haue and space 5 And lay not to my charge good Lord the sinnes that I haue donne But them forget and me forgiue for Christes sake thy sonne 6 And cause thy mercie to be heard of me before the prime For I in thee haue put my trust alone from time to time 7 Most blessed Lord grant that I may thy mercie sweet obtaine And that right soone thou me release from my deserued paine 8 With great repentance doo I call my hope assureth mee Thou wilt forgiue me all my sinnes bicause I trust in thee 9 I knowe that thou art nigh to all that call vpon thy name And wilt direct their steps aright that craue of thee the same 10 Wherefore good Lord shew me the waie I ought for to walke in For I my soule haue lifted vp to thee with all my sin 11 Lord manie times indeed thou hast directed me the waie And I haue purpos'd in my selfe no more to go astraie 12 Yea when I haue repentant bin and vowed in my hart Thy lawe for to obserue and keepe and neuer to depart 13 The diuell my deadlie enimie contriu'd the matter so But his deceit ere I was ware gaue me the ouerthrow 14 And Lord without assistance thine he vanquish will ere long All the kingdomes vpon the earth he is become so strong 15 Deliuer me from all my foes for vnto thee I flie And giue me strength my God to doo thy will effectuallie 16 For of my selfe no power I haue to doo the good I should Ne for to wish or thinke the good that verie faine I would 17 Thy mercie onelie Lord it is by which I must preuaile For man without thy helpe and aid of purpose needs must faile 18 Thou hast with reason and with will indued me I knowe But will of force without thy grace must reason ouerthrowe 19 Wherfore Lord let thy holie spirit conduct me in the waie Vnto the land of righteousnesse I thee beseech and praie 20 Where thine elect and chosen sort thy brightnesse shall behold With such heauenlie felicitie as cannot here be told 21 Not that I haue deserued Lord for to possesse the same But for thine endlesse mercies sake and for thy holiename 22 Thou wilt not Lord the death of him that dailie dooth offend But that he rather doo conuert and so his life amend 23 This is thy will this is thy mind though I a sinner bee If by repentance I doo turne then wilt thou turne to me 24 And then shall I receiued be and be reuiu'd againe And through thy equitie be freed of euerlasting paine 25 For whereas I by sinne am dead spirituallie to saie I shall be thinke me of the same and for thy mercie praie 26 My bodie now by nature weake shall then in strength arise And shall in glorie shine more bright than dooth the sunne in skies 27 Where now the same â Lord is giuen to lust and lewd delight Shall then arise all spirituall and yeeld to reasons might 28 No grosenesse then but that it may pearse through the thickest stone And as for things corruptible it shall haue mind of none 29 Immortall it shall euer be impassible withall Betweene the bodie and the soule shall then no strife befall 30 Thus Lord Thou shalt bring foorth my soule from troubles all that bee And shalt mine enimies destroie through mercie shewd to mee 31 Thou shalt them vtterlie confound that doo my soule molest For I by grace thy seruant am and in thy mercie rest 32 Good Christ which gau'st thy life for me and suffredst on the tree Preserue my bodie and my soule and mercie haue on mee Amen FINIS A Handfull of Honisuckles Gathered by VVilliam Hunnis one of the Gentlemen of hir Highnesse Chapell and Maister to the Children of the same Prepard with faith confirmd with hope and furnished with loue Approch and praie so thou beelowe shalt please the Lord aboue Newlie printed by Henrie Denham 1583. Prou. 15 verse 29. The Lord is absent verie far from such as be vniust But â—â—â—coth heare the righteous praie Bicause in him they trust Certaine short and pithy Praiers vnto Iesu Christ our Sauiour The day shall come saith Christ and that shall manie see Who calles vpon my name shall surelie saued bee O IESV meeke ô IESV sweet ô IESV sauiour mine most gratious IESV to my call thy gratious eares incline I know good IESV ere I speake thou know'st what I would haue Iesu thy grace I know it is that bids me mercie craue O Iesu deare whose pretious bloud was shed on crosse of tree Sweet Iesu for thy passion sake haue mercie now on mee Amen O Iesu sweet grant that thy grace alwaies so worke in mee I may desire the thing to doo most pleasing vnto thee O Iesu meeke thy will be mine my will be thine also And that my will may follow thine in pleasure paine and wo. O Iesu what is good for mee is ay best knowne to thee Therefore according to thy will haue mercie now on mee Amen O Iesu deare doo thou with mee euen as thy will shall please Sweet Iesu put me where thou wilt to suffer paine or ease Iesu behold I am but thine where I be good or ill Yeâ— by thy grace I readie am thy pleasure to fulfill Iesu I am thy workemanship most blessed maist thou bee Sweet Iesu for thy mercie sake haue mercie now on mee Amen O Iesu meeke grant that I may repose my trust in thee For thou sweet Iesu art the peace and true tranquillitie Thou Iesu art the verie peace and quietnesse of mind The onelie rest vnto the soule that shall thy fauour find Wherfore sweet Iesu doo vouchsafe my soule this peace may see And for thy painefull passion sake haue mercie now on mee Amen O Iesu if thou doo withdrawe thy comfort for a time Let not despaire take hold on mee for anie sinfull crime But giue me patience to abide thy pleasure and thy will For sure thy iudgements all are right though I be wicked still But yet a promise hast thou made to all that trust in thee According to which promise Lord haue mercie now on me Amen O Iesu deare giue me that grace I gladlie suffer may What euer so thy pleasure be vpon me for to lay O Iesu meeke what thanks ought I to giue vnto thy name Which for my sinnes to set me free hast suffered death and shame O Iesu sweet my wickednesse I doo confesse to thee Wherefore as thou hast promised haue mercie now on me Amen O Iesu sweet a little thing sometime doeth vex me sore And makes me slowe to giue thee thanks ah wo is me therefore Iesu againe sometime I thinke still stronglie for to stand But when a little trouble coms I streight fall vnder hand Thus I susee a small thing makes temptation great to be My weakenesse Iesu doo behold and mercie haue on me Amen O
them and not for you Awake I saie awake awake SINNER And yet ô Lord the little whelps would licke the crums that fall Thy chosen sort are verie few but manie doost thou call CHRIST I call to you that will not heare I stretch mine armes at large For to imbrace such as doo come and all your sinnes discharge Wherefore if you refuse to come I will you then forsake And to my feast will strangers call and them my children make Awake therefore and rise from sleepe awake I saie awake awake SINNER Not so good Lord thy mercie far aboue our sinnes abound CHRIST And yet I will a iusticer in iustice mine be found SINNER Thy promise is to pardon sinne and therein art thou iust CHRIST Your sinnes repent and praie therefore in vaine is else your trust SINNER O Lord thy grace must this performe or else it cannot be CHRIST My grace you haue the same applie and blessed shall you be SINNER Through this sweet grace thy mercie Lord we humblie doo require CHRIST By mercie mine I you forgiue and grant this your desire AMEN An humble sute of a repentant sinner for mercie Giue eare ô Lord to heare my heauie carefull cries And let my wofull plaints ascend aboue the starrie skies And now receiue the soule that puts his trust in thee And mercie grant to purge my sinnes mercie good Lord mercie My soule desires to drinke from fountaine of thy grace To slake this thirst ô God vouchsafe and turne not of thy face But bow thy bending eare with mercie when I crie And pardon grant for sinfull life mercie good Lord mercie Behold at length ô Lord my sore repentant mind Which knocks with faith hopes therby thy mercies great to find Thy promise thus hath past from which I will not flie Who dooth repent trusting in thee shall taste of thy mercie Mercie good Lord mercie mercie ¶ Another to the same effect Behold ô God the wretched state my sillie soule is in How sore opprest and ouerchargde with foule and filthie sinne Behold likewise the prison foule I meane my baned brest Where wickednes and sinne abounds and breeds my soules vnrest Behold ô God how oft my soule dooth lift hir selfe to thee As one in dungion darke and deepe desiring light to see Behold also how faine it would doo that might please thy will But cruell sinne with his affects doo drawe me backward still Behold I doo not that I would as lawe of thine requires But I doo that I would not doo contrarie my desires Such is the working of the feend such be his wilie waies With â—ust to set my hart on fire whereby my health decaies Such pleasant baites laies he abroad with pois'ned hookes of sin And traines my senses all thereto and drownes my soule therein But mercie is with thee my God for such as mercie craue Among the which I humblie aske some mercie for to haue For light offense thy mercie small may soone appease thine ire But mine offenses manifold thy mercies great desire And since by mercie I must win thy fauour and thy grace From my misdeeds and sinfull life with mercie turne thy face ¶ Another to the same purpose My soule ô God doth now confesse a wicked life long led in sinne And how the same to thee is knowne ere that my lips to speake begin Such is the fruit such is the tree with mercie Lord deliuer mee Shall I ô Lord for this despaire of hope of helpe and health at last Or shall I thinke thou seek'st reuenge vpon my sinfull life that 's past No no my faith dooth witnes mee Thy bloud from sin hath set me free AMEN A Lamentation touching the follies and vanities of our youth ¶ Alack when I looke back vpon my youth that 's past And deepelie ponder youths offense youths reward at last With sighes and sobs I saie ô God I not denie my youth with follie hath deseru'd with follie for to die But yet if euer sinfull man might merâ•Œcie mooue to ruth Good Lord with mercie doo forgiue the follies of my youth In youth I rangde the fields where vices all did grow In youth I wanted grace such vice to ouerthrow In youth what I thought sweet most bitter now I find Thus hath the follies of my youth with follie kept me blind Yet as the Eagle cast's hir bill whereby hir age renut'h So Lord with mercie doo forgiue the follies of my youth Amen A psalme of reioising for the woonderfull loue of Christ ratified by his meritorious death and passion for our spirituall redemption LEt vs be glad and clap our hands with ioie our soules to fill For Christ hath paid the price of sinne with mercie and good will By his good will he flesh became for sinfull fleshes sake By his good will disdained not most shamefull death to take By his good will his blood was spilt his bodie all to rent By his good will to saue vs all he therewith was content By his good will death hath no power our sinfull soules to kill For Christ hath paid the price of sinne with mercie and good will Since Christ so dearelie loued vs let vs from sinne refraine For Christ desireth nothing els in lieu of all his paine And that we should each other loue as he vs loou'd before So shall his loue abide in vs and dwell for euermore Let then our loue so dwell in him our wicked lusts to kill For Christ hath paid the price of sin with mercie and good will AMEN A praier for the good estate of Queene ELIZABETH THou God that guidst both heuen and earth on whom we all depend Preserue our Queene in perfect health and hir from harme defend Conserue hir life in peace to reigne augment hir ioies withall Increase hir friends maintaine hir cause and heare vs when we call So shall all we that faithfull be reioise and praise thy name O God ô Christ ô holie Ghost giue eare and grant the same AMEN A Christian confession of and to the Trinitie O Thou almightie omnipotent and euerlasting God the father of heauen I doo beleeue confesse and acknowledge thee to be the God of all power and might yea the almightie power it selfe and to be of nothing going before neither made created nor begotten but to be a thing before all things giuing beginning vnto euerie thing thy selfe being without beginning and without ending O Thou sonne of God which art the word of the father and second person in Trinitie I doo likewise beleeue confesse and acknowledge thee to be of the father without beginning before all worlds neither made nor created but begotten and art equall with the father in power might glorie maiestie and deitie and to be as thy father is the fountaine and well-spring of all wisedome grace and mercie O Thou God the holie Ghost and third person in Trinitie which art with the father and the sonne the giuer of all comfort vertue and goodnesse I doo also
cleane and clensed from my sin 27 But Lord thy mercie is the Sope and washing lee also That shall both scowre clense the filth which in my soule doo grow 28 Why should I then alas despaire of goodnesse thine to mee When that thy iustice willeth me to put my trust in thee 29 Thy promise Lord thy mouth hath past which cannot be but true That thou wilt mercie haue on them that turne to thee anew 30 I know when heauen and earth shall passe this promise shall stand fast Wherefore into thy Maiestie I offer now at last 31 An hart contriâ—e and sorrowfull with all humilitie For heinous sinnes by it conceiuâ—d through mine iniquitie 32 I doo acknowledge all my faults my sinnes stand me before I haue them in remembrance Lord and will for euermore 33 Bicause thou shouldst the same forget I still doo thinke thereon And set it vp before my face alwaies to looke vpon 34 Against thee â—nlie haue I â—ind and done ill in thy sight In whom it lies to punish me or to forgiue me quight 35 But sure my hope is firmelie fixt that thou wilt me forgiue For with thine honour shall it stand to suffer me to liue 36 That all the world may witnesse thee a iudge most iust to bee For that thou wilt thy promise keepe to all that trust in thee 37 That is our sinnes thou wilt remit and cleane forget them all And bend thine eares vnto our plaints when we vpon thee call 38 O Lord consider with thy selfe what mettall I possesse Behold in sinne I was conceiud and borne in wickednesse 39 From Adam first this sin was drawne whereby I am made prone To doo the ill should thee offend and let the good alone 40 Yea manie a time I am so drawne to doo I would not doo And that I would I leaue vndone for want of might thereto 41 Such is ô Lord the strength and force of my concupiscence But yet of greater force than this is Lord thine indulgence 42 For thou wilt mercie shew to them that mercie doo require And wilt not turne thy face from such as mercie doo desire 43 Surelie of honor more is thine through pitie men to saue Than by thy iustice to condemne such as deserued haue 44 Therefore ô Lord receiue me now which doo my selfe accuse To th'nd thou shouldst my sins forgiue and all my faultes excuse 45 O Lord I doo not hide my sinnes but shew them vnto thee Because thou shouldst thy mercie grant as thou hast promisd mee 46 For neuer yet thou hast beene found in anie word vniust Ne canst thou now begin at me since that in thee I trust 47 Thou Lord hast euer loued truth and truth thou art most sure Thou art the verie veritie for euer to endure 48 Thou promisedst to Abraham his seede to multiplie Euen as the stars and as the sand that in the sea doth lie 49 To Ishac and to Iacob eke like promise didst thou make And thou the same performed hast for this thy promise sake 50 Thou promisedst to Iosue to strength him with thine hand And so he slue the Chananites and did diuide their land 51 To Gedeon thou promise mad'st that he should set at large The Israëlites which were in thrall and in their en'mies charge 52 When Ezechias lay sore sicke and well nie at deaths dore Thou promis'dst him his health againe to liue fifteene yeares more 53 Thus hast thou kept thy promises to thousands else beside Who haue reposed trust in thee thou hast not helpe denide 54 Euen so good Lord thy promise kepe with me that am vniust A scabbed sheepe one of thy flocke and ouerchargd with lust 55 Which of long time haue run astray the time since I was borne Yet now returnd with heauie hart that 's with repentance torne 56 Thus hath thy grace now called me with mercie of thine hand And what thy will and pleasure is by grace I vnderstand 57 Thou hast reuealed vnto me the things that be vnknowne The secret points of wisedome thine thy grace to me hath showne 58 The mysteries that hidden were within thy sacred word Thou hast to vs made manifest by Iesus Christ our Lord. 59 I am now fed with bread of life that shall my hunger slake And from dame wisedoms water-springs my drinke I often take 60 Now wisdome hath cast out hir floud the plants all watred bee And still she seekes to lighten those that put their trust in thee 61 Of this hir floud S. Paule did drinke and he vs taught thereby Thy wisdome Lord which secret was and hidden long did lie 62 As thou to him didst manifest by thy free spirit before Which searcheth out the verie depth of secrets thine and store 63 Of this Lord part I tasted haue through mercie shewd to me And am now taught by them to know mine owne infirmitie 64 And by it am I taught likewise thy goodneâ—â—e for to know Beseeching thee this worke begun may neuer part me fro 65 So that the light which kindled is in me by thy great grace May so increase as darknesse Lord may neuer more take place The third part With Hyssope Lord besprinkle me and clense me from my sin More whiter then shall I be made than euer snow hath bin 2 Thou didst command this herb with blood a sprinkle for to be To sprinkle such as clensed were from lothsome leprosie 3 A bundle of this herbe ô Lord thou didst command also To dip in blood of simple sheepe and therewithall to show 4 Vpon the doore-posts of the house the slaier might it see Wherby the plague might shun the place and from thy people flee 5 These vnto vs doo represent the blood of thy deere Sonne Without the which no man is cleane what euer can be donne 6 And he that marks his soule therewith and puts his trust therein The slaier hath no power to hurt nor plague him for his sin 7 If with this grace thou sprinkle me I shall be white I knowe And though as blood my sinnes appeare they shall be like the snowe 8 Yea though my sinnes as purple were or as the scarlet die Thy grace shall make them as the wooll t' appeare before thine eie 9 Then shall I heare the words of ioie of gladnesse so likewise That Nathan to king Dauid spake whom thou didst not despise 10 That is My sinnes are now put out what euer I haue donne And are forgiuen me quite and cleane by Iesu Christ thy sonne 11 Then shall I heare the words Christ spake to him the palsie had My sonne thy sinnes are thee forgiuen arise go home be glad 12 Then shall I heare thee also speake by inspiration Whereby I shall be comforted in tribulation 13 Yea Lord The bones thou broken hast shall then againe reioice Through working of thy heauenly grace and sweetnesse of thy voice 14 That is The powers of my poore
crime Requires thy depth of mercie great for sauing health in time Sweet Christ grant yâ— thy depth of grace may swallowe vp my sin That I thereby may whiter be than euer snowe hath bin ¶ So shall my soule reioice reioice and still for mercie crie Peccaui peccaui miserere mei The .3 Meditation BEfore thy face and in thy sight haue I deuoid of shame O Lord transgressed willinglie I doo confesse the same Yet was I loth that men should knowe or vnderstand my fall Thus feard I man much more than thee thou righteous iudge of all So blind was I and ignorant yea rather wilfull blind That suckt the combe knew the Bee had left hir sting behind My sinnes ô God to thee are knowne there is no secret place Where I may hide my selfe or them from presence of thy face Where shall I then my selfe bestowe or who shall me defend None is so louing as my God thy mercies haue no end In deede I grant and doo confesse my sinnes so hainous bee As mercie none at all deserues but yet thy propertie Is alwaies to be mercifull to sinners in distresse Whereby thou wilt declare and shew thy great almightinesse Haue mercie Lord on me therefore for thy great mercies sake Which camst not righteous men to call but sinners part to take ¶ So shall my soule reioice reioice and still for mercie crie Peccaui peccaui miserere mei The .4 Meditation MOst gratious God do not behold the number of my sin Ne yet consider with thy selfe how wicked I haue bin But rather thinke I am but dust or as the withered hay Which flourisheth to day in field tomorrowe shorne away My flesh rebelles against the spirit my spirit too weake is found By sinne conceiu'd in mothers wombe my soule first caught hit wound My flesh is fraile too weake and vaine to doo the thing I should And what I would not that doo I contrarie that I would Thou seest ô Lord how wâ—ake I am not able for to stand Without the succour helpe and aid of thy most mightie hand And what is hee that will not staie the man that 's like to fall Or will refuse the sicke to helpe for helpe when he doth call If thou wilt lay vnto my charge the burden of my sin O Lord the conquest is but small that thou thereby shalt win For why they glorie and thy praise in mercie dooth consist Vnto the which I yeeld my selfe to doo with what thou list ¶ My soule shall trust in thee in thee and still for mercie crie Peccaui peccaui miserere mei The .5 Meditation IF I demand what mercie is thou God wilt answere mee That mercie is th' abundance great of thy diuine piâ—ie Wherewith thou vew'st th' afflicted sort that on the earth doo lie And what is this compassion then but proofes of thy mercie Our fathers old the same haue felt and now in rest doo raigne And thou are still the selfe-same God for euer to remaine Our fathers were conceiu'd in sinne and so are we likewise Wilt thou compassion shew on them and children theirs despise One faith in Christ we all professe one God in persons three As thou compassion hadst on them compassion haue on mee Ponder ô God my harts desire most humblie doo I craue And doo away all my misdeeds and so compassion haue And as of sinners manie a one whose number is vnknowne Thou didst vouchsafe to drawe to thee and make them all thine owne So now vouchsafe most gentle God likewise to drawe me in And make me righteous by thy grace forgiuing me my sin ¶ So shall my soule reioice reioice and still for mercie crie Peccaui peccaui miserere mei The .6 Meditation MOst mightie God I doo confesse ten thousand times and more Thou hast me washed from my sinne and salued still my sore But I through sinne am falne againe and fowler now am made Than euer was the filthie swine with mier ouerlade How oftentimes shall we forgiue ech other that offend Seuentie times seuen the scripture saith which signifieth no end If man to man such fauour shew that wretched caitiues bee How much more thou ô gratious God to them that call on thee It is thy nature to forgiue my nature can but fall Though thou be iust in all thy works thy mercie passeth all What time a sinner dooth repent and turne to thee at last All sinnes foredone thou wilt forget thy promise so hath past Behold ô God I turne to thee with sorrowe for my sin And doo repent euen from my hart that I so lewd haue bin Now wash me Lord yet once agâ—ine with fountaine of thy grace That I among thy sacred Saints with thee might haue a place ¶ So shall my soule reioice reioice and still for mercie crie Peccaui peccaui miserere mei The .7 Meditation LIke as the guiltie prisoner stands before the iudge so tride With quaking breath shiuering limbs his iudgement to abide Euen so ô God before thy face in fearefull state I stand And guiltie crie to thee my iudge and now hold vp my hand Nothing haue I to plead for life no goodnesse is in mee Of sinne deceit and wickednesse guiltie good Lord guiltie Thus by thy righteous doome ô God and sacred lawe diuine Condemn'd am I to endlesse paine through iust deserts of mine Alas what then is to be said or what is to be donne For mercie yet will I appeale to Iesu Christ thy sonne For neuer yet hath it beene heard since first the world began That Iesu Christ did turne his face from aniâ— sinfull man Which vnto him for mercie came with sad repentant mind O Lord shall I then be the first that shall no mercie find Shall I be he thou wilt despise that humblie comes to thee No no sweet Christ thy promise is for to deliuer mee ¶ Wherefore my soule be glad be glad and crie incessantlie Peccaui peccaui miserere mei Verses vpon the Lords Praier Our father which art in heauen A thing thou art froÌ„ which al things beginning tooke their name And thou without beginning art that gaue all things the same We call thee God some Iehouah some Tetragrammaton By all thy names thou art the thing wee all depend vpon We be thy sonnes thy children deare and heirs of kingdome thine By which we doo presume and say Our father most diuine Which art in heauen deuoid of shape that reason can deuise Ne yet art thou there to be felt or seene of humane â—ies Hallowed be thy name THy name ô God is woonderfull though we the same abuse And by thy name such things are done as make the mind to muse The heauens aboue the earth belowe and waters vnder them Thy name hath wrought miraculouslie all for the vse of men O maruellous God! what is thy name or what shall I thee call Thou art in power omnipotent the mightiest power of all Then mightie Power of powers it is vouchsafe
too greeuous be and sore 14 If thou Lord be extreame to marke what sinnes be donne Alas no flesh shall saued bee that is vnder the sonne 15 O Lord if that the iust shall no time able bee To enter into iudgement thine to plead his case with thee 16 What shall become of me that dailie doo offend And of my sinne and wickednesse alas doo knowe none end 17 Most vile and wretched man and caitife wo forlorne What shall I doo but flee to thee with hart beerent and torne 18 For mercie is with thee increasing more and more Wherwith thou didst vouchsafe to come mankind for to restore 19 Wherein was satisfied thy iustice and also Thy mercie found that which it sought as we by grace doo knowe 20 How feruent was this loue to which thou didst vs bind First by the lawe of nature writ in euerie hart or mind 21 And then by lawe which was in Tables written deepe That euerie one according lie the same should hold and keepe 22 Which was that one of vs should with the other beare And thereby to fulfill thy will with pitie loue and feare 23 I knowing this am glad contented eke withall For to remit such iniuries as vnto me may fall 24 For why good Lord I know thou doost forgiue to mee Much more offenses euerie daie committed vnto thee 25 And when it shall thee please to scourge me for my sin I gladlie shall the same receiue knowing what I haue bin 26 And that thy chastisement proceeds of verie loue Which all shall turne to me such welth as no man can remoue 27 Hoping after this life my soule shall then obtaine Which hope abides still in thy word an euerlasting gaine 28 Such hope my soule hath had by grace thou gau'st to me And by the same I firmelie trust my soule shall saued be 29 The husbandman through hope his ground dooth plough and sow The same in hope dooth reape thresh that gaine thereby might grow 30 Euen so will I abide in hope of glorie thine Not onelie in my yough ô Lord or anie pointed time 31 But still from morning watch vntill the night of death Which is from youth vnto mine age when life shall passe with breath 32 Who so shall cast awaie this hope ere death proceed Shall loose the time he watcht before and want thy helpe at need 33 This hope in promise thine my soule hath safelie laid Within the bosome of hir breast for euer to be staid 34 And verie meet it is that Israëll also Which is all faithfull Christians this hope should feele and knowe 35 For blessed is the man that in the Lord dooth trust And who in man affiance puts he surelie is accurst 36 For mercie is with God and grace abundant store With which Israël is redeem'd from sinne for euermore Amen Domine exaudi Psal. 143. The first part O Lord long time I wandred haue and gone from thee astraie And lost the portion y◠me gau'st in wastfull sinners waie 2 With grace thou didst replenish me therewith to follow thee But Iust and liking of the flesh hath driuen the same from mee 3 So that vnworthie farre I am for to be cald thy sonne My wickednesse so soule appeeres and faults that I haue donne 4 Yet with the wastfull child o ◠Lord I doo my selfe accuse And am with shame surpriz'd caught I did my selfe abuse 5 Wherfore Lord ponder my desire and heare me when I praie And for thy truth and righteousnes attend to that I saie 6 Thou hast with gifts indued me of bodie and of mind And I the same abused haue and shew'd my selfe vnkind 7 Thy iustice still dooth threaten me with euerlasting paine Thy mercie yet dooth promise me to be restord againe 8 Enter not into iudgement then with me I humblie praie For in thy sight no man is iust as of himselfe to saie 9 We all by sinne our selues haue made more lothsome than the swine And fowler to be looked on were not for mercie thine 10 Which shall vs make like to the wooll in colour faire and white When all our sinnes thou shalt forget and cleane put from thy sight 11 But yet the diuell mine enimie my soule pursueth still And hath brought lowe my life in earth a seruant to his will 12 And with his net me compast round where vaine delights doo dwell Where lust vncleane and wickednesse to bide dooth me compell 13 He hath me set in darknesse such as men that no life haue Or as those people being dead or couered in the graue 14 Now Lord My spirit so vexed is my hart is greeu'd also My conscience likewise witnesse beares of anguish mine and wo. 15 My wisdome Lord confused is by reason of my sin Repentance great my hart dooth rent to thinke what I haue bin 16 I call to mind the daies of old and works that thou hast wrought The maruellous deeds thy hands haue done I muse on in my thought 17 As in the time of Moses lawe where mercie was not showne And he that did the same transgresse by death was ouerthrowne 18 Yet in this hard and seuere time thy mercie foorth was sent By prophets thine with promise made to all that did repent 19 If thou in time of crueltie couldst then such mercie showe Much more ô Lord in time of grace on me thy mercie throwe 20 I haue spred foorth my hands to thee my soule for helpe doth crie As from the earth that moisture wants where water none dooth lie 21 That is my life I changed haue from vaine delights that bee And haue my soule spred foorth at large that thou hir filth mightst see 22 For as the earth that moisture wants must barren be by kind So if my soule be void of grace no good is there to find 23 But yet through moisture of that grace from thee that dooth proceed Vouchsafe I may thy mercie haue and that ô Lord with speed 24 Heare me ô Lord and that right soone for why my spirit is weake And feeble made much like a man that wanteth power to speake 25 The feare is such that I possesse I readie am to fall The strength wherewith my bodie liues is gone awaie with all 26 This feare of endlesse punishment which I deserued haue Had well nie brought me in despaire or I possesse the graue The second part GOod Lord turne not thy face awaie least I be like to those That doo descend into the pit where nought but horror growes 2 Thou wilt not Lord the death of him that hath offended thee But rather that he should returne and saued so to bee 3 Thou art the true and onelie God the Sauiour of mankind Without thee there is nothing else that we shall mercie find 4 Then turne to me thy countenance of amiable grace And let thy mercie shadow me while life I
Iesu Christ in all things now assist me with thy grace And make me strong with heuenly strength while life I haue and space Iesu let not mine enimie the feend ne yet the flesh Preuaile though still they me assaile from daie to daie afresh But Iesu strengthen thou my spirit it may the victor be And for thy tender mercie sake haue mercie now on me Amen O Iesu who shall giue me wings of perfect peace and loue That I therewith from hence may flee and rest with thee aboue O Iesu when shall I ascend and feele how sweet thou art And leaue the earth and loue thee best with all my soule and hart Sweet Iesu when thy pleasure is the time is knowne to thee Both now and then ô Iesu deare haue mercie Lord on mee Amen O Iesu king of glorie great the comfort of vs all Wee wander heere in wildernesse and euerie day doo fall Sweet Iesu come and visit mee my heauie soule make glad Which now through sinne in prison lies all heauie sicke and sad Good Iesu with thy presence set my soule at libertie And for thy bitter passion sake haue mercie now on mee Amen O Iesu oft it greeueth mee and troubleth sore my mind That I so weake and fraile am found to wander with the blind O Iesu deare thou lasting light whose brightnesse doth excell The clearnes of thy beams send downe within my heart to dwell O Iesu quicken thou my soule that it may cleaue to thee And for thy painefull passion sake haue mercie now on mee Amen O Iesu grant I may resigne my selfe vnto thy will And that I may my selfe forsake and cleaue vnto thee still O Iesu grant that I may haue of ioie and inward peace And of the paines I haue deseru'd Good Iesu me release Sweet Iesu giue me inward ioie my soule to feed on thee And for thy tender mercies sake haue mercie Lord on mee Amen O Iesu sweet I knowe I am but vanitie and sin Vnconstant as the wind that blowes and euer so haue bin Whereof then Iesu may I brag or what haue I to say Shall I of men seeke to bee prais'd or yet extold for ay No Iesu sweet the true praise is for to be prais'd of thee Wherfore good Iesu weigh my case and mercie haue on mee Amen O Iesu thou my glorie art in thee will I reioice And not good Iesu in my selfe nor yet in that mans voice That worldlie honour may mee giue to set mee vp on hie To rule among the sonnes of men and sit in dignitie These are but shadowes to compare to glorie that 's with thee Sweet Iesu for thy glorie sake haue mercie now on mee Amen O Iesu heere in earth we liue and soone deceiued are With vaine delights the world doth yeeld wherein we runne too farre But yet sweet Iesu if I could behold my selfe right well I should good Iesu plainelie see and thereby trulie tell The troubles that are falne on mee were for offending thee For which offense I pardon craue haue mercie Lord on mee Amen O Iesu Christ vnder whose power is both the sea and land Arise and helpe me to defend by power of thy strong hand From such as lurke and lie in wait and seeke to doo me wrong Sweet Iesu see how weake I am and how that they be strong Iesu make hast and come with speed my trust is all in thee And therefore Iesu helpe me now and mercie haue on mee Amen O Iesu comfort mine exile asswage my dole and greefe With thee to bee is my desire mine onelie cheefe releefe Iesu the pleasures of this world they may not long indure And he that puts his trust therein shall find them all vnsure Sweet Iesu grant that I may haue mine onelie ioie in thee And for thy bloudie passion sake haue mercie now on mee Amen O Iesu Christ that hast mee made and with thy bloud mee bought Suffer mee not to be condemn'd whom thou hast made of nought O Iesu mild in time of need thy mercie doo bestowe And in thy iustice iudge mee not nor doo thy rigor showe O Iesu in extremitie I doo appeale to thee Wherefore sith that I trust in thee haue mercie now on mee Amen O Iesu sweet for heauenlie things I often seeke to find But then affections of the world doo backeward plucke my mind Againe I seeke for to subdue th' affections that doo rise But to my spirit they will not be subiect in anie wise Thus Iesu meeke thou seest I striue and all to bee with thee Wherefore good Iesu make mee strong and mercie haue on mee Amen O Iesu many times I praie and call vpon thy name When that my heart is farre away alas I more to blame And that good Iesu coms to mind that custome often brought Whereby the praiers that I make be vaine and turne to nought Sweet Iesu pardon and forgiue when I so praie to thee And for thy endlesse mercie sake haue mercie Lord on mee Amen O Iesu be not long away nor in thy wrath depart But mortifie that flesh desires and lighten thou my hart Send foorth the burning flames of loue cleane to consume for ay The cloudie fansies of my mind which trouble me alway Good Iesu gather all the powers of my poore soule to thee And make me to refuse the world and mercie haue on me Amen O Iesu mild thine eare bow downe and ponder my desire Deale not with me as I deserue to punish in thine ire But me defend ô Iesu meeke through mercie great of thine From dangers such as may befall this sinfull soule of mine O Iesu hide not now thy face from him that calles on thee But Iesu for thy bitter death haue mercie now on mee Amen O Iesu sweet with mercie now reforme that is amisse And with the strength of thy great grace send light where darknesse is Good Iesu from my secret faults doo make me cleane and bright And from presumptuous sins ô Lord defend me through thy might Good Iesu cast my youthfull sinnes behind thy backe to bee And for thy tender mercie sake haue mercie now on mee Amen O Iesu shut not vp my soule with those that run astraie But let the shadow of thy wings my soule protect alwaie Good Iesu turne thee vnto me and cleanse me from my sin Sweet Iesu Christ doo not behold how wicked I haue bin But thinke vpon thy mercies great though I vnworthie bee And for thy painâ—full passion sake haue mercie now on mee Amen O Iesu sweet giue me an hart that is contrite and pure A bodie chast that humble is and constant to endure A mind that is with heauenlie ioies replete through thy great grace A soule likewise to magnifie thy praise in eu'rie place O Iesu for thy mercie sake let these proceed from thee And then no doubt I shall be sure thou mercie hast on mee Amen Certaine blessings promised by God vnto all those that doo loue and feare him Deut
O Lord my God I humblie aske of thee Make haste sweet Christ and safe deliuer mee Although by sinne deseru'd I haue right well Such paine as this yea more than toong can tell Yet ah my God turne not awaie thy face Nor me forsake in this so sharpe a case This wombe and fruit that springeth in the same Hast thou create to glorie of thy name Opprest with paine ô Lord when I shall bee Make lesse the same so much as pleaseth thee And grant good God thy creature may proceed Safelie on liue with mercie at my need In Christes name I will my trauell show Now holie Ghost come comfort me in wo. Come father deare and let thy power descend O Iesu Christ thy mercies great extend Ah God! behold my dolour and my smart Sweet holie Ghost my comforter thou art Take part with me and heare my wofull crie Exaudi me miserere mei Amen A meditation to be deliuered from Sinne. O Lord my God I humblie beseech thee And Iesus Christ thine equall in Deitie With holie Ghost of like power in maiestie And three in one and likewise one in three Which is to saie one blessed Trinitie Grant that the power of thy Diuinitie May in this life alwaies deliuer me From fornication and adulterie From wicked sort of vncleane companie From sudden death and cursed blasphemie From vaineglorie and hypocrisie From malice hatred and crueltie From the detestable and great enormitie Of sedition and priure conspiracie From all false doctrine and heresie From pride in hart and vanitie From pestilence famine and bloudthirstie From iust desert of slander and infamie From filtie sinne and vile iniquitie And when as I vpon thy name shall crie Heare my request and grant me thy mercie Amen A praier for the Queenes most excellent Maiestie O King of heauen of earth of sea and all things else beside Vnder whose power and in whose hands the harts of Kings abide Vouchsafe to guid our gratious Queene Elizabeth aright That she in peace with helth may reigne and gouerne through thy might And when thy godlie will shall be to end hir liuing daies Hir soule may then with angels thine sound forth thine endles praise Amen A thankesgiuing before meate FOR foâ—â— such as we find Let vs giue thanks therefore And not forget the poore to feed with some part of our store Let all our talke be such whereby no grudge may growe Ourselues well easd God best pleasd Christ grant it may be so God long preserue in peace and helth Our gratious Queene Elizabeth Amen A thankesgiuing after meate THou God be praised for the food we haue receiu'd from thee And giue vs grace a life to lead More thankfull for to bee Lord long preserue in peace and helth Our gratious Queene Elizabeth Amen FINIS The poore Widowes Mite Gathered by VVilliam Hunnis one of the Gentlemen of hir Highnesse Chapell and Maister to the Children of the same Who knocks with hope and craues in faith shall haue their iust request By loue who seeks the way shall find to port of quiet rest Newlie printed by Henrie Denham 1583. To the Queenes Maiesties Highnesse E Except your Highnes well allow this gift of humble mind L Lacke shall my hope the gladsome fruit it sought thereby to find I If gift with giuers loiall hart your Maiestie will trie Z Zeale more than gift shall triumph then before your Princelie eie A A Persian prince in gratious part tooke water of the well B Bicause he sawe the giuers zeale the giuers gift excell E Euen so my zeale renowmed Queene equiualent is with his Th. Though I offense commit to giue so slender gift as this R Remembring yet your Princelie woont of clemencie withall E Example such hath boldned me vpon my knee to fall G Great gifts of gold and gems of price poore Hunnis would present I If he them had in stead whereof hee praies this may content N New yeere and manie God you send in health with peace to raigne A And after when your spirit departs with Christ it may remaine Your Highnes loiall subiect and humble obedient seruant W. H. The Authour W WHo seekes with works alone to win the life that shall remaine I Is farre deceiu'd for i ft be so then Christ hath dide in vaine LL Let our good woorks our faith declare by faith we are made free I It coms from God that goodnesse is no good at all in mee A As man himselfe vnable is in thought to please the Lord M Much lesse to woorke or doo the deed that might his health accord H Here I professe one God to serue from secret search of hart V Vnto his sacred word to cleaue and neuer to depart N No time my Prince nor Magistrate by will for to offend N Ne wish I woorse vnto my fo than to my verie frend I In Christ by faith by no meanes else my righteousnesse dooth flowe S Such was his loue such is my faith and euer shall be so The Poore widowes Mite The first Meditation Ah helples wretch what shall I doo or which way shall I ronne The earth bewrais heuen records the sins that I haue donne The gates of hell wide open stand for to receiue me in And fearefull feends all readie be to torment me for sin Alas where shall I succour find the earth dooth me denie And to the sacred heauens aboue I dare not lift mine eie If heauen and earth shall witnesse be against my soule for sin Vntimelie birth alas for me much better then had bin And now despaire approcheth fast with bloodie murdering knife And willeth me to end my greefes by shortning of my life Shall I despaire Thou God forbid for mercie more is thine Than if the sinnes of all the world were linked now with mine Despise not then most louing Lord the image of thy face Which thou hast wrought and dearelie bought with goodnesse of thy grace And since thy bloudie price is paid and bitter paines all past Receiue my plaints accept my spirit and mercie grant at last So shall my soule reioice reioice and still for mercie crie Peccaui Peccaâ•Œui Miserere mei The .2 Meditation THou God that rulst rainst in light that flesh cannot attaine Thou God that knowst the thoughts of men are altogither vaine Thou God whom neither toong of man nor angell can expresse Thou God it is that I doo seeke thou pitie my distresse Thy seat ô God is euerie-where thy power all powers extend Thy wisdome cannot measur'd be for that it hath no end Thou art the power and wisdome too and sole felicitie But I a lumpe of sinfull flesh nurse of iniquitie Thou art by nature mercifull and Mercie is thy name And I by nature miserable the thrall of sin and shame Then let thy nature ô good God now worke his force in me And clense the nature of my sinne and heale my miserie One depth good Lord and other craues my depth of sinfull