and the spirite of constancie to perseuere in the same Bende downe thine heauely eies O Lorde from the celestiall throne of thy glorie and béeholde the state and condition of mée that lie héere in the earth béelow waltrynge in this vale of wickednesse drenched in this dungeon of darkenesse martired in millians of miseries couched in this cloake of calamities loste in this laberinth of lustes smoultred in this smoke of sensualitie greatly growyng from grace and voide of vertue Wherefore as thou haste at this present time so continew with dayly increasing in mée a lothyng of my self in respect of sinne a desier vnto thée by meane of faithfull praier hartie contrition possible satisfactiō innouation of life continuation of Grace tendynge vnto the preseruation both of my body and soule Send downe vnto mée Lorde the cleere lookyng glasse of thy wisdoome that I may béeholde therin th' ouglesomenesse and deformitie of mine vnrighteousnes giue mée a Viale ful of the water of vnfained repentance that sprincklyng my self therwith although I were with sinnes more read then scarlet I may bée made more white then snow Wash away the filthinesse of my sinnes with a branche of bitter I sop wherein is figured the vnpleasant fast of afflictions troubles and persecutions sent vnto vs by thy hande most righteous God in liew of our offences and I shall béecome passing pure Neuertheles ouercharge mee not O swéet Lorde I béeséeche thée nor lay not more vpon my backe then I am able to carie for thou knowest best th' infirmitie of my fraile fleash and the weakenes of our kinde since wée all bée thine and the worke of thy holly handes O my God what is there in this worlde that men should bée so greedie to continue therin and so lothe to forgoe the fruition of this transitorie life while wée remayne héere wee are all touched with troubles those that haue wealth at will are checked with calamities yea Princes themselues are not alwayes at ease béesides that wée heape vp dayly the desert of thy iudgement Whilst my dayes bée prolonged within this darke den of mortallitie lighten the Lantern of thy diuine woord béefore my feete that I stumble not agaynst the heape of my haynous offences and fall downe head long into the déepe Dungeon of desperation Likewise plucke from mée the fonde Feathers of saucie presumption least takyng an hautie conceite in my selfe to bee that which alas I am not thou reueale my filthinesse and cast mée downe thither where there is no redemption Gratiously graunt vnto mee O my Lorde and Kynge that I may neuer take my selfe to bée other then in deede I am make mée to bée sutch one as I ought and let mée bée hée that I would thē shal I neuer dwell in errour thy fauour shoulde neuer fayle mee and hereafter which notwithstandyng I hope bée an inheritour of thy heauenly kyngdome Lorde I béeséeche thée keepe mee that I neuer fall into reprobate sence and let mée not bée seduced by any false doctrine let the lines of thy law bee printed in the bowels of my bellie lighten inflame and confirme the hartes of thy chosen people that they may haue one minde one will all a like seeke thee finde thee see thee and magnifie thy glorious name Preuent all my dooinges with thy most fauourable kyndenes O father of mercies and so direct my wayes in thy Faith and feare of thy maiestie that I may commit no wickednes nor consent thereto let there bee founde no guilt in my handes nor guile in my hart preserue my lippes from lies from incontinencie mine eyes my fleash from filth my sowle from sinne and the whole course of my life from offence transgression O Lorde heare my praiers let myne ernest crie come into thy presence and entre into thine Eares whiche I yeeld heere vnto thee from the very deapth of my Hart with a wounded conscience and a bleedyng soule with broken sighes and weepyng eyes bended knees and stretched handes but which most is with ardent affection and feruent Faith. Bende downe thy selfe O bende downe vnto my piteous playntes thou God of our Fathers and accordyng as thou hast spoken let it so bée doone vnto thy seruant Great is thy grace O graunt mée thy grace manifolde are thy mercies O shew mée thy mercie puisant is thy power O sende mee thy power that I may turne from sinne and turne to thee leaue my olde life and leade a new that I may alwaies bee thy seruant and thou likewise eternally bée mine eternall God. Amen O. ¶ O thou Earth Earth Earth heare the woorde of the Lorde Of a trueth GOD hath no reguarde of persons but in euery nation hee that feareth him and woorketh righteousnesse is accepted with him ¶ The fift Flower O Euerlastyng GOD and moste louyng Father maker of all the world kyng of Blisse Lorde of Life giuer of peace and continuer of concorde looke downe into the bottome and deapth of my conscience and consider the perpetuall afflictions which dayly I sustayne therin to the daungerous distresse wonderful woundyng of the same Strengthen mee O Lord against the furious inuasions of three my moste mortall foes the Fleash the Worlde and the Deuill whiche to th' intent they might suppresse mee cease not continually withall theyr force to assayle the séely spirite which thou hast lent vnto mee the woorke of thy wisedome and the image of thy substance My moste sweet God keepe mee with the winges of thy vertue asist mee with thy holy ghost that I may heedfully withholde my feete from all snares and trappes whiche may any way intangle mee withdraw mee from due obedience towardes thee and thy will staying mee from walkyng forwarde in thy heauenly heastes that lead to life For Satan myne auntient enemie seeketh out a thousand meanes to beguile mee hée excelleth in subteltie hée aboundeth in craftes hee passeth in wilinesse in so mutch that hee transformeth his lothsome shape into the likenesse of an Angell of light therby to supplant thine elect but defende thou mee from him O my most mightie God. Pondre the nature and disposition of my frayle fleash how it is nothing els but the graue of my ghost a farthell of infirmities a lumpe of lothesomnesse a prison of perdition a sink of sinne and a frame of frowarde moulde contrarie to that whiche is good and alwaies promptly prest to the worse As for this worlde it is the vale of wilfulnesse the way of wicked cōuersation a iorney fraught with ioperdie a pilgrimage fully pight with pitious pininges a deepe dungeon of destruction an infectious soyle with sinfulnesse a lake of vnlawful lustes and a tree of traiterous fruites repugnant O God to thy moste sacred will. The Deuill is the déerlyng of damnation the Prince of dreadful darkenesse the Kynge of calamities the wicked woorker of woes the Fende of finall destruction the greedie gaper for mans procured perdition the poysoned puddle of lies the sneaking Snake of
wherof may bee the one of you by our most prudent Prince doubtlesse at the secret motion of GOD raysed vnto sutch highnesse in Honour as match with the best inferiour to none I neede seeke for no farther occasions of commendation or auntient titles of worship or honour the siluered heares giuing euident token of the golden wit and the honourable age â–ª of the verteous forepassed life and the many yeres of the blessing of the most highest god On th' other side bewtified with a louing Lady the ofspringe of an excellent race Nice to rightwoorship full Grandsiers daughter to a woorthy Knight Schollar to a learned scholemaister Sister to a right honourable Lady Moother of mutch hoped impes Aunt to a peerelesse couÌ„tesse Wife to a noble Counseller Ladie of a Godly Famely Subiect to a louinge Prince a trewe woorshipper of Almightie god Vnto whose good pleasure for the prolonging and continuance of both your liues in increse of godlie Honour and all other delightes apperteininge whereby the race of this transitorie life may bee made lesse irksome to the bodie or preiudiciall to the soule I am bownden dayly to pray the effect whereof hee graunte who tendreth our iust requestes and is the only giuer of all goodnesse At London this first day of Ianuarie 1574. Your honours euer at commaundment T. Twine FATIS VOLENTIBVS VIRTVTE DVCE No worldly pelfe see thee from God do call Incline thine hart to doo the thyng is iust Confirme thy Faith that thou doo neuer fall Holde fast on GOD in him repose thy trust Obserue thy wayes amende what is a misse Lay vp thy wealth where rust may do no harme Amende thy crimes while vacant time there is Submit thy cause vnto Gods mightie arme Auenge thee not when thou canst well repay Neuer let vices harbour in thine hart Needes vrgent law consider thou alway Eke to the poore doo of thy goodes impart Beware of Pride by Glorie set no price Avvay from giltlesse blood turne backe thy face Consider sutes weigh causes once or twice Open thy mouth on wydowes wofull case Nothing from Praier let thee once disseuer Ensue this lore and thou shalt liue for euer there consisteth life and welfare vnto my sowle and by breatch and violation nothing else but seuere sentence of finall dampnation Therfore I cannot tell most miserable wretch as I am how I shuld presume to approche thée for mercie I dare not shew my selfe beefore thée but if it were possible I would gladly hide my self from thy sight where thou mighst not finde mée out that by sutch meanes I might escape thy dreadfull iudgement Howbeit O Lorde thou art the mightie God to whom all things in heauen and earth are knowne whose eies béeholde what is done in the top of the highest and in the bottome of the deapest places in the world In thy sight Lord the most secret thoughtes of the harte are open and from thée there are no cogitations pretences practises deuises nor the smallest motions of the mind hidden Vnto thée therefore with tremblinge and teares I returne appealing from thy high dread and terryble throne of iust iudgement remoouing my cause to thy most swéete amiable pleasaunt and comfortable court of thy manifold mercies Euen there Lord thou hast layde vp sutch store and abundance of graces pardons forgiuenes of sinnes that they do surmounte the numbre and ouersâ—read the greatnes of al thy wonderfull woorkes Héere then it is O my God that I dare to appeare béefore thy diuine Maiestie a fylthye sinner béefore a mercifull God a very lumpe of wickednes beefore the eternall creator of all thinges of inestimable wisdome that takest mercie vppon our weakenes and infirmitie béecause thou wotest well the stuffe and substaunce wherof thou hast made vs. Béeholde Lord I call vnto mée thy dearelybéeloued sonne my most louing redéemer and sauiour Ihesus Christe to bée myne aduocate according vnto his own fréewil and voluntarie offering in whom and through whom by his most precious blouddeshed vnto thée vpon the acceptable altare of the Crosse in liew of the double death that wée should al haue died for our-most horrible offences Pardon I béeséech thée O god my gréeuous iniquities forgyue mée all my wickednes release my necligences remit mine ignorances abandon the lothsomenes of my sinnes which from my mothers wombe vnto this present day I haue coÌ„mitted or shall do hereafter vnto my liues ende That béeing so clensed and purified from all contagion of sinfull impuritie let mée obtayn a liuely and feruent fayth at thy handes stedfastly to call vpon thée in most hartie prayer Lord in all my necessities aduersities troubles and afflictions confirme my harte that I may put my whole trust and affiance in thy maiestie and séeke none other meanes nor take none other comfort but in reading thy worthy woorde or in recourse to thée in most faithful and effectuall supplications If at any tyme Lorde as is the frailtie of our corruptible nature and the incessant suggestions of Sathan our auncient enemie I féele in my selfe any faintnes or fayling of feruencie in calling continually vppon thée kindle thou then my hart with the heauenly heate of thy holy spirit Graunt mée grace to crie with thy hollie Apostle for encrease of faithe that béeing awaked and stirred vppe through thée I may enioy the effect of my godly desiers which thou hast promised to yelde vnto mée through thy sonne Iesus Christ my sauiour Performe my God that whiche thou hast indented with thy selly seruant who with anguishe of minde séeketh after the comfort of thy face continue in mée the custome to call vpon thée in praier and all the powers of my body shal not cease to sing thy sacred praise Amen J. ¶ If yee beeing euil know to giue your children good giftes how mutch more will your Father which is in heauen giue good thinges to them that aske them ¶ The second Flower IN most hartie hope of thy manyfold mercies and with lowly reuerence O euerlasting God loe thus I draw nighe vnto thée béeing sore laden with th'infinite number of my sinnes trusting in thy fatherly goodnes and entier loue which thou bearest vnto mankinde thou wilte discharge mée of mine vnrighteousnes and wash away al mine infirmities Thy louing kindenes hath ben inestimable which thou hast borne vnto mée since my simple conception in the tender intrailes of my mother within whose body thou didest laye forth the platforme of my body and gauest vnto mée the representatioÌ„ of a man thy bestbéeloued and cumliest creature After this in due maturitie of time according to the established and ordinarie season assigned by thy heauenly wisedome thou broughtest mée foorth into this worlde my first tune giuyng proofe of the vnhappie condicion that I should enioy therin Lorde thou knowest how that so soone as I was deliuered froÌ„ my mothers wombe euen then I béegan my life in féeblenes and sorow and the my thoughte kéepe myne eies from seing it myne eares
Christes sake graunt mée that I may couet with a prudent minde those thinges that be pleasant and acceptable vnto thée that I may finde them easely searche them wisely know them truely and exercise them effectually to the worthy praise of thy glorious name Dispose the whole course of my life in sutche order that it may accomplish that whiche thy godly pleasure requireth at my handes that I may perfectly know it haue a willyng minde to do it and power from thée to fulfill it whereby I may obtayne those thinges that bée moste conuenient for my necessities and appertaynyng to my saluation Chéere vp my hart O my moste déere God with the hope of thy plenteous promises and make mée alwayes as merie as it béecommeth a Christian and one that feareth God giue mée grace euer to reioyce in thée and thy godly will and that I may bée sorie for nothynge but onely in dooyng those thinges that draw mee away from thee to éeuell O Lorde God of infinite wisdom inspire my hart and direct my voyce that I may not thinke nor vtter any thinge béefore thée then that whiche thou knowest to bée expedient for mée to aske and glorious for thée to giue turne not my prayer into perdition nor my sute into sinne for thou art my God on whom I wholy depende saue mée for thy mercies sake O saue mée accordynge as I haue alwayes repoased my confidence in thée Amen A. ¶ A mans almes is as a purse with him and shall keepe a mans fauour as the apple of an eye and afterwarde shall it arise and pay euery man his rewarde vpon his head ¶ The seuenth Flower ACcordyng vnto the incomprehēsible numbre of thy manifolde mercies O Lorde take pitie and compassion vpon mée discharge mee of the importable fraught of mine in firmities for thou art hee that losest and none can binde and that bindest and none can lose lose mée therefore I béeséeche thee from the lothesome burden of my sinne and binde mee that I may not depart from thy statutes O thou God of my power make my hart to resemble the driest towe and let the most feruent loue of thy lawes kindle as it were a flaminge fier within my breast that I may so bée consumed with a greedie zeale in fulfillyng thy heastes let no coale of conscience in aniwise extinguish this burnyng nor yet likewarmenesse aswage this heate Let others sée this in mée that they may take example thereat and bee confirmed in Godlinesse for I am priuily greeued that I haue bin vnacquayne deth in dread of thy driry iudgement lookyng for deliuerance and running for refuge to the redoubted rampier of thy milde mercies Pardon mée Lorde if at any time I haue sought the ayde of any creature neclecting thée that art the creator of all thynges without whom there is no health nor saluation if I haue drunken of the lothsome lakes and refused thee that art the Fountayne of Life if I haue fully fead on wicked weedes and passed by the holsome herbes of diuine doctrine I haue erred Lorde and gone astray like a wilfull shéepe and harkned vnto the voyce of fayned sheapheards that had no part with thée I haue bin loste in the wildernesse of wicked superstition and Idolatrie and torne in the briars of sutche as sought my fleece and cared not for my soule but to destroy it I haue tasted of the deadly dewe and the rotte is entred into my veynes I am extreame sicke that I cannot stand vpon my legges I am not able to lift vp my voyce for my lungues are infected my threat is horce with criyng I am vexed with a cough and the terrible stitche assaulteth me so sore within my ribbes that I am nothynge but a carcas fraught with care and a wretche wrapped in sinfull sickenesses O come thou God of my saluation come visite thy poore seruant bring mée home whiche am lost and direct mee that haue gone astray teache mée to know the liuely sounde of thy moste holly woord that I may wholy harken therto and to the voyce of none other that shall happen to call vnto mee saying lo héere is Christ or there is Christe Saue mée Lorde from the vnsauerie smell of pharasaicall superstition that my hart neuer bee defiled therewith and for thy mercie sake asist mée moste graciously that I fall not into any dotage of deuilish Idolatrie for thou art a ielous God and wilt not suffer thine honour to bee giuen to other and béesides thee ther is none that can helpe I haue fead O Lorde to mutche at full vpon the sugred delightes of this wicked worlde whiche indeede are sauced with most bitter woormewood the taste of them is pleasant but the tayle is abhominable tarte I haue chawed them with pleasure but they haue choked mee with cares they seemed vnto mee as toothesome Triacles but I haue founde them pestilent poysons Deliuer mee gratious GOD through thy great goodnesse say vnto mee I wilbée thy comfort and vnto my soule I will bée thy phisition then shall there no daunger daunt my hart nor ghostly greife procure myne anoy but that I may alwaies cheerefully singe foorthe thy noble prayse for euer Amen S. ¶ Say not vnto thy neighbour goe thy way and come agayne tomorow I will giue thee wheras thou hast now to giue him ¶ The eight Flower SAluation immortalitie and vnspeakeable pleasures O God are prepared bountifully to embrace those that put their trust in thee and without all doublenesse of harte or contagion of sinne leade foorthe the lingrynge steppes of their lothsome life in the wayes of trueth and obedience towardes thy commaundementes Thy wayes most swéete Lorde are the wayes of wealthe and thy commaundementes conducte vnto heauenly honour thou haste layde foorth a streigth pathe vnto those that haue grace to walke therin and thou hast promised most singular rewardes vnto sutche as obey thy moste woorthy will. As for thy wil it is the welspring of welfare the pathe of peace the sea of securitie the porte of perfection and the fountayne of all felicitie Wherefore I would fayne bée clensed that I might tread foorthe the time of this daungerous pilgrimage in accomplishing thy heauenly heastes and fulfilling thy statutes full of consolation O thou that art the God of al trueth whiche in puritie doest passe the Angels and exceedest the saincts in perfection in respect of whose hollinesse all thinges are vile and sinfull my poore pantyng ghost sore longeth after thée for that thou art the consummation of all goodnesse in the sight of thy glorie I am ashamed of mine owne vnrighteousnesse Lorde faine would I intreate thy maiestie and I doo moste hartely request the same that thou wouldest béeholde the wofull afflictions greifs miseries stripes sores and wounds which my soule sustayneth through the continuall surprise of my cancred sinnes and in the large abundance of thy milde mercies heale them with thy holly hande Woe am I my God that I appeere béefore thée thus
euer shall endure aduaunce mee to thy kyngdome that neuer shall ende and thy glorie shall still liue in mée for I shall neuer die Amen N. ¶ No thought may escape God neither may any woord bee hid from him hee hath garnished the high excellent woorkes of his wisdom and hee is from euerlasting to euerlastyng ¶ The .x. Flower NEwnesse of life and singlenesse of hart and an vndefiled waye are the very offringes of soote incense vnto thée O thou moste righteous God and thou acceptest the sorowful sute of a martyred minde in what time soeuer hee powreth foorthe his playnt vnto thee so harken vnto mée I béeséeche thee for heauinesse hath builded his bower within my breast I come vnto thée béetimes in the mornyng and late in the night and at high noone and when I go to rest and when I rise agayne when I am alone and when I am in companie whether I bée in thy holly church or in my secret chamber and all is for thy mercie O Lorde for thou haste no respecte of the person time or place Multiplie in mée the giftes of thy grace and conuert thy foes through my force make my bodie an instrument of all goodnesse whiche shall come to passe if thou clense the vncleanesse of my soule scoure the vnséemely spottes of my stayned conscience examine my thoughtes and innouate a newe degrée of desiers within my harte Lorde graunt I beseeche thée that whether I bee in wealth or woe in health or in sickenesse whether I eat or drinke sleepe or wake trauayle or take my rest or what euer I doo I may doo it in thée and for thée and by thée and nothing without thée for my defier is alwaies if it bée possible to bée with thee neuer to bee from thee Plant fast thy pleasure in the bottome of my breast for thy will O God is the worker of my wealthe and my wil is the weauer of my wothy law is the leader vnto light and my law is the loser of my life thy heastes are the healpers vnto health and my heastes are the heapers vp of my heauinesse thy precepts are the porte of peace and my preceptes are the passedge to perdition This worlde where I am Lorde may well bée termed the vale of wickednesse for héere is nothyng els but pride malice partialitie trouble enuie vexation strife carefulnesse ambition couetousnesse briberie extorcion vsurie idle othes and abhominable periuirie whoredome hipocrisie and all vnclenlinesse bitter contention for the trueth of thy woorde and no man careth to follow it O Lorde that it might please thee to quenche the thirst of this worldly vanitie that biteth so sharpe within the breast of mortall men that they might see what it is that they seeke for learne to looke after that which thei lose that by due conference of the twayne they may beeholde their follie and hartely repent them while they haue respite The gayne of thy grace O thou greate God shall euermore bée the brightnesse of my bewtie for I will request nothyng but thy mercie and put my confidence in no creature but in thee only if I haue that then am I happie and if I bee with thee I am blessed and I wil singe foorth thy prayses in the congregation of thy faithfull people Lorde thou knowest how litle the righteousnesse is whiche I haue and yet that whiche I haue is altogether to bee reputed thine for it is euident that I can alonely doo no good deede but not so mutche as name GOD were it not through the holly ghoste and vnlesse thou giue the power whiche sayest that without thee wee can doo nothynge Open my mouthe that withall my soule I may make humble supplications vnto thee and confesse my selfe vnto thy maiestie saying thou hast wrought all our good woorkes in vs and therefore in respect of them wee may sing with thy princely prophet Dauid not vnto vs Lorde not vnto vs but vnto thy name giue the glorie So farre as in mée lieth I wil endeuour that thy most woorthie fame shall streatche vnto the endes of the worlde vnto Turkes and infidels that haue no knowledge of thee or such as liue in misbeeleef of thy truth and I beeséech thee to arme the preachers of thy woord with boldnes and vnderstanding that they may fayle for no feare to tell the truth nor bée corrupt with ignorance nor heresie Thou art most woorthie O lorde God to bée loued and honoured fâ—r thy great goodnes and vnsearcheable wisedome and all other perfections without number or end that art verie perfection it self and all that euer wée can yéeld vnto thée in faithe or feare or loue is too too litle and very nothing in respect of that which thou hast deserued If thou shouldest lay vnto our charge the gréeuous default of innocencie and righteousnesse whiche is required to bee in vs by thy commaundementes O Lorde how coulde wee endure the sharpenesse of thy iudgement for wée were assured to perish eternally but lende mée the shield of thy mercy to defend mée against the stroake of thy iust wrath Reueale vnto mine eyes the bewty and coomlinesse of vertues and the fowlenesse and deformitie of vices that I may fall in loue with the one and mislikyng with the other taking a speciall reguarde whiche I shoulde harbour in my hart submittyng my self vnto thy heauenly disposition as I may bée made meetest to serue thée I will laude thée O Lorde my strength with my lippes and I will magnifie thy might with my mouth I wil loue thy lawes as my life and walke in thy will as my way I wil singe foorth thi saluation in my song and muse on thy mercies in my minde I will hange vp thy hope in my harte and bury thy bountie in my bosome Amen N. ¶ Now I see that they which feare God haue the right spirite for their hope standeth in him that can helpe them and the eies of the Lorde are on them that loue him ¶ The .xj. Flower NEuer let mée doo the thynge O Lorde that is displeasant in thy sight but make thou my steppes right vnto thée and cléere my pathes in thy presence that there bée no iniquitie founde in my harte nor guile in my mouth nor vnrighteousnesse in my handes nor any thynge about mée that maye prouoke offence agaynst thee that thou shouldest turn from mée and forsake mée It is thy wisdome that is vnto mee more precious then golde and I desier it aboue althynges bee they neuer so fayer I am inflamed with the loue of it lende it vnto mée my deere God for it is that whiche teacheth thy will and sheweth what is most acceptable vnto thy sight and it leadeth the way vnto the true worshippynge of thee O my God I haue gone astray I haue doone amisse I haue committed wickednesse I am sinfull cal mée home and pardon my misdooynges plucke mee away from my haynous offences heale my soule that is oppressed with harmes
the bitternesse of his soule his praier shal bee heard euen hee that made him shal heare him ¶ The .xv. Flower CHasten mée O God howbéeit not in the consumyng rage of thy ielous wrath for then shall I vtterly perish but temper I béeséeche thee thy fury with compassion to the redresse of my life not confusion of my soule for if thou shouldest deale so seuerely with sinners alas what should béecome of them for there is no fleash righteous in thy sight O thinke mercifully vppon the auncient sore of our sinnes how that vnwittyngly wée are coneaued and borne in iniquitie and bée thou readie to apply the salue of thy mercie the onely remedie of Adams infected frute wherby our wekned bones are made stronge and wée are eftsoones erected into thy fauour Thou hast layde thine heauie displeasure vpon mée whiche I know well my wickednesse hath deserued namely a carelesse conscience and necligent callyng vpon thée for grace and thou hast opened mine eyes that I might béeholde my miserie and how far I am caried from thee that art the port of my saluation Notwithstandyng thy roddes and thy staues O Lorde wherwith thou hast beaten mée haue brought mee comfort thy correction is full of compassion and in the midst of the miseries whiche deseruedly thou heapest vpon our heads thou gronest at our plagues what due damnation deserueth sutche demeanure Agayne O moste vnspeakeable mercie of thy diuine goodnesse that béeholdest vs dayly turnynge away our vnhappie eares shuttynge our foolish eyes hardning our stubburne hartes and yet notwithstandynge criest vnto vs O yée sinners incline vnto wisdome and béeholde for I am the Lorde your God. Mercifull God if at any time I haue bin sutche one I hartely beeséeche thée not to impute it vnto mée forgiue mée all my fonde negligences and grosse ignorancies whiche I haue left vndoone let them come no more into thy sight to bée obiected agaynst mée O how well were I if it might please thée to draw mée a direct line in thy lawes that I might goe right and leade mée in the light of thy trueth that I might not trippe and hold mée by the hande that I might not fall but especially if thou wouldest take mée vnto thée that wheras thou art I might bée euer there also I haue meruelously offended thée and there are manie occasions of offence whiche if thou wouldest take from mée then should not my sinnes bée so burdenous vnto my soule nor so gréeuous vnto thy sight whiche I confesse are manifold but Lorde I know thy mercie and sauyng health are infinite and thou art prone vnto forgiuenesse The ripenesse of my perfection shalbée the gréenesse of thy glorie the Summer of my sutes shalbée the spryng of thy prayse the haruest of my righteousnesse shal bee the séede of thy commendation the winter of my wickednesse shalbée the earyng of thy honour the frutes of my faith shalbée the flower of thy worthinesse the toppe of my tranquillitie shalbée the roote of thy renowme I will walke in thy wayes O Lorde and obey thy will I will kéep thy commaundementes and take care of thy couenantes I will holde thy heastes as my life and reguarde thy preceptes as mine owne soule there shall nothyng thrust mée from thy trueth nor fray mée from thy feare nor allure mee from thy loue and then am I as certayn that I shal liue as I am sure thy prayses shall not die Amen O ¶ O giue eare vnto good counsell and bee content to bee reformed that thou maist bee wise hereafter for there are manie deuises in a mans hart neuerthelesse the counsell of the Lorde shall stande for euer ¶ The .xvj. Flower O Lorde thou Father and GOD of my life I béeseeche thée for thy sunne Christes sake bend down thine eyes of compassion vpon mée that am thine humble seruant but at this presente wofully oppressed with careful incumbrances of sinne so that I want power to lift vp my handes and with my tongue I am not able to expresse the sorowes that I sustayne I am déepely wounded that my life languisheth away I am broken that I cannot recouer I am sore that I cannot bée cured I am sicke that I cannot bée saued I am so nighe death that I cannot liue I am so pined that I am past al helpe vnlesse that thou O Lorde come with spéedie reléeife the worker of my wealth and curer of all infirmities For if thou put foorthe thy hollie hande I shalbée holpen if thou doo tutche mée I shalbée saued if thou doo but say the woorde my lothsomnesse shalbée releeued O Lorde I pray thee hartely come ease mée of my gréeifes come cure mée of my care come saue mée from my sickenesse come assure me from my sores restore mee to my health and prolonge the dayes of my life to thy pleasure In weakenesse of bodie and infirmitie of minde in feeblenesse of flesh and crasinesse of conscience in aduersitie of the worlde and all miseries of mankinde I haue made mine ernest complaynt vnto thee O Lorde and thou hast graciously heard mee thou diddest neuer turne from mee in prosperitie nor disdayne mée in trouble and I trust thou wilt neuer forsake mée Lorde this worlde is subiect vnto meruelous mutabilitie the state of men is variable for thou enritchest the poore empouerishest the ritch thou pullest downe the loftie and raysest vp the base yet graunt vnto mée that I may with all meekenes of minde bée well contented with the callyng wherunto thou hast alotted mée and yéelde vnto thée moste duetifull thankes therefore Giue not vnto mée O God the great heapes of worldly wealth nor cast not vpon mée the gnawyng paines of pininge pouertie for ritches make a man not know himselfe mutchelesse God and pouertie manie times is an enemie vnto verteous maners and godlinesse but mercifully graunt vnto mée a resonable competent liuing There are many that haue fallen by abundance and diuerse by lacke but O thou heauenly Father that art only the ritche God vouchsaulf I beeseeche thee to giue mée alwaies a sufficient relieuynge bothe for my body and soule and for the charge of householde whiche thou hast giuen vnto mee and in althynges to auoid most vayne superfluitie Sweete Lorde fixe my minde firmely vpon thee and nothyng els as for worldly things let them séeme vile vnto mee in respect of thee let mee take comfort in thee and not in them suffer no mirth to remayne in my minde nor ioy to harbour in my harte nor pleasure to rest in my thought nor desier to abide in my breast that is not in thee and for thee only If it bee thy will O eternal kyng that I shall liue in thy loue and continue in thy fauour take away from mee the meanes of ordinarie offending thee make mee angrie without sinning humble without faynynge merie without lightnesse sad without out mistrust sobre without dulnesse and trustie without doublenesse Strike into my harte a true feare of thee yet that I doo
¶ The Garlande of Godly Flowers Bewtifully adorned as most freshly they flourish in the Gardeins of right faithfull Christian writers Yéeldyng foorth a very comfortable sauour to the afflicted Soule wherby hée is salfly transported vnto the mercifull throne of the most glorious God. Carefully collected and diligently digested into ordre by Tho. Twyne Gentleman 1574. I will take it on my shoulder and as a Garland binde it about my head Iob. 11. ¶ Imprinted at London by William How. MEDIOCRIA FIRMA To the Right honorable syr Nicholas Bacon Knight one of the Queenes Maiesties most honourable priuie Counsell and Lorde kéeper of the great seale of England And to the Right honorable and most verteous Ladie Anne his wife my very good Lorde and Mayster Ladie and Maystresse WALKING in this vale of Miserie checked with the choakynge cares of this mortall life mated with the manifolde calamities whereunto the whole posteritie of our first Father Adam is subiect I finde nothing right honourable my good Lorde and Lady wherin the hart of man can take more quiet and cast foorth a surer anker of stabilitie to ride salfe from the vncertaine surges of this wicked worlde or enter into a calmer Hauen then into the vndoubted harbour and comfortable porte of Praier Heerein although wee bee neuer so mutche tossed with troubles weeried with vexations affrighted with afflictions pinched with paines oppressed with miseries girded with greifes and slayne with persecutions yet wee may finde assured releife certaine succour constant comfort and speedie deliuerance And no meruell For although it sumtimes so vnhappely fall out that eeuen the most expert and wisest Mariners when they haue attayned the Rode after boysterous stormes on th' open sea thinkyng themselues then past all daunger are notwithstanding cast a way in the Hauen yet in the midst of our miseries and very depth of our daungers if wee turne aboute the helme of our contemplations and arriue once with in this Rode wee neede to feare no foule weather wee weigh no Shippewracke wee dreade no drowninge The flittinge of our barke may aptly represent our distracted conscience the Cable thereof our Faith the Anker frute of good woorkes fast linked to the same the Ankeradge is Christe our sauiour on whom if our cable do strike and our Anker take holde the grounde neuer fayleth vs for it is a firme rocke it yeeldeth not at the rage of winde nor weather for it is not setled vpon the sand In sutch like sort it pleased sumtime our sweet Sauiour the diuine wisdom of God the father by grosse and base terme to figure himself the better to bee conceaued by our blinded vnderstanding that knowyng the nature and disposition of the thing wee might likewise in all our troubles and afflictions stay and repose and our praier to bee effectuall Then shal wee feele immediatly a woonderful operation of the holy ghost within our hartes assuryng vs of the greate and tendre mercie of God towards vs wherin wee are eftsoones emboldned to crie vnto him Abba father thy wil bee doone in earth as it is in heauen This is the meanes whereby the auntient heroicall personages of the olde testament beecame as it were familiar with god For by this hee was felt in a combat of wrestlyng al night seene in the burnyng busshe heard in a calme after a windie tempest and dayly cōmuned withall in the mount By faithfull praier God preserueth the righteous in the true way bringeth backe sutche as goe astray stayeth vp those that stande helpeth vp sutche as fall comforteth the weake consciēce lighteneth the sorowfull hart cheereth the heauie refressheth the laden erecteth the afflicted from the deepe dungeon of blacke desperation and crowneth him with immortallitie I neede not in this place to call now to recorde the priuie experimentes triall herein of many other men since that I my poore self for the short time that God hath led foorth my daies in this life haue most sharpely tasted the sower of th' one and most comfortably tried the sweete of the other Not that I haue bin a great eye sore vnto Fortune as wee daily see there bee diuerse as by her greeuously enuied at assaulted beaten cast downe troden spurned driuen to dust consumed to no thing for I neuer possessed the occasion of any sutch storming casualities Yet in my slendre Boate hath shee shipped her bitter Oare shee hath blowne a contrarie gale in my hoysed saile shee hath soused my Suger with Salt and seasoned my sweete Syrup with vnpleasant Aloes shee hath frowned vpon my felicitie and doone hir best to bring mee to nought and now shee triūpheth for the victorie wher to I must of force haue yeelded had I not sustained my selfe only with this most worthy benefite wherby I haue bin sufficiently instructed how to estee me the frownings or fawnings of this wicked world As for the vse of Praier it is expedient in our youth and necessarie in our olde age By this the poore wretches doo tollerate their neede and the ritche obtaine power to enioy their wealth Both the prince and the subiect whatsoeuer bee the puisance of the one or the condicion of the other haue continuall neede of recourse vnto praier wherby they become humble sueters to th'omnipotent God in respect of their imperfections and vnrighteousnesse wherin he hath included the sunnes of men as witnesseth S. Iohn saying If wee say that wee haue no sinne wee deceaue our selues and there is no trueth in vs. And Iob likewise speaketh of all men in his owne person If I will iustefie my selfe mine owne mouthe shall condemne mee If I will bee a perfect man God shall prooue mee a wicked doer and also in another place he fitly layth foorth the miseries of our nature where hee saith Man that is borne of a woman hath but a short date of life and is replenished with many miseries The secrete assaultes whereof when they shall as dayly they doo with remorse of conscience withdraw your honourable personages a while from th' accustomable conuersation in ordinarie affayres priuatly to professe your guilt and hartely to humble your selues beefore the maiestie of God with feruent affection in lowly praier if you shall take into your handes this litle booke which I haue termed a Garland eftsoones selecting some one or two Flowers therein contained as occasion shall serue from your profounder meditations I doo not distrust but that haply your honours may conceaue sum sutche sootenesse of sauour therin as shall not offend your sense mutchlesse the maiestie of God as to the good liking of the one and the glory of the other I haue bin so bold to imploy the small trauaile of gathering these few Flowers into order of your honourable names and to offre them vnto you knitting them vp in one Garland expressing therby as was mine endeuor the absolute circle of commendable Graces and Vertues apparant to the world iointly couched in your Right honourable persons A most certain president
sinne the serpent of troublesome temptations the minger of all mischeifes and the ouerthrower of vertues But O thou most glorious God as thou hast lightned my vnderstandyng and perseuerance in these to discerne what is hurtfull to mee and displeasant to thee dispose euen so the hart of thy seruant with the dayly influence of thy grace that I may bée acquit from al such sharpe assaultes as may winne mée from thee but confirme mée in all Godlinesse trueth and faithfulnesse Make my harte the vndefiled instrument of pure perfect thoughts and my tungue the Trump of thine eternall prayse my bodie the habitation of the holly Ghost myne eyes the windowes to beholde the worthy way that leadeth vnto thée my legges the supporters of my bodie and soule towardes th'attainment of thy heauenly kyngdome Incline mine eares that I may giue diligent attendance vnto thy moste blessed will and commaundementes expressed in thy moste sacred woorde mollifie the hardnesse of my hart that it may easely entre in and firmely take roote to th' increase of semblant seedes of vertu and godlinesse in mee graunt this O Lorde for my delight is in thy seruice Knocke harde O Lorde God O knocke harde at the doore of my conscience with the ringle of thy moste holly wil awake mée out of the snorkyng sleepe of securitie in sinnynge whereout manie doo neuer rise agayne but vtterly perish put mee in minde of my duetie towardes thy diuine maiestie let mée haue the wisdome to know my self and that thou only art my good Lorde and God. I confesse with gréeuous gronyng of hart that I haue manifoldly transgressed thy commaundementes in seekyng thee I haue embraced that which I should haue refused I haue stragled longe whilst I should haue walked in thy wayes and trode in thy pathes I haue gone backe when I should haue pursued thy pleasure and haue trained my selfe in the trauerse of thy teachynges Leade mée O Lorde with thy heauenly hande and I shalbée truely lead dirext mee with the spirite of vnderstandyng and I shalbée saulfly directed let the bright burnyng lampe of thy woonderfull woorde still shyne béefore mine eyes and pearce into my harte so shall I bée sure not to treade one steppe amisse bée thou alwayes my most mercifull God and make mée continually thy most obedient childe Blot the beadroule of my misdeedes out of thy remembrance O thou kynge of mercie and indorse the recordes of my transgressions with a discharge of thy great compassion set thy holly hande vpon my harte in token that I am thy childe and write the woordes of thy pleasure in my breast make mée assured that I am one whom thou haste predestinated vnto life Glorifie thy self in mée Lorde for I am thy woork and let mée bee glorified in thée for thou art my GOD my strength my saluation and glorie purifie my soule that thou mayst dwell in mée and graunt I may bée made woorthy to dwell in thee for thou art in althinges and althinges are in thée to thée therfore bée praise and honour for euer and euer Amen L. ¶ Learne to do wel applie your selues to equatie deliuer the oppressed helpe the Fatherlesse to his right let the widdowes complaint come before you ¶ The sixt Flower LORDE in thy moste louynge mercies haue I alwayes put my whole trust and confidence wherfore thou haste assured mée that I shall come to no reproche nor shame there shal no ignominie nor confusion take holde vpon mee and although there should rise whole thousandes of wicked conspiratours against mée yet should they not preuayle for thou art the portion of my hope Accordynge vnto whiche moste swéetest couenantes of thine so let thy kindenesse more then fatherlie compasse mée alwayes like the garment wherwith I am couered let thy mercies bée vnto mée a shielde of defence and a buckler of assured protection that I may neuer dread the furie of any foe striue hée to ouerthrow my bodie or soule O turne the hartes of those that hate mée without a cause or bée offēded with mée for thy blessinges sake wherewith thou hast blessed mée eyther because thou hast increased mee with wealth or aduaunced mée to honour or lifted mée into the fauour of my gracious Soueraigne wherin I yéelde thy maiestie moste hartie thankes Make mée O Lorde a méete mēber for the vocation whervnto thou hast called mée graunt mee the gifte of godlinesse as thou haste planted mee in preheminēce of place let vertue flowrish and vice bée suppressed the righteous cause of the Orphane widowe and sutche as are destitute preuayle and the oppressour receaue his deserued foyle Bryng it thou to effect O almightie God from whom procéedeth the motion of all good thoughtes that as thou hast made thine onely Sonne our Sauiour Christe the sole sheapheard of thy faithfull flocke so wee may all know his voyce and follow him in sinceritie of life and puritie of doctrine all the dayes of our life I hartly béeséeche thee Lorde that in consideration of mine vnrighteousnesse thou giue mee not ouer into the handes of mine enemies and sutch as fayne woulde see my fal and reioyce at my finall destruction and especially deliuer mée from false prophetes and preachers whiche seeke only their owne commoditie and not the edefication of thy hungrie peoples soules Cause mee to take a moste singulare delight in the readynge and hearyng of thy holly Gospell to frame my life accordyng vnto the sacred institutions of thy woorthie woorde without whiche all other doctrine concernyng the woorshipping of thée is deuilish and vngodly and that by all meanes I may seeke the settyng foorth of the same Let the enemies of thy trueth bee enemies vnto mée that embrasinge their persons with laudable charitie I may persecute their offences vnto th'amendement of their liues and conuersation and that they may vnderstand at length that thou art a ielous God and wilt not giue thine honour to another O moste mightie kynge and giuer of all gracious goodnesse conuert the hartes of all sutche as persecute thy Christe in his membres thine elect open their eies I béeséeche thée that they may béehold their errours and repent them of their misdeedes and confirme the hartes of the afflicted that they may persist in confessing thy name Mercifully cal mée backe for I acknowledge that for my parte I haue walked wronge thou hast giuen me vnderstandynge to perceaue myne owne imperfections the multitude of them lieth heaped béefore myne eyes and my harte is sore gréeued therwith O comfort mée good Lord and quicken mée oftsoonesin thée I haue bin continually more readie to offende thy maiestie then to execute thy heauenly will there is no maner of meanes wherin a man may displease thée that I am guiltlesse take mercie vpon mée and forgiue mée therefore for I am determined neuer agayne to commit the like strengthen mee with thy spirite that I neuer sinne hereafter Most louynge Father and mercifull God I hartely require thee for my Lorde Iesus
for I acknowledge my manifolde iniquities and I am hartely sorie for my sinnes I am woe that euer I went awrie thou seest Lord the contrition of my hart and my sighing is not hid from thée take no reguarde to my crimes that are past but harken how I purpose to amende only guide mée with thy grace shunne not the sute of a sinner but heare the prayer of him that putteth his trust in thee as thou most louingly hast promised Thou art almightie O Lorde my God and canst graunt whatsoeuer is asked giue vnto my soule an hartie féelyng of true deuotion fulfill mée with the Charitie and louynge kindenesse of thy deere sunne which hee expressed when moste humbly hée offred himselfe vpon the Crosse died the bitter death and shedde his precious bloud for the sinnes of mee and many Lorde if my teares were in quantitie match to the déepe sea and my sighes were as the smoke of a Fornace and my sobbes coulde breake the harde Diamonde and my waylynges were equall vnto the noyse of thundre and my sorow were sutch as no tongue can expresse yet could I not sufficiently lameÌ„t for the guilt of my gréeuous offences Thou hast giuen mee an harte to vnderstande thee and eies to béehold thee in thy woorthie woorkes giue mée also I pray thee a desier to walke in thy will and then I am certayne I shall want nothynge that is needefull for the good estate of my bodie or soule aboue all giue mée the quietnesse of a calme conscience and seperate mée not from the hope of thy health I haue prayed vnto thee my swéet God for perfection of minde so I béeséeche thée also sende mée the strength and firmitude of bodie with al the powers therof to thy pleasure preserue the corporal life of my soueraigne thy faithfull seruant our gracious gouerner likewise of my parentes friendes and kinsefolke vouchesaulfe to bée fauourable vnto my feere whom thou hast sent mée in thy feare and stande good father vnto my poore remainder the béeloued moitie of my life If thou graunt not my petitions thou art true notwithstandyng for God heareth not sinners and if thou giue eare vnto my prayers thou art merciful for thou commaundest mée to aske and I shall receaue and if I obtayne it is only thy méere liberalitie no desert of mine shew mée thy mercie that I may bee hearde and make mee worthy O Lorde to receaue Thou hast taught mée to pray O deliuer mée from the greate éeuill saue mée from the mouth of the monstrous Dragon whiche continually prosecuteth mée and with the sheild of thy might deliuer mée from his perilous hornes for his most gréedy desier is to entrappe my life and to deuoure my soule whiche thou haste created Wherefore O Lorde incessantly I crie vnto thee acquite mee from my daylie aduersarie whiche whether I sleepe or wake whether I eate or drinke or whatsoeuer I doo by all meanes bothe day and night lieth in waite priuely or openly to shoote his venemous shaftes against mee and to sley my soule but bee thou my gracious protectour If thou Lorde bée on my side I estéeme not the force of any foe there is nothynge to hurt where thou arte to helpe there can no fende of darcknesse impugne where the Lorde of light doth defende let mée not perish Lorde through lacke of thy succour for in my hart I haue made thee the full refuge of my hope and the rampier of my health Confesse I must néedes that the deuises of my hart haue driuen mee from my duetie and the imaginations of my minde haue augmented my mischeif but I trust Lorde that in the ritchnesse of thy mercies thou wilt thinke on my pouertie and in the plentie of thy goodnesse thou wilt remembre my scarcitie of perfectioÌ„s and take fauourable compassion vppon mee O eternall Lorde I powre not foorthe my prayers béefore thy presence trustynge in the strength of mine owne righteousnesse but in thy greate and manifolde mercies saue mée Lorde for thy déere sonnes sake preserue mée from slaundrous tungues and hatefull hartes defende mée from mishappe pestilence famine murther and sudden death I béeséeche thee I will singe with my mouth and giue thankes with my harte and set foorth thy glorie most glorious God and I will conforme all the members of my body that they shall doo thy will I wil bee wholy the Lords and the Lorde shal bee the porcion of my patrimonie refuse mée not for my will shall alwayes bée with thée Amen E. ¶ Euery mans woorke shalbeo made manifest the day shall declare it bicause it shal bee reuealed by the fier and the fier shall trie euerie mans woorke what it is ¶ The .xij. Flower EVerlastyng God and most mercifull Father thou haste stirred mée vp with the liuely feelyng of an vnfayned faith this day to call vpon thy most holly name increase I béeséethe thee continually that godly desier within my breast for I know thou hast guiftes enow in store for vs all and thou wilt heare the humilitie of an hartie praier Heare mée now therefore O my Lorde for I stande a far of criynge with the Publican Lorde haue mercie vpon mée which am a sinner and with the Leaper Lorde if it bée thy will thou canst clense mée and with the faithfull Centurian Lorde my seruant is very sicke and like to die but say thou the woorde and hée shall bée made whole What doo théese woordes signifie other O Lorde but that I am in miserie and fayne woulde bée reléeued I am in sorow and fayne would bée comforted I am in distresse and fayne woulde bee succoured I am in sinne and fayne woulde bée pardoned and I come vnto thee for thou art the only woorker of wealth and Lorde of mercie and I hope thou wilt helpe mée Haue mercie vpon mée O Lorde haue mercie vpon mée for I had neuer so mutche néede my offences are increased and my force is diminished aâ—d if I would take in hand to write the millians of my misdeedes that dayly doo burden my bodie and sinke my soule it were néedeful that thou shouldest create in mee a thousande new toongues I can hide nothyng from thée that whiche I haue committed in secrete lieth manifest béefore thy celestiall eyes for at the dooynge of all thynges thou art present and thou art the perpetuall bee holder of my harte and all my delightes déedes and deuises of minde are as cleare in thy sight as is the light of the nooneday and more clearer But harken now awhile O my soule forsake thy worldly businesse and carefull cogitations for a season bée at leasure vnto God and take thy rest in him entre into the secret closet of thy harte and shut foorth all other occupations and when thou art there alone then séeke for the lorde and hée will séeke for thée and if thou list thou shalt surely finde him And when thou hast founde him say then vnto him O lorde my harte hath sought thy face
not dispayer and a feruent loue vnto thee but yet that I may not presume giue mee vnderstandynge to amende myne owne vnrighteousnesse with discretion and admonish my neighbours of their faultes without dissimulation and that by my woordes and example they may take a paterne of doctrine and liuinge Establish mée in a right trade of wel pleasing thee that my life may bée conformable vnto thy woorthie will reueale vnto th' eies of my soule by inspiration of the holly spirite some sight or taste of thy heauenly ioyes that I may bée caried with delight to accomplish that whiche is pleasant vnto thée and profitable for myne owne selfe A droppe of thy grace shalbée the sea of my saluation a sparcle of thy loue shalbée the flame of my fayth a mote of thy mercie shalbée the heape of my health a sande of thy sight shalbée the banke of my bewtie a grayne of thy goodnesse shalbée the weight of my woorthinesse one fauour of thy celestiall face shalbée the fulnesse of mine eternall felicitie O Lorde God and holly Father cast downe thine eyes from thy sacred sainctuarie and from thy heauenly habitation and béeholde the most acceptable sacrafice whiche our high bishop Iesus Christe thy déere sunne our Lorde offreth vp vnto thy maiestie for our manifolde sinnes and bée mercifull vnto the multitude of our misdéedes Béeholde the precious blood of our most swéete Sauiour crieth yet vnto thée from the altar of the Crosse hee hangeth yet there and still is hée dying vnto thée who séest althynge in present that bée past béefore whose eyes the effectes of all times doone do euer abide as now in dooing consider him O mercifull God and for his sake take pitie vpon vs. I must néedes loue thée O my most déere redéemer Iesus Christe with all my hart with all my soule and with all my power that diddest vouchsaulf to die for my sinnes my soule cleaueth fast vnto thee for thou art hir strength and fortitude graunt vnto mee that I may ensue thy worthy steppes and bée partaker of thy heauenly kingdome accordyng as I haue shewen my sighinges vnto thée and put my whole trust in thée that art the porcion of mine inheritance Amen N ¶ Naked as wee came foorth of our moothers wombe euen so goe wee hence agayne and carie nothyng away with vs of all our labour Consider this woonderfull woorke of God and how that no man can make the thynge streight which hee maketh crooked ¶ The .xvij. Flower NO creature vnder heauen may bryng mée comfort but thou O Lorde of eternall glorie that art the healpe of mans health and surgeon of his soule thou strikest and healest thou bringest a man nigh vnto death and anon restoreth him to life again to th' intent hée may know his owne weakenesse and imbecillitie cleaue the more firmely vnto thy strength and vertue As for man hée is nothynge els but a shew of simple séede and a slip of slender strength and a bubble of boylyng brothe and a branche of fadynge flowers and an handfull of goodly grasse that to day flourisheth in the fielde and to morow is flunge into the fier a frame of moste frayle fleash in whom is no perpetuitie nor endurance Lorde let mée euermore beare this portrature in my minde of mine owne infirmitie considerynge still what I am remembryng alwayes what I would bée then shall I léese likyng of my selfe and longe after the loue of thee for I am the image of thy substance although the looking backe from thy lawes hath soyled mée sore with sinne As I am ful of imperfection of my selfe so supply thou my wantes in thee for when I haue indeuoured al I may my righteousnesse is thine and thou crownest mée with endlesse honour for that which procéedeth only from thee and is so litle agreeable vnto my corrupt nature that it is rather quight alas repugnant My sinnes O Lorde lie foorth in plentie béefore my face I can turne no way but they ouertake mée I woulde faine intreate thee to pardon them and I dare not draw néere thee for dread of them consider my necessitie most mightie God and deliuer mée and graunt most graciously vnto thy sinfull seruant the participation of thy most glorious maiestie What though my sinnes bée as the sandes of the sea and my wickednesse surmount the leaues of the woodde and my transgressions striue in numbre with the flowers of the sprynge yet take thou no reguarde O Lorde vnto the frowardnesse of my hart but like as thou hast many times shewed mercie so now bee pitifull and forgiue mée I haue hungred my souereigne Lorde and God to feede vpon thee that art the breade of life not with the iawes of my fleash but with the mouth of my faith vntil it mai please thée to féede mée at full with the entire contemplation of thy substance whiche I shall sée face to face and also bée séene in thy celestiall glorie when I am discharged of this farthel of frailtie this hope is the harbour of my delight and the assured lookynge for it is the cheifest flower of my Garlande Most gracious gouerner giue mée to drinke of that water wherof who so drinketh shall thirst the more as after the swéetenesse of heauenly thynges whose taste is vnspeakable pleasant and giue mée also to drinke of that water the drinkers whereof shall thirst nomore for euer for it floweth foorth from thée the fountain of immortalitie Truely Lorde there is no cause why I should longe to abide in this life if I were of sutch perfection as was thy Apostle Paule I should perceaue the wickednesse of this worlde and the glorie of thy kyngedome and wishe ernestly as hée did to bée dissolued from this body and to bée with Christe where as hée reigneth in eternitie O Lorde thou knowest my hartie desier is alwaies to serue thee graūt vnto mée of thy gracious goodnesse that I may liue in thy law and run in thy rule and walke in thy way and die in thy faith and that I may bée cléerely deliuered of the bondage of sinne and bee wholy out of dreade of death and dampnation Execute these thinges vpon mee O my moste louynge God and as it shall seeme best vnto thy pleasure most sittyng for my soule abridge the dayes of this Pilgrimage and commence the terme of my true life call mée from this Clay and clothe mée in the wéede of euerlastynge wealth where thou art resident with thy saynctes in eternall glorie Lorde if it so bée that the destruction day of all fleash bée at hande as it is hartely hoped then haue wee great cause to yéelde thée most humble thankes for shortning the time of our trouble and takyng away the occasions of offendyng that thine elect may possesse the longer frute of their ioyes and yéelde vp the summes of a shorter accoumpt O God what a ioyfull day shall that same bée when wée shall béeholde with our eyes those thynges whiche wée haue often