old age Be thou my refuge ô my God the rocke of mine hope z Psa 94 22 for thou Lord art a great God and a great King aboue al Gods a Psal 95 3. When thou wilt iudge the world with righteousnes and thy people in truth b Psa 96 13 I shal enioie light with the righteous c Psal 97 11 and ioie with the vpright in hart Let thy right hand d Psa 98 1. and thine holie arme preserue me Thou which sittest vpon the Cherubims e Psal 99 1. make me to come before thy presence with ioifulnes f Psa 100 2. that I may walke in the vprightnes of mine hart in the mids of mine house g Psa 101 2. 4. 6. 8. Let a froward hart depart fro me but cause mine eies to be turned vnto thy faithful that I may sit with them walking in a perfect waie when through thy iudgement thou shalt cut off al the workers of wickednes from thy Citie O Lord heare my praier h Psa 102 1 2. and let my crie come vnto thee Hide not thy face fro me in the time of trouble incline thine eares vnto me Pardon al my sinnes i Psa 103 3. 4. 5. and redeeme my soule from destruction Satisfie my longing with good things thou which lookest vpon the earth and it trembleth k Ps 104 32 and broughtest foorth thy people with ioie and thy chosen with gladnes l Ps 105 43. Make mee to keepe iudgement and to worke righteousnes at al times m Psa 106 3 Bring me out of darkenes and out of the shadowe of death n Ps 107 14 that with a prepared hart I may sing and giue praise o Psa 108 1. Saue me ô Lord according to thy mercie p Ps 109 26 that in the glorie of Saincts q Psa 110 3. in the assemblie and congregation of the iust r Psa 111 1. 3. my righteousnes may endure for euer and mine horne be exalted with glorie ſ Psa 112 9. that while thou raisest the needie out of the dust and liftest vp the poore out of the dung t Psa 113 7. I may blesse thee ô Lord from hencefoorth and for euer u Psa 115 18 then I shal walke before the Lord in the land of the liuing x Psa 116 9. 16. Breake thou my bonds and confirme thy mercie towards me y Psa 117 2. When I cal vpon thee in my trouble ô Lord heare me z Psa 118 5. and set me at large Teach me ô Lord the waie of thy statutes a Ps 119 33. that I may liue and keepe it vnto the end Giue me vnderstanding both to search thy Lawe 34. and to obserue it also with mine whole hart I haue gone astraie like a lost sheepe 176. ô seeke thy seruant and deliuer my soule b Psa 120 2. Preserue my going out and my comming in c Psa 121 8. that my feete may stand in the courts of Ierusalem d Psa 122 2. I lift vp mine eies vnto thee that dwellest in the heauens e Psa 123 1. Deliuer my soule out of the snare of the foulers f Psa 124 7. least I put forth mine hands vnto wickednes g Psa 125 3. Fil my mouth with laughter and my tongue with ioie h Psa 126 2. replenish my longing with good things and blesse me out of Zion i Psa 128 5. that I may see the wealth of Ierusalem hauing escaped the cords of wickednes k Psa 129 4. Let thine eares attend vnto the voice of my praiers l Psa 130 2. ô Lord. Let not mine hart be hautie nor mine eies loftie m Psa 131 1. but giue me grace to thinke humblie vntil I finde a place for the Lord an habitation for the mightie God of Iaacob n Psa 132 5. There the Lord hath appointed the blessing and life foreuer o Psa 133 3. There wil I lift vp mine hands to the Sanctuarie and praise thee p Psa 134 2. who iudgest thy people q Psal 135 verse 14. and art pacified toward thy seruants O God of Gods r Psa 136 2. 3. and Lord of Lords now weeping ſ Psa 137 1. and worshipping toward thine holie Temple t Psa 138 2. trie me and knowe me u Psal 139 verse 23. 24. marke and consider my pathes and leade mee in thy waie for euer Deliuer me ô Lord from the euil man x Psa 140 1. and preserue mee from the cruel man Let my praier be directed in thy sight as incense y Psa 141 2. Bring my soule out of prison that I may praise thy Name z Psa 142 7. Heare my praier ô Lord in thy righteousnes a Psa 143 1. 2. and enter not into iudgement with thy seruant Heare me speedelie 7. ô Lord least my spirit faile me for thou God art my refuge and my deliuerer b Psa 144 2. And forsomuch as thou art great and most worthie to be praised c Psa 145 3. and thy greatnes is incomprehensible raise vp the crooked d Psa 146 8. loase the shacled and giue sight to the blinde thou which doest build vp Ierusalem e Psa 147 2. And when thou hast made the bars of thy gates strong 13. let me be copled to thy children within As the Angels and al the powers in the kingdome of heauen do praise thee f Psa 148 1. 2. there let me triumphing gloriouslie in the congregation of y e Saincts g Psa 149 1. with the sounding cymbals h Psa 150 5. of my lips praise and magnifie thy Name the which is holie and glorious and raigneth now and euerlastinglie Amen Luke 2 verse 14. GLORIE TO GOD ON HIGH FINIS God tremble thereat pag. 145. 34 A praier verie forceable to moue the mind vnto religion and the loue of God pag. 149. 35 A deuout praier for grace to praise and to thanke the Lord dulie for his benefits pag. 162. 36 A verie effectual praier to the stirring-vp of the mind vnto godlines beeing zealouslie vttered pag. 174. 37 A praier in the time of troble pag. 190. 38 A verie godlie praier vnto the Sonne pag. 192. 39 A godlie praier vnto the Trinitie meete oftentimes to be repeated pag. 204. 40 A deuout praier vpon the recordation of the passion of Christ pag. 212. Afterward foloweth S. Augustine his Psalter FINIS ¶ A TABLE EXPRESSING THE SVNDRIE KINDS OF MEDITATIONS IN THIS BOOKE This booke conteineth special 1. Confessions 2. Thankes-giuings 3. Praiers And therefore Vse if thou wouldest 1. Confesse acknoledge either the omnipotencie wisdome goodnes of God chap. 12 pag. 48 ch 28 pag. 114 ch 31 pag. 132. A sacred Trinitie cha 11 pag. 47 ch 29. pag. 123 ch 30. pag. 129. the blessednes of the life to come chap. 21 pag. 86 ch 22 pag. 90 ch 24 pag. 96 ch 32 pag. 141. the wretchednes of this life chap. 20 pag. 83. the miserie of man before Christ suffered chap. 7 pag. 28. the mercie of God in sauing mankind ch 8 pag. 35 ch 15 pag. 59. 2. giue God hartie thanks for all his benefits in general ch 26 pag. 106 ch 27 pag. 112 ch 32 pag. 136. for thy saluation through Iesus Christ ch 14 p. 55 ch 16 pag. 64 ch 17 pag. 69. 3. Praie vnto God either for grace to praie aright ch 5 pag. 20 ch 33 p. 145. vnfainedlie to repent ch 35 pag. 162. to knowe the diuine mysterie of our redemption c. 16. p. 64. to thanke God duelie for the benefit of thy saluation ch 17 p. 69. to serue God zealouslie chap. 4 pag. 15 chap. 7 pag 28 ch 9 pag. 43 chap. 10 pa. 46 chap. 31 pa. 132 cha 34 pag. 149 ch 36 pag. 174 cha 39 pag. 204. to leade a good life chap. 1 pag. 1 ch 18 pag. 74. for the forgiuenesse of sinnes chap. 6 pag. 24 chap. 8 pag. 35 chap. 13 pag. 51 chap. 37 pag. 190 ch 38 pag. 192 chap. 39 pag. 204. the whole church of Christ chap. 39 pag. 204. helpe in troble ch 23 pag. 93. the attainement of euerlasting happines chap. 21 pag. 86 chap. 25 p. 103 chap. 36 pag. 174 chap. 40 pag. 212. FAVLTS ESCAPED Page Line Fault Correction 26 2 distilling which distilled 31 1 tastest tastedst 88 10 pruning praieng 127 19 the Sonne the holie Spirit 150 23 nectar pleasant nectar more pleasant 1581. OS HOMINI SVBLIME DEDIT Printed by Henrie Denham dwelling in Pater noster Row at the signe of the Starre Cum priuilegie Regiae Maiestatie
departed t Iohn 11 verse 33. 34 c. and weepe ouer Ierusalem readie to come vnto desolation u Luk. 19 41 42. O good Iesu by those most pretious teares of thine and by al thy manifold mercies wherewithal thou hast vouchsafed wonderfullie to helpe vs miserable sinners giue me grace to bewaile my transgressions the which my soule doth much long for and desire because without thou giue it I cannot get the same x Iam. 1 17. but euen through the holie Ghost which mollifieth the harts of sinners and prouoketh them vnto the teares of repentance Giue me grace to mourne for my sinnes as our forefathers did whose footesteps I am bound to imitate that I may bewaile mine offences al my life long as they haue mourned daie and night Euen for thine intercession sake and for al thy merits sake haue mercie vpon me thy miserable and vnworthie seruant and giue me grace to bewaile my sinnes Water thou my plants both from aboue and from beneath that my teares may be my meate daie and night y Psal 42 3. and I through the fire of compunction may be made a fat burning sacrifice in thy sight and be killed altogether vpon the altar of mine hart and be taken as a fat burnt sacrifice for a sweete smelling sauor in thy nostrels O sweete Lord giue me a watering fountaine and a cleere fountaine wherin dailie this defiled sacrifice may be clensed For although through the assistance of thy grace I haue offered my selfe wholie to thee yet in manie things for al that I do sinne z Iam. 3 2. by reason of my too too great weakenes Wherefore ô blessed and louing God giue me grace especiallie of the great sweetnes of thy loue and remembrance of thy mercies make readie this table for thy seruant in thy presence and giue me power that when I wil I may be satisfied of it Of thy mercie and goodnes grant that this inebriating and goodlie cup may quench my thirst that my spirit may couet after thee and my mind burne with thy loue forgetting al vanitie and miserie Heare ô my God heare ô light of mine eies heare my petition and grant that I may beg that thing which thou maist grant Gratious and merciful God stop not thine eares against me because of my sinnes but of thy woonted goodnes grant me the effect of my petition and desire Amen Chap. 36. A verie effectual praier to the stirring vp of the mind vnto godlines being zelouslie vttered O Lord Iesus ô pitiful Iesus ô good Iesus who both hast voutsafed to suffer death for our sinnes and art risen againe for our iustification a Rom. 4 25 I humblie beseech thee by thy glorious resurrection raise me out of y e sepulchre of my sinnes and of al my vices and giue me dailie a part in the first resurrection b Reu. 20 6. that trulie I may receaue a portion in the resurrection at the last daie O sweete and most blessed Iesus thou hast ascended into heauen with a glorious triumph and sittest at the right hand of the Father c Rom. 8 verse 34. ô almightie Prince drawe me vpward vnto thee that I may runne after thee d Sal. songs 1 verse 2. 3. through the sauor of thine ointments that I may runne and tire not thou drawing and conducting mee in my race drawe the mouth of my soule thirsting after thee vnto the supernal riuers of eternal satietie yea drawe me vnto thee the wel of life e Psal 36 9. that according to my power I may from thence take my drinke whence I may liue for euermore ô my God my life f Ioh. 14 6. Ioh. 11 25. For thine holie and blessed mouth hath said If anie man thirst g Ioh. 7 37. let him come vnto me and drinke Now grant ô fountaine of life that the thirstie soule may drinke of thee continualie that according to thine holie and true promise out of my belie may flowe euen riuers of water of life h Ioh. 7 38. O fountaine of life replenish my soule with the riuer of thy pleasure make mine hart throughlie drunke with the sober drunkennes of thy loue so that I may vtterlie forget whatsoeuer is vaine and earthlie and euermore haue thee alone in my remembrance as it is written I remembred God mine hart was glad Giue me thine holie spirit signified by those waters which thou promisest to giue to such as thirst O I beseech thee giue me grace with al my desire with al my care to go on toward that place whither we beleeue thou ascendedst the fortie daie after thy resurrection i Acts. 1 3. 4. 9 c. that onlie in the flesh I may be held in this wretched world but in thought and desire may be with thee that there mine hart may be k Matth. 6 verse 21. where thou my desired and incomparable and much louelie treasure art For in the great deluge of this life where we are tossed with raging stormes on al sides and no good footing and hie place can be found where the doue may somewhat rest her selfe l Gen. 8 9. there is no where either sure peace or secure quietnes but wars in al places contention and enimies abrode fightings within feares And forsomuch as one part of vs is heauenlie and the other earthlie the corruptible bodie is heauie vnto the soule m Wi. 9 15. Therefore my mind my friend and companion being wearied comming out of the waie is sicke and lieth al too rent and torne of those vanities which it hath passed-by it is verie hungrie and faine would drinke but I haue nothing to set before it because I am in pouertie and in beggerie But ô Lord my God who aboundest in al good thing n Iam. 1 17. and art a liberal bestower of the dainties of heauenlie satietie giue thou meate to the wearied gather together the dispersed amend that which is torne Lo he standeth at the doore knocketh through the bowels of thy mercie whereby thou the daie spring from on high hath visited vs o Luk. 1 78. I beseech thee open the hand of thy pittie to the distressed which knocketh and gratiouslie command that hee come-in vnto thee rest in thee be refreshed of thy liuelie and heauenlie bread wherewithal being satisfied strengthened he may from this vale of teares mount aloft vnto celestial things and carried on high by the wing of holie desire may flie vnto the kingdome of heauen O Lord let my spirit take let it take I beseech thee wings to it selfe as an Egle that it may flie amaine and faint not that it may ascend euen vnto the glorie of thine house and to the where thine honor dwelleth p Psa 26 8. there at the table where thine heauenlie citizens doe repast themselues to bee refreshed of thy secrets in the places of thy greene pasture nigh the stil waters O my God
Make me therfore woorthie of that which thou art woorthie of so shal I be woorthie of that of which now I am vnwoorthie Make me as thy wil is to cesse from sinne that as my dutie binds I may serue thee Grant that I may so keepe and gouerne and end my life that I may sleepe in peace and rest in thee Sticke to me euen to the end that sleepe with rest and rest with quietnes quietnes with euerlastingnes a Reu. 7 15. 16. 17. Reu. 21 4. 23. 24. may receaue me Amen Chap. 11. A praier vnto the blessed Trinitie BOth with hart and mouth we confesse we praise blesse thee God the Father a Mat. 11 25 Mark 13 32 Iohn 20 17. vnbegotten thee God the Sonne onelie begotten b Iohn 1 14. 18. Iohn 3 16. 18. 1. Iohn 4 9. thee God the holie Ghost the comforter c Ioh. 14 16 17. 26. Iohn 15 26. an holie and inseparable Trinitie to thee be glorie worlds without end d 1. Tim. 1 17 2. Tim. 4 18. Reu. 7 12. Amen Chap. 12. A confession of Gods almightines and maiestie O Our GOD a Psal 90 1. 2. Psal 95 7. ô almightie God b Gen. 35 11 Ezech. 10 5 Eccl. 42 17. Reuel 15 3. ô holie Trinitie one power and vnparted Maiestie I praise thee yea euen I y e basest of thy seruants and a simple member of thy Church I praise thee and with a due sacrifice of praise c Psal 50 14 Psal 116 17. according to the knowledge and power which thou hast vouchsafed to impart vpon me I glorifie thee And because I lacke outward gifts to offer behold that which is in mee euen the vowes of thankesgiuing d Psa 116 14 17. 18. gladlie and ioifulie doe I offer out of a good conscience e 1. Tim. 1 5. and faith vnfained With mine hart therefore I do beleeue f Rom. 10 10 ô King of heauen g Mat. â—1 25 and Lord of the earth and with my mouth I confesse the Father h Mar. 13 32 Iohn 20 17 the Sonne i Iohn 1 18. Rom. 8 3. 17. and the holie Ghost k Mar. 12 36 Actes 1 5. 8. 16. three in persons l Matt. 3 16. 17. Mark 1 10. 11. Luke 3 21. 22. yet but one in substance to be a verie m Ier. 10 10. Iohn 17 3. and almightie n 2. Co. 6 18 Reu. 11 17. God of one simple spiritual o Ioh. 4 24. 2. Cor. 3 17. inuisible p 1. Tim. 1 17 and incomprehensible q Psa 139 7. 8 c. nature in which none is either higher or lower or greater than other but are altogether perfect r Matt. 5 48 without deformitie big without quantitie Å¿ Iob. 2 3 8. 9. good t Mat. 19 17. without qualitie without anie time euerlasting u Eccl. 18 1 Lamen 5 19 without dieng immortal x 1. Tim. 1 17 strong y Psal 7 10. 12. 13. Esaie 1 24. without faintnes true z Reu. 6 10. without falsehood without anie abode present euerie where a Psa 139 6. 7. 8. without anie place wholie euerie where filling al things without stretching going euerie where without stop or let passing ouer al things and yet moouest not abiding in al places and yet standest not creating al things b Psa 124 8. Psal 134 3. Eccl. 43 1. 2 c. without neede gouerning al things c Mat. 11 25. without labor giuing beginnings to al things d Hab. 1 12. and yet had no beginning e Pro. 8 22. 23 c. changing al things f 2. Pet. 3 10 and yet neuer changed g Mal. 3 6. Dan. 6 26. Rom. 16 26 in greatnes infinit h Iob. 23 8. 9. in power almightie i Psal 115 3 Reuel 1 8. in goodnes soueraigne k Mar. 10 18 Iames. 1 17. in wisedom wonderful l Wisd 9 1. 4. 5 c. Eccles 1 1. 2 c. Iam. 1 17. in counsels terrible m Psal 66 5 in iudgements righteous n Ps 119 137 in cogitations secret o Psal 92 5. in promise true p Psa 86 15. in works holie q Esaie 6 3. Esai 43 15. Reuel 4 8. in mercie rich r Psal 130. vers 7. toward sinners most patient Å¿ Psal 86 verse 15. toward the penitent most merciful t Ierem. 18 vers 8. Ezec. 18 vers 21. Luk. 13 vers 3 5. Luk. 15 vers 18 19 20. alwaie y e same u Mal. 3 vers 6. eternal x Psal 102 vers 11 12. and euerlasting and immortal y 1. Tim. 1 17. and vnchangeable whom neither widenes of place maketh bigger nor straightnes lesser nor corners wring whose wil doth not varie nor friendship alter whom neither aduersitie maketh out of quiet neither prosperitie ouer iocund nor obliuioÌ„ bringeth aught out of thy mind nor memorie into thy remeÌ„brance neither things passed goe awaie nor things to come succeede where thou art with the beginning thou begannest not with times thou encreasest not z Ps 10â— 25 26. 27. with the end thou takest not an end but both before al worlds and in the world and worlds without end thou liuest enioiest perpetual praise eternal glorie a 2. Tim. 4 verse 18. Reuel 7 12. soueraigne auctoritie singular honor an euerlasting kingdom infinit power for euer and euer Amen Chap. 13. A Zealous praier wherein is declared how God the Father hath saued mankind and how the Word became flesh with a praier for remission of sinnes HItherto ô GOD almightie a Gen. 35 â—â— Eccl. 46 16. which seest and searchest mine hart b 1. Sam. 16 verse 7. Psal 7 9. hitherto I haue confessed the almightines of thy Maiestie the Maiestie of thine almightines but now as I beleeue in mine hart vnto righteousnes c Rom. 10 verse 10. so wil I confesse with mouth vnto saluation how thou hast vouchsafed to helpe mankind in the end of the world Touching thee God the Father thou art neuer read to be sent but of thy Sonne the Apostle writeth on this wise d Gal. 4 4. When the fulnes of time was come God sent forth his Sonne WheÌ„ he saith Hee sent he plainlie showeth how hee came being sent into this world when being borne of the virgin Marie e Matt. x 18 19 c. Luke 2 6. 7. he showed himselfe in the flesh to be verie GOD and perfect man f Iohn 1 14. But what meaneth that principal of al the other Euangelists when he saith g Iohn 1 10 He was in the world and the world was made by him Thither truelie he was sent by his humanitie where he was alwaie is by his diuinitie Which ambassage of his I verelie do beleeue with mine hart and acknowledge with my mouth was the worke of the whole sacred
35 48. 51. mine euerlasting Priest b Heb. 7 24 25. my guide vnto my contrie my true light c Iohn 1 4 7 c. Iohn 8 12. my holie sweetnes d Phil. 3 7 8. Rom. 8 35 36 c. my readie waie e Iohn 14 6. my noble wisdome f 1. Cor. 1 30. my pure simplicitie my peacemaking quietnes g Eph. 2 14. my sure safetie my good portion h Rom. 8 32. mine eternal saluation i Heb. 2 9. 1. Pet. 2 24. my great mercie my mightie patience mine vnspotted sacrifice k Heb. 9 14. 1. Pet. 1 18. 19. mine holie redemption l 1. Cor. 1 30 my strong hope m Col. 1 27. 1. Tim. 1 1. my perfect charitie n Rom. 5 8. my true resurrection o Ioh 11 25. mine euerlasting life p Iohn 14 6 Col. 3 4. my blessed ioie and contemplation q 1. Cor. 13 verse 12. continuing euermore r Reu. 7 15. 16. Reu. 21 4. Vnto thee do I praie crie and bend my sute that through thee I may walke vnto thee I may come in thee I may rest who art the waie the truth and the life ſ Iohn 14 6 beside whom no man commeth vnto the Father For I desire thee t Psal 42. 1. 2. a most gratious and a glorious Lord the verie brightnes of the fathers glorie which sittest vpon the Cherubins and beholdest the deepes which art y e true light u Iohn 1 4. 5. 9 c. the light inlightening the lasting light whom the verie Angels desire to behold x 1. Pet. 1 12. Lo mine hart is before thee expel the darknes of the same that more fullie it may be endued with the cleerenes of thy light Giue me thy selfe ô my God restore me thy selfe lo I loue thee if not entirelie enough I would loue thee more I can by no meanes discerne how much I lack of louing thee as I should that my life may run into thine armes and be at no time alienated til it bee hid in the secret place of thy countenance Notwithstanding this doe I knowe that il is it with me without thee ô Lord not onelie outwardlie to my bodie but also in wardlie to my soule For al plentie being not my GOD is but pouertie But the good which no waie can be altered either into the better or worse thou alone art y Mal. 3 6. which art simplie alone z Psa 86 10 Esai 37 16. 20. to whome it is not one thing to liue and another to liue happilie for thou art thine owne happines But thy creature to whom it is one thing to liue and another to liue happilie can ascribe both his life and his blessed life to none other thing but onelie to thy mercie And therefore we stand in neede of thee but not thou of vs. For were not we at al nothing were wanting to thy felicitie which thou art So that we haue great cause to cleaue vnto thee our Lord God that through thy continual helpe we may leade an holie godlie and vpright life For by reason of the waight of our weakenes wee are drawne downe ward a Wis 11 15. but through thy gift we are inflamed and carried vpward we burne and we go we doe mount and ascend in our harts and we sing a song of degrees with thy good fire we burne and we go forward Whether doe we now ascend vpward vnto the peace of Ierusalem For I reioiced when they said vnto me We wil go into y e house of the Lord b Psa 122 ◠There hath he placed vs we wil good that wish nothing else but there to abide for euermore But forsomuch as while we are in the bodie we be absent from thee c 2. Cor. 5 6 ô Lord we haue here no continuing citie d Heb. 13 14 but we seeke one to come and our freedome is in heauen therefore through thy grace I do enter into the closet of my hart and there doe I sing the songs of loue to thee ô my King and my God fetching vnspeakeable sighings in this house of my pilgrimage e Psal 119 verse 54. where I sing out thy righteousnes And calling Ierusalem into mind I stretch the sense of mine hart toward the same euen toward Ierusalem my countrie Ierusalem I saie my mother f Gal. 4 26. and also toward thee her King her inlightener her father defender protector and gouernour her pure and strong delight her constant ioie and al goodnes else whatsoeuer g 1. Cor. 2 9 Reu. 7 15. 16. Reu. 21 4. 3. 24 c. For thou art the soueraigne and the true happines From whence I wil not be turned awaie vntil in the peace of that my deere mother whereas the first fruites of my spirit are thou gather al that I am from scattering and deformitie and so conforme confirme me for euer ô my God my mercie Chap. 19. A longing after the ioies in Heauen O Lightsome glorious house of God I haue loued thy goodlines and the place where the glorie of the Lord God who both enioieth and hath created thee doth dwel a Psal 26 8. In mine exile I sigh after thee both night and daie mine hart longeth my mind coueteth and my soule desireth to come vnto the societie of your happines My praier vnto him which hath made me is that he would possesse me in thee because he hath made both me b Gen. 1 26. 27. Psal 100 3. Psa 129 73. and you For I desire your holie felowship and wonderful glorie not for anie merit of mine owne but I trust to atteine therevnto through the price of his bloud namelie of Iesus Christ wherby we be redeemed c 1. Pet. 1 verse 18. 19. I confesse I haue gone astraie like a lost sheepe d Psal 119 verse 176. and haue too long dwelled out of my natiue soile and am far awaie cast from the face of the Lord my God into this blindnes of banishment where driuen out of the ioies of paradise I bewaile with my selfe dailie the miserie of my captiuitie and sing a woful song with great lamentation when I remember you ô mother Ierusalem e Gal. 4 26. while my feete do but stand in thy courts ô sacred and comelie Zion and I am not able plainelie to looke into thy inner places Notwithstanding I haue good hope vpon the shoulders of my good shepheard f Luk. 15 5. Iohn 10 11. 14. thy Creator to be brought backe vnto thee that I may triumph againe with that vnspeakeable ioie wherewithal they be cheered which dwel with you before God his maiestie g Reu. 22 4. and our Sauiour Christ which hath abrogated through his flesh the hatred h Eph. 2 15. and pacified al things both which are in heauen and which are in earth by his blood i Colo. 1 14. For he
is our peace which made of both one k Eph. 2 14. and ioining the two contrarie walles together hath promised that he wil giue the euerlasting felicitie of your happines in himselfe after the like maner and measure when he said They shal be like the Angels of God in heauen l Matth. 22 verse 30. Chap. 20. A bewailing of the miseries of this life O My Lord I am euen wearie of this life and of this troublesome pilgrimage a Psa 39 12. Hebr. 11 13. This life is a miserable life b Iob. 14 1. a transitorie c Rom. 6 12. 2. Cor. 4 11. life an vncertaine life d 1. Chr. 29. verse 15. Psal 102 11. a laborsome life e Gen. 3 17 18. 19. a polluted life f Gen. 6 5. a life which is the mistres of wickednes the Queene of pride replenished with error and miseries not to be called a life but a death wherein euerie moment we die both by sundrie defects of nature and manifold diuersities of deathes Can we therefore cal it a life that we liue in this world the which both humors puffe vp and sorowes pluck downe and heate withereth and the aër infecteth which both eating maketh fat and fasting maketh leane mirth maketh dissolute sadnes consumeth care shortneth securitie dulleth wealth maketh proude pouertie bringeth out of hart youth extolleth age crooketh sicknes breaketh sorowe depresseth and after al these things commeth raging death and bringeth an end at once to al the ioies of this miserable life which being past a man would not thinke it had euer bin at all This vital death and mortal life albe it be replenished with these and other miseries yet a griefe to tel how manie doth it catch with her snares how manie be deceaued by her false promises And although it be so deceitful and bitter of it selfe that her blindest louers cannot choose but perceaue the same yet with her golden cup which she carieth in her hand she maketh an infinite companie of fooles vtterlie drunke Oh happie are they and those verie rare which auoide her familiaritie g 1. Iohn 2 verse 15. 16. 17. which despise her momentanie pleasure and her companie least with the perishing deceauer they also be compelled to perish Chap. 21. Of the felicitie of that life which God hath prepared for such as loue him BVt ô thou life which God hath prepared for them that loue him a 1. Cor. 2 9. thou art a liuelie life a blessed life b Reu. 7 15. 16. 17. a secure life c Reu. 21 4. 23. 24. a goodlie life a pure life chaste life an holie life a life ignorant what death means voide of sorowe a life without spot without griefe without trouble without corruption without perturbation without change and alteration a life replenished with al goodlines and glorie where neither aduersarie to impugne nor inticement of sinne is to carrie awaie but perfect loue no feare is where the daie lasteth euer and one spirit of al is euen where God is beholden face to face d 1. Cor. 13. verse 12. and with this foode of life the mind is fed abundantlie It doth me good to meditate of thy glorie thy good things doe exceedinglie delight me The more I remember the more I long for thee Greatlie doe I desire maruelouslie am I delighted with the sweete memorie of thy Name It doth me good therefore to lift vp the eies of mine hart to stir vp the state of my mind to bend mine affection towards thee Truelie it doth me much good to talke of thee to heare of thee to write of thee to confer of thee to reade euerie daie of thy glorie blessednes and to meditate often of that I reade that so at least wise from the heate perils sweatings of this mortal and transitorie life I may passe vnto the delectable coole of the liuelie aër and so when I go to sleepe may somewhat laie downe my wearie head in thy bosome For which cause I walke manie times into the pleasant fields of the holie Scriptures where I plucke vp the goodlie greene herbes of sentences by pruning eate them by reading chawe them by vsing and laie them vp at the length in the hie seate of memorie by gathering them together that so hauing tasted thy sweetenes I may the lesse perceaue the bitternes of this miserable life O thou most happie life ô right blessed kingdome voide of death e Reu. 21 4. euerlasting where no times succeede by ages where the continual day without night hath none end where the conquering soldier ioined to that ioiful quier of angels and crowned with the crowne f 1. Pet. 5 4. Reuel 4 4. of euerlasting glorie doth sing to his God a song among the songs of Zion Oh that I might my sinnes being pardoned and this burden of the flesh laid-awaie foorthwith ô that I might enter into thy ioies g Matt. 25 verse 21. 23. to enioie euerlasting rest that I might passe into the goodlie and glorious wals of thy citie to receaue a crowne of life at the hands of my Lord h Reu. 2 10. that I might bee among that holie quier that I might stand with the blessed spirits before the maiestie of the Creator i Reu. 22 4. that I might behold the present countenance of Christ k 1. Cor. 13 verse 12. that I might see that soueraigne and vnspeakeable and vncompassed light and finalie that I might be neuer tuched with anie feare of death l Reu. 21 4. but reioice euerlastinglie for the gift of perpetual incorruption Chap. 22. Of the happines of the good soule hence departing HAppie is the soule which departing from the earthlie bodie goeth directlie into heauen secure it is and quiet and feareth neither enimie nor death a Reu. 21 4. For it enioieth continualie thy presence b 1. Cor. 13 verse 12. ô God and vncessantlie beholdeth the most glorious Lord whome she hath serued and loued c 1. Cor. 2 9. and whome now at the length ful ioifulie and gloriouslie she hath attained vnto And this glorie of so great blessednes neither time shal diminish nor anie wicked person take awaie d Matt. 6 19 20. Luk. 12 33. The daughters of Zion haue seene her and counted her blessed e Sal. songs 6 verse ◠euen the Queenes and the concubines haue praised her saieng Who is she that commeth vp out of the desert f Sal. songs 8 verse 5. abounding in pleasure leaning vpon her welbeloued Who is she that looketh foorth as the morning g Sal. songs 6 verse 9. faire as the moone pure as the sun terrible as an armie with banners How cheerefulie goeth she out hasteneth runneth when al amazed she heareth her beloued saieng vnto her on this wise h Sal. songs 2 verse 10. Arise my loue my faire one and come awaie For behold 11. the winter now is past
his supernal blessednes MY soule praise thou y e Lord a Psa 103 1. and al that is within me praise his holie Name My soule Psal 103 2. 22. praise thou the Lord and forget not al his benefits Praise y e Lord al ye his works in al places of his dominion my soule praise thou the Lord. Praise we the Lord whom Angels praise b Reu. 7 11. 12. dominions adore c Phil. 2 9. 10. powers doe reuerence to whom the Cherubims and Scraphims continualie do crie d Esaie 6 3. Holie Holie Holie Ioine we therefore our voices to the voices of the holie Angels and according to our abilitie let vs praise the GOD which we both haue For they whose eies euermore bee fixed vpon the Lord whom they behold not through a glasse darklie e 1. Cor. 13 verse 12. but face vnto face they doe most purelie and without ceasing praise the Lord. But who can yea so much as in thought comprehend much lesse in words expresse what an infinit multitude of those blessed spirits and celestial powers are in the presence of the Lord God almightie Or what continual ioie they receaue by the sight of God! what euerlasting mirth what heate of loue not to their griefe but to their delectation what a desire is in them of the sight of God with satietie a satietie with desire in whom neither desire ingendreth griefe nor satietie bringeth loathing How blessed they are by cleauing to thy soueraigne blessednes How they be made light ioined to the true light Finalie alwaie beholding the vnchangeable Trinitie they be conuerted into an vnchangable nature But when shal we be able to comprehend the glorious condition of the Angels when we are not able to search out the nature of our owne soules What is this thing which can quicken the flesh and yet voluntarilie can not bind it selfe to holie cogitations what kind of thing is this which is so strong and yet so weake so smal and yet so mightie that it searcheth out the secrets of God and beholdeth celestial things which for mans behoofe is wel knowne to haue through sharpenes of wit inuented the knowledge of manie sciences what kind of thing is this then which knoweth so much of other things and yet is vtterlie ignorant how it selfe was made For although much be spoken doubtfulie of some concerning the beginning of the soule yet we find how it is a certaine intellectual spirit made through the power of the Creator liuing euerlastinglie in her kind quickening the mortal bodie which it sustaineth subiect to alteration prone to forgetfulnes which feare manie times trobleth and mirth puffeth vp O strange thing most woorthie to be woondred at Of God the Creator of al things f Gen. 1 1. 2 c. Iohn 1 1. 2. 3. Heb. 1 1. 2. who is incomprehensible g 1. Kin. 8 27 and vnutterable al doubtfulnes laid apart we reade great things and verie maruelous we speake and write also yet whatsoeuer we saie either of Angels or of the soules of men we can not so easilie approoue the same But omit we these things and mount we leaue we and ouerpasse we whatsoeuer is created and let vs direct the eies of our faith vpon him who hath made al things Wherfore I wil make degrees of ascension in mine hart and therby mount vp vnto my soule and by my soule and vnderstanding ascend vnto my Lord who abideth aboue ouer mine head Let whatsoeuer is either visiblie seene or spiritualie imagined with a strong hand be far awaie remoued from the sight of mine hart mind onlie let the pure vnderstanding going on plainelie attaine swiftlie vnto him who is the Creator both of Angels h Psa 148 1. 2. 5. and of soules i Gen. 1 26. 27. 1. Cor. 11 7. Col. 3 10. and of al things beside k Gen. 1 1. 2. 3 c. Heb. 1 2 Blessed is that mind which forsaketh base things belowe and seeketh after hie things which maketh a nest in the rocke and from the high cliffe with Egles eies beholdeth the Sonne of righteousnes For nothing is so goodlie and so comfortable as with the sight of the mind and desire of hart to behold the verie Lord alone and after a maruelous manner inuisiblie to behold the inuisible l 1. Tim. 1 17 and so to taste another not this sweetenes and to see another not this light Because this light which is enclosed in a place is ended by time and changed by the interruption of nights and is common with vs to wormes and beasts and to saie the truth in comparison of that soueraigne light can not be called light indeede but night rather Chap. 27. VVhat it is to hold and to behold God in part and how we are to conceiue of God AND although that soueraigne and vnchangable essence that true light that lasting light that light of Angels can be seene of none in this life for that preeminence is reserued for the Saints in celestial glorie yet firmelie to beleeue and to vnderstand to marke and zealouslie to couet for the same is after a sort to hold and to behold the same Let the voice therefore sound aboue the Angels and let man with an intentiue mind behold God and praise him with words as wel as he can For it is meete that the creature doe praise his Creator Because he hath made vs to praise him a Esai 43 7. who standeth not in need of our praise And he is an incōprehensible virtue wanting naught b 2. Mac. 14 verse 35. great is our Lord God and al sufficient to himselfe great also is his power his wisedome is infinit c Psa 147 5. Great is our Lord GOD and much to be praised d 1. Chro. 16 verse 25. Psal 48 2. Psal 96 4. Him therefore let the mind loue e Deut. 6 5. Matt. 22 37 the tongue praise y e hand write and in these holie cogitations let the faithful soule wholie exercise her selfe With these pleasant iunkates of celestial contemplation let the zealous man and the beholder of heauenlie matters refresh himselfe daie by daie that being fattened with this celestial foode he may crie with a great voice he may crie from his hart roote with gladnes he may crie and with a most earnest desire of the mind saie on this wise Chap. 28. A praier expressing the manifold properties of God O Most hie a Tob. 4 11. Heb. 7 1. most holie b Esai 6 4. 5. most mightie c Gen. 17 1. Reuel 4 8. moste merciful d Psa 145 9 Matt. 5 45. most righteous e Psal 11 5. 6. 7. most secret f Matth. 6 4 6. present g Ecc. 15 18 19. Eccl. 23 18. 19. 20. beutiful h Sal. songs 5 verse 10. 11. 12 c. and most strong God i Psal 24 8. Esai 26 4. Stable k Psal 90 1.
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