also committed by thoughts VVhere I shall haue as manie for my iudges as haue gone before me by example of good vvoorkes and so manie shall be vvitnesses against me as haue giueÌ„ me presidents of vertues And yet expecting this iudgment I cease not to giue bridell to my vices but rather more more I lie rotting and corrupting in the dregges of my sinnes stil glutonie maketh me vile pride maketh me vaine couetousnes maketh me niggesh enuie consumeth me murmuration teareth me in peeces ambition puffeth me vp anger trovvbleth me lightnes of maÌ„ners dravveth me out of my self sluggishnes benuÌ„meth me heauines casteth me dovvne and fauour lifteth me vp Thou seest heere the companions vvith vvhich I haue liued froÌ„ the daie of mie childhood vntil this present time these be the frinds vvith vvhome I haue coÌ„uersed these the maisters that I haue obeied these the lords vvhich I haue serued Enter not therfore o lord Psal 142.2 into iudgment with thy seruant because no man liuing shall be iustified before thee for vvhoe is he that shal be found iust yf thou vvouldest iudge him vvithout pitie for this then o lord prostrating my self at thy feete vvith an humble and contrite spirite I vvil vveepe vvith the Prophet and saie Psalm 6. Lord rebuke me not in thy furie nor chasten me in thy vvrath Haue merâ—e vppon me lord because I am vveake heale me lord because mie bones ar trovvbled And mie sovvle is verie much trovvblâ—d but thou lord hovv long Be thou conuerted lord and deliuer my sovvle saue me for thy mercie Because there is none in death that is mindful of thee and in hel vvhoe vvill confesse vnto thee I haue laboured in my sigh I shall euerie night vvash mie bed vvith my teares shall I vveat mie couche Mine eye is troubled vvith furie I am vvaxen old among al mine enimies Glorie be to the father and to the sonne and to the holie ghost As it vvas in the beginning and novv and euer and vvoorld vvithout end Amen THE SECOND PRAIER FOR THE second daie of the praises of God CHAP. IIII. IN this exercise of feare and penance it behoued me o lord to spend all mie life seeing I haue so iust cause vvherefore to feare and vvherfore to lament Yet notvvithstanding al this as the greatnes of thie glorie obligeth vs to vvoorship reuerence thee so likevvise doth it binde vs to praise and glorifie thee because to thee onlie is due a hymne and praise in Sion thou being in deede as thou art a passing great deepenes of al perfections and a maine sea of vvisdom of omnipotencie of bevvtie of riches of greatnes of svveetenes of maiestie in vvhome be all the perfections and bevvties of all creatures in heauen and in earth and those also all in the highest degree of perfection In comparison of vvhich al bevvtie is foulnes all riches at pouretie al povver is vveakenes al vvisdom is ignorance all svveetenes is bitternes and finallie all vvhatsoeuer vve see in heauen and in earth is much les before thee then is a little candel in comparison of the sunne Thou art vvithout deformitie perfect vvithout quantitie great vvithout qualitie good vvithout vveaknes strong vvithout place al vvheresoeuer thou vvilt in vertue omnipotent in goodnes highest in vvisdom inestimable in thy counsels terrible in thy iudgments iust in thy thoughts most secreat in thy vvoords true in thy vvoorks holy in thy mercies abundant vvith sinners most patient and vvith those that be penitent most pitiful Therfore o lord for such a one I dooe confesse and acknovvledge thee for such a one I dooe praise thee glorifie thy holy name Giue thou me light in my hart and vvoords in my mouth that my hart may think of thy â—â—rie and my mouth be ful of thy praises But for somuch as praise is not beautiful in the mouth of a sinner Eccl. 15.9 I request all the Angels of heauen and al the creatures of the vvoorld that they together vvith me praise thee and supplie in this behalfe my faults inuiting them to this vvith that glorious canticle vvhich those holy children did sing vnto thee amiddest the flames of fiar in the fornace of Babilon saying Blessed art thou Daniel 7. ô lord god of our fathers and praised and superexalted for euer And blessed is the holie name of thie glorie and praised and superexalted for euer Blessed art thou in the holie temple of thie glorie and superpraised and superglorious for euer Blessed art thou in the throne of thie kingdom and superpraised and superexalted for euer Blessed art thou that beholdest the deapths and sittest vppon the Cherubines and praised and superexalted for euer Blessed art thou in the firmament of he auen raised and glorious for euer All the vvoorks of our lord blesse our lord praise and exalt him for euer Angels of our lord blesse our lord praise and superexalt him for euer Heauens blesse our lord praise and superexalt him for euer All vvaters that be aboue the heauens blesse our lord praise and superexalt him for euer All vertues of our lord blesse our lord praise and superexalt him for euer Sunne and moone blesse our lord praise and superexalt him for euer Stars of heauen blesse our lord praise and superexalt him for euer All raine and devve blesse our lord praise and superexalt him for euer Al spirits of God blesse our lord praise and superexalt him for euer Fiar and heate blesse our lord praise and superexalt him for euer VVinter and sommer blesse our lord praise and superexalt him for euer Moistiâ—res and hore frost blesse our lord praise and superexalt him for euer Frost and cold blesse our lord praise and superexalt him for euer Yse and snovve blesse our lord praise and superexalt him for euer Nights daies blesse our lord praise and superexalt him for euer Light and darknes blesse our lord praise and superexalt him for euer Lightnings and clovvdes blesse our lord praise and superexalt him for euer Let the earth blesse our lord let it praise and superexalt him for euer Mountaines and hillocks blesse our lord praise and superexalt him for euer All things that spring vppon the earth blesse our lord praise and superexalt him for euer VVelles blesse our lord praise superexalt him for euer Seas riuers blesse our lord praise superexalt him for euer VVhales all things that be moued in the vvaters blesse our lord praise and superexalt him for euer All byrds of the atre blesse our lord praise and superexalt him for euer Children of men blesse our lord praise superexalt him for euer Let I srael blesse our lord let him praise superexalt him for euer Priests of our lord blesse our lord praise and superexalt him for euer Seruants of our lord blesse our lord praise and superexalt him for euer Spirites and sovvles of iust men blesse our lord praise and superexalt him for euer Holie and humble of hart blesse our lord
secure vvithout Obedience according to that vvhich the Psalmist saith Sacrifice ye sacrifice of iustice Psal 4.6 and hopeye in our lord giue thou me o my God that vvith this hope in thy mercie I ioine the obedience of thy holy commaundements seeing that I no lesse ovve thee this Obedience then all other vvhatsoeuer vertuous affects because thou art my king my lord my Emperour to vvhome the heauen the earth the sea and alcreatures obey vvhose commaundements and lavves they haue hitherto kept and vvil obserue for euer Let me then o lord obey thee more then they al for somuch as I am more obliged thereunto then they Let me obey thee o my king and obserue entirelie all thy most holie lavves Reigne thou in me o lord and let not the vvoorld reigne in me anie more nor the Prince of the vvoorld nor mie flesh nor mine ovvne propre vvill but thine Let all these tyrans depart out of me that be vsurpers of thy seate theeues of thy glorie corrupters of thy iustice and doe thou onlie o lord commaund and ordeine and let onlie thou and thysceptre be acknovvledged and obeyed that so thy vvil maie be donne in earth as it is fulfilled in heauen O vvhen shall this daie be O vvhen shall I see my self free from these tyrans O vvhen shall there be heard in my sovvle none other voice but thine O vvhen shal the forces and pykes of mie enimies be so subiected that I find no contradiction in my self to fulfil thy holy vvil and pleasure O vvhen shall this boistrous tempestuous sea be so calme vvhen shall this heauen be so faire and vnclovvdie vvhen shall mie passions be so quiet and mortified that there be neither vvaue nor clovvde nor noise nor anie other perturbation that maie alter and chaunge this peace and obedience and hinder this thie kingdom in me Giue thou me o lord this obedience or to saie better this soueraigntie ouer mie hart that in such sort it maie obey me that in al things I maie subiect the same to thee and being in this subiection I maie saie vvith al mie hart as the Prophet said Psal 118. â—3 Set me o lord for alavv the vvaie of thy iustifications and I vvil search it out alvvaies Giue me vnderstanding and I vvil seeke thie lavv and vvil keepe it vvith al mie hart Guide me in the pathe of thy commaundements because Thaue desired the same Incline my hart to thy testimonies and not to auarice Turne avvay mine eys that they see not vanitie in thy vvaie quicken me Glorie be to the father and to the sonne and to the holie ghost c. THE SEVENTH PRAIER FOR THE seuenth daie in vvhich a man offereth him self and al things that he hath to God CHAP. IX EVEN so as I am bound o lord to obey thee am I also bound to resigne and offer my self into thy hands because I am altogether thyne thyne by so manie and soe iust titles Thyne because thou hast created me and giuen me this being that I haue thyne because thou doest maintaine me in this being vvith so manie benifits and fauours of thy prouidence thyne because thou hast redeemed me out of captiuitie hast bought me not vvith gold nor siluer but vvith thine ovvne bloud and thine because so manie other times thou hast redeemed me hovv manie times thou hast dravven me out of sinne Yf then by so manie titles claimes I be thine and yf thou for so manie respects be mie king mie lord mie Redeemer and mie deliuerer heere I turne to resigne into thie hands thie substance vvhich I my self am heere I offer mie self to be thie sclaue and captiue heere I giue vp the kaies and omage of mie vvill to th' end that henceforvvard I be no more mine ovvne nor of anie other but thine that I liue not but for thee nor doe no more mine ovvne vvill but thine in such sort that I nether eate nor drinke norsleepe nor doe anie other thing vvhich is not according to thee and for thee Heere doe I present mie self to thee that thou dispose of me as of thine ovvne substance as it best pleaseth thee Yf it like thee that I liue that I dye that I be in health that I be sick that I be riche that I be poore that I be honoured that I be dishonoured to all I offer mie self and resigne my self into thie hands and I dispossesse me of mie self that I be novv no more mine ovvne but thine in so much that vvhat is thine by iustice and right be also thine by mie vvill But vvhoe o lord can doe anie of these things vvithout thee vvhoe can make as much as one steppe vvithout thee Giue me therfore grace o lord to doe that vvhich thou commaundest and commaund vvhatsoeuer it pleaseth thee Remember o lord that thou thy self hast commauÌ„ded vs most instantlie that vve should ask thee saying Aske and it shal be giuen you Matth. 7.7 seeke and you shal finde knocke and it shal be opened to you Thou also thie self hast said by thy Prophet Isaiae 45.21 A God iust and sauing there is not besides me Be conuerted to me and you shal be saued al the ends of the earth Yf then thou thy self o lord doest cal vs dâ—est inuite vs and doest hold open thine armes to the end that vve com to thee vvherefore should vve not hope that thou vvvilt receaue vs in them Thou art not o lord as men ar vvhoe becom poore by giuing and therfore ar so troubled vvhen ought is demaunded of them Thou art not so because as thou becommest not poore in th' one thou art not offended in th' other and therefore to ask of thee isn't to importunate thee but to obey thee seeing thou hast commaunded vs to ask of thee to honour thee and to glotifie thee for by dooing this vve protest that thou art God and the vniuersal lord and giuer of althings of vvhome vve ought to demauÌ„dal seeing that of thee dependeth al vvhatsoeuer And hence it is that thou thy self doest demaund vs this sort of sacrifice aboue al others saying Psal 49.15 Cal vppon me in the daie of tribulation I vvil deliuer thee and thou shalt honour me I then being moued through this thy gracious commaundement doe com to thee and beseeche thee that thou vvilt vouchsafe to giue all this that I ovve vnto thee to vvit that I maie so adore thee so feare and reuerence thee so praise thee so giue thee thanks for althy benifits so loue thee vvith al my haâ—t so settle al mie hope and confidence in thee so obey thy holie coÌ„maundements so offer resigne mie self into thy hands and so vnderstand hovv to request thee other fauours as it behoueth me to doe for thy glorie and for my saluation I beseeche thee also o lord to graunt me pardon of my sinnes true contrition confession of them al to giue me grace
take vppon him the shape and image not onlie of a sinner but euen also of a condemned person This saith he Luc. 22.53 is your houre and the povver of darknes By vvhich vvoords is vnderstoode that from that time that most innocent lamb vvas giuen vp into the povver of the Princes of darknes vvhich be the diules that by means of theire ministres they might execute vppon him al the cruelties and torments they could deuise Think thou then o my sovvle hovv much that diuine highnes abased it self for thee sithence it arriued to the last extremitie of al miseries vvhich is to be giuen vp to the povver of diuels And because this vvas the paine vvhich vvas due to thy sinnes it pleased him to put him self to this paine that thou mightest remaine quite from the same So soone as these vvoords vvere spoken foorthvvith al that hellish rovvte and malicious rable of rauenous vvoolues assaulted this most meeke and innocent lambe som haled him this vvay som that vvay eche one to the vttermost of his povver O hovv vngentellie did they handle him hovv discourteouslie did they speake vnto him hovv manie blovves and buffets did they giue him vvhat crying shovvting made they ouer him euen as conquerours vse to doe vvhen they haue obteined theire praie They lay hold vppon those holie hands vvhich a litle before had vvrought so manie miracles and dooe binde them verie straitlie vvith rovvgh knottie cords in such sort that they gavvle the skinne of his armes and make the verie blood to spring out of them and in this manner they leade him openlie throvvgh the common streates vvith great despite and ignominie Consider novv vvel our Sauiour hovv he goeth in this vvay abandoned of his disciples accompanied vvith his enimies his pase hastened his breath shortened his colour changed his face chafed and inflamed vvith his hastie going And yet in al this euil intreating of his person behold the modest behauiour of his countenance the comelie grauitie of his eys and that diuine resemblance vvhich in the middest of al the discourtesies in the vvoorld could neuer be obscured Forthvvith accompanie thy Sauiour to the hovvse of Annas and behold there hovv vvhilest he avvnsvvered verie courteouslie to the demaund Ioan. 18.19 that the high priest made vnto him concerning his disciples and doctrine one of those vvicked caitifes that stoode there by gaue him a greate blovve vppon the face saying Ioan. 18.22 Ansvverest thou the high priest so Vnto vvhome our Sauiour avvnsvvered verie gentellie If I haue spoken yl Ioan. 18.23 giue testimonie of euil but yf vvel vvhy strikest thou me Consider then heere o my soule not onlie the mildnes of this avvnsvvere but also that diuine face so marked and colovvred vvith the force of the blovve and that constant looke of his eys so cleare and faire vvhich vvere nothing distempered vvith this so shameful assault and finallie that most holie sovvle vvhich vvas invvardlie so humble readie to haue turned the other cheeke yf the naughtie vvretched caitife had required the same VVensdaie morning Of the presentation of our Sauiour before the high priest Cayphas of the iniuries he receaued that night of Saint Peters denial and of his vvhipping at the pillar THIS daie thou hast to meditate vppon the presentation of our Sauiour before the high priest Cayphas vppon the iniuries he receaued that night vppon Saint Peters denial of his maister and vppon his vvhipping and scourging at the pillar First consider hovv from the first hovvse of Annas they leade our Sauiour to the house of Cayphas the high priest vvhither reason vvould that thou shouldest goe vvith him to keepe him companie there shalt thou see the sonne of iustice darkned vvith an eclipse 1 Petr. 1.12 and that Diuine face vvhich the Angels desire to behold al defiled vvith spittel most vnreuerentlie For vvhen our Sauiour being coniured in the name of the father to tel them vvhat he vvas avvnsvvered to this demaund as it vvas meete he should those vvicked men so vnvvoorthie to heare such an excellent and high avvnsvvere and blinded vvith the brightnes of so great a light assaulted him like madde dogges and disgorged vppon him al theire malice furie There eache one to the vttermost of his povver giueth him buffers strokes There they bespit that diuine face vvith theire diuilish mouths There they blindfold his eys and strike him in the face and iest at him saying Prophecie vnto vs ô Christ Matt. 26.68 vvhoe is he that strooke thee O meruailous humilitie patience of the sonne of God! O bevvtie of the Angels vvas this a face to spit vppon men vse vvhen they must spit to turne theire face to the fovvlest corner of the hovvse and vvas there not to be found in al that pallace a fovvler place to spit in then thy face o svveete Iesus O earth and ashes vvhie dost thou not humble thy self at this so vvonderful example After this consider vvhat trovvbles and paines our Sauiour suffred in al that dolefull night for that the souldiars vvhoe had him in custodie mocked laughed him to scorne as S. Luke saith vsed as a meane Luc. 22.65 to passe avvay the sleepines of the night to scoffe iest at the Lord of maiestie Consider novv o my sovvle hovv thy most svveete spouse is set heere as a marke to al the arrovvs of the strokes and bâ—ffets they coulde giue him there O cruel night O vnquiet night in vvhich thou o my good Iesus tookest no repose at al neither did those rest vvhoe accompted it a pastime to vex and torment thee The night vvas ordained for this end that therein al creatures should take their rest and that the senses membres vveried vvith toyles labours of the day might be refresshed and these vvicked men vse it as a fit time to torment al thy membres and senses stryking thy bodie afflicting thy sovvle bynding thy hands buffetting thy cheekes spitting in thy face and lugging thee by the eares that thereby at such time as all the membres ar vvoont to take their rest they al in thee might be trovvbled and payned O hovv far doe these mattins differ froÌ„ those vvhich at the same time the quiars of Angels soung to thee in heauen There thy sing holy holy but heere these caitifes cry Put him to death put him to death Crucifie him crucifie him O ye Angels of paradise that heard both these voices vvhat thought ye vvhen ye savv him so spitefullie contemned in earth vvhome you vvith so great reuerence doe honour in heauen vvhat thought ye vvhen you savv God himself to suffer such despites euen for those that did such villanies vnto him vvhoe hath euer heard of such a kind of charitie that one vvould suffer death to deliuer froÌ„ death the verie same persons that procured practised his death But aboue al the paines and turmoiles of this trovvblesom night vvere increased far more
iustice amongst theeues vppon a crosse But novv seeing thou hast resolued to surpasse and ouercom al motherlie affection and that thou vvilt honour this misterie of the crosse vvherefore doest thou approche so neere vnto the same that thou must carie avvay in thie mantle a perpetual memorie and remembrance of this thy sorovv Thou canst not aford thy sonne anie comfort or remedie but vvel thou maist vvith thy presence increase and augment his torment In deede this onlie vvanted to the increase of his sorovvs that in the time of his agonie in the last instant and conflict of his death euen vvhen the last sighs raised vp his tormented brest he should then cast dovvne his eys altogeather dazeled and dimmed should behold thee standing at the foote of the crosse And because he being neere to the end of his life had his senses so vveakened and feebled and his eyes so obscured vvith the shadovv of death that he could not see a far of thou madest thy self so neere to th' end he might knovv thee and see those armes in vvhich he had ben receaued and caried into Egipt so faint and broken and those virginal brests vvith vvhose milk he had ben nourisshed become euen a sea of sorrovv Behold o ye Angels these tvvo figures yf peraduenture you maie knovv them Behold o ye heauens this crueltie and couer your self vvith mourning for the death of your Lord let the cleere ayre become obscure and dark that the vvoorld see not the naked bodie of your Creator Cast vvith your darknes a mantel vppon his bodie that profane eys behold not the ark of the testament vncouered O ye heauens vvhich vvere created so bright and faire o thou earth clothed vvith such varietie and beavvtie yf you did hide your glorie in this so greate paine yf you that be insensible did after your manner feele the same vvhat then did the bovvels and virginal brest of the blessed mother O al you saith shee that passe by the vvaie consider and behold yf there be anie sorovv like vnto mie sorovv Trulie there is no sorovv like vnto thie sorovv because in al the creature of the vvoorld there is no loue like vnto thy loue After this thou maist consider those seuen vvoords vvhich our lord spoke vppon the Crosse Mar. 23.34 Mar. 23.43 Ioan. 19.27 Ioan. 19.28 Matt. 27.46 Ioan. 19.30 Mar. 23.46 of vvhich the first vvas Father pardon them for they knovv not vvhat they dooe The second vvas to the good theefe This daie shalt thou be vvith me in paradise The third vvas to his most blessed mother VVoman behold thy sonne The fourth vvas I am a thirst The fift vvas My God my God vvhy hast thou forsaken me The sixt vvas It is finished The seuenth vvas Father into thy hands I commit my spirite Consider novv o my sovvle vvith hovv great charitie he coÌ„mended in these vvoords his enimies vnto his father vvith hovv greate mercie he receaued the thife vvhich confessed him vvith vvhat bovvels he commended his pitiful mother to the beloued disciple vvith hovv greate thirst and drith he shevved hovv much he desired the saluation of men vvith hovv lamentable a voice he povvred out his praier and vttered his tribulatioÌ„ before the face of almightie God hovv he performed so perfectlie euen to the verie end the obedience of his father and hovv finallie he commended vnto him his spirite and resigned him self vvholie into his most blessed hands Heere hence it appeareth hou in eche one of these vvoords remaineth inclosed som singular document and instruction of vertue In the first is coÌ„mended vnto vs Charitie tovvards our enimies In the second pitie and mercie tovvards sinners In the third dutie and reuerence tovvards our parents In the fouerth zeale and desire of our neighbours saluation In the fift praier in time of tribulations and vvhen vve seeme to be forsaken of God In the sixt the vertue of Obedience and Perseuerance And in the seuenth a perfect resignation into the hands of God vvhich is the summe and principal of al our perfection Satturdaie morning Of the pearcing our Sauiours side of his taking dovvne from the crosse of the pitiful bevvailing of our ladie and of Christes burial THIS daie thou hast to meditate vppon the pearcing of our Sauiours side vvith a speaâ—e of his taking doune from the crosse together vvith the lamentation of our lady and the office of the burial Consider then hovv after that our Sauiour had giuen vp the ghost vppon the crosse and those cruel ministers had accomplisshed their desire vvhich longed so much to see him dead yet vvith al this the flame of theire furie vvas not quenched because that notvvithstanding such things as had past they resolued to reuenge and flesh them selues more vppon those holie reliques vvhich remained parting and casting lottes vppon his garments and pearcing his sacred brest vvith a cruel speare O ye cruel ministres O ye harts of iron Seemed that so litel to you vvhich his bodie suffred being aliue that ye vvould not pardon it euen after it vvas dead vvhat rage of enmitie is there so great but that it is appeased vvhen it seeth his enimie dead before him Lift vp a litle those cruel eys of yours behold that deadlie face those dimme eys that falling countenance that palenes and shadovv of death for although you be more hard then either iron or adamant stone yea though ye be more hard then your ovvne selues yet in beholding him you vvil be pacified After this commeth the minister vvith a speare in his hand and vvith great force thrusteth the same through the verie naked brest of our Sauiour The crosse shooke in the aire vvith the force of the stroke and from thence issued vvater and bloud vvherevvith ar healed the sinnes of the vvorld O riuer that runnest out of paradise and vvaterest vvith thy streames all the vvhole face of the earth O vvound of this pretious side made rather vvith feruent loue tovvards mankind then vvith the sharp iron of the cruel speare O gate of heauen vvindovve of paradise place of refuge tovver of strength sanctuarie of iust persons sepulchre of pilgrims nest of cleane doues florishing bed of the spovvse of Salomon Al haile o vvound of this pretious syde that vvoundest al deuout harts stroke that strikest the sovvles of the iust rose of vnspeakable bevvtie rubie of inestimable price entrance into the hart of Christ testimonie of his loue and pledge of euerlasting life Next to this consider hovv the very same daie in the euening there came those tvvo holie men Ioseph and Nicodemus vvhoe reared vp their ladders vnto the crosse and tooke dovvne the blessed bodie of our Sauiour into their armes The holie virgin then perceauing that the torment of the crosse vvas novv ended and that the holie bodie of our Sauiour vvas comming tovvards the earth she prepareth her self to giue him a secure hauen in her brest and to receaue him from the armes of
the Crosse into her ovvne armes And so she requesteth vvith great humilitie of those noble men that for so much as shee had takē no leaue of her sonne nor receaued the last embracings of him vppon the crosse at the time of his departure they vvould novv suffer her to approche neere vnto him and not increase her discomfort on euerie side yf as the enimies had before taken her sonne from her being yet aliue so her frinds vvould take him from her being novv dead Novv vvhen the blessed virgin had him in her armes vvhat tounge is able to expresse that vvhich she then felt O ye Angels of peace vveepe vvith this holie virgin vveepe ye heauens vveepe ye starres of heauen and al creatures of the vvorld accompanie the lamentation of the blessed virgin Marie The blessed mother embraceth the torne bodie shee clippeth it fast to her brest her strength seruing her to his thing onlie she putteth her face betvveene the thornes of the sacred head she ioineth countenance vvith countenance the face of the most holie mother is imbrued vvith the bloud of the sonne and the face of the sonne is bathed vvith the teares of the mother O svveete mother is this peraduēture thy most svveete sonne Is this he vvhome thou conceauedst vvith so greate glorie broughtest foorth vvith so great ioy vvhat is novv becom of thy former ioyes vvhither is thy vvonted gladnes gone vvhere is that mirrour of bevvtie in vvhich thou diddest behold thy self Al those that vvere present vvept vvith her Those holie matrones vvept Those noble gentlemen vvept Heauen and earth vvept and al creatures accompanied the teares of the virgin The holie Euangelist also vvept and embracing the bodie of his maister said O my good lord maister vvhoe shal be my teacher from this time forvvards To vvhome shal I resort vvith my doutes vpon vvhose brest shal I rest mie self vvhoe shal impart to me the secreats of heauen vvhat straunge change and alteration is this The lasteuening thou sufferedst me to rest vppon thy holy brest giuing me ioye of life and novv dooe I recompence that so greate benifit vvith holding thee dead on my brest Is this the face vvhich I savve transsigured vppon the mount Thabor Is this that figure vvhich vvas more cleere then the sonne at middaie Likevvise that holie sinner Marie Magdalen vvept and embracing the feete of our Sauiour said O light of myne eyes and remedie of my sovvle yf I shal see my self vvearied vvith sinnes vvhoe shal receaue me vvhoe shal cure my vvounds vvhoe shal ansvvere for me vvhoe shal defend me against the Pharisees O hovv far othervvise held I these feete and vvass hed them vvhen thou receauedst me O my svveete hart-roote vvhoe could bring to passe that I might novv die vvith thee O life of my sovvle hovv can I saie that I loue thee seeing that I remaine aliue vvhen I haue thee dead before mine eys In like manner did al that holie companie vveepe and lament vvatering vvashing that holie bodie vvith teares But novv vvhen the hovver of his burial vvas com they vvynd his holie bodie in a cleane linnen sheete they bynde his face vvith a napkin laying the bodie vppon a beere they goe to the place of the monument and there they laie in that pretious treasure The sepulchre vvas couered vvith a stone and the hart of the blessed mother vvith a clovvde of heauines and sorovve There once againe she taketh leaue of her sonne There she beginneth a freshe to feele her heauie solitarines There she seeth her self novv dispossessed of al her good Finallie there her hart remaineth buried vvhere her treasure vvas left Sonnedaie morning Of the descending of our Sauiour into Limbus of his appearing to our ladie to S. Marie Magdalen to the disciples and of his Ascension THIS daie thou maist meditate vppon the descending of our Sauiour to Limbus of his appearing to our blessed ladie to S. Marie Magdalen to the disciples and of his glorious Ascension First of al consider hovv exceeding greate the ioy comfort vvas vvhich those holie fathers in Limboreceaued through the visitation and presence of theire Redeemer and vvhat thankes and praises they gaue him for this saluation so exceeding lie desired and hoped for Those that returne from the east India into Spaine saie of them selues that they esteerne al the paines and trauailes of their voiage past by sea verie vvelimploied vvhen they cōfider the extreme ioy vvhich they receaue at the daie of theire returne to their countrie Novv yf this sayling absence from theire countrie of one or tvvoe yeares be of force to cause so great ioye vvhat contentement and pleasure vvould the absence of three or fouer thovvsand yeares vvoorke in those that vvere to receaue so great saluation and to take hauen in the land of such as liue for euer Consider likevvise the ioy vvhich the blessed virgin this daie receaued in the sight of her sonne vvhich vvas risen for certaine it is that as shee vvas the onlie person vvhich most felt the paines of his passion and death so she vvas the onlie that most vvas partaker of the ioy of his Resurrection Novv vvhat invvard comfort had she vvhen before her she beheld her sonne aliue and glorious accompanied vvith all those holie fathers vvhich vvere risen vvith him vvhat did she vvhat said she of vvhat maner vvere her embracings her kisses the teares of her pitiful eys and her desires to be alvvais vvith him yf it might be graunred her Consider the ioy of those holie Maries especiallie of her vvhich perseuered vveeping before the sepulchre vvhen she savve the beloued of her sovvle and cast her self dovvne at his feete and fovvnd him risen and liuing vvhome she sought and desired to see although he had ben dead And consider vvel that next to his blessed mother he appeared first to this vvoman vvho most loued him most perseuered most vvept and most carefullie sought him thereby to make thee knovv for certaine that thou shalt also find God if thou seeke him vvith the self same teares and diligence Consider after vvhat sort he appeared to the disciples vvhich vvent tovvards Emaus in forme of a pilgrime behold hovv gracious and courtious he shevveth him self vnto them in his vvoords hovv familiarlie he keepeth them companie hovv svveetlie he disguiseth him selt that they knovv him not and finallie hovv louing lie hediscouered him self vnto them and left them vvith passing invvard comfort and contentement Let thy speech and talk be also such as vvas this of these men and coufer vvith invvard sorovv and feeling that vvhich they conferred vvhich vvas of the torments and paines that Christ had suffered and persvvade thy self assuredlie that thou shalt not vvant his presence and companie yf thou procure to haue alvvaies this in thy remembrance and memorie Touching the misterie of the Ascension consider first hovv our Sauiour differred prolonged his mounting vp into heauen for the space
sovvle a holie feare of God by considering those things that induce vs thereunto CHAP. III. YF that publican of the ghosple Luc. 18.13 vvas not so bold as to lift vp his eys to heauen but standing a far of did strike his brest and said God be merciful to me a sinner and yf that holy vvoman a sinner Luc. 7.37 vvas not so hardy as to present her self before the face of our lord but going behind him did cast her self dovvne at his feete and vvith the teares of her eys obteined pardon of her sinnes and yf the holie Patriarch Abraham Genes 18.27 desyring to speake vnto thee said I vvil speake vnto my lord albeit I be dust and ashes yf these I saie vvere so lovvlie humble vvhen they presented them selues before thy maiestie being yet such persons as they vvere vvhat shall one so poore miserable a sinner as I am doe vvhat shall durt and as hes dooe vvhat shall the bottomles deepnes of all sinnes and miseries dooe But because I am not able o lord to obteine that feare and reuerence vvhich is due vnto thy maiestie vvithout casting mine eyes vppon the same giue me leaue that I may be so bould as to lift vp mie bleare eyes in such sort that the brightnesse of thy glorie doe not dasel the vveakenes of my sight And for so much as the beginning of true vvisdome is the feare of thy holy name vvith this o lord haue I a desire to beginne novv Giue me then grace o my lord my God and vouchsafe to povvre into my soule the gift of feare by the meanes of thy holy spirite for vvithout it al the considerations that I am able to alleage heere vvil little auaile me because to this feare thou didst exhort vs Luc. 12.4 vvhen thou didst saie Be not afraid of them that kill the body and after this haue no more to doe But I vvil shevv you vvhome ye shall feare feare him vvhoe after he hath killed hath povver to cast into hel yea I say to you feare him This self same the holie Church teacheth vs In festo S. Michaelis vvhen she saith Be not asraid in the presence of nations But adore and feare ye God in your harts because his Angel is vvith you to deliuer you Let my sovvle then o lord and my hart feare thee seeing in thee vvhoe art al things there is no les reason vvherefore to feare thee then to loue thee For as thou art in deede infinitelie merciful so art thou infinite lie iust as the vvoorks of thy mercie be innumerable so be also the vvoorks of thy iustice and that vvhich is much more to be feared the vessels of vvrath be vvithout comparison moe then the vessels of mercie for somuch as those that be damned ar so manie those that be saued so fevve Let me then o lord feare thee for the greatnes of thy iustice for the deepenes of thy iudgments and for the highnes of thy maiestie for the immensitie of thy greatnes for the number of my sinnes and offences and aboue al for the continual resistance against thy holy inspirations Let me feare thee and tremble before thee before vvhose face the povvers doe tremble the pillers of heauen yea and al the vvhole compasse of the earth dooe quake VVhoe then O king of nations vvil not feare thee vvhoe vvil not tremble at those vvoords vvhich thou thy self hast spoken by thy Prophet VVil you not then seare me Ierem. 5.22 and before mie face vvil you not be sorovvsul vvhoe haue set the sands a bound to the sea and an eternal commaundement vvhich he shal not passe and they shal be moued and shal not be able and his vvaues shall svvelle and shall not passe ouer it Yf then al the creatures of heauen earth doe in this manner obey and feare thee for the greatnes of thie maiestie vvhat shall I doe most vile sinner dust and ashes yf the Angels tremble vvhen they adore thee and sing thie praises vvherefore doe not mie lippes and mie hart tremble vvhen I am so bold as to doe this office O miserable vvretch that I am hovv is mie sovvle becom so hard hovv ar the fountaines of mine eys dried vp that they povvre not out abūdance of teares vvhen the seruant speaketh vvith his lord the creature vvith his Creator man vvith God he that vvas made of slime and cley vvith him that made al of nothing more I vvould saie but I am not able because I can not doe al that I desire Thou Psal 118.120 o lord fasten vvith thie feare mie flesh let mie hart reioice that it may feare thy holy name Let me also feare thee o lord for the greatnes of thie iudgments vvhich thou hast shevved from the beginning of the vvoorld vntil this daie A greate iudgment vvas the fall of that Angel Isai 14.2 Petr. 2. Gen. 3. so principall and so beautifull A greate iudgment vvas the fall of all mankind for the fault committed by one Gen. 7. A greate iudgment vvas the punishment of the vvhole vvoorld by the vvaters of the diluge A greate iudgment vvas the election of Iacob the reprobation of Esau the forsaking of Iudas and the vocation of S. Paul the reprobation of the Ievves and the election of the Gentiles vvith other such like vvounders vvhich dailie passe ouer mens heads and yet ar vnknovven to vs. And aboue al this a most dreadfull iudgement it is to see so manie nations vppon the face of the earth to be in the countrey shadovv of death and in the darknes of infidelitie going from one darknes to an other and from temporal paines to eternal torments Let me then feare thee o lord for the greatnes of these iudgments seeing I knovv not as yet vvhither I shal be one of these forsaken 1 Petr. 4.18 or noe For yf the iust shall scarse be saued the sinner and vvicked vvhere shall he appeare yf that innocent man Iob trembled at the furie of thie vvrath as at the violence of the sourging vvaues hovv shal not he be afraid tremble that seeth him self so far of from this innocencie yf the Prophet Ieremie trembled being sanctified in the vvombe and found no corner vvere to hide him self because he vvas full of the feare of thie anger vvhat shall he dooe that came from his mothers vvombe vvith sinne and hath since that time committed so manie and so gteat sinnes Let me feare thee also o lord for the innumerable multitude of mie sinnes vvith vvhich I must appeare before thy iudgment vvhen before thie face there shall com that burning fiar and round about thee a boisterous tempest vvhen thou shalt assemble heauen and earth together to iudge thy people There then before so manie thovvsands of nations shal be discouered my vvickednes before so manie quiars of Angels shal be diuulged my sinnes not onlie those committed by vvoords and vvoorks but those
shevvest vvherfore dost thou vvithdravve thy self from me O most louing lord hold me vvith thy feare constraine me vvith thy loue and quiet me vvith thy svveetenes I confesse o Lord that I am that prodigall sonne Luc. 15. vvhoe liuing ouer rankly and louing mie self and thy creatures disorderedlie haue vvasted all the substance vvhich thou diddest giue me But novv that I doe knovv mie miserie and pouertie and doe returne pined vvith hunger to the fatherlie bovvels of thy mercie and doe approche to this celestial table of thy most pretious body vouchsafe to looke vppon one vvith eyes of pittie and to com forth to receaue me vvith the secrete beames of thy grace and to make me partaker of the maruailous fruites and effects of this most vvorthie Sacrament for somuch as by it is giuen the grace of the holie Ghost by it ar forgiuen sinnes by it ar pardoned the debts devv vnto sinnes by it deuotion is increased by it is tasted spiritual svveetenes euen in the verie spring of the same by it arrenued all good purposes and desires and by it finallie the sovvle is ioined vvith her heauenlie spouse and receaueth him into her self that by him she maie be ruled defended and guided in the vvaie of this life vntil he bring her to the desired harbour of his glorie Receaue then o pitiful father this thy prodigal sonne vvhoe trusting in thy mercie returneth to thy house I acknovvledge o my father that I haue sinned against thee that I am not vvorthie to be called thy sonne no nether a hired seruant yet for al this haue mercie vppon me and forgiue me my sinnes I beseeche thee o Lord commaund that the garment of Charitie the ring of liuelie faith and the shooes of ioiful Hope be giuen me vvith vvhich I maie goe securelie through the rough and cragged vvaie of this life Let the multitude of vaine thoughts and desires depart out of me for one is mie beloued one mie desired one mie God and Lord. Let nothing heereafter be svveete to me nor delite me but onlie he Let him be al mine and I alhis in such sort that mie hart doe becom one thing vvith him Let me not knovv anie other thing nor loue anie other thing nor desire anie other thing but onlie mie svveete Sauiour IESVS Christ and him crucified VVhoe vvith the father and the holie Ghost liueth and raigneth vvorld vvithout end Amen HEERE FOLOVVETH A PROFESSION OF THE CATHOLIQVE FAITH SET out according to the decree of the holie Councell of Trent I N doe vvith a stedfast faith beleeue and professe al and euerie point conteined in the Simbole of the Faith that the holie Romane Church doth vse to vvit I beleeue in God the Father almightie maker of heauen and earth of al things visible and inuisible and in one Lord IESVS Christ the Onlie begotten Sonne of God and borne of the father before al vvorlds God of God light of light true God of true God begoten not made of the same substance vvith the father by vvhome al things vvere made vvhoe for vs men and for oure saluation came dovvne from heauen and vvas incarnate by the holie Ghost of the Virgin Marie and vvas made man vvas crucified also for vs vnder Pontius Pilate suffered and vvas buried and rose againe the third daie according to the Scriptures ascended vp into heauen sitteth at the right hand of the father and he shal come againe vvith glorie to iudge the liue and the dead of vvhose kingdom there shal be no end and in the holie Ghost our lord and giuer of life vvhoe proceedeth from the father and the sonne vvhoe vvith the father and the sonne is together adored and conglorified vvhoe spake by the Prophets and one holie Catholique and Apostolique Church I confesse one Baptisme for the remission of sinnes and I expect the Resurrection of the dead and the life of the vvorld to come Amen I doe most stedfastlie admit and embrace the Traditions of the Apostles and of the Church and all other obseruances and Constitutions of the same Church I doe likevvise admit the holie Scripture according to that sense vvhich our holie mother the Catholique Church hath holden and doth holde vnto vvhome it doth appetteine to iudge of the true sense and interpretation of the holie Scriptures nether vvil I euer vnderstand nor interprete the same othervvise then according to the vniforme consent of the fathers I doe also professe that there be trulie and properlie Seuen Sacraments of the nevv lavve instituted by IESVS Christ our Lord and necessarie for the saluation of mankind although they be not all necessarie for all men to vvit Baptisme Confirmation Eucharist Penance Extreme Vnction Order and Matrimonie and that these Sacraments doe giue grace and that of them Baptisme Confirmation and Order can not be reiterated vvithout sacrilege I doe also receaue and admit all the receaued and approued Cermeonies of the Catholique Church in the solemne administration of al the a foresaid Sacraments I doe embrace and receaue al and euerie of those things vvhich in the holie Councel of Trent haue ben defined and declared touching Original Sinne and Iustification I doe professe also that in the Masse is offered vp vnto God a true proper and propitiatorie sacrifice for the liâ—e and the dead and that in the most holie Sacrament of the Altare there is trulie reallie and substantiallie the bodie and bloud together vvith the sovvle and diuinitie of our lord IESVS Christ and that there is made a Conuersion of the vvhole substance of bread into the bodie and of the vvhole substance of vvine into the bloud vvhich Conuersion the Catholique Church doth cal Transubstantiation I doe also confesse that vnder ether kind onlie is receaued Christ vvhole and intire and the true Sacrament I doe constantlie hold that there is Purgatorie and that the sovvles vvhich be there deteined ar holpen by the praiers of the faithful Also that the Saincts vvhoe reigne together vvith Christ ar to be vvorshipped and called vppon and that they offer vp praiers to God for vs and that theire Reliques ar to be vvorshipped I doe most stedfastlie affirme that the Images of Christ of the mother of God alvvaies Virgin and of other Saincts ar to be had and reteined and that due honour and reuerence is to be giuen to them I doe affirme that the authoritie of Indulgences vvas left by Christ in the Church and that the vse of them is verie behofeful for Christian people I doe acknovvledge the holie Catholique and Apostolique Romane Church to be the mother and mistresse of al Churches and doe promise and svveare true Obedience to the Bisshop of Rome vvhoe is the Succesfor of S. Peter Prince of the Apostles and the Vicar of IESVS Christ All other things also defined and declared by the holie Canons Oecumenical Councels and chiefelie by the holie Councel of Trent I doe vndoubtedlie receaue and professe and also al contrarie things and