handes in life and death to him we flee FINIS ¶ The bodie is buried but shall be raised vp againe at the last day PIllor of faith Basis of blisse of true religion sure supporter The pointe of Resurrection is in death it is the chiefe comforter If this doe fall all faith may faile what article doth vs refresh When life and health and strength doth quaile the Resurrection of the flesh Our bones shall blossom as the grasse we shall be raised out of dust The bodie that before time was by power of Christ's spirit rise it must The first fruit's Christ the head is rais'd the members shall the same likewise The Lord God for the same be prais'd we know that we shall also rise If head aboue the water bee how can the body then be drowned We shall arise and Iesus see and with him shall be kingly crowned FINIS ⧠In the pangs of death and in all tribulations the remedies be to be learned in the sufferings of Christ. OF life and death the true director who in his life and his dying Of our misdoing is corrector and into all our actions prying Christ is afflicted for our sake left vs example that we should Follow his stepps and his way take thy Crosse to beare with courage bould Our Sauiour Iesus teacheth thee how can that be say'st thou behold Example if thou punisht bee with sicknes hunger thirst colde With thy selfe reccon and accompt how it cannot compared be with his thornes yea his nailes surmount the greatest payne that paineth thee Art thou restrain'd of thy desire lusts that draw thou know'st not whether Thinke on Christs crosse Gods wrath ire put his tortures all together If prid puffe vp thy mind with motiōs looke on Christ nailed on the Crosse And thinke as bound by due deuotions of our great gaine by his great losse If thou in filthie lust dost burne or any other ill desire Thinke but how Christ his flesh was torne to saue thy soule frō flames of fire With stripes thrust through and all to brokē his drinke was Ezell mixt with Gaule With his last gaspe the earth was shoken who suffered for the sinnes of all If enuy hate reuenge thee grieue thinke with thy selfe how Christ did pray O Father doe them all forgiue for them that tooke his life away FINIS An exhortation to forgiue one an other before we depart out of this world GOd vs commaunded to forgiue saith then we shall be forgiuen Without offence noe man can liue and God his ballance hangeth even He that doth not forgiue his brother will then the Lord his faults remit Noe as he dealeth with another another shall repaire t' is fit And when you kneele to God pray forgiue if you haue any thing Gainst any liuing man that day that Christ may your remission bring And when thy guift thou dost present and on the Aulter sacrifice First with thy brother make consent and him forgiue in any wise When thou to Christ wast enemie and strengthned in great extreames Yet then did he giue remedie and or'e thee spred his mercie beames He gaue to thee his holy spirit to guide and leade thy soule aright And gaue thee heauen there to inherit all ioyes and blisse lay in his sight When thou from him wa' st gon astray he sought thee out did thee finde And finding thee brought thee away vnto his fould he thee resignde Thanke God therefore render praise exalt and laude his holy name Vnto the heauens sing alwaies all men on earth doe ye the same Hence forth my soule walke in his path and erre not from him any more Lesse thou prouoke his heauie wrath and then art worse then wer't before Let not Gods spirit be giuen thee to worke thy condempnation But let thy eye remembred bee for thy soules preseruation Shun thou all wicked company with dooers ill associate not Least thou from faith should'st fall fly and soule body soile and spot But blesse his name who called thee vnto the state of righteousnes And thy sinnes vengance tane hath hee to giue thee heauens happines Blesse thou his blessed holynes his praise let minde heart record And let thy tongue and voyce confesse the gratiousnes of God the Lord. Prostrate thy selfe downe at his feete offer thy seruice with free heart O yeeld God all for t' is most meete since he made sau'd blest each part Who spared not his only Sonne but let him die thy soule to saue To pay and ransome thy faults done and to redeeme thee from the graue So in the prayer of our Lord we doe forgiue that 's done gainst vs As God forgiuenes shall afford our Sauiour Christ doth teach vs thus That is that we forgiue them must who did vs harme in any thinge In thought in word in deede vniust or ought to thine indamaging FINIS ¶ Diuers consolations that the life and time of affliction is short THe cōfort that doth make vs bould is our afflictions transitory Cause wee of Christ doe take sure hould the troubles short endlesse the glory Eye hath not seen eare hath not heard the ioyes that God for his elect In heauen already hath prepar'd through many troubles to effect Light are our troubles temporarie because Christ and his spirit deuine This weight and burthen helpe to carry and strongly vs to them combine We looke not on things seene vaine but on things vnseene cast our eye The soules of Saints for Christ was slaine Christ answeared when they did cry How long a time that they must stay a little while though he doth lower His stay till wrath be ouer past t' is but a minute of an howre Christ calls the time of troubles little but Paule doth say the glories great As in respect of th' earth a little so griefes compar'd to Heauens seate A while saith God I thee forsooke that is short time in misery But there th' eternall mercy tooke that is to heauen felicity FINIS ⧠A consolation for them which suffer for their offences IF men you buffit for ill deedes what praise mongst mē get you therby Corrections from your faults proceedes and therefore take it patiently See none do suffer as an Actor of ill as busie bodies theeues Nor as a wicked male factor for that barrs pitty from your grieues But if please God we suffer must for wicked deedes were done by vs Deseruing punishment most iust may holy be by suffering thus And vnto God t' is no lesse pleasing then suffering of the Innocents God can and will helpe our diseasing we are but as his patients If euill men their faults confesse and noe good course of life omit Belieue in Christ and faith expresse then surely he 'l their faults remit And their deserued punishment and crosses all he 'l lenifie And giue a crowne magnificent to purenesse them he 'l sanctifie The theefe who died for heineous crime hang on the Crosse
can vnderstand thy wisdome great Nor euery one that cri'th Lord Lord shall enter into heauens gate Who is not ledd by better line then doth proceed from flesh bloud Er's from the truth and doth decline from right to wrong to ill from good Whose end is death though for a time seemes sweet to please the outward man That 's nothing else but durt and slime or like a puffe in length a spanne As honor riches frends and health preferment life and worlds delight Esteeming these true happie wealth but the true blisse is out of sight They thinke that sicknes pouertie imprisonment and enymies fell And worldlie crosses veryly are gates and entrance into hell Soe foolish and so ignorant are those thou guyd'st not in thy way Mong'st whom euen I through wisdomes haue bin misled vntill this day But hauing found the truth by tryall want that earthly ioyes are transitory When they me tempt I make deniall and only seeke th' eternall glory Now I disclaime all confidence in Honor health in wealth or feature In wit or worldly sapience or yet in any earthly creature And Lord I heere doe dedicate all thou hast giu'n me to thine honor My selfe I wholie consecrate to march and fight vnder thy banner And now I bid these ioyes adew that only please my flesh and sences Because they all are most vntrue and still doe cause so great offences Because their glorious bountie fades and leaue nought but deformities Because they are nought else but shades and bring forth grose innormities Because they are most false and fickle because they are indeed hells fewell Because their rose hath many a prickle because their slauery is most cruell Because they are not firme and stable because they are profane not holie Because they are but as a fable because they are but sottish folly Because my soule they call and kill because they giue me Iudas kisse Because my good they spot and spill draw me from mine heauenly wish because lik swords they woūd my soul because like serpents they do sting me Because my conscience doth controule saith to hell gates they will bring me Because they doe beset my sences because they dull my spirits quicknes Because they cause so great expences because they cause my sad soules sicknes Bcause all vertue hindred is by this vild worlds accused pleasure Because t' will mee bereaue of blisse and of that blessed heauenly treasure And therefore earth world farewell adue fond fancies flattering fauoures Your ioyes are toyes your heauen is hell I hate your poysoned tast and sauours And thou that art life of my life soule of my soule O Iesus Christ Poynt downe the period of worlds strife thou art that prophet Prince Priest That went'st vp to prepare that place aboue Sonne Moone planets seauen Oh saue me by thy sauing grace and bring me to that highest heauen Where are such ioyes caelestiall as cannot be expreste by penne Bring me from things terrestriall to raigne with thee for aye Amen A heauenly hymne touching the Natiuitie of our Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christ. COme let vs sing to God with praise our Prophet Prince Priest alwaies And to the sacred holy spirit and c. Oh let vs laude the Trinitie With heart and voyce them magnifie For Christ who made vs life inherit c. Giue thankes to God with ioy mirth For his sweete sonne our Sauiours birth Of all mankind the comfort true He is the guiltles lambe alas Whose death passion brought to passe Faith hope and blisse with spirit anew Lift vp your heart with ioy abound With solace sing sweete Musicks sound In honor of Gods holy name Who Christ his Sonne the lambe did make By death mans sinnes away to take All nations sing his worthy fame He is the seede was promised To bruse and crush the serpents head Which caus'd all men for sinne to die He is the mediate to appease Gods wrath by death to giue vs ease Praise him praise him continually Finis ¶ A prayer in extreame sicknes THou God of might hast chastned me and mee corrected with thy rod Wounded my soule with misery and humbled me to know my God And soe made soft my stony brest Thy Arrowes sticke most fast in me My heart doth pant my ioynts opprest my flesh me paineth wofully My bodies members mee deceaue I languish still my strength 's decayd I am soe weake of power bereau'd I cannot stand but must be stayde Thy hand O God doth presse me sore my sicknes soe extreamely growes That I am euen at deathes dore thou do'st it Lord. my heart it knowes That I am vexed thus with payne it is for sinne and mine offence For my misdeeds and trespasse plaine the cause of wrathfull recompence Ease me O God and sucker me send comfort lay no more on me Then I can beare O suffer me to draw my breath and looke on me O Lord consider my weaknes beare with my great infirmitie Helpe me oh Lord cure my sicknes that I may giue all praise to thee Incline thine eares vnto my mones harke to the voice of my complaint Let both my crying and my grones come to thy throane oh I am faint I make my plaint to thee alone for thee alone I haue displeas'd To thee alone I make my mone may 't please thee that I may be eas'd I know not how for to appease thy high displeasure that 's gain'st me I am afraide to aske for ease or looke on thee that pain'st me I am neare drown'd with deep dispaire when I in minde doe well perpend How I did sinne sans feare or care without regard of my last end Lord I haue sind and thou hast said that at what time I doe repent My debts sor sinnes shall all be paide thy gratious pardon shall be sent On this thy promise Lord I build vpon thy goodnes I relie Mine heart doth to repentance yeelde graunt pardon Lord or else I die Though I haue often heinously offended and thy patience prou'd By sinning often grieuously yet thou with pittie hast been mou'd Art slow to strike yet strong to suffer thine hands are yron thy feete of leade Thou art more readie grace to offer then we to aske our dayly bread O now for pittie ease my paine for Iesus sake my Lord thy Sonne Restore to me my health againe if not Lord let thy will be done But graunt me strength to beare thy yoake and patience Lord vnto me lend That I may bide thine heauie stroake then send Lord whatthou wilt send Thy punishments are pursiuants that thou of faithfull loue dost send To all thy true and iust seruants to warne them of their latter end Thy rod and staffe doth comfort me and me vphold t'wixt hope and feare Thou gain'st presumption chastnest me and th' other keepe me from
soules sadnes In darknes let me light espie in mid'st of sorrow graunt me gladnes On fruitfull ground Lord doe mee plant and build me vp on surest rocke Annoyes to ioyes to wealth turne want from future ills me keepe and locke As trees that grow by waters side whose leaues blossoms freshly flourish For euer let my state abide thy loue reuiue thy grace me nourish Let thy spirit dayly spring bud with faiths pure braunches frō my hart Let dewes drops of Christ's deer bloud feede vaines of hope from sinners dart My store's decayd thou can'st renew it my basket's empty thou can'st fill it Refresh my heart againe reuiue it reuiue it Lord for thou did'st kill it Thou help'st the simple poore needy thou see'st my state thou can'st all mend I know thou know'st when to be speedy and know'st thy time when to defend Helpe helpe O Lord else downe I fall hould me fast by thy strong hand And lift me vp against them all that by opposing me withstand Thy promise Lord thou doest performe thy words are deeds thou sai'st do'st A happie end thou doest returne and graunt to those that on thee trust My safety Lord thou hast ordain'd by faith my hope doth mount fly And by that hope I am sustain'd if that were lost my soule would dye My faith hath fixt an obiect right my will doth farre my power exceed But Lord I know that in thy sight the will is taken for the deeede Then Lord for deede my will do take and I secured shall be then Oh graunt me this for Christ his sake to whom be praise for aye Amen FINIS ⧠The eight Lamentation in distresse ¶ In which the distressed craueth pardon for his sinnes the cause of his misseries O Had I wings like to a Doue then should I from these troubles flye To wildernes I would remoue to spend my life and there to dye Mong'st bushes thicke and branches tall of mightie Cedars hughe and high With sauadges and wild beasts all for to auoide my misery But why thus wish I Lord alas that am vaine man of flesh blood Thou God that bring'st all things to pas do'st know this sorts not for my good For were I in vast wildernes in furthest part of earth or ayre I could no whit my case redresse as being in thy power there Were I in bowels of the earth were I in Sea in Cloudes or Skie With sorrow griefe with ioy or mirth there Lord thou art with powerfull eie There canst thou also finde me out and visit there my foule offence Thou art my paths and bed about t' is vaine to hide or seeke defence ¶ The second part of the eight Lamentation ¶ The penitent by faith preuailes against frailty in the fierie triall THen let me at thy footestoole fall there acknowledge mine amisse For pardon begge and mercy call and pray for grace and heauenly blisse And that thou bridle my desires clense mine affections with thy spirit Inflame me with thine holy fire in nought but thee let me delight Lord tame the fiercenes of mine heart reforme my words my mouth speach Thou fountaine of all wisdome art therefore right wisdome do me teach In vnderstanding truth instruct me vouchsafe me perfect patience So to that freedome wilt conduct me where is no losse nor paine of sence And from thiese dangers best me free which most I feare soon'st possesse The comforts most desir'd by me and so enioy true happines O make not Lord thy absence long but hasten my deliuerance Against my foes Lord make me strong which do themselus gainst me aduance That ready are with on set newe for to assault my silly soule Wearied with stormes that do accrew plungd with waues which or'e me roule The third part of the eight Lamentation WHerefore hast thou left vnto vs by thy word a commaundement To cast our cares on thee which thus with weighty burdens vs torment With promise to vs helpe and ease thou see'st knowest Lord our desire Our secret hearts and all our waies all 's plaine to thee as light as fire If therefore I should iustifie my selfe I should condempned bee Thou find'st me out and do'st me try my righteousnes is nought to thee disclay ming mine integritie I cast me downe Lord at thy feete And pray for pure sincerity that I do all in all that 's meete Wherefore thou art most bountifull when wants weakenes we confesse Yea then thy guifts are plentifull vs to releiue in our distresse On thee my burden Lord I 'le lay for well I knowe thou car'st for all That thee belicue loue feare obey and for thy grace and mercy call My faith and hope is all in thee I am of imperfections full I Aske why thou do'st visit me should I that blockish am and dull Defiled within and eke without pleade duties don or else be mute It is in vaine to goe about with thee O Lord for to dispute Who euill am in my best way in purest thoughts yea most impure Pardon my weakenes Lord I pray and giue me zeale strength t' indure With humblenes and perfect loue which Lord thou do'st of me require Instruct me God with wisdome moue mee guide and lead to thy desire Shew me the way that tends to blisse after this my long straying heere And bring me home where all peace is let thy free fauour Lord appeare Wherein is life and liberty comfort ioy and society With rest peace and tranquillity for them that liue in pietie The fourth part of the eight Lamentation OH happy he whō thou protec'st most hapy he whō thou dost loue Hee 's strong and wise in all respect'st hee 's fed and clad from thee aboue In all good things hee 's rich in deede when he doth call thou dost him heare What he doth aske thou giu'st at neede he seekes findes them euery where When he is sicke thou do'st him cure when poore thou do'st his wants reply When he is sad he shall be sure thy sauing health and helpe is nye When he is troubled do'st defend him in danger do'st securenes giue him whē men him hate thy loue wilt send him when dead to long life doth reuiue him And giu'st him thē such ioyes for euer as no mans wit can comprehend Me fauour graunt Lord bring me thither to thiese thy blessings without end This fauour Lord vnto me shew and blesse my contemplation Onely in heauen and thee I know is perfect contentation My sorrowes shal be turn'd to ioy my wants vnto sufficiency My teares to gladnes from annoy mourning to mirth and melody My soule keepe safe from death hell my feete from sliding from falling Let me vprightly walke and dwell and on thee still O Lord be calling Who do'st performe thy promises and let'st none empty part away That with their hearts seeke thy mercies or do for helpe comfort pray The
aske and haue of thee let me by faith my suite obtaine Thy louing fauour shew to mee all other fauour is but vaine Restraine my vaine imaginations preuent by grace Sathans intrusions Let not him taint my cogitations nor blind mine eies with false illusions Which are th'nticements the baites of that great ghostly enemy That still for worldlings seekes waites within which rancke poore wretch am I. But as my mouth and lipps haue said wordes of a faithfull seruant true So let my soule of Christ craue ayde with inward spirit to liue a new For now my poore soule is a-fraide and time mispent alasse I rewe To thee I run imploreing ayde within me do thy spirit renue O Lord I see the bloudy woundes of thy sweete sonne my Sauiour I see thy mercies there aboundes and promised by thy fauour And therefore I by sinfull deedes that er'st liu'd carelesse in dispaire Do fly vnto those woundes that bleedes plucke down grace by force of praier Oh in that grace graunt me to liue and in that grace grant me to die And when I die Lord grace me giue to reigne with thee perpetualy A generall confession of sinnes OMnipotent and gratious Father froÌ„ thy waies haue I strayed er'd Like a lost sheepe follow'd rather Mine harts deuises and prefer'de My foolish fancies fond desires broake the lawes set downe by thee I haue not done what thou requires but done those thinges that should not be No health 's in me but thou O God haue mercy on me sinfull wretch Spare me oh spare me hould thy rod that to offendors thou dost stretch I do confesse my faults restore me that doe repent for Iesus sake That promis'd euer is before thee which thou in Christ to man did'st make And graunt for his sake liue I may a godly righte and sober life To thy names glory still for aye possessing heauen that shuts out strife All laude and praise be to thy name for euer and euer now and then To whom all nations sing with fame sweete psalmes of ioy Amen Amen A Morning meditation I Laide me downe to rest and slept and in the morning rose againe God me sustain'd and safely kept and by his grace did me maintaine His Angels pitch't me round about sleeping and waking keeping me Both comming in and going out they guarde me with securitie Lord here my voice in morning bright when I my praiers do direct And waite till thou the God of light doe heere and helpe me with effect O Father full of power and might mercie and loue how dare I cast Mine eies into thy heauenly sight If thou remember my sinnes past How can I thinke or hope for good heere in the earth to come from high Hauing so much thy lawes withstoode And sin'd against thy maiesty Thou in thy power knowledg deepe lord seest the wicked waies of mine Whether in sinne I wake or sleepe they are all open to thine eyne My vaine corrupt and euill deeds my imperfections more and more With my pollutions which still breedes thine anger worse then was before Thy iudgement I might iustly feare if thou should'st note what 's don amisse Thou might'st in torture be seuere but thou giu'st rest sleepe peace blisse And hast me rais'de vp by thy hand for onely thou preseruest mee And me defend'st by sea and land a wake or sleepe I seruing thee whether I walke worke eate or drinke or what ere else doe what I will Thou blessest all that I can thinke without thy blessings all were ill For I a creature weake and faint subiect to daungers that are rife And closly workes my soule to taint in this corrupt and euill life I lie alasse in night and blindenes and haue no watch mee to defend Yet am preseru'de by thy kindnes from them that ill to mee intend Whose owlish eies doe shun the light who lay their traps snares in darke But thou defend me with thy might with bright eie their worke do'st marke Thou deare kinde Father full of loue regardest thy weake and little ones Thy many mercies do thee moue tinuiron them soule blood bones O gratious God I giue thee thankes for all thiese mercies maniefold Saue me from all the perilous prankes of sinne and of that Serpent ould Forgiue me mine offences Lord with true repentance Lord me right Let thankes with life reform'd accorde with trewe obedience in thy sight I am inclin'd to vanitie to slide into one sinne or other No day nor houre true peace finde I since first I came froÌ„ wombe of mother With many foes I am beset corruptions in me dayly fight Which workeing of thy graces let and gain'st my faith vse all their might Wresting my will and settled minde rom true sincerity to sinne From good desires to be inclin'de to deepe dispaire and die therein To make one trust in blandishment of wiâ—ked world my soule deceauing And in my soules sad languishment of comforts all my soule bereauing I flie vnto the sanctuary of thy deare care and prouidence Assured I shall not miscarry when I depend on thy defence Keepe me therefore O King of Kings as precious Apple of thine eie This day me shroud vnder thy winges for by thy sauing health liue I. Teach me the truth me knowledg giue and wisdome with all humblenes Obedience zeale and faith relieue my soule with hope in all distresse Chaunge me from sinne to sanctitie from the nights darknes vnto light Let my colde zeale most ardent be to serue the Lord both day night Teach me iustly to execute my outward calling giue successe And happie issue to my suite and all my lawfull labours blesse To brethren loue and equitie to me and mine in godly care With heart and minde true pietie to God alone let me repaire And let thy holy spirit so nourish and gouerne me that more more I may increase beare fruit and florish in godlines and goodnes store Vntill thou shalt cut off this life that is corrupt with deadly sinne And by Christs merrites end the strife of mortall warres my soule liues in And draw me then with cords of loue to thee and thy Tuition To new Ierusalem aboue and giue mee there fruition Off thee those that raign with thee with Christ and all that in thy word Thou promi'st me graunt this to mee for the same Christ his sake O Lord. An Euening Meditation I Le lie me downe to sleepe in peace for thou Lord only mak'st me dwell In saftie with great quietnes and do'st ill dreames from me expell My body to innormitie is subiect without rest and sleepe Because of mine infirmitie my life and health it cannot keepe Good father all sufficient my louing God I yeelde thee praise For this dayes blessings to me sent and guiding me in all my waies