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
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
dutie to do him reuerence A. 1 ALl glorie vnto God the guider of the iust Blest be his name in heauen earth whereto the righteous trust 2 Repaire his temples to him worship and adore Alleluiah sing and saie to him for euermore 3 He is the God of grace whose kingdom knows none end A mightie God from all annoies that can his flocke defend Most mercifull is he to such as do repent Forgiuing them which for their sins are sorie and lament Laud we his holie name as dutie doth command Each tongue sound out his maiestie adore him sea and land 4 My heart my tongue and voice shall plaie the organ pipes In praising him out of the skore our desperate debts which wipes No time will I let slip if God do giue me grace Great thanks to render to his name which filleth euerie place The fift Flowre called a holie Hymne conteining 1 The reward of the proud and impenitent 2 An admonition not to be high minded 3 To be touched with compassion towards the afflicted 4 To be mindfull of Gods mercies in tribulation 5 A declaration of his omnipotencie and power 6 A petition that the word of God might be the rule of our life H. 1 AN humble heart is a sacrifice vnto the Lord a contrite spirit he will not despise as for the proud and impenitent he casteth them out of his fauour in the heate of his indignation 2 Be not high minded neither puft vp with a vaine opinion of thy selfe but consider that thou art but dust and ashes and that thou hast nothing but naughtinesse by nature 3 Relent at the aduersities and afflictions of thy neighbour and in the bowels of compassion mitigate his miserie for nothing falleth vpon him but the same may in time chance to thée Arme thy selfe with patience to endure all tribulations if God chastise thée with anie kind of punishment acknowledge thine owne transgressions in that behalfe and be penitent 4 Haue in thy mind the greatnes of Gods mercies which are aboue all his workes put thy trust in him in the time of trouble he will deliuer thée and set thée at libertie Aske after succour where it is to be found the Lord is all sufficient he hath treasures of good things for them that loue him as for the wicked of this world they are out of his fauour Much mightier is the mercie of the Lord than the heart of man can conceiue of his power there is no end all the world is replenished with his greatnes most excellent and glorious 5 Fall downe ye hils before his presence tremble ye deepes at the sight of his maiestie for the whole compasse of the world he holdeth in his hand to dispose the same at his pleasure Lord God of Iacob who is like vnto thée Heauen and earth are witnesses of thine excellencie the Sunne and the Moone declare the greatnesse of thy glorie to all nations Euerie creature telleth abroade that thou art omnipotent for at thy becke all things obeie yea heauen it selfe which is thine owne habitation trembleth and quaketh at thy thundering voice 6 Make me O Lord God obedientlie to leade my life direct thou my footesteps by the rule of thy lawe and let thy holie word be a lanthorne before me that I go not astraie If I haue at anie time swarued and done amisse it hath come to passe through the want of thy word which I beséech thée let lighten my goings like a bright burning lampe Notwithstanding O Lord I deserue no such fauour and loue at thy hands yet for thine owne sake which art the founteine of mercie vouchsafe to shew thy selfe gratious Glorie honour and praise be ascribed vnto thée which hast béene from beginning of beginnings and shalt continue in power and maiestie when all things vanish and decaie The sixt Flowre called a spirituall Song conteining 1 A petition for humilitie and assistance against our enimies 2 For mercie and loue of Gods lawe 3 For the leading of a good life A. 1 AN humble heart O God vnto thy seruants giue Be thou to them a louing Lord whiles in this world they liue Regard thy little flocke be thou to them a sheeld And thē defend frō greedie Wolues least ouercome they yeeld 2 Haue mercie on vs all whose waies most wicked are And to the path of Paradise our speedie steps prepare Make vs to loue thy lawe and therein to delight For that is an oblation most pleasant in thy sight 3 Let me so leade my life that what I thinke or saie Extend vnto the laud and praise of thee my God alwaie Make me an instrument thine excellence to sound In faith and in good works O God vouchsafe I may abound Nothing though high of price and glorious to the eie Grant mightie God frō thy precepts may drawe my feete awrie The seuenth Flowre called a holie Hymne conteining 1 An inuocation to God for succour in affliction 2 For restitution of perfection lost by sinne 3 For the fortifieng of faith in time of triall 4 For prosperous successe of our enterprises 5. For protection and strength in persecution of the Gospell 6 A deprecation against Gods enimies and the aduersaries of his Word M. 1 AT euening and at morning I praise thée O God earlie do I call vpon thée yea before the rising of the Sunne do I direct my voice to thee my King and my God Be not far from me in the time of mine affliction but when troubles assault me be thou present and at hand to defend me so shall I féele comfort in my soule and glorifie thy most excellent name 2 Restore to me the fulnesse of thy grace which mine owne sins and the transgressions of my progenitours haue diminished that by the restitution of the same I may the more vprightlie leade my life before thy face 3 And though the world be full of wickednesse and thy glorie dailie derogated by the diuelish deuises of lewd liuers yet so fortifie my faith that I fall not awaie from thee Helpe me O God to withstand the subtile suggestions of Sathan and all Sathanicall souldiours such I meane as set shoulder against thée thy son Christ. 4 Accept me among thy chosen children and ouershadowe me with the shield of thine omnipotencie that whatsoeuer I take in hand may haue happie successe to my profit and to thy glorie 5 Mightilie protect me in all perils and dangers speciallie in the time of persecution when thy Gospell is called in question among false Heretikes superstitious Papists and cauilling Scismatikes Fortific my spirit with the armour of thy word that I may powre it out plentifullie in the presence of thine enimies to their shame and confusion and to the aduancement of thy name Let not their sophisticall assertions intangle or intrap me but let thy sacred Scripture so flourish and fructifie in my heart that by thy gratious gift of vnderstanding I may controll them in their errours Enter thou with me O
The Lord giueth and the Lord taketh awaie and that of Dauid The earth is the Lords and all that therein is Praise him therefore aduance him magnifie him vnto whom all glorie doth of right belong This is the footepath to felicitie 4 Let not the King triumph in his strength least the omnipotencie of the most mightie confound him with Pharao with Nabuchodonozor with Achab with Saule Let not the Quéene trust to her glittering pompe least it happen to her as vnto Iesabell Let not the Noble man 〈◊〉 too boldlie vpon the sand of his honor least he come tumbling downe with Haman and Achitophel Let not the vnnoble repine at his basenes for the Lord is able to crowne him with noblenes Let not the forrener grudge at the want of his fréedome for if he feare the Lord he shall lacke no good thing So I saie to him that is frée boast not in it for God is able to turne thy libertie into bondage remember the Iewes So I saie to him that is a maister that he behaue himselfe humblie casting an eie vp to heauen where he sitteth that séeth all secrets So I saie to the seruant that he be trustie and honest faithfull and obedient forget not Ioseph So I saie to the godlie rich that they be mercifull distribute to the néedie make amends where they haue done wrong restore their euill gotten goodes and be liberall like Zacheus and to the wicked rich that they howle and weepe mourne and wring their hands for that the daie of their torment approcheth and houre of their horrible vexation draweth néerer and néerer in the lake that burneth with fire and brimstone with hard harted Diues So I saie to the poore that they be not idle neglecting the good and ordinarie meanes prouided of God to liue by namelie labour if they be able to endure it therby to susteine themselues and their familie if vnable and yet distressed vncomforted vnestéemed forsaken miserable compelled to beg and commonlie denied rebuked rated and threatned that they hold themselues contented with this their crosse of affliction whereby they are in possibilitie to haue entrance to life euerlasting remember Lazarus This is the footepath to felicitie 5 If all states and degrées of men would thus aduise themselues the footepath to felicitie should be more frequented the pathwaie to paradise more troden and the streight gate to heauen more violentlie thrust at But alas what is he that thinketh vpon this Euerie man déemeth his owne waie best as for the waie of heauen it is not regarded The fathers haue eaten soure grapes and the childrens téeth are set on edge the successors haue vowed to tread in the steps of their progenitors the yongers to kéepe the footepath of their elders the people to applie themselues to the example of the Prince and all degrées to sweare allegiance to the diuell the prince of this world the word of the Lord continuallie sounded by the mouth of his Ambassadors notwithstanding Alas for pitie 6 There is a waie saith Salomon which men take to be good but the ende thereof is death In this waie walked Adam and Caine the father and the Sonne mother Eue and Lots wife yea Dauid by your leaue though he was a man according to Gods owne hart and liking before his conuersion and penance at the sermon of Nathan In this waie walked proude Nemrod Senacherib Ieroboam and Manasses in whose heart if the grace of God had not kindled the fire of repentance he had receiued his portion with the wicked 7 The safe and sure waie the plaine and perfect waie that leadeth to life euerlasting Christ himselfe pointeth out as it were with his finger saieng I am the waie the truth and the life If therefore we will go to the father and wish to enter into the shéepefold of Saincts we must forsake the synagogue of Satan we must take our leaue of the pleasures of this world yea if there be anie one thing déerer vnto vs than another be it life it selfe than which nothing is more pretious we must set it naught to finde Christ the true waie by whome we come to the Father and the dore which letteth vs in to the shéepfold of the Saincts This is the footepath to sclicitie The eight Chapter 1 Of the waie of flesh the remembrance and forgetfulnes thereof 2 The state of man in this life like a plaier vpon a stage 3 The compasse of the world compared to a Theatre 4 The long life of Adam who notwithstanding died and other Patriarches 5. Of Abraham Moses and Enoch 6 None exempted from paieng tribute vnto Caesar. 7 Of Samson and Salomon walking the waie of all flesh 8 One waie of all flesh though the meanes be diuers 1 THus far we haue waded in shewing the waies of the world wherein the wicked are not onlie desirous but also delighted to walke It shall not be amisse to touch the waie of all flesh which if some did consider they would not runne so desperatelie into voluntarie destruction for the due and dailie remembrance of this waie maketh men to retire and drawe backe from seruing Satan in the wide and large field of sinne as the forgetfulnes thereof blindeth the eies of their mindes and maketh them growe past grace out of hope to be reclaimed reprobates forsaken and castawaies To this purpose it was wiselie spoken and as the counsell is good and necessarie so it is to be embraced and folowed namelie to remember our ende if we will not sinne eternallie This is the footepath to felicitie 2 We are not placed in this world as continuers for the scripture saith that we haue no abiding citie héere but as trauellers and soiourners whose custome it is to take vp a newe Inne and to change their lodging sometimes here sometimes there during the time of their trauell Héere we walke like plaiers vpon a stage one representing the person of a King another of a Lord the third of a plowman the fourth of an artificer and so foorth as the course and order of the enterlude requireth euerie acte whereof béeing plaid there is no more to do but open the gates and dismisse the assemblie 3 Euen so it fareth with vs for what other thing is the compasse of this world beautified with varietie of creatures reasonable and vnreasonable but an ample and large Theatre whereon all things are appointed to plaie their pageants which when they haue done they die and their glorie ceaseth We may sée this proued in men the most excellent creatures of all other and therefore it must néedes be confessed in the rest of the baser and inferiour kind 4 Adam was the first that entred vpon this stage a long time it was before he had rehearsed and plaid all his part euen the tearme of nine hundred and thirtie yeares neuerthelesse when death came and gaue him his last Q he had not a word to answere but was conueied awaie and went from whence he came euen
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
knowledge wherein who so walketh he shall haue roome enough and when he runneth he shall not stumble or fall 6 In this waie once were placed our great progenitors Adam and Eue if they could haue béene content but they for sooth so busie were they and inquisitiue after another waie which the diuell put into their heads forsooke the first waie which was the safe-waie and tooke a second waie which was the waie of death wherevnto they were persuaded by Sathans subtill suggestion and ouercome at length by his malignitie and hellish vndermining tasted of the trée of life wherevpon did growe the fruite which they were bidden not so hardie of their hearts so much as once to taste Ah fooles void of wisdome and destitute of grace why did you so fie vpon your follie which hath purchased immortall shame Were you placed in the waie of perfection in the waie of plentifulnes in the waie of felicitie in the waie of blessednes in the Lords owne waie and yet would be better but sée the iudgement of God the earth by this meanes became accursed and all the ofspring of man subiect vnto death 7 There haue béene that haue walked in this waie of the Lord some though in number not manie whose names for perpetuall memorie are recorded in Scripture Among these were Enoch Noah Abraham Isaac Iacob oMses Aaron Phinees Iosue Caleb Samuell Nathan Dauid Salomon Elias Elizeus Ezechiell Isaias and diuers other whome by name to rehearse were labour necessarie I confesse but for tediousnes That these men walked not in the waie of the Lord who dare be so bold as to affirme séeing the singer of the holie Ghost hath registred the same in the euerlasting courtrolles of the holie Scripture the vnchangeable word of the eternall God whereof not so much as one iot or tittle shall passe when all things else shall be consumed and vtterlie come to naught 8 Thinke you that this waie of the Lord is anie other thing than the rich treasure hid in the field which when a man hath found he departeth for ioie and selleth all that he hath for readie monie to purchase that field Or is not the waie of the Lord that rich and pretious pearle which liked a Merchantman so well that he was content to make an exchange of all that he was worth for the same Or is not the waie of the Lord that pure and fine siluer seauen times tried in the fire and purged from all kinde of drosse so that nothing is comparable therevnto Or is not the waie of the Lord that same rich iewell house wherein are laide vp for all such as walke therein gifts of excéeding great valuation yea so excellent as that they cannot sufficientlie be commended I thinke yes and to warrant me herein I haue the expresse word of God 9 We reade in the Gospell that Iesus Christ walking vpon the sea was supposed and thought of his disciples to be a spirit for the resolution whereof Peter among the rest required to come vnto him vpon the water which being granted he lept out of the ship and walked on the waues toward Iesus but a mightie winde arising Peter was afraide and began to sinke Why was this euen because he wanted the walking-staffe which euerie one that would go in the waie of the Lord ought to hold in their hand and that is faith For had not Christ stretched out his hand and supported him he had perished had he had a thousand liues 10 Christ passing vpon a time betwéene Samaria and Galile opened the waie of his father vnto ten lepers Among these ten there was one Samaritane who onlie and alone notwithstanding the benefit which they receiued was generall had this walking staffe whereby he kept his féete right in the way of the Lord. For the other nine as soone as they were cured forgat themselues and returned not to giue thankes vnto him by whose helpe they were healed Such lepers there are among vs not a few who from the crowne of the head to the sole of the foote haue no sound place but all intected lothsome and filthie that is ouergrowne with sinne in so much that there is no part of their soule but it is attainted If among this great and infinite number one Samaritane might be found some signe it were that the graces of God are not powred vpon vs in waste neither his benefites ill bestowed 11 But it is so far vnlike that anie of vs should be a Samaritane that we shew and proue our selues rather to be Gadarens vpon whome the common prouerbe is iustlie verefied that it is no casting of pearles before swine It is now twentie and odde yeares since we haue had among vs the iewell of Gods word than the which nothing is more pretious vnto the which anie thing compared appeareth méere mucke by the which anie thing tried is found lighter than vanitie This word notwithstanding it be the trumpet whereby we are called into the waie of the Lord and continuallie moued to treade the footepath to felicitie is contemned neglected and despised the preachers of the same derided the prophaners thereof preferred the professers of it abused the suppressers thereof mainteined so that it is no maruell though the waie of the Lord be so little naie nothing at all in comparison frequented or vsed séeing the ordinarie meanes whereby we are called and lead therevnto is so careleslie reiected 12 Among manie that were healed of their infirmities deliuered of diuels and restored to their right wits we reade of thrée women namelie Marie Magdalen Ioanna and Susanna these saith the holie text ministred vnto Christ of their substance thereby acknowledging the benefits which they had receiued and declaring in like maner by their perceiuerance and knowledge of God that they were in the waie of the Lord. Is it not a shame that women which are the weaker vessels should put vs in minde what we ought to do That which they receiued was temporall it was corporall it was transitorie and yet they shewed themselues thankefull we haue had at Gods hands the riches of his truth which are spirituall and euerlasting subiect to no change vnder no alteration yet we haue not the grace to glorifie and praise God as we ought for the same naie rather we loath the truth we surfet of it such fulnes we haue thereof we are wearie of hearing it taught we prefer vanities yea diuelish vanities before it whereby we bewraie our hellish inclination and manifestlie proue how far wide we wander out of the Lords waie and leaue the footepath to fclicitie we knowe not in what corner 13 To passe through this waie we must be content to carrie the crosse euen the crosse of Christ I meane afflictions and persecutions for his holie name sake otherwise we shall not bée thought woorthie followers of him We must renoūce our selues we must forsake friends and kindred we must cast awaie wicked mammon we must refuse no tribulation no
deliuered before at large A Listning eare that loues to learne how to amend that is amisse By grace diuine shall haue the choice of that which good healthfull is Resist the force and strength of sinne with spirituall artillerie Absteine froÌ„ noisome lusts This is the footepath to felicitie Haue alwaies in rememberance Christ Iesus crucifide to death And let the same thy comfort be till vtter gaspe of life and breath Meeke minded be all pride detest and learne of Christ humilitie Forbeare thy furious foe This is the footepath to felicitie Lament the lacke of faith and truth which lies forsaken and forlorne Exhort to peace where it doth want and of the needie thinke no scorne Make much of such as pleasure take in fostring loue and charitie In such is hope of grace This is the footepath to felicitie Nothing so much doth like the Lord as louing of his heauenlie lawe Giue eare therto and from the same let no alurement thee withdrawe An vpright life delight to leade thy lust keepe in captiuitie By vertue honour seeke This is the footepath to felicitie Reuolt not from the word of truth but euen to death the same professe And make account that thy reward will be eternall happinesse Hell is the hire of euerie one that is to truth an enimie A true beleeuer die This is the footepath to felicitie Marke what reposed is in heauen for such as do their maisters will Free libertie from thraldoms yoke and blessed Angels food their fill Lord lighten thou our mistie eâ—â—s that we may loue the veritie Extend to vs thy spirit This is the footepath to felicitie Make vs to ioie in nothing more than in thy word procuring peace I meane thy Gospell full of grace the loue whereof O Lord increase New harts new minds create in vs and make vs like thy maiestie Good like thy selfe so shall we finde the footepath to felicitie Amen FINIS A Guide to Godlinesse diuided into three speciall branches namelie Confession Petition Thanksgiuing and their seuerall blossomes A Christian treatise and no lesse sweete and comfortable than necessarie and profitable to be read both for common and priuate vse c. BY ABRAHAM FLEMING 1. Timoth. 4 8. Godlines is profitable vnto all things which hath the promise of the life present and of that which is to come ¶ Printed at London by Henrie Denham dwelling in Pater noster rowe at the signe of the Starre 1581. A Preface to the true Christian Reader AMong all the meanes which God hath ordeined to bring man to the state of blessednes I finde praier to be pretious profitable and necessarie Pretious because it is the incense which we are commanded to burne vnto the Lord in the sanctuarie of our harts pretious I saie because thereby we obteine at the hands of God whatsoeuer tendeth to the good estate of the soule and yet once againe pretious because the Lord God at the ascending thereof vp into heauen stretcheth foorth his bountifull hand and largelie bestoweth vpon vs whatsoeuer is beneficiall for our mortall bodies Profitable because it procureth vnto vs the ministration of all maner commodities behoofull for this life For it is the onlie instrument which we are commanded by Christ in the Gospell to vse if we stand in neede of anie thing either temporall or spirituall during our pilgrimage in this life as the verie words of our sauiour seeme to import in this sense saieng Whatsoeuer ye aske of the father in my name it shall be giuen you Againe Aske and ye shal haue as if he said If ye aske not ye are worthie to want because you neglect the vse of the precept Now who is so ignorant but knoweth that the asking which Christ meaneth is praier For to aske of God is not to aske after the maner of men with a kind of carnal and corruptible affection the end where of is to staie the force of concupiscence or desire and the obteining of that which is required but it is an inward secret heauenlie by we are so farre from profiting that of our selues we should waxe worse and worse 3 For the more light of knowledge is shewed the blinder would we remaine the greater obedience is taught the frowarder and stubberner would we become if thou by the mightie working of thy holie spirit shouldest not cause it to be fruitefull And although we haue this naturall corruption in common with the whole rotten race of Adam yet we confesse that in vs it hath budded and shot forth so much more than in others as we haue had mo meanes to kill it and to cause it to wither than others haue had 4 Where first of all the gratious offer of the treasure of thy holie Gospell vnto vs maketh vs guiltie manie waies For where passing by manie other nations thou hast trusted our nation withall yet with a number of vs it hath found as small entertainment and felt as great resistance as amongst them at whose gates it neuer knocked For a great portion of the land partlie neuer yéelding themselues to the obedience thereof and partlie falling from it after they had once yéelded stand proudelie as it were at the staues end with thée The rest which make profession of their submission vnto it do it not accordinglie For first there bée heapes of our people which either through a déepe rooted affection and loue to Popish religion or through a wicked opinion which they nourish of embracing the truth set foorth are so nousled blinded and misled as that they still abide in an vtter ignorance of the truth it selfe in such fort that although there be no want of preaching yet they are as rawe in the knowledge of the true seruice of thée as they were expert before in the seruice of the diuell 5 And where knowledge is to anie such sufficiencie as is requisite for the inheritors of the kingdome of heauen there is it for a great part ioined with such hypocrisie as maketh them more detestable before thée which searchest the verie reines than if they had still continued in their ignorance Now for the remnant of vs which through grace haue trulie and faithfullie beleeued it is with so great weakenes of faith and so small reformation of manners that our glorious profession of the Gospell supported and borne out with so small shewe of good fruites which the excellencie therof doth require maketh not onelie the enimies to condemne vs but our selues to suspect one another whether we belong vnto thée or no. 6 Wherein O Lord we acknowledge that to be our great and horrible sinne that being put in trust with this vnspeakeable treasure of thy holie Gospell and preferred before our neighbors professors about vs yet we are in thankefull obedience vnto thee behinde them all first in knowledge last in zeale before them in the doctrine of thy holie Gospell behinde them in the discipline of the same 7 The yoke of the slauerie of our bodies which the Popish religion
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
plentifullie powred vpon vs from generation to generation Glorie be to thée O Father glorie be to thée O Son glorie be to thée O holie Ghost from age to age from posteritie to posteritie and let all people saie Amen Amen The ninth Blossome conteining A thankesgiuing for the gratious gift of the Gospell O Almightie God which in thy due and appointed time didst abrogate the lawe of Moses by planting in the place thereof the Gospell of thy Sonne Christ whome when the fulnes of yeares was come thou didst send downe from heauen that he might for our safetie accomplish the summe of thy diuine pleasure and will We giue thée most hartie thankes for that it hath pleased thée of thine especiall goodnes to admit vs among the number of Gentiles vnto whome the same Gospell which he brought from the bosome of thée his heauenlie father is preached and the mysteries of the same reuealed We magnifie thy most excellent and right glorious Name for that thou hast called vs to this state of godlie life lightening the dimme eies and opening the dull eares of our vnderstandings by the finger of thy grace whereby we are put in possession of the iewell of true Christian ioie euen thy sacred and holie word the key of knowledge conducting vs therevnto Giue vs we beséech thée O mercifull father such measure of thy spirit that we may highlie estéeme of this most pretious pearle and shew our selues not vnthankefull with the Gadarens vnto whome thy sonne did disclose the vertue of his diuinitie but thankefull with the Samaritane whome he cured of the leprosie In the meane time we praise thée and as we haue hitherto magnified thée though not as we should yet as we could so will we extoll thy goodnesse which is praiseworthie world without end Amen The tenth Blossome conteining A thankesgiuing for the safetie of the Church O Eternall God who from the beginning didst so tenderlie loue thy little flocke that as the henne couereth her chickens so thou ouerspreadest thy people with the wings of thy prouidence Example we haue of Noah and his familie of Lot and his kindred and of diuers other whome thou preseruedst from imminent perill when the contrarie part euen the wicked thine enimies were vtterlie confounded We giue thée the glorie due vnto thy most blessed Name for sauing the ship of thy Church shaken with the tempests of tyrannous tempestuous seas for protecting it from the malice of spitefull pirats who with the gunshot of their bloudthirstines séeke to sinke this thy little vessell and to ouerwhelme it in the waues that the remnant of thy beloued may be rooted out and vtterlie destroied Praise and thankes be ascribed vnto thée for rescuing thy sellie shéepe from the chops of rauening wolues whome it hath pleased thée whiles they haue attempted the ruine and vndoing of thy little houshold to ouerthrowe and to cast the shame of their owne enuious deuises in their owne faces confounding thy foes who bragged of triumph by making flesh their arme and crowning thy souldiers with garlands of victorie contrarie to hope and expectation Beséeching thée to continue this thy care and kindnes to thy congregation cooped vp in narrowe and streight corners of the world and trenched about with thousands of enimies who watch a due time to mingle our bloud with our owne sacrifices From the which vnhappie hour deliuer vs encreasing our number strengthening our power and fighting for vs thy people For vnto thée onlie we appeale who art able to preuent all the policies of Sathan and euerie member of his ministerie So shall we sing songs of thankesgiuing in thy sanctuarie and lift vp our voices of praise both euening and morning vnto thée the holie one of Israell Hosanna in the highest Amen FINIS THE Schoole of Skill OR The rule of a reformed life Digested into three sententious sequences of the A B C. Wherein the weake haue their full measure of pure milke and the strong their iust weight of sound meate BY ABRAHAM FLEMING Matth. 7 12. Whatsoeuer ye would that men should do to you euen so do ye to them for this is the Lawe and the Prophets ¶ Printed at London by Henrie Denham dwelling in Pater noster rowe at the signe of the Starre 1581. A Preface to the true Christian Reader IT is the custome of parents disposed to traine vp their children in learning and knowledge of tongs artes and sciences first in their infancie to commit them to some honest schoolemaister vnder whome they might be taught the principles of their owne naturall tongue and afterwards in tract of time as their capacitie increased the 〈…〉 of foraigne speeches For he that determineth to erect and build a dwelling house beginneth not at the roofe but at the foundation otherwise as it were a preposterous kinde of attempt so all the world would iudge it fond ridiculous Againe we see and experience teacheth no lesse that the expertst and valiantst Captaine that euer fought in field was not a perfect warriour borne though peraduenture there was in him some vehement inclination to martiall policie and prowesse but first he had his slender beginnings and simple trainings vp fit and conuenient for the nature of his age which trainings vp in militarie knowledge warlike actiuitie continued the learner becommeth more skilfull and couragious and at last by frequenting the field and envring himselfe to trials of valiantnes proueth a passing souldier Euen so we whome nature indeede hath adorned with a goodlie likenes with amiablenes of countenance and with apt proportion of bodie but yet thrust out into the world with polluted soules if we be desirous to please God and not to offend man we must endeuour our selues to leade a life agreeable to the written word of the Lord. The waies and meanes to atteine herevnto do stand vpon certaine principles or positions whereof some being affirmatiue and some negatiue dooe iointlie teach vs what we ought to followe and what to eschue These principles or rules leading vs to the knowledge and practise of a godlie and vpright life I haue thought good to call The Schoole of skill For as to neglect the due obseruation of such precepts and vtterlie to contemne the vse of so wholesome counsels is a manifest reason and argument of follie so to esteeme of them as of acceptable treasures and to order the course of life according to their prescription and platforme is an euident signe and token of good skill Now the Schoolemaister whose Schoole I entitle this to be is such a one indeede as being taught by the holie Ghost from aboue hath had the vse and practise of a godlie and blamelesse life the commoditie whereof and incomparable sweetnesse issuing from thence when he had tasted and sawe that the end of the same was the reward of eternall life he pitied the miserable state of men walking in blindnesse ignorance and destruction and to reuoke them or rather instruct and teach them knowledge
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
way to make her an harlot 87 Be warie how thou viewest the beautie of a woman too narrowlie least thou be taken in her loue and so fall to follie 88 Be chaste in communication and talke for manie times the heart giueth vtterance to the tongue 89 Be carefull to kéepe thée in one place and continue in thy calling if thou intend to be thriftie 90 Be more desirous to saue than to spend least in the time of néede thou haue not to serue thy turne 91 Be a true paimaister of thy hired seruant and let him haue his wages for his worke 92 Be courteous and gentle so shall such as be absent commend thée and they that be present shall reioice in thy companie 93 Be merrie at thy meate and giue God thankes for the same so shalt thou haue alwaies enough 94 Be mindfull of thy dutie to God euerie morning euening magnifie his holie name 95 Be sober and continent among yong women in the presence of thy wife least she burne in gealousie ouer thée 96 Be in thy conuersation humble and gentle and haue a regard to the whole course of thy life 97 Be in thine apparell modest in thy communication honest in thy behauiour sober and in all thy doings discréete 98 Be to the stranger courteous to thy neighbour friendlie to all a wellwiller to none an enimie 99 Be to thy prince trustie and loiall to the magistrate obedient and to thy betters dutifull 100 Be thankefull to God for all his benefites and let his praise be alwaies in thy mouth harlot 16 Be not suertie for a stranger and for him whome thou knowwest not be not handfasted 17 Be not in thy neighbours danger if thou be humble thy selfe and with thy friends intreate thy creditour 18 Be not sluggish but consider the Emmet and by her example learne to be wise 19 Be not slouthfull and idle least pouertie créepe vpon thée and beggerie ouertake thée as a traueller 20 Be not proud of countenance abhorre a lieng tongue and detest hands that shed innocent bloud The seuenth Honicombe yeelding most whoalsome dehortations from vice and vitious life 21 BE not haunted with an hart that is full of wicked imaginations for that is the next waie to mischiese 22 Be not a false witnesse that bringeth lies nor a sower of discord among brethren 23 Be not a companie kéeper with a faire woman least thou be taken and intrapped with her faire lookes 24 Be not familiar with an harlot for she bringeth a man to beggerie but an honest woman is worth gold 25 Be not a tempter of thy neighbours wife to lewdnesse least thou runne in danger of Gods cursse 26 Be not a blasphemer of the Lords name least he be sharplie auenged of thée for thy presumption 27 Be not a reprouer of the scornfull least he owe thée euill will but rebuke a wise man and he will loue thée 28 Be not of the number that saie Stolne waters are swéete and the bread that is priuilie eaten hath a good taste 29 Be not a gatherer of goodes wrongfullie for they profit nothing in the end 30 Be not a stirrer vp of hatred and strife but embrace loue for loue couereth the multitude of sinnes 31 Be not a much babbler for therein is great offence but refraine thy lips so shalt thou be wise 32 Be not double of tongue and a dissembler for the Lord abhorreth the counterfeite hypocrite 33 Be not an extortioner nor an oppresser of the poore for the Lord will take their cause in hand 34 Be not fugitiue and lightfooted from place to place but continue content with thine owne estate 35 Be not gealous ouer thy faire and youthfull wife least thou turne her loue into hate 36 Be not couetous and gréedie of monie for in time both thou and thy wealth shall awaie 37 Be not delicate and nice for that is the propertie of women but auoid all such vanities 38 Be not inquisitiue after things aboue thy knowledge least thou be counted a busie bodie 39 Be not a mainteiner of wrong iudgement least the Lord confound thée in thy wickednesse 40 Be not ouer carefull for thy life least thou fall into mistrust despaire of Gods prouidence The eight Honicombe yeelding most whoalsome dehortations from vice and vitious life 41 BE not a talebearer from care to eare least thou be forsaken of thy friends and made an outcast 42 Be not vniust in buieng and selling let thy balance be euen and thy weights without fault 43 Be not a dissembler nor a discouerer of secrets but faithfull of heart and trustie in counsell 44 Be not a purchaser of thy neighbours house ouer his head for in so doing thou suckest his bloud 45 Be not suertie for a stranger least thou smart for it for he that hateth suertiship is sure 46 Be not a worker of deceiptfull workes but a sower of righteousnesse so shalt thou receiue thy reward 47 Be not corrupt in heart for such doth the Lord abhorre but in such as are of an vndefiled conuersation he hath pleasure 48 Be not ouer bold to trust in thy riches least thou haue a fall but vse them in the feare of the Lord. 49 Be not a sower of disquietnes in thine owne house least thou haue wind for thine heritage 50 Be not malicious least thou be insnared with thine owne mouth but be méeke of spéech so shalt thou be honoured 51 Be not a medler in other mens matters least thou be ill thought of and haue small thanks for thy labor 52 Be not hastie in vttering thy wrath least thou be counted a foole and in the end thou discouer thine owne shame 53 Be not a slanderous person for such a one woundeth like a sword but a wise mans tongue is wholesome 54 Be not an imaginer of euill for commonlie mischiefe doth followe but be a counseller of that which is honest 55 Be not a lier and a forger of vntrueths for such doeth the Lord abhorre but they that deale trulie please him 56 Be not a sluggard faine to haue and not to get but be diligent and thou shalt haue plentie and abundance 57 Be not proud for after pride followeth strife whilest thou thinkest none comparable in worthines vnto thy selfe 58 Be not a getter of thy goodes by vanitie for they are soone spent but they that are gathered together with the hand shall increase 59 Be not desperate and out of hope in thy heauinesse for that is the next waie to kill thy hart 60 Be not a bolsterer of the wicked in his wickednesse least thou be partaker of his punishment The ninth Honicombe yeelding most whoalesome dehortations from vice and vitious life 61 BE not deceitfull for such a one shall not roste that he tooke in hunting but the riches of the iust are of great value 62 Be not shamelesse in sinning least the vengeance of the Lord ouertake thée and thou be crushed in péeces 63 Be not sparing in vsing the rod
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