disdayne to be comforted by an Angell 3. Grant in all aduersitie desolation in all tribulation and Affliction that I may seeke comfort from thee onlye 4. And that I maye find helpe and assistance at thy hands 5. O that I could in all Euents wholie relie on thee 6. And leaue my selfe wholye to thy fatherlie care 7. Hayle sweete Iesus who by reason of thy greatnesse and vehemencie of greife hadst thy Body moistned all ouer with a bloodye sweate 8. O that all the parts of my interior Man would sweate out holy teares of Contrition 9. Hayle sweete Iesus who of thy owne accord offredst thy selfe to be taken by Iudas the Traitor other thyne enimies thirstinge after thy Blood and desiringe thy death 10. Graunt that for the honour of of thy name I maye not flye aduersities 11. But maye cheerefullye goe to meete them 1â— And ioyfullie receiue them as pretious tokens sent from thee 13. And humblie and constantlie endure them as longâ— as it shall please thee 14. Hayle sweete Iesus who didst louingliâ— kisse the traitor Iudas cominge deceitefullye to thee 15. Shewinge by the calmenesse of thy countenance and sweetenesse of thy words that thou didst loue him 16. Grant I may shew my selfe loâ—inge and mild to All myne enimies 17. That I maye pardon them from my hart howsoeuer they shall offend mee 18. And tollerate and loue them as the Ministers of thy will and promoters of my Saluation 19. Hayle sweete Iesus who didst permitt thyne enimies most furiously to lay thâ—ir Sacrilegous hands vppon thee 20. And beinge cruellye bound by them didst not reuenge but mildly endure the reproaches Blasphemies and iniuries wherewith they did most wickedly affront thee 21. O that beinge freed from the bonds of vices I may be fast tied to thee with she sweete chaines of Loue 22. O that thou wouldst beâ—tow vppon mee the grace of true patience Amen THE VIII EXERCISE 1. HAyle sweete Iesus Prayse Honour and Glorie be to thee ô Christ. Who did restore and heale the eare of Malchas one of thy furious Persecutors cutt of by Peeter thy cheife Disciple 2. That rendringe good for euilâ— the riches of thy mercie and mildnesse might shine forth to vs. 3. Grant I beseech thee that the desire of Reuenge maye neuer hau place in my hart 4. Grant that I maye beare intimate compassion and Affection towards all such as offend mee 5. Hayle sweete Iesus who like a Lambe amongst rauenous Wolues didst remayne in the hand of reprobates 6. Thy Disciples all friends runninge awaye and forsakeinge thee 7. Strenthen my too too greate weakenesse and make sted-fast my too too greate Inconstancie with the most stronge support of thy Grace 8. Hayle sweete Iesus who sufferedst thy selfe to be led bound as a Malefactor and theife by a troope of soldiers vnto Annas and to be presented before him 9. O vnspeakeable mildnesse of my Redeemer 10. Behold whilst thou art taken whilst thou art drawne whilst thou art haled Thou dost not complaine Thou dost not murmure thou makest noe resistance 11. Grant ô Lord that these examples of thy virtues maye shine in mee to my Good and thy euerlastinge Glorie 1â— Haeyle sweete Iesus Kinge of heauen and earth who standinge humbly like a base and abiect person before the prowd Bishop didst with great modeâ—tie receiue a cruell blow giuen thee vppon the face by one of his seruants 13. Suppresse I beseech thee in mee all Motions of Anger and wrath dull all the stings of Indignation and extinguish all desire of reuenge 14. That euen prouoked with iniuries I may not be troubled 15. I maye not striue or make any Tumult 16. But sufferinge all things with a meeke and patient mind I maye render good for euill and euer be readie to Fauour those who most Crosse and molest mee Amen THE IX EXERCISE 1. HAyle sweete Iesus Prayse Honour and Glory be to thee â— Christ. Who didst suffer thy selfe to be shamefullie ledd bound to Caïphas that thou mighst restore vs to true Libertie freeinge vs from the bonds of euerlastinge Death 2. Graunt that in the very midst of Derisions and contumelies I may giue thee thankes with all my hart 3. And that by them I may be aduanced and encreased in thy loue 4. Hayle sweete Iesus whom Peeter the cheife of thy Apostles thrice denied and yet thou most mercifullie lookedst vppon him and prouokedst Him to repentance and holye teares for his offence 5. O that it might please thee in like manner to looke vppon mee with that louely eye of thy Mercie 6. That with due teares of Repentance I may bewayle my sinns past 7. And hauinge bewayled them may not heereafter any more returne to them agayne 8. Hayle sweete Iefus who with a pleasinge countenance and modest looke standinge before the Bishops and the elders of the people of the Iewes didst not disdaine to be falselie accused and suffer many iniuries 9. Grant that I maye neuer vtter any falsitie or calumniate any Man 10. But maye suffer such calumnies as are laid against mee with greate tranquilitie of hart 11. And referringe all difficulties to thee with silence I maye expect thy Grace and comfort 12. Hayle sweete Iesus who whilst thou madst profession of the Truth affirminge thy selfe to be sonne of God adiured by Caïphas in the name of God yet didst thou not disdayne to be esteemed a blasphemer by the said Caïphas and his assistants 13. Grant in all places and before all men I may stand to the Truth and in awe of the presence of thy Diuinity and Maiestie not to feare the censures and Iudgements of Men. 14. Hayle sweete Iesus who by the wicked Iewes wast proclaymed guiltie of Death and without cause condemned 15. That by thy vniust condemnation thou mighst deliuer vs form the guilt of our sinns wherewith wee were iustly attainted 16. Graunt that I maye reiect all sinister and rash suspicions 17. That I may suffer without any bitternesse of hart all such wrongfull detractions and wicked iudgements as others shall deuise against mee 18. And that on all occasions I maye retayne by the helpe of thy Grace a quiet and vntroubled mind THE X. EXERCISE 1. HAyle sweete Iesus Prayse Honour and Glorie be to thee o Christ Who for my sake wast made the disgrace and scorne of men and the out cast of the people 2. And didst not turne away thy sacred face which the Angells desire to behold from the filthy spittle of thy Aduersaries 3. Grant that I may imitate thy meeknesse and patience 4. Hayle sweete Iesus who didst vouchsafe to be most cruellye beateÌ„ and buffeted and most vnworthilie reproached and reuiled for my sake 5. Grant I beseech thee that I maye neuer refuse to be disâ—ised and to be reputed base and vile 6. And accordinge to thy permission be contented to be exercised with all kind of iniuries 7. That I maye receiue them not as from men but from the hand of thy fatherlye mercie 8.
be obserued discreete libertie is to be vsed Yea it may soe happen that not one single Act at all of the whole booke is to be vsed if God soe enable and replenish a soule and this is the Best of all Rom. 8. 26. An Holy Idlenesse For then the Spirit asketh for vs with vnspeakeable groanings And in this case wee must not conceiue ourselues idle or doinge nothinge this is Otium Sanctum an Holy Vacation 6. Wee must be warie not to oppresse our soules too much with Vocall Prayers as Offices of our Ladye the Dead Litaniâ—s c. which though they are very good Prayers allowed and commended by the Church yet are they not commanded but left to our choise And wee need not feare if wee discharge these mentall exercises duely wee shall discharge our obligation as to all other voluntarie Prayers and Customes of deuotion be they to the Saincts or for our Friends For in these Exercises there is nothinge neglected soe they be performed with Humilitie and indifferencye purely for the Loue and Honour of God our soules Good Yet heereby wee are not to conceiue our selues Freed from such Offices or dutyes as are of Obligation but only as I said from such as are meerely Voluntarie and rather a clogge and Burden to the soule then any aduantage or furtherance in the way of virtue 7. It will suffise to exercise and vse dayly two mentall exercises to witt the one in the morninge the other at the most conuenient tyme in the eueninge And by thus doinge and practisinge virtue and Mortifâ—cation without which Prayer auayleth nothinge wee shall in tyme come to Exercise Prayer more continually and by degrees draw neerer and neerer to the Perfection of continuall Prayer to which wee are exhorted and commanded by our Sauuiours sayinge Luk. 18. Wee must pray alwayes without ceasinge And in this Continual prayinge consists our Happinesse present and future Wee still cryinge Holye Holye Holye Lord God of Sabaoth 8. And though none can receiue hurt by this Summarie Directions and Deuotions yet those only will reape the greatest profitt and make the rightest vse of them who are of an interior Propension towards God and of Exterior and Interior sound senses yet want perchance some meanes to nourish feed and increase such their Propension and desire towards God which I hope they will find by these Directions and Deuotions And a greate light to know their end and what to ayme at by the Summarie And for such persons of what state and condition soeuer Religious single or married people it was chiefelye written which they shall perceiue more clearely by readinge and pervsinge them and thereby be more assured they are for their purpose And therevpon let them resolue to make vse of them to the Honour of God and their Soules Good Yea I haue knowne some Persons who vnlesse these helps had falne into their Hand would neuer haue beene satisfyed and quieted in Mind whereas once put in this way they haue experienced such Benefitt by itt that for euer they haue beene settled and indeed Happye For they haue found that all Other things necessarie haue come with itt Accordinge to that sayinge of the wise Man All good hath come with it Venerunt mihi omnia bona pariter cumilla Wis. 11. And without itt nothinge 9. And heere it is to be obserued that wee must not be deiected or giue ouer our Mentall Prayer though wee doe not find soe soone an alteration and amendment in our life as wee hoped for The reason is because God many tymes petmitts vs to fall into our wonted imperfectioÌ„s and Frailties for our Humilitie and Mortification Agayne wee ought to consider that if wee are so fraile with this kind of Souueraigne Prayer what should wee be without itt And this is to be remembred specially in the Acts of Resignation where wee shall perceiue our Frailtie more frequent and ordinarie 10. To conclud aboue all it wil helpe much to conferre with such as vnderstand and practise these Exercises and to haue a Confessarius or at least a Director for some tyme in the Beginninge especially til wee haue gott some feelinge of them and then wee may better wrastle with difficulties Alone And wee shall easilie perceiue whom wee are to make vse of in this kind and who are for our purpose and who are not And the like may be said of Bookes What Bookes or Parts or Parcells of Bookes rellish with our Spirits breed discreet feruour and Deuotion in vs those wee are to make vse of and be conuersant in such as breed Feare Scruples Troubles Confusion and disquiet of Mind c. they are not for our purpose neither doe they concerne vs. And thus doinge wee shall make right vse of all Bookes and Confessors and reape profitt and noe harme by them which God send wee may Iesus A Catalogue of such Bookes as maye much helpe comfort and encrease the Deuotion of Contemplatiue spirits such as are well grounded instructed alreadie in the Catholike Faith and haue passed through the necessarie rudiments of actiue Preparations For such and in verie deed onlie such This Summarie Instructions Catalogue and Exercises are by mee sett Forth and for None Other intended A All the Venerable Father Augustine Bakers Manuscripts of the Holye Order of S. Benedict of the English Congâ— which are kept as Pretious treasures as indeed they are in the English Monasterie of Comfort of she same Order and Congâ— at Cambraye And all that is in this Summarie Directions Exercises and what else in this treatise is taken out of these Manuscripts and if any thinge to be reproued it is to be attributed to him who sett them forth B. All S. Bernards workes S. Bonauentures little workes or opuscula Fath. Bennet Canfields Bookes of the three wills C. The Workes of Climachus Cassianus Workes corrected The Colloquies of S. Catherine of Siena D. Dionysius Areopagita his Misticke Diuinitie The little worke of Dionysius the Carthusian of Contemplation The Workes of S. Dorotheus G. The Workes of S. Gregorie the greate H. Hugo of S. Victor Harphins his Misticke Dininitie accordinge to the Romane impression I. The golden Booke of Iohn Gersen of the Imitation of Christ. Iohn of the Crosse. L. Lincolniensis or Hugo Bishop of Lincolne R. Regnum Dei intra nos Or the Kingdome of God within vs. Rusbrochius his Workes Richard of S. Victors Workes The Reuelations of Saint Gertrude and Saint Brigitt S. The Scale of Perfection Suso his life and Workes The Secret Paths of deuine Loue. T. Thaulerus his life and Workes S. Teresa Her workes Her life written by Herselfe V. Vitae Patrum or the Liues of thâ— Fathers Many other Bookes there are more thâ—n I can number vpp very proper for thee which obuiously maye happen into thy hands but these I onlie reckon vp that thou maist easilye find out deuout Reader what may serue thy turne and to saue thee a labour neuer
I haue knowne to haue falne vppon other men and touched not mee beene a sufficient argument to mee that my deliuerie from euerie one of them was a peculiar benefit from thee 19. O most gratious Lord shall I be vngratefull for these Benefits 20. If the fiercenesse and crueltie of Lions and serpents be assuaged with benefits why shall not thy benefits be sufficient to tame and assuage my sinnefull Hart This is continued in the Followinge Exercise THE IV. EXERCISE 1. BVT if soe strict an account shall be demanded for these things which cost thee soe little what accompt wilt thou aske of those which thou hast bought to thy selfe with thy most pretious Blood 2. How haue I peruerted thy Counsells 3. How haue I violated the Mysterie of thyne Incarnation 4. Thou wert made man to make mee a God I haue made my selfe a beast and the slaue of the Diuell 5. Thou hast come downe to the earth to bringe mee to heauen and I haue not harkened to or acknowledged this high Vocation 6. But haue perseuered in wickednesse and in the durt and mire of my basenesse 7. Thou hadst deliuered mee I haue cast my selfe agayne headlonge into my old bondage 8. Thou hadst raised mee I haue agayne embraced death 9. Thou hadst made mee one Bodie with thee and I haue ioyned my selfe agayne with the diâ—ell 10. Soe many and soe greate Benefits could not doe soe much as make mee know thee 11. Nor soe many tokens of Loue make mee requite thee with Loue. 12. Nor soe many deserts and guifts make mee hope in thee 13. Nor such a strict kind of iustice as appeared in thy Passion make mee feare thee 14. Thou hast humbled thy selfe euen to the dust of the earth I puffe my selfe vp with pride 15. Thou didst hange naked on the Crosse I seeke the world worldlye delights 16. Thou beinge God wert buffeted if any man touch my garment who am onlie a most vile worme I presentlye become colericke 17. What shall I say my sweete Sauuiour behold how greate thy mercie and charitie is towards mee 18. Thou wouldst dye to kill my sinns and â— persuminge in thy said Mercie Goodnesse and Loue haue â—ot feared to sinne against thee what greater impietie can be imagined 19. I haue taken occasion of thy Goodnesse to worke malice and by that meane which thou hast vsed to kill sinne I haue taken occasion to raise agayne sinne in my selfe 20. Because thou wert soe good I thought I might without preiudice be euil 21. And because thy Benefits were soe many I thought I might without punishment render vnto thee as many iniuries This is further continued in the ensuinge Exercise THE V. EXERCISE 1. THVS haue I made thy medecines occasions of sinneâ— and I haue turned that sword which I receiued of thee to defend my selfe from myne enemyes against my owne bowels and with the same murthered myne owne soule 2. Finally thou diedst as wee are taught by the Apostle that they that now liue may not liue to themselues but vnto thee 3. And I as the child of Iezable haue made thy Death as a meane to depriue my selfe of thy blessings by Flyinge from thy seruice and makinge my selfe the Bondslaue of thyne enemyes 4. Alas what doth hee deserue who committeth such enormities 5. If doggs haue eaten the flesh of Iezable what will become of mee 6. If the Apostle make it soe heinous a matter of the Law itselfe to take an occasion to breake the Law how greate is my malice who of Grace Mercie haue taken an occasion to offend Grace and Mercie itselfe 7. O most Patient Lord who for sinners hast suffered buffetts but farre more patient in sufferinge sinners Will this thy patience â—ndure for euer 8. I remember what thou hast said by the Prophet I haue held my peace I haue kept silence I haue beene Patiint as one that hath beene labouringe with child I will speake 9. I see that the earth that yeldeth not fruict after rayne is reiected and cursed 10. I see that the vineyard which beinge well tilled producinge noe grapes but wild vines by thee is commanded to be destroyed 11. Wherefore ô vnprofitable fruitlesse branch dost thou not feare the voyce of that potent husbandman that dresser of the vineyard who as truth itselfe reporteth taketh away all branches not bearinge fruicte and casteth them into the fire 12. What shall I doe my Lord what shall I doe I confesse I am not worthy to appeare in thy sight nor to behold thee 13. Whither shall I flye from thy Face 14. Art not thou my Father and in verie truth a Father of Mercies which haue noe end or measure 15. For though I haue as much as lay in mee for a longe tyme desisted to be thy child yet thou euen to this present dost not desist to be my Father 16. Although I haue done many things worthy of damnation yet thou hast not desisted to saue mee 17. What then shall I doe but cast my selfe downe at thy Feete and humblie craue Mercie 18. Art not thou My Creator My Preseruer My Redeemer My Deliuerer My Kinge My Pastor My Preist and My Sacrifyce 19. Whither then shall I goe whither then shall â— flye but vnto thee 20. If thou repell mee who will receiue mee 21. If thou reiect mee of whom shall I seeke succour 22. Acknowledge ô Lord and receiue this sheepe that hath runne a stray 23. Behold I come full of wounds thou canst heale mee 24. I come all blind thou canst giue mee sight 25. I come all dead thou canst rayse mee 26. I come all full of leprosie thou canst make mee cleane 27. Thou shalt sprinkle mee ô Lord with I sope with thy pretious blood shed for mee and I shall be made cleane 28. Thou shalt wash mee and I shall be made whiter then snow 29. Thy mercie is greater then my iniquitie thy clemencie exceedeth my malice and thou canst forgiue more then I can sinne 30. Doe not therefore ô Lord doe not repell and reiect mee 31. Doe not consider the multitude of my sinns but thyne infinit mercie 32. I resigne my selfe wholye into thy hands 33. Thou ô God who art able to doe all things conuert mee vnto thee renew my Spiritt 34. Enlighten my vnderstandinge sanctyfie my will increase my strenth of Bodie and soule 35. That I may depend onlie on thee Feare and loue thee aboue all things and serue thee feruentlye 36. And in all my actions hereafter to conforme my selfe to thy blissed will and pleasure 37 I beseech thee finallye to impart vnto mee thyne aboundant effectuall Grace by which I may be able to beginne to lead a perfect and holye life and to serue thee perfectlye and throughlye euen to the end Heere end the 5. Exercises of Contrition THE VI. EXERCISE 1. TAKE pittie ô Lord take pittie ô mercyfull Sauuiour of mee most miserable sinner doinge things worthye of blame and worthylye sufferinge for the same 2. Beinge
by thee daylie afflicted for that I am continuallye found to haue offended 3. If I ponder the euill which I daylie committ that which I endure is nothinge in comparison of it 4. That which I haue done beinge much more greiuous then my Affliction Thou art iust ô Lord and right is thy iudgment All thy iudgements most iust and true 5. Thou ô Lord our God art iust full of goodnesse neither is there in thee any wickednesse 6. Because when wee offend thou dost not vniustlye and cruellye afflict vs who when we were not hast powrefullye made vs and when for our sinns wee were guiltie of damnation thou hast by thy wonderfull Mercye and goodnesse set vs in the state of Saluation 7. I know ô Lord God and am assured that our life is not gouerned by vncertayne chances but wholye disposed and ordered by thy Awfull powre and prouidence 8. Thou therefore takest care of all things but especiallye of such as serue the who put their confidence in thy onlye mercie 9. Wherefore I humblye beseech thee that thou wilt not deale with mee accordinge to myne iniquities by which I haue deserued thyne anger but accordinge to thy manifold mercyes which surmount the sinns of the whole world 10. Thou ô Lord who dost punish mee outwardlye giue always an inuincible Patience inwardlye to the end may neuer cease to prayse thee 11. Take pittye of mee ô Lord and helpe mee both in soule and Bodie 12. Thou I say who knowest all things and art able to doe all things whatsoeuer who liuest and rieguest for euer and euer 13. O Lord Iesus-Christ the Sonne of the liuinge God who with thy hands stretched forth on the Crosse hast drunke the bitter cupp of thy Passion for the Redemption of all mankind succour mee this Day I beseech thee 14. Behold ô Lord that I that am needie doe come to thee who art wealthy I that am full of miserie doe approach to thee replenished with mercye suffer mee not therefore to depart void or as one worthye to be dispised 15. I beginne hungrie let mee not end emptie 16. I approach as one hunger starned lett mee not depart vnfedd 17. And if I sigh before I eate graunt that I may at least eate after I haue sighed 18. First therefore most sneete Iesus before the magnificence of thy sweetnesse I confesse against mee my iniustice 19. Behold ô Lord whereas I was conceiued and borne in sinne thou hast waâ—hed and sanctifyed mee froÌ„ the same and I after this haue I defiled my selfe with greater offences 20. Those wherin I was borne were of necessitie but those in which I afterwards lay wallowinge were voluntarie This is continued in the followinge Exercise THE VII EXERCISE 1. THIS notwithstandinge thou ô Lord beinge not vnmindfull of thy Mercie and goodnesse hast drawne mee from my Fathers howse and from the tabernacles of sinners 2. And thou inspiredst mee with thy Grace to follow the companie of those who seeke thy Face who walke the direct way that leadeth to felicitie liuinge amongst the Lillies of Chastitie and sittinge at the table with thee in the parlour of most profound pouertie 14. As I haue sinned soe doe thou correct amend mee 15. And beinge by the stripes of thy Fatherlie Pittie â—orrected amended committ mee to the care custodie of thy onlye begotten Sonne Iesus-Christ our Lord. 16. Is it possible for a woemen to forgett the child of her owne wombe 17. And though shee should forgett ô most louinge Father thou hast promised not to be vnmindfull 18. Behold I crie thou dost not heare mee 19. I am afflicted with with greife thou dost not comfort mee 20â— O what shall I say or doe in this extreame miserie Alas I am altogether comfortlesse which is worse am chased out of thy presence 21. Wretch that I am from how greate good into how greate euill am I falne 22. Whither did I attempt to goe whither am I come 23. Where am I where am I not 24. How is it that I that did sigh after heauen doe now sigh through soe greate Tribulation 25. I haue sought comfort haue Found affliction 26. And truelie it is better for mee not to be then to be without thee sweet Iesus 27. It is better not to liue then to liue without thee the only true life This Exercise is continued in the Followinge THE VIII EXERCISE WHERE are now ô Lord Iesus thy accustomed Mercies 2. Wilt thou be displeased with mee for euer 3. Be appeased I beseech thee take pittie on mee turne not thy louinge Face away from mee who to redeeme mee hast not turned away thy Face from those who did mocke spitt at thee 4. I confesse that I haue sinned my conscience doth adiudge mee worthye of damnation neither is my pennance sufficient to make satisfaction 5. Nenerthelesse it is most certayne that thy mercie doth surmount all offences whatsoeuer be they neuer soe abominable 6. Wherefore ô most mercifull Lord I beseech thee doe not write downe my malitious bitternesse neither enter into Iudgement with thy seruant 7. But accordinge to the multitude of thy mercies blott out myne iniquities 8. Woe be to mee at the day of Iudgement when the bookes of our consciences shall be opened wherin our Actions are registred when of mee it shall be openlye proclaymed See heere a man and his workes 9. What shall I doe O my Lord aâ— that dreadfull daye when the Heauens shall reueale myne iniquitie And the earth shall beare wittnesse against mee 10. Verilye I shall be mute and able to say nothinge but holdinge downe my head through shame and confusion I shall stand before thee shakinge and blushingé 11. Alas what shall I say I will call and crie vnto thee ô Lord my God why am I consumed beinge silent 12. Neuerthelesse if I speake my greife will not cease 13. And if I hold my peace I shall interiorlie be tormented with insupportable bitternesse 14. Weepe ô my soule and make lamentation as a younge married weoman for the death of her Husband 15. Weepe and be wayle thy miserie for that thy bridegroome who is Christ hath forsaken thee 16. O Anger of the Almightie rush not vppon mee for I cannot subsist against tâ—â—e 17. Verâ—â—â—e there is nothinge in mee that is able to sustayne thee 18. Take pittie on mee least I dispaire of thy Mercie that by dispairinge of my selfe I may find comfort in confidinge in thee 19. And albeit I haue done that for which thou may iustlye condemne mee yet thou hast not lost thy accustomed propertie of shewinge mercie and pittie 20. Thou ô Lord dost not desire the death of sinners neither doest thou take pleasure in the perdition of those that dye 21. Nay rather that those who were dead might liue thou thy selfe haâ—â— died and thy death hath beene the death of that death that was due to sinners and they by thy Death are come to life 22. Graunt
mee I beseech thee O Lord that thou liuinge I may not die since that thy death hath giuen life much more let thy life giue life 23. Lett thy heauenlye â—â—â—d helpe mee and deliuer mee from the hands of those that hate mee least they insult and reioyce ouer mee sayinge wee haue deuoured Him THE IX EXERCISE 1. HOW is it possible ô good Iesus that euer any one can dispaire of thy mercie who when wee were thyne enemyes thou hast redeemed vs with thy pretious Blood hast reconciled vs to God 2. Behold ô Lord protected by thy mercie I runne crauinge pardon to the Throne of thy Glorie callinge and knockinge vntil thou take pittie on mee 3. For if thou hast called vs to pardon euen when wee did not seeke it how much more shall wee obtayne pardon if wee aske it 4. Remember not thy iustice ô most sweete Iesus towards mee a sinner 5. But be mindfull of thy mercie towards mee thy creature 6. Remembeh not thy Anger towards mee guiltie but be mindfull of thy Mercie towards mee in miserie 7. Forgett my pride prouokinge thee to displeasure and weigh my wretcheuÌ„nesseâ— imploringe thy Fauour 8. For what dost thy sacred name Iesus signifie but onlye a Sauiour 9. Wherefore ô Sauuiour Iesus be thou my succour and protection and say vnto my soule I am thy Saluation 10. I doe presume verie much on thy deuine Bountie because thou thy selfe dost teach vs to aske seeke and knocke at the doore of thy mercie 11. Wherefore I doe aske seeke and knocke at thy doore as thou hast admonished mee to doe 12. Thou therefore ô Lord who willest mee to aske graunt that I may receiue 13. Thou dost counsell mee to seeke graunt mee likwise to find 14. Thou dost teach mee to knocke open vnto mee knockinge at the doore of thy Mercie 15. Recouer mee beinge diseased repaire mee beinge craised raise meâ— beinge dead 16. Vouchsafe likewise soe to direct and gouerne all my senses thoughts and Actions in that which is pleasinge vnto thee 17. That from henceforth I may faithfullye serue thee liue to thee and giue my selfe wholye vnto thee 18. I know my Lord that by reason thou hast made mee I owe my selfe vnto thee 19. And by reason thou hast redeemed mee and hast beene made Man for mee I doe owe if I had it to giue thee much more then my selfe vnto thee by how much thou art greater then I who hast giuen thy selfe for mee 20. Behold I haue nothinge else to giue thee neither can I giue thee this without thee 21. Take mee therefore and draw mee vnto thee that soe I may be thyne by imitation and affection like as I am by Condition and Creation who liuest and reignest world without end Amen THE X. EXERCISE 1. O Lord God Almightie who art Trinitie in Vnitieâ— who art alwayes in all things and wert before all things and wilt be in all things euerlastinglie one blissed God for all Eternitie 2. To thee this and all the dayes of my life I commend my soule my bodie my seeinge my hearinge tast smell and touchinge 3. All my cogitations Affections Words and Actions 4. All things that I haue without and within mee my sense and vnderstandinge my Memorie Faith and Beleife and my constancie in well doinge All these I commend into the hands of thy powerfull protection 5. To the end that all the nights and dayes howers and moments of my life thou preserue and direct mee 6. Heare mee ô sacred Trinitie and preserue mee from all euill from all Mortall sinne 7. And from all the deceites and Vexations of the Deuill and of all myne enemyes visible and inuisible 8. By the Prayers of the Patriarchs by the suffrages of the Apostles by the Constancie of the Martirs 9. By the Faith of the Confessors by the Chastitie of the Virgins and by the intercession of all the Saints who haue pleased and Faithfullye serued thee since the world begunne 10. Roote out of my hart all vaine-glorious ostentation and increase in mee the Spirit of compunction 11. Abate my Pride and increase my Humilitie 12. Stirre mee vp to teares and contrition and mollifie my Hart beinge hard as a stone 13. Deliuer mee and my soule ô Lord from all the snaâ—es of my Ghostlye enemyes and preserue mee in the performance of that which is most pleasinge vnto thee 14. Teach mee to doe thy will ô Lord because thou art my God 15. Graunt mee ô Lord perfect sense and intelligence whereby I may be able to know and acknowledge thy meruaylous greate kindnesse 16. Graunt that my petitions may be such as that they may be pleasinge to thee and profitable to my selfe 17. Graunt mee teares flowinge from my whole Affection which may be able to dissolue the bands of my sinns 18. Heare mee ô My Lord and My God Heare mee ô light of myne eyes 19. Heare what I demand and graunt that thou maist heare what I demand 20. If thou dispise mee I shall perish and be consumed if thou respect mee I shall liue This is continued in the ensuinge exercise THE XI EXERCISE 1. IF thou ô Lord examine my righteousnesse I shall be found as a dead Man stinkinge through rottennesse 2. But if thou behold mee with the eye of thy mercie thou wilt thereby raise mee beinge through sinne but a carcasse from the sepulchre of myne iniquitie 3. Whatsoeuer thou hatest ô Lord â—n mee expell and roote out of mee 4. And plant in mee the Spirit of Chastitie and continencie to the end â—hat whatsoeuer I shall demand of â—hee in my demand I may not offend â—hee â— Take from mee that which is hurtâ—ull and giue mee that is profitable 6. Giue mee a medicine ô Lord by which the soares of my soule may be healed 7. Bestow vppon mee ô Lord thy Feare compunction of Hart Humilitie and a conscience Free from all sinne 8. Graunt mee Grace ô Lord that I may be alwayes able to liue in charitie with my Bretheren not forgettinge my owne sinns or pryinge into the sinnes or doings of other men 9. Pardon my soule Pardon my sinns Pardon myne offences Pardon myne abominations 10. Visit mee Weakened Cure mee diseased Refresh mee wearied Rayse mee dead 11. Take pittie ô God take pittie of mee and behold mee from the sacred seate of thy sacred Maiestie 12. Grant mee ô Lord a hart thaâ— may feare thee a mind that may louâ— thee a sense that may conceiue thee eyes that may see thee 13. And illuminate the darkenesse of my hart with the bright beames of thy light 14. Giue mee ô Lord discretion to be able to discerne betwixt good and euill and enduemee with an vnderstandinge that is alwayes watchfull 15. I humblye craue pardon of all my sinns I humblie craue it ô Lord of thee from whom and by whom I hope to find Fauour in the tyme of necessitie 16. O Marie Mother of God Mother of Iesus-Christ our Lord thou sacred and vnspotted Virgin vouchsafe
thy most worthy Ladye 3. O my most mercifull ladye what fountaines of Teares maye I affirme to haue flowed from thy most chast eyes when thou beheldst thy only sonne though free from all offence to be bound whipt and slaine in thy presence 4. In what mournefull manner may I imagine thy dolefull countenance at that tyme to be blubbered all ouer with weepinge when thou beheldst this thy innocent sonne thy God and thy Lord to be stretched out vppon the Crosse and that sacred flesh framed of thy flesh to be by those bloodie butchers soe cruellye rent in Peices 5. With what vnspeakable greife may I well thinke thy poore hart at that tyme to be tormented when thou didst heare those words pronounced Weoman behold thy sonne And to the Disciple Behold thy Mother when thou didst accept of the Disciple insteed of his Maister and the seruant in Ieiu of his Lord 6. O that I had beene worthy with Ioseph to haue taken my Lord downe from the Crosse to haue enbaulmed and buried him to haue followed or accompanyed him to his sepulcher that soe I might haue done some little seruice at soe greate a funerall 7. I am as a poore fatherlesse child and my soule is as a weoman bereaued of her husband in the Absence of my buried Lord. 8. Vouchsafe graciouslye to behold the teares of my distressed Orphancie and widdowhood which I offer vnto thee vntill thou returne ô my God 9. May it please thee therefore maye it please thee ô Lord to manifest thy selfe to mee and I shall be comforted 10. Grant that I may see thee and I shall obtayne what I desire 11. Make manifest thy Glorie and my ioye will be accomplished 12. My soule hath thristed after thee and soe hath likewise my flesh exceedinglie 13. My soule hath thirsted after my God the liuinge fountaine when shall I come and be presented before the face of my Lord 14. When wilt thou come ô my comforter for whom I will wish and earnestlye wayte 15. O that I might once behold my delight which I doe soe much desire 17. O how trulye shall I be satisfyed when thy Glorie shall appeare which I greatelye hunger to behold 17. When shall I become drunke through the plentie of thy heauenlye habitation for which I sigh often 18. When wilt thou make mee to drinke of the riuer of thy pleasure which I soe much thirst after 19. In the meane while lett my Teares be my continuall food vntill it be said vnto mee behold thy God vntil it be said vnto my soule behold thy Bridegroome 20. In the meane while feed mee with my sobbs and teares nourish mee with my sorrowes and lamentations 21 Peraduenture my Redeemer will come and visit mee because hee is full of Mercie hee will not be longe in comminge because Hee is full of Pittye to him be Glorie for all Eternitie Amen THE XV. EXERCISE 1. O Lord my God grant vnto my hart to desire thee by desiringe thee to seeke thee by seekinge to find thee by findinge to loue thee by louinge thee to gaâ—ne pardon of my sinns heeretofore committed and beinge pardoned to committ them noe more 2. Graunt ô Lord God repentance to my hart and sorrow to my spiritt 3. O my Kinge extinguish in mee the heate of vnlawfull lust and kindle in mee the fire of thy loue 4. O my Redeemer expell from mee the Spirit of Pride and Arrogancie and mercifullye graunt mee the treasure of thy humilitie 5. O my Sauuiour remoue from mee all anger and testinesse and gratiouslye giue mee the shield of patience meeknesse 6. O my Creator roote out of mee all bitternesse of Affection and bestow on mee the sweetnesse of a mild disposition 7. Giue vnto mee most mercifull father a firme faith true hope and euerlastinge Charitie 8. O my God my Mercie I beseech thee for thy beloued sonns sake graunt vnto mee to take pittie on the afflicted to pardon such as haue offended mee to loue those who hate mee and to render good for euill 9. To dispise noe-man but rather reuerence all Men. 10. To embrace Patience in aduersities and Temperance in prosperities 11. To tread vnderfoote by contempt all temporall things and greatelye to desire those that are eternall 12. Behold ô my Maker I haue now requested of thee many thinges and those not small albeit I deserue nothinge at all 13. I confesse alas I confesse that I doe not onlie not deserue these guifts and Graces which I haue demanded but greate and greiuous torments to be inflicted vppon mee 14. Publicans notwithstandinge harlots and theefes doe enbolden mee who on a sudden beinge deliuered out of the Iawes of the ghostlye aduersaries are receiued into the boosome of their true sheepheard 15. For thou ô God the Maker of all things though in all thy workes thou art full of Admiration yet art thou most to be admired in thy workes of Mercie and compassion 16. Wherevppon by a certayne seruant of thyne thou hast said of thy selfe His Mercies are aboue all his Workes 17. And as speakinge of one wee hope thou hast said of all thy people I will not take away my Mercyes from Him 18. For thou disdainest noe Man dispisest noe Man vnlesse peraduenture such an One as beinge as it were besides himselfe shall hate thee 19. Thou therefore not only forbearest to strike when thou art angry but likwise giuest guifts and graces to those that haue prouoked thee if they shall cease from liuing wickedlye 20. O my God the horne of my health and my Refuge I vnâ—appie creature I haue prouoked thee I haue sinned against thee I haue incensed thyne Anger and deserued thy displeasure This is continued in the ensuinge Exercise THE XVI EXERCISE 1. I Haue sinned thou sufferest mee I haue done amisse and yet thou lookest not angrylie vppon mee 2. If I repent thou dost pardon mee if I returne thou receiuest mee yea moreouer whilst I delay to doe it thou expectest mee 3. Thou recallest mee wandringe thou inuitest mee resistinge thou waitest for mee lingringe thou embracest mee returninge 4. Thou instructest mee simple thou comfortest mee sorrowfull 5. Thou raisest mee from sinne thou â—â—pairest mee after I am falne 6. Thou giuest when I aske thou vonchsafest to be found when I seeke thee and when I knocke thou openest vnto mee 7. Behold ô Lord God of my Saluation what to obiect I know not what answere to make I am ignorant 8. There is noe place of Refuge to which I can fly from thee there is noe place soe secret in which I may remayne secret from thee 9. Thou hast shewed mee the way of liueinge well thou hast giuen mee the knowledge of walkinge as I ought 10. Thou hast threatned to punish mee with the paines of Hell thou hast promised to reward mee with the ioyes of Heauen 11. Now therefore ô Father of mercie and God of all comfort peirce my flesh with thy feare to the end that those things which thou
dost threaten I may eschape by fearinge thee 12. And giue mee agayne the ioye of thy saluation that those things which thou dost promise I may receiue by louinge thee 13. O Lord my strenth my force my God my Refuge and my deliuerer instruct mee what I ought to thinke and conceiue of thee 14. Teach mee with what words I am to call vpon thee 15. Make knowne vnto mee which way I maye please thee 16. One thinge doubtlesse I know with which thou art appeased and another which thou dost not dispise Verilie a penitent spirit is to thee A sacrifice acceptable soe likewise a hart that is contrite and humble 17. With these guifts ô my God my Ayde doe thou enrichmee 18. Barricade mee with these Bulwarkes against myne enemyes 19. Graunt mee this refreshinge against the flames of my vicious inclinations 20. Sett open this pious place of Refuge to which I maye flye from the Tumults of myne inordinate Affections Amen THE XVII EXERCISE 1. GRAVNT ô Lord that I be not of the number of those who for a tyme beleiue and in tyme of Temptation doe depart and leaue thee 2. Couer my head in the day of Battaile thou ô Lord who art my hope in the day of Affliction and my safeguard in the tyme of Tribulation 3. Behold ô Lord my light and my life I haue asked those things which I wanâ— I haue made knowne those things which I feare my conscience neuerthelesse tormenteth mee the secrets of my hart doe reprehénd mee 4. And what loue affordeth feare disperseth zeale encourageth mee dread daunteth mee 5. Myne Actions cause mee to feare but thy pittie giueth mee cause of Hope 6. Thy Mercie emboldneth mee my naughtinesse with holdeth mee 7. And to speake the truth their occurre to my memorie many sinnefull imaginations which reprehend the boldnesse of my presuminge Affections 8. Hee therefore who deserueth anger with what face can hee demand fauour 9. Hee who meriteth to be punished how can hee be soe foole hardie as to aske to be rewarded 10. He incenseth the iudge who neglecteth to make satisfaction for his offence and yet maketh meanes to obtayne a Recompence 11. That malefactor mocketh and derideth His Kinge and Lord who earnestly requireth the Prise and honour which hee neuer deserued 12. That foolish sonne likewise prouoketh to anger the sweete Affection of his Father who vppon reproaches offered without repentance dare vsurpe and lay title to his inheritance 13. What is this ô father that I recompt of my selfe I haue deserued death yet begge for life 14. I haue moued my Kinge to anger whose aid notwithstandinge I impudentlye implore 15. I haue dispised my Iudge whom boldlye I begge to be my helper 16. I haue insolentlye refused to heare him as a father whom now I presume to choose as my defender 17. Woe is mee for not cominge soe soone as I ought Alas alas how little hast doe I make 18. I neglected to beware of the weapons which wounded mee behore hand and now I am troubled through the apprehension of Death at hand This is continued in the followinge Exercise THE XVIII EXERCISE 1. I Haue made my former â—carrs to fester with new soares since I haue renewed my former faultes by new iniquities 2. And those which the deuine salue had made sound my phreneticall itchinge hath agayne vnbound 3. The skinne which beinge growne ouer my wounds had hidden my maladie by reason of corruption breakinge forth hath growne to purifie because myne iniquitie beinge reiterated hath bereaued mee of mercie which before was granted 4. For that I know it is written in what howre soeuer a iust Man shall sinne all his good deeds shall be forgotten 5. If the righteousnesse of a good man is abolished when hee falleth into sinne 6. By how much more is the pennance of a sinner defaced if hee returne to the same 7. How often like a dogge haue I returned to that which I had vomited vp before 8. And as a sowe haue wallowed agayne in the mire 9. I confesse that it is impossible for mee to remember how many simple and ignorant persons through my meanes haue sinned 10. How many that were desirous to cease from sinne haue I perswaded to sinne 11. How many that haue withstood mee haue I constrayned 12. To how many that were willinge haue I consented 13. To how many walkinge in the right waye haue I prepared a ginne or snare 14. To how many that haue sought the right way haue I vncouered the pitt that they might fall in 15. And that I might not be frightned with committinge still the like I easilie put those past out of my mind 16. But thou in the meane while beinge a iust Iudge hast obserued and recorded and doth obserue and record all myne offences and hast numbred all my footesteps 17. Thou hast all this while held thy peace thou hast beene silent thou hast beene patient 10. Wooe is mee for that thou wilt speake at lenth as a weoman in her Trauayle This Exercise is continued THE XIX EXERCISE 1. I Dâ—â—re not ô my Lord God presume on my owne meritts yea I am affraide and tremble to present my selfe before thee 2. For my Soule and Bodie are spotted and blemished with many sinns and defects and I haue beene negligent â—â— thought and word 3. To thee therefore ô mercifull God deare Sauuiour I wretched sinner beinge in these streights recurre as vnto the fountaine of Mercie and pittie â— flie vnto thee for Saluation 4. And to thee ô Lord I laye open my wounds and soares to thee I discouer my infirmities of which I am ashamed 5. I know my sinns to be many and greate for which I stand in feare 6. I hope in thy Mercies which are without end 7. Lord Iesus-Christ eternall Kinge God and Man looke vppon mee with the eyes of thy Mercie 8. Harken vnto mee puttinge my trust in thee haue pittie on mee that am full of miseries and sinns thou ô Lord who neuer restreignest the flowinge of the fountaine of thy Mercie 9. I am hartilye sorrie that euer I haue offended thee I desire to amend for the tyme to come 10. Doe away therefore from mee ô most mercifull father all my sinns and iniquities that soe beinge purifyed and cleansed in soule and Bodie I may be able worthilye to serue thee and blissedly to be vnited vnto thee 11. Let my soule thirst alwayes after thee the source of wisedome and knowledge the fountaine of eternall life and sunne of eternall light the Riuer of Pleasure the Plentifulnesse of the Howse of God 12. Lett it alwayes earnestly aspire after thee seeke thee and find thee deseruinge such ingratitude at my hands 6. I much desire that I were more sorrie that my hart might breake for any one of the offences which I haue committed against thy deuine Maiestie 7. How great reason is there that I should melt into teares for the least of them 8. For I haue little
able to steed others 10. Soe that the whole world grow weary of mee and of my life and Beinge and dayly longe to be ridd of mee by death or some other way they care not how and in this case to remayne diuers yeares yea for my whole life tyme though neuer soe longe 11. I am resigned that dyinge in the Grace of God which I hope and earnestly pray I may alwayes doe and of a naturall death I be for all that through some occasion or other by the permission of God esteemed to haue killed or destroyed my selfe and therevppon to be accordinge to the custome of our countrey pearsed through the midst of my Bodye with a stake and buried in the high way and euery one that passeth by to cast a stone on my Graue in detestation of mee to the vnspeakable shame câ—nfusion and damnation of my owne fame and to the fowle Aspersion of my Familye Resignations of and concerninge the soule THE V. EXERCISE 1. I Am resigned to vndergoe all sorts of temptations which may please thy Deuine Maiestie to lay or permitt to fall vppon mee for myne exercise and Triall And to endure them to the end euer adheringe to thee and not yeildinge to sinne by occasion of them soe farre as thy holy Grace shall enable mee 2. To endure all manner of desolations Priuations Aridities Drynesses and indeuotion All darknesse in myne vnderstandinge and all dullnesse and coldnesâ—e of Affection in my will towards my God soe farre as I am not able to helpe it And will not for my comfort conuert mee to externall solaces 3. To want all manner of guifts Graces that are not absolutely necessarie to my Saluation as all supernaturall contemplations sweetenesses and extraordinarie deuine visits and fauours 4. To resigne my selfe in all things be they neuer soe contrarie to nature and its inclination to sensualitie and its affections 5. To resigne my selfe to beare with the repugnance which I find in my sensualitie vntill by the Grace of God sooner or later euer or neuer in this life it may be brought to perfect subiection to the soule and in the meane tyme to beare with the labour and difficultie that is in fightinge against it or in resistinge the desires of itt 6. To resigne my selfe to dye before that I can reach to perfection and to liue and dye in that state or degree of perfection which shall be pleasinge to God and not accordinge to my owne will or waye yet euer wishinge and endeauouringe that I may not be wantinge in cooperatinge with His Graces and Calls 7. To resigne my selfe to be content to serue my God accordinge to that manner which Hee preordained and not accordinge to myne owne proper will desires or wayes Hauinge reguard notwithstandinge to my naturall talents and complexion or corporall constitution And accordinge to the measure of witt or vnderstandinge that is in mee and accordinge to the supernaturall helps and Graces that God shall afford vnto mee and not accordinge to the talents guifts and graces which God hath giuen and imparted vnto others 8. I am resigned and well pleased that God hath giuen and heereafter at his pleasure may giue to others farre greater Graces and Talents or perfections then hee hath giuen or shall giue vnto mee 9. And that all others make greater progresse in Spirit and perfection then I doe albeit I should vse greater diligence and industrie then they 10. I am resigned to vnderstand learne or know noe more or otherwise then God would haue mee to know and to remayne ignorant in what Hee would haue mee to remayne ignorant of It is continued THE VI. EXERCISE 1. AND for what I doe or shall know I doe resigne and yeld vp to God whose it is by due all the Honour contentment satisfaction and commoditie that can come to mee by such knowledge 2. I am resigned to know noe more then is absolutely necessarie to saluation and to want the knowledge of all other things and especiallye of all curiosities and impertinencies 3. I am resigned yea desire to follow God by all wayes whatsoeuer that Hee shall call mee seeme they neuer soe strange or vnreasonable soe they haue noe sinne in them I meane both for internall and externall wayes though I cannot vnderstand the reasons of them or perceiue how they can lead or bringe to a good end or issue And soe to be contented to walke as it were blindfold and in darknesse as to the vse of my naturall vnderstandinge 4. I am resigned and contented that others doe excell mee in virtues and perfections yet euer desiringe that I may not be wantinge in my endeauours And am resigned that they be farre more then my selfe esteemed loued and honored by all others for virtues and perfection 5. I am resigned not to know in what case I am as to my soule nor in what degree of Perfection and not to know whither I goe backward or forward in perfection 6. I am resigned not know whither I am in the state of Grace or noe as noe man without speciall reuelation doth know himselfe to be I craue notwithstandinge and desire that I may be industrious and doe my part and cooperate with my Grace 7. I am resigned that God may giue and bestow on Him who of all creatures liuinge most hateth mee all those guifts Graces and Fauours which my soule my nature or my hart could craue or wish of thee my God for my selfe and am resigned to want them my selfe and to haue noe more then thy will is to bestow on mee 8. And I am moreouer contented and resigned that in the end of my life thou my Lord may bestow vpon him that hateth mee most the fruict Benefit and reward of all the labours afflictions and mortifications which in my life tyme I haue vndergone albeit they were soe great and soe many as hath beene all the labours Afflictions and Mortifications of all the Marâ—yrs Confessors and Virgins all put together that euer liued or heereafter shall liue in the Church of God Soe purely and freely doe I desire to serue my God 9. I am resigned willingly to endure all manner of contempts and yet to be esteemed by others that I endure them meerely against my will and not out of Humilitie and that I would be reuenged if I could without further discredit or dammage to my selfe THE VII EXERCISE 1. I Am resigned to serue my God in this life in all labours and afflictions which are possible for mee to vndergoe though there were neither heauen or Hell or Purgatorie or any payne or reward in the future life Soe purely doe I desire and purpose to serue my God for his owne sake without any maner of interest or commoditie thereby intended to my selfe 2. I am resigned and contented to enioy the very lowest place in Heauen though God should enable mee to meritt as much as all the SS in Heauen putt together haue done 3. I am resigned to doe and suffer both in
4. Obtayne for mee I beseech thee perfect pardon of my sinns and the perfect Grace of the Holy Ghost 5. That I maye diligentlye worship chastlye and feruentlye loue thy Sonne my Sauuiour and thee the Mother of Mercie 6. Hayle sweete Marie whom forshewed in sundrie figuratiue speeches and promised in diuers Oracles of the Prophets the Ancient Fathers did coueâ— most earneâ—tly 7. O my Lady receiue mee for thy poore seruant Adopt mee O Mother for thy Sonne 8. Graunt that I may be numbred amonge them whom thou dost loue whose names are written in thy Virginall breast and whom thou dost teach direct helpe cherishâ— and protect 9. Hayle sweete Marie whom God by a most Honorable Priuiledge did preserue from sinne 10. And adorned with most singular Grace and most excellent guifts 11. O Glorious Virgin ô Gratious Virgin ô moâ—t pure Virgin chosen amongst thowsands 12. Doâ— not repell mee wicked sinner doe not dispise and reiect mee defiled with the filth of sinne 13. But heare mee miserable wretch â—ryinge vnto thee comfort mee desiringe thee and helpe mee trustinge in thee Amen An Exercâ—se to the Holy Angells and especiallye the Angell Guardian 1. I Salute you ô Holy Spirittâ— and with all myne Hart Congratulate your Happinesse who continuallye contemplate and behold the Deuine Face and Allsatiatinge goodnesse 2. You ô Seraphin Cherubim and Thrones who are of the higher Ierarchie you ô dominations virtues and powers of the middle you ô Princes Archangells and Angâ—lls of the lowest who continuallye singe Holy Holye Holye Lord God of Sabaoth 3. Thou ô my Lord hast made these holy Spirits Angells for my Benefitt and hast commanded them to keepe mee in all my wayes 4. They doe therefore assist vs with greate care and with watchfull endeauour at all tymes and in all plaâ—es succouringe vs. 5. They present our sighs and sobbs to thee ô Lord they inflame our will illuminate our vnderstandinge and replenish our mind with holy thoughts 6. They walke with vs in all our wayes reioycinge at our virtues and contristated at our vices 7. Their loue is greate and excessiue towards vs. 8. They helpe such as are takinge pains they protect such as are at rest they encourage such as fight they crowne the conquerors they reioyce with such as ioye I meane such as ioye in thee and they suffer with such as suffer I meane such as are in sufferance for thee 9. Greate and very greate is the Honour done to man to haue Angells to wayte on and assist him 10. O my Deare Angell Guardian gouerne protect and defend mee illuminate comfort and direct mee now and euer more 11. O Blissed Angells be you euer blissed and praysed for all and euerie Fauour and benefitt you haue most louingely and powrefullye bestowed on mee and vouchsafed mee and one on my owne experience a most singular one 12. Graunt ô Father of Heauen and Earth that they may euer reioyce concerninge vs that is by our practise of vertue and that thou maist euer be praysed by them and vs and that both they and wee maye be brought into one sheepefould that together wee maye confesse to thy holy name O Thou Crâ—atsr of men and Angells Amen AN EXERCISE OF Deuotion Towards our Holy Father and Religious founder S. Bennet 1. HAYLE most blissed â—and glorius Father I congratulate with all my hart thy glorie and grace with God 2. I prayse likewise and thanke the deuine goodnesse that made thee worthyâ— and brought thee to the same 3. Bestowingâ— on thee in this life very greate naturall and supernaturall guifts and graces by meanes whereof thou hast obtayned thy present most glorious and happie condition 4. In particular I prayse and magnifie the same deuine goodnesse for that it gaue thee the grace in the very flowre or prime of thy youth with a thristye mind to seeke after the sole felicitie of the future life 5. And for that end to forsake all the vayne pleasures of this life the solaces of thy Parents kinred and Countrey the desire of humane sciences and learninge and generallye all things that might not be needfull for thee towards attayninge the foresaid felicitie 6. And I prayse and magnifie the same deuine goodnesse for that by such callinge and takinge of thee soe tymelye out of the world and the snares of it hee freed and secuâ—ed thee from worser habits and multitudes of sinns which the world if thoâ— hadst remayned longer in it had beeâ—e apt to breed and cause in thee 7. I prayse and magnifie the same deuine goodnesse for leadinge thee to a place of solitude and there prouidinge for thee all corporall necesâ—aries towards his holy seruice and thyne owne soules good 8. And especiallye for that the same deuine goodnesse itselfe vouchsafed to become thy immediate Maister and Director inspiringe thee and teachinge thee what to doe continuallye 9. And gaue thee Grace and strenth to performe and accomplish the things necessarie and expedient to the end Hee called thee to 10. And namelye to liue in mortification of body and will And as it were in continuall prayer and high Contemplation 11. I prayse and glorifie the same deuine Goodnesse for bestowinge on thee the most necessarie guift of perseuerance by which thou didst remayne constant in such perfect deuine seruice from thy first call to the verie period of thy life 11. That comeinge to dye euen ripe for a most holye death thou didst as it were passe from life to life as one thaâ— feeles not what corporall death meanes 13. Soe that thy expiration was Aspiration accordinge to what S. Gregorie the great saith of thee Vltimum Spiritum inter verba Orationis efflauit To witt His last breath was Prayer Passinge forth of the faithfull Contemplation of this life to the reall and beatificke contemplation of the other 1â— I now cordiallye congratulate the perfect felicitie thou enioyest 15. And since I am called by the deuine Grace as I truly hope to liue accordinge to thy holye Rule for my Saluation and Perfection vouchsafe thy Holy intercession for that end that I maye through Gods Grace liue accordinglye and dye consummated and perfect therin and thereby for without his Grace I can doe nothinge 16. And as the said S. Gregorie saith thou framedst thy Rule accordinge to thy holye life sweete Iesus giue mee grace interiorlye and exteriorlye to be a faithfull Imitator thereof 17. That I may be led by the same Guide the Holy Ghost 18. And Exercise true Spirituall Prayer the only meanes to all vertues 19. That I may in all things abandon my selfe with all puâ—itie of Intention 20. And doe all good and abstayne from all euill which interiorlye and exteriorly may concerne mee 21. Especially in all things occurringe patientlye to suffer all iniuries â—â—d Crosses 22. And that all maye be accomplished God grant mee as hee did to thee the guift of perseuerance 23. That I expiringe maye be admitted into the happy societie of thee and thy