holy spirit to the felowship of my soule powre vpon me the blessed deawes of thy grace enritch me with thy high vnderstanding and send wisdome in her glory from thy Sacred seate to dwell in mée that shée may giude me vphold me and labour with me to the end that in all my trauelles enterprises proceedinges and studies I may preuail to thy glory Do this deare Father for the triumph of thy name Bow downe thine eares and mercifully heare and receiue the summe of all my requests graunt that all thinges which I aske according to my necessity I may effectually obtaine to thy glory and profit of my soule through Iesus Christ my only Lord Sauiour Amen I I Giue and commit into thy hands my Spirite yea rather I may say thy Spirite seeing thou hast giuen it mee linke it to my body for a season and séeing it is thy image and Figure made after thine owne likenesse séeinge thy deare Sonne did climbe the direfull steppes of death for redemption therof O moste fauorable Father and méeke God of all mercy and compassion I eftsoones commende this my Spirit into thy hand I am thine whatsoeuer I am receiue thine I beséeche thee preserue mee and comforte mée for no man can help mee besides thée Onlye thou art the sureste resister of all mischiefe thou art oh God the readiest helpe in all trouble thou art my hope strength In thée doo I put my trust let mee not bée confounded let mee neuer be rebuked thou art my strong rock and my Castle thou art my sauiour my portion is in thy hands Lighten thy face vppon thy Seruant and saue mee O Lord in thy mercy Amen E EVen now I sée that no brickle nor corrupt gold or Siluer hath redemed my soule O Heauenly Father but the pretious bloud issuing frō Christ as of a lambe vndefiled and without spot make mée therefore O Lorde for his sake to put on his humility patience vertue and vnspotted life rendring suche accompt of this my pligrimage as best may agrée to his merit and thy mercy Let mée not be found vnthankfull to so swéet a Lord and Sauiour what is most righteous acceptable and pleasant in thy sight let mée alwayes O God preferre in faith and workes and whatsoeuer is to approoue mée vnworthy of his tender and surmounting loue that may alter his louing kindnesse or exchang his wonted compasion towards mée Lord let mée euer fayle in strength to do it but assisted by thée I may euerlastingly be found to liue in him Amen E EVery one that sayeth Lord Lord shall not enter the Kingdom of heauen Therfore confirme my Faith strong in thée O heauenly Father and in my Sauiour Iesus Christ quiet my mind with sure hope of his promises and thy Saluation Destroy in mée the kingdome of Sinne the power of Sathan the desires of the world the delights of the flesh Guide my feete in the pathes of thy precepts bring the conflicting daies of mine enemies to an end Make me that am weak in my selfe strong in thee to cōquer the force of their armes So shal my lippes powre out continuall prayse vnto thée O god of my Saluation and magnifie thy Maiesty world without end Amen L LOoke not extremly what is done amisse in mée for no fleshe is righteous in thy sight I offer vp my selfe wholy with all my vnsauory and corrupt abuses both in will works vnto the flowing fountayn of thy mercy to be chasticed pollished and washed and made cleane euen at thine owne will and pleasure Wherefore impute not the frailty of my tender yéeres vnto my charge but that thou maist ouercom when thou art iudged Forgiue me receiue me and so arme me with thy holy Spirit that I may tread the rest of my dayes with an vpright sway a cleare conscience and a single hart to thy Glory and profite of my Soule Amen I I Liue Oh God in a most wretched Vale of mysery where continually thy creatures are stained with sinne assayled with affliction vexed with troubles choked with cares infected with ambition vexed with temptations blinded with errours ouercom with vanities of the world and miserably wrapped in all vntruth and wretchednesse wherefore O Lord arise stretch out thy hand helpe and comfort me Asswage my sorrow assist mee with thy Holy Spirit that mine owne substance ouercome mee not this glittering vaine world of infinite sorowes and fewe felicities deceaue me not that Sathan supplant me not but giue mee inuincible power to encounter them patience in suffering them in thy word constancye in perseuering to the end Amen Z ZEale anger hatred and from respect of any persons in Iudgement LORD make me free Arme me with the patience of my Sauiour Christ giue me the Breast-plate of his righteousnesse the helmet of his equitie Make mee to exercise his Mercie Truth Méekenes Faithfulnesse Temperance and Humilitie Cast out of my heart all that may offend thée and disprofit my soule Let all worldly things be vile vnto mee for thy sake let me reioyce in nothing without thée nor loue nothing but to thy glory So shall my hart kéepe thy lawes and my mouth for euer and euer speak thy praise Amen A ACcepte mée Lord in the number of thy elect behold in mée the Image of thy selfe and the worke of thine owne hands remember thou hast giuen thy deare Son to the bitter Passiō of the Crosse for my redemption Let me not be rewarded therefore according to the deepe sea of my sinnes for then I perish But for thy Truth Mercie and deare Sonnes sake correct mee strengthen mee and imbrace mee yea linck mee so surely to the loue of thy lawes that I neuer leaue thee and in the day of my trouble and houre of death Lord deliuer me so shall I liue and glorifie thee through all worlds Amen B BEhould my infirmities O Lord and consider my frailnes best known vnto thee So oft as I shall fall make me lift vp my heart agayne vnto thee seeke thee feare thee and loue thee and euer to be sorry with so stedfast a purpose of amendment that my earnest desire may rightly stire vp thy mercy and procure me the assistance of thy grace to conioyne mee to all Heauenly things and to destroy al earthly affections and temptations that dayly pluck mee backe and rebell not suffering my soule to liue in rest Against which builde thy feare in my breste true knowledg of thy word in my heart fortifie my faith with sure hope of thy Heauenly blisse enter the shining light of thy woorde so deepe in my minde that all my studies thoughts being onely occupied therein my other parts may euer want power to offend thée and my tongue and lippes euer bee singing thy laude and glory Amen E ENritch my Soule with the continual felowshippe of thy Holy Spirit whose diuine humanitie may so temper my grosse substance with trew condition that alwaies I may séeme low in mine
afraide of them for the Lord thy God is with thee Deu. 20. If you goe to warre against your enemies that vexe you you shall blow with the Trumpettes and you shall be remembred before the Lord your God to be saued from your enemies Num. 10. The Victory of the Battaile standeth not in the multitude of the hoast but the Strength and Triumph commeth from Heauen Macha 3. He that hath clean hands and a pure heart and that hath not lifted vp his mind to vanity nor sworn to deceiue his Neighbour he shall receiue the blessing from the Lorde and victorie of his enemies and righteousnesse from the God of his Saluation c. Psalm 24. Here followeth the Letanie to be vsed vpon Sundayes Wednesdayes and Fridayes and at other times when it shall be thought convenient O God the father of Heauen haue mercy vpon vs miserable Sinners O God the Father of c. O God the Sonne redeemer of the World haue mercy vpon vs miserable Sinners O God the Sonne c. O God the holy Ghost proceeding from the Father and the Sonne haue mercy vpon vs miserable Sinners O God the holy Ghost c. O holy blessed and glorious Trinity thrée persons one God haue mercy vpon vs miserable Sinners O holy blessed c. Remember not Lord our offences nor the offences of our forefathers neyther take thou vengeance of our Sinnes spare vs good Lord spare thy people whome thou hast redéemed with thy most precious blood and be not angrie with vs for euer Spare vs good Lord. From all euill and mischiefe from sinne from the crafts assaults of the deuill from thy wrath and from euerlasting damnation Good Lord deliuer vs. From all blindesse of heart from pride vaine glory and hipocrisie from enuie hatred and malice and from all vncharitablenesse Good Lord deliver vs. From Fornication and all other deadly sinne and from al the deceits of the world the flesh and the deuill Good Lord deliver vs. From lightning and tempest from plague pestilence and famine from battel and murther and from sodain death Good Lord deliver vs. From all sedition and priuie conspiracy from all false doctrine and heresie from hardnesse of heart and contempt of thy worde and commaundement Good Lord deliver vs. By the mysterie of thy holie Incarnation by thy holy Natiuitie and circumcision by thy Baptisme Fasting and Temptation Good Lord deliver vs. By thine Agonie and bloodie sweat by thy Crosse and passion by thy pretious death buriall by thy glorious resurrection and ascension and by the comming of the Holie Ghost Good Lord deliver vs. In al time of our tribulation in all time of our wealth in the houre of death and in the day of iudgement Good Lord deliver vs. We sinners doe beséech thée to heare vs O Lord God and that it may please thée to rule and gouerne thy holy Church vniuersally in the right way We beseech thee to heare vs good Lord. That it may please thée to kéepe and strengthen in the true worshipping of thée in righteousnesse and holines of Life thy seruant Iames our most gratious King and Gouernour We beseech thee c. That it may please thée to rule his heart in thy faith feare and loue that he may euermore haue affiance in thée and euer séeke thy honour and glory We beseech thee c. That it may please thée to bee his defender and kéeper giuing him the victory ouer all his enemies We beseech thee c. That it may please thée to blesse and preserue our gracious Quéene Anne Prince Henrie and the rest of the King and Quéenes royall Issue We beeseech thee c. That it may please thée to illuminat al Bishops Pastors and Ministers of the Church with true vnderstanding and knowledge of thy word and that both by their preaching and liuing they may set it forth and shew it accordingly We beseech thee c. That it may please thee to indue the Lords of the Counsel and all the Nobility with grace wisedome and vnderstanding We beseech thee c. That it may please thée to blesse and keepe the Magistrates giuing them grace to execute iustice and to maintaine truth We beseech thee c. That it may please thée to blesse and keepe all thy people We beseech thee c. That it may please thee to giue to all Nations vnitie peace and concord We beseech thee c. That it may please thee to giue vs an heart to loue and dread thee and diligently to liue after thy Commaundements We beseech thee c. That it may please thée to giue to all thy people increase of grace to heare méekely thy word to receiue it with pure affection and to bring foorth the fruits of thy spirite We beseech thee c. That it may please thée to bring into the way of truth all such as haue erred and are deceyued We beseech thee c. That it may please thée to strengthen such as doe stand and to comfort and helpe the weake hearted and to rayse vp them that fall and finally to beat down Sathan vnder our féet We befeech thee c. That it may please thée to succour helpe and comfort all that be in danger necessity and tribulation We beseech thee c. That it may pleafe thée to preserue all that trauell by land or by water all women labouring with Child al sicke persons and yong Children and to shew thy pitty vpon all prisoners and captiues We beseech thee c. That it may please thée to defend and prouide for the fatherlesse children and widowes and all that bee desolate and oppressed We beseech thee c. That it may please thee to haue mercy vpon all men We beseech thee c. That it may please thée to forgiue our enemies persecutors and slanderers and to turne their hearts We beseech thee c. That it may please thee to giue and preserue to our vse the kindly fruits of the earth so as in due time wae may enioy them We beseech thee c. That it may please thée to giue vs true repentance to forgiue vs all our sinnes negligences and ignorances and to endue vs with the Grace of thy holy Spirit to amend our liues according to thy Holie Word We beseech thee to heare vs good Lord. Sonne of God wée beseech thee to heare vs. Sonne of God wee beseech thee to heare vs. O Lambe of God that takest away the sinnes of the world Grant vs thy peace O Lambe of God that takest away the sinnes of the world Haue mercy vpon vs. O Christ heare vs. O Christ heare vs. Lord haue mercy vpon vs. Lord haue mercy vpon vs. Christ haue mercy vpon vs. Christ haue mercy vpon vs. Lord haue mercy vpon vs. Lord haue mercy vpon vs. Our father which art in heauen c. And lead vs not into temptation But deliuer vs from euill Amen The Versicle O Lord deale not with vs after our
THE POESIE OF Floured Prayers Containing sundrie Meditations and Prayers gathered out of the sacred letters and vertuous Writers disposed in forme of the Alphabet of the most vertuous Lady the Lady Elizabeths name Set forth by Sir IOHN CONVVAY Multae tribulationes Iustorum de omnibus liberabit eos Dominus Psal 34. AT LONDON ¶ Printed for Va. Sims and are to be sold by Ed White An. 1611. TO THE MOST Gracious Ladie the Ladie ELIZABETH eldest daughter to our Soveraigne Lord the KING I MAY NOT doubt most gracious Ladie but certainly belieue that as you are religiously devoted so you are sufficiently stoared with Meditations Prayers and Supplications of Saintes best befitting your Royall Estate So that by reprinting of these ancient Prayers and causing them to be disposed to your Graces Name I may seeme to offer a needlesse Supply Nevertheles presuming vppon your wel-knowē Princely and gracious acceptance of all that which proceedeth frō well-meaning mindes I have adventured in all humilitie to offer them vnto your most Royall Service to bee respected or reiected at your pleasure for whose most happy cōtinuance in this world and participation of perfect ioye in the world to come I also will not cease to pray to almighty God Your Graces most humbly VALENTINE SIMS HONI · SOIT · QVI · MAL · Y · PENSE Prou. 31. BEautie and favour are things deceitful vaine but the heart of a woman that feareth the Lord her body is a rich portion and she is worthy to be honoured for shee openeth her mouth with wisdome in her tongue is the Law of grace Prou. 16. COnfesse thy workes vnto the LORD and looke what thou deuisest it shall prosper Esay 58. THy light shall spring out in the darknesse and thy darkenesse shall bee as the noone day Pro. 28. HE that hydeth his sinnes shall not prosper but who so acknowledgeth them and forsaketh them shall haue Mercie A Morning Prayer O LORD Iesus Christ which hast redéemed all mankind from sinne Death and Hell thou which hast sayd I am the waye truth and life A way in doctrine commandements and examples Truth in promises Life in reward I come vnto thée early now this morning I pray thée by thine ineffamable loue wherewith thou hast vouchsafed wholy to bestowe thy selfe for our security that thou wilt not suffer me euer to straye from thée because thou art the way nor at any time distrust thy promises which art Truth and performest whatsoeuer thou promisest neither let me rest in any other thing because thou art eternall life without the which there is nothing that ought to bee desired neither in Heauen nor in Earth But let me learne as thou hast exactly taught what to belieue and what to do what to hope for and in whome we ought to rest Thou which by the examples of thy life hast shewed vs the way to immortality and by thy steps hast restored to vs a plaine easie and profitable way out of an vneuen and rough way Vphold mee in thy benignity with thy sure promises that after this life I may enter into thy heauenly heritage Therefore whilest I am in this iourney bee a sure hope vnto me to bee in stéed of a staffe vnto me wherwith I am sustained O Lord that knowest the weakenesse of my flesh in the meane time with the comfort of thy Spirit so refresh my strength wherby I may runne chéerefully And as thou being made vnto me a way doest driue awaye all errour So being made Truth take awaye all distrust Finally beeing made life vnto vs I beséech thée reuiue mee dead in sinne to liue by thy spirit relieuing all things vntill in the resurrection all mortality vtterlye abolished I may always liue with thée and in thée when Christ shall be to vs all in all For eternall life is to knowe the Father the Son and the holy Ghost to be one true God whome now through Faith wée behold only in a glasse and Riddle and then séeing more felowly the glory of the Lord we shal be transformed into the same Image Therefore I beséech thée most mercifull Sauiour that thou wouldest nourish Faith in thy Seruant that I may neuer wauer in thy heauenly doctrine Encrease obedience that I neuer turne from thy Precepts Fortifie constancie that entring into thy steppes it bee not pulled backe nor through the terrour or intisementes of Sathan ouerthrowne but may perseuer in thée which art the true-waye vnto life Build my sure trust that being accustomed with thy promises I neuer waxe old in the exercise of Vertue but forgetting those things which are past I may continually striue to come to perfecter Accept my contrite heart the woonted sacrifice of thy delight and the oblation of these my Peticions graunting the summe of my requests Blot out all my offences for thine own sake defend me this day with thy mighty hand increse thy grace in me that I may in all thinges carrye vpright sway and equall iudgement liuing with thy people in the light of thy worde and feare of thy Lawes And daylie more more die to my selfe and liue and bee lead by thy Spirit fearing nothing but thée then the which nothing is greater or mightier louing nothing beside thée then whome nothing is more to be beloued glorying in nothing but in thée which art the glory of all Saints requiring nothing beside thée which art the best desiring nothing but thée which art the full and perfect felicitie with the Father and the holy Ghost aboue the Starrie Firmament to whome be prayse both now and euer Amen ¶ A discreet and wise woman is an high portion shee honoureth GOD and beautifieth the world vpon her right hand standeth Ioye and Peace and vpon her left hand Riches and Honour her body is the sweet tree of long life to him that layeth hold on her and blessed is he that keepeth her fast ¶ A Prayer for the Euening O Gracious GOD and most mercifull Father being infinitely bound vnto thée for thy manifold mercies extended towards mee I humbly giue thee thankes among the rest for thy protection of me this day And I most humbly pray thée to forgiue mee all my sinnes and naughtines whereby I am made vnwoorthy of thy further goodnes and mercie O Lord receaue the intercession of thy Sonne for all mine offences Accept this sacrifice of my soule and body which I offer to be disposed off at thy pleasure Consider the vnfeined sighes which I send from my heart for that I haue offended thée and giue eare to my prayers which I powre foorth before thée to obtaine thy pardon Giue me a true and liuely faith whereby I may laye holde vpon the merites of the death and passion of my Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christ Let his righteousnes make satisfaction to thy iustice for my vnrighteousnes and his obedience procure pardon for my disobedience and his holy perfection helpe and amend my vn-holy imperfections Protect me this
and frée my féet from the paths of such venemous Serpents O Lord thou séest they haue stopped vp my well-springes of truth how they haue broken mée in péeces preferred their guils altogether laid me waste I am made their mark to shoot at their strongest Bowes haue beene against me out of their malitious quiuer they haue shot their sharp shafts of eger envie yea euen into my raines They laugh me to scorne in their dissembling hearts and yet bear me faire countenance No regard is had of my Truth and vtter confusion is come vpon me thy gifts Lord proper to my selfe are holden from me and I perish in waÌ„t hauing of mine owne The leauen of my bread is made with cruell cares and my drinke mingled with salt teares they haue ouerwhelmed mée with heaped stones and haue buried my innocency in shamefull graue I am sequestred from all fréedxme and thou Lord knowest I am not guilty Correct me not in thy iustice for in my misdéedes towards thée Lord but in the mildenesse of thy mercy for I acknowledge I haue don things vnlawfull against thy throne and am no more worthy to be called thy Child Yet Lord from the bottome of a broken heart I aske thy pardon and my Spirite trusteth in thy mercy requireth that mine enemies may no longer triumph ouermee Lord looke downe and remedy my misery and thraldome Remember how long I haue been fedde with sorrow care how my body wasteth and my Soule melteth away I fear Lord thou hast forsaken me and set vp the horn of mine enemies that thou giuest theÌ„ this long Glory ouer me O mercifull Father do not so I beseech thée If my scorge be determined with thee for any my contemptes of thy will yet deliuer me from the hands of the malitious I acknowledge my faultes towardes the Celestiall Seate and say my righteousnesse al is stained I appeale to thy mercy for thy truth and sons sake But Lord if my breast euer harboured any vniust pretence or act against thy seruaant Iames my gratioua King and Gouernour as a ioyfull pray bestow mee amongst mine eager enemies To this day from my birth thou knowest Lord I haue honoured him with loyal loue serued him with true heart and innocent hands Now Lord if such discharge of duty hath euer wonne victory ouer any his woorthie thoughtes I beséech thée not in my deserts to thee but for my truth to him multiply in secret breast such thoughts to sure encrease of firme beliefe as through thée inspired with my large truth which might neuer boast her selfe I may bée saued from the snares of the malitious and my innocency knowne to him Wake Lord I beséech thée and renue on mee thy mercies and help as euer thou hast done of olde My Soule saith within me thou Lord art her onely portion and therefore she will hope in thée And my body hast thou alwayes deliuered in greatest perill whensoeuer I haue put my trust in thée Arise most mighty helper and aide thy Seruant who onely séeketh succour of thée Sure I am in mine enemies pitts thou wilt not that mine Innocency perish neyther destroy mée vtterly in mine vnrighteousnesse towardes thee for that my contrite heart appealeth to thy mercy and thy condition is not to seeke the death of a sinner neyther to be found vntrue in thy promises wherein my spirite onely trusteth Amiddest my forrowfull plaints and scorching sighes Lord powre out the comfortable dew of thy compassion for in no other helpe will I trust but in thine though the whole Earth would assure me mine enemies swarme as Bées to the Hieue and spread as flowers of the spring my friends walke in single number and hundreds that erst professed saith deny their sentence such as would me good want the meane thereto and those that best may with Fort nes threats are beaten down and made lame Wherfore Lord wash the vnderstanding of my gratious Gouernor with the flowing springes of thy Truth Cause him with spéedy hand to comfort the comfortlesse Guide his minde stil in thy loue and feare with such perfect wisedom true iustice and pittifull compassion shewing whose member hee is that hath thus worthily preserued thy people Yea further Lord guide so his course on earth that thou maist afferwardes of right equal him in ioyes with the blessed Cherubines about the hie heauens Continue in him thy grace which giuest euery good gift that as he is thy chosen vessel no vsurping heart nor bloody hand may euer haue power against him But replenished with thy holy Spirite may execute thy will and walke in thy pathes neuer wanting the strength of thy right hand to beat downe his enemies But found worthy of thy rich goodnesse wee may long enioy so matchlesse a head and Gouernour grant this Lord I beséech thée with exchange of my hard state into better euen at thine owne will and my Spirite shall neuer cease to giue prayse and thankes to holy Name Amen To the Reader MY willing minde sundry wayes aâ—oied in the purpose of my penn is forced here to offer thee courteous Reader in supply of void paper these few selected Sentences out of Holy Scripture and other divine ancient writers which for their worthinesse thy behoofe and lesse labour if thou accept better placed theÌ„ barren paper and grant their once reding I haue my desire after I deeme that if knowledge of Vertue may allure thee or view of vice abash thee thou wilt often read and vnread them to embrace the good and eschew the evill which the heavenly Father graunt vs all his grace to fulfill Sentences out of the Holy Scripture THe feare of God is worshippe triumph gladnesse and a ioyful crown yea who so feareth the Lord shall be happy and when hee hath need of comfort he shall be blessed The Séede of them which feare the Lord shal be brought to honour but the generation of the proud deceitful and malitious shal perish with the shame of their wickednesse Labour to gett thée a good Name for that shall continue by thee surer then a thousand greater treasurs of gold A good life hath a number of dayes but a good name endureth for euer The vntruth of a lying tongue murdereth the Soule vpon the head of the backbiter blasphemer with terrour shall the Lord send the thunder of his wrath and consume them hastily He that loueth Riches shall not be iustified who so followeth corruption shal perish in the same Gold and Siluer is the trée of falling to euery one that gréedily séeketh the same blessed is the Rich which is found without blemish Trauaile and carefulnesse for riches taketh away the sléepe and maketh the flesh to consume they helpe not in the day of iudgement Righteousnesse shall crowne thee Through thy euil gotteÌ„ goods shalt thou perish The ioy and chearefulnes of the hart is the pure life of man And his cleare conscience a fure fortresse against death The tree
by thy gratious prouidence dost cause the former and the later raine to descend vpon the earth that it may bring forth fruite for the vse of man We giue thee humble thankes that it hath pleased thée in our greatest necessitie to send vs at the last a ioyfull raine vpon thine inheritance and to refresh it when it was drie to the great comfort of vs thy vnworthy seruantes and to the glory of thy holy Name through thy mercies in Iesus Christ our Lord Amen A Thankesgiuing for faire weather O Lord God who hast iustly humbled vs by the late Plague of immoderate raine and waters and in thy mercy hast deliuered and comforted our Soules by this seasonable blessed chaunge of weather we prayse and glorifie thy holy name for this thy mercy will alwayes declare thy louing kindnesse from generation to generation through Iesus Christ our Lord Amē A Thankesgiving for Plentie O Mercifull Father which of thy gratious goodnesse hast heard the deuote prayers of thy church and turned our dearth scarsity into cheapenesse and plenty Wée giue thée humble thankes for this thy especiall bounty beseeching thée to continue this thy louing kindnes vnto vs that our land may yéelde vs her fruits of increase to thy glory and our comfort through Iesus Christ our Lord Amen A Thankesgiving for peace and victorie O Almighty God which art a strong Tower of defence vnto thy Seruants against the face of their enemies We yéeld thée prayse and thankesgiuing for our deliuerance from those great and apparāt dangers wherewith we were compassed we acknowledge it thy goodnes that we were not deliuered ouer as a prey vnto them beséeching thée stil to continue such thy mercies towards vs that al the world may know that thou art our Sauiour mighty deliuerer through Iesus Christ our Lord Amen A Thanksgiuing for deliverance from the Plague O Lord God which hast wounded vs for our sins consumed vs for our transgressions by thy late heauie and dreadfull Visitation and now in the middest of iudgement remembring mercie hast redeemed our soules frō the iawes of death wee offer vnto thy Fatherly goodnesse our selues our soules bodies which thou hast deliuered to be a liuing sacrifice vnto thée alwayes praysing and magnifying thy mercies in the middest of the Congregation through Iesus Christ our Lord Amen Or thus WE humbly acknowledge before thée O most mercifull Father that all the punishmentes which are threatened in thy Law might iustly haue fallen vpon vs by reason of our manifold transgressions and hardnes of heart yet séeing it hath pleased thée of thy tender mercy vpoo our weake and vnworthy Grace after meaet GOds Name bee blessed for his benefits now and euer bestowed on vs. God send the King long life the Realme good peace the Gospell continuance increase our faith and comfort all those that be comfortlesse and giue vnto vs our friends health and prosperity peace truth in Christ Iesus our Lord Amen Grace before meat BLessed Lord that fillest with thy blessing euerie liuing thing sanctifie thy gifts which we shall receiue to the nourishment of our mortall Bodies Remoue away thy iudgementes farre from vs prepare our heartes to serue thee in all righteousnesse and holinesse Prosper vs in our lawfull affaires and grant vs life euerlasting Amen Grace after meat BLessed bee the name of God for his blessings now and euer bestowed on vs. God preserue the Church vniuersall our gratious King Iames the Quéenes Maiesty and the young Prince of Wales with all the royall issue God send vs health and holinesse in Iesus Christ our Lord Amen FINIS Sententiae Diuinae é Sacris Scripturis Patribusque collectae Deus DEus est Spiritus qui adorant eū oportet vt spiritu ac veritate eū adorant Alanus de conquestione Naturae Deus est splendor nunquam deficiens vita indefessa non moriens fons semper scà turiens seminale vitae feminarium sapientiae principale principium initiale bonitatis initium August super illud Pater Nost Deus est in seipso sicut Alpha Omega in mundo sicut Rector Auctor in Angelis sicut Sapor Decor in Ecclesia sicut paterfamilias in Domo in Anima sicut sponsus in Thalamo in Iustis sicut adiutor protector in reprobis sicut pauor horror August super Io. Ser. 29. Deus tibi totum est si esuris panis tibi est si sitis aqua tibi est si in tenebris es lumē tibi est si nudus es in mortalitate tibi vestis est Christus Io. 8. EGo sum lux mundi qui sequitur me non ambulabit in tenebris sed habebit lumen vitae Ambro. in quodam ser Omnia habemus in Christo omnia in nobis Christus Si à vulnere curari desideras medicus est si febribus aestuas fons est si graueris iniquitate Iustitia est si indiges anxilio virtus est si tenebras fugis lux est si Coelū desideras vita est Si cibum quaeris alimentum est August super Mat. 155. Ego sum via veritas vita tanquam diceret qua vis ire ego sum via quo vis ire ego sum veritas vbi vis permanere ego vita August super Ioan. Ambulare vis ego sum via falli non vis ego sum veritas mori non vis ego sum vita Homo Iob. 14. HOmo natus de Muliere brevi vivens tempore repletur multis miserijs qui quasi flos egreditur conteritur fugit velut vmbra nunquam in codem statu permanet Bernardus Video hominem prius quatuor virtutibus amictū quid huic decrat quem misericordia custodiebat veritas docebat iustitia regebat pax fouebat Aristoteles interogatus quidnam esset homo respondit imbecillitatis exemplum tēporis spolium Fortunae Lusus inconstantiae Imago reliquum verô pituita bilis Bernar. de consid vtili humanae Septem sunt de essentia hominis quae si homo consideraret jn aeternum non peccaret Scilicet materia vilis operatio turpis exitus flebilis status instabilis mors tristabilis dissolutio miserabilis damnatio detestabilis consideratio gloriae ineffabilis Peccatum Io. 1. Cap. 1. SI dixerimus peccatum non habemus ipsi nos seducimus veritas in nobis nō est Hieron lib. 1. super Amos. Primū peccatum est cogitasse quae mala sunt Secundum cogitationibus acquieuisse peruersis Tertium quod mente decreueris opere compleuisse Quartum post peccatum non facere poenitentiam in suo complacere sibi delicto Cass super Psa pro eo vt me diligerent detrahebant Tribus modis omne peccatum contrahitur Primus gradus delictorum est non reddere bona pro nobis Secundus reddere mala pro malis Tertius est tribuere mala pro bonis contra haec sunt tria laudabilia Primum
timebo Dominus Protector Vitae me à quo trepidabo The Lord is my light and my saluation whome then shall I feare the Lord is the strength of my life of whome then shall I be afraide Amen A ALL thy delight being in equitie and Iustice incline thine heart to me cy then shall thy light breake forth as the morning spring and thy health florish thy righteousnesse shall preserue thee and the glorie of the Lord shall imbrace thee ASsist me oh God with thy grace and enrich me with thy Spirit illuminate my mind with thy vnderstanding be vnto me a sure saluation and whome should I feare Trulie neither will I feare any bodilie or ghostlie enimie thou being the strength of my life Though innumerable hostes doe rise against me my Spirite shall trust in thee and in my heart will I neuer bee affraide Arme mee with strength of warre oh GOD and teach my hands to wage battaile And I shall laye flat the enemies of thy truth and ioyfullie resist all those that rise against me My life shall euer declare thy sauing health and my soule shall not cease to sing thy praise Thou haste deliuered mee from the chaines of Hell and when I haue beene wrapped in the dangers of death thou hast cleared my pathes of all stumbling blocks and made thy rich mercie my Candle Lord if I haue beene vnthankefull a broken minde shall bee thy sacrifice my heart shall euer dwell in the house of thanksgiuing and my sptrit still mourne for her vnkindnesse Saue mee Lord I beseech thee in the day of my distresse for thou art the Horne of my health the shield of my glorie and bearest vp mine infirmitie Let them bee consumed in their deuises that shall worke against mee and faile of their force in the houre of their pretence Powre vpon them the Viall of thy wrath let them sinke by themselues and saue thy Seruauntes that trust in thy mercie I will honour thée for my sauiour and praise thée for a God aboue all Gods Amen D DOubtles God is gracious and mercifull he forgiueth sinnes in time of trouble and is a defender of them that seeke him with heartie prayer and wholie put their trust in his mercie and truth DIrect my feete oh Lord in the waies of peace and keepe my hands cleane from innocent blood Lord giue me grace to performe the trauailes of this Pilgrimage before thée with a pure mind and cleare conscience that when thou shalt shew thy selfe towards euerie creature according to their déedes I may be rich in thy mercie and not dread thy presence To thy mercie I appeale I flie vnto thee I depend on thée fearing thee and reuerencing thee louing thee and trusting in thee If thy wrath waxe hot against mee I cannot withstand If thou punish me according to my deserts I cannot beare deale mercifullie therefore with mee heale my sores and pardon my sinnes Whilest I tread this wearie Laborinth leaue mee not Lord to my selfe but graunt mee thy continuall grace for my staffe I am not of might in my selfe to doe any thing that is good my righteousnesse and glorie stand in thy hand Therefore oh Lord I appeale to thy mercie and pray thy grace that I may in mind be made strong with thy holie Armour which I desire may bee thy righteousnesse for my Brest-plate firme faith for my Target hope of mercie for my Helmette and true knowledge of thy woord for my Banner so that I may stand here strong and perfect against thine enemies and in a newe life participate thy ioyes I will blow thy wonderous name through thy people and will praise thee amongst all the faithfull My praises shall haue being vnto the farthest part of thy congregation and my vowes will I performe in the sight of all them that feare thee I will endeauour that the endes of the World shall remember themselues and will do my best to turne them vnto thee Giue me therefore ioyfulnesse of heart rest of conscience continuall comfort in thy word and truth and that I may with a thankefull mind aduance thy name for euer y YEa in the feare of God who so liueth shall gather his Fruites in a pleasant Garden of blessinges it giueth thee true Honour Glory Triumph and ioyfull Crowne YEa in the multitude of all my sorrowes that euer I haue had in my heart Thy comforts oh Lord haue euer refreshed me Such is thy louing kindnesse and aboue all thy mercie that if I should straie farther in my vnthankefulnesse mine owne thoughtes would accuse me Therefore I doe come vnto thee to bee taught thy Testimonies that I may make thy Lawes my delight Truelie hoping of thy grace for my assistance I do meane to make thy cōmandements an Alley of my pleasure to walke in and the Trueth of thy woords will I weare on as an Armour against mine enemies Guide my fleshlie eies oh Lord least they behold vanities and my heart in thy righteousnesse Plucke my féete into the pathes of thy Precepts when they would wander print the remembrance of thy goodnesse alwaies in the table of my heart and let my power faile to offend thée Heape my hands with sure hope of my saluation satisfie my faith in the forgiuenesse of my sinns that my fraile flesh wauer not in thy mercie Temper my tongue oh Lord that it alwaies teach thy Testimonies locke vppe my lips that out of my mouth doe not procéede neither blasphemie of thy name Hazard to my soule nor hinderance to any creature Bowe downe thine eares oh Lord and strengthen me in these requestes For behold I bowe the knées of a contrite heart and with assured mind do hope them for the truth-sake which I will euerlastinglie praise To thée bee glory for euer and euer Amen E EXercise mercie and set thy bread and Drinke vppon the table of the poore and hungry couer the Naked with thy clothes and these shall deliuer thee from Sin and Death and not suffer thy Soule to come in darkenesse EZechiell the Prophet saith When the wicked turneth from his vngodlines hee hath done he shall saue his Soule With thy Seruant Esay therefore I say oh Lord thou art a great and feareful God Thou kéepest couenant and mercie with them which loue thée and kéepe thy commaundements And with thy Apostle Barnabie I acknowledge I haue sinned I haue offended I haue beene disobedient and gone backe yea I haue departed from all thy pathes and Iudgements Lord to thée belongeth righteousnesse and Mercie to me shame and destruction for my Iniquitie Yet Lord enter not into iudgement with thy seruant for no flesh is righteous in thy sight neither correct mee in thy wrath for then I shall not abide it Haue mercie vpon me oh Father from the depth of thy mercie take pittie vppon mee forgiue Lord heare my Praier and blot out mine offence Let thy louing face shine ouer the worke of thy handes that lieth waste Lord for thy owne sake doe it Encline
thine eare and heare mee behold how desolate I am stretch out thy hand and helpe mee Lord I desire to come to thée and my weakenesse is such as without thy helpe I am not able to raise my selfe vnto thée Therefore Lord remember thy swéet promises tarrie not ouerlong strengthen me with thy holie Spirit heare my Praiers and wash me in thy righteousnes I cast not these peticions before thee hoping in mine owne Merites which are are none but trusting in thy great mercie and swéet promises Wherefore Lord heare me and forgiue me and I shall liue for euer L LEt Enmity passe which seeketh Death and Destruction and before thou prayest forgiue els thou heapest vengeance on thy selfe LOrd make thy waies knowen vnto me that I may walke so perfectlie that no kind of Sinne ouercome me Thou leadest straight in iudgement and giuest sight to the blind Thou art neare vnto them that call vpon thée with faithfull heart haue mercie vppon mee heare me and giue me a Heart to pray vnto thée Laye not against mee my sins past but for thine own sake forget them I vnderstand not all mine errours my sinnes haue taken hold on mee and of my selfe I am not able to return Send me therefore thy holy helpe to strengthen mine infirmitie Kéepe my mouth and lips and let the thought of my heart bee acceptable in thy sight Permitte not the woord of Truth to depart my breast suffer not Malice to dwell in my heart Deliuer me from false surmises and accusations of men rule mee after thine owne will and pleasure Remooue from me vanities and let not the foote of Pride take holde on mee so shall I be frée from the greatest sin Stay and kéepe me from euerie euill waye for in thée I trust it is thou onely that canst helpe Looke vnto mee with thy mercies and graunt me grace in thy sight Amen I IN equitie Loue and Truth gather all thy riches in the handes of the poore laye vppe thy Almes and these shall defend thee from euill fight for thee against thy enemies better then the strength of mightie men preserue thy fauour as the apple of an Eye and rise with thee in the day of Iudgement to paye thy reward on thy head IN hope of thy mercie and forgiuenesse most mightie and dreadfull God whose truth is vnspotted I am bold to come before thée My trust is good I shall be heard for that thou hast euer béene the true head of all Iustice and delightest in truth Denie thy selfe thou canst not for thou hast promised In what time soeuer a Sinner doth with a broken heart repent his wickednesse at that instant thou wilt cansell the recordes of thy remembraance and the fowlenesse of his fault shall remaine no blemish to his soule Heare mee now therefore oh Maker of Heauen and earth I acknowledge I haue sinned and done vnpleasant things in thy sight I confesse the misdéedes which rebell against my Soule with Saul saying I haue sinned I haue played the Foole and haue erred excéedingly And with like humble lowlie and faithfull heart as did King Dauid who vnfainedlie cried out his Sinne and became thy seruant So most Holie in hope of the same hire with contrite heart I sigh and say I haue broken thy Lawes and not walked in thy Commandements If I should now recite and number the Mountaines of my misdéedes which ouerwhelme my bodie and that are eager enemies to my pining Soule the day were too short Lord I néede not thy blisfull Seate is aboue the starry Firmament and thou sittest on high beholding what is done amisse in the Earth belowe My wickednes that I most secretlie haue cōmitted to th◠Celestiall eies haue béen manifest Forgiue me good Lord that my tongue may iustifie thy euerlasting Truth that others beholding in me thy manifold mercies may likewise with me be ashamed of their euill and séeke after thy mercie Woe am I that my heart hath béen so long vnacquainted with the Welspringes of thy Truth that my handes haue wrought vnrighteousnesse and heaped sinne vpon sinne Turne awaye from the sight thereof the fulnesse of thy furie Exchange the roughnesse of thy rage into méeke mildnesse before thou correct mee most louing Sauiour I am not able to abide thy heauie displeasure if thou chastice me with thy rodde of Iustice I perish I haue not one good déed to preferre mine offences beare number with the flowers and blossomes of the Spring my truth is no whitte and with vnrighteousnesse all is defiled Forgiue me oh Heauenly King forget thou that art the swéet spring of my soule Giue mee thy holy Spirite that it may be with mee and labour with me to attain thy blessed fauour for mine ignorance cannot desire that I ought neither can my féeble strength without thine ayde rayse mee vnto thy presence Thy Spirit will helpe my debility and make right intercession for all my necessities Thy Spirit will make mee praye with such humblenesse of heart and sorrowfull sighings as no tongue can tell That gift most precious will hold mee vp where flesh would fall and guide my féeble féete in the light of the Lord. The Spirit I say will purge me from all earthly affects and lift me vp to heauenly things Therefore conioyne mee oh God of all mercy to thy holye Spirit to teach mee to tread the steady steppes of thy worthy will So shall I lead my Life in the true Lawe of thy louing kindnesse and with a strong and stable mind perseuer in Prayer vnto the end Graunt mee therefore for thy Truth and Sonnes sake that I may enioye this swéet possession of thy holy Spirit which may alwayes lead my labours after thy lyking and kéepe my heart in thy feare Swéet Iesu make a couenant with mee that I neuer may become an enemie vnto thée any more nether be found vnwoorthy of thy rich mercy and bountifull benefites but that the remainder of my life imployed in thy Seruice may iustly mooue thee to forget the iniquity of my tender yeares Continue thou God of all comfort with increase by the assistance of thy grace what I haue begun So shall I liue to glorifie thy might and mercy for euer and euer Amen Z ZEale anger carefulnesse and sorow cause celeritie of old Age Iustice mercie equity and truth make glad the holy Ghost and to a merrie heart is giuen long life sweet tast ZAcharie spake from thée O Lord saying Like as I deuised to punish you what time your Fathers prouoked mee vnto wrath and spared not Euen so am I now minded to doe well vnto the house of Iuda and Hierusalem therefore feare it not Now the thinges you shall doe saith the Lord are these speake euery man the truth to his neighbour execute Iudgement truely and peaceable within your Portes none of you Imagine euill in his heart and loue no false oathes O Lord of my selfe I am so sinnefull and ignorant that I cannot speake nor thinke a good
take vpon thē a shewe of thy name remooue from vs that Spirit of Pride and vayn glory and the study of prayse and glory Graunt that in all our troubles and euilles we may call vppon thy holy name yea in the feare of our conscience and euen when death assayleth let vs not be forgetfull of thy holy name Sée that in all our successe both in woordes and déedes we may praise worship thee onely and not séeke out of these ours but the glory of thy name which alone possessest all things take frō vs O Lord that most foule vice of ingratitude Plant in vs such good workes and life that others may be allured to vs not to our but vnto thy praise and glorie Lord let not other be offended through the vices or euill workes which yet remayne in vs least thy name for our sinnes should be ill spoken of or not henceforth praised Suffer vs not to aske any thing of thee either momentary or eternall which agreeth not to the glorie of thy holy name and praise if wee do aske any such thing of thée in that heare vs not graunt vs so to liue as becommeth Gods Children that we seme not vnworthy of thy holie name Thy Kindgome come IN this miserable and wretched life all kindes of sensual apetite wickednesse beare rule in vs and the euill spirit head and fountaine fo all siin hath gouernment But in thy kingdome O Lord grace and vertue guide the sway Iesus Christ thy deare sonne true patrone of all grace and vertue holdeth empire Thou therefore deare Father fauor vs with thy grace Giue vnto vs a true and constant faith in Christ fortifie vs with a firme sure hope in thy mercy where with our weake and feble conscience may be raysed vp from the feling of sins loade vs with an earnest loue both towardes thée all other thy good Creatures Take from vs distrust desperation and hatred remoue from vs the delightes of the flesh and plant in their stéede an earnest study of chastity with perfect fayth in thée which may worthely winne the rewarde of vndefiled battaile Make vs frée O Lord from discordes ambition warre and discention and let thy kingdome come let vs leade a peaceable mutuall and quiet life Graunt that neither zeale anger or other vyces with the which dissembling hatred are nourished rayne in vs but a milde simplycitie brotherly loue all kind of duties contentment and humilitie suffer vs not to bée afflicted with immoderate sorrow and heauinesse but let vs feele the pleasantnesse of thy grace and mercy and that in fine al our sinnes may be taken away and wée abounding through grace and vertue in our good workes may bee thy kingdome I say our mind our soule with all our strength which thou hast powred on vs may obay thy commaundements and beare thy gouerment neither follow themseules the world the fleshe nor the Deuill Sée Lord that this thy kingdom happely begunne in vs may so grow be increased that wée bée not vnaduisedly oppressed of sin neither causeles do cease from good woorkes for so it may come to passe that we shall labour in vaine Giue therefore vnto vs a firme faith wanting no strength which not onely may instruct vs to a better kind of life but also in that same may happely go forward and euer amongst vs encrease as the Prophet saith Psalm 13. Illuminate mine eies that I slepe not lest whilest the Christian life is but begunne wée negligently goe forward and finally come againe into Sathans power Graunt that wee may constantly endure and thy kingdome to come may performe and consummate the rule begunne in vs. Take vs from this life which is full of sinne and daungers make vs to desire that other life and let vs beginne and continew to hate this graunt that we doe not feare death but rather wish and desire it let vs cast out of our minde the loue of this life thot thou onely maist raigne in vs. Thy Will be done IF wee should conferre our wil with thine it is alwaies naught but thy will is euer best which deserueth that we should loue and desire that Therefore haue mercy vpon vs deare Father and let not any thing be done after our will Grant if any thing happen contrarie to that wee would we may patiently bear it temper so our brickle mettall being the worke of thy hands that if any either speak or hold his peace doe or omitt any thing contrary to our will that thereby wee bee not provoked to anger and impatience Let vs not blaspheme complaine crie out iudge condemne or malitiously accuse others therfore but grant that wee may quietly giue place to those which worke contrary to our will prayse them giuing thankes as to those which stirre vp thy will which is good against ours which is ill And further assist vs that we may patiently beare all trouble need pouerty sicknesse slander imprisonment and all other discommodities and acknowledge all these to happen vnto vs by thy will that our will may be mortified let vs patientlie beare iniuries and take from vs the desire of reuengement suffer vs not to encounter one euill with another nor resist force with strong armes but graunt thy will which hath throwne vs into those euils may satisfie vs and that with thanks-giuing we may beare aduersities If any ill come contrary to that wee would graunt we beseech thee that we iudge not that calamity to proceede either of Sathan our wicked enemy or of ill men but of thy diuine will which doth minister all thinges so that it may let our wil wherby thou mightest the better raigne and beare rule in vs. Graunt that wée may patiently and with ioyfull minde die least any being ouercome with impatience or desperation we séeme lesse obedient to thy will Grant that all members of our body eies tongue heart hands and feete follow not their owne delights but ouercome and constrained may doe all things after thy will Take from vs O Lord a hardened and an vntractable heart frée vs from frowardnesse obstinate and stubborne minds grant that we may obey thy will that we commit our selfe wholy to thy iudgement in all thinges whether they pertaine to the body or the soule whether they bee momentarie or eternall take from vs these horrible vices that we impeach not the fame of any slaunder any rashlie iudge accuse or condemn thē that vice of the tongue I beséech thee amend in vs and teach that if others commit anie euill we may retaine and hide it to thée only let vs shew it and leaue it to thy iudgement that wee may remitte what is committed against vs and let vs take pittie vpon them teach vs to know that none can hurt vs but hée shall more disprofite himselfe before thee that we may bée the rather stirred to mercy then to anger in any thing let vs not reioice if they bee throwne into calamitie which
either haue not obeyed our will or whose life hath beene little allowable to vs neither let vs hate their good successe Giue vs this day our dayly bread THe Bread is our Lord Iesus Christ which feedeth and refresheth the soule Thou therefore heauenly father graunt vs this through thy mercie that the life words and déedes of Christ with his Passion may be euerie where truelie preached acknowledged followed kept Graunt that both his doings and sayings may be example to vs to the which wee may compare our life liue more rightly Confirme vs that in calamity and trouble his Crosse and passion may strengthen and cōfort vs. Assist vs that by his death our death may be ouercome in true faith that wee may constantlie follow him being our Captaine to eternal life Bring to passe that they which haue taken vpon them the ministerie of thy word may happilie teach and with the great profite of the hearers worke that those which heare thy word aknowledge Christ and diligentlie goe forward Let it come to passe that the strange and wicked sects who teach not Christ be throwne out of his Church Let the true vnderstanding of thy word so shine in Bishops and Pastors likewise vpon al Magistrates whether they haue care of the body or soule that being illuminated with thy grace they may rightlie teach vs and be example vnto vs as well in doctrine as in pure life Let not the weake in faith be offended through the Sinnes of the Magistrates Purge vs O Lord from all heresies and wicked faith that we may be single and daylie fed with one bread and may abide agreeable in Christes words teach vs by thy grace that we may well studie vpon Christes Passion and rightly holde that and let his imprinted steppes sticke and bée found in vs. Grant that the Ministers of the Church may treat and vse the holy Sacrament worthily and to the great profite of thy Church And furthermore that we and all Christians may in his kind worthily to his soules health receiue the Sacrament Giue vs peace and concord take from vs wars contention ambition priuie hatred bloudy harts vsurping hands and all other kind of strifes that those thinges which wée haue to the sustentation of our body we may enioy with thanks giuing Giue vnto thy seruant Iames our most gratious King and Gouernour thy equall giftes to his estate and dignity with vpright Iudgement in all things and to all Magistrates true faith and single iudgement with loiall minds to kéepe the publique peace that his ioyes and rule may long stand and multiplie Take from all Subiects Sedition and Disobedience Teach vs by thy holy Spirit to order our housholde affaires that we may instruct our Children and families to worship praise and glorifie thee Grant O good Father that our Children and Familie fall not into any sinne and wickednesse neither bee ouerthrowne in any daunger or calamitie whether it be either of body or Soule Comfort deliuer thou most louing Father the Captiue the hungry thirsty naked oppressed miserable the comfortlesse widow the orphant sicke and the sorrowfull and defend the fieldes and cattell from tempest venemous worms and wild beastes Forgiue vs our rrespasses as we forgiue them that trespasse against vs GOD will that we patiently beare all thinges and requite not euill with euill nor reuenge iniurie done against vs but that we should returne a benefite for an iniurie after the example of our Father which suffereth his Sunne to shine as well on the euill as on the good and powreth down his rain both vpon the thankeful and vnthankfull O good Father stirre vp our conscience both now and in the end of our life which is grieuously feared with the sight of our sinnes and dread of thy iudgement make our hearts quiet and sure that with ioy wee may expect thy iudgement when thou shalt iudge for in thy sight shal not any man be found righteous teach vs to learne not to our our own good works and merites but to thy vnmeasured mercy and thereunto let vs wholy commit vs likewise suffer vs not to fal into desperation for our sinnes committed but grant that wee may perceiue and féele thy mercie to be far more ample greater and stronger then our wicked led life Bee present with all those which are eyther in danger of death or afflicted with desperation Forgiue vs and euen our sinnes comfort vs and bring vs againe into thy fauour As thou hast commaunded so render thou also good for ill vnto vs beate downe Sathan that horrible false detractor and accuser of our life both now and at the howre of death in all other anguishes of our conscience Sathan doth accuse vs our conscience likewise doth accuse vs. But thou Lord dost not iudge after their sentence heare not the voyce E ENgraue thy lawes in the depth of my hart O lord that being instructed in thy commandementes I may serue thée in feare and reioyce in thée with trembling take hold vpon thy discipline in all things Least at any time thou become angry and I perish from the right way Amen L LOrd giue me helpe from my trouble for vaine is the helpe of man in thée I haue strength and thou bringest vnto nothing those which trouble me let my soule bée subiect vnto thée for from thée procéedeth my patience for thou art my God and Sauiour my helper and I wil not depart from thée In thée is my health my Glory thou art the God of my helpe and my hope is in thée Amen I I Haue broken thy fold and wandred long as a lost shéepe let me returne againe O Lord because I haue not forgotten thy commaundements the misdéedes and ignorances of my tender yéeres remember not Lord according to thy mercy haue mind on me For thy goodnesse O Lord kéepe my soule and deliuer me let me not bee ashamed because I haue trusted in thée Turne my heauinesse into ioy cut off my sacke of sorrows and gird me with gladnesse that my Glorie may sing vnto thée and I shall not be grieued Z ZOrobabel King of Iuda in the depth of thy displeasure tasted of thy mercy receiued by the mouth of Aegeus thy Prophet swéete comfort knowledge of thy fauour and grace yea after thy determination to destroy the whole kingdome of the Heathen thy right hand did preserue him and thy incomparable mercy did choose him for a seale to thy selfe Lord this happy King in thy goodnesse was but an earthly Creature and then could hée haue no righteousnesse in him selfe to moue such thy compassion If it procéede from the multitude of thy mercies that surmount the iniquity of the whole world that thou diddest onely vouchsafe to behold in him the Image of thy selfe Bow down thine eyes Lord and behold the selfe same in mée Certifie my conscience with remission of my sinnes that my sorrowfull Soule bee at rest within mée send downe thy holy
in the death of a Sinner sayth the Lord God or rather would I not his conversion from his evill wayes that he might liue And againe hee sayeth Returne and repent you of your faults and your iniquity shall not prevaile against you Cast away evill cogitations and take you a new Spirite And why wilt thou die O house of Israel I wil not the death of a sinner returne and thou shalt liue O wretch why despayrest thou sith to this end GOD sent his Sonne into the earth that thou mightest haue comfort This is the loue of God whereof David speaketh saying We haue seene thy loving kindnesse even in the middest of thy Congregation Bée earely at the church occupied in prayer abide in the Apostolicke Faith beware of Idolatry imbrace the louing kindnesse of God who cryeth vncessantly I wil not the death of a Sinner but rather he convert and liue Harke to this swéet Oracle shake off the drowsinesse of errour and rise with Christ that thou mayest liue in him Marke how liberally hee promiseth At what hower soever a Sinner shall repent I will put all his wickednesse out of my remembrance He hath no respect to the nature of thy faults he forceth not the greatnesse or nūber of thine offences repent but as thou oughtest and hee will blot thy wickednesse out of memory That our Prayer may bée more acceptable to God the Prophet O see telleth vs how we should pray Returne vnto the Lord and say to him Lord take away mine iniquitie and receiue if I haue any my goodnesse and I wil giue thee the batlinges sacrifice of my lips Let vs reuert that haue shamefuly erred to him which taketh away the sinnes of the world and let vs say Take away from vs the evill which we haue done and accept this good What good Even the sacrifice of our Lippes Wée giue thée thanks mighty God to whome wee owe all that we haue Take from vs which is ours accept of vs that which is thine owne Returne saith Ioel to your God because he is loving gratious long suffering and of much mercy and ready to pardon mischiefe Though the weight of sin astonish thee yet let the mightinesse of Gods mercy vphold thee which the Prophet doth many wayes exaggerate God saith hee is gentle which hee addeth that wee should not despaire of pardon God saith he is gratious that we should vnderstand how he not onelie helpeth vs but that he pittieth our miseries And thinking not this sufficient he adioineth Long suffring And yet art thou doubtfull sinner Hearken then what followeth And of great mercy If thy faults be many care not great is the goodnesse of God What remayneth now but that thou turne and goe to him that inuiteth thee thou wilt say the horrible threatenings of punishment feare me Giue eare and marke And hee is ready to pardon mischiefe that God which is so often stirred to anger of his own accord mooueth thee to repentance calleth thee to forgiuenesse forgetteth his threates denyeth thee the torment of Hell in steade of punishment giueth thee his blessing not onely turneth to thee that repentest but willingly goeth to méet thée embraceth thée This is it which was promised by Zacharie Turne vnto me saith the Lord of hosts and I will be converted vnto you What meaneth hee by Returne vnto mee that is acknowledge thy weakenesse and aske mercy And what is meant by this And I will be converted vnto you That this of a reuenger I will become a helper I will assist your endeauours and looke what through your owne strength you can not bring to passe thou shalt attain to buy my fauour No man can fréely hate his owne sinne vnlesse God mollifie his stony hart and giue him a fleshly hart vnles for a defiled Conscience hee make a cleane heart vnlesse for a corrupt soule hee renue a right Spirite in him Peruse and reade the conuersation and life of Christ there thou shalt finde nothing but of his euerlasting mercy towards all men He fréely healed the sicke fedde the hungry deliuered them that were in daunger cleansed the Leapers gaue sight to the Blinde restored the Lame cast out Deuils raysed the dead to life and pardoned the wicked Search againe the vniuersall discipline of GOD what other thing contayneth it then the maruailous compassion of the Almighty doth he not inculcat into our minds by parables to the intent wée should not fal by any means To that end serueth the Parable of the lost shéepe which was brought againe on the Shéepeheards shoulders the Parable of the lost and found groate of the whole man that wanted not a Physition of the Seruant to whome his debts were forgiuen of the Publicane and the Pharisie of the broken man whom the Samaritane cured of the good Steward towardes his debtors and of the crafty Steward towards his Master of the Prodigall Child taken againe into fauour As touching the bare name of the Gospell doth it not promise mercy Yes it giueth light to the blind liberty to the Captiue health to the broken and last of all a gratefull gaine to the Lord who thirsteth nothing but the Saluation of sinners Likewise the name of Iesus that is of a Sauiour what else doth it promise to the Sinner but mercy and blissefulnesse If he had come representing the Maiesty of a Iudge there had beene some cause why euerie one might haue feared but knowing him to come as a Sauiour dost thou dispayre Saluation for the surer hope of Saluation the Sonne of God suffered death and offered vp himselfe a valiant sacrifice for the sins of man And hanging on the Crosse prayeth for his persecutors and thinkest thou that hée wil deny thée forgiuenesse of thy sinnes that dost acknowledge thy wretchednesse and craue remission Trust him that is mercifull and thou shalt find compassion A sure hope obtaineth any thing at Christes hand who so mistrusteth the Phisition hindereth his own health The woman of Canaan cryed and her daughter was cured The Centurian beléeued and his Seruant was made whole againe The Father prayed and his Sonne was cleansed of the foule spirite The Apostles cryed out Helpe Lord for we perish and they were deliuered And wée sée that in diuerse he hath not respected the prayers of the mouth but only the Faith Hee did but perceyue the faith of the people and said to the sicke of the Palsie Bee of good cheare my sonne thy sins are forgiuen thee The Mother and her companions doe but wéepe and her Sonne is raysed frō death to life Martha and Mary did but mourne and Lazarus was receyued Mary the sinner bewayleth he annointeth her kisseth her and sayth Thy sinnes are forgiven thee He sufficiently asketh that confesseth his infirmity he asketh effectually that lamenteth beléeueth The woman troubled with superfluity of bloud secretlie touched the vesture of Iesus and immediatelie she felt the force of his mercy We read also of many others that
not repent with them whom they haue transgressed withall After David had willingly confessed his fault and acknowledged the iust iudgement of God behold what great hope he conceyued of the mercy of God Sprinckle me O Lord saith he with I sope and I shall be cleane Wash mee and I shall bee whiter then snowe By the sprinckling of the bloud of the immaculate Lambe he promiseth to himselfe clearenesse too thogh he acknowledge his conception to be sinfull yet by this washing hee hopeth after the whitenesse of iunocency which passeth the whitenesse of the Snow And he trusteth not only in the innocency but looketh to sée his doubtful penitency turned into heauenlie ioy Thou shalt make me hear joy and gladnes saith David that the boÌ„es which thou hast broken may reioyce Giue mee the comfort of thy helpe and stablish me with thy free spirite O singular faith of a sinner what man hath at any time cried Iesu haue mercy on me but forthwith he hath obtayned grace Take pitty Lord sayeth the woman of Canaan and her daughter was was healed The blind poore man cryed out O Sonne of David haue mercy on me and he receyved sight Let vs heartily zealously constantly call on him and in the midest of our miseries say Iesu thou Sonne of David haue compassion vpon vs. And of poore impotent beggers hee will make vs fellow heyres with him of the kingdome of Heauen He hath opened the sanctuary of his holinesse and thou runnest into the dungeon of dispayre hee hath stretched out his hand to thee thou turnst away thy face he openeth the gates of Heauen and thou hastest to destruction behold the bosome of his goodnes and thou créepest into the lake of vnhappinesse The Theefe that hung on the Crosse heard him saying This day thou shalt be with me in Paradise and thou offerest thy selfe to the Deuill The mercy of God came vnto vs wheÌ„ he sent his Son into the earth Let vs therefore goe to it Let vs incline to him as he did to vs The way is first to leaue our life For first the Physitians vse to purge the body that they may minister wholesomer Medicines Forsake O thou Sinner thy wicked imaginations which fight against God leau to lust be not couetous refrain riot flie arrogancy that God may powr his blessings vpon thee He that persisteth in his wickednesse and calleth for grace is like to an enemie which being ready armed asketh peace of his Master hee that asketh receyueth he that séeketh findeth and hee that knocketh hath it opened vnto him if thou wilt desire mercy craue it truely if thou séeke it séek it indeed if thou knock at the gate of forgiuenesse knocke earnestly If thou require an example of one that faithfully craued the fauour of God Marke the Prodigall Child who leauing his Swine returned to his Father and said Father I haue sinned against Heaven and against thee make me as one of thy hired servants Marke the Publicane which for the guiltinesse of his conscience dare not lift vp his eyes to heauen dare not come to his redéemer but standing a farre off hee knocketh his breast and saith Lord bee mercifull vnto me a Sinner S. Hierome affirmeth the offence of Iudas to be greater in despayring the mercie of God theÌ„ in betraying Christ as Cain stirred God to anger more through desperation of pardon then by the slaughter of his brother Abel Manie which haue persecuted Christ being conuerted beléeuing in him haue obtained pardon are made examples to man that he ought not to distrust the remissioÌ„ of his wickednes seeing the death of our Sauior is forgiuen to the penitent Wilt thou heare saith Augustine the mercy of God leaue thy abhomination hee will forgiue thée Wilt thou see the truth of God do good thou shalt be crowned with Iustice God is not so mercifull to vse vniustice nor so iust to be vnmerciful but som man wil say meÌ„ encrease their offeÌ„ces by too much hope but how much doe they enlarge their guiltines by distrust of remission If there were no forgiuenes then thou wouldâ—t rage say I am wretched I am condeÌ„ned why is not my law why shall I not fill my selfe with sacietie if after this there bee nought but torment this would be thy saing O worse then dispayre it selfe Hee doth better therefore that correcteth thée with promise of forgetfulnesse and sayth I will not the death of a finner but that he convert and liue God by his promise would not haue sinners to presume but his will is they should not in any wise distrust and therefore he hath made them ignorant of the day of their death if thou repent present pardon is prouided no day is prefixed Wherefore to conclude if thou hast liued well till this day and still abidest in this life liue well amend thy life and beholde forgiuenesse and bee sure that what hee hath pardoned shall not bee imputed to thee againe which for his merry he grant that taketh away the Sinnes of the world Amen CONSOLATIO NVLLA maeroris magnitudo nulla angustiarum acerbitas nulla defectuum multitudo nulla scelerum enormitas te ad desperationem nimiamve pusillanimitatem adducat Quantumcunque peccaveris semper Dej misericordia in infinitum excedit tuas iniquitates Quantumcunque infirmus sis semper illius benignitas a diuvare parata est tuam fragilitatem Vult potest Deus sanare ac liberare te si ad eum verè conuerteris atque humilis factus ipsum piè inuocas speras in eo O quam homini salutaris Deo grata est spes atque confidentia illa quam Dei amor sanctaque humilitas parit quae homineÌ„ non ad negligentiaÌ„ vel incuriaÌ„ sese emendandi neque ad facilitatem peccandi pertrahit sed magis ad conatum proficiendi extimulat THE AVTHORS Prayer IN the deapth of thy mercy O Lord bow down thine eyes behold encline thine eares and heare stretch out thine Arme and helpe for I am thine vnworthy creature and haples man that thorow thy rodde of wrath haue experience of most wretched misery Mine enemies pursue mée with gaping iawes and whetted teeth saying within themselus let vs now deuoure him for the time that we looked for is come wee doe find and sée it They haue fortified round about me and haue inclosed me with tormeÌ„t and trauell My flesh and skin are made old my bones are bruised they haue hedged me that I cannot gett out haue said heauy links vpoÌ„ me Helpe Lord thy seruant whome thou neuer faylest I cry and call pittiously yet am I not heard my innocency is trodden downe and my life suddued with like surmises My mourning they dayly heare but comfort I find farre off They haue stopped vp my wayes with quartred stones and made my pathes crooked They lay wayte for me as wilde Beares and deuouring Dragons with open mouth deliuer me from their gréedy gripes
the aged euen so is a wife full of words to a still quiet man That woman that hath béene vnfaithfull to the Law of the highest and hath brokē Couenant with her husband her children shall take no root and as for her branches they shall beare no fruit A shamefull report shall shee leaue behind her and her dishonour shall not be put out Like as the Sun when it ariseth is an ornament in the high Heauen of the Lord so is a vertuous wife the beauty of all her house Perpetuall are the foundations that bee layde vpon a whole stony Rocke so are the commaundementes of God vppon the heart of a holy woman Whatsoeuer happen vnto thee receiue it suffer in heauinesse and be patient in thy trouble For like as golde and siluer are tried in the fire euen so are acceptable men in the fornace of aduersity God is gratious and mercifull hee forgiueth sinnes in the time of trouble and is a defender to all men that séeke him in the truth Woe be to him that hath a double heart wicked lippes and euill occupied hands and to the sinner that goeth two maner of wayes The blessing of the Father buildeth vp the houses of the Children but the mothers curse rooteth out the Foundations Who so honoureth his father his sinne shall be forgiuen him and when hee maketh his prayer it shall bée heard He that forsaketh his Father shall come to shame and hee that defileth his mother is accursed of God The more greater thou art the more humble thy selfe in all things and thou shalt find fauour in the sight of God for great power belongeth onely vnto God and he is honoured of the lowly Séeke not out things aboue thy capacity nor search the grounds for such thinges as are too mighty for thée many things shewed vnto thée that bée aboue the capacitie of men Be not ashamed of thy friend in his aduersity and kéepe not backe thy counsell when it may do good neither hide thy wisedome in her beauty For righteousnes and truth striue vnto death and God shall fight for thée against thine enemies Make no tarrying to turne vnto the Lord and put not off from day to day for sodainly shall his wrath come in the time of vengeance hee shall destroy thée Trust not in wicked riches for they shall not helpe thée in the day of punishment and wrath equity mercy iustice and Trueth shall deliuer thée In the beautifull dayes of thy prosperity forget not the foggy mists of aduersity and when it goeth not well with thée haue a good hope it shall be better Happy is hee that hath no heauinesse in his mind and is not fallen from his hope Let not to pray alwayes stand in feare reformed vnto death for the rewarde of God endureth for euer and vnto them that will repent he hath giuen the way of righteousnesse Note all these hither to be out of Ecclesiast A dissembling person will vnfold thy Secrets But he that loueth thée in truth wil faithfully stand with thee in perill Through the lying lipps of the malitious the innocent is destroyed But in the beauty of his truth time shall deliuer him The innocent dealing of the iust shall lead them But the wickednesse of such as dissemble shall bee their owne destruction The Lord abhorreth them that be of fained heart But he hath pleasure to encrease the séede of the humble and faithfull Euery man shall enioy good according to the sayinges of his mouth and after the works of his hands Do they some righteousnesse speake the Truth The Innocent person shal be deliuered out of trouble the double dealer shall come in his stead Mercy and faithfulnesse let neuer go from thée bind them about thy necke and write them in the Tables of thy heart Pro. 3. Be not wise in thine owne conceite but feare the Lord and depart from euill So shal thy vertue shine and thy healthes grow Ibidem These sixe things doth the Lord hate A proud looke a lying tongue hands to shedde innocent bloud an heart that goeth about with wicked imaginations féet that be swift in running to doe mischiefe a false witnesse that bringeth vp lies and such a one as soweth discord amongst brothers Pro 6. Dissembling lippes keepe hatred secretly euill will stirreth vpstrise but loue couereth the multitude of sins Prou. 10. The patient abiding of the Innocent shall be turned to gladnesse and the dayes of his trouble are the sure signes of his Sauation Ibidem The perill that the vngodlie are afraid of shall come vpon their heades but the faithfull and the righteous shall inherite their desires He that by violence sheddeth any mans bloud shall be a Runnegate to his graue and his posterity shall bee confounded with shame A man that dealeth faithfully shal bee filled with blessings and hee that maketh too much hast to be Rich shal not be vnguilty Like as Hell and destruction are neuer full euen so the eyes of the couetous men can neuer be satisfied The Seat of the King that with Iustice and equitie faithfully iudgeth the poore shall encrease and stand for euer Many men like the Bread that is gotten with deceit but at the last their mouthes shall bee filled with grauell These thrée Proverb all No force is left vnprepared against the day of Battaile But the Lord giueth the victory He that soweth the séeds of malice shall reape sorrow and in the haruest of his crueltie shall he perish The end of Equity Iustice Patience and Truth is riches honour prosperity and health Who so giueth Rewardes shall obtaine victory and triumph but he taketh away the soule of such as receyue them Reioyce not thou at the fall of thine enemies and let not thy hart bee glad when hee stumbleth least the Lord when he seeth it be angry turne his wrath from him to thee He that turneth away his eare from the needy or from his Neighbour in necessity his Prayer shall bee abhominable Sow no euill seedes in the furrowes of vnrighteousnes for the lucre of any other mās Lordshippe labour not vnto the King for the Seate of Honour so shalt thou goe vntouched of any misfortune Ecclesiast 7. Who so vniustly challengeth rule to himselfe shal bee hated of the people Ecclesiast 20. Carry thy wronges with patient hart and thinke of no reuenge the Lord knoweth how to deliuer the godly out of anguish and to reserue the malitious vnto the day of iudgement Peter 4. If our hearts condenm vs not then haue wee trust to God-ward and whatsoeuer we aske we receiue of him Iob. 3. For this purpose appeared the Sonne of GOD to loose the paines of Hel and the Workes of the Deuill Ibidem Warres with great discretion ought to bee taken in hand for through strength of good Counsell thinges prosper that men deuise Pro. 24. When thou goest to battaile against thine enemies and also seest Horses and Charrets and people more then thou bee not