death were brought and them deliuered out of bands Great was thy fauour Lord to all them that tooke hould of thee by faith But what am I that am so small a worme no man as Dauid saith Yet I belieue helpe vnbeliefe Lord I am couered ouer with shame Be thou my glory ease my griefe that I may magnifie thy name The wicked worldlings me contempne because thou hid'st thy face from me Deriding grace and me condempne because of imbicillity My neighbours that should me assist disdaine me my familiars all That should me comfort do desist their helpe to raise me from my fall They say of me my hopes are vaine my kinsfolkes who should yeeld me ayde In my necessities refraine to come to mee they are afraid And tauntingly they scoffe and say deseruedly he thus doth suffer Is iust he wrought his owne decay none other kindenes they me offer I know t' is thou that sitt'st on high do'st send and suffer maladies And therefore I on thee rely to remedy my miseries My woes O Lord by such increase as should in friendly wise relieue me They that should seek to make my peace they are the men that most do grieue me But I that taste the cuppe will say t' is thou hast don 't and I will beare it When t' is thy will who can say nay t' is out of loue why should I feare it Releiue my soule with timely dewe and comfort me restore Restore my soule vnto those ioyes the which I felt too sore Now after stormes Lord send a calme and graunt me peace yet now at last And I will praise thee with a psalme with thankes for all thy fauour past I 'le magnifie thy name for aye that bring'st such wondrous things to passe That worldlings neither thinke nor say nor know why t' is or how it was The iust shall heare saints be glad when wicked men shall faint quaile To see what fauour I haue had all their hope doth quench quaile whō they so lōg haue scornd deem'd euen through afflictions cast away For thy name sake Lord mee esteem'd their night is past they haue their day Respect my meditation helpe mee in time conuenient Lord graunt my supplication thou know'st tri'st my hearts intent Let not the righteous be dismaide nor wicked triumph in my fall Nor yet let sinners be afraid in time of neede to thee to call And let me put my confidence direct my faith erect mine hope Vnto thy gratious prouidence this of my praiers is the scoape FINIS ⧠The fourth Lamentation in distresse ¶ Wherein the distressed prayeth for faith for zeale and strength in vndergoing Gods corrections and to be deliuered from dangers prepared against him O Lord I lift my heart to thee my soule in thee doth euer trust O let mee not confounded bee but make me righteous with the iust Let men not haue their wills gain'st me but powre on mee thy comfort sweete Thy sauing health Lord let me see who prostrate begg it at thy feete Let thy right hand and prouidence be stretched out to hould me vp And giue me grace and patience in lowlines to tast thy cuppe So shall I sit on surest rocke and strength and power to me get And ablely beare mine enimies stroke though round about they me beset For why my comfort is in thee and on thy prouidence I depend O keepe mee safe in libertie till all my troubles come to end From perills six hast me deliuered I know therefore thou wilt from seauen From earthly thoughts let me be seuer'd and conuersation haue in heauen I know that loue a multitude of shamefull sinnes doth closely couer Within the gates I me include thou art my soules true spouse louer The faithfull thereby may take hold of hope to haue a prosperous end Of their desires this makes me bolde for ayde and comfort to attend And with all patience to perseuer I know thy word it is most sure Poore penitent by faith I 'le euer stand firme and to the end indure Alas deere God I nothing craue to haue of thee by mine owne right But in Christs name I 'le aske and haue for hee 's most gratious in thy sight Yea for his merrits thou do'st loue me in him I know thou art well pleas'd And hearest sinners whē they moue thee forgiu'st their sin and they are eas'd Among'st whom Lord I am the chiefe and of good things am Ignorant Yet on the crosse did'st saue the theefe for Christ his sake me mercy graunt In this worlds vanities most vilde I liue and haue no taste of trueth I knew not I was in exile but did in folly spend my youth Of thee alone I knowledge haue for of my selfe I am but weake Thou art my God that strength me gaue to worke to rest to liue to speake For of my selfe is misery and of my selfe is all that 's ill But from thee Lord comes all mercy and perfect power to worke thy will With in to consolation of my sadde soule wounded heart With out to preseruation o◠my weake body in each part Therefore teach me the truth oh Lord thy sacred truth shew mee thy waies That I should walke led by thy word to thy glory spend my daies Lord keep frō wicked thoughts mine heart mine hands that they commit noe ill Mine eies my tongue and euery part Lord grant they may performe thy will My feete from falling still preserue as of my selfe regard me not Deale not with me as I deserue as are my sinnes reward me not Behould not my deformities but looke on me in Christ by loue My sinnes and all enormities as mists and cloudes from me remoue Thou righteous art and gratious reformest sinners sinnes forgiu'st O be to me propitious to liue in thee that euer liu'st Keep thou my soule let me not perish nor vtterly to be confounded That trust in thee but my soule cherrish ioy mine hart which thou hast wounded Thou art my strength sure defence in time of dangers imminent Though all helpe faile experience hath taught me thou art permanent I goe vnto thine Oracle and from thy word I councell take And finde a wondrous miracle thou neuer do'st thine owne forsake Thy seruants that in thee do trust thy tabernacle shall them shield In secret thou do'st hide the iust that are not with foule sinne defilde Harken O Lord harken and heare vnto my voice that call and cry O let thy loue to'wards me appeare with streames and floods of thy mercy Thou sayest O Lord seeke yee my face what is it but in my distresse To cry for helpe and craue thy grace and ayde in time of heauines My soule by the pure priueledge of thy free spirit which teacheth truth My heart prepared with knowledge and faith and hope vnto thee sueth My tongue doth speake mine heart doth mutter and euery member in his place Doth
In that thou hast this day now past me strongly guarded with thy handes With loue refresh't me first and last with mercies more thē sea shore sandes That hast me brought to this daies end blacke night darknes drawing neere Wherein all creatures rest attend and lay them downe t'il day appeare I finding my debilitie poore creature run to thee Diuine Oh strengt'h mine imbecilitie and ayde this soule and body mine Thou hast me made of matter grosse and brittle substance out of clay Which still is subiect to the crosse a tennis ball for worldlings play He wanting comfort cannot liue after great sorrow and much griefe Therefore I doe my body giue and soule to thee Lord graunt reliefe O Lord I doe thee humbly pray as thou art fountaine of all rest Be thou my succour helpe and Stay let me by thee this night be blest Consider me in my weaknes and let thy carefull eies behold My miseries and my distresse to cry for mercy make me bold And since t' is time that night now brings of bodies rest quiet sleep Oh shadow me vnder thy wings let thy protection safe me keepe Looke ouer me with watchfull eies when this corrupted flesh of mine In flumbering sleepe and dulnes lies depriu'd of sence with closed eyne Vnnable my poore selfe to saue from dangers of the darksome night Keepe me my bedd else is my graue and I shall neuer see the light Lord thou that onely mak'st me dwell and in sure saftie to abide Thou watchest ouer Israell watch ouer me be by my side Thou art my Castle and my fort my Sword my Buckler defence My Rocke my Refuge Comfort saue me from force and violence Alasse without thee what am I a beast that rightly nothing knowes A senceles block a sillie flie that no good doe nor no good showes Thy louing fauour Lord extend ouer the house wherein I rest My bed with Angels Lord defend my spr'it by thy spr'it be possest Oh lie me downe in rest and peace in rest and peace O let me rise In rest and peace O giue some ease from torments troubles teares cries Let not the sleights of sinne deceaue nor wicked practize ouertake me Let nothing me of hope bereaue Oh doe not thou though all forsake me Lord I am poore Oh make me rich with those great riches of thy blessing My soule my soule is blacke as pitch let pardon follow my consessing In hope of this I lie me downe depending on thy prouidence I care not if the world doe frowne for I am safe by thy defence Lord let it be for I am thine my rest make sweete comfortable To thee I doe my selfe resigne lord graunt all this for thou art able FINIS ¶ A Nosegay gathered in the holy Paradice ALmighty God which hast me brought in saftie to this present day Keepe me from sinne in hart thought and teach me what to doe and say Prosper me Lord in all my workes helpe me with thy continuall grace Keepe me from Sathan vilde that lurkes to trappe my soule in euery place Almightie Lord and God ofloue direct mine heart and guide my waies Amend my misse my minde remoue from all that from thy glorie straies Thou that of wisdome art true sprung and fountaine of felicitie Let mercie meere my prayers bring by faith in me to sight of thee Thou which art Author of all peace and the true louer of concord Keepe me from foes that neuer cease to take my life from me O Lord. Thy seruice is most perfect free to know thee t' is eternall life Reach out thy helping hand to me against my foes that gain'st me striue O God from whom all good desires from whō all iust workes doe proceed Whose counsells wise all men admires assist me in the time of neede O Lord whose power and qualitie is sinners trespasse to forget Being ti'de and bound with chaines loose me of sinne for pittie I intreate Assist me in this mortall age what chaunge or chaunce so e're befall From Sathan sinne and enimies rage Lord still defend me from them all Almightie God which giuest vs grace now in thy name to pray to thee And promiseft in any place when Ioynes together two or three Tho'wilt giue graunt what they request now lord doe the desires fulfill Of vs thy seruants as seemes best and most expedient to thy will In this world knowledge vs granting of thy pure truth and sanctitie And after death let our newe being belife with thee eternally O God that noe time do'st despise the sighing of a contrite heart Nor the desires of sinners cries in troubles anguish griefe and smart Assist our prayers in distresse and gratiously vouchsafe to heare When sudden euills vs oppresse and subtill craft of foes vs feare Let thē oh Lord be brought to nought and by thy goodnes scattered bee That so to vs noe heart be brought we may giue thankes praise to thee Oh God of mercie wee thee pray to looke on our infirmities And all those euils turne away which we deserue continually Graunt that in troubles and sickenes we put our trust hope in thee And serue thee in true holines of life and praise thy deitie Through Christ the only Aduocate and mightie Lord of all mankinde To worke Gods loue frō wrath hate towards his elect to be most kinde Oh God to whom all hearts are seene and hid desires are plainely knowne My life reforme minde make cleane my spr'it inspire to be thine owne That I may loue thee perfectly and magnifie thy holy name Through Christ my Sauiour worthely and all the world confesse the same Lighten my darknes Lord I pray thee from this nights dangers me defend Let not flesh world nor diuell dismay me keepe me both to and in the end Thy mightie hand arme protect me thy mercy in Christ be my saluation Lord euer let thy word direct me and thy spr'it giue me consolation The peace of God which far exceedes all vnderstanding of mans wit Preserue my soule from wicked deedes and guide mine heart to doe what 's fit Finis ¶ A particuler confession of a sorrowfull sinner MOst mightie and al-knowing Lord true spring of consolation I doe confesse with heart and word thou art my preseruation I haue offended grieuously by my transgression don gain'st thee And haue drawne down a weight on me of thy great Iudgements wilfully Vnder which burden cannot I but faint and fall in wofull sort Vnlesse thy hand and thy mercy through Iesus Christ doe me support Thou know'st good father I am weake and cannot beare thine heauie ire Not knowing what to doe or speake or how to saue mee from this fire Vnlesse thou poynt mee out the way with thy wise spr'it me directing Vnto the deuill I am made a pray were not thy power me protecting Not euery one that heares thy word
time of neede least that I fall into the snare O let thy comfortable loue betimes into my soule distill And let thy spirit like a Doue dwell in my heart and keepe me still Vpon thee onely I depend direct me in the perfect way And guide me to my iourneyes end for thou art my support and stay Good Lord defend me from my foes for vnto thee I fly for ayd Vnder thy wings hide me from those that for my soule their snares haue layd Teach me to doe the thing a-right that may be pleasing to thy minde And amiable in thy sight that I thy fauour still may finde Thou art my God and onely guide which dost protect me with thy hand O let thy spirit with me a-bide and lead me to the holy land For thy names sake Lord quicken me and for thy righteousnes I craue O set my soule from troubles free and let it neuer see the graue And for thy goodnes sake destroy mine enemies that me pursue And to my soule would worke annoy O Lord confound that damned crew I am thy seruant O my God Deare Father guide me with thy rod. FINIS ¶ A Mistery to be noted and followed of those that are parting out of this life IN the departure of the Lord of mortall bodies vitall breath Their liues a misterie worth record which he did shew vs heere on earth Who doth prepare to die each houre must follow Christ our Sauiour For he the night before he died did single out himselfe alone Disciples all he set aside and to his Father makes his moane His mother deere he leaues with Iohn to comfort her when he is gon So Christians all when they goe hence must cast of care of worldes respect Setling their house with prouidence and then all earthly care neglect Leauing all thoughts of common wealth which too much mens affections steale Commending wife and children all to Gods protecting will Diuine Himselfe to God Coelestiall betakes from world to Gods designe Forsaking friends and kinsfolkes heere exempts his heart from care and feare He must then secret be alone who will with high Iehouah walke Distilling teares with prayers moane and seruent sighes with God to take His soule and spirit let him commend to heauenly ioyes deuoid of end At time of death Christ watch't and prai'd with earnest zeale and seruencie In Oliue Mount all Night he stay'd a place for heauenly secrecie He there thrice his disciples warnes to watch and pray gainst tempters harmes Euen so all they must watch and pray with sighes and groanes for former sinnes That from this life depart away against temptations Sathans gins Exhorting all to liue to die to Faith sure Hope and Charity Christ bow'd his knees t' was not enough he fell downe flat vpon his face His cryes the heauens pierced through to God for ayde and heauenly grace He twice retir'd to feruent praier with ardent Zeale in open ayre He bends his knees with humblenes who himselfe commits to Gods dispose He falleth flat with lowlines that takes the loue for his repose And wholy doth himselfe deny fixing his faith in God on high As Adam first in paradise had seemely corps without array So Christ from Earth on Crosse doth rise his naked selfe doth them display As Brasen Serpent was erect so he 's lift vp for his elect Euen so that soule that Heauen aspir's from earths affections must ascend Mounting with heart and his desires to heauenly life that hath no end Himselfe to th' world must crucifie nayl'd with faith hope and charity This Champion there must combate make with Dragon fierce mans enemy Till he turne backe the victory leauing the Lambe tue victory Then victour shall enioy the nest of highest heauens and be possest FINIS ¶ Short Meditations or Iaculatorie prayers to be had in memorie vppon seuerall occasions When any sodaine feare assayleth thee pray BE vnto me O Lord a Tower of strength against my mortall foe O guard and ward me with thy power which way soeuer I shall goe Then shall my heart and soule reioyce in God my Lord with cheerefull voice ¶ If an ill Suspicion ouertake thee CReate O Lord my heart anewe regenerate my spirit within Suspicious thoughts which me pursue expell and purge me from my sinne Still let thine Angels me conduct and with thy spirit my soule instruct ¶ If vndesent sadnes perplex thee LEt thy saluation be my ioy confirme me with thy spirit of grace Let sadnes not my soule annoy for pensiue thoughts too much take place Oh let my comforts still reside in Christ who for my sinnes hath dy'de ¶ If vaine-glory seduce thee NOt vnto vs but to thy name all honour Lord we attribute For thou alone deseru'st the same what can we to our selues impute Oh Lord thou knowest we are but dust yet we presume in thee to trust ¶ If despaire molest thee THou art my hope euen from my youth from my Mothers wombe my guide Why should I then despaire in truth but in thy mercies euer bide For thou O Lord wilt still protect with consolation thine elect ¶ If thou be afflicted in minde HElpe me and I shall then be safe and I will meditate alwaies Vpholde me with thy strongest Staffe that I may euer sing thee praise Thy wonted loue Lord let me finde to comfort mine afflicted minde ¶ If Slouth assaile thee LOrd with thy powre my soule excite come and confirme me in thy way That in thy lawes I may delight and from thy statuts neuer stray Rouse and reuiue my drowsie spirit that ioyes with thee I may inherit ¶ If wrath disturbe thee OH giue me patience Lord and peace least y◠my soule should lose her crowne O let thy loue to me increase and powre thy grace and mercy downe For thou hast said in thy behest in patience be your soules possest ¶ If desire of honour or promotion tempt thee LOrd vnto thee my heart incline from greedie gaine my thoughts withdrawe From vanitie direct mine eyne and rectifie me in thy lawe For in thee doth all honour rest it comes not from the East nor West ¶ If Gluttonie solicit thee THy Kingdome is not drinke nor meate but ioy and peace in heauen aboue T' is not the flesh which we doe eate can profit vs without thy loue Then with thy grace my spirit cherish for that 's the foode which cannot perish ¶ If any blessing of God happen to thee VVHat shall I render to my Lord for all his blessings powr'd on me My heart and soule with one accord shall laud and praise thy maiestie All Blessings doe from thee descend blest be thy name world without end ¶ In any grieuous persecutions IVdge them oh Lord which me pursue and ouer-throw my foes in fight And with thy sword confound that crewe which prosecut me with despight Oh be thou still my guard and guide defending me on euery