out of his reckoning booke Why then should I hang downe my head as though confusion were the portion of mine inheritance To them that loue God all things turne to good This his visitation is but a preparatiue to further felicitie which in due time he will reueale to me his seruant when he hath taken sufficient proofe and experience of my patience which I beséech him to establish and confirme that the possession of eternitie may be the reward of my sufferance Wherefore O most mercifull father if it be thine appointment as thy determinations are secret and hidden from the heart of man that this my sicknes and trouble be vnto death O then gratiouslie heare my supplication and let the voice of my crie enter into thine cares Giue me not ouer in my distresse and weakenesse when Sathan is most busie to spoile me but stand thou like an inuincible Giant on my right hand let the wings of thine almightines ouershadowe me euen vntill my last gaspe Moreouer graunt most mercifull father that at the separation and dissolution of my soule and bodie I may still continue thine my bodie turning into dust whence it tooke first substance and my soule possessing heauen whence it receiued bring O Lord send me a toifull resurrection at the date of iudgement and let me be numbred among the lambes whome thou hast chosen to be ioint-heires with thée of thine owne happines in heauenlie ioies O Lord heare my praier and let my crie come vnto thee Lord haue mercie vpon me Christ haue mercie vpon me O holie Ghost be my comforter O blessed Trinitie receiue my soule into the place of glorie Amen The twelfe Blossome conteining A petition to be said at the houre of death ouer the partie visited and lieng speechlesse O Eternall God the welspring of life and the treasure of true and euerlasting riches thou God of the quicke and the dead thou which hast appointed euerie man a mansion in this earthlie pilgrimage and placed vs here as tenants at thy pleasure to remoue and depart when it is thy will to call vs. thou euen thou which ridest vpon the wings of the winde whose seate is the heauen of heauens whose footstoole is the earth whose messengers are the Angels and celestiall hoast O bow downe thine cies of pitie looke vpon vs. O thou glorie of Sion thou beautie of Hierusalem thou Alpha and Omega thou which art incomprehensible the first person of the holie Trinitie open thy gratious eares and heare the petitions of vs thy seruants O heare vs and that betimes thou sauer of soules whiles breath is in the nostrels of this thy diseased and sicke creature for after this life it is too late to make intercession Thou hast chastened him O Lord inwardlie and outwardlie his strength is turned into weakenes his health into sicknes his flesh consumeth his limines are lame his eiesight waxeth dimme his spéech is stopped all his senses are numined his hart panteth life and death struggle within him and wrestle for superioritie He lieth in pangs he is past hope of recouerie to our iudgement he refuseth sustenance he can take no rest O looke vpon him thou comfort of Israell and deliuer Ioseph out of this prison O Lord haue mercie vpon him O God make him strong to endure this sharpe and bitter conflict Let not the terrour of death the torinent of his sicknes the losse of life or departing from anie transitorie pleasure withdrawe his heart from thée but as thou didst create it and powredst it into his bodie so vouchsafe to reserue it for thy selfe that thou maist be glorifiedin it both now and héereafter when it shall please thee to raise it vp with the rest of the bodie in the last resurrection Behold Lord he is not able to praie for himselfe thy hand is so heauie vpon him at this present he can not so much as lift vp a limme thou hast whipped him so sore he is past hope of health in the eies of man thou hast made such déepe furrowes vpon his backe he is spéechlesse because thou hast taken awaie the vse of his tongue lo Lord he lifteth vp his eies vnto heauen notwithstanding all these infirmities weakenesses O remember him forgiue him his sins remit and blot out of thy reckoning booke the ten thousand talents which he oweth thée He is not able to testifie the inward sorowe of his heart conceiued for sinne so sharpe and seueare is thy present visitation which iustlie and deseruedlie thou hast laid vpon him and surelie though thou didst punish him more rigorouslie yet thou art not accusable of iniustice For iust art thou O Lord in all thy workes and righteous in all thy iudgements But yet Lord we beséech thée to asswage the heate of thy wrath which if it burne still and continue vnquenched alas who shall be able to abide it Behold Lord how lowe he is brought all his bones are out of course which waie so euer he is turned he féeleth nothing but anguish no rest no ease no quietnes can he take such is the weight of thine anger against him for the instruction of vs that are aliue and here present at his visitation that we may learne thereby to detest sinne which is the cause of thy displeasure and to amend least a worse thing happen vnto vs. O Lord we beséech thée to consider our supplications and to accept the praiers which we powre out in thy presence in the behalfe of this our diseased brother And louing Lord if it be thy will to take him hence O then we beséech thee to shorten his time to end his lingering sicknes and so to deliuer him from all earthlie trouble But if it be thy pleasure to raise him vp being thus cast downe and to quicken strengthen him whome thy hand hath driuen almost to deathes dore then at the intercession of vs thy seruants hasten his time of recouerie and restore him vnto health and soundnes We praie for him O Lord not knowing the secrets of thy counsell which is vnchangeable deale with him as it pleaseth thée thine he is to order and dispose For thou art the potter and he but a lumpe of claie vnto thée we commit his soule and bodie thy will be done in earth as it is in heauen for thine is the kingdome the power and the glorie for euer and euer Amen The thirteenth Blossome conteining 1 Gods vniuersall gouernement 2 That he annointeth Kings and Queenes and why 3 A petition vnto him in the behalfe of our gratious Queene Elizabeth 4 His mercie in preseruing her in time of tribulation 5 A praier for the continuance of her good estate 6 Against the enimies of the truth either to be conuerted or confounded 7 The Church of God and the Commonwealth two sisters 8 The death of Christ a full ransome for all our sinnes 9 Requestes to be dailie made of euerie true Christian. 1 O Gratious Lord and most mercifull father we acknowledge
mentall as with welth wisedome strength comlines possessions children knowledge vnderstanding faith honestie credit estimation and such like Consider of this excellent blessing be thankefull for it and giue God the glorie This is the footepath to felicitie If thou haue a house to hide thy head in lodging fit for thy naturall nightes rest and quietnes cloathing to couer thy shame and nakednes sustenance to preserue thée aliue substance to mainteine thy house and familie Consider of this excellent blessing be thankefull for it and giue God the glorie This is the footepath to felicitie The sixt Chapter 1 What we ought to do when God punisheth vs with aduersitie 2 Affliction in bodie and conscience with an exhortation to patience 3 Of what behauiour we should be in the alterat ion of our state 4 Considerations for him that is disfranchised either for some offence committed or otherwise 1 MOreouer if thou be punished of the Lord for thy sinne either in thy wife children or anie other thing that thou possessest despaire not therefore neither let diffidence or mistrust ransacke thy soule and drowne thée in disquietnes Consider of this fatherlie chastisement be thankefull for it and giue God the glorie This is the footepath to felicitie 2 If thou be afflicted in thine owne bodie and pricked in conscience at the horrour of thy sinne cal to God for comfort beséech him to mitigate and asswage thine anguish and to set thée at libertie Let this be thy meditation dailie in patience pitch thy pauilion be thankefull for it and giue God the glorie This is the footepath to felicitie 3 If thou wast once rich and now art poore once in plentie now in penurie once a maister now a seruant once a commander now an obeier once fauoured now forsaken once clothed now naked once a harbourer now harbourles once a man now a wretch Consider thy condition God can raise thée vp as he hath throwne thée downe murmur not at his chastisements for he punisheth his children in compassion like a Father and not with rigour like a Tyrant in anie case be thankefull and giue him the glorie This is the footepath to felicitie 4 If thou hauing bene sometimes a Citizen art now an alien be not therewithall discontented he can worke thy restitution by whose sufferance thou art fallen into that condition Consider whereof this alteration sprang either from some offence which purchased vnto thée this punishment or from a good cause as the quarell of Christ and his holie gospell the profession whereof hath brought thee into such extremitie O be ioiful and glad in this respect thy banishment is libertie thy heauines is comfort thy bitternes is swéetnes thy shame is fame thy dammage is aduantage thy losse is lucre thy death is life Consider this throughlie faint not vnder the crosse but praie vnto the Lord to arme thée with constancie and patience shewing thy selfe thankefull giuing vnto God the glorie This is the footepath to felicitie The seuenth Chapter 1 The dutie of all such as beare office in a Common-wealth principallie towards God and consequentlie towards man 2 Admonitions for fathers of families and housholders concerning domesticall gouernement 3 Lessons for all estates and degrees 4 Exhortations vnto the rich and the poore 5 The peruerse state of the world 6 Of the waie of death and of such as walked therein 7 Of the waie of life and what is to be done of such as would walke in the same 1 FUrthermore if thou bearest office in the Common-wealth and hast autoritie to command by vertue of thy place praie to God to direct thy spirit by his spirit of equitie and iudgement that thy vocation may be so followed and discharged as that by thy sinceritie and vprightnes thou maist become a mirrour to all magistrates and officers Praie instantlie that this may so come to passe it is his speciall blessing be thankefull for it and giue God the glorie This is the footepath to felicitie 2 If thou be a housekéeper and hast hanging on thy hands wife children seruants and a familie first sée that God be sincerelie serued and then thou thy selfe honoured In the morning powre foorth thy praiers vnto God vnfeignedlie beséeching him to guide thée thy whole houshold in his faith feare and loue trulie and vprightlie to followe their functions and callings at their handiworke or other exercise whatsoeuer it be put them in minde of Gods goodnes and instill into their eares wholesome precepts of Christian knowledge At noone tide preparing to dinner laie before them in plaine speach according to their slender capacities the tender care and fatherlie loue of God in prouiding for them such foode as is requisite toward the supportation and maintenance of life wherevpon put them in minde to haue alwaies in their hearts a reguter of Gods care ouer his déere children whose bowels of compassion are so farre extended that he will not sée his people perish through penurie and want of necessarie prouision The like exercise also vse at supper and at euerie ordinarie and extraordinarie refection that as the externall elementarie sustance which entreth in at the mouth and goeth downe the stomach where after it is digested it is dispearsed by iust measure and proportion to the nourishment of all their bodilie members so their minds may be fed fat with the foode of the soule that is with spirituall exercises holy meditations godly thoughts Christian conuersation obedience whatsoeuer else is acceptable in the sight of God When the night approcheth by reason of the declining and shrinking of the Sunne to the westerne angle of the world call together like a good shepheard thy whole familie or flocke and thou among them as a perfect patterne of pietie knéeling downe with humilitie thanke God for the vse of the daie past for the luckie successe of your labours for his louing kindnes in preseruing you from perill and beséech him with integritie and holines of heart to make this night comfortable vnto you to ouershadowe you with the shield of safetie when you are asléepe that you may by no meanes be indangered but as you lie downe so you may rise vp the beloued of the Lord and the adopted children of your heauenlie Father Consider these circumstances and account them all Gods blessings ascribe nothing to thy selfe which art a lumpe of sin but attribute all vnto Gods prouidence which hath wrought all in all be thankefull for it and giue the glorie to his eternall name This is the footepath of faith which leadeth the high waie to heauen 3 To speake of all states and degrées of people generallie and inclusiuelie If thou be King or Quéene noble or vnnoble forren or frée maister or seruant rich or poore acknowledge thy selfe but dust and ashes be not proude in thine owne conceite glorie in nothing vaunt of nothing bragge of nothing remembring the saieng of Paule what hast thou that thou hast not receiued and that of Iob
dutie to do him reuerence A. 1 ALl glorie vnto God the guider of the iust Blest be his name in heauen earth whereto the righteous trust 2 Repaire his temples to him worship and adore Alleluiah sing and saie to him for euermore 3 He is the God of grace whose kingdom knows none end A mightie God from all annoies that can his flocke defend Most mercifull is he to such as do repent Forgiuing them which for their sins are sorie and lament Laud we his holie name as dutie doth command Each tongue sound out his maiestie adore him sea and land 4 My heart my tongue and voice shall plaie the organ pipes In praising him out of the skore our desperate debts which wipes No time will I let slip if God do giue me grace Great thanks to render to his name which filleth euerie place The fift Flowre called a holie Hymne conteining 1 The reward of the proud and impenitent 2 An admonition not to be high minded 3 To be touched with compassion towards the afflicted 4 To be mindfull of Gods mercies in tribulation 5 A declaration of his omnipotencie and power 6 A petition that the word of God might be the rule of our life H. 1 AN humble heart is a sacrifice vnto the Lord a contrite spirit he will not despise as for the proud and impenitent he casteth them out of his fauour in the heate of his indignation 2 Be not high minded neither puft vp with a vaine opinion of thy selfe but consider that thou art but dust and ashes and that thou hast nothing but naughtinesse by nature 3 Relent at the aduersities and afflictions of thy neighbour and in the bowels of compassion mitigate his miserie for nothing falleth vpon him but the same may in time chance to thée Arme thy selfe with patience to endure all tribulations if God chastise thée with anie kind of punishment acknowledge thine owne transgressions in that behalfe and be penitent 4 Haue in thy mind the greatnes of Gods mercies which are aboue all his workes put thy trust in him in the time of trouble he will deliuer thée and set thée at libertie Aske after succour where it is to be found the Lord is all sufficient he hath treasures of good things for them that loue him as for the wicked of this world they are out of his fauour Much mightier is the mercie of the Lord than the heart of man can conceiue of his power there is no end all the world is replenished with his greatnes most excellent and glorious 5 Fall downe ye hils before his presence tremble ye deepes at the sight of his maiestie for the whole compasse of the world he holdeth in his hand to dispose the same at his pleasure Lord God of Iacob who is like vnto thée Heauen and earth are witnesses of thine excellencie the Sunne and the Moone declare the greatnesse of thy glorie to all nations Euerie creature telleth abroade that thou art omnipotent for at thy becke all things obeie yea heauen it selfe which is thine owne habitation trembleth and quaketh at thy thundering voice 6 Make me O Lord God obedientlie to leade my life direct thou my footesteps by the rule of thy lawe and let thy holie word be a lanthorne before me that I go not astraie If I haue at anie time swarued and done amisse it hath come to passe through the want of thy word which I beséech thée let lighten my goings like a bright burning lampe Notwithstanding O Lord I deserue no such fauour and loue at thy hands yet for thine owne sake which art the founteine of mercie vouchsafe to shew thy selfe gratious Glorie honour and praise be ascribed vnto thée which hast béene from beginning of beginnings and shalt continue in power and maiestie when all things vanish and decaie The sixt Flowre called a spirituall Song conteining 1 A petition for humilitie and assistance against our enimies 2 For mercie and loue of Gods lawe 3 For the leading of a good life A. 1 AN humble heart O God vnto thy seruants giue Be thou to them a louing Lord whiles in this world they liue Regard thy little flocke be thou to them a sheeld And thē defend frō greedie Wolues least ouercome they yeeld 2 Haue mercie on vs all whose waies most wicked are And to the path of Paradise our speedie steps prepare Make vs to loue thy lawe and therein to delight For that is an oblation most pleasant in thy sight 3 Let me so leade my life that what I thinke or saie Extend vnto the laud and praise of thee my God alwaie Make me an instrument thine excellence to sound In faith and in good works O God vouchsafe I may abound Nothing though high of price and glorious to the eie Grant mightie God frō thy precepts may drawe my feete awrie The seuenth Flowre called a holie Hymne conteining 1 An inuocation to God for succour in affliction 2 For restitution of perfection lost by sinne 3 For the fortifieng of faith in time of triall 4 For prosperous successe of our enterprises 5. For protection and strength in persecution of the Gospell 6 A deprecation against Gods enimies and the aduersaries of his Word M. 1 AT euening and at morning I praise thée O God earlie do I call vpon thée yea before the rising of the Sunne do I direct my voice to thee my King and my God Be not far from me in the time of mine affliction but when troubles assault me be thou present and at hand to defend me so shall I féele comfort in my soule and glorifie thy most excellent name 2 Restore to me the fulnesse of thy grace which mine owne sins and the transgressions of my progenitours haue diminished that by the restitution of the same I may the more vprightlie leade my life before thy face 3 And though the world be full of wickednesse and thy glorie dailie derogated by the diuelish deuises of lewd liuers yet so fortifie my faith that I fall not awaie from thee Helpe me O God to withstand the subtile suggestions of Sathan and all Sathanicall souldiours such I meane as set shoulder against thée thy son Christ. 4 Accept me among thy chosen children and ouershadowe me with the shield of thine omnipotencie that whatsoeuer I take in hand may haue happie successe to my profit and to thy glorie 5 Mightilie protect me in all perils and dangers speciallie in the time of persecution when thy Gospell is called in question among false Heretikes superstitious Papists and cauilling Scismatikes Fortific my spirit with the armour of thy word that I may powre it out plentifullie in the presence of thine enimies to their shame and confusion and to the aduancement of thy name Let not their sophisticall assertions intangle or intrap me but let thy sacred Scripture so flourish and fructifie in my heart that by thy gratious gift of vnderstanding I may controll them in their errours Enter thou with me O
the calling of a Christian Hast thou not béene obstinate of life rebellious and disobedient casting behinde thée the commandements of thy parents 3 Hast thou not béene a breaker of the holie Sabboth which God himselfe sanctified for the imitation of all men that with circumcised harts they should celebrate and solemnize the same Hast thou not applied that daie seuered to holie exercises to vaine pastimes for thine owne pleasure and recreation yea hast thou not spent it in beastlie behauiour as in Epicurisme bellie cheare sensualitie Gentilisme and otherwise than the precise vocation of a well reformed Christian requireth Hast thou not bene maliciouslie minded enuious mercilesse vncharitable couetous an extortioner a briber a â—surer a violent oppresser a defrauder of the poore a gréedie gatherer all which with thousands the like enormities tend to the violating of the lawe of God 4 Hast thou not bene wanton lewd lecherous bawdie in speach and communication a defiler of thy vessell an adulterus person led into sundrie lusts and concupiscences a tempter of maidens and wiues to naughtines an allurer of yong damsels to the violating of their virginitie a singer of light songs and sonets a teller of tales and stories of loue and what loue is a nice danser and such like all which tend to the peruerting of honestie and are as it were bellowes to blowe and kindle the fire of fleshlie lust and concupiscence Hast thou not bene a priuie pilferer an open â—reaâ—er a robber a theefe an vsurper of that which is not thine owne a challenger of another mans right a false dealer a seeker after filthie lucre and a shamelesse slaunderer which is a kinde of stealth most detestable Hast thou not coueted this and that as thou hast bene caried awaie with the violence of thy desires knowing that although it might make for thy profite yet it could not but turne to the damage of thy brother 5 Hast thou offended in these cases or art thou cleare If thou haue so walked that thy conscience can pleade faultles vngiltie betwixt thée and thine innocencie then maist thou boldlie beléeue that the grace of God is thy guide and gouernour then maist thou be assured that thou art in the verie footepath to felicitie passing into the land of promise Hierusalem the Lords citie not built with hands as subiect to ruine and corruption but eternall and euerlasting The fourth Chapter 1 None is voide of sinne no not one all haue transgressed and gone astraie 2 The mercie of God the cause of mans restitution after his fall 3 To what end Christ suffered torments in this world 4 None is able to fulfill the commandements of God and that God hath a regard to our infirmities 5 What he must do that would liue eternallie BUT alas what is he that hath not offended Is there anie man that is able to stand in triall of his innocencie 1 Our parents sinne stained vs and their transgression was deliuered to vs by line all descent how then can we comming of vnrighteous parents be inculpable and blamelesse children Truth it is A corrupt trée bringeth forth corrupt fruite and pitch defileth them that touch it 2 Neuerthelesse the mercie of God was such after the fall of Adam and Eue in Paradise that in the bloud of his sonne shed vpon the crosse in the open face of the world he wrought his restitution and placed him in the hope of saluation from whence before he fell 3 This did he to the end that by his death the force of sinne being broken and the power of Sathan crushed we might no longer wallowe in the mire of filthines like swine but reare vp our selues to heauen there to haue our harts fixed where he sitteth in whome the fulnes of our felicitie is reposed 4 And though the lawe of the Lord be so vpright and iust and our nature so corrupt and defiled that we haue no abilitie nor power of our selues to fulfill the commandements for we haue not so much as the least sparkle of sufficiencie in this consideration such is our pronenesse to do amisse yet the Lord God is so louing vnto vs that he holdeth himselfe contented with our weake working of his will for his sonnes sake in whome our want is supplied 5 Who so therefore is desirous to taste of the fruite of the trée of life and to drinke of the pleasant running riuers of rest who so I saie longeth after true happines and faine would sée good daies let him endeuour to the vttermost of his might to tame and bridle his wandering desires which if they be not brought vnder and constrained to grone vnder the yoke of subiection he shall haue his mind so bent vpon transitorie vanities and his wilso wedded to this wicked world that the light of his vnderstanding being put out he shall neuer finde the footepath of faith leading the high waie to heauen In this respect therefore let vs learne what is to be done The fift Chapter 1 The looking glasse of Gods word and the effects of the same 2 The dignitie of man in comparison of al other creatures 3 His state in the first Adam and his state in the second 4 The assaultes of Sathan notwithstanding our redemption and what we must do in temptation 5 Our duties towards God for his gratious giftes and benefites in prosperitie 1 THOU that wouldst treade the footepath to felicitie must take into thy hands the looking glasse of Gods word where thou shalt see in thy selfe all the staines and blemishes of sinne and shalt likewise finde in a readines swéete water to wash them awaie and to cleanse thée from all such filthines and pollusion 2 There thou shalt sée the dignitie of man in comparison of all other creatures he onelie being indued with reason and all other liuing things beside lead by lust Consider of this excellent blessing be thankfull for it and giue God the glorie This is the footepath to felicitie 3 Againe let this be thy dailie meditation that through the fall of the first Adam thou becamest a castawaie but by the death of the second Adam thine attonement in his bloudshed being accomplished thou wast receiued againe into fauour Consider of this excellent blessing be thankefull for it and giue God the glorie This is the footepath to felicitie 4 And though thy redemption be wrought by and through the innocent passion of Christ yet Sathan thy cankered enimie is assaulting thée afresh with newe traines and snares séeking to vndermine thée praie God to fortifie thy faith cast out thine anchor on the firme land of constancie crie for helpe at his hand whose helpe is in a readines repose all thy hope in him that hath care of thy safetie and is of power to confound thy ghostlie enimie Consider of this excellent blessing be thankefull for it and giue God the glorie This is the footepath to felicitie 5 If thou be crowned with the graces and gifts of God either corporall or
most bountifull and gratious God thou hast giuen vs the vse of all these things and made vs possessours of the same we hartilie beséech thée to instill and let drop into the furrowes of our hearts the acceptable deaw of thankefulnes wherewith our entrailes being throughlie moistened and made souple we may remember and thinke vpon thy tender loue and more than fatherlie kindnesse and in thy gifts giue thée glorie and magnifie thy name with the sound of our tongues and the consent of our hearts 9 For alas what are we miserable and beggerlie wretches that haue nothing by inheritance but sinne and wickednes What are we able to giue considering that we haue nothing but that which we haue receiued in respect wherof our owne wretchednes bewraieth it selfe and our continuall neede and nakednes is manifest Onelie this thou requirest euen the sacrifice of praise and thankesgiuing which is the thing that we are commanded to paie vnto thée For recompense thou requirest none since that whatsoeuer thou giuest thou giuest fréelie without looking for reward 10 Wherfore most mercifull father and déere God make vs thankefull receiuers of thy benefites and that we may giue a testimonie of our thankefulnes loose and vntwist the strings of our tongues and open the pipes of our hearts that they both may sound foorth thy most magnificent maiestie and praise thée to whome perpetuall praise belongeth Graunt this necessarie petition most bountifull God for the merits of thy sonne Christ Iesus our onlie mediatour and aduocate Amen The second Blossome conteining A thankesgiuing for the benefit of our creation WE praise and magnifie thée O eternall GOD for thy great mercie in that it hath pleased thée among all the workes of thine hands to make vs the most excellent and noblest examples of thy iustice wisedome and goodnes We glorifie thée also for that immortall essence the principall part of our nature euen our reasonable soule which although it be not properlie comprehended in place yet is it resident in cur bodies and there dwelleth as in a mansion house not onelie to minister life to all the members and parts of our bodies and to make the instruments thereof méete and fitlie seruing for the actions wherevnto they are apointed but also to beare the chiefe office in the gouernement of our life and that not onlie about the duties incident and belonging to this earthlie and transitorie life but also to stir and quicken vs vp to the seruice and worship of thée our most mercifull Creator And as we praise thée for creating vs like to thine owne image not onlie in the outward frame of our bodies wherin thy glorie doth appeare but also in the inward shape of the soule which is the proper seate of thy likenesse so do we magnifie thée for all the graces and blessings wherewith it hath pleased thée to beautifie adorne and enrich the one and the other Beséeching thée to voutsafe vs the direction of thy spirit that we may during the time of our iournie in the wildernesse of this world emploie and vse them to that principall end whereto they were bestowed vpon vs namelie to the benefite of our brethren and the setting foorth of thine eternall glorie through Iesus Christ our onlie mediator and aduocate Amen The third Blossome conteining A thankesgiuing for the benefite of our election GLorie and praise be giuen to thée O Lord in that thou hast vouchsafed to call and elect vs a peculiar and chosen people vnto thy selfe and to reckon vs in the lot of thine inheritance being ordeined to saluation whereas contrariwise a great number are appointed to condemnation Which gratious gift of thine eternall election we referre not to anie worthines in vs or to anie merits of workes that we are able to do but onlie to the méere mercy and bountifull liberalitie of thée our maker who adoptest some into the hope of euerlasting life and iudgest othersome to eternall death which mysterie is laid vp in the height of thy heauenlie wisedome far aboue the reach of our reason and vnderstanding that according to thy will and pleasure thou mightest be honoured Like thankes be giuen vnto thée O most mercifull Father for that thou hast not onlie called vs vnto this glorious estate of grace but hast so assigned the same vnto vs that the certaintie of the effect thereof is not in suspense or doubtfull For it hath pleased thée of thine incomprehensible goodnes to binde vs together one with another in Christ our head we being his mysticall members and to knit vs vnto thy selfe with a knot vnpossible to be loosed For this thine vnspeakeable mercie we praise and magnifie thée and thy sonne Iesus Christ our tender mediatour and aduocate Amen The fourth Blossome conteining A thankesgiuing for the benefite of our redemption WE giue thée most hartie thanks for all thy good gifts O eternall GOD of thy great goodnesse testified vnto vs euen from the beginning of the world to this present houre and speciallie for the performance of thy promise made vnto our forefathers the Patriarches and their generations but accomplished to vs vpon whome the ends of the world approch knowing that the noblenes and excellencie of our creation would so little profit vs considering our fall in the person of Adam that it would rather turne to our greater shame such is thy iustice who deniest vs when we be defiled and corrupted with sinne to be thy handieworke And therefore we cannot sufficientlie extoll thy bottomles bountie in tendering our decaied state that when we were danmed dead and lost in our selues didst send downe from heauen thy déerelie and onlie begotten sonne to take our nature vpon him and to die for our redemption that in him we might séeke for righteousnes deliuerance life and saluation according to the testimonie of thy seruant Peter teaching vs that there is none other name vnder heauen giuen vnto men wherein they must be saued By which name of Iesus he was not vnaduisedlie called or by chance and aduenture nor yet by the will of men but brought euen from heauen by an Angell the publisher of thy decrée with a reason also giuen because he was sent to saue the people from their sins Unto thée therefore O God the father our Creator and O Christ the sonne our redéemer be all honor and praise for euer and euer Amen The fift Blossome conteining A thankesgiuing vnto Christ for the benefite of our reconciliation MOst hartie thankes be giuen vnto thée O tender sauiour of our soules who being the immaculate and vnspotted Lambe of God the father wast well content to be charged with our offences that we might taste the sweete fruites of thine innocencie and didst most willinglie offer vp thy bodie an oblation vnto thy father after that definitiue sentence pronounced in the Consistorie had passed against thée in iudgement that we the children of wrath out-casts from the Common wealth of Israell strangers from the couenant enimies vnto
vnderstanding kéepe companie 23 Be desirous of the feare of the Lord for it is the beginning of wisedome and vnderstanding 24 Be a wise sonne so shalt thou make thy fathers heart glad and driue awaie heauines from thy mother 25 Be a worshipper of the Lord thy God and in the daie of thine hunger he will refresh thée 26 Be thou painefull and laborious in thy trade and occupation so shalt thou atteine to be rich 27 Be iust and righteous in thy life and conuersation so shalt thou haue a good report 28 Be warned at the mouth of the wise despise not the counsell of such as haue experience 29 Be diligent in doing thy dutie and towards such as are thy betters vse reuerence 30 Be a moderate spender so shalt thou be thriftie for prodigalitie bringeth pouertie 31 Be earnest in a quarell of equitie and whiles thou liuest be neuer ashamed of the truth 32 Be zealous in religion and righteousnesse rebuke the offender that he may amend 33 Be patient in the time of trouble so shalt thou receiue a garland of glorie at the last 34 Be worldlie wise according to honestie and in all thy dealings haue an vpright conscience 35 Be painefull in thy life whiles thou art strong and healthfull so shalt thou be counted wise 36 Be rich in vertue and poore in vice with such riches God is glorified and with such pouertie he is honoured 37 Be mercifull to the néedie and from such as lacke turne not thy face least God be displeased 38 Be a harbourer of the succourles and let thine hands be open to the refreshing of the néedie 39 Be plentifull in good workes and where occasion is ministred leaue a testimonie of compassion 40 Be sparing in spéech laughter for a babbler is abhorred of such as be sober and wise The third Honicombe yeelding most whoalsome exhortations to vertue and vertuous life 41 BE mercifull so shalt thou do thy selfe a benefite for who so hurteth his neighbour is a Tyrant 42 Be liberall in giuing so shalt thou haue plentie for he that watereth shall be watered also himselfe 43 Be a sercher after good things so shalt thou finde fauour for who so séeketh after mischiefe it shall happen vnto him 44 Be a louer of correction so shalt thou loue knowledge for he that hateth to be reproued is a foole 45 Be true in thy talk and speake that which is right for a false witnesse deceiueth by his lieng 46 Be iust and righteous so shall no aduersitie happen vnto thée but the vngodlie shall be filled with miserie 47 Be a wise sonne and hearken to thy fathers warning least being scornefull thou be reproued 48 Be sure to kéepe thy mouth so shalt thou kéepe thy life for who so rashlie openeth his lips destroieth himselfe 49 Be righteous and thou shalt abhorre lies whereas the vngodlie shameth himselfe and is put to silence 50 Be innocent and harmelesse in thy waâ—eâ— for vngodlinesse ouerthroweth drowneth the sinner 51 Be righteous if thou wilt excell and loue wisedome if thou wilt be honourable and worshipfull 52 Be a walker in the waie of righteousnes for therein is life but in the contrarie is death and destruction 53 Be vertuous and thou shalt leaue vnto thy children an euerlasting inheritance and riches that shall neuer rust 54 Be plentifull in thine almes and God shall increase thy store and giue thée his blessing abundantlie 55 Be faithfullie occupied in the feare of the Lord and thou shalt walke vprightlie before him all thy life long 56 Be contented with a little in righteousnes for that is better than great rents wrongfullie gotten 57 Be content to commit thy workes vnto the Lord so shall that prosper which thou deuisest and intendest 58 Be righteous in thy tong and sober in thy talke for such are pleasant vnto Kings and great estates 59 Be obedient and loiall so shalt thou be in fauour and thine order of liuing shall be a good example vnto others 60 Be carefull to do thy duetie and haue a single eie ouer the charge committed vnto thine hand The fourth Honicombe yeelding most wholesome exhortations to vertue and vertuous life 61 BE humble and lowlie in the whole course of thy life let the lawe of the Lord be the rule to guide thy goings 62 Be readie to do thy friend good in the daies of his distresse for in so doing thou sauest his life 63 Be comforted in thy heauinesse with the counsell of thy neighbour cast not awaie all hope 64 Be to other as thou wouldst haue other be to thée that is iust louing fauourable gentle and courteous 65 Be in thy youth mindfull of thine age and laie vp in thy yong yeares to kéepe thée when thou art old 66 Be merrie of hart for that maketh a lustie age but a sorrowfull mind drieth vp the bones 67 Be wise and vse few words embrace vnderstanding make much of knowledge and science 68 Be a searcher after vertue and an enimie to vice so shalt thou finde perfect blessednesse in the end 69 Be merrie with them that be merrie and mourne with them that mourne yet excéede not measure 70 Be carefull ouer thy charge so shalt thou get double credit and encrease in fauour 71 Be discréet in thy talke communication and in thy behauior be mild humble courteous 72 Be pitifull to the distressed succour such as be afflicted and to the néedie reach out thine hand 73 Be to thy friend in aduersitie a present helpe that in thy necessitie he may make retribution 74 Be true and trustie in thy vocation and in all thy dealings set Gods feare before thy face 75 Be content with thine estate and breake not beyond thy tedder for in so doing thou wantest wisedome 76 Be gentle and courteous in spéech for a smooth tongue purchaseth fauor among the people 77 Be liberall and lend laie not vp thy treasure and sée thy brother lacke but giue of thy goodes to the néedie 78 Be obedient to thy parents to thy betters giue reuerence liue within lawe and loialtie 79 Be circumspect and warie in all thy busines and attempt nothing without aduisement 80 Be gealous ouer thine honest name least thou bring thy selfe to shame among the people The fift Honicombe yeelding most whoalsome exhortations to vertue and vertuous life 81 BE néere to thy selfe in the time of néede least such as be wise laugh thée to scorne and make thée a byword 82 Be faithfull to thy friend in all his affaires for therevpon dependeth thine estimation and credit 83 Be a companion with honest women but of wanton minions beware for they are the verie dores of death 84 Be modest at the table least they that sit by séeing thine intemperance abhorre thée 85 Be sparing at wine for too much drinking therof inféebleth the wit and weakeneth the memorie 86 Be louing and carefull ouer thy wife for to vse her hardlie and not like a husband is the next
Lord when I am cited to appeare before the Sathanicall synagogue which presumptuouslie call the professours of thy Gospell to a reckoning of their religion O be thou mine assistant Make them ashamed of their malicious imaginations and in their owne snares let them be intangled ouerwhelme them in the pit which they haue prepared for others so shall I magnifie thy heauenlie power Increase in them the spirit of wilfull blindnesse because they haue not béene harbourers of thy faithfull ministers and because they haue contemptuoustie withstoode thy word which is the liquor of life Neuerthelesse if it be thy pleasure such as féele anie remorse of conscience and be sorie for their obstinacie vouchsafe to receiue them into thy fauour that they may be witnesses of thine vnspeakeable mercie God the father God the sonne and God the holie Ghost heare my praier and let my crie be considered for thine owne sake and for thy sonnes sake O God looke downe from aloft and shew thy louing kindnesse to all people The eight Flowre called a spirituall Song conteining 1 The chiefest comfort in this life 2 The meanes whereby to obteine blessednesse 3 The cause of a quiet conscience and how it is come by 4 An exhortation to glorifie GOD. F. 1 AMid so manie miseries depending on our life Behold a comfort namelie this with sinne to be at strife 2 Resisting of concupiscence subduing fleshlie lust Are meanes to come to blessednesse enioied of the iust 3 Hereof the true tranquillitie remaining in the minde According to her qualitie doth flourish in her kind Most mightie Ioue be praisd whose grace doth compasse this For no deserts of ours whose liues are dailie lead amis 4 Land we his holie name as doth vs best become Exalt him in his holinesse O nations all and some Make all your mirth and glee on him alone to rest In him reioice and clap your hands oblations such are best Nothing so much becoms a Christian than deth this Grant vs the same O gratious God that liuest aloft in blis The ninth Flowre called a holie Hymne conteining 1 A petition for repentance and remission of finnes 2 A deliuerance from our enimies 3 An inuocation vpon God for present help 4 A depâ—ecation against the aduersaries of Gods truth L. 1 A Penitent heart O God thou wilt not despise O teach me thy statutes that I may sée my sinne Be fauourable vnto me whose iniquities are gone ouer my head O heale my sores and vlcers which stinke in thy sight 2 Rise vp thou holie one of Israell like a Giant in triumph and rescue me from the irruptions and inrushings of mine enimies According to thy greatnesse deliuer me O set me frée from the furiousnesse of my foes from the furiousnesse of my mortall and deadlie foes Horrible are the mischéefes which they haue imagined against me but thou which art omnipotent wilt ouerwhelme them in their maliciousnesse 3 As for me I will be confident vpon thy prouidence will I depend vpon an assured hope of thy heauenlie helpe will I attend O Lord. Make no long tarieng O my King and my God for vpon thée onlie doth the anchor of my saluation rest thou art my health and my safetie Forsake me not in the time of néede least mine enimies taking courage against me scorne at me in their pride and saie where is thy God 4 Let not the enimies of thy truth beare vp their bristles against thée and contemptuouslie cast thy glorie to the ground O Lord destroie both them and their deuises Euen as the Sunne consumeth snowe and as waxe wasteth in the fornace so let them be put to silence in the rigour of thy wrath and iudgement Make them like vnto Sodom and like vnto Gomorrha make them like vnto Pentapolis and Babylon that they may knowe thou liuest which art Lord ouer all Inlarge their torments far aboue the torments wherwith they haue persecuted thy people deale with them according to thine own pleasure Not my will but thy will be fulfilled O father according to thine owne decrée deale with them either in mercie or in iudgement Giue them proofes of thine omnipotencie that they may knowe thée which sittest aboue whose eies sée their deuises and art able to reuenge thine owne cause The tenth Flowre called a spirituall Song conteining 1 An exhortation to praise the Lord. 2 That all states and degrees ought to stoope before him and do him reuerence 3 Wherein our mirth and melodie should consist 4 That all creatures must magnifie Gods Maiestie E. 1 ATtend ye nations giue eare O learne to laud the Lord Behold his wondrous works and praise his name with one accord 2 Rich poore weake strong old folke yong approch and praises sing All people dwelling in the world to God oblations bring High potentates and all estates the king that crowne doth weare And subiects sworne to loialtie the Prince of Princes feare 3 Make all your mirth aud melodie his honour to resound Feare him in truth and faithfulnesse whose blessings do abound Let euerie thing lift vp their voice and laud his holie name 4 Each creature drawing vital breth extoll and praise the same Magnificent and wonderfull yea onlie God is hee In these his works before our eies his puissance we may see No time therefore let vs omit in publishing his praise Giue glorie oh heauen oh earth and sea to him which liues alwaies The eleuenth Flowre called a holie Hymne conteining 1 A petition to God vnder a continued allegorie for a renewed life 2 The weedes of the heart 3 The good and wholesome hearbes of the soule M. 1 AS siluer is purged from drosse by the force of the fire so by thy mercie O Lord GOD let me be purged from mine offences and sinnes Be fauourable vnto me an vnfruitefull bough of old Adams rotten and putrified stocke O water thou me with thy sanctifieng spirit Raine downe from heauen vpon me I beséech thee O let the drops of thy grace fall vpon me that I may bud and beare blossoms As for the wéedes of wickednesse and sinne let them wither and die in me that I may leade an vpright life in thy sight and glorious presence Husband me in such wise O Lord that I may fructifie and increase abundantlie that I may bring foorth thirtie sixtie and an hundred fold according to thy good pleasure A riuer of pleasantnesse be thou vnto me whereby I may be filled full of sap and flourish continuallie like the gréene Baie trée Make my leaues neuer to wither or vade let not the Sunne scortch or drie them to the losse of their beautifull colour and séemelinesse From all stormes and tempests shéeld and ouershadowe me that my roote may be replenished with pith and my branches spread abroade Let not the blustering blasts of winter do me anie harme but as my lips and my tongue gratte in me a desire and delight to speake the truth iustlie vprightlie and Christianlie Lighten thou my waies and
direct all my goings let the deaw of thy blessed spirit drop into my heart so shall I be obedient vnto thy lawe 4 Enter not against me in iudgement and rigour but let thy mercie preuent thy iustice so shall I be sure to escape shame reproch and confusion 5 My heart my tongue and my voice shall become instruments of praise to sound out thy greatnesse and goodnesse in the cares of all people and nations In my bed will I meditate of thy commandements at my meate thy lawe shall be in my mouth thine ordinances statutes shall be my dailie exercise Neither gold nor siluer neither precious stones neither robes of roialtie nor princelie treasure delight me like thy word Gréedilie will I séeke after the loue of thy lawe at morning and at euening yea at midnight will I comfort my soule in thy gratious Gospell The fourteenth Flowre called a spirituall Song conteining 1 Sententious exhortations from sundrie sinnes 2 To liue according to Gods lawe 3 Not to mistrust his power in the time of trouble 4 The reward of them that do after Gods will 5 To esteeme the Preachers of the Gospell 6 To take no euill thing in hand G. 1 ABsteine from fleshlie lust and spirituall peace possesse Be slowe to followe wanton waies all wicked thoughts suppresse Reuolt from vitious workes forbidden deedes detest Alluring lookes and lieng lips in silence let them rest 2 Haue God before thine eies who searcheth hart and raines And liue according to his lawe then glorie is thy gaines 3 Mistrust not thou his might when sorrowes thee assaile For he is of sufficient force in perils to preuaile Laie vp within thy heart his testament and will 4 Eternall life is their reward that do his lawes fulfill 5 Make much of such as teach and preach his gospell pure In them if thou attend their talke God will thy peace procure 6 Nothing attempt in hast which hurtfull may be found Growe daie by daie from grace to grace so shall thy blisse abound The Conclusion Not onlie with tongue and sound of thy voice But with thy whole hart in IESVS reioice FINIS A Referendarie to the premisses for the godlie Reader SOme liue in fleshlie pleasure And some in courtlie brauerie Consuming lands and treasure About a golden slauerie Whose sweetenesse whiles they couit They cannot choose but loue it Some neuer ceasse lamenting Because they are in penurie And alwaies are inuenting Their end by mortall iniurie Whereas they should content them With that which God hath sent them But be thou better learned Which louest Christ his veritie Whereby thou hast discearned That euerie thing is vanitie The world and all within it Though worldlings sweate to win it And when conuenient leasure Doth serue for recreation Then vse these plants of pleasure And grifts of consolation Yea then and alwaies vse them And at no time refuse them A Groue of Graces Supplied with plentie of Plants appliable to pleasure and profit Whereof whosoeuer be disposed deuoutlie to take a view they shall haue the choice of fortie and not so few godlie exercises of Christian dutie ordinarilie to be vsed before and after their dailie diet BY ABRAHAM FLEMING 1. Tim. 4. ver 4 5. ¶ Euerie creature of God is good and nothing ought to be refused if it be receiued with thankesgiuing for it is sanctified by the word of GOD and praier AT LONDON Printed by Henrie Denham Anno Dom. 1581. A Preface to the true Christian Reader AS the benefits of God are manifold or rather infinite bestowed vpon man from the time of his creation euen so ought the fruites of his obedience thankefulnesse to be aboundant and plentifull For if a man hauing diuers good friends but some more beneficiall than othersome sheweth himselfe most officious and dutifull to them of whome he hath receiued most commoditie by how much the greater reason ought we so to behaue our selues in all kinde of holie seruice towards God who hath heaped vpon vs more blessings than the tongue of anie man can vtter or his memorie conteine We see that all things are created by God all things nourished by him all things increased by him all things multiplied by him and all things preserued by him for the vse of man vnto whose gouernement he hath committed them put him in full possession and giuen him a lordlie title ouer them to vse and dispose at his pleasure requiring at his hands for this singular bountifulnesse nothing but an vnderstanding hart a renewed mind and religious lips which might tell abroade the great goodnes of so louing a God and stir vp others to magnifie his name And although we ought to glorifie God at all times according to the continued course of his compassion and kindnesse shewed vnto vs from the daie of our birth vntill this present houre sundrie and manie waies as well in clothing vs as also in nourishing and feeding vs besides other inuisible graces which not appearing to the world can not so well be remembred yet because my purpose is particular and stretcheth no further than to Christian dutifulnesse proper vnto God for his dailie blessings presented vnto vs all vpon our ordinarie tables I would not wish thee good Reader to looke for anie other matter at my hands than the verie title of this treatise doth import which I haue called by the name of A Groue of Graces For as in a Groue there do growe manie plants of great varietie and choice the weakest and slenderest whereof may in due and conuenient time do some good and necessarie seruice euen so gentle Reader thou hast heere in this Groue sundrie good Graces put into thine hands some in verse and othersome in prose all and euerie of them tending to Gods glorie as blessings and thanksgiuings vnto his diuine Maiestie for his vnspeakeable clemencie and fatherlie prouidence which he hath ouer vs sinfull and wretched creatures whereof the Lord giue vs grace to continue mindfull and keepe vs in the reuerent vse of his good gifts for Iesus Christes sake our onlie mediator and aduocate Amen Abraham Fleming A Groue of Graces The first Plant. ¶ Grace before Dinner ALmightie God thou giuer of all good things blesse we beséech thée the meate which is set before vs for our repast and vs the receiuers of the same that we may prosper with it and that the substance thereof conuerted into nourishment may make vs strong and able of bodie to endure and goe through our dailie labour Open our eies also O Lord that we may sée from whome all things do come and séeing may extoll and magnifie thy name through Iesus Christ Amen The 2. Plant. ¶ Grace after Dinner BRethren and Sisters assembled and refreshed with the blessings of God forget not to giue him thankes for the present vse of these his comfortable and nourishing creatures beséeching him to continue them among vs and to make vs thankefull partakers of the same for his sonnes sake Iesus