vnited Praier is the seale of Virginity fidelity of matrimonie a sheild to trauailers a keepeâ— of the sleeping trust of the waking Praier is a conuersation and conference with God a contemplation of thinges not seene a sure confidence of thinges desired an estate of the same honoure with Angels a going forward and increase of good thinges an ouerthrowe of thinges that be euil an amendement of sinners â—he fruit of thinges present are representation of thinges to come Praier made the whale an house vnto Ionas Reduced Ezechias from the Ionas 3. 4. Reg. 20 Dan. 1. dores of death to life for the 3. children it changed the flaming fyre into a cooling wynde erected a Trophee of victory for the Israelites against the Amalacites Exo. 17. 4. Re. 29. and in one night slew with aÌ„ inuisible sworde one hundred foure scoare and fiue thousand of the Assirians And we may finde examples not to be numbred of such thinges as are already chanced by which it is manifest that among those thinges which in this life be embraced and esteemed pretious nothing is to be preferred before praier When where and how to pray out of S. Chrisostome homil contra Pseudoprophetas HEare the Apostle crying Pray ye without intermission that is â— Thes 5. at al time both night and day and euery hour both when thou art about thy worke in thy Iournay kepest thy flock tillest thy ground sleepest Expect not our Lordes day or festiual day or disterence of places For the name of God is not confined with place for in his hand are al the endes of the ps 94. earth Therefore Dauid the Prophet praying euery day and night expected not differeÌ„ce of places but weping said admonishing his soule O my soule blesse god in al place of his domination Therefore ps 10â— expect not day or hour but pray euen when thou art at home and in thy iournay when thou lyest downe and when thou rysest and in euery place pray vigilantly diligently not requesting riches not honour or glory not prosperity nor any thing els of this world transitory or vnprofitable for al these thinges are corruptible ende in corruption whether thou namest the greitest riches or preeminent humane glory or any thing els of such thinges as be on earth with which meÌ„ vse to be puffed vp But pray for thy saluation alone pray for the necessities of thy neboures and pray with humility with teares with contrition and knock coÌ„tinually or rather without ceasing and daily for euery one that asketh receaueth Math. 7. and he that seeketh findeth and to him that knocketh it shal be opened Perfection and attention in praier out of S. Ephrem ser de viâ—ginitate FOllow the steps of the holy Fathers which haue bâ—ne eminent in virginal chastity and chast and religious life in praiers and fastings Loue the exercise of diuine thinges desire Praier the familiar conference with God For euery holy and pure praier conuerseth familiarly with God The praier of them that perfectly desire God with gladnes and much tâ—ust continually pearceth heauâ—n it self In it the Angels and Arch-angels râ—ioycâ— and present it before the Throne of the holy high Lord of al. For then the greatest ioy shyneth vnto them if at any time they offer before our holy Lord the praiers of iust men that loue God Therefore study in life vertues to be a follower of tâ—e holy Fathers Walke in the pathes of their way and life kepe the vertue of coÌ„tinency as they did execute it in mind execute it in spirit execute it in body execute it in habit also in meate and speach behoulding cogitation and laughter that in all thinges thou maist proue a perfect chaÌ„pion Looke to thy self lest at any time in praier thy minde wander hither and thither but when thou standest praying to god order thy self before him with feare trembling Cut out of thy heart al thoughts cares of earthly thinges be wholly in time of praier as an heauenly Angel so stâ—iue that thy praier may be holy and pure vnspotted and irreprehensible that when the heauenly gates shal see it ascend vp ward reioycing they may of their owne accorde presently be opened that the Angels and Archangels seeing it may al reioycing meete it and offer it before the holy and high throne of our immaculate lord Theâ—fore be thou alwaies in praier ioyned to God as the Cherubim Seraphim Cause god alwaies to rest in thy soule that thou maist there be found ful of coÌ„fidence in that terrible dredful hour when Christ our Lord shal come to render vnto euery one according to his Ro. 2. Apoe 22. work To whom be glory and power world without end Amen An other out of the same S. Ephrem â—er Asc de vita Rel. paren 50. AS if a man standing before a King and talking with him being called by his felow seruant should leaue the honourable glorious speach of the King and turne him self to talk with his seruant euen so a Religious man in the time of his singing that draweth his minde from god and turneth him self to fables and toyes with others Therefore let vs consider before whom we are placed For as the Angels with great feare trembling do stand before the Creatour singing himnes vnto him euen so ought we in the time of praier and singing to appeare before god with a pure heart and with reuerence and feare lest we be thought to stand before him and intende to praiers onely in body but in minde in the meane time to be occupied with earthly businesse For euen as a ship boate that is carried vp downe with waues of the sea euen so a Monk whose minde is distracted with businesse and cares of the world An other out of the same S. Ephrem de orand Deum TAke heede thou ceacest not to pray as often as thou canst kneele downe when thou can not call vpon God in thy minde both at euening morning and none-time If thou put praier before thy worke rising forth of thy bed shalt take the beginning of thy motions from praier sinne wil not enter into thy soule Praier is a conference with God equal honour with the Angels promotion of the good auersion from the wicked and amendement of sinners There is no possession in mannes life more precious then praier Neuer suffer your selues to be seperated froÌ„ this neuer depart from this but as our Lord saith let vs pray that our labour be not in vaine Mat. 6. The deuotion and attention to be vsed in praier out of S. Ciprian de orat dom WHen we are at praier we oâ—ght to attende and geue our selues with all our heart to praiers Let al carnal and worldly cogitation depart Let not the minde then think vpon any thing but that alone which it praieth Therefore the Preist before praier when he haith said the Preface prepareth the mindes
misteries but thou o merciful god make me worthy of thy grace that without condemnation I may be made partaker of thy holy body c. After consecration Missa Ethiopum ascribed to S. Mathew Apostle THis is the holy honoured and liuely body of our Lord Sauiour Iesus Christ which is geuen for remission of sinnes and obtaining eternal saluation to them that duly receaue it Amen This is the bloud of our Lord Sauiour Iesus Christ holy honoured viuificant which was geuen for remission of sinnes to obtaine euerlasting lyfe to them that truly receaue it Amen Verily this is the body and this is the bloud of Emanuel our God Amen I beleue I beleue Ibeleue now and euer Amen This is the body and this is the bloud of our Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christ which body which bloud he tooke of our holy and immaculate Lady Virgin Mary and vnited them to his Diuinity Amen S. Ignatius Epistol ad Ephes I desire the bread of god the heauenly bread the bread of life which is the flesh of Iesus Christ Sonne of the liuing god who was borne in the laste time of the seede of Dauid and Abraham S. Lligius Hom. 15. de vtriusque paschalis esu CHrist is offered in Sacrifice and eaten and yet remaineth one whole sure our redemer prouiding for our frailty deliuered this sacrament vnto vs That because he now cannot dye and we do daily sinne we might haue a true sacrifice by which we might be purged from our sinnes Wherefore with feare and compunction of mynd with al reuerence we ought to come to the Altar and to the table of the body and bloud of our lord and humbly say with Math. 8. the Centurion O Lord I am not worthy that thou shouldest enter vnder my roofe S. Ambros l. 4. de Sacrament cap. 5. It was great and venerable that to the Iewes it rayned MaÌ„na from heauen But vnderstand what is greater Manna from heauen or the body of Christ Truly the body of Christ who is Authour of heauen Thou dost not idly say Amen now in spirit confessing that thou receauest the body of Christ The Preist saith vnto thee The body of Christ and thou saiest Amen that is true Let thine affection hold what thy tongue confesseth S. S. Clem. Rom. Const Apost l. 2. c. 61. AFter the Sacrifice is ended let al in order receaue our Lordes body with shamfastnes feare as comming to the body of the King Let the women also with their heades veyled come in order Let the Bishop geue the oblation saying The body of Christ And let him that receaueth say Amen When the rest receaue let the 33. psalme be said lib. 8. cap. 20. Psalmus 33. I wil blesse our Lord in al time his praise alwaies in my mouth In our Lord my soule shal be praised let the meeke heare and let them reioyce Magnify our Lord with me and let vs exalt his name together I haue sought our Lord and he haith hard me deliuered me forth of al my tribulations Come vnto him and be illightned and let not your faces be confounded This poore one haith cryed and our Lord haith hard him and haith saued him from al his tribulations The Angel of our Lord wil put him selfe in the circuite of theÌ„ that feare him and wil deliuer them Tast and see how sweete our lord is Blessed is the man that hopeth in him Feare our lord al you his Saints for there is not waÌ„t to those that feare him The rich haue needed and haue beene hungry but they which seeke our lord shal want no good Come children and heare me I wil teach you the feare of our lord Who is the maÌ„ which wil lyfe loueth to see good dayes forbid thy tonge froÌ„ euil and thy lipps that they speake not deceipt Turne from euil and doe good seeke for peace and folow it The eyes of our lord ouer the iust his eares to theire prayers But the countenance of our lord vppon them that do euil thinges that he may destroy their memory from earth The iust haue cryed our lord haith hard them and haith deliuered them from al their tribulations Our Lord is neare to them that be of a trobled hart he wil saue the humble in spirit The tribulations of the iust are many our Lord wil deliuer them from al these Our Lord kepeth al their bones one of these shal not be broken The death of sinners the worst they which haue hated the iust shal offend Our Lord wil redeeme the soules of his seruantes and al that hope in him wil not offend S. Clem. Rom. sup l. 8. c. 20 When the psalme is ended let the Deacon say let vs giue thankes to him who haith made vs worthy to receaue his holy misteries and we aske that they be not vnto vs to iudgment but saluatioÌ„ vnto vs to the profit of our soule body for custody of piety remission of sinnes to the life of the world to come let vs be stirred vp in grace S. Chrisost l. 3. de Sacerdot When thou behouldest our Lord Sacrificed the preist occupyed in the Sacrifice and pouring forth praiers dost thou think thou doest conuerse with mortal men and to be on earth Art thou not rather forthwith transported into heauen and casting away al cogitation of the flesh with a naked mind and pure vnderstanding lookest about the thinges that be in heauen O miracle O bounty of God! He which sitteth aboue with his Father the same instant time is handled with the handes of al and he geueth him self vnto them that wil receaue him and embrace him THE SALVTATION of the Blessed Virgin commonly called the Aue Maria by whom composed and Meditations vpon it out of Scripture THe Angel Gabriel was sent of Luc. 1. God into a City of Galilee â—alled Nazareth vnto a Virgin despoused to a man whose name was Ioseph of the house of Dauid the Virgins name was Mary And the Angel being entred in said vnto her Haile ful of grace our Lord is with thee blessed art thou among women As Elizabeth heard the salutation v. 41. 42. of Mary the infant did leape in her wombe And Elizabeth was replenished with the holy Ghost she cryed out with a lowde voice said Blesed art thou among women and blesed is the fruiet of thy wombe The Praier added by the primatiue Church as appeareth by these Sainctes S. Aug. 5. 2. Annun Dom. Athan ser de Deip. Ephrem orat de laudib Dei Matris Greg. Naz. Trag. Chr. patiens c. O holy Mary Mother of God pray for vs sinners now in the hour of our death Amen A deuout Meditation by way of exposition vpon the first part out of S. Andreas Archbishop of Hierusa lem ser in salut Angel HAile ful of grace our Lord is with thee Haile organe of gladnesse by which the condemnation of our sinne is purged and a
doubtful in faith make ship wrack Pray vnto our Lord o you most godly pray vnto him o al you armies of Sainctes and al you companies of blessed ones pray you that being helped by your praiers and merits with our ship saife and marchandise preserued we may deserue to come to the haueÌ„ of eternal saluation and rest and continual peace security neuer to haue end Missa Rom. antiq REuerencing the memory first of the euer glorious virgin Mary Mother of God and our Lord Iesus Christ and of the blessed Apostles and Martyrs Peter and Paul Andrew Iames Iohn Thomas Iames Philip Bartholomew Mathew Simon and Thadee Linus Cletus Clemens Xistus Cornelius Ciprian Laurence Chrisogone Iohn and Paul Cosmas Damianus al thy Sainctes by whose merits and praiers graunt o Lord that in al thinges we may be defended by the help of thy protection by the same Christ our Lord. Amen S. Ephrem serm in laud omniuÌ„ sanct Martyrum O Most holy Martyrs we besech you who for our Lord our Sauiour and his loue haue freely and readily sustained most cruel torments for which you are more familiarly ioyned vnto him that you would entreat our Lord for vs wretched sinners couered with the filth of negligence that he would powre his diuine grace vpon vs which may continually lighten illuminate our hearts with the beame of holy Charity by which we may be able to loue him with al our heart and with al our mind Idem supra O Most holy Martyrs of Christ I besech you stand before the Throne of the diuine Maiesty for me a vile wretched sinner that by your praiers I may deserue to obtaine saluation and enioy eternal felicity with you by the grace bounty and mercy of our Lord and Sauionr Iesus Christ to whom with the Father and holy Ghost be praise honour power and glory world without end Amen The auncient Lytanies vsed in the Romane Church especially in dedicating Churches confirmed by the primatiue Fathers and publick Lyturgies word by word registred in ord Rom. part 2. de Officus câ—p Lytanta in ord de aedificanda Ecclesia Ordo Rom. wherto this is ioyned and is cited and expounded by S. Albinus S. Amalarius Micrologus c. And may be vsed before Iournay or any businesse LOrd haue mercy vpon vs. Christ haue mercy vpon vs. O Christ heare vs. O Sauiour of the world help vs. O holy Mary pray for vs. Sainct Peter pray for vs. Sainct Andrew pray for vs. Sainct Iames pray for vs. Sainct Iohn pray for vs. Sainct Thomas pray for vs. Sainct Iames pray for vs. Sainct Philip pray for vs. Sainct Bartholomew pray for vs. Sainct Matthew pray for vs. Sainct Simon pray for vs. Sainct Thadee pray for vs. Sainct Matthias pray for vs. Sainct Luke pray for vs. Sainct Marke pray for vs. O al holy Apostles Euangelists pray Sainct Stephen pray for vs. Sainct Chrispine pray for vs. Sainct â—hrispinian pray for vs. Sainct Linus pray for vs. Sainct Cletus pray for vs. Sainct Clement pray for vs. Sainct Sixtus pray for vs. Sainct Cornelius pray for vs. Sainct Ciprian pray for vs. Sainct Laurence pray for vs. Sainct Chrysogone pray for vs. Sainct Denise pray for vs. O al holy Martyrs pray for vs. Sainct Siluester pray for vs. Sainct Hilarius pray for vs. Sainct Martin pray for vs. Sainct Leo pray for vs. Sainct Ambrose pray for vs. 4 If this S. Gregory be S. Gregory 1. Pope not any of the former Sainctes of that name in al probability he was for his rare saÌ„ct tie added after and so if any other in that state be heare remembred this maner of Inuocation being vsed in the Church loÌ„g before his dayes as the english protestantes theÌ„ selues doe graunt Sainct Gregory pray for vs. Sainct German pray for vs. Sainct Remigius pray for vs. Sainct Ierome pray for vs. Sainct Benedict pray for vs. O al holy Confessors pray for vs. Sainct Felicitas pray for vs. Sainct Perpetua pray for vs. Sainct Agatha pray for vs. Sainct Lucia pray for vs. Sainct Agna pray for vs. Sainct Petronella pray for vs. Sainct Regina pray for vs. Sainct Christina pray for vs. Sainct Margaret pray for vs. Sainct Eutropia pray for vs. Sainct Brigide pray for vs. O al holy Virgins and Widowes pray for vs. O al Sainctes pray for vs. Be merciful vnto vs spare vs o Lord. From al euil o Lord deliuer vs. From the deceipts of the deuil o Lord deliuer vs. From thine anger o Lord deliuer vs. From al iniquity o Lord deliuer vs. From euerlasting death o Lord deliuer vs. By thy Natiuity o Lord deliuer vs. By thy Crosse o Lord deliuer vs. By thy Passion o Lord deliuer vs. By thy Death o Lord deliuer vs. By thy Resurrection o Lord deliuer vs. By thy Ascension o Lord deliuer vs. By the comming of the holy Ghost the Comforter o Lord deliuer vs In the day of Iudgment o Lord deliuer vs. We sinners besech thee heare vs. That thou wilt geue vs peace we besech thee heare vs. That thou wilt graunt vs seasonable wether we besech thee c. That thou wilt geue vs the frutes of the earth we besech That thou wilt graunt vs space of penance we besech That thou wilt geue vs remission of our sinnes we besech thee That thou wilt vouchsaife to infuse the grace of the holy Ghost into our hearts we besech That thou wilt vouchsaife to preserue our Lord Apostolick and al ecclesiastical order in holy Religion we besech That thou wilt vouchsaife to exalte thy Church we besech That thou wilt vouchsaife to consecrate this house made to the honour of thy name a Kingly palace to thee our God we besech That thou vouchsaife to be merciful to vs sinners we besech That thou wilt vouchsaife to bring vs to the promised reward of thy glory we besech That thou vouchsaife to heare vs we besech thee That thou vouchsaif to kepe vs we Sonne of god we besech Lambe of god that takest away the sinnes of the world spare vs o Lord. Lambe of god who takest away the sinnes of the world haue mercy vpon vs. O Christ heare vs. Lord haue mercy vpon vs. Christ haue mercy vpon vs. Lord haue mercy vpon vs. Meditations and prayers when we ryse in the morning IN my bed I haue sought him whoÌ„ Cant. 3. my soule doth loue I wil ryse goe about the citie by Townes streetes I wil seeke him whoÌ„ my soule doth loue O Lord thou art my receauer my Ps 3. glory and raising vp my head with my voice I haue cryed to our lord and he haith hard me from his holy mouÌ„taine I haue slept and slumbered and haue risen because our lord haith receaued me O God my god I do awake to thee Ps 62. from the light my soule haith thirsted in thee O Lord haue mercy vpon vs for we Is 33. haue expected thee be thou our strength in the
morning and saluation in tyme of trouble S. Athanasius l. de virginitate siue meditatione Whether thou rysest or sittest or doest any worke or eatest or goest to bed to sleepe or rysest from bed let not the praise of god be absent from thy lippes S. Ephrem de Panoplia Defend thy selfe with the signe of the crosse signing therewith thy sitting downe and rysing vp thy bed whatsoeuer thinges thou passest by first signe them in the name of the father and of the sonne and of the holy ghost S. Ambros l. 3. virgin Repeate often in thy chaÌ„ber our lordes prayer either when thou awakest or before thou goest to sleepe Our father which art in heauen halowed be thy name thy kingdome come thy c. S. Ephrem ser de laudib sanctiss virg Mariae O Lady o ful of grace moue my tongue and my lippes to sing praises vnto thee and especially that angelical soÌ„ge which the Angel Gabriel did sing vnto thee Haile Mary ful of grace our lord is with thee blessed art thou amoÌ„g women c. S. Ambros sup l. 3. virginit We ought daily to rehearse the Crede in the houres before day I beleue in god the Father almighty maker of heauen and earth and in Iesus Christ his onely sonne our lord c. S. August l. mediat cap. 40. O Lord god omnipotent I commend to thee this day and euer my soule my body my seing hearing tast smelling touching my thoughtes affections speach deedes and al my both external and internal thinges sense and vnderstanding memory my faith and beleefe perseuerance into the hand of thy power that thou vouchsaife to keepe them dayes and nightes houres momeÌ„ts O holy Trinity heare me and preserue me from al euil from al scandal from al mortal sinne from al deceiptes and infestations of deuils and enemies visible and inuisible by the praiers of the Patriarkes by the merits of the Prophets by the intercession of the Apostles by the constancy of Martyrs by the faith of Confessors by the chastity of Virgins and by the supplication of al thy Sainctes that haue pleased thee from the beginning of the world S. Ambrosius in hymn O holy Father now that we haue refreshed our body with sleepe we arise and besech thee to be present with vs praying vnto thee Let our tongue cheifly praise thee and the feruour of our minde seeke after thee to be the beginning of our works Let darknesse geue place to light and the night to day that al offence which the night haith brought may sodainly fal downe We humbly besech thee to cut of al occasion of sinnes that we may praise thee for euer S. Ambros hym ad laud. fer 2. O Brightnesse of the Fathers glory light of light and fountaine of light the day that doth lighten the day and true â—unne come downe into vs shyning with eueâ—lasting brightnesse and infuse into our senses the beame of the holy Spirit With our praiers we cal vpon thee Father Father of eternal glory Father of effectual grace to abaÌ„don our pronesse to sinne informe our diligent actions blunt the teeth of the enemy prosper our aduersities geue vs grace to do our dutie gouerne and rule our minde Aurelius Prudentius in Cathemerin hymn Matâ—tin O Night darknesse confused misty cloudes of the world depart away the skye is bright Christ doth come this hour is profitable for al mâ—â— for euery one to do his businesse that he affecteth souldier Citizen Mariner workman plowman Marchant But we that know thee alone o Christ do learne to pray vnto thee with a pure and single mind thee we besech weping vpon our knees we liue by this art we begin these duties now the Sunne is risen and shyneth Haue a care of our senses and reguard to al our life let so many thinges obscured with darknesse be purged with thy light Commaund that al vncleanes being taken away we continew such as we were made in baptisme Whatsoeuer the night of this world haith infected vs with the dark cloudes thereof Thou the light of the sunne vouchsaife to illuminate with thy cheaâ—ful countenance Let that darknesse now cease which hitherto haith drawne vs headlong with vnhappy steps in wandring errour Let this light bestow clearnes vpon vs make vs cleane that we speak no subtilty and think of nothing that is of darknesse Let the whole day be so spent that neither our tongue nor hand nor eyes commit any sinne nor any offence defyle our body For he that behouldeth al thinges from aboue is present that continually seeth our actions from the beginning of morning to the euening He is witnesse he is arbitrator he behouldeth whatsoeuer mannes minde conceaueth he is the Iudge whom no man can deceaue Missa S. Iacobi Apost receaued Concil Constantinop 6. general Can. 32. LEt vs pray to our Lord to forgeue vs our sinnes and graunt pardon to our offences and deliuer vs from al tribulation anger dauÌ„ger necessity That we may spende al our daies in perfection peace and without sinne Let vs al aske of our Lord the Angel of pâ—ace the faithful guide keper of our soules and bodies Let vs aske of our Lord pardon remission of our sinnes offences Let vs aske of our Lord thinges that are good and profitable to our soules bodies that he wil geue peace to the world Let vs aske of our Lord that we may finish the rest of our life in peace and health Let vs aske of our Lord that we may perseuer in Christian and sincere faith to the end without sorow greif or infamy and a good defence before that fearful and dreadful Tribunal of Christ Let vs aske of Christ for thou art that good Annunciation Illumination Sauiour keeper of our soules and bodies God and thy onely begotten Sonne and thy most holy spirit now and euer and world without end Amen Miss Mozarab The grace of God the Father almighty the loue of our Lord Iesus Christ the communication of the holy Ghost be with vs for euer Meditations and prayers for the morning I Loue them that loue me and they Pro 8. that watch to me in the morning shal finde me In the morning I wil watch vnto Is thee I haue cryed to thee o Lord and Ps 87. in the morning my prayer shal come before thee It is good to confesse vnto our lord Ps 91. sing vnto thy namâ— o most highest to shew forth thy mercy in the morning The people did offer their prayers Exod. â—6 Ps 62. daily in the morning In the morning I wil meditate on thee because thou hast bene my helper The kingdoÌ„ of heaueÌ„ is like an househoulder Mat. 20. that went forth earely in the morning to hyre workemen into his vineyard S. Clem. Roman constitut 55. Apostol l. 2. c. 63. Exhort the people dayly to frequeÌ„t the church in the morning euening and neuer at al to be absent S. Clem.
Rom. supr lib. 8. c. 37. Let euery faithful man or woman earery in the morning when they arise from sleepe pray before they begin any worke S. EPiphanius in Compendiar Morning Hymnes are vsed continually in the church morning prayers A meditation or preparation to prayer out of S. Basile Const Mon. c. 2. 3. THere be two maners of praying wherof the one is in glorification yelding submission of minde The other in petition to be vsed after the former Wherefore when thou art to pray do not presently fal to petition otherwaies thou art an euidence to thy wil that thou makest not thy praiers vnto god vntil by necessity thou be vrged vnto it Therfore when soeuer thou art determined to pray forsake wife children and thy self also and depart farre from thinges of the earth climbe aboue the heauen and leaue behinde thee al creatures visible and inuisible and begin with glorifiing him that created al thinges And wheÌ„ thou hast sufficiently rested on him say as foloweth I geue thankes vnto thee o Lord for thy incredible clemency and gentlenes in bearing with the offences of men who sufferest me that sinneth daily and geuest power to vs al to amend our liues For this is the cause for which thou art silent and sparest vs o Lord that we should geue thankes vnto thee who dost manadge the saluatioÌ„ of mankind somtime by threatning somtime by exhorting with lenity And first didest visit vs by thy Prophets and lastly by the coming of thy Christ For thou hast framed vs and not we our selues thou art our god And when thou hast sufficiently geuen thankes and glorified god with praises of holy Scripture then againe with humility begin and say I am not worthy o Lord to speake before thee because I am excedingly a sinner And although to thy self thou art guilty of no sinne yet it behoueth thee so to say For seing that in many Iac. 3. thinges we al offend yet we do not vnderstand the greater part of our offences Therefore the Apostle said I am 1. Cor. 4. guilty to my self in nothing but in this I am not instified Which is the same as if he had said I commit many offences wich I know not that I commit them For this cause also the Prophet said Who doth vnderstand his offences Ps 18. And when thou hast sufficiently in wordes shewed thy humility and said I I geue thankes to thee o Lord that thou hast suffered me a sinner so long time with thy patience and to this day exacted of me noe punishment of my sinnes Verily o Lord I had long since deserued infinite punishments and was worthy to be buried most farre from thy sight but thy most patient genâ—lenesse haith most mercifully borne with me a sinner I geue thankes I say vnto thee although I know my self vnable to render thankes answearable to thy clemency towardes men And so soone as thou hast satisfied these two duties that is of geuing thankes humility then at last aske what thou oughtest to aske A Meditation out of S. Leo ser 1. de Natiuitate Domini O Christian acknowledge thy Meditations and prayers for morning dignity and being made partaker of diuine nature do not returne by degenerate conuersation to thine old vilenesse Forgeate not of what head and whose body thou art member Cal to minde how being deliuered from the power of darknesse thou art translated into the light king dome of god Doe not driue away froÌ„ thee with wicked deedes so worthy an inhabitant and againe subiect thy self to the slauery of the deuil because thy price is the Blood of Christ who in iustice wil iudge thee who in mercy haith reedeemed thee who with the Father and the holy Ghost reigneth for euer Amen An other Meditation out of S. Athanasius ser de sanctiss Deipara CHhrist receauing the throne of Ps 109. Dauid shal reigne among Christians for euer of his Kingdome Luc. 1. Dan. 7. there shal be none end For being borne of a Virgin and hauing consummated al thinges that belonged to the businesse of his death Crosse after his Resurrection he said vnto his Disciples Alpower is geuen to me in heauen in Math. 28. earth Behould now from thence he be gan to reigne and is declared to be the King of Christians as men in the beginning of their prayers exhorting one an other calling the company together do vse to crye Come let vs adore fal Ps 94. downe before Christ our King Psal 94. COme let vs reioyce vnto our lord let vs make ioy to god our Saviour Let vs approach to his presence in confession and in psalmes let vs make ioy vnto him Because god is a great lord and a great king aboue al gods Because in his haÌ„d are al the boundes of the earth and the heightes of the mountaines are his Because the sea is his and hee made it his handes framed the earth Come let vs adore and fal downe and weepe before our lord that made vs because he is the lord our god And we are his people and sheepe of his pasture To day if you wil heare his voice do not harden your heartes As in prouocation like as in the day of temptation in the wildernesse Where your fathers tempted me proued me saw my workes Fourtie yeres was I offended with that generation I said they alwayes erre in heart And these haue not knowne my wayes as I haue sworne in my anger if they shal enter into my rest 4 Pope Damasus ordained Gloria Patri c. to be said after euery Psalme In vita Dams con Vas c. 7. proueth it ageneral custome S. Aug. l. 9. confes c. 7. c. Glory be to the Father and to the Sonne and to the holy Ghost As it was in the beginning is now euer shal be world without end Amen Direction out of S. Clement Athanas Clem. const l. 2. c. 63. Come together earely in the morning singing praying In the morning saying 62. psalme Atharisius l. de virgin In the morniÌ„g say this psalme O God my god from the light Ps 62. do I watch to thee My soule haith thirsted after thee and my flesh very many wayes In a land desert where there is no way and without water so in the holy haue I appeared vnto thee that I might see thy power and thy glory Because thy mercy is better then liues my lippes shal praise thee So wil I blesse thee in my life and in thy name wil I lift vp my handes Like as with fatte and fatnesse let my soule be filled and my mouth shal praise with lippes of ioyfulnesse So haue I bene mindful of thee vpon my bedde in the morning I wil meditate on thee because thou hast bene my helper And in the couert of thy winges I wil reioyce my soule haith cleeued after thee thy right hand haith receaued me But they in vaine
6. thou being vnpure and in the middest of vnpure people darest stande before the Lord of hostes Know that the holy Angels exhort vs to praier and stand with vs with ioy praying for vs. If thersore we become negligent and entertaine coÌ„trary cogitations we greatly prouoke them because they striue so much for vs and we for our selues refuse to pray to god but rather neglecting their ministery and their Lord forsaking god keepe company with vncleane deuils If thou desirest to pray transport thy self from earthly thinges to heaueÌ„ haue thy conuersatioÌ„ there not onely in wordes but in angelical action and more heauenly knowledg S. Athanasius in lib. de virginitate WHen day appeareth thou shalt recite this psalme Benedicite omnia opera c. And say the Hymne Gloria in excelsis Al you workes of our Lord blesse Canticle of the 3. ChildreÌ„ Dan. 3. in the burniÌ„g fournace you our Lord praise him and extoll him for euer Blesse our Lord ye Angels of our Lord ye heauens blesse our Lord. Al waters that be aboue the heauens blesse ye our Lord blesse our Lord al ye powers of our Lord. Sunne moone blesse ye our Lord starres of heauen blesse ye our Lord. Shoure and dew blesse ye our Lord euery spirit of God blesse ye our Lord. Fyre and heate blesse ye our Lord could sommer blesse ye our Lord. Dewes and hoare frost blesse ye our Lord frost cold blesse ye our Lord. Ice and snow blesse ye our Lord nightes daies blesse ye our Lord. Light and darknesse blesse ye our Lord lightninges and cloudes blesse ye our Lord. Let the earth blesse our Lord let it praise extol him for euer Mountaines and litle hilles blesse ye our Lord al thinges that spring in the earth blesse ye our Lord. Blesse our Lord ye fountaines seas riuers blesse ye our Lord. Whales and al that moue in the vvaters blesse ye our Lord blesse our lord al ye foules of the aire Al beasts and cattel blesse ye our Lord soÌ„nes of mâ—n blesse ye our lord Let Israâ—l blesse our Lord let it praise and extol him for euer Preistes of our Lord blesse ye our Lord seruants of our Lord blesse ye our Lord. Spirits and soules of the iust blesse ye our Lord holy and humble men of heart blesse ye our Lord. Ananias Azarias Mizael blesse ye our Lord praise and extol him for euer Because he haith deliuered vs from hel and saued vs from the hand of death preserued vs from the midle of the burning flame pulled vs forth from the middest of the fyre Confesse to our Lord because he is good because his mercy is for euer Al you that be Religious blesse our Lord god of gods praise and confesse vnto him because his mercy is for euer A Meditation vpon the same out of S. Zeno Bishop of Verona sermoutb in Dan. He was martyred vnder Galienus about the yeare 260. O Wonderful burning o verily ser 2. a spectacle worthy of god They which heare it do feare they which kindled it do burne they which were throwne into the fyre goe forth of the fournace sanctified saif by our Lord Iesus Christ Somtimes after a great punishmeÌ„t there followeth a greater glory especially in diuine thinges in which happy men with earnest deuotion rather preserue their Religion then life Vnderstand o Christian with a beleeuing ser 5. heart a thing meruelous renowmed by al example of vertues Three Hebrew children greater theÌ„ the constancy of old men stronger then the force of yong men equal to themselues defended with the mistery of the Trinity firme in one faith of the vnity in equality glorious by the victory of suffering These a barbarous King commaunded to be burned because they contemned to worship his statua who when they were cast into the fournace of burning fire the greedy fire deuoutly receaueth them the fawning flames refresh them couered with dew A meruelous thing shadow is within burning is withoâ—t within an Himne is song without lamenting is heard O great power of god the burners are burned in the burning and they that were set on fire are suruiuors in the burning triumphing go forth of the fournace our Lord Iesus Christ ser 6. performing it Reioice o Christian constantly feare god if thou wilt not feare the fire of the deuil Behold the children are not hurt with the compassing flames with the roaring fournace They confounde the barbarous king are reuâ—nged of their burners they see god death doth passe into life feare into glory who would not desire so to burne Awake o Christian and casting 8. away al sluggishnesse of secular sleepe opening the eares of thy heart learne vertue of children The Canticle of Zachary father of S. Iohn Baptist Luc. 1. ANd Zachary his father was replenished with the holy ghost and he prophesied saying Blessed be our Lord God of Israel because he haith visited and wrought the redemption of his people And haith erected the horne of saluation to vs in the house of Dauid his seruant As he spake by the mouth of his holy prophets that are from the beginning Saluation from our enemies from the hand of al that hate vs. To worke mercy with our fathers and to remember his holy Testament The oath which he sware to Abraham Gen. 22. our Father that he would geue to vs. That without feare being deliuered from the hand of our enemies we may serue him In holinesse and Iustice before him al our daies And thou child shalt be called the prophet Malach. 3. of the highest for thou shalt goe before the face of our Lord to prepare his waies To geue knowledg of saluation to his people vnto remission of their sinnes Through the bowels of the mercy of Zachar. 3. Malach. 4. our god in which the Orient from on high haith visited vs. To illuminate them that sit in darknesse and in the shadow of death to direct our feete into the way of peace Glory be to the Father c. A Praier of praise and thanks-geuing to God for his Benefites out of S. Clement Coustitut SS Apost lib. 7. cap. 38. WE geue thankes to thee o Lord omnipotent for al thy benefites because thou hast not taken thy mercies pittie away from vs but in euery generation and generation doest saue deliuer succour defend For thou hast succoured in the daies of Enos and Enoch in the daies of Moyses and Iesu in the daies of the Iudges in the daies of Samuel and Helias and the Prophets in the daies of Dauid and the Kinges in the daies of Hester and Mardocheus in the daies of Iudith in the daies of Iudas Machabeus and his brethren and in our daies thou hast releeued vs by thy great high Preist Iesus Christ thy SoÌ„ne For he haith both saued vs from the sword and by norishing deliuered vs from famine and freed vs from sicknes defended vs from a wicked
in earth Peace to men of good will Let vs not be wiser Ro. 12. then we ought to be wise but to be wise to sobriety hating euil cleeuing vnto good louing charity of fraternity one with an other Instant in praier thinking the same together If it may be as much as is in you hauing peace with al men Careful to kepe the vnity of spirit in the bonde of peace Eph. 4. Eph. 6. By al praier and obsecration praying at al time in spirit and in it watching in al instancy and obsecration for al that be holy that at length we may hope the heauenly bedewed teares of holy praiers may quench or slake at the least that raging and consuming fire which the poysened blases of polluted mouthes rotteÌ„ fuel oâ— defiled liues haue blowne kindled and mantayned to flame so longe God of his rnfinite mercy grauÌ„t that with one consent and one mouth we Ro. 1â— may honour him for which I shal euer pray and so rest Your louing best wishing CouÌ„try-man R. B. OF MEDITATIon and Praier in generall OF Meditation out of holy Scriptures Deut. 6. 11. THe wordes which I commaund vnto thee this day shall be in thy heart thou shalt meditate vpon them sitting in thy house walking on thy â—ournay sleeping and when thou risest Ios 1. Let not the volume of this law depart from thy mouth but thou shalt meditate in it daies nightes that thou may keepe and doe al thinges that are writen in it ps 1. Blessed is the maÌ„ which haith not gone in the counsel of the vngodly haith not stoode in the way of sinners nor sit in the chaire of â—estilence but his wil is in the Law of our Lord in his Law he wil meditate day night ps 118. O Lord how haue I loue dthy Law it is my meditation al the day How vpon what a ChristiaÌ„ ought to meditate out of S. Ciprian lib. de Spectacul VAine pernitious and sacrilegious spectacles are to be auoyded by Christians We must be careful to keepe our eyes and eares Quikly we accustome our selues in wickednes which we heare for the minde of man being inclined to vice what wil it doe when it haith corrupt examples That which falleth of it self how wil it doe if it be pricked forward We must haue our mind retyred from these thinges A Christian if he wil haith bettermatters to behould He haith true profitable pleasures if he recollect him self And to omit those which he can not yet perceaue he haith the bewty of this world to consider and wonder at Let him contemplate the rysing of the Sunne and againe the setting thereof in order causing the daies and nights the globe of the moone by increase and waine designing the courses of times The multitude of starres shyning from the high heauen with their speedy motion the partes of the whole yeare deuided by turne and the daies them selues with the nights digested by the spaces of houres the vast greatnesse of the earth poised with mountaines the riuers with their springes flowing from them the ayre extended in the middest geuing lyfe to al thinges somtime raine from the coÌ„densed cloudes otherwhile fairnesse of wether renewing his rarity and in al these their proper inhabitants fowle in the ayre fish in the waters men vpon earth Let these and such other workes of God be spectacles for the beleuing Christians to meditate vpon What Theater framed by the handes of man is comparable to these works Though it be builded vp with great heapes of stones they are but the crusts of hilles and though their beames do glister gilded with gould yet they are inferiour to the shyning of the starres He wil neuer woÌ„nder at the workes of man whosoeuer knoweth him self to be the childe of God He casteth him selfe downe from the toppe of his nobilitie who can meruel at any thing after God Let a Christian I say attend to hâ—ly Scriptures there he shal finde thinges to behold worthy of Faith He shal find god ordeyning his world amonge the rest of liuing creatures making that admirable and excellent framâ— of man He shal vew the world in sâ—nnes rewardes for the godly and PunishmeÌ„ts for the impious seas dryed vp for the people and againe wateâ—â— geuen out of the rock for the people Haruests coming from heauen and not from the flâ—uâ—â—s Riuers brydling their violenâ—e to geue drye passage In some Faith wrastâ—ing with fire wilde beastes conqâ—ered by Religion and turned into meekenesse And he shal sce soules recalled from death it sâ—lf And amonge al these he shal beholde a greater spectacle the deuil that had triumphed ouer al the world lying vnder the feete of Christ O how bewtiful a spectacle to contemplatâ— is this how deâ—ightfull how necessary for a maÌ„ alwaies to behold his hope and open his eyes to his saluation This is a spectacle which may be seene though our eyes be lost this is a spectacle which neither Pretor nor Consul sheweth but he that is alone before al thinges eueÌ„ he from wheÌ„ce are al thinges the Father of our Lord Iesus Christ to whom be praise and honour world without end Amen Of praier of the excellency thereof out of the holy Scriptures prou 15. THe Lord is farre from the wicked and he wil heare the praiers of the iust These thinges saith our Lord my house Is 56. Mat. 21. shal be called the house of praier to al nations Aske and it shal be gâ—uen you seeke Marc. 11 Luc. 19. Math. 7. you shal finde knock it shal be opened vnto you for euery one that asketh receiueth and that seeketh fyndeth and to him that knocketh it shal be opened It behoueth alwaies to pray and not to Luc. 18 be weary Pray without intermission In al thinges geue thankâ—s for this is the 1. Thes 5. 1. Tim. 2. wil of god in Christ Iesu in al you I desire thereforâ— first of al thinges that Obsecrations Praiers Postulations Thankes geuings be made for al men for Kinges and al that are in preeminence that we may leade a quiet and peaceable life in al piety chastity for this is good and acceptable before our Sauiour god who wil al men to be saued and to come to the knowledge of truth What Praier is and the dignity thereof out of the Fathers first S. Gregory Nyssene IT behoueth alwaies to pray neuer to be weary for by praier we come to be with God But he that is with God is seperated from the aduersary Praier is the defence protection of chastity moderation of anger appeasing and suppressing of pride a rooting out of the settled remembrance of iniuries a putter to flight of enuy taking away of iniustice correction of impiety Praier is a right constitution of Iustice and lawes in a citye strength of a Kingdome victory in warre security in peace reconciliation of the disagreeing consernation of the
before shal be blessed now and euer Amen A prayer meditating vpon the Maiestie of God out of S. Augustine CoÌ„f. l. 1. c. 4. WHat art thou o my God what art thou I besech thee but my lord God for who is lord but our lord and who is god but our God O highest o best o most mighty most omnipoteÌ„t most merciful and most iust most secret and most preseÌ„t most beutiful most strong stabâ—e and incoÌ„preheÌ„sible immutable chauÌ„ging al thinges neuer new neuer old renuing al things bringing the proud into ould age and they are ignorant alwayes doing euer quiet gathering and not wanting bearing and filling and protecting creating and norishing and perfecting seeking when nothing is wanting vnto thee thou louest yet art not truobled thou art ieleous and art secure thou repentest and greuest not thou art angry art quiet thou chaÌ„gest thy workes yet chaungest not thy counsaile thou receauest what thou findest neuer lost thou art neuer poore yet reioycest with gaine neuer couetous and yet exactest vsery There is largely bestowed vpon thee that thou mightest be in debt yet who haith any thing that is not thyne Thou payest debtes owing nothing giuest debtes loosing nothing And what do we say my god my life my holy sweetnesse or what doth any man say when he speaketh of thee and woe to theÌ„ that speake not of thee A prayer for al people out of S. Clement Const l. 8. c. 18. WE besech thee o lord for thy holy church which is dispersed through al places which thou hast gotteÌ„ with the precious bloud of thy Christ that thou wil vouchsaif to keepe it â—uiet and in tranquillity to the end of the world And we also intreat thee for al Episcopal order rightly handling the word of truth for al preisthood for deacons the whole Cleargy that being taught of thee thou wilt replenish them with the holy Ghost Also we besech thee o Lord for our King and al that are placed in authority that by them we may peaceably liue and perseuering in quietnesse and coÌ„cord through al the time of our life may glorify thee by Iesus Christ which is our hope For Bishops Preists Deacons Subdeacons Lectors Singers Virgins Widowes Lay people for al whose names thou knowest Also we besech thee for this Citie al that dwel in it For those that be sicke that suffer cruel seruitude for banished persoÌ„s such as haue suffered forfaiture of their goodes For al that trauel by sea and vndertaking farre iournaies that thou wilt be an assister helper aider of them al. Also we besech thee for them that hate persecute vs for thy names sake for those that be forth and in errour that thou wilt bring theÌ„ to good and appease their fury Also we besech thee for the Cathecumens of the Church and such as be vexed of the aduersary and for our brethren that be penitents that thou wilt perfect these in faith deliuer the other from vexation of the euil receaue the penance of these and pardon them and vs our offences Also we pray for them that are letted by iust cause or absent that keping vs al in godlinesse thou wilt gather vs together into the Kingdome of thy Christ god of al sensitiue and intellectual nature and our King constant in good inculpable and without sinne because vnto thee is al glory worship thankes-geuing honour adoration to the Father and Sonne and the holy Ghost both now and euer world without end Amen Out of the same S. Clement Const l. 7. c. 4 7. so by him appointed A prayer for morning Athanas l. de virg When day appeareth say the Himn Gloria in excelsis c. GLory in the highest to god and in earth peace to men of good wil we praise thee we celebrate thee we blesse thee we glorify thee by the great high preist we adoare thee god vnbegotten one vnaccessible alone for thy great glory o Lord heauenly king God Father omnipoteÌ„t o Lord god Father of Christ the immaculate LaÌ„be which taketh away the sinnes of the world receaue our prayer thou that sittest vpon the Cherubim Because thou alone art holy thou alone Lord Iesus Christ of god of al created nature of our king by whom glory honour and worship is vnto thee A Praier out of S. Ciprian Tom. 3. HAgios Hagios Hagios Holy Holy Holy O holy of holies Father of our Fathers God of Abraham God of Isaac God of Iacob God of Apostles God of Prophets God of Virgins God of the wel liuing God of the faithful God and Father of our Lord Iesus Christ we humble cal vpon thee and also besech thee o only begotten Sonne who was begotten of the mouth of the highest before the disposing of the world and by mistery brought forh of the wombe of Mary the holy Virgin Vouchsaif to bestow vpoÌ„ vs that pray spiritual encrease of holy desire and integrity of heart that our brest by holy baptisme renewed may perseuer saife from carnal sinnes We aske with an vnspotted faith an vncorrupted mind with a strong deuotion loue continual that thou wilt suffer vs to florish in thy holy Church because vnto thee we bend our knees and bow downe our neckes to whom Angels and Archangels thousandes of thousandes of Martyrs the queare of the Apostles and glory of Prophets â—o make ioy to whom al birdes do singe praises whom the tongues confesse of thinges celestial terrestrial and infernal Al waters in heauen and vnder heauen confesse thee the insensible thinges perceaue thee Thou art alone and besides thee and without thee there is none We besech thee o Lord Father omnipotent who art conspicable to the onely Sonne whose Angels and Archangels obey thee O Lord Father we pray to thee to geue vs a sound mind a pure innocency deuout sincerity holy coÌ„science pure sober chast walking in glorious faith against al deceipts of the world Graunt vs a brest defended against al threatninges of the deuil carnal inticements that we may cary sounde the signe of euerlasting saluation lest we be entangled with the deadly snares of the violent and cruel enemy Put away from vs al vncleannes of the world and al perswasion of the deuil let him be snared throwne downe and ouercome and put away from vs as froÌ„ Sara thy seruant Asmodeus the most Tob. 8. wicked deuil suppressed by the holy Angel Raphael And as thou wert present with Tobias so vouchsaife to be present vnto me And as thou shewed mercy vnto Dan. 3. et 14. the three children in the fornace and to Daniel so vouchsaife to deale with vs thy seruantes Thou which hast raised the dead lightâ—ed the blynd geuen hearing to the deafe speach to the duÌ„me going to the lame soundnesse vnto leepers so also geue to vs thy seruaÌ„tes who with al the power of our mynd beleeue that thou wert borne suffered art to come to iudge the quick dead Assist vs as
thee that wast whipped Glory to thee that wast spitte vpon Glory to thee that wast mocked Glory to thee that wast crucified Glory to thee that wast buried Glory to thee that didest arise from the dead Glory to thee that art preached Glory to thee in whom we beleeue Glory to thee that wast assumpted into heauen Glory to thee who with great glory sittest on the right hand of the Father and againe shal come in the glory of the Father the holy Angels to iudge euery soule that haith despised thee and thy holy passions in that fearful and dreadful hour when the powers of the heauens shal Math. 24. Luc. 21. be moued when also the Angels Archangels Cherubim and Seraphim shal come with feare and trembling in sight of thy glory when agaiâ—e the foundations of the earth shal tremble and euery liuing thing shal be affraid for the incomparable glory of thy great Maiestye I besech thee that in that hour thy grace may hide me vnder thy winges and my soule may be deliuered froÌ„ that horrible fyre gnashing of teeth external darknesse and euerlasting weping that I may say blessing and thankesgeuing to thee Glory be to thee o Lord who according to the multitude of the mercies of thy great piety hast vouchsaifed to saue me a sinner who with the Father and holy Ghost liuest and reignest world without ende Amen S. Athanasins l. Meditat. At the Sixt Hour end thy praiers with psalmes weping and teares because at this Hour the Sonne of God did hang on the Crosse for thee Meditations and praiers for the Ninth hour THere was darknesse vpon the Luc. 23. whole earth vntil the ninth hour the sunne was darkned and the vaile of the temple was rent in the midest And Iesus crying with a loud voice said Father into thy handes I commend my spirit saying this he gaue vp the gost Peter and Iohn went vp into the temple Act. 3. at the ninth hour of prayer He saw manifestly in a vision as it Act. 10. were the ninth hour of the day the Angel of god comming in to him and said vnto him thy prayers almes haue ascended in memory in the sight of god Make your prayers at the ninth hour Clem. Const Aopst l. 8. c. 40. Athanas l. de meditat because al thinges were troubled when our lord was crucified At the Ninth hour thou shalt be in Himnes and glorifications with teares confession of thy sinnes praying to god because at this hour our lord hanging on the crosse gaue vp the ghost The Ninth hour is deliuered by the Apostles them selues in the Actes to be Basil l. q. diff q. 37. necessary for prayer where it is tould that Peter and Iohn went vp into the Temple at the ninth hour of prayer Act. 3. S. Denis the Areopagite S. Paules scholer epist ad S. Policarp DEmaund of him what he thinketh He meaneth Apoliphanes the philosopher of the Eclips of the SuÌ„ne which hapned when our Sauiour was crucified for we were then both together and stoode at Heliopolis did sodanly see when the Moone obiected it selfe to the Sunne not being the time of their coniunction and againe when the same opposed it selfe aboue the order of nature to the midle lyne of the sunne from the ninth hour to the evening And recal further some other thing to his memory for he knoweth also how that interposition was seene of vs to begin froÌ„ the rysing of the sunne and come to the last point of it and after to vanish away and againe that the interposition and recession did not chance from the same part of the sunne but froÌ„ that which so to speake was diametrically contrary These are the wonderful thinges of that time which Christ the author of al thinges is onely able to performe who maketh great and Iob. 5. mereulous thinges of which there is noe number If it be lawful for thee and if thou canst o Apoliphanes refute The testimony of gentile Philosophers for Christ these thinges against me who was then both present with thee did behould and examine al thinges with greatest admiration And I cannot devise wherevpon Apoliphanes then began conferring with me the thinges that were done said thus O Dionisius these are the changing of diuine matters An other Meditation how al creatures seemed to lament at the death of Christ out of S. Leo ser 2. pas Dom. WHen Christ yelded vp the Ghost al the elementes did tremble The brightnesse of the sunne couered with thick darknesse did extraordinarily subiect the day to night The earth weakned with deepe quakinges did not retaiâ—e it stability And the firme rockes their streÌ„gth being broken fel into peeces The veile of the Temple with which the misteries of former thinges were now noe longer to be shadowed was cutte asunder And the bodies of many Sainctes being raised vp to prepare the faith of the Resurrection their graues lay open Therefore o Iewes against you heauen and earth haue geuen sentence The sunne haith withdrawne his seruice and the day from you al the orders of the elementes haue denied to serue you and the ministery of the creature departing from his lawes your blindnesse your confusion was was signified For you saying His Math. 27. bloud be vpon vs and vpon our children this is worthily repayed vnto you that what the wicked portion of your stocke hath lost that the beleeuing fulnesse of the gentiles should obtaine Therefore most beloued let vs to whom our lord Iesus Christ crucified is not a scandal nor 1. Cor. 1. foolishnesse but the power of god and wisdom of god let vs I say the spiritual seede of Abraham not begotteÌ„ of the Issue of seruitude but regenerated in the family of freedome for whom brought forth with a strong hand mightie arme from vnder the oppressioÌ„ of the rule of Egipt the true and immaculate lambe Christ is 1. Cor. 5. offered let vs embrace the meruealous mistery of his sauing pasouer and be reformed to the image of him that was conformed to our deformity let vs be lifted vp to him that made the dust of our baise condition to be the body of his glory and that we may deserue to be partakers of his resurrection let vs in al thinges become agreable to his humility and patience We haue vndertaken the warfare of a great name the discipline of a great profession It is not lawful for the folowers of Christ to depart from the kinges way but worthy it is that they wich tend vnto eternal thinges be not occupied in thinges temporal and because we are redemed with the pretious bloud of Christ let vs glorify and beare gâ—d in our body that we 1. Cor. 6. may deserue to come to those thinges that are prepared for the faithful by Christ our Lord. Amen A prayer vpon Christs passion out of S. Gregory Nazianzen orat in S. Pascha in fine GOd