynes or Defects about the 5. externall senses As bitter or vnsauorie Tasts vngratefull smells hideous and horrible sights or representations to the eyes as the sight of Deuills or damned soules Hideous and fearefull noises as thunder c. and noises displeasinge to the eare and soe of the Rest. It is continued THE II. EXERCISE 1. AS to the fift sense of feelinge I Resigne my selfe to suffer and endure scorgings buffetings beatings as our Sauuiour endured or stoneings as S. Stephen or incisions and launcings or câ—ttinge of the flesh or any other corporall paynes or torments be they external or internal To the losse of eyes or pains in them to deafenesse or dumbenesse to vndergoe alsoe some externall worke or labour from which I am naturally auerted when that obedience appoints itt albeit I should conceiue it preiudiciall to my health 3. To attend and watch with the sicke when that obedience appoints it 4. I am resigned to loose any member of my Bodye when God shall permitt or will haue mee to loose itt be it feete leggs hands c. 5. To vndergoe all sort of corporall labours and that with feeblenesse and indisposition of Body soe farre as the will of God shall require 6. I am resigned to loose all pleasure delight and Gust in the sense of Tast soe that I may find noe more tast in the pleasantest meate then I should doe in eatinge a chipp or a stone or in drinkinge of a thinge that hath noe tast or is of a very vngratefull Tast. 7. I am resigned to any disfiguringe in the face or other part of the Bodie