pleasure which desiereth only thy sanctification thy life and happines Wilt thou haue a signe of my loue towardes thee See then how I feede thee with the flesh of my only beloued Sonne What greater dainties could I bestowe vpon thee What present of more price What other Sonne haue I to giue thee Thinke then how I haue remitted al thy sinnes both past and present and consider with thy selfe that neuer would I haue bestowed my only Sonne vpon thee if I sawe any thinge in thee that mighte offende myne eies Finally when I giue thee my Sonne I giue thee weapons against thy temptations wherwith thou mayest defend thy selfe from al perrills dangers and say Deliuer vs from euil Receiue him therefore ofteÌ„ with inward ioy and exultation that thereby thou mayest delighte him whose delighte and pleasure is to be conuersant with thee For this was the cause why I adorned thee with the noble giftes of reason vnderstandinge and other spiritual ornameÌ„ts that thereby I might daylie bestowe him vpon thee nether doe I thinke that I bestowe any thinge on thee when I doe not freely giue my deare and only Sonne vnto thee A MEDITATION VPON THE Aue Maria fit for such as frequent the B. Sacrament HAYLE MARIE RIghtly may we beleue that the Gardian Angel saluteth that soule which often receiueth the B. Sacrament with the same wordes that the Angel Gabriel saluted the B. Virgin Marie when he greeted hir and with great reuerence and sweetnes said vnto hir Aue. That is free from al woe to wit al kinde of sinne For by the cominge of our Lord in this most B. Sacramentâ— al venial sinnes past ptesent are freely remitted as also such secret mortal sinnes which the penitent had ether forgotten or whereof he hath not had sufficient contrition and further new grace is bestowed vpon vs whereby we may auoide the danger of renuinge any more our former offences FVL OF GRACE How can that soule but be ful of grace which often receiueth the author of grace The fountaine and springe of al grace And him who to the end he might infuse into our soules his grace would exhaust and poure out al the blood forthe of his owne veines Who chiefly tooke vpon him our humane nature that he mighte wholie replenishe and fil our soules with diuine fauours Who coÌ„tinually standeth and knocketh importunatly saying O Daughter giue and resigne to me thy hart Vrgeing vs by diuers wayes that we would aske and demande of him his aboundant grace and for this cause he inuiteth vs to thee foode of Angels that thereby our hartes may be more and more filled with the same wherupon this B. Sacrament is called Eucharist which signifieth good grace OVR LORDE IS WITH THEE Hath not that soule our Lorde with hir which often receiueth in the B. Sacrament the Father the Sonne and the Holie Ghoste Hath she not God with hir that often receiueth the Diuinitie and Humanitie of our Sauiour IESVS Hath she not our Lorde with hir who lodgeth Christ as a guest and intombeth him within the sepulcher of hir hart BLESSED ART THOV AMONGST vvoemen May not that soule wel be said to be most blessed moste happie most highe in the fauour of God that so often is visited of him and so often is honored with his diuine presence and is made as it were the Mother of God and temple of the Holie Ghost the tabernacle of the most B. Trinitie and the Reliquarie of the sacred bodie and blood of Christ That soule I say that is created by the verie hand of God and is daylie fed with the flesh of his most deare and only Sonne AND BLESSED IS THE FRVTE of thy vvombe IESVS These wordes also after a sorte may be applied to the deuout soule partaker of the B. Sacrament For first most blessed is that mouthe that receiueth this blessed fruite IESVS Blessed is the breast that beareth and keepeth it Blessed is the memorie that remembreth it Blessed is the vnderstanding that alwayes thinketh on it and blessed is the hart that alwayes loueth it from whence proceede chaste thoughtes holie desires heauenly loue and al diuine frutes HOLIE MARIE MOTHER OF God c. Wel may that soule be called holie and the mother of God which wheÌ„ she receiueth the B. Sacrament receiueth the holie of al holies and beareth in hir the verie same frute which the most B. Virgin Marie carried nyne moneths within hir wombe Meditations vpon the Creede fitt for those that frequent the B. Sacrament 1. I Beleue in God the Father Almightie If he be omnipotent then he can If he be God then he knoweth If he be our Father then wil he helpe vs in al our necessities comfort vs in al our tribulations pardon â—s our offences and most louingly embrace vs euen as did the tender Father of the pro ligal childe when he retorned againe vnto him 2. Maker of heauen and earth Why did he create heauen and earth but for me And when did he create them for me when I was yet vnborne when as yet I was nothinge By what did he create them Thoroughe his infinit loue and that I mighte euer enioy him in heauen If then he had me in so sweete a memorie before I had any beinge is it likely that now he wil forget or be vnmindful of me He loued me before I was knowinge in his wisdome what I would be and now that he hath made and created me of nothinge is it likely that he wil hate me Can this stand with Gods sweete nature and infinite goodnes 3. And in Iesus Christ his only Sonne our Lorde He was called Iesus which signifieth a Sauiour because he wrought our sâ—luation And who did he saue me althoughe he knewe before what I would proue to wit vngrateful peruerse rebellious and a most wicked wretch From whâ—t did he saue me From death the deuil hell and sinne By what did he sâ—ue me By his only goodnes his only loue his only mercy When did he saue me Longe before I was borne How did he sâ—ue me By sheadinge his pretious blood enduringe most cruel torments and sufferinge a most bitter death Why then should not I firmely hope in this my only Lorde that hath done al this to saue me a most vnworthie seruant 4. Who vvas conceiued by the Holie Ghoste For my sake and to worke my saluation he came downe from heauen where Angels Archangels and al the celestial court did serue and attend him For me he would be incarnate and for the space of nine moneths lie inclosed in the wombe of the B. Virgin 5. Borne of the Virgin Marie For me and to worke my saluation was he borne in Bethelem And in what place there In a poore staule or stable At what time of the yeare In the depth of cold winter and then was he laied no better then in a manger where he by whose omnipotencie all thinges were created had neede of hay to lie vpon
for these benefits thou shouldest say Hallowed be thy name Call to minde that I haue made him the seruant of men to the intent I might make thee à Queene of heauen and that by a longinge and feruent desier to be with me in my glorie thou mightest say Thy kingdome come Remember that for thy sake he humbled him selfe and that he became obedient euen to the death of the Crosse that thou mightest resigne thy selfe vnto me and say Thy wil be done in earth as it is in heauen Thou canst noâ— be ignorant that I gaue my SoÌ„ne to eate the bread of sorow that thou mightest be nourished with the sweete tastinge bread of the worde of God And that for thy sake I haue left him in the moste B. Sacrament that thou mightest be there fed with his flesh and as it were made dronke with his blood and finally become a daylie guest at my Table and say Giue vs this day our daylie bread How thinkest thou then I could permit thee to sitt at my Table if I were offended and displeased with thee or if I did not loue thee as my dearly beloued daughter Thou canst not be ignorant that I haue laied on the showlders of my only Sonne al thy sinnes and iniquities that euer thou hast committed and that I haue accepted his paines as a ful satisfaction and also haue left vnto thee his most pretious blood that therwith thou migtest pay thy vttermost dett and say Forgiue vs our trespasses Which blood thou receiuest so often as thou receiuest my Sonne in the B. Sacrament By reason whereof I looke not vpon thy sinnes for the partialitie of my loue obscureth thy defectes Nether doe I behould in thee that which is thine but that which is myne not with the eie of a strict iudge but of a most louinge and kinde Father For if I should seuerely looke into thy sinnes to what end had I created thee at the begining Consideringe also that I haue made thee a reasonable creature not vnreasonable a Christian not an Infidel a Catholike not an Heretike and for that cause doe I feede thee with this swete and heauenlie Manna and not with the sower Onyons and Garlike of Egipt Thou canst not beignerant tâ—at I suffered my only beloued Sonne to be nayled to the Crosse for the purginge of thy sinnes And that I would haue him forgiue his persecutors that depriued him of al he had and lastly of his life thereby to leaue an example vnto thee that thou mightest likewise pardon and forgiue thyne enimies and say As vve forgiue them that trespasse against vs. For if I would pardon and forgiue those cruel enimies that in my owne sight most barbarouslie crucified my only Sonne at the which sight the earth was amazed and trembled the Sunne was obscured the rockes did cleaue and rent in sunder the monuments opened the dead beinge astonished arose againe if I say I haue pardoned such haynoâ—â— offenders wil I not pardon thee that louest me and desierest to be myne I that haue forgiuen giuen life vnto my enimies is it likely that I wil suffer myne owne daughter to perishe When thou didest refuse and denie to be myne euen then was I pleased that my only Sonne should die for thy redemption and wil I now thinkest thou be vnmindful of thee when most willingly thou doest offer thy selfe vnto me If I haue bin so bountiful and merciful to the murderers of my SoÌ„ne wil I be so seuere to thee that so oft receiuest him into thy hart How canst thou thinke it my daughter my delight When as thou only followedst after wordly vanities and turnedst a way thy face from my sighte I yet loued thee expected thee bare patiently with thee protected thee from fallinge into great perilles and dangers and euermore requited thee with good for euil wil I now when thou resignest thy selfe wholie vnto me renouncest the worlde detestest al sinne art ready rather to die then once to offende me and with such seruent desire inuitest me to rest in the harbour of thy hart wil I forget thee thinkest thou Wil I turne away from thee and render euil for good vnto thee Is it vnknowen vnto thee that I suffered my B. Sonne to faste fortie dayes and fortye nightes in the desert to be conuersant amongst wilde beastes and there to be tempted of Sathan Al which I haue done to this end that thou mightst not be ouercome by any wicked suggestions but euer mayest say And lead vs not into temtation Is it vnknowen vnto thee that to ease and disbarthen thee of al incumbrances I heaped and burthened my owne Sonne with al maner of afflictions How then canst thou thinke that I seeke thy hurte or rather not thinke that I wholie seeke thy good For if I wished thee ill then would I permitt thee to doe as offenders doe then would I neuer haue so louinglie bestowed my only Sonne vpon thee Thou canst not therefore thinke that I wishe thee hurte if thou doe but remember this so great a bountie If thou remember what is past thou shalt easily vnderstand how wel I haue wished thee that would haue my only beloued Sonne to die on the Crosse for thy redemption If thou wilt consider what is to come thinke that I haue prepared for thee the kingdome of heauen where my selfe and all my Saintes in blisse doe with ioy and exultation expect thy cominge Is not this a signe of my loue and not of my indignation But if thou respect only that which is present then doe but remember that thou art fed with the flesh and blood of myne only Sonne Now then bethinke thy selfe O soule shake of al these scruples and lay aside al this inordinate feare and euen as I offer my selfe vnto thee like a most louinge Father so doe thou present thy selfe before me as it beseemeth a louinge daughter Behould I daylie make thee as it were a cleare shininge heauen that so I may inhabit the secret corners of thy hart whether I resorte that I may purifie thee and replenishe thee with peace and with al kinde of happines Behould also thy Sauiour IESVS my Sonne euer readie in al thy needes who cometh to giue thee life and not to take it from thâ—â— whose loue to thee is such that to deliuer thee from death he would die him selfe receiue thou him therefore with a glad and ioyful desire Behould he cometh to thee that he may raigne in thy hart if therefore he be with thee who shal be against thee If he rule and guide thee what can be wantinge vnto thee I am no tirant o Daughter nether deale I like a tirant with thee I am thy Lorde ful of al mercie and gentlenes and with a hart replenished with al Fatherly loue I come to meete and imbrace thee euen as the Father receiued the prodigal childe when his hart was moued with al tendernes of affection towardes him Thou knowest o Daughter my will and
some such sayinge of holie Scripture as these which followe Inclyne vâ— my ayde o God o Lorde make haste to â—lpe me From the deeâ—â—â—es I haue cried vnto thee o Lorde heare my â—oyce Create in me a â—ane harte o God Sonne of Dauid haue mercie on me My God my God vvhy hast thou forsaken me Christ doth ouercome Christ doth raigne Christ doth rule Christ defend me from al peril and danger Helpe me o Lorde God departe not from me incline vnto my ayde o my God defende me from my most potent enimies and from those that hate me 10. The tenth it is good to blesse our selues with the signe of the Crosse vpon our breastes sayinge IESVS Maria. And O God inclyne vnto myne ayde at the least in our minde 11. The eleuenth to confesse and receiue often and plainly to lay open our hartes to our ghostly Father following his direction and counsaile 12. The twelueth to meditate what our Sauiour Christ doth at that instant 13. The thirtenth to imagin that Christ is now suffering his passion for vs crowned with thornes al bloodie and sayinge behould what paines I here suffer for thee see with what price I haue bought and redeemed thee 14. The fourtenth it helpeth vs much to say auerre to our selues that we wil not consent to such vncleane thoughtes 14. The fifteenth alwayes to auert our mindes from such thoughtes or else to be busied in some good exercise and aboue al thinges to auoide idlenes Why almightie God permitteth vs to be troubled with vncleane thoughtes 1. THe first cause is that thereby we may endeauour to get an habit of chastitie 2. The second that we may detest al vncleanes 3. The third that with S. Paule we may remaine humble 4. The fourth that we may alwayes liue in feare of our selues 5. The fift that we may acknowledge our owne frailtie and want of strength 6. The sixt that we may eschwe al occasions of vncleane thoughtes 7. The seueÌ„th that we may knowe that we alwayes staÌ„de in neede of Gods grace 8. The eight that we may purge our soules from the like sinnes alreadie committed 9. The ninth that we perseuer in prayer and continually call for the holie helpe of God and his Saintes 10. The tenth that we may merit the greater glorie in heauen 11. The eleuenth to shame our ghostly enimie who daylie assaulteth vs. 12. The twelueth to comfort our Gardian Angel with our continual victorie 13. The thirteenth that we may take compâ—ssion on others afflicted with the like temptations 14. The fourtenth that we may instruct and strengthten others in the like temptations 15. The fiftenth that we may consider the greatnes of our owne danger and thereby vnite our selues to God by fiâ—â— quenting his holie Sacraments 16. The sixtenth that we may learne to know whether the grace of God remaine in vs or no which maketh 〈◊〉 detest such vncleane thoughtes and to resist them when they shal assault vs. 17. The seuententh that we may â—â—ceiue consolation in ouercoming suâ—â— temptations and become more capable â—f the grace of God 18. The eightenth that we may be made like vnto the Saintes as vnto Saint Paule and others 19. The nintenth that God may daylie exercise vs as courageous souldiers 20. The twentith that God may shâ—w how much he loueth vs and how great â— care he continually hath of vs as of his most beloued children dearest frendeâ— REMEDIES FOR SVCH AS fall often in sâ—me imperfections and therby receiue great trouble of minde TAulerus saieth that thou mayest thinke that the B. Apostles who were so deere to Christ did ofteÌ„ fall into sundrie imperfections that God often permitteth them to slide whom he loueth most nether doth any for the most part attaine to the height of perfection that haue not sometime fallen into some great defect And when thou chauncest thorough frailtie to fall presently turne thee to God with al thy loue and endeauour and with a deepe dislike dâ—test thyne offence be it neuer so smale because that it is committed against the diuine wil of God much more then for al the punishment shame or paine which is due to such a sinne This done then turne thy selfe vnto almightie God with a firme resolution euer to withstand the same For as Taulerus saieth a great indignation conceiued against our selues ioyned with a purpose to sinne no more and with a true conuersion vnto almightie God and firme confidence in his most bitter passion and charitie is true and acceptable pennance A remedie for such as finde some defectes in them selues vvhich they thinke they cannot amende and therein are afflicted SAint Gregory saieth that our Lorde God doth sometimes deny smale petitions to some to whom of his bountie he giueth greater and to such as he giueth grace to ouercome great sinnes to those he giueth not the same to conquer their lesser frailties as ouermuch laughinge intemperate mirthe sodaine choller and the like that thereby they may haue occasion to giue greater honor to God thorough whose grace when they haue ouercome so great monsters as are mortal sinnes yet can they not ouercome so smale Antes as are venial sinnes and so haue cause the more to humble them selues Taulerus saieth that God doth sometime permit that his most chosâ—n seruantes be not free from smale imperfections as sodaine passion choler hastie speeche and such like thereby to giue them occasion to preserue their humilitie Therfore may these defectes rightly be compared to imbers or ashes wherwith the fire of the loue of God is more securely preserued for which respect we ought nether for such imperfections to be terrified nor dispaire but wholy to humble our selues before God and so shal we euer gayne encrease of his grace The cause vvhy some fallinge into particular dâ—feâ—tes are ouermuch afflicted thereby vvith remedies for the same SOme parsons hauing fallen into some smale defâ—câ—eâ— and imperfections find so grâ—at a torâ—â—nt and perturbation in thâ—ir mindâ—s that they râ—ceiue greater hurt by such veâ—â—tion then thoroughe the defâ—ct it selfâ— And bâ—câ—usâ— it is the propertie of sinne to torment the conscience they thorough this remorce are so perplexed in their miâ—â—ies that their hartes are quite deiected with excesse of sorrowe whereby being euer disqueited and destitute of heauenly comforte they become wholie faint and feeble and loose that courage which they were wonte to haue in directinge their actions to Gods hoâ—â—â— and glorie And this often chanceth thorough a certaine secret pride which maketh a man to thinke that he is worthie to be five and deliuered of such imperfections But an humble man thinketh altogether contrary and that it is no strange thinge his owne weaknes considered to fall into many defaultes and errors Sometimes this hapneth also thorough pusillanimitie when we doe not â—ightly considâ—r the great grace of our redemption nor vse the remedies which our most merciful Sauiour by the vertue of his passion hath left vnto vs. The
euil woman is not at the first peruerted but by degrees is corrupted and becometh naught so by venial sinnes as by steppes and degrees we fall in the end into the greatest euils And againe euen as a garment is not at the first worne olde but is defaced and consumed in tracte of time and as houses decay not and fall downe at once but growe ruinous and olde by continuance so fareth it with men in the exercise of a spritual life if they be not careful of venial sinnes Wherein the olde prouerbe is rightlie verified that if we neglect the nayle we soone lose the shooe losinge the shooe the horse faileth and the horse once failing the horseman perisheth Further he sayeth that no sinne whatsoeuer can be so smale but the contempt thereof is accompanied with great danger Nether ought we to esteeme that thing smale which hath his reference to so highe and end as is the diuine loue of almightie God Whereunto may be compared the saying of our Lord in the gospel He that is faithful in litle thinges Luc. 11. is also faithful in much Similitudes for this purpose EVen as a good childe a louing wife and a faithful seruant wil carefully fore see that in the least degree whatsoeuer they offend not their father husband or maister so ought we most diligently and carefully to prouide that by no meanes whatsoeuer we offend our Lord God Nether to thinke our selues excused by the smalnes of our sinne but to consider the commandement of God which forbiddeth vs to sinne and to remember his greatnes and power who at the latter day of iudgment wil require of vs an exact account of euery idle worde S. Gertrudes sayinge concerning venial sinne OVr Lord God vpon a time reuealed vnto hir that there were two seueral kindes of venial sinnes The one certaine defects which vnaduisedly are committed euen by the most deuoutest persons And these God permiteth vs to fall into that thereby we may haue cause to humble our selues and not to growe proude of any worke of our owne but to labour to perfection by vertuous exercises The other kinde of venial sinnes are such which as thinges of smale account are not regarded and which is worse are often defended as if they were no sinnes at al and thorough such defectes as these doth a man endanger his saluation and he that is subiect vnto them doth profit litlâ— in vertu That scrupulous persons may receiue consolation herein but those of large consciences cause of feare SOme persons are so scrupulous that whatsoeuer they doe they imagin they commit a sinne in doing it and are as much perplexed in a venial sinne as if they had offended mortally their comfort may be that God permitteth such defectes in them for their further good and to teach them humilitie Others there be who make no account of venial sinnes and such men may iustly feare their owne estates A question vvhether a man may liue in this vvorld and commit no venial sinne DVrandus answereth to this question wel and with a good distinction First he saieth that there be certaine venial sinnes which are soddainly and without aduisement committed that is thorough inconsideration ignorance frailtie or such like so that a man neuer obserueth when he falleth into them as when a man eateth or drinketh some litle more then is conâ—enient laugheth speaketh ouer liberally is distracted in prayer whispereth or iestingly telleth some vntruthes without the which in some kinde no man liueth from whence that saying of scripture is taken Seauen times in the day the iust man falleth Other venial sinnes saith he there are which are wilfully committed as when a man wittingly and willingly telleth a lye and from these sinnes a man is especially bound euer to refraine which easily he may doe These be such sinnes which bring with them those mischiefes whereof before we haue sundrie times made mention Whether after a venial sinne be forgiuen the punishment be also remitted IT is answered that it is not except the contrition be so great that thereby the punishment due to the same be also taken away as it was in Marie Magdalen Venial sinnes are taken away by these meanes following 1. FIrst by Contrition 2. By Confession 3. By receiuing the B. Sacrament 4. By saying the Confiteor and Miserere 5. By deuout taking of Holy water 6. By saying the Pater noster 7. By the Bishops benediction 8. By hearing of Masse deuoutly 9. By examining our consciences 10. By entring into consecrated Churches according to Dionysâ—us the Carthusian 11 By knocking our breast sayinge God be merciful vnto me a sinner 12. By exercising the workes of mercie Remedies for auoiding of venial sinnes 1. FIrst in the morning to resolue with our selues that râ—â—â—er we wil die then willingly to commit one venial sinne 2. To auoid al accasions busines and conuersations that may minister matter whereby we may sinne 3. Presently to be sorâ—â— if we fail into venial sinne to craue pardon of God and to purpose an amendment 4. To examin our conscience at night before we goe to rest and sometimes to take some voluntarie penance 5. Often to commend our selues vnto God and to frequent the holie Sacraments REMEDIES TO COMFORT those vvhich are afflicted and sorrovvful for the death of their frendes out of S. Antonynus 1. FIrst we must consider that it pleaseth God to haue it so and then why should we resist his blessed wil Why doe we say daylie Thy vvil be done and yet not conforme our selues vnto his wil For which cause the Master of the Sentences sayeth Let that thing please men which pleaseth God and therfore let it please men because it pleaseth God 2. To remember that al thinges created are the creatures of God and therfore we ought not to grieue if God take from vs that thinge which he hath lent vs. For S. Hierom sayeth He taketh away nothing of thine who hath but lent thee that which is his owne And S. Augustine sayeth He that loueth God truly is neuer grieued for the death of any one wherupon blessed Iob sayed at the death of his children Our Lord gaue me them and our Lord hath taken them away as it hath pleased our Lord so be it done the name of our Lord be blessed 3. Consider that it is ordayned by God that al men of what degree or condition soeuer shal once dye And if God haue not spared his only deare Sonne as S. Bernard noteth why should we looke that he should spare others For which cause S. Ambrose sayeth What can be more absurde then to lament for a thing that is common to al men 4. Remember that death doth free vs from many miseries Cap. 6. Wherupon Ecclesiastes sayth Al the dayes of man are ful of miseries and sorrowes nether by night findeth he rest For this cause our Sauiour Christ reioyced in the death of Lazarus saying to his disciples Iohn 11. Lazarus our frend
I Further beseech thee through the prayers teares sighes vowes and desirs of the holy Patriarches and Prophettes that as they in many places and at seuerall tymes haue most longinglye expected the cominge of the kingdome of Christ on earth So we may most feruently thirst after the true spirituall kingdome of Christ both of this life which consisteth in true iustice and sanctitie and also of the next life which consisteth in the highest felicitie both of sowle and bodie FIAT VOLVNTAS TVA SICVT IN COELO ET IN TERRA Thy will be done in earth as it is in heauen 3. Apostels The holie Apostles o Lorde fulfilled perfectly heere on earth thy blessed will For at them did Christ pointe when he sayde Whosoeuer shall fulfill the will of my Father that is in heauen he is my brother and sister and mother They truly both by worde and wrytinge haue diuulged thy will through the whole worlde and haue both by example of their liues and also their deedes manifested the same in keepinge thy commandements and holye councells I most huÌ„bly therfore beseech thee o Lorde that we may also euer fulfill thy will both by example of our liues and may willinglie teach and instructe our neigbour and so with the Apostles may immitate and follow thy beloued Sonne Christ of whom it is written He beganne to doe and to teach PANEM NOSTRVM QVOTIDIANVM DA NOBIS HODIE Giue vs this day our daily breade Consideringe o Lorde that for the fullfillinge of thy will we stande principally in neede of thy ayde and assistance for accordinge to thy blessed will and pleasure thou giuest vs both a will and abilitie thy ayde I say not so much of corporall as of spirituall breade wherby we may be-strengthned to sustaine and endure the tribulations of a Christian life Euen as thy B. Martirs haue done who 4. Martirs that they might more constantly suffer their torments and afflictions did strengthen them selues by daily receiuinge that blessed foode of thy most sacred body and bloode We therfore beseech thee through the meritts of all the Martirs that thou wilte vouchsafe to giue vs daily this breade in the holy sacrifice of the Masse if not Sacramentally yet at the least spiritually ET DIMITTE NOBIS DEBITA NOSTRA SICVT ET NOS DIMITTIMVS DEBITORIBVS NOSTRIS And forgiue vs our trespasses as we forgiue them that trespasse against vs. And in regarde o heauenly Father that we are wholly vnworthy not only of this heauenly breade but of all thy grace and assistance adde this benefitt also to the heape of thy other giftes that through the meritts of all chiefe Bishops Bishops and Confessors 5. Confessors whose office by thy gifte hath bin to remitt and forgiue mens sinnes that my sinnes also both venial and mortall may be forgiuen me And as they directed all their labours and watchings to no other end but by preachinge and writinge to drawe men out of the iawes of the deuell and hell so grant that I may direct all my labours and studies to drawe out of the filth of sinne first my owne sowle and afterwards the sowles of other sinners accordinge to the tallent which thou hast bestowed vpon me ET NE NOS INDVCAS IN TENTATIONEM And leade vs not into temptation Although o Lorde we be free from sinne yet was it thy holy will that we should not be without the temptations of this worlde For we reade that the Angell Raphael saide to Tobie Bycause Tob. 12. thou wast gratefull in the sight of God it was necessarie that temptation shoulde proue and try thee For proofe wherof neuer any endured greater temptations of the diuell and the flesh nor did with greater constancy and courage ouercome them than such as excelled others in austeritie and holines of life as The Holy Eremitts 6. MoÌ„kes S. Anthony S. Hilarion S. Macharius and other religious persons You haue liued saith one emongest cruell Aspes and Dragons neyther could the most terrible assaulters of the Diuell daunte you I therfore be seech thee sweete Sauiour that by the meritts of all holy Anchorits and other holie Saintes thou wilt bestowe that grace vpon me that amidest the many temptations which this world yealdeth thou will bestowe on me spirituall weapons to beate downe all assaultes of the world the flesh and the diuel and that I neuer be ouercome by giueing my consent to their wicked suggestions SED LIBERA NOS A MALO But deliuer vs from euell Vouch safe o Lorde to protect and defende mee from all euell of payne and sinne and if so it be thy diuine will and pleasure from all motion of concupiscence which is the fountaine of all euell That henceforth I may order and direct my life in all puritie and integritie both of minde and bodie accordinge to the exaÌ„ple of infinite virgins and holy wydowes whose blessed memorie the Church doth yearely celebrate 7. Virgins For so innocente were they from sinne and all spott of vncleanenesse of life that rather would they spend their liues then blemishe their Chastitie more willingly suffer all tormentes than once yealde consent to the voluptuous pleasures of the flesh For which they haue deserued a speciall and singular Crowne of Virginitie in the kingdome of heauen be sides the generall felicitie of all the glorious Saintes Amen FINIS A DEVOVT HYMNE OF S. THOMAS OF AQVIN verie sâ—t to be said in the presence of the â— Sacrament DEuoutly I adore thee o latent dietie Which truly dost vnder these figures lie To thee my harte with reuerence is enclind Rauished with that which in this work I find Sight taste and touch in thee are quite deceiued Wherfore by hearinge thou must be beleued I to thy wordes Gods Sonne giue firmest credit Who art the truth that most belief dost merit Vpon the Crosse lay only hid thy dietie But here both it and thy humanitie Both which I doe acknowledge and confesse Wishâ—nge to haue the happie thiefes successe Thy woundes I doe not here with Thomas see Yet as my Lorde and God I honor thee More firme beliefe daily in me moue Effect my hopes and sâ—il encrease my loue O sacred memorial of our Sauioures deathe True bread that dost to sinners life beqeathe Graunt that my minde may euer liue by thee And thou to it a sauoure sweete maiest be O pious pelican IESV Lorde moste good Cleanse my vncleanesse with thy pretious blood Whose smalest drop is of such worthe and price As can whole worldes redeeme from sinne and vice IESV whom I doe vnder veiles now see When shal my thirst longing queÌ„ched bee That by fruition of that blessed place My soule may euer see thee face to face A TABLE OF THE PRINCIPAL POINTES CONTAINED IN THIS Booke CErtaine deuout and Godly Considerations to stirre vp and inflame the mindes of such who often frequent the Blessed Sacrament fol. 1. Certaine Godly and deuoute admonitions for the more worthy preparation to the B.