and vngratefull of all others and I doe bewayle my selfe as such an One. 2. O my God I loue and desire to loue thee with a loue pure and free from all respect of proper commoditie and selfe interest 3. I loue thee my Lord with a perseuerant loue purposinge by the helpe of thy holye Grace and assistance neuer to be separated from thee by sinne 4. And if I were to liue for millions of yeares yet would I euer remayne thy faithfull seruant and louer 5. I wish all Creatures would Adore and serue thee and that infidels may be conuerted to thy faith and all sinners to good life and All this onlye for thy supreame Honor and Glorie 6. I wish that neither my selfe nor any other had euer offended thee my God and that in particular I my selfe had euer serued thee faithfullye from the instant of my Natiuitie 7. I wish and desire that both I my selfe and all others maye hereafter serue and loue thee most faithfully and this for the loue and good will I beare thee 8. I reioyce and congratulate that thou my Lord God art soe rich and happie that all creatùres can add noe more to thy happinesse then alreadie thou hast 9. Neuerthelesse because thou maist haue external honour and worshipp from thy creatures I doe wish I doe wish that All of them may accordinglye performe their seruice and the worshipp dew vnto thee the best they can 10. I am sorrie for all the sinns and indignities that are haue or shall be done vnto thee by my selfe or by All or any others 11. And this principally and only I am sorrie for because these sinns are iniuries donne to thy deuine Maiestie who onlye is worthye to be honored and serued by all thy creatures 12. I doe ioyfullye accept and am glad of all that is pleasinge to God be it Prosperitie or Aduersitie sweete or bitter and this meerelye for the loue I beare him 13. I am sorrie for all that doth displease God or is contrarie to his deuine will or Commandements and all this onlye for the loue of him and his Glorie THE III. EXERCISE 1. I Congratule thee ô my God and am glad that thou art God and for the Blissednesse and all the Perfections that are in thee and which for all Eternitie thou hast euer had as thy omnipotencie wisedome goodnesses and the like 2. I congratulate thee alsoe and am glad that thou hast need of noe extrinsecall thinge but art in thy selfe most rich and fullye sufficient both for thy selfe and all Other Creatures 3. I likewise with thee ô my Lord reioyce in the sweete ordinance and disposition of heauen and earth for all the things which are in the maruaylous Creation of this world and for all the workes which thou hast made or shalt yet make vnto the end of the world 4. I congratulate approue and reioyce in all the iudgements of my Lord God aswell manifest as secret concerninge the Diuells the soules of the damned the vnbaptised children in Lymbo the soules that be in Purgatorie and the wicked men that liue in this world 5. I congratulate end reioyce with thee ô my God in all the Laude and prayses which the Angells Saints in heauen and thy seruants of the earth doe giue thee and for all the worshipp they yeild vnto thee 6. Because I find my selfe altogether insufficient to prayse my God I doe for my helpe and assistance therin inuite and call vppon the holye Angells and all creatures 7. And withall my owne soule with all the powres of it that all of them together may glorifye my God for his infinitt excellencie 8. I am sorrie I am not perfect and wish that soe farre as it maye please my God to grant itt I maye be perfect the more worthylie to prayse thee 9. And not out of any commoditie by it to my selfe but purelye for the Loue I beare thy Deuine Maiestie who is infinitly worthy of more loue and honour then all Creatures that are or can be are able to performe towards thee 10. Exult and reioyce and be thou delighted ô my soule for all the excellencies and good things that are in thy God 11. If it laye in my powre and were lawfull for mee to choose what God I would haue I would not choose any other God but thee Alone sayinge with Dauid Dixi Domino Deus meus es Tu. I said vnto my Lord thou art my God 12. I reioyce in the Dignitie that our Sauuiour Christ now hath in Heauen and congratulate him in it It is continued THE IV. EXERCISE 1. BLISSED be thy eternall Father who soe aboundantly bestowed these felicities on thee Doe thou blissedly and gloriouslye enioye them for all Eternitie 2. I congratulate the most Blissed Virgin Marie and all the Angells and Saints in Heauen for the glory and happinesse which they now enioye 3. And I prayse and exalt my God for his greate goodnesse and liberalitie therin shewed towards those thy most faithfull and elect friends 4. I doe exceedinglye reioyce that since all Creatures together are in noe sort able to prayse thee my God accordinge to the very least worth that is in thee yet thou thy selfe and thou onlye art able sufficientlye and perfectlye to prayse and glorifye thy selfe 5. I doe reioyce indeed at this and doe hartilye desire thee to doe it euer more 6. Yea I doe hartyly craue of thee that thou may incessantlye and most intensiuely prayse thy selfe since thou onlye art Able to doe itt and deserueth to haue it done 7. I doe congratulate and reioyce with thee ô my Lord God in all the workes which thou hast done and this only because they are thy workes 8. As for the Creation of the world thy Prouidence about itt thy Redemption of it Wonderfully esteeminge all these workes because they are thyne 9. An I reioyce aswell in that thou hast made a hell for the punishment of the wicked as a heauen for the Reward of the good 10. I wish and desire out of my loue to God that hee may be praysed and knowne of all Men and I doe inuite all Creatures to doe the same with my selfe 11. I offer my selfe for the loue of my God to beare and suffer all things which may be to his honour and Glorie though noe manner of commoditie accurre to mee thereby but purely to doe it out of the free loue I beare and desire to beare towards my God 12. Lastlye I professe that if I could deuise any thinge wherin I might shew or Exercise my loue towards my God I hope with the helpe of his Grace I should and would doe it most cheerefullye and readily out of the pure and sinceare loue that I beare and wish to beare toward my God without respect of any commoditie by it to my selfe which God graunt mee to doe for his Glorie and my happynesâ—e Amen FINIS CERTAINE AMOROVS Aspirations to be vsed accordinge to the Direstions and the Disposition of
looke to find any Booke for thy turne in this way written by any of the Societie of Iesus whose genius is the actiue way and in that they are excellent and very commendable but in this contemplatiue way few or none hath appeared euer since their first institute aboue these hundred yeares Vanitie of Vanitie and all is Vanitie Eccles. 1. But only to loue to loue and serue God Though thou a faire howse hast and splendid fare What then A spowse or concubine without compare What then And Blist with numerous issue large extents What then Yea faire stronge rich in all accomplishment What then If Prior Abbot Prince or Pope thou be What then Courted by the world and all prosperitie What then Let fortunes wheele aduance thee aboue the skies What then Liue heere ten thowsand yeares in Paradise What then Then virtue only doth remayne by which true Glorie thou shalt gayne The world passes away and the concupiscence thereof 1. Io. 2.17 IESVS sonne of dauid haue mercie on mee GOD be mercieful to mee a sinner Lucâ— 1â— â—â— 1â— HOLY EXERCISES OR SAINCTLY IDEOTS DEVOTIONS THE POENITENT THE FIRST EXERCISE 1. WHO shall giue to my head water and to mine eyes a fountaine of Teares that I maye bewayle both day and night my sinns and ingratitude towards God my Creator 2. Consider ô my soule the multitude of the Benefits of God bestowed vppon thee and be thou confoun 16. Amongst soe many infidels as are in the world thou hast brought mee to thy Faith and Baptisme 17. There that couenant was made that thou shouldst be mine and I thine thou my Lord and I thy seruant thou my Father and I thy child That thou shouldst behaue thy selfe as a Father towards mee and I as a child towards thee 18. What shall I say of the other Sacraments which thou hast instituted for remedies of my euills makinge a plaister for my sinns of thy owne most pretious Blood 19. Haueinge these helpes yet haue I not remayned in goodnesse but my wickednesse hath beene soe greate that I haue lost my first Innocencie 20. And thy Mercie on the other side soe greate that thou hast patientlie hitherto expected mee 21. O my Hope and Sauuiour how can I without teares call to my remembrance how oftentymes thou mightst iustlye haue bereaued mee of my life 22. How many thowsand soules now peraduenture burne in hell who haue lesse sinned then I and yet I burne not there 23. What had become of mee if thou hadst taken mee away when thou tookst them This is continued in the ensuinge Exercise THE II. EXERCISE WHO then ô Lord bound the hands of thy Iustice 2. Who held the rod of thy iudgements when as I by sinninge prouoked thee 3. What pleased thee in mee that thou didst deale more dearelie with mee then with others 4. My sinns cryed vnto thee and thou stoppedst thyne eares 5. My malice euerie day increased against thee and thy merite euerie day encreased towards mee 6. I sinned and thou expectedst 7. I Fled away and thou Followedst mee 8. I was wearied in sinninge and thou wert not wearied in expectinge 9. In the midst of my sinns I receiued from thee diuers good inspirations 10. What shall I now render ô Lord vnto thee for all these benefitts which I haue receiued of thee 11. Because thou hast created mee I owe thee all that I am 12. Because thou hast preserued mee I owe thee all that I am and my life 13. Because thou hast giuen mee thy selfe what shall I render to thee 14. If all the Liues of Angells and men were mine and that I should offer them all vnto thee as a Sacrifice what were this Oblation if it were compared with one droppe of thy Blood which thou hast shed for mee soe aboundantlie 16. Who therefore will giue Teares to mine eyes that I may bewayle my ingratitude and wicked retribution or requitall of these thy soe many benefits 16. Helpe mee ô Lord and giue mee Grace that I may worthylye bewayle myne iniquities 17. For I am that vnhappie wretch who hath sinned against heauen and before thee 18. I am thy Creature made accordiâ—ge to thy Image take awaye from mee that which I haue made and know that which thou hast made 19. I haue bent all my forces to doe thee iniurie and haue offended thee by the workes of my hands 20. The things which thou hast giuen and created for mee to be imployed and vsed for thy seruice and Honour I haue wrougfullie and most vnthankfullie conuerted and imployed the same to thy offence and dishonour This is continued in the ensuinge Exercise THE III. EXERCISE 1. MY feete haue bene swift to euil and mine eyes haue beene dissolute to Vanitie myne eares haue beene alwayes open to trifles and toyes 2. My vnderstandinge which should haue contemplated thy Beautie and haue meditated both day and night on thy Commandements hath considered transitorie toyes and meditated day and night how to transgresse thy said Commandements 3. My will was by thee inuited to the Loue of coelestiall delights and delicacies but I preferred the earth before heauen 4. I haue spread my Armes which thou hast consecrated to thy loue to embrace and hugge the filthie Loue of Creatures 5. This is ô Lord the reward this is the Fruite which I thy Creature haue yeilded 6. Alas What can I a wretch answere if thou entrest with mee into Iudgement and wilt say I haue planted thee a chosen vineiard all true seed how then ô strange vineiard art thou turned in my sight into that which is depraued 7. And if I cannot answere to this first question concerninge my Creation how shall I answere the second concerninge my conuersation 8. Thou ô mercifull God hast preserued him by thy prouidence who hath thought of noe other thinge but how to violate thy Commandements and to set vp the Kingdome of sinne against thee 9. Thou hast moued that tongue which dishonored thee thou hast gouerned those members which offended thee 10. In soe much as I haue not onlie beene vngratefull for thy benefits but vsed thy benefits alsoe themselues as weapons against thee 11. Thou hast made all creatures for my vse to allure mee to loue thee I haue abused them and of them haue diuers tymes taken occasion of sinne 12. I haue made choise rather of the guift then the giuer 13. I haue beene blinded by them and haue not lifted vp myne eyâ—s at the sight of them 14. I haue not considered how much more beautifull the Creator is then the creature 15. Thou hast giuen mee all things that I should giue thee my selfe and all things haue serued mee but I neuer haue giuen thee Glorie or paid thy tributedue 16. Thou hast giuen mee health and the diuell hath gathered the fruits thereof 17. Thou hast giuen mee strenth and I haue spent it in the seruice of Thinâ— enemye 18. What shall I say wherefore haue not all the calamities and miseries which
by thee daylie afflicted for that I am continuallye found to haue offended 3. If I ponder the euill which I daylie committ that which I endure is nothinge in comparison of it 4. That which I haue done beinge much more greiuous then my Affliction Thou art iust ô Lord and right is thy iudgment All thy iudgements most iust and true 5. Thou ô Lord our God art iust full of goodnesse neither is there in thee any wickednesse 6. Because when wee offend thou dost not vniustlye and cruellye afflict vs who when we were not hast powrefullye made vs and when for our sinns wee were guiltie of damnation thou hast by thy wonderfull Mercye and goodnesse set vs in the state of Saluation 7. I know ô Lord God and am assured that our life is not gouerned by vncertayne chances but wholye disposed and ordered by thy Awfull powre and prouidence 8. Thou therefore takest care of all things but especiallye of such as serue the who put their confidence in thy onlye mercie 9. Wherefore I humblye beseech thee that thou wilt not deale with mee accordinge to myne iniquities by which I haue deserued thyne anger but accordinge to thy manifold mercyes which surmount the sinns of the whole world 10. Thou ô Lord who dost punish mee outwardlye giue always an inuincible Patience inwardlye to the end may neuer cease to prayse thee 11. Take pittye of mee ô Lord and helpe mee both in soule and Bodie 12. Thou I say who knowest all things and art able to doe all things whatsoeuer who liuest and rieguest for euer and euer 13. O Lord Iesus-Christ the Sonne of the liuinge God who with thy hands stretched forth on the Crosse hast drunke the bitter cupp of thy Passion for the Redemption of all mankind succour mee this Day I beseech thee 14. Behold ô Lord that I that am needie doe come to thee who art wealthy I that am full of miserie doe approach to thee replenished with mercye suffer mee not therefore to depart void or as one worthye to be dispised 15. I beginne hungrie let mee not end emptie 16. I approach as one hunger starned lett mee not depart vnfedd 17. And if I sigh before I eate graunt that I may at least eate after I haue sighed 18. First therefore most sneete Iesus before the magnificence of thy sweetnesse I confesse against mee my iniustice 19. Behold ô Lord whereas I was conceiued and borne in sinne thou hast waâ—hed and sanctifyed mee froÌ„ the same and I after this haue I defiled my selfe with greater offences 20. Those wherin I was borne were of necessitie but those in which I afterwards lay wallowinge were voluntarie This is continued in the followinge Exercise THE VII EXERCISE 1. THIS notwithstandinge thou ô Lord beinge not vnmindfull of thy Mercie and goodnesse hast drawne mee from my Fathers howse and from the tabernacles of sinners 2. And thou inspiredst mee with thy Grace to follow the companie of those who seeke thy Face who walke the direct way that leadeth to felicitie liuinge amongst the Lillies of Chastitie and sittinge at the table with thee in the parlour of most profound pouertie 14. As I haue sinned soe doe thou correct amend mee 15. And beinge by the stripes of thy Fatherlie Pittie â—orrected amended committ mee to the care custodie of thy onlye begotten Sonne Iesus-Christ our Lord. 16. Is it possible for a woemen to forgett the child of her owne wombe 17. And though shee should forgett ô most louinge Father thou hast promised not to be vnmindfull 18. Behold I crie thou dost not heare mee 19. I am afflicted with with greife thou dost not comfort mee 20â— O what shall I say or doe in this extreame miserie Alas I am altogether comfortlesse which is worse am chased out of thy presence 21. Wretch that I am from how greate good into how greate euill am I falne 22. Whither did I attempt to goe whither am I come 23. Where am I where am I not 24. How is it that I that did sigh after heauen doe now sigh through soe greate Tribulation 25. I haue sought comfort haue Found affliction 26. And truelie it is better for mee not to be then to be without thee sweet Iesus 27. It is better not to liue then to liue without thee the only true life This Exercise is continued in the Followinge THE VIII EXERCISE WHERE are now ô Lord Iesus thy accustomed Mercies 2. Wilt thou be displeased with mee for euer 3. Be appeased I beseech thee take pittie on mee turne not thy louinge Face away from mee who to redeeme mee hast not turned away thy Face from those who did mocke spitt at thee 4. I confesse that I haue sinned my conscience doth adiudge mee worthye of damnation neither is my pennance sufficient to make satisfaction 5. Nenerthelesse it is most certayne that thy mercie doth surmount all offences whatsoeuer be they neuer soe abominable 6. Wherefore ô most mercifull Lord I beseech thee doe not write downe my malitious bitternesse neither enter into Iudgement with thy seruant 7. But accordinge to the multitude of thy mercies blott out myne iniquities 8. Woe be to mee at the day of Iudgement when the bookes of our consciences shall be opened wherin our Actions are registred when of mee it shall be openlye proclaymed See heere a man and his workes 9. What shall I doe O my Lord aâ— that dreadfull daye when the Heauens shall reueale myne iniquitie And the earth shall beare wittnesse against mee 10. Verilye I shall be mute and able to say nothinge but holdinge downe my head through shame and confusion I shall stand before thee shakinge and blushingé 11. Alas what shall I say I will call and crie vnto thee ô Lord my God why am I consumed beinge silent 12. Neuerthelesse if I speake my greife will not cease 13. And if I hold my peace I shall interiorlie be tormented with insupportable bitternesse 14. Weepe ô my soule and make lamentation as a younge married weoman for the death of her Husband 15. Weepe and be wayle thy miserie for that thy bridegroome who is Christ hath forsaken thee 16. O Anger of the Almightie rush not vppon mee for I cannot subsist against tâ—â—e 17. Verâ—â—â—e there is nothinge in mee that is able to sustayne thee 18. Take pittie on mee least I dispaire of thy Mercie that by dispairinge of my selfe I may find comfort in confidinge in thee 19. And albeit I haue done that for which thou may iustlye condemne mee yet thou hast not lost thy accustomed propertie of shewinge mercie and pittie 20. Thou ô Lord dost not desire the death of sinners neither doest thou take pleasure in the perdition of those that dye 21. Nay rather that those who were dead might liue thou thy selfe haâ—â— died and thy death hath beene the death of that death that was due to sinners and they by thy Death are come to life 22. Graunt
the soule O Et Praesidium dulce Decus meum 1. O thou art both my safeguard and my sweet Ornament Da quod iubes Iube quod vis 2. Graunt mee to doe what thou commandest and command what thou wilt O vita Animae meae 3. O life of my soule O lumen oculorum meorum 4. O light of myne eyes In manus tuas Domine commendâ— Spiritum meum 5. Into thy hands ô Lord I doe commend my Spirit Ecce Ancilla Domini fiat mihi secundum verbum tuum 6. Loe the hand maid of our Lord be it done vnto mee accordinge to thy word Paratum cor meum Deus paratum cor meum 7. My hart is readie ô God my hart is readie Ecce ego mitte me 8. Loe heere I am send mee Tolle quod tuum est vade 9. Take what is thyne be gone Dominus meus Deus meus 10. My Lord and my God Domine quid mihi est in caelo à te quid volui super terram 11. O Lord what is there in Heauen or what vppon earth that I would haue besides thee Domine quid me vis facere 12. Lord what wilt thou haue mee to doe Hei mihi quia incolatus meus prolongatus est 13. O wooe is mee that my seiorninge is prolonged In ditione tua Domine cuncta sunt posita 14. All thinges ô Lord are in thy powre and Dominion Domine tu scis quia amo Te animam meam ponam pro Te. 15. Thou knowst ô Lord that I loue thee and will bestow my life for thee Quemadmodum desiderat ceruus ad fontes aquaaum ita desiderat Anima mea ad Te Deus 16. Euen as the hart doth thirst after the Fountayne of Water soe doth my soule thirst after thee ô God Infaelix Homo quis me liberabit de corpore mortis huius 17. O vnhappy Man that I am who shall deliuer mee from the Bodye of this Death Cupio dissolui esse cum Christo. 18. I desire to be dissolued and to be with Christ. Quando veniam apparebo ante faciem Domini 19. When shall I come and appearâ— before the face of our Lord Argentum Aurum non est mihi quod autem habeo hoc tibi Do. 20. I haue neither gold nor siluer but what I haue that I giue vnto thee Praecor celestem Regem vt me dolentem nimium faciat eum cernere 21. I beseech the heauenlye Kinge to cause mee who am very much greiued for want of it to come to the sight of Him whom I soe much loue Domine si inueni gratiam in oculiâ— tuis ostende mihi faciem tuam 22. Lord if I haue found fauour in thy sight shew vnto mee thy face Nouerim Te nouerim me 23. Lett mee know thee let mee know my selfe Te Deum landamus Te Dominum confitemur 24. Wee prayse thee ô God wee acknowledge thee ô Lord. Benedic Anima mea Domino omnia quae intra me sunt nomini sancto eius 25. O my soule and all that is within mee blisse yee our Lord and prayse his holye name Benedicam Dominum in omni tempore semper laus eius in ori meo 26. I will blisse our Lord at all tymes his prayse shal euer be in my mouth Benedicite omnia opera Domini Domino 27. Blisse yee our Lord All the workes of our Lord. O vos omnes qui transitis per viam attendite videte si sit Dolor sicuâ— Dolor meus 28. O All yee that passe by the waye looke and see if euer there were greife like my greife Sanctus Sanctus Sanctus Dominus Deus Sabaoth pleni sunt caeli terra Maiestatis gloriae tuae 29. Holye Holye Holye Lord God of Sabaoth heauen and earth are full of the Maiestie of thy Glorie Deus Deus meus ad te de luce vigilo 30. O God â— my God to thee I wake in the morninge Deus Deus meus respice in me quare me dereliquisti 31. O my God my God looke vppon mee why hast thou â—orsaken mee Deus meus Adiutor meus sperabo in Te 32. O my God my helper I will hope in thee Domine in caelo misericordia tua veritas tua vsque ad nubes 33. O Lord thy mercie is in heauen and thy truth reacheth to the clowdes Ad te leuaui oculos meos qui habitas in caelis 34. To thee haue I lifted vp myne eyes who dwellest in Heauen Fili Dei miserere mei 35. O Sonne of God haue mercie vppon mee Dilectus meus mihi ego illi 36. My beloued to mee and to I him Regnum tuum regnum omnium saeculorum domenatio tua in omni generatione generatione 37. Thy Kingdome is a Kingedome for euer and thy reigne is for all Generations and generations O quam pulchra es Amica mea quam puchra es 38. O how faire art thou my beloued how faire art thou Tota pulchra es amica mea macula non est in te 39. Thou art all faire ô my Loue there is not a spott in thee Vulnerasti cor meum sponsa mea vulnerasti cor mâ—um 40. Thou hast wounded my hart my Spowse thou hast wounded my hart Adiuro vos filiae Ierusalem si inueneritis dilectum meum vt nuntietis ei quia amore langueo 41. I adiure you ô daughters of Ierusalem if you shall find my beloued you tell him that I languish with Loue. Pulchra es Amica mea suauis decora 4â— Thou art faire ô my loue sweet and comelie Veni Dilecte mi Veni 43. Come thou my beloued come Dilectus meus candidatus rubicundus electus ex milibus 44. My beloued is white and ruddie chosen out of thowsands Quo abijt Dilectus tuus Quo declinauit Dilectus tuus quâ—remus eum tecum 45. Whither is thy beloued gone whither is thy beloued turned aside And wee will seeke Him with thee Reuertere reuerterâ— Sunamitis vâ— intue amur te 46. Returne returne ô Sunamitenesse that wee may behold thee Quam pulcra es qnam decora charissima in delicijs 47. How beautifull and how comelye art thou my dearest in delights Quis mihi det vt inueniam Te deosouler Te 48. Who shal procure vnto mee that I may find thee and kisse thee Osculetur me osculo oris sui 48. Let him kisse mee with a kisâ—e of his month Fac me audire vocem tuam 49. Cause mee to heare thy voyce Ecce tu pulchra es amica mea ecce tu pulchra es 50. Behold thou art faire my beloued behold thou art faire Trahe me post te curremus in odorem vnguentorum tuorum 51. Draw mee after thee wee shall ruÌ„ne in the odour of thine ointmeÌ„ts Exultabimus laetabimur in teâ— 52. Wee shall exult and reioyce in thee Indica mihi quem diligit Animâ— mea vbi pascas vbi câ—bes 53. Thou whom my soule loueth shew
vnto mee where thou dost eate where thou dost lodge Surge propera Amica mea columba mea formosa mea veni 54. Arise hasten my beloued my doue my faire One and come vnto mee Ostende mihi faciem tuam soneâ— vox tua in auribus meis 55. Shew mee thy face lett thy voyce sound in myne eares Vox enim tua dulcis facies tua decora 56. For thy voyce is sweete and thy face comelye Quaesiui quem diligit anima mea quaesiui illum non inueni 57. I haue sought for him whom my soule loueth I haue sought for him and haue not found him Surgam circuibo ciuitatem perâ—vicos plate as quaeram quem diligit anima mea 58. I will rise and goe about the city in all the streets and lanes I will seeke after Him whom my soule loueth Num vidisti quem diligit Anima mea 59. Haue you seene whom my soule loueth Paululum cum pertransissem inueni quem diligit Anima mea 60. When I had gone a little farther I found him whom my soule loueth Tenui â—um nec dimittam 61. I laid hold of him and will not let him goe Vox Dilecti mei pulsantis aperi mihi soror mea Amica mea columba mea immaculata mea 62. The voyce of my beloued knockinge open to mee my sister my loue my doue myne immaculate Pessulam Ostij mei aperui dilecto meo 63. I opened the barre of my doore to my beloued Anima mea liquefacta est vt locuta est mihi 64. My soule melted as hee spoke to mee Diligam te Domine fortitudo mea firmamentum meum Refugium meum liberator meus 65. I will loue thee ô Lord my strenth my firme foundation my Refuge and my Deliuerer Illumina oculoâ— meos ne vnquam obdormiam in morte ne quando dicâ—t inimicus meus praeualui aduersus eum 66. Enlighten myne eyes that I may neuer sleepe in Death least myne enimie may come at lenth to say I haue preuailed against him Dignus es tu Domine Deus accipere Gloriam Honorem virtutem Benedictionem 67. Thou art worthy ô Lord God to haue Glorie and Honour and powre and praysinge Confite antur tibi Domine omnia operatua sancti tui benedicant tibi 68. Let thy workes ô Lord confesse vnto thee and lett thy Saintes prayse thee Si oportuerit me mori non te negabo 69. Though I were to dye for it yet I would not denye thee 70. Iesus Iesus Iesus c. Non aemittam Te nisi Benedixeris mihi 71. I will not lett thee goe till thou hast Blissed mee 72. Lord when shal I be wholye thyne and thou myne 73. O my secure Refuge 74. O life of my Soule my Maker my Redeemer and my conseruer 75. O ioye of my soule when shal I loue thee with all my Hart with all my soule and with all my might 76. When shal I enioye thee 77. When shal I possesse thee 78. O that I were buried in thee 79. When shall I fullye please thee 80. My Consolation 81. My Life 82. My Loue. 83. My Desire 84. My Delight 86. My Riches 87. My Treasure and all my good 88. O when shal my soule be accordinge to thy harts desire 89. O that my soule were as cleane and pure as it was when it first proceeded from thee 90. O that I could perfectly obey thee 91. O that I could alwayes serue thee 92. O Treasure of my soule 93. O that I had neuer offended thee 94. O that I could see my selfe free from this or that imperfection 95. O that I could obtayne this or that necessarie virtue 96. When shal I perfectly loue thee 97. When shall this earthly Tabernacle be dissolued and my soule be made one with thee 98. Replenish mee ô Lord with thy loue 99. Giue vnto mee sweete Iesus puritie of Hart and pouertie of Spirit 100. O sweete Iesus that I knew thee and knew my selfe 101. Graunt mee ô sweete Iesus that I maye entirelie loue thee 102. Graunt mee ô my onlie loue that I maye continuallie reuerence and adore thee 103. O Bottomelesse sea of Mercie pardon mee all my sinns offences 104. Permitt mee not ô my Lord Iesus euer to be separated from thee 105. Possesse mee ô sweete Iesus vnite mee wholie vnto thee 106. I am nothinge I can nothinge I desire nothinge but thee ô Iesus Iesus Iesus 107. Graunt mee ô Lord the holye hatred of my selfe and the perfect loue of thee 108. O my God quench thou the thirst of my soule 108. Thou onlie pleasest mee and thee onlie I desire 109. For thy loue I vtterly renounce all other Loues 111. For thy loue I wholy yeild vp my selfe into thy hands 112. O All my Glorie 113. O All my Delight 114. O All my Comfort 115. With thy selfe comfort mee whom nothinge else can comfort or satisfie 1â—6 O what doe I loue ô what doe I intend or seeke for saue only thee 117. Feed and satisfie mee ô Lord with thy Grace and presence in my soule 118. Thee onlie doth my soule rellish Iesus Iesus Iesus 119. My Hart longeth after thee and with none but thee Alone can it be satisfied 120. Quench my thirst ô Iesus Iesus Iesus 121. When shal my soule be plunged swallowed vp and buried in the infinit depth of thy Eternitie 122. O my Happynesse 123. O my only delight 124. O ioye of my hart 125. O my Hope my sollace my beginninge and end 126. O Lord Iesus 127. O Emanuel 128. O Messias 129. O Christ the annointed of our Lord 130. O most sweete and most louinge Lord God! 131. When shall I be vnited vnto thee 132. When shall I be drowned in thee 133. When shall I be fullye mortified 134. When shall I embrace thee 135. When shall I be inflamed with thy loue 136. When shall I be one with thee accordinge to thy harts desire Confitebor tibi Domine in toto cordâ— meo glorificabo nomen tuum in aeternum 137. I will confesse vnto thee ô Lord with my whole hart and will glorifie thy name for euer Miserere mei Deus miserere mei quoniam in te confidit Anima mea 138. Haue Mercie on mee ô Lordâ— haue on mee because my soule doth confide in thee Beati qui habitant in domo tua Domine in saecula saeculorum laudabunt te 139. Blissed are they who dwell in thy Howse ô Lord they praise thee for euer and euer Quia est melior est dies vna in atrijs tuis super millia 140. Because one daye within thy Gates is bâ—â—â—â—r then a thowsand without 141. O All my Hope 142. O All my Glorie 143. O All my Refuge And All my ioie 144. O the most Beloued of Beleiuers 145. O Flourishinge spowse 146. O sweete spowse 147. O Comfort of my Hart 148. O life of my soule and the pleasant repose of my Spirit 149. Mortifie in mee
faithfull followers Which God graunt Father Sonne and holye Ghost Amen This Exercise to S. Bennet was the Deuotion of the Venerâ—ble Father â—akeâ— before mâ—ntioned â—o giâ—e God thâ—nâ—kes for the happinesse of his Religious vâ—câ—tion which I haue â—eere insâ—râ—ed as beinge gratefull to those of the same profession and not vngratefull to any deuout soule HAYLE IESVS Or Acts vppon the life and Passioâ— of our Sauâ—iour Iâ—sus-Christ Which are indeed instar Omnium doe contayne in them Acts of all kindâ— of Prayer as Contrition Resignation loue or what else-soeuer As a deuout soule in her Mentall Exercisesâ—therevpon may eaâ—ilye experience THE FIRST EXERCISE 1. HAYLE sweetâ— Iesus Prayse honour and glorie be to thee ô Christ who for â—y sâ—â—e haâ—t vouchsafed to come downe from the Royal seates and from the mellisluous Boosome of thy Deuine Father into this valley of miserie And to be conceiued and incarnated and made Man by the Holy Ghost in the most chast wombe of the most sacred Virgin Mary 2. Choose I beseech thee my Hart for thy dwellinge place Adorne itt replenish it with Spirituall guifts and wholye possesse itt 3. O that I were able by profound humilitie to inuite thee to itt and with an ardent Affection to receiue thee and after hauinge receiued thee to retayne thee with mee 4. O that I were soe fastned vnto thee that I might neuer depart or turne away my mind from thee 5. Hayle sâ—eete Iesus Prayse Honour and Glory be to thee â— Christ Who wouldst that the Virgin Marie hauinge conceiued thee should make hast to visiâ—t her Cosin Elizabeth didst inspire her that shee should salute and assist Her 6. And thou hast vouchsafed ô Christ to lye hidd for nine months together in the most chast wombe of the sacred Virgin Mary 7. Powre into my soule ô Iesus the Grace of perfect humilitie and imprint it most deepelye in my Hartâ— that I may be found readye alwayes to serue and obey thee 8. Grant that my Hart maye loath all transitorie things and may incessantly perceiue that thou dost posâ—esse and duell in itt 9. Hayle sweet Iesus Prayse Honour and Glory be to thee ô Christ who hast vouchsafed to be borne of thy Virgin Mother poore and passible without any payne or detriment to her Virginitie in a poore stable 10. Whom beinge borne shee humbly adored 11. O that it were thy will to be continually borne in mee by a new feruour of Spirit 12. And that I may be wholy burnt with the fire of thy loue 13. O that thou wert the only comfort desire and sollace of my Hart 14. O that I did seeke after thee Alone tâ—inke on thee Alone and loue thee Alone THE II. EXERCISE 1. HAYLE sweete Iesus prayse honoâ—r and glorie be to thee ô Christ. Who beinge borne iâ— the depth of winter didst not refuse to be suaddled in poore cloaths and weepinge to be laid in the manger and as a little infant to sucke milke from thy Mothers breasts 2. I adore thee most deare Redeemer Kinge of Angells 3. Hayle Prince of Peace light of the Gentils and most desired Sauâ—iour 4. Graunt◠ô Lord that I may alwayes stand in thy sight truely humble and truely poore in Spirit 5. Graunt that for thy Holy names-sake I may willingly endure all kind of Mortifications and may loue nothinge in this world besides thee nor wish to possesse any thinge but thee 6. Hayle sweete Iesus whom the celestiall legions of Angells did honour newly borne with ioyfull prayses And the sheepheards deuoutly seekinge and findinge adored with admiration 7. Graunt that I may ioyfully without tediousnesse perseuer in thy prayses and seruice 8. Hayle sweete Iesus who wouldst vppon the eight day like other childeren be circumcised and beinge yet an infant shedd thy pretious Blood 9. And for our singular Comfort wouldst be â—aled Iesus which signifieth a Sauuiour 10. O that itt would please thee to admitt mee beinge circumcised from all bad thoughts words and workes into the number of thy childeren 11. Thou ô Lord art called Iesus that is to say a Sauuiour be thou therefore my Sauuiour and saue mee 12. Hayle sâ—eete Iesus whom the sages with a deuout seekinge found by the direction of a starre and haninge found most humblye adored 13. Offeringe vnto thee guifts of gold Frankincense and Myrrhe 14. Graunt ô Lord that with these blissed men I may alwayes seeke and adore thee in Spirit and Truth 15. Graunt that I may offer dayly vnto thee the gold of bright shininge Charitie the Frankincense of sweete smellinge Deuotion and the Myrrhe of perfect Mortification 16. Hayle sweete Iesus who for our sakes wouldst be subiect to the Law and to giue vs an example of Humilitie wouldst be carried to the Temple by thy Mother and be redeemed with an offeringe ordayned for such as were poore 17. Where iust Simeon and Anne the Prophetesse reioycinge greately at thy presence gaue very glorious Testimony of thy Dignitye 18. O that all Pride were vtterlye throwne downe in mee 19. O that all desire of humaine Fauour and itch of selfeloue were cooled and cured in mee THE III. EXERCISE 1. HAYLE sweete Iesus prayse honour and glory be to thee ô Christ Who stayinge in the Temple wert for the space of three dayes with greate greife sought by thy deuout Mother and at lentgh with greate ioy found by Her sittinge in the midst of the Doctors hearinge them and proposinge questions to them 2. Would to God thou wouldst giue and Communicate thy selfe in such sort vnto mee that I might neuer be seâ—arated from thee not euer be depâ—â—ued of thy comfort â— Hayle sweete Iesus who for the space of thirtie yeares remayninge vnknowne hast vouchsafed to be reputed by the Iewes the sonne of Ioseph the Carpenter and of his wife the blissed Virgin Marye 4. Let thy Grace I beseech thee plucke vp and vtterlye roote out of the fund of my soule all pride and Ambition 5. O that I maye delight to be vnknowne and to be esteemed vile and Base 6. Hayle sweete Iesus who hast not disdained to come to the riuer of Iordan and entringe into iâ—t there to be baptized by thy seruant Iohn the Baptist. 7. I would through thy meritts I might become most cleane and pure euen in this life 8. Hayle sweete Iesus who for ouâ— sakes abidinge amongst wild beasts in the desert fastinge forty dayes and forty nights and perseueringe in prayer hast permitted thy â—elfe to be tempted by Satan 9. And ouercominge Him hast beene honored with the ministerre and seruice of Angells 10. Giue mee Grace that I maye chastise and subdue my flesh with all the vicious affections thereof 11. Giue mee Grace that I may constantlye perseuer in Prayer and other spirituall exercises 12. Lett noe temptation I beseech thee defile mee but rather let temptations purge mee and ioyne and vnite mee vnto thee 13. Hayle sweete Iesus who to the end thou mightst gather together the dispersed children
Bringe in ô my Lord bringe in my soule through the wound of thy side into the Boosome of thy Charitie and the treasure-howse of thy Diuinitie 22. That I maye ioyfullie glorifie thee my God Crucified and dead for mee Amen THE XX. EXERCISE 1. HAYLE sweete Iesus prayse honour and glory be to thee ô Christ Grant that all other visible things maye be blotted out of my memorie and that I maye freelie applie my selfe to thee Alone 2. Behold with as much Deuotion as possibly I can I salute the fiue principall wounds of thy most blissed bodye 3. Hayle ruddye glorious and mellifluous Wounds of my Redeemer of my Kinge 4. Hayle glorious seales of my Reconciliation and Saluation 5. I humblye desire to abide and be hid in you and soe by that meanes be secure from all euill 6. Hayle sweete Iesus who beingâ— with greate lamentation of thy frieÌ„dâ— taken downe froÌ„ the Crosse wouldsâ— be annointed with pretious ointments wrapt in a windinge sheete and buried where noe man was buried before 7. â—urie I beseech thee all my senses all my forces and all myne affections in thee 8. That beinge ioyned to thee through efficatious loue I maye become as it were stupid and vnsensible in respect of all other things 9. Hayle sweete Iesus Who hast vanguished the powre of the Diuell powrefullie and louingly in soule descendinge into Hell didst make ioyefull with thy presence the fathers there detained 10. And didst translate them thence â— thy Glorious Ascension to the delightfull Guarden of the Celestiall Paradise and to the cleare Vision of God 11. Lett the virtue of thy Passion of thy Blood descend now I beseech thee into Purgatorie vppon the soules of my parents knisfolkes friends benefactors and all the faithfull departed 12. That beinge deliuered from paynes they maye be receiued into the Boosome of Eternall Rest. 13. Hayle sweete Iesus Who like a conqueror with glorious Triumph didst arise out of thy closed sepulchre 14. And reuested with thy louelie countenance didst replenish thy friends with new ioye and gladnesse 15. Grant ô Lord that leauinge the olds paths of my vicious conuersatioÌ„ I maye walke in the newnesse of life 16. And seeke and Sauour those things which are aboue in Heauen not those things which are heere vppon earth 17. To the end that when thou my life shall appeare at the last Daye â— maye appeare with thee in Glorie Amen THE XXI EXERCISE 1. HAYLE sweete Ieâ—us prayse honour and glorie be to thee ô Christ. Who fortie dayes after thy Resurrection beinge expired didst gloriouslie Ascend into Heauen in the sight of thy Disciples where thou sittest on the right hand of thy Father blissed for euer 2. O that my soule might alwayes languish on earth and ascend and aspire towards Heauen 3. Maiâ— hunger and thirst alwayes after thee 4. Hayle sweete Iesus Who didst giue thy Holie Ghost to thy elect Disciples perseueringe together with one mind in Prayer 5. And didst send them to teach all Nations through out the whole world 6. Cleanse I beseech thee the interiour of my Hart. 7. Giue mee true puritie and constancie of mind that the Holie Ghost maye find a gratefull Habitation in my soule 8. And maye replenish mee withâ— the speciall guifts of His Grace 9. Maye comfort strenthen fill gouerne and possesse mee 10. Hayle sweete Iesus Who cominge as a Iudge at the last Day wilt render vnto euerie one accordinge to his Workes either punishment or Reward 11. O my most mercifull Lord God grant that accordinge to thy Will I maye soe innocentlie passe the course of this miserable life 12. That my soule departinge out of the Prison of my bodie I maye be vested with thy merits and virtues 13. And be receiued into thy euerlastinge ioye 14. And With all the Saints I maye blisse and prayse thee for euer 15. Hayle sweete Iesus Whom I haue most grieuouslye offended all the dayes of my life 16. Alaâ— I haue neuer ceased to be vngratefull to thee resistinge thy Grace in diuers maners and alwayes addinge new faults vnto my â—ormer 17. Behold ô my sweete Refuge behold mee the outcast of all Creatures bringinge with mee nothinge but bundles of sinnes 18. I prostrate my selfe at the feete of thy mercie and humblye implore pardon and remission 19. Pardon I beseech thee and saue mee for thy names saâ—e 20. For I belieue and am assured that noe sinns are soe greiuous and heinous but by the meriâ—s of thy most sacred Passion maye be forgiuen and washed a waye Amen These Exercises and All Others may and ought to be eâ—largâ—d and dilated accordinge to euerâ—e ones Grâ—ce and Guift which is the only infallible Guide and rule of our Prayer and noe sett written or printed forme whatsoeuer as the directions particularly and pertinently teach vs. A Dittie to the same subiect IN sorrow deepe I waâ—e I sleepâ— with griefe my Hart opprest My Watry eyes like winter skies bedew my mournefull breast For when I see my loue for mee in flames of loue to burne My Lord my Loue my God aboue and why should I not mourne With feete and hands transfixed hee stands vppon a fatall beame And from his side a wound most wide powres out a bloddie streame A peircinge Crowne his head pulls downe his face quite wanne doth turne Hee for my sake these paines did take and why should I not mourne While iâ— this paine heâ— did remaine his drinke was mixt wiih Gall. His Corps lay bare his Cloths they share each as by lott did fall His Foes about did laugh and flowt and at his vertues spurne Thus was his breath shutt vp by death and why should I not Mourne The Earth did quake the rockes did shake and rented all in sunder The Corps from Graues and hollow Caues Arose to see this Wonder The sunne soe bright forsooke his light and all most wanne did turne Thus heauen and earth laments his death and why should I not mourne Loe when I see vppon a Tree his breathlesse Body lye I greiue I groane I sigh I moane I payne I Faint I dye For thee Alone my life beinge gone vntill thou baâ—ke returne In endlesse greife without reliefe I le neuer cease to mourne FINIS THE TOPP OF THE HEAVENLIE LADDER OR THE HIGHEST STEPPE of Prayer and Perfection And the progresse and complement of the foreâ—aid Practises and Deuotions My Throne in a Pillar of Clowde Eccl. 24. 7. A life hidden with Christ in God Coloss. 3. 3. TRVE HAPPINESSE IN A Monasticall life Thy forces straind ' boue ela rayse Yet nere condignly canst thou praise A State Monastical Which if it be with learninge stated And to studies dedicated Lord how beneficiall But if it want this ornament And eeke the Grace from Heauen sent Sad O sad imprisonment Lett fierie Mars blow vp the scot Or lett the Britans goe to th'pott The Col meane tyme reguards it not Or lett some feirce forraine Hoast The Spaniard sweed or Dane
CHAPTER Of a generall remedie against the temptationâ— and troubles proceedinge from the flesh the world or the enemie AND after this when that thyne enimies see that thou art soe well willed that thou art not angrie nor much troubled nor incensed against any creatures for any thinge they can doe or speake against thee but art fully resolued in thy hart for to suffer and vndergoe all that maye happen to fall be it easie or vneasie sowre or sweete prayse or disprayse scarsitie or plentie And that thou dost esteeme or reguard nothinge soe thou maye keepe whole and entire the desire that thou hast of the Loue of Iesus Then are they much abashed and daunted But then they will trie and essay thee with flatterie vayne pleasinge and complacence As when they doe bringe to the sight of thy soule all thy good deeds and vertues and would perswade thee that all men prayse and speake much of thy holinesse and vertues And how that all men loue thee and reuerence thee for thy vertuous and holy liuinge and would therefore perswade thee to be sollicitous of thy good name and estimation with others Thus doe thyne enimies that thou shouldst thinke their sayings to be true and take willinge delight and pleasure in such vayne ioye and complaceâ—ce and shouldst willingly rest thee theriâ— But if thou wilt doe well thou shalt hold and esteeme all such thoughts and suggestions to be falshood and flatterie of thyne enemie that profers thee to drinke venome tempered with honie And therefore refuse it and saye that thou wilt not haue it but wouldst fayne be at Ierusalem Such offers and lettings thoâ— shall find feele or some other such lettings or offers what of thy flesh what of the world what of thyne enemie more in number I meane of the temptations and more diuers in the kinds and qualities of them then I am able to tell thee of or thou able before hand to imagine for a man soe longe as hee suffereth his mind and thoughts willingly to runne about the world or about worldly desires as all doe that doe not seriouslye applye themselues to the seruice of God in beholdinge oâ— thinkinge of vayne or hurtfull things hee perceiueth or conceiueth but few lettings But soe soone as hee draweth all his thoughts and desires to the said one thinge onlye to haue that to know that to loue that and that is only Iesus and his loue Then shall hee well feele and perceiue many paynefull and troublesome lettings For euerie thinge that hee feeleth and is not that hee coueteth or helpeth to the gettinge of it is lettinge to Him Therefore I hauerold thee of some temptations or lettings in particular as for some examples And moreouer I saye in generallitie that whatsoeuer stirringe motion or suggestion thou feelest from thy flesh or from the enemye be it pleasant or sowre louelye or dreadfull gladsome or sorrowfull that would draw downe thy thoughts and desire from the loue of Iesus to wordly vanitie and would hinder or coole the Spirituall couetousnesse that thou hast to the loue of Him and would haue thy hart be occupied with that stirring restingly Doe thou sett it at nought receiue it not willingly or deliberately tarrie not therewith too longe But if it be an exterior buâ—inesse that behooueth needs to be donne either towards thy selfe or towards thy Christian Brother or â—ister dispatch it and ridd thee soone of it and bringe it to an end that it hange not on thy Hart and soe distract thee more then needs if it be another thinge that may be spared and needeth not to be done or else concernes not thee or belongeth to thee heed it not harken not after it nor trouble thy selfe about it nor be angrie for it nor affraid of it nor loue it but cast it presently out of thy mind and hart and say thus I am nothinge I haue nothinge nothinge doe I feele or couet but the Loue of Iesus Fasten thy mind thoúghts to this desire and strengthen it and maintayne it with Prayer and other Spirituall workes that thou forgett it not and it shall lead and guid thee in the right waye and saue thee from all perills and make noe doubt but it will bringe thee to the perfect loue of our Lord Iesus This naked and cleane aspiringe and pure adheringe to God in the darke clowde of faith and blind feelings of Loue is a waye soe secure and safe that all the world and all the deuills of Hell nor euen the suttle craft of our owne selfe seekeinge can misleade vs or deceiue vs for wee still ayme at God and nothinge but pure God soe that wee shall not rest in any thinge but him not his very guifts and Graces noe relations noe Visions noe rapts noe exâ—asiesâ— But still passe and make vse of all to tend to Him aboue all Neuerthelesse on the otherside I alsoe saye and aduise thee that looke what worke or motion it be be the same corporall or spirituall that maye helpe or further thy said desire strengthen it and nourish itt drawe thy mind and thoughts furtheâ—t from the loues and desires of the world or corrupt nature and which makes thy loue and desire towards God more burninge more harty or more efficacious Whither it be prayinge either mentally or vocally or for the nature or manner of the Prayer or be it meditation or silence or speakinge solitarinesse or beinge in companie sittinge or walkinge keepe it and hold it for a tyme and worke therin and therewith soe longe as the sauour or tast of itt lasteth This discretion and freedome to doe any thinge that feeds this Holy desire to God in vs is most necessarie and without this freedome wee can make noe progresse Neither need wee to scruple at anythinge that is not euill in itt selfe or contrarie to the euident externe will of God by ordination of holy Church or our particular state or profession If it be soâ— thou take therewith as needs thou must accordinge to thy need meate drinke sleepe and rest as a pilgrime doth and hold disâ—retion in such thy workinge thou shalt doe very well and profitable in thy soe doinge For haue hee neuer soe greate hast in his goinge yet will hee eate drinke and sleepeâ— Doe thou soe likewise for though it lett thee for a tyme yet will itt further thee afterwards Amen FINIS LAVS DEO VIRGINI Benedicto Hac est via Ambulate in ea Isa. 30. 21. This is the waye walke in itt Isa. 30. 21. DEVOVT IDEOT THY Deuotions are soe happilye printed that the faults escaped are such as thou maist easilye take thy pen in the hand correct them thyselfe beinge sometymes one letter for another As an a for an e or an n for an u or a letter too much or a letter too little All which the sense will soone tell thee and I know thou endeauours to mend faults not find faults and for thee and thy like it was set forth and none other ADIEV TO THE V. R MADAME CATHERINE GASCOIGNE MOST VVORTHY ABBESSE of the English Monasterie of our Ladies of Comfort in Cambray MADAME The same engagement which obliged mee to sett forth these simple and pure Deuotions hath bound mee to dedicate and present them to your Lad P. who in verie deed hath the most right title to them beinge yours by the â—en le Authors owne guift yours by Possession but aboue all yours in the highest degree of practise And truely they belonge to such and none but such as de facto indeed practise them All others may looke on them and perchance hardlye censure them but they haue noe right and title to them They haue them not in their hart and nothinge else can possesse them these are treasures for the Hart nothinge else hath right to them This Ideot who to others seemes ignorant and foolish to you is knowingly ignorant and wisely vnlearned They perswade themselues who present him vnto you as they haue experienced themselues that hee hath taught you more high and euident truths more sapid and fatisfactorie knowledge then all the subtile Scholasticks and suttle politicks put together could haue done VVee see knowledge Prudence vertue shine in all your Actions in an high measure Noe other Maister could haue taught them you This Ideot who to others appeares soe vnhandsome and insipide to you shewes himselfe most comely and delightfull For you haue giuen all that you haue Math. 13. Math. 19. Phil. 3. Luk. 15. or rather left all that you had to conuerse with Him You esteeme all else as nothinge You haue choseÌ„ this best part vvhich shall neuer be taken avvay Accept of Him then and as hitherto lett him be euer familiar and gratefull vnto your Lad P. which they wish from their harts who are and hee hartyly by whom they make this humble adresse MADAME Your Lad ps most deuoted humble and obliged seruants c.