wee are freed from earthly cares and desires wee esteeme thee for our chiefest good with thee wee dwell with thee we liue All these benefits die vnto vs if thou O eternall light bee hidden from vs. Abide therefore with vs O Lord and remoue from vs the weight of our sinnes to the end that perpetuall day may shine in our hearts stay with vs O Lord. Amen An Euening confession I Confesse my sinnes vnto thee eternall Bishop minister of the Saints and the Priest of the true tabernaâ—…le who ence in the yeare of this world hast entred into the sacred Secret and giuen the holy and immaculate Lambe of thy body for a sacrifice for our sinnes To thee I confesse that I am inindebted not onely in ten thousand talents of my sins but that I am bound to yeeld thee account of my whole life Because I know that there is not one Commandement of thine in my whole life that I haue perfectly obserued wherein either in word sight hearing taste worke thought perswasion or consent I haue not offended But now O Lord I come before thy face in confession and in the presence of all thine Angels and holy Saints I 〈◊〉 vnto thee all my sins wherwith this day I haue offended thee Here if there bee any more grieuous sins let them be repeated Neither these alone do I confesse but also all other my misdeeds whatsoeuer I haue coÌ„mitted from my infancy hitherto euen vnto this present houre either wittingly or ignorantly in deeds in words in thoughts and in omissions discouering also in particular the euilltree of my heart with all his roots twigs leaues fruits with al his deformities swellings rottennes all which are very well knowne vnto thee for thou beholdest not onely the interior desires doubts denials of thy prouidence but also these grosse externall offences which we wretchedly commit in our words and deeds Wherefore O most mercifull Father according to the measure of my weakenesse I beseech thee although I am altogether vnapt to pray forgiue my offences pardon my sinnes and forget all the multitude of my misdeeds as well those that I haue committed this day as also those which thou knowest me guilty of from my infancie hitherto Circumcise likewise for thy goodnesse sake my very stony heart for this old one create in mee a new and endue it with a new spirit water it with the iuice of celestiall grace and the spirituall fountaine of waters whereby the internal venome and corrupt iuice of the flesh may bee dried vp the custome of the old man may bee changed and my heart may not heereafter bring foorth brambles and thornes as fewell to the fire but spirituall fruits in iustice and holinesse Amen A thanksgiuing in the euening BEhold O Lord so many and so mighty are my sins whereby I haue this day offended thy diuine Maiesty and that time thou gauest me to shew the fruits of repentance in I haue consumed so vnprofitably forgetting that this day might haue bene the very last day of my life heaping new sinnes vpon old and walking in thy sight who continually seest all things without any feare no otherwise than if it were in the presence of some idoll for which cause I deserued that the earth should gape and hell should swallow me vp but for that this most fatal punishment doth not affect me both with lips and heart all the members about me and the power that is in me I giue thanks to thine infinit mercy For thou O Lord hast kept me this day by thy ciemency from all misfortune of body and soule for there is no euill in the world either corporall or spirituall that this day might not haue happened vnto mee For that which might befall another man why might it not light vpon mee For if hee bee the sonne of Adam why so am I If hee bee subiect to actuall sinne so am I If his body bee formed of humours and contrarie elements so is mine If therefore hee bee this day made blinde why might not I also haue bene blinded If another man this day become lame bee consumed fall sicke of the pâ—…sicke bee distraught get the â—…ixe labour of the spleene tremble with the palsâ—…e why am not I partner of the same miserie If this man hath perished by water that by fire hee bee extinguished by suddaine and vnexpected death why am not I also who am in the same state of damnation with him Why O Lord why I say but for that thy grace O most pitiful Lord hath conserued me and thy mercy protected me that therefore I am in safetie that I am whole and strong in body I onely ascribe it to thee to thee giue I most intire thaÌ„ks The like or rather more greater thanks offer I vp vnto thee O Father the thou hast no lesse protected my soule from sins then my body from sicknesses and misfortunes of this day that being blinde thou hast lightened her guided her in this way of thy commandements that falling thou hast raised her that standing thou hast sustained her from falling For that thy mercie hath preue nied me deliuering mee from all euils sauing me froÌ„ those that are past raising me from the present and defending me from the future taking away also the nets of my sinnes from before mee and cutting off their occasions and causes For except thou hadst done this and that for me I had done al the sinnes of the world because I know O Lord that there is no sin that euer man did that another man might not haue done if the Creator be wanting by whom man is made But that I did not offeÌ„d 〈◊〉 was thy fauour that I abstained it was thy command and that I beleeued thee it was thy grace inspired into me For thou O Lord didst rule me to thy selfe kepst me for thee and my selfe and that I should not commit adulterie or any other sinne thou gauest mee that grace light through Iesus Christ thy son To thee bee praise to thee grace to thee glorie for euer and euer Amen A praier wherin thou commendest thy selfe to God vpon the entrance of thy bed O Lord Iesus Christ my God Redeemer in asmuch as thou hast made ordained the pleasing time of night for the rest and refection of the weake bodies of miserable mortall men I beseech thee that this night thou wilt keepe my soule ouer-burdened with sinne defensed with true peace in thee O God who art the true and eternall rest preserue it from all the assaults of the diuel from all his dangerous incursions defend my senses and cogitations and ordaine and direct all that which I doe and wherein I end according to thy will lest ingaged in the depraued darkenesse of this world being ouercome by the Prince of the same the diuell I bee brought into temptation and pernicious snares but perfect in mee true tranquillitie and constant puritie in my conscience Giue vnto my
body also O most sweete Iesus contaminate with many crimeâ—… this night and al other times sucâ—… rest that I may neuer depart from thee who art eternal tranquillitie neither at any time forsake theâ—… or through the dulnesse and sluggishnesse of my slothfull flesh beâ—… forgetfull of thee and thereby beâ—… thrust into the perpetuall agitatâ—… on and damnation of incessaâ—… trouble For which cause O eternal an most mercifull Lord I comment my spirit into thy hands for thoâ—… our most mercifull Sauiour haâ—… redeemed vs on the wood of thâ—… crosse suffer not my spirit O Lord to sleepe in sinne and saint therein lest I bee buried in eternall death â—…ut watch ouer mee and intend â—…y safety O most faithfull shepheard suffer mee not being destiâ—…ute of thy helpe to be swallowed 〈◊〉 the gulfe of my sinnes Protect me vnder the shadow of â—…hy wings and suffer me not to be â—…ntangled with extraordinary and â—…nnecessary sleepe but raise mee â—…n due time that wakened in that sort I may cheerefully endeuour my selfe to sing thy praises and intend thy seruice that I may thinke of thee and being raised by â—…hy power I may performe the â—…orks of iustice and seeke thy heaâ—…enly kingdome with my whole â—…eart that at length by thee with â—…hee in thee I may obtaine eterâ—…all light and celestial rest Amen Another praier before sleepe GRant vnto mee O my God the watching I may vigilantlie â—…and in thy presence as often as 〈◊〉 shall fortune me to sleepe let my sleepe bee without sinne and if in my waking I should commit any misdeed grant me O Lord pardoÌ„ for thy mercy sake and if sinne in my sleepe let thy clemency pardon mee and by the memory of thy martyrdome giue mee a quiet time of sleepe and deliuer mee from euill dreames and filthy imaginations and for the whole night bouchsafe me a sleepe full of tranquillitie lest wickednesse haue the power ouer mee and euill cogitations ful of peruersnesse seduce mee Giue me thine Angel of light that may keepe all the members of my body and deliuer mee from cursed concupiscence by that liuing body that was cruâ—…ified for mee Let me lay me downe to rest and sleepe in peace and let thy blood bee the keeper of mee and my soule which is thine image Giue libertie to thy handiworke and let thy right hand defend the bodie which thou hast fashioned with thine owne hands and enuiron mee with the wall of thy mercies as it were an acceptable fortresse and bulwarke that when the body shall rest and sleepe it may bee defended by thy vertue and let my sleepe bee as a sweete sinelling incense before thy maiesty neither let the enemy approch my bed for thy mercie sake I will heare and execute thy will O my God who lodest the night with the tranquillitie of the iustice of our redeemer Iesus Christ. For thou art the true light and thy glorie dwelleth in the light and the children of light adore thee dwelling in the light Iesus the Word of the Father vnto life haue mertie on mee for thy mercie sake to whom with the Father that sent thee and the holy Ghost bee all praise for euer Amen Iaculatorie prayers to bee had alwaies in memorie When any sudden feare assaileth thee BE vnto mee O Lord a tower of strength against the face of mine enemy If the corrupt flesh prouoke thee PIerce my flesh with thy feare for I haue trembled at thy iudgments If an ill suspicion ouertake thee CReate in mee O Lord a new heart and giue me a new spirit If vndecent sadnesse ouer-hale thee GIue me the ioy of thy saluation and confirme mee with a principall spirit If vaine glory seduce thee NOt vnto vs O Lord not vnto vs but to thy â—…ame giue the glorie If desperation molest thee GOd is my hope froÌ„ my youth from the wombe of my mother thou art my protector If thou be afflicted in minde HElpe me and I shall be safe I will meditate alwaies vpon thy iustifications If sloth assaile thee EXcite thy power O Lord and come conuÌ„rme mee in thy words lest I faile in the way If labour tire thee BEhold my humility and my labour forgiue mee all my sins If wrath disturbe thee GIue mee patience O Lord peace to thy seruant lest I lose the crowne of my soule in heauen For thou hast said In your patience you shall possesse your soules If desire of honour and promotion tempt thee INcline my hart O Lord to thy testimonies and not vnto couetousnesse turne away mine eies lest I see vanitie and quicken mee in thy way If gluttony sollicite thee THe kingdome of heauen is not meate drinke but peace and ioy in the holy Ghost It is the Spirit that quickneth the fiesh profiteth nothing Is euill 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 thee VVHose tinage and superscription is this And hearing that it is Ceâ—…ars that is the diuel of this world say let thy money bee with thee to thy perdition now the doore is shutte and our Lord careth his passe-ouer here I haue no leasure to open vnto thee If any blessing of God happen to thee VVHat shal I yeeld vnto our Lord for all the benefits he hath bestowed vpon mee How much â—…west thou mâ—… soule And turâ—…g to the angels lay Come and heare and I wil show you all yâ—…e that â—…are God what hee hath 〈◊〉 to my soule And turning thine eies vnto God himselfe it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 shalt thou say O Lord thy mercy is great toward me Iâ—… 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 persecution IUdge them O Lord that hurt mee ouerthrow them that fight against mee Take the sword and shield and arise to do me helpe When thou seest thou art 〈◊〉 by God VVHerefore O Lord art 〈◊〉 departed farre from mee Doest thou turne thine eies aside in opportunities in tribulation Stay with vs O Lord for it waxeth night Against detractors SAue mee O God for the righteous faile and truth faileth amongst the children of men Let the Lord confound all deceitfuil lips and the tongue that speaketh great things For our enemies O Lord lay not this sin to their charge because they know not what thy do When we addressâ—… our selues to studie BLessed art thou O Lord teach me to doe thy will open mine eies that I may consider the wonderfull works of thy Law A man may sometimes lift vp his heart by affection of repentance in these words TUrne thy face from my sinnes O Lord and blot out all my offences Create in mee O Lord a new heart Sometimes with an affection of gratitude BLesse the Lord O my soule and forget not his benefits Sometime with an affection of loue I Will loue thee O Lord my strength God is my foundation my refuge and my deliuerer God is my helper and I will hope in him Euen as the Hart desireth the
king didst descend to thy seruant to redeeme thy slaue thou didst betray thy selfe So much didst thou loue mee that thou gauest thy blood for a ransome for mee thou didst loue me O Lord more than thy selfe because thou wouldst seÌ„d for mee For this cause thou didst ransome mee from exile with so deere a price thou didst redeeme me from thraldome thou withheldedst mee from punishment thou calledst mee by thy name thou â—…ignedst me with thy blood that thy remembrance might bee alwaies with mee and neuer depart from my heart which for my sake departed not from the Crosse. Let mee know thee therefore O Lord my acknowledger let mee know thee thou vertue of my soule let me walke alwaies in thy light O thou Sun of iustice for it is good for me to cleaue O Lord to put my trust in our lord God for as soone as I shall bee turned from thee I am presently conuerted to transitory delights and distracted with vaine cogitations O therefore wretched vnfortunate that I am when shall I so inseparably cleaue vnto thee as I may neuer bee withdrawne from thee When shall my thoughts words and works differ no more from the rule of thy equitie iustice Thou o Lord louest solitude and I company thou silence and I fables thou verity and I vanity thou cleannesse and I follow vncleannesse I beseech thee therefore O Lord for thine own sake illuminat mine eies with thy light wouÌ„d my heart with thy loue direct my steppes in the way of thy commandements that I may neuer swerue from the same deliuer me o Lord that am captiue reduce the stray into thy wounds raise him that is fallen and releeue him that is euery way weakned Giue me a heart that may alwaies thinke on thee a minde that may alwaies loue thee an vnderstanding that may conceiue thee a reason that may alwaies strongly cleaue vnto thee the most chiefe delight Fly not from my heart depart neither froÌ„ my words nor works but alwaies assist me because thou art my helper in all my tribulations Without thee I die thinking on thee I am reuiued thine adour doth recreate mee thy memory doth heale mee thy light doth illuminate me I am raised againe by thy voice and shall bee satisfied when thy glory shall appeare The sixth prayer for the loue of God IF amoÌ„gst all those things which prouoke vs vnto loue there bee nothing more effectuall than form beauty why should I not worthily loue thee o my God who art the Fountaine of all beautie and seemelines Thou art the Ornament of the whole Masse of this world for whatsoeuer is beautiful in it by thee and from thee hath his beauty because thou createdst it the Sunne and Moone admire thy maiestie the Angels desire to behold thy face for in the sight thereof consisteth perfect felicitie and the glorie of all supernall spirits Birds flowers fouÌ„taines fields floods seas woods forrests trees earth mountaines valleies and whatsoeuer is in them haue their ornaments from thee thou didst decke the heauens with starres the aire with birds the water with fishes the fields with flowers and the earth with infinite plants and variety of liuing creatures In each place of the world thou art feared because tokens of thy beauty are seene in euery place in the heauens thou art the beautie of glorie in hell of iustice in good men of grace in the wicked of patience I will therefore loue thee my God who are the perfection of all things thou art the praise of the Angels the reward of Saints yâ— hope of Patriarches the Crowne of Martyrs the glory of Confessors that puritie of Uirgins and the saluation of all the elect All blessed spirits praise thee yâ— Pillars of heauen trâ—…ble at thy presence and all the creatures of the world reuerence thee Thou fulfillest all things yet art thou not diâ—…ated thou art in all things yet art contained in none thou didst create all things without necessitie thou gouernest all things without labour thou changest all things thy selfe art not changed thou only iudgest without any erroâ—… thou onely chastifest without any pâ—…turbation thou onely distributest gifts and thy treasure is not impaired thou only art sufficient for thy selfe and all things who therefore hath thee he hath all things and who hath thee not although hee haue all the treasures of this world he is poore hee is naked he is wretched and miserable One thing verie often draweth vs to such insensate a loue of some creature that wee feare not in the behalfe of the same to aduenture a thousand deaths but in thee O Lord whereas so many things so great concurre together why should I not loue thee why should I not willingly suffer whatsoeuer miserie for the glory of thy name why should I not freely spend my blood for thee who so liberally diddest powre out thine for me If I consider thy benefits I owe no man more than thy self if thy loue no man wisheth mee better than thy selfe if consangumitie my soule hath not any one more neerely allied vnto her than thy selfe Truly similitude is a great cause of loue what greater similitude is there than is betweene thee O Lord my soule which is created after thy similitude and likenesse Thou art a spirit my soule is a spirit thou art inuisible my soule is also inuisible thou immortall my soule is immortall thou hast vnderstanding memory and will and the like powers hath my soule Thou being most simple and inuisible art all in the whole world and all in euery part thereof and my soule being of the same condition is all in the whole body and all in euery member of the same Since therfore there is so much similitude betweene thee mee O my loue why should I not loue thee Is it because thou art high I humble or for that thou art the Creator and I thy creature or because thou art the perfectest being and I altogether imperfect This ought not to hinder but to increase our loue For the similitude is far more amâ—…able which is proportioned with inequalitie than that which is euery way equall The fathers loue is greater towards yâ— son the wiues towards the husband than of brothers amongst themselues who are equal Uoices that art â—…rent among themselues 〈◊〉 more sweetly if they be reduced vnto proportion than those that are consonant and vniforme Let then this inequalitie which is betweene thee my soule o Lord be a cause of greater loue In thee therefore O most sweet spouse of my soule in thee are all the causes of loue which may bee imagined and thou art most worthy to bee beloued with infinite loue but I finde in my selfe my wil in such manner depraued that it cannot performe it would God it were not so that she loued her selfe more than thee Wherfore O Lord except thou heale my infirme nature by thy grace and except thou powre
place in all places without diuision In magnitude thou art infinite in vertue omnipotent in goodnesse chiefe in wisedome inestimable in counsels terrible in iudgements iust in thoughts secret in words true in works holy in mercy copious towards sinners patient toward penitents compassionate But what in especiall should I speake of thy wisedome but that which earst the Prophet aid O Lord thou knowest my thoughts afar off thou hast searcht my commings in and goings out and all my waies hast thou foreknowne because there is no speech in my tongue which thou knowest not Behold O Lord thou knowest al things both the first and the last Thou hast made mee and laid the hand vpon me Such knowledge is too wonderfull excellent for me I cānot attaine vnto it Whither shall I goe from thy spirit or whither shal I fly frō thy presence if I climbe vp to heauen thou a◅ there if I goe downe to hell thou art there also if I take the wings of the morning and remaine in the vtmost parts of the sea euen there also shall thy hand leade mee and thy right hand shall hold me If I say the darkenes shall couer me then shall thy right hand bee turned to day yea the darkenes is no darknesse with thee but the night is as cleare as day the darkenesse and light to thee are both alike For his eies saith another are vpon the waies of men hee considereth all their steps there is no darknes nor shadow of death to hide them that work iniquity But what shal I say of the greatnes of thy power I wil say that in times past which the Prophet said saying For God is my king of old the helpe that is done vpon earth hee doth it himselfe Thou diddest deuide the sea through thy power thou brakest the heads of the dragons in the waters Thou smotest the heads of the dragons and gauest them for meate to thy people in the wildernesse thou broughtest out fountaines and waters out of the hard rockes thou driedst vp many waters The day is thine the night is thine thou hast prepared the light and the sun thou hast set all the borders of the earth thou hast made sommer and winter And in another place the same Prophet saith O Lord God of hoasts who is like vnto thee thy truth most mighty Lord is on euery side Thou rulest the raging of the sea thou stillest the waues therof when they arise thou hast subdued Egypt destroied it thou hast scattered thine enemies abroad with thy mighty arme The heauens are thine and the earth is thine thou hast laid the foundation of the round world and all that therein is Thou hast made the North the South ◅abor and Herm◅ shall reioyce in thy name Thou hast a mighty arme strong is thy hand high is thy right hand Blessed Iob knew this thy power when he said With him is counsel strength wisedome vnderstanding Behold if he breake downe a thing who can set it vp again If he shut a thing who will open it Behold if he withhold the waters they ◅ry vp if he let them goe they destroy the earth with him is strength wisedome both the deceiuer and ◅ee that is deceiued are his hee carrieth away the wise men as it were a spoile and maketh that Iudges fooles hee looseth the rule of Kings guirdeth their loines with a band he leadeth away the great men into captiuity and turneth the mightie vpside downe he stoppeth the mouth of them that speake truth and disappointeth the aged of their vnderstanding hec poureth contempt vpon Princes and maketh the strength of the mightie weake Looke what lieth hid in darkenesse hee declareth it openly and the verie shadow of death bringeth he to light he increaseth the people and destroieth them he maketh them to multiply and diminisheth them These o Lord are testimonies of thy mightines but what shal I say of the riches of thy glory and the veine of thy felicitie If thou hast sinned saith the scripture what hast thou done against him if thy offences be many what hast thou done vnto him if thou bee righteous what giuest thou him or what wil he receiue at thy hands Thy wickednesse may hurt a man as thou art and thy righteousnes may profit the sonne of man But thou O Lord art such and so blessed as thou needest not another mans goods I confesse thee to be such a one for such a one I praise thee and glorifie thy most holy name Infuse thy light into my heart giue me words in my mouth that my heart may alwaies think of thy mightines and let thy praise be in my mouth for euer But for that thy laud is not seemely in y◠mouth of a sinner I therefore require all the Angels of heauen and all the creatures of the world that they together with me may praise thee and may supply my defect inuiting them thereunto with that glorious song which the three children sung in the midst of the fierie furnace in Babylon saying Blessed bee the Lord God of our fathers bee hee praised magnified for euer And blessed be the name of his glorie holy and laudable and magnified for euer and euer Blessed art thou in the throne of thy maiestie to bee praised and magnified for euer Blessed art thou that beholdest the depths and sittest vpon the Cherubins to be praised and magnified for euer Blessed art thou in the firmament of heauen and praised and glorified world without end Amen The third prayer to the holy Trinitie GOD holy of holiest God omnipotent God eternall God that art strong God of spirits and all flesh at whose presence heauen and earth trembleth at whose beck the heauens and elements obey trinitie in vnitie and vnitie in trinitie Father Son holy Ghost thou being of my being life that quickenest me light that illuminatest me science that instructeth me yet aboue all essence light life and science all creatures adore and celebrate thee and I incited by the dutie I owe thee this day do bow the knees of my heart before the footstoole of thy Maiestie I giue thee thanks that thou not onely didst frame me when I was nothing but also didst fashion mee according to thine owne forme that is gauest mee a perfect shape that where I deserued no fauour thou hadst compassion on mee for that thou hast sanctified mee with the sacraments of y◠Church that from my child-hood hitherto thou hast brought me vp in al goodnes But O thou maker of heauen of earth whereas I am not able to serue thee to any vse for whose cause didst thou so much bountie vpon me how commeth it to passe that thou louest mee so much for what haue I giuen thee to induce thee to recompence me yea where was I before I was made that I might shew thee a former curtesie Truly by thy benefit in times past I was made dignified with
euen at that time when thou wert afflicted on the crosse with so many vnspeakeable dolours and anguishes Grant mee grace O Lord I beseech thee that remembring me of that humilitie and patience wherewith thou enduredst so many griefes and disgraces I also with the like sufferance may endure all whatsoeuer aduersities perseuering with thee on the crosse of patience till death Let no force of temptation no tempest of tribulation no stormes of iniuries leade mee from my intended good purpose let neither death nor life nor things present nor to come nor any other creature separate mee from thee I giue thee thanks honored Iesus who sparedst that theefe who blasphemed and mocked thee and to the other that confessed his sins and with a firme faith preached thine innocency promisedst the glorie of Paradise O blessed were I if euer I might be so happy as to deserue to be beheld by thine eies of mercie wherewith thou didst looke vpon that fortunate theefe and by the helpe of thy grace I might so innocently liue that in the end of my life I were worthy to here that most sweet word To day shalt thou be with me in Paradise Our Father c. The sixt prayer of the life of Iesus I Giue thee as great thanks as is possible for me O Lord Iesus for that looking from the tree of the Crosse seeing thy mother full of griefes afflictions and drowned in her teares thou tookest cōpassion other estate and commendedst her to thy beloued Apostle Iohn and afterwards commended him to thy mother and vs all in his person Grant me Lord that I may suffer with her in griefe and trauell in teares til I behold thee I giue thee thanks sweetest Iesus for that with open wounds thy head crowned with thornes thy hands feete nailed to the Crosse thou saidst O God my God ◅hy hast thou forsaken me Effect O Lord in mee that in all my aduersities and temptations I may flie vnto thee my most mercifull Father and distrusting in my self trust only in thee resigne my selfe wholy into thy hāds I require thee O Lord to wound the entrals of my soule with the memorie of thy wounds cause them to bee imprinted in my secret thoughts and make mee so drunke with thy blood that I may thinke on nought else nor seeke any other but thee that seeking thee I may finde thee and possesse thee for euer I giue thee thanks o Lord Iesus Christ who hauing thy bodie weakned and dried through too grieuous torments and too much effusion of blood wert vehemently drie and burning with excessiue desire of our saluation saidst I thirst Grant me o Lord that I may ardently thirst after thine honor the saluation of al soules herein let me wholly conforme my selfe to thy holy will doing as much as lieth in mee in respect of my profession I pray thee that no loue of transitory things may intangle me that no creature may draw me into perilous snares but that I may loue all things for thy sake which ought to bee loued and thy selfe more than all that in thee alone I may onely finde rest I giue thee thanks O mercifull Iesu for that in the houre of thy death that thou mightest quench thy thirst thou wouldest apply to thy mouth a sponge full of Uinegar that tasting that bitter draught in that thy most afflicted state thou mightst satisfie thy eternal Father for all our intemperance and ryots mightst leaue vs a wonderfull example of pouertie Grant me grace that for the loue of thee I may contemne all delicious sauours and exquisit banquets and that I may bee content to eate and drinke that onely with temperance and moderation which sufficeth to sustaine this bodie yeelding thee infinite thanks for the same Puri◅e and heale the palate of my soule that that may be sweete vnto mee whatsoeuer is gratefull vnto thee and whatsouer displeaseth thee the same may not bee sauorie vnto me but rather loathsome I giue thee thanks O Iesus the feruent louer of mankinde for that so absolutely and with so excellent an order thou broughtst the worke of our redemption to end offering thy selfe a liuing sacrifice on the altar of the Crosse for the sinnes of the world I pray thee O my Redeemer that thou wilt only vouchsafe to be the seale of my heart and the scope of my thoughts words and works that in all things with a pure and chaste intention I may onely respect and doe that which thine honour requireth or that nothing without thee may please me or that I may desire any thing but thee Grant mee O Lord that hereafter I neuer wax sluggish or wearie in thy seruice but that the feruour of the Spirit renewed in mee daily my diligence may more and more increase in praising and seruing thee I giue thee thanks sweet Iesu who when it was thy pleasure calledst for death and bowing thy reuerēd head thou commandedst thy spirit commended to the hands of thy Father to forsake thy bodie wherein thou declaredst that thou wert the true Shepheard who lost his life for his sheepe Grant mee O Lord that being dead to all my sinnes and iniquities I may liue onely to thee that the course of this my life being finished in charitie I may presentlie enter into thee who art the true Paradise of our soules I giue thee thanks most meeke Iesus that thou wouldest haue thy diuine bodie opened with a launce of a certaine Souldier out of which blood and water issued to wash quicken our soules May it please thee O LORD so to strike my heart with the launce of thy holy loue that I may will nothing except that which thou willest O Lord let my soule enter the wound of thy breast and attaine euen vnto the seate of thy charitie and treasure of thy diuinitie that there I may adore thee my GOD crucified and dead for mee and casting from my memory all the figures of things visible I may onely respect thee and haue thee solely present in all things I giue thee thanks beloued Iesu who with the great lament of thy friends wert taken from the Crosse and embalmed with precious oyntments wrapped in a faire winding sheete and carried into a strāge Sepulcher O Lord burie with mee all my senses that beeing ioyned vnto thee by a strong bond of loue I may bee as it were dead in those things which displease thee and as it were rauished out of my selfe in all things contrary vnto thee And contrariwise in these things that please me let mee bee altogether liuelie prompt and swift and delight in thee alon◅ my onely Redeemer and treasure of my soule Our Father c. The seuenth praier of the life of Iesus I Giue thee thanks sweete Iesu who of thy mighty power descendedst into hell and there subduedst sathans power conqueredst obscurity and death I pray thee O Lord that the reason of thy
except thou hadst raised me In the multitude of my sorrowes therefore which I had in my heart thy comforts haue refreshed my soule and raised it How often O Lord haue my sins deserued thy wrath How often mightst thou haue taken thy hand away and that iustly from mee as thou hast withdrawne it from others lesse vngratefull yet wert y◠mercifull vnto mee and didst not punish me according to my iniquities I was proud swolne with vaine glory I attributed that glorie which was due vnto thee to my selfe and therefore I am worthy to bee an outcast from thy mercie I was ingrateful I did not acknow ledge thy benefits I attributed that to nature which was due to the author of nature neither did I yeeld the thanks which belonged vnto thee I was negligent slothfull in those things which appertaine to my saluation and therefore I deserued that my talēt should long since haue bene taken from me I was rash in louing perils and therefore worthy to fall into them I am worthy I say O Lord y◠for these and many such like I should alreadie bee forsaken and ◅ast off by thee that the crime of the last sinne might be the punishment of the first But thy patience was so great that thou wink◅dst at the wickednesse of my dissolute life shuttedst thine eies against my infirmities Hitherto hast thou forborne mee with so much mercie neither wouldest thou suffer that thy succour should at any time leaue me I pray thee O Lord perfect that which thou hast begun vouchs◅ not onely to keepe in mee but also to in◅ease thy benefits which thou thy selfe hast daigned to impart to mee Continue O Lord to keepe me innocent in this spirituall life and forsake me not as hitherto thou hast not forsaken mee I conuert the dolors of my conscience O Lord wherewith I should be vexed if thou hadst forsaken mee into ioy and now with glad minde and reioycing spirit in way of thanksgiuing and praise I sing saying with thy friend Returne my soule into thy rest for our Lord hath done good vnto thee For he hath deliuered my soule frō death mine eies from teares and my feet from falling For all these thy benefits we yeeld thee thanks Lord God omnipotent who art and hast bene and who shalt be for thy works are great and wonderfull and thy waies are iust and true Lord and King for euer Amen To how many temptations our life is exposed and how much neede wee haue of Gods helpe LOrd let mee know mine end and the number of my daies that I may bee certified how long I haue to liue Are not my daies few it irketh my soule of my life For what is this life where continuall tribulations are conuersant where all things are full of snares and enemies Scarcely doth one temptation passe away but another succeedeth and the first conflict as yet vndetermined others more greeuous and vnexpected doe follow Helpe mee therefore O Lord my God for mine enemies haue inuironed my soule on this ◅e my body on that side the diuell heere the world vrgeth and all of these enforce and search after my soule I cannot flie from the body nor driue it from mee I must needes beare it about with me for that it is tied vnto me I must not kil it I am compeld to sustaine it when I ◅atten the same I nourish mine owne enemy against my selfe The world begirteth and bes◅egeth mee euery way by the fiue windows or senses of my body my sight my hearing my taste my smelling and my touching woundeth mee with his arrowes and death entreth by my windows into my soule I cannot see the diuell and therefore haue lesse meanes to beware of him Hee hath bent his bow and hath to that end prepared his shafts that he may wound mee sodainely he hath said he would hide his snares saying Who shall see them which way soeuer I see thē there is no security the flesh suggesteth me with delight the world presenteth sweete the diuell gall the flesh talketh vnto me of sleepe of drinke of meat and such like appurtenances of the same the world bewitcheth mee with ambitious pleasing of time with boasting with arrogancy and pride but to wrath malice bitternes of minde the diuell prouoketh me Behold Infidels Atheists are with me O Lo◅ I dwell with Scorpions woe is me because my life is prolonged I haue dwelt with the inhabitants of ◅edar my soule hath too long remained on the earth in this so dangerous assault I finde nothing in me wherunto I may haue recourse for my heart is vaine fugitiue and vnstable more moueable than motiō it is distracted diuers waies and trauerseth innumerable things with incertaintie and whilst it wandreth through diuers things it findeth no rest For euen as a Mil turneth swiftly and refuseth nothing but grindeth whatsoeuer is put vpon it and if nothing be put thereon it consumeth it selfe so is my heart alwaies in motion and neuer resteth Bitter thoughts trouble vncleane defile vaine disquiet trouble the same whilst my heart crieth not for future ioy nor seeketh thy helpe it is estranged from the loue of God and drowned in ◅rthly affections And when it falleth from those and is insnared in these vanity seduceth it curios◅tie confoundeth it des◅re allureth it pleasure intangleth it lust de◅leth it enuie tortureth it ire disturbeth it sadnesse tormenteth it So by miserable chances it is drowned in all vices sometimes an abiect matter falleth out to be the cause of a greeuous temptation Wretched man that I am who shall deliuer me from the body of this death In all these am I ouerthrowne O Lord vnlesse thou helpe me Haue mercy therefore haue mercy vpon me O Lord and deliuer me from the dirt that I sticke not therein lest euery way I remaine discomfortlesse Deliuer me from ◅ine enemies O God and from them that hate mee defend mee against all those that rise vp against me But thou O Lord deliuer me from the snare of the Hunter and from the bitter tongue that wee may confesse vnto thee saying Blessed be God who gaue vs not in prey to their teeth My soule is escaped like a Sparrow from the ◅et of the fowler the net is broken and we are escaped Against whatsoeuer temptation THou seest O bountifull Father the great danger wherwith I am entangled thou seest the snares which mine enemies haue laid for me and the violence that they v◅ against mee that they may raui◅ me o Father from the number of thy children and deliuer mee thy poore sheepe as a prey to the fierce teeth of Wolues I therfore humbly beseech thee for thy fatherlie goodnesse sake to helpe mee and strengthen me and that they may haue no other vse of these their subtilties but to strengthen my loue towards thee and make their subtilties cursed counsels more manifest Truely my infirmities might
thee so could not any thing be created by any other but by thee to the end that all things might serue thee praise thee and publish thy glory Thou art the vniuersall dispenser of good things so that there is no benefit to be found either of nature or grace body or soule which taketh not his originall from thee who art the fountaine of all goodnes Thou art the maine of all perfection the Abysse of all greatnesse the Dâ—…ean of infinite mercy and goodnes the image of incomparable beauty Thou art the God of Gods the holy of holiest the King of Kinges the Lord of Lords the cause of causes the being of beings the life of the liuing the order of the Uniuers the beauty of the world the glory of the heauens Thou art my Creator that madest me of nothing to thine owne Image and similitude Thou art my conseruer who by thy prouideÌ„ce maintainest me lest I should become nothing Thou art my sanctifier who by thy grace extollest me vnto things which are diuine Thou art my glorifier who hast made me to enioy the glorie euerlasting Thou art my defender helper pastor benefactor Thou art my King my Lord my father my spouse Thou art the center of my soule my last end in whom alone consisteth all my felicity happinesse and the last perfection of my life what neede many words Thou art to me all in all in as much as thou art God But in as much as thou art man thou art my redeemer my sauiour and deliuerer Thou art as the Apostle testifieth my wisedome my iustice my sanctification my redemption my sacrifice my Lambe my priest my aduocate my intercessor my doctor my example my fortitude my consolation Thou art the generall phisition of all my wounds infirmities Thou hast healed my pride by thy humility my auarice by thy pouerty my pleasures by thy dolors my wrath by thy meeknes my enuy by thy charity my excesse by the gall and vinegar which thou tastedst for my sake my sloath by thy diligence and vnmeasurable labors vndertaken for my sake For my sake thou didst fast wander hither and thither sweate watch pray weepe for mee thou wert banished persecuted deâ—…ded mockt spit vpon whipt crowned with thornes crucified and more afflicted than all other men of this world and at length put to death 2. A thanksgiuing ALL these are thy benefits O Lord for which I ought to yeeld thee thanks nay rather they are most iust causes for which I am indebted vnto thee bonds by which thou holdest me captiue bound vnto thee What shall I giue vnto our Lord for all the benefits hee hath bestowed on mee by what duty or what humble seruice shall I recompence so manie graces bestowed vpon me Uerily I beleeue that although I onely had all mens hearts and with all them did only loue thee yet might I not in the least sort yeeld thee that which belongeth vnto thee How then for many so great benefits shall I yeeld thee satisfaction How can I deny thee that one heart which I haue for all wheÌ„ I owe thee so much for all thy benefits towards me What shal I say my God what shall I doe for I alone am not sufficieÌ„t to yeeld thee condigne thanks for such a multitude of blessings But I know what I shall doe I will call vpon all creatures that are in heauen on earth and I will desire them to assist me and vouch safe with me to sing thy praises and glorifie with mee the Lord of all glorie Let vs therefore sing the song which the three children sang in the burning Furnace in Babilon saying O blesse ye all the workes of the Lord God praise ye and magnifie him for euer O yee angels of the Lord blesse yee the Lord praise him and magnifie him for euer O yee heauens blesse the Lord praise yee and magnifie him for euer O yee waters that are aboue the firmament blesse yee our Lord praise him and magnifie him for euer c. 3. The oblation of a mans selfe ALL these praises and blessings doe I owe thee O father yea and far more greater belong vnto thee For if I shal more neerely examine the matter I not only owe thee mine but my selfe also For if in India a man buy another man for a red cap and hee that is bought at so slight a rate is in such sort wholly obliged subiect to the buier as that he is neither master of a moment of time or of a farthing but is very often cast into fetters by his Lord beaten with clubs and handled according to the humour of him that bought him what shall become of me O Lord I am thine yea truly wholy thine not tied vnto thee vnder one name and title but by infinite respects Thou hast created me thou hast bought me not with a red cap but with thy precious blood thou hast conserued me in all and euery momeÌ„t of my life For without thee I can nether stir haÌ„d or foot without thy prouidence I can neither breath nor respire or act any thing with what colour theÌ„ can I cast off thy dominion ouer me How an I deny thee that which is thine By what right can I challenge liberty to my selfe Or with what impudence shaking off the yoake of my Lord can I wish to liue according to my wicked desires when by so many reasons I am thine ought so wholy to be dedicated vnto thee Most humbly therfore acknowledging thy dominion ouer me behold I dedicate my self wholy vnto thee and intirely submit my selfe to thy perpetuall seruice subiection Neither doe I onely offer my selfe vnto thee but also all that which is mine what soeuer this day or in the rest of my life I shall thinke speake or do with all those things which at any time for thy sake shal be offered me to admit or further 〈◊〉 so that henceforward I wil neither eat nor drink nor sleep nor do any such like thing whose end shall not bee the honour glory of thy most holy name Once more I say O Lord I sacrifice my selfe vnto thee lest hereafter I be mine owne not thine I will liue no more according to mine owne will I will not labour for my selfe I wil not seek my selfe but in all things euery way will I seeke thee obey thy will and be diligent in thy seruice and if at any time I shall doe the contrary I will call my selfe a theefe and rauisher of an other mans right for that dutie and obedience which vnder so many titles and by so much right appertaineth vnto thee deniing and stealing the same from thee I shall vsurpe vnto my selfe 4. A petition for new benefits BUt because without thy grace I cannot yeeld thee that duty I pray thee O Lord that thou wilt assist me herein and create in me a new heart that shal not iudge himselfe to be his own no not for 〈◊〉
moment of time but shall thinke 〈◊〉 lost whatsoeuer is not imployed in thy honour and seruice giue me a will that may desire nothing more than to keepe thy commandements and obey thy wil giue me an vnderstanding that may meditate on thy law day and night and such a memory as may neuer be forgetfull of thee Furthermore O Lord giue a bridle to my tongue set a watch before mine eyes Grant me the puritie of heart the austerity of the fâ—…esh the mortification of all appeâ—…es and perturbations of the minde Finally giue me a grounded humility of heart and with it patience obedience meeknesse chastity true discretion with these pouerty of spirit feruent zeal of thine honor the loue of my neighbour and sincere compassion of an other mans tribulations Who liuest reignest world without end Amen A CoÌ„mendatory morning praier wherin together with our selues we commend all faithfull Christians vnto God I Adore blesse and glorifie thee 〈◊〉 holy Trinity omnipotent God Father Son and holy Ghost Behold I offer vp my selfe to thy diuine maiesty and yeeld me tributary to thy most holy and irreuocable will I pray thee O Lord take from me from all faithfull christians whatsoeuer is displeasant vnto thee and giue whatsoeuer is gratefull in thine eies and cause vs become such as thou commandest vs to be I commend vnto thee my father my mother brothers sisters sons cousins benefactors friends familiars neighbors and all those that haue recoÌ„mended themselues to our praiers or for whoÌ„ I ought to pray I coÌ„mend vnto thee thy holy catholike Church bring to passe O Lord that all and euery one may know thee all may honour thee all may loue thee and may likewise be beloued by thee Reduce the ignorant into the right way destroy heresies let all those bee conuerted to the true and sincere faith who haue no knowledge of thy most holy name Giue vs peace and conserue vs in the same yet in all things let thy will not our will bee fulfilled Comfort and helpe all those that are in tribulation and such as leade their liues in miseries temptations perturbations and afflictions as well of the body as the soule Finally I commend all creatures to thy protection that to the liuing thou mâ—…est giue grace and to the dead etâ—…nall rest Amen A praier before we goe out of doores OMnipotent eternall God who art the way the life and the truth behold I am to walke amidst the snares of the diuell the world his minister laid in waite for me I beare likewise about mee the temptations of my fraile flesh so that it cannot be that I shall walke without harme tither of body or soule amongst so many gulfs dangerous heaps of teÌ„ptations which that cursed enemy hath beset vs with being swallowed in sin except thou stretch thy right hand to assist vs. Leade mee therfore thou most assured faithfull guide open mine eies conduct me in the high way that I may neither turne on the right nor on the left hand Shewe mee thy pathes teach me thy waies make my path straight direct my iournies in peace O Lord in thy righteousnesse leade me because of mine enemies direct thou my waies in thy sight Thou that to holy men sendedst thine Angels for guardians by whom as the weaker sons they should be directed as by their elder and more stronger brothers Thou that to Toâ—…y the modest son of an honest father sendedst Raphael thy minister to accompany him on the way in his intended iourney send me being sarre inferiour to Tobias in vertue but confident in thy goodnesse thy holy Angel who may now leade mee in these paths that are most pleasant in thy sight and at length bring mee to the hauen of eternall life In the Name of the Father and of the Sonne and the holy Ghost Amen When you enter any iourney O God that broughtest Abraham thy seruant from Vr of the Chaldees and keptst him in safety in the whole course of his pilgrimage we beseech thee vouchsafe to keepe vs thy seruants Be vnto vs O Lord in our setting out our succour in our way our solace in heate a shelter in raine and cold a garment in wearines a wagon in aduersity a helper in the slippery way a staffe in shipwrack a hauen that by thy conduct wee may attaine thither with happines whither we trauell and at last returne in safety to our owne households through Iesus Christ our Lord. Amen A praier before the Sermon O Lord Iesu Christ that dâ—…scendedst from the bosome of thy father into this world 〈◊〉 our teacher yâ— thou mightest shew the will of thy Father to wretched mortall men and teach them in the way of â—…aluation Behold I come to heare thy word and haue many yeares since repaired to the same but alas with small fruit of my soule I came vnto the light and I am not illuminated to the bread of life behold I die for hunger to the fire and I starue for cold to the medicine 〈◊〉 am oppressed with diuerse infirmities of sinne The dew of diuine doctrine falleth without intermissioÌ„ vpoÌ„ my earth and yet hitherto hath it brought forth nothing but thorns and thistles what need more daies moÌ„ths and yeeres are past and I remain in the same state of sinne It is a great benefit O Lord that thou hast left vs the seed of thy diuine word otherwise we had bene like Sodome and Gomorra It is likewise a great benefite that thou sendest laborers into thy vineyard that thou leauest vs Doctors and Catholicke preachers but in vaine teach they outwardly except thou mooue inwardly I beseech thee therefore O good Iesus open the eares of my heart that that which is instilled by the eare of my flesh may penetrate euen vnto the marrow of my spirit and there worke such holesome effects that thy word returne not againe in vaine Uouchsafe I say O Lord yâ— this seed which at this time falleth on me be not choked with the thornie cares of this world neither wither through drought and defect of the deaw of the holy Ghost in the time of tribulation neither be deuoured by the birds of the aire but warmed by the heate and operation of the holy Spirit may flourish in a fruitful mould and bring forth the fruits of eternall life that I may know thee loue thee and laud thee with perpetual praise who art laudable and glorious for euer Amen A prayer after the Sermon LOrd Iesus Christ eternall Sauiour I giue thee thanks for that thou hast fed me wiâ—…h the food of thy word 〈◊〉 abundantly nourished me I beseech thee that the vnderstanding of thy word be effectuall and healthfull to mee that the same celestiall seede do not perish in me without fruit Keepe my heart and enclose it with the sence of thy grace and prohibite that the infernall foule do not plucke it out of my heart but prepare it
vnto thee that it may keepe thy word and as a new thing be infixed in my memorie Thou art he that saidst by thy Prophet The word that shall issue from my mouth shall not returne to me in vaine but shall prosper in that for which I send it Goe to Lord and let thy word heard by me from the mouth of thy minister prosper in me giue me strength y◠my life may bee answerable to the doctrine I haue receiued Giue increase to thy word O thou celestial husbandman that it may augment and increase in me that by thy holy word it may not onely bring me to the knowledge of thy will but also that I may fulfill and execute that which thou biddest and wilt and so I may perseuer vnto the end vntil I may attaine to thy celestiall and euerlasting kingdome Amen When we goe about any worke VVE that are thrust into the most obscurest darkenesse through the fal of our first parents O thou fountaine of eternall wisedome know not what is pleasing or displeasant to thee and what is expedient or hurtfull for vs notwithstanding O bountifull mercifull Lord I notwithstanding y◠labour bee great if I respect my strength light easie if I regard thy assistance doe now vndertake the same not knowing whether thou wilt that the same should bee done by me or likewise whether it shall be profitable or hurtfull vnto me O thou light of diuine maiesty O beauty of the glory of the Father O giuer of gifts I beseech thee let the drops of thy grace fall vpon me that herein I may know thy will To thee therefore O thou that dwellest in the highest God and Father omnipotent with humble heart godly affection and deuout praier doe I fly crauing thy helpe and assistance in beginning this worke For thou vnderstandest the depth of my ignorance my pouerty in vertues my sluggishnesse in weldoing and the great deformity of my maners all which make me vnworthy to finish such a wor◅e giue me therefore wisedome that assisteth thy seat send her from thy holy heauens that shee may bee with mee and labour with mee Strengthen me O Lord God of Israel and at this houre behold y◠workes of my hands Giue mee strength assist and helpe mee that the euill spirit do not hinder me in atchieuing this worke or the detractious of wicked men reuoke me from the same let mee faile other waies or let me fall before the end of the worke but vnder such a moderator and rector let me institute and end all things orderly namely Iesus Christ the mediator who is God to bee praised for euer Amen A thanksgiuing when the worke is finished O Most sweete Lord Iesus Christ thou redeemer of mankinde who art Alpha and Omega the beginning and end by whom al things are made without whom nothing is done who weighest vowes crownest merits and giuest rewards I giue thee thanks that I haue ended the work begun by thy prouidence and ended by thy assistance Thine it is O good Iesus at this present to weigh the value therof If I haue any waies defaulted therein all that is mine and if any thing hath beene gracious in the eies of thy Maiesty all that do I ascribe vnto thee For being conceiued in sin borne in sin bred vp in sin what other thing can wee doe but sinne And how can we performe any good thing except thou giue it O Lord It remaineth now O God that by the same mercy wherewith thou wroughtest this worke with me by the same now thou wilt direct it to a wished scope and end lest the fruits thereof doe perish either to my selfe or to my neighbour And if for al those benefits which thou hast bestowed on vs wee should giue thee thankes most bountiful Iesus all our whole life should bee spent in that one thing so that it behooued vs to think on no other thing but the same But now our duety calleth vs hencefoorth to another thing our vocation exacteth another thing at our hands yet are thy new benefits alwaies to bee receiued with a new giuing of thanks For which cause I also for that it hath pleased thee so faithfully to finish this worke in me and by me although thy vile vnworthy instrument I blesse thee and praise thee and glorifie thee But grant me also O Lord not onely to giue thee thankes but also to haue them that is to remember continually thy bounties imploied on mee that when as thou findest mee not ingratefull thou maiest continue the increase of thy gifts in me vntil by these of thine I may attaine the perpetual fountaine of all goodnesse and blessednesse Amen When we prepare ourselues to studie VVE whatsoeuer we be by a hidden instinct of nature desire knowledge but in so palpable darkenesse are wee conuersant that not onely wee are ignorant of those things which wee ought to know but also how wee ought to know For it is the punishment of the first sinne that this naturall light wherewith in the state of innocency our vnderstanding was illuminate is now extinct and we as it were blinde grope for the wall and as it were without eies handle it To thee therefore O Wisdome dwelling in the highest heauens residēt in the fathers bosome make I recourse enlighten I beseech thee my nunde giue mee an vnderstanding heart y◠I may know the truth which thou thy selfe art follow and take hold of it Uerily I desire to know because I haue read that thou repulsest those that repine at Sciences I haue read that they that are learned shal shine like the brightnes of the firmament and they that instruct many in the waies of iustice shall bee as a star in the perpetuities of eternities But because I know not how I ought to know I beseech thee shew me the meanes order grant that I may first learne y◠which is most conuenient to saluation and that most ardently that vrgeth most vehemently to loue Grant that I may not desire to know for vaine glory sake not for curiositie nor in respect of profite but onely for the edification both of my selfe and of my neighbour O thou Creator of all things thou meridian light O the reward of the elect thou knowest the depth of mine ignorance my vnpolisht speech my defect of vertues and my fluggishnesse in apprehending good and ghostly things is not hidden from thee Notwithstanding O vncreated Wisdome which at thine owne pleasure of the wicked makest iust and of the ignorant suddainly and without delay learned send from the seate of thy Maiestie thy light and thy truth that may illuminate my darknesse and giue mee the vnworthy the vnderstanding of thy chaste and holy word Make me wiser better that I may impart to others likewise part of that light which thou impartest vnto mee I atribute nothing to mine industry cūning or wit for I know that all those who are rightly wise are wise by thy
reducing to my memory the perill of my death and the rigor of thy diuine iustice How many orders of Preachers Confessors hast thou appointed that by their words and counsels might incite me helpe me O Lord walking in thy way How often hast thou folowed me by thy words inuiting me by thy benefits and chastising me with thy scourges stopping vp all the waies after the manner of a hunter that I might no way fly or escape from thee What shal I theÌ„ at this time render vnto thee O Lord for all those things which thou hast bestowed vpon me Because thou hast created mee I owe â—…hee all that which I am for thou â—…dest all things Because thou â—…st conserued me I ow vnto thee â—…ll that I am liue for thou conâ—…uest all things because thou â—…auest thy self as a reward vnto me what shal I restore thee If I had all the liues of Angels men and should offer them for a sacrifice vnto thee what were this oblation if it should be compared onely to the bloud which so aboundantly thou sheddest for my sake Who therfore shal giue me tears for mine eies that I may bewailâ—… my ingratitude and my negligent retribution for so many benefits Giue mee therefore thy helpe O Lord giue mee thy grace that in due maner I may confesse my sins vnto thee I vnhappy that I 〈◊〉 I although I haue demeaned 〈◊〉 selfe farre otherwise am thy creature made according to thy Image and likenesse acknowledgâ—… this similitude for it is thine Take from me that which I haue made and thou shalt finde thâ—… which thou by thy holy hand hast made I haue imploied all my forces and powers to iniurie thee and haue offended thee in yâ— very workâ—… of my hands My feete were swifâ—… to doe euill my hands ready tâ—… act any wickednesse mine eieâ—… dissolute to all vanitie and miâ—… eares open to all follies and falsehoods I haue diuerted the most noble part of my soule which had eies to behold thee from thy beauty and conuerted them to the flourishes of this miserable life the soule that day and night should haue meditated on thy commandements now night and day studieth in what maner it may offend thee The vnderstanding so depraued what should the will doe Thou my God hadst inuited it to celestiall delights but she preferred earth before heauen stretching her armes to thee O Lord consecrated to the filthie affection of Creatures This is yâ— recompence O God this the fruit which my senses which thou createdst brought foorth Ah wretch that I am what can I answer if thou enterest into iudgement with me and saist vnto mee I haue planted thee an elected 〈◊〉 all true seed And if I cannot giue answer to this first question how shall I answer thee in the second for my benefite of conseruation Thou my Lord thy prouidence hath conserued him that meditated on nothing else but how he might transgresse thy commandements how persecute thy seruants how offend thy Church and how to strengtheÌ„ the kingdome of sin against thee Thou moouedst the tongue that biasphemed thee thou ruledst the members which offended thee and gauest them sustenance who lay in wait for thy seruants so that I haue not onely bene vngrateful for thy benefits but also haue conuerted the benefits themselues into armes with which I impugned thee Thou hadst made all Creatures for my vse that I allured by that benefite should loue thee and I haue adulterated them in that I haue so often time offended thee by them I rather made choise of the gift than the giuer and from whom the occasion of knowing thy bounty was to bee taken from them I was blinded neither lifted I vp mine eies that I might see how farre more faire the Creator was thaÌ„ the creature Thou gauest me all things that I might giue my selfe vnto thee all things might serue me but I neuer either gaue thee glory or the tribute which is due vnto thee Thy creatures were alwaies ready at my command for so thou ordainedst them but I haue alwaies studied to offend thee and to this end haue vsed and abused all things Thou gauest me health and the diuell hath gathered the fruite thereof thou gauest me strength and I haue imploied the same in the seruice of thine enemie What shall I say why were not so many kinds of calamities and miseries which euery where I beheld in other men sufficient that but in them I might vnderstand but that all other mens euils were my benefits for from all them hast thou deliuered mee Shall it therefore bee lawfull for any man to shew himselfe vngratefull for a benefite receiued and who is hee that oweth not thanks for a benefite receiued If the rage of Lyons and Serpents bee lenified by gifts why O Lord shall not thine bee sufficient to mortifie and mollifie mee that yet at the least sometime I may say Let vs care our Lord God that giueth vs tunely and euening rame in due time pientie of annual increase to those that loue him It was enough for me O Lord to know that it was thou that â—…o long time sustainedst me although I had not any other demonstratioÌ„ or testimony of thy bounty and if that account shall be so strict for these things which cost thee little what shall that be which thou shalt exact for those which thou hast purchased with thy precious blood How I haue peruerted thy commandements how I haue violated the mystery of thy incarnation Thou becamest man that thou mightest make me God I besotted with mine owne abiectnesse made my selfe a beast and the sonne of the diuell Thou descendedst on the earth that thou mightest bring me to heauen and I vnworthy suâ—…h a vocation as one that deserued it not knew not the same and perseuered in the dirt of my abiectnesse Thou didst deliuer mee and I cast my selfe head long againe into my former captiuitie â—…hou raisedst me vp and I re-embraced death thou hadst incorporated me in thy selfe I again tooke party with the diuell So many so great blessings had not that power ouer mee to make mee acknowledge thee neither so many arguments of loue to make me loue thee againe neither so many merits to make mee hope in thee neither such a iustice which shined in thy passion to make mee feare thee thou hast humbled mee euen vnto the dust of the earth I swel with pride thou hangedst naked on the Crosse the whole world satisfieth not my Auarice They buffeted thee vpon the face who art God if any man touch my garment I am angry notwithstanding am but a base and vile worme What shall I say my Sauior Behold how great thy mercy and charitie is towards me Thou wouldst die to kil my sin I confident in the same mercy bounty loue am not afraid to sin against thee Alas what greater blasphemy may there be I of thy bounty tooke
purifie my soule from all reliques of sin at length bring me to eternall life I offer vp vnto thee that thy inestimable humilitie obedience patience which thou shewedst when they whipt thee being bound to a hard pillar after crowned thee with thorns thy meeknes when as those assistaÌ„ts of satan perpetual tormeÌ„tors of hel in way of disgrace aâ—…tired thee in a purple raiment wheÌ„ as mocking they saluted thee and spit in thy face with a reed which thou barest in thy hand in steed of a septer strook thy wounded and brused head I offer vnto thee wearines of thy afflicted body thy bloudy steps the grieuous burden of thy crosse which thou barest on thy delicate shoulders miserably martyred with whipping I offer vnto thee that thirst wherewith in thy passion thou wert afflicted and al those other tormeÌ„ts which thou sustainedst for vs with a meek hart All these with thanksgiuing do I offer vnto thee beseeching thy immeasurable mercy that for the merits herof thou wilt wipe away my sins thou wilt remit the penalty and crime purifie my soule from the reliques of sinne and bring the same at length to eternall life Sweet Iesus in satisfactioÌ„ for my sins I offer vp vnto thee thy most cruel dolors which thou sufferedst when as the soldiers cruelly haled from thy body thy garment sticking with clotted blood vnto thy flesh and bones and renued againe al those wounds which thou hadst receiued in thy scourging when as cast vpon the crosse thou sufferedst thy hands and feete to be fastened with sharpe nailes to yâ— holy crosse with so much violence that al the articles and members of thy ioints were remoued from their naturall places when as thy precious blood flowed from all thy members in no other sort than the springs from the ouerflowing fountaines I offer vp vnto thee all and euery drop of thy precious bloud and beseech thy mercy that for the merits therof thou wilt blot out my sinnes remit both the penalty and yâ— crime purifie my soule from the relikes of sin and bring the same at length to euerlasting life Most merciful Iesus I offer vp vnto thee thy bounty meeknes wherewith thou sustainedst the reproches and slanders of the reprobate who wagging their heads scorned mocked thee whilst thou praiedst for theÌ„ to thy Father I offer vp vnto thee those horrible torments which thou sufferedst when as thou wert altogether giueÌ„ ouer as a prey to al afflictions tormeÌ„ts and dolors destitute of al internall or external consolation and forsaken of God and man and miserably affixed to a crosse betwixt heauen earth didst hang in yâ— midst of two most notorious theeues I offer vp vnto thee thy intollerable thirst wherewith thou wert afflicted on the crosse and that humility and reuerence of thine wherewith in hanging downe thy head thou commendedst thy spirit to thy Father I offer vnto thee that most holesome bloud flowing from thy side inforced by the soldiers lance Al these things do I offer vp vnto thee and for them giue thee most hearty thanks humbly beseeching thee to forgiue me my sins to purifie my soule from al reliks of vnrighteousnes bring the same at length to eternall rest where thou liuest reignest with the Father the holy ghost world without end Another praier for remission of sins O Omnipotent and eternal Father God almighty all mercifull behold I the most wretched amongst sinners lying lowly prostrate on yâ— ground before thy feete confesse my most grieuous many sins wherin al my lifetime I haue hitherto offended thee most mercifull Father I acknowledge my great ingratitude in that 〈◊〉 haue so lightly set by thy infinite inestimable benefits hitherto bestowed vpon mee as that amongst the rest thou hast shewed me so much loue bounty as to expect mee so long time that conuerting vnto thee I might repent and escape my damnation and punishment in the bottomlesse pit of hell as heretofore my sinnes haue often times deserued nay rather for that thou hast inuited mee so many waies to follow iustice and that to the end I might follow thee thou hast offered me thy grace and assistance How often my most sweet lord hast thou stood before the doore of my heart and knocked thereat by manifold inspirations desiring that I would open the same vnto thee How often hast thou prouoked mee by thy benefits How often allured mee by thy bounties How often enforced mee by calamities tribulations Notwithstanding I haue alwaies repulsed thee from me I haue resisted thee I haue turned my backe against thee yet thou of thy infinite goodnesse and patience hast sustained mee I confesse O Lord that iustly deseruedly thou mightest haue cast me into the depth of hell but for thy mercy sake thou restrainest the force of thine ire which after so many waies 〈◊〉 had increased against my selfe Truly it is to be adâ—…red O father yea it is very admirable that my heart is not broken with griefe as often as I weigh these things with my selfe I am vnworthy to bee called thy creature vnworthy that the earth should any longer sustaine me vnworthy that the earth should afford me either succour or sustenance It is infinitely to be admired at that the elements all creatures doe not at once rise vp against me and reuenge the iniurie I haue offered to the vniuersall Lord of all things Yet vouchsafe O thou most mercifull Father to be fauourable vnto me and open the bowels of thine infinite pittie and pardon me in that I haue so long time deferred my conuersion vnto thee Open vnto mee thy most benigne Fatherly bosome and giue mee that nutriment which thou wert woont to giue vnto thy Children Humbly I beseech thee O Lord now at length effect that in mee for which thou hast hitherto so long tune expected me I confesse vnto thee O Lord with my whole heart and soule that of all the sinners that are in the world at this present I am the most grieuous yet distrust I not thy goodnesse for although my sins be many yet thy mercies may not be numbred O most louing Father if thou wilt thou canst make me cleane heale me O Lord and I shal be healed because I confesse my sins vnto thee Remember thee of thy promises which are sweeter then the hony and the hony combe than which nothing can be more comfortable vnto a sinner For thou saiest by the mouth of thy Prophet thou hast committed fornication with many louers yet returne thou vnto me and I will receiue thee Wherefore O most mercifull Father cleauing and depending on this thy promise I returne vnto thee with my whole heart in such sort as by thy word thou hadst only called mee and inuited mee alone vnto thy mercy I know O Lord and I confesse my selfe to bee the wretchedest creature of thy creatures for I am that prodigall son that departed froÌ„ thee
the Father of light from whom all goodnesse proceeded I like the lost sheepe wandered far astray from the fold who lewdly consumed that grace which thou so liberally hadst imparted to me I left thee the FouÌ„taine of liuing water and digged me Cesteâ—…ns and drunke of troubled water full of bitter consolations such as in short time are dried vp For all consolations and al the pleasures of this world vanish away like smoke I left the tree of life and fed on mast cods which were spurned and trodden downe by the hogs following the passions and inordinate affections of my minde my beastly appetites I departed from thee the chiefest good and followed those earthly and transitorie pleasures which ouerthrew mee But now O father I beseech thee forget thou these iniuries which I haue committed against thy maiestie which I craue not for in respect of the multitude of my merits but by beholding the labours and dolours of thy onely begotten Son which he suffred for my sake And thou the onely begotten Sâ—…nne of the eternall Father my Lord God and Sauior haue mercy vpon me I cast all mine iniquities all my iniurie ignomâ—…e ire pride auarice disobedience impudencie presumption with all my other sins wherby I haue prouoked thy wrath into thy lenitie clemency sacred wounds wide open to yeeld mee refuge I giue my selfe wholy vnto thee and commend my selfe wholy to thy grace for thou art my hope my helpe and my strength As much as my sins trouble and confound me so much doth thy goodnesse and the infinite merits of thy passion reiâ—…yce and comfort me My sins although in themselues they be grieuous in weight and infinite in number yet in comparison of thy mercies they are light and few Under this confideÌ„ce I come vnto thee and confesse my sinnes vnto thee hoping that thou wilt not destroy him whom thou hast created according to thine owne image similitude and for whose loue thou madest thy selfe partaker of our nature bloud and flesh I trust I shall not bee condemned by thee whom thou hast redeemed as it were with so incomparable a price with so many labours and dolors To thee be all honour and dominion for euer euer Amen Another most deuout praier for remission of sinnes O My best beloued Iesus I aâ—… that wretched vnhappy sin ner that hath inflicted thee so many wounâ—…s and crucified thee aâ—…ew by my sinnes ahlas too many and too mighty Behold yet how I pre sent my selfe before thee my father and iudge being guilty of so mâ—… crimes accountable for so maâ—… sinnes beseeching thee through the bowels of thy mercy that all thy wounds may once more bee opened in the sight of the Father may flow into my miserable vncleane soule soiled and infected with so many sinnes not suffering them to be closed before they haue throughly washed and perfectly cleansed me O sweet Iesus turne not thy face from me but ouerflow me with thine infinite mercy and behold me with the eies of thy pitie wherewith thou beheldst Mary Magdalen at the feast time Peter in the Bishops palace the theefe on the Crosse. Giue mee the true knowledge of my sinnes giue me the iust griefe receiue me into the paradise of thy grace wash mee in thy reaking blood and quicken me by thy precious death pardon me and take from me whatsoeuer my heart wrongfully possesseth beecause thou thy selfe hast said if I bee exalted from the earth I will draw all things to me For which cause I pray thee O thou redeemer of my soule draw mee vnto thee and cleanse me from my hidden sins O true light illumine the darknes of my minde O consuming fire burne in me all my sinnes and iniquities Come and viâ—…t my sick soule cleanse my conscience and make me thy gratefull Tabernacle O deerest beeloued Lord spred for my sake on the tree of the Crosse draw mee out of the suds of my sinnes embrace mee kisse mee being clensed from all sâ—…aine of my wickednesse O noble cluster of grapes pressed in the wine-presse of the Crosse hug my soule with thy naked but faire armes distained with bloud Grant also that thou maist bee embracâ—… in like sort by the same and 〈◊〉 a handfull of Mirrhe thou maâ—… rest betweene her teates O thâ—… nailed and pierced souldier hoâ—… cruelly wert thou wounded in tâ—… warre vndertaken in my behalfe How strongly didst thou fight fo me thou triumpher ouer the worâ—… and the diuell who by thy death diddest conquer death and by tâ—… precious blood didst expiate fâ—… all the sinnes of mankinde Oâ—… what shall I giue thee for all thâ—… which thou hast bestowed vpâ—… mee All that little that I haue I offer it wholly vnto thee nameâ—… my spirit that thou maist rest 〈◊〉 the same my soule that it mâ—…â—…oue thee my body that it mâ—… serue thee O noble Pellican that nouâ—… shest thy yong ones with thy heaâ—… blood so feed my soule faintâ—… for hunger and spirituall thirst nothing else may be sauourie vnâ—… the same neither that she may dâ—… sire to take any thing but to eaâ—… thy flesh and drinke thy blood O mellifluous riuer of celesâ—… delights ouerflow all my inward parts make me drinke and grant that I may bee dead to all other creatures and aliue to thee onely O glorious myrrour of the incomprehensible Trinitie on which all the Angels and Saints desire to contemplate alas how cruelly wert thou intreated for my sake There is neither forme nor beauty in thee thou becamest a by-word of men and the scorne of the multitude O make mee partaker of that incomparable treasure of thy precious ransome wherewith thou redeemedst mee open the treasurie of thy merits and pay all my debt make mee such a one in this world as thou woulddest haue me in the world to come where thou reignest with the Father and the holy Spirit God world without end Amen A most godly praier and oblation wherein man offereth himselfe vp vnto God requiring that the tyranny of his vices expelled God hereafter may reigne in his soule and dwell therein and so worke in it those fruits which pertaine to newnesse of life O My God O my loue O my hope O all my refuge and all my desire O Father of mercy and God of al consolation as oft as I coÌ„sider with my selfe in what state I was somtime in how many dangers of perdition I haue escaped from how many euils thou hast deliuered me wheÌ„ I was dead in my sinnes and lay buried and couered with the stone of my inueterate custome of offending such a hope is quickened in me that I cannot choose but aske at thine hands O Lord all such things as are necessary for my saluation For I am thy workmanship thy hands haue fashioned me O Lord despise not therefore the worke of thy haÌ„ds For why should I doubt that thou wilt giue mee all thy goods that hast
onely recreateth and delighteth the iust but healeth also and purifieth sinners Let euery one come hither and take part of that which he thinketh most holsome for himselfe let the iust come and eate and reioyce in this table and let the voice of their confesson and praise sound in this holsome challice I can no waies be without this mystery I can no waies liue without the same and whatsoeuer I am I cānot be excused if I receiue it not for in euery place and in euery thing it is necessary for me If I be sicke here shall I be healed if aliue here shall I be comforted if dead here raised againe if I burne with diuine loue heere shall I bee more inflamed if I bee but luke warme here shall I be set on fire I will not feare although my LORD shall finde mee blinde because he giueth sight vnto mee I will not feare although I see that I am fallen for hee lifteth them vp that are fallen low I will not flie from his presence as once Adam did although I be naked for he can couer my wickednesse I wil not hide me although I seeme vncleane and full of sinne for hee is the fountaine of mercie I will not be ashamed although I am poore for hee is the Lord of all liuing things I am not much mooued if hee shall interpret my boldnesse to bee his iniurie but I thinke I shall giue him occasion of greater glory that beeing more wretched than al other liuing creatures y◠greatnes of the diuine mercy may more cleerly appeare in mee in that that he will helpe me His darkenesse that was blinde from his birth attēded on the glory of God for he was borne blind to the end that the works of God might bee manifested so also the misery of my condition shall serue him because in the same the greatnesse of his bounty shall bee beheld namely if hee who is so mighty vouchsafe to succour so miserable and poore a creature that especially whereas heerein there is no regard had of mee but onely for the merits of our Lord Iesus Christ for which cause y◠eternall Father giueth vs good things adopteth vs for his children taketh it in good part that th◅y are wont so to be esteemed I pray thee therefore most humbly beseech thee at this present my God y◠Father of our Lord Iesus Christ that as that most holie King Dauid admitted Mep◅boseth weake and lame to sit at his table because he was the son of his great deerly esteemed friend Ionathan intending hereby to honor his son not for y◠son himselfe sake but for the merits of the father so let it be pleasing likewise to thee O Father to admit me a poore and vncleane sinner to thy most royall banquet not for my sake but for y◠merits and honour of thy singular friend ◅esus Christ our Lord and Sauior who hath regenerated vs on y◠tree of the crosse which so many labours and dolors to thy glory and honour who liueth and reigneth with thee world without end Another prayer before the Communion I Praise thee thanke thee most sweet Lord Iesus my Sauior redeemer for thy so many benefits which thou hast vouchsafed to bestow on mee most vile and wretched sinner I yeeld thee thankes O Lord for all the mercies which thou vsedst towards man-kinde especially in the mystery of thy incarnation namely in thy natiuitie circumcisiō presentation in y◠temple flight into Egypt in thy fasting and temptation in thy labors and many iournies in thy preachings persecutions in this world in the torments and dolors of thy bitter passion and for al that which thou sufferedst in the flesh for me But in especial I giue thee heartie thankes for thy vnspeakeable charitie which mooued thee to suffer for my sake which verilie amongst all thy works is the greatest without any comparison Moreouer I yeeld thee all thanks that is possible for that thou daignest to admit mee to thy most holy Table make mee partaker of thy selfe and all thy merits and the inestimable treasure of the passion O my GOD and Sauior with what offices of dutie shall I recompence this new and vnheard-of kinde of mercie Who art thou and who am I that thou the Lord of most high maiestie daignest to enter into dirt and this earthly tabernacle O Lord holinesse becommeth thy house for euer and euer why therefore commest thou into my house which is abundantly stored with iniquitie Heauen is thy house and thy seate and the earth the footstoole of thy feet because the glorie of thy maiestie filleth both heauen and earth how comes it therfore to passe that thou doest not abhorre to lodge in so vile an hospitall Is it therefore to bee thought saith Salomon that truly God dwelleth on earth For if the heauens and the heauen of heauens bee not able to containe thee how much lesse this house which I haue built O admirable thing hee that sitteth vpon the Cherubins and beholdeth the depths now humbleth himselfe euen vnto the lowest and maketh his seate in the lowest places It seemed little to thy goodnesse that thou didst appoint y◠Angels to our ministerie but thy selfe wouldest come vnto vs enter into our soules that there with thine owne hands thou mightst worke the act of our saluation There dost thou visit the sick raise such as are fallen teach the ignorant reduce such as are straied out of the way What need many words Thou art he that curest our wounds and healest our infirmities not by an other mans hands but thine own not by medicines fet from afarre but with thine owne flesh and blessed blood dost thou medicine vs. O true Pastor how abundantly hast thou discharged thy promises which in times past thou madest by thy Prophet saying I wil feed my sheepe and I will make them rest But who shall bee worthy of this grace who can merit this benefite only thy mercy O Lord can make vs worthy of so infinite benefits And because without the same no man can bee worthy O Lord let the same bee fauourable vnto mee let it make me partaker of so many mysteries let it make mee thankefull for so inestimable a benefit O Lord with thy grace supply all my defects forgiue me all my sins thorow thy mercie Let thy spirit prepare my minde thy merits enrich my pouerty thy precious blood clense all the blemishes of my soule and wash out all the staines of my life that I may worthily receiue this most reuerend sacramēt My soule reioyceth is glad o my God as often as I remember that notorious miracle wherin in time past a dead man raised a dead body by the only means of touching For if the body of a dead Prophet could do so much what cannot the liuing bodie of the Lord of Prophets doe I am assured O Lord that thy power is not of lesse value than that of thy
Prophet and my soule is no lesse dead than the body of that mā neither is this touch of lesse efficacie than that why therefore should I not expect the like benefit in my selfe why should a body begotten in sinne doe more mirecles than a body conceiued by the holy ghost Why shall the body of the seruant haue a greater prerogatiue than the body of the maister Why shall not thy body raise my soule sanctified in thy blood which cleaueth and is ioyned vnto thee by faith when that raiseth those bodies which it toucheth And because this body was raised not requesting life but by the onelie vertue of the bones of thy blessed Prophet let it bee pleasing to thine infinite mercie O my God since I request and beseech thee to giue me life by the meanes of this Sacrament that I may not now line but thou in mee O good Iesu by that thine inestimable charitie which betraied thee for my sake made thee suffer an ignominious death I humbly beseech thee that thou wilt cleanse me from all sin adorne me with all kindes of vertues and thy merits and grant me grace that I may receiue this holy Sacrament with so much humilitie and reuerence so much feare and trembling with so much griefe and repentance for my sins finally with so much loue and charitie as this most heauenly mystery doth require Grant mee most mercifull Lord that puritie of intent whereby I may worthily ha◅e accesse to thy mysticke table to the glory of thy holy name and the remedy of my infirmities necessities that strengthned by the vertue of this Sacrament I may be able strongly to withstand mine enemies to ouercome them and to sustaine my selfe by that liuing meate in the spirituall life Grant also by y◠benefit of this Sacramēt that I may be made one with thee and incorporated in thee may inseparably cleaue vnto thee being made one spirit with thee Let this sacrifice bee my safetie and this inestimable benefit of this Sacrament assist all men as it is instituted for the health of them left vnto thy Church who liuest reignest world without end Amen A most worthy meditation after the Communion O My God and my Sauiour how shal I yeeld thee cōdigne thankes for that thou beeing the King of Kings Lord of Lords hast not disdained to visit my soule and to enter the poore roose of my miserable cottage and so to worke that both thou and I are one and that by the means of the inestimable vertue of y◠Sacrament With what reward shal I requite such a benefit With what offices shal I remunerate thy so great goodnes with thanks may a miserable wretched and poore creature giue for a gift so rich and precious For it suffised thee not in this mystery to make vs partakers of thy supreme deity but thou wouldest also communicate vnto vs thy humanitie together with all thy merits which in the same and with the same thou didst purchase for vs for giuing vs thy body and blood thou makest vs also partakers of thy holy treasure and of all thy merits which being on earth thou obtainedst for vs. O admirable Communion O treasure to be equalled by no price and as yet vnknowne vnto men O mercifull Redeemer of our soules with what more richer iewels or greater riches couldest thou store vs thā with this most blessed Sacrament Deseruedly O Lord didst thou say in the praier which thou saidest about the houre of thy passion I sanctifie my selfe for thē that they also may bee sanctified in truth namely after a new maner of sanctification difficile to the sanctifier and easie to the sanctified For thine is the sanctity O Lord mine the fruit of sanctitie thou didst labour I receiued the reward thou wert at the charge I reapt the profite thou art chastised I am pardoned for my sins thou drunkest the bitter potion I with my selfe recouer my lost health thy dolours thy nayles thy strokes thy thornes and thy precious blood not shed by drops but by flouds satisfied for me thy teares wash mee thy wounds heale me thy scourgings haue satisfied for me O rich Communion O fraternity of infinit merits O traffique of inestimable treasure what stocke or summe haue we imploied in this partnershippe what haue we aduentured that the increase is so profitable vnto vs Why doth the sun illuminate the world why warmeth the fire the body which is the obiect against it why doth the water coole that same The reasō is manifest for these are their naturall properties for such creatures produce such effect And it is thy property O lord to pardon thy custom to shew mercie and that rather to others than to thy selfe Thy goodnesse is ours that not ordinary but infinit for as the property of good is to be cōmon communicatiue so truly the chiefest good should also be chiefly diffusiue this hast thou done vnto vs because thou hast wholy giuen thy selfe vnto vs. In thy birth thou becamest our brother in our nourishing our food in thy death our redemption in our ruling our reward finally O my soule if in one word thou wilt comprehend all these benefits which this so admirable Sacramēt bringeth with it consider that which this Lord brought into this world when as becoming man he came into thy world For when he entred into the world he gaue the world the life of grace with al those things which attend on the same so also when he comes by y◠Sacrament into our soule hee giueth the same life of y◠soule O diuine food by which the sons of men are trāsformed into the sons of God and by which the flesh is mortified in vs that the deity may liue in vs O sweetest bread worthy to bee adored nourishing the soule not the belly strengthning the heart and not ouercharging the body reioycing the spirit not troubling the vnderstanding whose vertue doth moderate our appetites killeth our selfe will that the will of God may be more effectuall in vs. What thanksgiuing therefore shal I yeeld vnto thee what praises shal I sing vnto thee O Lord for this thy benefite If the gratuitie ought to be answerable to the gift what kinde of recompence I pray you will equall such a gift Thou saidst in times past to thy seruant Moses Take the golden vessel and hide it in the Arke of the couenant and it shall be kept there for future generatiōs that they may see that meate which for forty yeares long I made you feede on in the desart If y◠so much esteemedst O Lord that corruptible meate which thou gauest thy people in the desart that thou wouldest it should be kept with reuerence in perpetuall remembrance of the same in what account should that incorruptible meate be with vs which giueth life eternall to those that eat the same I manifestly see that there is the same difference which is betweene the one meate and the other
much as thou maiest be beloued in this life by any man subiect to sinne and thrall to many necessities With that Leaper in the gospel O Lord I come before thy presence crying o Lord if thou wilt thou canst make mee cleane thou canst I say clense my soule from al her sinnes canst purge the same as it were gold in the fire of thy loue if thou wilt thou canst presently enrich this poore one if thou wilt thou canst make mee glad of all those that are in this world most blessed What will it hinder thee O Lord if thou yeeld me such a blessing what disprofite will it breede what losse will it bring thee So then O Lord since thou art the Ocean of infinite goodnesse liberality and riches why through thy wrath hidest thou thy mercies from mee Why are my sins more mightie than thy goodnesse Why shall my sins rather condemne me than thy mercies saue me If thou requirest contrition griefe for my offences behold I conâ—…eiue so much sorrow for my sinnes that I had rather haue endured a thousand sorts of death then once to haue offended thee If thou requirest satisfactioÌ„ loe I offer my bodie vnto thee powre thy wrath vpon it exercise what torments of thy displeasure thou 〈◊〉 vpon it so thou denie mee not thy mercie Grant therfore that I may loue thee my God my strength my refresher my redeemer my helper and my hope I onely seeke thee I onely desire thee I onely crie vnto thee my Lord God thou art â—…y first beginning my last end The things of this life satisfie mee not haue no sweetnesse in them no stability or streÌ„gth whatsoeuer I see besides thee is but pouerty whatsoeuer is in any place without thee is but troubled and salt water vnto mee it cooleth not my thirst but kindleth it I onely seeke thee I onely will thee I onely desire to behold thy face I pray vnto thee beseeching thee not to separate thy mercy and loue from me I will possesse thee and will not let thee goe before thou hast blessed me I will cleane vnto thee and will not depart from thee before thou hast brought mee into thy Winecellar and ordered me in thy charity I will cry after thee neither will I hold my peace I will say with the Prophet I will loue thee O Lord my strength I will meditate vpon thee without ceassing I will thinke on thee in my sleepe in the night time for I am in health when I am with thee and sicke if I be from thee for thou onely canst blesse my soule thou art my God and my Lord for euer and euer Amen A second prayer for the loue of God O Good Jesu O the sweetnes of my hart O yâ— life and saluation of my soule when in all and through all things shall I please thee When shall I perfectly die vnto my selfe When shall I prefer thee before all other creatures when shall nothing liue in mee but thy selfe Haue mercy vpon me O Lord and helpe mee I salute thy wounds O Lord like vernall roses hide me O Lord in them and wash mee in yâ— same yâ— euery way I may bee cleane and inflamed with thy loue O Lord my God O admirable beginning O piety of amiable charity O clearest light of my vnderstanding O repose of my will when shall I ardently loue thee vouchsaf o Lord to pierce my soule with yâ— dart of thy loue vouchsafe to associate me with thy selfe that I may bee made one with thee O my desire O my hope O my reliefe Oh if my soule were woorthie of thy imbracings that all slownesse and lukewarmnesse were consumed in mee by the fire of thy loue O the soule of my soule O the life of my life I wholy desire thee wholie offer my selfe vnto thee one to one onely to thee onely O if that had place in mee which thou saidst to thy Father Blessed Father let theÌ„ be one as we are one I in them they in mee that they may bee consummate in one I wil no other thing I desire no other thing I expostulate no other thing at thy hands for thou onely suffisest me Thou art my Father thou art my mother thou art my defender thou art my guider thou art al my good thou art altogether amiable wholy delectable onelie faithful Who was euer so liberal as to forsake himselfe who euer so tenderly loued as to yeeld himselfe into yâ— hands of so bitter death for so vile a creature Who so humble that so much diminished and humbled his maiesty o Lord thou despisest no man thou disdainest no man thou repulsest no maÌ„ that seeketh thee nay rather thou callest excitest all men to come vnto thee for thou takest thy pleasure to bee conuersant among the children of men To thee O lord angels sing praises and what other thing hast thou fouÌ„d in vs but yâ— filth of our sins why wouldest thou be with vs till the end of the world was it not enough for thee that thou sufferedst death for vs and gauest vs also yâ— Sacraments for our medicine left vs the angels for our fellowes and tutors Truly although wee are vngratefull for these benefits yet wouldst thou dwell amongst vs for thou art so good that thou couldst not deny thine owne selfe Let vs therfore make a couenant if it so please thee O Lord take thou care of me I will haue care of thee loue thou me I will loue thee protect and preserue my bodie and soule and by thy assistance I will keepe thy law doe that with me O Lord which best pleaseth thee for thou knowest what I waÌ„t and what is expedient for me I will be thine and no other mans Giue me the grace O Lord that I may not seek or desire any thing but thy selfe that I may whollie offer my selfe vnto thee O fire that kindlest me1 O charity that inflamest me o light that illuminatest me o my rest o my life O my loue that alwaies burnest and art neuer quenched when shall I perfectly loue thee againe when shall I embrace thee with yâ— naked armes of my soule when shall I despise my selfe and the whole world for thy sake wheÌ„ shal my soule with all the powers and strength thereof bee vnited with thee wheÌ„ shall it be swallowed vp in the bottomlesse pit of thy loue Most sweet louing â—…aire wise rich noble precious and worthy both to bee beloued and adored when shall I so loue thee that I may wholie be deuoured by thy loue O life of my soule that sufferedst death to giue mee life and dying sluest death kill mee also that is all my peruerse inclinations to euill my selfe-will whatsoeuer it bee that hindereth me from beeing liuing with thee And when in this sort thou hast slaine me make mee liue with thee through loue and charitable actions that I may faithfully obserue all thy coÌ„mandements
of loue O most holy father o most mercifull sonne O most louing holy ghost when wilt thou most beloued father dwell in my soule and abide in the secrets of my heart possesse me wholy When shal I be wholy thine and thou wholy mine When shall it come to passe o my King when will that day come o when O were it here Shall I neuer see it o how vngrateful delay how odious procrastinatiō Haste thee O Iesus haste thee and delay not returne returne and runne like a Goate and the yong hinds vpon the mountaines of Bether O my God the repose of my life the light of mine eies my consolation in tribulations the end of my desires the paradise of my heart the center of my soule the pledge of glory the companion of my pilgrimage my ioy in exile the medicine of my wounds mercifull iusticer of my sins master of the ignorant guide of life nest in which my soule resteth hauen wherein she is saued glasse wherein she beholdeth her selfe staffe on which she leaneth stone on which she is builded precious treasure in which shee glorieth If thou therefore o Lord be all these vnto me how can I forget yea but for a moment of time If I forget thee o my God let mee forget my right hand let my tongue cleane to the roofe of my mouth if I remember thee not I will giue no sleepe vnto mine eies o blessed Trinitie nor rest to mine eie-lids nor quiet to my temples vntill I finde this loue vntill I finde a place for my Lord in my heart and a tabernacle for the God of Iacob in my soule who liueth for euer world without end Amen The first prayer for the loue of God I Will loue thee O Lord my strength I wil loue thee my vnspeakable ioy and let my whole life liue not to my selfe but to thee which was condemned to miserie raised againe by thy mercy Too late did I feare thy Maiestie too late did I loue thee thou beautie both old and new too late did I loue thee I sought thee my refreshment and I found thee not because I vndirectly sought thee I sought thee without my selfe thou didst dwel in me I trauelled the streets and waies of the Citty of this world seeking thee and I found thee not because inconsiderately I sought thee abroad wheras thou wert at home with mee I asked y◠earth whether it were my God and it answered mee no and all things which are in the same confessed the very same I asked the Sea the depths and y◠inhabitants therof and they answered we are not God seeke him aboue vs. I asked the fleeting aire with all the dwellers therein and he answered mee no. I asked heauen the Sunne the Moone and the Starres neither are wee thy Gods said they Finally I asked all creatures and they cried vnto mee with a loud voice hee that made vs is thy true God Lord. And I sayd where therfore is my God where shall I seek him shew him me And I heard a voice saying vnto me God is in euery place seeke him in thy self he filleth Heauen filleth the earth and filleth thy heart And I came to my selfe I entred into my selfe and I said vnto my selfe how entrest thou hither O my God at what doore wert thou admitted I began to enquire examine euery one of my senses if by any of them thou didst enter but they likewise knew not how or which waies thou camest in For the eies say if he be not coloured he cannot enter by vs. The cares say if he make no sound hee cānot passe by vs The nose saith if hee smell not hee could not come by me Taste saith if he sauored not he entred not by me Touch likewise addeth if he is not corpulent aske me nothing of this matter How therefore o my loue didst thou enter my soule and didst not enter by any doore Truly thou art light shining in darkenes yet such as the eie is not capable of Thou art a voice sweet aboue all voices yet such a one as the eare conceiueth not Thou art a sweete more fragrant than any odor which neuerthelesse my taste comprehendeth not Thou art an embracement to bee esteemed aboue all embraces which notwithstanding the touch attaineth not Where wert thoutherefore my God where wert thou my light where wert thou my hope I asked it was answered me Ascend into the superior parts of thy heart there shalt thou find God Truly thou art great O God and hast ouercome our wisdome Thou art the king of kings and the Lord of Lords Thou art immortall and dwellest in vnaccessible light whom no mortall man euer saw or shall euer see and liue Many and great are the wonders that are reported of thee o Lord yet more lesse and fewer than may be said of thee words are defectiue where thou are neuer deficient For thou exceedest all that which may bee spoken or thought O onely loue my Lord God thou didst loue me before I loued thee and createdst mee according to thine owne image and madest mee Lord ouer all thy creatures Moreouer thou makest thine Angels spirits for me whō thou hast ordained to defend mee in all my waies lest I should hurt my foote against the stone Thou wouldest not permit me to be borne in a pagan but a Christian land in which by the water and the holy Ghost I am regenerate sanctified Thou neither gauest me too much riches nor too abiect pouerty lest I shold either waxe proud or grow more contemptible but thou gauest me vnderstanding and wil whereby I should know and loue thee Thou didst cal me when I was lost knockedst at my doore but I did not answer thee I liued according to mine own lust and attributed too much to mine owne strength whereas neuerthelesse it was not strength but weaknesse I would runne and grow presently weary and where I thought I should bee secure there was I in greatest danger I went away frō thee like y◠prodigall son and trauelled into a strange countrey and dwelt therein whereas louing vanitie I became vain I was blind I desired blindnes I was a seruant I loued seruitude I was bound tooke pleasure in thraldome I thought bitter was sweet and sweete was bitternes I was wretched and I knew it not Whilst I liued in this most desperate estate thou didst cast thine eies of compassion vpon mee and although without intermission I did offend thee yet didst not thou giue ouer to reclaime me from my sins when I wandered thou broughtest me into the way when I was ignorant thou taughtest me when I did sinne thou didst correct me when I was sad thou didst comfort mee When I did despaire thou didst encourage me when I fell thou didst raise me vp when I stood thou sustainedst me I was vndone and dead thou descendedst vnto the dead tookest on thee mortality thou a
healed my wounds by thy Sacraments thou hast satisfied by thy dolors for my defaults now in Heauen thou sittest on the right hand of thy Father as mine aduocate what neede many wordes Thou art made vnto me wisdome and iustice sanctification and redemption and therefore all goodnesse What impudence were it therefore in me not to loue my Lord who did all this for my sake to whom I am bound vnder so many titles benefits If men with the same loue where-with they affect them selues do also loue al those things which are their owne why should I not also loue thee O Lord if I would haue thee to bee mine and that by so many offices and benefits in things so pregnant And if for euery one of these benefits I owe thee my whole heart and not this one onely but more if I had them what shall I owe thee or what am I not indebted vnto thee if we ioyne all these benefits together What iniquitie therefore should it be not to giue one heart wh◅h I haue vnto him to whom I owe so many and other diuerse things And if euery one of these benefits be a goade or prouocation to loue yea and arrowes to pierce the hearts of men how shall I choose blit burne amids so many flames of loue How comes it to passe that I am altogether cold amidst so many weapōs how escape I from wounds How comes it to passe that I perseuer in the hardnesse of my heart as it were without sense O Lord I lament in thy presence the dulnesse insensibility of my heart I confesse the infidelity thereof for thou raining into it innumerable causes of loue yet receiuest nothing from y◠came that deserueth so many fauours O heart more felon than furious beastes more insensible than stones more hard than Adamant that is not mollified by so many strokes I pray thee therefore O thou fairest amongst the children of men grant that I may desire thee loue thee as much as I list as much as I ought Thou art immeasurable and oughtest to be loued beyond measure especially of vs whom thou hast so loued so saued and for whom thou hast done so great and so many things O loue that alwaies burnest art neuer extinct sweet Christ good Iesu charity my God inflame me wholy with thy fire with thy loue with thy sweetnes with thy affection with thy desire with thy charitie with thy pleasure ioy which is holy and good which is chast and cleane that wholy filled with the sweetnes of thy loue wholy kindled with the flame of thy charity I may loue thee my most sweet Lord with my whole heart with all my soule with all my strength with al my intention and let nothing bee in me that doth not loue thee And for that to loue is to wish well to him wee loue and thou O Lord aboundest with so much goodnesse that I cannot wish thee more than thou hast that onely thing I wish that thou be possessed of my heart also and that all that is mine may be thine and for thine infinite glory I giue thee heartie thāks This likewise do I desire that al creatures should serue thee honor thee praise glorifie thee and that the whole earth should be filled with thy praises Let this be alwaies my desire this my meat this my dainties to praise thee alwaies let thy laudes be alwaies in my lips But because praise is not seemely in the mouth of a sinner let the Saints and all the spirits of the celestiall throne praise thee continually for to them praise belongeth O all ye works of that Lord therefore blesse yee the Lord praise yet and magnifie him for euer O yee Angels and Archangls blesse yee the Lord praise yee and magnifie him for euer O yee vertues dominations blesse ye that Lord praise him and magnifie hime for euer O ye prince-domes powers blesse ye the Lord praise him and magnifie him for euer c. Yee blessed thrones in which God sitteth an iudgeth blesse ye the Lord praise him c. O ye Cherubins Seraphins that burne altogether inflamed with the loue of your creator blesse ye the Lord praise him c. O yee Apostles and Euangelists founders of the Christiā Church blesse yee the Lord praise him c. O yee glorious hosts of Martyrs blesse yee the Lord praise him c. O all ye renownced and chaste virgins blesse ye the Lord praise him and magnifie him for euer Blessed is the God of our Fathers blessed bee the name of thy glorie holy and laudable and magnified for euer and euer Amen The first prayer vnto the holy Trinitie expressing the Maiestie thereof LOrd God without beginning immortall incomprehensible incircumscribed incorporall indefinite vnsearchable inuisible immutable euery where present but hidden euery where al but immeasurable who by thy neuer too much praised wisdome hast created this huge world and placed man in the same holy Trinity one God haue mercie vpon me If that Publican in the Gospel durst not lift vp his eies to heauē but standing afar off strooke his breast saying God be merciful vnto me a sinner if that holy penitent was affraid to appeare before the presence of our Lord but standing behinde neare his feete obtained remission of her sins by him teares flowing from her eies if that holy Patriarch Abraham willing to talk with thee o God said shal I speak vnto my Lord whereas I am but dust and ashes If all these were so humble and so reuerent in respect of thee comming before the sight of thy diuine maiestie thy most holy what shall a poore miserable sinner doe such as I am what shall dust and ashes doe what shal the Abysse of all miserie sins do But because o Lord I cannot obtaine that feare reuerence which is due to so great a maiesty except I fixe mine eies immediatly on the same giue mee leaue to dare to lift vp mine eies vnto thee neither let the brightnes of thy glorie bee an impediment to the frailty of my sight Truely I see that thou art that great God that transcendest al the reach of our vnderstanding I know that no vnderstanding created can comprehend thee and although this be thus yet can I not do any thing more profitable than to fire mine eies on thee Therefore O most high omnipotent merciful iust faire strong stable simple perfect incomprehensible secret and yet present withall inuisible and yet seeing all things immutable changing and renewing al things whom altitudes dilate not neither limits restraine nor variety changeth nor corruption wasteth nor affliction fasteneth on nor ioyes moue in his essence from whom neither obliuion detra◅h nor to whom memory addeth any thing to whom neither things that are past are past nor things to come shall succeed to whom nothing gaue beginning nor time augment neither any thing shall giue end for thou
that thou wilt prepare thy selfe a dwelling place in my heart to that end that thou adorne the same with all kinds of vertues to the end that thou perpetually maiest dwell in the same Would to God O Lord it might please thy bounty that my heart should bee such that I might not feare to inuite thee but that thou mightest come dwel with me and I might deserue to entertaine thee kindly thou in the same heart mightst rest contentedly for all eternities O that I might embrace thee with so powerfull armes of loue that neither in thought or affection I might euer bee drawne from thee I giue thee thanks most sweete Iesu for that after thou wert conceiued in the glorious wombe of the Uirgine Marie thou wouldst haue her passe the mountaines visite her Cousen Elizabeth to the end shee might salute her minister in her childbirth vnto her Thou didst not disdain to be inclo sed for nine moneths space in the glorious womb of thy mother And therefore I pray thee giue me the grace of true humility and vouchsafe that I may imprint the same in the bowels of my heart that by the benefit thereof thou maiest alwaies finde mee ready in matters which appertaine to thy seruice Grant O Lord that my heart may alwaies loath transitory things and alwaies desire to haue thee O Lord inhabitant therein I giue thee thanks most sweete Iesu that thou wert borne of the pure Uirgine thy mother without staine of her virginity who laid thee presently in a manger as a poore mortall creature and humbly adored thee as God and the creator of al things I beseech thy diuine mercy to vouchsafe to bee continually borne in mee by new heate of charity that thou maist be my onely destre my sole sacietie the firme hope of my heart That it may please thy bounty that I may onely and alwaies seeke thee alwaies think of thee alwaies loue thee with an ardent affection I giue thee alwaies thanks O sweet Iesu that being borne in the extremest horrour of winter thou diddest not refuse to be wrapped in most vile swathing bands and to suck milke from y◠Uirginal breast of thy blessed mother as it were a simple innocent babe to draw the Uirgins teates where indeede thou wert God omnipotent Grāt me o Lord the in thy sight I may be alwaies a very infāt in humility truly poore in spirit Uouchsafe that for thy loue sake I may refuse to endure no tedious or laborous troubles whatsoeuer Grāt that I may loue nothing in this world but thee neither desire to possesse any thing in the same but thee I giue thee thanks most bountifull Iesu for that as soone as thou wert borne it pleased thee to bee praised by the Hymnes of Angels and to be adored by the shepheards with great ioy admiration Giue me the grace O Lord that I may perseuere likewise in thy praise with gladnes and that I may seeke thee in the societie of shepheards and seeking thee finde thee and finding thee possesse thee eternally Bee thou praised and glorified alwaies O good Iesu for that y◠eight day according to the custome of other infants thou wouldest be circumcised for that in thy tender age thou beganst to shed thy blood for my loue and to the end thou mightst blesse mee with vnspeakeable consolation thou wert pleased to be called Iesus I beseech thee O Lord vouchsafe to reckō mee amongst the number of thy elect and to register my name in the booke of life that thou wilt circumcise my heart from al superfluitie that is idle and vndecent speeches and wicked works and roote out in me all impure and vaine cogitations My redeemer thou art called Iesus which is a Sauiour for to thee alone it appertaineth to giue saluation I therefore request thee O Lord that the sweet remembrance of this name may expell from mee all inordinate pustilanimity and sluggishnesse and may giue me the firme hope of thy mercie and defend me from all the persecutions of mine enemies I giue thee thanks most sweete Iesu who wert found by the wisemen who of entire deuotion and with sincere faith sought thee out and that by the meanes of a starre which conducted them who humbling them on their knees before thee offered thee gold frankencence and myrrhe Grant mee O Lord that in the company of these holy kings I may seeke thee not in Brthleem but in the hiue of my heart and that there finding thee I may adore thee in spirit truth Let me offer thee the gold of shining charitie the incense of deuotion and the perfect myrrh of mortification Finally giue me grace that I may imploy with a willing minde and alacrity all my forces and all the strength of my minde in imitating thy fortitude I giue thee thanks O Lord Iesu Christ who that thou mightst giue vs an example of obedience and humility wouldest be subiect to the law of our Lord and bee brought into the temple in the armes of thy holy mother haue an oblation not of a rich but of a poore man offered for thee for which cause iust and old Simeon with Anna the Prophetesse reioycing at thy presence gaue a famous testimonie of thy glory Let it bee pleasing to thy good will O Lord that neuer hereafter the least thought of vanity enter into my hart Ah how blessed shold I be if each kinde of presumption were banished from mee and each desire of worldly fauour together with all my inordinate loue were wholy extinct in me Uouchsafe to impart that grace vnto me that I may flie al worldly praise and subiect my selfe to all men and obey them willingly I giue thee thanks sweet Iesu for that being as yet yong thou beganst to suffer persecution in the company of thy deere mother neither didst disdaine to fly into Egypt Giue me the grace that in all y◠tempests of my persecutions in all my tribulations and temptations I may flie vnto thee seeke thee only call vpon thee and as oft soeuer as any of y◠aforesaid troubles shall bee inflicted on mee by thy hand grant O Lord that I may sustaine them with ioy and suffer them with a quiet heart yeelding thee continuall thankes for all things which it shall please thee to impose vpon me I giue thee also infinit thanks O Lord Iesu for that thy most deere mother sought thee with great griefe when thou remainedst in the Temple and after three daies with great ioy found thee sitting in the midst of the doctors whom thou heardest questionedst with wonderfull wisedome O Lord for thy meere mercie sake grant that I may neuer bee separated from thee nor thou from mee Expell from mee all idlenes and sluggishnesse banish the coldnesse of my minde which displeaseth thee so much giue mee perfect deuotion and ardent thirst of thy iustice which may
so possesse my heart y◠I may neuer be weary nor satisfied with seruing thee Our Father c The second praier of the life of Iesus I Giue thee thanks most sweet Ie su for that entring y◠flood Iordan thou wouldst bee baptised by the hands of thy precurser S. Iohn Baptist vouchsafe O Lord to purifie mee in this life by thy merits and to cleanse me from all my sins and to make mee drunke with thy loue and desire of my celestiall countrey Make me such a one before my soule shall depart out of y◠prison of this flesh as thou wilt haue me to bee that at the end of this pilgrimage I may presently bee with thee that I may alwaies see thee and alwaies enioy thee in that blessed eternity that hath no end I giue thee continuall thanks most bountifull Iesu for that liuing in the desart before thou beganst to preach the Gospell thou didst liue amongst wilde beasts perseuering in fasting fortie daies fortie nights and watching in continuall praiers sighs thou wouldest afterwards be tempted by the diuell and after thou hadst obtained the victory the Angels came and ministred vnto thee Uouchsafe O Lord that by thy grace I may chastise my flesh and make thrall all my sinfull affections of y◠flesh and that by the gift of perseuerance I may exercise my selfe in fastings watchings prayers and other spiritual exercises But especially O Lord grant mee that by the helpe of thy grace I may bee free from the sinne of gluttome and from all other snares temptations of the diuell let no temptation preuaile against mee let no allurement separate me from thee rather bring to passe O Lord that all these may giue mee greater occasion more neerely to vnite and tie my selfe vnto thee I giue thee thanks sweete Iesu for that for my loue thou wert afflicted in this world with many dolors diuers necessities as heate colde thirst hunger wearinesse and swellings with diuers iourneis watchings persecutions and tribulations of al sorts Grant me O Lord that for thy loue sake I may suffer all aduersitie with a glad heart as if coming frō thy hands and that I may beare them with great patience Grant that in whatsoeuer fortune either prosperous or aduerse troublesome or peaceable I may alwaies perseuere in thee and faithfully cleaue vnto thee that in all things thy will bee done and not mine I giue thee thanks most sweete Iesu for that thou sufferedst many things whilst like a true shepheard and Sauiour of the world thou soughtest the conuersion and health of my soule in watching and prayer in wearying thy selfe in trauels in preaching the Gospell trauelling from Prouince to Prouince and Castle to Castle and omitting in no sort the office of a good Pastor I beseech thee O Lord giue mee this grace that I may neuer be found hereafter slow and negligent in doing thee seruice but that I may be alwaies ready and prompt to all goodnesse Grant that I may most ardently thirst after all mens saluation and may alwaies haue zeale of thine honour and occupy my selfe in the same I giue thee thanks most bountifull Iesu that in thy mercifull conuersation with men thou wouldest comfort them and of thy great mercie cure their infirmities Giue mee O Lord a heart replenished with a certaine zealous affection towards al mē that I may be partaker with all those whom I shall see in afflictiō Grāt also O Lord that I may esteeme other mens miseries as mine owne and that with a sincere heart and without any passion I may beare with other mens imperfections and succour them according to my most power in all their necessities O Lord purge my heart perfectly from all vicious passions and all euill desires which tyrannize in the same that being healed of all these euils and freed from all these impediments shee may freely flie to Heauen and neuer ceasse till of most pure loue it may deserue to partake thy diuine embracings I giue thee thanks good Iesu for that for my sake thou sufferedst so innumerable iniuries blasphemies slaunders reproches and persecutions especially at their hands whom thou hadst graced with infinite benefits I beseech thee O Lord giue me a heart truly simple innocent that I may loue mine enemies and that their misfortunes may greeue me to the heart that I may excuse them alwaies if many thing they shall offend yeelding good for euill that I may be a perfect follower of thy perfect charity and patience I giue thee thanks most louing Iesu for that thou camest in humble sort into Hierusalem lowly sitting vpon an Asse and whilst they that came out to meete thee recorded thy glorious praises in pleasant Hymnes thou sheddest teares full of bitternesse with the griefe thou hadst conceiued for the destruction of such a Cittie and the losse of so many soules extorted from thee Giue mee O Lord a certaine inward knowledge of my selfe that I may manifestly know my vilenes hartily humble my selfe that I may so contemne my selfe that hereafter no flatterie or commendations of men may please me but that I may continually bewaile not onely mine owne but my neighbours sinnes reputing all his euils to bee mine Our Father c. The third prayer of the life of Iesu. I Giue thee thanks O Lord Iesu Christ for that to bring the old law to an end thou didst eate the paschall Lamb with thy Disciples in Hierusalem and giuing them an example of great humility and vnspeakeable loue kneeling on thy knees thou didst wash their feete wiping them with the towell wherewith thou wert girt I pray thee O Lord let this example of thine pierce my heart and cast out of the same whatsoeuer presumption or pride may bee found in it Giue me I beseech thee O Lord profound humility by meanes wherof I may reioyce to be subiect vnto them without alteration Adde to me also perfect obedience whereby I may entirely satisfie thy commandements together be obseruant to their instructions who in thy name haue the authority ouer me Kindle in mee a feruent charitie wherewith I may purely loue thee and through thy loue loue all men I giue thee thanks most sweete Iesu that of thy most excellent charitie thou didst institute the most excellent Sacrament of thy bodie and blood and for that of a certaine admirable liberality of thine thou gauest thy self for meat vnto vs and repinedst not to remain with vs in this world till the end thereof Ah Lord excite in me I pray thee a louing desire and an ardēt thirst of this venerable Sacrament Grant mee the grace that I may come to this Table of life to receiue thee with a chaste loue profound humility purity of heart and sincerity of mind Grant also that my soule may so thirst after thee and bee so wounded by thy loue that at length I may deserue to enioy thy diuine pleasures
for the honour and glorie of thy holy Name I giue thee thanks O sweetest Iesu that vpon thy departure out of this world thou didst admonish comfort thy Disciples commending them in the words full of loue praiers fraught with charity to thy Father shewing with how much loue thou didst embrace them all those that through their doctrine should beleeue in thee I beseech thee O Lord that my heart may taste some sweetnes in thy words and that they may be sweeter vnto mee than the honey and the honey combe Let thy spirit full of exhortation wound my breast and alter my affections that I may wholly transforme my selfe into thy loue Order all mine actions that thy will may bee alwaies fulfilled in me and of me I giue thee thanks most beloued Iesus that falling vpon the earth with outstretched armes thou didst pray vnto thy Father resigning thy selfe wholy into his hands requiring that in all things not thy will but thy Fathers should bee fulfilled I beseech thee O Lord giue me grace that in all my troubles and necessities I may haue recourse vnto thee in praier and that I may trust my selfe wholy to thy prouidence without the election of my will or expectation of any priuate profite Let mee neuer flie aduersities nor faile in any good intent through them but that whatsoeuer befortune mee I may receiue it with a quiet minde as that which is giuen mee by thy mercifull hands suffering all things with an humble quiet heart I giue thee thanks o bounteous Iesu for that thou vouchsafedst to bee taken by armed souldiers and to be bound with cords like a wicked man and offender and thence bee led to Annas and for that before him thou fearedst not to stand in iudgement o admirable meekenes of my Redemer whilst then art apprehended whilest thou art bound whilst thou art moâ—…kt whilst thou art abused thou lamentest not thou murmurest not thou striuest not but silently followest their steps who led thee or rather draw thee weary thee Thou obeiest such as command thee and with infinite patience bearest the torments wherewith thou art crucified O my Lord eâ—…uy mee not that such and so excellent an example of so much vertue may shine in me for the glory and honour of thy most holy Name I giue thee thanks O most amiable â—…su king of heauen earth who standing before the proud inflamed Bishop in no other sort than as if thou hadst bene a vile abiect man wert stroken and didst patiently suffer the cruell stroake which one of his wicked ministers inforced against thy face I pray thee o Lord mortifie in me all vnbridled heate of wrath restraine al indiguation take away all hate extinguish in mee euery sparke and desire of reuenge that when as any man shall do me iniurie I may not bee moued or thought full of reuenge but suffering all things patiently for thy loues sake I may doe good to all those that doe mee euill Our Father c. The fourth prayer of the life of Iesus I Giue thee thanks sweet Iesus who in the night of thy passion wert mocked deluded stroken by thine enemies hands and kickt with their heeles and vexed with diuerse sorts of iniuries Thou knowest o my Lord how grieuous and troublesome it is vnto mee to suffer the least iniury Thou know est I haue no vertue that my will is slow and my good desires are cold in mee O Lord for thy mercie sake helpe my inâ—…nitie Giue me grace that my minde may be deiected by no storme of aduersity but humbled by afflictioÌ„ Help me lest I saint vnder the burden of my tribulations which shall come vpon me neither let iniuries offered mee by other men â—…re vp my impatiencie but giuing thee thankes in all things I may refer all things to the honour and glory of thy Name I giue thee thanks o Lord Iesu for that standing before the President Pontius Piâ—…ate thou didst not answer to the false accusations slanders of thy accusers but like an innocent Lambe that openeth not his mouth and is silent before his sheerers so with a reuerent â—…lence diddest thou ouerpasse all things Grant O Lord that reproofes murmurings detractions may not moue mee to choâ—… but that instructed by thy example I may ouercome all those that inâ—…ure and defame mee with silence Giue me the grace of perfect humility that I may neither desire to bee praised by men nor feare to bee dispraised by thee I giue thee thanks most mercifull Iesus for that amidst the great tumult and furie of the people by the commandement of Pilate thou wert led to King Herode Giue me strength that persecutions confound me not neither the iniuries of mine enemies prouoke me to wrath nor their impudence make me ashamed but that I may endure all things with meekenes and ouercome them with silence and possesse my soule in my patience according to the prescript of thy holy commaundements I giue thee thanks merciful Iesus that standing before Herod and accused of many crimes and offences by the Bishops and Priests thou wouldest answere to none of them but didst iustifie thy cause with silence Giue me O Lord the deâ—…ritie to refraine my tongue that I may neuer take pleasure to speake idle vaine or fillthy words or consume my time vnprofitably 〈◊〉 telling fruitles and vaine stoâ—…s but grant that my tong may â—…und with nothing but that which is iust honest and profitable and consonant likewise to thy heauenly will make mee detest the vice of backbiting and grant that I may take pleasure to heare and speake that which is honest I giue thee thanks sweete Iesus that being compared with that infamous and seditious Theefe Barrabas thou wert iudged worse than he and vnworthier life in so much as the homicide was set at liberty and thou the author of life condemned to death King of eternall glory with what more great ignominy I pray thee might thy maiesty be affected Heere Lord hence it appeareth that thou art that liuing stone refused by men which God chose vnto himselfe made the corner stone May it please thee o Lord that I preferre nothing before thee nor change any thing for thee but let al thingâ—… seeme as dirt vnto mee in comparison of thee Grant that the venome of enuy may neuer infect my soule but that I may alwaies rest in thee and build my whole salâ—…tion vpon thee I giue thee thanks most louing Iesu that being dispoiled of thy garmeÌ„ts thou sufferedst that maiden skin of thine to be laid naked and then tied with hard cords vnto a pillar thou wouldst suffer the same flesh to be torne with horrible scourges to the end thou mightest heale our wounds by thy wounds O Lord spoile my heart of all vncleane cogitations put off mine old man with all the concupiscence thereof and put mee on a man which is created
the rest do not onely not profite but giue vs matter of greater damnation But O Lord what did I vnto thee that thou shouldst giue mee those things what obedience shewd I to thee that thou shouldst giue me this blessing what foundest thou in me worthy of so great honour reward nothing in mee was free frō sin I knew thee not I loued thee not I serued thee not neither had thee in remembrance I became the bottomlesse pit of darknes and iniquity I cannot choose O Lord but tremble with horror as oftē as I think hereon neither finde I any other cause of this benefite but thy bounty How many were my companions of the same age nature and impietie of whom I was the most reprobate yet tookest thou me vnto thee and forsookest them we were detained in the same Egyptian captiuitie thou admittedst mee to thy royall Table but condemnedst them cast out their flesh to bee deuoured by the creatures of hell Whilst I remember these things O Lord my spirit is no more in me and I know not how to praise thee or what thanksgiuing to offer vnto thee for so incomparable a benefite All the time of my life I will say O Lord what sawest thou in me O Lord what sawest thou in mee Lord what sawest thou in mee more than in the rest whom thou hast forsaken Why didst thou so call mee so deliuer mee so looke vpon me so succour me if so bee thou hast succoured me leauing the rest in sinne who were lesse euil than I I know not what to say I know not what to do I know not what to yeeld vnto thee O Lord for all the benefits thou hast bestowed on mee I will with the Prophet praise my Lord at all times his praise shall be alway in my mouth I will say with the same Prophet Thou hast brokē my bonds O Lord I wil sacrifice to thee the sacrifice of praise cal vpon the name of the Lord. To the Lambe that sitteth on the throne be blessing and honor and glory and power for euer euer Amen A thanksgiuing for the benefite of our spirituall conuersation in the life of grace I Adore thee I praise thee I glorifie thee I giue thee thanks most mercifull Father and eternal God with my whole heart for all thy benefits but in especiall for that thou hast called mee whom being beforetimes wounded thou hast ◅thout any my precedent merits ◅ured and being an enemie vnto thee reconciled redeemed from captiuity and called from death to life and of thy fatherly goodnesse hast hitherto conserued me in this state and as yet doest conserue me by thy grace Thou art he onely O Lord that created me made mee of nought and thou onely art he that conseruest that which thou hast created thou bountifully dost protect that essence of nature which thou gauest me lest it should perish Thou onely hast regenerated mee by thy Spirit in the life of grace By thee are we priuiledged from our sins by thee are wee conserued lest wee should fall againe into sinne If at any time I haue risen thou gauest me thy hand if I now stand thou sustainest me lest I fall As many good purposes as I haue conceiued as many godly inspiratiōs as I haue felt all are by thy benefite As oftē as I haue ouercome mine enemy as oftē as I haue refrained my euill inclinations and peruerse appetites it was thy benefite For if no man can say Lord Iesu but in the holy Spirit nor doe any good deede without thee euen as the branch can yeeld no fruite being deuided from the vine sure it is that if any fruite grow from this cluster it is by the benefite of that vine to which it cleaueth If at any time I haue fasted it came from thee if I haue endured aduersity patiently thou didst assist me if at any time I haue denied mine owne will it was thy working If euer hitherto I haue shed the teares of contrition if my prayers haue preuailed with thee I confesse O Lord that I did it by thy helpe I confesse that thou hast wrought all good workes in me for all theese doe I giue thee thanks I referre al these benefits with thanksgiuing to him from whom they proceeded that hereafter they may flow more plentifullie I acknowledge my selfe to bee indebted for so many benefits as I haue done duties to thee O Lord in this life if I haue done any at all What shall I say of the occasions and opportunities offered by thee vnto me of good life How many preachers hast thou sent to teach me how many counsellers to instruct me how many good friends how many godly companions how many good examples how many deuout bookes hast thou lent mee by whose helps I am incited to goodnesse and pricked forward to vprightnes of life Great are these thy benefits but greater doth he owe thee who hath profited without these blessed is hee whom thou hast taught O Lord and instructed in thy law for so much more hath hee profited by how much thou art a better Doctor and wiser Master then others But who can recount the perils and dangers from whence thou hast deliuered mee O bountifull shepheard of mens soules or the sinnes whereinto I had fallen wtout thine assistance There is no sin so great that was euer attempted by man which another man cannot fall into if the Creator bee wanting by whom he is made For whi◅h cause vpon good occasion I will call all mens sinnes my benefits for into al them might I haue beene plunged except thine infinite mercie had preserued mee Is many occasions of sinne therefore as might haue inforced mee to fall for they could inforce Dauid so many had I fallē into except thou O Lord hadst taken them away because thou knewest my infirmities All men acknowledge not these thy benefits but I through the grace doe both acknowledge embrace them How often O louing Father hast thou vsed this mercy towards mee How often hast thou bound the enemies hands lest he should tempt me or if he should haue tempted me that yet hee might not ouercome mee how often hast thou inchanted that old Serpent that although I walked amongst Uipers Bas◅lisques yet could they not hurt me How often hast thou trauelled with mee through water fire lest I should bee burned in the flame or drowned in the water How often in the midst of the seruants of this world hast thou tempered the flame of this Babylonicall furnace with the dew of the holy Spirit and so cooled it that it might not consume me How often might I iustly say with the Prophet I was thrust fore at y◠I might fal But y◠Lord was my helpe If at any time I haue stood I stood by thee if I haue fallen I haue fallen by my selfe thy hand hath staied me vp lest I shold be bruised Yea I had alwaies lien in y◠dirt
care we shall onely endeuour our selues to keepe vs as farre as in vs lieth in thy fauour which care thou wilt further who if thou beest wanting nothing can prosper with vs. Translate my heart from the seruice of Idols to thy seruice toward whom whosoeuer is deuout he obtaineth dignitie Grant mee in stead of this desire of riches which are exposed to time the iniuries of men and mischances to grow in loue with thine which being once receiued are eternall and inuiolable Amen Against pride O Most wise beloued Father who alwayes studiest how thou maiest further vs whereas wee alwayes endeuour how to offend thee thou gauest to mankinde the proudest vntamed and rebellious creature the heauenly example of moderation and obedience in thy Sonne Conuert our minds vnto thee and that thine example that wee may so humbly demeane our selues beeing wicked and weake as hee that was most worthy and most strong Amen Against drunkennesse ALmighty and most mercifull God vouchsafe so to looke vpon vs that wee may so detest that most shamefull sinne of drunkennesse that wee neuer permit the same to take place but let that which was to perish in drunkennesse bee imployed for the sustenance of the poore through Iesus Christ our Lord. Amen Against remembrance of iniuries O Lord of thy goodnesse fill our hearts with thy peace clense vs from all euill cogitations and vncleannesse and from all memorie of iniuries and from all enuy and mind of mischiefe which bringeth death O Lord make vs all worthy to salute one another with a holy and immaculate salutation and graunt that wee may receiue without iudgement and death thy heauenly gift that is thy grace with the holy Spirit Amen Against wrath HOw much error breedeth this blind indulgence of our selues in our minds that we esteeme that to be done vniustly which is done most vprightly that in those things wee denie pardon vnto others in which wee our selues euerie houre are faulty and want pardon that wee challenge to our selues a reuenge being children mad furious vniust and take it from him who is only wise and iust who in respect of his wisedome is deficient in nothing and in regard of his equitie seduceth no man from the truth O most mercifull Christ example of modesty fountain of meekenesse 〈◊〉 into vs some part of this thy lenitie whereby in imitation of thy humility being assailed with railings affected with iniuries oppressed and afflicted with slanders and reproofes yet that we may reward good for euill Against enuie THou O Lord art the founder and maker of all things thou art the dispenser of thy mercies which thou by thy immeasurable liberality bestowest on men yeelding euery one more than hee deserueth and defrauding no man of that which is sufficient for him What cause therefore haue we to enuy thee when as thou bestowest thy liberality vpon al men of thine owne and art bountifull to those that deserue it not and giuest to euery one that which sufficeth him for his beatitude O Father adde this also to the rest of thy benefits that we may submit to thy iudgement and satisfie our selues with thy â—…stributions that we may giue thee thanks for those things which wee haue receiued And for those things that thou hast bestowed on others grant that secretly we condemne not thy holy will and vnsearchable iudgement but rather that in other mens blessings wee may loue and laud thy munificence who art so bountifull vnto all men wanting of thy selfe nothing neither receiuing any thing from any man neither hoping any thing Amen In extreme troubles and persecutions O Lord God that deliueredst the honest matron Susanna from false iudgement at such time as she was reprochfully circumuented by slander that keptst Daniel thy prophet in the denne of Lyons and preseruedst the three children in the flaming furnace that deliueredst Peter ready to be deuoured by the sea swallowed in the waues thereof by the might of thy right hand I beseech thee O most mercifull God that thou wilt redeeme and deliuer both me thy vnworthy seruant all other christian people out of these miseries and calamities wherewith wee are circumuented Spare thy people I beseech thee whom thou hast redeemed by thy precious blood keepe this natioâ—… and people redeemed by so precious a ransome in peace mutuall concord and coniunction to the glory of thy holy name Amen In the time of warre amongst Christians O Lord Father of mercies God of peace and dilection how long I pray thee wilt thou be angry with thy christian people punishing them with erecrable wars and vtter ouerthrows Behold the affliction and extreme extinction of thy people nations Heare the groanes of the poore let the christian blood moue thee vnto mercy Ah las O Lord these are truly that iust punishments of our sins wee haue sinned wee haue done wickedly we haue left thee the fountaine of life our felicitie we haue contemned thee mocked thee and with an obstinate minde made war by our sins against thy commandements wee haue kept none of thy testimonies of which thou hast said If you shall keepe them they shal keepe you if you dispise them the sword shall consume you But thou O Lord notwithstanding thou art iustly displeased remember thee of thy mercies and to the end we may be made capable therof giue vnto thy people I beseech thee the knowledge and confession of their wicked liues powre vpon them the spirit of thy grace and of prayer that euery where with a contrite and humble heart which thou despisest not they may crie vnto thee saying O Lord haue mercie O Lord haue mercy vpon thy people whom thou hast redeemed with thy precious blood wee haue sinned we haue done vniustly Thy iudgements are iustly vrged against vs prostrating our selues we call vpon thy grace and mercie to the end that thy reuenging hand may be appeased Put o Lord thy cruell and deuouring sword into thy sheath command the euill beasts that is all those things which giue cause of warre to returne vnto their place leaue most holsome peace long desired amongst Christians safely to reigne amongst them to the praise glory of thy most holy name who strikest and healest â—…illest and quickenest Amen In the time of plague WE know O Lord God and most iust Father that the rebellion almost of all creatures against man onely is very great whom if all things were disposed according to the order of creatioÌ„ they ought to obey and acknowledge Now earthquakes now thunders now inundations now most fatal coniunctions of Stars now the infection of the aire and daily new and other kinde of euils are heard of But this punishment falleth vpon vs because wee abuse the giftes of thy munificence transgresse thy commaundemenis for that we are not terrified with threatrungs nor allured by promises We acknowledge that by these thy chastisements thou drawest vs from these earthly affaires and inuitest vs to heauenly
shalt endure they shall waxe old as doth a garment 27 And as a vesture shalt thou change them and they shall bee changed but thou art the same and thy yeares shall not faile 28 The Children of thy Seruants shall continue aâ—…d their seed shall stand fast in thy sight PSALME CXXX OUt of the deepe haue I câ—… vnto thee O Lord Lord hâ—… my voice 2 Oh let thine eares couâ—… well the voice of my complaint 3 If thou Lord wilt bee extrâ—… to marke what is done amisse 〈◊〉 Lord who may abide it 4 For there is mercy with thâ—… therefore shalt thou be feared 5 I look for the Lord my soâ—… doth waite for him in his word 〈◊〉 my trust 6 My soule flieth vnto the Lord before the morning watch I say before the morning watch 7 O Israel trust in the Lord for with the Lord there is mercy and with him is plenteous redemption 8 And he shall redeeme Israel from all his sinnes PSALME CXLIII HEare my prayer O Lord anâ—… consider my desire hearkeâ—… 〈◊〉 â—…ter not into iudgement 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 seruant for 〈◊〉 thy sight 〈◊〉 â—…o man liuing be iustified 3 For the enemy hath persecuâ—… my soule hee hath smitten my 〈◊〉 downe to the ground he hath â—…d mee in the darkenesse as the men that haue bene long dead 4 Therefore is my spirit vexed within mee and my heart within 〈◊〉 is desolate 5 Yet do I remember the time past I must vpon all thy works yea I exercise my selfe in the works of thy hands 6 I stretched foorth my hands vnto thee my soule gaspeth vnto thee as a thirsty land 7 Heare mee O Lord and that soone for my spirit waxeth faint hide not thy face from mee lest I be like vnto them that goe downe into the pit 8 O let mee heare thy louing kindnes betimes in the morning for in thee is my trust shew thou me yâ— way that I should walke in for I â—…ft vp my soule vnto thee me foorâ—…h 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of rightâ—… ousnesse 11 Dâ—… 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Lord sâ—… thy names sake 〈◊〉 for thy righteousnesse sâ—…e bring my soule out of trouble 12 And of thy goodnesse â—…mine enemies and deâ—…y â—…ll theÌ„ that vexe my soule for I am thy seruant FINIS Psalm 12. Iohn 1. Apoc. 7. Ephe. 5. Esay 52. 2 Cor. 1. Psalm 66. 1. Cor. 1. Psal. 115. Psal. 24. Prou. 4. Psal. 5. Esay 55. Psal. 145. Psal. 36. Prou. 4. Psal. 81. Esay 59. Math 28. Luk. 1. Psal. 16. Psal. 60. Psalm 118. Psal. 50. Psal. 50. Psal. 113. Psal. 70. Psal. 118. Psal. 79. Psal. 24. Luke 21. Psalm 118 Rom. 14 Iohn 6. Matth. 21. Act. 8. Psalm 115. Psal. 85. Psal. 34. Psal 9. Luke 2. Psal. 11. Act. 7. Psal. 118. Psalm 102. Psal. 17. Psal 40. Psal. 83. Psal. 54. Psal. 144. Ezech. 18. Luke 15. Hierem. â—…2 Cor. 5. 4. Reg. 9. Rom. 7. Esay 42. Psal. 50. Mâ—…h 8 Ieremie 3. Luke 7. Luke 22. Luke 23. Iohn 12. Psalm 18. Esay 53. Psal. 21. Psal. 30. Psal. 4. Psalm 58. Ephes. 2. 1. Iohn 4. Iohn 15. Iohn 6. 2. Cor. 3. Gen. 4. Exod. 34. Ioel 2. Math. 11. Esay 55. â—…zech 18. Math 9. 2. Reg. 9. Psal. 86. Ioh 25 Luke 3. Iohn 1. 1. Reg. 21. Exod. 12. Math. 22. 2. Reg. 6. 2. Cor. 6. Cantic 1. Math. 11. Math. 9. Luke 7. Math. 9. Luke 6. Psal. 92. 3. Reg. 8. Ezech. 34 Iohn 17. Exod. 16. Psal. 115. Math. 8. Cant. 2. Psal. 17. Iohn 17. Prouerb 〈◊〉 Math. 28. Psalm 17. Psal. 136. Psal. 131. Psal. 90. Psal. 72. Iob 1â—… Cant. 2. 2. Cor. 1. Luke 18. Luke 7. Genes 18. Esay 40. Sap. 11. Apoc. 22. Apoc. 4. Psal 94. Psal. 74. Psal. 89. Iob 35. Daniel 3 1 Christ des cended froÌ„ heauen and was conceiued in the Virgins wombe 2 Mary visiteth her Cousin 3 Christ is borne 4 Christ is swathed 5 Christ is adored by the shepheards 6 Christ is ciâ—… cumcised and called Iesus 7 Christ is adored by the wisemâ—…n 8 Christ is presented in the Temple 9 Iesus flies â—…to Egypt 10 Iesus sitteth amongst the Doâ—…tors 11 Iesus is Baptized 12 Iesus is tempted by the diuell in the desart 13 Iesus is afflicted with diuers labours and necessities 14 Iesus praieth and preacheth 15 Iesus conuerseth with men 16 Iesus suffereth manie things for our sake 17 Iesus came into Ierusalem 18 Iesus washeth his disciples â—…eet at supper 19 Iesus instituteth the holy Sacrament 10 Christin his last Supper comforteth his disciples 21 Iesus praieth to his Father in the garden 22 Iesus is taken prisoner 23 Iesus suffered a striâ—…e on the face 24 Iesus in the night wherin hee was taken was vexed diuers wayes 25. Iesus is accused before Pilate 26 Iesus is led to Herod 27 Iesus is accused before Herod 28 Iesus is iudged more wicked then Barrabas 29 Christ is whipt 30 Iesus is crowned 31 Iesus beareth his Crosse. 32 Iesus bearing his crosse speaketh to the women 33 Iesus drinketh vinegar and gal 34 Iesus is stript of his garments 35 Iesus is crucified 36 Iesus hangeth on thâ—… Crosse. 37 Iesus hangeth between two theeues 38 Iesus prayeth for his persecutors 39 Iesus is mockt vpon the Crosse. 40 Iesus promiseth the thiefe Paradise 41 Iesus commendeth his mother to the disciple 42 Iesus complaineth that he is left of his Father 43 Iesus thirsted on the Crosse. 44 Iesus drinketh gall on the Crosse. 45 â—…sus finiâ—…eth the â—…orke of â—…r redemp â—…n 46 Iesus giueth vp â—…heghost 47 Iesus side is opened with a Lauâ—…e 48 Christ is adored by â—…he wiseâ—…en 49 Iesus descended into hell 50 Iesus ariseth from the dead 51 Iesus ascendeth into heauen 52 Iesus sendeth the holy Ghost 53 Iesus shall come to iudgement Eccle. 24. Psal. 44. Cant. 1. â—…am 3. Psal. 8. Eccles. 15. Pâ—…al 103. Iob. 38. Psal. 148. Psal. 18. Luke 5. Psal. 68. Psal. 87. Genes 18. Psal. 15. Iob 41. Iudg 14. 1 Pet. 2. 21. Oseas 1. Psal. â—…8 Luke 15. Iob. 3. Luke 15. Psal. 94. Psal. 118. Psal. 94. Psal. 116. Apoc. 11. 15. Psal. 38. Iob. 10. Ezech. 2 Psal. 119. Rom. 7. Psalm 5â—… Psalm 123. 1. Cor. 12. Psalm 27. Apoc. 12. Sap. 5. Rom. 8. Philip. 4. Esay 45. Esay 45. Esay 1. 2. Reg. 24. Apoc. 9. Psalm 17. Exod. 20. Eccles. 3. Psal. 12â—… Amos. 1.
Father vouchsaf with thy fatherly eies to behold me for thy aspect alone quickeneth the dead and draweth all such as run astray vnto thee For this whatsoeuer repeÌ„tance which I now haue I could not haue had except thou hadst beheld me When as wandring I forsooke thee thou lookedst vpon mee from the highest heauens where I was furthest from thee and didst open mine eies that I might behold thee and search my conscience and behold my selfe ouerwhelmed with so much wickednesse Come therefore O Lord to receiue me giue mee the knowledge and memory of my lost innocencie I require not thy imbracings nor thy kisses I pray thee not to giue mee that goodly garment yâ— I was wont to weare nor the ring of my ancient dignity I require not that thou shouldest receiue me into the state and dignity of thy children but it shall suffice mee if I may bee numbred amongst the mercenary seruants of thy house sealed with thy mark and tied with thy bonds lest euer heereafter I run away from thee It shal not grieue me although in this life I bee one of the most contemptible slaues of thy house so that thou separate me not for euer from thee Heare me therefore most mercifull Father and giue me the grace of thy onely begotten Sonne and communicate with mee the merits of his passion Giue me thy Spirit that it may purifie my heart and strengthen it in thy grace lest hereafter I returne again through ignorance into that exile from whence thy grace hath recalled me who liuest reignest world without end Amen For contrition The third most zealous praier VVHo shall giue water to my head and a fountaine of teares to my eies that night and day I may bewaile my sinnes and lament my ingratitude against God my Creator There are many things O omnipotent Lord that incite the hearts of men and draw them to the knowledge of then sinnes but there is none so effectuall as the consideration of the greatnesse of thy bounty and the multitude of thy benefits yea eueÌ„ to those sinners which are most reprobate wretched That therefore my most miserable soule may by that meanes be confounded and ashamed I wil begin O Lord to reckon vp some of thy mercies anâ—… my mischiefes that but in this I may manifestly vnderstand whâ—… thou art who I am what thoâ—… wert towards me and what I aâ—… towards thee The time was once my God when I was not thou gauest 〈◊〉 being and tookest mee out of 〈◊〉 dust of the earth creating mee aâ—… cording to thine owne image aâ—… similitude then from my motherwombe thou becamest my God fâ—… froÌ„ the first moment wherin I began to bee euen vnto this present houre thou art my Father my redeemer my defender and all my good Thou createdst my body with all my members and senses thou createdst my soule with all her powers and hitherto hast thou preserued my life by the benefite of thy prouidence All these although in themselues they be great yea weiny al yet are they little in respect of thy greatnes But because thou hadst these things gratis and bought by no great price thou wouldest giue mee another thing which cost thee more decre that I might thereby bee the more indebted vnto thee Thou descendedst froÌ„ heauen vpon the earth that thou mightest find me seeking me in al my waies in which I had lost my self Thou didst ennoble my humanity by thy nature by thy thrâ—…dome thou deliueredst mee from captiuitie thou freedst mee from the power of the diuell deliuering thy selfe into sinners hands destroying my sin by assuming the shape of a sinner thou wouldest bind mee vnto thee by so much grace thou wouldest aâ—â—ure me by this benefite strengthen my hope by so many merits and beget in me the detestation of sinne shewing vnto mee how many things thou hast both done and suffered to ouerthrow the kingdome of sinne Thou kindlest liuing fire vpon the dead coales of my heart that being ouerwhelmed with such a multitude of benefitâ—… which in this one are contained I might loue him that did so great things for mee and bestowed so much loue on me Behold O Lord thou redeemedst me but what had that profited me except I had beene baptized Amongst such a multitude of infidels scattered vpon the face of the whole earth it pleased thee to reckon mee among the number of thy faithful and of those to whoÌ„ so happie a lot befell as to bee thy children regenerated by the water of holy baptisme there was I takeÌ„ for thine there was that famous admirable contract or couenant concluded namely that I should be thine thou shouldest bee mine thou my Lord and I thy seruant thou my Father I thy son where we meete together thou to performe towards me the office of a Father I to serue thee with the duty of a son What shall I say of the other SacrameÌ„t which thou institutedst as a remedy for my sinnes making thy precious bloud a medicine for my wounds Hauing all these helps and furtherances as yet I continued not in goodnes but such was my malice that notwithstanding these I lost once more my first innocencie and so great again was thy mercy yâ— hast hitherto patiently suffred mee in my sins O my hope and my redeemer how caÌ„ I without tears remember how often thou mightst haue slaine me and no euill happened vnto me how many thousand of soules haply doe now burne in hell which haue sinned lesse then I haue sind yet burn not what had become of mee if at that time thou tookest them away thou hadst likewise taken me how strict a iudgement had bene prepared for mee if iustice had apprehended me beeing guilty of so many grieuous sins Who then O Lord bound the hands of thy iustice Who praied for me when I slept who staied yâ— scourge of thy wrath when I prouoked the same by my sins What was there pleasing in me why thou shouldest deale more fauourably with mee than with them who in yâ— midst of their perils yea in the very heate of their youth were taken hence My sinnes cried vnto thee and thou stoppedst thine eares lest thou shouldst heare them my malice against thee increased daily and thy mercie likewise towards me increased daily I sinned and thou didst expect mee I fled thee thou followedst me I was wearied in offending thee thou wert not weary in expecting mee in no other sort than if my sinnes had beene fauours and no offences In the midst of my sinnes I receiued many good inspirations many holy reprehensions froÌ„ thee which did cenuict and condemne the dissolutenesse of my life How often didst thou cal me and inwardly inuite me saying Thou hast coÌ„mitted fornication with many louers yet returne vnto me and I wil receiue thee How often hast thou called me in these or such like louing words How often hast thou terrified me with feare and threatnings