of them but he hath ouerthrowne and vanquished them after such a sort that all things serue to our helth He might and could haue taken them all awaie but where then should haue beene our victorie palme and crowne For we dailie haue fights in the flesh and by the succour of grace haue continuall victories ouer sinne whereby we haue cause to glorifie God that by his sonne hath weakened our enimie the diuell and by his spirit giueth vs strength to vanquish his ofspring So doo we knowledge dailie the great triumph of our Sauiour reioice in our owne fights the which we can no wise impute to anie wisdome of this world seeing sinne to increase by it And where worldlie wisedome most gouerneth there most sinne ruleth For as the world is enimie to God so also the wisdome therof is aduerse to God and therefore Christ hath declared discouered the same for foolishnesse And although he could haue taken awaie all worldlie wisedome yet he hath left it for his greater glorie and triumph of his chosen vessels For before whereas it was our ruler against God now by Christ we are serued of it for God as of a slaue in worldlie things albeit in supernaturall things the same is not to be vnderstood And further if at anie time men would impugne and gainsaie vs with the wisedome of the world yet we haue by Christ so much supernaturall light of the truth that we make a mocke of all those that repugne the truth Christ also vpon the crosse hath triumphed ouer the world First bicause he hath discouered the same to be naught that whereas it was couered with the vaile of hypocrisie and the vesture of morall vertues Christ hath shewed that in Gods sight the righteousnesse of the world is wickednesse and he hath yeelded witnes that The works of men not regenerated by him in faith are euill and so Christ hath iudged and condemned the world for naught Further more he hath giuen to all his so much light and spirit that they knowe it and dispraise the same yea and tread it vnder their feet with all vaine honours dignities pleasures not taking the faire promises neither the offers which it doth present naie they rather make a scorne of them And as for the threatnings and force of the world they nothing feare Now therefore we may see how great the victorie and triumph of Christ is who hath deliuered all those the father gaue him from the power of the diuell cancelling vpon the crosse the writing of our debts For he hath deliuered vs from the condemnation of sinne from the bondage of the lawe from the feare of death from the danger of the world and from all euils in this life and in the other to come And he hath inriched vs made vs noble and most highlie happie after such a glorious and triumphant waie as can not with tongue be expressed and therefore we are forced to saie his triumph is maruellous It is also seene and knowne that Christ is the true Messias For he hath deliuered man from all euils and by him man hath all goodnesse so that he is the true Messias Therefore all other helpers be but vaine and counterfeited sauiours seeing that by this our Messias Christ wholie and onlie we be deliuered from all euils and by him we haue all goodnesse And that this is true it is euident and cleare bicause the verie true Christian is a Christian by Christ And the true Christian feeleth inwardlie by Christ so much goodnesse of God that euen troublous life and death be sweet vnto him and miseries happie The true Christian by Christ is disburdened from the seruitude of the lawe hauing the lawe of grace grauen by the spirit inhabiting his hart and from sinne that reigned in him from the power of the infernall spirits from damnation and from euerie euill and is made a sonne of God a brother of Christ heire of heauen and Lord of the world so that in Christ and by Christ he possesseth all good things But let vs knowe that Christ yet fighteth in spirit in his elect vessels and shall fight euen to the daie of iudgment at which day shall that great enimie death be wholie destroied and shall be no more Then shall the children of God reioice on him saieng O death where is thy victorie and sting There shall be then no more trouble nor sinne naie rather none euill but heauen for the good and hell for the wicked Then shall wholie be discouered the victorie triumph of Christ who after Paule shall present vnto his father the kingdome together with his chosen saued by him It was no little fauour towards his children that Christ was chosen of God to saue vs his elect so highlie by the waie of the crosse Paule calleth it a grace and a most singular grace We may well thinke that he hauing beene to the world so valiant a captaine of God was full of light grace vertue and spirit therefore he might iustlie saie Consummatum est Wee seeing then that the triumph and victorie of our captaine Christ is so maruellous glorious and noble to the which war we be appointed let vs force our selues to folowe him with bearing our crosse that we may haue felowship with him in his kingdome The sixt Chapter That we ought to submit our selues to the schoole of the Crosse and still looke and learne in the booke of the Crucifix TRulie it may be most iustlie verified that to behold Christ crucified in spirit is the best meditation that can be I certeinlie neuer knew mine owne miseries and wretchednes so well by booke admonition or learning as I haue done by looking into the spirituall booke of the Crucifix I lament much I haue passed so manie yeeres not regarding that diuine booke but I iudged thought my selfe to be well instructed in the same wheras now I am of this opinion that if God would suffer me to liue here a thousand yeeres and should studie continuallie in the same diuine booke I should not be filled with the contemplation thereof Neither hold I my selfe contented but alwaies haue a great desire to learne and studie more therein I neuer knewe mine owne wickednes neither lamented for my sinnes trulie vntill the time God inspired me with his grace that I looked in this booke then I began to see perfectlie that mine owne power and strength could not helpe me and that I was in the Lords hand euen as the claie is in the potters hand then I began to crie and saie Alas Lord that euer I haue so wickedlie offended thee being to me from the beginning so gratious and so good a father and most speciallie now hast declared and shewed thy goodnesse vnto me when in the time I haue done thee most iniurie to call me and also to make me knowe take thee for my Sauior and redeemer Such be the wonderfull works of God to call sinners to repentance to make
seruice of God C It is to obeie the lawe of God in true charitie out of a pure hart and out of a pure conscience and of faith vnfained M What is this charitie here required C It is to loue God with all our hart soule vnderstanding and power and our neighbour as our selfe M This true obedience and charitie proceedeth it not of faith C Yea all the good works here commanded which God hath prepared that wee should walke in them M Faith then it is not an opinion vaine and fleshlie to entise vs to sinne more boldlie and to liue in all carnall libertie C No. For if we by faith be trulie graffed in Iesus Christ and call vpon God to saluation we will no more bring foorth the works of the flesh but the fruits of the spirit M Which are the works of the flesh C Adulterie fornication filthinesse outragiousnes idolatrie enimitie strife emulation anger altercation sedition sects enuie murther dronkennesse gluttonie and things like vnto the same M And which are the fruits of the spirit C Loue ioie peace patience benignitie goodnesse faith caurtesie temperance M Seeing we are all carnall euill and seruants of sinne haue we power of our selues to doo good and to keepe vs from euill C No not so much as to thinke anie good thing For it is God that worketh in vs both the will and the deed according to his good will M We must not then doo euerie one of vs what seemeth vnto him good and right what good nature inclination or free will soeuer he alledge C No. For of vs can come nothing but perdition but ail our goodnes aid saluation comneth of God onlie M Our reason wisdome and intent can the same be the rule to knowe and discerne of our works whether they be good or euill C No. For we haue all but one Lawe-giuer who hath giuen vs the true and perfect rule out of the ten commandements of the lawe M What conteine the foure commandements of the first table C How God declareth himselfe to be our God and therefore by good right he requireth of vs faith homage adoration obedience and dutie M And the six commandements in the second table what doo they conteine C Our office and dutie towards our neighbour which is to doo vnto him as we would be done vnto our selues and not to doo vnto him that which wee would not to be done vnto our selues M Go to recite now this holie lawe C Harken O Israel I am the Lord thy God which haue brought thee out of the land of Aegypt c. as Exodus 20. M And how is it that Iesus Christ accomplished in vs this lawe so perfectlie C In giuing vs his holie spirit who ingendreth in vs a continuall desire and mind to doo all that the lawe commandeth vs as neere as we can M And this obedience so vnperfect doth it please God C Yea by this that our imperfection is not imputed vnto vs bicause of Iesus Christ whose iustice and perfect obedience is ours through faith M Alas who shall giue vs the hart and the power to doo the will of God which he here hath declared vnto vs by his holie ordinances C It shall be euen he himselfe by his spirit in the name of Iesus Christ his sonne whom he hath giuen vnto the death to deliuer vs from the condemnation of the lawe and from the bondage of sinne that is to saie from eternall death Of Confession Mother WHat is the fourth point of Christian adoration and seruice of God C It is the solemne confession or acknowledging that we make in the Church through the vse of the Sacraments M What confession C Of all good things both generall and particular which we receiue in the Church through the communion that we haue with Iesus and togither among our selues one with another M Doo we not dailie make such a confession vnto God in hearing his word and calling vpon him seeking to obeie him according to the benefits which hee hath giuen vnto vs Sacraments Child YEa certainlie But we make it also through the exercise of the Sacraments in greater force and edifieng M Shew the reason C Bicause they are annexed to the preaching and promises of the Gospell to mooue our soules and bodies to praise God with greater confirmation of our faith and loue M Understandest thou not that there is one like saluation by preaching and by the Sacraments offered vnto all as well to the faithfull as to the vnfaithfull C Yea but the vnfaithfull in respecting this saluation receiue nothing but the word outward signes to their condemnation M Neuerthelesse the Sacraments doo not signifie and represent lesse to one than to the other C It is certaine For God is alwaie true and vseth not to teach lies M The Lord then hath ioined the Sacraments with the preaching and promises of the Gospell as the seales are ioined with the letters and instruments which they confirme C Yea to print seale them the more in our soules bodies to mooue all our senses vnto this confession M The Sacraments then are vnto vs great succor and comfort C Yea in our infirmities disquietnesse and temptations which come dailie vnto vs as well from the diuell and the world as from our owne flesh M Which are the Sacraments that the Lord Iesus hath instituted in his Church C Baptisme and the Supper putting end vnto Circumcision and to the Paschall Lambe M How is it that he himselfe hath authorised and sanctified them C In that he would receiue Baptisme in his owne bodie and to be the first administrator of the Supper M Where is it y t the Lord commandeth Baptisme C In S. Matthew the last Chapter And Iesus came and spake vnto them saieng All power is giuen vnto me in heauen and in earth Go ye therefore and teach all nations baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Sonne and of the holie Ghost teaching them to keepe all those things that I haue commanded you M Is Baptisme a washing of bodilie filthinesse C No. For so little water can doo nothing to vs. M From what filthinesse then are we there washed C From spirituall filthinesse which are our sinnes M We come then into the world all filthie and corrupt C If we were not conceiued in sinne and borne in iniquitie we should not haue to doo with baptisme M In whose name be we baptised C In the name of the Father and of the Sonne and of the holie Ghost who is our onlie and verie true God in three persons M And with what water are we washed and regenerated C With the water of life which is the holie spirit in the bloud of Iesus Christ M Baptisme then representeth vnto vs assureth vs of the full remission of our sinnes and exchanging of our wicked nature C Yea and by the same both we and our children are receiued into the Church as partakers of the couenant
and to the end for thine owne glorie sake And wee beseech thee O Lord to heale not onlie our heads and limmes but also our harts and soules that we may both in the lawfull keeping of thy Sabboth and all other thy commandements be obedient vnto thee the Lord of the Sabboth And as thou hast taught vs the right keeping of the Sabboth to stand chieflie in dooing of good one vnto another giue vs grace continuallie to keepe this Sabboth inuiolable and vnprophaned that we may onlie doo those things which are holie and acceptable vnto thee and may ceasse from all our lewd works and waies And especiallie O Lord grant that we may auoid carefullie the first step of the ladder that leadeth to that horrible sinne of blasphemie which is not to be forgiuen neither in this world nor in the world to come Amen Ghostlie Meditations with the which it is meete for vs Christians to occupie our selues once in the daie or at the least for those whose leasure will not serue once in the weeke and that euerie Sundaie and holie daie which the Author found in an old and ancient written copie for the excellent matter therin conteind hath thought it good now to publish it to the glorie of God and profit of his Church FIrst let vs call to our memorie the bountifull goodnesse of almightie GOD extended towards vs in the creation of the firmament the earth the sea and all that therein is conteined which he hath made for our onelie comfort and the seruice of vs. And let vs here with also consider the greatnesse and omnipotencie of his power which was able with his word onlie of nothing to make althings those so wonderfull works that they are not able to be comprehended within the compasse of mans reason Call we also to mind the vnsearchablenesse of his diuine wisedome through which in so goodlie order continuallie he both can doth conserue all those things and lastlie let vs not forget his incomparable loue towards vs who of his onlie meere goodnesse without anie part of ablenesse of our deserts hath prouided all these things for our vse and not onlie that but hath moreouer made vs of capacitie and vnderstanding to discusse and knowe how to vse the same for the seruing of our necessities as the diuersitie of times and occasion requireth Let vs not therefore shew our selues vnto him vnthankfull Nextlie let vs call to mind from how sundrie perils as well ghostle as bodilie he hath and dooth from time to time preserue vs namelie from perils on the land perils by water perils of fire perils through sicknes from imprisonment from open shame from slanders from extreme beggerie from famine from pestilence and other horrible diseases from sudden and shamefull death and sundrie other mischiefes which we may vnderstand to haue happened and dailie doo perceiue to happen vnto others which should in like sort haue happened vnto vs if through his mercifull goodnesse we had not beene therefrom preserued and herewith let vs also call vnto mind our health our wealth and all other Gods good gifts which he hath lent vnto vs and render vnto him most humble thanks therefore Also let vs thinke how he hath made vs of no vile sort nor condition but euen vnto his owne likenesse indued with the most pretious gifts of reason vnderstanding memorie and will which noble gifts he hath giuen vs to the intent we should with these honour him accordinglie which if we doo not but doo abuse the same to worldlie vaine and fantasticall delights we may then assure our selues not onelie to make a straight account thereof but also to be most greeuouslie punished therefore Moreouer let vs call to mind how mercifull and like a most louing Maister and Sauior Christ the Sonne of God and second person in Trinitie Lord and king ouer all rule and power descended downe from the bosome of his Father and from his heauenlie throne into this miserable world and here tooke vpon him our fraile flesh suffering in the same by the space of three and thirtie yeeres hunger thirst cold watch pouertie euil report hatred disdaine slanders rebukes checks taunts scornes buffets binding beating whipping wrongfull accusation false condemnation yea and at the last most vile spitefull cruell and shamefull death and that innocentlie and giltlesse thereby to deliuer vs from our gilt and the eternall death which all we by the transgression of our first parent Adam had most iustlie deserued And herewith let vs also thinke what reproch shame it is to vs to repine or grudge to suffer the like for his sake sith he being both our Lord and Maister of the singular loue he did beare vnto vs hath suffered all those for our sakes should not we then being but seruants or rather vile slaues in respect of him disdaine or repine at that which he not onelie our Maister but King ouer all kings hath not disdained to suffer Also let vs consider how that by the merits of his most bitter passion and his grace giuen vnto vs in the Sacrament of baptisme he hath forgiuen vs cleerelie clensed vs and vtterlie discharged vs of all our former sinnes Herevpon let vs call to mind how oft since that time we haue offended him by falling againe into deadlie sinne therewith let vs call to remembrance the particularitie of our offences the greeuousnesse of the same how long we haue continued in them without repentance taken for them and then let vs weigh the abundance of his great mercie first how gratiouslie he hath abidden the time of our repentance how readie he hath beene to forgiue vs vpon due repentance taken and perfect confession without dissimulation made thereof vnto him Remember we also how lewdlie how wickedlie and how sinfullie we haue bestowed the short time which God hath here in this world lent vnto vs to fight and warre continuallie against our most mortall aduersaries the world the flesh and the diuell which trauell without ceassing to worke our euerlasting destruction and to bring vs to euerlasting death and to beereue vs from the life eternall ioies endlesse Thinke we also if God of his great mercie had not gratiouslie spared vs life vntill we had repented that wickednes in what wretched condition and most extreme torments of hell paines had we beene in now and so should haue continued for euer world without end But how deere then should those short pleasures and vaine delights of the flesh haue beene vnto vs Let vs also call to mind the houre of death the vncerteintie of the time thereof and that we knowe not when where or in what maner it shall be but like as we are most certeine we can not escape it so are wee as sure if we happen then to depart this life in deadlie sinne that we shall then not onelie die the bodilie death but also the spirituall death which is eternall death both of bodie and soule Let vs therefore
whither soeuer I turne me I may behold aboue me thee crucified and whatsoeuer I see it may appeare to me ruddie with thy most pretious bloud that thus be holding I may fixe my sight in nothing but onlie in thee which liuest and reignest one God world without end So be it I haue sinned I haue offended my God my God haue merceie on me A praier wherein through commemoration of Christes passion we desire pardon of our sinnes and continuance in vertue and godlinesse BEhold O pitifull Father thy most pitifull Sonne which suffered for me being so wicked Behold O most mercifull King who suffered and remember as thou art louing and kind for whom he suffered Is not this O my Lord that innocent whō although he were thy Sonne thou didst deliuer to redeeme and ransome a seruant Is not this the author and beginner of life which being led as a sheepe to be killed and being made obedient to thee euen vnto death was not afraid to take vpon him the most cruell and sharp kind of death Call to remembrance O thou distributer of all health that this is he whome although thou didst beget him by thy power yet notwithstanding thou wouldest haue to be made partaker of thine infirmitie and weakenes Trulie this same is thy God head which did take vpon him thy nature which was hanged vpon the gibbet of torment or crosse which in the flesh which he had taken vpon him did suffer sorrowfull punishment Turne the eies of thy Maiestie O Lord my God towards the worke of thine vnspeakable pitie Looke on thy deere Sonne whose whole body is stretched foorth Marke the harmelesse hands and pure which doo drop and distill downe innocent bloud And I beseech thee be pacified and pardon the wicked deeds which my hands haue committed Consider his bare and naked side being thrust through cruellie with a speare and renew and wash me with the holie fountaine or well which I beleeue did flowe from thence Marke the vnspotted feet which haue not stood in the waie of sinners but alwaies haue walked in thy lawe how they are pierced through with sharpe nails and make perfect my steps in thy paths and make me of thy louing kindnesse to hate all waies of iniquitie Remoue from me the waies of iniquitie and make me of thy mercie to choose the waie of truth I beseech thee O King of holie men by this holie one of all holie ones and by this my redeemer to make me runne the waie of thy commandements that I may be vnited and knit vnto him in spirit which did not disdaine to be clad in my flesh Doest thou not looke vpon and marke O pittifull Father the head of thy most deerelie beloued Sonne a yong man how it leaned vpon his shoulders when it was past the most pretious death Behold O my most gentle creator the humanitie and gentlenes of thy beloued Sonne and haue compassion vpon the feeblenes of thy weake and feeble handie-worke Behold O most glorious parent the torne and rent members of thy most kind louing child and remember gentlie what substance I am of Behold the paines of him that is God and man and release and loose man which is thy creature out of miserie bondage of sinne Behold the punishment of him that did redeeme and pardon the offences of them that be redeemed This is he O Lord whome thou didst strike for the sinnes of the people although he be thy welbeloued in whome was found no guile and yet neuerthelesse was he reckoned amongst them that were full of iniquitie Looke downe therefore O Lord thou louer of labouring and laden harts with the eies of thy pittie see the altar of the crosse where thy sonne thine onlie beloued babe is slaughtered Behold O father of heauen this thy bleeding babe whom for our sakes thou hadst made vnder the lawe a curse therof in giuing him to the death euen the acursed shamefull death of the crosse that he might thereby redeeme vs wretches that were his enimies from the lawe and from the curse and condemnation of it O looke vpon him I saie which is the sauiour of the world and who in his sufferings and in his life and death hath fulfilled all the prophesies behold him that was made a castawaie of the Iewes and a scorne of the Gentiles which endured treasonable hate of his friends and deadlie terrors in his troubled soule that we might haue peace of conscience and be reconciled vnto thee And let his shame and ignominie I praie thee be our honour and triumph his wounds our medicine his curse our blisse and his death our life finallie so lighten our minds I beseech thee with thy holie spirit that we may be able to conceiue and vnderstand the height and depth the length breadth and by all meanes the infinite measure of this so exceeding loue towards vs that the sight and knowledge of so great loue may so inflame vs with the loue of thee againe that all our thoughts and deeds may wholie be set vpon thee shewing our thankfulnesse vnto thee in all obedience vnto thy word and glorieng in nothing but in thy Christ and him crucified that in the end we may inioie the full fruit of all his passions and of this thine vnspeakable loue towards vs in our euerlasting saluation through Iesus Christ our onelie Lord and redeemer to whom with thee O father and the holie Ghost be giuen all praise honour and glorie for euer and euer Amen Another godlie meditation or praier wherin we declare vnto God the Father that the passion of his Sonne before rehearsed was for our reconciliation and attonement with God BEhold O almightie God Father of my Lord Iesus Christ I beseech thee of thy benignitie and gentlenesse to haue mercie vpon me because of the most pretious thing that I could find the same I haue offered deuoutlie vnto thee the thing of most estimation that I could imagine I haue presented humblie vnto thee I haue left nothing but I haue declared it vnto thy Maiestie There is nothing remaining that I may adde more because I haue committed and betaken my whole hope vnto thee I haue sent vnto thee mine aduocate and spokes-man euen thy welbeloued Sonne Iesus I haue sent thy glorious child to be a mediator betwixt me and thee I haue sent I saie an intercessor by whome I trust to get pardon and forgiuenes of my sinnes In a word I haue sent the word which word as I haue said was sent for my misdeeds And behold I haue rehearsed vnto thee the passion of thy most holie Sonne Iesus Christ which passion I beleeue was suffered for me I beleeue that the God-head which was sent of thee did take vpon him mine humanitie and nature in the which he thought not scorne to suffer buffets bonds spittings mocks yea he tooke vpon him to suffer the crosse nailes and dart I beleeue also that his manhood being of this my nature during
death for our sinnes grant that thy holie spirit may worke that faith in vs whereby we may be made partakers of that righteousnes which hee hath for those that trust in him And because without the blessed hope of rising againe from the dead our faith is in vaine and we are yet in our sinnes therefore we beseech thee to confirme and strengthen it in vs that as thou hast alreadie raised vp Christ our head so we may be assured thou wilt also raise vs vp that the bodie may be ioined to the head And furthermore as thou hast left this holie storie of thy Sonne that we might beleeue in him and by faith obtaine euerlasting life so we beseech thee worke the fruit of it in vs in constant faith to the saluation of our soules and thy euerlasting glorie to whome with the Sonne and the holie Ghost be all honor praise and glorie now and for euer Amen Another ALmightie God and most mercifull heauenlie Father who according to all that had beene written before in y e lawe of Moses and in the Prophets that it behooued the Sauiour of the world to suffer death and to rise againe from the dead the third daie and that repentance and forgiuenes of sinnes should bee preached amongst all nations in his name and so from point to point hast fullie accomplished all these things in Christ Iesus thine onlie Sonne whome thou didst raise from the graue as this daie not onlie to liue againe in this world but euen to sit at thy right hand and prouiding for our infirmitie hast giuen vs a great manie of witnesses both of holie men and women vpon the earth and of Angels from heauen to confirme the truth of this matter vnto vs that we might haue strong assurance of saluation in him through faith Open our minds to vnderstand the holie Scriptures and grant vs stedfastlie to beleeue this thy Gospell that by this faith being made one with him we may receiue the forgiuenes of our sinnes and the estimation of righteous men in thy sight through him And furthermore also grant that by this his mightie conquest whereby he hath triumphed ouer the last enimie which is Death in raising himselfe againe vnto life we may both rise with him from the death of sinnes to the life of grace by leading a new conuersation and sit with him at thy right hand in hope hauing our life hid in him that when he shall appeare to come to iudgment our life also heere being led in the obedience of faith may then be made manifest and we receiue that which we now in faith possesse and in a blessed hope looke and wait for at his comming which is the saluation of our soules to the glorie of thy name to whome with the Sonne and the holie Ghost be all praise and honour now and for euer Amen A Thanks-giuing WE lift vp our harts vnto thee O Lord for it is verie meet right and our bounden dutie that we should at all times and in all places giue thanks vnto thee O Lord holie Father almightie euerlasting God but chieflie we are bound to praise thee for the glorious resurrection of thy sonne Iesus Christ our Lord. For he is the verie paschall Lambe which was offered for vs and hath taken awaie the sinnes of the world who by his death hath destroied death and by his rising to life againe hath restored to vs euerlasting life Therefore with Angels and Archangels and with all the companie of heauen we laud and magnifie thy glorious name euermore praising thee and saieng Holie holie holie Lord God of hoasts heauen and earth are full of thy glorie Glorie be to thee O Lord most high So be it 10. On Ascension daie Of Christ his glorious ascending into the heauens in the sight of his Apostles The Preface GOD is gone vp with a merrie noise and the Lord with the sound of the trumpet Glorie to God on high Halleluiah He humbled himselfe vnto the death wherefore God also hath highlie exalted him and set him on his right hand in heauenlie places far aboue all powers and dominion Halleluiah God is gone vp on high and hathled captiuitie captiue and receiued gifts for men Halleluiah He that descended first into the lowe parts of the earth is euen the same also that ascended vp far aboue all heauens to fulfill all things Halleluiah God is gone vp with a merrie noise the Lord is ascended in great triumph Halleluiah Lift vp your head O ye gates and be ye lift vp ye euerlasting dores that the King of glorie may enter in Halleluiah Yea be thou exalted Lord in thine owne strength so will we praise thy power perpetuallie and euermore sing Glorie to God on high Halleluiah The praier THou O Christ sonne of God fortie daies after thy resurrection continuedst in the world to the vnspeakable comfort of thy Church which being expired thou ascendedst gloriouslie in the sight of thy Saints into the heauens We yeeld thee most hartie thanks for this thy benefit beseeching thee most humblie to number vs among the saints and souldiers which wait vpon thee triumphieng The hand-writing dependeth on the testimonie of our giltie conscience to our condemnation but by thy death the sentence of condemnation is abolished and thy bloud washeth vs from all our sins The enimies of thine elect euen the diuell and death are lead bound and the whole companie of the saints both in heauen and earth is filled with ioie speake of thy victorie and benefits Thy Saints in heauen visiblie doo behold thy glorious victorie Thy Saints in earth are saued by faith for the ornament and glorie of the kings daughter is glorious within In the sight of manie godlie auditors of thine and of thy holie mother the blessed virgin Marie thou wast carried visiblie from the earth in the clouds into heauen Thou gauest a taste of eternall life to thine Apostles wondering at thy departure and preachedst to them of thy returne into iudgement Thou hast glorified thine humane nature with vnspeakable glorie and placed the same on the right hand of thy Father vpon the throne of triumph and victorie as hauing for our sakes vanquished all our enimies But thine humane nature is not onelie aboue as be thy Saints but is exalted also to such a light as cannot be attained to by anie creature Thou reignest visible with the Father replenishing the whole celestiall congregation with righteousnes and diuine glorie Gouerne thou also in this mortall life outwardlie in thy ministerie and inwardlie in our minds Thou hast ascended on high and lead captiuitie captiue to bestowe thy benefits vpon man Before thy departure thou renewedst the institution of thy ministerie thou gauest thy disciples a commandement to preach to all nations for which thy goodnesse we giue thee most hartie thanks for therby thou hast called vs to the societie of thy Saints Assist vs with thy spirit that we may beleeue the Gospell and keepe for euermore the
within booke or without and repent from the bottome of my hart the often omission of it in times past so I wish you good readers which christianlie haue consecrated and vowed to giue your selues to this holie exercise as the Lord I saie in mercie shall giue you grace leisure time and occasion and not suffer you to be tired with anie worldlie necessitie in the name and feare of God to obserue this or that order method forme or direction which he in his word dooth allow of or you knowe best will keepe you in the continuall faith feare and fauour of God For trust me if you will but a little together with me call these ten memorable things to your christian remembrance in this so holie an exercise First the commandements of almightie God himselfe whom in consideration of our owne great miserie and necessitie and common lacke of the christian congregation hath willed vs to call vpon him saieng Praie alwaies with all maner of praiers and supplications in the spirit and watch therevnto with all perseuerance Secondlie his most sweet and comfortable promises made gratiouslie both to heare and grant our godlie and lawfull requests saieng Aske and ye shall haue seeke and ye shall find knocke and it shall be opened vnto you for euerie one that calleth vpon the name of the Lord and departeth from iniquitie shall be saued c. Thirdlie our great and manifold sinnes whereof we are guiltie which will not suffer vs to sit still without care but briueth vs of necessitie to beg his most gratious pardon Fourthlie our feeble flesh and weake nature vnable in euerie respect to doo anie good thing which requireth continuall praier to aid and strength it Fiftlie the wilie subtiltie of our spirituall enimie sathan who priuilie lurketh in the inward parts waiting euen in our best actions to trip and ouerthrowe vs against whom we must by feruent praier vehementlie striue Sixtlie our owne greeuous assalts and cruell temptations which neuer giue vs truce rest nor quietnesse but hasten vs verie much vnto God for helpe Seuenthlie the zeale of the glorie of God and aduancement of his kingdome which ought wholie to drawe and moone vs continuallie to exercise our selues in the seruice of GOD. Eightlie the dailie dangers and continuall calamities that hourelie hang ouer our heads which giue vs all cause enough yea euen the most holie and that with sighs and grones continuallie to flie vnto God our heauenlie father and call vpon him by feruent praiers Ninthlie the infinite benefits and great blessings of God so bountifullie and plentifullie euerie waie powred continuallie vpon vs which giue vs both ample matter and iust occasion hourelie by thankesgiuing euen from the bottome of our harts to praise and magnifie him for the same Tenthlie and lastlie the great excellencie woorthinesse necessitie vertue fruit and profit of true and christian praier consisting partlie in the dignitie of God the commander and partlie in the effect of obteining of whatsoeuer we aske according to his will These things I saie good reader well considered I suppose you will saie here is nothing superfluous but all little enough to so needfull and profitable an exercise of our faith praier I meane as wherein the peace of conscience yea our whole saluation consisteth and whereby God himselfe is said to be present with vs not onelie by his prouidence to watch ouer vs but also by his power to susteine and succour vs and by his goodnesse and mercie to receiue vs into his fatherlie grace and fauour Yea I doubt not but you will willinglie confesse with me I saie that all sorts of deuout women haue great cause and that continuallie to take these lamps into their hands thereby either with vanished Hagar to acknowledge Gods graces towards them or with desolate Naomi to praie that God would blesse their children to be staies and staues of their age to their comfort or with heuie Hanna to powre out their harts before the Lord in teares for a sonne and for his mercie and fauour towards them or with wise Abigael by praier to preuent the mischeefes that hang as well ouer their heads as their families yea or with hir often on their knees to praie for the good prosperitie and preseruation of their gratious gouernour Queene ELIZABETH or with the church and faithfull soule of all christians to long for the kisses of the peace of Christ their spirituall spouse and neuer to cease daie nor night to seeke him whom their soule loueth till by praier and meditation they haue found him or with the wofull daughter of Sion to lament and mourne pitiouslie for their sinnes till their miseries be mitigated and they comforted or with sorrowfull Sara Tobit in fasting and teares to be deliuered from dailie reproches and slanderous roongs or wich vertuous Iudith in sack cloth and ashes to obteine strength and courage mightilie to destroie and ouercome proud Olophernes with all the huge host of his bloudie ruffians or with noble Queene Hester to proclaime a fast and call their virgins families and people together to praie daie and night to the hazarding of their owne liues also if need so require for their owne further preseruation and their peoples and subiects safetie and deliuerance out of the hands of cruell Haman and all his seditious conspirators or with chast and innocent Susanna to appeale to God the high iudge of iudges to be acquitted from a violeut death by false accusation and more vniust condeinuation or with the afflicted church in exile to acknowledge their sinnes and call for mercie to be deliuered from distresse or with the woman of Canaan to flie vnto Christ in all necessities to be releeued both bodilie and ghostlie or with our most gratious Souereigne Ladie Queene ELIZABETH to muse diuinelie of the inward loue of the soule towards Christ their spouse their Lord and father mother and brother or with the vertuous Ladie Queene KATHERINE to vewaile the ignorance of their blind life led in superstition and with hir also in all their troubles to stir vp their godlie minds patientlie to suffer all afflictions for the loue of euerlasting felicitie or with the right godlie Ladie Iane Dudley to endure the crosse to death most patientlie or with good Ladie Tirwit to exercise them selues morning and euening in fruitfull and godlie praiers psalmes hymnes and meditations or with the honourable Ladie Aburgauennie by the like to tread the path to paradise for the health of their soule or with holie Agnus and Eulalia the martyrs to triumph in the victorie of Christs death or with Anne Askew the marryr to praie hartilie for their enimies or with maister Bradfords mother to be petitioners vnto God for the constancie in faith to death of their children or with mistresse Dorcas Alarten carefullie to instruct their whole familie in the principall points of christian religion or with other graue and godlie matrones vnknowne to exhort others to mortification and holinesse of life
me but by the speciall grace of God which of my selfe I can not deserue but by Christ his onelie sonne whose brightnesse giueth light to my darknesse whose power examining my fault breaketh the vaile of ignorance and giueth mee cleare vnderstanding what thing abideth in mee where I am and wherefore I labour He it is whom I haue offended he it is to whom I did obeie so seldome wherefore it is conuenient that my pride be suppressed With weeping hart and sorowfull sighs I humblie therefore confesse that I am much lesse than nothing Before my birth mire after a dunghill hauing a bodie prompt to all euill not willing other studie subiect to care sorowe and paine short of life the end vncertaine and vnder sin by Adam sold and by the lawe condemned For of my selfe I neuer had yet the power to obserue one onelie commandement of God the force of sinne was such in me and therefore is my sinne no whit the lesse to be hidden and the more I cloaked and dissembled my sinne outwardlie the more it increased within my hart For what God would that could I not will and what hee would not I oft times desired to performe which thing doth constraine mee by importable sorowe in this wearie and raging life to wish the end of this miserable bodie through a desired death Who shall he then be that shall deliuer or recouer anie good for me Alas it can be no mortall man For his power and strength is not such as can deliuer me Who then The onlie grace of the almightie GOD who neuer is slacke to helpe the penitent with his mercie Oh what a maister is that which without deseruing will shew his mercie on sinners I serued him slothfullie and without ceasing offended him euerie daie yet is he not slacke in helping me He doth see the euill that I haue what and how much it is and that I of my selfe can doo nothing that is good but with hart bodie so inclined I am to the contrarie that I feele no strength in me vnlesse it be to doo euill Yet doth he not tarie till I humblie praie him or that seeing my hell and damnation I doo crie vpon him but his spirit whurling in my hart greater than I can declare asketh for mee a gift whereof the vertue is vnknowne to my little power And this the same vnknowne gift or whurling in my hart doth bring mee a new desire shewing the good that I haue lost by my sinne and giuen me againe thorough his grace and bountie that which hath ouercome all sinne O my Lord what grace and goodnesse is this which doth put out so manie sinnes Now may I see that thou art full of all godlie loue to make me of a sinner thy seruant and child Alas my God I did not seeke thee but fled and ran awaie from thee and here beneath thou camest downe to mee which am nothing but a woorme of the earth all naked What doo I saie A woorme Naie woorse than a woorme full of pride deceit malice and treason The promise which my friends made when I was baptised is such that I alwaies thorough faith in thy passion should feele the mortification of my flesh and dwell alwaies with thee in the crosse where thou wast fast nailed as I beleeue and yeelded death dead as I also should yeeld all sinne This haue I oftentimes vntied taken downe and set at large I haue broken denied and falsified my promise and through pride I haue lifted vp my will in such maner that through sloth my dutie towards thee was forgotten and that much more is as well the profit or value which I had of thee in the daie of my baptisme as also thy sauing loue and promises folowing I haue all alike neglected What shall I saie more Albeit that oftentimes thou perceiuing mee wretched and vnhappie hast giuen me so manie warnings in faith and sacraments admonishing mee by preachings and comforted mee by the receiuing of thy blessed bodie and sacred bloud promising by the same to put me in the number of them that now are adorned with perfect innocencie yet haue I all these high benefits throwne into forgetfulnesse Oftentimes O Lord haue I with thee broken couenant partlie for that my poore soule was too much fed with the euill bread or damnable doctrine of hypocrites I despised such succour and ghostlie physicke in Gods word as would haue helped mee if I had beene willing to looke for it yet knew I at that time no teacher conuenient For there is neither man Saint nor Angel that can without thy spirit change the hart of a sinner Alas good Iesus thou beholding my blindnesse and that at my neede I could haue no succour of men didst open the waie of my saluation O how great is thy goodnesse and how inestimable the sweetenesse which thou hast shewed therein Is there anie father so naturall to the daughter or brother to the sister which would euer haue done as thou hast done For thou camest downe into hel to succour my soule where against thy will shee was intending to haue perished bicause she did not loue thee Alas sweet Lord thou hast loued hir yea euen to the verie outshedding of thy most pretious bloud O charitie feruent and incomparable Nothing slacke art thou in loue that so louedst euerie sinner yea and also thine enimies not onelie in forgiuing their offences but also in giuing thy selfe for their saluation libertie and deliuerance to the death crosse trauell paine and sufferance When I cast in mind what should be the occasion of thy loue towards mee I can see nothing else but a loue woonderfull which moueth thee to giue me that which I can not deserue Then as far foorth as I can see I ought to giue no thanks for my saluation but onlie to thee my Lord Iesu to whom I owe the praise thereof as to him which is my Sauior and Creator The second Chapter Of the soules affinitie with Christ WHat a thing is it O God that thou hast done so much for me Thou art not onelie contented to haue forgiuen me my sinnes but also hast giuen vnto mee the right fortunate gift of grace For it should suffice mee I comming out of such a danger to be like a stranger vsed But thou doest handle my soule if I durst so say it as a mother daughter sister and wife notwithstanding my Lord I am the trespasser which am not woorthie to come neere the doore of thy right high place to aske bread where thy dwelling is Oh what grace is this that so suddenlie thou vouchsafest to drawe my soule into such highnes that she feeleth hir selfe ruler of my bodie She poore ignorant and lame doth find hir selfe with thee rich wise and strong bicause thou hast written in hir hart the roote of thy spirit and holie word giuing hir true faith to receiue it which thing made hir to conceiue thy sonne in beleeuing him to be man God
goodnesse to haue praise for it And further thou hast retained me for thy sister wherefore I acknowledge my selfe more bound than to anie other creature Now I am sister vnto thee but so naughtie a sister that better it were for me that I were without the name than I to forget the name of adoption in so noble a kindred and also thy good and brotherlie behauiour towards me I with pride did rise against thee and not remembring my faults but going astraie from thee did agree with Aaron my brother being in will to giue iudgement against thy works and folowing the example of Miriam priuilie I grudged against thee which thing caused me to haue remorse in my conscience Alas right bountifull brother and true Moses which doest all with goodnesse and iustice I haue esteemed thy workes to be euen sinne being so bold to speake euen rashlie saieng Wherefore hast thou maried a strange woman Thou giuest vs a law and punishment if we do not fulfill it and then thou wouldest not be bound to it forbidding vs the thing which thou thy selfe doest For thou forbiddest vs to kill anie man and thou doest kill and sparest none of three thousand which thou commandedst to be slaine Further God gaue vs in commandement by thee that we should not marrie the daughter of a stranger yet thou tookest thy wife from among them Alas my deere brother Moses with a great manie of these words which I knowe to be foolish with Aaron and Miriam which is mine owne wit I imbraided thee wherof I repent For the liuelie voice of God rebukinglie tooke me vp before I went out of the place What wouldest thou then of my sinne Thou wouldest not haue me punished but rather wouldest my saluation and health in asking for me this great benefit that it might please God to mitigate his iudgement the which thing thou couldest not obtaine Wherefore I became a Lazar so that all that looked on mee might well saie I had not beene wise and for mine vncleannes and leprosie I was put out from the tents and tabernacles from among the people because the sicke should not infect such as were whole Oh what soule can haue a greater punishment than to be banished out of the companie of them which are holie in God! But what didst thou my sweet loue and brother seeing my repentance Thou prouidedst that my penance was soone at an end and with true loue madest meanes for me wherevpon I returned to thee O what brother would in stead to punish his foolish sister so naturallie cleaue vnto hir For iniurie grudge and great offence by hir committed thou giuest hir grace and loue in recompense Alas my brother how exceeding is this thy loue Much more is it than brotherhoode is bound to giue to so poore and wretched a woman as I am I haue done thee euill and thou giuest me good for it I am thine and thou saiest thou art mine euen so I am and euer will I feare no more the great foolishnesse of Aaron and Miriam for no man may separate me from thee and now that we are together as brother and sister I care little for all other for thy land is mine inheritance Let vs then keepe if it please thee but one houshold sith it hath pleased thee to humble thy selfe so much as to ioine thy hart with mine in making thy selfe a liuelie man I do right hartilie thanke thee and to thanke thee as I ought lieth not in my power Take my meaning then I praie thee excuse mine ignorance seeing I am of so great a kindred as to be thy sister O my God I haue good cause to loue to praise and to serue thee vnfeignedlie and not to feare nor desire anie thing saue thee onlie Keepe me well then I humblie praie thee for I will aske none other brother nor friend to helpe me If anie father haue had anie pitie vpon his children if anie mother haue taken anie care for hir sonne if anie brother haue hid the sinne of his sister it is thou The fourth Chapter Of the entier affection and loue of God towards the sinfull soule of man I Neuer sawe or else it was kept wondrous secret that euer anie husband would thoroughlie forgiue his wife after she had him once offended and did returne vnto him There haue beene manie of them which for to auenge their wrongs haue caused the Iudges to put them to death Other beholding their sinnes did not spare their owne hands to kill them Other also seeing their faults to appeare did send them home again to their owne friends And some perceiuing their euill dispositions haue shut them vp in prison Now brieflie to conclude vpon their diuers complexions the end of their pretence is punishment and the least harme that euer I could perceiue in punishing them is this that they would neuer see them againe But I do wish that all of this mind should rather helpe to turne them than to forsake them And therfore my God I can find no man comparable vnto thee for of loue thou art the perfect example Now therefore I confesse with lowlie hart that I haue broken to thee mine oth promise Alas thou hadest chosen me for thy wife and didst set me vp in great state and honour For what greater honour may one haue than to be in the place of thy wife which sweetelie taketh hir rest so neere to thee and not onlie in suretie of soule and bodie but also of all thy goodes Queene Mistresse and Ladie O what great fauour is it that I so vile a creature am so ennoblished by thee to so honourable an husband Now to speake it brieflie I haue more by possessing of thee than anie man mortall can desire Yet when I remember mine vnwoorthie deseruing my hart doth sob and sigh mine eies let fall abundance of teares my mouth can not make too manie exclamations For there is neither new nor ancient writings that can shew so pitifull a case as the same is which I tell now Shall or dare I tell it May I pronounce it without shame Yea for it is my confusion not to shew the great loue of my husband and for his worship to declare my fault O my sauiour which wast crucified on the crosse for my sinnes this deede of thine is not such as a father to leaue his sonne or as a child to offend his mother or as a sister to chide and grudge But alas my fault is such and far greater For the more familiaritie I haue with thee and the more benefits I receiue of thee the greater is mine offence when I with thee dissemble speciallie that I should so doo which am called thy spouse and loued of thee as thy soule Shall I now tell the truth O my spouse I haue left thee forgotten thee and am run awaie from thee I did leaue thee for to go at my vaine pleasure I forsooke thee and chose me another yea I refused thee the
welspring of all goodnesse and faithfull promise I did leaue thee But whither went I Into a place where nothing was but cursednesse I haue left thee my trustie friend and louer worthie to be beloued aboue all others I haue put thee aside O welspring of all health somnes by mine owne wretched will yea I haue forsaken thee full of beautie goodnesse wisedome and power and sought to withdrawe me from thy loue I haue accepted thy great enimies that is the diuell the world and the flesh against whome for my sake thou foughtedst so sore on the crosse to set me at libertie which was by them of long time a prisoner and slaue and so bound that no man could cause me to humble my selfe And as for the loue and charitie that I should haue had towards thee they did quench it so that the name of Jesus my deare husband which before I had found so sweet was to me tedious and hatefull so that oftentimes I did iest at it and when I haue heard the Gospell preached or taught the word which I haue hard hath not tarried with me but as a feather doth in the winde I went neuer yet to heare thy word preached but for a fashion onlie which was a worke of hypocrisie I was also annoied when I hard speake of thee because I was more willing to go at my pleasure Now brieflie to conclude all that thou didst forbid me I fulfilled and all that thou commandedst me to do I did eschue and this was the cause why I loued not thee But yet Lord for all that I did thus hate thee and forsake thee ran awaie from thee and betraied thee should I giue place to anie other Hast thou suffered that I should be mocked either yet beaten or killed Hast thou put me in darke prison or banished me for euer setting naught by me Hast thou taken awaie thy gifts and pretious iewels againe from me to punish me for my vnfaithfull fruits Haue I lost my iointure which thou promisedst me through mine owne offence done against thee Am I accused by thee afore the eternall father for a naughtie woman Hast thou forbidden me thy presence as I haue deserued and that I should neuer appeare in thine house O most true husband pure and perfect friend the most louing among all louers Alas thou hast done otherwise for me For thou hast diligentlie sought for me when I was going into the most deepe place of Hell where all euils are done When I was farthest from thee both in hart and mind and directlie out of the waie then didst thou louinglie call me backe saieng My deare daughter hearken and see and vow thine eare toward me forget that strange nation with whome thou hast run astraie and also the house of thine owne father where thou hast dwelt so long and then shall the King of all faithfulnesse desire thy beautie But when thou Lord sawest that thy sweete and gratious calling did not profit me then begannest thou to crie to me with a lowd voice saieng Come vnto me all you which are wearilie loden with labour for I am he that shall plentiouslie refresh you and feed you with the bread of life Alas sweet Lord vnto all these sweet words would I not hearken but rather doubted whether it were thou that so spake vnto me or else a fabulous writing that so said I was so foolish that without loue I read thy word I considered not the comparison of the Uineyard which brought foorth thornes and briers in stead of good fruit and that it signified me that so had done I knew also that when thou didst call the barren wife saieng Returne Shulamite that thou didst speake it that I should forsake my sinnes Yet for all these words did I as though I had vnderstood neuer a whit But when I had perused the Prophet Ieremie I confesse that I had in the reading thereof feare in my hart and bashfulnesse in my face I will tell it yea with teares in mine eies and all Lord for thine honor to suppresse my pride Thou hast said by that holie Prophet If a woman haue offended hir husband and is so left of him for going astraie with other if he therevpon refuseth hir is she not to be esteemed polluted and of no value The lawe doth consent to put hir in the hands of iustice or to driue hir awaie and so neuer to take hir againe Thou hast made a separation betweene thy bed and mine saith he vnto me and placed forren louers in my roome committing with them fornication yet for all this thou maist returne to me againe for I will not alwaies be angrie against thee Lift vp therfore thine eies and looke about thee on euerie side and then shalt thou well see into what place thy sinne hath lead thee and how filthilie thou liest in the earth O poore soule looke where thy sinne hath put thee euen vpon the high waies where thou didst waite and tarie to beguile them that came by euen as a theefe doth which is hidden in the wildernesse Therefore thou in fulfilling thy wicked pleasure hast with fornication infected all the earth which was about thee thine eies thy forehead and thy face haue lost all their good maner for they were such as an harlot hath and yet thou hadest no shame of thy sinne And the surplus that Ieremie saith constreineth me to knowe my wretched life and to wish with sorowfull sighes the houre the moneth the daie the yeare and time that my life might haue an end yeelding my selfe condemned and worthie to lie for euer in the euerlasting fire The same feare which proceedeth of thee and not of my selfe putteth me rather in hope than in despaire as often as I do remember my sinne For as soone as thou knowest my will bowing vnder thine obedience then putting in me a liuelie faith thou didst vse great clemencie so that after I knewe thee to be that same Lord Maister and King whome I ought to haue feared then found I my feare not quenched but mixed with loue beleeuing that thou art so gratious gentle and sweete and so pitifull an husband that I which should rather haue hid me than to haue shewed my selfe was not then in feare to go foorth and to looke for thee so seeking I found thee But what didst thou then Didst thou refuse me No Lord but rather hast excused me Hast thou turned thy face from me No for thine eie so sweetlie penetrated my hart that wounding it almost to the death it did giue to me remorse of my sinnes Thou hast not put me backe with thy hand but with both thine armes and with a sweet and manlie hart thou didst meete with me by the waie and not once reprouing my faults embracedst me I could not see in beholding thy countenance that euer thou didst once perceiue mine offences wherefore thou hast done so much for me as though I had neuer broken promise with thee For thou didst
thee I will look vpon none other thing that might keepe me backe from the beholding of thy diuinitie Seeing that I doo heare thee I will heare nothing that letteth me from the fruition of thy voice Seeing that I may freelie talke with thee I will common with none other Seeing it pleaseth thee to put me so neere thee I will rather die than to touch anie other and seeing I serue thee I will serue none other Seeing that thou hast ioined thy hart with mine if it depart from thee let it be punished for euer For the departing from thy loue is harder than any damnation I doo not feare the paine of ten thousand hels as I doo feare the once loosing of thee Alas my God my Father and Creator doo not thou suffer that the enimie inuenter of all sinne haue anie power to make mee to loose thy presence For whosoeuer shall feele the losse of thy loue shall saie he would rather be bound for euer in hell than to feele the paine thereof one moment of time O my Sauiour doo thou not permit that euer I depart from thee againe but that it may please thee to put me in such a place that my soule through wantonnesse of sinne be neuer separated from thy loue The sixt Chapter Of the longing of the soule by death to feede with Christ IN this world I can not perfectlie haue this my desire which thing maketh mee feruentlie to desire the departing from this bodie of sinne not fearing death nor anie of hir instruments For what feare ought I to haue of my God which through loue offered himselfe and suffered death not of debt or dutie but onlie bicause he would for my sake vnder the power of mortall death Now is Iesus dead in whom we are all dead and through his death we all shall liue I meane those which through faith are partakers of his passion For euen as the death before the great mysterie of the crosse was hard to euerie man there was no man but was feared therewith considering the copulation of the bodie and the soule their order loue and agreement so were their sorowes extreme in departing of the one from the other But since it hath pleased the sweet Lambe to offer himselfe vpon the crosse his great loue hath kindled a fire within the hart so vehement that euerie true beleeuer esteemeth the passage of death but a plaie or pastime and so prouoketh other constantlie to die And euen as the feare of death doth retrograde vs so ought loue to giue vs a desire to die For if true loue be vnfainedlie within the hart of man he can feele none other thing bicause loue is so strong of it selfe that she keepeth all the room and putteth out all other desires suffering nothing there but God onlie For wheresoeuer true and perfect loue is there is remembred neither feare nor sorowe yet our owne pride to attaine honour causeth vs to seeke death by manie strange waies As if a man to haue his foolish pleasure putteth himselfe in ieopardie of life if a merchant to obtaine riches doth danger himselfe somtime for a small value if the theefe conceiuing of roberie or murther crueltie or deceit doth so blind a man that he doubteth nothing the danger of death neither yet misfortune when he seeketh to aduenge himselfe or doth any other euill if the furie of sicknesse or the rankenesse of melancholie causeth a man fiercelie to wish for death or oftentimes to drowne hang or kill themselues Such euils are sometimes so great that they cause their pained patient to choose death for libertie If it so be then that these paines full of euils and imperfections cause them not to feare the hazard of death but rather to thinke that death tarieth too long alas what ought true laudable loue to doo What ought the loue of the eternall creature to wish Should she stir a hart in such wise that she being maistered with such affections should feele none other thing in hir Alas yea For death is a pleasant thing to the soule which is in loue with God and esteemeth the passage easie thorough the which she commeth out of prison For the hard waie where through she commeth can be no let for hir to embrace hir husband O my Sauiour how good and pleasant is the same death through whom I shall haue the end of all sorowes by whom I shall enioie thy sight without impediment and be transformed into the likenesse of thy maiestie O death through thy force I trust to haue such honour as vpon my knees with crieng and weeping I dailie doo desire Therefore come quicklie and make an end of my sorowes O happie daughters right holie soules ioined to the citie Ierusalem open your eies and with pitie looke vpon my desolation I beseech you that for me and in my name ye doo shew vnto my deere and best beloued my God my friend my King how that euerie houre of the daie I doo languish for his presence O sweet death come vnto me and louinglie bring me vnto my Lord God O death where is now thy sting and dart Alas are they banished from mine eies Is not rigour changed into sweetnesse seeing that for my sake my friend did suffer vpon the crosse whose death doth so encourage me that death I wish to followe him The seuenth Chapter Of the trust the soule hath in the merits of hir Redeemer against the dread of hell and desperation SIth then that death is so pleasant to me that it pleaseth me more than it feareth me then ought I to feare nothing but onlie the right iudgement of GOD. My sinnes with his iust ballance shall be weied and all that I haue done openlie shall be shewed my thoughts and words shall be better knowne than they were written in a roll Wherefore I may not thinke that charitie would offend iustice and truth For certaine it is whosoeuer liueth vnfaithfullie shall be punished in euerlasting paine For God is iust and his iudgement righteous and all that he doth is perfect in all things What am I then considering mine owne righteousnesse A wretch and poore creature I knowe that all the works of iust men are so full of imperfection that afore God they are more filthie than mire or other vilenesse What will it be then concerning the sins which I haue committed whereof I feele the burden importable I can nothing else saie but that I haue woon by them damnation Is this the end Shall despaire then be the comfort of my great ignorance Alas my God no For the inuisible faith causeth me to beleeue that all things which are impossible to man are possible vnto thee so that thou doo conuert my worke which is nothing into some good worke of thine in me which is speciallie faith Then my Lord who shall condemne me Or what Iudge will damne me Sith that thou which art my Iudge art also my father my spouse and my refuge
Alas what father Such as doth neuer condemne his child but alwaies doth excuse and defend him Then I perceiue to haue none other excuser but Iesus Christ which is my spouse and my redeemer whose death hath restored me my lost inheritance For he made himselfe my man of lawe shewing his so worthie merits afore his father wherewith my great debt is so aboundantlie recompensed that in iudgement it is nothing O redeemer here is a great loue I find but few such men of lawe O sweete Iesus it is to thee that I am a debtor yet doest thou both praie and speake for me And moreouer when thou doest see that I am poore with the aboundance of thy goods thou doest paie my debts O incomprehensible sea of all goodnesse O my deare father doest thou vouchsafe to be my Iudge not willing the death of a sinner O Iesus Christ crucifier and sauiour of the soule friend aboue all friends thou being my man of law didst excuse and speake for me where thou couldst iustlie haue accused mee I feare no more therefore the crueltie of mine enimie for the lawe by thee is satisfied for all the paiment is so made by my sweete spouse that the lawe can aske nothing of me but it is paid by him For as I beleeue that he hath taken all my sinnes vpon him and hath giuen me in place of them his owne goodes in aboundance so O my Sauiour thou presenting thy vertues doest content the lawe And when she will reproch me of my sinnes thou doest shew hir how willinglie in thine owne flesh thou hast taken the discharge of them through the coniunction of our mariage Also vpon the Crosse through thy passion thou hast made satisfaction for it Morouer thine onlie charitie hath giuen me this that thou hast for me deserued Therefore seeing thy merite to be mine the lawe can aske nothing of me Now then will I feare no more the iudgement but with desire more than with perforce I will tarrie the time that I shall see my Iudge and heare a iust iudgement of him I knowe that thy iudgement is iust and that there is no fault therein though mine infidelitie is woorthie to suffer the cruelnesse of hell For if I do onlie consider my deseruing yet I can see nothing in it that can keepe me from the fire of hell For true it is that the torment of hell was prepared for the Diuell and his children So if anie man haue set his minde to be like to the Diuell by sensuall appetite then ought he as the Diuell to be paid with a like reward But if a man through contemplation of the soule do hold of thee his Angell of counsell vertue and perfection he is sure to obtaine heauen which is a place of thy deseruing for him then shall the wicked be punished with the same punishment which they ought to haue to whom they haue ioined themselues For sith they folowed Satan they must enioie such place as is for him and his Angels prepared Now I considering the diuersitie of both the sorts am little comforted in spirit by this For I cannot denie but that I am more like the Diuell than the Angell of light wherefore I feare and tremble For as the Angell is pure and perfect so am I vnpure and vnperfect and am nothing like vnto him But thus I confesse that to the other I am so like in my dooings and so accustomed in his waies that of his paine and torment I ought to be partaker For the cruell sinne which hath bound me in hell is so great and his force so strong that it letteth nothing to come from it neither feareth it the contrarie assault But he whose force lieth in this kind of strength knoweth not how his strength goeth awaie when a stronger than he commeth in place I could neuer yet see that anie man by merite or paines taking could euer yet vanquish that hell saue onlie he which did the great assault through his vnspeakable charitie when he humbled himselfe to the crosse whereby he hath vanquished and ouercome his enimie and robbed hell of his power so that now it hath no more force and strength to keepe that soule which putteth hir trust in God Then beleeuing in the great strength that my sauiour hath I do not set by hell and sinne For sinne can haue no hold of me vnles it be to shew how my God is mercifull strong mightie and a puissant vanquisher of all the euils within my hart If by sinnes forgiuenesse is the glorie of my most louing sauiour then ought I also to beleeue that my glorie is increased by his loue and that I am planted and graffed in him His honour onlie doth honour all his and his riches doo replenish euerie one with his goods Then death hell and sinne are ouercome by him O gluttonous hell where is thy defence Thou cruell villaine sinne where is thy tyrannous power O Death where is thy sting and victorie which are so much spoken of Instead of death thou death giuest me life and so doest thou contrarie to thy will Also thou sinne couetest to drawe each creature to damnation Thou giuest me a ladder to reach thereby that godlie Citie Ierusalem yet wouldst thou of thy cursed nature that mine eternall maker should loose his creature but through his loue and grace the sorie remembrance of thine vncomlinesse doth cause hir by repentance againe to come and submit hir selfe vnto God whose inestimable goodnesse causeth thee to loose thy whole labour which thou takest in hand For the number that thou pretendest to haue thou shalt not haue because that the comfortable shadowe of Christ his passion is such a mightie protection to the soule that he needeth neither to doubt death sinne nor hell Is there anie thing then that can pull me backe if God be willing through the gift of faith to drawe me to him I meane such a faith as we must needes haue to obtaine the high graces from aboue and also such a faith as through charitie doth ioine the humble seruant to his maker Now I being ioined vnto him ought to haue no feare of trauell paine nor sorowe For whosoeuer doth willinglie suffer anie maner of death paine or sorowe for the truth as Christ did he shall feele in such torment great comfort consolation for his soule knowing all this I my self am weake yet with God I am right strong Through his comfort I may do all things and his loue is so constant and permanent that it varieth not for anie worldlie thing Who can then withdrawe me from his grace Surelie the great height of heauen the depth of hell the breadth of the whole earth neither death nor sinne which dailie doth warre against me can separate me one minute from the great loue and charitie that my heauenlie father through Iesus Christ hath vnto me His goodnesse is such that he loueth me which hath not all times loued him and if I now loue
shall be depriued Then this Crucifixe is the booke wherein God hath included all things and hath most compendiouslie written therein all truth profitable and necessarie for our saluation Therefore let vs endeuour our selues to studie this booke that we being lightened with the spirit of God may giue him thanks for so great a benefit The fift Chapter Of the glorious victories of Christ ouer all enimies IF we looke further in this booke we shall see Christs great victorie vpon the crosse which was so noble and mightie that there neuer was neither shall be such If the victorie and glorie of worldlie Princes were great because they did ouercome great hostes of men how much was Christes greater which vanquished not onelie the Prince of this world but all the enimies of God triumphing ouer persecution iniuries villanies slanders yea death the world sinne and the diuell and brought to confusion all carnall prudence The Princes of the world neuer did fight without the strength of the world Christ contrarilie went to warre euen against all the strength of the world He fought as Dauid did with Golias vnarmed of all humane wisdome and policie and without all worldlie power and strength Neuerthelesse he was fullie replenished and armed with the whole armour of the spirit And in this one battell he ouercame for euer all his enimies There was neuer so glorious a spoile neither a more rich and noble than Christ was vpon the Crosse which deliuered all his elect from such a sharpe and miserable captiuitie He had in his battell manie stripes yea and lost his life but his victorie was so much the greater Therfore when I looke vpon the sonne of God with a supernaturall faith and light so vnarmed naked giuen vp and alone with humilitie patience liberalitie modestie gentlenesse and with all other his diuine vertues beating downe to the ground all Gods enimies and making the soule of man so faire and beautifull I am forced to saie that his victorie and triumph was maruellous And therefore Christ well deserued to haue this noble title IESVS OF NAZARETH KING OF THE IEWES But if we will particularlie vnfold and see his great victories let vs first behold how he ouercame sinne with his innocencie confounded pride with his humilitie quenched all worldlie loue with his charitie appeased the wrath of his father with his meekenesse and turned hatred into loue with his so manie benefits and godlie zeale Christ hath not onlie ouercome sinne but rather he hath killed the same in asmuch as he hath satisfied for it himselfe with the most holie sacrifice and oblation of his pretious bodie in suffering most bitter and cruell death Also after another sort that is he giueth all those that loue him so much spirit grace vertue and strength that they may resist impugne and ouercome sinne and not consent neither suffer it to reigne in them He hath also vanquished sinne because he hath taken awaie the force of the same that is he hath cancelled the lawe which was in euill men the occasion of sinne Therefore sinne hath no power against them that are with the holie Ghost vnited to Christ in them there is nothing worthie of damnation And although the dregs of Adam do remaine that is our concupiscences which in deede be sinnes neuerthelesse they be not imputed for sinnes if we be trulie planted in Christ It is true that Christ might haue taken awaie all our immoderate affections but hee hath left them for the great glorie of his father and for his owne greater triumph As for example When a Prince fighteth with his enimies which sometime had the souereigntie ouer his people and subduing them may kill them if he will yet he preserueth and saueth them and whereas they were Lords ouer his people he maketh them after to serue whome they before had ruled Now in such a case the Prince doth shew himselfe a greater conquerour in that he hath made them which were rulers to obeie and the subiects to be Lords ouer them to whome they serued than if he had vtterlie destroied them vpon the conquest For now he leaueth continuall victorie to them whome he redeemed whereas otherwise the occasion of victorie was taken awaie where none were left to be the subiects Euen so in like case Christ hath left in vs these concupiscences to the intent they should serue vs to the exercise of our vertues where first they did reigne ouer vs to the exercise of our sinne And it may be plainelie seene that whereas first they were such impediments to vs that we could not moue our selues towards God now by Christ we haue so much strength that notwithstanding the force of them we may assuredlie walke to heauen And although the children of God sometime do fall by fariltie into some sinne yet that falling maketh them to humble themselues and to reknowledge the goodnesse of God and to come to him for refuge and helpe Likewise Christ by his death hath ouercome the Prince of diuels with all his hoast and hath destroied them all For as Paule saith it is verified that Christ should breake the Serpents head prophesied by God And although the diuell tempt vs yet if by faith we be planted in Christ we shall not perish but rather by his temptation take great force and might So it is euident that the triumph victorie and glorie of Christ is the greater hauing in such sort subdued the diuell that whereas he was Prince and Lord of the world holding all creatures in captiuitie now Christ vseth him as an instrument to punish the wicked and to exercise and make strong the elect of God in Christian warfare Christ likewise hath ouercome death in a more glorious manner if it be possible because he hath not taken it awaie but leauing vniuersallie all subiect to the same He hath giuen so much vertue and spirit that whereas afore we passed thereto with great feare now we be bold through the spirit for the sure hope of the resurrection that we receiue it with ioie It is now no more bitter but sweete no more feared but desired it is no death but life And also it hath pleased God that the infirmities and aduersities do remaine to the sight of the world but the children of God are by Christ made so strong righteous whole and sound that the troubles of the world be comforts of the spirit the passions of the flesh are medicines of the soule For all maner things worke to their commoditie and profite For they in spirit feele that God their father doth gouerne them and disposeth all things for their benefit therefore they feele themselues sure In persecution they are quiet and peacefull in trouble they are without weerinesse feares anxieties suspicions miseries and finallie all the good and euill of the world worketh to their commoditie Moreouer they see that the triumph of Christ hath beene so great that not onelie he hath subdued and vanquished all our enimies and the power
Christian libertie is godlie intreated of Trulie it is no good spirit that moueth men to find fault at euerie thing and when things may be well taken to peruert them into an euill sense and meaning There be in the world manie speakers of holines and good works but verie rare and seldome is declared which be the good and holie works The works of the spirit be neuer almost spoken of and therefore verie few knowe what they be I am able to iustifie the ignorance of the people to be great not in this matter alone but in manie other the which were most necessarie for Christians to knowe Because I haue had iust proofe of the same it maketh me thus much to saie with no little sorowe and greefe in my hart for such a miserable ignorance and blindnesse amongest the people I doubt not but we can saie all Lord Lord. But I feare God may saie vnto vs This people honoureth me with their lips but their harts be far from me God desireth nothing but the hart and saith He will be worshipped in spirit and truth Christ condemned all hypocrisie and feigned holines and taught sincere pure and true godlinesse but we worsse than frantike or blinde will not followe Christs doctrine but trust to mens doctrines iudgements and saiengs which dimmeth our eies and so the blind leadeth the blind and both fall into the dich Trulie in my simple and vnlearned iudgement no mans doctrine is to be esteemed or preferred like vnto Christs and the Apostles nor to be taught as a perfect and true doctrine but euen as it doth accord agree with the doctrine of the Gospell But yet those that be called spirituall pastours although they be most carnall as it doth verie euidentlie and plainelie appeare by their fruites are so blinded with the loue of themselues and the world that they extoll mens inuentions and doctrines before the doctrine of the Gospell And when they be not able to mainteine their owne inuentions and doctrines with anie iot of the scripture then they most cruellie persecute them that be contrarie to the same Be such the louers of Christ Naie naie they be the louers of the wicked Mammon neither regarding God nor his honour For filthie lucre hath made them almost mad but frantike they be doubtlesse Is not this miserable state of spirituall men in the world much to be lamented of all good Christians But yet I cannot allowe neither praise all kind of lamentation but such as may stand with Christian charitie The eight Chapter Of the fruites and rules of true Christianitie for men to followe CHaritie suffereth long and is gentle enuieth not vpbraideth no man casteth frowardlie no faults in mens teeth but referreth all things to God being angrie without sinne reforming others without slanders carrieng euer a store-house of mild words to pearce the stonie-harted men I would all Christians that like as they haue professed Christ would so endeuour themselues to folowe him in godlie liuing For we haue not put on Christ to liue anie more to our selues in the vanities delightes and pleasures of the world and the flesh suffering the concupiscence and carnalitie of the flesh to haue his full swinge For we must walke after the spirit and not after the flesh For the spirit is spirituall and coueteth spirituall things and the flesh carnall and desireth carnall things The men regenerate by Christ despise the world and all the vanities and pleasures thereof They be no louers of themselues For they feele how euill and infirme they be not being able to do anie good thing without the helpe of God from whome they knowledge all goodnesse to proceede They flatter not themselues with thinking euerie thing which shineth to the world to be good and holie For they knowe all externe and outward works be they neuer so glorious and faire to the world may be done of the euill as well as of the good And therefore they haue in verie little estimation the outward shew of holinesse because they be all spirituall casting vp their eies vpon heauenlie things neither looking nor regarding the earthlie things for they be to them vile and abiect They haue also the simplicitie of the doue and the policie of the serpent For by simplicitie they haue a desire to do good to all men and to hurt no man no though they haue occasion giuen and by policie they giue not nor minister anie iust cause to anie man whereby their doctrine might be reproued They be not also as a reede shaken with euerie winde but when they be blasted with the tempests and stormes of the world then remaine they most firme stable and quiet feeling in spirit that God as their best father doth send and suffer all things for their benefit and commoditie Christ is to them a rule a line an example of Christian life They be neuer offended at anie thing although occasion be ministred vnto them For like as Christ when Peter would haue withdrawne him from death answered and said Go backe from me Sathan for thou offendest me that is As much as lieth in thee thou giuest me occasion with thy words to make me withdrawe my selfe from death although I yeelded not thereto For this thy procurement can not extinguish the burning desire I haue to shed my bloud for my chosen Euen so the perfect men are neuer offended at anie thing For although the world were full of sinne they would not withdrawe themselues from doing of good nor waxe cold in the loue of the Lord. And much lesse they would be moued to do euill yea rather they be so much the more moued to do good The regenerated by Christ are neuer offended at the works of God because they knowe by faith that God doth all things well and that he can not erre neither for want of power nor by ignorance nor malice For they knowe him to be almightie and that he seeth all things and is most aboundantlie good They see and feele in spirit that of that will most highlie perfect can not but proceede most perfecte works Likewise they be not offended at the works of men For if they bee good they are moued by them to take occasion to folowe them and to reknowledge the goodnes of God with giuing of thanks and praising his name dailie the more But if they be indifferent and such as may be done with good and euill intents they iudge the best part thinking they may bee done to a good purpose and so they bee edified But if they bee so euill that they can not bee taken in good part by anie meanes yet they bee not offended although occasion bee giuen naie rather they be edified in asmuch as they take occasion to be better though the contrarie bee ministred to them Then begin they to thinke and saie thus If God had not preserued me with his grace I should haue committed this sin and worsse O how much am I bound to confesse and knowledge
good and bad bitter and sweete ioie and sorrowe and for all things that shall befall vnto me hartilie to thanke thee Keepe me Lord from sinne and I shall then neither dread death nor hell O what thanks ought I to giue vnto thee which hast suffered the greeuous death of the crosse to deliuer me from my sinnes and to obtaine euerlasting life for me Thou gauest vs most perfect example of patience fulfilling and obeieng the will of thy father euen vnto the death Make me wretched sinner obedientlie to vse my selfe after thy will in althings and patientlie to beare the burden of this corruptible life For though this life be tedious and as an heauie burden to my soule yet neuerthelesse thorough thy grace and by example of thee it is now made much more easie and comfortable than it was before thine incarnation and passion Thy holie life is our waie to thee and by following of thee we walke to thee that art our head and Sauiour and yet except thou hadst gone before and shewed vs the waie to euerlasting life who would endeuor himselfe to followe thee Seeing we be yet so slowe and dull hauing the light of thy blessed example and holie doctrine to leade and direct vs. O Lord Iesu make that possible by grace that is to me impossible by nature Thou knowest well that I may litle suffer and that I am anon cast downe and ouerthrowne with a little aduersitie wherfore I beseech thee O Lord to strengthen me with thy spirit that I may willinglie suffer for thy sake all maner of trouble and affliction The second Chapter A confession of our infirmities with a desire to rest in God aboue all things LOrd I will knowledge vnto thee all mine vnrighteousnesse and I will confesse to thee all the vnstablenesse of my hart Oftentimes a verie little thing troubleth me sore and maketh mee dull and slowe to serue thee And sometime I purpose to stand stronglie but when a little trouble commeth it is to mee great anguish and greefe and of a right little thing riseth a greeuous temptation to mee Yea when I thinke my selfe to bee sure and strong and that as it seemeth I haue the vpper hand suddenlie I feele my selfe readie to fall with a little blast of temptation Behold therefore good Lord my weakenesse and consider my frailenesse best knowne to thee Haue mercie on me and deliuer me from all iniquitie and sinne that I bee not intangled therewith Oft times it greeueth mee sore and in a maner confoundeth mee that I am so vnstable so weake and so fraile in resisting sinfull motions Which although they drawe me not alwaie to consent yet neuerthelesse their assaults bee verie greeuous vnto mee And it is tedious to mee to liue in such battell albeit I perceiue that such battell is not vnprofitable vnto mee for thereby I knowe the better my selfe and mine owne infirmities and that I must seeke helpe onlie at thy hands O Lord God of Israel the louer of all faithfull soules vouchsafe to behold the labour and sorowe of mee thy poore creature Assist mee in all things with thy grace and so strengthen me with heauenlie strength that neither my cruell enimie the feend neither my wretched flesh which is not yet subiect to the spirit haue victorie or dominion ouer mee O what a life may this bee called where no trouble nor miserie lacketh Where euerie place is full of snares of mortall enimies For one trouble or temptation ouerpassed another commeth by and by and the first conflict yet during a new battell suddenlie ariseth Wherefore Lord Iesu I praie thee giue me thy grace to rest in thee aboue all things and to quiet mee in thee aboue all creatures aboue all glorie and honour aboue all dignitie and power aboue all cunning and policie aboue all health and beautie aboue all riches and treasure aboue all ioie and pleasure aboue all fame and praise aboue all mirth and consolation that mans hart may take or feele besides thee For thou Lord God art best most wise most high most mightie most sufficient and most full of all goodnesse most sweet and most comfortable most faire most louing most noble most glorious in whom all goodnes most perfectlie is And therefore whatsoeuer I haue besides thee it is nothing to mee For my hart may not rest ne fullie bee pacified but onlie in thee O Lord Iesu most louing spouse who shall giue mee wings of perfect loue that I may flie vp from these worldlie miseries and rest in thee O when shall I ascend to thee and feele how sweet thou art When shall I wholie gather my selfe in thee so perfectlie that I shall not for thy loue feele my selfe but thee onlie aboue my selfe aboue all worldlie things that thou maist vouchsafe to visit mee in such wise as thou dooest visit thy most faithfull louers Now I often mourne and complaine of the miseries of this life and with sorowe and great heauinesse suffer them For manie things happen dailie to mee which oftentimes trouble mee make mee heauie and darken mine vnderstanding They hinder mee greatlie and put my mind from thee and so encumber me manie waies that I can not freelie and cleerelie desire thee ne haue thy sweet consolations which with thy blessed Saints be alwaie present I beseech thee Lord Iesu that the sighings and inward desires of my hart may moue and incline thee to heare mee The third Chapter A recounting of Gods benefits with praier to obtaine a free and cleane mind with hartie wisdome and deliuerance OIesu King of euerlasting glorie the ioie and comfort of all Christian people that are wandering as Pilgrims in the wildernes of this world my hart crieth to thee by still desires and my silence speaketh vnto thee and saith How long tarieth my Lord God to come to mee Come O Lord and visit mee for without thee I haue no true ioie without thee my soule is heauie and sad I am in prison and bounden with fetters of sorowe till thou O Lord with thy gratious presence vouchsafe to visit me and to bring me againe to libertie and ioie of spirit and to shew thy fauourable countenance vnto me Open my hart Lord that I may behold thy lawes and teach me to walke in thy commandements Make me to knowe and folowe thy will and to haue alwaies in my remembrance thy manifold benefits that I may yeeld due thanks to thee for the same But I knowledge and confesse for truth that I am not able to giue thee condigne thanks for the least benefit that thou hast giuen me O Lord all gifts and vertues that anie man hath in bodie or soule naturall or supernaturall be thy gifts and come of thee and not of our selues and they declare the great riches of thy mercie and goodnesse vnto vs. And though some haue mo gifts than other yet they all proceed from thee and without thee the least cannot be had O Lord I accompt it for a
humblie yeeld our selues vnder the mightie hand of God our Creator LOrd and holie Father be thou blessed now and euer For as thou wilt so it is done and that thou dooest is alwaie best Let me thine humble and vnwoorthie seruant ioie onelie in thee and not in my selfe ne in anie thing else besides thee For thou Lord art my gladnes my hope my crowne and all mine honour What hath thy seruant but that she hath of thee and that without hir desert All things be thine thou hast created and made them I am poore and haue beene in trouble and paine euer from my youth and my soule hath beene in great heauinesse through manifold passions that come of the world and of the flesh Wherefore Lord I desire that I may haue of thee the ioie of inward peace I aske of thee to come to that rest which is ordeined for thy chosen children that be fed and nourished with the light of heauenlie comforts For without thy helpe I can not come to thee Lord giue me peace giue me inward ioie and then my soule shall be full of heauenlie melodie and be deuout and feruent in thy lauds and praises But if thou withdrawe thy selfe from me as thou hast sometime done then may not thy seruant runne the waie of thy commandements as I did before For it is not with me as it was when the Lampe of thy ghostlie presence did shine vpon my head and I was defended vnder the shadowe of thy wings from all perils and dangers O mercifull Lord Iesu euer to be praised the time is come that thou wilt prooue thy seruant and rightfull it is that I shall now suffer somewhat for thee Now is the houre come that thou hast knowne from the beginning that thy seruant for a time should outwardlie be set at naught and inwardlie to leane vnto thee And that she should be despised in the sight of the world and be broken with affliction that she may after arise with thee in a new light and be clarified and made glorious in the kingdome of heauen O holie father thou hast ordeined it so to be and it is done as thou hast commanded This is thy grace O Lord to thy freend to suffer hir to be troubled in this world for thy loue how often so euer it be and of what person so euer it be and in what maner soeuer thou wilt suffer it to fall vnto hir For without thy will or sufferance what thing is done vpon the earth It is good to me O Lord that thou hast meekened me that I may therby learne to knowe thy righteous iudgements to put from me all maner of presumption and statelinesse of hart It is verie profitable for me that confusion hath couered my face that I may learne thereby rather to seeke to thee for helpe and succour than to man I haue thereby learned to dread thy secret and terrible iudgements which scourgest the righteous with the sinner but not without equitie and iustice Lord I yeeld thanks to thee that thou hast not spared my sinnes but hast punished me with scourges of loue and hast sent me affliction and anguish within and without No creature vnder heauen may comfort me but thou Lord God the heauenlie leach of mans soule which strikest and healest which bringest a man nigh vnto death and after restorest him to life againe that he may thereby learne to knowe his owne weakenesse and imbecillitie the more fullie to trust in the Lord. Thy discipline is laid vpon me and thy rod of correction hath taught me and vnder that rod I wholie submit me Strike my backe and my bones as it shall please thee and make me to bow my crooked will to thy will Make me a meeke and an humble disciple as thou hast sometime done with me that I may walke after thy will To thee I commit my selfe to be corrected For better it is to be corrected by thee heere than in time to come Thou knowest all things and nothing is hid from thee that is in mans conscience Thou knowest all things to come before they fall it is not needfull that anie man teach thee or warne thee of anie thing that is done vpon the earth Thou knowest what is profitable for me and how much tribulations helpe to purge awaie the rust of sinne in me Doo with me after thy pleasure I am a sinfull wretch to none so well knowne as to thee Grant me Lord that to knowe that is necessarie to be knowne that to loue that is to be loued that to desire that pleaseth thee that to regard that is pretious in thy sight and that to refuse that is vile before thee Suffer me not to iudge thy mysteries after mine outward senses ne to giue sentence after the hearing of the ignorant but by true iudgement to discerne things spirituall and aboue all things alwaie to search and followe thy will and pleasure O Lord Iesu thou art all my riches and all that I haue I haue it of thee But what am I Lord that dare speake to thee I am thy poore creature and a worme most abiect Behold Lord I haue naught and of my selfe I am naught worth Thou art onlie God righteous and holie thou orderest all things thou giuest all things and thou fulfillest all things with goodnesse I am a sinner barren and void of godlie vertues Remember thy mercies and fill my hart with plentie of thy grace For thou wilt not that thy works in me should be made in vaine How may I beare the miserie of this life except thy grace and mercie do comfort me Turne not thy face from me deferre not the visiting of me ne withdrawe not thy comforts least happilie my soule be made as drie earth without the water of grace Teach me Lord to fulfill thy will to liue meekelie and worthilie before thee For thou art all my wisdome and cunning thou art he that knowest me as I am that knewest me before the world was made before I was borne or brought into this life To thee O Lord be honour glorie and praise for euer and euer Amen ¶ A certaine effectuall praier made by the Ladie Jane Dudley in the time of hir trouble a little before hir death O Lord thou GOD and father of my life heare mee poore and desolate Woman which flieth vnto thee onelie in all my troubles and miseries Thou O Lord art the onlie defender and deliuerer of those that put their trust in thee And therefore I being defiled with sinne incumbred with affliction vnquieted with troubles wrapped in cares ouerwhelmed with miseries vexed with temptations and greeuouslie tormented with the long imprisonment of this vile masse of claie my sinfull bodie and bloud do come vnto thee O mercifull Sauiour crauing thy mercie and helpe without the which so little hope of deliuerance is left that I may vtterlie despaire of anie libertie Albeit it is expedient that seeing our life standeth vpon trieng we
intituled Miserere mei Deus Haue mercie vpon me O God which in most deuout manner she said to the verie end with these hir last words LORD into thy hands I command my spirit ¶ Morning and Euening praiers with diuers Psalmes Hymnes and Meditations made and set forth by the Ladie ELIZABETH Tyrwhit A Confession to be said before Morning praier I Doo acknowledge and confesse vnto thee O most mercifull and heauenlie father mine often and grieuous offences that I haue committed against thy diuine Maiestie from my youth hitherto in thought word and deed leauing vndone those things which I ought and should haue done and dooing those things which I ought not to haue done prouoking thy wrath and indignation against me And now lamenting this my wickednes I appeale vnto thy mercie saie with the Publicane O Lord GOD be mercifull vnto me a most wretched sinner forgiue all that is past saue and defend me from euill and confirme me in good life to the glorie of thy name So be it A praier to be said at our vprising I Doo thanke thee my most mercifull and heauenlie Father by thy deerelie beloued sonne Iesu Christ that this night thou hast giuen me sleepe and rest preseruing me from hurt and perill I crie thee mercie for mine offences and most humblie beseech thee that thou wilt likewise this daie keepe me from sinne and all euill so that all my thoughts words and works may please thee I doo commit my selfe both bodie and soule and all things that I go about into thy hands beseeching thee that thine holie spirit may abide with me least my deadlie aduersarie the diuell haue power ouer me Amen Another praier at our vprising OBlessed Iesu this daie I commend me and all my proceedings into thy hands this daie I most humbly praie thee to helpe me which hast made me to thine owne image and in thy bloud hast clensed me which art my hope in heauiuinesse my comfort in care and trust in trouble Although sweete Lord my conscience accuseth me and the lawe condemneth me yet thy pretious death and testament hath deliuered me with thee to reigne in glorie after death hath arrested me the earth consumed me yet good Lord I trust in the resnrrection to dwell with thee eternallie through thy promise made to me and to all that doo beleeue in thee and call vpon thy holie name Thy kingdome come this daie to me from Sathan deliuer me with the bread of Angels feede me from fleshlie lusts purge me from sudden death and deadlie sinne O Lord take me Giue me an hart to beleeue in thee and that all my senses may obey thee and of thy mercie accept my praiers this daie before thee which art one God in Trinitie to whom be all honour and glorie Amen The Hymne or praier to the sonne of God THe beamie sun large light doth giue chase away the night So blesse vs with thy benefits endue vs with thy spirit Swéet dews frō heuen to earth God grant of peace quiet mind That we may serue the liuing God as his statutes doo bind O mightie Lord our helpe at néed driue far awaie the féend That sinne nor hell doo vs molest when as our life shall éend Thou art the euer lasting daie which shinst in euerie place And féedest euerie liuing wight with plentious gifts of grace Into thy heauenlie hands déere God my spirit I doo commend This day from sin and Sathans power thy seruant me defend We laud thée Father for thy grace We praise the Sonne which made vs frée We thanke the holie Spirit for our solace Which is one God and persons thrée An Antheme HIs deerlie beloued sonne God did not spare but for vs all deliuered him How shall he not with him giue vs all things also A praier to God the father to be vsed before Morning praier OUr mercifull father which in teaching vs to praie by thy sonne Christ hast commanded vs to call thee father and to beleeue that we are thy beloued children who stirrest vp none of thine to praie but to the intent that thou wouldest heare them giuing vnto vs also all things more effectuallie and plentiouslie than we can either aske or thinke We do beseech thee for thy sonnes sake to giue vs grace to beleeue and knowe assuredlie that thy sonne our Sauiour Christ is giuen of thee vnto vs to be our Sauiour our righteousnesse our wisdome our holines our redemption and our satisfaction O Lord suffer vs not to trust in anie other saluation but in thy sonne our Sauiour Iesus Christ So be it The Hymne of our redemption by Christ. PRaise we our father louinglie which gentlie vs preserued When we forsooke him wretchedlie death by sinne deserued His mercie was so bountious that though we from him fell Fréelie in Christ he pardoned vs and vs redéemd from hell Glorie be to the Trinitie the Father Sonne and spirit liuing Which art one God persons thrée to whom be praise without ending Amen A forme of priuate Morning Praier Our father which art in heauen c. O Lord open thou my lips that my mouth may speake and shew foorth that which is to thy glorie and praise And shut my mouth from speaking of anie thing whereby I should offend thy diuine maiestie or be hurtfull to my neighbor O God make speede to saue vs. O Lord make haste to helpe vs. Glorie be to the Father and to the Sonne and to the holie Ghost As it was in the beginning is now and euer shall be world without end Amen Praise ye the Lord. Thanks be giuen to God The first Psalme at Morning Praier O Lord heare my words marke my crieng O my King and my God for vnto thee onelie come I to praie neither doo I looke for succour anie where else than of thee O Lord I beseech thee that thou wilt gratiouslie hearken to my petitions that thy grace may spring in my hart with the morrowe light of thy comfort the night of care and perturbation being ouerpassed suffer me not to perish with the vngodlie folke whome thou cursest I come running to thee not trusting in mine owne righteousnes but to thy great and manifold mercies O Lord with the rule of thy iustice will I be directed For thy name sake make plaine thy waie before me and my waie before thee least the spirit of malice doo turne me thence Let them reioice that repose themselues and trust alwaies in thy mercie let them sing Hymnes and Psalmes which doo glorie and reioice in thee let them triumph which loue thy name Defend me O Lord with thy grace as with a shield in time of perill to the intent that when I am assaulted with them I may yet with constant cheere growe vp vnto my full perfection Glorie be to the father c. As it was in the c. The second Psalme OH Lord GOD and father I beseech thee by Christ our Lord that of thine infinite
Christ for this thy blessed oblation haue mercie on me now and in the houre of death that in the dreadfull daie of iudgment sinne death and hell may not preuaile against me sinfull creature but haue mercie vpon me according to thy greatest mercie which is this thy death and passion for which be praise to the holie Trinitie for euer and euer Amen The Hymne of the passion of Christ IEsus which is the liuelie well of wisdome And the heauenlie truth of the father eternall Which from heauen to this world did come To deliuer vs thrales from paines infernall Of Iudas was sold and of the Iewes taken And of his Disciples at midnight was forsaken We laud thee father for thy grace We praise the sonne which made vs free We thanke the holie spirit for our solace Which is one God and persons three In the dawning of the daie they did him fast bind And before Pilate he was then conuented False witnesse against Iesus they did then find When the cruell Seniours in iudgement him presented Beaten was his bodie defiled was his face And yet God and man the verie well of grace We laud thee father c. When thrée houres were past before Pilates throne All the people cried Kill Iesus the Iewes king His crowne was thornes in purple he made mone With a crosse ouer Cedron they did him bring And prepared his deadlie place on Galgatha hill To suffer pains for Adams gilt so was his fathers will We laud thee father c. The sirt houre approched his painefull end When on the trée his bodie they nailed In heauen was his helpe in earth he had no freud He died betwéene two théeues on him the Elders railed Then he thirsted for his elect which subiect were to thrall Unthankefullie they offred him vinegre mingled with gall We laud thee father c. This verie God Gods onlie begotten child Said to his father Why hast thou me forsaken Yet receiue this sacrifice and my spirit vndefild The heauens were darkned asunder the stones were shaken Bloud and water then sprang from this blessed lamb Then graues opened the dead aliue foorth came We laud thee father for thy grace c. The second Meditation or praier of our frailtie and miserie O Miserable wretched woman that I am how may I be compared to any of thy saints that shall dwell in thy Tabernacle or holie hill For they loue to be in holie contemplation and I in the vaine multitude forgetting thee they be meeke and I vnpatient they do not forget thee but my good Lord when do I remember thee but when affliction enforceth me or the lamentable fall of my breethren constraine me to thanke thee Thou most mightie and fearefull God of hosts thy holie name be blessed foreuer Amen What shall I saie my God Thou art most good and I euill thou holie and I miserable thou art light and I am blind thou art the blessed ioie and I am carefull and full of sorowe My Lord thou art the Physician and I the miserable patient I am nothing but vanitie and corrupt as euerie liuing man is What shall I saie O Creator but this that I am thy creature and shall I perish Thy hands haue made me and were wounded for me thy bloud was shed for me and hath washed me thy holie Ghost hath sanctified me and taught me yet Lord my daies are nothing What should I mortall creature thus talke with my selfe Lord God but that need hath no lawe Sorowe hath compelled me to seeke comfort sicknesse enforceth me to folowe the Physician conscience pricketh me to crie to thee my Lord for a heauenlie cordiall of comfort which am in great discomfort borne of a woman full of miserie and shortnesse of time and passe awaie like a shadowe neuer content with one estate but in earth remaine for euer The Hymne to God the Creator O Creator to thée thy creature I call Who made of mould do liue in paine And sicke in soule my flesh is thrall O wo is me my daies be vaine Yet vnto God I call for grace My soule in heauen to haue a place A praier to the blessed Trinitie Let vs praie O Holie blessed and glorious Trinitie three equall and coeternall persons but one God almightie haue mercie vpon me vile abiect abhominable and sinfull wretch meekelie acknowledging before thy diuine Maiestie my long continued life in sinne euen from my childhood hitherto Then good gratious Lord as thou giuest me the grace to acknowledge them so giue me grace not in word onlie but in hart also with sorowfull contrition to repent and vtterlie to forsake them Forgiue me also those sinnes through which by mine owne fault wicked affection and euill custome my reason is with sensualitie so blinded as I cannot discerne them for sinne Illuminate my hart good Lord and giue me grace to acknowledge them Forgiue me my sinnes negligentlie forgotten and bring them to my mind with grace to be throughlie repentant for them O mercifull God grant me thy grace so to despise sinne and all worldlie vanities that I may saie with the blessed Apostle Saint Paule The world is crucified to me and I to the world Christ is to me life and to die is my gaine and aduantage I desire to be loosed and to be with Christ Lord giue me thy grace to amend my life and to haue an eie to mine end without anie grudge or feare of death which to them that die in thee is the gate of eternall life Almightie God teach me to doo thy will take my right hand and leade me in the true waie from mine drawe me after thee bind my mouth with snaffle and bridle when I will not drawe vnto thee Oh gratious God all sinfull feare all sinfull sorowe and pensiuenesse all sinfull hope all sinfull mirth and gladnesse take awaie from me On the other side concerning such feare such heauinesse such comfort consolation and gladnesse as shall be profitable for my soule doo with me according to thy great goodnesse O Lord giue me grace in all my feare and agonie to haue recourse to that great feare and wonderfull agonie that thou my sauiour hadst at the Mount of Oliuet before thy most bitter passion and in the meditation thereof to conceiue ghostlie comfort and consolation profitable for my soule Almightie God take from me all vaine-glorious minds all appetites of mine owne praise all enuie couetise gluttonie sloth and lecherie all wrathfull affection all appetite of reuenging all desire of delight of other mens harmes all pleasure in prouoking anie person to wrath and anger all delight in taunting or mocking anie person in their affliction or trouble And giue vnto me O Lord an humble quiet peaceable patient charitable kind tender and pitifull mind in all my words my works and thoughts to haue a tast of thy holie and blessed spirit Giue me good Lord a full faith a firme hope a feruent charitie a loue to thee good Lord incomparable
aboue the loue of my selfe that I may loue nothing to thy displeasure but euerie thing in a due order to thee Giue me good Lord a longing to be with thee not for the auoiding of the calamities of this wretched world nor so much for the auoiding of the paines of hell neither so much for the obteining of the kingdome of heauen in respect of mine owne commoditie as euen for verie loue of thee And beare me good Lord thy loue fauour which thing my loue to thee-ward were it neuer so gret could not but of thy great goodnes deserue And pardon me good Lord that am so bold to aske thee so high petitions being so vile and sinfull a wretch and so vnworthie to attaine the lowest but good Lord such they be as I am bound to desire and wish and should be much neerer the effectuall desire of them if my manifold sinnes were not the let from which O glorious Trinitie vouchsafe of thy goodnesse to wash me with that blessed bloud that thou my sweet sauiour Iesus Christ diddest shed out of thy bodie in the diuers torments of thy most bitter passion that by that same greeuous passion glorious resurrection and ascension I may come to that vnspeakable ioie the which thou hast prepared for thy chosen and elect through the same Iesu Christ our sauiour to whome with the Father and the holie Ghost three persons and one God be all honour and glorie world without end So be it After praier saie this conclusion or Collect. O God that art the strength of such as trust in thee mercifullie assist vs that call vpon thy name and for asmuch as mans infirmitie can do nothing without thee grant I most humblie beseech thee the help of thy spirit that fulfilling thy commandements both in will and deed I may please thee through Iesus Christ our Lord So be it The blessing OH Lord blesse me and defend me O Lord lift vp thy countenance ouer me and be mercifull vnto me O Lord lift vp thy countenance ouer me and giue me thy peace that in thy peace O Lord I may depart to amend my life and doo vnto the poore as much as I can giue me grace to be at vnitie in quietnesse and in charitie with all thy chosen and elect people and that thy feare oh Lord may euer rest in my hart So be it Praise vnto God the Father and peace vnto the liuing As they that depart in thy faith in thée doo rest haue their being The end of Morning praier EVENING PRAIER ¶ A Confession to be said before Euening praier O Father of heauen O sonne of God redeemer of the world O holie Ghost three persons and one God haue mercie vpon me most wretched caitife and miserable sinner I haue offended both heauen earth more than my tongue can expresse My sinnes alas are aboue all mens both in number and greatnesse which I haue committed Whither then may I go Or whither should I flie To heauen I may be ashamed to lift vp my face and in earth I am not woorthie to find a place of refuge or succour To thee therefore O Lord doo I run to thee doo I humble my selfe saieng O Lord my God my sinnes be great and innumerable but yet haue mercie vpon me for thy great mercie The great mysterie that God became man was not wrought for little or few offences Thou didst not giue thy sonne O heauenlie Father vnto death for small sinnes onlie but for all the greatest sinnes in the world so that the sinner returne vnto thee with his whole hart as I doo here at this present Wherefore haue mercie vpon me O God whose propertie is alwaie to haue mercie wherefore haue mercie vpon me O Lord for thy great mercie I craue nothing O Lord for mine owne merits but for thy name sake that it may be halowed therby and for thy deere sonne Iesus Christs sake and now therefore Our father of heauen halowed c. A praier to be said in the Euening MOst mercifull and heauenly father I thanke thee by thy sonne Iesus Christ that this day thou hast giuen me all things needfull both for my soule and bodie preseruing me from all hurt and perill I aske thee mercie for mine offences and I most humblie beseech thee that thou wilt likewise this night keepe me from sinne and all euill so that all my thoughts my words works may please thee I doo commit my selfe both bodie and soule and all that I go about into thy hands I beseech thee that thy holie spirit may be with me least my deadlie aduersarie haue anie power ouer me Amen Another Euening praier O Souereigne dreadfull and most louing Lord my God who neuer ceasest to shew thy mercie towards sinners yea when they offend and trespasse against thee such is thine infinite clemencie and loue As then thou forbearest not to heape thy benefits vpon them I most sinfull and wretched wretch yeeld thee humble thanks for thine inestimable goodnesse shewed towards me in creating me to thine owne likenesse and making me capable of thine euerlasting glorie for the creation of so manie other creatures for my behoofe and sustenance for that inestimable worke of my redemption whereby thou deliuerest me from the slauerie of Sathan and purchasest mee free entrance into thy celestiall region for hauing singled me amongst so many millians that knowe thee not and lie drowned in ignorance superstition and miserable errours to be thy seruant and a true faithfull Christian for both thy blessed Sacraments especiallie for that Sacrament aboue all Sacraments wherein thou thy selfe art spirituallie conteined Finallie for hauing preserued me so manie times from hell wherein I had beene long since plunged hadst not thou of thine vnspeakeable goodnesse susteined and deliuered me from my foes For these and all other thy benefits namelie for those thou hast this daie most bountifullie bestowed vpon me O my souereigne Lord I yeeld thee such sincere dutifull thanks as my poore hart can possiblie affoord thee beseeching thee to haue mercie vpon me in supplie of my wants to accept the mediation and thankesgiuings of Iesus Christ thy onelie sonne and mine onelie Sauiour and intercessour And now mine onlie redeemer and Sauiour I humblie craue the light of thy grace to knowe wherein I haue this daie anie waies offended thee by nature and that by sound discussion and through examination of my conscience I may see mine owne sinnes with sorrowe and detestation and thine ineffable mercie with a zealous firme purpose of amendment of life Thou seest O Lord my lewdnesse and wotest my miserie much better than I my selfe doo Sorie I am with all my hart that I should still offend so louing a Lord and wish to God my sorowes were greatlie multiplied I purposed earst to doo better by thy grace which wanted not yet haue I transgressed in my former trespasses neither yet may I despaire O Lord but will continuallie trust
to thy mercies in all euents purpose firmelie as I now doo euerie daie to amend my life Deliuer me my gratious God from all mortall sinne for euer and giue me grace to persecute my vices with sorowe during life And for the satisfaction of these and all my former sinnes as also for all thine ineffable benefits bestowed vpon me and all mankind I offer vnto thee the merits of thy bitter passion those most pretious drops of bloud thou sheddest for me and that inflamed charitie wherewith thou wholie resignedst thy selfe to all thy torments for my sake and in the vnion of this thine oblation on the crosse I offer vp my selfe soule bodie and all I haue of thine within or without me to thine honour and euerlasting glorie I retaine nothing to my selfe but giue all to thee whose it is and make that thine by my will which is thine of iustice Giue me thy grace O my God to liue better herafter and to confesse my sinnes in due time vnto thee Giue me true humilitie continuall repentance and grace both to knowe thee and also my selfe Giue me puritie of hart in all my dooings patience chastitie and perfect charitie Giue me a good life and a good death and in the dangerous houre of my departure the assistance of thy blessed Saints and Angels with whom I may through thy mercie in another world praise and glorifie thee euerlastinglie Amen The Hymne or praier to God the Father BLessed be God father of heauen Which hath strengthned his féeble flocke With stedfast faith and boldnesse euen To beare his crosse burden and yocke These are the last daies perillous Fréelie Christs Gospell to professe Come downe Lord shortlie to iudge vs And take vs from the heauinesse An Antheme WHosoeuer shall call vpon the name of the Lord shall be saued A praier to God the Father to be vsed before Euening praier O Mercifull Lord and louing Father without whose aid and motion I am not able to stir one member toward heauenlie seruice the burden of this slowe and sinfull flesh doth so ouercharge my weake soule According to thy fatherlie pitie looke vpon me O God and quicken my dull spirit with thy grace to rise out of this mirie puddle and to come before thy presence in humble repentance crauing thy mercie for my miserable sinnes and wickednesse that being released in the bloud and righteousnesse of Iesus Christ I may ioifullie serue honour and praise thine eternall Maiestie through thy deere sonne my mercifull Lord and redeemer to whom with thee and the holie Ghost be all glorie and thanks for euer Amen The Hymne of our redemption by Christ. PRaised be God for his excéeding fauour Wich hath giuen vs his sonne to be our Sauiour We are sinners vnrighteous foolish and fleshlie Christ is our mercie-stoole righteousnesse wisdome verelie We are vncleane holden vnder the danger of deth sins exaction Christ is our holines our life our redemption and satisfaction Glorie be to thée O Lord borne of the vndefiled virgin Glorie be to the Father and to the holie Ghost our soules surgin So be it A forme of Priuate Euening praier Our Father which art in heauen c. COnuert vs our Sauiour and turne awaie thy wrath from vs. O God make speede to saue vs. O Lord make haste to helpe vs. Glorie be to the Father c. As it was in the be c. Praise ye the Lord. Thanks be giuen vnto God The first Psalme at Euening praier BOw downe thine eare O Lord to my requests and suffer me to exhibit my supplication vp vnto thee For behold night and daie I trace and hunt after thee by all meanes I can To thee onelie earlie and late doo I still call and crie for mercie according as thou hast giuen mee in commandement For when I call to memorie the time of my life euill dispent I quake to thinke vpon thee yea and my spirit faileth me so sore am I afraid of thy iudgements Yet well pondering the processe of thy grace mercie promised me in Christ I cease to despaire knowing that thou O GOD hast not forgotten thy gifts of grace and that thy power to haue compassion is not waxen faint but that both thou canst and wilt put backe thy wrath most iustlie conceiued against me for my sinne In full trust whereof O Lord I come vnto thee beseeching thee to hide my life with Christ within thee and vnder the shadowes of thy wings to defend me that thy grace couenant may be with me euermore Turne not thy mercie from me O Lord nor bring me downe to destruction as I haue deserued but shew thy grace and fauour vnto me that I may liue and being exalted through thy righteousnesse praise thy name most ioifullie Remember my corrupt nature O Lord how short my life is and that thou madest not man for nothing No man can deliuer himselfe from death no man can saue his owne soule from hell thou onelie O Lord must do it namelie to such as beleeue in thee This life passeth as doth a dreame or grasse in the field which to daie is greene and to morrow drie If thou be displeased then we be lost if thou chafe then we shrinke for feare for through sinnes we be dead vnto thee with whome a thousand yeares be but as one daie yea as the least minute of an houre Certesse Lord if thou haue respect to our sins who shall continue Shew me therefore how manie be the daies of my life that I may dispend them wiselie to the praise of thy name least that I foolishlie trusting vpon long life suddenlie might perish come to death Come Lord now vnto vs and comfort vs. Come O God and hide not thy face from me that I be not like vnto those that be hurled into the pit of perdition And after this night of calamitie ouerpassed let the pleasant morning of comfort luckilie shine vpon me that betimes I may heare and feele thy goodnesse for in thee is all my trust Deliuer me this night from the snare of Sathans gard which hunt in the darke how to plucke me from thee Let me not stand in the feare of the night-euill of vnbeleefe and of thy strait iudgement neither let me be afraid of the fleeing arrowe in the daie time Let me not be in feare of that horrible pestilence creeping in through darkenesse I meane let me not be ignorant how detestable my sins be that I dissemble them not nor qualifie them Let me not dread that middaie diuell which abuseth thy Church vnder a title and pretence of holinesse neither let Sathan though he change himselfe into an Angel of light strike anie feare in me But both on the right side and on the left as well in the night as in the daie that is as well in aduersitie as prosperitie and as well in spirituall businesse as in corporall let thy holie Angels diligentlie wait vpon me that I do not stumble then
rotten apple from a liuing tree What haue I gotten by my fall Darknes care miserie affliction sicknesse paine anguish and finallie dreadfull death And alas what shall I be hereafter A stinking carion woormes meate foode for fire dust and claie doong and forsaken rotten consumed blind poore and naked troden vnder the feete of my posteritie and forgotten of all men not knowing where my bodie is which shall vanish like a shadowe and my life shall wither like a leafe and fade as a flower O holie God the more our bodies doo increase the neerer death doth approch the clocke of our conscience doth ring euerie minute the houre of death to be at hand Death approcheth with his sharpe dart and bloudie chariot Awaie saith he to euerie liuing wight For what is he that shall not see death and come to nothing Oh vncertaine life but most assured death His net is cast ouer all flesh now I doo reioice then I lament now am I whole then sicknesse doth come now haue I friends then am I forsaken now at libertie soone after in bondage now yoong then age drawes neere And thus I neuer remaine in one state made light and proud in prosperitie desperate in aduersitie withered and old with care despised in pouertie flattered when I am in health and finally vncertaine when or where I shall die But yet I most humblie praie thee deere father for Iesu Christs sake which suffered a shamefull death for my sins to haue mercie vpon me according to thy great mercie and take not thy holie Ghost from me and lead me not into temptation but deliuer me for into thy hands I commend my soule O thou God of truth Amen An Hymne of the state of all Adams posteritie I Am the fruit of Adams hands through sin lockt in satans bands Destined to deth the child of ire a flaming brand of infernall fire Borne I was naked bare and spend my time in sorowe care And shall returne vnto the dust and be depriued of carnall lust Yet thou father didst Iesus send to pardon them that did offend We laud him in the work of might that we be blessed in his sight The second meditation of the dreadfull daie of iudgement O What feare and sorowe shall happen to the reprobates when they shall stand helpelesse before the terrible dreadfull throne of God to render accounts of all thoughts words works I saie the acts of the flesh and bloud in the extreame day when he shall come with fire and then all creatures in heauen earth and hell shall tremble at his presence Then shall all guiltie consciences be opened euils endlesse punished where that Iudge will not be corrupted That daie doth come that daie is at hand and where as pure harts shall be accepted and no bribes of vaine gifts shall be preferred but iustice without mercie vnto the vngodlie infernall torments to the wicked endlesse care and affliction to the idolater fornicator extortioner persecutour disobedient murtherer blasphemer theefe false witnesse bearer vsurer heretikes witches and malefactors and to all the vessels of reprobation Where as shall be heard wailing crieng lamenting and gnashing of teeth then they mourne that shall neuer die hell fire neuer bee quenched nor the Iudge intreated but the wicked still molested with dolor agonie dread and in his paine absent from God present with diuels monsters infernall This is the second death when both bodie and soule shall remaine in paine as long as God is which is euerlasting This daie is at hand when the elect and all the Saints Patriarchs Prophets Martyrs and all the blessed shall receiue their rewards not of themselues but onlie of Iesu before whom all the blessed shall kneele and cast off their crownes and giue honour to him that sits on the seate whose holie name is blessed of all tongues and kindreds Amen Amen This is the daie when all teares shall be wiped from the carefull eies of the seruants of God which shall neuer be molested nor of worldlings be afflicted but euerlastinglie glorified with the Father the Sonne and the holie Ghost three persons and one God who of his mercie defend vs from damnation and that vnspeakeable paine which wee through sinne haue deserued euer to be punished withall but yet are through Iesus preserued by whome we are elected redeemed iustified and brought from sinne death and hell to whom be laud and praise in the world of worlds of Angels and men Amen The Hymne of the daie of iudgement SWéet Iesus of thy mercie our pitifull praiers heare That we may be on thy right hand when thou shalt appeare For thou shalt come with heauenlie power and sit on the throne None shall iudge the quicke and dead but thou Christ alone O Christ cast vs not awaie in that daie of ire When thou shalt send before thée a hot consuming fire To purge all creatures defild with Adams sinne Then a new heauen and earth O Lord thou wilt beginne Then the elect shall be blessed vpon thy holie hill But the wicked shall be damned that haue withstood thy will Thy shéepe shall be safe and defended in the fold The goats shall wander in hunger storme and cold Thy Saints shall behold thée in thy throne of light The reprobates shall euer haue fearefull things in sight Wailing in wretchednesse with euerlasting paine Yet Lord be mercifull our liues are but vaine Our flesh shall fade death hath digd our graue Yet of thy mercie Lord thy sinfull creature saue And blesse vs in the time of grace before the daie of ire When the corrupt elements shall be purgd with fire We laud thee Father c. A generall praier wherein we commend our selues and the whole state of Christs Church vnto GOD. O God thou Father and God of my life suffer me neither to haue a proud looke nor a proud thought turne awaie all voluptuousnesse from me let not the intisements of the world beguile me let not the concupiscence of the eie deceiue me let not the lusts of the flesh take hold vpon me let not rancor and malice reigne in my hart O Lord God for thy sonne our Sauiour Iesu Christs sake I beseech thee that thou wilt not giue me ouer to an vnshamefast and obstinate mind So be it Unto thee Lord almightie the King of mercie bée now and euer eternall honour glorie Unto thee the same Lord of mercie I doo commit my soule and bodie most humblie beseeching thee for thine abundant mercie sake to take the cure of me and to haue mercie on me I doo commit also vnto thy mercie my faithfull friends and well-willers liuing beseeching thee to forgiue vs all and to haue mercie vpon vs and giue vs grace to liue according to thy lawe and to the glorie of thy name that we may doo that which thou requirest of vs that it will please thee of thy mercie to saue and defend vs from all perils bodilie ghostlie this night
wounds and his glorious bodie all to bee scourged in thy diuine presence who thereby doth mitigate thy wrath and indignation iustlie conceiued against me a miserable and wretched creature and all mankind Make me Lord still to confesse mine vnwoorthinesse and weaknesse to be such and so great that of my selfe I am not worthie to lift vp mine eies to heauen much lesse to be called thy sonne or handmaiden such and so great is the burden of my sinne iniquitie so that by the meanes of my corruption filthinesse I acknowledge my selfe to be the child of death and destruction yet build I still on thy promises good Lord and in this great danger I come vnto thee with teares saieng O Father I haue sinned against heauen against thee and am no more woorthie to be called thy child Of my selfe I haue nothing but by thee I haue althings of my selfe I acknowledge I haue iustlie deserued the heauie sentence of thine ire but by grace of thee O mightie Emanuel I am regenerate and borne againe from death to life from danger to ioie from perill to peace from bondage to libertie and so in fine from hell and damnation to blisse and saluation Such is the effect of thy mercie so abundant is thy loue towards me all those that with contrite harts present themselues vnto thee Increase my faith Lord that it may abound in good and fruitfull works so fortifie me that I neuer swarue from thy veritie giue me thy grace from aboue O mercifull Iesu that I may neuer shrinke from thy sacred testimonies And moreouer I with all humilitie and reuerence of hart and mind beseech thee this night which thou hast ordeined for man to rest in that thou wilt gard and protect me with thy good guiding spirit And albeit my sinfull flesh shall sleepe and slumber yet grant good Lord that my soule may continually keepe watch and ward let not the enunie find me slumbering sleeping as carelesse in the cradle of sinfull securitie least that whilest I am vnarmed that is naked and destitute of thy grace and fauour he enter in and breake vp the house of my sinfull bodie and make such hauocke and spoile that mine infected and leporous soule deformed by meanes of mine iniquitie and wounded with the dangerous darts of transgression be thrown with the bodie of sinne into the lake of destruction wherein is continuall wailing and gnashing of teeth Make me still O good Lord to consider that the bed is a plaine patterne and similitude of the graue which continuallie calleth for me all other thy creatures Make me to vnderstand that when I am laid of my selfe without thy heauenlie prouidence I can not bee able to rise againe Make me to acknowledge that sleepe is the verie figure of death to whose stroke at thine appointed pleasure I must submit my selfe Indue me with loue and charitie to all men let my lampe O Lord be garnished with oile that whensoeuer or at what time soeuer thy messenger death shall drawe me and knocke at the gates of my house I may at his summons in the daie of the resurrection of the dead be readie to attend on thee and thy bride with my burning lampe that is with a stedfast faith when as by thee I shall be cloathed anew For my mortall bodie shall then be couered with immortalitie the corruption of my sinfull and rebelling flesh shall be changed to incorruption and perfect puritie thy righteousnesse shall be mine thy merits shall make me perfect and holie by vertue whereof hell shall loose his victorie death shall loose his sting my faith and hope shall haue end and reward and I with thy Saints continuallie dwell in loue charitie with thee the heauenlie bridegroome Christ Iesus to whom with the father and the holie Ghost bee ascribed all laud glorie power praise and dominion for euer Amen A praier for the remission of sinne and to obteine a vertuous life FOrasmuch as O bountifull Lord it is most meet right and iust that all flesh shuld praise magnifie and worship thee and should without ceasing giue thanks vnto thee who onlie art the Creator and maker of all things as well visible as inuisible who onlie art the treasure of all goodnesse and well of life onlie God and Lord whome the heauens and heauen of heauens the sunne the moone the starres the earth the sea with all that moue therin yea the heauenlie companie of Martyrs the soules of the Prophets and Apostles Angels Archangels togither with the soules of all iust and righteous persons doo laud and glorifie It is most requisite that ech mortall creature liuing in this world should also acknowledge thy magnificence Wherfore most mercifull father I with my hart and mouth doo acknowledge thee to be my King and Lord the giuer of all goodnesse I confesse thee to be omnipotent reuerend merciful long suffering God of all consolation comfort mercie and pitie I knowe that of thine infinite goodnesse onelie thou diddest make man after thy similitude and likenesse placing him in the most delectable place of Paradyse And although he did transgresse thy commandement and thereby deserued eternall death and damnation yet thou like a most louing and pitifull Father diddest not vtterlie reiect him but gentlie correct him and after that thou hadst sent him into the earth commanding him there to increase and multiplie thou didst instruct his posteritie with thy lawe thou didst teach them by thy Prophets and after that sentest downe thine onlie begotten sonne to take vpon him our nature and to suffer death for our sinnes therby to make a recompense for the offence which man had committed against thee and all this thou didst of thine exceeding great mercie and kindnesse without anie desert of mankind not being so much as by anie one praier or yet intreatie therevnto incited Therefore I being boldened with such inestimable benefits so freelie giuen and bestowed doo without any feare at this time appere before thy diuine Maiestie prostrating my slefe before the seate of thy mercie and with all humblenesse of hart and mind doo make this my praier vnto thee Despise me not O Lord God being defiled with sin and iniquitie For behold I present my selfe before thee not presuming vpon mine owne woorthinesse but trusting in thy goodnesse Be mercifull vnto me a sinner light thou the dull sighted eies of my mind open thou the stopped eares of mine hart that I may both see heare perceiue and vnderstand that which thou teachest and alwaies doo that which thou commandest Make me not onelie a hearer of thy heauenlie doctrine but also a perfect folower of the same direct sanctifie and gouerne my life be thou alwaies present and readie both to heare and to helpe me Saue and defend me from all shame and reproch be thou my shield buckler against all temptations clense my mind and thought from all vncleannesse keepe and preserue me from all danger both of bodie
What shall I do Whether shall I go I can not hide me from his sight How oft haue I trespassed against him How oft haue I deserued his displeasure And yet how seldome hath he punished me How oft hath he beene good and mercifull vnto me How oft haue I promised and vowed amendment and how little and seldome haue I performed it This is a wofull case Who will haue pitie on me I dare not lift vp mine eies towards heauen because I haue sinned against it and in earth I can looke for no refuge because I haue beene a slander and shame vnto it What then Should I despaire No God is mercifull and a good Sauiour he doth visit them that liue in darknes and is a cheerfull light to them that sit in the shadowe of death He willeth vs to forgiue our brother though he offend seuentie tunes yea infinitelie And God is more mercifull than anie man can be and he must be the onlie refuge and comfort he will not despise his creature the image of himselfe Returne thee therefore O my soule vnto thy Lord God praie to him humblie on thy knees for grace and continue to bewaile thy sinnes past because that he which loueth thee prouoketh thee dailie with his gratious gifts and blessings to loue him and will not leaue thee vntill he haue made perfect his worke begunne and brought his mercie to full effect in thee What naturall cause beginneth his worke and leaueth it in the halfe waie imperfect The vertue of seed sowne doth not cease till the fruit be brought to perfection yet that nature worketh not at once but first prepareth the matter and then disposeth and makes it fit to receiue the shape which is the perfection and end thereof And as by naturall order and right course things do proceede and increase by little and little from the lesse to the more euen so doth God first dispose vs to his mercie and then increasing his goodnesse dailie bestoweth on vs in the end the treasure of his grace and inheritance of euerlasting ioies What bird forsaketh hir yong till they be able to liue of themselues and yet no auaile for their paine commeth to them Uerie loue worketh in naturall causes to bring foorth their affects to perfection If it be so in creatures what will the Creator doo which is loue it selfe and infinite goodnesse he will withdrawe thee from thy sinnes make thee cleane and pure and finallie blesse thee with eternall life which he hath prepared for thee O Lord I come to thee sad and mourning I sit at thy feete humblie waiting for thy mercie Thou art my hope and helper according to thy great mercies haue mercie vpon me Amen A praier to be purged from sinne and vncleannesse TAke awaie from me O Lord the burden of my corruption which by the continuall exercise of my sinne and wickednesse hath wounded my soule wofullie with the dangerous darts of transgression so that I feele my putrifaction abounding and my festered conscience ouerladen with vncleannesse so that I haue no other meane nor remedie but to prostrate my selfe before the throne of thy glorious maiestie beseeching thee intirelie of thy gratious goodnesse to salue my sores with the comfortable oile of thy mercie Thou onlie O Iesu art the sweete Physition of my soule sprinkle vpon me hysope and I shall be made whiter than snowe If thou of thine exceeding bountie and fauour good Lord wilt vouchsafe to wash awaie the spots of my sinne and wickednesse that heapeth thine indignation and furie against me I shall then excell the gold that hath beene purified in the fornace seuen fold Let it therefore good Lord and mercifull father seeme pleasant vnto thy diuine maiestie to touch my corrupted and vncleane hart with the heauenlie finger of thy grace that I may bring foorth the fruits of true repentance which are more acceptable to thy glorious and diuine presence than the offering of calues bullockes sheepe goates or anie other burnt offerings or sacrifice of peace A contrite and sorowfull soule is the thing that thou doest most delight in An humble and a lowlie spirit is the oblation that thou dooest desire A cleane and pure hart O Lord my God I knowe thou dooest loue and fauour Wherefore I beseech thee to purge me from my sinne and inquitie of thy great mercie Let the bitter deploration of mine offences and hartie contrition through thy glorious merits and painefull passion O Iesu be the onlie meane and waie to set me free from the powers of hell death and damnation And sith I am by thy goodnes begotten and borne anew strengthen me good Lord that I neuer slide nor fall from thee but that I may continuallie beare in my remembrance the state wherevnto I am called by thee Through thine aboundant loue and kindnesse wipe awaie good Lord all my sins out of thy remembrance Cleanse me in the bloud of thy spotlesse Lambe Iesus Christ and I shall be made cleane pure and safe Graunt this most mercifull God for the honour and glorie of thy name sake through the bitter death of thy sonne Iesus Christ my onlie mediatour and aduocate to whome with thee and the holie Ghost be giuen all laud glorie power and praise for euer and euer Amen Another praier of the penitent for mercie O Lord I am a sinner my sinnes are heauie vpon me the burden of them is intollerable refresh me with thy grace wash awaie mine offences and I shall be whiter than the snowe Let the cheerefull beames of thy countenance shine vpon me and giue light to the darkenesse of my life We can looke for nothing as deserued but punishment due to our offences Wherefore good Lord not according to thy iustice but in the multitude of thy mercies deale with thy seruant Remember not the sinnes of my forefathers thinke not on the milde meanour of my youth passed haue pitie on thy creature which according to the likenesse of thy selfe thou hast made and shaped of earth How long wilt thou turne thy face awaie from me Forsake me not O my God but renew in me thy holie spirit Plucke awaie from me all that withdraweth me from thee Graffe in my hart thy grace that I may loue thee and feare thee and so finallie reioice in thy goodnesse with the elected and praise thee in thy woonderous works for euer Graunt this most mightie God for our Sauiour Iesus Christ his sake to whome with thee and the holie Ghost be all honor and glorie for euer and euer Amen Another praier to be said of the sinfull soule MY sinfull life increasing and my sinnes still abounding good Lord to whome shall I flee or to whome shall I resort for succour From offending thee I can not cease neither daie nor night and my sinnes are heauie vpon me pressing me downe euen to hell such is the weight thereof Moreouer when I prepare my selfe to amendment of life and thinke stedfastlie to serue and please thee euen
soone after doth my corrupt and infected nature offend and displease thy diuine Maiestie so that I am prone and readie to run headlong into all kind of wickednesse and sin such is my strength such is my force or rather weakenesse in perfourming those things which thou requirest at my hands So that good Lord I am readie vtterlie to despaire and forsake thee vnlesse thou of thy great mercie and pitie send thine aide from aboue and powre into me thy most healthfull grace that I may make hast to flee vnto thee with most bitter teares a sorrowfull hart and bowing knees lamenting my sinfull life and greeuous offences committed against thee trusting most assuredlie and faithfullie in the merits of my Sauiour Iesus Christ that by his most bitter death bloud-shedding which is of far greater force vertue and effect in preseruing me than all my sinnes and offences are in condemning and casting me awaie for whose sake I most assuredlie beleeue all my sinnes and offences are cleerelie forgiuen and shall neuer be laid to my charge but that I shall enter with thee in the last daie into thine euerlasting kingdome there to be with thee for euermore to whome be all honour praise and glorie for euer and euer Amen A praier to God the father ALmightie God the father of our Lord Iesus Christ whome no desert merit or worthinesse of ours but thine owne great clemencie mercie and pitie caused to send downe thine onlie begotten sonne into this world to beare the burden of our sinnes with the which we most miserable sinners were ouerladen and that he should suffer most cruell torments yea and also most bitter and shamefull death and sanctifie the reprochfull name of the crosse with the renting of his blessed bodie and shedding his most pretious bloud thereon thereby to make attonement betweene thee and vs thereby to paie the raunsome for our soules thereby to consummate and finish the perfection of our redemption and saluation Which thing it was thy good will that he should doo not onelie to asswage thy wrath indignation but also to bring vs againe into thy grace and fauour and that we being deliuered out of the bondage of sinne and hell might serue thee in righteousnesse and holinesse all the daies of our life and by the free gift and benefite of his death and passion be made partakers of his resurrection and of thine endlesse and vnspeakable glorie Wherefore my God my maker my Lord my King seeing thou hast so aboundantlie bestowed thy heauenlie gifts vpon me and all mankind and hast so plentifullie powred out thy grace and fauour on vs that for our sakes thou wouldest not spare thine owne sonne how shall we escape thine indignation which for this care and kindnesse of thine are most carelesse and vnkind And among all other which waie shall I poore creature turne me How shall I who haue beene most vnthankefull for thy benefits and most vnmindfull of them be so bold as to lift vp my hart or hands vnto the heauens and to call vpon thee Thou of thy singular goodnesse didst so prouide that the wickednesse of old Adam should be purged and washed awaie with the bloud of Iesus Christ but I haue wilfullie fallen into sinne againe Thou madest me the child of light but I haue made my selfe an inheritour of darkenesse Thou madest me thine by creation I haue made my selfe the child of perdition What shall I now therefore do Shall I doubt of anie further mercie and forgiuenesse No no sweete Lord so great is thy mercie which surmounteth all thy workes so large are thy promises so sure is the performance of them to all such as take hold thereof so deere in thy sight are the merits of thy sonne Iesus so acceptable vnto thee is the hartie repentance of a sinner that with the remembrance thereof I am prouoked to crie vnto thee saieng Father I haue sinned against heauen and against thee I am no more worthie to be called thy child Neuerthelesse behold thou me not as I am a greeuous offender but as thy creature Haue now no respect to mine offences but behold my repentance thinke not vpon my wickednesse but vpon the wounds of my Sauiour Iesus Looke not vpon my false hart which hath wauered from thy lawes but behold the bleeding hart of thy sonne Iesus Christ which was pierced to release me and set me free My sinnes I cast vpon thy backe beseeching thee that his merits may beare them and thy mercie pardon them Heare me O Lord my God heare me for I knowe the more earnestlie that I seeke for and desire thine aide the readier thou art to stretch foorth thine hand to helpe me Heare me therefore O Lord bow downe and incline thine eare vnto my praier inspire me so with thy holie spirit that I may loue thee aboue all things and that I neuer faile to put my hope and trust of saluation in him whome thou wouldest to be my redeemer and sauiour Make me by the forsaking of all wickednesse so to rise from falling into sinne that I may obtaine the true seruing of thee with innocencie and purenesse of life Graunt this O Lord for Iesus Christs sake to whome with thee and the holie Ghost be all honour and glorie Amen A praier vnto God the sonne O Most sweet sauiour O most mercifull redeemer O bountifull Iesu the sonne of God who although thou art high yet thou art most humble although thou art omnipotent thou art also most meeke and as thou art most mightie so art thou most mercifull To thee O Christ the guide of all felicitie the father of heauen hath giuen all power both in heauen and in earth Thou art the true pastor of our soules thou art our Messias Thou castest off none that sue vnto thee but as thou hast taken awaie the hand-writing that was against vs and hast fastened it to thy crosse so art thou readie to impart the merits of thy passion vnto all such as with true repentance of their sins call vpon thee faithfullie Wherefore my sweet Iesus I most faithfullie and vnfeinedlie acknowledge the benefits that thou hast bestowed vpon me and stedfastlie beleeue that thou being an immaculate lambe in whose mouth was neuer found guile didst suffer most cruell torments at the hands of sinners for the loue of vs most wretched sinners For the which cause I most hartilie beseech thee and most humblie praie thee to accept me into the number of them whom thou wilt make coinheritours of thy bitter paines And although I of my selfe be most vnworthie thereof yet thy merits can make me woorthie to them do I flie crauing that I may be so armed and defended by them that I may subdue the world the flesh and the diuell euen as thou hast gloriouslie conquered sinne death and hell Thou seest O my sauiour how I am dailie and hourlie beset with these three enimies and so hardlie beseeged of them that without thy helpe I can by
for our offences Indue vs with loue and charitie to all men make vs readie to forgiue to loue and pardon our enimies persecutors and slanderers Turne our harts minds from all impietie couetousnesse blasphemie pride gluttonie fornication and all other detestable euils And if at anie time we haue defeated the fatherlesse of his right the widowe of hir dowrie or gathered togither our goods wrongfullie by violence oppression fraud collusion or deceit giue vs grace to make restitution and to aske with sorowfull plaints and fluds of teares from the bottome of our harts pardon and free forgiuenesse of thee for such and all other our offences whatsoeuer wee haue done or committed in thought word will and deed against thy diuine Maiestie or anie other our brethren and sisters Take awaie from vs ali bitternes cursed speaking and backbiting Giue vs grace to come woorthilie by the vertue of a true and fruitfull faith to this holie and blessed supper that our soules feeding faithfullie on thy sweetest flesh and drinking thy deerest bloud wee may both in bodie and soule be nourished by thee to euerlasting and endlesse glorie in heauen where with thee and the felowship of thy chosen Saints we shall enioie the fruition of the euerlasting kingdome which thou hast ordeined for all those that ouelie and alone without wauering doo build vpon thee Sanctifie and make cleane our harts and minds by the power of thy holie Ghost the verie comforter of thy chosen Purge thou our cankred consciences infected with sinne by the working of thy good grace least that by the presuming to this thy table O Lord we incur thy displeasure and being vnrepentant for our offences we be found vnmeet ghests to come to thy holie banket and so we eate and drinke to the vtter confusion of our soules and bodies Giue vs grace therefore good Lord to conuert vs wholie vnto thee and we shall be turned from all our sinne and iniquitie Giue vs grace to rest onlie vpon thee and we shall be made safe Giue vs thine aid from aboue we beseech thee by faith to striue with the man of sinne and so to vanquish him that he may die to vs and we may liue to thee which art the giuer of life Grant this O most gratious God for Iesus Christ his sake to whom with thee and the holie Ghost be giuen all praise honour and glorie for euer and euer Amen A praier or thankesgiuing to be said after the receiuing of the Communion WE giue thee most hartie thanks O heauenlie Father that hast at this present fed vs and refreshed our hungrie soules with the flesh and bloud of our Sauiour Christ not carnallie but spirituallie Giue vs grace therefore continuallie by the meanes of an increasing and fruitfull faith to beleeue that thy flesh is meate indeed and thy bloud is drinke indeed and that vnneths we eate thy flesh and drinke thy bloud we can not enter into thy kingdome nor be saued in the daie of thy comming Giue vs grace therefore being vnprofitable seruants and vnwoorthilie called by the reason of the multitude of our sinnes to banket at thy table whereas the celebration of thy supper hath beene vsed and thy death by the visible elements of bread and wine represented vnto vs to offer vp vnto thee continuallie the fruits of true repentant and sorowfull harts that thy name may be glorified we by thy grace comforted thy displeasure turned to loue thy wrath to compassion our sinnes pardoned and forgotten and our names written in the booke of life And as it hath pleased thee at this present to account vs for thy ghests and not onlie to feede vs with visible creatures namelie bread and wine but also in soule which is thine owne similitude to cherish vs with thy flesh and bloud wheron by the vertue of a liuelie faith we haue to our great comforts most plentifullie fed so now O Lord we beseech thee of thine abundant goodnesse to increase our faith that it may wax strong in thee and fruitfull to exercise the works of charitie and loue to all men that therby as we haue now been at the celebration of thy glorious and blessed supper so we may whensoeuer it shall please thee to call vs to thine heauenly banket be found furnished not emptie not naked but armed and couered with fruitfull faith and truth and so as thy ghests or vessels of honour enioie the participation of thy heauenlie and rich palace whereas ioies neuer vade but continuallie endure Take from vs the burden of our corruption set vs free from the cursed clog of sinne deliuer vs from the snares of death and destruction Giue vs willing minds to obeie and heare thy commandements clense thou our harts from all iniquitie and giue vs grace henceforth to walke in newnesse of life and godlie conuersation that thy name may be glorified and we saued in the daie of thy comming to iudgement Grant this for Jesus Christ his sake our mediatour and aduocate Amen A godlie praier to be said of euerie Christian especiallie at burials GOod Lord which with thy hands doest staie the frame engin of the earth and rulest the course of the swift heauens disposing and ordering all things by thy diuine prouidence which hast apointed bounds to our life which we can not pas I besech thee that by my liuing I learning to die mortifieng by thy spirit the affections of the flesh though not expelling them yet subduing the rage of them it may at the last by the hauen of death land in the most glorious citie of euerlasting life where our bodies which are now darke miserable and corruptible shall be most bright glorious and incorruptible like to the immortall and shining bodie of our Lord Iesus Christ We shall be like to Christ our Sauiour euen as he is so shall we be And as we haue borne the image of the earthlie so shall we beare the image of the heauenlie and shine like to the sunne as the face of Christ did in his transfiguration Oh Lord Iesus blessed Sauiour which by thy death hast triumphed ouer sinne and death thou hast troden on the sting of the monster our hidious enimie the gates of hel haue not preuailed against thee grant to me a true and liuelie faith by which men passe from earth to heauen from death to eternall life This can we not doo without thee thou must be our mediatour For a child of a nights birth is not pure in thy sight In sinne were we borne and by nature we are the children of perdition and firebrands of hell but thou O blessed Sauiour art the perfection of the lawe to them that beleeue As death came by sinnes so by thy death and pretious bloudshedding is death conquered and exiled and we that beleeue washed and clensed of our sinnes All the Prophets beare witnesse that they which beleeue in thy name shall receiue remission of their sinnes If we confesse our sinnes thou art righteous to
forgiue vs our iniquities Whosoeuer calleth on thy name shall be saued Thou hast no pleasure in the death of a sinner but rather desirest that they should liue and be conuerted Thou hast so loued the world that thou not onlie didst become man and tooke our nature vpon thee but wert content also to suffer most cruell death on the Crosse to purge our nature from mortall sinne and corruption and adorne it with immortalitie and eternall glorie not onelie in thine owne person but in vs also to satisfie the iustice of the Father for our sinnes Oh blessed shepheard thou doubtedst not to spend thy most pretious blood to saue thy beloued sheepe from rauine and spoile Good Lord so increase thy grace in me that thy holie word may take roote and flourish in me that the good seed may not be choked with thornes So order my liuing that when by course of nature I shall be dissolued from the prison of my bodie I may come to thee that when thou more bright than the sun shalt come in the midst of the legions of Angels in thy shining glorie and Maiestie to iudge the quicke the dead I may be in the number of the blessed ones whom thou shalt call to possesse the kingdome prepared for them by thy Father saieng Come ye blessed children of my Father receiue the kingdome prepared for you before the beginning of the world Thou which didst die and rise againe wilt raise and bring to life all those that are dead beleeuing in thy faith So be it A praier to liue well GOod Lord so rule the eies of my hart that they being kept simple and pure my bodie may be a cleere and shining temple of thy holie spirit So kindle in vs the loue of thy glorious sonne that we following his steps may doo that which is good and decline from the euill so that our light shining before men we may glorifie thee by our good works with thy blessed sonne our Sauiour and the holie Ghost to whose infinite Maiestie in trinitie and vnitie be all honour and glorie for euer Amen A praier for humilitie O Lord I am a sinner and sorie for mine offences I can not make satisfaction for my defaults If I haue anie good thing it commeth of thee The most acceptable sacrifice to thee is a contrite and humble hart O God let mee not be oppressed with the waues of sinne let mee not sinke into the whirlepoole and gulph of despaire Thou which liftest vp the fallen and raisest the humble and meeke clothing them with purple and settest them vp with princes in the seates of honour thou which despisest the imaginations of the proud and resistest their enterprises blesse me in all my dooings send mee happie successe in all mine affaires that I may reioice in thy goodnesse with thine elected for euer and euer Accept my humble suite good Lord I beseech thee for the glorie of thy name sake Amen A praier for the obteining of Gods grace O Almightie and mercifull God shine we beseech thee through the power of our Lord Iesus Christ and the comfortable working of thy sacred spirit the heauenlie comforter vpon our minds and harts with the glorious beames of thy heauenlie grace Giue vs such plentie of wisedome and vnderstanding from aboue that through the knowledge of thee the man of sinne that is our fraile and feeble flesh with the wicked lusts and desire of concupiscence may lie dead and buried in vs. Giue vs good Lord the feeling of thy grace that by the vertue and diuine operation of thy word the eies of our soules may be illumined and made so light that the Prince of darkenesse with all his vnrighteous ministers may be expulsed and banished from our memories So establish vs in thy truth that our harts minds and thoughts may continuallie be occupied in thy testimonies that thereby thou good Lord effectuallie shining in our harts by the vertue of thy good spirit we may learne to knowe and vnderstand what is the fulnesse of our calling and how rich thou art in the glorie of thy celestiall and heauenlie heritage of thy Saincts and that excellent greatnesse of thy power and louing kindnesse towards vs which beleeue without faining thy holie Gospell according to the might and force of thy strength which thou shewedst in Christ Iesus when thou didst raise him from the dead and didst set him on thy right hand far aboue all empire power authoritie and dominion and euerie name that is named not onlie in this world but in the world to come By whose pretious death and deerest bloud-shedding we are assured that sinne death and hell are vanquished ouercome and vtterlie destroied And if we beleeue without wauering we shall in him be able to resist all the power of hell and in Christ as conquerors to triumph with victorie ouer sinne death and Sathan and at the last to haue and enioie the fruition of his rich and glorious kingdome which he by most painefull agonie bloudie stripes greeuous and bloudie wounds and lastlie by his most painefull death purchased for his chosen and elect To whome for our sanctification iustification redemption and our saluation be rendred with his celestiall Father and the holie Ghost all laud glorie power honour and dominion for euer and euer Amen A praier against presumptuous pride and vaine-glorie WE heare O heauenlie Father and are dailie taught and instructed out of thine eternall word how greatlie the greeuous sinne of presumption pride and vaine-glorie displeaseth thy diuine maiestie We are learned that for the practise of this pestilent and heinous euill thou hast not spared the verie Angels but hast throwne them in thy displeasure for their pride vaine-glorie and presumption from beatitude to miserie from ioie without end to perdurable paine from brightnesse of thy glorious presence to vtter extreame and palpable darkenesse from the glorious fruition and participation of thine euerlasting kingdome to the bottomlesse pit of hell death damnation and endlesse flames of fire Besides this we are taught that by the transgression of Adam whose haughtie presuming through the entisement of the subtile and perillous allurement of the Serpent thought to be as thy selfe but in fine thy iustice condemned him and all his posteritie This pestiferous sinne of pride drowned him in the flouds of all dangerous euils as gluttonie luxurie and such other perils that had not thy mercie taken effect to keepe and hold plea for his and our safegard and thy sonne Christ embased the glorie and power of his diuine essence and taken vpon him our flesh and fraile nature sinne onlie except who freelie offered his innocent bodie to the death of the crosse we had perished euerlastinglie and beene vtterlie confounded Print therefore good Lord and write these examples in my memorie that I fall not from thy fauour by the exercise of this detestable sinne Make me still to consider that the proud and disdainefull are alwaies abhorred in thy sight And sith
this perfect quietnesse may be in anie I will not affirme peraduenture it is not necessarie to be For Paule in this life notwithstanding his high perfection and grace had a motion of the flesh to vexe and trouble him And when he thrise desired God to be deliuered from the said motion he onelie had this answere Paule my grace is sufficient for vertue is made perfect by vexation Paule was vexed by pride that he should not be proud to be perfect and strong in God he was caused to be weake and feeble For he caried the treasure of heauenlie reuelation in a fraile and brittle vessell that the honour and victorie should onlie be in God not in himselfe This one example of Paule is erudition and learning in manie things when that we be entised and moued to sinne that we diligentlie call to almightie God by praier Remember that Dauid the Prophet King Salomon and Peter the Apostle notwithstanding they were great lights and examples of holinesse yet they fell into greeuous and great sinnes whome almightie God peraduenture suffered to fall for this cause speciallie that thou shouldst not despaire Lift vp thy selfe therefore vpon thy feete and with high courage and bold stomach returne againe into battell against thy enimies not onlie more fierce and bold but also more ware and diligent And thinke with thy selfe what intollerable and inuincible temptations Christ suffered for thee wherein there appeared no helpe comfort aide nor defence anie where wherein God and the whole world seemed to be his most cruell and malicious enimies when that he cried alowd My GOD my GOD why hast thou forsaken me Trulie this was a most greeuous painefull and bitter temptation which Christ suffered for vs that he might make the waie of the crosse easie for vs. Therefore prepare thy selfe patientlie to drinke of that cup which Christ Iesu thy head hath so willinglie dronke on for the saluation of all mankind And seeing therefore that Christ so willinglie put himselfe in subiection and dipped himselfe in those so horrible and intollerable sorowes and calamities our most louing and heauenlie father willing the same out of doubt he also vnderstandeth and knoweth our infirmitie out of doubt he taking compassion on vs will not extremelie deale with vs but will rather beare with our imbecillitie and weakenesse Doth not he himselfe calling all men vnto him saie Come vnto me all yee that labour and are heauie laden and I will refresh you What greater comfort I praie you can be giuen vs How could Christ speake more mercifullie vnto vs There be manie things that greeuouslie vexe and trouble man but what thing can more cruellie vexe and torment his conscience ouerwhelmed with sinne than when he doubteth of the mercie of God When he dreadeth least God be his aduersarie and will reiect him When he is not able to conceiue this faith of his mercie and doth imagine himselfe to be cast awaie as a drie member that is cut off Be present heere O Iesus Christ with thine aide and helpe heere we haue neede of thy comfort let not this blacke violent and horrible tempest of troubles ouerthrowe and drowne wretched man But there is no cause why we should doubt Christ is true he will make his promise to appeare he will helpe vs and refresh vs. Therefore whereas thy faith is not strong ynough whereas thou feelest thy selfe to doubt of Gods mercie and hast well-neere no faith at all streightwaies call vpon God bewaile thy miserie and lacke of beleefe before him seeke for his aide and succour by feruent praier and he will both helpe and refresh thee he hath taken vpon him thus to doo and he will bring it to passe But take heede thou cease not to call vpon God beseech thou without ceasing the father of all consolation and comfort with sighes from the bottome of thine heart that he turne not his face from thee laie thy weakenesse vpon him and powre out into his bosome all things which trouble and torment thee Crie out with his disciples O Lord increase my faith Likewise saie thou with the father of the lunatike childe Lord I beleeue helpe thou mine vnbeleefe make haste O Lord to helpe me before that I oppressed with this weight be drowned O most louing and most mercifull father Lord God of my health our onlie helpe and refuge enter not into iudgement with thy seruants Christ is my righteousnesse redemption and innocencie which suffered most bitter and cruell death for my sake Let those things moue thee O father of all compassion haue mercie vpon me for thy sonnes sake confirme and strengthen my hart by faith in Christ comfort me with the consolations of the holie Ghost that I may enioie the true ioies of euerlasting life through the merits of my Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christ to whom with the Father and the holie Ghost be all praise and glorie for euer and euer Amen A godlie meditation of the vnspeakable ioies of heauen and the intollerable paines of hell verie often to be remembred O God my Lord my harts delight with whom my soule longeth to dwell in that heauenlie Ierusalem wherein is continuall health eternall felicitie happie libertie and perfect blessednesse where men shall be like vnto the Angels of God and iust men shall shine as the Sunne in the euerlasting kingdome wherein is no heauinesse no sorrowe no greefe no feare no labour no death no disease no lacke no hunger no thirst no cold nor heate no wearinesse of fasting nor temptation of the enimie no will to sinne nor power to doo euill no old age no lame or deformed person no feare of pouertie or weaknesse by disease but a quiet harbour of all ioie and euerlasting happinesse where men in the societie of Angels shall continuallie dwell without anie infirmitie of the flesh For there is infinite ioie and eternall blisse from whence none shall be remoued that once by thy prouidence shall enter therein There is rest from labours peace from the enimie a new kind of ioie and delight such as no hart can conceine saue onlie by taking a maruellous delight and exceeding pleasure in the beholding of thee my Lord God my glorious redeemer and the heauenlie comforter which proceedeth from the Father and the Sonne O heauenlie Ierusalem thou art sweet and beautifull in all thy ioies and delights There are no such miseries in thee as we feele and suffer in this poore and miserable life There is in thee no darkenesse nor change of time the shining of the Moone the twinkling brightnesse of the Stars giueth not light in thee but onlie the God of all power glorie maiestie the light of lights For in thee the Sun of iustice giueth light to those that are adopted in his bloud to euer-during blessednesse The bright and immaculate Lambe a most beautifull light is thy light that doth illuminate his chosen children The King of kings is in the middest of thee enuironed on ech side with his
beloued Saints and redie to crowne them with euerlasting glorie In thee are legions of Angels singing of sweet Hymnes and songs that set foorth the praise and honor of thy name in thee are the felowship of heauenlie citizens in thee resteth the sweete solemnitie of all such as returne from this miserable pilgrimage vnto thy glorie the companie of the Prophets Apostles and victorious armie of Martyrs holie men and women which haue vanquished the pleasures of the world haue their abiding with thee There are yoong children and maidens which haue passed ouer their daies in holinesse of life publishing thy praise in all puritie and pietie Euerie one reioiceth in his degree though not equall in glorie yet like in ioies and gladnesse For there reigneth perfect charitie God is all in all whose Maiestie without end they see continuallie and still in beholding him their loue increaseth Of this eternall blessednesse the holie Apostle Peter had as it were a shadowe or a tast vpon the mount Thabor at the transfiguration of Christ from whence he desired he might not depart Paule also had a proofe of it when he was rapt or taken vp into the third heauen where he heard words and sawe things so maruellous and secret as far passeth all mans vnderstanding and such as were not to be told or reuealed vnto men Moses his face became so bright through the conuersation that he had with the diuine glorie vpon mount Sinai that the Israelites could not abide it What then shall become of vs when perpetuallie with thee which art the Lord of all glorie we shall be conuersant after the maner of thy children and familiar friends Who is he then that will not seeke and desire by all meanes possible to be a dweller there both for the desire of peace ioie and eternitie and for the perfect sight of God Contrariwise who is able to expresse the torments appointed for the vngodlie and vnrepentant liuers in that deadlie place called Hell which Sathan himselfe abhorreth What other thing can be there but continuall paines eternall tribulation and infinite calamitie repleat with all euils There dwell wicked and ouglie Angels whose horrible lookes bring sudden feare greeuous paines and fearefull death with continual clouds of euer-during darknes There is nothing but howling wailing lamentation and mourning without all end fearfull scriches confused cries are there in all places suddenlie raised There the woorme of conscience neuer dieth in that damnable dungeon there is fire vnquenchable and perpetuall gnashing of teeth The miserable soule findeth there no rest but is afflicted with all kind of torments and such as can neuer be expressed all which endure for euer Alas little auaileth it those that are subiected as firebrans of hell to crie vnto the Lord for he will not heare them Then shall they knowe that all things which they had in this life are vaine and such things as they thought to be pleasant to be found more bitter than gall or poison Then where is the pleasure of the flesh so termed falslie For there is none other pleasure but to feare the Lord. Then shall they confesse and saie that the iudgement of God is true and righteous saieng Did we not heare of this and yet would not be conuerted from our wicked deeds But then shall nothing preuaile No sorowe can find comfort no complaints anie remorse no torments ease nor painfull passions an end such and so exceeding are the vexations of the second death wherewith all the bodies and soules of the vnrighteous shall for euer be enuironed Sith therefore O heauenlie Father and most gratious God it seemeth good to thine eternall wisdome by the knowledge of thine euerlasting truth to giue me knowledge of thine inestimable mercie offered freelie vnto me in Iesus Christ my mercifull Sauiour in whose bloudie death and painfull passion I am assured of eternall life and blessednesse Giue me grace to print in my remembrance thy manifold mercies that feeding my soule by faith in thee I may attaine vnto those endlesse ioies that thou hast prepared for thine adopted sonnes and chosen children in the kingdome of euerlasting righteousnesse and so escape those euerlasting torments which thou hast prepared for the diuell and his Angels From the which place of wofull vexation and endlesse miserie deliuer me O heauenlie Father for the loue of Iesus Christ his sake to whom with thee and the holie Ghost be all laud and praise for euer Amen A praier to be said of the sicke at the houre of death MOst mightie art thou O Lord in all thy deeds and most holie in all thy waies Blessed be the name of my father my God and glorious Creator who by his diuine power and celestiall prouidence of nothing made all things fish flesh foules fruites trees hearbes and all other things whatsoeuer are conteined both in heauen earth seas and the nethermost parts thereof Man concerning the outward parts thou by thy celestiall prouidence and fatherlie bountie framedst and createdst of claie but concerning the inward substance of thy creature man thou didst fashion and make him euen according to thine owne similitude and likenesse Moreouer such and so great was thy loue and good will towards him that all the creatures or works of thy creation serued to this vse In earth thou madest him lord and king ouer the fruits thereof the beasts of the field the foules of the aire and the fishes of the little flouds and great waters In the firmament thou hast placed the glistering Sunne with his orient beames to giue him light by daie and therewith thou hast giuen him the Moone and the starres to gouerne him by night For the which cause aboue all other the works of thy creation man should and ought of right to giue thee that glorie that to thee belongeth But alas such and so great is the corruption of our fraile and sinfull flesh that for all these thy graces wee are carried awaie from thee and enter into contempt of thy precepts For which cause thou oftentimes doost correct and punish vs to the intent we might thereby feeling thy rod of correction be driuen to imbrace hartie and true repentance But when thy threats and the stripes of thy displeasure laid vpon vs can not take place amongst vs thou oftentimes giuest vs vp to folowe our lusts and affections but at last when thou dooest behold our enormities thou in a moment by the power of thy diuine iustice restrainest the rope of our disordered libertie and cuttest in sunder the bridle of our voluptuousnes either by sudden death sword fire famine sicknesse or other the diuine sentences of thy conceiued ire to the intent that other thy creatures might by the terrour of thy iustice auoid sinne and learne to amend their liues least they fall into the like calamitie or danger True and most true it is good Lord that by the exercise of sinne we are the children of death and destruction but by grace of
the almightie and victorious conquerour sweete Iesus Christ we are the adopted sonnes of thy Father and made fellowe-heires with thee our perfect Emanuel In whose name with all humilitie and lowlinesse of hart and mind I come vnto thee in this great extremitie of sicknesse and danger of death beseeching thee to be present with me to forget mine offences to thinke vpon thy mercies And although I haue not deserued so much as the least drop of thy fauour by meanes of the great burden of my sinnes which are in the presence of thy diuine Maiestie most ouglie and loathsome to behold yet respect thou not O Father mine iniquitie but haue an eie I beseech thee to the merits of my Sauiour Christ Iesus to whom as my Mediator Sauiour and Redeemer I appeale who hath promised comfort and sweete consolation to all those that in his name flie vnto thee for releefe I confesse that woorthilie thou hast visited me with this sicknesse and disease and yet not according to the multitude of my sinnes but in the fulnesse of miseration and fatherlie pitie Giue me grace therefore in these bitter brunts of death who vehementlie at this present beginneth to combat with fainting and feeble life constantlie to cleaue vnto thee Let not the pleasures of this wicked world be a let or impediment for me to come vnto thee let not my fraile and feeble flesh subiect to sinne which hath through my transgression made me a bondman to death mooue me to despaire in thy great mercie neither yet let the caueling aduersarie the enimie of mankind at my last end triumph ouer me Giue me patience to suffer and gladlie to beare and abide this thy scourge and visitation and so fortifie me in soule and bodie that so long as life shall endure in me I may neuer cease to call vpon thy holie and blessed name Yea and when death is most busiest make thou me most constant yea when he seeketh most stronglie to assaile my feeble bodie giue me thy grace good Lord that I may in spirit hart mind and all the powers of my soule giue praises vnto thee that of thy grace and inestimable kindnesse hast sent thy sonne Christ Iesus to ransome me by his bloudie death and passion from the power of hell Giue me grace therfore now that thou hast appointed thy messenger death to finish the daies of my pilgrimage and to call me by his summons from out of this vale of miserie and wretchednesse to build stedfastlie vpon him and faithfullie to hope for life and saluation in alone through him Let the remembrance of my former wickednesse be no more thought vpon let mine offences be blotted out of thy glorious sight Behold my sorowfull true repentant hart which come vnto thee with teares not building on my merits but vpon thy mercies Though I be sinfull thy sonne my Sauiour is righteous though I be wicked yet he is most holie though I be full of impietie yet he is full of all goodnesse though I haue greeuouslie offended thee yet he hath fullie contented thee though I haue transgressed thy lawe yet he hath fulfilled the same and hath promised in his bloud to wash awaie their sinnes that by faith continue in him constant to the end I therefore in this my great and painfull agonie beholding death to be at the gates of my bodie come vnto thee by the vertue of a fruitfull faith beseeching thee when thou shalt see it meete and conuenient that he shall dissolue the bands of this vading life which endureth but a while for a thousand yeeres are as yesterdaie in thy sight to take my soule into thy glorious and blessed hands and so to confirme me in thy truth that at the last when it shall please thee by the sound of a trumpe to raise my bodie from the graue when and in which time bodie and soule shall vnite and come before thy presence I may by faith in thee passe ouer the mount of my corruption shake off the bands of sinne be set free from death and destruction and being by the vertue of thy righteousnesse made holie I may triumph with happie victorie ouer sinne death and all the powers of hell and enter with thee and the felowship of thy chosen Saints into euerlasting rest Grant this most louing Father for Christ Iesus sake to whom with thee and the holie Ghost be rendred all laud glorie honour and praise for euer Amen The Lord God be mercifull to me pardon and forgiue me my sinnes looke vpon me with his gratious and blessed countenance preserue me from the second death and euerlasting destruction of bodie and soule The Lord God iustifie me in his death and bloud cloath me with his euerlasting righteousnesse and register my name in the booke of life The Lord God comfort my guiltie conscience with the euerlasting light of his bountifull fauour and lot my place among his Saints in his heauenlie kingdome The Lord God for his mercies sake after this my bodilie death giue me the fruition of his presence in his rich palace of endlesse glorie to whose mercifull protection I commend with all humilitie and reuerence my soule Lord Iesus preserue me Lord Iesus comfort me Lord Iesus refresh me Lord Iesus praie for me For onlie into thy hands that hast redeemed mee O Lord God of truth I commend my soule Amen A deuout meditation to be vsed after praier REmember not O Lord God thine anger against me an offender but be mindfull of thy mercie towards me a true penitent Forget that through pride I haue prouoked thee to ire and fauourablie harken vnto my praier What is Iesus but a Sauiour Therefore O bountifull Iesu be thou my Sauiour rise vp in thine owne strength to helpe me Saie vnto my soule I am thy safegard In thy goodnesse doo I trust in thee is my helpe And forasmuch as thou hast willed that we should without ceasing seeke and sue vnto thee behold I beeing counselled and foretold by thy commandements doo now both aske seeke and knocke But thou which commandest me to aske graunt that I may receiue thou biddest me seeke make me to find thou hast taught me to knocke open vnto me that stand knocking strengthen me that am weake restore me that am lost reuiue me that am dead by sinne make me to serue thee to liue to thee to giue my selfe wholie to thee I knowe my God that because thou madest me I owe my selfe vnto thee and for that thou hast redeemed me I should owe thee more than my selfe But behold I haue no more to giue neither can I giue my selfe vnto thee vnlesse thou make me willing therevnto Take thou me draw me vnto thee that as I am thine by creation so I may be thine by following of thee which liuest and reignest for euer and euer Amen A Praier deciphering in Alphabet forme the name of the right Woorshipfull Ladie MARY FANE M MOst mightie art thou Lord in all thy deedes
and holie in all thy works Haue mercie vpon me and giue me vnderstanding therefore from aboue to consider the substance whereof thou hast framed me and by the knowledge thereof make me to consider mine owne weakenesse and infirmitie to be such that vnlesse thou set to thy hand speedilie to helpe me that am oppressed with sinne I shall perish in my wickednesse A AS my sins are innumerable and redder than scarlet so giue me grace to acknowledge thy greate mercies which are surmounting the sands of the seas and that thou by thy grace at thy good pleasure canst wash awaie my deformitie and make me to excell the snowe of Libanus I beseech thee O mercifull father let it be far from my thought wilfullie or of a set purpose to fall into the danger of sinne or to commit anie heinous sinne or greeuous wickednes against thine eternall maiestie For by the exercise of such and so great euill I by meanes of my presumption prouoke thee to displeasure Giue me grace therefore to stand in awe of thy iustice least that thy mercie be with-held and kept from me and thou giue me ouer as thou didst proud Pharao to the lust and affections of mine owne hart and so I be drowned in the dangerous gulph of destruction R REadie art thou Lord at all times to heare and giue eare vnto the petitions of thy people but more readier are we to run astraie from thy will and to transgresse thy sacred lawes and diuine statutes than we are to leaue the lusts of carnalitie the pleasures of this vaine and wicked world so greatlie are we affected to licentious libertie and all other kind of notorious euill But yet O mercifull father of thine abundant loue fauour and exceeding kindnesse giue me grace to renounce sinne to hate this transitorie and vading world to mortifie my fraile and feeble flesh which rebelleth against the spirit and by faith in Christ in this my dangerous pilgrimage so giue me strength that mine enimies may be ouerthrowne and I being deliuered from the snares of hell may by thee which art the author of mans felicitie haue the fruition of thy kingdome and celestiall mansion of endlesse and sempiternall glorie Y YDlenesse is the nurse and roote of all infectious euils Giue me thine aid therefore O Lord to loath and detest this deadlie and dangerous sinne least therby I run headlong into thy heauie displeasure Make me alwaies and euer to be occupied good Lord in thy holie lawe that with all the powers of my soule hart mind and vnderstanding I may giue thee continuall praise honor and glorie Yeeld plentiouslie vnto me also good Lord thy grace from aboue that I may continuallie make my boast of thine euerlasting name by hartie contrition and bitter deploration of my sinnes and wickednesse obtaine thy fauourable pardon and by thee being sanctified and made cleane from all mine vncleannesse and vngodlinesse I may enter with thee at the last daie into the celestiall and glorious kingdome purchased in the bloudie death of my Sauiour Iesus Christ Yea illuminate mine eies I saie O good Lord that I sleepe not in darkenes but giue me grace good Lord continuallie to keepe watch and ward least that the enimie find me slumbering in the cradle of carelesnesse the gates of my bodie be broken vp and in the daie of thy comming to iudgement the sentence of thy displeasure be pronounced against me to the vtter confusion of my bodie and soule F FAith is to be embraced of all those that hope for felicitie and blessednesse in Iesus Christ Giue me therefore such wisdome from aboue that I may be dailie desirous to learne thy sacred precepts and walke in the path-waie of thy glorious statutes that by the exercise of thy will sinfull vice and iniquitie may be vanquished and vertue may haue the dominion and souereigntie in me A ABstinence coupled with constant and faithfull praier is a thing that much pleaseth thy maiestie and withdraweth from vs the force of thy heauie indignation Giue me grace then with praier to exercise such fasting as may hold downe the man of sinne that he swell not in pride excesse gluttonie or superfluous eating or drinking Make me alwaies to vse thy gifts so moderatelie that thy name may be glorified and I fasting from sinne with hartie praier faithfullie may beate at the gates of thy grace and so obtaine the full effects of thy fatherlie loue and fauourable kindnesse Finallie abate I beseech thee the pride of the vngodlie that trouble me Confound in thy iustice the imaginations of the foolish which sticke not to saie in their harts There is no God Breake the iawe bones of those in sunder that consult and take counsell togither how they may harme the innocent and weake From the bloud-thirstie and deceiptfull man deliuer me O Lord my God Looke fauourablie vpon me glad thou my hart with the cheerefull lookes of thy gratious and louing countenance Saie vnto my soule I am thy safegard Be thou euer with me then shall I not need to feare the power of my subtile and cruell enimies but at thine appointed will and heauenlie pleasure I shall be made safe and with the felowship of thy chosen Saints enioie the fruition of thine euerlasting kingdome N NOthing O Lord I brought into this world and nothing shall I carie hence with mee Giue mee grace and power therefore to consider that all worldlie things are vaine and shall vanish awaie like smoke Make me to vnderstand that I am a stranger heere and far from my countrie the new Citie of Ierusalem which thou hast in the fulnesse of thy great mercie ordeined for those that continue faithfull in thee to the end And sith that all earthlie things are subiected to consuming as meere vanities endue me with such vnderstanding that I may laie my treasure plentifullie in heauen with Iesus Christ to whome in the water of baptisme by grace in spirit I am coupled and knit Withdrawe me therefore from the delight of worldlie pleasures and giue me streugth to offer my selfe vp wholie into his blessed and heauenlie hands that my hart my mind the powers of my soule and all that I haue may depend on him with whome my treasure resteth that being vnder the comfortable gard of his defence I may be deliuered from all danger of bodie and soule Naked was I borne and naked to the graue shall I returne againe the Lord giueth and the Lord taketh awaie euen as it pleaseth his maiestie all things are brought to passe whose glorious name be praised for euer No man can escape the sting of death all flesh must bow vnto the graue Giue me a feruent faith therefore O Lord to continue faithfull in Iesus Christ that whensoeuer it shall please thee to send thy messenger death to arrest me I may be readie at his summons ioifullie to beare his stroke and by the power of a liuelie faith so to withstand sinne and Sathan that death
setting foorth of thy most glorious inuisible and eternall Maiestie in this my fraile earthlie and visible maiestie may cleerelie shine and appeare in me to the benefit of thy Church farre and neere And that I remembring whose minister I am may first aboue all things in a perfect zeale of thy house and loue of thy people euer seeke thy honour and glorie and studie continuallie to preserue thy people committed to my charge in wealth peace and godlinesse Deere Father so blesse mee so loue mee so in the spirit of counsell prudence knowledge and fortitude sanctifie strengthen and direct me that in a perfect faith feare and loue as in thy sight I may walke vprightlie without offence giuing in the obedience of thy holie word and fulfilling of thy blessed commandements all the daies of my life and may be a true follower of that King which is the Souereigne ouer the holie hill of Zion whose seate and kingdome endureth for euer Giue mee grace both thankfullie to acknowledge thy manifold great benefits bestowed vpon mee and also faithfullie and diligentlie to discharge my dutie towards thee and thy people in executing thy iudgements indifferentlie without parcialitie to the aduancement of thy kingdome the establishment of my throne and the vniuersall comfort and commoditie of all thy people Make me good Lord of an entire affection and perfect hart towards thee and of an humble and gentle spirit towards all vnder my gouernement after the example of Christ our eternall King who to fulfill thy will O GOD did vouchsafe to take flesh of the virgin Marie and became man for man that man might become a God vnto men and who also did verie much abase and humble himselfe as a seruant euen vnto the death of the Crosse to redeeme both Prince and people out of thrall and bondage of sinne Sathan death and hell Let my naturall affection and disposition I saie O Lord continue to my foes terrible to my subiects amiable to mine offenders mercifull to the vertuous bountifull to all men indifferent and parciall to none that being guided by thee to gouerne thy people iustlie in all godlie peace and quietnesse I may be able with a good conscience to witnesse of mine integritie before thee and all the world as thy faithfull seruants Moses Samuel and Nehemias somtimes did of theirs and boldlie and trulie with them saie Behold here I am beare record of me before the Lord before his annointed Whose oxe or whose asse haue I forceablie taken awaie Or whom haue I done anie wrong to Or whom haue I iniured or hurt Or of whose hand haue I receiued anie bribes to blind mine eies therewith and I will restore it you that my people seeing and well perceiuing my motherlie affection faithfull gouernement carefull diligence and diligent watchfulnesse ouer them by all meanes to doo them all the good I possiblie may or can in thee may woorthilie witnesse rightlie answere and iustlie confesse and saie of me to thy glorie and my perpetuall praise as the Israelites heretofore said of Samuel That I haue not grieued them nor troubled my land by oppression or iniurie that I haue not hurt them nor taken ought of anie mans hand nor by anie meanes either by my selfe or others willinglie abused my power or dealt vniustlie with my people Oh kindle more and more in my hart I beseech thee most holie Father a pure zele aboue all things to promote thy glorie and a vigilant care not onelie to serue thee my selfe sincerelie but also to haue thee diligentlie serued of my familie people And to this end vouchsafe I praie thee both to adorne me with all thy heauenlie gifts and also to blesse my whole familie court and houshold with thy graces and vertues that all these both high and lowe one and other which are placed therein vnder me may for their vertuous life true faith and right religion towards thee their God and for their loiall harts and conscionable obedience towards me their Prince and Mistres and for their entire affection and charitie one towards another as brethren and lastlie for their hartie loue and naturall good-will they beare to their Commonwelth and countrie be an example and patterne of true godlinesse and puritie both in religion and life for all the whole Realme and countrie yea the whole world besides to followe as their head fountaine and light Moreouer O blessed God as hitherto by thy mightie protection thou hast preserued me and in thy great mercie maugre the heads of all mine enimies miraculouslie hast deliuered me and established me in this my kingdome thus long in admirable peace and blessed quietnesse all glorie and praise be rendered vnto thy glorious name therfore so I beseech thy gratious goodnesse O Lord in like mercie to blesse preserue maintaine keepe and defend me and my Realme still from all both forreine and domesticall conspiracies treasons deceits and violences of enimies and from all other dangers and perils imminent and to come both bodilie and ghostlie publike and priuate that I may still gouerne blessedlie ouer a blessed people and my Realme and people by thy defence and protection continue in the truth of thy Gospell and happie enioieng of perfect peace and quietnesse both outward and inward Thou O Lord of hosts hast ordeined me the Gouernour ouer thy people and made my people to be thy people and thou Lord art become our God yea and our great and mightie God besides whom wee haue none other God I knowe also my God that thou triest the hart and hast pleasure in righteousnesse behold therefore I offer vow and dedicate my selfe willinglie and entirelie in the vprightnesse of my hart to serue and worship thee onelie for euer with ioie and therfore am I thine handmaid bold to praie this praier vnto thee beseeching thee for euer to keepe me and to helpe me in this my good purpose of holie seruing and worshipping of thee For that which I haue hitherto done is nothing at all to speake of O direct thou continuallie the thoughts of my mind and prepare my hart euermore vnto thee Giue vnto me thine handmaid a perfect hart to keepe thy commandements thy testimonies and thy statutes and cause me to vse my power lawfullie to the reforming both of thy house and estates according to the prescript rule of thy written word reuealed will that so it may please thee O Lord God to confirme for euer thy mercifull promises made vnto me in my father DAVID and to blesse the throne or house of thy seruant with thy blessing that it may continue and be established before thee for euer And that this may the better come to passe to the glorie of thy name the benefit of thy Church and wealth of my Realme as I hartilie wish and desire remoue far from thy Church far from me O excellent father all those which fall from thee by infidelitie and are through obstinate wilfulnesse traiterous rebels to thy sacred
did this woman continue still in praier and said It is truth Lord that thou saiest it is not meete to cast the childrens bread vnto dogs But yet Lord the dogs doo eate of the crums which fall from the childrens table And thou Lord reioicing in hir great constancie didst saie O woman great is thy faith be it vnto thee as thou desirest Now therefore sweet and mercifull Lord Iesu as thou diddest vouchsafe to accept and heare the praier of Cornelius and of this woman of Canaan so I hartilie beseech thee to heare my humble praiers which I make daie and night before thee not onelie that thou shouldest deliuer me from bodilie oppressions but also from the spirituall power of the diuell that after this mortall life I may come to thy blessed presence in the euerlasting kingdome where thou reignest God with the Father and the holie Ghost AMEN G GIue eare Ô LORD and let all my sorrowfull complaints which go foorth of vnfeined lips come before thee that my mouth may shew foorth the woorthie praise of thy name Psalme 17. verse 1. THy praise is a great thing O Lord for it proceedeth out of the fountaine whereof no sinners drinke There is no glorious praise in the mouth of a sinner Deliuer me therefore O Lord from the waie of sinners and my tongue shall magnifie thy righteousnesse and my lips and my mouth shall shew foorth thy praise Thou hast the key of Dauid which shuttest and no man openeth and openest and no man shutteth Therefore open thou my lips as thou hast opened the mouths of infants out of whose mouths thou hast established thy praise Trulie the Prophets and Apostles and all other thy Saints praised thee despised themselues The sucklings extoll thy fame and glorie which they knowe through thy heauenlie and celestiall grace Thy friends which spreading thy glorie haue conuerted innumerable soules from sinne vnto vertue and true felicitie Thy beloued haue openlie preached thy bountious gentlenesse and mercifull fauour which thou shewest in thy deere sonne vnto all the world Now therefore mercifull God giue me true humilitie that thou maist stablish thy praise by my mouth Make me as one of the infants and sucklings that I may euer hang on the paps of thy wisdome For thy paps O Lord are better than wine and thy wisdome better than riches Make me as one of thy friends or beloued that I may constantlie abide in thee that my mouth and voice may among the sucklings extoll and set foorth thy praise saieng and singing Ozanna in the highest AMEN I I Am filthie and vncleane before thee Ô LORD If thou therefore sprinkle me with Isope I shall be cleane If thou wash me I shall be whiter than snowe Psalme 51. verse 7. I Sope Lord is a lowe herbe it is hot and of a good sauour which signifieth nothing else but thine onlie sonne Iesus Christ which humbled himselfe vnto death euen vnto the death of the Crosse which with the heate of his feruent loue loued vs and washed vs from our sinnes in his bloud which also with the redolent and sweet sauor of his beneuolence and righteousnesse hath replenished the world Therefore with this Isope shalt thou O holie Father sprinkle me when thou shalt powre vpon me the vertue and bloud of thy deere sonne Christ when he through faith shall dwell in me when through loue I am ioined with him when I shall imitate and followe his humilitie and passion then shall I be cleansed from all mine vncleannesse Then shalt thou wash me with mine owne teares which flowe out of the loue of thy sonne Christ Then shall I sigh till I be wearie then shall I water my bed euerie night with my teares so that it shall swimme in them and then Lord shalt thou wash me and I shall be whiter than snowe AMEN N NOT euerie one that saith to me Lord Lord shall enter into the kingdome of heauen but he that doth the will of my father which is in heauen Matth. 7 verse 21. THy will is O heauenlie father that we do beleeue in thy beloued sonne whome thou hast sent Thy will is that we beleeue that he whome thou hast sent is come in the flesh And thy will is that we imitate and keepe his saieng Thy will is also that we should heare him For thou spakest from heauen saieng This is my welbeloued Sonne in whome I delight heare him Giue me therefore O heauenlie father a stedfast faith a strong faith yea such a faith that no tribulation that no vexation that no persecution may cause me to denie thy Son whom thou hast sent but that I may with a pure and constant faith confesse him to be come in the flesh for the redemption of the world and that I may imitate and folowe him that I may keepe his saieng who was deliuered for my sinnes and was raised againe for my iustification Giue me also O holie father a perfect hearing and not a corrupt hearing but that I may through the teaching of the holie Ghost heare thee out of the Prophets out of the Apostles out of the pen of the Euangelists and out of the mouth of thy Spouse the Catholike Church to whome thou saiedst I will send you a comforter euen my spirit which shall leade you into all truth Grant me O Lord this spirit for there is none that can saie Iesus is the Lord but by this thy holie spirit AMEN A A Sacrifice to God is a troubled spirit a contrite and humble hart ô GOD shalt thou not despise Psalme 51. verse 17. A Broken and troubled spirit and not broken and troubled flesh pleaseth thee O Lord. For the flesh is broken and vexed because it hath not the carnall things that it desireth or else feeleth in it selfe things which it hateth The spirit is broken and vnquieted for his fault because it hath offended against God whom it loueth He soroweth that he hath sinned against his maker and redeemer and that he hath not regarded such a good and louing father This broken and sorowing spirit is vnto thee O Lord a sacrifice of most sweet sauour which notwithstanding hath his confection of most bitter spices euen of the remembrance of his sinnes For when our sinnes are gathered together into the morter of the hart and beaten with the pestle of compunction and made into powder and moistened with the water of teares therof is made an ointment and sacrifice most sweet which being offered to thee O Lord thou wilt not despise Marie Magdalen which was a great sinner made such an ointment and put it into the Alablaster boxe of hir hart She feared not to enter into the Pharises house and there humbling hir selfe at thy feete sweet Lord washed them with hir teares wiped them with hir heare and annointed them with most pretious ointment and ceassed not to kisse them Surelie Lord hir sacrifice was right acceptable and pleased thee so that thou preferredst it aboue the Pharisie which
in his owne sight was righteous O Lord great is thy power great is thy might which declareth it selfe most chieflie in sparing and hauing compassion on sinners shewing to vs that a contrite and humble hart thou wilt not despise Accept therefore sweete Lord Iesu this my sacrifice of praise proceeding out of a broken and sorowfull hart And if it be vnperfect amend thou the fault mercifull Lord which onlie art of power to doo it that it may be an holie and acceptable sacrifice inflamed with the feruent heate of thy bountious charitie that it may be acceptable vnto thee or at the least that thou despise it not I knowe well that I shall find fauour in thy sight and that heereafter none of thy Saincts either in heauen or in earth shall despise me Accomplish therefore in me euen now O Lord that which I so oft do craue of thee which is that thou wilt haue compassion on me according to thy great mercie and that also thou wilt receiue me for a sacrifice of righteousnesse for a holie oblation for a burnt sacrifice of good liuing and for a Calfe to be offered vpon thine Altar or Crosse by the which I may passe this vale of miserie vnto that ioie which thou preparest for them that loue thee AMEN * ANOTHER ELIZABETH E ENgraue thy lawes in the depth of my heart O Lord that being instructed in thy commandements I may serue thee in feare and reioice in thee with trembling and take hold vpon thy discipline in all things least at anie time thou become angrie and I perish from the right waie Amen L LORD giue me helpe from my trouble for vaine is the helpe of man in thee I haue strength and thou bringest vnto nothing those things which trouble me let my soule be subiect vnto thee For from thee proceedeth my patience For thou art my God and Sauiour my helper and I will not depart from thee In thee is my helth and my glorie thou art the God of my helpe and my helpe is in thee Amen I I Haue broken thy fold and wandered long as a lost sheepe let me returne O Lord bicause I haue not forgotten thy commandements The misdeeds and ignorances of my tender yeers remember not Lord but according to thy mercie haue mind on me For thy goodnesse O Lord keepe my soule and deliuer me let me not be ashamed bicause I haue trusted in thee Turne my heauinesse into ioie cut off my sacke of sorowes and gird me with gladnes that my glorie may signe vnto thee and I shall not be greeued Z ZORobabel King of Iuda in the depth of thy displeasure tasted of thy mercie and receiued by the mouth of Aggeus thy Prophet sweete comfort and knowledge of thy fauour and grace yea after thy determination to destroie the whole kingdome of the heathen thy right hand did preserue him and thine incomparable mercie did choose him for a seale to thy selfe Lord this happie King in thy goodnesse was but an earthlie creature and then could he haue no righteousnesse in himselfe to moue such thy compassion If it proceeded from the multitude of thy mercies that surmount the iniquities of the whole world and that thou didst onlie vouchsafe to behold in him the image of thy selfe bow downe thine eies Lord and behold the selfe-same in me Certifie my conscience with remission of my sinnes that my sorowfull soule may be at rest within me Send downe thy holie spirit to remaine with me that I may become with that good King thy chosen seale and seruant and so graunt thy people that I may with them and they with me neuer deserue further than to tast of thy rod of fauorable correction but that all my labours and studies may euer bend to the performance of thy holie will and discharge of my dutie Amen A ARise and illuminate my mind most benigne Sauiour that I sleepe not at anie time in death least mine enimies saie they haue preuailed against me They which trouble me will be glad if I be cast downe but I haue fixed my hope in thy mercie Enter not into iudgement with thy seruant for no liuing creature shall be iustified in thy sight I will euer looke vpon the Lord for he shal be on my right hand that I be not mooued For this my hart is glad and my tongue reioiceth yea moreouer my flesh shall rest in hope Amen B BE thou vnto me O Lord in the daie time a defendour and in the night season a place of refuge that thou maist saue me for thou art my strength and vnto thee I flie Lord God deliuer me from the hand of sinners and from the Lawe-breaker and the wicked dooer for thou Lord art my patience thou art my hope euen from my youth In thee I am confirmed euen from my mothers wombe thou art my protector in thee shall be my song for euer and euer Amen E EUER my tongue shall be telling of thy rich mercie and woonderous works O Lord for thou hast caused me to passe through fire and water and led me into a fresh place thou hast giuen my soule life and hast not suffered my feete to fall According to the multitude of my sorowes thy comforts haue made my soule merrie My soule is like a Sparowe taken out of the Fowlers snare Thou hast deliuered my life from death and my hands from bloud that I may please thee O Lord in the light of the liuing Amen T THOU art iust O Lord and all thy commandements be true and all thy waies mercie truth and iudgement And now Lord be mindfull of me take not reuengement of my sinnes remember not mine offences neither the offences of my fathers because we haue not obeied thy precepts Giue me an hart of vnderstanding and set thy feare alwaies before mine eies that I may be obedient in word deed and thought to all that is thy will Lord giue vnto me the power of thy holie spirit to rule and gouerne thy people committed to my charge in all godlie feare and knowledge of thy word and that I may be vnto them an example in all godlinesse and vertue to the praise of thy holie name Amen H HEALE me Lord and I shall be healed saue me and I shall be saued My life cleaueth vnto the earth Quicken me according to thy word according to thy mercie releeue me and I will keepe the testimonies of thy lips Helpe me Lord so shall I be safe and I will from hencefoorth studie thy righteousnesse Thy mercies are manie O Lord according to thy word restore my health AMEN REGINA R REgard my praiers O thou God of my life leaue me not in the thoughts of euill Deliuer me from the wicked man let not the foote of pride come vpon me and to vaine-glorie giue me not Take from me all sinfull lusts let no desire of vncleannesse take hold vpon me giue me not ouer to an vnshamefast and obstinate mind but correct me in thy mercie
cleathed that mortalitie might be swallowed vp of life For if they be found cloathed and not naked mortalitie shall be swallowed vp of immortalitie and they shall walke with GOD in white araie Being about to arise and sitting vpright in your bed praie O LORD Iesu Christ which diddest vouchsafe to die for our sinnes and diddest rise againe for our iustification haue mercie vpon me and by that thy glorious resurrection I beseech thee raise me vp out of the bed of vices and sepulchre of all my sinnes wherein I haue long lien to newnesse of life For except I be raised vp by thee I shall lie still for euer in darkenesse shame and miserie O therefore put foorth thine hand and mercifullie raise vp againe not onlie my bodie but my mind and hart also to the true knowledge and loue of thee that my conuersation may be in heauen where thou art And giue me dailie part in the first resurrection to the intent that I may receiue some part in the latter resurrection and be in the number of those thy faithfull ones ouer whom the second death shall haue no power but are receiued into life euerlasting Arise depart for this is not your rest Mich. 2 verse 20. I will arise now out of my bed to open to my beloued that knocketh and I will go about the citie by the streets and by the open places and will seeke him whom my soule loueth Cantic 3 verses 1 5. Meditation COnsider how fowle the fall of Adam and Eue was by reason of their sinne and transgression and so of euerie one of vs by them from the high excellent and honourable estate of Gods grace into shame and miserie Againe thinke vpon the inestimable benefits of Christ Iesus by whose helping hand we dailie arise againe from our naturall and originall declining and fallings and be thankfull vnto him therefore In your arising as you step out of your bed praie I Arise and enter into this daie to doo all things in the name of the Father and of the Sonne and of the holie Ghost who hath made me redeemed me sanctified me and preserued me He rule me keepe blesse and lead mee into all good works and so direct and confirme me therein that after ths fraile life ended I may obteine a ioifull resurrection with blisse perpetuall Amen I laid me downe and slept and rose againe for the Lord sustained me Psal 3 verse 5. If you be risen with Christ thinke vpon those things that be aboue Col. 3 verse 1. Being risen blesse and praie thus GOd be mercifull vnto me and blesse me this daie and euer and shew me the light of his countenance and be mercifull vnto me that I may knowe his way vpon earth and his sauing health among all nations God euen our owne God giue mee his continuall grace peace mercie and blessing And I beseech thee O Lord Iesu Christ which being reuiued from death to life broughtest againe to mortall men that most desired and greatlie longed for daie which the Lord made Grant that I being now raised vp from the death of sinnes to the life of grace may walke in all Christian obedience and at the last daie of the resurrection of all flesh when thou shalt be made manifest in our life I also may then be openly known and appeere before thee in glorie and ioifullie triumph ouer sinne death and hell saieng O death where is thy sting O graue where is thy victorie Thanks be vnto GOD which hath raised me from the death of sleepe and giuen me victorie ouer all mine enimies through our Lord Iesus Christ So be it Blessed holie and happie for euer is he that hath part in the first resurrection for on such the second death hath no power Reuel 20 verse 6. The vngodlie shall not be able to stand in iudgment neither the sinners in the congregation of the righteous Psal 1 verse 6. In apparelling your selfe praie CLoath mee O Christ with thine owne selfe that I may be so farre from making prouision for the flesh to fulfill the lusts thereof that I may cleane put off all my carnall desires and crucifie the kingdome of the flesh in me Be thou vnto mee a garment to keepe me warme and to defend me from the cold of this world If thou be absent deere Lord all things will be vnto me foorthwith cold weake and dead but if thou be with me all things will be warme liuelie fresh and cheerefull Grant therefore that as I compasse this my bodie with this garment so thou wouldst cloath me wholie but especiallie my soule with thine owne selfe So be it Put vpon you as the elect of God bowels of mercie meekenesse loue peace Col. 3 verse 12. Let not him that putteth on his harnesse boast himselfe as he that putteth it off 1 Kings 20 verse 11. Meditation CAll to mind a little how we are incorporate into Christ and how he dooth cloath vs gouerne and nourish vs and vnder his wings protection and prouidence preserueth vs. A consideration of our inward corruption by the outward easement of the bodie OH wretch that I am what am I but a rotten carcase woorms meat a stinking coffin and food for fire Againe what am I O Lord Euen a darke dongeon wretched earth a child of wrath a vessell meet for dishonour begotten in vncleannesse liuing in miserie and dieng in distresse Out vpon me vile wreth What am I Wo is me Lord. O Lord spare me Alas my maker what shall become of me I am a sacke of doong a coffin of rottennesse full of lothsomnesse and stinch blind poore naked subiect to manie exceeding necessities woting neither when I came into the world nor when I shall go out mortall and miserable whose daies passe and glanse swiftlie awaie as a shadowe or bubble of water now flourishing and by and by withering now aliue now dead Oh spare me a little Lord for my daies are nothing and be mercifull vnto a wretch that is not ashamed to acknowledge hir vilenesse before thee The glorie of mortall man is but doong and wormes meate 1. Mach. 2. verse 62. Meditation COnsider the miserable state of the bodie by the excrements that issue out of the eies nose mouth eares hands arme-pits fundament féete and other parts thereof and thinke that no Bocardo no little ease no dungeon no prison no sinke no pit is so irkesome lothsome and euill a prison for the bodie as the bodie is for and of the soule by reason of sinne and filthie affections that haue their dwelling therein Thinke also what madnesse it is thus to pamper our bodies with delicate meats to obeie the lusts therof prouoking to euill and desire continuallie with S. Paule the dissolution thereof and to be out of this stinking prison VVashing your hands praie thus WAsh my soule O God with the water of thy diuine grace from all the filth and pollusion of sinne wherewith it is altogither defiled in thy sight Sprinkle it
Lord with the hyssope of true repentance and sorowfull contrition that being clensed in the most cleere fountaine of thy grace I may be whiter than snowe and also bee able euer hereafter to serue thee in holinesse and purenesse of liuing through Iesus Christ our Lord Amen Wash your hands yee sinners and cleanse your harts ye wauering minded Isaias 4 verse 8. I will wash my hands in innocencie ô Lord and so will I go to thine altar Psal 26 verse 6. Or else praie thus HAue mercie vpon mee O God and pardon the wicked deeds which my hands haue committed Wash my soule with the holie fountaine or well which I beleeue did flow from thy hart and naked side and sanctifie and purifie not onlie my hands and face from filth but my hart soule and conscience also from all contagion of sinne and iniquitie that I may be pure both in bodie and soule and serue thee in holinesse and puritie all the daies of my life So be it Though I wash my selfe with snowe water and purge my hands most cleane yet shalt thou plunge me in the pit and mine owne cloths shall make mee filthie Iob. 9 verse 30. Meditations THinke now of thy vow and promise made to God at thy baptisme to forsake Sathan to renounce the world and to mortifie the flesh and how oft since thou hast broken it and be hartilie sorie therefore Thinke also vpon the vnspeakable loue and mercie of Christ our Sauiour who hath washed vs from our sins in his owne pretious bloud and purged our conscience from dead works to the end we should serue him in holinesse and innocencie of life And consider that it shall little auaile thée to haue washed thy selfe if thou touch filth againe that is if thou confesse thy faults and after commit them againe and so wich the dog returne to the vomit and with the washed sow to the wallowing in the mire againe ¶ When you be made readie first before all things looke that either by your selfe or with your familie with all humblenesse of mind you kneele downe by your bed-side in your parlour or other sweete cleane and conuenient place and there taking both time and leasure to serue the Lord lift vp your hart hands and eies and praie vnto his diuine Maiestie saieng in manner and forme following A premeditation or first forme of praier to be vsed before praier O Mercifull Lord and louing father without whose aid and motion I am not able to stir one member toward heauenlie seruice the burthen of this slowe and sinfull flesh doth so ouercharge my weak soule according vnto thy fatherlie pitie looke vpon me O God prepare my hart to praier and quicken my dull spirit with thy grace to rise out of this miserable puddle and to come before thy presence in humble repentance crauing thy mercie for my miserable sinnes and wickednesse and being released in the bloud and righteousnesse of Iesus Christ I may ioifullie serue honor and praise thine eternall Maiestie through thy deere sonne my mercifull Lord and redeemer to whom with thee and the holie Ghost be all glorie and thanks for euer Amen Another meditation before praier VNto thee O heauenlie father doo I heere prostrate on my knees lift vp my hart my hands mine eies and praiers beseeching thy Maiestie and saieng Helpe me O my Lord and God in this my good purpose and holie worshipping or seruing of thee and grant vnto me to make a perfect entrance and beginning this present daie that I maie doo all things in the name of the Father of the Sonne and of the holie Ghost For that which I haue hitherto done is nothing at all The Confession and Praier O Father of heauen O sonne of God redeemer of the world O holie Ghost three persons and one God haue mercie vpon me most wretched caitife and miserable sinner I haue offended both heauen and earth more than my tongue can expresse my sins are aboue all mens both in number and greatnesse which I haue committed Whither then may I go And whither should I flee To heauen I may be ashamed to lift vp my face and in earth I find no place of refuge or succour To thee therefore O Lord doo I runne to thee doo I humble my selfe saieng O Lord my God my sinnes be great and innumerable but yet haue mercie vpon me for thy great mercie The great mysterie that God became man was not wrought for little or few offences Thou didst not giue thy sonne O heauenlie father vnto death for small sinnes onlie but for all the greatest sinnes in the world so that the sinner returne vnto thee with his whole hart as I doo heere at this present Wherefore haue mercie on me O God whose propertie is alwaie to haue mercie wherefore haue mercie on me O Lord for thy great mercie I craue nothing O Lord for mine owne merits but for thy name sake that it may be halowed thereby and for thy deere sonne Iesus Christes sake and now therefore Our father of heauen halowed be thy name c. Another Confession and praier OH almightie euerlasting God and most gratious deere louing father I beseech thee for Iesus Christes sake thy most deere and onlie sonne to haue mercie pitie and compassion vpon me most vile wretched and miserable sinner whose innumerable offenses both old new be most horrible heinous and great where through I haue iustlie deserued thy greeuous wrath and euerlasting damnation But now good Lord heere I do appeale to thy great mercie onlie which far surmounteth all thy works as thou hast promised the same in thy holie and infallible word where thou hast said yea and sworne as trulie as thou liuest that thou wilt not the death of a sinner but rather that he should conuert and liue Ah deere Lord I confesse that I am a great and greeuous sinner and yet now by thy grace and good working of thy holie spirit something turned vnto thee Oh let me liue and not die the euerlasting death of the soule which I so deepelie haue deserued but make me a vessell of thy great mercie that I may liue and praise thy name among thy chosen children for euer Oh let not my horrible sinnes separate me from the sweet sight of thy Maiestie but let thy great power and mercie be magnified in me as it is in Dauid in Peter in Magdalen and in the notable Theefe which was crucified with Christ thy deere sonne in whose most pretious death and bloud-shedding onlie O Lord I put my whole trust and confidence For he onelie hath taken awaie the sinnes of the world he came not to condemne the world but to saue it that none that trulie beleeue in him should perish but haue life euerlasting He saith he came not to call the righteous but sinners to repentance Oh gratious God giue me true earnest hartie and vnfeigned repentance that I may from the verie bottome of my hart continuallie lament my manifold
sinnes and wickednesse my great ingratitude and vnthankefulnesse towards thee for all thy mercifull benefits so aboundantlie powred vpon me through Iesus Christ which wouldest vouchsafe he being thine owne deere darling in whome was and is all thy whole pleasure and delight to giue him for me to the verie death of the Crosse yea and that when I was thine vtter enimie of mercie inestimable and loue incomprehensible Who euer sawe such a thing God became man and was crucified for me that by his death I might liue Alas that euer I should become so wicked a wretch and vnkind a creature to displease so louing kind and mercifull a God and father Oh forgiue me forgiue me for thy great mercie sake for thy truth and promise sake and I will neuer trespasse againe against thy diuine Maiestie anie more but will gladlie serue thee in true holinesse and righteousnesse all the daies of my life by the grace and assistance of thy good and holie spirit the which I beseech thee to giue me also that he may gouerne me and guide my hart in thy true faith feare and loue that in all my deeds words and thoughts I may glorifie thy holie name which liuest and reignest with the sonne and the holie Ghost three persons and one God to whome be all honour glorie praise thanks power rule and dominion for euer and euer Amen Another confession of sinnes proper for the Sabaoth daie OH my most mercifull father the father of mercies and God of all consolation and comfort my God my father I most wretched sinner confesse and acknowledge my selfe vnfeinedlie with hart mind mouth now before thee to haue most greenoushe offended thy high Maiestie and goodnesse I recognise and acknowledge my selfe to be full of sinne full of vnfaithfulnesse and a seruant vnprofitable For all thy holie commandements haue I transgressed and broken First I haue not set all my whole beleefe confidence trust and hope in thee I haue not loued and honoured thee with all my hart with all my soule mind and powers of my soule Secondlie I haue diuided thine honour and worship from thee and giuen it to thy creatures and dead things imagined of mine owne fond fantasie I meane in the adoring and worshipping of images Thirdlie I haue abused thy most holie name by false and deceitfull swearing to the hinderance of my neighbour and idlelie and vainlie haue I vsed thy holie name I haue not said nor done neither thought all things to thy glorie Fourthlie in the Saboth daie I haue not giuen my selfe to hearing reading learning the holie Scriptures neither haue I giuen meate to the hungrie drinke to the thirstie lodged the harbourlesse clothed the naked visited the sicke comforted nor releeued the poore and men in prison For I haue not expended of how great weight these words of thy sonne my Sauiour Christ are neither beleeued him saieng In as much as ye haue done these things vnto one of the least of these my brethren ye haue done it vnto me Matth. 25. But I haue bestowed and spent my gold and siluer after my lewd lust and concupiscence in excesse of meat and drinke in gorgeous apparell of my bodie of my children seruants and house c. where I should not haue bestowed it or else not so largelie delicatelie nicelie and excessiuelie haue bestowed it as I haue not regarding in the meane time to suffer the deere beloued brethren of Iesu Christ to go naked and to perish for cold and hunger I haue I saie not ceased from mine owne sinfull will and lusts praieng at all times thy will and not mine to be fulfilled Furthermore I haue not honoured my father and mother I haue not so much set by them esteemed them and had them in such reuerence as thou commandest me nor obeied them neither comforted releened or helped them I haue slaine I haue broken wedlocke I haue stolne I haue sold by false weights and measures and borne false witnesse finallie I haue coueted my neighbours house I haue desired his wife his seruant his cattell his other goods vnlawfullie Thus most greeuouslie haue I sinned infinit waies O Lord omitting and leauing thy commandements Oh Father to fulfill the desire of my flesh the world and the diuell Wherefore I crie thee mercie my God most mercifull father and most humblie I desire and beseech thee for the loue which thou bearest to thy deer sonne mine onelie whole and entire Sauiour Iesu Christ to haue mercie on me and to forgiue me most miserable sinner euen in his bloud and for his pretious death sake For when I went about to seeke thee to trust vnto thee or to doo anie thing to thy glorie yet would not this lust and concupiscence that contagious originall poison and fleshlie dregges drawne of our father Adam suffer me perfectlie to doo that I would haue done Through this naturall concupiscence I striue and fight dailie against the holie Ghost in me which vnlawfull lust and desire I knowledge to be a greeuous sinne against thy highnes if thou shouldest iudge me straitlie after thy Lawe without the which concupiscence I cannot be Wherefore I being a wretched yea a most abhominable wretched sinner in my selfe cleerelie destitute of all righteousnesse of all godlinesse of all holinesse and all deseruings am come now by faith before thee vnto Christ his mercie seate and righteousnesse vnto his goodnesse deseruings and satisfactions desiring thee O most mercifull father for his deaths sake that his righteousnesse his wisedome his holinesse his goodnesse his merits and satisfactions may be mine and serue for my forgiuenesse and saluation For like as thou gauest me him to die for my sinnes euen so beleeue I that thou hast giuen me with him all his to be mine and to serue me for my saluation Wherefore glorie honor worship empire and rule be to thee oh father with the sonne and the holie ghost for euer world without end So be it Another Confession of sinnes for Sundaies to be vsed in the forenoone or afternoone O Most mercifull Lord God my tender and deere father vouchsafe I hartilie beseech thee to looke downe with thy fatherlie eies of pitie vpon me most vile and wretched sinner which lie heere prostrate in heart before the feete of thy bottomlesse mercie For I haue sinned against the throne of thy glorie and before thee O most deere Father insomuch that I am not worthie to be called thy daughter Yet neuerthelesse forasmuch as thou art the God and Father of all mercie and comfort and againe desirest not the death of a sinner but like a true Samaritan takest thought for my sillie wounded soule make me I praie thee by infunding of thy pretious oile of comfort into my wounds ioifullie to run with the lost sonne into the lap of thine euerlasting pitie For lo thou art my hope and trust in whom I onlie repose my selfe hauing in thee full confidence and faith And so I saie with a verie faithfull
generall earthquake praie OH eternall mightie and most louing Father which hast no desire of the death of a sinner but that he conuert and liue and vnto whom nothing is so pleasant as the repentant contrite and sorowfull hart of a penitent person For thou art that kind father that fallest most louinglie vpon the necke of the lost sonne kissest imbracest and feastest him when he returneth from the puddle of pleasures and swill of the swine and disdainest not the repentant praier of thy poore and sinfull seruants whensoeuer with true faith they returne and call vpon thee as we haue most comfortable examples in Dauid Manasses Magdalen Peter and the theefe vpon the gibbet We most hartilie and humblie beseech thy fatherlie goodnesse to looke downe from the throne of thy mercie-seate vpon vs most miserable and sinfull slaues of Satan which with fearfull and trembling harts doo quake and shake at the strange and terrible tokens of thy wrath and indignation appearing most euidentlie vnto vs by the shaking moouing of the earth which is thy footestoole whereby if we be not vtterlie destitute of grace we be warned that thy cōming-downe amongst vs to visit our sinnes in most terrible maner can not be farre off seeing thou treadest so hard vpon this thy footestoole the earth which we most shamefullie haue polluted and defiled with our most wicked sinfull and rebellious liues notwithstanding thy continuall crieng and calling vpon vs by thy seruants the prophets and preachers by whome we haue learned thy will but haue not followed it We haue heard much and done little yea nothing at all but like most peruerse and vnthankfull children haue made a mocke of thy word derided thy ministers and accounted thy threatenings trifles and thy warnings of no weight or moment Wherefore we haue iustlie deserued to taste most deeplie of the bitter cup of thine anger and bengeance by wars famine pestilence yea and eternall death if thou shouldest not temper the rigour of thy iustice with the mildnesse of thy mercie But such is thy fatherlie affection towards vs that thou shewest thy selfe slowe to anger long suffering and of much patience and mercie yea thou art a thousand times more readie to forget and forgiue than we to aske and require forgiuenesse Therefore though we be not woorthie of the least mite of thy mercie yet gratious Lord looke not vpon vs and our sinnes but vpon thine owne selfe and thy sonne Iesus Christ the fountaine of grace the treasure of mercie the salue of all sicknesse the iewell of ioie and the onlie hauen of succour and safetie By him we come to thee in him and for him we trust to find that we haue lost and gaine that he hath got He is the scale of Iacob by whom we climbe vp to thee and thou by the Angels of thy mercie cōmest downe to vs. Him we present vnto thee and not we our selues his death and not our dooings his bloudie wounds and not our detestable deseruings whose merits are so great as thy mercie cannot be little and our ransom so rich that our beggerlie and beastlie sinnes are nothing in thy sight for the great pleasure and satisfaction that thou takest of his paines and passion Turne this late earthquake O Lord to the benefite of thine elect as thou didst when thou shookest the prison loosedst the locks fetters and chaines of thy seruants Paule and Silas and broughtst them out of prison and conuertedst their keeper so gratious Lord strike the harts of tyrants with the terrour of this thy woorke that they may knowe that they are but men and that thou art that Samson that for their mocking and spiting of thee and thy word canst shake the pillers of their palaces and throwe them vpon the furious Philistines heads Turne thy wrath oh Lord from thy children that call vpon thy name to the conuersion or confusion of thine enimies that despise and abhorre thy name and deface thy glory Thou hast knocked long at their doores but they will not open to let thee in Burst open therefore the brasen gates of their stonie harts thou that art able of stones to raise vp children to Abraham And finallie so touch our harts with the finger of thy grace that we maie deeply muse vpon our sinfull liues to amend them and call for thy mercie to forgiue and pardon them through Christ our Lord who liueth with thee and the holie Ghost three persons and one eternall God to whome be all dominion and glorie with praise and thanks-giuing for euer and euer Amen Or else praie thus O Almightie God and most mercifull Father which willest not the death of a sinner but rather that hee should returne and liue we thy seruants most humblie confesse that we haue most greeuouslie offended against thy diuine Maiestie and prouoked thy heauie wrath against vs in that we haue not beleeued and folowed thy Gospell preached vnto vs nor beene thankfull for thy manie verie great benefits bestowed vpon vs yea and being warned by the dangers of other haue beene too carelesse to serue thee oh Lord the Father of all mercie and the God of all consolation which in thy wrath remembrest mercie We acknowledge that in the late terrible earthquake which suddenly shooke vs out of our houses and dwelling places thou didst warne vs of thy iustice and that we for our great vnthankfulnesse and disobedience haue deserued most iust iudgement O Lord we thy seruants being vile earth and miserable sinners yet trembling and quaking at the remembrance of that terrible looke of thy wrathfull displeasure neuer to be forgotten most humblie craue pardon for our sinnes and grace to conuert vnto thee in time Conuert vs O Lord and we shall be conuerted Mollifie our hard harts grant vs a contrite spirit and to turne vnto thee vnfeinedlie in fasting weeping praier Enter not into iudgement with thy seruants spare thy people O Lord spare them and let not thine heritage be brought to confusion Haue mercie vpon vs for thy sonne Iesus Christs sake Giue vs grace hencefoorth to amend our liues and to serue thee in holines and righteousnesse So we acknowledging thy iustice and remembring alwaies that fearefull signe of thy furie in the memorable earthquake which thou sentest y e sixt of Aprill in the yeare one thousand fiue hundred fourescore we shall praise thee for thy mercie and glorifie thy holie name for euer through Iesus Christ our Sauiour Amen At the sight of a blasing starre or other meteors or prodigious signes of Gods iudgment in the heauens praie to preuent the euils foreshewed thereby and saie O Almightie Lord and God whose workemanship is the whole world the heauen and the earth with all the beautie and blessings of the same at the presence of whose power all things doo quake and tremble whose indignation when it threatneth vengeance vnto sinners is vnsufferable and whose promises of mercie are vnmeasurable bicause thou art euen the most high Lord ouer
iniquitie shall be suppressed and thy chosen children be fullie endued with that perfect glorie in the which now our Lord Iesus Christ reigneth to whome with thee O father and the holie Ghost be all honour praise and glorie now and euer Amen In time of inuasion by the Turke and Infidels that make warre in anie part of Christendome praie and that earnestlie as followeth OMnipotent and eternall God father of our Lord Iesus Christ maker preseruer and mainteiner both of heauen and earth together with thy coeternall sonne and the holie Ghost we haue sinned O Lord with our fathers we haue done amisse and dealt wickedlie and therfore we confesse that by thy righteous iudgements we are iustlie punished and haue trulie deserued that barbarous nations and cruell Turks making inuasion into Christendome should spoile vs of our goods ouerthrowe Schooles Churches Common-weales make pitifull hauocke of the promiscuous mixt or confused multitude of sillie weake people as they were sheepe prepared to the shambles and carrie miserable men from the sweet bosoms of their deere freends into far and barbarous nations to a slauerie more greeuous than death O God it is thou which hast repelled vs yea thou makest vs a shame to the nations for our sinnes and goest not foorth to war with our armies Thou makest vs to turne our backs vpon our enimies so that they which hate vs spoile our goods Thou lettest vs to bee eaten like sheepe and hast scattered vs among the heathen Thou sellest thy people for naught and takest no monie for them Therefore he the heathen come into thine inheritance thy holie Temple haue they defiled they haue destroied our townes and houses and brought them into an heape of stones The dead bodies of thy seruants haue they giuen to be meate to the fowles of the aire and the flesh of thy Saincts vnto the beasts of the land Their bloud haue they shed like water on euerie side and there was no man to burie them We are become an open shame to our enimies a verie scorne and derision vnto them that are round about vs. O Lord in these mischieuous warres and in the middest of fatall or mortall punishments which threaten an horrible mutation of worldlie empires we flie vnto thee saieng Helpe vs O God of our saluation for the glorie of thy name O deliuer vs and be mercifull vnto our sinnes O Lord deale not with vs according to our sinnes neither reward vs after our iniquities but haue mercie vpon vs and that soone for we are come to great miserie Looke vpon our aduersitie and miserie and forgiue vs all our sinnes Consider our enimies how manie they be and they beare a tyrannicall hate against vs. Thou which aforetime didst remit the offences of thy people diddest couer all their sinnes and didst turne awaie thine heauie indignation from them turne vs we humblie beseech thee O God our Sauiour and remooue awaie thy displeasure from vs also that in true repentance wee may please thee for thy sonne Christs sake Wilt thou be displeased at vs for euer Or wilt thou stretch thy wrath from one generation to another Oh let the sorowfull sighing of the prisoners come before thee according to the greatnesse of thy power preserue thou those that are appointed to die Powre out thine indignation rather vpon the heathen that haue not knowne thee and vpon the kingdoms that haue not called vpon thy name that all nations may knowe that thou takest vengeance of the bloud of thy seruants that is shed Consider the mortall threatenings of our enimies that they exercise not their crueltie vpon vs and saie triumphantlie Where is now their God Keepe from our necks the greeuous yoke of the Turkish bondage and represse the furiousnesse of all tyrants which labour to spoile and make hauocke of thy Church to abolish true doctrine praiers and pure religion that they may bring in paganisme and build vp idolatrie errours and blasphemous ceremonies Defend our Churches our politike gouernance our Schooles and Uniuersities our cities and dwelling places Suffer not good studies learning religion and lawes being ouerthrowne these our townes to be reduced into stables for sauage Mahomets Turkish tyrants or other bloudie tyrants which hate thee and vs extremelie Arme the right arme of our gratious Queene and hir Nobles as also all other Christian Emperours Kings and Potentates that they may fight for our lawes liues and libertie Teach their hands to warre and their fingers to fight Increase in them an inuincible courage of mind that inflamed through the zeale of thy religion they may valiantlie withstand the Turks which are the mortall enimies of thy deere Sonne and of his Church Guide thou the hands of such as doo fight in the cause of thy religion and grant them happie successe ouer all their enimies For a king is not preserued by his great armie and a giant shall not be saued by the multitude of his host nor warlike strength but the victorie proceedeth from the heauens At thy rebuke O God the chariot and horses fall downe Thou shalt take awaie the courage of princes and art terrible vnto the kings of the earth O be thou our helpe in trouble for vaine is the helpe of man Through thee O mightie Iehoua we shall doo great acts and thou wilt tread our enimies vnder thy feet that they come to naught through our Lord Iesus Christ Amen A thanks-giuing vnto God for the Christians victorie had against the Turks O Mercifull Father O Lord God of hosts the onelie protector and defender of thine heritage against whome no might no power nor counsell can preuaile who of thy great mercie without our merit or deseruing hast at all times protected defended vs from the cruell hand of our enimies and mightilie deliuered vs euen out of the mouth of the roring Lion we yeeld vnto thee O father for these thy great goodnesses and mercies most humble hartie thanks and especiallie O father we praise thy holie name that at this present thou hast saued and deliuered thy people from the great assaults and dangers of that same professed mightie enimie of Christian Religion the Turke and also hast giuen vnto the people which fought thy battels battelled vnder thy banner and trusted onlie in thy helpe so great and notable a victorie for the which O Lord God we doo laud and magnifie thy holie name for euer through Christ our Captaine Redeemer and Sauiour beseeching thee for thy mercifull goodnesse that thou wouldest sheeld vs vnder thy mightie protection for euer that we hauing the fruition of godlie peace through thy mercie may the rest of these few daies which we haue to liue lead a peaceable and a quiet life in all pietie and honestie through Christ our Lord to whome with thee and the holie Ghost be all honour glorie and praise for euer and euer Amen O God whose nature and propertie is euer to haue mercie and to forgiue receiue our humble petitions And though
Christs sake Amen Another praier for the accomplishing of Gods will reuealed in his lawe SUCH truelie are to be accounted right happie amongst mortall men O most good and mercifull God as haue thy sacred lawe alwaie set out before the eies of their mind which they make as a patterne to begin their life by and as a rule to proceed by when they haue begun so that if they shall happen to go astraie their fault may both be amended thereby and they also leade a more vertuous life according vnto iustice These shall liue blamelesse and when their dooings shall be examined by vpright iudgement they shall not be ashamed which will greatlie auaile if it be diligentlie practised from the tender age But I hartilie acknowledge and earnestlie confesse O most deere father that all mans policie is altogether vnprofitable and none accompt at all to be made thereof vnlesse thou be present with thy blessed spirit and dooest direct our minds For otherwise what gaine may we haue by hearing or meditating of thy holie lawe than a cold and verie hurtfull knowledge Wherefore my earnest request is that thou wouldest not onlie minister strength vnto vs by thy grace for the accomplishing of these things which thou commandest in thy diuine lawe but also to bring this vnto good effect so that we may haue more felicitie in them than in all our owne deuises and take a greater delight in the continuall practise and due execution thereof than in anie fleshlie or worldlie pleasures through Iesus Christ our Lord Amen Another praier for strength speedilie to accomplish Gods diuine lawe WHen as we on the one side doo consider the weaknes of our strength O most mightie God and contrariwise the absolutenesse and perfectnesse of thy blessed lawe we euidentlie perceiue that for the obteining thereof thy most puissant helpe will stand vs in verie great steed First therefore teach vs the true waies of thy holie commandements moreouer illuminate in such sort our mind and vnderstanding as we may be able to incline with great feruencie vnto those things which thou hast both taught and commanded Furthermore it is needefull for thee to graunt vs power and abilitie to performe whatsoeuer we haue learned of thee otherwise it shall profit vs little or nothing at all to haue knowledge vnlesse some part of obedience be either performed or at least-wise begun in vs which the lewd inclination of our sinfull harts doth greatlie hinder and finallie our senses and corrupt affections are woonderfull huge aduersaries heerevnto Succour thou vs therfore we humblie beseech thee with thy good grace and aboundant fauour forgiuing whatsoeuer we haue committed and doo dailie after a most sinfull manner against thy sacred lawe neither let it be imputed vnto vs for our eternall destruction And in the meane season O good God quicken and lift vs so vp with thy vnspeakable louing mercie which we see offred vnto vs in the benigne promises of thy holie scriptures that thou wouldest not permit vs to swarue from thy sacred lawe which thou hast vouchsafed to set before vs who doo with much feruencie desire to be vnseparablie annexed vnto thee But grant that we may execute with an exceeding feruent desire the charge which is left vnto vs so that we may maruellous speedilie bestir our steps and feet towards the fulfilling of thy blessed lawe Cause thou vs O excellent father we humblie beseech thee to cut off and cast aside all delaies and that contrarie to the expectation of the vngodlie who alwaies cast lets to entrap vs we may be obedient to thy sacred precepts so that all those which honour and loue thee purelie may accompanie vs that like as the earth is euerie-where replenished with thy inestimable goodnes so the number of thy true and faithfull suppliants may be dailie more and more greatlie augmented through Iesus Christ our Lord Amen A praier to be vsed of anie excommunicate person or notorious sinner before the dooing of open penance in the Church for true conuersion and repentance c. ETernall and euerliuing God Father of our Lord Iesus Christ thou that by the mouth of thy holie Prophets and Apostles hast plainelie pronounced that thou desirest not the death of a sinner but rather that he may conuert and liue who also hast sent thine onelie sonne to suffer the cruell death of the crosse not for the iust but for such as find themselues oppressed with the burthen of sinne that by him and his aduocation they may haue accesse to the throne of thy grace being assured that before they crie they shall find fauour and mercie Unto thee most mercifull God doo I miserable wretch crie whome for my filthie life lewd conuersation and proud contempt of thee and thy holy lawe thou to the griefe dolour of manie good Christian harts dooest iustlie scourge and punish by the censures of thy Church and hast woorthilie cut off secluded and reiected by excommunication from thy mysticall body making me now a spectacle to God to angels and to men Unto thee I saie O Lord and maister of all power which callest offenders vnto thee by waie of iudgement and affliction and knowest the hardnesse of our harts which haue no power of our selues to returne and rise vp doo I come and that in the name of thy Sonne my Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christ to acknowledge before thee and this congregation my heinous sinnes wherewith I haue too shamefullie polluted my selfe and offended thee and thy Church And heere prostrate at the feete of thy Maiestie I craue mercie and pardon of thee and aske forgiuenesse of all the world especiallie of this congregation whome I confesse I haue offended Most humblie beseeching thee O father of mercies to looke vpon me with thine eies of pitie euen as thou lookedst sometime vpon the sinfull woman taken in adulterie and vpon Marie Magdalen in the banket which prostrating hir selfe at thy feet bitterlie did bewaile hir wickednesse Likewise fauour me as thou didst the Publicane standing a far off in the Temple without lifting vp his eies vnto heauen for shame but striking his brest onelie said Lord be mercifull vnto me a sinner And first O God that thou wilt pierce through my hardened hart and moue it by the power of thy holie spirit in such sort that I may come to a true knowledge of my sinnes and feele in my soule and conscience the terrour of thy iudgement vpon all offenders Especiallie O Lord that as I haue offended thy Maiestie and a great number of this thy Christian congregation by my detestable fact and greeuous sinne so beeing armed by thy grace to endure this mortification of my flesh like as my Sauiour Iesus suffered for me in his flesh I may now subiect my selfe to the iust ordinance of thy Church and not refuse openlie heere to acknowledge and confesse my faults and that with all Christian patience and true humiliation giuing to thee the glorie of thy name before the face
to destruction that we may be saued with those few that are appointed therevnto in Iesus Christ to whome with thee and the holie Ghost be all honor praise and glorie for euermore Amen A thanks-giuing for the conuersion of an excommunicate person or other publike offender after penance WE thanke the mercie and goodnesse of our God through Iesus Christ our Lord for the conuersion patient penance doing of this our sister whereby she hath not so much endured the reproch and infamie of hir owne sinnes as in deede she hath confounded and ouercome Satan hir deadlie foe who went about to make hir his continuall slaue and by whose subtile sleights and euill suggestions she hath heretofore beene disobedient to thy holie lawes and wholsome admonitions of thy Church And now O Lord seeing that the spirit of our Lord Iesus Christ hath so farre preuailed in hir that she is returned to our societie let it please thee for the obedience of the same our Lord Iesus Christ so to accept hir that hir former disobedience and sinnes be neuer laid to hir charge but that she may increase in all goodnesse till Satan finallie be troden vnder hir feete and ours by the power of our Lord Iesus Christ to whom with thee and the holie Spirit be all honor and glorie now and euer Amen Before the publike administration of the holie sacrament of Baptisme the better to call to mind our owne vow and promise made long since vnto God praie priuatelie to your selfe and saie O Most blessed fore-goer and guide of Christian people Iesu Christ who submitting and humbling thy selfe vouchsafedst to be baptised of Iohn in the riuer Iordan and wast not onlie baptised in water but also in blood and in the holie Ghost vouchsafe euen so to incline bow and dispose our outwarde life with our inward mind affects and desires in the fulfilling of all righteousnesse so that we being now mortified dead to the old Adam through thy holie witnesse of baptisme by the working and operation of the holie Ghost may alwaie haue our holy couenant in remembrance before our eies that couenaunt vow and promise I saie which we haue taken vpon vs in our baptisme to the intent that we as faithfull champions striuing against the world the flesh and the diuell may vanquish and ouercome them with all other which might be noifull and hurtfull vnto vs Amen Or giue thanks for our regeneration and sanctification as afterward in the praier vpon Whitsundaie Or praie thus for the spirituall washing awaie of thy sinnes HAue mercie on me O GOD according to thy great tendernesse of hart For in wickednesse borne I was and in sinnes my mother conceiued me so that of nature all that I am I am but sin This my confession of the truth I knowe well is right acceptable vnto thee wheras in the most part of others thou hast either hid the same or made it vnknowne Purge and sprinkle mee with the bloud of Iesus Christ thine vnspotted lambe If thou wash me I shall be as white as snowe wash me thoroughlie therfore from mine errours clense me not onlie of my sinnes passed but also of my whole life to come so shall I receiue these glad tidings into my hart that my sins be forgiuen me With the baptisme of spirit in the fire of thine illumination baptise me which is the might efficacie of baptisme which we receiued in our childhood Grant that the same spirit might alwaie conduct vs let this spirituall washing of baptisme continue with vs vntill the infection and vice which we haue by nature of old Adam be perfectlie taken awaie by the death of the flesh through Iesus Christ our Lord Amen Or praie that the benefits of both the holie Sacraments may be applied vnto our soules health O Blessed Trinitie and eternall God of one essence giue grace that in euerie combate and especiallie at the point of death being mindfull of thy couenant made with vs at our Christening of thy most comfortable promise anexed He which beleeueth and is baptised shall bee saued we may neuer doubt either of thy mercifull good-will towards vs or of the free remission of our sinnes but by often remembring this signe and couenant may dailie more and more be confirmed in faith and hope of perpetuall happinesse and applie thy benefits which certainlie thou hast promised and faithfullie wilt performe vnto our selues For thy promises made to such as beleeue and trust in thee be not vaine and to no purpose Likewise vphold our soules by the Sacrament of thy Supper that strengthened with the seale of this new testament we may be the more certaine and confirmed touching our reconciliation and euerlasting righteousnesse alwaies beare it fixed in our minds For if the testament of a man which is prooued after the death of the Testator be not small accounted of much more should the last testament and holie Sacrament of our Sauiour Christ remaine pure and in continuall force and remembrance Or praie that we may rightlie and trulie receiue the blessed Sacraments O Most mercifull God and louing father who by thy son Iesus Christ hast abrogated the superfluous ceremonies of the Lawe and hast deliuered vs from the bondage thereof giuing vnto vs sure certaine seals and sacraments of thy grace and our free redemption through the most pretious bloud of thy deere Sonne Iesus Christ Grant O Lord we beseech thee that we may euermore vse them according to thy sonne our Sauiours institution who hath left them as pledges of his great loue towards mankind as continuall remembrances of his most pretious death which he suffered vpon the wood of the crosse for our redemption who by the fountaine of water hath regenerated vs and by his most pretious bloud hath purged vs. Make vs therefore to receiue these holie mysteries without corruption to vse them without alteration to continue them without superstition to the honour and glorie of thy most holie name through Iesu Christ our Lord to whom with thee and the holie Ghost be all honour and glorie now and for euer Amen After publike baptisme praie and giue thanks secretlie to yourselfe as time will serue saieng WE yeeld thee most hartie thanks O heauenlie Father for that it hath pleased thee to regenerate vs with the fountaine of water by faith in the bloud of thy sonne Iesus Christ and to purge vs from that originall sinne which we receiued of the old Eue. But who is able oh Lord to to giue thee sufficient praises Or who can expresse thy louing kindnesse and great mercies towards mankinde who hast not onlie redeemed him from the yoke of the lawe the bondage of hell and destruction of the diuell but also like a mercifull and louing father euen in our first entrance into this world washedst vs from iniquitie and hast giuen vs the Sacrament of Baptisme euen as a memoriall of our election in thy Sonne Iesus Christ our Lord whereby
vnto thee by repentance and through consideration of this new and eternall couenant touching the remission of sinnes made with vs be erected and vpholden vnto a liuelie and puissant hope O sweet Iesu grant that being fast linked vnto thee by this holy mysterie I may receiue power strength from thee beleeuing thy promises and be wholie addicted therevnto without anie doubting that so my conscience in feare and troubles may haue perfect consolation Suffer me not to be separated from the members of thy bodie which is the Church whereof thou art head fulfilling all in all but graunt that abiding in thy word and kingdome I may be without fault in the foundation and without sinne against my conscience and walke worthie this Sacrament forsaking vtterlie and renouncing the diuell and all idolatrie all vices and carnall desires which fight against the soule For we cannot be partakers of the Lords table and of the diuels too Make me also to remember that by this Sacrament I am bound to doo good vnto others For as manie graines of corne doo make one loafe and manie grapes make one wine so being manie yet are we but one loafe and one bodie in asmuch as we all participate of one bread and drinke of one cup. Ioine vs therefore togither O Sauiour of the world at this common banket through the band of loue that we may be fastened vnto thee our head that as thou didst die for vs so we againe may not feare to suffer and to giue our liues for the glorie of thy name that we neuer be separated from thee neither in life nor death Make vs also hartilie to loue one another like the true and liuelie members of thy bodie that if neede require we may giue our liues for our brethren Suffer not concord of minds to be broken For he that receiueth the mysterie of vnitie and keepeth not the bond of peace he doth not receiue the mysterie for himselfe but a testimonie against himselfe Giue grace therefore that leauing aside all wrath fiercenesse maliciousnesse and enuie we may forgiue one another euen as thou forgiuest vs and beare one with another for the better auoiding of strife dissention sectes and pernicious heresies Keepe this thine ordinance and right vse of thy Sacrament amongst vs euermore that this good worke and diuine ceremonie may alwaies be a note and badge of our publike profession whereby we are knowne from pagans and tokens of loue confession and thankefulnesse Remoue awaie all abuses and prophanations of this holie and sacred supper together with the horrible and idolatrous adorations inuented by Sathan and his members to the shamefull deforming of thy godlie goodlie institution but maintaine I humblie beseech thee the true and vnpolluted vse thereof till thy pleasure is to returne in the clouds to iudgement with great power and glorie that it neuer be out of remembrance and last of all at our resurrection from death appoint vs places of thine heauenly table where we may taste the new wine in the kingdome of thy father abiding with thine elect Angels and blessed Saincts for euermore Amen A meditation of the trust which a Christian soule ought to haue in the passion of our Lord Iesu with a thanks-giuing vnto God for the manifold benefits thereof I Might despaire verelie because of my manifold sinnes and negligences without number if it were not that thy word O God was made flesh and dwelt amongst vs. But I can not neither dare I now despaire because that seeing when we were enimies we were reconciled by the death of thy Sonne who being obedient vnto thee to the death yea euen to the shamefull death of the Crosse hath taken awaie the hand-writing of our sinnes and nailing the same to his crosse hath crucified both sinne and death How much more are we now reconciled and saued by him For all the hope certitude and surenesse of all my trust is in his pretious bloud which was shead for vs and for our saluation In him doo I take hartening and by meanes of him who sitteth at the right hand of God and sueth for vs I looke backe with a carelesse eie and now trusting in him in whome I am alreadie risen againe and receiued alreadie mounted vp into heauen and there doo sit among the Angels I haue a desire to come vnto thee not hauing mine owne righteousnesse but that which I haue through the same thy Sonne our Lord Iesu Christ For the which O most mercifull God and most gentle louer of mankind we giue thee thanks who through Iesus Christ thy Sonne our Lord when we were not didst mightilie make vs and when we were lost through our sinnes most maruellouslie didst deliuer and recouer vs againe To thy goodnesse I saie doo I giue thanks and manifold praises doo I shew foorth to thee with all my hart mind which through the vnspeakable loue wherewith thou hast vouchsafed of thy maruellous goodnesse to loue vs wretches and vnworthie to be beloued didst send the same thine onelie begotten Sonne from thy bosome vnto our Common-weale to saue vs sinners which were at that time the children of perdition and damnation I render vnto thee all possible thanks for his holie incarnation and natiuitie and for the blessed virgin Marie his mother vpon whom he did vouchsafe to take flesh for vs and for our saluation to the intent that like as he is verie God of God so he might be verie man of man I giue thee condigne thanks for his passion and crosse for his death and resurrection for his ascension into heauen and his seate of his Maiestie on thy right hand I giue thee thanks I saie for that most sacred shedding foorth of his pretious bloud wherewith we are redeemed and also for the most holie and quickening sacrifice of his blessed bodie bloud which this daie and dailie in thy Church we feed of and drinke of wherewith also we are washed cleansed and sanctified are made partakers of the onelie high diuinitie Finallie I giue thee thanks for the maruellous and vnspeakable charitie and loue wherewith thou didst loue vs vnwoorthie persons and didst saue vs by thine onelie and beloued sonne For so thou didst loue the world that thou gauest thine onlie begotten sonne to the intent that none which trulie beleeue in him shuld perish but haue euerlasting life And this thing verilie is euerlasting life to knowe thee and also Iesus Christ whom thou hast sent to be verie God by an vpright faith and works woorthie for such a faith Wherefore with all my hart and mouth I doo confesse praise and blesse thee O God the father vnbegotten and thee O God the sonne onlie begotten also thee O holie Ghost and comforter To thee O blessed trinitie be all glorie and praise thanks togither with all power dominion and might in the world of worlds for euer Amen A meditation to be vsed after the receiuing of the holie Communion to stirre vs vp through the
enimies to helpe thy weaknesse to possesse thee with peace and gladnesse to make thee thankfull to thy redeemer and carefull to lead a godlie conuersation and to comfort thee with their presence in weale and wo thou hast receiued his bodie I saie to indue thee with euerlasting righteousnesse to assure thee of perpetuall blisse and life eternall For with Christ by true faith art thou my soule quickened againe from death of sin to life of grace and in hope translated from corporall and euerlasting death to the euerlasting life of glorie in heauen where now from hencefoorth thy conuersation indeed should be and thy hart and desire alwaie fixed and set Doubt not therfore O my soule of the truth of this matter how great and high so euer these mysteries and things be For it becommeth thy God to doo no little deeds how impossible so euer they seeme to thee But praie to God hartilie that thou maist haue faith to perceiue these great mysteries that by faith thou maist certeinlie knowe and beleeue nothing to be impossible with God Onelie bring thou faith I saie to Christs holie word and Sacraments and thou shalt well feele and perceiue the benefits of Christ conteined therein to thy comfort Let thy repentance shew thy faith also let thy purpose of amendement and obedience of thy hart to Gods lawe hereafter declare thy true beleefe And now endeuour thy selfe O my soule to saie with S. Paule From hencefoorth my conuersation is in heauen from whence I looke for a Sauiour euen the Lord Iesus Christ which shall change our vile bodies that they may be made and fashioned like to his glorious bodie which he shall doo by the same power whereby he rose againe from death and wherby he shall be able to subdue all things vnto himselfe For else what shall it auaile thee O my soule to bee escaped and deliuered from the filthinesse of the world through the knowledge of thy Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christ if thou be intangled againe therewith and be thereby ouercome againe Certeinlie it had beene better neuer to haue knowne the waie of righteousnesse than after it is knowne and receiued to turne back-ward againe from the holie and most righteous commandements of God giuen vnto thee so shall the prouerbe be verified of thee where it is said The dog is returned to his vomit againe and the sow that was washed to hir wallowing in the mire againe Oh what a shame were it for thee O my soule being thus so cleerelie and freelie washed from thy sinnes to returne to the filthinesse thereof againe What a great follie were it thus indued with righteousnesse to loose it againe Yea what wilfull madnesse were it to loose the inheritance that thou art now set in for the vile and transitorie pleasures of sinne Finallie what vnnaturall vnkindnesse should it be where thy Sauiour Christ of his meere mercie is come to thee to dwell within thee as thy ghest to driue him from thee and to banish him violentlie out of thee and in stead of him in whome is all grace and vertue to receiue the vngratious spirit of the diuell the founder of all vnrighteousnesse naughtinesse and mischiefe Oh my soule how canst thou find in thy hart I saie to shew such extreame vnkindnes to Christ Iesus which hath now so gentlie called thee to mercie offered and giuen himselfe vnto thee and is now entred into thee Yea how darest thou be so bold to renounce the presence of the Father the Sonne and the holie Ghost for where one is there God all whole in Maiestie together with all his power wisedome and goodnesse is and fearest thou not the danger and perill of so traiterous a defiance and departure O my soule aduise thy selfe well what thou dooest consider the dignitie thou art now set in and how thou art therfore cleansed washed sanctified and renewed that thou shouldest from hencefoorth sinne no more but serue God in true holinesse and righteousnesse all the daies of thy life that in the end thou maist reigne with him in euerlasting life If thou refuse so great grace whereto thou art called what other thing dooest thou than heape vp thy damnation more and more and so prouoke God to cast his heauie displeasure vpon thee and by his iust plagues to reuenge this thy mockage of his holie Sacraments in so great abusing of them Be verie warie and well aduised therefore I saie O my soule how from hencefoorth thou dooest behaue thy selfe and let not follie loose that thing which grace hath so pretiouslie offered and purchased Let not wilfulnesse and blindnesse put out so great light as is shewed vnto thee but applie thy selfe to liue in Christ that Christ may still liue in thee whose fauour and assistance if thou haue then hast thou euerlasting life alreadie within thee then can nothing hurt thee whatsoeuer is hitherto done amisse and committed Christ thou seest hath offered thee pardon and cleerelie receiued thee into his fauour againe in full suretie whereof thou hast him now presentlie inhabiting and dwelling within thee Onlie take good hart vnto thee shew thy selfe thankefull in thy life and determine with thy selfe to refuse auoid detest and abhorre all such things in thy conuersation as should offend the eies of his mercie Endeuour thy selfe now I saie O my soule that waie to rise vp againe which waie thou hast fallen into the pit or sinke of sin as if by thy tong thou hast offended now thereby rise againe and glorifie God therewithall accustome it to laud and praise the name of God as thou hast therewith dishonoured it And as thou hast hurt the good name of thy neighbour or otherwise hindered him so now intend to restore it to him againe for without restitution God accepteth not thy confession nor yet thy repentance It is not ynough to forsake euill except thou set thy courage to doo good By what occasion soeuer therfore thou hast offended I saie turne now the occasion vnto the honouring of God and profiting of thy neighbour True it is O my soule that sin is strong and affections vnrulie yea and hard it is to subdue and resist thy nature so corrupt and leauened with the sowre bitternesse of the poison which thou receiuedst by thé inheritance of thine old father Adam but yet neuerthelesse be of good cheere for Christ thy Sauiour hath ouercome the world and all other enimies for thee Sin shall not haue power ouer thee for thou art now vnder grace though thy power be weake yet Christ is risen againe to strengthen thee in the battell his holie spirit shall helpe thine infirmities In full trust therefore of this confidence O my soule take a good hart vnto thee I saie be of a good courage in the Lord and put vpon thee all the holie armour of God that thou maist stand fast against the enimies which would againe assault and subdue thee and bring thee againe into their thraldome slauerie and bondage
Remember now O my soule that thou art brought from thy vaine conuersation and that thy freedome is purchased neither with gold nor siluer but with the deere price of the most pretious hart bloud of that innocent and immaculate lambe Iesus Christ And euen now at the least O my soule begin and take in hand in the name and feare of God to purge the old leauen of sinne and wickednesse that corrupteth and sowreth the sweetnesse of thy life before the maiestie of God that thou maist be as new and fresh dough void of all sowre leauen of wickednesse so shalt thou shew thy selfe to be sweet bread to God that he may haue his delight in thee so shalt thou declare thy selfe a worthie host for such a ghest and that Christes gifts and graces haue their effect in thee and that thou hast the right beleefe and knowledge of his holie mysteries now receiued of thee finallie so shalt thou in applieng thy faith to the vertue of this holie Sacrament and in thy life and conuersation conforming and fashioning thy selfe to the example and signification meant thereby be most certaine and sure to liue in this life happilie in the world to come to dwell with Christ whome thou hast now receiued in euerlasting glorie which God for his mercies sake and for the deere and pretious merits of his onelie Sonne our Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christs sake grant vnto vs Amen The Praier SO great and manifold are thy benefits O most good and mercifull God towards mankind as all people in euerie place ought greatlie to laud woorthilie to praise and highlie to extoll magnifie thy blessed name For what thing can be more pleasant to men than that thou dooest easilie heare them at what time they call vpon thee for such things as they stand in need of In what other good things ought we more to reioice of than this for that thou yeeldest thy selfe appeased and fauourable to our iniquities Or why bee we not right happie and blessed whome thou diddest vouchsafe to annexe vnto thy selfe in thy sacred congregation in feeding our hungrie stomachs with spirituall good things and heauenlie deinties and refreshing vs continuallie with the most exquisite and well furnished banket of thy blessed Sacraments making vs to eate aboundantlie of thy heauenlie Manna and food of Angels and to drinke plentiouslie of the full cup of thy holie spirit and diuine grace to our endlesse comfort and consolation in thee Oh Lord thou dealest fauourablie euen with all other creatures also for thine elects sake Thou stablishest the mountaines stillest the raging of the sea appeasest the madnesse of the people and dooest refresh and lighten with great ioie the vttermost parts of the earth through the brightnesse of the heauenlie fires Thou sendest seasonable weather and timelie showers whereby onlie commeth fertilitie of the feelds woonderfullie garnished with all kinde of fruites whereby both men and beasts haue aboundantlie wherewith to feed Grant thou therefore thus much also vnto vs who art the author of so manie good things that we may alwaie be mindfull thereof to render most condigne thanks vnto thee and that an alteration of our old leauen being now made through the vertue of this blessed Sacrament which we haue receiued we may like the eagle from time to time renew our youth in godlines of life and vse to our health and comfort those things which thou so louinglie bestowest vpon vs thorough Iesus Christ our Lord Amen At the solemnization of Matrimonie praie thus ALmightie God and most mercifull father who hast ordeined marriage to be kept without blame or breach to the end not suffering that anie should put asunder those whome thou hast ioined together Sanctifie those which are called to this estate of life to keepe it according to thy holie institution and ordinance And furthermore as thou requirest that we should loue thee aboue all things esteeming more thy fauour than either the riches or honour of this world or life it selfe so we beseech thee O Lord to teach vs how to vse these transitorie things that we abuse them not in setting our harts vpon them or delighting more in them than is meete but that we may so loue our husbands children house lands and our owne liues or whatsoeuer thou giuest vs for our comfort heere for a time that we may keepe still the highest degree of our loue for thee our spirituall husband so that where the question shall be betweene thee and anie thing else we may make losse of all things to abide perfectlie in our loue towards thee to the end to whome with the father and the holie ghost be all laud and praise for euer and euer Amen Or as at the solemnization of Matrimonie in the fift Lampe At the buriall of anie meditate and praie as followeth O Lord Iesu Christ Sonne of God which art the giuer of eternall life we hartilie thanke thee because thou art inwardlie touched with mercie towards vs oppressed both with temporall and euerlasting miseries thou hast tasted death and with thy flesh thou hast touched the graue and earth wherby it is sanctified and made light to the godlie so that it can not keepe them in etternall death According to thy commandement there stand the bringers and ministers of death euen sinne and Satan but thou pluckest the faithfull out of the iawes of death bringest them to a new life through the comfort of thy Gospell teachest them to speake and sound foorth thy glorie cōmendest them in this life to the mother the Church and at length death and all euils being subdued thou wilt bring them into thy kingdome Wee humblie beseech thee take mercie vpon thy Church in these miserable daies For she is as a widowe destitute of all worldlie helpe and dependeth onlie vpon thy mercifull aid and protection Speake vnto hir with cheerfull voice and saie Weepe not powre vpon thine the true light of faith and comfort lift vs vp in the mids of death with a confidence of thy presence and hope of eternall life Driue awaie the gard of death teach vs to set foorth thy truth and at the length let vs be placed with the sweet mother of all Saints in the true countrie of that happie citie Ierusalem where we shall for euermore enioie the blessed sight both of thee and thy heauenlie congregation Amen Another deuout praier at burials LORD thou art God for euer short is our life alwaies some of vs die other some come into the world and with thee a thousand yeeres bee but one daie yea as the least minute of an houre This life passeth awaie as dooth a dreame euen as grasse in the field greene to daie and drie to morowe If thou be displeased then we be lost if thou chasten then shrinke we for feare For thorough sinnes we be dead vnto thee Certes Lord if thou haue respect to our sinnes who shall continue Shew vs how manie be the daies of our life that we
may dispend them wiselie to the praise of thy name least that we falselie trusting vpon long life might come vnto death Oh good God how fraile and corrupt a worke be we indeed Euen but verie dust and ashes and the length of our daies be as the flower in the field No man can deliuer himselfe from death no man can saue his owne soule from the graue thou onelie O Lord must doo it namelie to such as beleeue in thee O my GOD haue mercie vpon me and take mee not awaie vnprouided in the middest of my daies but let me go to my graue in a full age Let me remember mine end that when I shall depart out of this life I be not depriued of euerlasting life Let me beare alwaies before mine eies the shortnesse of this life and what a vanitie and what a thing of naught it is as well the men themselues as all their things and affaires Staie my feete O Lord that at no time they slip with some cruell zeale or enuie that I might haue at the vngodlie which for the most part passe their liues quietlie and die more quietlie I beseech thee let not thy chosen persons be discouraged nor offended by this thy godlie prouidence in ordering of worldlie things nor shrinke from thee by reason thereof but rather let vs remember in what dangers in verie deed these vngodlie be in and with how vnhappie a conclusion and terme they close finish their happie course And againe on the contrarie part what pleasantnesse of conscience and what comfort and quietnesse shall followe this our vnquietnesse Finallie O good God in the daie of my buriall when all my friends shrinke from me doo not thou forsake me when my father and mother husband and children forsake me vouchsafe thou O Lord to take me vp and defend me from the roring lions that wait for their praie lead mee safelie through the vnknown countrie bring me happilie to the streets of the heauenlie Zion wherein is the habitation of all that reioice in thee and there set mee amongst thine Angels before the face of thine owne Maiestie where with the Patriarchs Prophets Apostles Martyrs Confessors Uirgins yea and with all my deere parents and faithfull friends in full measure of happinesse passing excellent glorie and superabundant ioie of thanks-giuing and praise I may magnifie thee my God among thy chosen holie ones for euer and euer Amen Sée another praier in the Ladie Aburgauennies praiers Another meditation of death O GOD what other thing doo wee daily in this present life than heape sinne vpon sinne and hourd trespas vpon trespas So that this daie is woorse alwaies than yesterdaie by increasing as daies so sins and therefore thine indignation good Lord against vs but when we shall be let go out of the prison of this bodie and so taken into thy blessed companie then shall we be in most safetie of immortalitie and saluation then shall come vnto vs no sicknesse no need no paine no kind of euill to soule or bodie but whatsoeuer good we can wish that shall we haue and whatsoeuer we loath shall be farre from vs. Oh deere Father that we had faith to behold these things accordinglie Oh that our harts were persuaded thereof and our affections inflamed with the desire of them Then should we liue in longing for that which now we most loath Oh helpe vs and grant that we being ignorant of things to come and of the time of our death which to thee is certaine may so liue and finish our iournie here that we may be readie and then depart when our departing may make most to thy glorie and our comfort through Iesus Christ our Lord Amen Another sweet meditation of the longing of the soule to be with God out of Saint Augustine O Kingdome of all worlds eternall wherein is ioie surmounting all ioies and the peace of God which passeth all vnderstanding wherein also the soules of all holie folke doo rest and reigne with thee O Lord in euerlasting ioie mirth and gladnesse When shall I enter into thee that I may see my God which dwelleth in thee When shall I go thither behold this great sight What is it that holds me backe Wo is me that my soiourning is prolonged wo is me how long shall it be said vnto me Wait and wait againe And now to what purpose is my waiting My Lord God doo we not wait and watch for the Sauiour our Lord Iesus Christ to come and repaire our base bodies vnto the likenesse of his glorious bodie We wait and watch like wise virgins with our loines girt and our lamps burning for the Lord our Bridegroome when he should come from the Bridehouse to fetch vs into his wedding Come Lord Iesus and tarie not come Lord Iesu Christ come visit vs in peace come lead vs prisoners out of prison that we may reioice before thee with a perfect hart come our Sauiour thou that art longed for of all nations and people come shew thy countenance vnto vs and we shall be safe come my light and my redeemer my GOD and my spouse take my soule out of prison that it may giue praise vnto thy name How long shall I be tossed in the waues of my mortalitie crieng vnto thee Lord and thou hearest me not Lord heare me how I crie vnto thee out of this huge sea and bring me to the hauen of endlesse blisse Happie are they O God which are conueied out of this sea and haue obteined to arriue at thee the safest harborough of all hauens O happie are they indeed which are escaped alreadie from sea to shore from banishment home into their owne countrie and from prison into a palace enioieng their wished rest Blessed are they that alreadie haue gained the garland of endlesse glorie which they sought for here by manie tribulations and ioie now in happie mirth for euer O blessed are they indeed O treble and foure-times blessed are they which being alreadie quite rid of all miseries haue atteined to the kingdome of beautifulnesse and euerlasting blissefulnesse and are assured of their vnappearable glorie For there is ioie endlesse mirth sorowlesse health griefelesse waie without labour light without darknesse life without death Happie therefore I saie are those that alreadie haue escaped the shipwracke of this present miserable life and obteined the grace to come to so great ioies in heauen But alas we are yet still in the waues of the sea longing for thee O Lord the hauen of our sea O Ierusalem the heauenlie countrie of ours O quiet countrie we looke towards thee and ken thee a farre off Wee hale thee from this sea we sigh vnto thee out of this vale of miserie and labour with teares if we may by anie meanes attaine vnto thee O Christ God and the onlie hope of all mankind our refuge and strength whose brightnesse inlighteneth our eies a farre off as the beames of the sea-starre dooth in the mistie darknesse
vnthankefulnesse doth greatlie displease thee which is the roote of all spirituall euill and a wind that blasteth and burneth vp all good damming vp the fountaine of thy godlie mercie for euer Through it the works that be dead alreadie reuiue not and the works that be aliue doo die out of hand and recouer not againe But I thy creature will giue thanks to thee O Lord least I be vnthankefull to thee my deliuerer for the deliuering of me How often had that dragon swallowed me vp long ago but that thou O Lord hadst plucked me out of his mouth How often haue I sinned he stood readie to snatch me vp but that thou didst defend me O Lord my God When I dealt wickedlie and when I brake thy commandements he stood waiting to carrie me awaie to hell but thou withstoodest him I offended thee and thou didst defend me I feared thee not and yet thou didst keepe me I started awaie from thee and yeelded my selfe to mine enimie and yet thou didst fraie him awaie that he should not take mee These good turnes hast thou done for me O Lord my God I wretch wist it not For so hast thou often times deliuered me out of the diuels chaps plucked me out of the lions mouth and manie and sundrie waies brought me backe againe from hell though I wist it not For I haue gone downe to the verie gates of hell but thou hast held me from going in I drew neere to deaths dore but thou hast not suffered it to take me in Also thou hast oftentimes preserued mée from bodilie death O my sauiour when I haue beene attached with sore sicknesses and when I haue beene in manie dangers by sea and by land thou hast alwaies stood by me deliuering me from fire and from sword and from all perill and mercifullie preseruing me Trulie Lord thou knowest that if death had dispatched me at that time hell had receiued my soule and I had beene damned for euer but thy mercie and thy grace preuented me rescuing me from bodilie death and also from the death of my soule O my Lord God These and manie other good turnes hast thou done for me I saie and I was blind and wist it not vntill thou inlightenedst me Now therefore O light of my soule my Lord God my life whereby I liue the sight of mine eies wherewith I see behold thou hast inlightened me and I perceiue how I liue through thee And I yeeld thee thanks though little woorth and slender and farre from thy benefits howbeit yet such as my frailtie hath to giue For thou onelie art my God and my gratious maker which louest our soules and hatest none of the things that thou hast made Behold I am the chiefe among the sinners whom thou hast saued that I may be an example vnto others of thy most merciful louing kindnes I will acknowledge thy great benefits vnto thee For thou hast plucked me out of the bottome of hell once and twise and thrise and an hundred times and a thousand times Yea I alwaies made toward hell and thou didst alwaies bring me backe againe when thou mightest iustlie haue damned me if thou haddest would but thou wouldest not O Lord my GOD bicause thou louest mens soules and bearest with mens sinnes that they might repent all thy waies be full of mercie Now therefore O Lord my God I see these things and discerne them by thy light and my hart is astonished at thy great mercie towards me in that thou hast deliuered my soule from the bottome of hell and brought me backe againe to life For I was starke dead and thou hast made me thoroughlie aliue againe Therfore am I altogither beholden to thee for my life And whole as I am I yeeld my selfe wholie vnto thee Let my whole spirit my whole hart my whole bodie and my whole life liue vnto thee my sweet life For thou hast deliuered me whole that thou mightest possesse me whole thou hast made me whole new againe that thou mightest haue me whole againe And therefore let me loue thee O Lord my strength let me loue thee O mine vnspeakable ioie and let mee liue hencefoorth not to my selfe but vnto thee All my whole life which was perished in mine owne wretchednesse is reuiued againe in thy mercie For thou art a pitifull and mercifull GOD and manie are thy compassions towards thousands in them that loue thy name And therfore O Lord my God thou my sanctifier hast commanded me in thy lawe that I should loue thee with all my hart with all my might yea euen from the bottome of my hart at all houres and times wherein I enioie the benefits of thy mercie For I should perish for euer but that thou rulest me euer I should euer die but that thou euer quickenest me yea euerie moment thou bindest me vnto thee in as much as euerie moment thou bestowest thy great benefits vpon me Therfore like as there is no houre or instant of time in all my life that I haue not the vse of thy benefits so ought there to be no moment wherein I should not haue thee in remembrance before mine eies and loue thee to the vttermost of my power But this I am not able to doo except thou make me able of whom commeth euerie good gift and excellent gift in whom there is no change nor intercourse of darknes For to loue thee commeth not of our owne will or of our owne running but of thy mercie Lord it is thy gift whose all good things are Thou commandest vs to loue thee giue vs that which thou commandest and command what thou wilt Another meditation of Gods great benefits VNto thee O souereigne light O ghostlie Physician the health of my soule will I now euer giue praise with all my whole hart for all thy benefits wherwith thou feedest me from my youth vnto mine old age and euen till my last gaspe I beseech thee by thy selfe forsake me not For thou madest me when I was not thou redeemedst me when I was forlorne thou inlightenedst me when I was in darknesse thou raisedst me when I was dead yea when I was both forlorne and dead thou camest downe from the bosome of thy Father to me tookest mortalitie vpon thee Thou being my King camest downe to thy seruant To redeeme thy seruant thou gauest thy selfe to the intent that I might liue thou tookest vpon thee to die and ouercamest death Thou diddest set me vp againe by abasing thy selfe lowe I was vndoone I was gone farre awaie in my sinnes I was sold to sinne then camest thou for me to bring me out againe and thou didst loue me so well that thou gauest thine owne blood for my ransome Lord thou hast loued me more than thy selfe For thou diddest find in thine hart to die for me Upon this condition hast thou with so deere a price brought mee backe againe from banishment ransomed me out of bondage rescued me from punishment called mee
grace of hartie repentance that as wee knowe so likewise we may acknowledge vnto thee all our vnrighteousnesse and hencefoorth labour the more busilie without anie delaie to amend those things wherein we haue hitherto offended thee We knowe O Lord that this is the onelie time of mercie in so much that if we obtaine it not during this our mortall life there remaineth nothing for vs to be looked for but a fearefull and a rigorous sentence of iudgement Grant therefore we beseech thee O mercifull God that sith we are now in a most damnable estate by the reason of our continuall disobedience out of the which we can by no meanes recouer our selues but by thy mercifull gift of repentance that we may euen now obtaine at thy hands not onlie it but all other thy graces annexed therevnto such as are most needfull for vs to the accomplishing of thy will and to the setting foorth of thy honour and glorie through Iesus Christ our Lord and sauiour who sitteth at thy right hand euen now and euer to make intercession for vs. Daughter Amen For the authoritie of discipline to be established in the Church Mother BEcause that crookednesse and disobedience haue taken so deepe roote in all estates that now adaies manie dare boldlie refuse all Ecclesiasticall censure to the great hinderance of the course of the Gospell grant therefore we beseech thee that like as thou hast dealt with other nations euen so may it please thee now at the length to extend thy like mercie vnto this Realme also and all others that are in the same necessitie that the authoritie of Ecclesiasticall censure and discipline which for our sinnes thou hast hitherto kept backe from vs may be placed in the Church to the due punishment of sinfull life and contempt of thy word in such sort that it may extend indifferentlie vnto all estates both high and lowe as well to the terror of the ill and comfort of the good as also to the speedie and perfect reformation of all such things as are yet disordered in this thy Church through the same Iesus Christ our Lord in whose name for these all things else expedient for vs we lift vp our harts vnto thee saieng as he hath taught vs Mother and Daughter altogether Our Father c. Mother Into thy hands O Lord doo we commend our selues wholie both bodie and soule vouchsafe to receiue vs Lord God of mercie Daughter Amen Mother In thee O God haue we trusted let vs neuer be confounded Daughter Amen Mother Deliuer vs we beseech thee from the power of darkenesse of this world the flesh and the diuell Daughter Amen Mother Lord let it be done vnto vs as we doo put our trust in thee Daughter Amen Mother We beleeue O Lord Lord helpe and make perfect our vnbeleefe Daughter Amen The conclusion of all things else expedient for vs. Mother THese O mercifull Father and all other thy graces such as be most agreeable to thy will to the setting foorth of thy honor and glorie and to the assurance of our saluation grant thou vnto vs we beseech thee in the name of thy sonne Iesus Christ And that we may vtterlie cast off all sinfull affections and hencefoorth leade our liues in holinesse righteousnesse and innocencie yeelding vnto thee continuall thanks for all thy benefits and mercies we beseech thee send downe into our harts thy holie spirit to prepare instruct and guide vs in all our thoughts words and works to the fulfilling of thy good will and pleasure to whome the Father the Sonne and the holie Ghost three persons and one God of eternall and infinite maiestie be all praise thanks and glorie at all times in all places in all things aboue all things and euen so in vs all now and euer Daughter Amen Mother Blessed be the Lord. Daughter Thanks be to God ¶ If when we are desirous to commend the Church vnto the blessings of God which in our dailie praiers we ought to doo necessarie busines will not well impart so much time as the forme of these praiers require then after good consideration both of Gods former benefits towards vs and of the manifold infirmities of the Church we may doo it in these few words Mother O Lord heare my praier Daughter And let my crie come vnto thee Mother TO thee O heauenlie Father be all thanks honour glorie for because it hath pleased thee through the merits of Iesus Christ to deale so mercifullie with vs. For looke how high the heauen is in comparison of the earth so great hath thy mercie beene towards vs at all times and in all things much beyond that that our foolish harts could wish or desire For the which as we doo yeeld vnto thee all possible thanks from the bottome of our harts euen so doo we humblie beseech thee with thy fatherlie goodnesse to supplie all our infirmities wherewith we dailie offend thee Blesse thou therefore and be mercifull vnto thy Church vniuersallie and to all the members thereof and namelie vnto all Princes and ciuil Magistrates that by their gouernment thy name may be alwaies sanctified and thy glorious kingdome faithfullie prepared Unto all Bishops and spirituall pastors that they may diligentlie execute the charge committed vnto them Unto all subiects and inferiors that they may in thee and for thee obeie serue loue honor all superior powers Unto the ignorant and such as are not yet brought to the knowledge of thy truth that their eies may be opened to the vtter abolishing in them whatsoeuer is not of faith Unto the malicious persecutors also that either their harts may be turned or else that thou take them awaie from among vs. Unto the persecuted and afflicted that they may end their conflicts with victorie whether it be by death or deliuerance Unto thy haruest that it perish not for lacke of reapers Unto Uniuersities and Schooles that they may attaine to ripenesse of good and godlie knowledge and vse the same to the furtherance of thy kingdome Unto this our Realme that we may hartilie repent vs of all our sinnes that thou maist also repent thee of the punishment which thou hast prepared for vs and euer continue thy goodnesse towards vs as thou hast begonne Giuing vnto vs among thine other benefits such authoritie of the ecclesiasticall sword to the amendment of all things and reformation of all estates as may be most to the propagation of thy truth and true religion Finallie vnto vs all that are of the houshold of faith that all other things set apart we may onelie seeke thee and thy kingdome and euer sing praises vnto thy holie name These O Lord and all other graces agreeable to thy holie will and expedient for vs grant vnto thy seruants in the name of Iesus Christ our Lord to whom with the holie Ghost be all thanks honour and glorie now and euer Daughter Amen Christian praiers and diuine meditations as generallie to be vsed at all times so especiallie
Afterward being deliuered from all feares thou criedst with a great voice Father into thy hands I commend my spirit Grant that in our departure out of this world we may vtter the same words Make vs to feele the presence of thy father comforting vs being pleased through thee and may know that with our bodies our soules doo not perish let vs not iest as Epicures doo saieng O fugitiue flattering pale curst naked soule whither goest thou Thou hast prepared for vs O Sonne of God a large and a pleasant place In thy Fathers house are manie resting places We feare no torments Thou hast deliuered vs from the paines of hell There is no purgatorie Thy Father embraceth our soules in his mercifull armes laieth them in Abrahams bosome replenisheth them with quietnesse with light and ioie vnspeakable till our bodies also raised againe appeare with them in his euerlasting kingdome In this faith giue vs grace to leaue this world and to rest with thee for euer and euer Amen Amen I haue sinned I haue sinned my God my God haue mercie vpon me God forbid that I should reioice but in the crosse of Christ whereby the world is crucified to me and I vnto the world Or thus A fruitfull meditation vpon the passion of our Sauiour Iesus Christ to be read often O Lord Iesus Christ the Sonne of the euerliuing and almightie God by whome all things were made be ruled and gouerned thou the liuelie image of the substance of the Father the eternall wisedome of God the brightnesse of his glorie God of God light of light coequall coeternall and consubstantiall with the Father thou which of the loue thou haddest to mankind when hee was fallen from the fellowship of God into the societie of sathan and all euill didst vouchsafe for our redemption to become a mediatour betweene God and man taking to thy God-head our nature as concerning the substance of it and so becamest man also the heire of all and most mercifull Messias which by the power of thy God-head and merits of thy man-hood hast made purgation of our sins euen by thine owne selfe whilest thou wast heere on earth being now set on the right hand of thy Father for vs euen concerning our nature in maiestie in glorie power infinite I pray and humblie beseech thy mercie to grant me at this present to reherse some of thy passions and sufferings for me the last night that thou wast heere before thy death that thy good spirit might thereby be effectuall to worke in me faith as well for the pardon of my sinnes by them as mortification of mine affections comfort in my crosses and patience in all afflictions Amen IN the middest of thy last Supper with thy deere Apostles these things could not but be before thee namelie that they all would leaue thee the most earnest would forsweare thee one of the twelue should most traiterouslie betraie thee which were no small crosses vnto thee Iudas was admonished of thee to beware but when he tooke no heed but went out to finish his worke contemning thine admonition and counsell he could not but vexe thy most louing hart After supper there was contention amongst thy disciples who should be greatest after thee yet dreaming carnallie of thee and thy kingdome and hauing this affection of pride and ambition busie amongst them notwithstanding thy diligence in reproouing and teaching them After thine admonition to them of the crosse that would come thereby to make them more vigilant so grosse were they that they thought they could with their two swords put awaie all perils which was no little greefe vnto thee After thy comming to Gethsamane heauinesse oppressed thee and therefore thou wouldest thy disciples to praie Thou didst tell to Peter and his fellowes that thy hart was heauie to death Thou didst will them to praie being carefull for them also least they should fall into temptation After this thou wentest a stones cast from them and didst praie thy selfe falling flat and groueling vpon the earth but alas thou feltest no comfort and therefore thou camest to thy disciples which of all other were most sweet and deere vnto thee but lo to thy further discomfort they passe neither of thy perils nor of their owne and therefore sleepe apace After thou hadst awaked them thou goest againe to praie but thou foundest no comfort at all and therefore didst returne againe for some comfort at thy deerest freends hands but yet againe alas they are fast asleepe wherevpon thou art inforced to go againe to thy heauenlie Father for some sparkle of comfort in these thy wonderfull crosses and agonies Now heere thou wast so discouraged and so comfortlesse that euen streames of bloud came running from thine eies and eares and other parts of thy bodie But who is able to expresse the infinitenes of thy crosses euen at thy being in the garden All which thou sufferedst for my sake as well to satisfie thy Fathers wrath for my sinnes as also to sanctifie all my sufferings the more gladlie to be susteined of me After thy bloudie praier thou camest and yet againe foundest thy disciples asleepe and before thou canst well awake them lo Iudas commeth with a great band of weaponed men to apprehend thee as a theefe and so doth leading thee awaie bound to the high Bishops house Annas so from him to Caiphas Heere now to augment this thy miserie behold thy disciples flie from thee false witnesses be brought against thee Thou art accused condemned of blasphemie Peter euen in thy sight forsweareth thee Thou art vniustlie striken for answering lawfullie Thou art blindfeeld striken and buffeted all the whole night in the Bishop Caiphas house of their cruell seruants In the morning betimes thou art condemned againe of the Priests of blasphemie and therefore they bring thee before the secular power to Pilate by whome thou art openlie arraigned as other theeues and malefactors were And when he sawe that thou wast accused of malice and that his wife had sent a messenger vnto him saieng Haue thou nothing to doo with that iust man for I haue suffered manie things this daie in a dreame by reason of him yet he did not dismisse thee but did send thee to Herod where thou wast derided shamefullie in comming and going to him and from him all the waie wonderfullie especiallie after Herod had apparelled thee as a foole Afore Pilate againe therefore thou wast brought and accused falslie no man did take thy part or speake a good word for thee Pilate caused thee to be whipped and scourged and to be handled most pitifullie to see if anie pitie might appeare with the Prelates but no man at all pitied thee Barrabas that notable theefe and murtherer was preferred before thee all the people head and taile was against thee and cried out Crucifige hang thee vp Uniustlie to death wast thou iudged Thou wast crowned with sharpe thornes that pierced thy braines Thou wast made a mocking stocke Thou wast
reuiled beaten scourged spit vpon and most miserablie handled Thou wentest through Ierusalem to the place of execution euen to the mount of Caluerie a great crosse to hang thee vp was laid vpon thy backe to beare and drawe as long as thou wast able Thy bodie was racked to be nailed to the tree Thy hands were bored through and thy feet also Nailes were put through them to fasten thee thereon Thou wast hanged betweene heauen and earth as one spued out of heauen and vomited out of the earth vnworthie of anie place The high Priests laughed thee to scorne The Elders blasphemed thee and said God had no care for thee The common people also laughed and cried Out vpon thee Thirst oppressed thee but vineger onlie and gall was giuen thee to drinke Heauen shined not on thee the Sunne gaue thee no light the earth was afraid to beare thee sathan euen then tempted thee and thine owne humane senses caused thee to crie out My God my God why hast thou forsaken me Oh wonderfull passions which thou sweet Iesus sufferedst for me and all mankind In them thou teachest me in them thou comfortest me for by them God is my father my sinnes are forgiuen me By them I should learne to feare God to loue God to hope in God to hate sinne to be patient to call vpon God and neuer to leaue him for anie temptations but with thee to crie Father into thy hands I commend my spirit Amen The praier wherein we confesse our selues to be the verie cause of all these Christ his passions WHat hast thou committed oh Lord that thou shouldest bee so iudged what hast thou offended that thou shouldest be so cruellie handled and ordered what was thy fault what was thine offence what was the cause of thy death what was the occasion of thy condemnation I Lord I am the cause of thy sorowe the fault is in me that thou wast killed for I haue deserued thy death I committed the offences that were aduenged vpon thee Oh maruellous kind of iudgement and vnspeakable disposition or ordering of mysteries The vniust man offendeth and the righteous is punished The guiltie doth euill and the innocent is beaten The euill doth trespasse and the good is condemned That which the euill man deserueth the same doth the good and iust suffer That which the seruant doth amisse the maister maketh amends That which man trespasseth God suffereth it Oh thou which art the Sonne of God how lowe did thine humilitie descend How greatlie did thy charitie euen as it were waxe hot and burne towards vs How far did thy pitie exceed Whither did thy benignitie and gentlenes growe and extend How far did thy loue stretch How far came thy compassion For I did wrongfullie and thou wast punished I committed the mischeeuous deeds and they were aduenged vpon thee I did the fault and thou submittedst thy selfe to the torments I was proud and thou wast humble and meeke I was swelled and puffed vp thou wast extenuate and appaired I was disobedient neuerthelesse thou being obedient barest the paines and punishments of disobedience I obeied and was as it were a seruant to all excesse and gluttonie and thou wast punished with scarsitie and lacke of food The tree did drawe me in my grandmother Eue vnto vnlawfull concupiscence and desires but perfect charitie led thee vnto punishment and to endure the torments vpon the crosse I presumed being forbidden but thou didst smart therefore I tooke my pleasure with delicatenesse thou wast vexed with the crosse I abound and haue plentie of all pleasures thou art all to torne with nailes I doo taste the pleasant sweetnes of the apple and thou the bitternes of gall Behold O king of glorie mine iniquitie and vngodlinesse and thy pitie and goodnes is manifest Behold mine vnrighteousnes and thy iustice is plainelie declared What thing O my God and my King shall I render vnto thee for all these things which thou hast bestowed vpon me For nothing can be found in the hart of man that may worthilie recompense such rewards Can mans wit excogitate or imagine anie thing that is woorthie to be compared vnto thy diuine mercie Neither is it the office of a creature to go about to recompense fullie and iustlie the aid helpe of a Creator There is trulie O Sonne of God in this thy maruellous dispensation and appointments some what in which my frailenesse may helpe a little if so be that my mind once pricked and stirred by thy visitation doo punish the flesh with the vices also and euill concupiscences thereof And this thing if thou wilt grant and giue me grace to doo then shall it begin as it were to suffer and susteine sorrowes and greefes because that thou also didst vouchsafe to die for my sinnes and so by the victorie of the inward man it shall be armed thou beeing a captaine for the externall and outward victorie forasmuch as the spirituall persecution once ouercome it shall not be afraid for thy sake to be obedient vnto the materiall sword and crosse of this world and so the slendernesse of my state and condition if it please thy goodnes shall be able according to the little power thereof to answer vnto the greatnes and excellencie of my Creator And this is y e heauenlie medicine O good Iesu this is as it were a preseruatiue of thy loue this I beseech thee by thine accustomed ancient mercies to powre into my wounds the fowle and filthie matter of the venemous contagion and infection once cast awaie which may refresh and restore me to my former puritie and cleanenesse that when I haue tasted of the pleasant sweetnes which is to abide in thee it may make me to despise and vtterlie set naught by the entisements of this world and to feare for thy sake none aduersities thereof and that I remembring thine euerlasting nobilitie excellencie may alwaies abhor and disdaine the troubles of this transitorie world And as thou O Lord wast crucified for me so I beseech thee crucifie me with thee that I may rise againe with thee to euerlasting life Thy flesh was crucified for me crucifie with thee O Christ the kingdome of the flesh which hath dominion in me that I may put off the old Adam and by newnesse of life may be transformed into thee the second Adam sinne infidelitie and the whole tyrannie of sathan being vanquished and ouercome Bring to passe O Lord that by thy crosse and painefull suffering thy yoke may be to me made light and thy burthen easie that willinglie and gladlie following thee I may come whether thou art gone that is to thy father most blessed and immortall from whome nothing shall afterwards be able to separate vs Amen I haue sinned I haue sinned my God my God haue mercie vpon me God forbid I should reioice in anie thing but in the crosse of our Lord Iesus Christ whereby the world is crucified vnto me and I vnto the world Galath 6. Another
praier to Christ crucified wherein we deuoutlie call to mind what great things he hath done for vs and what benefits we reape by the remembrance of his holie wounds EXceeding greatlie haue I sinned against thy Maiestie O Lord and mine owne conscience findeth mee guiltie of manie offences and yet doo I not despaire neither will I in anie thing at all be doubtfull because that whereas sinne hath abounded there hath thy grace O God ouer-abounded He that despaireth of the forgiuenes of his sinnes denieth thee O God to be mercifull Yea great wrong doth he to thee O God which distrusteth in thy mercie For as much as in him lieth he denieth thee to be louing true and mightie which are the things wherein my whole hope consisteth that is to weet in the loue of thy adoption in the truth of thy promise and in the power of thy redeeming Now let my vnwise imagination murmur as much as it listeth and saie Who art thou how great is thy glorie and by what deserts hopest thou to obtaine it and I will answer boldlie I knowe whome I haue credited and that thou of thine exceeding great loue hast adopted me to be thy child that thou art southfast of promise that thou art mightie of perseuerance and that thou maist doo what thee listeth I can not bee feared with the multitude of my sinnes if I bethinke me of the death of thee my Lord because my sinnes are not able to ouercome thee Thy nailes and thy speare crie vnto me that I am throughlie reconciled to thee O Christ if I loue thee Longius hath opened me thy side deere Iesu with his speare and I am gone into it and there doo I rest in safetie He that is afraid let him loue for loue driueth feare out of the dores There is no remedie so mightie and effectuall against the heate of leacherie as is the death of thee my redeemer Thou stretchest out thine armes vpon the crosse and thou holdest out thy hand in a readines to imbrace vs sinners Betweene the armes of thee my sauiour mind I to liue and die there shall I sing safelie there will I glorifie and exalt thee O Lord because thou hast taken me vp and hast not giuen mine enimies their pleasure ouer me Thou O our Sauiour hast bowed downe thy head at thy death to receiue the kisses of thy beloued and so often doo we kisse thee O Lord as we be throughlie touched with the loue of thee who for loue to mankind being God camest to man camest into man and becamest man who for loue being an inuisible God becainest like thy seruants and who for verie loue wast wounded for our sinnes and in those wounds of thine O my Sauiour is the safe and quiet rest of vs weakelings and sinners there doo I dwell at ease and by thy wounds haue I a waie in vnto the bowels of thy mercie Whatsoeuer is wanting of my selfe that doo I borowe out of the bowels of thee my Lord for in them is aboundance of mercie and there want no holes for it to flowe out at By the holes of thy blessed bodie are opened vnto me the secrets of thy hart a great pledge of thy kindlie loue euen the bowels of the mercie of thee our God whereby the daie spring hath visited vs from aloft Thy wounds O sweet Iesu Christ are full of mercie full of pitie full of sweetnesse and full of loue They bored thy hands and thy feet and pierced thy side with a speare By these holes may I taste how sweet and mild thou art in deed and how mercifull thou art to all that call vpon thee in truth to all that seeke thee and cheeflie to all that loue thee Plentious redemption is giuen vnto vs in thy wounds O sweet Sauiour Iesu Christ Great aboundance of sweetnes great plentie of grace and great perfection of vertues is giuen vs in thy pretious wounds O sweet Sauiour Iesu Christ O most bountifull Iesu grant therefore I humblie beseech thee that whensoeuer anie fowle thought assaulteth me I may forthwith runne to thy wounds O Christ When my flesh presseth me downe I may rise vp again by remembring thy wounds O Lord. When the diuell laieth wait for me I may flee to the bowels of thy mercie O Iesu so shall he quicklie depart from me Or if at anie time the heate of lecherie prouoke my members let it be quenched I praie thee by calling to mind thy wounds O Sonne of God Finallie in all mine aduersities let me find no remedie so effectuall as thy wounds O Christ In them I saie let me sleepe without care and rest without feare Thou O Christ hast died for vs and now is there nothing so bitter to the death which is not swallowed vp by thy death O sweet Iesu All my whole hope therfore is and shall be in thy death O Lord my God Thy death is my desart and my refuge my welfare life and resurrection and thy mercifulnesse O Lord is my merit I am not poore of merit so long as thou the Lord of all compassions failest not As long as thou art manifold in mercie so long am I also manifold of deserts The mightier thou art to saue the more am I without care Wherefore O most excellent goodnes withdrawe not thy mercie O most mightie maker despise not thy worke O most prudent redeemer suffer not to perish the price of thy redemption O most gentle ghostlie and heauenlie hoast and ghest purifie saue dresse and keepe thy house and dwelling place the which thou dedicatedst and sanctifiedst to thee in the sacrament of Baptisme O most blessed most charitable and sweet Iesu O most bounteous excellent and glorious Iesu O most innocent mercifull meeke louing and deere Iesu haue mercie vpon me haue mercie vpon me and forgiue me all my sinnes When shall I loue thee When shall I be sorie for my sinnes When shall I loath and forsake my sinnes When shall I detest and abhore my sinfull life and turne vnto thee by grace When shall I remember thy benefits thy meekenes thy pouertie and bitter passion thy patience thy obedience thy loue and thy charitie When shall I sanctifie worship magnifie and loue hartilie thee in heauen and thy Saints on earth and celebrate thy feasts accordinglie that is to saie thy incarnation passion resurrection ascension and such other with due reuerence Christian deuotion If thou be the most dredfull maister where is my dread Lord Iesu If thou be the most loued Father where is my loue If thou bee my Lord and my Redeemer where is my seruice If thou be mine hoast and dwell in my soule by thy grace and mercie where is my chastitie puritie and cleannesse meet and according to such an hoast If thou be the life of Saints the fairenesse and beautie of Angels where is my thanking Now therfore good Lord Jesu Christ wound my hart with thy most holie wounds moist my mind with thy most pretious bloud that
his infancie was troubled with creeping and scrallings and was wrapt in cloathes after the manner of other children was vexed in his youth with labours made leane with waking and fastings wearied with iournieng afterward whipped and all to torne and rent with diuers kinds of punishments reckoned among the dead and when it was endued with the glorie of resurrection he carried it into the ioies of heauen and placed it vpon the right hand of thy Maiestie This I saie he is my manhood waie and meanes of pacifieng and appeasing thee the waie and meanes of hauing mercie vpon mee Mercifullie looke vpon mee heare the wretch whom he did redeeme and the bond-seruant whom he deliuered Behold him a Creator and doo not despise a creature Receiue the shepheard welcommed with a gentle and louing countenance and mercifullie looke vpon the sheepe which he hath brought home vpon his owne shoulders This is that most faithfull shepheard which by manie and diuers labours and trauels ouer steepe hils and through head-long and deepe vallies did search for his owne sheepe that was straied awaie which also when he had found it faint and almost dead through long wandring gat himselfe vnder it with great reioicing and making it fast vnto him with a maruellous bond of charitie lifted it vp out of the deapth of confusion and brought it home to the ninetie and nine Behold O King my king and God almightie behold a good shepheard which rendereth to thee that which thou committedst to his charge He tooke vpon him through thine ordinance to saue man whom he hath deliuered vnto thee cleane and pure from all spots through the washing in his bloud Lo thy most dearelie beloued Sonne hath reconciled vnto thee thy handie worke which was gone astraie far out of the waie Lo a gentle shepheard bringeth home againe to thy flocke hir that the violent pirate and robber had driuen awaie He hath brought vnto thy sight the seruant whome hir owne conscience had made to run awaie that she which by hir selfe had deserued punishment by thy Sonne being hir solicitor hath deserued forgiuenes vnto whome also for hir offences euerlasting fire was due neuerthelesse being a subiect vnder such a prince and captaine she doth hope to be brought home to hir owne countrie I was able O holie father by my selfe to offend thee but I was not able of my selfe to pacifie and appease thee Thy welbeloued Sonne O my God was made my helper by taking vpon him mine humanitie to the intent he might cure mine infirmitie that wherof the first occasion of thy wrath did spring of the same he might offer vp to thee a sacrifice of praise and that he might render and make me also well-pleasing to thy goodnes by that thing in the which he sitting now at thy right hand did alwaies shew and declare himselfe to be equall with my substance and as it were fellowe with the same Lo my hope behold in whome is all my trust If thou despise me as it were meete for mine iniquities yet looke vpon me at leastwise mercifulle for the charitie of thy welbeloued Sonne Giue heed to thy Sonne whereby thou maiest haue mercie vpon thy bond-seruant Looke vpon the sacrament of flesh and pardon the offences of flesh How often soeuer thou doest remember the wounds of thy blessed Son so oft I beséech thee let mine iniquitie be hid And bicause flesh hath stirred thee to wrath let flesh I beseech thee mooue thee to mercie that like as flesh hath seduced and led me to sinne so flesh may get and obteine for me remission For certainly it is much that mine iniquitie hath deserued but much more it is that the goodnes of my Redeemer may euen of right require Mine vnrighteousnes is great but his righteousnes is bigger For looke how much God is superiour vnto man euen so much is my malice euill inferiour vnto his goodnes both in qualitie and quantitie For what haue I sinned being a man that the Sonne of God being made man hath not redeemed What pride could be in me so exceeding high but such humilitie as was in him should bring it downe What power of death was there in me so great but the punishment which the Sonne of God suffered vpon the crosse might deface it and vtterlie destroie it Trulie my God if the sinnes of sinfull men or women should be weied in a iust and equall balance with the loue and fauour that was in our redeemer towards vs the East is not so far distant from the West nor the innermost part of the earth so much separated from the vppermost part of the heauen as they should be vnlike so much lesse should mine iniquitie be than is his goodnesse Now O most noble Creator of light now pardon mine offences for the vnmeasurable trauels paines that thy beloued Sonne did susteine Now I beseech thee let his goodnesse be set against my wickednes his modestie and temperance against mine vngratious frowardnes and his meekenes against my fierce crueltie Let his humilitie recompense my pride his patience mine impatience his gentlenesse mine vnkind churlishnes his obedience my disobedience his quietnesse mine vnquietnes his pleasant towardnes my bitter frowardnes his sweet facilitie and gentlenes mine angrie and fretting fumes to conclude let his charitie make amends for my heinous and detestable crueltie Amen I haue sinned I haue sinned my God my God haue mercie on me God forbid that I should reioice in anie thing but in the crosse of Christ whereby the world is crucified vnto me and I vnto the world So be it 9. On Easter daie Of Christ his resurrection and the Passouer of Christians The Preface CHrist is risen againe from the dead and now dieth no more Halleluiah Death from hencefoorth hath no more power of him Halleluiah Christ is risen againe the first fruits of them that sleepe Halleluiah By Christ all men that were dead in sinne are restored to life Halleluiah In thy resurrection O Christ both heauen earth doo reioice and saie Halleluiah Thanks be vnto God which giueth vs victorie thorough our Lord Iesus Christ Halleluiah Who hauing spoiled all principalities and powers hath made a shew of them openlie triumphing ouer them in his owne person Halleluiah Awake O my Christ awake vp my glorie and sing Halleluiah For Christ our passouer is offered vp and as this daie reuiued rose again for our iustification Halleluiah Let vs reioice therfore I saie O my soule and keepe it holidaie to the Lord. Halleluiah Not with old leauen of maliciousnes and wickednes but with the vnleauened bread of purenesse and truth Halleluiah That when we awake vp after his likenes we may be satisfied with his presence in righteousnes and glorie Halleluiah And be blessed and holie with those that haue part in the first resurrection and on whom the second death hath no power but sing Halleluiah O death where is thy sting O hell where is thy victorie Halleluiah This
agree vnto thee God the Father but the same also may fitlie be referred vnto the Sonne and holie Ghost We saie how thou the Father art naturallie God so is the Sonne naturallie God and the holie Ghost naturallie and yet not three Gods but one God naturallie the Father the Sonne and the holie Ghost And therefore O God holie Trinitie in persons thou art inseparable in sense are they to be vnderstood though in sound you haue separable names For you receiue no plurall number in the nature For hereby it is declared how the persons in the holie Trinitie which is one verie God can not be diuided for that the name of euerie person respecteth alwaie another person If I say the Father I point vnto the Sonne if I name the Sonne I presuppose a Father if I mention the holie Spirit I must necessarilie vnderstand of whom he is the Spirit namelie of the Father and of the Sonne For this is the true faith proceeding from sound doctrine this vndoubtedlie is the catholike and right faith which God of his goodnesse hath taught me in the bosome of the mother Church The faith or beleefe of a true Christian concerning the blessed Trinitie most notablie described O My light I praise thee for inlightening mee whereby I knowe thee but how do I knowe thee I knowe thee to be God alone a liuing God a true God my Creator I knowe thee to be the maker both of heauen and earth of all things visible and inuisible a verie GOD almightie immortall inuisible vncompassable vnlimitable euerlasting to whom none can approch vnto nor comprehend nor find out who art vnchangable vnmeasurable infinite the beginning of all creatures be they visible or inuisible by whom all things were created through whom all the elements doo consist whose maiestie as it neuer had beginning so it shall neuer haue end I knowe thee to be one God alone the true God namelie the eternall Father Sonne and holie Ghost three persons indeed but one simple substance and vnparted nature the Father made of none the Sonne of the Father alone the holie Ghost of the Father and of the Sonne alwaies without either beginning or end A Trinitie yet but one onlie and verie God omnipotent the onelie beginning of all things maker of all creatures both visible and inuisible spirituall and temporall which by thine almightie power at the beginning diddest of nothing make togither both creatures spirituall corporall that is to saie Angelicall and worldlie and after the humane as a middle nature consisting of bodie and spirit I knowe and confesse thee GOD the Father to be vnbegotten thee God the Sonne to be begotten of the Father thee God the holie Ghost the comforter to be neither made nor begotten With mine hart I beleeue vnto righteousnesse and with my mouth I confesse vnto saluation this holie and single Trinitie in the three coequall consubstantiall and coeternall persons to be a Trinitie in vnitie and an vnitie in Trinitie I knowe thee Iesus Christ our Lord to be a true God the onlie begotten Sonne of God and the Creator Sauiour and Redeemer not of me onelie but also of all mankind whom I acknowledge to be begotten of the Father before all worlds God of GOD light of light verie God of verie God begotten not made being of one substance and coeternall with the Father and the holie Ghost by whom all things at the beginning were made stedfastlie beleeuing and trulie confessing that thou Iesus Christ the onelie begotten Sonne of God for our saluation by the consent of the whole Trinitie tookest flesh and wert conceiued by the holie Ghost of the virgin Marie and wert made verie man of a reasonable soule and humane flesh subsisting Thou for so much as in respect of thy God-head being the onlie begotten Sonne of God thou couldest neither suffer nor die through thine exceeding loue wherewith thou hast loued vs. Thou the verie same Sonne of God for all that becamest subiect to sufferings and mortalitie in respect of thy manhood and O onlie Sonne of God for the saluation of mankind didst suffer death vpon the wood of the Crosse to saue vs from euerlasting death Thou the author of light descendedst into hell and like a glorious conqueror rosest againe the third daie taking to thee againe thy sacred bodie which for our sinnes had lien in the sepulchre and quickening it according to the scripture the third daie that thou mightest place the same at the right hand of the Father For thou the verie Sonne of God taking againe vnto thy selfe the substance of our flesh that is to saie the soule and humane bodie which thou tookest of the glorious virgin art ascended vp aboue all the heauens and mounted aboue the orders of Angels where thou sittest at the right hand of God the Father and whereas the fountaine of life is the light which none can attaine vnto and the peace of God which passeth all vnderstanding There we doo worship thee there we doo beleeue thee to be the verie God and verie man confessing God to be thy Father and from thence wee looke that thou wilt come a Iudge in the end of the world to iudge both the quicke and the dead and to render to all men good and bad according to their deeds which they haue done in this life either reward or punishment according as euerie one is woorthie rest or torment For all men euen as manie as haue receiued soules in their humane flesh which they had in this world shall rise at that daie through the sound of thy power that whole man may receiue either the glorie of heauen or the paine of hell according to his deserts Thou art our resurrection and the life it selfe whom we looke for euen the Lord Iesus Christ our Sauiour who shail change our vile bodie that it may be fashioned like vnto his glorious bodie I knowe thee the holie Spirit both of the Father and of the Sonne to be one God and a verie GOD proceeding alike from them both of one substance and coeternall with the Father and the Sonne our comforter and aduocate which camest downe in the likenesse of a dooue vpon the same God and our Lord Iesus Christ and shewedst thy selfe vpon thine Apostles in fierie tongues which also euen from the beginning hast instructed with the gift of thy grace all the Saints and chosen of God and opened the mouthes of the Prophets that they might declare abroad the woonderfull mysteries of the kingdome of God who also togither with the Father and the Sonne of all the Saints of God art worshipped and glorified Among whom I thine handmaid doo glorifie thy name bicause thou hast inlightened me For thou art the verie light the true light the fire of God the maister of spirits which by thine ointment teachest vs all truth the Spirit of truth without which it is impossible to please God For thou thy selfe art God of God and light of light vnspeakablie proceeding
vnspeakable maner that thy humane nature might suffer and die Quench also in vs by thy spirit mercilesse fires of hatred and desire of reuenge which as worldlie men doo saie is sweeter than life it selfe with all the flames of pride Grant that acknowledging our filthines prostrate before thy face in true lowlinesse we may aske thine helpe being healed may perseuere in the imitating of thy perfect example Assist vs that while we liue in euerie trouble and temptation of ours we may drawe the water of comfort from thee which art the well of life and afterward enioie perfect ease and a ioifull sabboth and feastfull holidaies in the heauens at such time as thou wilt shew thy Father to thine elect where each shall behold the other face to face Amen 9. On the feast daie of the annuntiation of the blessed virgin Marie Shew vs thy mercie O Lord and grant vs thy saluation BY thy wisedome O eternall God are the times distinguished whereby we are certified of thy benefits and euerlasting blisse which after this life and destruction of the world is prepared for thine elect Now are there passed 5543 yeeres sith the creation of heauen and earth of thine Angels of all creatures By thy word thou madest man out of the slime of the earth thou breathedst on him the breth of life and inspiredst into him a soule adorned with perfect wisedome and righteousnesse Afterward thy Sonne did vtter a secret decree about the restoring of man fallen through sinne out of thy fauour into euerlasting death About the same time of the yeere was innocent Abel murdered which was a figure of the sacrifice to come whose bloud indeed crieth vnto thee Father in heauen and beggeth the forgiuenesse of sinnes to all beleeuers In the like time was Isaac carried to be offered and thou commandedst the people of Israell to keepe holie these daies in which thou wouldest haue thy benefits to bee spoken of Likewise on this solemne and ioifull daie of the Equinoctiall spring time which sithence is 1582 yeeres thy Sonne as the Angel Gabriel signified to Marie the virgin by the working of the holie Ghost coupled the humane nature to himselfe after a woonderfull and vnspeakable maner The same daie 1549 yeeres sithence thy Sonne redeemer of mankind in his weake and bloudie flesh hoong vpon the Crosse being the true Silo. And when the sunne going betweene Orion and the Pleiades leeseth his light he left his life through intollerable sorowe and torments And an old saieng it hath beene that about this time of the yeere our Lord and Sauiour Christ will returne in the clouds both to vanquish his enimies and to exalt his Church and chosen most gratiouslie vnto a new and eternall kingdome O Sonne of God stir vs vp vnto the consideration of those so excellent mysteries and worke thou so in our harts by thy grace that as we haue knowne thy holie incarnation by the message of an Angel so by thy crosse and passion we may be brought vnto the glorie of thy resurrection Through the protection and watch of thine Angel the holie families of chaste virgins and matrons remained safe and vnspotted among infinite dangers by thy spirit the truth was sealed in them that they could not be subdued by the errours of the Pharisies and Saduces Preserue likewise in this last age of the world some holie assemblies and suffer not the whole world before thy cōming againe to become blasphemers This shall be the wisedome of eternall life in which thou wilt open the causes why thou wouldest after this maner restore mankind and how God the word could couple our flesh to himselfe Assist vs that in this life we may learne the elements and in true faith be ioined through the holie spirit to thy bodie which thou tookest from the sanctified bodie of the sacred virgin And as thou cariest and liuest in the same flesh so make vs branches of the tree of life and fruitfull vine and replenish vs with like light life and glorie Be thou our Sauiour through thy merit and vertue Thine eternall Father hath placed thee in the throne of Dauid that thou maist be the head of the Church working all in all and the giuer of all good things and of the blessings promised to Dauid Thou reignest in this life by thy ministerie gathering to thy selfe an eternall Church and repressing thine enimies by thy mightie power Thou sittest exalted in light and incomprehensible glorie at the right hand of thy Father making alwaies intercession for vs vntill thou bring thy Church vnto thy selfe in glorie at the generail resurrection and shine in them visiblie and for euer O Sonne of God we are bone of thy bones and flesh of thy flesh Thou broughtest not thy flesh from heauen neither was the same borne of the substance of thy Father but truelie thou tookest thy flesh from the seed of Abraham out of the sanctified wombe of the holie and blessed virgin S. Marie This nature did the word couple to himselfe by an eternall couenant and adorneth the same with surpassing glorie which thou she wedst not in the time of thine humiliation Therefore in truth did blessed Marie beare God euen that person in which two natures that is to saie the word and flesh were vnited togither and that without anie confusion euen as the soule and bodie are coupled in vs men Wherefore we come vnto thee our Mediator God and man and respecting thy promise in a liuelie faith we beseech thee haue mercie vpon vs wash vs with thy bloud and make vs members of thy bodie and nature No man at anie time hath hated his owne flesh make vs to sticke vnto thee by the same spirit and to drawe from thee the iuice which may strengthen vs to eternall life Amen 10. On Saint Marks daie Thou hast made them princes in all lands therefore shall they remember thy name O Lord from one generation to another O Eternall omnipotent and euerliuing God Father of our Lord Iesus Christ which togither with the Sonne and the holie Ghost hast not onelie created the whole frame of this world with all things therein conteined but also appointed thy Sonne the word to be a Mediator for vs men and for our saluation we beseech thee most humblie from the bottome of our harts thou which art the good husbandman ingraffe vs in thy Sonne which is the true vine make vs branches of his bodie purge vs from the horrible corruption of our nature giue vs grace to continue in the vine that being deliuered from sinne we may bring foorth abundance of fruit to thy honour and glorie O Christ thou art the vine we are the branches through thy grace not of our owne goodnesse gratiouslie behold vs we beseech thee that euermore we may cleaue to thee For alas without thee what can we doo that good is Abide thou in vs that we may abide in thee giue vs of thy vertue let thy light shine in our
stirred vp thy goodnesse to displeasure Yet when thou sawest their tribulation and their lowlie submission vnto thee Thou diddest remember thy promise and by and by hadst pitie and compassion vpon them according to the multitude of thy mercies Haue mercie vpon me O Lord God omnipotent haue mercie vpon me for I am a miserable a wretched creature Make me whole I beseech thee whom thou hast striken for my sinne and iniquitie My soule is troubled greatlie and how long O Lord wilt thou not looke towards me How long wilt thou reiect my praier thus crieng out vnto thee Wilt thou heare me at no time How long wilt thou turne awaie thy face from me Where be thine old mercies O Lord whom thou hast stablished in thy truth Wilt thou now O Lord God cease to shew mercie Or wilt thou withdrawe thy goodnesse in displeasure Hast thou cast me awaie for euer that thou wilt neuer hereafter be pleased with me Thine hand is not weakened but it may helpe and thine eares be not stopped that they refuse to heare How long shall my mind be troubled with painfull and heauie thoughts How long shall sorowe torment mine hart How long shall mine enimie haue the vpper hand of me Looke towards me Lord GOD and heare my praier Giue light to mine eies for I haue slept too long in death and my sinnes haue preuailed against me Turne againe O Lord turne againe and deliuer my soule and saue me for thy great mercie sake Lo now is the accepted time now be the daies of health and grace In death who shall remember thee In hell who shall laud or praise thee He that liueth he that liueth shall praise thee and shall make thy mercie knowne Lord rebuke me not in thine anger nor punish me in thy great displeasure Cast not thy darts at me nor laie not thy heauie hand vpon me For I haue borne thine anger a long while of the cup of thy high displeasure I haue droonke verie deepe There is no health in my flesh for feare of thy displeasure I haue no peace nor rest when I behold my sinnes Mine iniquities be gone ouer mine head and like an heauie burden they dailie presse me downe The wounds in my soule doo fester and stinke euen through mine owne follie I am a wretch cast awaie from thy fauour and presence and go moorning all the daie long My soule is full of filthinesse and no part of mee is whole and sound Wherfore mine enimies doo persecute me the more the greatnes of my paine maketh me to rore and crie My heart fainteth and trembleth within me and my strength is gone awaie O Lord thou knowest my desire and thou seest my necessitie Forgiue me all my sinnes O Lord God almightie for thine owne sake and put out of thy sight my hainous offences for according to thy goodnesse thou hast promised forgiuenesse of sinnes to them that doo pennance Haue mercie on me Lord for the glorie and honour of thy name and be no longer displeased with me and then thou shalt surelie be knowne to be iust and true in thy words shalt ouercome when thou art iudged For by this thy great grace shall be knowne that thou takest mercie on them which haue not whereof they may glorie in thy sight And all the dwellers on the earth shall learne and knowe thy goodnesse when thou shalt confer and giue thy benefits to vs for thy great name sake and not after our euill waies and wicked deeds Uerelie Lord God except thou shew vnto vs thy manifold mercies the world shall not haue life nor they that dwell therein And if thou helpe vs not with thy goodnesse how may they which haue offended be raised vp from their sinnes Haue mercie on me O good Father haue mercie on me and for thy glorious name be no longer angrie with me Take me a sinner vnto thy mercie for the name of thy holie Sonne Iesu whome thou hast sent to be the obteiner of mercie for our sinnes through faith in his bloud Behold holie Father behold thy child whome thou hast chosen behold thy welbeloued Sonne in whome thy soule delighteth vpon whome thou hast put thy holie spirit and sent him to preach the Gospell to the poore to heale them which for their sinnes be sorowfull and contrite to comfort them that mourne to preach pardon to the prisoners and sight to the blind Behold thy little one which was borne for vs behold thy Sonne which is giuen to vs whome thou hast not spared but giuen to death for vs all to be a sweet offering and sacrifice to thee Uerelie he tooke vpon him in his bodie our infirmities and he bare our paines He was made weake for our sinnes and he was wounded for our offences The correction for our peace was laid vpon him and by y e strokes that he suffered our wounds were healed All we went astraie like sheepe euerie one followeth his owne waie and thou O Lord puttest on him our iniquitie striking him for the offences of thy people He gaue his bodie to be beaten and his cheekes to be stricken he turned not awaie his face from them that scorned him Through his loue and mercie he hath redeemed them that were lost and by his bloud shead on the crosse he hath pacified all things in heauen and earth He gaue himselfe to death and made his praiers for them which were offenders Looke O mercifull Father and consider who it is that thus did suffer and remember I beseech thee for whome he hath suffered For this is that innocent whome thou gauest to death for vs euen then when we were sinners and shall we not being now iustified by his bloud much rather be saued from wrath through him If we when we were yet enimies were reconciled to thee by the death of thy Sonne shall we not being reconciled much rather be saued by his life Behold that pure and immaculate Lambe which taketh awaie the sinnes of the world by whose pretious bloud we are redeemed from our iniquities Looke vpon that most meeke innocent which like a Lambe was led to his death and being most cruellie intreated once opened not his mouth Behold thine onlie Sonne whome although thou begattest of thine almightie power substance and nature yet thou wouldest he should be partaker of mine infirmitie Which being God in nature thought it no rauine to be equall with God but made himselfe lowe taking vpon him the shape of a seruant and comming in the similitude of sinfull flesh condemned sinne in the flesh submitting himselfe vnto thee O Father euen to the death of the crosse and there put out the hand-writing that was against vs conteined in the lawe written and taking it out of the waie fastned it to his crosse on the which he spoiled potestates and powers and made a shew of them openlie and triumphed ouer them in his owne person Turne the eies of thy Maiestie O Lord God and looke vpon
secrets of the hart Laie not against me O Lord the sins of my youth nor haue in remembrance mine old iniuries done against thee Dailie sorowe ouercommeth me and sadnesse possesseth mine hart I looke after peace but I can not haue it I looke for a time of health but my greefe continueth still When the time of thine anger is past let mercie come yet am I vnhappie more and more Wo and alas that euer I sinned mine hart therefore mourneth and is sad all mirth and ioie be banished from me How am I wasted How miserablie am I confounded bicause I haue forsaken and cast awaie thy lawe Death hath ascended vp by the windowes pearcing the inward parts of mine hart When I dailie one while muse secretlie with my selfe another while with lowd voice crie out and complaine the meane time my life draweth neere to the pit Who shall giue me a place to rest in from all my griefes and troubles And I will forsake all men and get me awaie from them Who shall giue me water to mine head and a fountaine of teares to mine eies that I may bewaile my sinnes both night and daie And I will looke for him which may saue me and deliuer me from the wrath to come I haue no trust neither in life nor death but I feare thy iudgement O Lord and the paines prepared for wicked sinners The feare of my sinne maketh me carefull and the burden of my conscience oppresseth me sore O GOD which tenderlie louest mankind and art a most rightfull iudge spare me now I beseech thee and shew me some fauour while time is Forgiue that which I feare put awaie that which I dread before I depart hence and shall not returne againe My sinnes doo vexe and trouble me sore they be so great that none can be greater Alas my fall alas my miserie alas the griefe of my plague and stroke certainlie my sinne is the cause of all this and so I will take and suffer it A verie deuout and effectuall praier vnto Christ for mercie and grace to be hartilie said and often vsed especiallie when ye fast or prepare your selfe to receiue the Communion O Lord Iesu Christ Sonne of the liuing GOD which being vpon the Crosse with thine hands spred abroad for the redemption of all mankind didst drinke the most bitter cup of thy passion I beseech thee that thou wouldest vouchsafe to giue me helpe this daie or night and euer Lo I a poore wretch come vnto thee which art rich a sinner vnto thee that art mercifull let mee not returne home contemned and despised with nothing I begin an hungred let me not leaue off fasting I come vnto thee as though I were famished let me not go awaie vnfed Although before I eate I sigh and sorowe yet after my sorowe giue me somewhat to eate First of all good Iesu I acknowledge before thy Maiestie mine vnrighteousnesse towards thee Behold O Lord I was conceiued in sinne and borne in the same and thou diddest wash them off from me and sanctified me but I afterward defiled my selfe with bigger and more greeuous sinnes For I was borne in sinne of necessitie bicause I could be borne none otherwise but afterward I rolled my selfe willinglie in sinnes Neuerthelesse thou O Lord being mindfull of thy pitie diddest take me out of the house of my carnall father and out of the tents of the vngodlie and hast inspired me and put me in mind to followe thee with the generation of them that seeke thy face of them that walke in the right path of puritie of them that abide and continue among the lillies of virginitie and chastitie and of them that sit downe togither with thee at supper of most scarsitie and least excesse But I an vnkind wretch forgetting so manie great benefits after that I was entered into thy seruice haue committed manie vnlawfull things I did offend woonderfull vngratiouslie dooing manie a foule sinne And where I should of right haue amended mine euil life and left my sinnes I heaped sinnes vpon sinnes And these be the euils wherewith I whom thou didst create after thine owne similitude and likenesse haue dishonoured thee O Lord and haue spotted and defiled my selfe namelie with idolatrie superstition pride vaine-glorie couetousnesse and other manie euils and foule vices wherewith mine vnluckie soule is vexed punished torne and destroied Behold O Lord mine vnrighteousnesse is gone ouer mine head and is like a sore burden ouer heauie for me to beare and except thou whose propertie is euer to haue mercie and to forgiue doo laie vnder mee the right hand of thy Maiestie I shall be constrained miserablie to sinke into the deepe and be drownd Giue heed O Lord God and behold bicause thou art holie looke how mine enimie assaulteth me saieng GOD hath forsaken him I will persecute him and catch him bicause there is no man that will deliuer him but thou Lord how long Turne againe and deliuer my soule oh saue me for thy mercies sake Haue mercie vpon thy daughter whom thou hast brought foorth with no small sorowe and paine and bee not so intentiue vnto mine euilnesse that thou forget thine owne goodnesse What father is there but hee will deliuer his child Yea and what father is there that will not correct his child and chasten it But with the rod of pitie Therefore O Father and Lord although I be a sinner yet can I not choose but bee thy daughter bicause thou hast made me yea and made me againe when I was mard with sinne Repaire and amend me now euermore O Lord but first of all I being mended and chastised as thy child with thy gentle scourge deliuer me to thy Sonne Can a mother forget the child she bare of hir womb And surelie although she sometime be forgetfull yet thou O Father hast promised not to forget vs. Behold I crie and thou dooest not heare me I am vexed with sorowe and thou comfortest me not What shall I saie Or what shall I doo most wretched caitife that I am I being desolate of so great comfort am cast out trō the sight of thine eies Wo be vnto me From how great goodnesse into how great a mischiefe am I fallen Whither purposed I to go And whither am I come Where am I And where am I not Whom did I labour to attaine vnto And what euils haue I obteined I sought for good things and behold I haue found trouble anguish care Behold now I am in a most miserable case euen in the state of death and damnation For Iesus is not with me my Iesus is departed from me and surelie it were better for me to haue nothing at all yea no being at all than to bee without Iesu It is better not to liue than to liue without life And thou O Lord Iesu where be thine old mercies Wilt thou absent thy selfe for euer Wilt thou bee angrie towards me a wretch for euermore O be pacified I beseech thee and haue mercie vpon
me Be pacified I saie and turne not thy face awaie from me which to the intent thou mightest redeeme me didst not turne awaie thy face from them that rebuked thee scorued thee and spitted vpon thee I confesse and acknowledge that I haue sinned and my conscience deserueth damnation and the penance that I am able to doo is not sufficient to make amends for mine iniquitie but sure and certaine I am that thy mercie exceedeth all offences that a man can doo Oh doo not I be seech thee most pitifull Lord write my heinous sinnes against me that thou shouldest enter into iudgement with thy seruant but according to the multitude of thy mercies now haue mercie vpon me and crosse and blot out all mine iniquities before I depart hence and shall be no more seene in this world For else wo be vnto me wretch that I am when the daie of iudgement commeth and the bookes of consciences shall be laid wide open when it shall be said of me Lo looke vpon this woman and hir works how wicked she is and abhominable they are What shall I doo then I saie O Lord my God when the heauens which I haue offended shall reueale and shew foorth mine iniquitie and the earth which I haue polluted shall arise vp and testifie my manifold misdeeds against me Behold I shall be able alas to giue neuer a word to answere but to stand in thy presence trembling quaking vtterlie confounded and holding downe my head for shame as condemned also by the testimonie of mine owne giltie conscience vnto eternall damnation Alas wretch that I am what shall I saie I will crie vnto thee O Lord my God Why am I consumed and fretted with holding my peace But if I should speake my greefe would not cease and if I hold my peace I shall be most bitterlie vexed within Go to therefore O my soule moorne and lament as a widowe for hir husband that she had in hir virginitie Howle wretch and crie out with weeping because thy spouse Christ hath forsaken thee O caitiffe crie alowd in the eares of thy God and saie O God almightie let not thine anger fall vpon me Deale not with me after my sinnes neither reward me after mine iniquities because that if thou laie so much to my charge as is due for my sinnes it is so much that I cannot receiue it surelie Lord my power is not able for to suffer or beare it Wherefore O Lord haue mercie vpon me least I despaire but in despairing I will take hart to me and be somewhat comforted For although I haue committed so much that thou maist condemne me woorthilie yet thou hast not lost that wherewith thou wast woont to saue sinners neither dooest thou reioice at the destruction and losse of them that die Yea to the intent that dead men might liue thou thy selfe didst die and thy death did kill the death of sinne and if they were reuiued againe and did liue by thy death I beseech thee let not me die now that thou liuest Send downe thy hand and power from high and deliuer me out of the hands of mine enimies that they reioice not ouer me and saie Let vs deuoure him Who euer O good Iesu needed to mistrust of thy mercie which when we were thine enimies didst redeeme vs with thy bloud and reconciled vs vnto God Behold therefore I being hid vnder the shadowe of thy mercie doo come vnto the throne of thy glorie requiring and I doo runne crieng and knocking vntill thou take pitie vpon me For if thou didst call vs to pardon and forgiuenesse before we laboured for pardon how soone shall we obtaine forgiuenesse when wee aske it Doo not remember O most bountifull Iesu thy iustice towards a sinner but thinke vpon thy liberalitie and gentlenesse toward thy creature Doo not remember thine anger toward the giltie but remember thy pitie and mercie toward a wretch Forget me in that I proudlie did prouoke and mooue thee vnto wrath and looke vpon a wretch that calleth vpon thee For what is Iesus but a Sauiour Therefore O good Iesu for thine owne sake arise and helpe me and saie vnto my soule I am thy health and thy safegard Thus I presume much and am verie bold of thy goodnesse O Lord because thou dooest teach vs to aske to seeke and to knocke wherfore I being admonished by thy word doo aske seeke and knocke And thou O Lord that commandest vs to aske make mee able to receiue Thou that giuest counsell to seeke grant that I may finde Thou that teachest vs to knocke open to me when I knocke and confirme me which am vnstable and wauering Restore me that am lost raise me that am dead and vouchsafe to direct and gouerne in thy fauour all my senses my thoughts and dooings that from hencefoorth I may serue thee I may liue toward thee and that I may commit my selfe vnto thee I knowe O my Lord that through this that thou hast made me I owe and am in debt vnto thee euen mine owne selfe and because thou hast redeemed mee and wast made man for my sake for this I owe vnto thee more than my selfe Lo I haue no more neither can I giue that which I haue vnto thee without thee but doo thou take me and drawe me vnto thee that I may be thine in following and louing thee like as I am thine in condition and creation which liuest and reignest one God in blessed Trinitie worlds without end Amen The PSALTER which S. AVGVSTINE composed out of euerie Psalme of Dauid a verse for the vse of his Mother O Lord God almightie and king of eternall glorie who dooest acknowledge him to be a blessed man that abhorreth the waie of sinners and doth meditate in thy lawe daie and night Teach thou me a wretched sinner faithfullie to serue thee with feare and trembling of the heart And seeing with all humilitie of hart I doo call vnto thee with my voice heare me haue mercie vpon mee and so harken vnto my praier that neither thou for thy part rebuke me in thy wrath nor that old enimie to mankinde lieng in wait for his part to deuoure my soule like a Lion and teare it in peeces while there is none to helpe But Lord whose name is excellent in all the world turne thou mine enimie backe that he fall againe and perish at thy presence Let him not intrap my soule with his firie snares and suffer not brimstone and stormie tempests to torment me But for the oppression of the needie and for the sighings of the poore now thou dooest arise behold and heare me O Lord my God because thou art the counsell and trust of the poore Make me to walke vprightlie and to worke righteousnesse that thy fauourable kindnesse may be the portion of mine inheritance Keepe me as the apple of thine eie Hide me vnder the shadowe of thy wings because thou art my strength my rocke and my refuge Cleanse me frō my secret
and happie in the works of our vocation take into thy custodie for euer our soules and bodies our liues and all that euer we haue Be gratious and fauourable oh Lord to all men and euen to our verie enimies and according to thy good will and purpose forgiue them their sinnes conuert vnto thy truth all those whom thou hast appointed in Iesus Christ to saluation Be mercifull O God to all our brethren and sisters that suffer anie kind of persecution or affliction whether in mind or in bodie especiallie such as suffer for thy name and Gospell giue them patience constancie and stedfast hope till thou send them full and good deliuerance of all their troubles Be gratious to all those whom thou hast coupled and linked to vs in loue and friendship whose harts thou hast mooued to praie for vs to wish vs good to succour and helpe vs in our necessities grant vs all thy blessing and holie spirit to sanctifie vs in the vnitie of faith and dwell in vs for euer Finallie oh Lord haue mercie vpon mine husband children and familie which thou hast giuen vs make me to be content with him as thy gift and increase thy feare in our harts that we may trulie loue thee and one another of vs in thee so that we may be pure both in soule and bodie and may godlie liue togither according to thine holie ordinance Giue him an hart of wisedome and vnderstanding and set thy feare alwaie before mine eies that as Ioseph cast off all surmises of the mis-behauiour of Marie his spouse and obeied the word of thine holie Angel so he may beare with mine imperfections and bee obedient in word deed and thought to all that is thy will Oh Lord giue vs the power of thy spirit to gouerne our selues holilie and to rule and bring vp these our children and familie in all godlie feare nurture information of the Lord and knowledge of thy holie word and that we may be alwaies vnto them an example in all godlinesse and vertue to the praise of thine holie name Plant in mine hart all vertues that be necessarie and requisite in a Christian woman giue mee grace so to vse them and all other good gifts which I haue receiued at thy mercifull hands as may be most to thy glorie and praise to my consolation and saluation and to the profit of thy Church Behold Lord although I am but dust earth and ashes yet I haue taken vpon me and am bold to come and make these petitions and requests vnto thee not trusting in mine owne woorthinesse or righteousnesse which I doo acknowledge with the Prophet to be stained and defiled but onlie in thy great mercie and promise and through the merits of Christs death bloud-shedding to laie mine humble praiers before thee requiring mercie pardon and forgiuenesse of all my sinnes and also the assistance of thy grace to doo thy will all the daies of my life and to obteine all these my petitions O therefore heare me speedilie good Lord forgiue me fauourablie O Lord and tarie not ouerlong but for thine owne sake doo it and for thy deere Sonne Iesus Christs sake in whom all thy promises are Yea and Amen which is our onelie Redeemer Mediator Sauiour and Iustifier to whom with thee O Father and the holie Ghost be all honour glorie and praise now and euer Amen Another good and godlie praier to be said at all times of euerie Christian both man and woman O Almightie and euerlasting GOD Father Sonne and holie Ghost thou that hast made heauen and earth and all things in them conteined haue mercie vpon me poore wretched sinner dailie assaulted with all kind of miserie and wretchednesse I beseech thee O Father for the loue of thy Sonne Iesus Christ consider my weakenesse frailtie and imperfection and haue mercie vpon me Increase thy graces in me my souereigne Sauiour my deere Redeemer and mine onelie Iustifier For I come vnto thee O Lord according to the words of our Sauiour Christ who hath said Come vnto me all ye that labour and are laden and I will ease and refresh you Oh most mercifull Father ease me of and from the great burden of my sinne which I haue vnrighteouslie committed against thee either in thought word or deed and refresh my soule dailie with thy mercies Sprinkle me with the sweet hysop of thy mercie and then shall I be cleane wash me and then shall I be whiter than snowe Powre vpon me ioie and gladnesse and make my bones reioice which thou hast smitten Turne thy face from my sinnes and put out all my misdeeds Make me a cleane heart O God and renew a right spirit within me Cast me not awaie from thy presence and take not thy holie spirit from me Oh giue me the comfort of thy helpe againe and stablish me with thy free spirit Then shall I teach thy waies vnto the wicked that sinners may be conuerted vnto thee Deliuer me from bloud guiltinesse O God thou that art the God of my health that my tongue may praise thy righteousnesse Open my lips O Lord then shall my mouth shew foorth thy praise Consider mine imperfection and helpe it with thy mercies Remember thine old woonted mercies and faithfull promises made vnto our forefathers Abraham Isaac and Iacob and all other Patriarchs Prophets Apostles Martyrs and other thy Saints in our Sauiour Christ Iesus who being compassed with infirmitie and weakenesse of the flesh came vnto thee O Lord as vnto the well and euerlasting fountaine of their health and saluation and thou mercifullie susteinedst them keepedst them deliueredst them in all their temptations and tribulations If their feet at anie time slipt or went out of the waie and committed sinne against thee yet thy mercie was alwaies readie so that thou by thine holie spirit diddest procure them to repentance so that they turned againe vnto thee which conuersion and turning againe thou mercifullie acceptedst at their hands For bicause they were desirous to liue perfectlie in thy sight thou preseruedst them so that they were found faithfull before thee O Lord thou art the same and thy yeeres endure for euer I beseech thee O Father beare mine imperfection and helpe it likewise with thy mercie if at anie time I happen to fall and commit sinne against thee as thou saiedst by thine holie Apostle Paule Let thy grace at all time be sufficient for me in such wise that I may immediatelie turne againe by true repentance vnto thee which conuersion and turning againe accept alwaies at mine hands for Iesus Christs sake so shall I be found perfect before thee For although the spirit bee willing yet is the flesh vntoward and weake Therefore doo I not leaue mine owne righteousnesse before thee For I knowe and confesse in me that is to saie in my flesh is nothing but plaine miserie wretchednesse and sinne Therefore doo I come vnto thee and beseech thee for Christes sake to extend thy mercifull hand towards me
protection and keepe vs and all ours this night that the diuell haue no power ouer vs. Be thou watchfull ouer vs O eternall Sauiour least the subtill tempter apprehend vs. For thou art made for vs an euerlasting protector For behold whether we sleepe or wake whether we liue or die we are thine thou art our Creator and redeemer Stand therefore on our behalfe in the watch with the armie of thy celestiall warriers thine Angels which being filled with perfect goodnesse and perpetuall integritie behold thy face alwaies in the heauens Expell from vs and our houses wicked spirits which bee our mortall enimies that they damage vs in no case and deliuer vs from persecutors which laie snares for our destruction Turne not away thy mercie and truth from vs. O God assist vs that peaceablie we may rest and sleepe in quiet We will laie vs downe in peace and sleepe For thou Lord alone makest vs to dwell in safetie without danger Hide vs in thy tabernacle O Lord that sitting in thy secret place and abiding vnder the shadowe of thy wings we may saie vnto thee Lord thou art our keeper and our refuge O God we will trust in thee and will feare no danger And although we were in extreame darknesse yet will wee not feare Though we should walke in the midst of the shadowe of death yet will we dread none euill for thou art with vs thy rod and thy staffe they doo comfort vs. Let thy mercie O God followe vs all the daies of our life that we may dwell in thy house in longnesse of daies praising thee euermore with the Sonne holie Ghost one true God reigning worlds without end Amen Another more large Euening praier with Confession O Lord God Father euerlasting and full of pitie we acknowledge and confesse that we be not woorthie to lift vp our eies to heauen much lesse to present our selues before thy Maiestie with confidence that thou wilt heare our praiers and grant our requests if we consider our owne deseruings For our consciences doo accuse vs and our sinnes beare witnesse against vs and we knowe that thou art an vpright iudge which dooest not iustifie the sinners and wicked men but punishest the faults of all such as transgresse thy commandements Yet most mercifull Father since it hath pleased thee to command vs to call on thee in all our troubles and aduersities promising euen then to helpe vs when we feele our selues as it were swallowed vp of death desperation we vtterlie renounce all worldlie confidence and flie to thy souereigne bountie as our onlie staie and refuge beseeching thee not to call to remembrance our manifold sinnes and wickednesse whereby we continuallie prouoke thy wrath and indignation against vs neither our negligence and vnkindnesse which haue neither woorthilie esteemed nor in our liues sufficientlie expressed the sweet comfort of thy Gospell reuealed vnto vs but rather to accept the obedience and death of thy Sonne who by offering vp his bodie in sacrifice once for all hath made a sufficient recompense for all our sinnes Haue mercie therefore vpon vs O Lord forgiue vs our offences Teach vs by thy holie spirit that we may rightlie way them and earnestlie repent for the same and so much the rather O Lord because that the reprobate such as thou hast forsaken can not praise thee nor call vpon thy name but the repenting hart the sorowfull mind the conscience oppressed hungering and thirsting for thy grace shall euer set forth thy praise and glorie And albeit we be but woorms dust yet thou art our Creator and we be the worke of thy hands yea thou art our Father and we thy children thou art our shepheard and we thy flocke thou art our redeemer we the people whom thou hast bought thou art our God and we thine inheritance Correct vs not therefore in thine anger O Lord neither according to our deserts punish vs but mercifullie chastise vs with a fatherlie affection that all the world may knowe that at what time soeuer a sinner doth repent him of his sins from the bottome of his hart thou wilt put awaie his wickednesse out of thy remembrance as thou hast promised by thy holie Prophet Finallie we humblie thanke thee O mercifull Father by thy deerelie beloued Sonne Iesus Christ our Sauiour for all thy benefits bestowed vpon vs from the beginning of the world to this time for our election our creation our redemption our sanctification continuall preseruation and namelie for that of thy mercie and goodnesse thou hast preserued vs this daie and all the time of our life hitherto from all misfortunes hurts and dangers bodilie ghostlie And forsomuch as it hath pleased thee to make the night for man to rest in as thou hast ordeined him the daie to trauell and that whither we sleepe or wake liue or die we are alwaies thine grant O deere Father that we may so take our bodilie rest this night that our soules and harts being kindled with the light of thy countenance may continuallie watch for the time that our Lord Iesus Christ shall appeare for our deliuerance out of this mortall life And in the meane season take thou O God care and charge of vs and all ours that we perish not in the works of darkenesse and that we not ouercome by anie fantasies dreames or other temptations may fullie set our minds vpon thee loue thee feare thee and rest in thee Furthermore that our sleepe be not excessiue or ouermuch after the insatiable desires of the flesh but onlie sufficient to content our weake nature that enioieng sweet sleepe and comfortable rest both in bodie and mind we may healthfullie and ioifullie rise againe and be the better disposed to liue in all godlie conuersation and perfect obedience of thy word to the glorie of thy holie name and profit of thy Church through Iesus Christ our Lord in whose name we furthermore make our humble petitions vnto thee not onlie for our selues but for all others whome thou wouldest we should continuallie praie for saieng as he in his holie word hath taught vs Our Father which art in heauen c. O Lord increase our faith strengthen it in thy manifold sweet promises and grant vs a perfect continuance therein to our liues end whereof we humblie make our confession saieng I beleeue in God c. Let thy mightie hand and out-stretched arme O Lord be still our defence thy mercie and louing kindnes in Iesu Christ thy deere Sonne our saluation thy true holie word our instruction thy life holie actions our imitation thy grace holie spirit our comfort consolatiō vnto the end in the end and the blessing of God almightie Father Sonne and holie Ghost be with vs and remaine with vs now euer Amen A forme of generall praier to be vsed in priuate houses and families euerie Euening O Lord prepare our harts to praier for if we praie with our lips onlie our praiers
is the daie which the Lord hath made we will reioice and be glad therein and euermore sing Halleluiah Halleluiah The Praier OF thy woonderfull victorie and resurrection from death and glorious kingdome O Sonne of God it was said In that daie the roote of Iesse shall stand to be a signe to the people vnto him shall the nations flie and his rest shall be glorie Thou art that blessed branch of Dauid thou tookest mans nature vpon thee and camest of the line of Dauid but in the time of thy humiliation thou wast but a sprig as it were in a drie ground a notable and heauenlie plant but oppressed with miseries Thy soule dried awaie being beaten with the mightie tempest of Gods displeasure against our sinnes notwithstanding that goodlie roote through the power of thy diuine nature was not vtterlie choaked Thou art deliuered from the midst of death and by thy diuine power thou standest victoriouslie ouer thine enimies and art readie to bring vs thy souldiers from all euils and make vs partakers of thy most glorious conquest in thy kingdome which is altogither otherwise than the triumph and glorie of this world Death endeth all the pride power and pompe of this world but thy death and rest is glorious thy kingdome and glorie beginneth when our life is ended O Christ Sonne of God how woonderfull was thy rest Man at the first was made to be a noble and holie Temple wherein a perpetuall Sabboth should be celebrated and a diuine nature should abide filling and comforting him with plentie of heauenlie riches But this rest was turned into vnquietnes and this ioie into sorowe through the hatred of sathan thine enimie which prophaned this temple and sabboth brought in an horrible misorder and wickednes Wherefore it pleased thine almightie Father of his goodnes to send thee his onlie Sonne from his owne bosome to restore againe this Sabboth Hence it was that after a woonderfull manner in the daie of the great Sabboth according to the lawe of Moses thine humane nature through death which separated the soule from the bodie rested in the sepulchre and the word which forsooke not that nature no not at the graue reuiued that flesh the third daie and so thou rosest againe when the time of our redemption was expired victoriouslie vnto thy kingdome and giuest an eternall Sabboth and rest to such as flie vnto thee O Sonne of God call thou sinners euen vs miserable and vncleane persons vnto that sacred feast which in this world through thee the cheefe Priest is begun and shall be then made perfect when the elect for euermore shall followe the Lambe whithersoeuer he go Put on vs the festiuall garment the garment of thy righteousnes and benediction that we putting awaie the leauen of malice and wickednes may celebrate the feast in the sweet bread of sinceritie serue thee in purenes of liuing and truth This yeare from thine incarnation 1582. are passed 3091 yeares since the first passouer which the Israelites did celebrate going out of Egypt so long hast thou preserued thy Church and we beseech thee preserue it euerlastinglie notwithstanding the rage of the diuell and his ministers And as thou defendedst thy people which eate of the Lambe and moreouer going through out Egypt slaiedst in thy righteous iudgements all the first borne in the land so assist vs that with a liuelie faith we may feed on thee the true Lamb. Keepe vs among all the miseries of this last age of the world The carcases remaining were cast awaie and condemned but thy oblation is gratefull in the sight of God it appeaseth the wrath of the eternall Father and by the eating of thee which art the Lamb of God taking awaie the sinnes of the world righteousnes and life is giuen to beleeuers The word raiseth againe and quickneth the flesh that vnto vs ingraffed therevnto by faith the like life may be giuen and the bodie of sinne mortified in vs and thou liue and reigne in vs for euermore wherefore let thy glorious rest be in vs. We are made of earth and after sinne our bodies were appointed to the earth yea the vngodlie shall abide for euer in the earth and neuer appeare in thy glorious heauen But after thou touchedst the death with thy liuelie flesh thou madest it light thou tookest awaie the heauinesse thereof Through the blast of the first serpent manie times euen mans flesh is turned into verie serpents And in the graue of the wicked more horrible is the filth of spirituall dragons and serpents which deuour them euerlastinglie and keepe them in perpetuall death But thou O Sonne of God makest the graues of thy saincts euen pleasant chambers as it were Thou driuest far awaie from thence all filthinesse of sathan Thou settest about them the watchmen euen thy pure Angels which bring their soules into paradise commending them into the hands and bosome of thy Father and keepe also their ashes which both were and shall be at thy returne the house of the holie ghost Beautifie vs in like manner with this thy glorie of true knowledge and calling vpon thee Be present with vs at the point of death receiue our soules at their departure into thine hands shew thou thy comfort ioie till at the resurrection of mankind thou crowne thine elect with perfect endlesse glorie a taste wherof might be seene in those fortie daies after thy resurrection Neuer was there so goodlie a world as that was when thou rosest from death and broughtest out of their graues a great companie of thy Saincts as the Scripture plainelie but breeflie for the vngodlie doth testifie Familiarlie did the holie fathers and matrones remaine with thy sweet mother and Apostles Pleasant speeches and much talke was made no doubt of the miseries of man of the vnspeakable benefits gotten by thee and of the glorie of eternall life O Lord raise thou vp our harts that with a true desire we may long to come into this faire companie Let vs turne our selues in cogitation vnto that holie assemblie Let vs hearken vnto and learne thy wisedome reuealed in thy word In this life thy Church is in darkenesse in miseries men are occupied in the obseruation of outward ceremonies as those godlie women they will annoint thy bodie Manie times thy Church seemeth to be depriued of thy sweet presence and vttereth these sorrowfull words They haue taken awaie my Lord and I can not tell where they haue laid him But O Sonne of God amend the mortall darkenesse within vs kindle in our soule thine inward seruice which pleaseth thee manifest thy selfe vnto vs in affliction speake these comfortable words in our calamitie vnto vs Weepe not that euen in death we may thinke with our selues that thou art present and after death rise againe to the fruition of eternall life with thy blessed Saincts Amen Another ALmightie God and most mercifull heauenlie Father who hast raised vp thy Sonne for our iustification as thou gauest him to