thy sake exercising iustice mercie and Truthe to all thy Creatures and neuer suffering me to doo that may mooue thy wrath but more and more assisted with thy grace may encrease thy loue and likinge and finally obtaine thy ioyes euerlasting Amen H HEare these my Prayers sweet Lord Iesu and for thy exceedinge Loue whiche broughte thee from the Sacred seate of thy Fathers breast into the woâ—be of the blessed virgin to bannish Death and Sinne to redeeme mans nature whereby in thy astere Passion as thou haste restoared mee and with so blessed a Shielde defended mine eternall deathe by the self same Loue call mee that haue wandred home againe to thy Folde renewe me with thy Spirite coÌ„firme mee with stronge faithe nourish in me such thi abundant loue garnish mee with thy plentifull grace lade mee with infallible hope of thy mercie finally restore all partes in mee which are decaied and quicken in mee what so is dead should liue that my spirite set at libertie from Terrestriall thinges thou maist euer dwell in mee And my Soule and body assisted with thy ritche guifte of all these may fully purely safely and strongly settle them in thee To whom be praise both nowe and euer Amen R REnder mee thy grace O Lorde that from this day I neuer becomme enimies with thee againe but that I only rest in thee Guide me with the clere light of thy woorde thorowe the dark desertes of this wretched world where no misery nor trouble lacketh wher euery place is ful of snares of mortal enimies yea wheron trouble and temptations ouerpassed and other ensueth and the first enduringe a newe battaile suddainely assayleth wherby I neuer haue peace and wante wherwith to war. wherfore with contrite hart I crie Lorde Lorde assist me with the power of thy holy Spirite and as thou hast coÌ„maunded I come vnto thee prayinge the guifte of all these my requests and specially Lord I require the swoord of my Sauâ—â—ur Christ true and firm faith that established in thy Truthe holding that for my defence may be safely armed against all mine enimies strong to cut downe the thornes which shal spring in my way of passage vnto thee in whom sweete sauiour aboue all honour glory triumphe sway rule power dignity make me settle al my ioyes yea aboue all healthe ritches bewtie fame and felicitie to desire thee loue thee and magnifie thee which geuest all and therfore of al to be beloued sought art most worthy Amen E EAse O Lorde the paines I suffer the troubles of my soule let the fountaines of thy grace ouerflow my barraine bodie and the floudes of thy mercie batten my feeble spirite let thy louing kindnesse couer mine infirmities and thy suffered drops of dewe vpon the Crosse drownde mine iniquitie Thy worde is Truthe and thou hast saide Thy delight is not in the death of a Sinner but wouldest he shoulde conuerte and liue Teache me therfore to number my dayes in the loue of thy Lawes that I alwayes thirste after thy Kingdome and neuer forgeat thee but in this that I haue here begonne may perseuer increase setting at naught all worldly pompe respect of persones and mans helpe and only cleaue to thy omnipotente power mercie strengthe and goodnesse wherin Lorde make mee so ritch as I neuer haue power to swerue from thee nor wante thy grace to resiste all temptations neither yet thy strengthe to treade downe mine enimies and so my harte shall ioyfully liue and geue thanckes to thee my God of all truth mercy and victory Amen G GOD merciful Father of my redeemer Christ which hast promised to heare the peticions of them that aske in thi Sonnes name geue downe thy feare into my harte conioyne thy holy spirite to the felowship of my soule poure vpoÌ„ me the blessed dewes of thy grace enritche mee with thy high vnderstandinge and send wisdome in her glory from thy Sacred seate to dwel in me that shee may guide mee vphold mee and labour with mee to the end that in al my trauelles enterprises proceedinges and studies I may preuaile to thy glorie Do this deare Father for the triumphe of thy name Bow downe thine eares mercifullie heare and receiue the summe of all my requests and graunt that all thinges which I aske according to my necessity I may effectually obtaine to thy glorye and profite of my soule through Iesus Christe my Lorde AmeÌ„ I I Geue and committe into thy hands deere Lorde my Spirite yea rather I may say thy Spirite seeing thou hast geuen it mee lincte it to my body for a season and seing it is thy image and Figure made after thine owne likenesse seeinge thy deere Sonne did clime the dyrefull steppes of death for redemption therof O most fauorable Father and meeke God of al mercy and compassion I eftsoones coÌ„mende this my Spirite into thy hande I am thine what so euer I am receiue thine I beseeche thee preserue mee and comforte mee for no man can help me besides thee Onely thou arte the sureste resister of all mischiefe thou arte O God the readieste help in all trouble thou arte my hope and strength In thee do I put my trust lette mee not be confounded let mee neuer be rebuked thou art my strong rock and my Castell thou art my sauioure my portion is in thy hands Lighten thy face vpon thy Seruaunt and saue mee O Lorde in thy Mercie Amen N NO brickel nor corrupt gold or Siluer hath redeemed my soule O Heauenly Father but the precious bloud issuinge from Christ as of a Lambe vndefiled and without spotte make mee therefore O Lorde for his sake to put on his humility patience vertu and vnspotted life rendring such accompt of this my Pilgrimage as beste may agree to his merite and thy mercie Let mee not be founde vnthankfull in so sweete a Lorde and sauiour what is most rightuous acceptable and pleasante in thy sight let mee alwayes O God preferre in faith works and what so euer is to approoue mee vnworthy of his tender and surmountinge loue that may alter his louing kindenesse or exchaunge his wonted compassion towards mee Lorde let me euer faile in strength to do it but assisted by thee I may euerlastingly be founde to liue in him Amen A ALmighty God which fliest with the winges of the Ayre ridest vpoÌ„ the Cherubins hast Empyre aboue the starry Firmaments Thou thou that sittest in Sacred seate most hie beholdeynge the wretchednesse of man in this lowe Earthe attending through thine own loue his deserts when with any occasion thou may offer thy mercie Bowe downe thy pitifull eies and fauour in me the Image of thy selfe as thou diddest vouchsafe in Zache when thou calledst him out of the Figge thee enritche my eares with the same voyce of Remission and Gladnesse as thou diddest his incline thine eares heare these cries oh louing redeemer for though I am but Dust Earth and Asshes yet I am bolde strengthened
make me pray with such humblenesse of harte and sorrowfull sighinges as no tongue can tell That guift most pretious will hold me vp where fleashe would fall and guide my feeble feete in the light of thy Law. Thy Spirite I say will purge mee from all earthly effects and lift me vp to heauenly thinges Therfore conioyne mee oh God of all mercy to thy holy Spirite to teache mee to treade the steady steppes of thy worthy will. So shall I leade my Life in the true Lawe of thy louinge kindenesse and with a stronge and stable minde perseuer in Prayer vnto the ende Graunt me therefore for thy Truthe and Sonnes sake that I may enioy this sweete possession of thy holy Spirite which may alwaies leade my laboures after thy liking and keepe my harte in thy feare Sweete Iesu make a couenaunt with me that I neuer become enimy with thee any more neither be found vnworthy of thy ritche mercy and bountifull benefites but that the remainder of my life imployed in thy Seruice may iustly mooue thee to forgeat the iniquitie of my tender yeares Continue thou God of all comfort with increase by the assistaunce of thy grace what I haue heare begunne So shall I liue to glorifie thy might and mercy for euer and euer Amen ZEale anger carefulnesse and sorovve cause celetitie of olde Age Iustice mercie equitie and truthe make glad the Holy Ghoste and to a merie harte is geuen long life and svveete taste ZAcharie spake from thee O Lorde saying Like as I deuised to punnishe you what time your Fathers prouoked me vnto wrath and spared not Euen so am I nowe minded to do wel vnto the house of Iuda and Hierusalem therefore feare it not Now the things you shall do saith the Lorde are these speake euery man the truthe to his neighbour execute Iudgement truly and peaceably within your Portes none of you imagine euill in his harte and loue no false othes O Lorde of my selfe I am so sinful and ignorant that I cannot speake or thincke a good thought much lesse to doo well in deede Assist mee therefore with thy grace that I may doo as thou hast commaunded And let mee comfort my selfe with thy sweete woordes by thy Prophete which are That as the house of Iuda and Israell were accurst emongest the Heathen so thou dooest promise to make them a blessing Am not I an Ofspringe of that seede O Lorde to whome thou diddest promise this blessinge Or were not these thinges written to putte mee in minde of thee and cause mee turne from my wickednesse and truste by thy mercy to obtaine fauoure againe Remember then O Lorde in thy Mercie Turne mee and I shal be turned saye to my Soule I am come vnto thee thy health and thy saluacion A Double tongued man is to be abhorred and he that beareth hatred can neither praie rightly nor speake truelie of whome beware for the malicious and double tongued hath ouerthrowen Highe Palaices laide waste stronge Cities who so harkeneth to them shall neuer finde reste nor dwell in safetie neare the Prince they are more perilous then a Fistula in the breste to the healthe of Man. AVenge not thy cause on me thou God of all iustice forgeue mee my contemptes of thy Commaundements and omission of Prayer If thou geue me equall pay of my Merites I perish Forgette my vnkindenesse I beseeche thee and clothe mee with comfort of thy compassion Purifie my Soule and Body wash away my wickednesse with the bloude breakinge from the woundes of my Sauioure Christe and I shall no more be vnkinde Geue me wisedome to knowe all thy preceptes and pleasure graunt thy mercy euer to keepe me and thy grace to guide me It yrketh mee that euer I did forsake so sweete a Lorde Sauioure my sorrow wasteth mee and my sighes ouerwhelme my harte Haue mee in remembraunce therfore for I tremble quake were not thy mercie knowen I should vtterlie despaire Turne away the stroke of thy vengeaunce from mee bringe my minde out of trouble into rest Fetch now againe thou most pretious Prince of all power that which thy puisaunt mighte hath shapen Restoare Sonne of the Father thee Almightie that which thou hast so well guided and bought with thy terrible torments Take againe into the Sacred seat of thy blessed custody Lord God Holy Ghoste my Body and Soule that haue wandred Thou haste pitifully preserued them long from the violence and vtter destruction of the wicked Serpente and throwes of worldly chaunce Moste mighty God sith thou haste aduaunced thy Glory by such compassion continue in me hartie Prayer put about mee the girdle of thy grace and linke my loue in the lore of thy lawes and my hart shal be thankfull Day and nighte will I say blessed is the Lorde And will praise thy Name and magnifie thy mercie for euer and euer BE ashamed of sinnes and vnrighteousnesse be ashamed to turne thy face away from thy friende in his neede be ashamed to obbrede thy friende with thy guiftes be ashamed to take and not to geue but be not ashamed of the truthe of God and his Couenaunte but do thy best to fulfil it and thou shalt liue BE my comforter in al coūselles and daungers oh God make cleare my vnderstanding and heape my sorte with newe effects and Spiritual motions Renew my Body and Spirite that all sinne flie from mee and graunt that I liue to rightuousnesse Power vpon mee the Spirite of thy grace loade me with the Trewe knowledge of thy woorde Holde my harte alwaies in thy feare builde a true faith and hope of thy promises and mercy in the Bowels of my breast The heauenly Father of our Lorde Iesu Christe hath promised it vnto mee for his Sons sake I seeke it for that thou maist ouercome when thou arte Iudged denie me not Though there belong nothing to mee but confusion and shame yet Lorde correcte mee not in thy dreadfull displeasure but with the louing fauoure of thy face looke vpon my festured woundes Heale them good Lorde from the bottome lette them be healed Mingle thy mercy and preceptes and sowe the seede of them so deepe in my Harte that no burninge blastes of persecution make asshes therof neither any thorny cares of this life doo choke it but that it may bringe foorth as thou hast appoynted like good ground thirtie sixe and an hundred folde The fruites of my haruest Lord shal be the flowers of thy glory My tongue shal alwaies speake of thy maruaylous workes and my hart shall keepe thy Lawes I wil not deny thee my God for the power of any wicked but will seeke thy grace hope of thy mercie and say The mightie God of Israell is to be loued feared and obeyed world without ende Amen EVill seedes see thou sovv not in the Furrowes of vnrighteousnesse so shalt thou not reape thee seuenfolde labour sue not vnto Man for any Lordship neither vnto the Kynge for the Seate of Honour
thy sighte oh Lorde whosoeuer thinke they are cleane and haue not sinned they deceiue themselues Therefore I confesse oh Lorde I haue not committed one sin but rather infinite sins and acknowledge if thou shouldest obserue mine iniquities I were not hable to abide it Enter not therfore into iudgemente with thy Seruaunte oh Heauenly Father for no fleashe is rightuous in thy sighte let the penssue harte from whence my praiers commes pearse thy Celestiall Throne Bow down thy mercie Lord and wash mee with the bloud of my Sauioure Christe cloathe mee with his humilitie and reuiue mee with his Resurrection Remember Lorde thou haste spoken by the mouthe of thy seruaunt Esaye That if my sinnes be as redde as Scarlette they shal be made as white as snowe And furthermore thou delightest not in the deathe of any sinner but that he rather liue and be conuerted Lord thy woordes neuer failed and thy compassions haue no end by vertu of the one and substance of the other purify me from all mine iniquitie I neede not to tel thee Lord if time woulde not faile mee the large examples of thy manifold mercies besides thi compassions shewed on thy Seruaunte Mary Magdeleyn Peter and Paule with whom Lorde let me be so cleansed purified and receiued as O may with them be Coheyres of thy euerlasting ioyes Amen AS the barraine and vnthanckefull soyle whiche after good vse diligence of the Tiller geueth forth Darnell for good seede so euer dooth the fainte harted and vngratefull freend in the Harueste of thy necessitie But if thou wouldest choose him by vertue of the Grape and suffer him to be olde as thou dost thy wine then shouldest thou drink him with pleasure AT midnight my tonge and lippes shall singe praise of thy holy name and my Spirite shall glorifie thee sittinge aboue the highest Cherubins Awake Lorde awake denie mee not for thy names sake â—â—â—gh otherwise vnwoorthy of â—â—y porcion in thy ritche guiftes to the worlde Lorde thou hast so loued the world that thou madest thy dere beloued sonne to clime the steps of death who bare the Image of thy substaunce and brightnes of thy glory to purge our mortalitie and sinne I beseeche thee therfore as thou haste so vouchsaued also saide by the mouthe of thy Seruauntes that thou haste geuen him to that most dreadfull death of the Crosse to put away al sin and to satisfie thy iustice Lorde and mercifull Father let me now for al be so deliueâ—â—â— and cleerely purged by this pitifull passion of thy deere sonne my Sauiour that I may say and singe with the blessed Cherubins and Seraphins Apostles Sainctes and Virgins Holy Holy Holy Lorde God on highe all Honour Power Dominion and Glory be dewe to thee for euer and euer Amen ¶ The Versicle FOr thy deare Sonnes sake O Lorde heare and receiue my Prayers The Answere ANd in thy truthe and mercy pardon mine offences and graunt mee thy grace ¶ The Collecte O Lorde Iesus Christ sonne of the pure Virgin Marie thou thou art not only the sweet spouse of my soule healthe but with God the Father a moste meke Mediatour full of Mercie Truthe wash away my sinnes with the most precious bloud of thy holy passion make me ritch in thy mercy and my Faithe so strong in thee that assisted with thy grace and holy Spirite to all duty and workes in this life towardes thee I may enioy afterwards the glory of thy blessed Kingdom with thy holy saincts and Virgins in euerlasting honoure and triumphe Amen ¶ The Prayer O Lord Iesus Christ whiche hast redeemed all mankinde from sinne Death Hell thou which hast saide I am the way truthe and life A way in Doctrine Commaundementes and examples Truth in promises Life in rewarde I pray thee by thine ineffamable loue wherwith thou hast vouchsafed wholie to bestowe thy selfe for our securitie that thou wilt not suffer mee euer to stray from thee bicause thou art the way nor at any time to distruste thy promises which art Truthe and perfourmest what so euer thou promisest neither let me rest in any other thing because thou arte eternal life without the whiche there is nothinge that ought to be desired neither in heauen nor in Earthe By thee we learne the sure and expediente passage vnto true healthe that wee wander no longer in the Labor in the of this world Thou haste exactly taught what to beleeue and what to doo what to hope for and in whome wee ought to rest By thee wee learne how wee were of that first Adam vnfortunately borne By thee wee are assured ther is no hope of helth but through Faith in thee that thou arte the onely brightnesse which geuest lighte to all men trauailing the darke Deserts of this worlde where is nothinge but a profound dimnes wherby we can neither see our calamity nor from whence wee oughte to seeke remedy of our euil Thou diddest vouchsafe to descende into the Earthe disdainedst not to take our nature vppon thee that by thy doctrine thou mightest shake of the dimnesse of our ignoraunce by thy commaundements mightest directe our feetâ— in the way of Truthe Peace By the exaÌ„ples of thy life thou hast shewed vs the way to immortalitie and by thy steppes hast restoared to vs a plaine easie and profitable way out of an vneuen and roughe way So thou arte made vnto vs a waye which knoweth no erroure in the whiche leaste wee should be wearie thou haste vouchsafed to vpholde vs in thy benignitie with greate and sure promises for who can be weary accoumpting him selfe ready through thy steppes to enter thy Heauenly Heritage Therfore whilest we be in this iorney thou wouldest be a sure hope vnto vs to be in steede of a staffe vnto vs wherewith we are susteined Neither was thy goodnesse content with this but knowing the weakenes of our fleash in the meane while with the comfort of thy Spirite doost so refreashe our strengthe whereby wee runne cheerefully And as thou being made vnto vs a way doost driue away al errour So being made Truthe doost take away all distrust Finally beinge made life vnto vs dooste reuiue the dead in sin to liue by thy Spirite releeuing all thinges vntill in the resurrection al mortalitie vtterly abolished we may alwaies liue with thee and in thee when Christe shall be to vs all in all For eternall life is to knowe the Father the Sonne and the holy Ghoste to be one true God whoÌ„ now through Faith wee beholde only in a Glasse and Ridell and then seeing more feloly the glory of the Lorde wee shal be transformed into the same Image Therfore I beseeche thee most mercifull Sauioure that thou wouldest nourishe Faithe in thy Seruaunte that I may neuer wauer in thy heauenly doctrine Encrease obedience that I neuer turne from thy Preceptes Fortifie constancie that entring into thy steppes it be not pulled backe nor through the terroure or intisements of Sathan ouerthrowne but maie
vnaduisedly oppressed of sinne nether causelesse doo cease from good woorkes for so it may com to passe that wee shall labour in vaine Geue thefore vnto vs a firm faith wanting no strength which not onely may instruct vs to a better kinde of life but also in that same may happely goe forward euer emong encrease as the Prophet saithe Psal 13. Illuminate mine eies that I slepe not least whilest the Christian life but begonne wee negligently goe forward and finallie come againe into Sathans power Graunt that wee may constantly endure and thy kingdome to come may performe and consummate the rule begonne in vs Take vs from this life which is ful of sinne and daungers make vs to desire that other life and let vs beginne and continew to hate this graunt that wee do not feare death but rather wish and desire it let vs cast out of our minde the loue of this life that thou onely maist raigne in vs. Thy will be donne IF we should conferre our wil with thine it is alwaies naught but thy will is euer best whiche deserueth that wee shoulde loue and desire that Therefore haue mercy vpon vs deare Father and let not any thinge be donne after our will. Graunt if any thinge happen contrary to that wee woulde wee may patiently beare it temper so our brickle mettall beyng the woorke of thy handes that if any either speake or holde his peace doo or omitte any thinge contrary to our will that thereby we be not prouoked to anger and impatience Let vs not blaspheme complaine crie out iudge condemne or maliciously accuse others therfore but graunt that wee may quietlie geue place to those whiche worke contrary to our will and praise them geuinge thankes as to those which stirre vp thy will whiche is good againste ours which is yll And further assist vs that we may paciently beare all trouble neede pouerty sicknesse slaunder imprisonmente and all other discommodities and acknowledge al these to happen vnto vs by thy wil that our wil may be mortified let vs paciently beare iniuries and take from vs the desire of reuengement suffer vs not to encounter one euill with another nor resist force with stronge armes but graunte thy will whiche hath throwne vs into those euils may satisfie vs that with thankes geuing wee may beare aduersiries Yf any yll come contrary to that wee woulde graunt wee beseeche thee that we iudge not that calamitie to proceede either of Sathan our wicked enimie or of yll men but of thy deuine will whiche dooth Minister all thinges so that it may let our will whereby thou mightest the better raigne and beare rule in vs Graunt that wee may patiently and with ioyfull minde die leaste beinge ouercome with impatience or desperation wee seeme lesse obedient to thy will. Graunt that al members of our body eyes tongue harte hands and feete folowe not their owne delightes but ouercom and constrained may doo al thinges after thy will. Take from vs O Lorde a hardned and vntractable hart free vs from frowardnesse obstinate and stubberne minde graunte that wee may obey thy will that wee committe our selfe wholy to thy iudgement in all things whether they perteine to the body or the soule whether they be momentary or eternall take from vs these horrible vices that wee impeache not the fame of any flaunder anie rashely iudge accuse or condempne them that vice of the tongue I beseeche thee amende in vs And teache that if others committe any euill wee may retaine and hide it to thee only let vs shewe it and leaue it to thy iudgemente that wee may remit what is committed againste vs and let vs take pity vpon them teach vs to know that none can hurt vs but he shal more disprofite him selfe before thee that we may be the rather stirred to mercie then to anger in any thing let vs not reioyce if they be throwen into calamitie which either haue not obeyed our will or whose life hath been little allowable to vs neither lette vs hate their good successe Geue vs this day our daily breade THE breade is our Lord Iesus Christe whiche feedeth and refresheth the soule Thou therfore heauenly father graunt vs this through thy mercie that the life woordes and deedes of Christe with his Passion may be euery where truely preached acknowledged folowed kept Graunt that both his dooinges and sayings may be ensample to vs to the whiche wee may compare our life liue more rightlie Confirme vs that in calamities and trouble his Crosse and passion may strengthen and comfort vs Assiste vs that by his deathe our deathe may be ouercomme in true Faithe that wee may constantly folowe him being our Captaine to eternall life Bringe to passe that they whiche haue taken vpon them the ministery of thy woorde may happily teach with the greate profite of the hearers woorke that those which heare thy word acknowledge Christe and diligently goe forwarde Let it com to passe that the straunge and wicked sectes who teache not Christe be throwen out of his Churche Let the true vnderstandinge of thy woorde so shine in Bishops and Pastours and likewise vpon all Magistrates whether they haue care of the bodie or Soule that beinge illuminate with thy grace they may rightly teache vs and be exsample vnto vs as wel in Doctrine as in pure life Let not the weak in fâ—â—th be offended through the Sinnes of the Maiestrates Pourge vs O Lorde from all heresiâ—s and wicked Faith that wee may be singly and daily fed with one bread may abide agreeable in Christes woordes teach vs by thy grace tâ—at wee may well studie vpon Christes Passion and rightly holde that and let his imprinted steppes sticke and be founde in vs. Graunte that the Ministers of thy Church may treate and vse the Holy Sacrament worthely and to the greate profite of thy Churche And furthermore that wee and all Christians may in his kinde worthely and to his soule health receiue the Sacramente Geue vs peace and concorde take from vs warres contention ambition priuy hatred bloudie hartes vsurping hands and al other kinde of strifes that those thinges which wee haue to the sustentation of our body wee may enioy with thanks geuing Geue vnto thy seruant Elizabeth our most gratious Queene and Gouernoure thy equall guiftes to her estate and dignity with vprighte Iudgememente in all thinges and to all magistrates true faith and single iudgement with loyall mindes to keepe the publique peace that her ioyes and Rule may longe stande and multiply Take from al Subiectes Sedition and disobedience teache vs by thy Holy spirite to order housholde affayres that wee may instruct our Children and Families to worship praise and glorifie thee Graunt O good Father that our childreÌ„ and family fall not into any sin and wickednes neither be ouerthrowen in any daunger or calamity whether it be either of bodie or Soule Comforte and deliuer thou moste louinge Father the captiue the hungry thirstie
inspyre vs with the ferueÌ„t flames of thy loue to consume the festerynge phantisses of our minde conioyne amd knytte the sences poures of our inwarde partes in thee make vs holde in hate al earthly substaunce and transitorie things by thy grace stroÌ„glye to tread down and conquere al motions occasions of sinne deliuer vs most benigne father from all rancore malyce hatred bloudsheding lying backbiting swearing and all suche horryble euils what so euer they be yea from lighteninge and tempeste from murther and battaile greuous plagues and other diseases good Lorde deliuer vs. Finally deliuer vs from all anguish troubles and mishappes emineÌ„t either bodily or ghostly and with thy mighty hand defende our Ritches from abuse our brickle body from corruptioÌ„ our Soule from dampnation euen as beste shall accorde with thy holy will and true glorie of thy Maiestie Deliuer vs Lord from the chaynes of sinne the ropes of Hell and all perill of destruction so that beinge certified in conscience our Prayers worthely of thee accepted and wee deliuered from all assaults of the diuell his wicked craftes and inticementes to damnation and by thy holy spirite assisted may perseuer in this goodnesse wherof thy mercie and kindenesse is true Aucthor to the end of our dayes in holynesse and rightuousnesse to the honour of thy Kingdome powre and glory both now and euer Amen E ENgraue thy Lawes in the deapth of my hart O Lord that beinge instructed in thy coÌ„mauÌ„dements I may serue thee in feare and reioyce in thee with trembling and take holde vpon thy discipline in all thinges Least at any time thou become angrye and I perishe from the right way Amen L LOrde geue me me help from my trouble for vaine is the helpe of Man in thee I haue strength and thou bringest vnto nothing those which trouble me let my soule be subiect vnto thee for from thee proceedeth my patience for thou art my God and Sauiour my helper I wil not depart from thee In thee is my health and my Glory thou arte the God of my healpe and my hope is in thee Amen I I Haue broken thy Folde and wandered long as a lost sheep let me return againe O Lord bicause I haue not forgotten thy commaundementes the misdeedes ignorances of my teÌ„der yeeres remember not Lorde according to thy mercy haue minde on mee For thy goodnesse O Lorde keepe my soule and deliuer mee let mee not be ashamed bicause I haue trusted in thee Turne my heauinesse into ioye cut of my sacke of sorrowes and girde mee with gladnesse that my Glory may singe vnto thee and I shall not be greeued Z ZOrobabell Kinge of Iuda in the deapthe of thy displeasure tasted of thy mercie and receiued by the mouthe of Ageus thy Prophete sweete comforte knowledge of thy fauoure and grace yea after thy determination to destroy the whole Kingdome of the Heathen thy righte hand did preserue him and thy incomparable mercie did choose him for a seale to thy selfe Lord this happy Kinge in thy goodnesse was but an earthly Creature and then coulde he haue no rightuousnesse in him selfe to mooue such thy compassion if it proceeded from the multitude of thy mercies that surmounte the iniquity of the whole world and that thou diddest only vouchsafe to beholde in him the Image of thy selfe Bowe downe thine eies Lorde and beholde the selfe same in mee Certifie my conscience with remission of my sinnes that my sorrowfull Soule be at rest within mee send downe thy holy spirite to remaine with me that I may become with that good Kinge thy chosen seale and seruaunt And so gouerne thy people that I may with them and they with me neuer deserue further then to taste of thy Rod of fauorable correction but that all my labours and studies may euer bend to the performance of thy holy will and discharge of my dutie Amen A ARise illuminate my minde moste benigne Sauioure that I sleape not at any time in deathe leaste mine enimies say they haue preeuailed againste mee They whiche trouble mee will be glad if I be cast downe but I haue fixed my hope in thy mercy Enter not into iudgement with thy Seruaunt for no liuing Creature shal be iustified in thy sighte I will euer looke vpon the Lorde for he shal be on my righte hande that I be not mooued for this my harte is glad and my tongue reioyceth yea moreouer my flâ—ash shall rest in hope Amen B BE thou vnto mee O Lorde in the day time a defendour and in the nighte season a place of refuge that thou maiste saue mee for thou art my strengthe and vnto thee I flie Lord God deliuer me from the hand of sinners and from the Lawebreaker and the wicked dooer for thou Lord art my patience thou art my hope euen froÌ„ my youth in thee I am confirmed euen from my Mothers wombe thou art my protectour in thee shall be my songe for euer and euer Amen E EVer my tongue shall be tellinge of thy ritche mercy and woonderous works O Lorde for thou hast caused mee to passe through fire and water and hast leadde mee into a freashe place thou haste geuen my soule life and hast not suffered my feete to fall According to the multitude of my sorrowes thy comfortes haue made my Soule merye My Soule is like a Sparrow taken out of the foulers snare Thou hast deliuered my life froÌ„ death and my hands from bloud that I may please thee O Lorde in the light of the liuing Amen T THou art iust O Lorde and all thy Commaundementes be true and al thy waies mercy truth and iudgement And now Lorde be mindefull of mee take not reuengemente of my sinnes remember not mine offences neither the offences of my Fathers because wee haue not obeyed thy precepts Geue mee an hart of vnderstandinge and set thy feare alway before mine eyes that I may be obediente in woorde deede and thought to all that is thy will. Lorde geue vnto mee the power of thy Holy Spirite to rule and gouerne thy people commited to my charge in al godly feare and knowledge of thy woorde and that I may be vnto them an ensample in al godlinesse anâ— vertue to the prayse of thy Holy name Amen H HEale me Lord and I shall be healed saue mee and I shal be saued My life cleaueth vnto the Earthe Quicken mee accordinge to thy worde accordinge to thy mercie releeue mee and I wil keepe the testimonies of thy lippes helpe mee Lord so shall I be safe and I will from henceforthe study thy rightuousnesse thy mercies are many O Lorde according to thy woorde restore my health Amen R REgarde my Prayers O thou God of my life leaue me not in the thoughts of euill Deliuer mee from the wicked man let not the foote of pride com vpon mee and to vaine glorie geue mee not take from mee all sinfull lustes lette no desire of vncleannesse take hold vpon mee geue mee
our prayers Finally vvee ought so to moderate our Faithe in Goddes promises that vvee assigne no end time or place to the Maiesty of the Highest but leaue all to his Will. Wisdome and Omnipotencie beinge sure it shall be donne Yeâ— although ther appeare neither place time nor reason hovv it shall bee brought to passe It is sure his deuine vvisdom farre better knovveth and forseeth then vvee Therefore beleeue GOD and referre all to his vvill and disposicion so shall hee bring to passe thy demaund by Miracle if no other vvay it may be As in the people Israell vvhiche beleeued God vvould deliuer them from their Enemies yet appeared there no meane hovv Suddainely he opened the Redde Sea and gaue them safe passage and the Enemies all he ouervvhelmed and drovvned Likevvise the holy Iudith vvhen shee hearde the Citie of Bethulya had taken Counsel and determined that vnlesse God vvithin fiue Dayes vvould send them help they vvould yeelde the Citie to the Enemie shee greatelye rebuked them sayinge Who are you which thus tempt the Lord This communication is not to prouoke mercie but rather to stirre anger and kindle wrath Haue you set a time for the Mercy of the Almighty and will you appoynt a Day in your owne Iudgement This Faith in the holy Woman vvas so vvel accepted of the God of all Victorye that vvith a maruailous meane he deliuered her that she cutte of the Head of Holifernes and preserued the Citie vvith bitter repulse to his vvhole Army Likevvise Paule saith Ephes 3. This is the manner of God that he will do all thinges by a farre other and more better way then we can pray him or vnderstand So vve perceiue our selues to be far inferiour then that vve may appoynt or prescribe in our prayer time or place manner or other circumstance Wherfore cease thou not gentle Reader to praye and refer all to his Diuine will stedfastly beleeuing that he vvill not faile to heare and helpe thee So shalt thou make his brightnesse shine vppon thee procure his tender kindenesse tovvard thee dravve his Rodde the Lot of thy vnbeleeuing from thee and be as Mounte Sion that can not be remooued but stand fast for euer and euer To the stately top of vvhiche blessed Mansion the rather shall thy vvillinge foote be able to ascende if vvith minde and memory thou obserue and imitate the Holy Ambrose who teacheth thus Sit oratio pura simplex dilucida atque manifesta plena grauitatis ponderis non affectata eligantia sed intermissa gratia For the true and acceptable prayer consisteth not in the rablemente of vvordes â—e yet in the vehemencie of voyce but in the stedfastnesse of thy beleife in the beavvty of thy desires and in the pure intentiue thoughtes of thy hart fixed on his Diuine mercies at such time as thou doost pray It auaileth not othervvise thou seke him vvith long laboure of lips thy minde distracte vvith vaniâ—â—es thy Harte in Pilgrymage vvith Worldly carefulnes vvherof if thou make scruple through insufficiencie of this vnlatened Writer let the saying of the Sage satisfie thee vvho telleth mans Prayer to be of perfect value vvhen he acknovvledgeth him selfe to be brickle Clay and Duste humblinge him selfe chalenginge no vvoorthynesse of Vertue to himself but confessing vvholy the good he doothe to proceede of the onely motion and mercie of his Heauenly Maker attributing to him only the due glorie and praise This Iohn vvorthely confirmeth Deus adoratur Spiritu Veritate I say then Non in magnificis amplosis verbis adoratur Whiche lette suffise thee gentle Reader from mee and be eased in farther trouble of my vnlearned stile yet knovv from me hovv hardlie I haue bin distressed in gathering the same to thy behoofe both anoied vvith anxiety of minde by condition of place and of taking my diet vvithout vse of any Tâ—encher beeinge estranged all other meanes theron vvith leathie Pensell of Leade to bringe to thy gratefull Hand this small Quantitie of Spiritual Foode vvhich I hope vvil moue thy humble Nature to allovve thee rather of this my good vvil and trauell In anie learned skill that I offer thee I confes I maie not vvel boast Neither doo I assure thee my selfe not to haue erred I can not chalenge singularitie Yet graunt mee gentle Reader thy pacient peruse and Freendlie correction vvhen my Faults present their number before thy learned vievve so shalte thou free thy selfe from foule Ingratitude and geue me equall paie of my paines Wherin I haue not fedde thee with Sugred sape distilling froÌ„ PERNASSO I hold it an vnpleasaunt discord in Heauenlie Hâ—rmonie not because MERCVRIE bathed him in ARGOS Bloudde do I refuse his ayde but because I am taught by the Apostle that Faithe is not grounded in the bewtie of Oratours Eloquence ne yet in Pride of wardes me vnworthy which do heare with contrite hart and bowed knees appeale to the height of thy mercy and louinge kindnesse to accept my vnequall thankes for the same humbly beseeching thy Fatherly goodnesse that thy holy hande maie still renewe in mee thy former giftes plentuously powred vpoÌ„ me from the Prime of my birth vnto this presente not remembring good Lorde my vnworthinesse of the same nor frailtie of my passed yeares that speaketh against mee but alteringe the ministers of thy wrath into milde mercie Graunt I beseech thee that through the assistauÌ„ce of thy holy Sprite I may be ledde to correct that is amisse and that I may now perseuer in setting ordering and perfourming all my trauelles counselles and studies as best may accord with thy blessed will and cancell the bands of my heauy charge wherin assist me most puisant Prince of all power with thy prudent skil and heauenly grace the I may be truly hable to auance Iustice and to hate wrong and so be found a faithfull Minister ouer thy people In whom plant I beseeche thee thy Heauenly grace and feare with obedience towards thy Minister and kindle in me the loue of thy holy Spirite that I may perseuer in the truthe of thy worde without doubt or wauering to the ende Graunt this oh mighty God of Hoastes for the Merites and Passion of thy deare Sonne my Lorde Sauiour Iesus Christ Amen Eccl. 4. Deliuer him that suffreth wrong from the handes of the oppressour and be not faint harted when thou sittest in Iudgement decide Lawe with Equitie and Iustice with Mercie be fauourable to the Fatherlesse and be in steade of a Husband vnto their Mother so shalt thou be blessed in fight of the Highest and he shal loue thee more then doth thy Father and Moother Eccl. 12. Day and night let the broade Gates of thy bountie be open to the Discrete and Vertuous Set honour alwaies vpon the head of the Lowlie But to the prowde and ambitious keep thy self secret and strauÌ„ge geue not thy breade vnto him least he become mightier then thy selfe nor truste not thine Enemie at any time for like
as Iron cankreth so dooth his wickednesse though he humble him selfe greatlie yet locke vp thy minde and beware of him set him not by thee nor on thy right hande leaste he turne gette into thy place take thy roume and possesse thy Seate Prou. 16. The cheerefull countenaunce of the Kinge is life his louinge fauoure is as the Euening dew Duce Deo. HONI SOIT QV MAL Y PENSE E Encrese Knowledge L Let Vertue guide I In Praier perseuer Z Zelously aske A Acknowledge Sinne. B Beware of Presumption E Enuie no man. T Tender the helpelesse H Hope for Heauen R Remember thy Rule E Encline to Iustice G Graunte gyftes by Defert I In Mercy delight N No Flatterers preferre A Accepte the Wise ¶ Holy briefe and comfortable Meditations or Praiers disciferyng in Alphabet forme the Royal Name of our most Vertuous Soueraigne EXercise mercy set thy Bread and Drinke vpon the table of the poore and hungrie couer the Naked with thi Clothes and these shal deliuer thee from Sinne and Death not suffer thy Soule to com in Darkenesse Zechiel the prophet saith When the wicked tourneth from his vngodlynesse he hath donne he shall saue his Soule With thy Seruaunt Esaie therfore I say oh Lorde thou art a great and fearfull god Thou kepest couenaunt mercy with them which loue thee and keepe thy Commaundements And with thy Apostle Barnabie I acknowledge I haue sinned I haue offended I haue bin disobedient and gonne back yea I haue departed from all thy pathes and Iudgements Lorde to thee belongeth righteousnesse and Mercy to mee shame and destruction for mine Iniquity Yet Lord enter not into iudgment with thy Seruaunt for no fleash is righteous in thy sight neither correct me in thy wrath for then I shal not abide it Haue mercy vpon me oh Father from the deapth of thy mercie take pity vpon mee forgeue Lorde heare my Praier and blotte out mine offences Let thy louing face shine ouer the woorke of thy handes that lieth waste Lord for thine owne sake doo it Encline thine eare and heare me beholde how desolate I am stretch out thy hande and helpe me Lorde I desire to comme to thee and my weakenesse is such as without thy helpe I am not hable to raise my selfe vnto thee Therfore Lord remember thy swâ—â—â—e promises tarry not ouer long strengthen me with thy holie Spirite heare my Prayers wash me in thy righteousnes I cast not these peticions before thee hoping in mine owne Merites which are none but trusting in thy great mercy and sweet promises Wherefore Lorde heare mee and forgeue mee and I shall liue for euer LEt Enimitie passe which seketh Death and Destruction and before thou Praiest forgeue els thou heapest vengeaunce of thy selfe LOrde make thy wayes knowen vnto mee that I may walke so perfectly that no kinde of Sinne ouercome me Thou leadest straight in iudgement and geuest sight to the blinde Thou arte neare vnto them that call vpon thee with faithful harte haue mercie vpon mee heare me and geue me a Hart to praie vnto thee Lay not against me my sinnes past but for thine owne sake forget them I vnderstand not al mine errours my sinnes haue taken holde on mee and of my selfe I am not hable to retourne Sende me therfore thy holy helpe to strengthen mine infirmitie Keepe my mouth and lippes and let the thought of my harte be acceptable in thy sight Permit not the worde of Truthe to departe my breaste suffer not Malice to dwel in my harte Deliuer mee from false surmises and accusacions of men rule me after thine owne will and pleasure Remooue from mee vanities and let not the foote of Pride take holde on me so shall I be free from the greatest sinne Stay and kepe me from euery euill way for in thee I trust it is thou only that canst helpe Looke vnto mee with thy mercies and graunt me grace in thy sight Amen IN Equitie Loue and Truth gather all thy Ritches in the handes of the Poore lay vp thy Almes and these shal defende thy euill fight for the against thine Enemies better then the strength of mightie men preserue thy fauour as the apple of an Eie and rise with thee in the day of Iudgement to pay thy revvarde on thy head IN hope of thy Mercy and Forgeuenesse most mightie and dreadful God whose truthe is vnspotted I am bold to com before thee My truste is good I shal be heard for that thou hast euer bene the true head of all Iustice and delightest in Truthe Denie thy self thou canst not for thou hast promised In what â—â—â—e soeuer a Sinner doth with a broken harte repent his wickednesse at that instant thou wilt cansell the recordes of thy remembraunce and the fowlenesse of his faulte shall remaine no blemish to his Soule Heare mee now therfore oh Maker of Heauen and Earthe I acknowledge I haue sinned and donne vnpleasaunt thinges in thy sight I confesse the misdeedes which rebel against my Soule with Saule saying I haue sinned I haue played the Foole and haue erred exceedingly And with like humble lowley and faithfull harte as did King Dauid who vnfainedly cried out his Sinne and became thy seruaunt So moste Holy in hope of the same hire with contrite hart I sighe and say I haue broken thy Lavves and not walked in thy Commaundementes If I should now recite and number the mountaines of my misdeedes which ouerwhelme my body and that are eger enemies to my pining Soule the day were to short Lord I neede not thy blisfull Seate is aboue the starry Firmament and thou sittest on high beholding what is donne amisse in the Earth belowe My wickednesse that I most secretly haue committed to thy Celestiall eies hath bene manifest Forgeue me good Lorde that my tongue may iustifie thy euerlasting Truthe that others beholding in mee thy manifolde mercies may likewise with mee be ashamed of their euill and seke after thy mercy Woe am I that my hart hath been so long vnacquainted with the Welsprings of thy Truth that my handes haue wrought vnrighteousnesse and heaped sinne vpon sinne Turne away from the sight therof the fulnesse of thy fury Exchaunge the roughnesse of thy rage into meeke mildenesse before thou correct mee most louing Sauiour I am not able to abide thy heauy displeasure if thou chastice mee with thy rodde of Iustice I perish I haue not one good deede to preferre mine offences beare number with the flowers and blossomes of the Spring my truthe is no whit and with vnrighteousnesse all is defiled Forgeue mee oh Heauenly King Forget thou that art the sweete spring of my Soule Geue me thy holy Spirite that it may be with mee and labour with mee to attaine thy blessed fauoure for mine ignorance cannot desire that I ought neither can my feeble force without thine ayde raise me to thy presence Thy Spirite will helpe my debility and make right intercession for all my necessities Thy spirite wil
EStablish my harte oh Heauenly Father in league and loue with thy lawes printe thy Precepts in the bowels of my breast sequestre my minde from all thoughtes studies and laboures that may drawe mee from thee My Soule consumeth in care to be with thee and my bodilie eyes tremble to beholde thee onely because thou hatest sinne and abhorrest iniquitie Alas there is nothing in mee but vnrightuousnesse the examples be dreadfull which declare how greeuously thou hast punnished sinne Thou diddest drowne the worlde for sinne Thou diddest sende fire vpon Sodome and Gomorrha Thou diddest cast forth Adam and his Ofspringe out of Paradice for sinne Thou diddest greeuously punnish thy seruaunte Dauid notwithstandinge his hartie repentaunce yea thou persecutedst Salomon in himself and his Posterity with many other to our example and all for shamefull sinne Lorde sith these examples are true and mine iniquity equall with theirs what should becom of my Soule if I had not a mediatour Christe whose bloudy Passion then appeased thy wrath when nothing els could By his Death I am once redeemed oh God therefore let mee now not be consumed bearing thy Image but graunt the paines of his pitiefull Passion may put out all mine offences With my voyce I will spread thy mercie ouer all Nations my Life shall glorifie thy name and all that thou geuest mee I will acknowledge to be thine with euerlasting praise Amen THe greater thou art the more humble thy selfe in all thinges and thou shalt finde fauour in the sight of God for greate povver belongeth onely vnto God and he is honoured of the lowly TVrne away thy face frō mine vnrighteousnesse Lorde no Creature is cleare in thy sighte If thou shouldest call thine Angelles to the Barre they might not abide the Sentence of thy iust Iudgement I come vnto thee for succour Lorde vnder the wynges of thy mercy receiue me Thou delightest not in any Sacrifice or burnt Offerynges but thy accustomed condition hath been euer to accepte a sorrowful spirite a broken harte Lorde if thy louinge kindenesse be suche I heare presente thee with a heauy hart a broken body a martyred minde and a sighing soule These all appeale to the◠O Lorde for thy mercye and crie out with the Prodigall Sonne saying I haue sinned againste Heauen and before thee washe me therfore with thy ritche mercie not that any good in me doth deserue it but because thou arte God of all mercy and it declareth thy mightinesse to forgeue Thou diddest shew compassion vpon the woman of Canaan for her great Faithe and from the beginning thou hast not reiected the effectuall prayers of a single hart Lorde I geue glory to thy name with the highest thy mercy stretcheth aboue the Firmamentes the sure hope and truste I haue in thy vnspeakeable truthe and compassion is equall with the stronge Faithe of the Cananite woman I confesse my sinnes manifolde But Lorde I know thy mercy and sauinge healthe are infinite Lorde sith thou arte of power to forgeue aboue that I can offende for thy names sake release my sorrowe cutte the sacke of my sinnes make mee strong in thee So shall I liue and all my thoughtes acknowledge thy praise Amen HAppy is the man that hath not fallen with the Worde of his mouthe and is not pricked with the consciēce of sinne that hath no heauinesse in his minde and is not fallen from his Hope HOw mightie thou arte oh God of Hostes in thy precellynge power by Creatynge this Worlde of nothynge wee are taught to know Thou doest gouerne the same and puttest down with thy hand the prowde and traiterous Tiraunt therof Thou destroyest theyr deuises and keepest the raging Sea within her boundes These and suche like declare thy power ouer all The plenty of thy bountifull hand geueth not only of things but also of euery kind of things shewe forth thy louinge kindenesse Thou doest multiply yearely daily these kindes How many seedes good Lorde doest thou encrease of one seede Lorde what manifolde Springes cometh therof These cannot but keepe vs mindefull of thy exceeding Ritches and Mercy Lord if to thy enemies as to the greatest number of the world which loue thee not thy condition be to deale thus bountifully what shall I deeme resteth with thee for thy freendes Truly such blisfull ioyes and rest as maketh me only desire of thee to be desolued from this earthly and vncleane body when thy pleasure is I am the fresh Image of thy selfe the woorke of thine owne handes take mee therfore vnto thee burnish me a new free my Soule from the poisoned prison of sinne that it may geue equall thankes vnto so sweete a Lorde and guide Whilest I abide in this wretched body of Sinne I cannot see thee oh Lorde yea it is a heauy habitacion and depresseth downe sore my Spirite from the familiaritie whiche it els should haue with thee my louing Father Lorde this world and life is a doungeon of Darkenesse a Mountaine of miserable Martirdomes a lewde laborenth of of lothesome Lustes a cankred course of chokinge Calamities being voyde of all vertues to gaine eternall Life Make me therfore stronge to walke vpright in this wretched wildernesse and Arme mee with the guift of thy grace against the power of Sathan my Ghostly enimy Here is nothing where I am Lorde but daily assaultes of Temptations troubles torments carefull calamities contencion for thy woorde horrible hatred and worldly ambition against which Lorde perfect me in knowledge and strong faith and with thy righte hande beat downe mine enimies that thou maist be knowen to be my God Shielde REfuse not the Prayer of one that is in trouble turne not awaye thy face from the needy despise not the sely sewter nor grieue the harte of the helpelesse for if hee complaine in the bitternesse of his soule his prayer shal be hearde euen he that made him shall heare him REgarde in mee oh God the Image of thy selfe thoughe I looked backe from thy Lawes chastice me to amendment but suffer not the work of thy hands to perishe Thou hast created my harte and geuen me a will to order the same so Lorde I most meekely yelde the same againe into thy handes I pray thee by thy holy Spirite so direct my waies counsels and woorkes that they may be of chiefe regard with thee good God the geuer of all mercy suffer not my Soule to perishe through infirmity of my Flesh For thy Sonnes sake and thine owne glory set both nowe and euer his death and Passion betweene thy iuste iudgemente and the perill of my Soule I thirste after thee my God and sith thou feest my hartie desire is to serue thee and liue in thy rule and to dye in thy Faith and fauoure allowe of me and with thy mighty hand assist me Graunte that the Celestiall kingdome of thy grace and mercie euer occupie my harte and worthely purchase me the sweet participation of thy glorious Throne and Maiestie Deliuer
me Lord through thy grace for in al my proper works diuises can be founde no sin◠shielde of defence for mee Cast not away my sorowfull soule Remember the pitifull Passion of thy deare Sonne and suffer it not to perish Guide my feete in the shining light of thy Verity carry mee aloft from the snares of the vngodly and from the traitorous trappes of the malitious saue mee Suffer not thou oh Prince of al power who rulest the heauens and earthe that any canckred or malitious stomacke rebell or increase against me Pardon my cursed crimes release my dyrefull debtes geue mee againe thy grace wrappe vp my woefull woundes that fester in my feeble fleash graffe mee a new with the garnishinge of thy grace so shall thy glorie growe and my gained gladnesse heale my grouing griefes If I deserue the fulnesse of thy furie to fall vpon mee yet as a louing Sauiour rule ouer the roughnesse of thy rage and let thy most meke mercy measure my paine as thou haste donne vnto numbers Graunt most gratious God of all victory that I maie euer haue thy power right hand to be my resident Rocke of refuge Geue gratious eare to my requests be thou my stay in euery storme and peril for all mannes staies are vnsteady Beate downe therfore mine enimies with thine owne hande and Swoorde which arte mine only aide and Protectour geue mee thy grace and I shall neuer cease to geue thee glorye bothe with my tounge and harte shall I ioyfully singe Dominus illuminatio mea salus mea quem timebo Dominus Protector Vitae meae à quo trepidabo Amen ENcline thy harte to mercie delight thy thoughts in equitie and Iustice then shall thy light breake forth as the morning springe and thy healthe florishe thy rightuousnesse shall preserue thee and the glorie of the Lorde shall imbrace thee ENritch me oh God with thy grace illuminate my minde with thy vnderstanding be vnto mee a sure saluacion whom should I feare Truly neither wil I feare anie enimy bodily or ghostly thou being the strength of my life Though innumerable hostes do rise against mee my Spirite shal trust in thee and in my hart will I neuer be afraide Arme mee with thy strength of warre oh God and teache my handes to wage battaile And I shall lay flat the enemies of thy Truthe and ioyfully resiste all those that rise against me My life shall euer declare thy sauinge healthe my soule shall not cease to sing thy praise Thou hast deliuered me from the chaines of Hel and when I haue bene wrapped in the daungers of Death thou hast cleared my pathes of all stumblinge blocks and made thy ritch mercie my candle Lorde if I haue benne vnthankful a broken minde shal be thy Sacrifice my harte shall euer dwell in the place of thanks geuing Spirite still mourne for her vnkindenesse Saue mee Lorde I beseeche thee in the daie of my distresse for thou arte the horne of my healthe the shielde of my glory and bearest vp mine infirmitie Let them be consumed in their diuises that shall worke against me and faile of their force in the houre of their pretence Poure vpon them the Vyall of thy wrathe let them sinke by themselues and saue thy Seruauntes that trust in thy mercy I will honour thee for my sauiour and praise thee for a God aboue all Gods. Amen GOd is gratious and mercifull he forgeueth sinnes in time of trouble and is a defender of them that seeke him with hartie praier and wholie put their truste in his mercie and truthe GVyde my feete oh Lord in the waies of peace and keepe my hands cleane from innocent bloude Lorde geue mee grace to perfourm the tauailes of this Pilgrimage before thee with pure minde cleare conscience that when thou shalt shewe thy selfe towardes euery creature to their deedes I may be ritche in thy mercie and not dreadde thy presence Whilest I treade this wearie laborinthe leaue mee not Lorde to my selfe but graunte mee thy continuall grace for my staffe I am not of might Lorde in my selfe to do any thinge that is good my rightuousnesse and glory stand in thy hande Therfore oh Lorde I appeale to thy mercy and pray thy grace that I may in minde be made strong with thy holy Armoure whiche I desire maye be thy rightuousnesse for my Brest plate firme faithe for my Targette hope of mercy for my Helmet and true knowledge of thy woorde for my Banner so that I may stand here stronge perfite againste thine enemies and in a newe life participate thy ioyes I will blowe thy wonderous name throughe thy people and will praise thee emongest all the faithfull My praises shall haue beinge vnto the farthest part of thy cōgregation and my vowes will I perfourme in the sight of all that feare thee I wil endeuour that the ends of the worlde shall remember themselues and will do my best to turne them vnto thee Geue mee therfore ioyfulnesse of harte rest of conscience continuall comforte in thy worde and trueth and that I may with a thankfull minde aduaunce thy name for euer IN the feare of God who so liueth shall gather his Fruites in a pleasaunt Garden of blessing It geueth the true Honoure Glory Triumphe and ioyfull Crowne IN the multitude of all my sorowes that euer I haue had in my harte Thy comforts oh Lorde haue euer refreshed mee Such is thy louing kindnesse and aboue all thy mercie that if I should stray farther in my vnthankefulnesse mine owne thoughts would accuse me Therfore I do comme vnto thee to be taught thy Testimonies that I maye make thy lawes my delight Truely hopinge of thy grace for my assistaunce I doo meane to make thy commaundementes an Alley of my pleasures to walke in and the Truthe of thy woordes will I weare on as an Armour against mine enimies Guide my fleashly eies oh Lorde least they beholde vanities and my hart in thy rightuousnesse Plucke my feete into the pathes of thy preceptes when they woulde wander printe the remembraunce of thy goodnesse alwaies in the table of my hart and let my power faile to offend thee Heape my handes with sure hope of my Saluacion satisfie my faithe in the forgeuenesse of my sinnes that my fraile fleashe wauer not in thy mercie Temper my tongue oh Lord that it alwaies teache thy testimonies lock vp my lippes that out of my mouth do not proceede neither blasphemy of thy name Hazerde to my soule nor hinderaunce to any Creature Bowe downe thine eares oh Lorde and strengthen mee in these requestes For beholde I bowe the knees of a contrite hart and with assured minde do hope them for thy truthes sake whiche I will euerlastinglye praise NO glorye exceedeth the bewty of a chast life the memoriall is immortall it is Crowned in all triumphe with God and Honoured of al rightuous for it winneth the reward of vndefiled battaile NO fleash is rightuous in
perseuer in thee which art the true way vnto death Builde my sure trust that accustomed with thy promises I neuer waxe old in the exercise of Vertue but forgetting those thinges which are paste I may continually striue to come to perfiter Accept my contrite hart the woonted sacrifice of thy delight and the oblation of these my peticions grauntinge the summe of my requests Blotte out all mine offences for thine owne sake increase thy grace in mee that I may in all things carrie vpright sway and equall iudgement gouerning thy people in the light of thy worde and feare of thy Lawes And daily more and more die to my selfe and liue and be lead by thy Spirite fearinge nothinge but thee then the which nothinge is greater or mightier louing nothing beside thee thē whom nothing is more to be beloued gloriynge in nothinge but in thee which art the glory of al saincts requiring nothinge beside thee which arte the best desiring nothing but thee which art the full and perfite felicitie with the Father and the holy Ghoste aboue the starrie Firmamente to whom be praise both now euer Amen ¶ A discrete and wise woman is an high porcion she honoreth GOD and bewtifieth the worlde vpon her right hande standeth loye and Peace and vpon her left hand Ritches and Honour her Body is the sweete tree of longe life to him that laieth hold on her blessed is he that kepeth her fast EVerye one that saithe Lorde Lorde shal not enter the Kingdom of heauen Therefore confirme my Faithe stronge in thee O Heauenly Father and in my Sauiour Christe quiet my minde with sure hope of his promises and thy Saluacion Destroye in mee the Kingdom of Sinne the power of Sathan the desires of the worlde and the delightes of the Fleashe Guide my feete in the pathes of thy preceptes bringe the conflictinge daies of mine enemies to ende Make mee that am weake in my selfe strong in thee to conquere the force of theire Armes So shall my lippes poure out continuall praise vnto thee O god of my Saluacion and magnifie thy Maiesty worlde without ende Amen L LOoke not extremely what is donne amisse in mee for no fleash is rightuous in thy sight I offer vp my selfe wholy with all my vnsauery and corrupt abuses both in wil and woorkes vnto the flowinge fountaine of thy mercy to be chasticed poullished and washed and made cleane euen at thine owne will and pleasure Wherfore impute not the frailty of my tender yeeres vnto my charge but that thou maist ouercome when thou art iudged Forgeue me receiue me and so arme me with thy holie Spirite that I may treade the rest of my daies with an vpright sway a cleare conscience and a single harte to thy Glory and profite of my Soule Amen I I Liue O God in a most wretched Vale of miserie where cōtinually thy creatures are strained with sinne assayled with affliction tossed with troubles choked with cares infected with ambition vexed with temptacions blinded with erroures ouercomme with vanities of the world and miseraly wrapped in all vntruthe and wretchednesse wherfore O Lord arise stretch out thy hand helpe and comfort mee Asswage my sorrowe assist me with thy Holy Spirite that mine owne substance ouercome mee not this glitteringe vaine world of infinite sorowes and fewe felicities deceiue mee not that Sathan supplant mee not but geue me inuincible power to encounter them patience in suffering them and in thy woorde constancie in perseuering to the ende Amen Z ZEale anger hatred and frō respecte of any persones in Iudgemente Lorde make mee free Arme mee with the patience of my sauiour Christ geue me the Breastplate of his rightuousnesse and the helmet of his equitie Make mee to exercise his Mercy Truthe Meekenesse Faithfulnesse Temperance and Humility Cast out of my harte all that may offende thee and disprofite my Soule Let all worldly things be vile vnto mee for thy sake let me reioyce in nothinge without thee nor loue nothing but to thy glorie So shall my harte keepe thy lawes and my mouthe for euer and euer speake thy praise Amen A ACcepte mee Lorde in the nūber of thy elect behold in mee the Image of thy selfe the worke of thine owne hands remember thou haste geuen thy deare Sonne to the bitter Passion of the Crosse for my redemption Let me not be rewarded therfore accordinge to the deepe sea of my sinnes for then I perishe But for thy Truthe Mercie and deere Sonnes sake correcte mee strengthen mee and imbrace mee yea linke mee so surely to the loue of thy Lawes that I neuer leaue thee and in the daie of my trouble houre of deathe Lorde deliuer mee so shall I liue and glorifie thee through all worldes Amen B BEholde my infirmities O Lord and consider my frailnesse best knowen vnto thee So oft as I shall fall make me lift vp my hart again vnto thee seeke thee feare thee and loue thee and euer to be soary with so stedfast a purpose of amendement that my earnest desire may rightly stirre vp thy mercie and procure mee the assistaunce of thy grace to conioyne mee to all Heauenly thinges to destroye all earthly affections and temptacions that daily plucke mee backe and rebell not sufferinge my soule to liue in rest Against which builde thy feare in my breast true knowledge of thy woorde in my harte fortifie my faith with sure hope of thy Heauenly blisse enter the shininge light of thy woorde so deepe in my minde that all my studies thoughts onely occupied therin my other partes may euer want power to offend the my tongue and lippes euer be singinge thy laude and glory Amen E ENritche my Soule with the continual felowshippe of thy thy Holy Spirite whose deuine humanitie may so temper my grosse substance with trewe condition that alwaies I may seem low in mine owne sight and neither pride nor selfloue ouertake or at any time allure me to exercise the vnseemely pleasantnesse of nature but euer preferringe a pure and chaste life may winne the victory of al vncleanesse and glorifie thee which art the heade and Patrone of al mercy truth and singlenesse whose triumphe my tongue shall neuer cease to aduaunce Therefore most louing Sauiour leaue mee not to my selfe but stande alwaies by mee and with thy stronge hande make my waies sound and perfit and confound mine enimies in their deuises Amen T THou hast saide most sweete redemer Christe that the Mountaines shall remooue and the Hilles shall fall downe but thy louinge kindenesse woorde mercy and truthe shal not moue also that the band of thy peace shall not faile vs Dere Father I beseeche thee for thine owne Truthe and mercies sake remember this thy Promise and Couenaunt graue it so deepe in the inwarde partes of my harte that I may neuer forgeate neyther fall from thee but euer acknowledge thee mine only God and Sauiour Loue thee with all my harte and thy people for
with thy truth and merites of Christes deathe and passion to lay my Prayers before thee requyringe mercy and forgeuenesse of all my sinnes and also the assistance of thy Grace to do thy will all the daies of my life and to obtaine all these my petitions through Iesus Christ thy deere Sonne and my only sauiour to whom with thee and the Holy Ghoste be all Honour power Dominion and Glory for euer and euer Amen A Meditation vpon the Lordes Prayer ¶ Our Father which art in Heauen TRuely thou O almighty father haste iuste cause to execute thy seuere iudgemente vpon vs sinners whiche so often and greeuously moue thy wrath and indignation againste vs but sithence by thy mercy thou dooste not onely pardon but also commaundeste and teacheste by thy Sonne Iesus Christe that wee should holde thee for a Father wee pray thee throughe him that thou wilt geue vs a full and sure truste in thy Fatherly clemency and that we may likewise feele some taste of that security whiche thy Children haue and with ioye call thee Father acknowledge thee loue thee and in all our troubles call vpon thee defende and guide vs that wee may perpetually abide thy children let vs not goe out of thy protection Though we be the children of wickednes yet let vs not holde thee in steede of a seuere Iudge whē thou wilt that wee shall not onely call thee Father but our Father and that wee pray not in our owne name alone but in the name of all thy Children Geue vs therefore an vniforme and brotherly loue that in deede wee may perceiue our selues to bee Brothers and Sisters and thee our generall Father Let vs pray for all the rest no otherwise then Fathers were wont to pray for their children neyther suffer any of vs to seeke his own and forget his brother but taking away what enuie hatred or discord so euer raigneth emonge vs that as becommeth Gods children wee may mutually loue one another and truely call thee not Father but our Father Of our carnall and earthely Father we receiue this brickle body and he is such a one as is subiect to death neither are wee sure how longe he shall remaine a father Furthermore if aduersity happen he can not chaunge that but thou arte a Heauenly Father truely farre better and more Nobler So much more righte is it then that we contempne for thee our Father Countrey Kindred Ritches Fleashe Bloude yea and what so euer is in this worlde vnder the scope of Heauen This also graunt to vs that we may be thy heauenly Children whom thou doest teache that we shall regarde nothinge but the soule healthe and that heauenly Heritage leaste in this carnall and earthly Countrey deceiued stirred vp or letted by ritches wee become heyres of sensuality but truly let vs say our heauenlie 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 worlde scorned taunted and blasphemed when it is applied to those thinges in whiche is no glorye of thy Deitie yea many abuse it imployinge it to sinne and truly that vnwoorthy life in a Christian man deserueth to be called a prophanation of thy holy name graunt therefore to vs good Lorde through thy mercy that wee may beware of all those things by which the honoure and glory of thy name is diminished and purifie vs that the Artes of Magike may be abolished let people cease to enchaunt Diuels or other Creatures by thy name see that all distrust and supersticion perish Heresie and wicked Doctrine also whiche notwithstandinge they preferre thy name yet they deceiue many lette them perishe and be broughte to nothynge graunte that thy people be not deceyued through any outwarde shewe of truthe rightuousnesse or holynesse Suffer not any man to forsweare hym selfe lye or deceyue others by thy name Take from vs O Lorde all false aydes which take vpon thē a shewe of thy name remooue from vs that spyrite of Pryde and vaine glory and the study of prayse and glory Graunt that in all our troubles and euiles we may cal vpon thy holy name yea in the feare of our consciēce and euen when deathe assaileth let vs not be forgetful of thy holie name See that in al our successe both in wordes and deedes wee may praise and worship thee onely and not seeke out of these ours but the glory of thy name which alone possessest al things take from vs O Lorde that most foule vice of ingratitude Plant in vs such good woorkes and life that others may be allured to vs not to our but to thy praise and glory Lorde let not others be offended through the vices or euill workes which yet remaine in vs least thy name for our sinnes should be ill spoken of or not henceforth praised Suffer vs not to aske any thing of thee either momentary or eternall which agreeth not to the glory of thy holy name praise if wee do aske any suche thinge of thee in that heare vs not graunt vs so to liue as becommeth Gods Children that wee seeme not vnworthy of thy holy name Thy kingdome come IN this miserable and wretched life all kindes of sensuall apetide and wickednesse beare rule in vs and the euill spirite head and fountaine of all sinne hath gouernmente But in thy kingdome O Lorde grace and vertue guide the sway and Iesus Christe thy deere sonne true patrone of all grace and vertue holdeth Empyre Thou therefore deere Father fauoure vs with thy grace Geue vnto vs a true constant faith in Christe fortifie vs with a firme hope in thy mercie wherwith our weake and feble conscience may be raised vp from the feling of sinnes lade vs with an earnest loue both towardes thee and al other thy good Creatures Take frō vs distrust desperation and hatred remooue from vs the delightes of the fleash and plant in their steede an earnest studye of chastitie with perfect faith in thee which may worthely winne the reward of vndefiled battaile Make vs free O Lorde from discordes ambition warre and discention and let thy kingdome come and let vs leade a peaceable mutuall and quiet life Graunt that neither zeale anger or other vices with the whiche dissemblinge hatred are nourished raigne in vs but a milde simplicity brotherly loue al kinde of duties contentment and humility suffer vs not to be affected with immoderate sorrowe and heauinesse but let vs feele the pleasantnesse of thy grace and mercie and that in fine all my sinnes may be taken away wee abounding through grace and vertu in good works may be thy kingdome I say our minde our soule with al our strength whiche thou hast powred on vs may obey thy commaundementes and beare thy gouernment and neither folowe themselues the world the fleash nor the Diuell See Lord that this thy kingdome happely begonne in vs may so growe and be increased that wee be not
naked oppressed miserable the comfortlesse widowe the orphane sick and the sorowfull and defende the fieldes and cattell from tempest venemous woormes and wilde beastes Forgeue vs our trespasses as we forgeue them that trespas against vs. GOD will that we patiently beare al things and requite not euill with euill nor reuenge iniurie donne againste vs but that wee shoulde returne a benefite for an iniurie after the ensample of our Father whiche suffereth his Sunne to shine as well on the euill as on the good and powreth downe his raigne both vpon the thankefull and vnthankefull O good Father stirre vp our conscience bothe now and in the ende of our life whiche is greuously feared with the sight of our sinnes and dred of thy â—udgemente make our harts quiet and sure that with ioy wee may expecte thy iudgement when thou shalt iudge for in thy sight shall not any man be founde rightuous teache vs to leane not to our owne good workes and merites but to thy vnmeasured mercie therevnto let vs wholy coÌ„mit vs Likewise suffer vs not to fall into desperation for our sinnes committed but graunt that wee may perceiue and feele thy mercy to be far more ample greater and stronger then our wicked ledde life Be presente with all those whiche are either in daunger of death or afflicted with desperation Forgeue vs and euen our sinnes comfort vs and bring vs againe into thy fauour As thou hast coÌ„maunded so render thou also good for yll vnto vs beate down sathan that horrible false detractor and accuser of our life bothe nowe and at the houre of death and in al other anguishes of our conscience Sathan dothe accuse vs our conscience likewise doth accuse vs But thou Lorde dooest not Iudge after their senteÌ„ce heare not the voyce of our enemies which complain of vs before thee night and day Take from vs thou God of all mercie the greeuous burden of our sinne and conscience that it beinge made ioyfull and confirmed with the hope of thy mercy wee may both liue and die doo and suffer all thinges And leade vs not into temptation WEE are vexed with three kindes of temptation the fleash the worlde and the diuell Wee pray thee therfore O Father to assiste vs with thy heauenly grace that wee truely may be able to quenche the flames of the fleash that wee may auoyde excesse of meates and drink ouer much sleape slouth and idlenesse wherewith the prone fleashe is the rather kindled that likewise with fasting moderate diet and cloathinge our bed not to softe with watching and laboure wee may be made the more apte to good woorkes Helpe thou vs also that wee may fasten to the Crosse of Christe and mortifie that inordinate concupiscence and all other stirringes vnto vaine pleasure that wee may with strong power resist them Plante our hartes in the pleasaunte garden of thy continuall feare sowe the sweete seedes of heauenly grace so deepely in the furrowes of our inward minde that when our outward eies shal behold the rare bewty and work of thy handes in any fayre well proporcioned or semely creature we may not be therwith allured to exchaunge our thoughtes of pure deity through desire to exercise any delicate delight of our wanton fleash but euer geuinge vnspotted Chastitie sway in vs may the rather be mooued to praise thee in all thy creatures Graunte that when our eares are delighted with any sweete Harmonie or melodious sound that we may not applie it to our own plesure but to thy triumph and glory Take from vs couetousnesse and inordinate studie to heape vp Ritches Remooue from vs the study of Glory Power and Ambition suffer not the malice of the worlde to prouoke vs to impatience reuengement hatred dissimulation or other vices Woorke in vs that we hold in hate and despise the deceiptes subtilty lyes craft guile false promises vnthankfulnesse and ingratitude of the world with all other whether they be good or badde that Originall Sinne also which in Baptisme wee knowe and that in this minde wee may endure and euermore encrease Putte from vs the temptacioÌ„s of Sathan that wee fall not into pride and admiration of ourselues being puffed vp with wealth Nobility Power Rule Learning Dignity Beawty Shape or other guiftes so despise others Purifie cleanse vs from priuie hatred secret sclaunder egreenuie and inward dissimulation Make vs to deale iustly carefully truly faithfully freendely and constantely with those that put vs in any trust and wel and equally with all others Confirme and strengthen vs against all temptations and dreadefull assaultes of Death that neither in the General day of accoumpt wee tremble in our hope of thy mercie nor in the summons of death wee fall into desperation but vpholden with firm hope of thy mercy armed with stronge Faithe and inuincible beliefe of thy Saluacion wee may liue in our resurrection participate thy ioyes and reioyce in thy comminge Moreouer wee entirely beseeche thee O Heauenly Father that thou vouchsafe with the carefull eyes of thy mercy to behold and strengthen all them which are assailed with any greuous temptations or weaknesse of Faith. If any yet stand confirme them O God and those which are fallen lift thou vp Let thy grace defende vs all in this miserable life whiche is replenished with so many daungers and bitter enimies that as it becommeth Christian Souldiers wee may be strongly gyrte with true Faith to thee in loyall obedience to our Prince brotherly loue towardes all men and so become coheyres of thy Celestiall Throne and blessednesse But deliuer vs from euill THy gratefull benignitie oh Heauenly father hath once deliuered vs from that most vncleane Spirite and subtil Serpent Sathan the wretched workman of all endlesse woe deathe destruction washed from sinne by thy sonne Iesus Christ and hath chosen vs into the honoure of his blessed Name and Heritage Wherfore cease thine indignation O Lord which iustly wee incurre throughe our daily contempts of thy holy will free vs from the paines due to oure sinnes deliuer vs froÌ„ the flouds of perdition that compasse vs rounde about and the flames of thy furie that our wickednesse hath kindled stay the stroke of thy vengeauÌ„ce that the blasphemie of our tongues hath iustly mooued thy longe sufferaunce to lay nowe vpon vs deliuer our Soule from the deadly wounds of our dissembling lippes take from vs the full corruption of all enuie and hatred keepe our minds from pride and presumption breathe into vs throughe al parts thy loue humility faith hope charitie patience which may bewtifie vs with the beames of thy brightnesse quicken our soules and al the powers therof that they may cleaue fast and be ioyned to thee in Ghostely rauishinges Destroy the force of this our aunciente foe Sathan which alwaies maketh battaile against vs powre vpon vs the greatnesse of thy goodnesse that thy right hand may be gloryfied in vs deliuer vs from all vncleane desires of the fleashe
particularly it come into thy minde Sorrow not out of measure nor suffer suche imaginacions and fantasies take place as though I were so angry that I woulde not be pleased pardon nor receiue thee againe into fauoure for these are the suggestions of the wicked Serpente wherwith he indeuoreth to train thee to desperation whose custome is in the beginninge of his illusions to plucke the remembraunce of me from their harts to promisse my mercie to them that sinne and confirme the security boldnesse obstinacie of an vngodly will but afterwardes finding them declining and that they wil forsake him if by other meanes he cannot procure them to euil he setteth vpon the weak and fearefull mindes with the assault of desperatioÌ„ he perswadeth to vnbeliefe he telleth them that euill custome cannot be ouercom he feareth them with the greatnes of their sinnes coÌ„mitted and like a liar telleth that I will not forgeue sinne But thou my Daughter beleeue him not whatsoeuer thou feelest fall not into desperation This contrition sufficeth that it pitieth thee of mine anger wishing thou haddest not transgressed and determinest not to sinne any more But if thou doo erre yet rise againe yea againe with harty repentaunce purpose to sinne no more if thou fall the third time yet rise againe if the fourthe or fift time yea lastly if thou fal seuenty times seuen times so ofteÌ„ returne to mee and I will receiue thee Is it not better that I should receiue thee then lose thee together with all my labours and paines which for thy redemption I haue suffered let nothing O Daughter call thee away O Daughter let nothinge keepe thee from mee which arte redemed with my bloud though thou haue geuen thy selfe to the Diuell denied mee an hundreth times taken my name in vaine spitte at me slaundered my holy woorde onely be sorye from thy harte that thou hast donne this and I will forgeue thee Lette no offence be so greate in thine eies that it pluck away the hope of pardone no sinne so ponderous that it mai be able to ouercome my mercie I make no difference whether froÌ„ fewe or many sinnes I deliuer thee all haue neede of my mercie whiche floweth aboundauntly to euerie man faithfully askinge it Thy wickednesse cannot exceede my mercy the more thou hast sinned the more willingly I forgeue thee being perâ—tent for the greater the sinner is on whom I bestow my compassioÌ„ so much the greater is my glory I am not hard nor sparinge but liberall and bountifull to thee my Daughter if thou only haddest committed all the offences that be and I forgeue them my mercie is no whit the lesse There is peraduenture some other thinge that feareth thee yet when thou wert ouerpressed with sin that whiche thou diddest then willingly commitâ—e now against thy wil art compeiled to beare whatsoeuer vnwillingly thou sufferest shall not damne thee nor spoyle thee of my grace for sin muste be so voluntary that if it be not voluntary it is no sinne bridell therefore thy will from consentinge and then suffer the Fleashe and the Diuell to rage and though by thy former life and conuersation thou hast deserued yll yet because thou truely repentest therof and dooste studie to liue better thou shalte not be guiltie of that thou sufferest so thy will consent not And if at any time the diuel suggest thee with blasphemous or cursed thoughtes against me and my Holy ones be not therfore troubled or fainte harted For so long as thou hast not voluntarily erred or performed consente thou dooest rather suffer then do offence wheÌ„ these things bring thee rather heauinesse and affliction theÌ„ delights they are no way to be feared but I suffer thee to feele them and they to molest thee that thoâ— mightest be rather therby deâ—â—led Therfore truly the Diuel stirreth vp those thinges that whilest thou go aboute to resiste them thou mightest be hindered and letted from the taste of my loue and beinge so muche astonied fearest to come to mee For he reioyceth wheÌ„ thou wallowest in doubts and troubles but thou Daughter feare no such thinge looke not towarde them answeare them not striue not against them nor take any heede to them But rather as one vntroubled goe forwarde in thy exercise passing by and contemning suche chaunces as the barking of dogs and hissinge of geese For if thou wouldest renewe dispute feare and descusse them thou dooste alwaies more printe them in thy minde and tangle thy selfe in greater trouble The penitent Soule after it hathe taken somme knowledge and taste of my goodnesse considering that I am so good and so mercifull and finally that I am so slow to impute sin that I do not onely pardoÌ„ it but also receiue him into my fauour and freendshippe as though he had neuer sinned I comfort him and bestowe on him guiftes Thus whilest the afflicted conscience dooth meditate yea euen of his fall I say he getteth to him self a great occasion of feruentnesse and thankfulnesse towardes mee a farre greater occasion of hatred and displeasure towards him selfe whilest he rigorously accuseth his owne follie for despisinge mee a God so mercifull vnto him as whome iustly I mighte bothe condemne and destroye I spare comforte and deale bountifully with so that how much the more he perceiueth mi mercy to him so much the more is he moued with greater zeale of Iustice against him selfe and in a manner desireth to be reuenged on him felfe for the contempte of mee wherby it commeth to passe that he doothe not onely desire pardon and reconcilation for his sinnes but suffereth the dignity of my Iustice humbleth him self and punisheth him self because he hath wickedly lift vp him self against mee Whereof proceedeth that how mutche the more he perceiueth him selfe comforted of mee so mutch the more he abhorreth and detesteth his owne vnwoorthinesse and with sorrowe disdeigneth the enormitye of his sinnes marueiling how he could be so vngratefull to mee As a droppe of water on the burning fire so are the sinnes consumed of that Soule which is come to this zeale that it no lesse loueth my Iustice then mercy Therfore emongst al kindes of repentaunce there is not a better for man then continually to consider my greate loue and fidelity towardes him and contrarily his owne infidelity vngratitude and frowardnesse towardes me The Diuell is so enuious to my Seruaunts that he omitteth no time in tempting them and euen when they are aboute to repent bewaile their sinnes he chiefly casteth in doubts causinge them againe and againe to confesse their faultes that therby mighte neuer attaine to any quietnesse but distrust all their confessions when they finde any circumstaÌ„ce or offence neglected whereof they haue not made mencion But beware O my Daughter thou fall not I am thy Confessour It is onely I that can ease thy burden cure thy wounded conscience and refreash thy hungrie Spirite O how it greeueth me to se thee alwaies conuersaunt in corruption be troubled in
recoumpting thy sinnes to him that cannot forgeue thee Wherefore cast thy selfe on mee only and I will deliuer thee for if a thousand yeres thou wouldest search thy self and be confessed of tenne thousand thou shalt not be clensed Quando enim exhaures Abissum Therefore commit thy self to mee onely I will make thee safe when so euer with all diligence thou shalte goe aboute to confesse thy fault let mee alone with mercy to thee acknowledge that thou canst not cleanse thy selfe say that thou haddest neede of my mercy confesse that thou canst not answeare one woorde to a thousand things wherewith I might charge thee but art in euery worke vnsufficiente and hast neede of my mercie Wherfore trust not to thy confessions but in my mercie for by it thou shalt be iustified And whilest thou art to much conuersante in the care of thy sinnes thou mightest turne vnto mee and enioy my gratious presence Doost thou not note the subtiltie of the enemie To this end he suggesteth thee with the number of thy sinnes and thoughts of thy wickednesse that thou mightest neglecte thinges to thee more wholsome Know thou this therfore chiefly that my delighte is that thou shouldest think of my goodnesse and seeke mee in simplsnesse Thou shalt finde me gentle godly full of compassion and chief in mercy trust in me hope in me seek my fauoure seeke my freendship and familiarity and for the better obteyning of these directe thy exercise in Holinesse Thou shalte vndoubtedly feele a farre more beautifull fruite if thou diligently care how to loue please and solowe mee then by brofinge thy selfe with scruples of thy confessions for deeminge to search out and abolish doubts thou dooste rather engender to thee doubtfuller thinges thou canst not thinke mee too pitifull or mercifull so that thou doo not presume vpon my mercies neither canste thou geue mee ouer much credite Wherfore accustome thy selfe to thincke well of mee and beleeue that I will not condemne thee For truly whoso euer is willing to correcte his life and dispaireth not him will I saue I am well pleased O Daughter that thou arte soarie thou hast offended and that thou wilt not sinne heareafter Now thou art in state of Saluation why fearest thou I am ritch in infinite mercies Thus thinke of mee for thereby thou doost me more honour thē if thou diddest imagine mee cruell and harde or shouldest so mutche feare as though I watched onely to intrap men if this or that doubte or circumstance they had omitted But yet when any great offence commeth to thy minde confesse thy faulte with al humility and sorrowe of harte and desire grace to amend and after rest in peace and cast all the Diuelishe doubtes vpon me I desire thee I am willinge to enioye thy freendshippe I require to be loued of thee se therfore that thou answeare my good will. Vnderstande knowe and iudge thy selfe to be a sinner Say in many thinges thou haste offended that thou art most vngratefull a Rebell spitefull and blasphemous against my Commaundements and will And heareof so much humble thy selfe that thou dare not once lifte vp thine eyes before mee since thou art full of lothsomnesse and abominations Ther be certaine so esteeminge their committed euilles that they are mooued with them either to pleasure and delighte or contrarywise to desperation or some such like inconuenience But thou when thou wilt think thy self a sinner and humble thy selfe shake of the dreames of thy sinnes and turn vnto mee conferre with mee touchinge thy sinnes and infirmities poure out thy complaintes before mee reason with mee accuse thy self to mee of thy crimes committed so shall thy accusation of sinnes be conuerted into Prayer Wherefore when thou hast turned to mee pleade thy cause in Praier for by this meanes thy conscience shall be made cleare and quiet thy affection also to mee directed shall be by mee inflamed But now of Satisfaction for Sinnes Imbrace this counsell That what so euer thy hande is hable to doo that instantly woorke yet not with that minde or to that ende as though therewith thou couldest make Satisfaction for thy sinnes for to the accomplishing of this thou oughtest to thincke all thy woorkes too vnwoorthy and farre vnable But do that thou canste euery way to please mee whom thou haste offended desire mee that with the merites of my passion and most holy life I wil pullish thine offences and satisfie my Father for them This humility this sure truste in mee with which thou debasest thy selfe and thy woorkes and extollest mee and my merites excelling the woorkes of thy satisfaction since that one droppe of my bloude is of more valewe to Satisfaction then al mannes desertes whiche hathe already made satisfaction for the sinnes of the whole worlde Such humilitie allureth mee to thee and causeth me to communicate with thee the treasure of my merites Wherfore let this chiefly be thy studie which thou neglect not my good pleasure continually to thinke on mee desire mee loue mee and what so euer I commaunde and will that diligently perfourme then if thou haddest infinite heapes of sinnes I will forgeue them al as freely as if thou haddest but one neither is it lesse easie for me to forgeue many thē fewe It is a maruailous thing that I wil say but yet most true and certainely to be beleeued if the whole worlde weare a fiery Globe and in the middeste of it were throwne a bundell of flaxe this of his natural effecte should not so soone receiue the flame of fire as I will receiue the repentant and sorowful sinner to mercie for in that naturall acte is required some tariance through very litle and peraduenture not to be perceiued but heare is no tariance at all betweene the penitente and him that forgeueth betweene the sorowfull and him that heareth the sighes Thou therfore Doughter reiecte all inordinate feare desirous to please mee with thy holy harte studie to be Holy for I am holy willingly offende not though in neuer so little or lighte a thinge but shunne the occasion so much as in thee lieth wisely withdraw thy self from the society of mans superstitious communications and from vnprofitable and euill occupations be not Solitarie be not Idle spende the time thriftily to my Honour occupie thy selfe in readinge the Holy Scriptures where thou shalte finde my life and Passion plant in thy harte my trouble Crosse and persecution walk before me in Holinesse with feare and reuerence perswadinge thy selfe that I am neuer absente from the Godly but do instantly hold thē diligently bridell and kepe thy sences and tongue if thou loue much babling thou cāst not profite imbrace sobernesse and reasonable continences shunne vanitie and the pompe of pride sensualitie and vnlawfull pleasures see thou followe not but diligently endeuoure to keepe thee vndeflied sighte couragiously againste vices and faithfully pray to me that thou maist breake and ouercome the wicked passions and inclinations doo asmuche as thou art able
with such singuler varietie of liuing Creatures Trees plants Fruites and all other thinges then the fabrication of so many pure Celestiall Soules So that who durste be bolde to affirme had not the Prophet manifestly spoken it that the mercies of God doo excell the glorie of his handiwoorkes Holy Scripture somtime termeth the mercie of God greate somtime to great and sometime it amplifieth the force therof by the name of multitude or number The Kingly Prophet Dauid in one selfe place comprehendeth both the greatnesse and multitude of heauenly mercie saying Haue mercie on mee O God after thy great goodnesse accordinge to the multitude of thy mercies doo away mine offences Wheare great iniquity is there needeth muche compassion If thou but weighe howe heynous the offence of Dauid was thou wilt acknowledge the greatnesse of Goddes goodnesse If thou consider how ofte he offended in that sinne thou shalt se the multitude of his mercies That God whiche is our Kinge our Father our Maister our spouse prescribeth no determinate nuÌ„ber of offences but as oft as throughe true repentaunce wee return to him he forgetteth and forgeueth the punishment whâ—ch he threatneth to vs he enterteineth vs emongest his Familie leadeth vs into the chaumber of his loue and receiueth not vs onely but forgetteth our offences He bringeth the lost sheepe vpoÌ„ his shoulders to the staules and biddeth the Congregation of the chosen to his reioysinge He goeth to meete the Prodigal Sonne returning froÌ„ his longe and lothsom iorney and putteth a Robe and a Ringe vpon him and commaundeth the fatteste Caulfe to be killed for him What other thinge doothe this signifie but the immense or as I may say the ouermuch mercie of God It is no meruaile though his mercie excede which loueth vs so exceedingly Paule feareth not to write thus to the Ephesians We are saith he by nature becom the Children of wrath But God which is ritche in mercie for his tender loue wherewith he loued vs when wee were deade to sinne hath raised and reconciled vs againe to Christe S. Iohn in his Gospel more plainely expresseth the maruailous loue of God our Father towardes vs saying So God loued the worlde that he gaue his onely begotten Sonne that who so beleeueth in him shoulde not perishe but haue euerlasting life Wherunto Paule aptly agreeth He that spared not his onely Sonne but gaue him for vs all hath he not geuen vs al thinges togeather with him This so great loue this so great kindnesse doth it not worthily appeare vnmeasurable because wee haue nothinge whiche wee haue not freely receiued of god What so euer wee doo what so euer we possesse it commeth by the mercie of God Yea it is the mercy of god that made the Angelles and created the worlde If he had wroughte it to himselfe his power and policie might haue ben praised but sith to our vse he hath framed al these thinges shall wee not acknowledge his mercy to be maruailous For whome haue the Celestiall Ayres their course to whome lendeth the sunne his beames by day the Moone with the Starres their brightnesse by nighte but for Man For whose vse made he these thinges of nothing For whose sake but for mannes onely doo the hanging Cloudes geue their shade and bedewe the pleasant fieldes Why blowe the windes why flowe the Riuers why spreade the Springes why encrese the Seas but for the vse of manne Who reapeth the commodities of the fertle earth which engendreth so many liuinge thinges suche wealthy store but manne Ther is nothing that God hath not made subiect to man onely he woulde that man should be obedient vnto him Many times our mercifull God sendeth aduersity either to cleare vs of our transgressions or to deterre vs from sinne or to minister occasion of weldooing Thus was Abraham tried so was Iob prooued with many miseries thus is euery one whiche liueth in Iesu Christe tried in this world with sundry afflictions as the Gould with the fire where are those that murmure againste God when either infirmity of health or deathe and losse of wife and children or decay of worldely wealthe happeneth to them nothinge knowinge that these are the manifeste signes of a mercifull god Let vs geue eare to the counsel of Salomon My sonne saith he despise not the woorde of God nor forsake his correction For whome the Lorde loueth he chasteneth and delighteth in him as a Father in his sonne The Apostle Paule hath the like saying to the Hebrewes Whom the Lord loueth he correcteth and rebuketh euery Childe that he receiueth Then by Paules counsell when any storme of aduersity ariseth let vs stand fast in the Truthe knowinge that he offereth him selfe to vs as to his children like a mercifull god If the loue of God lend vs prosperity let vs geue him thankes and be carefull that wee abuse not his bountie It miserie oppresse vs let vs neuerthelesse geue thanks to him and commit our selues to his Iudgemente To obtaine healthe thou geuest thy selfe vp to the Phisicion thou yeeldest thy selfe to the Coarde Sawe and searing of the Chirurgion And to enioy euerlasting health feareste thou to trust thy Creatoure thy Maister thy Father and onely Sauiour Thou darest not say to the phisition thus and thus cure mee And wilt thou prescribe to God the meanes of thy sauinge health Let euery one of vs descend into the deapthâ— of his conscience let vs consider how oft and how greeuously we haue offended God how his benefites are defiled with our iniquities and so wee shall see how much wee are indetted to his infinite mercy which hathe borne with our frailty so gently which by so many meanes calleth vs to repentaunce whiche so wâ—â—lingly pardoneth the penitente and conuert Truly he is greatly to be lamented which refuseth the fountain of euerlasting life and neuer by repentance returneth whence he departed The Prodigall childe straied farre leaft and forsooke his Fathers house and yet returned Peter was farre gone when he denied his Maister thrise but yet remembringe the woordes whiche Iesus spake to him he recaÌ„ted and wepte bitterly How gently dooth the Lorde in Hieremie vnder the person of the wife which hauing forsaken her Husbande gaue her selfe to euery man call his people to repentance Return my children be conuerted saith he because I am your husbande But oh wretched is the man that stoppeth his eares at this voyce of the Lordes To daie saith the Psalme if you heare my voyce hardeÌ„ not your hartes This is our daie as longe as wee liue in which the Lorde ceaseth not to call vpon vs to repentaunce offering vs prepared pardon God him selfe in Ezechiell dooth not onely promise remission to him that forsaketh his euill but voweth obliuion of all his former offences For after he had reckened all the erroures which man fell into he added If the wicked man will be soary for his sinnes keep my commaundements and doo the thing that is right he shall liue and not die
and I will not remember ought that he hath donne Haue I pleasure in the death of a sinner saith the Lorde God or rather woulde I not his conuersion from his euill waies that he might liue And againe he saith Returne and repente you of your faultes and your iniquitie shall not preuaile against you Caste awaie euil cogitations and take you a new Spirite And why wilte thou die O House of Israell I will not the deathe of a sinner returne and thou shalt liue O wretche why despairest thou sithe to this ende God sente his Sonne into the Earthe that thou mightest haue comforte This is the loue of God wherof Dauid speaketh saiyng Wee haue seene thy louinge kindenesse euen in the middest of thy Congregation Be early at the Chuâ—ch occupied in praier abide in the Apostolike faithe beware of Idolatry imbrace the louinge kindenesse of God who crieth vnceassantly I wil not the death of a Sinner but rather he conuert and liue Harke to this sweet Oracle shake of the drousinesse of errour and rise with Christ that thou maiste liue in him Marke how liberally he promiseth At what hower so euer a sinner shall repente I will put all his wickednesse oute of my remembraunce He hath no respecte to the nature of thy faultes he forceth not the greatnesse or number of thine offences repent but as thou oughtest he wil blotte thy wickednesse out of memorie That our prayer may be more acceptable to God the Prophet Osee telleth vs how wee shoulde pray Returne vnto the Lorde and say to him Lorde take away mine iniquitie receiue if I haue any my goodnesse and I will geue thee the batlinges and Sacrifice of my lippes Let vs reuerte that haue shamefully erred to him which taketh away the sinnes of the worlde and let vs say Take awaie from vs the euill which wee haue donne and accept this good what good Euen the Sacrifice of our lippes wee geue thee thanks mighty God to whom wee owe all that wee haue Take from vs which is ours accept of vs the which is thine owne Returne saith Ioell to your God because he is louing and gratious long suffring and of much mercy ready to pardon mischief Though the waight of sinne astonne thee yet let the mightinesse of Gods mercy vpholde thee which the Prophet doothe many waies exaggerat God saith he is gentle whiche he addeth that wee shoulde not dispaire of pardon God saith he is gratious that wee shoulde vnderstande how he not onely helpeth vs but that he pitieth oure miseries And thinking not this sufficient he adioyneth Long suffering And yet art thou doubtfull sinner Harken then what foloweth And of great mercie If thy faultes be many care not great is the goodnesse of God. What remaineth now but that thou turne and goe to him that inuiteth thee Thou wilte saie the horrible threatninges of punishmente feare mee Geue eare and mark And he is ready to pardon mischief that God which is so often stirred to anger of his owne accorde mooueth thee to repentaunce calleth thee to forgeuenesse forgetteth his threats denieth thee the tormente of hel in steede of punishmente geueth thee his blessing not onely turneth to thee that repentest but wilingly goeth to meet thee and embraceth thee This is it which was promised by Zacharie Turne vnto me saithe the Lorde of Hostes and I will be conuerted vnto you What meaneth he by Returne vnto mee that is acknowledge thy weakenesse and aske mercie And what is meant by this And I will be conuerted vnto you That is of a reuenger I will become a healper I will assist your indeuours and looke what throughe your owne strengthe you can not bringe to passe thou shalt attaine to by my fauoure No man can freely hate his owne sin vnlesse God mollifie his stoany harte geue him a fleashly hart vnlesse for a defiled conscience he make a cleane hart vnles for a corrupt soule he renewe a right spirite in him Peruse Reade vnreade the conuersation life of Christ there thou shalte finde nothinge but of his euerlasting mercy towardes all men He freely healed the sicke fedde the hungrie deliuered them that were in daunger cleansed the Leapers gaue sight to the Blinde restored the Lame cast out Diuels raised the deade to life and pardoned the wicked Search again the vniuersall discipline of God what other thinge conteineth it then the maruailous compassion of the Almightie Doth he not inculcate into our mindes by Parables to the intente wee shoulde not fall by any meanes To that ende serueth the parable of the lost sheepe which was brought againe on the Sheepeheardes shoulders the Parable of the lost and found groate of the hole men that wanted not a Phisition of the seruaunt to whom his debts were forgeuen of the Publicane and the Pharisey of the broken man whom the Samaritane cured of the good stewarde towards his dettours and of the crafty Stewarde towardes his Maister of the Prodigall Childe taken againe into fauoure As touchinge the bare name of the Gospell doth it not promise mercie Yes it geueth lighte to the Blinde libertie to the Captiue Health to the broken and laste of all a gratefull gaine to the Lorde who thirsteth nothing but the Saluation of sinners Likewise the name of Iesus that is of a sauiour what els doth it promise to the sinner but mercie and blisfulnesse If he had come representinge the Maiestie of a Iudge there had ben som cause why euery one mighte haue feared but knowinge him to come as a Sauioure dooste thou dispaire Saluation for the surer hope of Saluation the Sonne of God suffered death and offered vp him self a valiaunt Sacrifice for the sinnes of manne And hanginge on the Crosse praieth for his persecutoures and thinkeste thou that he will deny thee the forgeuenesse of thy sinnes that dooste acknowledge thy wretchednesse and craue remission Trust him that is mercifull and thou shalte finde compassion A sure hope obtaineth any thinge at Christes hande who so mistrusteth the Phisition hindreth his owne health The wooman of Canaan cried and her Daughter was cured The Centurian beleeued and his Seruaunte was made whole againe The Father praied and his Sonne was cleansed of the foole spirite The Apostles cried out Healpe Lorde for wee perishe and they were deliuered And wee see that in diuerse he hathe not respected the Prayers of the mouth but onely the Faith. He did but perceiue the faith of the people and saide to the sicke of the Palsie Be of good cheere my sonne thy sinnes are forgeuen thee The Mother and her companions do but weepe and her sonne is raised from deathe to life Martha and Mary did but mourn and Lazarus was reuiued Mary the sinner bewaileth he annointeth her kisseth her and saithe Thy sinnes are forgeuen thee He sufficiently asketh that confesseth his infirmitie he asketh effectually that lamenteth and beleeueth The woman troubled with superfluity of bloud secretly touched the vesture of Iesus
not ouer to an vnshamefast obstinate minde but correct mee in thy mercie for into thy handes I committe me Amen E ENter thy Iudgementes in the tables of my harte destroy my affections with thi loue send thy wisdome from the holy Heauens and from the seate of thy maiesty that she may be with mee and labour with mee that I may knowe what thing is acceptable before thee and may Iudge thy people rightuously and deserue betweene good and euill G GRatious Lorde thou that arte the most hie God aboue al the yearth long suffering and of muche mercie sorowinge the sinnes of man and of thy greate goodnesse haste promised to the penitent remission of sinnes Lorde I haue sinned my iniquity is multiplied aboue the sandes of the Sea and there is no hope of life in mee bicause I haue sturred the to anger in multiplying offeÌ„ces before thee And now Lorde trustinge in thy mercy I bowe the knees of my hart beseching of thee goodnesse distroye mee not together with mine iniquity for the dead whose Soules are out of theyr bodies can neither prayse nor thanke thee but the sorowfull hart and the thirstye Soule ascribe praise vnto thee O Lorde I powre my Prayers before thee and require mercie in thy sight saue me which am vnworthy and reserue not eternall punishment for me for thine owne sake I aske it and will prayse thee al the daies of my life AmeÌ„ I ILluminate my hart O Lord with the lighte of thy woorde leade mee Lord in thy way and I shall enter into thy Truthe printe thy feare in my hart that I may reioyce in thee lette thy woorde be a Lanterne vnto my feete and a light vnto my paths So shall I not erre from the right way but walk with an vpright harte a cleane conscience and single eye before thee this day and euermore Amen N NEuer will I cease to call vpon thee moste mâ—ghtye God of Hostes whiche fittest vpon the Cherubins and haste dominion ouer al the kingdoms on the earth Thou which madest the Heauens and all things comprehended in them bowe downe thine eare and heare open thine eyes and behold saue mee from the hande of mine aduersaries suffer no euill to happen vnto mee that al the people may know that thou alone arte my god Amen A ASsist me O Lord my God with thy Heauenly grace and renew in mee a righte Spirite that I may receiue strength and ablenesse to doo thy rightuous will and to stand against al the assaultes of wilie Sathan that they may haue no place in me but that the Old man which I beare about in my body may be crucified and daily die in me that the desire of sinne erroure of worldly vanities may vtterly be destroyed that I may euermore be renewed in the Spirite of my minde that the life of my Sauiour Christe may alwayes appeare in mee To whome with the Father and the Holy Ghost be all honoure triumphe and glory for euer and euer Amen IOAN I. SI confiteamur Peccata nostra Deus fidelis est iustus vt remittat nobis Peccata nostra emundet nos ab omni Iniquitate Si dixerimus quoniam non peccauimus Mendacem facimus cum Verbum eius non est in nobis IOSVE Fili mi da GloriaÌ„ Deo Israël confitere atque indica mihi quid feceris ne abscondas AGVSTINVS Confessio est salus animarum dissipatrix Vitorum restauratrix Virtutum expugnatrix Daemonum Quid plura Obstauit Os Inferni Paradisi Portas aperit Cassidorus super Psalm 77. O beata Confessio quae aeternum tollit opprobrium Nam quicquid Reatum inuenerit Poenitentia perpetuis Seculis reddit Absolutum An inward speache vvherevvith Christ dooth comfort the Soule of the sinner desiringe to liue better Gathered out of the works of sundry holy Writers I Loue them saith Christe that seeke mee and my delight is emonge the children of meÌ„ Sic dilexi Mundum vt in mortem datem animam meam vt non periat sed habeat vitam aeternum quicunque in me crediderit I haue so loued the worlde that I gaue my selfe vnto death that who so euer beleeued in mee should not perish but haue euerlasing life O thou Soule O Daughter I haue laboured hungred thirsted I haue bene despised and suffred persecution for thy sake I am wounded for thine iniquitie I am weried through thy wickednes I am dead for thine offences and risen again for thy iustification the loue whiche I beare to thee hath forced mee to doo and suffer all these thinges and to make choyse of thee for my childe Wherefore amende thou and returne to mee washe thee in the bloud of my wounds and deck thee with vertues and merites of my life All these thinges I willingly geue thee nay rather as a most louing father offeringe these thinges I runne to imbrace thee and receiue thee with imbracinge and kissing alluring thee to loue me againe return Daughter and be cleane Praebe cor tuum mihi quia praeter hoc aliud abs te non desidero Be sory that thou hast sinned bicause thou hast offended mee or at the leaste sorrowe because thou canst not perceiue thy selfe pensiue for oft it cometh to passe that it better pleaseth mee and is more profitable to man to haue a wil to be contrite and deuout then to perceiue contrition or deuocion Because this contrarye desire of willing and vnwillinge engendreth affliction of minde Therfore be sory and angry with thy selfe yee iudge thy selfe woorthy to be damned bicause thou hast sinned and art not sory as thou oughtest This contrition although it be not sensible yet it is such though thou suffer persecution as will bring thee to health eternall for I knowe your miserye your weaknesse and necessitie so that in no wise a willing mind ought to dispaire what soeuer oldenes or coldenesse of conscience he feele But you wil say I haue coÌ„mitted innumerable offences how shall I perticulerly sorrow euery one of them O my daughter needest thou comfort let only truthe comfort thee if thou hast many sinnes haue also one generall contrition in the whiche thou wilte include all and euery offence so that there be no sinne whiche althoughe it came vnto thy minde wouldest exempte froÌ„ thy penitencie and whiche thou wouldest not eschewe forsake For this generall contrition extendeth it selfe to all and euery offence yea vnto those whiche thou haste forgotten and canste not remember neither doo I require that you should necessarily haue for euery offence seuerall contritions accordinge to the number maÌ„ner of your sinnes for thus I haue spoken of Mary Magdalaine I haue forgeuen her many offences for that she loued much I saide not bicause shee loued oftentimes neither coulde this Magdalaine in so suddaine a compunction be otherwise sory then for all togeather Thou likewise so be sory for all that there be no sinne which may delight thee whether generally or
and immediatly she felt the force of his mercie We Reade also of many others that weare healed by touching his garment so neuer vnprouided is his goodnesse and at all times he geueth comfort to the weake If thou be afraide to call vpon Iesus if thou canst not come vnto him yet at the least touch the edge of his garment Read the Scriptures folowe the doctrine of the Apostles for by them he often sheweth his vertue and telleth of thy sauing health O blinde and vnthankfull whiche despise the grace of God so ready to be obtained But oh thrise wretched whiche despaire in that whiche is willingly and freely offered he is easily pacified that is reuenged against his will. What other meaning hath this Phrase but that the Lord leaueth no way vnsoughte for to bringe vs to Saluation and wee wittingly forsake the hope of Saluation And why wilt thou die O house of Israel with teares he lamented Hierusalem which heaped vengeaunce vnto it selfe by their malicious erroures O Hierusalem saithe he howe often would I haue gathered thee togeather as the Hen gathereth her Chickins and thou wouldest not Our humble Sauiour weepeth bicause he may not saue vs miserable sinners and we despare in him as though he woulde not saue vs All the House reioysed where the Sonne whiche died was reuiued and receiued again that perished That good Father calleth the company of the Heauens to reioyce ouer the penitent sinner and thou wretche despairest enuiynge bothe thine owne safegard and the gladnesse of god Shall we beleeue that he wil not pardon malefactours who lamenteth the deathe of a sinner and reioyceth at the conuersion of the penitent He calleth al men to the marige Feast he would haue his house filled with straungers maketh the Blinde and the lame to com in And why staiest thou Caitiffe Why forsakest thou not thi swinish Soyle why striuest thou against the mercy of God there can be no greater folie then for vaine and variable thinges to forsake Eternity There is no greater wisedome then for a litle sufferaunce to gaine Immortality Great is their ignoraunce therefore which perseuer in their naughtinesse But greater is the wisdome of those that liue in newnesse of life O what coste wee bestowe what paines wee take in findinge corruptible mettalles and howe little wee care for the treasure of Goddes mercie whiche is laide open and freely offered to vs. The Lorde is ritche in mercy The treasure of worldly wealth may be wasted by profuse expence But the bounty of Gods goodnesse hath no bottome God hath assured his Faithe to man and as Paule writeth he can not denie himself He offereth to be chalenged and reprooued if he hath not perfourmed his promises For thus hee speaketh in Esau to a wicked generation Lift vp your selues and be cleane take awaie the thoughte of euill cease from mischiefe learn to doo good seeke Iudgement helpe the oppressed Iudge the Innocent defend the Widowe and com and reproue me saith the Lorde Hearest thou now wretched man what els requireth our gratious God of thee but amendemente of life And that the enormity of thy haynous crimes may not exanimate thee attend to the ready remission If thy sinnes saithe he were as red as Scarlet I will make them as white as Snowe and if you will harken to mee you shall eate the Fruites of the Earthe O cursed Progeny of Eue why dost thou yeeld to the disceiptful promisses of the Diuell that allureth thee to destruction And art deafe at the Sonne of God which would assoceate thee with euerlasting ioy Repent saith he for the Kingdom of God is at hand The Sonne of God promiseth the Father commaundeth thee the Holy Ghoste inuiteth thee and yet thou arte Scrupulous to receiue that which is offered The voyce of the Apostles is the voyce of God and they crie Repent be baptised in the name of Iesus Christe for the remission of your sinnes and receiue the guifte of the Holy Ghoste Forsake your foule filthy and abhominable traditions and seeke the Kingdome of Heauen There runne vnto Christe Souldiers Publicanes Harlottes Idolaters Mansleares sorcerers bawdes Incestuous persons none are exempted all haue free course to the mercie of God their former life is not imputed to them if they repente and amende their liues Like as the grounde often moystened with Heauenly dewe and yet yeeldeth to his tiller nothinge but thornes and brambles is worthy to be had in contempt and to be geuen to the fire So God many times for the contempte of his goodnesse geueth sinners vp to their reprobate sense Wherefore it is beste to leaue of procrastination of amendment of life and when the Lord calleth vs to cast of the Olde man with his deedes and concupiscences least God which hath bene denied to be harde at the least refuse to heare our complaintes Horrible is the voyce wherewith he threateneth those which will 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 woulde looke because you haue despised my counsell and set at naughte my admonitions I will laughe at your destruction vvhen that shall com to passe whiche you feared when abortiue misery shal com vpon you and the stormes of destruction shal preuente you when sorowe and anger shall possesse and oppresse you then will you call vpon mee and I will not heare They wil rise betime in the morninge but they shal not find me because they haue hated my Discipline and haue bene voide of the feare of God haue not harkened vnto my counsell and haue defied my correction In this life there is hope of mercie Wherfore while thou liuest call for the grace of God and amend thy life The carefull God of our Saluation hathe suffered mighty and meruailous menne to erre that wee by their example might haue comfort and noâ— dispaire in hope of pardon In Holy Scripture who is more commended then Kinge Dauid who was bothe a Kinge and a Prophet a chosen man after the hartes delighte of God out of whose stocke came the Sauiour Christe But into howe many greeuous crimes fel so mighty a man Yet hearing Nathan pronounce the greeuous threatenings of God cried out Lorde I haue sinned And Nathan saide But the Lorde hath taken awaie thy sinnes thou shalt not die God suffered Peter to offende greeuously and yet when he had lamented he obteined mercie When he gaue him charge ouer the sheepe for which he shead his pretious bloud was it likely that he meant to remember the deniyng of him thrise No no he had so freely forgotten it that there remained 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 oughte to mooue vs to sinne let vs not to muche trie God if any man be encumbred with iniquity he hathe examples of repentance let
him not dispaire They doo euill which will not repent with them whome they haue transgressed withall After Dauid had willingly confessed his fault and acknowledged the iuste iudgement of God behold what great hope he conceiued of the mercie of God Sprinkle mee O Lorde saith he with Isope and I shall be cleane washe mee and I shall be whiter then Snowe By the sprinkling of the bloude of the immaculate Lambe he promiseth to himselfe clearenesse too though he acknowledge his conception to be sinfull yet by this washing he hopeth after the whitenesse of innocencie whiche passeth the white of the Snowe And he trusteth not onely in the Innocencie but looketh to see his doubtfull penitencie turned into Heauenly ioy Thou shalt make me heare ioye and gladnesse saith Dauid that the boanes which thou hast broken maie reioyce Geue me the comforte of thy healpe and stablish mee with thy free Spirite O singuler Faithe of a sinner what man hath at any time cried Iesu haue mercie on me but forthwith he hathe obteined grace Take pittie Lorde saithe the woman of Canaan and her Daughter was healed The blinde pore man cried out O Sonne of Dauid haue mercy on me and he receiued sight Let vs hartely zealously coÌ„stantly cal on him in the middest of our miseries say Iesu thou Sonne of Dauid haue compassion vpon vs And of poore impotent beggers he will make vs felow heyres with him of the kingdom of heauen He hath opened the Sanctuary of his holinesse and thou runnest iâ—to the Dungeon of despaire he hathe stretched out his hande to thee and thou turneste away thy face he openeth the gates of Heauen and thou hastest to destruction beholde the bosome of his goodnesse and thou creepest into the Lake of vnhappinesse The Theefe that hunge on the crosse heard him saying This daie thou shalt be with mee in Paradise and thou offerest thy selfe to the Diuell The mercie of God came vnto vs when he sente his sonne into the Earth let vs therfore go to it Let vs incline to him as he did to vs The waie is first to leaue our life For firste the Phisitions vse to purge the bodie that they may minister holsomer Medecines Forsake O thou sinner thy wicked imaginations which fight againste God leaue to lust be not couetous refraine riot flie arrogancie that God may powre his blessinges vpon thee He that persisteth in his wickednes and calleth for grace is like to an enemie which being ready armed asketh peace of his Maister he that asketh receiueth he that seketh findeth and he that knocketh hathe it opened to him if thou wilt desire mercie craue it truly if thou seeke it seeke it in dede if thou knock at the gate of forgeuenesse knocke earnestly If thou require an example of one that faithfully craued the fauour of God Mark the prodigall Childe who leauinge his swine returned to his Father and saide Father I haue sinned againste Heauen and againste thee make mee as one of thy hired Seruauntes Marke the Publicane which for the giltines of his conscience dare not lifte vp his eyes to heauen dare not come to his redeemer but standinge a farre of knocketh his brest and saith Lorde be mercifull vnto mee a sinner S. Hierome affirmeth the offence of Iudas to be greater in despayringe the mercie of God then in betrayinge Christe as Cain stirred God to anger more through desperation of pardon then by the slaughter of his brother Abel Many whiche haue persecuted Christ being conuerted and beleeuinge in him haue obtained pardon and are made examples to man that he ought not to distrust the remission of his wickednesse seeing the death of our Sauiour is forgeuen to the penitente Wilte thou heare saithe Augustine the mercy of God leaue thy abomination and he will forgeue thee Wilt thou see the truth of God doo good and thou shalt be crowned with Iustice God is not so mercifull to vse vniustice nor so iust to be vnmercifull But som man will say men encrease their offences by to muche hope but how much do they enlarge their giltinesse by distrust of Remission If there were no forgeuenesse then thou wouldest rage and say I am wretched I am condemned why is not my luste lawe why shall I not fill my selfe with facietie if after this there be naughte but tormente this woulde be thy sayinge O woorse then despayre it selfe He dooth better therfore that correcteth thee with promise of forgetfulnesse and saithe I wil not the deathe of a Sinner but that he conuert and liue God by his promise woulde not haue sinners to presume but his will is they should not in any wise distrust and therfore he hath made them ignorant of the day of theire death if thou repent present pardon is prouided no day is prefixed Wherfore to conclude if thou haue liued wel till this day and still abidest in this life liue well amend thy life and beholde forgeuenesse and be sure that what he hath pardoned shall not be imputed to thee again which for his mercy he graunte that taketh away the sinnes of the worlde Amen Consolatio NVlla meroris magnitudo nulla angustiarum acerbitas nulla defectuum multitudo nulla scelerum enormitas te ad desperationem nimiámne pusillanimitatem adducat Quantumcunque peccaueris semper Dei misericordia in infinitum excedit tuas iniquitates Quantumcunque infirmus sis semper illius benignitas adiuuare 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 hominem non ad negligentiam vel in curiam sese emendandi neque ad facilitatem peccandi pertrahit sed magis ad conatum proficiendi extimulat ¶ The Aucthours Praier IN the deapthe of thi mercy O Lorde bowe downe thine eies beholde encline thyne ears and heare stretch out thine Arme and helpe for I am thine vnwoorthy Creature and haplesse man that through thy rodde of wrath haue experieÌ„ce of most wretched misery Mine enemies pursue mee with gaping iawes and whetted teethe saying within them selues lette vs now deuoure him for the time that wee looked for is come wee do finde and see it They haue fortified round about me and haue inclosed me with torment and trauel My fleash and skinne are made olde my boanes are brused they haue hedged mee that I cannot geat out and haue laide heauie Linckes vpon me Healpe Lorde thy seruaunt whom thou neuer failedst I cry and call pitiously yet am I not heerde my innocencie is troden downe my life subdewed with false surmises My mourning they daily heare but comforte I finde farre of They haue stopped vp my waies with quartered stoanes and made my pathes crooked They lay waite for me as wild Beares and