thy sighte oh Lorde whosoeuer thinke they are cleane and haue not sinned they deceiue themselues Therefore I confesse oh Lorde I haue not committed one sin but rather infinite sins and acknowledge if thou shouldest obserue mine iniquities I were not hable to abide it Enter not therfore into iudgemente with thy Seruaunte oh Heauenly Father for no fleashe is rightuous in thy sighte let the penssue harte from whence my praiers commes pearse thy Celestiall Throne Bow down thy mercie Lord and wash mee with the bloud of my Sauioure Christe cloathe mee with his humilitie and reuiue mee with his Resurrection Remember Lorde thou haste spoken by the mouthe of thy seruaunt Esaye That if my sinnes be as redde as Scarlette they shal be made as white as snowe And furthermore thou delightest not in the deathe of any sinner but that he rather liue and be conuerted Lord thy woordes neuer failed and thy compassions haue no end by vertu of the one and substance of the other purify me from all mine iniquitie I neede not to tel thee Lord if time woulde not faile mee the large examples of thy manifold mercies besides thi compassions shewed on thy Seruaunte Mary Magdeleyn Peter and Paule with whom Lorde let me be so cleansed purified and receiued as O may with them be Coheyres of thy euerlasting ioyes Amen AS the barraine and vnthanckefull soyle whiche after good vse diligence of the Tiller geueth forth Darnell for good seede so euer dooth the fainte harted and vngratefull freend in the Harueste of thy necessitie But if thou wouldest choose him by vertue of the Grape and suffer him to be olde as thou dost thy wine then shouldest thou drink him with pleasure AT midnight my tonge and lippes shall singe praise of thy holy name and my Spirite shall glorifie thee sittinge aboue the highest Cherubins Awake Lorde awake denie mee not for thy names sake â—â—â—gh otherwise vnwoorthy of â—â—y porcion in thy ritche guiftes to the worlde Lorde thou hast so loued the world that thou madest thy dere beloued sonne to clime the steps of death who bare the Image of thy substaunce and brightnes of thy glory to purge our mortalitie and sinne I beseeche thee therfore as thou haste so vouchsaued also saide by the mouthe of thy Seruauntes that thou haste geuen him to that most dreadfull death of the Crosse to put away al sin and to satisfie thy iustice Lorde and mercifull Father let me now for al be so deliueâ—â—â— and cleerely purged by this pitifull passion of thy deere sonne my Sauiour that I may say and singe with the blessed Cherubins and Seraphins Apostles Sainctes and Virgins Holy Holy Holy Lorde God on highe all Honour Power Dominion and Glory be dewe to thee for euer and euer Amen ¶ The Versicle FOr thy deare Sonnes sake O Lorde heare and receiue my Prayers The Answere ANd in thy truthe and mercy pardon mine offences and graunt mee thy grace ¶ The Collecte O Lorde Iesus Christ sonne of the pure Virgin Marie thou thou art not only the sweet spouse of my soule healthe but with God the Father a moste meke Mediatour full of Mercie Truthe wash away my sinnes with the most precious bloud of thy holy passion make me ritch in thy mercy and my Faithe so strong in thee that assisted with thy grace and holy Spirite to all duty and workes in this life towardes thee I may enioy afterwards the glory of thy blessed Kingdom with thy holy saincts and Virgins in euerlasting honoure and triumphe Amen ¶ The Prayer O Lord Iesus Christ whiche hast redeemed all mankinde from sinne Death Hell thou which hast saide I am the way truthe and life A way in Doctrine Commaundementes and examples Truth in promises Life in rewarde I pray thee by thine ineffamable loue wherwith thou hast vouchsafed wholie to bestowe thy selfe for our securitie that thou wilt not suffer mee euer to stray from thee bicause thou art the way nor at any time to distruste thy promises which art Truthe and perfourmest what so euer thou promisest neither let me rest in any other thing because thou arte eternal life without the whiche there is nothinge that ought to be desired neither in heauen nor in Earthe By thee we learne the sure and expediente passage vnto true healthe that wee wander no longer in the Labor in the of this world Thou haste exactly taught what to beleeue and what to doo what to hope for and in whome wee ought to rest By thee wee learne how wee were of that first Adam vnfortunately borne By thee wee are assured ther is no hope of helth but through Faith in thee that thou arte the onely brightnesse which geuest lighte to all men trauailing the darke Deserts of this worlde where is nothinge but a profound dimnes wherby we can neither see our calamity nor from whence wee oughte to seeke remedy of our euil Thou diddest vouchsafe to descende into the Earthe disdainedst not to take our nature vppon thee that by thy doctrine thou mightest shake of the dimnesse of our ignoraunce by thy commaundements mightest directe our feetâ— in the way of Truthe Peace By the exaÌ„ples of thy life thou hast shewed vs the way to immortalitie and by thy steppes hast restoared to vs a plaine easie and profitable way out of an vneuen and roughe way So thou arte made vnto vs a waye which knoweth no erroure in the whiche leaste wee should be wearie thou haste vouchsafed to vpholde vs in thy benignitie with greate and sure promises for who can be weary accoumpting him selfe ready through thy steppes to enter thy Heauenly Heritage Therfore whilest we be in this iorney thou wouldest be a sure hope vnto vs to be in steede of a staffe vnto vs wherewith we are susteined Neither was thy goodnesse content with this but knowing the weakenes of our fleash in the meane while with the comfort of thy Spirite doost so refreashe our strengthe whereby wee runne cheerefully And as thou being made vnto vs a way doost driue away al errour So being made Truthe doost take away all distrust Finally beinge made life vnto vs dooste reuiue the dead in sin to liue by thy Spirite releeuing all thinges vntill in the resurrection al mortalitie vtterly abolished we may alwaies liue with thee and in thee when Christe shall be to vs all in all For eternall life is to knowe the Father the Sonne and the holy Ghoste to be one true God whoÌ„ now through Faith wee beholde only in a Glasse and Ridell and then seeing more feloly the glory of the Lorde wee shal be transformed into the same Image Therfore I beseeche thee most mercifull Sauioure that thou wouldest nourishe Faithe in thy Seruaunte that I may neuer wauer in thy heauenly doctrine Encrease obedience that I neuer turne from thy Preceptes Fortifie constancie that entring into thy steppes it be not pulled backe nor through the terroure or intisements of Sathan ouerthrowne but maie
with thy truth and merites of Christes deathe and passion to lay my Prayers before thee requyringe mercy and forgeuenesse of all my sinnes and also the assistance of thy Grace to do thy will all the daies of my life and to obtaine all these my petitions through Iesus Christ thy deere Sonne and my only sauiour to whom with thee and the Holy Ghoste be all Honour power Dominion and Glory for euer and euer Amen A Meditation vpon the Lordes Prayer ¶ Our Father which art in Heauen TRuely thou O almighty father haste iuste cause to execute thy seuere iudgemente vpon vs sinners whiche so often and greeuously moue thy wrath and indignation againste vs but sithence by thy mercy thou dooste not onely pardon but also commaundeste and teacheste by thy Sonne Iesus Christe that wee should holde thee for a Father wee pray thee throughe him that thou wilt geue vs a full and sure truste in thy Fatherly clemency and that we may likewise feele some taste of that security whiche thy Children haue and with ioye call thee Father acknowledge thee loue thee and in all our troubles call vpon thee defende and guide vs that wee may perpetually abide thy children let vs not goe out of thy protection Though we be the children of wickednes yet let vs not holde thee in steede of a seuere Iudge whē thou wilt that wee shall not onely call thee Father but our Father and that wee pray not in our owne name alone but in the name of all thy Children Geue vs therefore an vniforme and brotherly loue that in deede wee may perceiue our selues to bee Brothers and Sisters and thee our generall Father Let vs pray for all the rest no otherwise then Fathers were wont to pray for their children neyther suffer any of vs to seeke his own and forget his brother but taking away what enuie hatred or discord so euer raigneth emonge vs that as becommeth Gods children wee may mutually loue one another and truely call thee not Father but our Father Of our carnall and earthely Father we receiue this brickle body and he is such a one as is subiect to death neither are wee sure how longe he shall remaine a father Furthermore if aduersity happen he can not chaunge that but thou arte a Heauenly Father truely farre better and more Nobler So much more righte is it then that we contempne for thee our Father Countrey Kindred Ritches Fleashe Bloude yea and what so euer is in this worlde vnder the scope of Heauen This also graunt to vs that we may be thy heauenly Children whom thou doest teache that we shall regarde nothinge but the soule healthe and that heauenly Heritage leaste in this carnall and earthly Countrey deceiued stirred vp or letted by ritches wee become heyres of sensuality but truly let vs say our heauenlie Father and that truely wee may be thy heauenly Children Halowed be thy name ALmighty God heauenly father thy holy name is miserably prophaned many wayes in this worlde scorned taunted and blasphemed when it is applied to those thinges in whiche is no glorye of thy Deitie yea many abuse it imployinge it to sinne and truly that vnwoorthy life in a Christian man deserueth to be called a prophanation of thy holy name graunt therefore to vs good Lorde through thy mercy that wee may beware of all those things by which the honoure and glory of thy name is diminished and purifie vs that the Artes of Magike may be abolished let people cease to enchaunt Diuels or other Creatures by thy name see that all distrust and supersticion perish Heresie and wicked Doctrine also whiche notwithstandinge they preferre thy name yet they deceiue many lette them perishe and be broughte to nothynge graunte that thy people be not deceyued through any outwarde shewe of truthe rightuousnesse or holynesse Suffer not any man to forsweare hym selfe lye or deceyue others by thy name Take from vs O Lorde all false aydes which take vpon thē a shewe of thy name remooue from vs that spyrite of Pryde and vaine glory and the study of prayse and glory Graunt that in all our troubles and euiles we may cal vpon thy holy name yea in the feare of our consciēce and euen when deathe assaileth let vs not be forgetful of thy holie name See that in al our successe both in wordes and deedes wee may praise and worship thee onely and not seeke out of these ours but the glory of thy name which alone possessest al things take from vs O Lorde that most foule vice of ingratitude Plant in vs such good woorkes and life that others may be allured to vs not to our but to thy praise and glory Lorde let not others be offended through the vices or euill workes which yet remaine 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 glory of thy holy name praise if wee do aske any suche thinge of thee in that heare vs not graunt vs so to liue as becommeth Gods Children that wee seeme not vnworthy of thy holy name Thy kingdome come IN this miserable and wretched life all kindes of sensuall apetide and wickednesse beare rule in vs and the euill spirite head and fountaine of all sinne hath gouernmente But in thy kingdome O Lorde grace and vertue guide the sway and Iesus Christe thy deere sonne true patrone of all grace and vertue holdeth Empyre Thou therefore deere Father fauoure vs with thy grace Geue vnto vs a true constant faith in Christe fortifie vs with a firme hope in thy mercie wherwith our weake and feble conscience may be raised vp from the feling of sinnes lade vs with an earnest loue both towardes thee and al other thy good Creatures Take frō vs distrust desperation and hatred remooue from vs the delightes of the fleash and plant in their steede an earnest studye of chastitie with perfect faith in thee which may worthely winne the reward of vndefiled battaile Make vs free O Lorde from discordes ambition warre and discention and let thy kingdome come and let vs leade a peaceable mutuall and quiet life Graunt that neither zeale anger or other vices with the whiche dissemblinge hatred are nourished raigne in vs but a milde simplicity brotherly loue al kinde of duties contentment and humility suffer vs not to be affected with immoderate sorrowe and heauinesse but let vs feele the pleasantnesse of thy grace and mercie and that in fine all my sinnes may be taken away wee abounding through grace and vertu in good works may be thy kingdome I say our minde our soule with al our strength whiche thou hast powred on vs may obey thy commaundementes and beare thy gouernment and neither folowe themselues the world the fleash nor the Diuell See Lord that this thy kingdome happely begonne in vs may so growe and be increased that wee be not
naked oppressed miserable the comfortlesse widowe the orphane sick and the sorowfull and defende the fieldes and cattell from tempest venemous woormes and wilde beastes Forgeue vs our trespasses as we forgeue them that trespas against vs. GOD will that we patiently beare al things and requite not euill with euill nor reuenge iniurie donne againste vs but that wee shoulde returne a benefite for an iniurie after the ensample of our Father whiche suffereth his Sunne to shine as well on the euill as on the good and powreth downe his raigne both vpon the thankefull and vnthankefull O good Father stirre vp our conscience bothe now and in the ende of our life whiche is greuously feared with the sight of our sinnes and dred of thy â—udgemente make our harts quiet and sure that with ioy wee may expecte thy iudgement when thou shalt iudge for in thy sight shall not any man be founde rightuous teache vs to leane not to our owne good workes and merites but to thy vnmeasured mercie therevnto let vs wholy coÌ„mit vs Likewise suffer vs not to fall into desperation for our sinnes committed but graunt that wee may perceiue and feele thy mercy to be far more ample greater and stronger then our wicked ledde life Be presente with all those whiche are either in daunger of death or afflicted with desperation Forgeue vs and euen our sinnes comfort vs and bring vs againe into thy fauour As thou hast coÌ„maunded so render thou also good for yll vnto vs beate down sathan that horrible false detractor and accuser of our life bothe nowe and at the houre of death and in al other anguishes of our conscience Sathan dothe accuse vs our conscience likewise doth accuse vs But thou Lorde dooest not Iudge after their senteÌ„ce heare not the voyce of our enemies which complain of vs before thee night and day Take from vs thou God of all mercie the greeuous burden of our sinne and conscience that it beinge made ioyfull and confirmed with the hope of thy mercy wee may both liue and die doo and suffer all thinges And leade vs not into temptation WEE are vexed with three kindes of temptation the fleash the worlde and the diuell Wee pray thee therfore O Father to assiste vs with thy heauenly grace that wee truely may be able to quenche the flames of the fleash that wee may auoyde excesse of meates and drink ouer much sleape slouth and idlenesse wherewith the prone fleashe is the rather kindled that likewise with fasting moderate diet and cloathinge our bed not to softe with watching and laboure wee may be made the more apte to good woorkes Helpe thou vs also that wee may fasten to the Crosse of Christe and mortifie that inordinate concupiscence and all other stirringes vnto vaine pleasure that wee may with strong power resist them Plante our hartes in the pleasaunte garden of thy continuall feare sowe the sweete seedes of heauenly grace so deepely in the furrowes of our inward minde that when our outward eies shal behold the rare bewty and work of thy handes in any fayre well proporcioned or semely creature we may not be therwith allured to exchaunge our thoughtes of pure deity through desire to exercise any delicate delight of our wanton fleash but euer geuinge vnspotted Chastitie sway in vs may the rather be mooued to praise thee in all thy creatures Graunte that when our eares are delighted with any sweete Harmonie or melodious sound that we may not applie it to our own plesure but to thy triumph and glory Take from vs couetousnesse and inordinate studie to heape vp Ritches Remooue from vs the study of Glory Power and Ambition suffer not the malice of the worlde to prouoke vs to impatience reuengement hatred dissimulation or other vices Woorke in vs that we hold in hate and despise the deceiptes subtilty lyes craft guile false promises vnthankfulnesse and ingratitude of the world with all other whether they be good or badde that Originall Sinne also which in Baptisme wee knowe and that in this minde wee may endure and euermore encrease Putte from vs the temptacioÌ„s of Sathan that wee fall not into pride and admiration of ourselues being puffed vp with wealth Nobility Power Rule Learning Dignity Beawty Shape or other guiftes so despise others Purifie cleanse vs from priuie hatred secret sclaunder egreenuie and inward dissimulation Make vs to deale iustly carefully truly faithfully freendely and constantely with those that put vs in any trust and wel and equally with all others Confirme and strengthen vs against all temptations and dreadefull assaultes of Death that neither in the General day of accoumpt wee tremble in our hope of thy mercie nor in the summons of death wee fall into desperation but vpholden with firm hope of thy mercy armed with stronge Faithe and inuincible beliefe of thy Saluacion wee may liue in our resurrection participate thy ioyes and reioyce in thy comminge Moreouer wee entirely beseeche thee O Heauenly Father that thou vouchsafe with the carefull eyes of thy mercy to behold and strengthen all them which are assailed with any greuous temptations or weaknesse of Faith. If any yet stand confirme them O God and those which are fallen lift thou vp Let thy grace defende vs all in this miserable life whiche is replenished with so many daungers and bitter enimies that as it becommeth Christian Souldiers wee may be strongly gyrte with true Faith to thee in loyall obedience to our Prince brotherly loue towardes all men and so become coheyres of thy Celestiall Throne and blessednesse But deliuer vs from euill THy gratefull benignitie oh Heauenly father hath once deliuered vs from that most vncleane Spirite and subtil Serpent Sathan the wretched workman of all endlesse woe deathe destruction washed from sinne by thy sonne Iesus Christ and hath chosen vs into the honoure of his blessed Name and Heritage Wherfore cease thine indignation O Lord which iustly wee incurre throughe our daily contempts of thy holy will free vs from the paines due to oure sinnes deliuer vs froÌ„ the flouds of perdition that compasse vs rounde about and the flames of thy furie that our wickednesse hath kindled stay the stroke of thy vengeauÌ„ce that the blasphemie of our tongues hath iustly mooued thy longe sufferaunce to lay nowe vpon vs deliuer our Soule from the deadly wounds of our dissembling lippes take from vs the full corruption of all enuie and hatred keepe our minds from pride and presumption breathe into vs throughe al parts thy loue humility faith hope charitie patience which may bewtifie vs with the beames of thy brightnesse quicken our soules and al the powers therof that they may cleaue fast and be ioyned to thee in Ghostely rauishinges Destroy the force of this our aunciente foe Sathan which alwaies maketh battaile against vs powre vpon vs the greatnesse of thy goodnesse that thy right hand may be gloryfied in vs deliuer vs from all vncleane desires of the fleashe
and I will not remember ought that he hath donne Haue I pleasure in the death of a sinner saith the Lorde God or rather woulde I not his conuersion from his euill waies that he might liue And againe he saith Returne and repente you of your faultes and your iniquitie shall not preuaile against you Caste awaie euil cogitations and take you a new Spirite And why wilte thou die O House of Israell I will not the deathe of a sinner returne and thou shalt liue O wretche why despairest thou sithe to this ende God sente his Sonne into the Earthe that thou mightest haue comforte This is the loue of God wherof Dauid speaketh saiyng Wee haue seene thy louinge kindenesse euen in the middest of thy Congregation Be early at the Chuâ—ch occupied in praier abide in the Apostolike faithe beware of Idolatry imbrace the louinge kindenesse of God who crieth vnceassantly I wil not the death of a Sinner but rather he conuert and liue Harke to this sweet Oracle shake of the drousinesse of errour and rise with Christ that thou maiste liue in him Marke how liberally he promiseth At what hower so euer a sinner shall repente I will put all his wickednesse oute of my remembraunce He hath no respecte to the nature of thy faultes he forceth not the greatnesse or number of thine offences repent but as thou oughtest he wil blotte thy wickednesse out of memorie That our prayer may be more acceptable to God the Prophet Osee telleth vs how wee shoulde pray Returne vnto the Lorde and say to him Lorde take away mine iniquitie receiue if I haue any my goodnesse and I will geue thee the batlinges and Sacrifice of my lippes Let vs reuerte that haue shamefully erred to him which taketh away the sinnes of the worlde and let vs say Take awaie from vs the euill which wee haue donne and accept this good what good Euen the Sacrifice of our lippes wee geue thee thanks mighty God to whom wee owe all that wee haue Take from vs which is ours accept of vs the which is thine owne Returne saith Ioell to your God because he is louing and gratious long suffring and of much mercy ready to pardon mischief Though the waight of sinne astonne thee yet let the mightinesse of Gods mercy vpholde thee which the Prophet doothe many waies exaggerat God saith he is gentle whiche he addeth that wee shoulde not dispaire of pardon God saith he is gratious that wee shoulde vnderstande how he not onely helpeth vs but that he pitieth oure miseries And thinking not this sufficient he adioyneth Long suffering And yet art thou doubtfull sinner Harken then what foloweth And of great mercie If thy faultes be many care not great is the goodnesse of God. What remaineth now but that thou turne and goe to him that inuiteth thee Thou wilte saie the horrible threatninges of punishmente feare mee Geue eare and mark And he is ready to pardon mischief that God which is so often stirred to anger of his owne accorde mooueth thee to repentaunce calleth thee to forgeuenesse forgetteth his threats denieth thee the tormente of hel in steede of punishmente geueth thee his blessing not onely turneth to thee that repentest but wilingly goeth to meet thee and embraceth thee This is it which was promised by Zacharie Turne vnto me saithe the Lorde of Hostes and I will be conuerted vnto you What meaneth he by Returne vnto mee that is acknowledge thy weakenesse and aske mercie And what is meant by this And I will be conuerted vnto you That is of a reuenger I will become a healper I will assist your indeuours and looke what throughe your owne strengthe you can not bringe to passe thou shalt attaine to by my fauoure No man can freely hate his owne sin vnlesse God mollifie his stoany harte geue him a fleashly hart vnlesse for a defiled conscience he make a cleane hart vnles for a corrupt soule he renewe a right spirite in him Peruse Reade vnreade the conuersation life of Christ there thou shalte finde nothinge but of his euerlasting mercy towardes all men He freely healed the sicke fedde the hungrie deliuered them that were in daunger cleansed the Leapers gaue sight to the Blinde restored the Lame cast out Diuels raised the deade to life and pardoned the wicked Search again the vniuersall discipline of God what other thinge conteineth it then the maruailous compassion of the Almightie Doth he not inculcate into our mindes by Parables to the intente wee shoulde not fall by any meanes To that ende serueth the parable of the lost sheepe which was brought againe on the Sheepeheardes shoulders the Parable of the lost and found groate of the hole men that wanted not a Phisition of the seruaunt to whom his debts were forgeuen of the Publicane and the Pharisey of the broken man whom the Samaritane cured of the good stewarde towards his dettours and of the crafty Stewarde towardes his Maister of the Prodigall Childe taken againe into fauoure As touchinge the bare name of the Gospell doth it not promise mercie Yes it geueth lighte to the Blinde libertie to the Captiue Health to the broken and laste of all a gratefull gaine to the Lorde who thirsteth nothing but the Saluation of sinners Likewise the name of Iesus that is of a sauiour what els doth it promise to the sinner but mercie and blisfulnesse If he had come representinge the Maiestie of a Iudge there had ben som cause why euery one mighte haue feared but knowinge him to come as a Sauioure dooste thou dispaire Saluation for the surer hope of Saluation the Sonne of God suffered death and offered vp him self a valiaunt Sacrifice for the sinnes of manne And hanginge on the Crosse praieth for his persecutoures and thinkeste thou that he will deny thee the forgeuenesse of thy sinnes that dooste acknowledge thy wretchednesse and craue remission Trust him that is mercifull and thou shalte finde compassion A sure hope obtaineth any thinge at Christes hande who so mistrusteth the Phisition hindreth his owne health The wooman of Canaan cried and her Daughter was cured The Centurian beleeued and his Seruaunte was made whole againe The Father praied and his Sonne was cleansed of the foole spirite The Apostles cried out Healpe Lorde for wee perishe and they were deliuered And wee see that in diuerse he hathe not respected the Prayers of the mouth but onely the Faith. He did but perceiue the faith of the people and saide to the sicke of the Palsie Be of good cheere my sonne thy sinnes are forgeuen thee The Mother and her companions do but weepe and her sonne is raised from deathe to life Martha and Mary did but mourn and Lazarus was reuiued Mary the sinner bewaileth he annointeth her kisseth her and saithe Thy sinnes are forgeuen thee He sufficiently asketh that confesseth his infirmitie he asketh effectually that lamenteth and beleeueth The woman troubled with superfluity of bloud secretly touched the vesture of Iesus
as Iron cankreth so dooth his wickednesse though he humble him selfe greatlie yet locke vp thy minde and beware of him set him not by thee nor on thy right hande leaste he turne gette into thy place take thy roume and possesse thy Seate Prou. 16. The cheerefull countenaunce of the Kinge is life his louinge fauoure is as the Euening dew Duce Deo. HONI SOIT QV MAL Y PENSE E Encrese Knowledge L Let Vertue guide I In Praier perseuer Z Zelously aske A Acknowledge Sinne. B Beware of Presumption E Enuie no man. T Tender the helpelesse H Hope for Heauen R Remember thy Rule E Encline to Iustice G Graunte gyftes by Defert I In Mercy delight N No Flatterers preferre A Accepte the Wise ¶ Holy briefe and comfortable Meditations or Praiers disciferyng in Alphabet forme the Royal Name of our most Vertuous Soueraigne EXercise mercy set thy Bread and Drinke vpon the table of the poore and hungrie couer the Naked with thi Clothes and these shal deliuer thee from Sinne and Death not suffer thy Soule to com in Darkenesse Zechiel the prophet saith When the wicked tourneth from his vngodlynesse he hath donne he shall saue his Soule With thy Seruaunt Esaie therfore I say oh Lorde thou art a great and fearfull god Thou kepest couenaunt mercy with them which loue thee and keepe thy Commaundements And with thy Apostle Barnabie I acknowledge I haue sinned I haue offended I haue bin disobedient and gonne back yea I haue departed from all thy pathes and Iudgements Lorde to thee belongeth righteousnesse and Mercy to mee shame and destruction for mine Iniquity Yet Lord enter not into iudgment with thy Seruaunt for no fleash is righteous in thy sight neither correct me in thy wrath for then I shal not abide it Haue mercy vpon me oh Father from the deapth of thy mercie take pity vpon mee forgeue Lorde heare my Praier and blotte out mine offences Let thy louing face shine ouer the woorke of thy handes that lieth waste Lord for thine owne sake doo it Encline thine eare and heare me beholde how desolate I am stretch out thy hande and helpe me Lorde I desire to comme to thee and my weakenesse is such as without thy helpe I am not hable to raise my selfe vnto thee Therfore Lord remember thy swâ—â—â—e promises tarry not ouer long strengthen me with thy holie Spirite heare my Prayers wash me in thy righteousnes I cast not these peticions before thee hoping in mine owne Merites which are none but trusting in thy great mercy and sweet promises Wherefore Lorde heare mee and forgeue mee and I shall liue for euer LEt Enimitie passe which seketh Death and Destruction and before thou Praiest forgeue els thou heapest vengeaunce of thy selfe LOrde make thy wayes knowen vnto mee that I may walke so perfectly that no kinde of Sinne ouercome me Thou leadest straight in iudgement and geuest sight to the blinde Thou arte neare vnto them that call vpon thee with faithful harte haue mercie vpon mee heare me and geue me a Hart to praie vnto thee Lay not against me my sinnes past but for thine owne sake forget them I vnderstand not al mine errours my sinnes haue taken holde on mee and of my selfe I am not hable to retourne Sende me therfore thy holy helpe to strengthen mine infirmitie Keepe my mouth and lippes and let the thought of my harte be acceptable in thy sight Permit not the worde of Truthe to departe my breaste suffer not Malice to dwel in my harte Deliuer mee from false surmises and accusacions of men rule me after thine owne will and pleasure Remooue from mee vanities and let not the foote of Pride take holde on me so shall I be free from the greatest sinne Stay and kepe me from euery euill way for in thee I trust it is thou only that canst helpe Looke vnto mee with thy mercies and graunt me grace in thy sight Amen IN Equitie Loue and Truth gather all thy Ritches in the handes of the Poore lay vp thy Almes and these shal defende thy euill fight for the against thine Enemies better then the strength of mightie men preserue thy fauour as the apple of an Eie and rise with thee in the day of Iudgement to pay thy revvarde on thy head IN hope of thy Mercy and Forgeuenesse most mightie and dreadful God whose truthe is vnspotted I am bold to com before thee My truste is good I shal be heard for that thou hast euer bene the true head of all Iustice and delightest in Truthe Denie thy self thou canst not for thou hast promised In what â—â—â—e soeuer a Sinner doth with a broken harte repent his wickednesse at that instant thou wilt cansell the recordes of thy remembraunce and the fowlenesse of his faulte shall remaine no blemish to his Soule Heare mee now therfore oh Maker of Heauen and Earthe I acknowledge I haue sinned and donne vnpleasaunt thinges in thy sight I confesse the misdeedes which rebel against my Soule with Saule saying I haue sinned I haue played the Foole and haue erred exceedingly And with like humble lowley and faithfull harte as did King Dauid who vnfainedly cried out his Sinne and became thy seruaunt So moste Holy in hope of the same hire with contrite hart I sighe and say I haue broken thy Lavves and not walked in thy Commaundementes If I should now recite and number the mountaines of my misdeedes which ouerwhelme my body and that are eger enemies to my pining Soule the day were to short Lord I neede not thy blisfull Seate is aboue the starry Firmament and thou sittest on high beholding what is donne amisse in the Earth belowe My wickednesse that I most secretly haue committed to thy Celestiall eies hath bene manifest Forgeue me good Lorde that my tongue may iustifie thy euerlasting Truthe that others beholding in mee thy manifolde mercies may likewise with mee be ashamed of their euill and seke after thy mercy Woe am I that my hart hath been so long vnacquainted with the Welsprings of thy Truth that my handes haue wrought vnrighteousnesse and heaped sinne vpon sinne Turne away from the sight therof the fulnesse of thy fury Exchaunge the roughnesse of thy rage into meeke mildenesse before thou correct mee most louing Sauiour I am not able to abide thy heauy displeasure if thou chastice mee with thy rodde of Iustice I perish I haue not one good deede to preferre mine offences beare number with the flowers and blossomes of the Spring my truthe is no whit and with vnrighteousnesse all is defiled Forgeue mee oh Heauenly King Forget thou that art the sweete spring of my Soule Geue me thy holy Spirite that it may be with mee and labour with mee to attaine thy blessed fauoure for mine ignorance cannot desire that I ought neither can my feeble force without thine ayde raise me to thy presence Thy Spirite will helpe my debility and make right intercession for all my necessities Thy spirite wil
EStablish my harte oh Heauenly Father in league and loue with thy lawes printe thy Precepts in the bowels of my breast sequestre my minde from all thoughtes studies and laboures that may drawe mee from thee My Soule consumeth in care to be with thee and my bodilie eyes tremble to beholde thee onely because thou hatest sinne and abhorrest iniquitie Alas there is nothing in mee but vnrightuousnesse the examples be dreadfull which declare how greeuously thou hast punnished sinne Thou diddest drowne the worlde for sinne Thou diddest sende fire vpon Sodome and Gomorrha Thou diddest cast forth Adam and his Ofspringe out of Paradice for sinne Thou diddest greeuously punnish thy seruaunte Dauid notwithstandinge his hartie repentaunce yea thou persecutedst Salomon in himself and his Posterity with many other to our example and all for shamefull sinne Lorde sith these examples are true and mine iniquity equall with theirs what should becom of my Soule if I had not a mediatour Christe whose bloudy Passion then appeased thy wrath when nothing els could By his Death I am once redeemed oh God therefore let mee now not be consumed bearing thy Image but graunt the paines of his pitiefull Passion may put out all mine offences With my voyce I will spread thy mercie ouer all Nations my Life shall glorifie thy name and all that thou geuest mee I will acknowledge to be thine with euerlasting praise Amen THe greater thou art the more humble thy selfe in all thinges and thou shalt finde fauour in the sight of God for greate povver belongeth onely vnto God and he is honoured of the lowly TVrne away thy face frō mine vnrighteousnesse Lorde no Creature is cleare in thy sighte If thou shouldest call thine Angelles to the Barre they might not abide the Sentence of thy iust Iudgement I come vnto thee for succour Lorde vnder the wynges of thy mercy receiue me Thou delightest not in any Sacrifice or burnt Offerynges but thy accustomed condition hath been euer to accepte a sorrowful spirite a broken harte Lorde if thy louinge kindenesse be suche I heare presente thee with a heauy hart a broken body a martyred minde and a sighing soule These all appeale to the◠O Lorde for thy mercye and crie out with the Prodigall Sonne saying I haue sinned againste Heauen and before thee washe me therfore with thy ritche mercie not that any good in me doth deserue it but because thou arte God of all mercy and it declareth thy mightinesse to forgeue Thou diddest shew compassion vpon the woman of Canaan for her great Faithe and from the beginning thou hast not reiected the effectuall prayers of a single hart Lorde I geue glory to thy name with the highest thy mercy stretcheth aboue the Firmamentes the sure hope and truste I haue in thy vnspeakeable truthe and compassion is equall with the stronge Faithe of the Cananite woman I confesse my sinnes manifolde But Lorde I know thy mercy and sauinge healthe are infinite Lorde sith thou arte of power to forgeue aboue that I can offende for thy names sake release my sorrowe cutte the sacke of my sinnes make mee strong in thee So shall I liue and all my thoughtes acknowledge thy praise Amen HAppy is the man that hath not fallen with the Worde of his mouthe and is not pricked with the consciēce of sinne that hath no heauinesse in his minde and is not fallen from his Hope HOw mightie thou arte oh God of Hostes in thy precellynge power by Creatynge this Worlde of nothynge wee are taught to know Thou doest gouerne the same and puttest down with thy hand the prowde and traiterous Tiraunt therof Thou destroyest theyr deuises and keepest the raging Sea within her boundes These and suche like declare thy power ouer all The plenty of thy bountifull hand geueth not only of things but also of euery kind of things shewe forth thy louinge kindenesse Thou doest multiply yearely daily these kindes How many seedes good Lorde doest thou encrease of one seede Lorde what manifolde Springes cometh therof These cannot but keepe vs mindefull of thy exceeding Ritches and Mercy Lord if to thy enemies as to the greatest number of the world which loue thee not thy condition be to deale thus bountifully what shall I deeme resteth with thee for thy freendes Truly such blisfull ioyes and rest as maketh me only desire of thee to be desolued from this earthly and vncleane body when thy pleasure is I am the fresh Image of thy selfe the woorke of thine owne handes take mee therfore vnto thee burnish me a new free my Soule from the poisoned prison of sinne that it may geue equall thankes vnto so sweete a Lorde and guide Whilest I abide in this wretched body of Sinne I cannot see thee oh Lorde yea it is a heauy habitacion and depresseth downe sore my Spirite from the familiaritie whiche it els should haue with thee my louing Father Lorde this world and life is a doungeon of Darkenesse a Mountaine of miserable Martirdomes a lewde laborenth of of lothesome Lustes a cankred course of chokinge Calamities being voyde of all vertues to gaine eternall Life Make me therfore stronge to walke vpright in this wretched wildernesse and Arme mee with the guift of thy grace against the power of Sathan my Ghostly enimy Here is nothing where I am Lorde but daily assaultes of Temptations troubles torments carefull calamities contencion for thy woorde horrible hatred and worldly ambition against which Lorde perfect me in knowledge and strong faith and with thy righte hande beat downe mine enimies that thou maist be knowen to be my God Shielde REfuse not the Prayer of one that is in trouble turne not awaye thy face from the needy despise not the sely sewter nor grieue the harte of the helpelesse for if hee complaine in the bitternesse of his soule his prayer shal be hearde euen he that made him shall heare him REgarde in mee oh God the Image of thy selfe thoughe I looked backe from thy Lawes chastice me to amendment but suffer not the work of thy hands to perishe Thou hast created my harte and geuen me a will to order the same so Lorde I most meekely yelde the same againe into thy handes I pray thee by thy holy Spirite so direct my waies counsels and woorkes that they may be of chiefe regard with thee good God the geuer of all mercy suffer not my Soule to perishe through infirmity of my Flesh For thy Sonnes sake and thine owne glory set both nowe and euer his death and Passion betweene thy iuste iudgemente and the perill of my Soule I thirste after thee my God and sith thou feest my hartie desire is to serue thee and liue in thy rule and to dye in thy Faith and fauoure allowe of me and with thy mighty hand assist me Graunte that the Celestiall kingdome of thy grace and mercie euer occupie my harte and worthely purchase me the sweet participation of thy glorious Throne and Maiestie Deliuer
thy sake exercising iustice mercie and Truthe to all thy Creatures and neuer suffering me to doo that may mooue thy wrath but more and more assisted with thy grace may encrease thy loue and likinge and finally obtaine thy ioyes euerlasting Amen H HEare these my Prayers sweet Lord Iesu and for thy exceedinge Loue whiche broughte thee from the Sacred seate of thy Fathers breast into the woâ—be of the blessed virgin to bannish Death and Sinne to redeeme mans nature whereby in thy astere Passion as thou haste restoared mee and with so blessed a Shielde defended mine eternall deathe by the self same Loue call mee that haue wandred home againe to thy Folde renewe me with thy Spirite coÌ„firme mee with stronge faithe nourish in me such thi abundant loue garnish mee with thy plentifull grace lade mee with infallible hope of thy mercie finally restore all partes in mee which are decaied and quicken in mee what so is dead should liue that my spirite set at libertie from Terrestriall thinges thou maist euer dwell in mee And my Soule and body assisted with thy ritche guifte of all these may fully purely safely and strongly settle them in thee To whom be praise both nowe and euer Amen R REnder mee thy grace O Lorde that from this day I neuer becomme enimies with thee againe but that I only rest in thee Guide me with the clere light of thy woorde thorowe the dark desertes of this wretched world where no misery nor trouble lacketh wher euery place is ful of snares of mortal enimies yea wheron trouble and temptations ouerpassed and other ensueth and the first enduringe a newe battaile suddainely assayleth wherby I neuer haue peace and wante wherwith to war. wherfore with contrite hart I crie Lorde Lorde assist me with the power of thy holy Spirite and as thou hast coÌ„maunded I come vnto thee prayinge the guifte of all these my requests and specially Lord I require the swoord of my Sauâ—â—ur Christ true and firm faith that established in thy Truthe holding that for my defence may be safely armed against all mine enimies strong to cut downe the thornes which shal spring in my way of passage vnto thee in whom sweete sauiour aboue all honour glory triumphe sway rule power dignity make me settle al my ioyes yea aboue all healthe ritches bewtie fame and felicitie to desire thee loue thee and magnifie thee which geuest all and therfore of al to be beloued sought art most worthy Amen E EAse O Lorde the paines I suffer the troubles of my soule let the fountaines of thy grace ouerflow my barraine bodie and the floudes of thy mercie batten my feeble spirite let thy louing kindnesse couer mine infirmities and thy suffered drops of dewe vpon the Crosse drownde mine iniquitie Thy worde is Truthe and thou hast saide Thy delight is not in the death of a Sinner but wouldest he shoulde conuerte and liue Teache me therfore to number my dayes in the loue of thy Lawes that I alwayes thirste after thy Kingdome and neuer forgeat thee but in this that I haue here begonne may perseuer increase setting at naught all worldly pompe respect of persones and mans helpe and only cleaue to thy omnipotente power mercie strengthe and goodnesse wherin Lorde make mee so ritch as I neuer haue power to swerue from thee nor wante thy grace to resiste all temptations neither yet thy strengthe to treade downe mine enimies and so my harte shall ioyfully liue and geue thanckes to thee my God of all truth mercy and victory Amen G GOD merciful Father of my redeemer Christ which hast promised to heare the peticions of them that aske in thi Sonnes name geue downe thy feare into my harte conioyne thy holy spirite to the felowship of my soule poure vpoÌ„ me the blessed dewes of thy grace enritche mee with thy high vnderstandinge and send wisdome in her glory from thy Sacred seate to dwel in me that shee may guide mee vphold mee and labour with mee to the end that in al my trauelles enterprises proceedinges and studies I may preuaile to thy glorie Do this deare Father for the triumphe of thy name Bow downe thine eares mercifullie heare and receiue the summe of all my requests and graunt that all thinges which I aske according to my necessity I may effectually obtaine to thy glorye and profite of my soule through Iesus Christe my Lorde AmeÌ„ I I Geue and committe into thy hands deere Lorde my Spirite yea rather I may say thy Spirite seeing thou hast geuen it mee lincte it to my body for a season and seing it is thy image and Figure made after thine owne likenesse seeinge thy deere Sonne did clime the dyrefull steppes of death for redemption therof O most fauorable Father and meeke God of al mercy and compassion I eftsoones coÌ„mende this my Spirite into thy hande I am thine what so euer I am receiue thine I beseeche thee preserue mee and comforte mee for no man can help me besides thee Onely thou arte the sureste resister of all mischiefe thou arte O God the readieste help in all trouble thou arte my hope and strength In thee do I put my trust lette mee not be confounded let mee neuer be rebuked thou art my strong rock and my Castell thou art my sauioure my portion is in thy hands Lighten thy face vpon thy Seruaunt and saue mee O Lorde in thy Mercie Amen N NO brickel nor corrupt gold or Siluer hath redeemed my soule O Heauenly Father but the precious bloud issuinge from Christ as of a Lambe vndefiled and without spotte make mee therefore O Lorde for his sake to put on his humility patience vertu and vnspotted life rendring such accompt of this my Pilgrimage as beste may agree to his merite and thy mercie Let mee not be founde vnthankfull in so sweete a Lorde and sauiour what is most rightuous acceptable and pleasante in thy sight let mee alwayes O God preferre in faith works and what so euer is to approoue mee vnworthy of his tender and surmountinge loue that may alter his louing kindenesse or exchaunge his wonted compassion towards mee Lorde let me euer faile in strength to do it but assisted by thee I may euerlastingly be founde to liue in him Amen A ALmighty God which fliest with the winges of the Ayre ridest vpoÌ„ the Cherubins hast Empyre aboue the starry Firmaments Thou thou that sittest in Sacred seate most hie beholdeynge the wretchednesse of man in this lowe Earthe attending through thine own loue his deserts when with any occasion thou may offer thy mercie Bowe downe thy pitifull eies and fauour in me the Image of thy selfe as thou diddest vouchsafe in Zache when thou calledst him out of the Figge thee enritche my eares with the same voyce of Remission and Gladnesse as thou diddest his incline thine eares heare these cries oh louing redeemer for though I am but Dust Earth and Asshes yet I am bolde strengthened
inspyre vs with the ferueÌ„t flames of thy loue to consume the festerynge phantisses of our minde conioyne amd knytte the sences poures of our inwarde partes in thee make vs holde in hate al earthly substaunce and transitorie things by thy grace stroÌ„glye to tread down and conquere al motions occasions of sinne deliuer vs most benigne father from all rancore malyce hatred bloudsheding lying backbiting swearing and all suche horryble euils what so euer they be yea from lighteninge and tempeste from murther and battaile greuous plagues and other diseases good Lorde deliuer vs. Finally deliuer vs from all anguish troubles and mishappes emineÌ„t either bodily or ghostly and with thy mighty hand defende our Ritches from abuse our brickle body from corruptioÌ„ our Soule from dampnation euen as beste shall accorde with thy holy will and true glorie of thy Maiestie Deliuer vs Lord from the chaynes of sinne the ropes of Hell and all perill of destruction so that beinge certified in conscience our Prayers worthely of thee accepted and wee deliuered from all assaults of the diuell his wicked craftes and inticementes to damnation and by thy holy spirite assisted may perseuer in this goodnesse wherof thy mercie and kindenesse is true Aucthor to the end of our dayes in holynesse and rightuousnesse to the honour of thy Kingdome powre and glory both now and euer Amen E ENgraue thy Lawes in the deapth of my hart O Lord that beinge instructed in thy coÌ„mauÌ„dements I may serue thee in feare and reioyce in thee with trembling and take holde vpon thy discipline in all thinges Least at any time thou become angrye and I perishe from the right way Amen L LOrde geue me me help from my trouble for vaine is the helpe of Man in thee I haue strength and thou bringest vnto nothing those which trouble me let my soule be subiect vnto thee for from thee proceedeth my patience for thou art my God and Sauiour my helper I wil not depart from thee In thee is my health and my Glory thou arte the God of my healpe and my hope is in thee Amen I I Haue broken thy Folde and wandered long as a lost sheep let me return againe O Lord bicause I haue not forgotten thy commaundementes the misdeedes ignorances of my teÌ„der yeeres remember not Lorde according to thy mercy haue minde on mee For thy goodnesse O Lorde keepe my soule and deliuer mee let mee not be ashamed bicause I haue trusted in thee Turne my heauinesse into ioye cut of my sacke of sorrowes and girde mee with gladnesse that my Glory may singe vnto thee and I shall not be greeued Z ZOrobabell Kinge of Iuda in the deapthe of thy displeasure tasted of thy mercie and receiued by the mouthe of Ageus thy Prophete sweete comforte knowledge of thy fauoure and grace yea after thy determination to destroy the whole Kingdome of the Heathen thy righte hand did preserue him and thy incomparable mercie did choose him for a seale to thy selfe Lord this happy Kinge in thy goodnesse was but an earthly Creature and then coulde he haue no rightuousnesse in him selfe to mooue such thy compassion if it proceeded from the multitude of thy mercies that surmounte the iniquity of the whole world and that thou diddest only vouchsafe to beholde in him the Image of thy selfe Bowe downe thine eies Lorde and beholde the selfe same in mee Certifie my conscience with remission of my sinnes that my sorrowfull Soule be at rest within mee send downe thy holy spirite to remaine with me that I may become with that good Kinge thy chosen seale and seruaunt And so gouerne thy people that I may with them and they with me neuer deserue further then to taste of thy Rod of fauorable correction but that all my labours and studies may euer bend to the performance of thy holy will and discharge of my dutie Amen A ARise illuminate my minde moste benigne Sauioure that I sleape not at any time in deathe leaste mine enimies say they haue preeuailed againste mee They whiche trouble mee will be glad if I be cast downe but I haue fixed my hope in thy mercy Enter not into iudgement with thy Seruaunt for no liuing Creature shal be iustified in thy sighte I will euer looke vpon the Lorde for he shal be on my righte hande that I be not mooued for this my harte is glad and my tongue reioyceth yea moreouer my flâ—ash shall rest in hope Amen B BE thou vnto mee O Lorde in the day time a defendour and in the nighte season a place of refuge that thou maiste saue mee for thou art my strengthe and vnto thee I flie Lord God deliuer me from the hand of sinners and from the Lawebreaker and the wicked dooer for thou Lord art my patience thou art my hope euen froÌ„ my youth in thee I am confirmed euen from my Mothers wombe thou art my protectour in thee shall be my songe for euer and euer Amen E EVer my tongue shall be tellinge of thy ritche mercy and woonderous works O Lorde for thou hast caused mee to passe through fire and water and hast leadde mee into a freashe place thou haste geuen my soule life and hast not suffered my feete to fall According to the multitude of my sorrowes thy comfortes haue made my Soule merye My Soule is like a Sparrow taken out of the foulers snare Thou hast deliuered my life froÌ„ death and my hands from bloud that I may please thee O Lorde in the light of the liuing Amen T THou art iust O Lorde and all thy Commaundementes be true and al thy waies mercy truth and iudgement And now Lorde be mindefull of mee take not reuengemente of my sinnes remember not mine offences neither the offences of my Fathers because wee haue not obeyed thy precepts Geue mee an hart of vnderstandinge and set thy feare alway before mine eyes that I may be obediente in woorde deede and thought to all that is thy will. Lorde geue vnto mee the power of thy Holy Spirite to rule and gouerne thy people commited to my charge in al godly feare and knowledge of thy woorde and that I may be vnto them an ensample in al godlinesse anâ— vertue to the prayse of thy Holy name Amen H HEale me Lord and I shall be healed saue mee and I shal be saued My life cleaueth vnto the Earthe Quicken mee accordinge to thy worde accordinge to thy mercie releeue mee and I wil keepe the testimonies of thy lippes helpe mee Lord so shall I be safe and I will from henceforthe study thy rightuousnesse thy mercies are many O Lorde according to thy woorde restore my health Amen R REgarde my Prayers O thou God of my life leaue me not in the thoughts of euill Deliuer mee from the wicked man let not the foote of pride com vpon mee and to vaine glorie geue mee not take from mee all sinfull lustes lette no desire of vncleannesse take hold vpon mee geue mee
yet truste not to thy endeuour but to the healpe of my grace for if thou trust to thy selfe to thine owne industery thou shalte easily fall thy well dooing neuer ascribe to thy selfe nor vsurpe any thinge vpon my guiftes for of thy selfe thou canst not but offende of thy self thou hast nothing but sinne whiche proper is to thy selfe desire not vainely to please any mortall man wisshe rather to be knowne of fewe then many to be despised rather then praysed neuer esteeme thy self any thing woorth nor thinke thy worthinesse of any value but with out faining accōpt thy selfe vngraceful vnwoorthy and vilest creature aliue Humble and imbase thy selfe beneathe all menne for my sake loue all menne with a pure loue yea those also which persecute thee wishe the prosperity of thy Brother despise none dispaire not at the well dooinge of any slaunder none iudge no man what thou seest and hearest of others interprete it to the best with al studie mortifie thine owne apetite and singulerly imbrace my will gladly and willingly obeye mee in all thinges and men in those which be lawfull leaue thine owne will and denie thy selfe commit and yeeld thee wholy to my prouidence with firme truste in mee in all temptation perill and necessitie for I haue care of thee and diligently attend thee as if thou only liuedst Daughter learne to receyue euery aduersitie and affliction no otherwise then as from my hand sent only and patiently beare it to the end for my sake for trouble is the cup of blessing whereon I haue made all my chosen drinke There hathe not ben any of mine which outwardly or inwardly hathe nor suffred some trouble Wherefore reiectinge all weakenesse what so euer commeth to thee take it in good part and beleeue it to be sent to thee for thy health for the great loue I beare thee Suffer aduersity it is the kingly way which leadeth to heauenlie Heritage walke therfore in it reioysing geue me thankes that I haue so regarded thee that I woulde geue thee somewhat that thou shouldest suffer when any doo moleste thee and woorke thee iniury or spighte thinke him sent by mee to proue thee Be not agrieued with him geue him not sharpe and bitter woordes neither thinke of reuengement marke not the man whiche is my instrumente and scourge but attende on mee which suffer suche thinges to be done by man O Daughter in euery trouble and sorow be patient resigning thy selfe to mee for I purge thee by afflictions and make thee apt and woorthy to be maried to mee But if of thy humaine infirmity or other defect thou fall to impatience be not discouraged neither wauer dispairinge in thy good indeuoures but foorthwith arise turne to mee and call vpon mee with a sure hope of pardone I know the generall weaknesse of man I knowe also thy peculiar frailetie truste to mee thy hope and ful trust cannot be too assured in me if thy life be good and repentante Wherefore hastily flie vnto mee I will take thee vp heale and defende thee what doest thou feare yet O Daughter why doest thou not euen now desire deathe for what euill can death bringe thee Truely after thou haste bequeathed thy Carkas to the ground thou shalt no more offende mee Thou shalte no more be defiled with sinne if thou loue nothing in this world deathe can take nothinge from thee if thou loue any worldly thinge wilte thou stande to the daunger nay rather thou louest thine owne perilles Therfore before thou die cease to loue worldly and transitory thinges if thou feare not to much to die yea if thou loue me alone in this life be gladde thou shalte die for but by death thou canst not gette what thou louest But I know what thou fearest truly nothing in this worlde thou louest nothinge thou doost possesse that either thou carest to enioye or wouldest sorowe the losse but trembling and feare vexeth thee bicause thou knoweste not whether thou be worthy loue or hatred Thou knowest not howe thou shalt be receiued of mee either to reste or paine None of these shalt thou know O daughter neither is it expedient truly Though thou feare yet abide in hope and sure trust in mee whether thou liue or die of thy selfe thou canste neither liue nor die well both thou haste of mee if I geue thee to liue well shall not I also graunt thee wel happilie to die seeing therof thou hast all of me seeing thou lookest for all thinges at my hande how is it thē that thou hopest one thing and dispairest another Truste then and caste all thy thoughtes and care vpon mee as liuinge thou art able to resiste no temptacion nor auoyde any sinne so neither dyinge arte thou able if faithfully I preuent temptations and moderate them in thy life the same will I doo in thy deathe Neuer enter battaile with thine own force and armes but leaue it vnto mee leaninge to mee I will fight for thee and I fightinge for thee and defending thee what cause haste thou of feare neither doubte thou of the condition or kinde of deathe Nullum est genus mortis quod nocere potest iusto No kinde of deathe is able to annoye a iuste man for the iust with what deathe so euer he be besette is in safegarde Therefore be nothinge carefull whether at home or abrode in bedde or in fielde thou shalt die neither feare whether thy death be naturall or violent But as the Apostle counselleth study to liue soberly iustly and godly that thou may well and happily die An euil death dooth not folow a good and iust life but the deathe of the iuste is precious in my sight how so euer they ende this life whether in the water in the fire or in bedde they die ¶ A sweete and comfortable Consolation for al weake mindes to confirm strengthen them against Desperation WHosoeuer refusinge the hope of pardon rūneth headlonge into the goulfe of desperation doth not only distrust the omnipotencie of God perswadinge him self that there is som crime whiche he is not able to extinguish but also maketh him a lier By the mouthe of his Prophete he hathe promised free remision of sinne so soone as the offender bewaileth but frowardely doothe the posterity of Caine say Suche is mine iniquitie as I shall neuer obteine remission What sayest thou caitif If God be not able to pardone bicause of the greatnesse of thy sin thou robbest him of his Omnipotencie If he will not do that which he can doo he is a Liar and too lighte not to perfourme the thing whiche so oft he hathe promised by the mouthe of his holy Prophetes It is saide of the Psalmiste God is gratious and mercifull long sufferinge and of great goodnesse The Lorde is louing to all menne and his mercie is ouer all his woorkes Is there any thing then more admirable then the creation of the heauens with so many shininge bodies then the makinge of the Earthe
Rightuousnesse shall crowne thee Through thy euil gotten goods shalt thou perish The ioy and cherefulnesse of the hart is the pure life of man And his cleare conscience a sure fortresse against death The Tree of the field is knowen by his fruite So are the rotten thoughtes of the dissemblinge personne by his open deedes of malice Forgeue thy neighboure the hurte that he hath done thee so shall thy sinnes be forgeuen thee when thou praiest Remember the ende and lette enmitie passe which seketh death and destruction abide in the commaundement of thy God that thou maiste reape his blessinge They that reioyce at the fall of the rightuous shall be taken in the snare anguishe of harte shall consume them before they die Wrest not thou the law nor know whose eyes veweth all vertue seekes tâ— punish al wickednesse be not in the number of suche Hester 16. My right hand shal not spare the sinners and my sword shall not cease ouer them that sheadde the innocent bloud vpon earth Esdras 15. Despise not a man that turneth himself away from Sinne and cast him not in the teethe withal but remember we be all fraile and offenders Ecclesiast 8 Three thinges there be that my Spirite fauoureth the vnitie of Brethren and the loue of Neighbours a Man wife that agree well togeather Three things thereâ—f which my Soule hateth a Ritch man Couetous a poore man proude an Olde man that is vnchaste Eccle. 25. Oppresse not thou the Lawe nor knowe any person neither take any reward for gifts blind the wise and peruert the words of the Rightuous that which is iust shall then followe that thou mayst liue Leuit. 19. See that thou know no faces in iudgemente nor doo any vnrightuousnesse in iudgement in meatte Yearde in Waighte or in Measure trewe Ballances trewe waightes a trewe Ephâ— and a trewe line shall you haue to all men Ibidem Thou shalt not fauoure the poore nor honoure the mighty but in rightuousnesse shalt thou iudge thy Neighbour Ibidem Thou shalte not aduenge thy self nor be mindeful of a wrong but shalt loue thy Neighbour euen as thy selfe Iames. 1. As the Sunne riseth is heat and the grasse withereth and his flower falleth away the bewty of the fashion of it perisheth euen so shal the malitious ritch vnrightuous and dissemblinge person perish in the wickednesse of his waies Iudge nothinge before the time which will lighten thinges that are hidden in darknesse and open the Counsels of the harts so shall euery man haue praise of god Corinth 4. See thou robbe not the poore because he is weake and oppresse not the simple in iudgement for the Lorde him selfe wil defend their cause and doo violence to them that haue vsed violence Prouerb 22. God resisteth the prowde and geueth grace vnto the lowlie Iames. 4. Dispise not thou the chastening of the Lorde neither dispaire when he geueth thee aduersity for whom the Lorde loueth him he chasteneth yea he scourgeth with affliction euery sonne that he receiueth Hebr. 12 Lette euery man be swifte to heare slowe to speake slowe to wrath for the wrath of man worketh not that which is rightuous before God wherefore lay aparte all malice and with all meekenesse of harte exercise truthe and quietnesse Iames. 1. Lay aside all maliciousnesse and all guile fainednesse and enuie all backbitinge and as new borne Babes desire ye that Milke not of the Bodie but of the Soule whiche is without disceipte that ye may grow therby vnto saluacion 2. epist. Petr. The eies of the Lorde do gouerne the Rightuous and his eares open vnto their Praiers Ibidem cap. 3. The desire of the Lowlie is acceptable and the Lorde will encrease it but the hope of the Prowde is the indignation and in the freshnes of theyr labours wil he roote them out He that casteth out his words rashly woorketh care to his life but who so through silence seasoneth his thoughtes with wisedome is the Authoure of longe rest Euery labour geueth foorthe his fruite onely lippe laboure destroyeth time bringeth forth penurie The daies of aduersity are a blessing of God a cleare conscience is a continuall feaste A malitious man kindleth strife a foole vttereth his wrath in hast but a discrete person couereth wrong The Lorde abhorreth the praier of the malitious but who so humbleth his Praier in faith and Charitie shall finde his desire The desires of the Couetous man bring vpon him confusion but who so gathereth his Ritches with loue and fauour shall prosper Through Mercie and truthe sinnes are pardoned through Rightuousnesse and Faithe are thy prayers hearde and euill eschewed Rightuous lippes are pleasaunt vnto Kinges and dissemblinge tongues ouerthrowe hie Pallaces Better it is to be of humble minde with the Lowlie then to deuide the spoyles with the prowde Presumptuousnesse goeth before destruction after a prowd stomacke followeth a foule fall Mercie and faithfulnesse preserueth the Kinge and with louing kindenesse his seate is holden vp Who so followe Rightuousnesse and Mercy shal finde both life rightuousnesse and honour Like as the Golden pillers are vpon the sockettes of Siluer so are the bewtifull partes of the body vpon a wooman that hath a constant minde The harte of the foolishe is like a Carte wheele and his thoughts runne aboute like the Axeltree The wise man tempereth his rage with patience seasoneth his woordes with wisedome Who so is Mercifull and geueth Almes that is the righte thanckes offeringe but he that stoppeth his eares at the crie of the poore shal be cast downe crie him selfe and be not hearde All that is of the Earth shall turne to the Earthe againe all Brybes and Vnrightuousnesse shall perishe but Faithfulnesse and Truthe shall endure for euer Rewardes and giftes blinde eyes of the wise and make him runne that he cannot tell menne their faultes Let not thy mouth be accustomed with swearing for in it ther be many falles The heauinesse of the hart is al the pounishment and the wickednes of a woman goeth aboue all Like as to clime vp a sandie waie is to the feete of the aged euen so is a wife ful of woordes to a still quiet man. That woman that hathe bene vnfaithfull to the Lawe of the Highest and hathe broken Couenaunt with her Husband her children shall take no roote and as for her braunches they shall beare no fruit A shamefull reporte shall she leaue behinde her and her dishonoure shall not be put out Like as the Sunne when it ariseth is an ornamente in the highe Heauen of the Lorde so is a vertuous wife the bewty of all her house Perpetuall are the foundations that be laide vpon a whole stoany Rocke so are the Commaundements of God vpon the hart of a holy woman What so euer happen vnto thee receiue it suffer iâ— heauinesse shewed vnto thee that be aboue the capacitie of men Be not ashamed of thy freend in his aduersitie and keepe not backe thy counsell when it