afraide of them for the Lord thy God is with thee Deu. 20. If you goe to warre against your enemies that vexe you you shall blow with the Trumpettes and you shall be remembred before the Lord your God to be saued from your enemies Num. 10. The Victory of the Battaile standeth not in the multitude of the hoast but the Strength and Triumph commeth from Heauen Macha 3. He that hath clean hands and a pure heart and that hath not lifted vp his mind to vanity nor sworn to deceiue his Neighbour he shall receiue the blessing from the Lorde and victorie of his enemies and righteousnesse from the God of his Saluation c. Psalm 24. Here followeth the Letanie to be vsed vpon Sundayes Wednesdayes and Fridayes and at other times when it shall be thought convenient O God the father of Heauen haue mercy vpon vs miserable Sinners O God the Father of c. O God the Sonne redeemer of the World haue mercy vpon vs miserable Sinners O God the Sonne c. O God the holy Ghost proceeding from the Father and the Sonne haue mercy vpon vs miserable Sinners O God the holy Ghost c. O holy blessed and glorious Trinity thrée persons one God haue mercy vpon vs miserable Sinners O holy blessed c. Remember not Lord our offences nor the offences of our forefathers neyther take thou vengeance of our Sinnes spare vs good Lord spare thy people whome thou hast redéemed with thy most precious blood and be not angrie with vs for euer Spare vs good Lord. From all euill and mischiefe from sinne from the crafts assaults of the deuill from thy wrath and from euerlasting damnation Good Lord deliuer vs. From all blindesse of heart from pride vaine glory and hipocrisie from enuie hatred and malice and from all vncharitablenesse Good Lord deliver vs. From Fornication and all other deadly sinne and from al the deceits of the world the flesh and the deuill Good Lord deliver vs. From lightning and tempest from plague pestilence and famine from battel and murther and from sodain death Good Lord deliver vs. From all sedition and priuie conspiracy from all false doctrine and heresie from hardnesse of heart and contempt of thy worde and commaundement Good Lord deliver vs. By the mysterie of thy holie Incarnation by thy holy Natiuitie and circumcision by thy Baptisme Fasting and Temptation Good Lord deliver vs. By thine Agonie and bloodie sweat by thy Crosse and passion by thy pretious death buriall by thy glorious resurrection and ascension and by the comming of the Holie Ghost Good Lord deliver vs. In al time of our tribulation in all time of our wealth in the houre of death and in the day of iudgement Good Lord deliver vs. We sinners doe beséech thée to heare vs O Lord God and that it may please thée to rule and gouerne thy holy Church vniuersally in the right way We beseech thee to heare vs good Lord. That it may please thée to kéepe and strengthen in the true worshipping of thée in righteousnesse and holines of Life thy seruant Iames our most gratious King and Gouernour We beseech thee c. That it may please thée to rule his heart in thy faith feare and loue that he may euermore haue affiance in thée and euer séeke thy honour and glory We beseech thee c. That it may please thée to bee his defender and kéeper giuing him the victory ouer all his enemies We beseech thee c. That it may please thée to blesse and preserue our gracious Quéene Anne Prince Henrie and the rest of the King and Quéenes royall Issue We beeseech thee c. That it may please thée to illuminat al Bishops Pastors and Ministers of the Church with true vnderstanding and knowledge of thy word and that both by their preaching and liuing they may set it forth and shew it accordingly We beseech thee c. That it may please thee to indue the Lords of the Counsel and all the Nobility with grace wisedome and vnderstanding We beseech thee c. That it may please thée to blesse and keepe the Magistrates giuing them grace to execute iustice and to maintaine truth We beseech thee c. That it may please thée to blesse and keepe all thy people We beseech thee c. That it may please thee to giue to all Nations vnitie peace and concord We beseech thee c. That it may please thee to giue vs an heart to loue and dread thee and diligently to liue after thy Commaundements We beseech thee c. That it may please thée to giue to all thy people increase of grace to heare méekely thy word to receiue it with pure affection and to bring foorth the fruits of thy spirite We beseech thee c. That it may please thée to bring into the way of truth all such as haue erred and are deceyued We beseech thee c. That it may please thée to strengthen such as doe stand and to comfort and helpe the weake hearted and to rayse vp them that fall and finally to beat down Sathan vnder our féet We befeech thee c. That it may please thée to succour helpe and comfort all that be in danger necessity and tribulation We beseech thee c. That it may pleafe thée to preserue all that trauell by land or by water all women labouring with Child al sicke persons and yong Children and to shew thy pitty vpon all prisoners and captiues We beseech thee c. That it may please thée to defend and prouide for the fatherlesse children and widowes and all that bee desolate and oppressed We beseech thee c. That it may please thee to haue mercy vpon all men We beseech thee c. That it may please thée to forgiue our enemies persecutors and slanderers and to turne their hearts We beseech thee c. That it may please thee to giue and preserue to our vse the kindly fruits of the earth so as in due time wae may enioy them We beseech thee c. That it may please thée to giue vs true repentance to forgiue vs all our sinnes negligences and ignorances and to endue vs with the Grace of thy holy Spirit to amend our liues according to thy Holie Word We beseech thee to heare vs good Lord. Sonne of God wée beseech thee to heare vs. Sonne of God wee beseech thee to heare vs. O Lambe of God that takest away the sinnes of the world Grant vs thy peace O Lambe of God that takest away the sinnes of the world Haue mercy vpon vs. O Christ heare vs. O Christ heare vs. Lord haue mercy vpon vs. Lord haue mercy vpon vs. Christ haue mercy vpon vs. Christ haue mercy vpon vs. Lord haue mercy vpon vs. Lord haue mercy vpon vs. Our father which art in heauen c. And lead vs not into temptation But deliuer vs from euill Amen The Versicle O Lord deale not with vs after our
kindnesse be such I heare present thée with a heauie heart a broken bodye a martyred mind and a sighing Soule These all appeale to thée O Lord for thy mercie and cry out with the Prodigall Son saying I haue sinned against Heauen and before thée wash me therefore with thy rich mercy not that any good in mee doth deserue it but because thou art God of all mercie and it declareth thy mightinesse to forgiue Thou diddest shew compassion vpon the woman of Canaan for her great Faith and from the beginning thou hast not reiected the effectuall praiers of a single heart Lord I giue glory to thy name with the highest thy mercy stretcheth aboue the Firmaments the sure hope and trust I haue in thy vnspeakeable truth and compassion is equall with the strong Faith of the Cananite woman I confesse my sinnes are manifold But Lord I know thy mercie and sauing health are infinite Lord sith thou art of power to forgiue aboue that I can offend for thy names sake release my sorrow cut the sacke of my sins and make mee strong in thée So shall I liue and all my thoughts acknowledge thy praise Amen H HAppy is the man that hath not fallen with the Woorde of his mouth and is not pricked with the conscience of sin that hath no heauinesse in his mind and is not falne from his Hope HOw mighty thou art oh God of Hoastes in thy precelling powre by Creating this world of nothing we are taught to know Thou doest gouern the same and puttest downe with thy hand the prowde and traiterous Tyrants thereof Thou destroyest their deuises kéepest the raging Sea within her bounds These and such like declare thy power ouer all The plentie of thy bountifull hand giueth not onely increase of things but also the encrease of euery kinde of thing shewe forth thy louing kindnesse Thou doest multiply yearly and daily these kindes how many séeds good Lord doest thou encrease of one séed Lord what manifolde springs commeth thereof These cannot but kéepe vs mindfull of thy excéeding Riches and Mercy Lord if to thy enemies as to the greatest number of the worlde which loue thée not thy condition be to deale thus bountifully what shall I déeme resteth with thée for thy frindes Truly such blisfull ioyes and rest as maketh me only desire of thée to bée dissolued from this earthlye and vncleane bodye when thy pleasur is I am the freshe Image of thy selfe and the worke of thine owne hands take mée therefore vnto thée burnish me a new frée my soule from the poysoned prison of sinne that it may giue equal thanks vnto so swéete a Lorde and guide Whilest I abide in this wretched body of Sinne I cannot sée thée oh Lord yea it is a heauy habitation and depresseth down sore my Spirit from the familiarity which it els should haue with thée my louing Father Lord this world and life is a Dungeon of Darknesse a Mountain of miserable Martirdomes a lewde Laborinth of lothsome Lustes a cankred course of chokinge Calamities being voyde of all vertues to gaine eternall Life Make mée therfore strong to walke vpright in this wretched wildernesse and arme mée with the guift of thy grace against the power of Sathan my Ghostly enemy Here is nothing where I am Lord but daily assaults of Temptations troubles torments carefull calamities contention for thy word horrible hatred and worldly ambition against which Lord perfect me in knowledge and strong fayth and with thy righte hand beat downe mine enemies that thou mayst be knowen to bée my God and Shield ¶ The Versicle FOR thy deare Sonnes sake O Lord heare and receaue my Prayers ¶ The Answere AND in thy truth and mercie pardon mine offences and graunt mee thy grace ¶ The Collect. O Lord Iesus Christ Sonne of the pure Virgin Marie thou art not onely the swéet spouse of my soules health but with God the Father a most meeke Mediator full of mercie and truth wash awaye my sins with the most precious blood of thy holie passion make mee rich in thy mercie and my faith so strong in thée that assisted with thy grace and holie Spirit to all dutie and workes in this life towards thée I may enioye afterwards the glorie of thy blessed kingdome with thy holy Saints in euerlasting honour and tryumph Amen L LOuing Father plant thy grace so surely in me oh Lord that from this day I neuer become enemie with thée againe but that I may onelie rest in thée Guide me with the cleare light of thy woord through the darke deserts of this wretched world Heere no miserie nor trouble lacketh Héere euerie place is full of snares of mortall enemies yea héere one trouble and temptation being ouerpassed an other ensueth and after the first enduring a new battaile suddainlie assaileth whereby I neuer haue peace and want wherewith to warre O Lord kéepe me helpe me saue mee regard me oh Lord Lord assist me with the power of thy holie Spirit and as thou hast commaunded I come vnto thée praying for the guift of all these my requests and speciallie Lord I require the Sword of my sauiour Christ true and firme Faith that established in thy Truth holding that for my defence I may be safelie armed against all mine enemies and strong to cut down the thornes which shall spring in my waye of passage vnto thée in whom sweet Sauiour aboue all honour glorie triumph swaye rule power and dignitie make me settle all my ioyes yea aboue all health riches beautie fame and felicitie to desire thée loue thée and magnifie thée which giuest all and therfore of all to bee beloued and sought art most worthy Amen A ARise O Lord I beséech thée and ease the paines I suffer and the troubles of my soule let the fountaines of thy grace ouerflow my barren bodie and the floudes of thy mercie strengthen my féeble Spirit let thy louing kindnesse couer mine infirmities and thy suffered drops of deaw vpon the Crosse drown mine iniquitie Thy woord is Truth and thou hast said thy delight is not in the death of a Sinner but wouldest he should conuert and liue Teach me therfore to number my daies in the loue of thy Lawes that I may alwaies thirst after thy kingdome and neuer forget thée but in this that I haue here begun may perseuer and increase setting at naught all worldlie pompe respect of persons and mans helpe and onelie cleaue to thy Omnipotent power mercie strength and goodnes wherein Lord make mee so rich that I neuer may haue power to swerue from thée nor want thy grace to resist all temptations neither yet thy strength to tread downe mine enemies and so my heart shall ioyfullie liue and giue thanks to thée my God of all truth mercie and victorie Amen D DEare God thou mercifull father of my redéemer Christ which hast promised to heare the petitions of them that aske in thy sons name giue downe thy feare into my hart conioyne thy
owne sight and neither pride nor selfe loue ouertake or at any time allure me to exercise the vnséemely pleasantnes of nature but euer preferring a pure and chast life may winn the victory of all vncleanes and glorifie thée which art the heade and Patrone of al mercy truth singlenesse whose triumphe my tongue shall neuer cease to aduance Therfore most louing Sauiour leaue mée not to my selfe but stand alwaies by mée and with thy stronge hand make my waies sound and perfit confound mine enemies in theire deuises Amen T THou hast sayd most swéete redéemer Christ that the Mountaines shall remooue and the Hiles shall fal downe but thy louing kindenesse woorde mercy truth shall not moue and also that the band of thy peace shall not faile vs. Déere Father I beséech thée for thine owne truth and mercyes sake remember this thy promise Couenant graue it so déepe in the inward partes of my heart that I may neuer forget neyther fall from thée but euer acknowledge thée mine only God and Sauiour Loue thée with all my heart thy people for thy sake exercising iustice mercy and Truth to all thy Creatures and neuer suffering mee to doe that may mooue thy wrath but more and more assisted with thy grace may encrease thy loue and liking and finally obtain thy ioyes euerlasting Amen H HEare these my Prayers sweet Lord Iesu and for thy excéeding Loue which brought thée from the Sacred seate of thy Fathers breste into the wombe of the blessed vergin to banish death and Sinne to redéeme mans nature whereby in thy austere Passion as thou hast restored mée and with so blessed a Shield defended mine eternall death by the selfe same Loue call me that haue wandred home againe to thy Folde renew me with thy spirite confirme mee with strong fayth nourish in me such thy aboundance loue garnish me with thy plentiful grace lade me with infallible hope of thy mercy finally restore all parts in mee which are decaied and quicken in me what so is dead should liue that my spirit set at liberty from Terestriall thinges thou mayst euer dwel in me And my Soule and body assisted with thy ritch guift of all these may fully purely safely and strongly settle them in thée To whome be praise both now and euer Amen ¶ A Prayer ALmightie God which flyest with the winges of the Ayre rydest vpon the Cherubins and hast Empire aboue the Starrie Firmaments Thou that sittest in Sacred seate most hye beholding the wretchednes of man in this lowe Earth attending through thine owne loue his deserts when with any occasion thou maist offer thy mercy Bow downe thy pittiful eies and fauour in me the Image of thy selfe as thou diddest vouchsafe in Zache when thou calledst him out of the Figge trée enritch my eares with the same voice of Remission and Gladnesse as thou diddest his incline thine eares and heare these cries oh Lord redéemer for though I am but Dust Earth ano Ashes yet I am bould strengthened with thy truth and the merits of Christs death and passion to lay my prayers before thée requiring mercie and forgiuenesse of all my sinnes and also the assistance of thy grace to doe thy will all the dayes of my life and to obtayne all these my peticions through Iesus christ thy deare Sonne and my onely sauiour to whome with thée and the holy Ghost be all honor power dominion and glorie for euer and euer Amen A MEDITATION vpon the Lords Prayer ¶ Our Father which art in Heauen TRuelie thou O Almighty Father hast iust Cause to execute thy seuere iudgement vpon vs sinners which so often and gréeuously moue thy wrath and indignatiō against vs but sithence by thy mercy thoue doost not onely pardon but also commaundest and teachest by thy Sonne Iesus Christ that we should hould thée for a father we pray thee through him that thou wilt giue vs a full and sure trust in thy Fatherly clemencie and that we may likewise féele some taste of that securitie which thy Children haue and with ioye call thée Father acknowledge thée loue thee and in all our troubles call vpon thée defend and guide vs that wee may perpetually abide thy Children and let vs not goe out of thy protection Though we bée the Children of wickednes yet let vs not hold thée in stéed of a seuere Iudge when thou wilt that wée shall not only call thée Father but our Father and that we pray not in our owne name alone but in the name of all thy Children Giue vs therefore an vniforme and brotherly loue that in déede we may perceaue our selues to be Brothers Sisters and thée our generall Father Let vs praye for all the rest no otherwise then Fathers were wont to pray for their Children neither suffer any of vs to séeke his own and forget his brother but taking away what enuie hatred or discorde so euer raigneth among vs that as becometh Gods children we may mutually loue one another and trewly call thée not Father but our Father Of our carnall and earthly Fa ther we receue this brickle body and he is such a one as is subiect to death neither are wée sure how longe hee shall remaine a Father Furthermore if aduersity happen he can not chaunge that but thou art a heauenly Father truely farre better and more Nobler So much more right is it then that we contemne for thee our Father Countrey kindred Riches Flesh Blood yea and whatsoeuer is in this world vnder the scope of Heauen This also graunt to vs that wee may bee thy heauenly Children whome thou doost teach that we shall regarde nothing but the soules health and that heauenly Heritage least in this carnall and earthly countrey deceiued stirred vp or letted by ritches wee become heyres of sensuality but trwely let vs say our heauenly Father and that truely wee may be thy heauenly Children Halowed be thy name ALmighty GOD heauenly Father thy holy name is miserably prophaned many wayes in this world scorned taunted and blasphemed when it is applyed to those thinges in which is no glory of thy Deity yea many abuse it imploying it to sinne and truely that vnwoorthy life in a christiā man deserueth to be called a Prophanation of thy holy name graunt therefore to vs good Lord through thy mercy that wee may beware of all those thinges by which the honour and glory of thy name is diminished and purifie vs that the Arts of Magike may be abolished let people cease to enchaunt Diuels or other cretures by thy name see that all disturst and supersticion perish Heresie and wicked doctrine also which notwithstandinge they preferre thy name yet they deceiue many lette them perish be brought to nothing graunt that thy people be not deceiued throgh any outward shew onely of Truth righteousnesse or holinesse Suffer not any man to forsweare himselfe lye or deceiue others by thy name Take from vs O Lord all false aydes which
were healed by touching his garment so neuer vnprouided is his goodnesse and at all times hee giueth comfort to the weake If thou bee afraide to call vpon Iesus if thou canst not come vnto him yet at the least touch the edge of his garment Reade the Scriptures follow the doctrine of the Apostles for by them he often sheweth his vertue and telleth of thy sauing health O blind vnthankefull which despise the grace of God so ready to bee obtained But O thrice wretched which despaire in that which is willingly and freely offered hee is easily pacified that is reuenged against his will What other meaning hath this Phrase but that the Lord leaueth no way vnsought for to bring vs to Saluation and we wittingly forsake the hope of Saluation And why wilt thou die O house of Israel with teares he lamented Hierusalem which heaped vengeance vnto it selfe by theyr malicious errours O Ierusalem sayth hee how often would I haue gathered thee together as the hen gathereth her Chickens and thou wouldest not Our humble Sauiour weepeth because hee may not saue vs miserable sinners and wee despaire in him as though he would not saue vs who haue deserued his fearefull iudgements for our iniquities committed against him All the House reioyced where the Son which dyed was reuiued and receyued againe that perished That good Father calleth the company of the Heauens to reioyce ouer the penitent Sinner and thou wretch despayrest enuying both thine owne safegard and the gladnesse of God Shall we beleeue that hee will not pardon malefactors who lamenteth the death of a Sinner and reioyceth at the conuersion of the Penitent He calleth all men to the mariage Feast hee would haue his house filled with strāgers maketh the Blinde and the lame to come in And why stayest thou Caitife Why forsakest thou not thy Swinish soile Why striuest thou against the mercy of God there can be no greater folly then for vaine and variable things to forsake Eternity There is no greater wisedome then for a little sufferanee to gaine immortality Great is their ignorance therefore which perseuere in their naughtines But greater is the wisedome of those that liue in newnesse of life O what cost we bestow what paines wee take in finding corruptible mettals and how little wee care for the treasure of Gods mercy which is laid open and fréely offered to vs. The Lord is rich in mercy The treasure of worldlie wealth may be wasted by profuse expence but the bounty of Gods goodnesse hath no bottome God hath assured his Faith to man and as Paule writeth he cannot denie himselfe He offereth to be challenged and reproued if hee hath not performed his promises For thus he speaketh in Esay to a wicked generation Lift vp your selues and bee cleane take away the thought of evill cease frō mischiefe learne to do good seeke iudgement helpe the oppressed iudge the innocēt defend the widdow come and reproue mee saith the Lord. Hearest thou now wretched man what else requires our gratious God of thée but amendement of life And that the enormity of thy haynous crimes may not exanimate thee attend to the ready remission If thy sinnes sayth he were as red as scarlet I will make them as whit as Snow and if you wil harken to me you shall eate the Fruits of the earth O cursed Progenie of Eue why doest thou yeelde to the deceitefull promises of the Deuill that allureth thée to destruction and art deafe at the Son of God which would associate thee with euerlasting ioy Repent sayth he for the kingdome of God is at hand The Sonne of God promiseth the Father commandeth thee the holy Ghost inuiteth thée and yet thou art scrupulous to receiue that which is offered The voyce of the Apostles is the voice of God and they cry Repent and be baptised in the Name of Iesus Christ for the remission of your sinnes and receiue the gift of the Holy Ghost Forsake your foule filthy and abhominable traditions and seeke the kingdome of Heauen There runne vnto Christ Souldiers Publicans Harlots Idolaters man-slears sorcerers bawds Incestuous persons none are exempted all haue frée course to the mercy of God their former life is not imputed to them if they repent and amend their liues Like as the ground often moistned with heauenly dew yet yéeldeth his Tiller nothing but thorns brambles is worthy to bee had in contempt and to be giuen to the fire So God many times for the contempt of his goodnesse giueth Sinners vp to their reprobate sense wherfore it is best to leaue off procrastination of amendment of life and when the Lord calleth vs to cast of the Old man with his déed and concupiscenses least God which hath been denied to be hard as the least refuse to heare our complaints Horrible is the voyce wherwith he threasneth those which wil not heare him that so graciously calleth Because saith he I haue called and you haue refused I haue stretched out my hand and there was no man that would looke because you haue despised my counsell and set at naught my admonitions I will laugh at your destruction when that shall come to passe which you feared when abortiue misery shall come vpon you the storms of destruction shall prevent you when sorrow and anger shall possesse and oppresse you then wil you cal vpō me I wil not hear they wil rise betime in the morning but they shall not find me becaus they haue hated my discipline and haue beene voide of the feare of God haue not hearkned vnto my counsel haue defiled my correction In this life there is hope of mercy Wherefore while thou liuest call for the grace of God and amend thy life The carefull God of our saluation hath suffered mightie and maruailous men to erre that wee by their example might haue comfort and not dispaire in hope of pardon In Holy Scripture who is more commended then King David who was both a King a Prophet a chosen man after the hearts delight of God out of whose stocke came the Sauiour Christ But into how many and grieuous crimes fell so mighty a man Yet hearing Nathan pronounce the grieuous threatenings of God cried out Lord I haue sinned And Nathan sayde But the Lord hath taken away thy sinnes thou shalt not die God suffered Peter to offend grieuouslie and yet when hee had lamented he obtayned mercy Whē he gaue him charge ouer the sheepe for which he shed his precious bloud was it likely that hee ment to remember the denying of him thrice no no he had so fréely forgotten it that there remayned no iote imprinted in the memory of our louing God Wee haue many examples of Sinners and not a few of the penitent the example of none ought to moue vs to sinne let vs not too much trie God if any mā bee incumbred with iniquity hee hath examples of repentance let him not despaire They doe euil which wil
night with thy mighty hand and bring mee to the light of the next day Renue in me a right spirite that I may receaue strength and abilitie to do thy righteous will and to stand against all the assaults of Satan that the old man which I beare about in my body may be crucified daily in me and the desire of sinne and errour of worldly vanities may bee destroyed and the life of my Sauior may alwaies appeare in me Lord grant me these and all other good graces euen for Iesus Christs sake my onely Lord and Sauiour in whose name I humbly begge them at thy hands saying as he hath taught me Our Father c. ¶ A Prayer for the Morning O Lord thou high and mightie whose Glorie and Maiesty may not be comprehended whose woord is true whose commandement is strong thou that ridest vppon the Cherubins and flyest with the winges of the wind Thou God of all mercie most woorthy to be sought before whome the Hoastes of Heauen stand with trembling whose Ordinance is dreadfull whose Lookes drieth vp the depthes whose hands ruleth the starrie Firmaments whose goodnesse onely giueth the fruits of the Earth whose wrath maketh the Mountaines to melte and consumeth the wicked whose truth beareth witnesse and mercie saueth the sorrowfull Sinner Thou thou incomprehensible Creator that neuer tookest beginning and wantest end Sith of nothing thou hast wrought me with the wonders of the world to thy most séemly shape and vouchsafest thy drery Death and passion to drowne the danger of my sinnefull deserts and hast as a carefull Captaine cherished my bodie with comfortable giftes vnto this present day Continue oh God such goodnesse towards me vnworthy which doe here with a contrite heart and bowed Knées appeale to the height of thy mercie and louing kindnesse to accept my vnequall thankes for the same humbly beséeching thy Fatherly goodnesse that thy holy hand may still renew in me thy former gifts plenteouslie powred vpon me from the prime of my birth vnto this present not remembring good Lord my vnworthines of the same nor frailty of my passed yeares that speaketh against me but altering the ministers of thy wrath into milde mercie Graunt I beséech thée that through the assistance of thy holy Spirit I may be led to correct what is amisse and that I may now this day and euer hereafter perseuer in setting ordering and performing all my trauailes councels and studies as best may accord with thy blessed will and cancell the handes of my heauye charge Assist me oh Lord of all power with thy prudent skill and heauenlie grace that I may bee truelie able to aduance Iustice and to hate wrong and so be found faithfull in all that I take in hand Plant I beséech thée by thy heauenlie grace and feare with obedience in mee and kindle in me the loue of thy holy spirit that I may perseuer in the truth of thy word without doubt or wauering to the end Graunt this oh mightie God of Hoastes for the Merites and Passion of thy deare Sonne my Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christ Amen ¶ A Prayer for the Euening O Most mercifull GOD and louing Father with feare and reuerence I approach to thy throne this night that stealeth on me like a thiefe I thanke thée for preseruing me this day past and I beséech thée suffer me not to fall into the horrours of the night Forgiue me the innumerable offences that I haue cōmitted this day those also which if thy Grace preuent me not I am like to fall into this night Pardon them oh Lord they are more in number then the sand in the Sea and more heauie to me then if Mountaines were layd vpon my breast But I beséech thée receaue me to mercie and giue me grace to be more carefull of the performance of thy holie will Suffer no vncleane thoughts to pollute my bodie and soule and whether I sléepe or wake giue thine Angels charge ouer me that at what houre soeuer thou callest me I may like a faithfull souldier be found ready to attend thée my Lord and God euen for Iesus Christs sake my onely Lord and Sauiour Amen ¶ In the multitude of thy mercies will I enter into thy house oh GOD and in thy feare lift vp my handes and heart towardes thy sacred seate and honour thy Holy name ¶ The Confession of a Sinner O Most blessed Father of euerlasting blisse and gracious giuer of all goodnes I say most precious Patron of all Princely power and God of all mercie I wretched sinner and vncleane Creature with so much humilitie as possible in me is and with full trust in thy goodnesse doe prostrate my selfe before thy Sacred seate confessing my grieuous huge and déepe offences wherewith I haue offended thee my most louing Father euen vntil this houre I haue not feared to commit those execrable wicked déeds which thy onely beloued Son my humble Lord and Sauiour by his bitter bloud-shedding hath washed and with so pinching panges purged I confesse also vnto thée most mercifull father my great and horrible ingratitude wherewith I vnwoorthy creature haue euer most vnthankefullie answered thée and thy Sonne in liew of all the loue goodnesse and fidelitie which thou hast bestowed on mee which now so long and many years hast spared my wickednesse and sinne and benignely suffred all iniurie and contempt offered thée through my disobedience and wilfulnesse Yea thou hast required mee to repentance with great gentlenesse that thereby thou mightest winne my heart to decke thy Habitation therin with the Boughs of thy Loue. And how often oh Lord GOD haste thou knocked at the Doore of my Conscience by thy inspiration wooed mee with thy benefites cheared mee with thy comforts and most mightilie put to flight my dreadfull daungers yet hast thou suffered repulse I haue alwaies turned ny backe to thée and thou notwithstanding haste méekely suffred it Oh how iustlie couldest thou haue throwen me to Hell yet mercifullie hast spared me Truelie it is maruaile most sweet Sauiour that my heart breaketh not through vehement sorrow when I recount these things Neither is Hell it selfe with all his paines of force to correct my malicious wickednesse I am vnworthy to bee called thy creature or one whome the Earth should sustaine or nourishmentes yéeld their naturall food Meruaile it is oh Lord that thy Creatures and Elements do not reuenge the iniurie and contempt which I haue made thée through my manifold iniquities But now most louing Father haue mercie I beséech thée on me and to me miserable and desolate sinner Turne the eyes of thy diuine fauour and with the winges of thy mercie couer my infirmitie Open vnto mee the Bowels of thy benignitie and receiuing me into thy fauour forgiue my slackenesse in turning to thée Open to me thy bosome of bountie and louing kindnesse and replenish me with the nourishment and solace of thy grace I beséech thée Lord God sith of thy mercie and for thy Sonnes
not repent with them whom they haue transgressed withall After David had willingly confessed his fault and acknowledged the iust iudgement of God behold what great hope he conceyued of the mercy of God Sprinckle me O Lord saith he with I sope and I shall be cleane Wash mee and I shall bee whiter then snowe By the sprinckling of the bloud of the immaculate Lambe he promiseth to himselfe clearenesse too thogh he acknowledge his conception to be sinfull yet by this washing hee hopeth after the whitenesse of iunocency which passeth the whitenesse of the Snow And he trusteth not only in the innocency but looketh to sée his doubtful penitency turned into heauenlie ioy Thou shalt make me hear joy and gladnes saith David that the boÌ„es which thou hast broken may reioyce Giue mee the comfort of thy helpe and stablish me with thy free spirite O singular faith of a sinner what man hath at any time cried Iesu haue mercy on me but forthwith he hath obtayned grace Take pitty Lord sayeth the woman of Canaan and her daughter was was healed The blind poore man cryed out O Sonne of David haue mercy on me and he receyved sight Let vs heartily zealously constantly call on him and in the midest of our miseries say Iesu thou Sonne of David haue compassion vpon vs. And of poore impotent beggers hee will make vs fellow heyres with him of the kingdome of Heauen He hath opened the sanctuary of his holinesse and thou runnest into the dungeon of dispayre hee hath stretched out his hand to thee thou turnst away thy face he openeth the gates of Heauen and thou hastest to destruction behold the bosome of his goodnes and thou créepest into the lake of vnhappinesse The Theefe that hung on the Crosse heard him saying This day thou shalt be with me in Paradise and thou offerest thy selfe to the Deuill The mercy of God came vnto vs wheÌ„ he sent his Son into the earth Let vs therefore goe to it Let vs incline to him as he did to vs The way is first to leaue our life For first the Physitians vse to purge the body that they may minister wholesomer Medicines Forsake O thou Sinner thy wicked imaginations which fight against God leau to lust be not couetous refrain riot flie arrogancy that God may powr his blessings vpon thee He that persisteth in his wickednesse and calleth for grace is like to an enemie which being ready armed asketh peace of his Master hee that asketh receyueth he that séeketh findeth and hee that knocketh hath it opened vnto him if thou wilt desire mercy craue it truely if thou séeke it séek it indeed if thou knock at the gate of forgiuenesse knocke earnestly If thou require an example of one that faithfully craued the fauour of God Marke the Prodigall Child who leauing his Swine returned to his Father and said Father I haue sinned against Heaven and against thee make me as one of thy hired servants Marke the Publicane which for the guiltinesse of his conscience dare not lift vp his eyes to heauen dare not come to his redéemer but standing a farre off hee knocketh his breast and saith Lord bee mercifull vnto me a Sinner S. Hierome affirmeth the offence of Iudas to be greater in despayring the mercie of God theÌ„ in betraying Christ as Cain stirred God to anger more through desperation of pardon then by the slaughter of his brother Abel Manie which haue persecuted Christ being conuerted beléeuing in him haue obtained pardon are made examples to man that he ought not to distrust the remissioÌ„ of his wickednes seeing the death of our Sauior is forgiuen to the penitent Wilt thou heare saith Augustine the mercy of God leaue thy abhomination hee will forgiue thée Wilt thou see the truth of God do good thou shalt be crowned with Iustice God is not so mercifull to vse vniustice nor so iust to be vnmerciful but som man wil say meÌ„ encrease their offeÌ„ces by too much hope but how much doe they enlarge their guiltines by distrust of remission If there were no forgiuenes then thou wouldâ—t rage say I am wretched I am condeÌ„ned why is not my law why shall I not fill my selfe with sacietie if after this there bee nought but torment this would be thy saing O worse then dispayre it selfe Hee doth better therefore that correcteth thée with promise of forgetfulnesse and sayth I will not the death of a finner but that he convert and liue God by his promise would not haue sinners to presume but his will is they should not in any wise distrust and therefore he hath made them ignorant of the day of their death if thou repent present pardon is prouided no day is prefixed Wherefore to conclude if thou hast liued well till this day and still abidest in this life liue well amend thy life and beholde forgiuenesse and bee sure that what hee hath pardoned shall not bee imputed to thee againe which for his merry he grant that taketh away the Sinnes of the world Amen CONSOLATIO NVLLA maeroris magnitudo nulla angustiarum acerbitas nulla defectuum multitudo nulla scelerum enormitas te ad desperationem nimiamve pusillanimitatem adducat Quantumcunque peccaveris semper Dej misericordia in infinitum excedit tuas iniquitates Quantumcunque infirmus sis semper illius benignitas a diuvare parata est tuam fragilitatem Vult potest Deus sanare ac liberare te si ad eum verè conuerteris atque humilis factus ipsum piè inuocas speras in eo O quam homini salutaris Deo grata est spes atque confidentia illa quam Dei amor sanctaque humilitas parit quae homineÌ„ non ad negligentiaÌ„ vel incuriaÌ„ sese emendandi neque ad facilitatem peccandi pertrahit sed magis ad conatum proficiendi extimulat THE AVTHORS Prayer IN the deapth of thy mercy O Lord bow down thine eyes behold encline thine eares and heare stretch out thine Arme and helpe for I am thine vnworthy creature and haples man that thorow thy rodde of wrath haue experience of most wretched misery Mine enemies pursue mée with gaping iawes and whetted teeth saying within themselus let vs now deuoure him for the time that we looked for is come wee doe find and sée it They haue fortified round about me and haue inclosed me with tormeÌ„t and trauell My flesh and skin are made old my bones are bruised they haue hedged me that I cannot gett out haue said heauy links vpoÌ„ me Helpe Lord thy seruant whome thou neuer faylest I cry and call pittiously yet am I not heard my innocency is trodden downe and my life suddued with like surmises My mourning they dayly heare but comfort I find farre off They haue stopped vp my wayes with quartred stones and made my pathes crooked They lay wayte for me as wilde Beares and deuouring Dragons with open mouth deliuer me from their gréedy gripes
holy spirit to the felowship of my soule powre vpon me the blessed deawes of thy grace enritch me with thy high vnderstanding and send wisdome in her glory from thy Sacred seate to dwell in mée that shée may giude me vphold me and labour with me to the end that in all my trauelles enterprises proceedinges and studies I may preuail to thy glory Do this deare Father for the triumph of thy name Bow downe thine eares and mercifully heare and receiue the summe of all my requests graunt that all thinges which I aske according to my necessity I may effectually obtaine to thy glory and profit of my soule through Iesus Christ my only Lord Sauiour Amen I I Giue and commit into thy hands my Spirite yea rather I may say thy Spirite seeing thou hast giuen it mee linke it to my body for a season and séeing it is thy image and Figure made after thine owne likenesse séeinge thy deare Sonne did climbe the direfull steppes of death for redemption therof O moste fauorable Father and méeke God of all mercy and compassion I eftsoones commende this my Spirit into thy hand I am thine whatsoeuer I am receiue thine I beséeche thee preserue mee and comforte mée for no man can help mee besides thée Onlye thou art the sureste resister of all mischiefe thou art oh God the readiest helpe in all trouble thou art my hope strength In thée doo I put my trust let mee not bée confounded let mee neuer be rebuked thou art my strong rock and my Castle thou art my sauiour my portion is in thy hands Lighten thy face vppon thy Seruant and saue mee O Lord in thy mercy Amen E EVen now I sée that no brickle nor corrupt gold or Siluer hath redemed my soule O Heauenly Father but the pretious bloud issuing frō Christ as of a lambe vndefiled and without spot make mée therefore O Lorde for his sake to put on his humility patience vertue and vnspotted life rendring suche accompt of this my pligrimage as best may agrée to his merit and thy mercy Let mée not be found vnthankfull to so swéet a Lord and Sauiour what is most righteous acceptable and pleasant in thy sight let mée alwayes O God preferre in faith and workes and whatsoeuer is to approoue mée vnworthy of his tender and surmounting loue that may alter his louing kindnesse or exchang his wonted compasion towards mée Lord let mée euer fayle in strength to do it but assisted by thée I may euerlastingly be found to liue in him Amen E EVery one that sayeth Lord Lord shall not enter the Kingdom of heauen Therfore confirme my Faith strong in thée O heauenly Father and in my Sauiour Iesus Christ quiet my mind with sure hope of his promises and thy Saluation Destroy in mée the kingdome of Sinne the power of Sathan the desires of the world the delights of the flesh Guide my feete in the pathes of thy precepts bring the conflicting daies of mine enemies to an end Make me that am weak in my selfe strong in thee to cōquer the force of their armes So shal my lippes powre out continuall prayse vnto thée O god of my Saluation and magnifie thy Maiesty world without end Amen L LOoke not extremly what is done amisse in mée for no fleshe is righteous in thy sight I offer vp my selfe wholy with all my vnsauory and corrupt abuses both in will works vnto the flowing fountayn of thy mercy to be chasticed pollished and washed and made cleane euen at thine owne will and pleasure Wherefore impute not the frailty of my tender yéeres vnto my charge but that thou maist ouercom when thou art iudged Forgiue me receiue me and so arme me with thy holy Spirit that I may tread the rest of my dayes with an vpright sway a cleare conscience and a single hart to thy Glory and profite of my Soule Amen I I Liue Oh God in a most wretched Vale of mysery where continually thy creatures are stained with sinne assayled with affliction vexed with troubles choked with cares infected with ambition vexed with temptations blinded with errours ouercom with vanities of the world and miserably wrapped in all vntruth and wretchednesse wherefore O Lord arise stretch out thy hand helpe and comfort me Asswage my sorrow assist mee with thy Holy Spirit that mine owne substance ouercome mee not this glittering vaine world of infinite sorowes and fewe felicities deceaue me not that Sathan supplant me not but giue mee inuincible power to encounter them patience in suffering them in thy word constancye in perseuering to the end Amen Z ZEale anger hatred and from respect of any persons in Iudgement LORD make me free Arme me with the patience of my Sauiour Christ giue me the Breast-plate of his righteousnesse the helmet of his equitie Make mee to exercise his Mercie Truth Méekenes Faithfulnesse Temperance and Humilitie Cast out of my heart all that may offend thée and disprofit my soule Let all worldly things be vile vnto mee for thy sake let me reioyce in nothing without thée nor loue nothing but to thy glory So shall my hart kéepe thy lawes and my mouth for euer and euer speak thy praise Amen A ACcepte mée Lord in the number of thy elect behold in mée the Image of thy selfe and the worke of thine owne hands remember thou hast giuen thy deare Son to the bitter Passiō of the Crosse for my redemption Let me not be rewarded therefore according to the deepe sea of my sinnes for then I perish But for thy Truth Mercie and deare Sonnes sake correct mee strengthen mee and imbrace mee yea linck mee so surely to the loue of thy lawes that I neuer leaue thee and in the day of my trouble and houre of death Lord deliuer me so shall I liue and glorifie thee through all worlds Amen B BEhould my infirmities O Lord and consider my frailnes best known vnto thee So oft as I shall fall make me lift vp my heart agayne vnto thee seeke thee feare thee and loue thee and euer to be sorry with so stedfast a purpose of amendment that my earnest desire may rightly stire vp thy mercy and procure me the assistance of thy grace to conioyne mee to all Heauenly things and to destroy al earthly affections and temptations that dayly pluck mee backe and rebell not suffering my soule to liue in rest Against which builde thy feare in my breste true knowledg of thy word in my heart fortifie my faith with sure hope of thy Heauenly blisse enter the shining light of thy woorde so deepe in my minde that all my studies thoughts being onely occupied therein my other parts may euer want power to offend thée and my tongue and lippes euer bee singing thy laude and glory Amen E ENritch my Soule with the continual felowshippe of thy Holy Spirit whose diuine humanitie may so temper my grosse substance with trew condition that alwaies I may séeme low in mine
thy endeauour but to the helpe of my Grace for if thou trust to thy selfe and to thine own industry thou shalt easily fal thy well doing neuer ascribe to thy selfe nor vsurpe any thing vpon my gifts for of thy self thou canst not but offend of thy selfe thou hast nothing but sinne which is proper to thy selfe desire not vainely to please any mortall man wish rather to bee knowne of sew then many and to be despised rather then praysed neuer estéem thy self any thing worth nor thinke thy worthines of any value but without saying account thy selfe vngratefull vnworthy and the vilest creature aliue Humble and imbase thy selfe beneath all men for my sake loue all men with a pure loue yea those also which persecute thee wish the prosperity of thy brother despise none dispayre not at the well doing of any slaunder none iudge no man what thou seest hearest of others interprete it to the best with all study mortifie thine owne appetite and singularly embrace my will gladly and willingly obey me in all thinges and men in those which be lawfull leaue thine own wil and deny thy selfe commit yéeld thée wholy to my prouidence with firme trust in me in all temptation perill necessity for I haue care of thée and diligently attend thee as if thou onely liuedst Daughter learne to receiue euery aduersity and affliction no otherwise then as from my hand sent onely and patiently bear it to the end for my sake for trouble is the cupp of blessing whereof I haue made al my chosen to drinke There hath not béene any of mine which outwardly or inwardly hath not suffered som trouble Wherefore reiecting all weaknesse whatsoeuer commeth to thee take it in good part belieue it to be sent to thée for thy helth for the great loue I bear thée suffer aduersity it is the kingly way which leadeth to heauenly heritage walke therefore in it reioysing and giue mee thanks that I haue so regarded thee that I would giue thée somwhat that thou shouldest suffer when any doe molest thée and worke thee iniurie or spight thinke him sent by me to proue thee Bée not agrieued with him giue him not sharpe and bitter wordes neyther think of reuengemēt marke not the man which is my Instrument and scourge but attend on me which suffer such things to be done by mā O Daughter in euery trouble and sorrow be patient resigning thy selfe to me for I purge thée by afflictions and make thee apt and worthy to be maried to me But if of thy humane infirmity or other defect thou fall to impatience be not discouraged neyther wauer dispayring in thy good endeauours but forthwith arise turn to me and cal vpon mee with a sure hope of pardon I know the generall weakenesse of man I know also thy peculiar frailety trust to me thy hope and full trust cannot be too assured in mee if thy life and repentance bee good Wherefore hastilie flye vnto me I will take thée vppe heale and defend thée what doest thou feare yet O Daughter why doest thou not euen now desire death for what euill can death bring thée Truely after thou hast bequeathed thy carkas to the ground thou shalt no more offend me thou shalt no more be defiled with sinne if thou loue nothing in this world Death can take nothing from thée if thou loue any worldly thing wilt thou stand to the daunger nay rather thou louest thine owne perilles Therefore before thou die cease to loue worldly and transitory things if thou fear not too much to die yea if thou loue me alone in this life bée glad thou shalt die for but by death thou canst not get what thou louest But I know what thou fearest truely nothing in this world thou louest nothing thou doest possesse that eyther thou carest to enioy or wouldest sorrowe the losse but trembling and feare vexeth thee becaus thou knowest not whether thou be worthy loue or hatred Thou knowest not how thou shalt be receyued of me eyther to rest or paine None of these shalt thou know O Daughter as thou wooldest know yet Though thou feare yet abide in hope and sure trust in mee whether thou liue or die of thy selfe thou canst neyther liue nor die wel both thou hast of me if I giue thee to liue well shall not I also grant thee well and happilie to die seeing therefore thou hast all of mee seeing thou lookest for all thinges at my hand how is it then that thou hopest one thing and dispayrest another Trust then cast all thy thoughtes care vpon me as liuing thou art able to resist no temptation nor auoide any sinne so neyther dying art thou able if faithfully I preuent temptations and moderate them in thy life the same will I doe in thy death Neuer enter battaile with thine own force and armes but leaue it vnto mee and leaning vnto me I will fight for thee and I fighting for thée and defending thee what cause hast thou of feare neither doubt thou of the condition or kinde of death Nullum est genus mortis quod nocere potest iusto No kind of death is able to annoy a iust man for the iust with what death soeuer he be beset is in safegard Therefore be nothing carefull whether at home or abroad in bed or in field thou shalt die neyther feare whether thy death bée naturall or violent but as the Apostle counselleth study to liue soberly iustly and godly that thou mayest well and happily die An euill death doth not follow a good and iust life but the death of the iust is precious in my sight howsoeuer they end this life whether in the water in the fire or in bed they Dye A Sweet and comfortable Consolation for all weake minds to confirme and strengthen them against Desperation WHo soeuer refusing the hope of pardon runneth head-long into the gulfe of desperation doth not onely distrust the omnipotencie of God perswading himselfe that there is som crime which hee is not able to extinguish but also maketh him a lyer By the mouth of his Prophet hee hath promised a frée remission of sinne so soone as the offender bewayleth but frowardly doth the posterity of Cain say Such is mine iniquity as I shall never obtaine remission What sayest thou Caitief If God be not able to pardon because of the greatnesse of thy sinne thou robbest him of his Omnipotency If he will not doe that which he can do he is a Lyar and too light not to performe the thing which so oft he hath promised by the mouth of his holy Prophets It is saide of the Psalmist God is gratious and mercifull long suffering and of great goodnesse The Lord is loving to all men and his mercy is over all his workes Is there any thing then more admirable then the Creation of the heauens with so many shining bodies then the making of the earth with such singular varietie of liuing creatures Trées Plantes
Fruits and all other things then the fabrication of so many pure Celestiall Soules so that who durst bee bold to affirme had not the Prophet manifestly spoken it that the mercy of God doth excell the glory of his handie workes Holy Scripture sometime tearmeth the mercie of God great sometime too great sometime it amplifieth the force thereof by the name of multitude or number The Kingly Prophet David in one selfe place comprehendeth both the greatnesse and multitude of Heauenly mercy saying Haue mercy on me O God after thy great goodnesse and according to the multitude of thy mercies doe away mine offences Where great iniquity is there néedeth much compassion If thou doe but weigh how haynous the offence of David was thou wilt acknowledge the greatnesse of Gods goodnesse If thou consider how oft he offended in that sinne thou shalt sée the multitude of his mercies That GOD which is our King our Father our Master our Spouse prescribeth no determinate number of offences but as oft as through true Repentance we returne to him he forgetteth and forgiueth the punishment which he threatneth to vs he entertaineth vs amongst his Familie leadeth vs into the Chamber of his Loue and receyueth not vs onely but forgetteth our offences Hee bringeth the lost shéepe vpon his shoulders to the staules and biddeth the Congregation of the Chosen to his reioysing He goeth to méete the Prodigall Sonne returning from his long and loathsome iorney and putteth a Robe a King vpon him and commaundeth the fattest Calfe to be killed for him What other thing doth this signifie but the Immense or as I may say the ouermuch mercy of God It is no maruaile though his mercy excéede which loueth vs so excéedingly Paule feareth not to write thus to the Ephesians We are saeth he by Nature become the Children of wrath But God which is rich in mercy for his tender loue wherewith he loved vs when wee were lead to sinne hath raysed and reconciled vs againe to Christ Saint Iohn in his Gospell more plainely expresseth the maruailous Loue of God our Father towards vs saying So God loved the world that he gaue his onely begotten Sonne that who so beleeveth in him should not perish but haue everlasting life Wherevnto Paul aptly agréeth He that spared not his only Son but gaue him for vs all hath hee not given vs all things together with him This so great loue this so great kindnesse doth it not worthily appeare vnmeasurable because we haue nothing which wee haue not freely receyued of God Whatsoeuer wee doe whatsoeuer we possesse it commeth by the mercy of God Yea it is the mercy of God that made the Angels and created the world If he had wrought it to himselfe his power and policie might haue béen praised but sith to our vse hée hath framed all these things shall we not acknowledge his mercy to be maruailous For whome haue the Celestiall Ayres their course to whom lendeth the Sun his beames by day the Moone with the Starres their brightnesse by Night but for Man For whose vse made hee these things of nothing For whose sake but for mans onely doe the hanging clouds giue their shade and bedew the pleasant fields Why blow the winds why flow the Riuers why spread the Springes why encrease the Seas but for the vse of man Who reapeth the cōmodities of the fertile earth which engendreth so many liuing thinges such wealthy store but man There is nothing that God hath not made Subiect to man onely he would that man should be obedient vnto him Manie times our merciful God sendeth aduersity either to cleare vs of our transgressions or to deterre vs from sinne or to minister occasion of well-doing Thus was Abraham tried so was Iob prooued with many miseries thus is euery one which liueth in Iesus Christ tryed in this world with sundry afflictions as the Golde with the fire Where are those that murmure against GOD when eyther infirmity of health or death and losse of wife and Children or decay of worldly wealth happeneth to them no thing knowing that these are the manifest signes of a mercifull GOD. Let vs giue ear to the coūsel of Salomon My Son saith he Despise not the word of God nor forsake his correction For whom the Lord loveth hee chasteneth and delighteth in him as a Father in his Sonne The Apostle Paul hath the like saying to the Hebrues Whome the Lord loveth he correcteth and rebuketh every Childe that he receyveth Then by Paules Counsel when any storme of aduersity ariseth let vs stand fast in the Truth knowing that hee offereth himselfe to vs as to his Children like a mercifull God If the loue of God lend vs prosperity let vs giue him thanks and bee carefull that we abuse not his bounty If misery oppresse vs let vs neuerthelesse giue thankes to him and commit our selus to his iudgement To obtaine health thou giuest thy selfe vp to the Phisition thou yéeldest thy selfe to the Coard Saw and Searing of the Chirurgion And to enioy euerlasting health fearest thou to trust thy Creator thy Master thy Father and onely Sauiour Thou darest not say to the Physition thus thus cure me And wilt thou prescribe to God the means of thy sauing health Let euery one of vs descend into the depth of his conscience let vs consider how oft and how grieuouslie we haue offended God how his benefites are defiled with our iniquities and so we shall sée how much wee are indebted to his infinit mercy which hath borne with our frailety so gently which by so many meanes calleth vs to repentance which so wllingly pardoneth the penitent and conuert Truely he is greatly to bee lamented which refuseth the fountaine of euerlasting life and neuer by repentance returneth whence he departed The Prodigal Child straied farre left and forsooke his Fathers House yet returned Peter was far gone when he denied his Master thrice but yet remēbring the wordes which Iesus spake to him he recanted and wept bitterlie How gently doth the Lord in Hieremie vnder the person of the wife which hauing forsaken her husband gaue herselfe to euery man Call his people to repentance Returne my Children and be converted saith hee because I am your husband But oh wretched is the mā that stoppeth his eares at this voyce of the Lords To day saith the Psalme If you hear my voyce harden not your hearts This is our day as long as we liue in which the Lord ceaseth not to call bpon vs to repentance offering vs prepared pardon God himselfe in Ezechiel doth not onelie promise remission to him that forsaketh his euill but voweth obliuion of all his former offences For after he had reckoned all the errours which man fell into he added If the wicked man will be sorry for his sins keep my commaundements do the thing that is right he shal liue and not die and I will not remember ought that he hath done Haue I pleasure