kingdome of heauen 6 To be short and to speake summarilie in this pit is the portion of all such as haue cast the commandements of God contemptuouslie behind them couetous persons robbers adulterers swearers rebels blasphemers bloud-suckers extortioners vsurers idle liuers wantons enimies to Gods truth Antichristians liers false disciples teachers of diuelish doctrines prophaners of holie things superstitious persons sowers of sects and schismes in the Church Atheists Nullifidians Apostataes mainteiners of erronious opinions Papists and to conclude all that liue after the flesh blundering like Bitelles in blindnes hating the light like Bats and Owles whose lot is to drinke the dregs of Gods wrath and vengeance out of a full cup to their comfortlesse condemnation The second Chapter 1 Of the waie of the righteous 2 Nothing can hurt them whom the Lord defendeth 3 Of the power of God and his grace also who are fortunate and who miserable 4 The same opened and prooued by one speciall example instead of manie 5 What we must do if we will walke in the waie of the Lord. 6 Of the waie of righteousnes and who walke in the same 7 Wholsome counsels and admonitions THen since it is apparent by this recitall of offenders who they be that walke in the wide waie that leadeth to destruction it is soone to be gathered who they be that abhorre and auoide who they be that detest and defie it woorse than a Scorpion which stingeth vnto death 1 The waies of the righteous are in the hands of God and he disposeth the footesteps of the iust he is at the elbowe of the faithfull to staie them from falling and by his spirit he maketh their treadings stedfast How then is it possible for the godlie man to miscarrie hauing the Lord God his gratious gouernour 2 What afflictions can alter his happines that hath the King of glorie to be his helper What weapon can wound his soule that is armed at all points with the spirit of fortitude and strength What temptations can ouercome him whose right hand holdeth fast the sword of Gods word which cutteth in sunder whatsoeuer it smiteth and pearseth betwéene the marrowe and the bones 3 With whome Gods power is present nothing can turne to his annoiance Before whome the grace of God breaketh the yse his passage cannot be perillous and therefore that man is most happie and fortunate whome God vouchethsafe to gouerne as he contrariwise is most miserable and accursed whom the spirit of the Almightie hath forsaken 4 Examples hereof are in the holie Scriptures most plentifullie to be gathered For let vs but looke vnto the two first sonnes of Adam Caine and Abell who being brethren and both comming of the loines of the same parents were notwithstanding contrarie in all respects the one a murtherer the other a Martyr the one bloudthirstie and violent the other mercifull and innocent the first a persecuter the second a sufferer the elder refused the yonger receiued Caine accursed Abell blessed Héere we sée the effects of Gods grace and his iudgements in one example for manie 5 But to returne vnto the footepath of felicitie which is nothing else but the waie wherein the Lord hath commanded vs to walke it is necessarie that we heare the counsel of the holie scripture namelie that if we will be perfect we must walke before the Lord as Noah did who for so doing was called the iust and vpright man of his time Salomons aduice ought not onelie to be receiued but also folowed who teacheth vs a néere and readie waie to the footepath of felicitie exhorting vs in all our waies to thinke vpon God and he will direct our steps 6 There is a beginning of this good waie which the wicked haue not the grace to attaine vnto but it pleaseth the Lord to reueale it to the iust This beginning is expresselie noted by the holie Ghost to be righteousnes which is the greatest riches that anie Christian hart can wish This waie of righteousnes is the Lords waie it is the holie waie wherein the Iewes in Esaies time and in them we and our posterities after vs are commanded to walke without shrinking aside either to the right hand or to the left 7 In this waie being the waie of perfection it is not possible for vs vnlesse we put off our imperfections to walke for it is a sanctified and holie waie and therefore nothing that is common or vncleane can treade in the same Let the counsell of Tobie teach vs what to do in this case namelie to beséech the Lord that he would guide our paths and direct vs in our waies Let vs harken to the counsell of Dauid and praie as he praied Staie my steps in thy paths O Lord that my féete do not slide For the saieng of Salomon is most agréeable vnto truth That the heart of man purposeth his waie but the Lord doth direct his steps Let vs therefore go vp to the Lords hill and to the house of the God of Iacob and he shall teach vs his waies that we may treade in his pathes The third Chapter 1 The maner how we ought to examine our selues whether we walke in the waie of the Lord or no and first of our Christian beliefe 2 Of the keeping of the commandements and how we haue discharged our duties therein 3 Of the violating of the sabboth daie and how it is prophaned 4 The sundrie waies whereby concupiscence is kindled 5 A testimonie and token of ae cleere and vnguiltie conscience HOW shall a man persuade himselfe that he walketh in the waie of the Lord and is guided and conducted by his grace Let him enter into his own conscience and call to examination his continual trade of life conuersation thus communing with his owne heart 1 Hast thou perfourmed the solemne vowe which thou madest with God in thy baptisme Hast thou renounced and detested the diuell and all his workes Hast thou beléeued in God the father in God the sonne and in God the holie Ghost Hast thou bene a mainteiner of the ancient and apostolicall faith which acknowledgeth the incarnation of Iesus Christ his passion his descension his resurrection his ascension and his glorification 2 Hast thou bene an vnfeigned worshipper of God and not mingled his diuine and sincere seruice with mens imaginations vaine ceremonies irreligious rites superstitious traditions and hereticall constitutions Hast thou not bene derogatorie in thought word nor déede to the honour of God whereby he hath bene depriued of some part of his glorie Hast thou not bene a worshipper of images a fauourer of idolatrie a popish canonist an anoiled sacramentarie a Franciscane a Dominicane a Trinitarie a popish Sectarie a Iesuite a seede of Antichrists seminarie a bringer in of nouelties into the Church to the sowing of sectes schismes and heresies Hast thou not bene a swearer a forswearer a blasphemer a lier a dissembler an hypocrite and false-hearted whereby thou hast taken the name of God in vaine and abused
that we feéling our selues inwardlie before thy iudgement seate discharged and our consciences towards theé released may be swallowed vp with an vnfeined loue toward thy heauenlie Maiestie and towards our brethren for thy sake 5 Make sinne to die in vs dailie more and more that we may hate detest and vtterlie abhorre all sinne and wickednes in all men but especiallie in our selues that we may stronglie through thy holie spirit set our selues in open warre and defiance against all sin and wickednes that we please not our selues in our sinnes but streightlie examining sinne by the iust rule of thy holie lawes we may vtterlie from the bottome of our hearts condemne euen the least sinne in our selues hauing our whole ioie comfort and consolation vpon those things which be agreéable to thy blessed will 6 Giue vs grace alwaies to be afraide to do anie thing contrarie to thy good pleasure and from the bottome of our hearts to examine and trie our thoughts before thy presence that they be vpright and vnfeined not hypocriticall in outward shew onlie and appearance but that euen all corners of our hearts being opened and disclosed before theé we may euen as though it were openlie before the face of the whole world bring them in shewe knowing that a double hart is detestable in thy sight 7 O Lord direct and guide our feéte that we may walke alwaies as before thine eies not onelie before the eies of man being more carefull to walke circumspectlie in this respect that we haue theé to be a viewer of our doings a thousand fold more than the eies of man that thus we may walke as becommeth thy children not onlie in outward shew but also in sinceritie of hart abhorring euen the least sinne in our selues striuing resisting and fighting against sinne not delighting our selues in sinne nor nourishing the same in our breast but earnestlie embracing and studiouslie seéking after those things which be pleasant in thine eies 8 O good Lord make vs constant and firme harted that neither the feare of man nor losse of goods life lands possessions or friendes drawe vs awaie from theé to do anie the least thing contrarie to thy will and pleasure neither the fauour or friendship of man nor yet the flattering enticements of this world nor the vaine promotions of the same do moue vs anie whit from the true and endles ioie delight pleasure which we ought to haue in those things which be agreéable to thy will and the constant performance of the same but that alwaies to the end of our life we may continue in thy pathes growing and increasing from faith to faith from strength to strength till at the length we shall come to thy euerlasting rest Amen T. C. The second Branch of Petition The first Blossome conteining A praier to God at our vprising in the morning O Bountifull GOD which among all other thine aboundant blessings hast giuen vs the bright daie and Sunne shine to be the guide and gouernour of all our doings we beseéch theé that as thou art the father of light and hast sent light among vs not onlie the light of the cleére daie but also the light of thy glorious Gospell so thou wouldest direct all that we go about in light that we may shew our selues children of light in applieng our labour and occupieng both our minds and bodies in the workes of light that when the daie of retribution shall come when thou wilt reward euerie one according to the measure of their merits we maie enter into that light whose brightnes shall neuer be darkened there to liue with him who is the light of the world Iesus Christ the righteous to whome with theé and the holie Ghost be all laud praise honour and glorie for euermore Amen The second blossome conteining A petition to be said at the putting on of our clothes O Eternall and most mercifull Father we beseéch theé as thou hast giuen vs clothes to couer our bodies to hide our nakednes to preserue our corporall health so to decke and beautifie our soules with the riches of thy true knowledge which is the summe and substance of all perfect happines through Iesus Christ our sauiour Amen The third Blossome conteining A petition to be said at the washing of our hands GRant O mercifull sauiour that as with this water the filth and vncleannes of our bodilie members are washed and scowred so our inward soules may by the dailie remembrance and vertue of thy bloudie death and passion be purged from all sinne and iniquitie that both bodie and soule being voide of blemish we maie come the neérer vnto theé in perfection Amen The fourth Blossome conteining A petition to God at our going abroade about our worldlie businesse O Gratious God which sanctifiest the hearts of thy chosen seruants and circumcisest their thoughts in so much that they become wholie acceptable vnto theé and are altogether cleansed from carnalitie and corruption we beseéch theé so to pitch the tents of thy protection and prouidence about vs this present daie that all things whatsoeuer we purpose may by thy gratious guiding be so disposed and prospered that our hearts be not carried awaie with the cares of this world as hauing little hope in thine all sufficiencie and bountifulnes O Lord so season vs with the salt not of vnsauourinesse least we be throwne out vpon the dunghill of reprobation and so troden vnder foote as out-casts of none account but with the salt of sinceritie and righteousnes so powder our spirits that whatsoeuer we take in hand this present daie may be so furthered helped forward and prospered by thy goodnes that we thereby may reape sufficient commoditie none offended or discontented either with vs or our labour nor thou by anie meanes dishonoured but highlie praised and glorified both in vs and in our doings according to the saieng of thy sonne in the holie Gospell Let your light so shine before men that they seéing your good workes may glorifie your father which is in heauen This O Lord and all other graces necessarie grant vnto vs for thy sonnes sake our onlie mediatour and aduocate Amen The fift Blossome conteining A petition to be said when we are at worke and about our businesse PRosper O Lord by the presence assistance of thy grace the businesse which we haue in hand Put into our minds to do it faithfullie and rather for conscience sake than couetousnes Further our affaires we beséech thée of thine infinite goodnes giue our labours prosperous happie successe and graunt vs grace to glorifie thée in thy blessings Amen The sixt Blossome conteining A petition vnto God at the leauing off from our labour whether it be of bodie or minde ALmightie God and most mercifull father which cloathest the lillies of the field with such roialtie as Salomon when he sat vpon the throne of his maiestie neuer possessed which feedest the birds of the aire the beasts of the land and the fish
thee the Lord of Lords and the King of kings creating at the beginning ruling all things euermore in heauen and earth according to thy wonderfull wisedome and power and our selues to be thy poore seruants the worke of thy hands and the shéepe of thy pasture subiected to thy Maiestie and depending vpon thy fatherlie prouidence for all things 2 Neuerthelesse séeing thou in thy wisedome annointest Kings and Quéenes appointing them to rule ouer thy people to sit as Lieutenants in thy seate to minister iustice and most of all as Fathers and Nurses to mainteine and cherish thy Church commanding vs not onlie to obey and honour them but moreouer to praie for them as watching ouer vs for our good 3 We therefore beséech thée for the great mercies sake and for Iesus Christes sake to shew thy mercie to all Kings and Princes that mainteine thy glorious Gospell but especiallie we praie thée to blesse our most gratious Queene and gouernour Elizabeth thine handmaid with all spirituall blessings in Christ Iesus and with all temporall blessings according to thy good pleasure that in the great measures of thy effectuall loue she may more and more finde great increase of vertue and wisedome and strength in Christ Iesus to the faithfull and happie discharge of her dutie that her holinesse and ioie and zeale of thy house may be multiplied and euerlasting 4 And séeing it hath pleased thée of thy singular mercie to giue her this speciall honour first to suffer for thy glorious truth and afterward miraculouslie deliuering her out of the hands of her enimies to set a crowne vpon her head and to make her the instrument to aduance thy glorie and Gospell for which she suffered and to bring it out of darkenes into light out of persecution into this great and long peace 5 As we giue thée most hartie thankes for this singular benefite so we beséech thée to make her and vs euermore thankefull for it and in thy good pleasure still to preserue her for the continuance of these blessings towards vs with all increase from time to time to thy glorie the benefite of the Church and her infinite peace in Christ Iesus the prince of peace 6 And furthermore we praie thée for her and the estate that such as be enimies of the Gospell and her enimies also for the defence thereof may not despise the peace offered them to repentance but that they may account thy long suffering and her peaceable and vnbloudie gouernement an occasion of saluation to their soules and vnfeigned loue to the truth and their mercifull souereigne Otherwise if they still remaine disobedient to the truth rebellious to her highnesse and dangerous to the state then O God of our saluation as thou hast discouered them so discouer them still as thou hast preuented them so preuent them still and let their eies waxe wearie with looking and their hearts faint with waiting for the comming of that which yet commeth not neither let it come O Lord we beséech thee but a blessed and a long reigne to her and peace to Sion for euermore 7 Also deare father so blesse so loue so in thy spirit sanctifie and kéepe her that she may in the spirit of counsell and fortitude so rule that other sister also namelie this her Commonwealth that they may flourish together and growe vp together as palme trées in beautie and in strength giuing aide and helpe one to another that in the Church the glorie of God may appeare as the Sunne in his brightnesse and that the land may flowe with milke and honie and true peace abound therein as in the triumphant reigne of Debora 8 These graces O Lord are great and we miserable sinners vnworthie of the least of them therefore looke not to vs but to thy selfe not to our iniquities but to thy great mercies accepting the death and passion of thy Sonne as a full ransome for all our offences throwing them into the bottome of the sea and making his crosse and resurrection effectuall in vs to all obedience and godlinesse as becommeth thy Saincts that to all other thy good blessings towards our gratious souereigne this may be added that she gouerneth blessedlie ouer a blessed people a people blessed of the Lord and beloued of the Lord. 9 Yea Lord that thy graces may abound as the waters of the Sea in the Prince and in the people in the Church and in the Common-wealth from daie to daie till the daie of our translation into thy kingdome where iustice inhabiteth where also we shall inhabite and reigne with thée according to thy promise for euer Graunt these things O mercifull father for thy deare sonne our Lord Iesus Christ his sake in whose name we craue them at thy mercifull hand praieng furthermore for them as he hath taught vs to praie Our Father which art in heauen c. The third Branch of Thankesgiuing Generallie deciphering in a pithie and ample meditation Gods great goodnes manifestlie appearing in the diuersitie of the blessings wherwith he hath crowned man Also a praier for grace to be thankefull The contents more particularlie lie open in the sequeale The first Blossome 1 An inuocation or calling vpon God ioined with submission 2 An acknowledgement of Gods manifold blessings and his prouidence 3 A petition for the gratious gift of thankefulnes 4 Testimonies of Gods infinite loue and of the effects of the shining Sunne 5 The sundrie vses of Gods good creatures appointed for mans releefe 6 Ornaments of the minde 7 A request for true knowledge and perceiuerance with the operation of the same 8 Another for thankefulnes 9 What sacrifice God delighteth in 10 A supplication for grace to offer vp the same 1 SEtting before vs O most mercifull louing father the godlie Patriarches the holie Prophets the true Conuerts the constant Martyrs all such as haue loued thy glory far aboue their owne life we prostrate our selues with all submission on of soule and spirit before thy throne of Maiestie humblie beseeching thée for Iesus Christ his sake who is the fulnes of our tore and comfort to bend downe thine eares and to heare the praiers which we powre foorth before thée and for thy sonne sake in whom thou art well pleased grant the request of thy seruants made vnto thée at this present 2 We know most gratious God and louing father yea we cannot but in conscience acknowledge and with tongue confesse that manifold yea innumerable are the gifts which thou hast heaped vpon vs yea so manie are they that we can not with voice vtter neither yet in heart conceiue the greatnes and worthines of them For wheras all other creatures are made framed and fashioned to serue the vse of man and to yéeld themselues obedient and tractable to his commandement and gouernment onelie man representing and bearing thine owne image and likenesse ruleth as a Lord and reigneth as a king ouer all creatures indued with life yea there is nothing within the compasse
esteemed otherwise we shall seeme to preferre the shell before the kernell the barke before the pith the shadowe before the substance yea most absurdlie we shall refuse wheate for chaffe pure gold for drosse cleere wine for dregs and in conclusion repent our want of grace It were behoofull therefore for vs first and principallie to see to our mind which is chiefest part of our essence and being that the same after some serious studie and contemplation desiring to be refreshed be not fed with fond fansies fables dotages imaginations dreames I cannot tell what idle and vnfruitefull discourses which kindle the affections and set the flesh a gogge but rather with holie exercises and godlie meditations such as are and may be prouided for the purpose to reuiue the spirit and quicken the new man if the partie be gratiouslie affected Thou hast heere therefore presented vnto thine hand good Reader a plant of pleasure bearing fourteene seuerall flowers called by the name of holie Hymnes and spirituall Songs to reade at thy leasure for thy recreation and not so much for thy recreation as for thy profit which I haue put partlie in rythme and partlie in prose for the satisfaction of sundrie Readers desires some beeing addicted to this and some delighted in that kind of writing I would to God it were in me to frame my wit to the will of the well disposed in all points I haue done what I could the Lord knoweth what I would his name be praised for all whose glorie to seeke and set foorth I beseech him giue vs all grace so shall the faithfull reioice and clap their hands but shame shall fall vpon the reprobat force them to hang downe their heads Abraham Fleming A Plant of Pleasure bearing fourteene seuerall Flowres ¶ The first Flowre called a holie Hymne conteining 1 A petition vnto God for the remission of sinnes 2 A description of Gods greatnesse 3 Of his habitation and that he seeth all things A. 1 AS the Sunne is the soule and life of the world so is thy word O God the comfort of my heart Be gratious fauourable vnto me thy seruant that I may be freé from the malice of mine enimies Reward me not according to my deseruings O Lord for I am full of sinne and in me there is no righteousnesse According to thy louing kindnesse therefore O mercifull father blot mine offences out of thy register and pardon me Haue mercie on me O founteine of all mercie cleanse me from the corruption of sinne and wash me with the water of thy word Am not I a reasonable creature indued with knowledge and vnderstanding O Lord to whom should I then come but to theé 2 Men beasts fishes and foules they are the works of thine hands by the vertue of thy word they were created and made From the rising of the Sunne to the going downe of the same I will continue in the contemplation and view of thy greatnes Lighten the eies of my hart O Lord that they may seé the mightines of thy maiestie in thy creatures Endlesse is thy glorie and thy power is incomprehensible wonderfull art thou in thy iudgments Maruellous things are wrought by thine omnipotent hand day by day the eies of all people are witnesses of thy power 3 In heauen is thy dwelling place from whence thou beholdest the commings in and the goings out of all men Nothing is hidden from thine eies O Lord the brightnesse of thy maiestie can not be absent Giue me grace O God to leade my life in the loue of thy lawe so shall I not miscarrie The second Flowre called a spirituall Song conteining 1 A commemoration or remembrance of the benefites of Christes death and passion 2 A petition for thankefulnesse 3 A confession of Gods greatnesse and almightinesse B. 1 AL people praise the Lord with faithfull heart and voice Be bold to magnifie his name and therein to reioice Remember well the worke which he for vs hath wrought And laud his name accordinglie in word in deed and thought Hell gates he hath shut vp in spite of Sathans power And saued the soules of sinfull men from torments sharpe and sower Most mightie is his arme his greatnesse hath none end From force of foes that vs assault all his he doth defend 2 Lord lighten thou our hearts that we may praise thy power Eternallie which flourisheth and worketh euerie hower 3 Most mightie is thy word thy maiestie surmounts In glorie none so excellent as scriptures cast accounts No Prince nor Potentate may once with thee compare Giue vs thy grace no lesse to learne O Lord with Christian care The third Flowre called a holie Hymne conteining 1 A request for assistance against our aduersaries 2 A confession of our vilenesse by reason of sinne 3 A petition for true mortification and regeneration 4 Of the pretiousnesse of mans soule R. 1 ACcording to thine vnmeasurable mercies O God heare my praier and let thine eares be open to the crie of my complaint Be my sauiour and deliuerer from danger and distresse bridle thou the desperatenesse of mine aduersarie that he do me no mischefe Rebuke them O Lord that go about to raise reproches against me chastise them that they may seé wherein they haue offended As for me I will withstand them in their maliciousnesse for I hope thou wilt arme me with the spirit of fortitude and patience Holie one of Israell heare the supplication of me thy seruant and in the time of necessitie assist me 2 A worme and no man I confesse my selfe to be yea more vile and contemptible than anie vnreasonable creature for sinne hath sâ—oong my soule My heart is defiled with a thousand corrupt cogitations yea the thoughts which are hidden in my heart are not so infinite as they are wicked From mine infancie and cradle I haue bene blemished with sinne and as for righteousnes or iustice there is none in mine entrailes Lord I am so ouerwhelmed in sinne and iniquitie that I stand in continuall feare of thy punishment Oh giue me grace to repent Euening and morning I call my sinnes to memorie and they are more in number than the haires of my head yet O Lord be mercifull 3 Make me a new creature by the inspiration of thy sanctifieng spirit and let mine inward man be circumcised with the razour of mortification Increase in me godlie desires and let all carnall concupiscences be quite quenched in me that I may long after nothing but the loue of thy lawe 4 Nothing is more pretious in thy sight O Lord than the soule of man O let not sinne preuaile against it Grant me thy grace euen to the last houre of my life that I may haue in heauen mine inheritance purchased by Christ his death and passion Amen The fourth Flowre called a Spirituall Song conteining 1 A glorifieng of God 2 An exhortation to praise him 3 A repetition of certaine properties in him 4 A protestation or vow of Christian
Christ our Lord Amen The 3. Plant. ¶ Grace before Supper REason requireth and dutie demandeth that in partaking of these good creatures of God we vse a Christian reuerence haue before our eies the feare of his diuine Maiestie which we beséech thée O God to vouchsafe vs for his sake in whome thou art best pleased Iesus Christ our sauiour Amen The 4. Plant. ¶ Grace after Supper A Thankefull hart which is the sacrifice that thou requirest O Lord graunt vnto vs thy seruants nourished and fed at this present by thy prouidence Open our mouthes that we may sound foorth thy praise and also with one consent glorifie thy diuine Maiestie saieng Blessed be thou O eternall God in all thy gifts and extolled in all thy workes All glorie honour power and dominion be ascribed vnto thée world without end Amen The 5. Plant. ¶ Grace before Dinner HEre we sée most manifest and apparant signes of Gods loue and fatherlie care ouer vs who dailie féedeth our mortall bodies with nourishment conuenient and agréeable to our nature Let vs therefore soberlie receiue them as preseruatiues against hunger and forget not to magnifie his goodnes which so mercifullie and fauourablie tendereth our weakenesse through Iesus Christ our Lord Amen The 6. Plant. ¶ Grace after Dinner ALl praise and thankes be giuen vnto thée O God omnipotent which hast fed vs not onlie this daie but the whole tearme of our life We bring vnto thée the bullocks of our lips beséeching thée to accept our oblation of thankefulnesse offered and presented vnto thée for thine vnmeasurable and vndeserued bountifulnesse This we do O Lord in his name who for our sakes became accursed Iesus the righteous who with thée and the holie Ghost be euermore glorified Amen The 7. Plant. ¶ Grace before Dinner MOst gratious God the giuer of all good giftes without whome nothing is nourishable be it neuer so delicate we beséech thée that these thy creatures procéeding from thine almightie prouidence and set vpon this table for our sustenance may turne into wholesome substance of flesh and bloud in our bodies And because manie times euen thy good creatures through our intemperance turne into poison and by our owne abuse bréede sundrie diseases graunt we beséech thée that we may moderatelie eate and drinke that which is dailie ministred vnto vs for our reléefe and giue thée continuall thankes for these and all other thy benefits through Christ our Lord Amen The 8. Plant. ¶ Grace after Dinner FAther euerlasting continuall thankes and praise be ascribed vnto thée which from our creation and first comming into the world euen till this present daie houre hast giuen vs all things necessarie for our bodies grant we beséech thée that as we haue receiued corporall food and sustenance from thy hands so we may be faithfull and true partakers of the spirituall Manna whereby our soules are susteined to euerlasting life through Iesus Christ our Sauiour Amen The 9. Plant. ¶ Grace before Dinner LOrd God whose dailie hand deth feed the beast the foule and fish Vouchsafe to blesse and sanctifie this boord and euerie dish That as we touch taste the things proceeding from thy grace Our bodies to susteine and feed our flesh in euerie place So we may yeeld thee thanks therfore and giue thy name the praise Which doth deserue of all the world extold to be alwaies Amen The 10. Plant. ¶ Grace after Dinner ETernall God thy name be blest which doest vs dailie feed And soule and bodie satisfiest when as they stand in need The bodie by the staffe of bread which giueth strength and power The soule with sweetnesse of thy word and gospell euerie hower Thy holie name perpetuallie be magnified therefore As hath ben since the world began and shal be euermore Amen The 11. Plant. ¶ Grace before Supper MOst gratious God which cloathest the Lillies of the field with beautie far aboue the roialtie of Salomon and féedest the little Sparrowes which fall not to the ground without thy prouidence be present we beséech thee at this table and season with the salt of thy blessing these thy creatures that in receiuing them as becommeth Christians we may also be sanctified and in all our eatings drinkings euermore remember to confesse and acknowledge thée in thy benefites from whome all good things procéede for the succour of thy seruants and receiue them according to the rule of true Christianitie through Christ our Lord onlie Sauiour So be it The 12. Plant. ¶ Grace after Supper IN so much as it hath pleased thée O mercifull father to call vs to the communicating and partaking of thy creatures and by them hast refreshed vs at this present we giue thée hartie thankes for this thy bountifull liberalitie beséeching thée to kindle in vs a Christian care and compassion of them that are in necessitie that we considering their poore and succourlesse estate may with pitifull eies tender their pouertie and with charitable hands reléeue them in miserie alwaies remembring that whatsoeuer is done to thy néedie and naked members thou doest accompt it done to thine owne bodie Graunt this O gratious God for Iesus Christes sake thy sonne our sauiour Amen The 13. Plant. ¶ Grace before Supper NO grace the gluton nor his gests amid their deintie fare Vouchsaft to shew to Lazarus a begger poore and bare Their seruice was superfluous their meate was ouermutch Poore Lazarus who scarse could go or stand without a crutch Lay begging at the gluttons gatâ— some crumbes for his releefe But none there was that of his case were toucht with anie greefe His dog laie licking of his limmes the botches biles and blaines And with his tong did seeke a meane and waie t' asswage his paines This deede of pitie in the dog condemneth such as saue All for themselues and for the poore and needie nothing haue God grant that we may not be such as this rich glutton was Least we with him in pit of Hell crie out wo and alas From thence the Lord deliuer vs and guide vs by his grace That when we die in earth in heuen we may possesse a place The 14. Plant. ¶ Grace after Supper GOod Zache enterteining Christ became a ioifull man His soule to feede on foode of life with faith and hope began Then called he to streight account his thoughts his words deeds His conscience and his life misseled and thus in speech proceeds â—ord if I haue done anie man 〈◊〉 turne or offred wrong Or causd the poore to make coÌ„plaint with sobs and sighings strong Lo restitution I will make and fourfold them reward With readie purpose so to do â—o 〈◊〉 and hart prepard 〈◊〉 Zaches speech ponder it
the calling of a Christian Hast thou not béene obstinate of life rebellious and disobedient casting behinde thée the commandements of thy parents 3 Hast thou not béene a breaker of the holie Sabboth which God himselfe sanctified for the imitation of all men that with circumcised harts they should celebrate and solemnize the same Hast thou not applied that daie seuered to holie exercises to vaine pastimes for thine owne pleasure and recreation yea hast thou not spent it in beastlie behauiour as in Epicurisme bellie cheare sensualitie Gentilisme and otherwise than the precise vocation of a well reformed Christian requireth Hast thou not bene maliciouslie minded enuious mercilesse vncharitable couetous an extortioner a briber a â—surer a violent oppresser a defrauder of the poore a gréedie gatherer all which with thousands the like enormities tend to the violating of the lawe of God 4 Hast thou not bene wanton lewd lecherous bawdie in speach and communication a defiler of thy vessell an adulterus person led into sundrie lusts and concupiscences a tempter of maidens and wiues to naughtines an allurer of yong damsels to the violating of their virginitie a singer of light songs and sonets a teller of tales and stories of loue and what loue is a nice danser and such like all which tend to the peruerting of honestie and are as it were bellowes to blowe and kindle the fire of fleshlie lust and concupiscence Hast thou not bene a priuie pilferer an open â—reaâ—er a robber a theefe an vsurper of that which is not thine owne a challenger of another mans right a false dealer a seeker after filthie lucre and a shamelesse slaunderer which is a kinde of stealth most detestable Hast thou not coueted this and that as thou hast bene caried awaie with the violence of thy desires knowing that although it might make for thy profite yet it could not but turne to the damage of thy brother 5 Hast thou offended in these cases or art thou cleare If thou haue so walked that thy conscience can pleade faultles vngiltie betwixt thée and thine innocencie then maist thou boldlie beléeue that the grace of God is thy guide and gouernour then maist thou be assured that thou art in the verie footepath to felicitie passing into the land of promise Hierusalem the Lords citie not built with hands as subiect to ruine and corruption but eternall and euerlasting The fourth Chapter 1 None is voide of sinne no not one all haue transgressed and gone astraie 2 The mercie of God the cause of mans restitution after his fall 3 To what end Christ suffered torments in this world 4 None is able to fulfill the commandements of God and that God hath a regard to our infirmities 5 What he must do that would liue eternallie BUT alas what is he that hath not offended Is there anie man that is able to stand in triall of his innocencie 1 Our parents sinne stained vs and their transgression was deliuered to vs by line all descent how then can we comming of vnrighteous parents be inculpable and blamelesse children Truth it is A corrupt trée bringeth forth corrupt fruite and pitch defileth them that touch it 2 Neuerthelesse the mercie of God was such after the fall of Adam and Eue in Paradise that in the bloud of his sonne shed vpon the crosse in the open face of the world he wrought his restitution and placed him in the hope of saluation from whence before he fell 3 This did he to the end that by his death the force of sinne being broken and the power of Sathan crushed we might no longer wallowe in the mire of filthines like swine but reare vp our selues to heauen there to haue our harts fixed where he sitteth in whome the fulnes of our felicitie is reposed 4 And though the lawe of the Lord be so vpright and iust and our nature so corrupt and defiled that we haue no abilitie nor power of our selues to fulfill the commandements for we haue not so much as the least sparkle of sufficiencie in this consideration such is our pronenesse to do amisse yet the Lord God is so louing vnto vs that he holdeth himselfe contented with our weake working of his will for his sonnes sake in whome our want is supplied 5 Who so therefore is desirous to taste of the fruite of the trée of life and to drinke of the pleasant running riuers of rest who so I saie longeth after true happines and faine would sée good daies let him endeuour to the vttermost of his might to tame and bridle his wandering desires which if they be not brought vnder and constrained to grone vnder the yoke of subiection he shall haue his mind so bent vpon transitorie vanities and his wilso wedded to this wicked world that the light of his vnderstanding being put out he shall neuer finde the footepath of faith leading the high waie to heauen In this respect therefore let vs learne what is to be done The fift Chapter 1 The looking glasse of Gods word and the effects of the same 2 The dignitie of man in comparison of al other creatures 3 His state in the first Adam and his state in the second 4 The assaultes of Sathan notwithstanding our redemption and what we must do in temptation 5 Our duties towards God for his gratious giftes and benefites in prosperitie 1 THOU that wouldst treade the footepath to felicitie must take into thy hands the looking glasse of Gods word where thou shalt see in thy selfe all the staines and blemishes of sinne and shalt likewise finde in a readines swéete water to wash them awaie and to cleanse thée from all such filthines and pollusion 2 There thou shalt sée the dignitie of man in comparison of all other creatures he onelie being indued with reason and all other liuing things beside lead by lust Consider of this excellent blessing be thankfull for it and giue God the glorie This is the footepath to felicitie 3 Againe let this be thy dailie meditation that through the fall of the first Adam thou becamest a castawaie but by the death of the second Adam thine attonement in his bloudshed being accomplished thou wast receiued againe into fauour Consider of this excellent blessing be thankefull for it and giue God the glorie This is the footepath to felicitie 4 And though thy redemption be wrought by and through the innocent passion of Christ yet Sathan thy cankered enimie is assaulting thée afresh with newe traines and snares séeking to vndermine thée praie God to fortifie thy faith cast out thine anchor on the firme land of constancie crie for helpe at his hand whose helpe is in a readines repose all thy hope in him that hath care of thy safetie and is of power to confound thy ghostlie enimie Consider of this excellent blessing be thankefull for it and giue God the glorie This is the footepath to felicitie 5 If thou be crowned with the graces and gifts of God either corporall or
and guided by them to square and frame the whole course of our life by their rule we shall not onelie not walk in the wais of the wicked to eate with them in hel fire the bread of affliction and to drinke the dregs of torments but we shall tread in the footepath of the godlie at last enter into the Common wealth of Israel the kingdome of heauen which God grant Amen The tenth Chapter 1 Of waies the sundrie kinds 2 Of the way of life opened by authoritie of Scripture 3 A lesson how to be perfect and vpright 4 The safetie of such as walke in the Lords way 5 The benefites flowing from this way 6 The mischiefe folowing the transgression of Adam and Eue. 7 Notable mens names remembred who walked in Gods way and of the eternitie of the word 8 The excellencie of the Lords way set forth by similitudes 9 Peters boldnesse in venturing to tread the Lords way without the staffe of faith 10 Of ten leapers and the thankefull Samaritane 11 That we of England are like to the Gaderens 12 Of Marie Magdalene Ioanna and Susanna and what we may learne of them 13 What we must doe if we meane to walke in the Lords way and of the merchant and the husbandman by way of example 14 Of Nichodemus who sought the way of the Lord by night 15 Of the pretiousnesse of our soules 16 The way of the Lord and the waies of the world are quite contrarie 17 How they differ is proued by things that vtterlie disagree 18 All creatures couet places correspondent to their nature of the Salamander and the Hydra with an application of this doctrine 19 The immortalitie of the soule and a lesson for all Christians to learne 20 A praier or request that it would please God to guide our feete in his way 1 THere is a waie for the birds in the aire a waie for the beasts in the field a waie for the wormes in the earth a waie for the fish in the sea There is a waie for the winde a waie for the raine a waie for the sunne a waie for the moone There is a waie from the East a waie from the West a waie from the North a waie from the South There is a crooked waie a streight waie a rough waie and a plaine waie There is a sandie waie a stonie waie a soft waie and a hard waie There is a waie aboue a waie beneath a waie before a waie behinde a waie on the right hand and a waie on the left There is an open waie a secret waie a darke waie a bright waie There is a waie to hell a waie to heauen a waie to death and a waie to life Of this last waie I meane to open the commoditie and so to make a conclusion 2 The waie to life euerlasting is the waie wherein we all should walke it is the safe waie for the soule to saue it from all annoiances all other waies this onelie excepted are dangerous to enter for they are darke lanes as it were leading to the dungeon of death The excellencie of this way is such as that it cannot be described For it is the way of God euen his owne way established in righteousnesse and perfection And therefore the Prophet verie notablie speaking of this matter hath this worthie sentence My thoughts are not your thoughts neither are my waies your waies saith the Lord. As if he should say your thoughts are vncleane corrupt earthie vile vnpure vnperfect sinfull abominable wicked variable momentanie vncertaine wauering for they are ingendered in your hearts which are nothing else but a sinkehole of sinfulnesse a dunghill of naughtinesse a puddle of filthinesse a lake of vncleannesse and what is worst that is your heart As for your waies they are no better Thus by an antithesis or opposition the Lord teacheth vs what his waies are euen the waies of truth righteousnesse puritie and perfection wherein who soeuer walketh no doubt he is in the high way to heauen and treadeth the footepath to felicitie 3 Abraham being nintie nine yeares old was instructed and taught how to become perfect the Lord appearing vnto him and giuing him his lesson in that behalf I am God all sufficient walke before me that is kéepe thée within the compasse of my paths wander not this way or that way but walke in one way euen my way and be thou vpright There was no meanes either for Abraham or anie other holie man to vse wherby to attaine and come to vprightnesse but onlie the walking in the way of the Lord as we may sée prooued confirmed in this place by Gods owne mouth How preposterouslie therefore they goe to woorke which séeke sinisterlie and indirectlie to recouer perfection and vprightnesse some building vpon traditions of men some vpon custome some vpon ceremonies some vpon Paule some vpon Apollo some vpon Cephas some vpon good woorkes some vpon merits some vpon pardons some vpon indulgences some vpon pilgrimages some vpon professions all which to be but sand Christ the rocke refused a blind man may discerne For is this to walke in the waie of the Lord nothing lesse 4 This waie of the Lord is the waie of beautie peace saith Salomon it is the waie of holinesse saith Esaie it is the waie of streightnesse éeuennesse plainnesse and smoothnesse saie Ose and Ieremie in this waie whosoeuer walketh the moone shall not hurt him by night nor the sunne annoie him by day the pestilence shall not touch him the arrowes of the hunter shall not wound him he shall not stumble nor hit his foot against a stone the Lord will ouershadowe him with the shield of safetie the Lord will be his defence his buckler his speare against all his enimies no lightning from aboue no earthquake beneath no consuming fire on this side no raging sea on that no element no planet finallie no creature shall do him anie harme This honor will the Lord vouchsafe all such as walke in his waie which is the waie of life the high waie to heauen and the footepath to felicitie 5 Dauid oppressed with the crueltie of his enimies and fearing great dangers calleth vnto God for succour His petition consisting of manie partes whereof some concerne himselfe othersome his aduersaries this is one thing which he craueth at the hands of his maker Make thy waie plaine before my face saith that good man Giuing vs to vnderstand that by walking in the waie of the Lord we haue our felicitie fulfilled as by the contrarie the measure of our confusion and cursednes is made vp Yea to walke in the waie of the Lord is the rule to make our crooked waies streight the plainer to make our rugged waies smooth the lanthorne to make our darke waies bright and lightsome according to that saieng of the Prouerbewriter The waie of the righteous shineth as the light that shineth more and more vnto the perfect daie This is the waie of wisdome and
this life or of the life to come both those which we either haue or yet hope to enioie from the greatest to the smallest from the kingdome of heauen to one onelie drop of water that we are worthie of all the plagues which either haue heretofore seazed or bene yet possessed of vs. Yea if thou shouldest ransacke all the hid and secret treasures of thy fearefull iudgements which in thy lawe thou threatenest against the breakers thereof not onlie to the rasing and swéeping of vs from the face of the earth but also to the throwing of vs headlong into the bottomles pit of hell yet would we therin also acknowledge thy righteous iudgements For to vs belongeth shame and confusion of faces but vnto thée glorie and righteousnes The third Blossome conteining 1 An appeale to Gods promises in Christ for the remission of our sinnes 2 The bloud of the Lambe washeth vs wooll white 3 A praier in the behalfe of the dispersed Church against Papists and Heretikes and for godlie vnitie 4 Gods blessing maketh our land fruitefull and that we are the Lords sheepe our vnworthinesse notwithstanding 5 A request for the continuance of his loue and mercie 6 To what end it is to be desired 1 ALl this both guilt of sinne and desert of punishment notwithstanding O father of mercies and God of all comfort we trusting vnto the promises which thou hast made vs in Iesus Christ are bold through him humblie to call for the performance of them And first we humblie desire thee to forgiue vs all our sins Thou hast said that if we confesse our sinnes thou art faithfull to forgiue vs them We acknowledge the debt cancell therefore the obligation let not the multitude of them preuaile against vs but where our sinne hath abounded let thy grace more abound and as we haue multiplied our sinnes so we praie thée to multiplie thy mercies 2 And although we haue by continuance in them so soked ourselues that thereby we are not onlie lightlie stained but also haue gotten as it were the scarlet and purple die of them yet let them all we praie thée being washed in the bloud of thy swéete Lambe be made as white as the snowe in Salmon and as the wooll of the shéepe which come from washing And to conclude as our sinnes haue magnified themselues in an infinite length breadth deapth and height so let thy mercies which passe all vnderstanding of all sides and assaies outreach them 3 Therefore also we most humblie desire thée O Lord that the sinne being pardoned thy wrath which is alreadie declared may be appeased towards all the Churches of our profession and especiallie towards vs that the manifolde breaches of the Churches and Commonwealthes maie be made vp that those being receiued into the bosome of the Church which belong to thine election the rest of the Papists and Heretikes may be vtterlie rooted out and that our enimies in religion béeing slaine we may to the vttermost thinke all one thing in the honest and peaceable gouernement of the Commonwealth 4 Upon which vniting of vs in all truth and honestie the curses of the plague and barrennesse being remoued a waie may be made to thy blessings which as the hills do the vallies may make our land holesomelie fruitefull And that not onlie the wrath which is alreadie kindled may be quenched but that which hath bene latelie threatened may be caused to retire For the graunt whereof vnto vs we beséech thée to remember that how vnworthie soeuer yet are we thy people and the shéepe of thy pasture whome thou hast redéemed with thy most pretious bloud watched ouer with a carefull eie defended with a mightie hand despise not therefore O Lord the workes of thy hands 5 And séeing thou hast loued vs when we hated thée visited vs when we desired thée not then acknowledged vs when we knewe thée not now that there be a number of vs which loue thée desire thine abode and acknowledge thée hold on thy loue still depart not from vs denie vs not O thou God of truth which art the God that sinne by the assistance of Gods spirit 6 For the due examination of our thoughts and an vpright hart 7 For conuersation fit and agreeable to our calling 8 For constancie in our profession against all temptations and impediments 1 O Mercifull and heauenlie Father we thy seruants do humblie prostrate our selues before thy diuine Maiestie acknowledging here in thy sight our hainous offences committed against thine omnipotencie séeing and beholding thy heauie wrath against them We féele our selues laden O Lord our God with a huge companie of horrible sinnes whereof euen the verie least being but conceiued in thought is sufficient in iudgement to throwe vs downe to the euerlasting burning lake 2 Our owne consciences O Lord do beare witnes against vs. of our manifold transgressions of thy blessed lawe of our securitie and senslesse blindnes running headlong to destruction committing sinne after sinne although not notorious to the world yet horrible before thine eies The thoughts of our hearts rise vp in iudgement against vs the vanitie of our talke before thy Maiestie condemneth vs the wickednes of our déedes from thy sight reiecteth vs all our wicked thoughts words and déedes with the inward corruption of our nature do altogether as it were a whole lumpe and loade of sinne lie heauie vpon vs and with their intollerable weight do euen presse vs downe to Hell 3 We do dailie grone vnder the burthen of them inwardlie lamenting our owne follie so gréedilie running into them In heauen earth or hell we sée none able to susteine the weight of them but euen thy dearelie beloued sonne Iesus Christ who in mercie intinite and compassion endlesse hath susteined and ouercome that endlesse punishment due vnto them in him therefore in him most mercifull Father and through him we come to thée being fullie assured according to thy promise that thou wilt accept and take that full recompense which he thy deare son hath made for vs as a iust ransome for all the sinnes of all those who with a true faith take hold on him In him therefore we sée thine anger towards vs appeased thy wrath satisfied and our debts paied 4 Increase in vs good Lord we beséech thée this liuelie and féeling faith for we féele it oftentimes in vs verie weake and troubled with manie doubts increase it in vs O Lord that we maie through thy holie spirit be assured that the punishment of our sinnes is fullie in thy sonne discharged Make vs O Lord our God to feele this â—ame in our soules and consciences that Iesus Christ is ours and all that he hath done that we are graffed into his bodie and made one with him and therefore fellow heires with him of eucriasting life Let vs not onelie haue these words in our mouthes good Lord but through thy holie spirit let vs feéle the comfort of them in our hearts fullie sealed and setled in vs
of the sea with sustenance conuenient and agréeing with their nature we beséech thée to accept at our hands this sacrifice of thankesgiuing offered vp vnto thée for thy manifold benefits and among all other for that thou hast hitherto prospered vs in our busines and labour which thou hast not made frustrate and vnfruitefull but with due measure and weight of profit aduantage hast let it passe out of our hands And we beséech thée O father that as thou hast hitherto bene the ouerséer of all our studies and trauels making them fruitefull and beneficiall vnto vs so it would please thée to continue still thine accustomed bountifulnes and to giue vs grace that for the same we may offer vnto thée not onlie the calues of our lips but also of our hearts through Christ Iesus our onlie sauiour and redéemer Amen The seuenth Blossome conteining A petition to be said at the putting off of our apparell GRant O gratious God thou giuer and preseruer of all creatures that as we put off this our apparell and cast it from vs so we may also thy grace helping and assisting vs put off the old man euen the man of sinne that clogged with the lesse vice and clothed with the more vertue we may be found fit for thée whensoeuer it shall please thée to call vs out of this world thorough Iesus Christ our sauiour Amen The eight Blossome conteining A petition vnto God at our going to take naturall rest HEauenlie God which art so prouident and watchfull for the health and preseruation of thy children that they want nothing necessarie for the supportation and maintenance of this their transitorie life not houses to harbour in not garments to put on not foode wherewith to be nourished finallie nothing whatsoeuer it is that they stand in neede of whiles they leade their liues in this transitorie tabernacle we beseech thée that as thou hast let this daie passe luckilie ouer our heads safelie defending vs from all dangers and giuing vs the fruits of our labours least our working should be waste so it would please thée in like measure of mercie and peize of compassion to be our watchman this present night and euerie night so long as our bodies and soules remaine coupled in this vale of vilenes and miserie Also O father we heartilie beséech thée that although darkenes dimme the eies of our bodie wherby the vse of our externall and outward sight is made frustrate and voide yet the eies of our mind may still be broade waking and open continuallie looking for that comfortable comming of thy Christ in glorie that we may be in a readinesse when the trumpet soundeth Arise ye dead and come to iudgement which whether it be in the euening at midnight at the cock-crowing or at the dawning of the daie none can tell no not the Angels But whensoeuer it is O Lord so kéepe vs waking that when thou cōmest our lamps may be found burning Graunt this most mercifull father for thy sons sake Iesus Christ the righteous to whome with thée and the holie Ghost thrée persons and one omnipotent almightie euerlasting and onlie wise God be all laud praise honour dominion and glorie now and for euer Amen The ninth Blossome conteining A petition for a godlie life OPen our cies O Lord that we may behold the woonderfull secrets of thy lawe and therin as in a steele glasse discerne and sée our owne weakenes and by our weakenes our wickednes and by them both our accursednes O procure thou the pleasant comforts and consolations conteined in thy Gospell to sound the verie deapth and bottome of our soules by the plummet of a true and liuelie faith in Christ Iesus Graunt also we beséech thee that our drie and stonie harts by the swéete dewes and showres of thy heauenlie grace dropping downe and soking therinto may be so moistened and softened that like good ground they may euer be yéelding forth plentifull and pleasant fruits to the glorifieng of thy most holie name the supplanting of sin and the aduancement of vertue through the death and bloudshead of our Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christ Amen The tenth Blossome conteining A petition to be said in time of health being a thankesgiuing vnto God for that good blessing WE knowe O mercifull father that a rotten trée can not fructifie no more can the bodie of man diseased take anie pleasure in the vse of thy creatures at leastwise verie little if anie at all For as the morning deaw or waterie clouds falling vpon the field moisteneth the ground and maketh it fruitefull and pleasant euen so health and soundnes possessing euerie limme maketh the whole bodie and all the members of the same apt and able for anie exercise By the benefit whereof we purueie for our selues all such necessaries as are requisite for this our fraile life Knowing this most mercifull father we referre it vnto thy goodnes praising and magnifieng thée for the same and humblie beséeching thee to continue it in vs and to giue vs grace that we abuse it not anie manner of waie Graunt this O bountifull God for Iesus sake Amen The eleuenth Blossome conteining A petition in forme of a confession to be said in the time of sicknesse or otherwise when the partie diseased seemeth to be in danger ALmightie and most mercifull father the punisher of sinne and the iust rewarder of iniquitie I confesse vnto thée that the multitude of my transgressions and the lothsomnes of my life cannot but déepelie displease thy diuine Maiestie and deseruedlie crie out for vengeance against me yea vengeance to death for my misdéedes craue no better reward I knowe that sinne is such a filthie and ouglie thing in thy sight that who soeuer are stained and defiled therwith are euen an abhomination vnto thee for thou being the God of righteousnes delightest not in wickednes neither canst take anie pleasure in iniquitie I confesse that for sinne thou hast sent manie strange and terrible punishments vpon diuers people The olde world in the fulnes of their offences were ouerwhelmed with water from heauen to their vtter destruction The Sodomites were burned and their neighbours about them euen with fire and brimstone for the filthines of their offences The Aegyptians a people obstinate and rebellious and alwaies setting shoulder against the Prophets were rewarded for their misdeédes with most horrible plagues in the heate of thine indignation Yea the Israelits a people peculiarlie chosen to serue theé at what time they sinned greéuouslie and displesed thy diuine Maiestie turning by the manifoldnesse of their transgressions thy mercie into furie thy clemencie into anger thy long suffering into reuengement they felt the smart of thy rod not wrathfullie confounding them as castawaies but louinglie correcting them like children So most mercifull father hoping that in the bloud of Christ Iesus I am adopted into the number of thy children albeit my misdeédes are so manie that they far passe the sands in the seas or the
starres in the skies yet I beleéue that thy mercie which is aboue all thy workes is able to dispense with the multitude of my sinnes and throughlie to cleanse and wash me from the blots and spots of mine iniquities And therfore O gratious God with vnfeined repentance I prostrate my selfe before theé crieng and calling vnto theé to deale with me in the measure of thy mercie and not in the weight of thy furie though my transgressions exceede number For if thou shouldest reckon with me in rigour I should be found more light than vanitie it would fare with me as with chaffe before the winde or as with bauen in a scorching fornace mine end would be death my reward confusion O heare me therefore O louing Lord faithfullie calling vpon thee with him that said O sonne of Dauid haue mercie vpon me and with her that said If I might but touch the hemme of his garment I shall be whole and with him that said Lord I beleéue oh helpe mine vnbeleéfe and with him that said Father I haue sinned against heauen and against theé and with him that said O Lord be mercifull vnto me a sinner Cast downe thy louing lookes vpon me lamenting Lazarus lieng in wofull case visited by thy hand and groning vnder the rod of thy correction spare me O God spare me O good Lord and be not angrie with me for euer I take it for an vndoubted truth that all manner of punishments proceéde from theé as accustomed meanes and wonted waies which thou vfest to call thy best children home and therfore I am in so much the more comfort that this thy visitation and chastisement is no signe of thine endles anger against me though sicknes and all kind of annoiances sprang and issued from sinne but a token and argument of thy fauour and louing kindnes Yea Lord though it tend to temporall death whereby my bodie is wounded yet I am reposed in this hope and affiance that my soule shall not seé corruption but shall be receiued into heauen to rest in the bosome of faithfull Abraham till the time be come of the generall iudgment glorious resurrection I knowe and it is the duetie of all true Christians to confesse no lesse that from the beginning thou visitedst thy children yea on them whome thou most tenderlie louedst thou diddest laie some portion of thy correction partlie to trie them in tribulation and to confirme their faith by patience in aduersitie but speciallie to assure their spirit that they are thy children and thou their father they thy shéepe and thou their shepheard they thy people and thou their gouernour they thy souldiours and thou their captaine they thy chosen and thou their glorie Thou calledst to the inheritance of thy kingdome after the daies of his pilgrimage were spent Abraham the father of the faithfull Thou calledst vnto the ioies of heauen Iacob and Ioseph when they had runne their appointed race Thou calledst vnto endlesse blessednesse that mild minded man the mirrour of méekenes Moses I meane thy righteous seruant when he had fulfilled his course Thou calledst vnto the place of eternitie Iosua and Caleb and other gratious Iudges of thy people when the houreglasse of their life was run out Thou calledst vnto the fort of felicitie Samuell and Dauid prophets of thine owne appointment when their full yeares were expired Thou calledst vnto the Paradise of perfect pleasure Ezechias Iosias other vertuous Kings when their earthlie tabernacle was torne and rent in sunder Thou calledst vnto euerlasting happinesse Esaie Ieremie and the rest of thy seruants the Prophets when they had liued their full time in this world Thou calledst vnto thy kingdome Iames Iohn Paule Peter and other thine Apostles when they had discharged their dutie in fulfilling their commission And to conclude thou calledst vnto the throne of triumph and victorie Iesus Christ thy son that immaculate and vnblemished lambe that innocent shéepe that swéete Samaritan and surgion of our soules when he had finished the spirituall building whereof he himselfe was the foundation and chéefe corner stone when I saie he had accomplished thy will and vanquished sinne Sathan death and hell In bringing which things about thou didest vse ordinarie meanes euen death the waie of all flesh that by their example thy seruants might be comforted in sicknes that as thy kindnes was plentifullie declared vnto them in deliuering them out of this wildernes and translating them to eternall happinesse so to me no lesse than vnto them though for a time thou laiest thy hand vpon me and scour gest me with thy rod thy fatherlie loue and affection is manifest For whome thou louest him thou chastenest and whippest euerie child thou adoptest and choosest that the consolation of their spirit may be the more increased Wo were I if thou shouldst not visit me O Lord wretched were my state and condition it thou shouldest not trie me with the fire of afflictions Sicknes is thy messenger pouertie is thy messenger yea death is thy messenger whome thou incessantlie sendest vnto thy seruants to call them vnto thée and thy kingdome In consideration whereof I thy child as I faithfullie beléeue adopted in Christ visited at this present by thy hand and patientlie abiding the sharpenesse of thy scourge am erected and incouraged with a certaine and infallible hope that at thy good pleasure thou wilt worke all in me for the best to my soule saluation and to thy selfe glorification Why should I murmur against thée though I am griped with anguish Why should I mistrust thy mercie though my paines be somewhat extreame Why should I despaire as though thou wert not mercifull No no so long Lord as there remaineth breath in my nostrels and so long as mine eies are open and so long as my tong hath the power of speach thy spirit being present with me and comforting me I will thus thinke with my selfe The Lords will be fulfilled when he séeth best time he will make an end of my tribulation He doth not punish me as a reprobate to my condemnation but he correcteth me as a child to my saluation I am the worke of his hands he created me and made me of nothing to the honour of himselfe did he make me and therefore I hope he will not destroie his owne workemanship though it resteth in his will and pleasure to dispose all things as séemeth best to his diuine Maiestie His child I am adopted in the bloud of his sonne Iesus Christ inheritour of the kingdome of heauen through the spirit of sanctification a member of his mysticall bodie a grape of his vine a sheafe of his haruest a shéepe of his flocke and therefore I trust he will be my gratious God This is my comfort that thus thou doest chastise me not in iudgement to desperation but in mercie to consolation and this is my ioie that hereby I am assured that my name is written in his register and as for my faults he hath raced them
out of his reckoning booke Why then should I hang downe my head as though confusion were the portion of mine inheritance To them that loue God all things turne to good This his visitation is but a preparatiue to further felicitie which in due time he will reueale to me his seruant when he hath taken sufficient proofe and experience of my patience which I beséech him to establish and confirme that the possession of eternitie may be the reward of my sufferance Wherefore O most mercifull father if it be thine appointment as thy determinations are secret and hidden from the heart of man that this my sicknes and trouble be vnto death O then gratiouslie heare my supplication and let the voice of my crie enter into thine cares Giue me not ouer in my distresse and weakenesse when Sathan is most busie to spoile me but stand thou like an inuincible Giant on my right hand let the wings of thine almightines ouershadowe me euen vntill my last gaspe Moreouer graunt most mercifull father that at the separation and dissolution of my soule and bodie I may still continue thine my bodie turning into dust whence it tooke first substance and my soule possessing heauen whence it receiued bring O Lord send me a toifull resurrection at the date of iudgement and let me be numbred among the lambes whome thou hast chosen to be ioint-heires with thée of thine owne happines in heauenlie ioies O Lord heare my praier and let my crie come vnto thee Lord haue mercie vpon me Christ haue mercie vpon me O holie Ghost be my comforter O blessed Trinitie receiue my soule into the place of glorie Amen The twelfe Blossome conteining A petition to be said at the houre of death ouer the partie visited and lieng speechlesse O Eternall God the welspring of life and the treasure of true and euerlasting riches thou God of the quicke and the dead thou which hast appointed euerie man a mansion in this earthlie pilgrimage and placed vs here as tenants at thy pleasure to remoue and depart when it is thy will to call vs. thou euen thou which ridest vpon the wings of the winde whose seate is the heauen of heauens whose footstoole is the earth whose messengers are the Angels and celestiall hoast O bow downe thine cies of pitie looke vpon vs. O thou glorie of Sion thou beautie of Hierusalem thou Alpha and Omega thou which art incomprehensible the first person of the holie Trinitie open thy gratious eares and heare the petitions of vs thy seruants O heare vs and that betimes thou sauer of soules whiles breath is in the nostrels of this thy diseased and sicke creature for after this life it is too late to make intercession Thou hast chastened him O Lord inwardlie and outwardlie his strength is turned into weakenes his health into sicknes his flesh consumeth his limines are lame his eiesight waxeth dimme his spéech is stopped all his senses are numined his hart panteth life and death struggle within him and wrestle for superioritie He lieth in pangs he is past hope of recouerie to our iudgement he refuseth sustenance he can take no rest O looke vpon him thou comfort of Israell and deliuer Ioseph out of this prison O Lord haue mercie vpon him O God make him strong to endure this sharpe and bitter conflict Let not the terrour of death the torinent of his sicknes the losse of life or departing from anie transitorie pleasure withdrawe his heart from thée but as thou didst create it and powredst it into his bodie so vouchsafe to reserue it for thy selfe that thou maist be glorifiedin it both now and héereafter when it shall please thee to raise it vp with the rest of the bodie in the last resurrection Behold Lord he is not able to praie for himselfe thy hand is so heauie vpon him at this present he can not so much as lift vp a limme thou hast whipped him so sore he is past hope of health in the eies of man thou hast made such déepe furrowes vpon his backe he is spéechlesse because thou hast taken awaie the vse of his tongue lo Lord he lifteth vp his eies vnto heauen notwithstanding all these infirmities weakenesses O remember him forgiue him his sins remit and blot out of thy reckoning booke the ten thousand talents which he oweth thée He is not able to testifie the inward sorowe of his heart conceiued for sinne so sharpe and seueare is thy present visitation which iustlie and deseruedlie thou hast laid vpon him and surelie though thou didst punish him more rigorouslie yet thou art not accusable of iniustice For iust art thou O Lord in all thy workes and righteous in all thy iudgements But yet Lord we beséech thée to asswage the heate of thy wrath which if it burne still and continue vnquenched alas who shall be able to abide it Behold Lord how lowe he is brought all his bones are out of course which waie so euer he is turned he féeleth nothing but anguish no rest no ease no quietnes can he take such is the weight of thine anger against him for the instruction of vs that are aliue and here present at his visitation that we may learne thereby to detest sinne which is the cause of thy displeasure and to amend least a worse thing happen vnto vs. O Lord we beséech thée to consider our supplications and to accept the praiers which we powre out in thy presence in the behalfe of this our diseased brother And louing Lord if it be thy will to take him hence O then we beséech thee to shorten his time to end his lingering sicknes and so to deliuer him from all earthlie trouble But if it be thy pleasure to raise him vp being thus cast downe and to quicken strengthen him whome thy hand hath driuen almost to deathes dore then at the intercession of vs thy seruants hasten his time of recouerie and restore him vnto health and soundnes We praie for him O Lord not knowing the secrets of thy counsell which is vnchangeable deale with him as it pleaseth thée thine he is to order and dispose For thou art the potter and he but a lumpe of claie vnto thée we commit his soule and bodie thy will be done in earth as it is in heauen for thine is the kingdome the power and the glorie for euer and euer Amen The thirteenth Blossome conteining 1 Gods vniuersall gouernement 2 That he annointeth Kings and Queenes and why 3 A petition vnto him in the behalfe of our gratious Queene Elizabeth 4 His mercie in preseruing her in time of tribulation 5 A praier for the continuance of her good estate 6 Against the enimies of the truth either to be conuerted or confounded 7 The Church of God and the Commonwealth two sisters 8 The death of Christ a full ransome for all our sinnes 9 Requestes to be dailie made of euerie true Christian. 1 O Gratious Lord and most mercifull father we acknowledge
of the ample and wide world but thou most gratious God of thine infinite loue and incomprehensible prouidence hast preordeined and appointed from originall of all beginnings to turne to the profite commoditie vse benefite of mortall and miserable man Beasts both wild and tame thou hast made subiect to his power some seruing for sustenance and nourishment othersome being made appliable and fit for his ease and assistance in bodilie labour as partakers of his paines and fellowe labourers with him in his bodilie businesse 3 These creatures O Lord being thus ordeined and ordered by and through thine euerlasting and vnchangeable appointment thou hast giuen and bestowed vpon vs men most vnthankfull and of all other the vnworthiest of such singular benefites thou hast inriched vs with their continuall and incessant increase and thou doest dailie more and more with new accesse of graces and good gifts inlarge thy bountifull liberalitie towards vs in such wise that if we had anie féeling of Christianitie nay if we were not altogether sold to sinne and made bondslaues to our owne sensualitie and corrupt concupiscence we could not but with zeale of spirit burning heate of hart crie out with the Prophet Dauid O Lord how wonderfull are thy workes thorough all the world Great is God and most worthie to be praised and his greatnes can not be searched out One generation shall praise thy workes vnto another and they shall declare thy mightie power I will set foorth in words the glorious Maiestie of thine excellentnes and thy wonderfull workes c. In consideration therefore O Lord of the benefites which thou hast and at this present doest powre vpon vs which are so manie that they can not be numbred and so great that they can not be measured we beséech thée to plant in our harts the good propertie vertue of thankefulnes least we prouing a barren and vnfruitefull soile be so farre from yéelding good and hoalesome hearbes that we séeme altogether choaked with noisome wéedes wherewith being ouergrowne we become vile despised contemptible and nothing worth 4 There be most liuelie representations and such testimonies of thy tender loue towards vs as more plaine and manifest can not be by anie meanes neither for the outward eie of the bodie to behold nor yet for the inward eie of the mind to contemplate and marke namelie creatures both heauenlie and also earthlie heauenlie as the Sunne wherein the brightnes of thine omnipatent and vnspeakable maiestie is testified to the world which with his glorious beames and most comfortable heate being the lampe of light and life to all things which thou by thy word in the beginning didst create ministreth not onlie to man but also to beast foule fish yea to the créeping worme occasion of inward delight and ioie For as when it declineth and draweth downe auoiding the scope and compasse of our eies it carrieth awaie with it in like maner the brightnes and glorie of the daie whereby the darke and vnpleasant night approcheth and créepeth vpon vs euen so when it appeareth clad with roabes of maiestie and commeth like a Bridegrome foorth of his chamber the fogges and mistes of the wearisome night are chased and driuen awaie and thereby followeth ouer the face of the whole earth most comfortable appearances of thine eternall prouidence and infallible arguments and tokens of thine endlesse loue to the safetie and health of vs vile wretches and cursed caitifes notablic continued Without the louelie light of this bright shining lampe which this our transitorie life can by no meanes lacke it is not possible to accomplish anie thing Thou most mercifull father hast assigned and appointed the same to be the directer of all our doings for the want of so necessarie a benefite procureth palpable darkenes and most vncomfortable blindnes 5 For the former excellent benefite therfore most gratious God as also for all other namelie thy creatures framed and made for the succour of man for cloath and apparell to couer his bodie that it may not be annoied with the force of sharpe and nipping stormes nor féele the smart of anie tempestuous season for giuing him foules of the aire fish of the salt sea and fresh riuers and beasts of the field and forest to be his sustenance against the assaultes of hunger and to breake the force of famishment to mainteine nature prolong life strengthen the bodie cherish the heart and to quicken and reuiue the spirits of the whole man for prouiding to his vse whoalsome hearbes and plants of speciall vertue to expell manie contagious and hurtfull diseases and flowers of most fragrant sauour and pleasant smell to delight the senses for making the earth bring foorth and yéeld trées of wonderfull force stones of maruellous indurance and other metals of strange and singular qualitie to make him commodious dwelling places wherein to inhabite and harbour that neither the rage of frostie winter neither yet the heate of smothering summer nor anie sudden tempest and storme except it please thée to worke contrarie to the common course of nature and expectation can worke his inconuenience for bestowing vpon him the riches and treasures which lie hid in the secret celles and bosome of the ground and the pretious pearles of the vnmeasurable and bottomlesse deapth of the Sea finallie for making all things as well wanting as indued with life subiect to his rule readie at his commandement and appliable to his seruice we giue thée most hartie thankes and praise thée for thy goodnes 6 Besides these externall gifts of thine wherwith of thine vnspeakable and frée liberalitie thou hast plentifullie stored furnished man thou hast most gratiouslie reuealed and euidentlie giuen triall of thy singular care and tender affection wherewith thou louest him thou hast illuminated and lightened him with the lampe of vnderstanding reason and iudgement whereby he being conducted and guided hath knowledge to make choice of that which is good and that which is euill of that which is whoalsome and that which is noisome of that which is commodious and that which is iniurious of that which is hurtfull and that which is fruitefull and so consequentlie of that which with his nature is agréeable and that which is repugnant and contrarie to his being 7 As these thy gifts are great good God and most louing father as indéede they are excéeding great and wonderfull so we beséech thée to powre into our hearts the liquor of true perceiuerance and knowledge that we somewhat according as the deprauation and corrupt state of our nature will permit may discearne the force and fruite of thy fatherlie fauour and that this vile and filthie vessell of our bodie which is polluted and as it were waxen mooldie with the dregges and léeze of sinne and wickednesse being sanctified and clensed with the cléere watersprinkle of thy purifieng spirit may become a fit and well seasoned vessell to receiue the swéete and comfortable water of the fountaine of life 8 And because
that thereby they might amend their inordinate trade of life he professed himselfe a teacher in this Schoole to the end that others as well as he might perceiue what aduantage a well disposed life affordeth This Schoolemaister we must presuppose to be such a one whose hart the finger of the Lord had touched and into whose vnderstanding the sunne of sanctification had shined He was not one that walked in carnall libertie neither in the concupiscence of the eie neither in the vanitie of the mind for then should there be a repugnancie and dissention betweene his conuersation and profession which ought to agree like musicall concords Take him therefore to be such a one as being renewed in the spirit of the inner man is able to teach to instruct to rebuke and to informe that the man of God might be made perfect in all righteousnesse But now entering into this Schoole of Skill let vs like good scholers with full purpose Gods grace being our gouernour to profit and go forward in that we professe learne by hart our A B C in this Schoole and according to our lessons frame the course of our life Abraham Fleming To the Reader The starkest foole if well he marke This skilfull Schoole prooues greatest clarke Come therefore you that wise would be And learne anew this A B C. The Schoole of Skill or The rule of a reformed life The first sententious sequence of the A B C deliuering diuers doctrines of vertue and vice to be folowed and auoided A Wife man shal heare and increase in learning and a man of vnderstanding shall atteine vnto wise counsels Be not wise in thine owne eies but feare the Lord and depart from euill Commit thy works vnto the Lord and thy thoughts shall be directed Death and life are in the power of the tong and they that loue it shall eat the fruit therof Euen a foole when he holdeth his peace is counted wise and he that stoppeth his lips prudent Fauour is deceiptfull and beutie is vanitie but a woman that feareth the Lord she shall be praised Giue ye strong drinke vnto him that is readie to perish and wine vnto them that haue gréefe of heart He that turneth awaie his eare from hearing the lawe euen his praier shall be abhominable In the transgression of an euill man is his snare but the righteous doth sing reioice Kéepe thine hart with all diligence for thereout commeth life Let thine eies behold the right and let thine eielids direct thy waie before thée Manie reuerence the face of the prince and euerie man is a friend to him that giueth gifts Northerne windes driue awaie the raine so doth an angrie countenance the slandering tongue Obey thy father that hath begotten thee and despise not thy mother when she is old Pride goeth before destruction and an high minde before the fall Quietnes in a poore cottage is better than strife in a princes pallace Riches gather manie friends but the poore is separated from his neighbour Smite a scorner and the foolish will beware reprooue the prudent and he will vnderstand knowledge The foolishnes of a man peruerteth his waie and his heart fretteth against the Lord. Ualiantnes in a King is like the strength of a Lion his lookes shall sraie his foes Wisedome is high to a foole therefore he cannot open his mouth in the gate Youth is worthie to be reuerenced if it be adorned with discretion and continencie Zeale without knowledge is foolishnes loue without honestie is lewdenes and friendship without faith is flatterie The second sententious sequence of the A B C deliuering diuers doctrines of vertue and vice to be followed and auoided APplie thine heart to instruction and thine eares to the words of knowledge A man that wandereth out of the waie of wisedome shall remaine in the congregation of the dead Be not light of credit but lay thine eare open to truth and honestie so shalt thou be worshipfull Be thou not enuious against euill men neither desire to be with them Count nothing thine owne whiles thou liuest in this world for euerie man hath his talent but lent Cast out the scorner and the seditious man so shall contention and reproch ceasse Do good to thine enimie to the vttermost of thy might so shalt thou fulfill the law of charitie Drawe towards the wise to learne wisedome so shalt thou be had in reputation Eate thou not the bread of him that hath an euill eie neither desire his deintie meates Euen in laughing the hart is sorowfull and the end of that mirth is heauinesse Foolishnes is ioie to him that is destitute of vnderstanding but a man of vnderstanding walketh vprightlie Flatterie is like vnto the wéeping of a Crocodile and when he talketh most friendlie he meaneth least honestie God ouerthroweth the wicked and they are not but the house of the righteous shall stand Giue no eare to the report of a slanderer for in his tongue lieth deadlie poison He that keepeth his tongue kéepeth his life but he that openeth his lippes destruction shall be to him He shall be sore vexed that is suretie for a stranger and he that hateth suertiship is sure Intend nothing that may turne to the harme of thy neibour for he is as thine owne selfe Iustice and truth are in such as feare God as for the wicked they abhorre vertue Kéepe not companie with dronkards nor with gluttons for the féete of such go to death Knowe him well whom thou makest of thy counsell least he bewraie thy secrets Looke not vpon the wine when it is redde and when it sheweth his colour in the cup or goeth downe pleasantlie Let not thine heart be enuious against sinners but let it be in the feare of the Lord continuallie Mercie and truth do preserue the King for his throne shall be established with mercie Make no friendship with an angrie man neither go with the furious man Notorious liers flée from as from a Scorpion for they are the verie frie of Sathan Neuer giue thy consent in a thing that is wicked for God rewardeth both with shame Opprobrious words defile the scule of him from whome they proceede and wound to the death Of thine increase spare somewhat to the poore that God may blesse thy store Pitie the case of such as be succourlesse and shut not thine eies against the naked Patience is a souereigne vertue and bringeth the soule of the iust to euerlasting comfort Quicken thy heart with honest mirth least too much heauines ouerthrowe thy health Quietlie tarrie the Lordes leasure in the tune of thy trouble for so to do is wisedome Rob not the poore because he is poore neither oppresse the afflicted in iudgement Righteous lips are the kings delight and he loueth them that speake right things Set not thy mind vpon vanitie for therein consisteth nothing that is sound Submit thy neeke to the yoke of obedience so shalt thou be praised among the people The wrath of a King is as
the messenger of death but a wise man will pacifie him The heart of man purposeth his waie but the Lord doth direct his steps Uiolence and tyrannie are the ruine of a Realme but mercie vpholdeth the Kings throne Upbraide not thy better with contumelious talke least thou heape hot coles vpon thine owne head Without counsell thoughtes come to naught but in the multitude of counsellers is stedfastnesse Wisedome resteth in the heart of him that hath vnderstanding and is vnknowne in the minds of fooles Yeald to the magistrate dutifulnes and with thine equall vse courtesie Yong or old rich or poore strong or weake thou art not thine owne but Gods who made thée Zacheus the Publicane offering to make restitution if he had done anie man wrong teacheth the rich of this world what their duties should be Zerubbabell shall laie the highest stone of the spirituall temple his hands haue laid the foundation of the same The third sententious sequence of the A B C deliuering diuers doctrines of vertue and vice to be folowed and auoided A Sound heart is the life of the flesh but enuie is the rotting of the bones A faithfull witnes deliuereth soules but a deceiuer speaketh lies An angrie man stirreth vp strife but he that is slowe to wrath appeaseth strife Better is a dinner of gréene hearbes where loue is than a stalled oxe hatred therewith Better is a litrie with the feare of the Lord than great treasure and trouble therwith Better is a drie morsell if peace be with it than an house full of sacrifices with strife Childrens children are the crowne of the elders and the glorie of the children are their fathers Contemne not anie that is in authoritie for that is the readie waie to runne into Gods wrath Chasten thy sonne whiles there is hope and let not thy soule spare for his murmurings Diuers weights are an abhomination vnto the Lord and deceiptfull balances are not good Depart from the foolish man when thou perceiuest not in him the lips of knowledge Destruction shall light vpon them that imagine euill but to such as thinke on good things shall be mercie and truth Enter not into lawe with a rich man for it is in him to peruert equitie and right Exercise thy selfe in that which is honest so shall no shame followe there vpon Exempt thy selfe from the companie of wanton women for they leade thée the waie to hell Foolishnesse is bound in the heart of a child but the rod of correction shall driue it awaie Frowardnesse is the token of a foole and inconstancie is a signe of little trust Followe not the counsell of the wicked least thou be partaker of their punishment Giue admonition to the wise and he will be the wiser teach a righteous man and he will increase in learning Good vnderstanding maketh acceptable but the waie of the disobedient is hated Grudge not to giue of thine abundance to him that is néedie least God be angrie He that mocketh the poore reprocheth him that made him and he that reioiceth at destruction shall not escape vnpunished He that is slowe vnto anger is better than the mightie man and he that ruleth his owne mind is better than he that winneth a citie How much better is it to get wisedome than gold and to get vnderstanding is more to be desired than siluer In the mouth of the foolish is the boasting of pride but the lips of the wise will beware of such It is a great abhomination when Kings are wicked for a Kings feare should be vpholden with righteousnes If thou sinitest a scornefull person the ignorant shall take better héede and if thou reprouest one that hath vnderstanding he will be the wiser Kéepe thy selfe from strife for therein consisteth a mans honour but they that haue pleasure in bralling are fooles euerie one Kings ought to be feared as the roaring of a Lion who so prouoketh him vnto anger offendeth against his owne soule Kindle not contention betwéene neighbour and neighbour for the Lord will roote such out of the land Laie no priuie wait wickedlie vpon the house of the righteous and disquiet not his resting place Let not thy wrath and gelousie moue thée to follow the wicked and vngodlie Like as the cold of snowe in the haruest so is a faithfull messenger to them that send him for he refresheth his maisters minde Make not thy boast of to morrowe for thou knowest not what may happen to daie Manie there be that séeke the princes fauour but euerie mans iudgment commeth from the Lord. Mercie in a King is like a pearle of great value in a golden crowne O happie is the land that hath such a King Nourture thy sonne with correction and thou shalt be at rest yea he shall do thée good at thine hart Neuer trust a flatterer with anie secret for such a one can not kéepe counsell Notwithstanding thou be poore and yet hast wisedome thou shalt be had in reuerence One poore man oppressing another by violence is like a continuall raine that destroieth the fruit Oppresse not the fatherlesse and widowe for the Lord himselfe will take vengeance Ouercome euill with good so shall the Lord blesse thée in all thy procéedings Put thou nothing vnto the word of the Lord least he reprooue thée and thou be found a lier Plentie bringeth lothsomnes and forgetfulnes of God O well is he that kéepeth measure Pitch not thy tents among the wicked least thou be ouerthrowne in their destruction Quéenes and Kings are to be feared of their subiects O well is he whose heart is obedient Quench the wrath of thine aduersarie with patience so shall his anger asswage Quicklie reforme thy selfe if thou haue offended and excuse not the thing wherin thou hast done amisse Riches and honour wait vppon wisedome yea excellent goodes and righteousnesse Receiue knowledge before siluer and vnderstanding before the finest gold Remoue from thée all malice and enuie for the heart of the froward is a tormenting hell Some men are rich though they haue nothing againe some men are poore hauing great riches Séeke wisdome in thy youth so shalt thou be honoured in thine age Set aside all slouthfulnesse and walke vprightlie in thy vocation and calling The lawe is a well of life vnto the wise that it may kéepe him from the snares of death The righteous eateth and is satisfied but the bellie of the vngodlie hath neuer enough The poore is hated euen of his owne neighbours but the rich hath manie friends Uisit thy friend in the time of his aduersitie so shalt thou shew thy faithfulnesse Uaine are all things vnder the Sunne onelie the word of God lasteth for euer Unto the counsell of the wise let thine eares be open but flée the conuersation of the wicked When it goeth well with the righteous the citie is merrie and when the vngodlie perish there is gladnesse Wéepe ouer the sinnes which thou hast committed and praie to God penitentlie for pardon Where pride is
vnderstanding kéepe companie 23 Be desirous of the feare of the Lord for it is the beginning of wisedome and vnderstanding 24 Be a wise sonne so shalt thou make thy fathers heart glad and driue awaie heauines from thy mother 25 Be a worshipper of the Lord thy God and in the daie of thine hunger he will refresh thée 26 Be thou painefull and laborious in thy trade and occupation so shalt thou atteine to be rich 27 Be iust and righteous in thy life and conuersation so shalt thou haue a good report 28 Be warned at the mouth of the wise despise not the counsell of such as haue experience 29 Be diligent in doing thy dutie and towards such as are thy betters vse reuerence 30 Be a moderate spender so shalt thou be thriftie for prodigalitie bringeth pouertie 31 Be earnest in a quarell of equitie and whiles thou liuest be neuer ashamed of the truth 32 Be zealous in religion and righteousnesse rebuke the offender that he may amend 33 Be patient in the time of trouble so shalt thou receiue a garland of glorie at the last 34 Be worldlie wise according to honestie and in all thy dealings haue an vpright conscience 35 Be painefull in thy life whiles thou art strong and healthfull so shalt thou be counted wise 36 Be rich in vertue and poore in vice with such riches God is glorified and with such pouertie he is honoured 37 Be mercifull to the néedie and from such as lacke turne not thy face least God be displeased 38 Be a harbourer of the succourles and let thine hands be open to the refreshing of the néedie 39 Be plentifull in good workes and where occasion is ministred leaue a testimonie of compassion 40 Be sparing in spéech laughter for a babbler is abhorred of such as be sober and wise The third Honicombe yeelding most whoalsome exhortations to vertue and vertuous life 41 BE mercifull so shalt thou do thy selfe a benefite for who so hurteth his neighbour is a Tyrant 42 Be liberall in giuing so shalt thou haue plentie for he that watereth shall be watered also himselfe 43 Be a sercher after good things so shalt thou finde fauour for who so séeketh after mischiefe it shall happen vnto him 44 Be a louer of correction so shalt thou loue knowledge for he that hateth to be reproued is a foole 45 Be true in thy talk and speake that which is right for a false witnesse deceiueth by his lieng 46 Be iust and righteous so shall no aduersitie happen vnto thée but the vngodlie shall be filled with miserie 47 Be a wise sonne and hearken to thy fathers warning least being scornefull thou be reproued 48 Be sure to kéepe thy mouth so shalt thou kéepe thy life for who so rashlie openeth his lips destroieth himselfe 49 Be righteous and thou shalt abhorre lies whereas the vngodlie shameth himselfe and is put to silence 50 Be innocent and harmelesse in thy waâ—eâ— for vngodlinesse ouerthroweth drowneth the sinner 51 Be righteous if thou wilt excell and loue wisedome if thou wilt be honourable and worshipfull 52 Be a walker in the waie of righteousnes for therein is life but in the contrarie is death and destruction 53 Be vertuous and thou shalt leaue vnto thy children an euerlasting inheritance and riches that shall neuer rust 54 Be plentifull in thine almes and God shall increase thy store and giue thée his blessing abundantlie 55 Be faithfullie occupied in the feare of the Lord and thou shalt walke vprightlie before him all thy life long 56 Be contented with a little in righteousnes for that is better than great rents wrongfullie gotten 57 Be content to commit thy workes vnto the Lord so shall that prosper which thou deuisest and intendest 58 Be righteous in thy tong and sober in thy talke for such are pleasant vnto Kings and great estates 59 Be obedient and loiall so shalt thou be in fauour and thine order of liuing shall be a good example vnto others 60 Be carefull to do thy duetie and haue a single eie ouer the charge committed vnto thine hand The fourth Honicombe yeelding most wholesome exhortations to vertue and vertuous life 61 BE humble and lowlie in the whole course of thy life let the lawe of the Lord be the rule to guide thy goings 62 Be readie to do thy friend good in the daies of his distresse for in so doing thou sauest his life 63 Be comforted in thy heauinesse with the counsell of thy neighbour cast not awaie all hope 64 Be to other as thou wouldst haue other be to thée that is iust louing fauourable gentle and courteous 65 Be in thy youth mindfull of thine age and laie vp in thy yong yeares to kéepe thée when thou art old 66 Be merrie of hart for that maketh a lustie age but a sorrowfull mind drieth vp the bones 67 Be wise and vse few words embrace vnderstanding make much of knowledge and science 68 Be a searcher after vertue and an enimie to vice so shalt thou finde perfect blessednesse in the end 69 Be merrie with them that be merrie and mourne with them that mourne yet excéede not measure 70 Be carefull ouer thy charge so shalt thou get double credit and encrease in fauour 71 Be discréet in thy talke communication and in thy behauior be mild humble courteous 72 Be pitifull to the distressed succour such as be afflicted and to the néedie reach out thine hand 73 Be to thy friend in aduersitie a present helpe that in thy necessitie he may make retribution 74 Be true and trustie in thy vocation and in all thy dealings set Gods feare before thy face 75 Be content with thine estate and breake not beyond thy tedder for in so doing thou wantest wisedome 76 Be gentle and courteous in spéech for a smooth tongue purchaseth fauor among the people 77 Be liberall and lend laie not vp thy treasure and sée thy brother lacke but giue of thy goodes to the néedie 78 Be obedient to thy parents to thy betters giue reuerence liue within lawe and loialtie 79 Be circumspect and warie in all thy busines and attempt nothing without aduisement 80 Be gealous ouer thine honest name least thou bring thy selfe to shame among the people The fift Honicombe yeelding most whoalsome exhortations to vertue and vertuous life 81 BE néere to thy selfe in the time of néede least such as be wise laugh thée to scorne and make thée a byword 82 Be faithfull to thy friend in all his affaires for therevpon dependeth thine estimation and credit 83 Be a companion with honest women but of wanton minions beware for they are the verie dores of death 84 Be modest at the table least they that sit by séeing thine intemperance abhorre thée 85 Be sparing at wine for too much drinking therof inféebleth the wit and weakeneth the memorie 86 Be louing and carefull ouer thy wife for to vse her hardlie and not like a husband is the next
Lord when I am cited to appeare before the Sathanicall synagogue which presumptuouslie call the professours of thy Gospell to a reckoning of their religion O be thou mine assistant Make them ashamed of their malicious imaginations and in their owne snares let them be intangled ouerwhelme them in the pit which they haue prepared for others so shall I magnifie thy heauenlie power Increase in them the spirit of wilfull blindnesse because they haue not béene harbourers of thy faithfull ministers and because they haue contemptuoustie withstoode thy word which is the liquor of life Neuerthelesse if it be thy pleasure such as féele anie remorse of conscience and be sorie for their obstinacie vouchsafe to receiue them into thy fauour that they may be witnesses of thine vnspeakeable mercie God the father God the sonne and God the holie Ghost heare my praier and let my crie be considered for thine owne sake and for thy sonnes sake O God looke downe from aloft and shew thy louing kindnesse to all people The eight Flowre called a spirituall Song conteining 1 The chiefest comfort in this life 2 The meanes whereby to obteine blessednesse 3 The cause of a quiet conscience and how it is come by 4 An exhortation to glorifie GOD. F. 1 AMid so manie miseries depending on our life Behold a comfort namelie this with sinne to be at strife 2 Resisting of concupiscence subduing fleshlie lust Are meanes to come to blessednesse enioied of the iust 3 Hereof the true tranquillitie remaining in the minde According to her qualitie doth flourish in her kind Most mightie Ioue be praisd whose grace doth compasse this For no deserts of ours whose liues are dailie lead amis 4 Land we his holie name as doth vs best become Exalt him in his holinesse O nations all and some Make all your mirth and glee on him alone to rest In him reioice and clap your hands oblations such are best Nothing so much becoms a Christian than deth this Grant vs the same O gratious God that liuest aloft in blis The ninth Flowre called a holie Hymne conteining 1 A petition for repentance and remission of finnes 2 A deliuerance from our enimies 3 An inuocation vpon God for present help 4 A depâ—ecation against the aduersaries of Gods truth L. 1 A Penitent heart O God thou wilt not despise O teach me thy statutes that I may sée my sinne Be fauourable vnto me whose iniquities are gone ouer my head O heale my sores and vlcers which stinke in thy sight 2 Rise vp thou holie one of Israell like a Giant in triumph and rescue me from the irruptions and inrushings of mine enimies According to thy greatnesse deliuer me O set me frée from the furiousnesse of my foes from the furiousnesse of my mortall and deadlie foes Horrible are the mischéefes which they haue imagined against me but thou which art omnipotent wilt ouerwhelme them in their maliciousnesse 3 As for me I will be confident vpon thy prouidence will I depend vpon an assured hope of thy heauenlie helpe will I attend O Lord. Make no long tarieng O my King and my God for vpon thée onlie doth the anchor of my saluation rest thou art my health and my safetie Forsake me not in the time of néede least mine enimies taking courage against me scorne at me in their pride and saie where is thy God 4 Let not the enimies of thy truth beare vp their bristles against thée and contemptuouslie cast thy glorie to the ground O Lord destroie both them and their deuises Euen as the Sunne consumeth snowe and as waxe wasteth in the fornace so let them be put to silence in the rigour of thy wrath and iudgement Make them like vnto Sodom and like vnto Gomorrha make them like vnto Pentapolis and Babylon that they may knowe thou liuest which art Lord ouer all Inlarge their torments far aboue the torments wherwith they haue persecuted thy people deale with them according to thine own pleasure Not my will but thy will be fulfilled O father according to thine owne decrée deale with them either in mercie or in iudgement Giue them proofes of thine omnipotencie that they may knowe thée which sittest aboue whose eies sée their deuises and art able to reuenge thine owne cause The tenth Flowre called a spirituall Song conteining 1 An exhortation to praise the Lord. 2 That all states and degrees ought to stoope before him and do him reuerence 3 Wherein our mirth and melodie should consist 4 That all creatures must magnifie Gods Maiestie E. 1 ATtend ye nations giue eare O learne to laud the Lord Behold his wondrous works and praise his name with one accord 2 Rich poore weake strong old folke yong approch and praises sing All people dwelling in the world to God oblations bring High potentates and all estates the king that crowne doth weare And subiects sworne to loialtie the Prince of Princes feare 3 Make all your mirth aud melodie his honour to resound Feare him in truth and faithfulnesse whose blessings do abound Let euerie thing lift vp their voice and laud his holie name 4 Each creature drawing vital breth extoll and praise the same Magnificent and wonderfull yea onlie God is hee In these his works before our eies his puissance we may see No time therefore let vs omit in publishing his praise Giue glorie oh heauen oh earth and sea to him which liues alwaies The eleuenth Flowre called a holie Hymne conteining 1 A petition to God vnder a continued allegorie for a renewed life 2 The weedes of the heart 3 The good and wholesome hearbes of the soule M. 1 AS siluer is purged from drosse by the force of the fire so by thy mercie O Lord GOD let me be purged from mine offences and sinnes Be fauourable vnto me an vnfruitefull bough of old Adams rotten and putrified stocke O water thou me with thy sanctifieng spirit Raine downe from heauen vpon me I beséech thee O let the drops of thy grace fall vpon me that I may bud and beare blossoms As for the wéedes of wickednesse and sinne let them wither and die in me that I may leade an vpright life in thy sight and glorious presence Husband me in such wise O Lord that I may fructifie and increase abundantlie that I may bring foorth thirtie sixtie and an hundred fold according to thy good pleasure A riuer of pleasantnesse be thou vnto me whereby I may be filled full of sap and flourish continuallie like the gréene Baie trée Make my leaues neuer to wither or vade let not the Sunne scortch or drie them to the losse of their beautifull colour and séemelinesse From all stormes and tempests shéeld and ouershadowe me that my roote may be replenished with pith and my branches spread abroade Let not the blustering blasts of winter do me anie harme but as my lips and my tongue gratte in me a desire and delight to speake the truth iustlie vprightlie and Christianlie Lighten thou my waies and