God nothing d Exo. 20 3. 4. 5. be it celestial or of the substance of the fire or earthlie or else howsoeuer sensible For thou art what thou art e Exo. 3 14. and changest not f Mal. 3 6. To whome chieflie belongs that which the Greekes cal On the Latins Ens because thou art alway the same g Ps 102 27 and thy yeeres shal not faile These much mo things haue I learned of the holie mother the Church h Gal. 4 26. whereof through thy grace I am made a member Of her haue I learned how thou the alone i Psa 86 10. Esai 37 16. 20. and true God k Ioh. 17 3. 1. Thes 1 9. both hast no bodie l Ioh. 4 24. and also art vnsubiect to passions and how nothing of thy substance or nature is anie waie violable or changeable or compounded or created and therefore certaine it is how thou canst neither be perceaued by anie bodilie eies m 2. Tim. 1 verse 17. nor could euer be seene in thy proper nature of anie mortal man n Ioh. 1 18. For hence it may euidentlie be gathered that where Angels do now behold thee there we also after this life shal see thee o Reu. 22 4. Naie the verie Angels neither are able to see thee as thou art in thy selfe Naie to conclude the almightie Trinitie is knowne to none but to thy selfe onlie Chap. 29. Of the vnitie of persons and pluralitie in God ANd thou an vnitie of the God-head through the pluralitie of persons manifold art in number infinite and therefore measurablie vnmeasurable and waightilie vnwaiable For we acknowledge no beginning of the soueraigne goodnes the which thou art of whome through whome in whome al things but through participation thereof we saie al good things are a 1. Cor. 4 7. Iam. 1 17. For thy diuine essence hath alwaies bin and yet is without matter although it lacke no forme to wit informed the forme of formes the most welformed forme the which while thou imprintest as a seale to euerie particular thing thou makest them doubtles to differ from thy selfe without anie either of your augmenting or diminishing but whatsoeuer is in the world it is thy creature b Iohn 1 1. 3. Hebr. 1 1. 2. O simple Trinitie and triple vnitie God whose almightines both possesseth and ruleth and replenisheth al things which thou hast created Neither in saieng how thou fillest al things meane we that they conteine thee but rather that thou conteinest them neither by partes fillest thou al things nor yet may it be thought that euerie thing according to the greatnes of the portion it hath receaueth thee that is the greatest thing more and the smallest thing lesse thou rather being in al things or more trulie al things in thee c Act. 17 28. whose omnipotencie includeth al things neither can anie man finde a waie to escape thy power d Psa 139 7. 8 c. For whosoeuer hath not thy fauor can by no meanes auoide thy displeasure as it is written e Psal 75 6. 7. Neither from the East nor from the Weast nor from the South but God is the Iudge and againe f Psa 139 7. 8 c. Whither shal I go from thy spirit or whither shal I go from thy presence The immensitie of thy diuine greatnes is this that we knowe thee to be within al things not as included and without al things yet not as excluded And therfore thou art within y t thou maist conteine al and therfore without that al things may be comprehended within the immensitie of thy circumscribed greatnes So then by that thou art within thou art knowne to be a Creator by that thou art without we perceaue how thou art the gouernor of al things And least al things which are created might be without thee thou art within and without that al things may be included of thee not by local greatnes but by thy mightie presence who are euerie-where present and al things present before thee g Eccle. 15 verse 18. Eccl. 23 18. 19. 20. although some vnderstand these things yet some do not The vnitie then of thine inseparable nature cannot haue separable persons because as thou art a trinitie in vnitie and a vnitie in trinitie so can you not haue a separation of persons Sometime indeede those persons are particularlie named h Mat. 3 16. 17. 1. Iohn 5 7. but so thou wouldest ô God the Trinitie declare thy selfe inseparable in persons that there is no name in anie one person but may be referred vnto another according to the rule of relation As the Father vnto the Sonne and the Sonne vnto the Father so hath the Sonne true relation both vnto the Father and the Sonne Also those names which signifie either your substance ô God or person or power or essence or els what which properlie is caled God do equalie agree to al the persons as great God almightie eternal and generalie al things which naturalie are spoken of God So that there is no name of nature which so may agree vnto thee God the Father but the same also may fitlie be referred vnto the Sonne holie Ghost We saie how thou the Father art naturalie God so is the Sonne naturalie God and the holie Ghost naturalie and yet not three Gods but one God naturalie y e Father the Sonne and the holie Ghost And therefore ô God holie Trinitie in persons thou art inseparable in sense are they to be vnderstood though in sound you haue separable names for you receaue no plural number in the names of nature For hereby is it declared how the persons in the holie Trinitie which is one i Psa 86 10. Esaic 37 16. 20. verie God k Iohn 17 3. 1. Thes 1 9. can not bee diuided for that the name of euerie person respecteth alwaie another person If I saie the Father I point vnto the Sonne if I name the Sonne I presuppose a Father if I mention the holie spirit I must necessarilie vnderstand of whom he is the Spirit namelie of the Father and of the Sonne For this is the true faith proceeding from sound doctrine this vndoubtedlie is the catholike and right faith which God of his goodnes hath taught me in the bosome of the mother Church l Gal. 4 26. Chap. 30. A zealous praier vnto the blessed Trinitie WHerefore ô Lord my faith which thou hast giuen me to my saluation calleth vnto thee For the faithful soule liueth by faith a Rom. 1 17. he enioieth in hope b 1. Cor. 13 verse 12. 13. which one daie he shal behold in thee O my God vnto thee crieth my pure conscience and the sweete loue of my faith which the darknes of ignorance being driuen awaie thou hast brought vnto y e knowledge of the truth which also thou hast plucked from the foolish bitternes of this world and made comfortable and pleasant
pure fountane of Gods holie word manie are not a little not onelie pricked forward vnto the reading but also strengthened and comforted much in mind when they doe reade them Which being so I trust thou wilt accept my trauel in good part and at the leastwise reade this booke as diligentlie now being both made perfect corrected and adorned a◠earst thou hast done when it neither had so manie praiers in it by halfe as now it hath nor was so pure fró error◠nor so auctorized with the warrant of Gods word for the comfort of thy soule as now it is And thus I commend both thee and my selfe into his hands who hath not onelie made but also redeemed vs for his owne glorie and praise The tenth of Iune An. 1581. Yours in the Lord THO. ROGERS A right Christian Treatise containing manie holie and heauenlie Meditations written as it is thought by that reuerend Father S. AVGVSTINE Chap. 1. A praier vnto Almightie God for grace to leade a new life according to Gods holie Word O LORD my God a Psal 7 1. 3. Psalm 18 1. 2. giue me grace from the verie bottome of mine hart to desire thee in desiring to seeke thee in seeking to find thee in finding to loue thee in louing vtterlie to loath my former wickednes O Lord my God giue I beseech thee to mine hart repentance to my spirit contrition to mine eies a fountaine of teares to mine hands liberalitie vpon the poore O my King b Psal 5 2. quench in me the desires of the flesh and inflame within my brest the fire of thy loue Driue awaie fro me the spirit of pride c Eccles 23 verse 4. ô my redeemer d Matth. 20 verse 28. Rom. 3 24. 1. Cor. 1 30. 1. Tim. 2 6. and of thy mercie bestowe vpon me the treasure of thine humilitie e Matth. 11 verse 29. Philip. 2 5. 6 c. O my sauiour f Luk. 9 56. Iohn 3 17. Actes 4 10 11. 12. remooue fro my mind the rage of wrath and gratiouslie giue me the shield of patience Plucke euen from the verie roote of mine hart the rancor of malice ô my Creator g Gen. 1 26. 27. Psal 100 3. Psal 119 73. and make me to enioie the sweetenes of a quiet mind Giue me ô most louing father h Matt. 6 9. 14. Rom. 8 15. Coloss 1 2. a sound faith a right hope and a constant loue O my gouernor i Eccl. 23 1. 4 c. driue awaie far fro me al vanitie and suffer me to haue neither an vnconstant mind nor a wandering heart nor a scurrilous mouth nor a proude looke nor a greedie bellie nor a slandering tongue nor itching eares after curiositie nor a couetous mind after riches k Psalm 119. verse 36. nor polling hands to abuse my power nor ambitious motions to get vaine glorie let both curssed hypocrisie and poisoned flatterie and proude contempt of the poore and violent oppression of the weake let both burning couetousnes cankred enuie with damnable blaspheming of thy name be alwaies far from me thy seruant O my maker l Psal 139 verse 13. 14. 15. make a large distance betweene mee and rashnes betweene me and wickednes betweene me and frowardnes betweene me and vnquietnes betweene me idlenes betwene me drousines betweene me and blockishnes Grant that my hart prooue not blinded my senses obstinate my maners sauage but let me delight in goodnes and folowe coūsel neuer loose the bridle to my tong nor cruellie make a praie of the poore nor violentlie oppresse the weake nor vniustlie slander the innocent nor negligentlie regard inferiors committed to my charge Finalie let me vse neither crueltie toward my seruants nor treacherie toward my friends nor violence vpon my neighbours O my God my merciful God m Psal 59 verse 17. euen through thy beloued sonne n Eph. 2 18. Colos 3 17. I beseech thee giue mee grace to exercise my selfe in the workes of mercie and in godlie cogitations namelie to weepe with them that weepe o Ro. 12 15. 1. Pet. 3 8. to instruct such as go astraie p Iam. 5 19. to helpe the afflicted q Math. 25 verse 35. 36 c. to cherish the poore r Esay 58 7. Ezec. 18 7. to comfort the sorowful ſ Matth 25 verse 35. 36. 37 c. to releeue the oppressed to nourish the hungrie to refresh them which mourne to forgiue my debters t Matt. 6 12. Matt. 18 23. 24 c. 35. to pardon them which haue hurt me u Ro. 12 19. to loue them which hate me x Mat. 5 44. 45 c. to render for euil good y Ro. 12 19. 20. 21. 1. Peter 3 8. 9. to despise none z Pro. 14 21. Prou. 17 5. but to honor al a Ro. 12 10. to imitate the virtuous b 1. Cor. 11 1. 1. Thes 3 7. 9. Hebr. 6 12. to shun the wicked c Prou. 4 verse 14. Prou. 11 verse 19. Prou. 24 1. 2. to embrace virtue d Psalme 5 verse 9. to flie sin e 1. Peter 3 verse 9. in aduersitie to be patient f Rom. 5 3. Hebr. 10 verse 36. in prosperitie to be continent to set a watch before my mouth g Eccle. 22 26. and a seale of wisedome before my lips to despise earthlie h Phil. 3 verse 7. 8. and to couet after heauenlie things i Coloss 3 verse 1. 2. Amen Chap. 2. An accusation of mans vnworthines and a commendation of Gods infinite mercie THus my maker a Gen. 1 26. 27. I haue asked much and yet haue deserued naught I confesse yea alas I confesse that not onelie I deserue not those blessings which I do require but also do deserue manie and exquisite torments b Iob. 10 8. Notwithstanding euen publicanes c Mat. 21 31. Mark 2 15. harlots and theeues d Lu. 23 40. 41. 42. 43. who in a moment plucked from out the iawes of the enimie are taken into the armes of the shepheard do embolden me to do as I do For albe thou ô God maker of al things e Genes 1 1. 2. 3 c. Psal 148 1 2 c. 5. Hebr. 1 1. 2. art woonderful in al thy works f Reue. 15 3. yet art thou most wonderful in the works of mercie therefore didest thou saie by one of thy seruants g Psa 145 9. His mercies are ouer al his works And although thou spakest this but of one yet we trust it is ment of thy whole people My louing kindnes wil I not take from him h 2. Sam. 7 verse 14. 15. Psal 89 33. For thou despisest none thou castest none awaie thou abhorrest no man vnles it be him which madlie abhorreth thee Hence it is that being moued thou strikest not but if they surcesse thou powrest thy blessings vpon them which prouoke thee O my God the
appeere c Acts. 1 11. Acts. 10 42. 2. Tim. 4 1. 8. I knowe thou wilt not keepe silence d Psa 50 3. 4. at what time the fire shal deuour before thy face and a mightie tempest encrease about thee when thou wilt cal the heauen aboue and the earth to iudge thy people and lo al my sinnes shal be laid open e 1. Cor. 4 5. before so manie thousand people and not onelie al my wicked deedes but also al mine euil thoughts and words shal be manifest before al the companies of Angels So manie iudges then shal I wretch stand before as haue excelled me in wel-doing So manie shal giue sentence to my confusion as haue shewed me examples to liue vprightlie So manie shal be witnesses to conuince me as haue both instructed me with their godlie exhortations and prouoked mee vnto imitation by their righteous dealing O my Lord I knowe not what to saie I can not tel what answere to make and being now in extreme peril my conscience trobleth my secret cogitations torment my couetousnes fettereth my pride accuseth mine enuie eateth my lust inflameth my riotousnes trobleth my gluttonie shameth my drunkennes confuteth my detraction teareth my discord parteth mine anger disquieteth my lightnes dissolueth my sloth oppresseth mine hypocrisie deceaueth my flatterie breaketh my fauor lifteth vp my slander pricketh me Behold my deliuerer from the fierce nations behold with whom I haue liued with whom I haue studied with whom also I haue kept promise from the daie of my birth The studies which I delighted in doe now condemne me which once I praised dispraise me now These are the friends vpon whom I rested the teachers to whom I listened the masters whom I serued the counselers whom I beleeued the citizens with whom I dwelled the companions whome I consented vnto Alack my King and my God f Psal 5 2. that my freedome is so long kept fro me Alack ô my light g Psal 27 1. that I haue remained with the dwellers of Kedar h Ps 120 5. And seeing holie Dauid hath said Too long i Psa 120 6. how much more may I wretch saie My soule hath too long bin a stranger O God my strength k Psal 18 1. 2. in thy sight shal none that liueth be iustified l Psa 143 2. My trust is not in the sonnes of men Whome wilt thou find righteous m Rom. 3 verse 20. if thou iudge without mercie And vnles in fauor thou preuent the wicked there wil not be to glorifie the good For I do beleeue ô my saluation n Psa 88 1. which thing I haue heard how that thy bountifulnes leadeth me vnto repentance o Rom. 2 4. the sweete words of thy mouth haue sounded in mine eares No man can come vnto me except the Father which hath sent me draw him p Ioh. 6 44. Now because thou hast taught me and mercifulie endued me with this knowledge from the bottome of mine hart and with al the power of my mind I humblie praie thee ô almightie Father with thy most welbeloued sonne q Mat. 3 17. and thee sweete Sonne with the most cheerful comforter r Iohn 14 16 26. I beseech thee drawe me ſ Sal. songs 1 verse 1. 2. 3. so that I may run after thee by the sauor of thy good ointments Chap. 5. A praier vnto God the Father through his sonne Iesus Christ. VNto thee doe I cal a Psal 18 3. 6. ô GOD euen vnto thee doe I cal For thou art neere vnto al that cal vpon thee to al that cal vpon thee in truth b Ps 145 18. Because thou art the truth c Ioh. 14 6. teach me I beseech thee of thy goodnes ô holie truth teach me to cal vpon thee in truth For of my selfe I am ignorant how to doe so d Rom. 8 verse 26. but mine humble request is ô blessed veritie to be taught of thee For to be wise without thee is but foolishnes e 1. Cor. 1 20. but to knowe thee f Iohn 17 3 is perfect wisedome Instruct me in thine heauenlie wisedome and teach me thy statutes g Psa 119 1◠For I verelie doe beleeue that he is blessed whome thou chastisest ô Lord and teachest in thy lawe h Psa 94. 12. My desire is to cal vnto thee now grant I praie thee I may doe so in truth What is it to cal vnto the truth in truth but euen to cal vnto the Father in the name of the Sonne i Ioh. 15 16. Then holie Father thy word is the truth k Ioh. 17 17. the beginning of thy word is truth l Ps 119 160. for this is the beginning of thy words that the word was in the beginning m Iohn 1 1. In that verie beginning I worship thee the chiefe beginning In that same very word of truth I cal vnto thee the perfect truth in which thou the verie same truth direct me in thy truth and teach me For what is more acceptable than to cal vpon the begetter in the name of his onlie begotten to mooue the Father vnto mercie in the recordation of the Sonne to mitigate the wrath of the King through naming of his deere child So haue the guiltie bin woont to be deliuered out of prison the fettered loased and such as haue bin adiudged to the death haue not onelie bin pardoned but gotten beside extraordinarie fauor while they haue expressed the tender affection toward a deerlie beloued child to angrie princes finalie so haue trespassing seruants escaped punishment at their masters hands euen through the intercession of their sweete sonnes Euen after the like sort by the tender loue of thine almightie Sonne I humblie beseech thee ô almightie Father bring my soule out of prison n Psa 142 7 that I may praise thy Name By thy coëternal and onelie Sonne o Ioh. 3 16. 18. 1. Iohn 4 9. I praie thee deliuer me from the chaines of sinne and through the intercession of thy Sonne that sitteth now at thy right hand restore me vnto life to whome mine owne desertes doe threaten a deadlie sentence For what other intercessor should I direct vnto thee but euen him which is the reconciliation for our sinnes p 1. Ioh. 2 2. and sitteth at thy right hand making request for vs q Rom. 8 verse 34. Behold mine aduocate with thee God the Father r 1. Iohn 2 1. behold the most hie Priest ſ Hebr. 8 1. which needeth not to be sanctified by the blood of anie thing t Heb. 9 11. 12. but shineth gloriouslie embrued with his owne blood behold the sacrifice holie acceptable and perfect u Heb. 9 24. 25 c. offered and receaued for a sweet smelling sauor x Eph. 5 2. behold the lambe vndefiled y 1. Pet. 1 19. that as a sheepe before his shearers opened not his mouth
Iohn 2 verse 3. which was estraied far from thee the merciful pastor fetcheth that to the fold which the greedie deuourer n 1. Pet. 5 8. had hunted awaie He bringeth him into thy presence which fled o Gen. 3 8. out of sight through a guiltie conscience y t by his maker he might obteine pardon p 1. Cor. 1 verse 30. which of himselfe deserued wrath q Eph. 2 3. and that through such a Capitaine he might haue hope to be called home into his countrie to whome nothing was due but hel fire in respect of his sinne I could holie Father r Matt. 6 10. offend thee of my selfe but so could I not of my selfe please thee And therefore thy beloued Sonne ſ Matt. 3 17. 2. Pet. 1 17. my God became mine helper tooke my nature vpon him t Iohn 1 14. Matth. 1 23. thereby to heale mine infirmities u Esai 53 4. 5. that thence he might offer to thee the sacrifice of praise whence the cause of sinne did first spring out and might by that thing bring me into thy fauor whereby sitting now at thy right hand he would show that he is partaker of my substance u Mar. 16 19 Actes 1 9. 10. 11. Rom. 8 34. Lo this is mine hope x Col. 1 27. 1. Tim. 1 1. this is al my confidence Wherefore if you despise me as you may right wel in respect of my sinne yet regard me at the least of thy goodnes in respect of the great loue y Eph. 5 2. 1. Iohn 3 16 of thy beloued Sonne behold that in thy Sonne which may mooue thee to showe mercie vpon thy seruant behold the sacrament of his flesh and remit the sinnes of the flesh As often as thou lookest vpon y e wounds of thy blessed Sonne so often I praie thee let my sins be couered As often as thou remembrest the pretious blood of his holie side so often I beseech thee let the spots of my filthines be washed awaie And because flesh hath prouoked thee vnto anger my humble sute is that flesh also may mooue thee vnto mercie that as flesh seduced man to offend so flesh may bring man to pardon For much it is I grant which my wickednes hath deserued yet far much more is it which the loue of my redeemer may lawfulie chalenge For though great be mine vnrighteousnes yet is the righteousnes of Christ my redeemer much greater z Rom. 5. 15 Because by how much God is better than man by so much is my wickednes inferior to his goodnes both in qualitie and also in quantitie For what hath man cōmitted which the Sonne of God made man a Iohn 1 14. hath not redeemed who in pride can so swel that by his woonderful humilitie may not be ouerthrowne what power of death can there be so great but the passion of y e Sonne of God on the crosse wil destroy y e same Trulie ô my God c Psal 7 1. 3. Iohn 20 17. were both the sinnes of wicked man and the mercie of my redeemer waied together in equal balance surelie neither the east would so differ from the west nor the lower most part of hel from the vppermost top of heauen Now therefore ô most glorious Creator of the light d Gen. 1 3. for the exceeding great paines of thy beloued Sonne forgiue my sins set his godlines against my wickednes his trobles against my crookednes his meekenes against my frowardnes Let his humilitie e Phil. 2 8. for mine hautines his patience f 1. Pet. 2 21 22. 23. for mine impatiencie his gentlenes g Mat. 11 29 for my crueltie his obedience h Phil. 2 8. for my rebellion his quietnes i Esai 53 7. for my crabednes his sweetnes for my bitternes his mildnes for my rage and his loue k Eph. 5 2. 1. Iohn 3. 16 for mine hatred make amends Chap. 9. Vnto the holie Spirit a godlie praier THerefore almightie and holie Ghost which art the loue of the deitie proceeding both frō the almightie Father a Ioh. 20 17 his blessed Sonne b Psal 1 7. Matth. 3 17. Hebr. 1 5. the most gratious comforter c Ioh. 14 16. 17. Iohn 15 26. of the trobled soules slide thou downe into the secret parlor of mine hart by thy mightie power and lighten euery priuie corner of the neglected house by the brightnes of thy glittering light and such places as wither through long drines by visiting with thine abundant showers of raine make thou to spring The priuie places of the inner man heale thou with the dart of thy loue and kindle by piercing with thy healthful flames the intrals of my nummed liuer and with the lightsome fire of thine holie and feruent loue feede thou euerie secrete part both of my mind and bodie Giue me drinke out of the riuer of thy pleasures d Psal 36 8. that I may now couet no more to taste of y e poisoned sweetenes of worldlie things Iudge me ô Lord e Psal 43 1. and defend my cause against the vngodlie people teach me to do thy wil f Psa 143 10 for thou art my God Wherefore I doe verelie beleeue that in whom soeuer thou dwellest thou doest build the house both of the Father and the Sonne Blessed is that man which can get such a guest bicause through thee both the Father and the Son wil dwel with him g Ioh. 14 23 Come then ô thou most gratious comforter of the trobled soule h Ioh. 15 26 which art a protector in due time i Psal 9 9. an helper in affliction come O come thou purger of wickednes curer of wounds Come thou which art the fortitude of the weake and the staie of such as are falling Come thou instructor of the humble k Luk. 12 12 the destroier of the proud Come thou louing father of the fatherles thou merciful iudge of the widowes l Psal 68 5. Come thou hope of the poore and refresher of them which be readie to faint Come thou guide of seafaring men and hauen to auoid shipwrack Thou singular glorie of such as liue thou onelie saluation of them at y e point of death come Come ô most holie spirit come and haue mercie vpon me knit me to thee and mercifulie grant after the multitude of thy mercies that my slendernes may please thy greatnes and my weakenes thy strength through Iesus Christ my Sauior m Ioh. 4 42. Phil. 3 20. 1. Tim. 4 10. 1. Iohn 4 14. who in thy vnitie with the Father liueth and raigneth for euermore Amen Chap. 10. A deuout praier of an humble seruant of God I Knowe LORD I knowe and confes how I am vnwoorthie to be loued of thee yet art not thou vnwoorthie to be loued of me I am vnwoorthie to serue thee yet art not thou vnwoorthie to haue my seruice
what thou hast begun that we may be able to come into the fulnes of thy mercie Make vs through the holie spirit to vnderstand and through thy Sonne to discerne and with due honor to reuerence this high mysterie of godlines z 1. Tim. 3 verse 16. which is how God was manifested in the flesh iustified in the Spirit seene of Angels preached vnto the Gentils beleeued on in the world and receaued vp in glorie Chap. 17. Another thankesgiuing for the benefit of our redemption O Lord our GOD a Psa 90 1. 2. Psal 95 7. how much are we bound vnto thee which be redeemed with such a price b 1. Pet. 1 18 19. salued with such a gift c Iohn 3 16. and preserued by so heauenlie a benefit O how greatlie are we wretches bound to feare thee to loue thee to blesse thee to praise thee to honor thee and to glorifie thee seeing we are so saued so sanctified and so glorified of thee d Rom. 8 verse 30. For we are indebted to thee both for al that wee can doe and for al our life e Act. 17 28. and for al our wisedome f Iam. 1 17. And who hath anie thing of himselfe not from thee g 1. Cor. 4 7 Wherefore ô Lord our God from whome euerie good gift doth proceede h Iam. 1 17. euen for thine owne sake and for thine holie name sake giue vs grace of thy goodes and gifts to serue thee and in truth to please thee and euermore for so great benefits of thy mercie to thanke thee For by none other meanes can we either serue or please thee but by thine owne gift For euerie good giuing and euerie perfect gift is from aboue i Iam. 1. 17. and commeth downe from the Father of lights with whome is no variablenes neither shadowing by turning O Lord our God k Ioh. 20 17 ô gratious l Esai 6 3. Esai 43 15. God ô good m Matt. 19 verse 17. God ô God almightie n 2. Cor. 6 verse 18. Reu. 11. 17. GOD whose nature can be neither vttered by words nor conteined in anie place o Iob. 23 8. 9. Psal 139 6. 7. 8 c. GOD Creator of al things p Gen. 1 1. 2 c. Psal 135 6. and the Father of our Lord Iesu Christ q Gal. 1 1. 3. which hast from thine owne bosome sent the same thy beloued Sonne r Matt. 3 17. into the world for our common welfare ſ 1. Tim. 1 15 to take our nature vpon him t Iohn 1 15. that he might giue vs his and be as perfect God of thee his Father so perfect man of his mother a verie God and a verie man yet but one and the same Christ both eternal and temporal immortal and mortal a Creator and a creature strong and weake a conqueror and conquered a nourisher and nourished a shepheard and a sheepe temporalie dead and yet liuing eternalie with thee who promised to his friends a citie of life and said to his disciples Whatsoeuer ye shal aske the Father in my Name u Ioh. 10 23 he wil giue it you By the same high Priest x Heb. 8 1. and right Byshop y Heb. 9 11. 12 c. and good Shepheard z Ioh. 10 10 11. who hath offered himselfe for a sacrifice giuing his life for his sheepe I beseech thee euen by him which sitteth at thy right hand a Rom. 8 34 and maketh request for vs our redeemer b 1. Pet. 1 18 19. aduocate c 1. Iohn 2 1 2. I saie of thy mercie and goodnes I humblie beseech thee ô most gentle most louing and most gratious God louer of mankind d Iohn 3 16 giue mee grace with the same thy Sonne and the holie Ghost in al things to blesse thee and with much sorowe of hart to glorifie thy Name finalie giue me a fountaine of teares with great reuerence and feare For they haue power to giue alike whose substance is al one But forsomuch as a corruptible bodie e Wisd 9 15 is heauie vnto the soule quicken me I praie thee by thy spurs and make me valiantlie to perseuere in thy precepts and praises daie and night f Psa 35 28 Make mine hart hot within me g Psa 39 3. and in my musing let the fire bee kindled And because thy beloued and only Son hath said No man can come to me h Ioh. 6 44. except the Father which hath sent me drawe him and againe No man commeth vnto the Father but by me i Ioh. 14 6. I praie and humblie beseech thee drawe mee alwaies vnto him that he at length may bring me vnto thee euen thither where he is sitting at thy right hand k Rom. 8 34 wheras life euerlasting l Reu. 7 15. 16. 17. and euerlastinglie blessed is whereas perfect loue and no feare is m Reu. 21 4 whereas daie alwaie and one spirit of al is whereas soueraigne and sure securitie and secure quietnes and quiet ioifulnes and ioiful blessednes and blessed euerlastingnes and euerlasting happines and the happie sight n Reu. 22 4. and praising of thee is without end where thou with him and he in the communion of the holie Spirit liueth and raigneth a God for euer and euer Amen Chap. 18. A most godlie praier vnto our Sauior Christ O GOD Christ thou most kind louer of mankind a Eph. 5 2. 1. Ioh. 3 16. mine hope b Col. 1 27. 1. Tim. 1 1. the light c Iohn 1 4. 5 c. the waie d Ioh. 14 6. the life e Ioh. 11 25 the saluation f 1. Pet. 2 24 the honor and the glorie of al thy people g Luk. 2 32. Cal into thy remembrance for whose sake thou wouldest endure suffer bands h Matt. 27 2 the crosse i Mar. 15 15. 16 c. Gal. 3 13. wounds k Ioh. 19 34 death and the graue l Ioh. 19 41. 42. I beseech thee for whose cause hauing ouercom death after three daies thou rosest againe m Mat. 28 5 6. appeeredst to thy Disciples n Mar. 16 14 Luk. 24 13. 14 c. 25. 26 c. instructing their wauering minds and fortie daies after thy resurrection thou ascendedst into heauen o Luke 24 verse 51. Actes 1 9. where thou liuest and shalt raigne for euermore p Reu. 4 8. 9. 10. 11. Thou art my GOD a liuing q Rom. 8 verse 34. and a true God r Matt. 4 7. 10. mine holie Father my louing Lord ſ Act. 7 59. my puissant Prince t Reu. 4 9. 10. 11. Reu. 5 11. 12. 13. my good shepherd u Iohn 10 11 14. mine onlie master x Mat. 23 8 my best helper y Heb. 13 6. my faithfullest friend z Ioh. 15. 15. my liuing bread a Iohn 6
to me through thy sweete loue Vnto thee ô blessed Trinitie doth the cleere voice and syncere loue of my faith cal the which nurishing the same from the cradle thou hast inlightened alwaie by the light of thy grace and confirmed mightilie in me through the instructions of our mother the Church Vnto thee doe I cal ô happie and blessed and glorious and single Trinitie Father c Mat. 11 25 Mark 13 32 and Sonne d Iohn 3 16 18. 1. Iohn 4 3. and holie Ghost e 2. Cor. 13 verse 13. 1. Iohn 5 7. God f Dent. 6 4. 1. Tim. 1 17. Lord g Deut. 6 13 Matth. 4 10. and Comforter h Ioh. 14 16. 17. loue grace and communion i 2. Cor. 13 verse 13. the begetter k Heb. 1 5. the begotten l Act. 13 33. the renuer m Titus 3 5 The verie light of the verie light n Iohn 1 4. 5. 9. the verie illumination The spring the flud and the watering Of one al through one al in one al things Of whom o Act. 17 28. through whom in whom are al things The liuing life the life from the liuing the quickener of such as liue p Iohn 5 21 1. Tim. 6 13. One of himselfe one of one one of two A Being of himselfe a Being of another a Being from both The Father is true q 1. Ioh. 5 9. 10. the Sonne truth r Iohn 14 6 the holie Ghost truth ſ 1. Iohn 5 6 So that the Father the Word and the Comforter are one essence t 1. Iohn 5 7 one power one goodnes one blessednes of whom through whom and in whom are al things blessed whatsoeuer things are blessed Chap. 31. How that God is the true and the soueraigne life O God the true and the soueraigne life of whom through whom in whom al things doe liue a Act. 17 28 whatsoeuer things do liue trulie and in happie state O God euen goodnes and goodlines frō whom b Iam. 1 17. through whom and in whom are al good and goodlie things which are good and goodlie God whose faith quickeneth hope erecteth and loue linketh vs God who hast commanded vs to praie vnto thee c Matt. 7 7. and makest thy selfe to be found and openest to him which knocketh God whom none forgoeth but the deceaued none seeketh but the admonished d Ioh. 6 44. and no man findeth but the purged e Matt. 5 8. God whom to knowe is life f Iohn 17 3. whom to serue is to raigne and whome to loue is the saluation and ioie of the soule Thee both with my lips and with mine hart and with al my strength I doe praise blesse and worship to thy clemencie and goodnes I doe yeeld humble thanks for al thy benefits and to thy Maiestie doe I sing Holie Holie Holie g Esai 6 3. O blessed Trinitie I beseech thee vouchsafe to come into me and to make me a meete temple for thine holines I doe praie the Father through the Sonne I praie the Sonne through the Father I praie the holie Spirit by the Father and the Sonne that al wickednes may be set far-awaie fro me and that al the holie virtues may be implanted within me O infinit GOD of whome through whom and in whom are al things made both visible and inuisible h Col. 1 16. which enclosest thine outward works and fillest thine inward gouernest them aboue bearest them belowe i Heb. 1 3. keepe mee the worke of thine hands k Psa 100 3. Psal 119 73. which trust in thee and hope onlie in thy mercie Keepe me I beseech thee both here and euerie-where now and alwaie within and without before and behind aboue and beneath round-about so that there be no place for the snares of the enimie against me Thou art God almightie l Gen. 35 11 Psal 115 3. Reuel 11 17 the keeper and protector of al that trust in thee m Psa 18 30 without whom none is in safetie no man is free from danger Thou art God and beside thee there is none other n Deu. 4 39 Psal 86 10. either in heauen aboue or in earth belowe which doest great things and vnsearchable o Iob. 5 9. and maruelous things without number Meete is it that thou be praised that thou be honored that thou be magnified with commendations To thee the whole troupe of Angels to thee the heauens and al the powers do sing and continualie yeeld praises as creatures to the Creator seruants to the Lord souldiers to their King Euerie creature doth extol and euerie soule doth glorifie thee the holie and vndiuided Trinitie Chap. 32. A fourme of thankesgiuing vnto God TO thee the holie and humble men of hart a Song of y e three children ver 87 86. to thee the spirits and soules of the righteous to thee doe al the supernal citizens together with al the orders of blessed spirits yeeld humble praise and glorie and exalt thee aboue al things for euer O Lord gloriouslie and honorablie do those heauenlie citizens adorne thee with praises Man also the most excellent among thy creatures doth magnifie thee Yea and I too a miserable sinner doe exceedinglie desire to praise thee greatlie do I loue to loue thee aboue al things O my God b Psal 7 1. 3. my life c Psal 42 8. my strength d Psa 18 1. 2. and my praise e Psa 118 14 Esaie 12 2. giue me grace to praise thee Put thy light in mine hart and thy word into my mouth that both mine hart may thinke vpon thy glorie and my tongue sing out thy praises euerie daie f Psal 71 8. But forsomuch as praise is not seemelie in the mouth of a sinner g Ecc. 15 9. and I am a man of polluted lips h Esai 6 5. purge mine hart I beseech thee from al iniquitie i Psal 51 7. 8. sanctifie mee both within and without ô almightie sanctifier and make me woorthie to sound foorth thy praise Receaue in good part from the hand of the hart and from the loue of the mind receiue I praie thee the sacrifice of my lips and let it be acceptable in thy sight and ascend-vp vnto thee like a sweete smelling sauor Let thine holie memorie and thy blessed sweetenes possesse my whole soule and rauish me with desire of inuisible things Let my soule I beseech thee passe from visible vnto inuisible from terrestrial vnto heauenlie vnto eternal from transitorie things let it passe I saie and see thy woonderful vision O eternal veritie k Psal 117 2. true charitie l 1. Iohn 4 8 9. and deere eternitie m 1. Tim. 1 verse 17. thou art my God n Psa 31 14. vnto thee doe I sigh after thee doe I couet on thee doe I thinke vnto thee doe I desire to come night and
daie who so knoweth thee knowes the truth o Iohn 14 6 knowes eternitie Thou ô truth bearest the preeminence aboue al things whom we shal behold euen as thou art p 1. Ioh. 3 2. when as this blind and mortal life is passed-awaie wherein it is said vnto vs Where is thy God q Psa 42 3. And I saie Thou art my God r Psal 31 14. Som-what I breath after thee when I powre-out my soule vpon thee in the voice of ioie and confession as one that maketh good-cheere and kepeth a feast and as yet is pensiue because it slideth-backe and becommeth a deepe or more truelie perceaueth it selfe as yet to be a verie deepe indeede My faith which thou hast inflamed in the night before my feete saith to it Why art thou cast downe my soule ſ Psal 43 5. and why art thou disquieted within me Wait on God his word is a lanterne vnto my feete t Ps 119 105 Wait and perseuere vntil the night euen the mother of the wicked be gone-awaie vntil the wrath of God whose children we sometime were u Eph. 2 3. be passed-awaie For we haue bin ere-this darknes x Eph. 5 8. vntil this streame of waters flowe-awaie we carrie yet the remnants in the bodie dead in respect of sinne vntil the daie doe rise and shadowes depart wait on God in the morning I shal stand before him and behold and alwaies praise him In the morning I wil direct me vnto thee y Psal 5 3. and behold the health of my countenance euen my God who shal quicken our mortal bodies z Rom. 8 11. because of the Spirit dwelling in vs that now we may be light a Eph. 5 8. while yet we are saued by hope b Rom. 8 24 and are the children of light and the children of the daie c 1. Thes 5 5 not of the night neither of darknes For we were once darknes d Eph. 5 8. but are now light in the Lord and yet through faith e 1. Cor. 13 verse 12. 13. not as we shal be Hope that is seene is none hope f Rom. 8 24 O Lord that immortal people of thine Angels doe praise thee and the celestial powers doe magnifie thy Name g Esaie 6 1. 2. 3. who haue no neede either to reade this our scripture or to knowe thee the holie single Trinitie For they alwaies behold thy face h Matt. 18 verse 10. where they reade without syllables of time what thine eternal pleasure is they reade they choose and they loue yea alwaies they reade and what they reade they forget not By choosing and louing they reade this constancie of thy counsel and their booke shal at no time be shut and folded because thy selfe art and wilt euerlastinglie be this to them O much blessed are those heauenlie powers that can religiouslie and purelie with an exceeding delight and vnspeakeable ioie magnifie thee with praises Thence they praise whence they reioice forsomuch as alwaies they behold that which offereth them continual occasion both to praise and reioice But we pressed downe with the waight of flesh i Wis 9 15. and placed far awaie from thy countenance k 1. Cor. 13 verse 12. in this exile l Heb. 11 13. 14 c. 1. Pet. 2 11. and distracted through varieties of the world we alas are not able worthilie to praise thee through faith we praise thee not of perfect knowledge m 1. Cor. 13 verse 12. 13. But those Angelical spirits praise thee of knowledge n Matth. 18 verse 10. not through faith for our flesh is the cause why we praise thee otherwise than they do Notwithstanding albeit we sing praises to thee after diuers sorts yet thou art but one God o Deut. 6 4. Mala. 2 10. creator of al things p Gen. 1 1. 2 c. Iohn 1 1. 3. Hebr. 1 1. 2. to whom is offered the sacrifice of praise both in heauen and in earth but one day we shal come vnto their companie with whom alwaies we shal see thee q 1. Cor. 13 verse 12. Reue. 22 4. and praise thee without cessing Now then ô Lord graunt that while I do liue in this fraile bodie both mine hart and my tongue and al my bones may glorifie thee and saie r Psal 35 verse 10. Lord who is like vnto thee Thou art God almightie ſ Exod. 6 3. Reuel 4 8. whom three in persons t Matt. 3 16. 17. Mark 1 10. 11. yet but one in y e substance of the Godhead we serue and worship namelie the Father vnbegotten the Sonne onlie begotten of the Father u Ioh. 3 16. 18. 1. Iohn 4 9. the holie Spirit both proceeding from and remaining in them both an holie and a single Trinitie one God almightie Which when we were not didest mightilie make vs x Gen. 1 26. 27. Psal 100 3. Psal 119 73. and when through our owne default we were lost mercifullie and maruelouslie hast deliuered vs y Psal 103 1. 2 c. 9. 10 c. 1. Pet. 2 24. Oh suffer vs not to prooue neither vngrateful for so great benefits nor vnworthie so manifold mercies Vnto thee do I praie sue and beseech increase my faith increase mine hope yea and increase my loue also Through that same thy goodnes make vs to be euermore stable in faith z Colo. 1 23. and fruitful in al good workes a Col. 1 10. that by a right faith and workes agreeable vnto faith we may come through thy mercie vnto euerlasting life where seeing thy perfect and ful glorie euen as it is b 1. Cor. 13 verse 12. Reue. 22 4. we may worship thy maiestie and made worthie to behold thy glorie sing Glorie to the Father which hath made vs c Psal 136 1. 2. 3. c. glorie to the Sonne who hath redeemed vs d Gal. 3 13. Gala. 4 1. 2 c. 1. Timo. 2 6. glorie to the holie Ghost that hath sanctified vs e Rom. 15 verse 26. 1. Cor. 6 9. 10. 11. glorie to the soueraigne and single Trinitie whose workes are vnseparable and whose kingdom hath none end f Reu. 11 15. Vnto thee belongeth al praise al commendation al honor blessing and loue honor and power and might be vnto thee our God for euermore g Reu. 7 12. Amen Chap. 33. A complaint that man is not moued in hart through contemplation when as the Angels who see God tremble thereat PArdon ô Lord ô merciful God pardon pardon and shewe mercie forgiue mine ignorance and my great imperfection O reiect me not for that I dare be so bold with thee who am thy seruant not thy good seruant whome would I were but thine vnprofitable and euil and therefore verie euil because I presume without anie contrition of the hart fluds of teares and without due reuerence and feare to praise blesse and
into thine hand I doc commend both my soule my bodie my sight hearing tasting smelling and feeling with al my cogitations affections actions outward and inward things my sense and vnderstanding my memorie my faith and beleefe and perseuerance that thou maiest keepe them daie and night euerie houre and moment O sacred Trinitie heare my petition and saue me from al euil f Matt. 6 13 from offending and from sinning anie maner of waie from al snares and pursutes of Satan and of enimies visible and inuisible Expel far fro me the hautinesse of mind and increase within me the sorowe of hart diminish my pride and establish true humilitie within my breast fetch teares from mine eies mollifie mine hard and stonie hart and saue Lord both me my soule from al traps of the enimie and continue me in thy pleasure Teach me to doe thy wil g Ps 143 10. for thou art my God Giue me perfect sense vnderstanding ô Lord that I may be able to conceaue the deepenes of thy mercie Grant me grace to beg that at thine hands which may both be ioiful for thee to grant and behooueful for me to receaue Make me vnfainedlie to bewaile my sinnes and manifold offences Heare ô my Lord and my God h Psal 7 1. 3. heare ô light of mine eies i Iohn 1 9. heare my petition and grant that what I request I may obteine If thou despise I am vtterlie vndone if thou heare me I take hart againe If thou examinest my righteousnes lo I stinke like a dead carrion but if in mercie thou respect mee thou raisest him that stinketh out of the graue What thou hatest in me remooue far fro me and ingraffe the spirit of chastitie and of a cleane life in my mind that in asking anie thing at thine hands I may not offend thee in asking the same Take fro mee whatsoeuer is hurtful to my soule and giue what is behooueful O Lord giue me a salue to heale my greeuous woundes Indue me good Lord with thy feare k Psal 2 11. with sorowe of hart l Psa 51 17. with humilitie of minde m Ecc. 23 4. and with a pure conscience n Psal 24 4. Giue me grace Lord to keepe brotherlie concord euermore o Rom. 12 verse 10. 1. Pet. 2 17. to remember my transgressions not to meddle with the dealings of other men Pardon my soule pardon my sinnes my wickednes pardon ô pardon mine offences p Psal 51 2. 9. Visit me that am weake cure me that am sicke heale me that doth languish raise me which am dead O Lord giue me both an hart to dread thee a mind to loue thee sense to knowe thee eares to heare thee eies to see thee Haue mercie on me ô God haue mercie on me looke vpon me from the holie seate of thy Maiestie and illuminate the darknes of mine hart with the beame of thy brightnes Giue me wisedome ô Lord to discerne betweene good and euil and grant me a watchful vnderstanding Forgiue al my sinnes I beseech thee and in the time of necessitie troble q Ps 37 39. be thou good and gratious to me I onelie beseech thee After thy woonted mercie most louing kindnes ô Lord I beseech thee vouchsafe to giue me y e life which euer shal endure O Lord Iesus Christ giue both to thy ministers vnitie of mind and to magistrates iudging vprightlie peace and tranquillitie Furthermore ô Lord my request is for the whole catholike and holie Church for men and women for religious and for secular men for al Christian gouernors people beleeuing in thy Name which labor for thine holie loue that they may haue grace to continue in wel doing O Lord eternal King giue to virgins chastitie to the vnmaried continencie to the wedded puritie to repenters mercie to widowes and orphanes comfort to the poore protection to trauelers a safe returne to mourners consolation to seafaring men a ioiful hauen to the good zeale to persist to the wel inclined a mind to prooue better to the wicked and sinful as to me wretch grace with speede to repent O sweete Lord and most merciful Iesus Christ Sonne of the liuing God r Mat. 16 16 redeemer of the world ſ Tit. 2 14. Col. 1 14. 1. Pet. 2 22. 24. I acknowledge that among al and aboue al sinners I am wretched but thou most gratious and hie Father who takest mercie vpon al canst not suffer me to be vtterlie destitute of thy mercie O thou Lord King of kings t 1. Tim. 6 verse 15. Reu. 19 16. who grantest truce of life stir in me a mind alwaie and aboue al things to seeke to desire to loue to feare thee and to do thy wil who art euerie-where al whole u Iob. 23 8. 9 c. Eccl. 23 18. 19. a Trinitie and but one God x Mal. 2 10. Especialie ô Lord holie Father who art blessed and glorious for euermore I beseech thee in most humble sort vouchsafe to gouerne keepe them from destruction who either doe make mention of mee in their praiers or haue commended themselues to mine vnwoorthie supplication or haue done good whether it bee vnto my bodie with tēporal benefits or to my soule with profitable instructions or be linked vnto me either in kinred frendship or goodwil Furthermore both for al Christians which are aliue I praie thee stand thou at their elbowe to assist them and for such also as are dead and euerlastinglie doe rest from their labors y Reu. 14 13 I yeeld thee immortal praise Finalie this one thing more grant me ô Lord I do earnestlie beseech thee who art Alpha and Omega z Reuel 1 8. Reuel 21 6. that when the vttermost daie and end of my life shal come thou wilt be a merciful iudge to me against that malicious accuser a Reu. 12 10 the diuel and that thou wilt continualie protect me against the snares of the old serpent b Reu. 12 2. and finalie conduct me into the societie of Angels and of al Saints in thy holie paradise who art blessed now and euermore Amen Chap. 40. A deuout praier in memorie of the passion of Christ O Lord Iesu Christ my redemption a Col. 1 14. my mercie and my saluation b Matt. 1 21. I doe praise thee yeeld thee thanks although far vnanswereable I confes to thy benefits although not zealous enough although verie leane from the desired fatnes of thy sweete affection yet such as it hath not as I knowe it oweth and as it is able my soule paieth vnto thee O thou hope of mine hart and strength of my soule let thy diuine power fulfil what my luke warme weaknes endeuoreth to bring to passe ô my life and thou end of my thought And though I haue not hitherto deserued so greatlie to loue as I am bound yet my desire is to loue euen as I ought