God might by the diuine vertue of thy death and passion be reconciled and escape the penaltie of the lawe to the curse whereof sinne had made vs subiect but thou by thy sufferings hast set vs at libertie and deliuered vs from danger of damnation We cannot imagine how to extoll thy mercie sufficientlie in taking vpon thée a worke of such difficultie euen the appeasing of thy fathers wrath kindled against vs in whome the glorious image of our Creator was shamefullie defaced Thy bowels of compassion and tender loue excéede all comparison For the manifold torments which thou in thy mortall bodie didst suffer in the presence of most vniust Iudges are assured warrants of thy tendernes ouer vs whome to set frée from punishment thou gauest thine owne déere and most swéete soule to be a satisfactorie oblation vpon the which all our filth of sinne might be cast and so cease as not imputable vnto vs anie more thereby reconciling vs vnto thy father and sealing the same attonement with thy pretious heart bloud To thée therefore be honour and praise for euermore Amen The sixt Blossome conteining A thankesgiuing for the benefite of our iustification LAude and praise be giuen vnto thée O eternall God who hast vouchsafed to adopt vs into the number of thy chosen children not for anie of our merits but for thy mercie sake the curse of the lawe taking force by sinne notwithstanding And we extoll thy goodnes O most bountifull father for that thou hast of thy frée grace for Iesus sake in whome thou art delighted staied the execution of thy wrath and vengeance against vs who haue prouoked thée to indignation by our manifold sinnes and wickednes which had vtterlie excluded and shut vs out of the gates of thy good will did it not please thée at the intercession of thy beloued sonne to receiue vs into fauour and to reckon vs for righteous by the remission of our sinnes and the imputation of thy sonnes righteousnes We haue so lead our life since the first time that thy hand planted vs in this world as that the whole race which we haue runne hath bene a kind of continuall kindling of thy furie to consume vs and yet O vnmeasurable mercie thou hast so pitied our weakenesses that thou hast and doest iustifie vs that is to saie acquite vs that were accused from all filthines and that by the mediation of thy sonne Iesus Christ not by allowance of our innocencie but by imputation of his righteousnes that in him we which in our selues are iudged vnrighteous might be counted righteous To thée therefore O most louing father and to Iesus Christ thy sonne be all honour and glorie Amen The seuenth Blossome conteining A thankesgiuing for the gift of our sanctification ALmightie God which from time to time hast sanctified thy people and purged their harts from the prophane imaginations of idolatrous and heathenish vnbeléeuers that they might be a holie heritage a peculiar people vnto thee zealous of good workes and addicted vnto the deuout seruice of thée we praise and magnifie thy goodnes in that it hath pleased thée to sequester vs from the number of the pagan people who are altogether ignorant of thée and thy diuine worship and hast opened the eies of our vnderstandings and sanctified them by the visitation and presence of thy holie spirit whereby we haue atteined to the knowledge of thy truth and the mysteries reuealed in the same Which sanctification as thou hast vouchsafed to begin in vs so we most humblie beséech thée to continue euen to the end tearme of our life that the old leauen of maliciousnes being quite cleanfed awaie we may be changed into new dowe to serue thée in holines and righteousnes which is the end of our election O holie Ghost which didst descend in the similitude of a doue and in the likenes of clouen tongues ouershadowe vs we beséech thée and take vp thy dwelling in our harts that whatsoeuer we saie thinke or do may lauour and tast of sanctification so shall we for this and all other thy good graces as we are bound by dutie praise and glorifie thée for euer and euer Amen The eight Blossome conteining A thankesgiuing for our preseruation OMnipotent God most mightie in word and déede which hatest nothing that thy holie hands haue created we praise and magnifie thée for all thy benefites bestowed vpon vs from our infancie vntill this our present age for caring and prouiding for vs all necessaries conuenient and agréeable to this our mortall life we thanke thée for our health wealth and libertie our peace quietnes tranquillitie our children offspring and affinitie all which are thy blessings not due to vs by desert but bestowed vpon vs of thy goodnes and frée will And as we glorifie thee for these thy temporall benefits so we magnifie thee and extoll thy most holie name for the rich treasure of thy word and Gospell for thy holie sacraments and other gifts powred vpon thy Church and congregation of whome we confesse our selues to be members and thy son Christ Iesus the principall and supreme head in whome béeing knit together like liuelie stones we make one spirituall building erected to the honour of thy most blessed name We giue thée thankes also O mercifull father for thy patience thy long sufferance and forbearing to punish vs dailie offending against thy diuine maiestie for the preaching of thy word to call vs home vnto thée by repentance and to a reformed life for defending vs from bodilie dangers at home and abroade by water and land in companie and alone whereas manie a one doth miscarrie as we sée and by due proofe are able to testifie For some are drowned some hanged some burned some boiled some dismembred some murthered one this waie another that waie destroied in strange forme and fashion by fire by water by weapon by famine by sicknesse and other casualties some suddenlie some lingeringlie some infamouslie and diuers diuerslie as they are eating as they are drinking as they are dansing as they are cursing as they are forswearing as they are sleeping as they are waking some betraied of their counterfet friends some insnard of their malicious enimies some falling into the hands of théeues on land some assaulted of pirats on sea and manie by manifold meanes ouertaken with diuers dangers oftentimes denouncing extremitie of death From the which perils for that it hath pleased thée of thine infinite clemencie to preserue and saue vs from our verie cradle wherewith we might haue bene ouerthrowne and so spéedilie dispatched had not thy holie hand ouershadowed vs and compassed vs round about being wrapped in our swathling cloutes we giue thée most hartie thankes and praise thy blessed name with pure vndefiled lips Accept our seruice receiue our sacrifice euen the eleuation and lifting vp of our hands and harts vnto thée the oblation of thanksgiuing presented vnto thy diuine Maiestie for thine innumerable graces and blessings
the calling of a Christian Hast thou not béene obstinate of life rebellious and disobedient casting behinde thée the commandements of thy parents 3 Hast thou not béene a breaker of the holie Sabboth which God himselfe sanctified for the imitation of all men that with circumcised harts they should celebrate and solemnize the same Hast thou not applied that daie seuered to holie exercises to vaine pastimes for thine owne pleasure and recreation yea hast thou not spent it in beastlie behauiour as in Epicurisme bellie cheare sensualitie Gentilisme and otherwise than the precise vocation of a well reformed Christian requireth Hast thou not bene maliciouslie minded enuious mercilesse vncharitable couetous an extortioner a briber a â—surer a violent oppresser a defrauder of the poore a gréedie gatherer all which with thousands the like enormities tend to the violating of the lawe of God 4 Hast thou not bene wanton lewd lecherous bawdie in speach and communication a defiler of thy vessell an adulterus person led into sundrie lusts and concupiscences a tempter of maidens and wiues to naughtines an allurer of yong damsels to the violating of their virginitie a singer of light songs and sonets a teller of tales and stories of loue and what loue is a nice danser and such like all which tend to the peruerting of honestie and are as it were bellowes to blowe and kindle the fire of fleshlie lust and concupiscence Hast thou not bene a priuie pilferer an open â—reaâ—er a robber a theefe an vsurper of that which is not thine owne a challenger of another mans right a false dealer a seeker after filthie lucre and a shamelesse slaunderer which is a kinde of stealth most detestable Hast thou not coueted this and that as thou hast bene caried awaie with the violence of thy desires knowing that although it might make for thy profite yet it could not but turne to the damage of thy brother 5 Hast thou offended in these cases or art thou cleare If thou haue so walked that thy conscience can pleade faultles vngiltie betwixt thée and thine innocencie then maist thou boldlie beléeue that the grace of God is thy guide and gouernour then maist thou be assured that thou art in the verie footepath to felicitie passing into the land of promise Hierusalem the Lords citie not built with hands as subiect to ruine and corruption but eternall and euerlasting The fourth Chapter 1 None is voide of sinne no not one all haue transgressed and gone astraie 2 The mercie of God the cause of mans restitution after his fall 3 To what end Christ suffered torments in this world 4 None is able to fulfill the commandements of God and that God hath a regard to our infirmities 5 What he must do that would liue eternallie BUT alas what is he that hath not offended Is there anie man that is able to stand in triall of his innocencie 1 Our parents sinne stained vs and their transgression was deliuered to vs by line all descent how then can we comming of vnrighteous parents be inculpable and blamelesse children Truth it is A corrupt trée bringeth forth corrupt fruite and pitch defileth them that touch it 2 Neuerthelesse the mercie of God was such after the fall of Adam and Eue in Paradise that in the bloud of his sonne shed vpon the crosse in the open face of the world he wrought his restitution and placed him in the hope of saluation from whence before he fell 3 This did he to the end that by his death the force of sinne being broken and the power of Sathan crushed we might no longer wallowe in the mire of filthines like swine but reare vp our selues to heauen there to haue our harts fixed where he sitteth in whome the fulnes of our felicitie is reposed 4 And though the lawe of the Lord be so vpright and iust and our nature so corrupt and defiled that we haue no abilitie nor power of our selues to fulfill the commandements for we haue not so much as the least sparkle of sufficiencie in this consideration such is our pronenesse to do amisse yet the Lord God is so louing vnto vs that he holdeth himselfe contented with our weake working of his will for his sonnes sake in whome our want is supplied 5 Who so therefore is desirous to taste of the fruite of the trée of life and to drinke of the pleasant running riuers of rest who so I saie longeth after true happines and faine would sée good daies let him endeuour to the vttermost of his might to tame and bridle his wandering desires which if they be not brought vnder and constrained to grone vnder the yoke of subiection he shall haue his mind so bent vpon transitorie vanities and his wilso wedded to this wicked world that the light of his vnderstanding being put out he shall neuer finde the footepath of faith leading the high waie to heauen In this respect therefore let vs learne what is to be done The fift Chapter 1 The looking glasse of Gods word and the effects of the same 2 The dignitie of man in comparison of al other creatures 3 His state in the first Adam and his state in the second 4 The assaultes of Sathan notwithstanding our redemption and what we must do in temptation 5 Our duties towards God for his gratious giftes and benefites in prosperitie 1 THOU that wouldst treade the footepath to felicitie must take into thy hands the looking glasse of Gods word where thou shalt see in thy selfe all the staines and blemishes of sinne and shalt likewise finde in a readines swéete water to wash them awaie and to cleanse thée from all such filthines and pollusion 2 There thou shalt sée the dignitie of man in comparison of all other creatures he onelie being indued with reason and all other liuing things beside lead by lust Consider of this excellent blessing be thankfull for it and giue God the glorie This is the footepath to felicitie 3 Againe let this be thy dailie meditation that through the fall of the first Adam thou becamest a castawaie but by the death of the second Adam thine attonement in his bloudshed being accomplished thou wast receiued againe into fauour Consider of this excellent blessing be thankefull for it and giue God the glorie This is the footepath to felicitie 4 And though thy redemption be wrought by and through the innocent passion of Christ yet Sathan thy cankered enimie is assaulting thée afresh with newe traines and snares séeking to vndermine thée praie God to fortifie thy faith cast out thine anchor on the firme land of constancie crie for helpe at his hand whose helpe is in a readines repose all thy hope in him that hath care of thy safetie and is of power to confound thy ghostlie enimie Consider of this excellent blessing be thankefull for it and giue God the glorie This is the footepath to felicitie 5 If thou be crowned with the graces and gifts of God either corporall or
to the earth out of whose bowels he sprang The like lawe of necessitie tooke hold of mother Eue of Caine Abel Sheth and the issue of him and his to the daies of Noah who notwithstanding his preseruation in the Arke from the generall floud went the waie of his predecessors hauing liued the space of nine hundred and fiftie yeares 5 Abraham the father of the faithfull so named by the holie Ghost and after him all the Patriarches yea Moses that good man at whose intercession God spared the wicked Iewes manie a time and withdrew the whip of his vengeance wherewith he was purposed to smite them euen he and the rest Enoch onelie excepted who after his assumption was no more séene among men had but their time beyond which they might not by anie dispensation passe so that we sée euen in them notwithstanding their excellencie the waie of all flesh which is naturall death manifestlie expressed 6 It were more laborious and cumbersome than necessarie and requisite to adde anie more examples in so plain vndoubted an argument Considering then that these men being longer liuers than the rest paide tribute vnto Cesar it is verie vnlikelie that anie inferiour vnto them in all respects should be exempted from the discharge of so due a debt 7 This waie of all flesh walked Samson notwithstanding his wonderfull strength diuers waies declared Salomon for all his wisdome the brute whereof together with his magnificence and roialtie caused him to be renowmed far and néere so that neither the one were his fortitude and might incomparable yea so rare and strange as that the Lion of all beastes the valiantest was in his handling as weake as a Lambe nor the other were his knowledge so profound and heauenlie as that the signification of no secret was too high for his wit could adde one daie one houre no not so much as one minute to the length of their life no more than it is in mans power to put one cubite to his stature or to make one heare white or blacke 8 The conclusion therefore is euident that there is one waie of all flesh and that is death chance it either on land by sicknes on sea by drowning in battell by the sword chance it either by fire or famine by pestilence or other maladie chance it either sléeping or waking eating or drinking riding or running laughing or wéeping the common and ordinarie ende is death and all is but death be the meanes neuer so diuers This considered and aduisedlie thought vpon there were no better bridle to raine in the coltish nature of man and to restraine him from the filthie custome of sinne wherevpon dependeth eternall death and damnation for this is the footepath to felicitie The ninth Chapter 1 A dead coarse compared to a looking glasse and the necessarie doctrine therevpon depending 2 Of two differing waies deciphered by the letter Y. 3 The testimonie of Christ touching these two waies 4 Who they be that walke in the wide waie of wickednes and of the preposterous course of the world 5 That no man hath the power to reforme himselfe 6 Necessarie considerations for true Christians 7 Of such as hauing gone astraie in the wrong waie retired and drewe backe into the right and of one that would not be persuaded to tread in crooked pathes 8 Of such as walked in the wide waie of wickednes and of their wofull case 9 An exhortation how we ought to walke 1 THe waie of all flesh remembred as it is rehearsed the hearts of men by litle and litle must néeds growe into a misliking of sinne For as to haue a looking glasse before thy face and therin to take a view of thy phisiognomie is a present and readie waie to make thée sée anie blemish wart speckle freckle mole staine spot or wrinkle in thy countenance and to amend and reforme it if it be not naturall and brought euen from the verie cradle so to consider in a dead coarse the state of thine owne bodie when thou shalt be called if thou be touched with anie care of conscience should not onlie put into thy minde the remembrance of death but also the cause of the same which is sinne for that men die and returne to earth from whence they came the cause is sinne onlie wherewith if the nature of man had not ben corrupted his state had bene heauenlie diuine angelike immortall 2 This common and vsuall waie of all flesh is an entrance vnto two other waies beside which waies there is no third to be looked for These two waies as they differ in description as they varie in compas as they are vnlike in proportion so the walkers in these two waies are contrarie in disposition diuers in qualitie nothing like inclined These two waies manie hundred yeares past were signified and set foorth by a prophane Philosopher in a letter of the crosse rowe namelie Y wherein we may sée with what wisedome that heathen man weighed the waies of worldlings cutting his letter in two parts the one toward the left hand broade ample large and wide because of the multitudes which it receiueth the other toward the right narrowe and streight for that they are but few in number which treade in it and yet roome enough remaining and more indéede than is like to be occupied the more to be lamented 3 Of these two waies spake he in whome the thrée principall and soueraigne callings were crowned I meane Christ King Priest and Prophet For he tendering from time to time the sicklie soule of man and séeing by the mysterie of his diuinitie the manifold miseries wherein he was wrapped like a fish in a net besides the danger of damnation whereinto he was like had not the grace of God preuented him deseruedlie to runne did not onlie by preaching but also by working miracles séeke to laie a plaister to his festered sore but he refused the helping hand of the Physician the more pitie he had so little grace This Christ the expresse image of his father noted these two waies no doubt to singular purpose when he gaue vs this lesson worthie the learning saieng Enter in at the narowe waie for wide is the waie and broade is the gate that leadeth to destruction and manie they be that walke in it but narowe is the waie and streight is the gate that leadeth to life and few they be that go in at it because it is the footepath to felicitie 4 In this wide waie walke the wicked whome no counsell no admonition no preaching no teaching no denouncing of Gods iudgements can reuoke whose happines and felicitie séemeth vnto them so much the more perfect as they excéede in heaping sinne vpon sinne and make no conscience of their inordinate liuing naie who is in better case who in greater credite who more supported than he that glorieth in his filthines and counteth it no shame to beare about him euen in his forhead the notes markes and prints of his
abhominations How farre these swine are from the footepath to felicitie anie man may iudge 5 It is not to be spoken for the truth trieth it selfe that these men sit in the shadowe of death and though they séeme to haue their heauen in this life yet doubtles both their féete are in hell mouth and their bodies and soules are like to followe one daie except the wonderfull grace of God and his vnspeakeable mercie worke in them a strange and vnthought vpon alteration For no man of himselfe can streighten his crookednes plaine his roughnes soften his hardnes swéeten his sowrenes tame his wildnes refourme his wickednes cleanse his filthines supplie his vnperfectnes this is the worke of Gods spirit the aide and assistance whereof we must séeke by praier and inuocation before we can treade the footepath to felicitie 6 Now séeing that we are subiect vnto falling and not able to stand vnlesse the Lord staie vs moreouer for that the waie of the King and the begger in respect of this life is all one Againe séeing we haue a daie of resurrection when we all shall receiue as we haue deserued paine in hell or ioie in heauen were it not madnes naie were it not desperatenes in vs the cogitation of these things with a number more neglected to runne on still with full raine in wickednes to become slaues to sinne to serue Sathan to fight against God to adnihilate or make of none effect the merits of Christs passion to minister occasion to the Angels of mourning to gréeue the holie Ghost to buffet and wound thine owne soule to throwe thy selfe wilfullie into destruction I thinke yes what is thine opinion 7 Well fare the prodigall childe for he wandering in this wrong waie and being touched in conscience and taught that he was not right retired and came home with a sorrowfull song and lamentable outcrie Father I haue sinned Well fare Marie Magdalene for she trauelling in this bypath of perdition and inwardlie called to a reformation of her filthie life for she was a gréeuous sinner submitted her selfe fell on the ground stooped knéeled vpon her knées washed the féete of Iesus with her teares and wiped them with the heares of her head Well fare the poore and contemned Publicane for he in the heauines of his hart lamented that euer he ranne at randon in this crooked waie he thumped his breast with his fistes and from the verie bottome of his heart cried out for mercie saieng O Lord haue mercie vpon me a sinner Well fare the Niniuites for they hauing gone astraie like lost shéepe and walking in the waie of sinners which is the waie of death heard the Prophet Ionas ringing vnto them the alarum bell of repentance and being reuoked from their wickednes escaped threatened destruction Well fare Ioseph that paterne of integritie and vprightnes for he would not in anie wise walke with the wife of Potiphar in the waie of wantonnes her alluring lookes her flattering enticements her proffered violence her instant and importunate temptations notwithstanding These with millians more may teach and instruct such as tender the saluation of their owne soules that it is better to treade the streight and narrowe path of vertue and innocencie which leadeth vnto life though it séeme vnpleasant and troublesome than to wander in the wide waie of wickednes which tendeth vnto eternall death though it be most delectable and fragrant for this is no footepath to felicitie 8 But wo worth that cruell cutthrote whose maister hauing forgiuen him a great debt euen the summe of ten thousand talents arrested his fellowseruant for a debt of an hundred pence cruellie cast him in prison and would not release him till he had discharged the whole summe which was but fiue and twentie shillings This fellowe walked in the waie of wickednes and therefore he is condemned vnto death eternall Wo vnto that graceles and dissembling sonne who being commanded of his father to go and worke in his Uineyard answered that he would and yet went not but spent the time otherwise vnthriftilie this man walked in the waie of disobedience which is sinne and therefore is in danger of eternall death Wo vnto those merciles husbandmen vnto whome the trauelling housholder hauing let out his Uineyard and requiring the increase of the fame by his seruants whome he had sent to that purpose was not onlie withstoode in his message but had not onelie his seruants but also his onelie sonne the heire of all his lands kéeping possession abused beaten and killed These husbandmen for their crueltie and vniust dealing shall abie at the daie of iudgement and as they walked in the waie of death so death euen euerlasting death shall be their portion Wo vnto those vnthankefull and careles worldlings who being solemnelie inuited and bidden to that great supper in the Gospell excused themselues by the necessitie of their weightie affaires and refused to come for they in so doing neglected their owne soules health therby most wilfullie ran in danger of eternall death Wo vnto him that being vngarnished with a wedding garment durst notwithstanding sit downe at the banket for he in so doing did highlie offend the maister of the feast and by his presumption ranne in danger of death and damnation Wo vnto that yong man whom Christ by his owne mouth taught how to become perfect namelie by selling all that he had and giuing it vnto the poore which doctrine séeming bitter vnto him and too sharp for his digestion he departed too too heauie and sorrowfull as very loth to pay so deare for heauenlie treasure This rich Gentleman would not pay so hie a price for the discipline of Christ and therefore was so much the further off from life and saluation by how much he was nearer vnto death and condemnation Wo vnto that couetous foole who hauing his hart set vpon his halfepenie inlarged his barnes to receiue his plentifull crop singing swéetelie to his soule Be merrie and take thine ease thou hast wealth enough for manie yeares not mistrusting or doubting anie thing that the diuels were agréed that same night to fetch his soule away And thus he wretched worldling walked in the way of death and destruction Wo vnto the vncleane beastlie Gergesens among whom Christ working manie miracles was so farre from any curteous intertainment that he was desired for the safetie of their swine to depart from their coasts thus preferring their hogs before their souls health they wilfullie walked the way of death and vtter desolation not passing a point for the footepath to felicitie 9 The Scripture abounding with such examples teacheth vs the danger of walking in darkenesse and sitting in the shadowe of death And therefore néeding no better schoolemaister vnto Christ let vs be content to learne in them the wholsome lessons of life which if we print in the tables of our hart kéepe grauen in memorie as in a marble stone to imitate and followe them to be ruled
that we feéling our selues inwardlie before thy iudgement seate discharged and our consciences towards theé released may be swallowed vp with an vnfeined loue toward thy heauenlie Maiestie and towards our brethren for thy sake 5 Make sinne to die in vs dailie more and more that we may hate detest and vtterlie abhorre all sinne and wickednes in all men but especiallie in our selues that we may stronglie through thy holie spirit set our selues in open warre and defiance against all sin and wickednes that we please not our selues in our sinnes but streightlie examining sinne by the iust rule of thy holie lawes we may vtterlie from the bottome of our hearts condemne euen the least sinne in our selues hauing our whole ioie comfort and consolation vpon those things which be agreéable to thy blessed will 6 Giue vs grace alwaies to be afraide to do anie thing contrarie to thy good pleasure and from the bottome of our hearts to examine and trie our thoughts before thy presence that they be vpright and vnfeined not hypocriticall in outward shew onlie and appearance but that euen all corners of our hearts being opened and disclosed before theé we may euen as though it were openlie before the face of the whole world bring them in shewe knowing that a double hart is detestable in thy sight 7 O Lord direct and guide our feéte that we may walke alwaies as before thine eies not onelie before the eies of man being more carefull to walke circumspectlie in this respect that we haue theé to be a viewer of our doings a thousand fold more than the eies of man that thus we may walke as becommeth thy children not onlie in outward shew but also in sinceritie of hart abhorring euen the least sinne in our selues striuing resisting and fighting against sinne not delighting our selues in sinne nor nourishing the same in our breast but earnestlie embracing and studiouslie seéking after those things which be pleasant in thine eies 8 O good Lord make vs constant and firme harted that neither the feare of man nor losse of goods life lands possessions or friendes drawe vs awaie from theé to do anie the least thing contrarie to thy will and pleasure neither the fauour or friendship of man nor yet the flattering enticements of this world nor the vaine promotions of the same do moue vs anie whit from the true and endles ioie delight pleasure which we ought to haue in those things which be agreéable to thy will and the constant performance of the same but that alwaies to the end of our life we may continue in thy pathes growing and increasing from faith to faith from strength to strength till at the length we shall come to thy euerlasting rest Amen T. C. The second Branch of Petition The first Blossome conteining A praier to God at our vprising in the morning O Bountifull GOD which among all other thine aboundant blessings hast giuen vs the bright daie and Sunne shine to be the guide and gouernour of all our doings we beseéch theé that as thou art the father of light and hast sent light among vs not onlie the light of the cleére daie but also the light of thy glorious Gospell so thou wouldest direct all that we go about in light that we may shew our selues children of light in applieng our labour and occupieng both our minds and bodies in the workes of light that when the daie of retribution shall come when thou wilt reward euerie one according to the measure of their merits we maie enter into that light whose brightnes shall neuer be darkened there to liue with him who is the light of the world Iesus Christ the righteous to whome with theé and the holie Ghost be all laud praise honour and glorie for euermore Amen The second blossome conteining A petition to be said at the putting on of our clothes O Eternall and most mercifull Father we beseéch theé as thou hast giuen vs clothes to couer our bodies to hide our nakednes to preserue our corporall health so to decke and beautifie our soules with the riches of thy true knowledge which is the summe and substance of all perfect happines through Iesus Christ our sauiour Amen The third Blossome conteining A petition to be said at the washing of our hands GRant O mercifull sauiour that as with this water the filth and vncleannes of our bodilie members are washed and scowred so our inward soules may by the dailie remembrance and vertue of thy bloudie death and passion be purged from all sinne and iniquitie that both bodie and soule being voide of blemish we maie come the neérer vnto theé in perfection Amen The fourth Blossome conteining A petition to God at our going abroade about our worldlie businesse O Gratious God which sanctifiest the hearts of thy chosen seruants and circumcisest their thoughts in so much that they become wholie acceptable vnto theé and are altogether cleansed from carnalitie and corruption we beseéch theé so to pitch the tents of thy protection and prouidence about vs this present daie that all things whatsoeuer we purpose may by thy gratious guiding be so disposed and prospered that our hearts be not carried awaie with the cares of this world as hauing little hope in thine all sufficiencie and bountifulnes O Lord so season vs with the salt not of vnsauourinesse least we be throwne out vpon the dunghill of reprobation and so troden vnder foote as out-casts of none account but with the salt of sinceritie and righteousnes so powder our spirits that whatsoeuer we take in hand this present daie may be so furthered helped forward and prospered by thy goodnes that we thereby may reape sufficient commoditie none offended or discontented either with vs or our labour nor thou by anie meanes dishonoured but highlie praised and glorified both in vs and in our doings according to the saieng of thy sonne in the holie Gospell Let your light so shine before men that they seéing your good workes may glorifie your father which is in heauen This O Lord and all other graces necessarie grant vnto vs for thy sonnes sake our onlie mediatour and aduocate Amen The fift Blossome conteining A petition to be said when we are at worke and about our businesse PRosper O Lord by the presence assistance of thy grace the businesse which we haue in hand Put into our minds to do it faithfullie and rather for conscience sake than couetousnes Further our affaires we beséech thée of thine infinite goodnes giue our labours prosperous happie successe and graunt vs grace to glorifie thée in thy blessings Amen The sixt Blossome conteining A petition vnto God at the leauing off from our labour whether it be of bodie or minde ALmightie God and most mercifull father which cloathest the lillies of the field with such roialtie as Salomon when he sat vpon the throne of his maiestie neuer possessed which feedest the birds of the aire the beasts of the land and the fish
of the sea with sustenance conuenient and agréeing with their nature we beséech thée to accept at our hands this sacrifice of thankesgiuing offered vp vnto thée for thy manifold benefits and among all other for that thou hast hitherto prospered vs in our busines and labour which thou hast not made frustrate and vnfruitefull but with due measure and weight of profit aduantage hast let it passe out of our hands And we beséech thée O father that as thou hast hitherto bene the ouerséer of all our studies and trauels making them fruitefull and beneficiall vnto vs so it would please thée to continue still thine accustomed bountifulnes and to giue vs grace that for the same we may offer vnto thée not onlie the calues of our lips but also of our hearts through Christ Iesus our onlie sauiour and redéemer Amen The seuenth Blossome conteining A petition to be said at the putting off of our apparell GRant O gratious God thou giuer and preseruer of all creatures that as we put off this our apparell and cast it from vs so we may also thy grace helping and assisting vs put off the old man euen the man of sinne that clogged with the lesse vice and clothed with the more vertue we may be found fit for thée whensoeuer it shall please thée to call vs out of this world thorough Iesus Christ our sauiour Amen The eight Blossome conteining A petition vnto God at our going to take naturall rest HEauenlie God which art so prouident and watchfull for the health and preseruation of thy children that they want nothing necessarie for the supportation and maintenance of this their transitorie life not houses to harbour in not garments to put on not foode wherewith to be nourished finallie nothing whatsoeuer it is that they stand in neede of whiles they leade their liues in this transitorie tabernacle we beseech thée that as thou hast let this daie passe luckilie ouer our heads safelie defending vs from all dangers and giuing vs the fruits of our labours least our working should be waste so it would please thée in like measure of mercie and peize of compassion to be our watchman this present night and euerie night so long as our bodies and soules remaine coupled in this vale of vilenes and miserie Also O father we heartilie beséech thée that although darkenes dimme the eies of our bodie wherby the vse of our externall and outward sight is made frustrate and voide yet the eies of our mind may still be broade waking and open continuallie looking for that comfortable comming of thy Christ in glorie that we may be in a readinesse when the trumpet soundeth Arise ye dead and come to iudgement which whether it be in the euening at midnight at the cock-crowing or at the dawning of the daie none can tell no not the Angels But whensoeuer it is O Lord so kéepe vs waking that when thou cōmest our lamps may be found burning Graunt this most mercifull father for thy sons sake Iesus Christ the righteous to whome with thée and the holie Ghost thrée persons and one omnipotent almightie euerlasting and onlie wise God be all laud praise honour dominion and glorie now and for euer Amen The ninth Blossome conteining A petition for a godlie life OPen our cies O Lord that we may behold the woonderfull secrets of thy lawe and therin as in a steele glasse discerne and sée our owne weakenes and by our weakenes our wickednes and by them both our accursednes O procure thou the pleasant comforts and consolations conteined in thy Gospell to sound the verie deapth and bottome of our soules by the plummet of a true and liuelie faith in Christ Iesus Graunt also we beséech thee that our drie and stonie harts by the swéete dewes and showres of thy heauenlie grace dropping downe and soking therinto may be so moistened and softened that like good ground they may euer be yéelding forth plentifull and pleasant fruits to the glorifieng of thy most holie name the supplanting of sin and the aduancement of vertue through the death and bloudshead of our Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christ Amen The tenth Blossome conteining A petition to be said in time of health being a thankesgiuing vnto God for that good blessing WE knowe O mercifull father that a rotten trée can not fructifie no more can the bodie of man diseased take anie pleasure in the vse of thy creatures at leastwise verie little if anie at all For as the morning deaw or waterie clouds falling vpon the field moisteneth the ground and maketh it fruitefull and pleasant euen so health and soundnes possessing euerie limme maketh the whole bodie and all the members of the same apt and able for anie exercise By the benefit whereof we purueie for our selues all such necessaries as are requisite for this our fraile life Knowing this most mercifull father we referre it vnto thy goodnes praising and magnifieng thée for the same and humblie beséeching thee to continue it in vs and to giue vs grace that we abuse it not anie manner of waie Graunt this O bountifull God for Iesus sake Amen The eleuenth Blossome conteining A petition in forme of a confession to be said in the time of sicknesse or otherwise when the partie diseased seemeth to be in danger ALmightie and most mercifull father the punisher of sinne and the iust rewarder of iniquitie I confesse vnto thée that the multitude of my transgressions and the lothsomnes of my life cannot but déepelie displease thy diuine Maiestie and deseruedlie crie out for vengeance against me yea vengeance to death for my misdéedes craue no better reward I knowe that sinne is such a filthie and ouglie thing in thy sight that who soeuer are stained and defiled therwith are euen an abhomination vnto thee for thou being the God of righteousnes delightest not in wickednes neither canst take anie pleasure in iniquitie I confesse that for sinne thou hast sent manie strange and terrible punishments vpon diuers people The olde world in the fulnes of their offences were ouerwhelmed with water from heauen to their vtter destruction The Sodomites were burned and their neighbours about them euen with fire and brimstone for the filthines of their offences The Aegyptians a people obstinate and rebellious and alwaies setting shoulder against the Prophets were rewarded for their misdeédes with most horrible plagues in the heate of thine indignation Yea the Israelits a people peculiarlie chosen to serue theé at what time they sinned greéuouslie and displesed thy diuine Maiestie turning by the manifoldnesse of their transgressions thy mercie into furie thy clemencie into anger thy long suffering into reuengement they felt the smart of thy rod not wrathfullie confounding them as castawaies but louinglie correcting them like children So most mercifull father hoping that in the bloud of Christ Iesus I am adopted into the number of thy children albeit my misdeédes are so manie that they far passe the sands in the seas or the
out of his reckoning booke Why then should I hang downe my head as though confusion were the portion of mine inheritance To them that loue God all things turne to good This his visitation is but a preparatiue to further felicitie which in due time he will reueale to me his seruant when he hath taken sufficient proofe and experience of my patience which I beséech him to establish and confirme that the possession of eternitie may be the reward of my sufferance Wherefore O most mercifull father if it be thine appointment as thy determinations are secret and hidden from the heart of man that this my sicknes and trouble be vnto death O then gratiouslie heare my supplication and let the voice of my crie enter into thine cares Giue me not ouer in my distresse and weakenesse when Sathan is most busie to spoile me but stand thou like an inuincible Giant on my right hand let the wings of thine almightines ouershadowe me euen vntill my last gaspe Moreouer graunt most mercifull father that at the separation and dissolution of my soule and bodie I may still continue thine my bodie turning into dust whence it tooke first substance and my soule possessing heauen whence it receiued bring O Lord send me a toifull resurrection at the date of iudgement and let me be numbred among the lambes whome thou hast chosen to be ioint-heires with thée of thine owne happines in heauenlie ioies O Lord heare my praier and let my crie come vnto thee Lord haue mercie vpon me Christ haue mercie vpon me O holie Ghost be my comforter O blessed Trinitie receiue my soule into the place of glorie Amen The twelfe Blossome conteining A petition to be said at the houre of death ouer the partie visited and lieng speechlesse O Eternall God the welspring of life and the treasure of true and euerlasting riches thou God of the quicke and the dead thou which hast appointed euerie man a mansion in this earthlie pilgrimage and placed vs here as tenants at thy pleasure to remoue and depart when it is thy will to call vs. thou euen thou which ridest vpon the wings of the winde whose seate is the heauen of heauens whose footstoole is the earth whose messengers are the Angels and celestiall hoast O bow downe thine cies of pitie looke vpon vs. O thou glorie of Sion thou beautie of Hierusalem thou Alpha and Omega thou which art incomprehensible the first person of the holie Trinitie open thy gratious eares and heare the petitions of vs thy seruants O heare vs and that betimes thou sauer of soules whiles breath is in the nostrels of this thy diseased and sicke creature for after this life it is too late to make intercession Thou hast chastened him O Lord inwardlie and outwardlie his strength is turned into weakenes his health into sicknes his flesh consumeth his limines are lame his eiesight waxeth dimme his spéech is stopped all his senses are numined his hart panteth life and death struggle within him and wrestle for superioritie He lieth in pangs he is past hope of recouerie to our iudgement he refuseth sustenance he can take no rest O looke vpon him thou comfort of Israell and deliuer Ioseph out of this prison O Lord haue mercie vpon him O God make him strong to endure this sharpe and bitter conflict Let not the terrour of death the torinent of his sicknes the losse of life or departing from anie transitorie pleasure withdrawe his heart from thée but as thou didst create it and powredst it into his bodie so vouchsafe to reserue it for thy selfe that thou maist be glorifiedin it both now and héereafter when it shall please thee to raise it vp with the rest of the bodie in the last resurrection Behold Lord he is not able to praie for himselfe thy hand is so heauie vpon him at this present he can not so much as lift vp a limme thou hast whipped him so sore he is past hope of health in the eies of man thou hast made such déepe furrowes vpon his backe he is spéechlesse because thou hast taken awaie the vse of his tongue lo Lord he lifteth vp his eies vnto heauen notwithstanding all these infirmities weakenesses O remember him forgiue him his sins remit and blot out of thy reckoning booke the ten thousand talents which he oweth thée He is not able to testifie the inward sorowe of his heart conceiued for sinne so sharpe and seueare is thy present visitation which iustlie and deseruedlie thou hast laid vpon him and surelie though thou didst punish him more rigorouslie yet thou art not accusable of iniustice For iust art thou O Lord in all thy workes and righteous in all thy iudgements But yet Lord we beséech thée to asswage the heate of thy wrath which if it burne still and continue vnquenched alas who shall be able to abide it Behold Lord how lowe he is brought all his bones are out of course which waie so euer he is turned he féeleth nothing but anguish no rest no ease no quietnes can he take such is the weight of thine anger against him for the instruction of vs that are aliue and here present at his visitation that we may learne thereby to detest sinne which is the cause of thy displeasure and to amend least a worse thing happen vnto vs. O Lord we beséech thée to consider our supplications and to accept the praiers which we powre out in thy presence in the behalfe of this our diseased brother And louing Lord if it be thy will to take him hence O then we beséech thee to shorten his time to end his lingering sicknes and so to deliuer him from all earthlie trouble But if it be thy pleasure to raise him vp being thus cast downe and to quicken strengthen him whome thy hand hath driuen almost to deathes dore then at the intercession of vs thy seruants hasten his time of recouerie and restore him vnto health and soundnes We praie for him O Lord not knowing the secrets of thy counsell which is vnchangeable deale with him as it pleaseth thée thine he is to order and dispose For thou art the potter and he but a lumpe of claie vnto thée we commit his soule and bodie thy will be done in earth as it is in heauen for thine is the kingdome the power and the glorie for euer and euer Amen The thirteenth Blossome conteining 1 Gods vniuersall gouernement 2 That he annointeth Kings and Queenes and why 3 A petition vnto him in the behalfe of our gratious Queene Elizabeth 4 His mercie in preseruing her in time of tribulation 5 A praier for the continuance of her good estate 6 Against the enimies of the truth either to be conuerted or confounded 7 The Church of God and the Commonwealth two sisters 8 The death of Christ a full ransome for all our sinnes 9 Requestes to be dailie made of euerie true Christian. 1 O Gratious Lord and most mercifull father we acknowledge