to geue him his spirite after he were departed from him to whom Helias made this aunswere if thou see me when I shal be taken away from thee it shal be done that thou requirest me otherwise not euē so nowe they shal haue Christes spirite with them that shal see and associate him with their spirite and such whom the loue they beare to Christe shal make feele his absence and continually to desire and sighe in heart for his diuine presence MEDITATE also the great ioye wherewith as S. Luke the'uangelist telleth they returned backe againe to Ierusalem receauing greater contentation through the ioye which he was gone to whom they so derely loued then sorowe through the solitarines wherewith they founde them selues inuironed for suche is the nature of true loue as it contenteth it selfe muche better with the weldoing of those it loueth then with her owne priuate and peculier profite And thus oughtest thou to 〈◊〉 what toucheth the honour and seruice of Christe before thine owne particuler commoditie These be the meditations whiche thou maiest make on mornings eche day in the weeke wherin for the better perfourming of the same with more sauour in thy soul it were good that thou perfectly knewe the historie or read it in the last Chapters of the 〈◊〉 lists it shal also behooue thee to 〈◊〉 in vre and practise the precepts that folow in the next chapter and when thou 〈◊〉 thus exercised in these meditations one houre or a halfe litle more or lesse geue God thankes with al thine heart in the best maner thou canst for al the thinges it hath pleased him to doo and suffer by thee and craue withal that he wil vouchsafe to make thee partaker of the fruites of his passion and redemption as also to impart his other graces to thee which thou shalt finde thy selfe to stand most nede of praye likewise for his holy Church and suche as thou art bounde to remember or that haue commended them selues to thy deuotions for the souls also that are in purgatory for al such other necessities as occasions may most require thus maiest thou herewith finish this thineexercise CERTAINE particuler aduertisementes touching the 〈◊〉 conteined in 〈◊〉 former Chapter ¶ Cap. 8. TO TH END thou maiest with more fruit and spiritual aduauncement make the meditatios mentioned in the former Chapter it behoueth thee to obserue therin these few aduiies folowing FIRST concerning those points of the passiō wheron thou art to meditate thou must vnderstand that they are in suche wise to be meditated as though they happed euen in that instant before thin eyes in the selfe same place where thou art or within thy soule or otherwise imagining thou wert in the very places where suche thinges 〈◊〉 if haply this waies thou feelest better deuotion SECONDLY thou must force thy self to drawe some doctrine and spiritual fruit out of the thinges thou meditatest as for example to note in euery ouer and aboue that is already sayde these foure pointes what he is that suffred what thing he suffered in what maner and for whē he suffred OVT OF the first thou maiest gather an immeasurable loue thou owest to so louing a Lorde who being God almightie and of infinite Majestie hath vouchsafed to suffer so great tormentes and iniuries for thee so vile and abhominable a bodslaue sithens if another man were he neuer so abiect had suffered the like or much lesse for thee thou wouldest loue him with al thy heart and paine thy selfe to be grateful towards him OVT OF the second point thou maiest picke forth matter of great compassion weighing thy Sauiour thus fraight with excessiue griefes alone persecuted blasphemed on euery side and from toppe to toe al wholly wounded that but if thou sawe a brute beast suffer the like thy heart would melt againe with pitie and compassion OVT OF the third point thou maieh gather meruailous examples to imitate him in Learne firste to be humble and lowly pondering that bottomlesse humilitie wherewith he humbled him selfe euen vnto death Learn to be patient considering that 〈◊〉 patience wherwith he endured suche tormentes and villanous spites without making any resistance or lamentation Learne to loue pouertie seing him so extreme poore hanging naked vpon the Crosse and buried afterwardes in another mans sepulchre as also al his life time haning nothing of his owne nor where to rest his head Learne to loue thine enemies seing with howe great charitie he praied for those that crucified him Learne to be constant and perseuerant in suche good workes as thou takest in hand and not to geue them ouer for any toiles or crosse encounters considering the firme constancie of Christ wherwith 〈◊〉 so many toiles contradictions and tormentes he perseuered vntil death and therwith finished the worke of our redemption Finally out of this point if thou canst consider it at leisure thou maiest learne innumerable vertues and most worthy examples which shine forth in euery passage of his passion OVT OF the sourth thou majest gather a great and general charitie towards al men and to despise none seeme he neuer so vile and contemptible considering that our Lord hath spilt his moste pretious bloud for him and for al men in the world neither is there any so wicked and lewd a wretche for whom alone if neede had bene he would not haue suffered al the tormentes he suffered Learne thou therefore seing this his infinite charitie towardes al men to loue al men and to make accompt of al men Learne besides to detest sinne aboue al thinges remembring thee howe that was the onely occasion of our Lordes most cruel death and passion THIRDLY thou must vnderstand concerning the foresaid meditations that if at any time it so happed that in suche pointes as be set downe to vpon thou haply foundest in the firste or seconde of them good deuotion the in maiest thou stay so long as thy deuotion shal last not 〈◊〉 to passe ouer to the other pointes remaining behinde in that meditation for if thou chaunce to leue some vntouched that time thou maiest another day supplye this want In like maner meane I if thorough any vrgent affairs thou shouldest some-time omit thine exercise or appointed houre that then thou force thy selfe to supplye that want with a newe houre and if not on the same yet on some other day FOVRTHLY thou must procure by al meanes possible to cherishe and interteine thy deuotion and godlye purposes with other good giftes whatsoeuer thou mightst haply haue receaued in the time of praier And this shalt thou doo by indeuouring thee to go as retired and gathered in the day time as thou maiest calling eftsons to minde what thou earst did meditate and receaue especially whē thou hearest the clock strike or other wise as thou maiest Now if on thother side it so chaūced thou were disquieted with diuers forraine thoughtes as it eftsons happeth and thereby shouldest
as that I onely liue to thee I onely loue thee I onely delight in thee that thou be my onely ioye my onely comfort my only foode wherwith my soule maye in such sort be refreshed as that al other meats seem lothsome and vnsauourie to it This onely haue I chosen this onely shal suffice me with this alone wil I liue contented satisfied and happy vntil that most desired day come when I shal feede of thee in another forme and enioye thee continually in the company of al the elect and blessed Saintes of thy celestial court where with the Father and the holye Ghost thou liuest and reignest euerlastingly Amen PRAYERS THE Translatour of this Treatise 〈◊〉 earnestly good Christian Reader to be remembred in thy praiers and that other-whiles of thy charitable deuotion which shal not be vnrewarded thou wilt offer for him to God these fewe lines in maner folowing O LORDE of infinite maiestie and mercy who desirest not the death but the deliuerance of a sinner take pitie vpō thy seruant N. and pardon his moste greeuous trespasses Graunt him grace to knowe thee and to knowe him-selfe Geue him the vertues of humilitie patience temperance chastitie and perfect resignation Deliuer him frō mortal siun during life and in the hour of death strengthen him in faith and firme hope of finding mercy So that scaping the daungers of his enemies both in his life time and in that last most dreadful houre of death he maye through thy gratious goodnes attaine to euerlasting happines there to praise thee the Father the Sonne and the Holy Ghost one God eternallye Graunt this O Lorde for our Mediatour and only Redeemer Iesus Christe his sake Amen Non nobis Domine non nobis sed Nomini tuo da gloriam Thy sugred name O Lorde Engraue within my brest Sith therein doth consist My weal and onely rest TO THE READER I HAVE thought good gentle Reader folowing herein the aduise of certaine vertucus and learned men to annexe in the ende of the former most excellent Treatise these few praiers that folow moued therto chiefly with this reason that such as haue not ben erst exercised in the maner of praying prescribed by the Authour might here see some practise of his preceptes touching gouernment on morninges and euenings the two especial times wheron depend the whole course of a wel-ordered life as also touching the disposition requisite both before and after confessiō with some such other prayers as I demed most necessary here to present vnto thee I hope if thou beest a Nouice and delighted with the former worke this my smale paine shal not seeme vnprofitable vnto thee which I beseech thee to vse to thine auaile whiles thou wantest better meanes And this must I say for the better credite of that which foloweth how it is not I that am the authour thereof but other famous men of the same liuery that the former is God requite al our benefactors spiritual especially and geue thee Reder such good by this whole worke as the Authours thereof doo wish thee and my poore hart affordeth thee A PRAYER 〈◊〉 be sayde in the morning before al other busines MY LORDE God and most benigne Sauiour Iesus Christe who when I was not diddest create and make me capable of thee the soueraine and only good and being made a thral and bondslaue through my fore-fathers trespasse diddest redeeme me with thy most pretious bloud and losse of thy sacred life abiding the tormentes due to my trespasses to acquit and ridd me from the same For these O Lorde and al other thine inestimable benefites namely for hauing preserued me this night past I yeelde thee moste humble zealous and obedient thankes offring my selfe whollye to thee as I am wholly thine beseeching thee also of thine infinit clemēcie to preserue me this day from any waies offending thee and to direct al my thoughtes wordes and workes to thine euerlasting glory Mine estate and calling is as thou knowest O Lorde inuironed with many difficulties here is eche one to weigh their vocation and the dangers it is subject too and through mine euil customes and wicked inclinations hardlye can I without thy special assistance passe this daye without offending in these sinnes Here must eche one cal to mind the vices he is most prone too Refreshe therfore O Lorde my concupiscence with the dewes of thy diuine grace and geue me strength to fight more manfully and to subdue al wicked suggestions Truely Lord here in humilitie and sinceritie of heart I protest neuer willingly by thy gratious fauoure to offende thy lawes and commaundementes anye more I detest al sinne and what may any wayes displease thee I desire to loue thee feare thee and serue thee this day and euermore and to direct al mine actions to thine honour and glorye Assist me Lorde with thy grace and enriche my pouertie with the plentie of thy merits Wherfore in the vnion of that charitie wherewith thou descendest from heauen into the blessed virgins wombe and afterwardes offredst vp thy selfe on the roode in sacrifice for our sinnes in the vnion of this thine incomprehensible charitie I offer vnto thee what-soeuer I shal doo thinke or speake this day Here may we briefly discourse wherin we are like to passe ouer the day beseeching thee through thy merciful goodnes to accept gouerne and enriche al in such sort as thy glorye may be therby procured my neighbours wel-fare occasioned and mine owne soule better fortified and prouided To thee my sweete and only Iesus Christ with the father and the holy Ghost be al glorye and praise euerlastingly Amen Pater noster Aue Maria. Credo c. A PRAYER to be saide to bed warde applied to the excellent instructions of the third Chapter aboue 1. SOVERAINE dreadful and most louing Lorde my God who neuer ceassest to shew thy mercy towardes sinners yea when they offende and trespasse against thee such is thine infinit clemencie and loue as then thou forbearest not to heape thy benefites vpon them I moste sinful and wicked wretche yeeld thee humble thankes for thine ineffable goodnes shewed towardes me in creating me to thine own likenes and making me capable of thine euerlasting glorye for the creation of so many other creatures for my behoufe and sustenance and for that inestimable worke of my redemption wherby thou deliueredst me from the slauerie of Satan and purchasedst me free entraunce into thy celestial Region These pointes may be fruitfully particularised according to eche one their skil and deuotion for hauing singled me amongst so many millions that know thee not and lye drow ned in ignorance and miserable errours to be thy seruaunt and a true Catholike Christian for al thy blessed Sacramentes especially for that sacrament aboue al sacraments wherin thou art thy selfe most really conteined for hauing preserued me so many times from hel wherin I had beene longe since plunged had not thou of thine inspeakable goodnes susteined and deliuered me
the light of his grace to vnderstande and knowe thy faults but chiefly those thou hast cōmitted that present day examine afterwardes thy conscience at leisure and with good deliberation discussing howe and in what thinges thou haste bestowed the same And where thou findest thee giltie of any offence be sorowful for it and aske God hartily mercie purpose also to confesse the same in due time and to amende thy life hereafter but finding not thy conscience giltie of any gret offence yelde him humble thankes who hath preserued thee and finally beseech him to defend thee the night folowing from al the deceiptes and illusions of the deuil graunting thee conuenient rest for the health of thy soule and body And thus maiest thou go to bed making the signe of the holy crosse vpon thee as thou laiest thee downe and see thou dispose thy whole body in honest decent wise remembring that God and his holy Angel thy Gardian doo looke vpon thee to whom thou must not faile to recommende thee It shal be likewise very good to remember otherwhiles that euen as thou now laiest thy selfe downe in bed so shal others one day couche thee downe in graue and ponder wel that this must needes be the ende of al the riches pompes and honours and of al the whole pride and glorie of this worlde Saie therefore as thou liest some short prayer himne or Pater noster ouer thee crauing Gods good helpe and assistance for that last hour of so great dreade and importance And beware in any wise of louing to daintie and softe a bedde Calling to mind that narow and hard couche of the crosse which for thy sake our Sauiour laye vpon and thus maiest thou fal asleepe either with this or such other like godly thought and looke that when thou chauncest at any time to wake thou haue God by by in thy mind and let thy mouth be filled with his praises saying some verse to thanke and blesse him or to recommende thy selfe to his diuine mercie and when thou risest againe in the morning behaue thy selfe as is aforesaide THE exercises wherin a good christian ought to occupie him selfe on holye dayes ¶ Cap. 4. HAVING declared already what order thou oughtest to keepe to thine exercises eche working daye through the weeke it resteth nowe to teache thee howe thou art to behaue thy selfe on holye dayes sith both God and his holye Churche commaunde vs to sanctifie and keepe thē holy It behoueth therfore that we toile not onely and take no seruile paines on those dayes but that we dedicate our selues more diligently to Gods seruice to exercise of spiritual good and godly workes that by these meanes we may sanctifie the said daies by indeuouring our selues to haue more holines on them On Sundaies therfore and other holy daies thou shalt dispose thy life and exercises in this order After thou art got vp in the morning offer and commend thy selfe to thy Lord maker as on other daies and make thy praiers wherof I shal tel thee more hereafter somewhat longer then on other daies or at least wise reade of some godly booke a while preparing thy selfe to go to Masse and to receaue the blessed Sacrament if thou be minded so to doo that day When thou haste thus done and left such order for thy temporal matters at home as shal be meete get thee then to Churche to heare Masse and the sermon if there be any in suche place where thou hopest to receaue moste profite and deuotiō especially at such time as thou purposest to receaue And take heede in the waye to Church ward thou roll not thine eyes vp and downe gasing here and there especiallye at thine entrie into the Church but retire them home in modest and deuout wise and calling to minde thine owne vnworthines and manifolde sinnes be sorowful for them asking God mercy and forgeuenes And thē maiest thou sai that sentence of the psalme Putting my trust and confidence in thy mercie O Lorde I wil enter into thy holye Temple in thy feare Place thy selfe afterwardes in humble and contrite wise like to the publican in some conuenient roome there to heare attentiuely both Masse and other diuine seruice desiring to be partaker of al the misteries which are celebrate in that holy place alwais to remain in the vniti of the holy catholike Church and of al the faithful and liuely members of Christe that thou deserue afterwardes to enioye euerlasting happines with them in the triumphant Churche aboue Now at suche time as they beginne to sai their mattins or Masse lift thou vp thy mind and heart conformably as the Churche doth praysing God when she praiseth him praying whē she praieth and for the same thinges she praieth geuing thankes when she doeth and so in al thinges imitating her and conforming thy self vnto her When the priest saieth Masse harken diligently to suche wordes as he pronounceth without either reading thy selfe or saying any other praiers deuotions at least wise whiles the priest readeth out yea much more cōmendable should it be to occupie thee al the while he celebrateth in som good thought or meditation rather then in reading or praying in thy booke yea thou oughtest chiefly at such time to remember the passion of Christe our Sauiour and redeemer sith the holye Masse is a memorial of the same and both the priestes attire and al the ornamentes of the aultare with the cerimonies which be vsed in the saying of Masse do al represent and signifie suche thinges vnto vs as he either did or spake during the time of his painful passion and therfore is it a very godly thing to haue the same in memorie especially at the time of eleuation calling to minde that inspeakable loue of our Sauiour which caused him to be crucified and lifted vp vpon the crosse for thee and therfore art thou bounde to adore and thanke him with great reuerence for this so inestimable a benefite and to craue suche things of him with faith and feruencie as thou standest neede 〈◊〉 sith looke with what loue 〈◊〉 he then vouchsafed to be 〈◊〉 for thee with the like is he nowe ready in this moste holy Sacrament 〈◊〉 shewe mercy to such as dispose thē 〈◊〉 receaue it Afterwardes when the priest 〈◊〉 if so thou be not that day sacramentally to doo it yet maiest thou in spiritual wise receaue with him according as I shal hereafter tel thee when I intreate of receauing the blessed Sacrament If there be a sermon that Sunday or holyday geue eare therto with great zeale and attentiō preparing thy selfe before it beginne by estraunging thy minde from forraine thoughtes and making thy praier to God that it maye please him to minister suche speeche and spirite vnto the precher wherwith he maye both profite thee and others and then maiest thou saie with Samuel Speake Lord for thy sernaunt hoareth Of such things as the
this grace is most plentiful and certaine when it is sought for by meanes of these moste holy Sacramentes besides the counsaile and comfort eche one maye receaue of his ghostly father to whom he shal humbly vnfolde in confessiō al his whole daunger and vexation In like maner if it should so fal out which God forbid as being ouercome by tentation thou fel into anye sinne see thou presently applye and vse this remedie of Confession not permitting thy self for neuer so smal a while to remaine in mortal sinne as S. Gregory saith The sinne which is not washed away with the water of penance draweth vs downe with the weight thereof and maketh vs fal into an-other It behoueth therfore with like diligence to procure a present saulue for this spiritual sore as we would doo for a corporal disease though lesse daungerous a great deale TEE LAST general and right soueraine remedie not onely to vanquishe tentations but not to be troubled with them is to shun and carefully eschewe the occasions whence they commonly doo proceede as be superfluous riches idlenes profane conuersations lewde companies tumult of people places and times where and when sinnes are committed and finally al such daungers and occasions whereby thou remembrest thee to haue earst fallen into sinne or at least into tentation A PREAMBLE concerning the Remedies against particuler tentations ¶ Cap. 18. ALBEIT the particuler sinnes as also the tentations which induce vs thereto be very many yet are they al reduced vnto seuen which are commonly called Capital as being the heads rootes and fountaines whence the others are deriued With these seuen sinnes be there three enemies that assault vs the Fleshe the World and the Deuil according as is gathered out of that saying of S. Iohn the'uangelist Euery thing that is in the world is concupiscence of the fleshe concupiscence of the eyes and pride of life The flesh doth tempt and induce vs to three sins Lasciuiousnes gluttony and slouth The world to couetousnes and carke of temporal things in it The deuil doth suggest and allure vs principally to pride wrath and enuye I shal therefore according to this order intreate of the wepons which we are to weelde against these three sworne enemies of ours and of the remedies we must vse to preserue vs from such sinnes as they induce vs to Of al other temptations those of the fleshe be the most difficult and daungerous as rising of a domestical and verye importunate aduersarye And therefore doth it herein behoue vs to vse greatest diligence and circumspection REMEDIES against lasciuiousnes ¶ Cap. 19. THE first remedie a man is to take against lasciuiousnes is with al diligence to flye occa sions suche as commonlye vse to inflame our flesh with disordinate concupiscence as is the conuersing with such persons as either are wont or at least wise might prouoke and kindle such fire and a fixed viewe and curious regard of others comelines sith as S. Isidore saith The firste dartes of lust are the eyes which Ieremie said had geuen his soule in praye And to make vs vnderstād this danger the better S. Gregory saith how it is not lawful for vs to fixe our eye on that which is not lawful for vs to desire seing that deth is wont comonly to enter into vs by the windowes of our eyes and other senses And therefore must thou take heede in like maner of vttering anye dishonest and ribald wordes which corrupt good maners as the Apostle saith as also of listning to them or of reading bookes wherin such lasciuious and 〈◊〉 wordes are written But muche more oughtest thou to shunne the touching of such persons as may occasionate a carnal alteration in thee and neuer to be in their company alone sithens this fire is wont with solitarines and oportunitie soonest to be kindled For this cause doth S. Ierome write these wordes to Neapotian If through thy office and function of priesthood neede vrge thee to visite any widowe or virgin see thou enter not alone into her chāher but take such a companion with thee as by his presince thy soule may be preserued Take heede also of the receauing any letters or tokens from such parties being absent as also of sending anye to them sith these thinges are but stickes to kindle and keepe in this wicked fire Finally this vice as S. Austine saith is much better vanquished by flying then by fighting and therefore behoueth it thou alwais flye the peril not to perish in it In this respect too beware of being idle at any time and of too muche pampering vp thy fleshe with disordinate diet in eating and drinking with to sumptuous effeminate attiring with sleeping in too softe and easie bedding Brieflye beware of al such like delicacies which are al of thē incēsiues prouokers of this brutish appetite For otherwise no doubt but experience shal testifie that a moste true saying of holy writt that Who so nourisheth his seruaunt too daintslye shal finde him afterwardes obstinate and rebellious It shal therefore be greatly profitable for suche as be yonge and of sanguin complexion to vse nowe and then some kinde of discipline hear-cloth fasting watching and other like corporal austerities wherewith the brodes of our fleshe are bridled and it made obedient and subiect to the spirite For if S. Paule did in this wise chastise his body as he witnesseth him-selfe he did much more ought he to doo the like who standeth in greter need of this medicine besides that eche of these chastisements shal make thy meede increase sith they are al of them the works of penance which others doo of mere free wil only to occasionate their greater merite and to please God their souerain Lorde withal SECONDLY thou must be meruailous heedy and circumspect to expel these wicked thoughtes presently after they begin once to solicite and trouble thy minde and to tickle thy flesh forcing thy selfe al thou maiest not to geue them any entrance but in lieu therof to occupie thy minde in some other good and godly cogitations And thus must we like-wise behaue our selues in ech other temptation and suggestion but specially in this of the flesh For looke by how much the more thou sufferest suche thoughts to enter in and perseuerest in them and by so muche the more wil they fortifie them-selues with greater difficultie be driuen out againe which would neuer hap if at the verye beginning thou diddest shake them off and oppose thy selfe manfully to bear off their first bruntes Wherevpon a holy father saide right wel that the thought of fornicatiō if we resist it in the beginning when the deuil doth first put it in our heartes is as brittle as a bul-rush and may right easily be broken but if we receaue it with delight and pleasure and linger any time therein then doth it become as hard as yron
to waxe colde in good works fixe thine eye vpon those feet so cruelly nailed to the crosse which were neuer weried with wandring and seeking for thy wel-fare Finally in this thy Lorde and Sauiour thus crucified if thou seek in time to him thou shalt finde sufficient remedies against al kind of temptations wherwith in this life thou maiest be anye wayes assailed It resteth now to admonishe thee of one only thing touching this matter that whē at any time thou shouldest either with this or any other of the fore-saide remedies repulse thine enemie and resist his suggestions yet must thou not thinke thy selfe secure as though the battel were ended and the fielde fully fought and wonne sith this is the propertie of the diuel when he is ouercome in one temptation to arme him-selfe forth-with and to make preparation for an-other like as he did to our Sauiour in the wildernes whom when he could not one wayes ouercome he assailed and set vppon an-other waies And therfore albeit thou ween thy selfe to be at some rest and findest the fiende to haue taken truce with thee for a while after he is vanquished yet beware thou trust not too much to him for when thou suspectest least then wil he returne to make a fresh assault to molest thee with newe temptations and if he thē happ to finde thee vnarmed and vnprouided of meanes to encounter and withstand him easily wil he subdue and conquere thee and the aduauntage which thou hadst before woon honorably he wil then make thee lose dishonestlye Take heede therfore thou neuer lay thy weapons aside but alwayes be prouided and in readines for the combat neither be thou tired with his importunate infestations wherby he for the moste part ouercommeth those that waxe wery to with-stand him but like as he is importunate in tempting thee be thou importunate and constant in resisting him and by this meanes shal thy crowne be so much the more riche and pretious as the temptations which by Gods helpe thou ouercommest be more irksome and importunate WHAT a good Christian ought to doo when he falleth sicke and draweth nigh the houre of death ¶ Cap. 27. AL SVCH thinges as I haue hitherto intreated of wil helpe thee during the time it pleaseth God to graunt thee health and strength of bodye But because this temporal life of ours is subiect to many infirmities and in th' ende no remedie but al of vs must needes once dye according to God his good ordinance and appoyntmēt I haue for this cause thought good in this Chapter to adde certain aduises and instructions to teache thee the better howe to gouerne thy selfe both in time of sicknes and in the houre of death Neither oughtest thou with worse wil to reade these nor with lesse diligence to execute them in their time then the former Neuertheles these aduises shal principallye profite those that in their health did employ their time in such exercises as haue beene heretofore spoken of in this litle Treatise preparing them-selues continuallye to death as al good and faithful christiā people are bound to doo For such as prolonge their properation and conuersion vntil the houre of death hauing liued loosly and without the feare of God al the time of their health albeit they be not to dispaire but to make the best shift they can for their poore soules in the smal time that is left behinde yet are they in great daunger no doubt and in a verye perillous estate these being they whose saluatiō S. Austin doubteth of Let vs therefore as S. Paule fore-warneth vs doo wel whiles we haue time continually watching and preparing our selues to death according to our Sauiours counsaile sith we neither wott the day nor houre therof Neuerthelesse when thou suspectest that houre to be alreadye come then oughtest thou to be more curious and careful in thy preperation THE FIRST aduise therfore whiche in this matter thou shalt take let be this that so soone as euer thou fallest sicke albeit the sicknes seem not greatly daungerous to be careful for phisiking thy soule first before thy bodye and therfore take order that thy spiritual phisitiō come to purge thy soul by confession eyther before or assoone as the other to cure thy body by potion and expect not til the bodily phisition doo bidd thee to doo thus as he is bound to doo if he desire to obeye that the sacred Canons doo commaunde him Where this moste true sentence is also written that God doth many times sende sicknes of bodye for the sinnes of the soule And therefore it maye be that the cause once ceassing to witt sinnes the effect shal also ceasse to witt sicknes NOWE if hauing vsed this remedie of confession thy sicknes doo stil continue then take this for a second aduise to accept it with a cheerful willing minde as a gift which thy heauenly father hath for thy soules health with singuler loue sent to thee offring vp thy selfe to suffer for his sake what-soeuer his diuine prouidence shal ordeine and laye vppon thee and see thou purpose fully in al thinges to conforme thy self wholly to his moste holye wil. But because mans frailtie is great and feeling the gripes of greeuous and painful sicknes it shal-be a very hard matter to haue that patience and conformitie to his diuine wil which were meete and requisite for to haue LET THIS be therefore the third aduise to make thy humble prayers to God for the obteining of such graces as thou wantest and he know eth to be needful for thee Procure like-wise that others praye for thee folowing therin S. 〈◊〉 the Apostles counsaile who saith If any man amongst you finde him-selfe sicke let him cause the priests to come that they may pray for him And wel maiest thou hope that their prayers made with fayth shal-be no smal helpe to mittigate thy pains grieuous sicknes THE FOVRTH aduise is that as in thy health either thou diddest or at least wise oughtest to haue endeuoured thy selfe to edifye and geue good example to those thou diddest conuerse withal that nowe in time of sicknes thou be careful to doo the same obeying those that keepe thee taking willingly the medicines and what-soeuer for thy health shal-be geucn thee be it neuer so lothsome and painful to thee In like maner to shewe none anger or impatience in thy speeche especially to such as attend vpon thee and to geue gratious aunsweres to those that visite thee not complayning too much of the pain thou feelest but recommending thy selfe in humble and lowly wise to their good deuotions And so in al other thinges art thou with suche good discretion and mildnes to gouerne thy selfe as al those that see thee or deal with thee may be wel edified by thee and consequently take greter compassiō of thy griefes and help thee more willingly
iniquities howe may I present my selfe before thee what can I hope for at thy handes but the tormentes due vnto my trespasses What shal it be other to receaue thee then with mine impudencie more hemously to offēd thee what other to eate thee then to eate a iudgement and condemnation for my soule Neuerthelesse Lord albeit my sins astonish me although the greatnes of thy maiestie appal me yet doth thine incomparable mercy which surpasseth al thy workes cause me to haue confidence thine ineffable bountie maketh me to hope and trust in thee thy most benigne clemencie emboldeneth me to appere and present my self before thee for looke how much my miserie and vnwoorthines is greter and so much thy mercy shal shine forth brighter vouchsafing to admitt him to the foode of angels feast who acknowledgeth him-self of al men to be the most vile and wretchedst I remember me O my Comforter of those most sugred wordes which thou spakest wandring vp downe in this worldly pilgrimage and comforting the poore and feeble the wretched and sinne-ful such as I my selfe am the which wordes O Lorde doo in like maner greatly comfort me and geue me courage to creepe and come vnto thee sith this is my fixed fayth that what thou didst thē say thou like-wise sayest nowe and what then thou diddest thou art readie now to doo Thou sayedst Come to me al ye that trauaile and are loden and I wil refresh you Beholde me toiled and troubled with my trespasses who stand great neede and require thy refresshing Thou saiedst that the soun de haue no neede of the phisition but the sicke and feeble and how thou camest not to cal righteous men but sinners and therefore was it publikely spoken of thee howe thou receauedst sinners and diddest eate and drinke with them Al this maketh wel for me and geueth me cause of great trust and consolation sith I knowe my selfe to be sick sinful and more miserable then any man Beholde me therfore ô heauenly phisi tion I offer and exhibite my self here vnto thee to be eured and healed of thee Behold howe I come slarued to thy table desiring to eate of this strong and delicate foode which may geue me true and euerlasting life for hitherto haue I not through soly fed of other then of leekes and garlike and such like grosse meates of Egipt which were my bane and caused my death and ouerthrowe Remember my God remember thy mercies of old time and impart some part therof vnto me for so requireth my great miserie and most lamentable infirmitie The whole multitude as the Gospel telleth desired to touche thee for that such a meruailous vertue as healed al men issued out of thee The blind came and thou gauest them sight the lepers and thou clensedst them from their leprie the possessed with deuils and thou deliueredst them and finally al that were feeble and annoied thou didst cure remedy and comfort with this meruailous vertue that issued out of thee Wherfore seing thy bountiful clemencie is no deale lessened from that it euer was nor the vertue proceeding from thy fleshe which is geuen vs in this holy Sacrament of lesse efficacie thē aforetime no lesse cure and comfort am I nowe to hope for then they did earst receaue Thou lackest nothing my Lorde requisite for my redresse and wel-fare neither art thou scanted of might sith thou art almightie nor of pitie and clemencie being pitiful without stint and measure nor of loue sith thy charitie is infinite Through loue thou vouchsafedst to be borne for vs through loue thou suffredst most cruel torments for vs through loue thou diedst on the roode for vs and through loue thou haste in this most sweete and sauourie Sacrament vouchsafed to geue thy selfe for foode vnto vs Wel may I therfore hope in thee seing I finde thee suche as I could possiblye wishe thee wel may I expect for cure and comfort of thee seing thou art he who can so easily afford it and redresse my greeuous miserie Wherefore my God my sole delight my tresure and whole wel-fare of my soule abandon me not I beseeche thee but vouchsafe with like charitie and clemencie to receaue me nowe as thou receauedst earst those annoyed and feeble folkes that came for redresse vnto thee Be not angrye Lorde that I so vile and wicked a wretche dare presume to come to thee to touche thee and to receaue thee in this most woorthy Sacramēt no more then that the poore woman that suffered the fluxe shoulde touch thee whom thou comfortedst madest ioyful and gratiouslye gauest her the health which shee desired The flux which I suffer through my sinnes is no deal lesse yea much 〈◊〉 daungerous then hers was and therefore haue I more neede to touch thee thou being he alone who canst afford me my desired health and wel-fare If my manisold and grecuous sinns make me vnwoorthy to appere before thee and thine euerlasting fathers face I crye alowde and craue on thee with thy holy prophete saying Looke not vppon me but vppon the face of thine annointed Christe O most merciful father and so wilt thou receaue me and be fauourable vnto me If my detestable pride and hawtines displease thee and that right woorthely looke vpon Christes most reuerend head perced rounde about with pricking thornes for me If my dishonestie and lasciuiousnes haue offended thee beholde that virginal and most holy flesh of Christe al too torne with moste cruel scourges for me If my wicked workes and disordered step deserue correction looke vpō thy Christ his hāds most holy feete fastned with most spiteful nails to the roode for me If the hardnes of my heart prouoke thee to wrath let Christs most tender and louing hart perced with that cruel launce moue thee to take compassion of me Beholde then euerlasting father beholde thy Christ behold that glittering and bright face whereon the Angels couet to fixe their eyes appaled and bespitted on the roode for me regard that vndistained mirrour distained with strokes and filthie fleame for me beholde those eyes fart passing the sunnie beames in beautie and brightnes ecclipsed and darkned with the shadow of death for me Wherfore O Father of mercies and God of al comfort if heretofore the horror of my monstrous crimes haue prouoked thee to punishment let this most woorthy spectacle of thy Christ moue thee to compassion let the loue thou bearest him be of greater force to pardon and forgeue me then the hatred thou bearest towards my sinnes to correct and punish me We reade of king Dauid accomplished with vertues according to thy heartes desire howe he disdained not to cal a deformed criple to his borde for that he was his deere frende Ionathas sonne meaning therby to honour the sonne not for his owne sake but for the merite and woorthines of his father Disdain not thou then O most merciful Father to admitt me a more vnworthy and
I may feele iust remorse and sorowe for euery sinne and imperfection what soeuer And that I may the better performe this graunt me grace my sweete Sauiour Iesus Christe that I may perseuer in discussing my conscience euery night more diligently thē other according to the good instructions it hath plesed thee by thy seruauntes to impart vnto me and that eche morning I may so happily beginne the day by offering thee the firste fruites of al mine actions as that the rest thereof may euermore be passed to thy glory As for my Penance that is enioyned me and not performed alreadie fauourably I beseeche thee to assist me both in the perfect remembring therof and in the diligent executing in good time And graunt that by thus endeuouring my self daily thorough thy grace to amende my life I may both liue and dye a true Penitent and obteine through the merits of thy blessed passion a ful forgeuenes of my sinnes in this world and in th' other the life eternal wherto thou hast created me To thee mine onely Sauiour Iesus Christ with the Father and the Holy Ghoste one God be al honour praise and glory euerlastinglye Amen A VERY fitt praier to be saide before Masse wherein we exercise very fruitfully our faith and prepare our selues to heare it with dutiful attention O MOST puissant and louing Lorde who haste of thine infinite mercy vouchsafed that thine only sonne our Sauiour Iesus Christe should before his doleful death ordeine his bodye and bloudd to be consecrated in thy Churche by vertue of thy worde in a most miraculous and dreadful misterie graunt me grace I beseech thee O Lorde that as of thy singuler loue towardes vs thou hast ordeined this diuine Sacrament to make vs alwaies mindful of the merits purchased vnto vs by the death of thy deere sonne our Sauiour so I maie with due reuerence and diligent remembrance of those his most bitter tormentes assist here whiles thy seruaunt celebrateth this misterie and offer vp my praiers in most obedient wise vnto thee The souerain desire thou haddest of our wel-fare O Lorde was that which moued thee to leaue vs this moste diuine sacrifice of the Masse that like as thy triumphant Churche hath her sacrifice aboue so thy militant Churche might haue her sacrifice belowe For like as in heauen thy sonne dailie offereth him-selfe vnto thee for bethouse appering before thy face in a visible and glorious maner so hast thou vouch safed that in earth he should dailie be offered to thee by the function of priestes for our sinnes in a maner inuisible and proportionable to our frailtie Yet is it al one onelie and the selfe same Iesus Christe thy sonne and al our profite and auaile is whollie deriued from the Tree of the holie Roode This misterie most mightie Lorde is farre surpassing al humane capacitie and yet right easie for those to beleeue that haue in time sucked the sweete sapp of thy most sauorie and wholesome doctrine For mine owne part Lorde I beleeue through thy gratious goodnes simply whatsoeuer thy holie Catholike Apostolike and Roman Church teacheth me either touching this or anie other of thy most diuine misteries and doctrines and confesse vndoubtedly that as thou hast said that body and bloud is conteined in this most sacred Sacrament and the same bodye to be like-wise on the right hand of thy Father in heauen so beleue I them both most assuredly and th' one as firmelye as th' other seing one is as-wel the wil and worke of the Word God and man as is the other and to be in earth in heauen and in many places at once is in thy power to doo it most easily as thou doest and is in my power through thy grace to beleeue it most constantlye as I doo Herein I vtterly renounce my sence and al mans vnderstāding and cleue only to thy diuine and inexplicable Omnipotencie who as thou madest al things of nothing so canst thou alter and dispose of al thinges at thy wil and pleasure Nowe therefore I beseeche thee most omnipotent and mightie God to driue awai al distractions and wicked thoughts out of my minde that I may attend the celebration of this heauenly misterie with feare and reuerent humilitie Sanctifie also I beseech thee his spirite who is here to present him-selfe before thee to celebrate this diuine Sacrifice to th' ende that he may woorthely doo it to thine honour and glorye his owne auaile and the benefite of al others Geue me grace that by the reuerent ceremonies which are here to be vsed I mai be put in mind of thy most painful torments which they doo represent and that I mai adore thee in thy imperial Sacrament with souerain dread and lowlines This by thy grace I purpose this by thy grace I hope to performe Accept therfore O Lorde to thine honour our welfare and the vnitie of thy Churche the bodie and bloud of our Sauiour thy sonne Iesus Christe offered thee in this Sacrifice Incline thine eares O Lorde to the praiers of thine afflicted flocke and mercifullie restore thy true religion where it is lacking Open the eies of the blind and make them know their errors Relieue the distressed the captiues and the sicke in the vertue of this sacrament Geue grace to the liuing and perpetual place of rest and quietnes to those which are departed in thy faith for the merits of our onely Sauiour thy sonne Iesus Christe to whom with thee and the holy Ghost one God be al renowme praise and soueraintie for euermore Amen ANOTHER short praier to be saide likewise before Masse O MY soueraine Lorde and Sauioure Iesus Christe O Lampe of light and truth I most miserable wretche humbly beseeche thee to stanche my wandring mind in such sort as I maie with due 〈◊〉 and attention assist and waite here in thy imperial presence whiles thou procurest this so important an affair with thy eternal father for my wel fare and of al man-kind Illuminate my soule and stirre vp my lumpish heart O sonne of true Sapience and Iustice with the bright nes of thy countenance that I maie here with a grateful and deuout memorie cal to mind that sacrifice of obedience patience and mosle inflamed charitie which thou being wrapt in extreme woes and ignominious reproches diddest offer vppon the roode with thy life and euerie dropp of thy most sacred bloud to thi celestial Father for our sins Amē AN EXCELLENT praier and adoration to be made in the presence of the blessed Sacrament I MOST wicked wretche and vnwoorthie Christian bow down before my Lorde who hath made and redeemed me who fostreth and susteineth me and euermore remaineth life and veritie O Iesus Christe very God and mē I adore thee here present and cal vppon thee not doubting any whitt at al of the verie real presence of thy flesh and bloud viuificant nor of the presence of thy pretious bodie and most sacred soule Ah Lorde that I coulde in
shalt thinke it best and most expedient for our wel-fare Comfort the comfortlesse and ease al those that liue in paine tentation disgrace and spiritual or corporal affliction Finallye I commende al thy creatures to thy most fauourable protection that it may please thee to geue grace to the liuing and perpetual rest and quietnes to the deade I SALVTE thee O most beautiful and glittering lillie of the gratious and pleasant spring-time moste sacred virgin Mary I salute thee O odoriferous floure of diuine suauitie I salute thee O louely Rose of celestial delightes whereon our Sauiour Iesus Christe the brightnes of his fathers glorie and figure of his substance vouchsafed to be borne and nourished Obteine me gratious Ladie of thy louing sonne what thou seest most needful for my soul. Help most pitiful mother helpe the weaknes and debilitie of my spirite in al my tentations and necessities and vouchsafe to succour me in the hour of death that through thy gratious fauour and helpe I may be assured in so perillous and extreme a daunger O most happie Angelical spirites who with one voice doo with pleasaunt and wel-tuned melodie glorifie our common Lorde and enioye perpetually the taste of his delights take pitie vpon me poore miserable wretche namely thou O holy Angel the gardian of my soule to whom I am especially committed haue thou continually a diligent and careful eye vpon me And yee O Saints of al sortes which are after the nauigation of these rough and stormie seas happily deliuered of this exile and arriued to the harbour of celestial abode be I humblye beseeche you al mine Aduocates and Intercessours praying to our Lorde for me that I maye in fauor of your merites and praiers be not onely fauored of him at this instant but euen to the very last daie and end of this my temporal life Amen A MOST straunge and excellent monument prouing apparantly the Reuerend antiquitie of our Catholike Religion found at Rome in Iuly last past in the yere of our Lorde 1578. and is of al wise men beleeued to be the blessed virgin S. Priscilla her Church-yarde VITHOVT the gate called Salaria about two miles distant from the Citie of Rome it happed that in digging in the vineyard of a certain Spaniard for a blacke sande to build withal which they there cal Puteolana there was as God would haue it discouered by digging some-what deepe a holowe waye vnder earth to the great admiration of al men wherin diuers monumentes and signes of Christian Religion being espied Cardinals Prelates religious persons and al of al sortes as wel Antiquaries as other beganne to repaire thither al affirmig with one voice that it was the blessed virgin S. Priscilla her Churche-yarde which had thus remained vnknowen euen from the time of the inuasions of the Gothes and wherein this moste holie woman as Lady and owner of that grounde with other godly men had before the Christian faith was publikely receaued in those partes buried the bodies of Saints Martirs especially and other faithful Christians and wherin such Christians as were most of al suspected and hated of the Ethnikes were wont to lye hidden and secrete from their enemies In this Church-yard there is one principal and chiefe waie of breadth and height sufficient in the wals whereof are on either side sepulchres cutt out one aboue an-other like to cophins and litle chestes in the fronts wherof were stones that had inscriptions grauen in them both in the Latine and greeke tongues How-beit the moste part of these stones are either taken away hewed out or broken as of the bones there are likewise very many missing Yet for al that are there some forth-comming and extant and of toumbes there are alreadie founde aboue two thousand Out of this maine way there are so many lower and straighter wayes so manye windinges deriued that it seemeth an vnder-earth Citie of deade men and is by reson of the turninges and crooked wayes very intricate euen like a Laberinth the circuit whereof is supposed to be a mile So that none dare rashly hazard thē selues to searche out the place without manye clewes of corde torches and meanes to strike fire with if the lightes they carye in with them might haply be put out There is in an inner roumth a Chappel with a litle Aultar found where the picture of the Crucifix is to to be seene painted with the Images of two Saintes on th one side and of a Matrone on thother side the which is supposed to be the Image of S. Priscilla There is also a Sheppard carying a sheepe on his shoulders to be seene painted in diuers places of this Church-yarde and many times withal S. Ignatius amidst twoo Lions the Sacrifice of Abraham in like maner and a woman holding a sponge in her hand which is demed to be the picture of S. Praxedes whose bodie as also that of her sister Potentiana were ther interred as sacred Stories testifie Ther are also the signs of other Images to be seene which cannot be knowen what they represent through their great oldnes And the place is by reason of the Antiquitie reuerence and Sanctitie so dreadful and of so great a Maiestie as al that enter therein and weigh the matter aduisedly are appalled with a feare and forced to let fal teares By this most woorthie monument we may easily gather howe great the persecutions and miseries as also the pietie of those godly persons were in the primitiue Churche Here may euery man see to the singuler confirmation of our vndoubted and Catholike Religion and of the Catholike rites and obseruances the religion care and diligence which those good frendes of God vsed in the burying of the dead Here maie we witnes apparantly with our eyes howe when those holie and deuout frendes of God could not in the Ethnikes and Idolatours daies paint and reuerence pictures in open place and publike shewe yet did they paint and reuerence them in caues and secrete corners But now O intolerable blind nes of our daies there want not amongst Christians them-selues which dare with rash attempt presume to deface and throw them out of holy Temples Howbeit touching this Church-yarde it is nowe closed vp with gates neither may eche one at their 〈◊〉 enter therein The Lordes also of the vine-yarde and others are commaunded vpon certaine penalties to deliuer the bones and stones that are taken thence to the most Reuerend Vicar of the Citie In the meane time there is consideration had whether a Church is to be erected there or no. FINIS Sit decus immortale Patri Natoq perennis Gloria Spiritus non periturus honor AMEN a 1. Cor. 3. c. 1. Cor. 6. d. 2. Cor. 6. d. b Sap. 1. a. a Psa. 33. b Psal. 33. c Isai. 1. d. 1. Pet. 3. b. 〈◊〉 38. c. a Psal. 31. b Psal. 37. d. b Psa. 50. d c Isai. 38. d. a Psa. 31. b b Psa. 141. a Psal. 31. b a 2. Cor. 112 b 〈◊〉 c Eccl.