holden backe thy mercy from thy seruaunt After that I had longe looked for thee O Lorde at the laste thou diddest attende vpon me and heardest my crye Thou haste taken me oute of the lake of miserie and set my fete vpon a rocke made my steppes sure Thou haste gyuen me my desyer I haue seene thy ioyfull countenaunce Thou haste stricken all my aduersaryes and haste abated their strength Thou haste rebuked the rablemente of them that vexed me and haste plucked me forthe of their handes Thou hast cast them headelong into their owne pytte their feete be wrapped in the net whiche they layed priuilye for me Myne enemyes are retyred backe they are fallen downe and destroyed from thy syght Thou haste bene the poore mannes defence and his helper in tribulacion when most neede was Thou haste done iudgemente for me thou hast desēded my cause against my accusers And although thou was verye angrye with me a litle whyle yet nowe I lyue throughe thy mercye and goodnesse Verely I supposed with my selfe that I was cleane caste oute of thy fauour But thou haste harde my prayers and accordinge to thy greate mercye haste taken me agayne into thy fauour O Lord of thyne owne minde and will thou haste gyuen strength vnto my soule but when thou hiddest thy face from me O Lorde howe greatly astonyed was I VVhen I was in aduersitie then I cried vnto thee and thou diddest aunswere me when my soule was in great anguishe and trouble then O Lorde I remembred thee I haue tasted and seene howe sweete thou art truly blessed is the man that trusteth in thee Accordinge to thy name so is thy commendation and praise but thy counsayles touchynge vs be without example and greater then with wordes can be expressed Dominion power and glorie be thyne for thou haste made all thynges and because thy will is so they do styll continue Thy name be blessed praysed and magnifyed bothe nowe and euer and worlde withoure ende Amen A Psalme in vvhiche the goodnesse of God is praysed O Lorde oure gouernoure how wounderfull is thy Maiestye through oute the whole worlde whiche haste set thy glorye aboue all the heauens VVhat is man that thou magnifiest him so greatlye or the sonne of man that thou doest visite him O Lorde thou arte greate and muche to be praysed in thy holye hyll Prayse be vnto thee O Lorde God lett our vowes made to thee be alwayes perfourmed Confession and magnificence are thy worke and thy righteousnesse continueth for euermore Thou haste done many thinges O Lord God both maruailous greate and there is none that can bee lyke vnto thee in thy workes Thy wayes be iuste and true who will not feare and dread thee and magnifie thy name I thanke thee O Lorde God with all my harte and I will sanctifie thy name for euer O Lorde thou art my strength and my prayse Thou haste broughte downe myne enemyes which arte a iudge euen from the begynning Thy righte hande is exceding stronge thy righte hande worketh manye great actes Thyne arme is myghtye and strong and be cause it hath pleased thee thou hast strengthened myne infirmitye I will prayse thy greate and dreadfull name for it is holy Although I haue fallen yet I am not crushed in pieces for thou hast sustayned my hande I haue opened and shewed my waye vnto thee and in thee I haue trusted and thou at length haste accomplished my desires Thou haste broken the heades of myne ennemies and haste made them to stoupe whiche walked proudely in their sinnes Thou haste dominion ouer their power and when they be exalted and set alofte in their wayes thou abatest their courage and destroiest them with thy mighty arme In thy name I wil euer reioice and in thy mercy is all my glory Thou louest righteousnes and iudgement the earth is replenished with thy mercy Thy eye looketh fauourably vpon them that dreade thee and trust in thy mercy There shall no good thing be lackinge to them that seeke thee and they that feare thee shall not be helpelesse For thou directest their wayes and hearest them when they crye vnto thee That thou mayest deliuer their soules from death and swage their paynes when they be grieued For thou helpest them whose hartes be broken with sorowe and bearest vp with thy hand them that be contrite in spirite Thou fauest the soules of thy seruauntes and all they that truste in thee shall not be dystroyed VVherfore my toung shall sing thy prayse O Lord God I will alwayes magnifie thee I will loue thee O Lord which art my strength my stay my might my Sauiour and my refuge My God my defend our and my buckler the strength of my saluation and my supporter After that I had called vpon thee with due laude and prayse thou hast saued me from myne enemies VVhen I was in trouble I called vpō the thou hast hearde my voice oute of thy holy temple my crie hathe entred vp into thine eares Thou haste saued me from mine aduersaries that rose vp agaynst me thou haste deliuered me from wicked enemies Thou haste taken me from the compagnie of euell men and mine eye hath seene vpon mine enemies the thinges that I desired And therfore if it should fortune me to passe through the darke vale of miserie I will goe without feare for thou wilte be with me thy rodde and thy staffe shall comfort me Thou shalt delvuer me from tribulation thou shalt kepe me frō them whiche seeke to destroy me Myne eyes be vpon thee O Lord for thou shalt bring my fete forth of the snare Vnto thee O Lord God I will perfourme my vowes I will gyue thee thankes bothe nowe euermore and world without ende Amen A Psalme of the benefytes of God vvith thankes for the same MY soule prayseth thee O Lord and all that is within me prayseth thy holye name My soule gyueth thee humble thankes and thy benefites I will neuer forget VVhiche forgyuest all my sinnes and healest all mine infirmities VVhiche haste saued my lyse from destruction shewed in me thy grace and mercye VVhich haste satisfyed my desier with good thinges and shalte once restore my youth agayne Thou haste entreated me mercifully at all times and haste reuenged me of myne enemyes Thou haste bene a defence to me O Lorde and a sure foundation of my wealth Thou haste guyded me with thy counsaile taken me to thee through thy mercie Thou haste manye wayes declared in me thy greate myght and power and after thine anger hathe bene paste thou haste turned agayne and comforted me Thou haste sente me many grieuous troubles but at the lengthe thou haste brought me oute of the bottomles depenesse Thou haste made me preuye to thy wayes and haste not hydde thy counsayles from me Thou arte full of mercye and grace O Lorde slowe to wrathe and ready to goodnes Thy displeasure lasteth not alwaye thou kepest not backe thy mercies in thine anger
to the lustes desirs of the fleshe and to liue to thee onely all oure life So that in the end we raigne eternallie with him where thou with the same thy sonne and the holy ghoste liuest and raignest one true and lyuing God for euer and euer Amen VVhen the Priest sayeth the Pater noster saye vvith him LEtt vs pray Being admonished by holesome preceptes and being taught by diuine institution we dare be bold to say Pater noster qui es in caelis c. Aue Maria gratia plena c. VVhen the Preist kissethe the pax O Lambe of God that takest awaye the sinnes of the world haue mercie vpon vs. O Lambe of God that c. haue mercie vpon vs. O Lambe of God that c. Gyue vs peace and quietnes Deliuer vs we beseech thee O Lord from all our euills paste presente to come and by the intercession of thy blessed and glorious mother the virgin Mary of thy holy Apostles Peter Paule of all thy saincts mercifully graunte vs peace in our dayes that we being aided by the helpe of thy mercye may continually be free from sinne and safe from all parturbation of mynde and bodye Amen VVhen you kisse the Pax. GEeue peace in our dayes O Lorde because their is no other that fighteth for vs but onely thou O Lorde God VVhen the Priest receyueth O Sacred feast wherein Christ is receyued the memorie of his passion is reuiued the minde is replenished with grace and a pledge is geuen vs of the glory to come O Mostmercifull Lord God father of mercye graunte I beseech thee that this vnbloody Sacrifice of the blessed bodye and blood of thy sonne our Lord Iesus Christ which here euery-where throughout thy holie Churche is offred to the great benefit of vs al for a coÌ„tinuall daylie memorie thankes geuing may entreat for vs at thy handes mercie remissioÌ„ of all our sinnes Amen Then blessing your selfe saye THe grace of our Lorde Iesus Christ the vertue of his moste gloriouse Passion the signe of the holye Crosse the integritie of the moste blessed Virgin Marie the blessing of all Saints the prayers of all the Elect of God be betwene me and all my ennemies visible inuisible now and in the howre of my death In nomine patris filii spiritus sancti Amen A prayer after the diuine Sacrifice of the Masse Cornelius Donters in his contemplations of the passion O Moste louinge Lorde and almighty God I beseech thee most humbly vouchsafe to receiue for acceptable the diuine seruice which I haue done this day to thy honour and glorie and to the honour of thy blessed mother and to the honour of all saintes whose feasts we celebrate in remission of our sinnes and for all our frendes and benefactours aswell those that liue as those that be departed most earnestlye requestinge that thou wouldest louinglye receyue these our deuotions in this time of thy diuine seruice and to forgyue me mercifully that which I haue done without deuotion in dedes words and thoughtes Gyue vs thy grace alwayes to walke in thy holy commaundementes and to serue thee loyally to the ende thou maist be honored glorified in vs. Amen A prayer to recommend your selfe to God In Eucholo Ecclesiast O Lorde I recommend into the hands of thy inestimable mercy my soule my body my senses my wordes and my thoughtes my counsayle my workes and all the necessities of my body and soule my entring and goinge foorth my fayth and my conuersation the course and end of my lyfe the day and houre of my departinge my death the reste and resurrection of my soule with thy saints and thine elected Amen A prayer to be sayed before a Catholicke Sermon or exhortation O Lorde Iesus Christ open the eyes and eares of my harte to the ende I may heare and vnderstand thy holy worde and to obey it according to thy holy will I am a pylgrime vpon earth keepe not hidden thy coÌ„maundements from me Open myne eyes that I may vnderstand the maruelouse things of thy lawe Gyue me wisdome to lighten my vnderstanding to purifie my hart to inflame my affection that I may loue thee and knowe thee in all and aboue all thinges Amen The ende of the second Chapter THE THIRDE CHAPTER CONTEYNINGE HOLsome prayers for remission of sinnes An humble bevvaylinge of sinnes for a sinner that hath compunction Ioan. Fab. in precat Christian O Most heauenly kinge and moste mercyfull Lorde and Sauioure Christ Iesu here do I come to thee beinge verye fainte with the infirmitie of sinne and far from the perfection which thou requirest to be in me My conscieÌ„ce doth dayely accuse me and more and more I finde the imperfection and fraveltie of my flesh I do continually offende thy Maiestie All the imaginations of my harte all my words and deedes whatsoeuer I do or leaue vndone whether I eate drincke sleepe or watche all my thoughtes all my senses are wholye bent to wickednes whether shall I turne me O Lorde Thou requirest of me integritie of life and iustice and that I shoulde walke in thy holie commaundementes wherto thou promisest mee thy gratious helpe But O Lorde I feele my owne will so peruerse ouer-thwart that I can not hartelie wishe and desire those thinges whiche be requisite to my saluatioÌ„ I haue no will to bewayle my sinnes ne yet repente my wickednes from the bottome of my harte I am so caried awaye with the vanitie of this life that I doo quite forgette the benefites of thy death and Passion whiche thou of thy bountiouse liberalitie bestowed vpon me moste vyle and abhominable wretche My offences bee so manie in number and so grieuous O most gracious God wherwith I offend thy Diuine maiestie that were not thy most mercifull pitie I had bene longe agoo drowned in the depe dongeon of euerlastinge tormente VVherfore I most humblie thaÌ„ke thy vnspeakeable goodnes mercie that I am not alredie sounkeÌ„ into the botomles pitte of hell But what shall I doo shall I despayer shall I saye with cursed Cain the murtherer of his brother my offences are greater theÌ„ can be forgyuen me No God forbyd that I shoulde haue anye suche thoughte no but this will I say my God is mercifull and full of pitie he is my comforte my strengthe consolatioÌ„ my refuge defence he will not despyse the worke of his owne hâ—â—d nâ—â— will caste from afore him me poore wretched sinner wherfore moste mercifull Sauiour I come to the openinge in thy sight the thoughtes of my harte for thou neuer fayleste me with thy graciouse helpe I coÌ„fesse most mercifull Lorde before thee my weakenes acknowledginge my owne imperfectioÌ„ and bewaylinge the multitude of my offences O euerlasting and endles swetenes o vnspeakeable mercie and moste louinge Father I haue sundrie times and manies wayes offended against heauen thee so that I am not worthie to be reputed for thy childe
cheeflie hauinge assured confidence in thy superabundaunt mercie doo humblie prostrate my selfe before thy mercie-seate instantlie beseeching thee to graunt mee pardon and remission of my wretched wickednes and greate offences with which I haue so greuouslie offēded thy eternal goodnes wittinglye or ignorauntlie as thou beste knoweste from the beginninge of my lyfe vntill this presente and speciallye with suche a person in such a place these manye times in this manner this suggestion mouinge me this longe continuing without repentaunce and by my euill example geuinge such and such occasion to sinne Here call to minde particulerly in what thou haste offended God VVith whom thou hast sinned VVhom thou haste iniuryed How often and how longe thou haste continued Of all whiche moste mercifull Father it maye please thee to perdon mee moste fillthie sinner and abhominable lyuer and also all other sinners whiche either I haue entised vnto sinne or gyuen exāple of sinning likewise all those whiche haue gyuen mee occasion of sinninge absoluinge and deliuering vs from the grieuous heauye bandes thereof throughe the mercifull merites of the moste bitter Passion of thy onely sonne and our redemer Iesus Christe who suffered moste cruell and vyle deathe to saue sinners For otherwise what shoulde become of mee in that moste dreadfull iudgmente daye when the booke of conscience shal be opened whē it shal be sayed of me beholde the persone and his woorkes at which time all the iniquitie that I haue committed from the first daye of my lyfe both in harte worde and woorke shal be made open to heauen and earth all those my sinnes shal be there presente to accuse mee moreouer the dyuell and conscience redye to beare wittnes therevnto allso thou my wratthfull iudge vppon their iuste accusation thy iustice enforcinge the same redy to gyue the terrible sentence of eternall death againste mee and finallie the horrible pitte of hell continuallie gaping and opening his vnsatiable mowthe desyrous to swallow mee the dredfull consideration wherof would make mee O Lord to despaire if I didde not call to minde the infinitenesse of thy mercie my moste mercifull redeemer For the sinnes of men be they neuer so manie are to be numbred but thy mercie Lorde God is infinite and without numbre and thy mercie great aboue all thy woorkes for thy excedinge great mercie throughe effusion of thy moste precious bloude and voluntarie death hath purchased pardon and forgiuenes for vs before wee were suters for it yea when wee were thyne enemies and gonne farre awaye frō thee howe muche more rather shall wee obtaine it when wee through thy grace now being reconsiled vnto thee with our vnfeined repētante hartes incessantlie doo sue and with bytter teares humblie craue it VVherefore O Lorde of mercie deale not with mee after my desertes but accordinge to thy great mercie remēbre not sweete Iesu thy seuere Iustice against the sinner but be mindfull of thy longe sufferinge goodnes towardes thy creature Remembre not thy wrathe against the offendour but be mindfull of thy mercie towardes the repentant sinner Remembre not my disobedience whiche hath prouoked the but respecte him which in great sorow and heuines of harte for his offēces calleth vpon thee For what is Iesus but a Sauioure Therefore O Iesu for thine owne sake I beseech thee rise vppe to helpe mee and say vnto my soule I am thy sauing health I presume muche of thy goodnes O merclfull Lord being there vnto imboldened forasmuch as thou thy selfe teachest mee to aske to seeke to knocke VVherfore beinge admonished through thy teachinge I aske I seeke and I knocke and thou Lorde whiche commaundest mee to aske graunte me to obteine and thou whiche counsaylest mee to seeke graunte mee to finde And thou which teachest mee to knocke open vnto mee at my knocking 's make mee beinge sicke in soule to be whole restore mee againe beinge as one forlorne and a caste-awaye Raise me vppe beinge deade throughe sinne from death and vouchsafe to gouerne and directe all my senses thoughtes woordes and actes so as they maye be pleasaunt in thy sight that frō henffourthe I maye trulie serue thee lyue to thee and cōmitte my selfe wholy vnto thee and to delight in nothinge but in thee and for thee For I knowe O Lord that forasmuche as thou hast made mee Lowe vnto thee my selfe and because thou haste redemed mee and wast made man for mee I owe vnto thee more then my selfe if I had de it by so muche as thou art more woorthie then I for whome thou being the sonne of God and second person in Trinitie wouchsafest to suffre for my sake most grieuous tormentes and shameful deathe Yet Lo more thē my selfe I haue not to gyue neither yet I can gyue that vnto thee without thee wherefore doe thou receiue mee draw mee through thy grace vnto thee that I maye aswell bee thine by loue and imitation as I am thine by calling and creation VVhich liuest reignest for euer and euer vnto whome be all honour glorie world without ende Amen A prayer for a penitent sinner after his relapse or falling to sinne agayne Antonius Hemert in Speculo perfectionis O Lorde Iesu Christ I vnhappie sinner most vile and vnthankfull Lo now againe I have offended thee by this worde N. or by this sinne N. I haue dishonoured thy maiestie haue reiected thee which aboue all thinges ought to be to me most deare and agreable Thou knowest O Lord how muche I am yet Carnall how litle mortyfied how full of euell concupiscence how I am flootinge in externall pleasures how often enwrapped in vayne fansyes how negligent in spirituall exercises how light in laughing and dissolution how harde difficult in wepinges and cōpunction how euell aduised in speakinge how impatient in kepinge silence how much gyuen to eating and drinckinge how deafe and dull in hearinge godly admonitiōs how attētife to babling how sluggish to heare dyuine seruice how sodaynlie I am troubled and letted to doe good how manye things I purpose wherof I accomplishe none O my Lord my God I am full of Sorowe grief for that I haue sinned also for that I haue too-to litle compunction I desire with all my harte that thou wouldeste wounde my hart with the sorowe of moste perfecte contrition And for asmuch as perdition and offence proceedeth from me and grace and mercy from thee I purpose from this time forwards beinge assisted by they grace from hence foorth to keepe my selfe from all misdeedes and to auoyde all occasions of sinne Amen A moste profitable protestation to be made vvhyles vve are yet in healthe and prosperitie Cornelius Donters in his contemplations vpon the passion O Lord God almighty to whom all thinges are manifeste and knowne O eternall Sapiēce which preserueth all things I poore wretched creature in despite of mine enemy make protestation whyles I am in good health and perfecte memory wherein I stande at this present through
thy grace that although it happen or come to passe that by any temptation illusion deceipte or variation comming of griefe of sicknes or by weakenes of body or by any other occasion whatsoeuer I come in daunger of my soule or preiudice to my saluation or in errour of the Catholicke fayty in the which I am regenerated in the fountayne of Baptisme there promised to resiste all temptations of the deuill and all errours of fayth and at this present I do resiste and renounce as I did then and then as now protestinge moste feruently with all my harte to lyue and dye in the fayth of our mother the holy Church thy spouse and in witnesse of this protestation and confession I offer the articles of our holy christian fayth which thy holye Apostles hath lefte vs in recommendinge vnto thee my fayth lyfe and death Amen I beleeue in God the Father c. The ende of the third chapter THE FOVRTHE CHAPTER CONTEYNINGE VERY goodly prayers for cōfort strēgth and deliuery by Gods assistance in all sorowes tribulations afflictions and aduersities VVhen thou feelest thy selfe tempted saye as folovveth Imitatio Christi li. 3. ca. 7. O Thou Satan the deuyll enemie of mankynde I adiure thee by the name of our Lorde God and by the signe of the holy crosse ✚ that thou departe and neuer hereafter enter into me O thou wicked spirit auoide from mee be thou ashamed for thou arte foule and ouglie that wouldest bringe suche thinges into my minde Goe from mee thou false deceyuer of mankinde thou shalte have noo parte in mee for my Sauiour Iesus standeth by mee as a mightie warriour and a strong champion and thou shalte flye awaye to thy confusion I had leuer suffer the moste cruell death then to consente to thy malicious stirringes be still therefore thou cursed fyende and cease thy malice for I shall neuer assente to thee though thou vexe mee never so much our Lorde is my lighte my healthe whome shall I dreade and he is the defender of my life what shall I feare Truelie though an hoste of men aryse against mee my harte shall not dread them for whie God is my helper and my redeemer Amen A prayer of any captiue accordinge to the forme of Dauid vvhen he vvas hid in the caue Psal 142. VVIth my voice I cry to thee afore thee I open my lamentations in thy bosome I disclose the secrete word of my hart my dolours and griefes I shew vnto thee my harte is almoste lyke to bruste so great is my discomfiture Thou knowest all my dealinges O Lorde and thou seest well ynough how the vngodly haue layed their snares for me Lo I caste mine eye on this side and that side aswell on my frends as kinsfolkes but all is in vaine none of them al helpeth me And againe I can not runne away I am so loadē ouer charged with irons O Lorde my maker and father now vnto thee I cry thou art mine onely Shot-anker defence helpe Thou art my porciō heritage which I possesse in al coūtries yea I haue none other possession but thee onely To thee therefore I sticke altogether knowinge certainly that nothing can goe amisse with me Consider then my lamentable complaynte beholde how I am brought low From the cruell pursuers which be much more of power than I am defend me Deliuer me from this prison and horrible feare of sinne and death that I may sette out thy name all thy sainctes as well Angells as men make sute for me desiring thee for my comfort They shall not cease vntill they obtaine their requeste I meane vntill thou forgyue me my sinnes and sende me comfort in this distres with pacience and lōg suffering This once obtayned the godly folke shal flocke aboute me shall not stynt to gyue thee thankes when they see that thou riddest me forth of these dangers to the highe prayse of thy name Lorde be mercyfull vnto vs take part with vs then we shall for euer lyfte vp and magnifie thy glorious name Amen A prayer of Iob in his moste grieuous aduersitie and losse of goodes Iob. 1. NAked I came oute of my mothers womb and naked shall I returne agayne our Lorde gaue our Lorde hath taken awaye as it hath pleased our Lord so is it done nowe blessed be the name of our Lorde Amen A prayer in trouble of conscience Psal 134. LOrde heare my prayer receyue my fupplicacion harken to my cōplaint for thy righteousnes Try not the lawe with thy seruaunt for trulye then shall no lyuynge man be founde vngyltie yea not one of thy saintes should escape quitte at thy barre vnlesse thou graunte him thy gracious pardon in somuch euen the very starres be not pure and fautles afore thee in the Angels thou foundest sin Nowe mine enemies hunte for my soule they beate dryue it downe they thruste it into darcke dungeons where felons conuicte and condempned to death were wonte to be kept my spirit is sorowfull my hart is heauie and sadd with in my breast to thee I holde vp my hādes requiring the of mercy For lyke as the dry ground lōgeth for a shower of raigne so my soule thinketh long till it hath thy helpe and succour heare me spedely if thou do not I am in dispaire my spirites is al werie of this bondage I haue bid my life fare-well VVherfore O God hide not thy face that I be not lyke to those that be hurled into the pyt of damnatiō after this night of misery ouerpassed let the pleasaunt morninge of comfort luckyly shyne vpō me that by time I may heare and fele thy goodnes for in thee is all my trust pointe me the waye that I shall walke in for yf thou be not my guide I must nedes wander and straye out of the waye To thee Lorde I lift vp my soule and that with all mine harte I besech the take me forth of mine enemies handes Thou onely art my succour and sauegarde teache me to worke what soeuer shall be thy pleasure for thou art my God Let thy good spirite conducte me into the land of the lyuing encourage my spirite for thy names sake furth of all these troubles for thy righteousnes delyuer me cōfound mine enemies as thou art gracious fauourable towardes me Those that will worke me sorowe and griefe plucke forth of the waye for I am thy seruaunt and for thy sake suffer I all this hurlye-burlye As thou art God so helpe thou me Amen A prayer for patience De Imit Christ li. 3. cap 20. O Lorde for as muche as thou was founde paciente in thy life fulfillinge in it moste speciallie the will of thy father it is requisite that I most wretched sinner should behaue my selfe pacientelye after thy will in all thinges and as longe as thou wilt that I for myne owne health beare the burthen of this corruptible life for thoughe this lyfe be tediouse and as heauie a burthen to the soule
nomen tuum deduces me enutries me Educes me de laqueo queÌ„ absconderunt mihi quoniam tues protector meus In manus tuas domine commendo-spiritum meum redemisti me domine deus veritatis Miserere mei domine quoniam tribulor conturbatus est in ira oculus meus anima mea venter meus Quoniam defecit in dolore vita mea anni mei in gemitibus Infirmata est in paupertate virtus mea ossa mea conturbata sunt Super omnes inimicos meos factus sum opprobrium vicinis meis valde timor notis meis Qui videbant me foras fugerunt à me obliuioni datus sum tanquam mortuus a corde Factus sum tanquam vas perditum quoniam audiui vitu perationem multorum commorantium in circuitu In eo dum conuenirent simul aduersum me accipere animam meaÌ„ coÌ„siliati sunt Ego autem in te speraui domine dixi deus meus es tu in manibus tuis sortes meae Illustra faciem tuam super seruum tuuÌ„ saluum me fac in misericordia tua domine non confundar quoniam inuocaui te Quoniam magna multitudo dulcedinis tuae domine quam abscondisti timentibus te Psa 32. Ecce oculi domini super timentes eum in eis qui sperant super misericordia eius Vt eruat à morte animas eorum alat eos in fame Anima nostra sustinet dominuÌ„ quo niam adiutor protector noster est Quia in eo laetabitur cor nostrum in nomine sancto eius sperauimus Fiat misericordia tua domine super nos quemadmodum sperauimus in te Psal 33. Accedite ad eum illuminamini facies vestrae non confundentur Immittet angelus domini in circuitu timentium eum eripiet eos Gustate videte quoniaÌ„ suauis est dominus beatus vir qui sperat in eo Timete dominuÌ„ omnes sancti eius quoniam non est inopia timentibus eum Diuites eguerunt esurieruÌ„t inquirentes autem dominum non minuentur omni bono Iuxta est dominus his qui tribulato sunt corde humiles spiritu saluabit Psa 35. Fil j hom num in tegmine alarum tuarum sperabunt in ebriabuÌ„tur ab vbertate domus tuae Quoniam apud te est fons vitae in lumine tuo videbimus lumen Psa 37. Dominene in furore tuo arguas me neque in ira tua corripias me Quoniam sagittae tuae infixae sunt mihi consirmasti super me manum tuam Non est sanitas in carne mea a facie irae tuae non est pax ossibus meis a facie peccatorum meorum Quoniam iniquitares meae supergressae sunt caput meuÌ„ sicut onus graue grauatae sunt super me Putruerunt corruptae sunt circatrices meae a faciae insipientiae meae Miser factus sum curuatus sum vsque in finem tota die cótristatus ingrediebar Quoniam lumbi mei impleti sunt Illusionibus non est sanitas in carne mea Afflictus sum humiliatus sum nimis rugiebam a gemitu cordis mei Domine ante te omne desideriuÌ„ meum gemitus meus a te non est absconditus Cor meum conturbatum est dereliquit me virtus mea lumen oculorum meorum ipsum non est est mecum Amici mei proximi mei aduersum me appropinquauerunt steterunt Et qui iuxta me erant de longe steterunt loue hartelye without dissimulation ye and to helpe all men both with counsayle and good example without pryde or vayne glory to be obediente without grudginge and patiente without spurninge at aduersitie Graunt sweete sauiour Christ vnto me a vigilaÌ„t and wakefull mind that no fonde fancy may cary me away from thee stedfastnes that no wauering affection may shake constancie that no paine sorowe or tribulation may daunte that freedome of mynde that no violence of seruile pleasure mave pearse a straight and true harte towardes thee that no peruerse or sinister thoughte haue power to make me swarue from thee Gyue me sweete Iesu an vnderstandinge minde in the knowledge of thee diligence to search thee wisdome to synde thee conuersation acceptable and pleasinge vnto thee perseuerance in the sweetenes of thy holy fayth a sure confidence and truste in thee to be fastened to thy holy passion by penaunce to enioy the merites of thy blessed benifites through grace And lastlye of all to be partaker of thy heauenly mansion in the euerlastinge blisse and felicitie Amen A prayer moste godlye and deuouâ—e vvhich S. Thomas of Aquin vsed dayly to praye GRaunt me most mercifull God feruentlie to desire such things as may be acceptable and pleasing vnto thee with wisdom to searche after them not to be deceyued in the knowledge of them and vnfaynedlie to accoÌ„plishe the dooing of them to the prayse and glorie of thy holie name Directe so my lyfe and graunte mee that I maye both haue knowlege wil power to doo that whiche thou requierest I shoulde doo in such sorte as is behoueable and most expedient for my soule Let my waye vnto thee O Lorde be sure straight and perfect that I maye neither fainte nor fall from thee either thorough aduersitie or prosperitie that I be not puffed vppe in pride thorough the one nor yet dryueÌ„ downe into dispaire thorough the other But that I maye for the one gyue thankes be in the other armed with pacience Also that I maye reioyse in nothinge but in that which may allure mee vnto thee nor sorrowe ought but that whiche doth withdrawe me from thee that I desire to please or displease none but thee or for thee that all thinges transitorie maye for thy sake Lord be of no reputation with mee and that all thinges lykinge vnto thee maye be delectable vnto mee and thou God more then all other thinges and that I maye haue no reioysinge besides thee let all labour delight mee that is taken for thee and all ease be vnpleasant that is without thee Make me to lifte vp my heart often vnto thee and when I fall from thee graunte mee to call it sorowfullye to mynde with full purpose of amendemente Graunte mee that I maye bee obedient without repinyng or geuing of froward language and poore without fallinge from thee patient without murmuring or grudging pure and cleane without defiling or corruptioÌ„ Make mee also lowelye without counterfeiting merry without loosnes sad without lumpishnes sobre without dullenes nimble and quick without lightnes of behauior trewe without doblenes fearinge thee but not to dispaire to doe good workes but not to presume tellyng my neighbour his faulte without flatering instructing him bothe by woorde and exaÌ„ple without scorning or tauntinge Graunte mee moste louynge Lorde and my God that my harte maye alwayes soo wake vnto thee that no vaine worldlye thought with-drawe mee from thee gyue me that constancye that no euyll affectioÌ„ or wicked
me O euerlasting lighte and shine in my hart that I may reioyse in thee come vnto me O my lyfe moste noble and most sweete that through thee I maye lyue in thee and with thee in thy kindome for euer heare me O Lorde God to the glory of thy name and the felicity and blisse of my soule Amen A prayer to be sayd after the receiuing of the Blessed Sacrament By Sir Thomas Moore I Adore and worshippe thee and gyue my humble and heartie thankes vnto thee moste mercifull Lorde Iesu Christe whiche haste vouchsafed to admit me moste vile sinner vnto the noble and liuely feast of thy moste holy table Alas poore wretch that I am For I haue receyued this moste venerable Sacrament to-to vnworthily Lorde haue mercy on me Lord forgyue me I commēd that which I haue done vnto thy Diuine hart there to be amended to be made perfect Receyue I beseeche thee Lorde these moste holy mysteries of thy blessed Body whiche I haue receyued to the euerlasting glorie of thy holy name to the honour of thy most swete Mother the Virgin Marie to the honour of thy blessed Saint N. Here name the Sainte of that daye to the honour of all thy blessed holy Saints and Angels of heauen for my soule healthe and for the soule health of all Christen people quicke and dead Receyue good Lorde this moste excellent Sacrament in full amendment purgatiō and satisfaction for all my sinnes negligences and for the sinnes of all the worlde Restore by it and make vp againe all my ghostly ruines and decayes and supplie my needy pouertie Mortifie by it in me what soeuer doth displease thee and make me one accordinge to thy heartes desire By it make my spirite my soule and my body conformable to the spirite soule and body of thy holy Humanitie and lighten me altogyther with the light of thy Diuinitie Graunt by it that I may be stablished in thee that I perfytly with perseuerance loue thee that I may be incorporate vnto thee most nerely vnited vnto thee and that I maye be chaunged all whole into thee to the laude of thy blessed name Amen COnuert Lorde miserable sinners call againe heretikes and schismatikes Lighten the infidels that knowe not thee helpe all that be in anye necessitye and trouble helpe all them that haue commended them selues or desired to be cōmended vnto my prayers Haue mercy vpon my parentes benefactours Haue mercy vpon all thē for whome I am bound to praye that thou wouldest be intreated for Haue mercy on this place and companie Graunte that here bee alwaye humilitie peace charitie chastie and puritie Graunt that we all may worthily amend and correct our selues that we may feare the and serue thee faithfully that we may loue thee and please thee I commend vnto thy mercy all our businesses and all our necessities Lorde be mercifull vnto all people for whome thou hast shedde thy precious bloude Graunt vnto the quicke forgyuenes and grace vnto the faithfull departed reast and lyfe euerlasting Amen Another Prayer after receyuing of the Sacrament By Sir Thomas Moore THankes be vnto thee O holy Father God almightie that thou diddest vouchesafe of thy greatpitie to sende thy only Sōne from thy high Throne into this vale of wo miserie here to take our nature and shape in the same to suffer moste sharp paines bitter death to bring our soules to thy kingdome and to leaue that precious Body here to be our strēgth and comfort I thanke thee moste mercifull Lorde Iesu with all the mighte and strength that thou hast gyuen me I offer to thee thankes that thou this daye haste fed me with thine owne precious Body by whiche I hope to haue healthe of soule and euerlasting lyfe with ioye when I depart hence O holy Ghost come good Lorde and enflame my hart with thy brenninge beames of loue and make me with vertuous swetenes continually to yolde acceptable thankes to the holy and glorious Trinitie O ye three Persons one God glorie laude and honor with all reuerence be offered to you of all creatures without ende Amen The ende of the seuenth Chapter THE EIGHT CHAPTER CONTEYNING LAVDES PRAIses and thankes-gyuing for the benefites that God hathe bestowed vpon vs. A psalme in vvhich a sinner yeldeth thankes to God that his enemyes haue not preuayled agaynste him nor gotten the vpper-hand of him I VVill magnifie praise thee O Lord God for thou haste exalted me and sette me vp mine ennemies haue not gotten the ouer hand of me O Lorde of hoastes I haue cried vnto thee and thou haste saued me Thou haste broughte my soule out of hell thou haste holden me vp from fallynge into thee deepe lake from whence no man retourneth Thou haste not closed me vp in the handes of myne ennemies but thou haste sette my feete in a place both wyde and broade I haue sought thee and thou hast hearde me thou haste brought me into libertie oute of great distresse Thou haste turned my sorowe into gladnes thou haste ceased my mourning compassed me round aboute with myrth Thou haste declared thy great magnificence in helpinge thy seruaunt Thou haste done meruaylouslie with me in my miseries Thou haste regarded the paine of the poore thou haste turned awaye thy face from me I will be synging and speakyng of thy mercyes and I will publishe to other thy fidelitie and truthe so long as I shall lyue My mouthe shall neuer cease to speake of thy rytghteousnes of thy benefites which be so manye that I can not number them But I will gyue thee thankes tyll death take me awaye I wyll syng in the prayse of thee so longe as I shall continue I will triumphe and reioyce in thy mercy for thou haste looked vpon my necessityes and regarded my soule in great dystresse Thou haste bene my sure refuge and the strength of my truste and hope I thanke thee Lorde for thy goodnes alwaye and for thy excedinge mercie Thou haste bene my comfort in the time of my trouble thou hast bene mercifull vnto me O Lorde and haste reuenged the wronges that myne enemyes haue done to me Accordinge to the multitude of the heauy thoughtes that I had in my minde thy cōfortes haue cheared and lyghtned my hart Thou hast sente me nowe ioyes for the dayes wherein I was in sorowe and for the yeares in whiche I suffred many a painfull storme Thou haste called to remembraunce the rebuke that thy seruaunt hathe bene put to and howe furiously myne enemies haue persecuted me O Lorde God of hostes who may be compared vnto thee thou arte great greatly to be praysed Thou arte hyghe vpon all the earth thou art exalted farre aboue all goddes Glory and honour before thy face holynes and magnificence in thy sanctuary VVith iustice and iudgement thy royall throne is stablished mercye and truthe go before thy face Blessed arte thou O Lorde which haste not
for euer Thou rewardest vs not accordinge to our sinnes nor punishest vs accordinge to our desertes Loke howe high the heauen is in cōparyson of the earth so greate is thy mercye towardes vs. How farre as the earth is distaunt from the west so farre O Lorde remoue our sinnes from vs. Like as a naturall father hath pity vpon his children euen so O Lorde God thou haste had compassion vpon vs. Thou haste not forgotten thy creature thou remembredst that we are fleshe yea all men liuinge And that the age of men is lyke vnto grasse and may be compared to the floures in the fielde VVhich as soone as the sharpe winde hathe blowen vppon them with his blastes wither away and dye so that no man can tell where they dyd growe But thy mercie O Lorde and louyng kyndenesse is alwayes vpon them that feare thee and thy ryghteousnes endureth for euer So that we kepe our promyse and conuenaunt with thee and so remember thy commaundementes that we doe them in deede O Lorde thou haste stablished thy throne in heauen and thou gouernest all thinges by thine imperyall power I will magnifie thee O Lorde and prayse thy name worlde withoute ende I will gyue thankes alwaye and make thy name glorious fo euer O Lorde thou arte puissant and greate and thy magnyficence is vnsearcheable One generation shall shewe to another thy workes and they shall declare thine auncient noble actes They shall euer prayse the magnificence of the glorie of thy holynes the memorie of thy great goodnes For thou arte good and gracious to all men and thy mercye excedeth all thy workes The eyes of all men beholde wayte vpon thee that thou shouldest gyue them their susten aunce in time conuenient Thou openest thyne hande and fillest euery lyuinge creature with necessary foode O Lorde thou art ryghtfull in al thy wayes holy in thy deedes Thou kepest all them that loue thee and the tourmente of malice shall not touche them My mouthe shall speake thy glorie and prayse and all lyuinge creatures shall honour thy holye name for euer Prayse our Lorde oh ye his Angels mightie in power whiche doe his commaundementes and obeye the voyce of his worde Prayse ye altogyther God O all ye hostes you his ministers that do his will and pleasure Prayse our Lorde as I do and let vs magnifie his name togyther Prayse our Lorde oh all ye his Saintes for his name is glorious and his prayse goeth aboute heauen and earth Prayse our Lorde togyther O all ye his workes euerye thing that liueth prayse our Lorde Amen A thanks-giuinge to God for his innumerable benefits bestovved on man from his infancie B. August can 18. Soliloq I The sonne of thy hand-mayd in these my poore confessions doe confesse to thee my redeemer with all my hart and will call to mynde all the benefites whiche thou haste bestowed vpon me all the time of my lyfe euen from mine infancye for I knowe well O Sauiour that thou art greatlye displeased withe ingratitude for it is the roote of all spirituall euill and a certaine wynd dryenge and burninge all good stopping the fountaine of thy dyuine mercy towardes man But I O Lorde will gyue thee thankes least I be ingratefull to thee my redeemer because thou hast delyuered me howe oft had that dragon swallowed me vppe if thou haddest not taken me from his mouth how oft haue I sinned and he was redy to haue deuoured me but thou my Lorde God haste defended me when I wrought wickedly agaynst thee and did breake thy commaundementes he would haue drawen me to hell if thou haddest not letted him I did offend thee and thou diddest defend me I did not feare thee and thou didest preserue me I departed from thee and offered my selfe to mine enemie but thou diddest affraye him that he durst not take me thou diddest bestowe these great benefites vpon me O my God yet I poore wretch did not know it Thou hast often times deliuered me from the iawes of the diuell thou hast takē me out of the mouth of the lyon and haste brought me many tymes from hell I not knowinge it for I wente downe to the gates of hell but thou haste stayed them that I entred not in I did hasten to the portes of death but thou diddest not suffer them to inclose me in thou haste also often deliuered me from bodyly death O my sauiour VVhen I haue bene sore vexed with sicknes and in greate danger by lande and sea by fier and sword thou haste stoode by me and mercifully deliuered me from all for thou diddest knowe O Lorde if death had then ouertaken me hell had receyued my soule and I had bene damned for euer but thy mercye and grace preuented me and deliuered me from death both of bodye and soule O my Lorde God These and many other benefites thou haste heaped vpon me but I being blind did not perceiue it vntill thou dyddest illumynate me Now therefore O the light of my soule O my Lorde God O my life by whom I lyue O the lighte of mine eyes by the which I see loe thou haste illuminated me and I know thee for by thee I lyue And I gyue thee thankes although insufficient and nothing correspondente to thy benefites yet such as my frayltie is able to afford I offer vnto thee I confesse and acknowledge thy goodnes for thou haste broughte me from the lower hell once twyse thryse yea a hundred and a thousand tymes I was euery day going downe to hell but thou diddest bringe me backe agayne and iustly thou might a thousande tymes haue condemned me if it had bene thy pleasure but thou wouldest not because thou louedst soules and dissemblest the sinnes of men expectinge their repentance O my God my sauiour in all thy wayes their is great mercy now I see and manifestly know through the light of thy grace and my soule doth faynte in the contemplation of thy greate mercy towardes me because thou haste pluckt me from the lower hell and haste brought me backe againe to lyfe It is then by thee wholy that I liue and therfore I wholy offer my whole selfe to thee my whole soule my whole harte my whole body my whole life let it liue vnto thee O my sweet lyfe for thou haste wholy delyuered me that thou mighte wholye possesse me thou hast wholy made me that thou mighte wholy haue me agayne Therefore I will loue thee O Lord which art my strēgth I will loue thee O my ineffable ioy and comforte so that my wholle life shall liue no more but for thee which lyfe was loste in my misery and nowe reuyued agayne in thy mercy for thou art a God mercyfull to thowsands that loue thy holy name Amen A prayse and thankes gyuinge to God for his great benefites Io. Roffe psal 13. lib preca MY soule doth praise thee O my God and all that is within me doth laude thy holy name my soul doth render
thee hūble thankes I will neuer be vnminful of thy benefites for thou doest pardonne all my sinnes hast healed all my infirmities thou haste redeemed my lyfe from death and haste shewed vnto me mercy and grace Thou haste multiplied in me thy magnificēce after thine anger thou haste comforted me thou haste showed me many tribulations and aduersities but in the end thou hast brought me backe againe from the depth of deapnes thou haste made knowen to me thy wayes and from me thou haste not hid thy counsels Thou arte mercyfull and full of grace O Lorde slowe to anger prone and redy to goodnes thou wilt not alwaie be angrie and thou doest not for euer holde backe thy mercie thou rewardest vs not according to our sinnes nether doest thou punishe vs accordinge to our iniquities As the father doth pitie his children so thou haste compassion of vs O God our Lord thou forgettest not thy handy-worke thou remembrest that euery liuinge man is fleshe and that the daies of man are as grasse and as the flowers of the fielde which with a blaste of colde winde vanishe away so as none can fynde the place where they grewe But thy mercy is euerlastinge to those that feare thee and thy iustice remayneth alwayes so that we keepe thy law and fulfill thy commaundementes I will extoll thee my God and prayse thy name for euer and euer I will render thee thankes at all seasons and I will make thy name famous for euer and longer if longer may be for thou arte good to all and thy mercye exceedeth all thy workes The eyes of all thinges looke vppe vnto thee that thou wouldest gyue them meate in due time thou openest thy hand fillest with thy blessinge euery liuinge thing thou preseruest all that loue thee no tormente of malyce shall touche them my mouth shall shew foorth thy prayse and euery liuing thing shall celebrate thy holy name for euer and euer Prayse our Lorde O ye Angels mightye in power which doe his commaundementes and are obediente to the voyce of his worde prayse our Lorde O all ye Armies which doe his will magnifie our Lorde and lett vs extoll his name in it selfe Prayse our Lord all ye his Saints whose onely name is moste highe whose onely prayse doth exceede heauen and earth Prayse our Lord all ye his workes through all his dominion in euerye place euerie thinge that liueth praise our Lorde The ende of the eyghte Chapter THE NYNTH CHAPTER CONTAYNINGE NECESSArie prayers for the prosperitie of our bretheren friends and neyghbours Timoth. 2. Iacob 5. A prayer for the Churche afflicted Franc. Tittel in para Psal 78. O God the gentiles barbarous Nations and Infidelles which haue no fayth in thee nor knowleadge of thy name are entred into thy heritage they haue taken thy people by force of armes and as vanquishers they occupie our cyties they haue defyled with their abhominations thy temple dedicated to thy honor and seruice they haue polluted the vessels consecrated for the seruice of the temple and vsed them prophanely VVe are become a reproch and laughing-stocke to our neighbors in such sorte that they scorne dispise and make a ieste of vs reioysing at our afflictions and in their mirth they vpbrayd vs but thou O Lord vpon whose will we wholy depend how long wilt thou be angry with vs. And wherfore doest thou so deliuer vs into the hāds of our enemies as though thou haddest shaked vs of hereafter would haue no more care ouer vs wherefore doest thou showe the furye of thy wrathe towardes thy people which are the sheepe of thy holy pasture whereof thou art the ruler sheppard defender and protector Be myndfull O Lorde of thy holy Churche and leaue it not in the hands of thy enemyes but delyuer it by thy stronge powre beholde and consider the league and testament made with the elect Remembre thy promise made vnto thē that thou woldest not forsake them that were contrite in hart but woldest saue them that were humble in spirite For in trueth we are kepte vnder afflicted and broughte to nothing we are contemptible abiect and miserable in such sorte that we are a gasing-stocke and ignominie to all nations wherefore O Lorde doest thou not turne thy face to vs thy poore seruantes why doest thou turne thy face from them and suffer thy enemies so cruellye to rage against them why doest thou not beholde the misery and affliction wherin we thy seruantes destitute and desolate of all helpe and hauing no comfort but in thee are afflicted and tormented of our enemies Awake O Lorde God dissemble no longet but come to succour thy people and make hast to helpe thy faythfull seruants and saue vs from the hands of our enemies we humbly beseech thee for thy moste glorious names sake for thine own selfe and for thy infinite mercye that we the posteritie may a little taste the sweetnes of thy promises which our for fathers haue so abundantly felte But we that are thy people and the sheepe of thy pasture which worshippe no other God which seeke no other sheppard gouernour besides thee whiche put our whole trust cōfidence in thee desire to be fedd ruled and gouerned by thee onely we will render thee moste humble thankes and sett foorth thy glorye for euer and euer VVe will declare and shewe thy prayses from generation to generation for thou of thy meere good will haste restored vs to the libertye which we haue requyred we therefore in aduersitie as well as in prosperitie or how so euer it shall please thee to dispose of vs will serue thee with ioye and gladnes we will contine we still in thankes gyuinge attendinge patientlye thy ayde and helpe Amen A prayer for our parentes Io. Ferus in lib. precat O Almightye and omnipotente God which haste strictly commaunded vs next vnto thee to honour our father and mother and to pray for their happy and good successe graunt vnto my parentes and the whole familye health peace keepe them in the piety and trueth of thy fayth defend them from all daungers bodily and ghostly gyue them grace I humblye beseeche thee that they offende not thee in any thinge but that they may alwaye find thee a louing gentle and mercyfull father and God Amen A prayer to be sayed for them that are fallen from the Church Io. Fabius in preca christ OMnipotent benigne and moste mercifull father we moste entierly besech thee that it wil please thee to visitt with thy fatherlye affection all those that are fallen and departed from the pure Catholike and christian Church or doubt in any article thereof and are seduced or deceiued through any false perswasion to illuminate their hartes O Lorde with the beames of thy diuine light staye them and bring them backe to acknowledge their errour that being in such sort conuerted they maye with the whole vniuersall Church confesse with mouth and shewe in workes one true
world lyueth Bowe downe thyne eares O mother of pitye and mercy vnto my poore prayers and be to me wretched sinner a pitiouse helper in all thinge O most Blessed Ihon Euangelist the farnyliar frend of Christ which of the same Iesu Christ our Lorde was a chosen Virgin amonge all others muche beloued and aboue all others instructed and learned in heauenly Secrettes and mysteries thou was made his Apostle and Euangelist moste excellent therefore I call vpon the and Marie the mother of the same Lorde Iesu Christ our Saniour that thou and shee would vouchsaf to help me O ye two heauēly Gemmes Marie and Ihon. O two diuine Lampes euer shyninge before God dryue away with your blessed bearnes the darke cloudes of my sinnes for ye are the two in whom the onely begotten sonne of God for the merit of pure virginitie confirmed the priuilege of his singuler loue while he was hanging on the crosse saying thus to the one of you VVoman beholde thy sonne and after to the other Beholde thy mother Therefore in this sweetenes of such sacred loue wherin ye were then conioyned by the mouth of our Lorde as Mother and Sonne to you two I moste wretched sinner commend this day my body and soule that in euery houre and momente inwardly and outwardly ye woulde vouchsafe to be my suer keepers and pitifull intercessors to God for me Aske I beseech you health of body and soule for me Helpe I praye you helpe with your gloriouse prayers that the holy Ghost the noble gyuer of graces woulde wouchsafe to visite adorne and inhabite my harte to purge me from all filthe of sinne to bewtifye me with all holy vertues and make me stand perfectly and perseuer in the loue of God and my neyghbour And after the course of this lyfe I may be ledde to the ioyes of the elect by the same holy Ghost who with the father and the sonne eternally lyueth and raigneth one God almightye worlde without ende Amen A prayer to all the holy Angelles Victor Vticensis libr. de persecutione Vandalica HEare vs O holy Angells of our God whose ayde neuer faileth for you are constituted in your seruice for them that shal be heires of euerlasting saluation watch and take heede and behold howe Sion the Citie of our God is become of litle estimation and as it were polluted with infection amongest her enemyes the enemy hathe abused and wastfully occupyed all her pleasaunt beautyfull ornamētes for he hathe seene infidelles and vnworthy persones assaile enter within the gates whoe our Lorde had commaunded should not enter into his Churche Saye vnto God our protector euen as those whiche haue a sure trust to obteyne that whiche you require that his Church is afflicted trauelled her wombe sore troubled with her outcries for she is set amongest infidels doth find no rest not any to comfort her She hathe soughte who woulde mourne with her but coulde finde none she hath sought who woulde gyue her comforte but no person was to be founde euen when shee dyd eate Gaule in her meate and in her thirst tooke vynager for her drincke folowinge the Passion of her spouse and Lorde who suffred for hyr to the end that shee might followe his steppes A prayer to S. Iohn Baptist Ludo. carthusianus li. de vita Christi O Moste blessed Iohn the forerunner of Christe the crier of the Iudg frend of the spouse voice of the diuine word which haste deserued to declare fortell the ioy and comfort of our redemption obtaine for me poore and miserable sinner of the same Lord Iesus by thy most holy prayers that my harte being clensed from vice and adorned with vertues I may according to thy hoolsome admonitiōs prepare the way of our Lord and make streyght his pathes in suche sort as in the laste and finall Iudgemēt when he shall clense the floore of his Church shall seperate the good corne from the chaffe I may deserue to be found amongest the wheate his elect with thē may be layde vpp in the barne of his heauenly mansion Amen A prayer to any of the Apostles O Lord God which amongest al and aboue al thy other saintes haste moste maruelouslye chosen thy moste blessed Apostles to be the firste pillers and foundation of thy Church and before all other haste firste sent them to preach thy Ghospel through the whole world confirminge and establishing their doctryne by maruelous workes wounders and miracles and thou more-ouer by the same Apostles haste sought allured and inuited vs Gentyles to the knowledge and prayse of thy holy name VVe humblye beseech thee O Lorde mercyfully to graunte that we beinge by thee founded vpon the rocke of the Apostolicke confession and in the vnion of the same fayth are chosen and called to obeye prayse thee perpetually be neuer seperated from thee through any errour or temptation make vs pertakers of the intercession of S. N. and of the twelue Apostles in the strength and fortification of a true fayth amendment of our lyfe and auoyding and eschueing of all euil through Iesus Christ our Lord Amen A prayer to any of the holy Martyres Hora B. virgi secund vs ord D. Bene. O God which haste so strenghthned in thy fayth and loue thy blessed Martyr S. N. as no fleshlye delites no threatninges of tyrantes no sworde or torture of tormentors could withdraw him from the worshipping of thee graunte vnto vs miserable sinners by his worthy merites and intercessions helpe in tribulation comforte in persecution that we may manfully fighte against all the deceites of the deuill despise the worlde and all that is in it that we may feare no aduersitie but may obtaine that which by thy holye inspiration we doe desire through Christ our Lorde Amen A prayer to any Confessor Petrus Canisius li catho prec ALmightye and euerlasting God which art the wounderful light of thy beloued saintes and principally thou haste appoynted for vs blessed bishopps pastors doctors and confessors as burninge lightes in thy house and by their doctrine exhortations writinges and testimonies recallest and reducest sinners from euill to good VVe humbly beseech thee that thou wilte vndoe lose the bonds of our sinnes and although we be vnworthie yet make vs partakers of that intercessiō of blessed S.N. all thy holy confessors that we forsakinge our sinnes and walking in true fayth and charitie folowinge them in good workes may at laste enioy their companie in the eternal beatitude through Iesus Christ our Lorde Amen A prayer to any holy Virgin Idem in eodem lib. O God which amongest the other miracles of thy power and might doest gyue and graunte in a fraile sex to all virgins wydowes matrones the victorie of martyrdome and immaculate chastitiye mercyfully graunte that we which amongest thy other holye virgins and widowes do celebrate the memory of thy blessed sainte N. may by her example and intercession despise the allurements of the flesh
after his beleefe O Holy Trinitie I beseech thee keepe and preserue this pure religion of my fayth and graunte that it may euer be sounding in my conscience vntill my spirit departe O almightie and mercyfull Iesu I protest before thee and before all the courte of heauen that I haue a will and desire to finishe my lyfe in this fayth wherein of necessitie euery childe obediente to our Mother the holye Church ought to dye Further my sweete Sauiour I protest to beleeue wholly and vniuersally all that which is conteined in the Catholicke fayth and that which a true faithful christiaÌ„ ought to beleeue that if it happen by the assaults of the deuil or by violence of sicknes I come to thinke say or doe any thing contrary to this purpose I doe reuoke it at this present protest that I gyue no consent to any such thought word or worke I reioyce and render thankes to my louinge creator and redeemer through the maruelouse goodnes of his bounty by the which I hope vndoubtedlye to dye in the holye Catholicke fayth and so I recommende my soule and body into his moste holy handes nowe and at the houre of my death Amen Prayers in sicknesse Dionys Cart. in dial de part iudicio animarum O Swet Iesu I desire nether lyfe nor deathe but thy most holy will Thee O Lorde I loke for be it vnto mee according to thy pleasure Yf thou wil sweete Iesu that I dye receyue my soule And albeit I come to thee euen at the verye eueninge as one of the laste yet graunt that with thee and in thee I may receyue euerlasting rest Yf thou wilt sweete Iesu that I lyue longer on earthe I purpose to amende the rest of my lyfe and offer all into a burnt sacrifice vnto thee for thy honour and glorie accordinge to thy blessed will and for the perfoorminge of this I desire the assistance of thy holy grace Another prayer Nieron in Agone mortis auctore Eusebio O Mercyfull Iesu my vertue and power my comforte and ease my receyuer and my redemer in whome I haue hoped in whome I haue belyeued and whome I haue loued my swete delight my tower of strength my hope from my youthe the guide of my lyfe call mee and I will answer thee O creator of heauen and earthe stretche foorth the power of thy mercye vnto the worke of thy haÌ„ds which thou createdst of the slyme of the earth and tiedst together with bones and synowes Commaund O Lorde staye not for it is time that dust may returne into dust and my soule maye returne to thee his Sauiour who diddest sende it downe into this worlde Open vnto me the gates of lyfe for thou diddest hange vpon the Crosse for my sake and madest mee promise to receyue mee Come my sweete Lorde lett mee embrace thee lett mee not leese thee Bring mee into thy heauenlie palace Thou arte my receyuer my glorie mine aduauncer my habitation and my benedictioÌ„ Receyue me moste mercyfull Lorde accordinge to thee multitude of thy mercies For thou dyinge on the Crosse receyuedst the theefe returninge vnto thee Another prayer Ibid. I Am sycke my lyfe is weake in this poore state and therfore to thee O Lorde I runne as to my onely phisitioÌ„ Heale mee O Lord and I shal be healed And for that I haue mine affiance reposed in thee lett mee not be confounded But what am I O most mercifull God that speake so boldly to thee I am a sinner begotteÌ„ borne brought vp in sinne I am a rotten carkas a stinckinge vessell and meate for woormes VVhat victorie O Lord shall it be yf in conflict thou ouerthrow mee who am lesse than a litle strawe before the face of the wynde Forgyue O Lord forgyue all my sinnes and lyft vpp a poore man from this durty dounghill of earthe Certes good Lord this will I saye yf it please thee thou mayest not refuse him that hathe his recourse to thee For thou arte my Lord God flesh of my flesh bones of my bones For to this intent thou not leauing the right hand of thy father diddest assumpte my humaine nature and becamst God man remayning in one person the selfe same whiche thou wast from thee beginninge And why diddest thou woorke this so hard wounderfull misterie but that I should boldlye haue recourse to thee as vnto my brother thou wouldest mercifully so couer thy diuinitie that I should not be affraid of thy heauenlie power VVherfore arise O Lorde and helpe me arise and put mee not backe for euer Another prayer Ibid. LEtt my request entre into thy sight O Lord and let thy hande bee made to make me whole Beholde I am the man that cominge downe from Hiericho was taken and wounded of theeues and left half dead Doo thou receyue mee O mercyfull Samaritan I haue sinned excessiuelie in my lyfe and wrought muche iniquitie in thy syght From the sole of my foote euen to the toppe of my head there is no sounde health in mee Verely onlesse thou dying on the Crosse hadst assisted mee my soule had bene worthy to dwell in hell I am sweete Iesu a parte of that deare price for me thou diddest shed thy precious bloud cast me not away I am the sheepe that weÌ„t a stray seeke that sheepe O good shepheard put hym in thy folde that thou mayst be iustified in thy woorde For thou diddest make mee promise that at what soeuer houre a sinner did repeÌ„t him of his sinnes returne to thee he shoulde be saued I lament O Lord and moorne for my sinnes I acknowledg myne iniquities my wickednesse is in my sight I am not woorthy to be called thy sonne For I haue sinned against heauen before thee thou shalt make mee heare that whiche halbe great ioy gladnes vnto my â—eart Turne away thy face O Lord from my sinnes blotte out myne iniquities accordinge to thy great mercie Cast me not away out from thy sight Deale not with mee accordinge to my sinnes nor reward mee after the desert of myne iniquities But helpe me O Lorde my God and my Sauiour and for the glorye of thy holy name delyuer mee Deale mercifully as it femeth best to thy holy will that I maye dwell in thy howse all the dayes of my lyfe that I may prayse thee for euer more as they doe that dwell there worlde without ende Amen Prayers and suffrages to be sayd for one lyinge in death bedde LOrde haue mercie vpon vs. Christ haue mercy vpon vs. Lorde haue mercy vpon vs. Holy Marie praye for him All holy Angelles and Archangels praye for him Holy Abell praye for him All the companye of the iuste pray for him Holy Abraham praye for him Holy Iohn Baptiste praye for him All yee holye Patriarkes and prophetes praye for him Saint Peter praye for him Saint Paule praye for him Saint Andrewe praye for him Saint Iohn praye for him All yee holy Apostelles and Euangelistes praye for him All