O Lord my God I humblie aske of thee Make haste sweet Christ and safe deliuer mee Although by sinne deseru'd I haue right well Such paine as this yea more than toong can tell Yet ah my God turne not awaie thy face Nor me forsake in this so sharpe a case This wombe and fruit that springeth in the same Hast thou create to glorie of thy name Opprest with paine ô Lord when I shall bee Make lesse the same so much as pleaseth thee And grant good God thy creature may proceed Safelie on liue with mercie at my need In Christes name I will my trauell show Now holie Ghost come comfort me in wo. Come father deare and let thy power descend O Iesu Christ thy mercies great extend Ah God! behold my dolour and my smart Sweet holie Ghost my comforter thou art Take part with me and heare my wofull crie Exaudi me miserere mei Amen A meditation to be deliuered from Sinne. O Lord my God I humblie beseech thee And Iesus Christ thine equall in Deitie With holie Ghost of like power in maiestie And three in one and likewise one in three Which is to saie one blessed Trinitie Grant that the power of thy Diuinitie May in this life alwaies deliuer me From fornication and adulterie From wicked sort of vncleane companie From sudden death and cursed blasphemie From vaineglorie and hypocrisie From malice hatred and crueltie From the detestable and great enormitie Of sedition and priure conspiracie From all false doctrine and heresie From pride in hart and vanitie From pestilence famine and bloudthirstie From iust desert of slander and infamie From filtie sinne and vile iniquitie And when as I vpon thy name shall crie Heare my request and grant me thy mercie Amen A praier for the Queenes most excellent Maiestie O King of heauen of earth of sea and all things else beside Vnder whose power and in whose hands the harts of Kings abide Vouchsafe to guid our gratious Queene Elizabeth aright That she in peace with helth may reigne and gouerne through thy might And when thy godlie will shall be to end hir liuing daies Hir soule may then with angels thine sound forth thine endles praise Amen A thankesgiuing before meate FOR foâ—â— such as we find Let vs giue thanks therefore And not forget the poore to feed with some part of our store Let all our talke be such whereby no grudge may growe Ourselues well easd God best pleasd Christ grant it may be so God long preserue in peace and helth Our gratious Queene Elizabeth Amen A thankesgiuing after meate THou God be praised for the food we haue receiu'd from thee And giue vs grace a life to lead More thankfull for to bee Lord long preserue in peace and helth Our gratious Queene Elizabeth Amen FINIS The poore Widowes Mite Gathered by VVilliam Hunnis one of the Gentlemen of hir Highnesse Chapell and Maister to the Children of the same Who knocks with hope and craues in faith shall haue their iust request By loue who seeks the way shall find to port of quiet rest Newlie printed by Henrie Denham 1583. To the Queenes Maiesties Highnesse E Except your Highnes well allow this gift of humble mind L Lacke shall my hope the gladsome fruit it sought thereby to find I If gift with giuers loiall hart your Maiestie will trie Z Zeale more than gift shall triumph then before your Princelie eie A A Persian prince in gratious part tooke water of the well B Bicause he sawe the giuers zeale the giuers gift excell E Euen so my zeale renowmed Queene equiualent is with his Th. Though I offense commit to giue so slender gift as this R Remembring yet your Princelie woont of clemencie withall E Example such hath boldned me vpon my knee to fall G Great gifts of gold and gems of price poore Hunnis would present I If he them had in stead whereof hee praies this may content N New yeere and manie God you send in health with peace to raigne A And after when your spirit departs with Christ it may remaine Your Highnes loiall subiect and humble obedient seruant W. H. The Authour W WHo seekes with works alone to win the life that shall remaine I Is farre deceiu'd for i ft be so then Christ hath dide in vaine LL Let our good woorks our faith declare by faith we are made free I It coms from God that goodnesse is no good at all in mee A As man himselfe vnable is in thought to please the Lord M Much lesse to woorke or doo the deed that might his health accord H Here I professe one God to serue from secret search of hart V Vnto his sacred word to cleaue and neuer to depart N No time my Prince nor Magistrate by will for to offend N Ne wish I woorse vnto my fo than to my verie frend I In Christ by faith by no meanes else my righteousnesse dooth flowe S Such was his loue such is my faith and euer shall be so The Poore widowes Mite The first Meditation Ah helples wretch what shall I doo or which way shall I ronne The earth bewrais heuen records the sins that I haue donne The gates of hell wide open stand for to receiue me in And fearefull feends all readie be to torment me for sin Alas where shall I succour find the earth dooth me denie And to the sacred heauens aboue I dare not lift mine eie If heauen and earth shall witnesse be against my soule for sin Vntimelie birth alas for me much better then had bin And now despaire approcheth fast with bloodie murdering knife And willeth me to end my greefes by shortning of my life Shall I despaire Thou God forbid for mercie more is thine Than if the sinnes of all the world were linked now with mine Despise not then most louing Lord the image of thy face Which thou hast wrought and dearelie bought with goodnesse of thy grace And since thy bloudie price is paid and bitter paines all past Receiue my plaints accept my spirit and mercie grant at last So shall my soule reioice reioice and still for mercie crie Peccaui Peccaâ•Œui Miserere mei The .2 Meditation THou God that rulst rainst in light that flesh cannot attaine Thou God that knowst the thoughts of men are altogither vaine Thou God whom neither toong of man nor angell can expresse Thou God it is that I doo seeke thou pitie my distresse Thy seat ô God is euerie-where thy power all powers extend Thy wisdome cannot measur'd be for that it hath no end Thou art the power and wisdome too and sole felicitie But I a lumpe of sinfull flesh nurse of iniquitie Thou art by nature mercifull and Mercie is thy name And I by nature miserable the thrall of sin and shame Then let thy nature ô good God now worke his force in me And clense the nature of my sinne and heale my miserie One depth good Lord and other craues my depth of sinfull
thereof but hardlie brought to passe A thousand times we doo esteeme much more than th' other was 31 So Lord if thou shouldst at the first grant my petition The greatnes of offenses mine I should not thinke vpon 32 Wherefore my hope still bids me cry with faithfull hart in brest As did the faithfull Cananite whose daughter was possest 33 At least if I still knocke and call vpon thy holie name At length thou wilt heare my request and grant to me the same 34 As did the man three loaues of bread vnto his neighbour lend whose knocking long forst him to rise and shew himselfe a frend 35 Lord by the mouth of thy deare son this promise didst thou make That if we knocke thou open wilt the doore euen for his sake 36 Wherfore we crie we knock we call and neuer cease will wee Till thou doo turne to vs ô Lord that we may turne to thee The second part TVrne from thy wrath ô Lord of hosts and set my hart at large Oh saue me for thy mercies sake and all my sinnes discharge 2 Not for the merits I haue done ne for the works I wrought But for thy endlesse mercie sake and bloud which hath vs bought 3 The debt is great that I am in not able for to paie And how to recompense the same none other can I saie 4 But goodnesse thine must me acquit or else alas must I To prison where no ransome may set me at libertie 5 For why in death ô God of life no man remembreth thee And in the hell who giues thee thankes was none yet knowne to bee 6 The grieuous plagues and torments there so smarting be and strong That no man can haue mind on thee or thee confesse among 7 No time is there or space ne place repentance for to find But burning paines and torments sharpe to all be there assignd 8 Remembring this while I am here and doo this life possesse To thee ô Lord in humble wise I doo my faults confesse 9 And with a spirit all sorrowfull I doo my sinnes lament And sorie am euen from my soule I did such waies frequent 10 And am with groning wearie made through tast of manie feares The night I spend my bed to wash my couch to wet with teares 11 Not weeping to the sight of men as doth the hypocrite But in my chamber secretlie where I my sinnes recite 12 Not onelie with the teares of eies but teares fet from alow That is from bottome of my hart repentance great to show 13 And as my bodie I haue made a seruant vnto sin So will I now by power of grace delight no more therein 14 But will the same on thee bestow ô Lord and freelie giue To serue thee Lord in righteousnesse the daies I haue to liue 15 For in this bed of flesh and bloud and couch of sensuall life The soules of all from Adams fall haue laine in wo and strife 16 And this doth make our countenance or mind to changed bee For inward griefe of this our couch of sensualitie 17 For when we seeke therein to rest and thinke some ease to find It after turneth to our griefe and anguish great of mind 18 It is a serpent faire in face appearing to the show But in his taile a sting lies hid of endlesse paine and wo. 19 Mine eie ô Lord is troubled sore with extreme rage and paine And I among mine enimies doo weake and old remaine 20 The wicked feend mine enimie still seeketh to deuise Some matter of occasion to laie before mine eies 21 The world also doth drawe me foorth to follow hir delight My flesh to sensualitie runnes on with maine and might 22 The companie of wicked sort entise me day by day Thus I with them and they with me alas still run astray 23 These enimies I neuer can be able to subdue It must be thou ô IESV sweete most mightie and most true 24 Thou Lord which hast destroied deth the diuell likewise supprest Must giue me powre to ouercome whereby to liue in rest 25 Then vnderneath thy death crosse I shall my sinnes displaie And stronglie fight against my foes and boldlie to them saie 26 Awaie from me that workers be of wickednesse and sin For why the Lord hath hard my voice and seene my teares therein 27 You damned spirits and liuers lewd the members of the feend Awaie from me for now your power is brought vnto an end 28 Your prince maister of this world that hath me turnd and tost Is now cast out and all his power his might and strength is lost 29 Although you haue me long time held in prison and in thrall Yet are ye now cleane ouercome by Christ most strong of all 30 I that in darknesse erst was led doo now behold the light The Lord my praier sure hath heard my suie is in his sight 31 To thee ô Lord for grace I praid and thou heardst my request And sentst abundant dewes thereof vnto my quiet rest 32 I praid likewise that all my sinnes might cleane remitted bee And thou hast granted my desire and safe deliu'red me 33 Wherefore let all mine enimies confounded be with shame And that right soone and suddenlie ô Lord I craue the same 34 I know that all mine enimies shall vexed be right sore And that thou wilt put them to flight from henceforth euermore 35 For what long time they haue possest they lost in little space Through operation of thy power and working of thy grace 36 With wrong they kept which y◠sweet Christ by bloud hast derelie bought And thou a mightie Champion hast turnd their power to nought 37 Lord I therefore thy seruant poore most earnestlie doo praie To guide my feete and steps aright in thy most holie waie 38 And that the feend mine enimie who seekes me to deuoure May neuer ouer my poore soule haue anie strength or powre 39 But as by grace I am restord to fauor thine againe So with that grace desend me Lord from euerlasting paine Amen Beati quorum Psal. 32. The first part O God I knowe by grace through faith the sinner is made iust Though we offend yet iustifide by grace through faith we trust 2 Which grace faith are thy good gifts which thou hast giuen vs free And thorough them the works we doo are made right good to bee 3 I therefore Lord my faults confesse by helpe of heauenlie grace And vtterlie my sinnes forsake and doo them all deface 4 Beseeching thee me to admit with those that blessed bee And to forgiue the trespasses which I haue done to thee 5 For blessed is the man in deed whose wickednesse and sin Is cleane forgiuen and couered as they had neuer bin 6 I will not hide my sinnes from thee nor seeke them to excuse But with my hart will them confesse and doo my selfe accuse 7 For Lord who goes about to hide his
owne iniquitie Thou shalt the same make manifest that all the world may see 8 Thou wilt him strip and naked make to his perpetuall blame When he to iudgement shall arise and liue in endlesse shame 9 And therefore blessed is the man to whom thou Lord shalt say I not impute thy sinnes to thee nor to thy charge them lay 10 He in whose spirit no fraud is found shall blessed be also And looke what thing he takes in hand shall prosper well and growe 11 If I for sinne should faine my selfe all sorowfull to bee And were not so then should be found both fraud and guile in mee 12 Or if I should account my selfe a man that liueth iust Hauing my conscience stuft with sinne so full as may be thrust 13 There should appeare great fraud in me for deepe dissembling so For why in me no goodnesse dwelles as of my selfe I knowe 14 If euer anie good were there it surelie must be thine But as for sinnes I manie haue and they by right are mine 15 For while ô Lord I helde my peace confessing not my crime My bones did waste through dailie plaints I made from time to time 16 My soule doth feeble wax and faint because I helde my peace But now I haue my sinnes confest I feele hir strength increase 17 I kept that backe I should haue told or else excuse the same And that I should haue closely kept did publish to my blame 18 I hid the sinnes that I had done and they remained still And boasted forth the good I did contrarie to thy will 19 Thus were the works that I had wrought quite lost with their reward And I among that sort remaine whom thou dost not regard 20 For day and night thy heauie hand vpon me thou hast laid And in my trouble was I turnd when I was sore afraid 21 My tribulation scourged me my moisture was made â—rie My verie back-bone striken was that I began to crie 22 My conscience likewise striken was with pricke of great remorce â—4 Although amid this water-floud of surging waues of sin We tossed be among the rocks yet are not drown'd therein 15 For thou ô Lord art my refuge from trobles all that bee And though temptations of the world about haue compast me 16 I not regard intisements theirs nor threats that they shall make For why my faith assureth me that thou my part wilt take 17 Thou Lord art onelie my defense my ioie is all in thee Thou shalt me compasse round about and safe deliuer mee 18 The tabernacle of my soule is round about me set With enimies such as doo seeke my hinderance and my let 19 But yet ô Lord thy prouidence shall me deliuer still And from all dangers me defend after thy holie will 20 Thou wilt informe and shew to me the way that I should go This life is but a pilgrimage I passe in to and fro 21 Of this way Lord thou art the end and marke whereat I shoot Grant that I may this voyage passe and foes of mine confute 22 And in the running of my course my faith so strong may bee That I may haue one of those games of immortalitie 23 Thus shall thine eie of strong defense on me be fixed sure And I with ioie shall able be this trauell to endure 24 For Lord if yâ— shouldst turne thy face or cast thine eie aside I should not able be to runne nor labor this abide 25 But should be as the horse and mule that vnderstanding want Such of thy grace faith and good works both barren be and skant 26 They are too proud and scornful eke thy lawes to hold and keepe The lusts and pleasures of the flesh so lulleth them asleepe 27 But yet the mouths of such wilde beasts thou Lord with bit and brake Shalt snaffle them with chaine and curb that doo thee so forsake 28 For great and manie are the plagues of those that sinners bee By meanes whereof a number Lord are turned vnto thee 29 And thou ô Lord that didst them plague for their correction Wilt also giue them comfort great and consolation 30 And he that trusteth in the Lord he shall be compast in With mercie and remission of all his former sin 31 Be glad therefore ye righteous and in the Lord reioice For he by grace hath made you iust through his most louing choice 32 Which were before stifnecked proud now gentle meeke and mild Not by your merits but by grace as father to his child 33 All you that be vpright of hart in God reioise also And to his will submit your will in anguish paine and wo. 34 And as S. Paule th'apostle was made glad in his distresse So Lord in all extremitie grant me the like successe Amen Domine ne in furore Psal. 38. The first part 1. Within my soule ô Lord doe maine troubles spring Sometime by feare of punishment that temprall things may bring 2. Which happen may to me while I this life abide For mine offenses done to thee which cannot passe vnspide 3 Sometime ô Lord by feare of sicknesse and disease Which here we suffer for his guilt that first did thee displease 4 Sometime againe by feare of death that follow must Which in a time vnlooked for shall all consume to dust 5 And last by feare ô Lord of euerlasting paine Which I by sinne haue well deseru'd therein for to remaine 6 But yet ô blessed Lord when thou shalt angrie be In furie thine correct me not nor powre thy wrath on me 7 And though thy bowe be bent with arrowe set therein And readie thou my soule to wound for my committed sin 8 Yet let thy mercie mooue with ruth on me I craue Bicause thou knowest I can not giue the thing that I not haue 9 For thou must first me giue ere I can giue to thee For of my selfe and from my selfe comes but iniquitie 10 Thine arrowes I confesse so deepe haue pearst my hart That medicine none ne other craft can seuer them apart 11 For if by craft I might these wounds make whole againe And so escape eternall death and euerlasting paine 12 My feare should be the lesse my ioie a great deale more But thou ô Lord the Leach must be for sicknesse mine and sore 13 Thy hands thou hast enforst so heauie vpon me As death with dart I know right well cannot auoided be 14 O death Vnto the man that substance hath at will How sharpe and bitter is thy dart when thou comst him to kill 15 Lord in my flesh I feele no health there is at all For when I thinke most sure to stand I readiest am to fall 16 But blessed are those men which neuer did offend In sinfull lustes but haue themselues kept cleane vnto the end 17 For in their soules they find great quietnesse and rest And euerie thing they take in hand dooth
And wanting hope we see into despaire he fell And hang'd himselfe vpon a tree among the rauens to dwell 21 Hope is the gift ô Lord that from thy grace proceeds loue And grace brings faith and faith brings from whom spring fruitfull deeds 22 And for because that I did alwaies hope in thee Thou wilt me heare ô Lord my God and safe deliuer me 23 My hope is firmely fixt and cannot be remoou'd Bicause thy grace assureth me my faith is not disproou'd 24 This haue I said ô Lord least arie time at all Mine enimies should ouer me triumph to see me fall 25 For whiles my feete did slide against me much they spake That is to say whiles my desires the way to sinne did take 26 And were from thee remoou'd to follow lothsome lust Then did mine enimies reioise to see me in the dust 27 But Lord I me submit vnto thy discipline And meekelie take correction thine for old offenses mine 28 And haue my selfe prepard vnto the whip of paine Whereby my griefe and dolor may still in my sight remaine 29 And Lord thou knowest of old there is no good in me Not one man good vpon the earth not one seekes after thee 30 Among thy chosen sort vnfaithfulnesse was found Likewise among thy Angels bright were thousands cast to ground 31 Then how much more alas of wretches such as I That dwell in houses made of clay must sinne continuallie 32 I will confesse to thee all mine vngodlinesse And for my sinnes will take more thought than well I can expresse 33 And yet â— Lord thy grace must worke this good in mee By which I stedfastlie beleeue I chosen am of thee 34 For now by grace I mind my sinfull life t' amend And vnto vertue will applie my life vnto the end 35 I see the follies past wherein I tooke delight To be both vile wicked and nought and odious in thy sight 36 And though my foes doo liue and ouer me made strong And they which hated me are great and doo me troble wrong 37 No maruell it 's ô Lord for why they mightie bee And are except thy grace assist too strong alwaies for mee 38 They haue long time deuis'd deceitfull craftie ginnes And by the same haue ouerthrowne the strongest in their sinnes 39 If anie time I flee repentance for to find Then one of these malicious spirits assaileth streight my mind 40 And with deuises new and frauds that be vnknowne He craftilie doth me subdue and so makes me his owne 41 Thus Lord when I am bent thy goodnesse to pursue Mine enimies doo me detract and breed my bale anew 42 The wicked feend alas doth manie times me grieue The world also dooth follow me the daies I haue to liue 43 The flesh dooth me prouoke with lust both lewd and nought Thus by these three mine enimies I am in thraldome brought 44 Yet Lord forsake me not ne let thy grace depart Least that mine enimies vnawares doo thorough pearse my hart 45 And though sometime ô Lord thy presence thou withdrawe Whereby the feend may entrance make and bring me more in awe 46 Yet Lord thy grace restore to me poore wretch againe That I thereby may him resist to make his trauell vaine 47 Giue heede therefore my God which art my helpe and health Whose mercie and whose goodnes shewd is to my soule chiefe wealth 48 Giue temporall health ô Lord as vnto thee seemes best And to my soule thy sauing health in heauen with thee may rest Amen Miserere mei Psal. 51. The first part 1. O thou that mad'st the world of nought whom God thy creatures call Which formedst man like to thy selfe yet suffredst him to fall 2. Thou God which by thy heauenlie word didâ—â— fleshe of virgin take And so becam'st both God man for sinfull fleshes sake 3 O thou that sawest when man by sinne to hell was ouerthrowne Didst meekelie suffer death on crosse to haue thy mercie knowne 4 Thou God which didst the Patriarks and fathers old diuine From time to time preserue and keepe by mercie great of thine 5 O thou that Noah keptst from floud and Abram daie by daie As he along through Aegypt past didst guide him in the waie 6 Thou God that Lot froÌ„ Sodoms plague didst safelie keepe also And Daniel from the lions iawes thy mercie great to show 7 O thou good God that didst diuide the sea like hils to stand That children thine might thorough pas from cruell Pharoes hand 8 So that when Pharao and his host thy children did subdue Thou ouerthrewst them in the sea to proue thy saiengs true 9 O thou that Ionas in the fish three daies didst keepe from paine Which was a figure of thy death and rising vp againe 10 I say thou God which didst preserue amidst the fierie flame The three yoong men which sang therin the glorie of thy name 11 Thou God haue mercie on my soule thy goodnesse me restore And for thy mercies infinite thinke on my sinne no more 12 O Lord the number of my sinnes is more than can be told Wherefore I humblie doo desire thy mercies manifold 13 For small offense thy mercie small may soone small faults suffice But I alas for manie faults for greater mercie cries 14 And though the number of my sins surpasse the salt sea sand And that the filth of them deserue the wrath of thy iust hand 15 Yet doo thy mercies farre surmount the sinnes of all in all Thou wilt with mercie vs relieue for mercie when we call 16 Right well I knowe man hath not power so much for to transgresse As thou with mercie maist forgiue through thine almightinesse 17 I doo confesse my faults be more than thousands else beside More noisome and more odious more fowler to be tride 18 Than euer was the lothsome swine or menstruall cloth beeraid To thinke thereon my wofull soule alas is yet afraid 19 Wherfore good Lord doo notbehold how wicked I haue bin But wash me from my wickednesse and clense me from my sin 20 The IsraeÌ„lites being defil'd durst not approch thee nie Till they their garments and themselues had washed decentlie 21 The Priests also eke clensed were ere they thy face would see Else had they perisht in their sinne such Lord was thy decree 22 Alas how much more need I then to craue while I am heere To wash my foule and spotted soule that it may cleane appeere 23 Polluted cloths with filth distaind doo manic washings craue Ere that the Launder can obteine the thing that he would haue 24 My soule likewise alas dooth need thy manie dewes of grace Ere it be cleane for cankred sinne so deepe hath taken place 25 The Leprosie that Naman had could not be done away Till he seuen times in lordan floud had washt him day by day 26 How manie waters need I then for to be washed in Ere I be purged faire and
Iesu Christ in all things now assist me with thy grace And make me strong with heuenly strength while life I haue and space Iesu let not mine enimie the feend ne yet the flesh Preuaile though still they me assaile from daie to daie afresh But Iesu strengthen thou my spirit it may the victor be And for thy tender mercie sake haue mercie now on me Amen O Iesu who shall giue me wings of perfect peace and loue That I therewith from hence may flee and rest with thee aboue O Iesu when shall I ascend and feele how sweet thou art And leaue the earth and loue thee best with all my soule and hart Sweet Iesu when thy pleasure is the time is knowne to thee Both now and then ô Iesu deare haue mercie Lord on mee Amen O Iesu king of glorie great the comfort of vs all Wee wander heere in wildernesse and euerie day doo fall Sweet Iesu come and visit mee my heauie soule make glad Which now through sinne in prison lies all heauie sicke and sad Good Iesu with thy presence set my soule at libertie And for thy bitter passion sake haue mercie now on mee Amen O Iesu oft it greeueth mee and troubleth sore my mind That I so weake and fraile am found to wander with the blind O Iesu deare thou lasting light whose brightnesse doth excell The clearnes of thy beams send downe within my heart to dwell O Iesu quicken thou my soule that it may cleaue to thee And for thy painefull passion sake haue mercie now on mee Amen O Iesu grant I may resigne my selfe vnto thy will And that I may my selfe forsake and cleaue vnto thee still O Iesu grant that I may haue of ioie and inward peace And of the paines I haue deseru'd Good Iesu me release Sweet Iesu giue me inward ioie my soule to feed on thee And for thy tender mercies sake haue mercie Lord on mee Amen O Iesu sweet I knowe I am but vanitie and sin Vnconstant as the wind that blowes and euer so haue bin Whereof then Iesu may I brag or what haue I to say Shall I of men seeke to bee prais'd or yet extold for ay No Iesu sweet the true praise is for to be prais'd of thee Wherfore good Iesu weigh my case and mercie haue on mee Amen O Iesu thou my glorie art in thee will I reioice And not good Iesu in my selfe nor yet in that mans voice That worldlie honour may mee giue to set mee vp on hie To rule among the sonnes of men and sit in dignitie These are but shadowes to compare to glorie that 's with thee Sweet Iesu for thy glorie sake haue mercie now on mee Amen O Iesu heere in earth we liue and soone deceiued are With vaine delights the world doth yeeld wherein we runne too farre But yet sweet Iesu if I could behold my selfe right well I should good Iesu plainelie see and thereby trulie tell The troubles that are falne on mee were for offending thee For which offense I pardon craue haue mercie Lord on mee Amen O Iesu Christ vnder whose power is both the sea and land Arise and helpe me to defend by power of thy strong hand From such as lurke and lie in wait and seeke to doo me wrong Sweet Iesu see how weake I am and how that they be strong Iesu make hast and come with speed my trust is all in thee And therefore Iesu helpe me now and mercie haue on mee Amen O Iesu comfort mine exile asswage my dole and greefe With thee to bee is my desire mine onelie cheefe releefe Iesu the pleasures of this world they may not long indure And he that puts his trust therein shall find them all vnsure Sweet Iesu grant that I may haue mine onelie ioie in thee And for thy bloudie passion sake haue mercie now on mee Amen O Iesu Christ that hast mee made and with thy bloud mee bought Suffer mee not to be condemn'd whom thou hast made of nought O Iesu mild in time of need thy mercie doo bestowe And in thy iustice iudge mee not nor doo thy rigor showe O Iesu in extremitie I doo appeale to thee Wherefore sith that I trust in thee haue mercie now on mee Amen O Iesu sweet for heauenlie things I often seeke to find But then affections of the world doo backeward plucke my mind Againe I seeke for to subdue th' affections that doo rise But to my spirit they will not be subiect in anie wise Thus Iesu meeke thou seest I striue and all to bee with thee Wherefore good Iesu make mee strong and mercie haue on mee Amen O Iesu many times I praie and call vpon thy name When that my heart is farre away alas I more to blame And that good Iesu coms to mind that custome often brought Whereby the praiers that I make be vaine and turne to nought Sweet Iesu pardon and forgiue when I so praie to thee And for thy endlesse mercie sake haue mercie Lord on mee Amen O Iesu be not long away nor in thy wrath depart But mortifie that flesh desires and lighten thou my hart Send foorth the burning flames of loue cleane to consume for ay The cloudie fansies of my mind which trouble me alway Good Iesu gather all the powers of my poore soule to thee And make me to refuse the world and mercie haue on me Amen O Iesu mild thine eare bow downe and ponder my desire Deale not with me as I deserue to punish in thine ire But me defend ô Iesu meeke through mercie great of thine From dangers such as may befall this sinfull soule of mine O Iesu hide not now thy face from him that calles on thee But Iesu for thy bitter death haue mercie now on mee Amen O Iesu sweet with mercie now reforme that is amisse And with the strength of thy great grace send light where darknesse is Good Iesu from my secret faults doo make me cleane and bright And from presumptuous sins ô Lord defend me through thy might Good Iesu cast my youthfull sinnes behind thy backe to bee And for thy tender mercie sake haue mercie now on mee Amen O Iesu shut not vp my soule with those that run astraie But let the shadow of thy wings my soule protect alwaie Good Iesu turne thee vnto me and cleanse me from my sin Sweet Iesu Christ doo not behold how wicked I haue bin But thinke vpon thy mercies great though I vnworthie bee And for thy painâ—full passion sake haue mercie now on mee Amen O Iesu sweet giue me an hart that is contrite and pure A bodie chast that humble is and constant to endure A mind that is with heauenlie ioies replete through thy great grace A soule likewise to magnifie thy praise in eu'rie place O Iesu for thy mercie sake let these proceed from thee And then no doubt I shall be sure thou mercie hast on mee Amen Certaine blessings promised by God vnto all those that doo loue and feare him Deut
of all things whose strength is euerie where and whose power is infinite which as thou euer art omnipotent and in all thy works most gratious and ouer maruellous so vnto vs thy poore seruants grant we humblie beseech thee that ELIZABETH our gratious QVEENE and next vnder thee here on earth our gouernour may long liue and lead a healthfull quiet and peaceable life And if ô Lord at anie time the wicked through malice shall conspire and gather themselues togither against thee and hir thine annointed wee hartilie beseech thee either with speed to conuert and turne their harts or ouerthrowe their force and bring their deuises to naught And although ô Lord that we through our manifold sinnes and wickednesse doo not deserue to haue so good and so excellent a Iewell to rule reigne ouer vs yet good Lord we hartilie praie thy diuine maiestie to behold the great and vnspeakable miseries which the losse of so pretious a Pearle may bring vpon vs and our posteritie and to auert the same This ô Lord we doo humblie craue of thee that wee may long time enioie hir or else that we who faithfullie doo loue hir may with hir be dissolued according to thy good will and gratious pleasure Amen A praier to be said of euerie true Christian before the receiuing of the holie Communion O Most sweet louer of al mankind Lord Sauior Iesu I humblie beseech thee for thy bitter passion sake to remoue from me pride enuie and detraction yea wrath malice and impatiencie and all other sicknesses diseases of the soule And plant good Lord in my hart and mind true meekenesse charitie patience chastitie temperance and modestie with all such other vertues medicines and preseruatiues vnto the soule And mortisie in me good Lord all vncleane motions carnall desires and inordinate affections and reuiue in me the loue of vertues and the perpetuall exercises thereof so that in this time and all times I may woorthilie receiue this holie and blessed sacrament vnto thine honour and glorie and my soules endlesse ioie and comfort O Lord I knowe and doo confesse here before thy diuine maiestie that I am vnwoorthie and verie much vnwoorthie most vnwoorthie through my manifold sinnes and wickednes to licke the crums that fall from thy table but notwithstanding I knowe as well againe and so doo I in hart and mind stedfastlie beleeue and the same doo acknowledge in mouth and word that thou my Lord God art omnipotent and almightie and so maiest by thy power infinite if it so please thy maiestie to make me woorthie and acceptable to sit at thy table and there to taste and feed of the most pure and heauenlie viands for thou alone ô Lord maiest and canst iustifie a sinner and of a vile foule and filthie wretch make a cleane white and pleasant person Therefore gratious Lord I beseech thy woorthie maiestie for thy almightie power which I firmelie and stedfastlie beleeue and for thine infinite and endlesse wisedome which I boldlie confesse and for thine excellent goodnesse and truth wherein I fullie hope and trust and for all this togither as one frame me and make me woorthie and acceptable vnto thy godlie presence and grant me forgiuenesse of all my sinnes and the feruent flame of thy loue that I may now at this time receiue this holie sacrament with puritie of hart and cleanesse of conscience with spirituall gladnesse and heauenlie ioie O most mercifull Sauiour Iesu I humblie beseech thee for this holie mysterie of thy blessed bodie and bloud wherewith we vnwoorthie wretches be continuallie fed and dailie washed clensed sanctified and made holie and so partakers of thy most high diuinitie grant me Lord and giue me the pretious garment of innocencie with such furniture of other ornaments thervnto according as best may please thy gratious goodnes wherewith I may as in my wedding vesture in a good and cleane conscience approch vnto thy presence so that this celestiall heauenlie sacrament receiued may be vnto me health and saluation of soule and bodie vnto life euerlasting Amen A praier to be said of euerie true Christian after the receiuing of the holie Communion IN most humble most lowlie and most hartie maner with most due reuerence I thank thee good Lord most holie father and euerlasting God that by the bountie of thy mercifull grace wouldest vouchsafe thus to refresh and feed my soule through faith with the benefits of the death and passion of thy sonne our Lord God and Sauior Iesu Christ. And I beseech thine infinite goodnesse that this the sacrament of thy deth and passion which I most vnwoorthie wretch haue now receiued come neuer hereafter in iudgement condemnation vnto me for mine euilles merits and deseruings but rather good Lord it may come vnto the profit and comfort of my bodie and vnto the saluation of my soule vnto the life euerlasting Amen A godlie praier to be said before the preaching of the word NEither is hee that planteth neither he that watereth anie thing at al but thou ô Lord that giuest the increase Increase we beseech thee the seed of thy word and cause it to fructisie an hundred fold Open our eies that we may see the woonderfull things conteined in thy lawe Incline our harts to thy testimonies and not vnto vanities Euermore bee on our right hand and perfect the worke that thou hast begun among vs. Beare our most gratious ELIZABETH in thine owne bosome and set thine eies alwaies vpon hir for good let the spirit of knowledge and holines remaine in hir ministers blesse hir Councellers with wisedome and discretion hir Nobles with fortitude and courage hir Iudges with iustice and mercie hir Magistrates with diligence and faithfulnes hir People with feare and perfect obedience that we may all with one mind and one mouth saie with the prophet He that is mightie hath doon for vs great things and holie is his name Amen A praier necessarie to bee said at all times O Bountifull IESV ô sweet sauior ô Christ the Sonne of GOD haue pitie vpon mee mercifullie heare mee and despise not my praiers Thou hast created me of nothing thou hast redeemed me from the bondage of sin death and hell neither with gold nor siluer but with thy most pretious bodie once offered vpon the crosse and thine owne bloud shed once for all for my ransome therfore cast mee not awaie whome thou by thy great wisedome hast made despise me not whom thou hast redeemed with such a pretious treasure nor let my wickednesse destroie that which thy goodnesse hath builded Now whilest I liue ô Iesu haue mercie on mee for if I die out of thy fauour it will be too late afterward to call for thy mercie Whilest I haue time to repent looke vpon me with thy mercifull eies as thou didst vouchsafe to looke vpon Peter thine Apostle that I may bewaile my sinfull life obteine thy fauour and die therin I reknowledge that if thou shouldest deale with