auoide the misery of an eternall death and deserue the vnspeakable happines of the life euerlasting For this cause saith Saint Iames Thinke you it all ioy my brethren when you shall fal into diuers teÌ„ptatioÌ„s knowing that the triall of your faith worketh patience and patience hath a perfect worke that you may bee perfect intire failing in nothing Of the watchfulnesse and attention required in the care of our soule The third Consideration SEing this weighty affaire of our soules health is hemmed in and besette with so many and manifest perilles and troubles it standeth vs vpoÌ„ most watchâ—ully to take heâ—d to euery thought word and dâ—ede thaâ— passeth lest through the number subtility of our enemies traines we be often intrapped for it is hard to touch pitch not to be defiled to liue in flesh a spirituall life to conuerse in the worlde without worldlâ—e affâ—ctions Wherefore as a Legate that is to deliuer his embassage befor a great presence of Peers and Nobles hath not only regarde to his matter but also to his words voyce actions that all be sutable to the weight of his message So we hauing to worke this exploite of our soule befor the eyes of those that lay waite to take vs in any trippe ought to bee very warye euen in our least thoughts deedes for feare that we offend the presence of God and giue occasion of triumphe and vicâ—ory to our deadly foes And for this saieth the scripture keepe thy selfe very watchfully Secondly to attaine this diligent and attentiue care to all our actions let vs consider what men vse to doe that carry great treasure by places haunted by theeues how warily they see to their way how often they looke about them how many times they prepare theÌ„selues some times to fight and otherwhiles to runne away Likwise how warily he walketh and how carefull he is neuer to stumble nor fall that carieth in each hande a thinne glasse of liquor verie pretious through stony and rough places And when wee haue marked these meÌ„s carefulnes in these inferiour matters let vs remeÌ„ber that much more respect is necessary in vs whose treasure is more pretious then any worldlie iewelles yet doe we carry it in earthen and fraile vessels in the middest of so many theeues as there are passions and disordered appetites in vs as there are Diuels in waire for vs and as there are stumbling stones occasions of sinne sette round about vs. To procure this attention the most effectuall helpes are these First to thinke how carefull we should be to doe all thinges wel if this preseÌ„t day were the last that euer we should liue in this worlde as peraduenture it may be and that at the end thereof we were to bee conuented before a most seuere and â—igourous iudge who according to the deserts of that daies actions should passe the sentence of life or death vpoÌ„ vs. Secondly to remeÌ„ber that God is in his owne substance power and true presence in euery place and seeth both our outward and inward actions more then we our selues and therfore let vs seeke in euery thing so to behaue our selues that we feare not to haue God a witnesse and behoulder of all that wee doe thinke or say and let vs aske him grace to doe nothing vnworthy his sight Thirdly we must consider the carlesnes of our life past remembring how often we haue fought against God with his owne weapons and abused the force that he hath afforded in euery part of our body and mind therefore as S. Paul Warneth as we haue exhibited our meÌ„bers to serue vncleanes and iniquity to iniquitie So now let vs exhibite our members to serue iustice vnto sanctification Fourthly to procure this attention it is good oftentimes in the day when we are about our ordinarie actions to vse some shorte praiers or some one verse of a Psalme or any other shorte petition of Gods grace aide and assistance for these short prayers are fewell of deuotion causes of attention foode of the soule preparations against temptations and assured helpes to attaine anie vertues therefore it is good to vse them in lieu of sighes in the beginning of euerie chiefe action directing therin our intention and action to Gods glory and seruice and our good Of the necessity of perseueraÌ„ce in continuing watchfull ouer our selues The last consideration FIrst seeing the suÌ„me and complemeÌ„t of al verâ—ue consisteth in the coÌ„tinuance and progresse in it perseuerance of all other things is most necessary in this busines to the better aâ—taining wherof these considerations may preuaile First to consider by whose instinct and motion I beganne to take speciall care of my soule and I shall find that being a thing contrary to the inclination of flesh bloud and aboue the reach of nature to resolue vpon so painfull and wary a course in hope of a reward and ioy that faith doth promise that I say God onely and no other was the author and mouer of my heart vnto it and therfore vnlesse I meane directly to resist God and run a contrary course to that which he prescribeth I must resolue my selfe to perseuer to the end in that which I haue happely begunne Secondly the ende of this enterprise was to serue God to bewaile my former sinns and to worke by Gods helpe the salâ—aâ—ion of mine owne soule and when I resolued vpon these meanes I was in a state free from passion and as wâ—ll able to choose thingeâ— conuenient aâ— I could be any other time wholy bent to do that thing which was for my greatest good Wherfore seing I can neuer ayme at a better end nor be in better plighte to make a sounder châ—â—â—e my surest way is to perseuer stilâ— in my resolution to the end neuer altering my designemeÌ„t vnlesse it be â—o a better and further my course Thirdly I must coÌ„sideâ— who he is that that would make me forsake it For if God moued me vnâ—o it doubtles it is the Dâ—uâ—ll would remoue me from it for God cannot be câ—ntrary to him selfe neither vseth he to alter our mindes but only from euil to good or froÌ„ good to better therefore vnles I meane to yeeld wittingly vnto the Diuel and to follow mine enemies counsaile vnto mine owne perdition I must perseuer vnto the end For with what pretext soeuer the Diuel seeketh to couer his motion sure it is that his drifte is to drawe me from God and goodnesse and to damne my soule for how can he intend any thing to my good that beareth me such a cancred malice that hee careth not to encrease his owne paine so that he may worke me any spiritual yea or corporal harme Fourthly I must print that saying of Christ in my mind He that perseuereth vnto the end shal be saued For not he that beginneth nor he that continueth for a moneth or a yeare or a shorte time but onely he that perseuereth to the very end of
A SHORT RVLE OF GOOD LIFE To direct the deuout Christian in a regular and orderly course Newly set forth according to the Authors direction before his death Set me downe O Lord a law in thy way Ps. 118. I said O Lord that it is my portion and al my riches to keepe thy law Ibid. At S. Omers by IOHN HEIGHAM An. 1622. THE PREFACE TO the Reader WHen that great seruaÌ„t of God S. Benet had in most seruent and deuout prayers â—eelded vp his soule vnto God two of his religious followers as reporteth S. Gregorie being ignorant altogether of his death although in places far distant had the like vision They saw out of their godly Fathers celâ—e directly towards the East a most beautifull way adorned with gorgeous Tapestry and shining with a multitude of innumerable lampes to proceed euen vnto heauen At the toppe wherof there standing a notable person in a venerable habite and demaunding of them whose way it was which they behelde they answered they knew not But he incontinently said vnto them these wâ—rdes Haec est via qua dilectuâ— Domino coelum Benedictus ascendit This is the way by the which Gods wel-beloued seruaunt Benedict went vp to heauen meaning thereby as S. Bernard noteth the holie Rule of a religious life instituted and practised by the same Saint by which not hee alone was passed as by a most readie and pleasant way to heauen but whosoeuer of his followers would trauell by the same should with like securitie arriue to the end of a most happie iourney The Author of this little Booke gentle Reader I nothing doubt but is verie well knowne vnto thee as also for his learning pietie zeale charitie fortitude other rare and singular qualities but â—speciallie for his pretious death he is renowned in the world abroad neither needeth there any extraordinarie vision but the sound and certaine Doctrine of the Catholike Church is sufficient to perswade that he is a most glorious Saint in heauen hee being such an one as hath confessed a good confession before many wâ—tnesses and made as Saint Iohn saith his garments white with the blood of the immaculaâ—e Lambe But because thou shouldest not be ignorant of the way by which this valiant Champion of Christ arriued vnto so happie a Countrey he himselfe hath left behinde him for thy benefite and euen amongst the least of his fruitfull labours for the good of soules had designed to publish vnto the world the description of this most gainefull voyage to heauen be-decked with the most preâ—ious ornaments of all Christian vertues and with the most pleasant and comfortable brightnesse of notable rules of spirituall life euery one of which may be as it were a Lanterne vnto thy feete and a continuall Light vnto thy steppes This therefore doe I nowe deuout Reader present vnto thy sight affirming vnto thee that which thou thy selfe wilt not denie as being both true and manifest that Haec est via qua dilectus Domino N. caelum intrauit This is the way by which the wel-beloued seruant of God N. went vp into heauen For in what estate soeuer he liued in this worlde hee ranne the way of Christian perfection in an ordinarie course of a secular life 〈◊〉 from his very infancie he was a spectacle to all that knewe him in the state of Religion the which he imbraced from his childehood he was a rare example of religious perfection and discipline and finally in his manie seueral and most cruell conflicts with the enemies of Christ he sheweth how stronge and vnconquered the loue of God is whose burning heate neuer so manie waters or gustes of moste mayne floudes may either quench or smother and whose power the most power-able thing of all which is Death can not ouercome Thou therefore my deare brother heholding according to the exâ—ortation of this victorious triumpher see thou imitate his faith Fashion thy life and manners according to these deuoute rules which are a most perfect mirour of his godlie life in so doing thou mayest hapilie attaine thy self to the like crowne of glorie For though Martirdome be a most speciall gifte of God and he freelie bestoweth it where hee liketh neyther is it an ordinarie rewarde due vnto neuer so great merites of neuer so holie personages and it is to his excellent power a moste easie thinge subitò honestare pauperem euen from the middest of a sinnefull life to exalt vnto Martirdome yet is there a certaine disposition in those which are chosen to so high a dignitie ordinarilie required of God which is first to haue killed their passions before they be killed by persecutors first to haue beene exercised in a spirituall conflict of mortification before they be tried in the fornace of Christian confession first to haue become the towne butchers before they be deliuered to the hangmans shambles Otherwise as our Sauiour saieth Qui amat animam suam perdet eam Who so loueth his life or soule disordinately shall loose it and neuer be able to stand in that combatte wherein not flesh and bloud not pride ambition and vaine glory not malice and rancour but a mortified â—inde and a resigned heart into Gods handes obtaineth the victory Which disposition and ready preparation for this so happy a crowne was most perfectly found in this our Authour whereupon iusued that he might truely â—ay with holy I. B. Elegit suspendium anima mea mortem ossa mea Desperaui nequaquam vltra iam viuam My soule bath made choice of hanging and my bones of death I am become desperate I will now liue no longer because long before he had hanged vp his soule by perfect estranging of it from earthly affections and keeping it fixed and ioyned to God thence did it pooceed that his earthly boâ—es abhorred not that death which was to be suffered for Christ. And because he had wiâ—hdrawne his hopes from the base desires of this life therefore did â—e contemne this life for the loue of this heauenlie life and he thought he had liued long enough when he might die to liue for euer Enioy therefore these rules deuout Reader and ioyfullie treade the pathes of this most pleasant way to heauen and if by the compendious commoditie thereof thou shalt see thy iorney toward thy euerlasting countrie to be forwarded giue glorie vnto God and vnto this his faithfull seruaunt and assiste with thy deuoute prayers those which haue beene meanes to prepare it for thee Yet doe I aduise thee of two especiall thinâ—es first that whereas in these Rules thoushalt sometimes reade that thou must doe this or that thou must not vnderstand that worde must as though thou wert bound to the performance of any thinge there expressed but onely that those actions doe belong vnto the exercise of perfection without anie further bond then either the lawe of God or holie church do impose Secondlie that before thou begin to practise these Rules containing in them great
furious and violent or to redouble his suggestions as to perceaue the soule dismaide with his temptations or not expecting by the confidence in Gods helpe and mercy an assured victory To beare patieÌ„tly the multitude continuance of theÌ„ assuring my self that they wil haue an end ere long To think on the ioy I shall haue for â—ot consenting vnto them and the crowne of glory I shall enioy To remember how often I haue been as grieuously annoied with the like and yet by Gods helpe haue giueÌ„ the diuell the foile Not to striue with vncleane temptations but to turne my minde to thinke of other matters and to change the place or worke to find some waie to put me out of those phantasies To resist vices by practising and doing acts of the coÌ„trary vertues To arme my selfe before hande by getting those vertues which are opposite to such vices as I am most inclined vnto For in those doth the Diuell alway seeke his aduantage to ouerthrow me In grieuous affaults to open them to my ghostlie father going to confession therby to obtaine by meanes of the Sacrament more ability to resist In extreame troubles to vse some bodily chastisment to call for helpe of our Blessed Lady my good Angell the assistance and praiers of other Saintes especially to humble my selfe in the sight of God acknowledging mine owne weaknesse and wholy relying vpon his helpe and earnestly in woord and hart calling for his assistaunce and firmly trusting in his mercy yea and offering my selfe so as he forsake me not to suffer these and all other temptations whatsoeuer it shall please God to permitte euen so long aâ— he shal think good for of all other thinges this most ouercoÌ„meth the Diuel when hee seeth we turne his euill motions and troubles to so great meritte victory of ourselues A Praier in Temptation O Mercifull Iesu the onely refuge of desolâ—te and afflicted soules O Iesu that hast made me and redeemed me in whom all things are possible vnto me and without whom I am able to doe nothing thou seest who I am that herâ— prostrate my praiers poure out my hart vnto thee what I would haue and what is fit for me thou knowest my soule is buried in flesh and bloud and would be faine dissolued and come vnto thee I am vrged against my wil and violentlie drawen to thinke that which from my heart I deteste and to haue in mind the poison and bane of my soule O Lord thou knowest my mould and making for thy hands haue framed me and with fleash and skinne thou hast cloathed me and loe this flesh which thou hast giuen me draweth me to my ruine and fighteth against the spirit if thou helpest not I am ouercome if thou forsakest me I must needes faint why doest thou sette me contrarie vnto thee and makest mee grieuous and a burden vnto my selfe Dâ—ddest thou create me to cast me away Didst thou redeeme me to damne me for euer It had beene good for me neuer to haue beene borne if I were borne to perish O most mercifull father where are thy olde and wonted mercies Where is thy graâ—ions sweetnes and loue How long shall mine enemy reioice ouer me and humble my life vppon earth place me in darcknes like the deade of the world What am I O Lorde that thou settest me to fight all alone against so mighty subtile and cruell enemies that neuer cease to bid me a perpetuall battaile O Lorde why doest thou shewe thy might against a leafe that is tossed wiâ—h euery winde and persecutest a dry stuble wilt thou therfore damne the woâ—ke of thy handes wilt thou throw me â—roÌ„ thy face and â—ake â—hy holy spirit from me Aâ—asle O Lord whither shal I goe from thy face or whiâ—her shall I flie from thy spiâ—it whither shall I fly from thee incensed but to thee appeased whiâ—her from thee as iust but vnto thee as mercifull doe with me Lord that which is good in thine eies for thou wilt doe all thinges in righteous iudgemeÌ„t Onely remember that I am flesh bloud fraile of my selfe and impotent to resist shew thy selfe a Sauiour vnto me and either take away mine enemies or grant me grace that without wound or fault by thee with thee I may ouercome theÌ„ sweet Iesus Amen ConsideratioÌ„s to settle the mind in the course of vertue THE XI CHAPTER The first consideration how weighty a thing the busines of mans soule is WHosoeuer being desirous to take dew care of his soule coÌ„mencing a spirituall course first must coÌ„sider that he hath takeÌ„ such a busines in hand that for the importaÌ„ce necessity and profit therof it surmounteth all other traffickes trades and affaires of the worlde yea and to which only all other busines oughâ— to be addressed for therein our manage is about the saluation of our soule our chief iewell and treasure of which if in the short passage of our brittle and vncertaine life we take not that due care that we ought for a whole eternity after we shall euermore repent and be sory for it and yet neuer haue the like opportunity againe to help it Secondly the better to conceiue the moment and weight of this busines let vs consider what men vse to doe for their bodily health For we see they make so principall a reckning of it that they spare no cost nor toile nor leaue any thing vnattempted that may auaile them to attaine it They suffer them selues to be launced wounded pined burnt with red hoat irons besides diuers other extreame toâ—ments onely for this end How much greater miseries ought we to endure How much greater paine and diligence ought we to imploy for this health of our soule which is to suruiue when the body is dead rotten and deuoured with wormes and to suruiue in such sort that it must be perpetually tormented in hell with intollerable torments or enioy endles felicity in heauen And therfore of howe much greater worth and weight wee thinke the soule and the eternall saluation or damnation therof then the momentary health or sickenes of our body so much greater accouÌ„t and esteeme ought we to make of the busines of our soule then of any other worldly or bodily affaire whatsoeuer For what auaileth it a man saith Christ to gaine the whole worlde and make wracke of his owne soule If therefore we keepe diueâ—se men for diuers offices about our body and many thousands to liue by seruing and prouiding things for euery part therof If we spend so much time in feeding refreshing and reposing of the same If the greatest portion of our reuenewes be they neuer so large be consumed in the meates pompe sportes and pleasures thereof How much more ought we to seeke as many helpes seruices and purueiers for our soule for whoâ—e only sake our body was giuen and of whose good the welfare of the body only proceedeth Thirdly the necessity and poise of this care of our soule may be
gathered of this that all other matters are inâ—reaâ—ed with men or some other creatures but this busines of our soule is with God him selfe who by how much he â—s nobler and worthier than any of his creatures so much more is the weight of this matter that can not be dealt with any without him and so much more diligence ought there to be imployed therein especially in this time wherein God is still ready to farther our endeuours in this behalfe where as when time is expired condemne he may for our negligence or reward vs for our carefulnes but not helpe vs any more to alter the estate of our soule be it neuer so badde or miserable Fourthly we may gather how material and important this matter is by the life of Christ and his Saintes who withdrawing theÌ„ selues from all other worldly affaires thought it worke enough to attend to this businesse of their soule and whosoeuer are now solemnized and honoured in Gods Church they are honored only in this that they haue with a glorious Conclusion happily and constantly accomplished this busines to Gods glory and their owne saluation And who so considers the intollerable torments of Martyres the extreame austerity sharpe life and penance of Confessours the painefull agonies and conflicts of Virgins the rough stormes and troubles of all Gods Saintes and doth remember withall that they vndertook them for no other respect but onely for the better bringing this businesse of their soule to an end it wil soone apeare how weighty a thinge and how pretious the saluation of the soule is which they did think not too deere bought with all the miseries sorrowes and paines that this worlde coulde afford Let vs also consider that what soeuer moued theÌ„ to such care and earnestnes in this behalfe hath no lesse place doubtlesse in vs than in theÌ„ seeing that our soule is as deere bought as much worth created to as great glory as theirs the danger of our saluation rather more than any way lesse than theirs God hath as much right in vs as in them and we as many titles of bond and duetie to serue him as they Finally we are assaulted by the same ennemies enuironned with the like hazzardes and subiect to as many yea more occasions of sinne and allurements to damnation than they Who therefore seeâ—h not that we ar in euery respect to account the care of our soules as important and necessary to vs as euer it hath beene to any Wherefore let not the wise man glorie in his wisedome nor the strong man in his might nor the rich man in his riches saith God by his Prophet Hiere 9. But let him that glorieth glorie in this that he knoweth me for I am the only Lord that worketh mercy iudgement and iustice vpon the earth these thinges please me saith our Lord as who woulde say it is folie and vanitie to glory and reioyce in any other thinge then in the knowledge and seruice of God and procuring mercie and milde iudgement for our soule How wee ought to arme our mindes against temptations that happen when we seek earnestly to serue God The second consideration FIrst seing this businesse of our soule is of so great moment hee that earnestly goeth about the same must offer him selfe vp vnto God and bee most ready to endure constantly all the daungers cumbers and difficulties that shall happen and resolue neuer by Gods grace to be dismayed and beaten backe from his purpose by any trouble or encounter what soeuer knowing that glorious and honourable enterprises can neuer be atchiued without many contradictions Wherefore let him perswade him selfe that when he hath setled his minde seriously to follow this businesse hell it selfe and all the ennemies of God and mans soule will conspire against him the flesh to allure him to the dilightes of the senses to recall him to the vomite of his abandoned pleasures the world to intise him with pomps and vanities with ministring occasions of sinne and prouoking by euill examples yea if that will not serue by terrifying him with persecutions extortions obloquies slaunders and torments and with all kind of disgrace Finally the deuill a professed enemy of all those that take care of their soules will seek to entrappe him with a thousande traines passions and subtile temptations leauing nothing that hee thinketh may remooue a man from these endeuours tending to his saluation Secondly the case standing thus let that saying of Scripture come to our mind My sonne comming to the â—â—ruice of God stand in iustice and feare and prepare thy souâ—e vnto temptation Wherefore he that entereth into the way of life must remember that he is not come to a play pastime or pleasure but to a continuall rough battell and fight against most vnplacable and spightfull enemies and let him resolue him self neuer in this worlde to look for quiet and peace no not so much as for any truce for a time but arme him self for a perpetual combate and rather think of a multitude of happie victories which by Gods grace he may obtaine then of any repose or quietnesse from the rage assaultes of his ennemies Let him see and peruse the paterne of his capitains course who froÌ„ his birth to his death was in a restlesse battell persecuted in his swadling clowtes by Herod annoied the rest of his infancy by banishment waÌ„dring and neede In the flower of his age slaundered hated pursued whipped crucified and most barbarously misused In the same sort were all his Apostles and all his principall souldiers handled for whom he loueth he chastiseth and prooueth like golde in the fornace And therefore no man must think it a new thing to be tempted and troubled when hee once runneth a vertuous course contrarie to the liking of his enemies For the disciple is not aboue his master nor the seruant aboue his Lorde who as we see had the same intreaty Thirdly lest we should be agast and discouraged at the expectation and feare of so many discomfortes and the incessant malice of so spitefull ennemies let vs remember the wordes of Elizeus that more stand with vs then against vs. Against the corruption of nature we haue grace Against the diuel wee haue God who will neuer suffer vs to be tempted aboue our force Against the power of hell we haue the prayers of Saintes Against the miseries of the body the spiritual comfort of the minde which God allotteth in such measure as our necessitie requireth and if there were nothing else this were enough to make troubles welcome in this case for that therby we purchase an inestimable glory for a short and passing combate the comfort wherof nether eie hath seen nor eare heard nor heart conceiued And on the other side by the same wee auoid other intolerable and externall torments of Hel the least wherof passeth all those that can be suffered in this worlde And therfore is our chaunge most happy that by the paine of a short life
behauiour deliberation in my speeches purity in my thoughts rigtheousnes in my actions Iesu be my sunne in the day my food at the table my repose in the night my cloathing in nakednes my succour in all my needs Iesu let thy bloud runne in my mind as a water of life to clense the filth of my sinnes and to bring forth the fruit of life euerlaâ—â—ing Iesu stay minâ— inclinations from bearing down my soule bridle mine appetites with thy grace and quenche in me the fire of all vnlawfull desires Iesu keepe mine eies from vaine sights mine eares from hearing euill speeches my tongue from talking vnlawfull things my sences from euery kind of disorder Iesu make my wil pliable to thy pleasure and resigned wholy to thy prouidence grant me perfect conteÌ„tmeÌ„t in that which thou allottest O Lord make me strong against all occasions of sinne and steedfast in not yeelding to euil yea rather to die then to offend thee Iesu make me ready to pleasure al loth to offeÌ„d any gentle in speaking courteous in coÌ„â—ersation louing to my friends and charitable to mine enemies Iesu forsake me not lest I perish leaue me not to mine owne weakenes lest I fall without recouery Iesu graunt me an earnest desire to amend my faultes to renew my good purposes to peâ— forme my good intentions and to begin a fresh in thy seruice Iesu direct mine inteÌ„tions correct my errours erect my infirmities protect my good endeuours Iesu alay my passions and make me able to master theÌ„ that they neuer drawe me beyond the rule of reason and piety Iesu make me humble to my Superiours freÌ„dly to my equals chariâ—able to my inferiours and carefull to yeeld due respect to all sorts Iesu grant me sorrow for my sinnes thankâ—ulnes for thy benefits feare of thy iudgements loue of thy mercies and mindfulnes of thy presence Amen A praier before we settle our selues to our deuotions O Moste gratious Iesu giue mee leaue to presente my selfe before thy diuine maiesty and to poure out my vnworthy praiers vnto thee in sight of all the glorious court of heaueÌ„ Behould O Lord not in my merites but in the multitude of thy mercies I nowe come to make manifest my necessities and to vtter my grieâ—es vnto thee I come as a poore and needy wretch vnto a God of infinite glory I come as a worme of the earth vnto my soueraigne maker and creator I come as a guilty and heinous offendour vnto a most iust and seuere iudg I am not worthy to lift vp mine eâ—es to heaueÌ„ much lesse to open my mouth in thy glorious presence or presume to taâ—ke with a Lorde and King of such maiesty being my selfe but slime and ashes But O father of mercies and God of all comfort thou promisest that who asketh shal receiue who knocketh shal be let in who seeketh shal find Thou inuitest the greatest sinners and refusest not to yeeld thy assistance to any that will vse it Granâ— me therfor grace now to pray vnto thee as my duety and thy desert requireth Graunt me a pure intention a ferueÌ„t deuotion an atteÌ„tiue mind that I bee not carried away with impertineÌ„t thoughtes nor any other distraction but with humble heart firme hope and perfect charity I may effectually pray vnto thee and aske of thee that which thou seest most for thy glory my good to graunt sweet Iesus Amen An other O Gratious Iesu helpe mee to pray worthely that thou maiâ—st mercifully graunt my petitions keepe my thoughtes from wandering restraine my imaginations preserue my â—ences from being distracted Defend O Lord my weak hart from all ghostlie assaultes and so fixe my mind vpon thee that I be not carried away from consideration of thy presence graunt me distinctly to pronouÌ„ce my wordes attentiuely to apply my thoughtes and to be wholy rauished and posessed with zeale and true deuotion O Lord graunt me to aske forgiuenes with deep coÌ„trition and full purpose of ameâ—dement graunt me to craue thy benefits with harty thankefulnesse and gratitude for those which I haue receiued Grant me to pray for my self with perfect resignatioÌ„ vnto thy will and for others with true charity 〈◊〉 sincere affection Afford O Lord such comfort to my soule as thou seest fitte for me and by the assistauÌ„ce of thy spirit inspiâ—e thy good motions into me that I may feele them forcibly accept them thankfully and fulfill them effectually Finally I huÌ„bly beseech thee of thy mercy and goodnes that I may deuoutly spend this time of praier endeuouring with thy Angels and Saints to praise thee with true repentant sinners to appease thee and with all thy creatures dutifully to serue thee sweet Iesus Amen A short meditation of mans miserie WHat was I O Lord What am I What shall I be I was nothing I am now nothing worth am in hazzard to be woâ—se than nothing I was conceiued in originall sinne I may hereafter feele the eternall smart of sinne I was in my mother a loathsome substance I am in the world a sacke of corruption I shal bee in my graue a prey of vermine When I was nothing I was without hope to be saued or feare to be damned I am now in a doubtfull hope of the one and in manifest daunger of the other I shal be ether happy by the successe of my hope or most miserable by the effect of my daunger I was so that I coulde not then bee damned I am now so that I can scarce be saued What I haue beene I know to wit a wretched sinner what I am I caÌ„not say being vncertaine of Gods grace What I shall be I am ignoraÌ„t being doutfull of my perseuerance O Lorde erect my former weaknesse correct my present sinfulnesse direct my future frailtie Direct it O Lorde from passed euill in present good to â—uâ—ure reward sweete Iesus Amen AN EPISTLE OF A RELIGIOVâ— PRIEST vnto his Father Exhorting him to the perfect forsaking of the world To the worshipfull his verie good father R. S. his duetifulle sonne R. S. wisheth all happines IN children of former ages it hath binne thought so behouefull a point of duety to their parents in presence by seruiceable offices in absence by other effectual significations to yeelde proofe of their thankfull mindes that neyther any child could omit it without touch of vngratefulnes nor the paâ—ent forâ—eare it without iust displeasure But nowe we are fallen into such calamitie of times and the violence of heresie hath so crossed the course both of vertue and nature that their engraffâ—d lawes neuer infringed by the most sauage and bruite creatuâ—es cannot ' of Gods people without perill be obâ—erued I am not of so vnnaturall a kinde of so wilde education or so vnchristian a spirite as not to remember the roote out of which I branched or to forget my secondary maker and author of my being It is not the carelesnesse of a cold affection nor the want of a due and reuereÌ„t respect