thy fauorable kindnes may be the portion of mine inheritance p Psal 16 5. Keepe me as the apple of the eie q Psal 17 8. hide me vnder the shadowe of thy wings because thou art my strength r Psal 18 1. 2. my rock and my refuge Clense me fro my secret faults ſ Psal 19 12. 13. and keepe thy seruant from presumptuous sinnes Send me helpe from the Sanctuarie t Psal 20 2. and giue mee mine harts desire u Psal 21 2. Saue me from the Lions mouth x Psa 22 21. and leade me in the pathes of righteousnes y Psal 23 3. that I may ascend into thy mountaine z Psa 24 3. 4. and stand in thine holie place hauing innocent hands and a pure hart Remember not the sinnes of my youth a Psal 25 7. nor my rebellions Gather not my soule with the sinners b Psal 26 9. neither giue me vnto the lust of mine aduersaries c Psa 27 12. But so fauorablie harken thou vnto the voice of my petitions d Psa 28 2. that calling vpon the glorie of thine holie Name e Psal 29 2. thou do heare me f Psa 30 10. and haue mercie vpon me And so trusting in thee let me neuer be confounded g Psal 31 1. but forgiue the punishment of my sinne h Psal 32 5. Let thy mercie ô Lord be vppon me as I trust in thee i Psa 33 22. and deliuering mee out of al my feare k Psal 34 4. saie vnto my soule l Psal 35 3. I am thy saluation And because I trust vnder the shadowe of thy wings m Psa 36 7. giue me mine harts desire n Psal 37 4. and hast thee to helpe me o Psa 38 22 ô my Lord my saluation Lord let me knowe mine end p Psal 39 4. and the measure of my daies what it is let me knowe how long I haue to liue Incline vnto me q Psal 40 1. 2. and heare my crie Bring me out of the lake of miserie out of the mirie claie and set my feete vpon the rocke and order my goings Deliuer mee in the time of trouble r Psal 41 1. that I may go into thy glorious house ſ Psal 42 4. for thou art the God of my strength t Psal 43 2. Let not my steps go out of thy pathes u Psa 44 18 that I may loue righteousnes and hate iniquitie x Psa 45 7. Be thou mine hope strēgth y Psal 46 1. for thou art a great King ouer al the earth z Psal 47 2. Thou which art a God for euer a Psa 48 14 deliuer my soule out of the power of Hel b Psa 49 59 for it hath receiued me And when thou shalt appeare to iudge vs c Psal 50 verse 1 c. haue mercie vpon me d Psa 51 1. 11. according to the multitude of thy mercies and take not thine holie Spirit fro me O most gratious God 9. in that houre hide thy face fro my sins and put awaie al mine iniquities Create in me a cleane hart 10. ô God renue a right spirit within me That I may appeare like a greene Oliue tree in the House of my God e Psal 52 8 and there with Iaacob reioice f Psal 53 6. and euerlastinglie be glad with Israël Saue me ô God by thy name g Psal 54 1. and by thy power iudge me Hide not thy selfe fro my supplication h Psal 55 1. but be merciful vnto me i Psal 56 1. Send thou from heauen k Psal 57 3. and saue mee from the reproofe of them that would swalowe mee vp Breake their teeth ô God in their mouthes l Psal 58 6. breake y e iawes of the yong Lions ô Lord. Thou art my defence and my merciful God m Psa 59 17 Helpe mee with thy right hand n Psal 60 5. and vnder the couering of thy wings let me be protected o Psal 61 4. when thou art to render euerie man according to his workes p Psa 62 12. While my soule thirsteth for thee q Psal 63 1. hide me from the conspiracie of the wicked r Psal 64 2. Sith al flesh shal come vnto thee ſ Psal 65 2. put not backe thy mercie frome t Psa 66 20. Neither take from me thine holie Spirit but cause thy face to shine vpon me u Psal 67 1. Send me a good passage ô our God which sauest vs x Psa 68 20 that the deepe swalowe me not vp y Psa 69 15. nor the pit shut hir mouth vppon me Be thou mine helper and my deliuerer z Psal 70 5. ô Lord make no tarieng Sith in thee ô Lord I do trust let me neuer be confounded a Psal 7◠◠when thou shalt iudge thy people b Psal 71 2. Lo they which withdrawe themselues from thee shal perish c Psa 73 27 oh let not me oppressed returne ashamed d Psa 74 21 Because thou art a righteous iudge e Psa 75 7. thou makest lowe and thou exaltest and who shal stand in thy sight when thou art angrie f Psal 76 7. Thou art the God that doest wonders g Psa 77 14 As thou nourishedst thy people with bread in y e wildernes h Psa 78 20 21 c. 30. and didest not turne them from their lust so let thy grace refresh me an hungrie soule make hast and let thy tender mercies preuent me i Psal 79 8. And thou my defender giue me the bread of teares k Psal 80 5. and the bitternes of a troubled mind in the time of tribulation and grant withal that from the honie out of the rocke l Psal 81 16. I may taste the sweetenes of inward consolation O God who iudgest betweene the innocent and the sinners m Psal 82 1 who alone art the most high ouer al the earth n Psa 83 18 haue mercie vpon me and giue grace and glorie o Psa 84 11. who hast ordeined a lawe Forgiue the iniquitie p Psal 85 2 of mine hart couer al my sinnes and saue thou thy seruant that trusteth in thee q Psai 86 2 O God who laiest the foundations of thy Church vpon the holie mountaines r Psal 87 1. encline thine eare vnto my crie ſ Psal 88 2. Let thine hand therefore establish me t Psa 89 21. and turne me not vnto destruction u Psa 90 3. but deliuer me from the snare of the hunter x Psal 91 3. from the pestilence and from the plague that destroieth at noone daie that being planted in thine house y Psa 92 13. 12. 14. I may flourish like a Palme tree and grow like a Cedar in Libanon bringing out fruite euen in mine
pure fountane of Gods holie word manie are not a little not onelie pricked forward vnto the reading but also strengthened and comforted much in mind when they doe reade them Which being so I trust thou wilt accept my trauel in good part and at the leastwise reade this booke as diligentlie now being both made perfect corrected and adorned a◠earst thou hast done when it neither had so manie praiers in it by halfe as now it hath nor was so pure fró error◠nor so auctorized with the warrant of Gods word for the comfort of thy soule as now it is And thus I commend both thee and my selfe into his hands who hath not onelie made but also redeemed vs for his owne glorie and praise The tenth of Iune An. 1581. Yours in the Lord THO. ROGERS A right Christian Treatise containing manie holie and heauenlie Meditations written as it is thought by that reuerend Father S. AVGVSTINE Chap. 1. A praier vnto Almightie God for grace to leade a new life according to Gods holie Word O LORD my God a Psal 7 1. 3. Psalm 18 1. 2. giue me grace from the verie bottome of mine hart to desire thee in desiring to seeke thee in seeking to find thee in finding to loue thee in louing vtterlie to loath my former wickednes O Lord my God giue I beseech thee to mine hart repentance to my spirit contrition to mine eies a fountaine of teares to mine hands liberalitie vpon the poore O my King b Psal 5 2. quench in me the desires of the flesh and inflame within my brest the fire of thy loue Driue awaie fro me the spirit of pride c Eccles 23 verse 4. ô my redeemer d Matth. 20 verse 28. Rom. 3 24. 1. Cor. 1 30. 1. Tim. 2 6. and of thy mercie bestowe vpon me the treasure of thine humilitie e Matth. 11 verse 29. Philip. 2 5. 6 c. O my sauiour f Luk. 9 56. Iohn 3 17. Actes 4 10 11. 12. remooue fro my mind the rage of wrath and gratiouslie giue me the shield of patience Plucke euen from the verie roote of mine hart the rancor of malice ô my Creator g Gen. 1 26. 27. Psal 100 3. Psal 119 73. and make me to enioie the sweetenes of a quiet mind Giue me ô most louing father h Matt. 6 9. 14. Rom. 8 15. Coloss 1 2. a sound faith a right hope and a constant loue O my gouernor i Eccl. 23 1. 4 c. driue awaie far fro me al vanitie and suffer me to haue neither an vnconstant mind nor a wandering heart nor a scurrilous mouth nor a proude looke nor a greedie bellie nor a slandering tongue nor itching eares after curiositie nor a couetous mind after riches k Psalm 119. verse 36. nor polling hands to abuse my power nor ambitious motions to get vaine glorie let both curssed hypocrisie and poisoned flatterie and proude contempt of the poore and violent oppression of the weake let both burning couetousnes cankred enuie with damnable blaspheming of thy name be alwaies far from me thy seruant O my maker l Psal 139 verse 13. 14. 15. make a large distance betweene mee and rashnes betweene me and wickednes betweene me and frowardnes betweene me and vnquietnes betweene me idlenes betwene me drousines betweene me and blockishnes Grant that my hart prooue not blinded my senses obstinate my maners sauage but let me delight in goodnes and folowe coūsel neuer loose the bridle to my tong nor cruellie make a praie of the poore nor violentlie oppresse the weake nor vniustlie slander the innocent nor negligentlie regard inferiors committed to my charge Finalie let me vse neither crueltie toward my seruants nor treacherie toward my friends nor violence vpon my neighbours O my God my merciful God m Psal 59 verse 17. euen through thy beloued sonne n Eph. 2 18. Colos 3 17. I beseech thee giue mee grace to exercise my selfe in the workes of mercie and in godlie cogitations namelie to weepe with them that weepe o Ro. 12 15. 1. Pet. 3 8. to instruct such as go astraie p Iam. 5 19. to helpe the afflicted q Math. 25 verse 35. 36 c. to cherish the poore r Esay 58 7. Ezec. 18 7. to comfort the sorowful ſ Matth 25 verse 35. 36. 37 c. to releeue the oppressed to nourish the hungrie to refresh them which mourne to forgiue my debters t Matt. 6 12. Matt. 18 23. 24 c. 35. to pardon them which haue hurt me u Ro. 12 19. to loue them which hate me x Mat. 5 44. 45 c. to render for euil good y Ro. 12 19. 20. 21. 1. Peter 3 8. 9. to despise none z Pro. 14 21. Prou. 17 5. but to honor al a Ro. 12 10. to imitate the virtuous b 1. Cor. 11 1. 1. Thes 3 7. 9. Hebr. 6 12. to shun the wicked c Prou. 4 verse 14. Prou. 11 verse 19. Prou. 24 1. 2. to embrace virtue d Psalme 5 verse 9. to flie sin e 1. Peter 3 verse 9. in aduersitie to be patient f Rom. 5 3. Hebr. 10 verse 36. in prosperitie to be continent to set a watch before my mouth g Eccle. 22 26. and a seale of wisedome before my lips to despise earthlie h Phil. 3 verse 7. 8. and to couet after heauenlie things i Coloss 3 verse 1. 2. Amen Chap. 2. An accusation of mans vnworthines and a commendation of Gods infinite mercie THus my maker a Gen. 1 26. 27. I haue asked much and yet haue deserued naught I confesse yea alas I confesse that not onelie I deserue not those blessings which I do require but also do deserue manie and exquisite torments b Iob. 10 8. Notwithstanding euen publicanes c Mat. 21 31. Mark 2 15. harlots and theeues d Lu. 23 40. 41. 42. 43. who in a moment plucked from out the iawes of the enimie are taken into the armes of the shepheard do embolden me to do as I do For albe thou ô God maker of al things e Genes 1 1. 2. 3 c. Psal 148 1 2 c. 5. Hebr. 1 1. 2. art woonderful in al thy works f Reue. 15 3. yet art thou most wonderful in the works of mercie therefore didest thou saie by one of thy seruants g Psa 145 9. His mercies are ouer al his works And although thou spakest this but of one yet we trust it is ment of thy whole people My louing kindnes wil I not take from him h 2. Sam. 7 verse 14. 15. Psal 89 33. For thou despisest none thou castest none awaie thou abhorrest no man vnles it be him which madlie abhorreth thee Hence it is that being moued thou strikest not but if they surcesse thou powrest thy blessings vpon them which prouoke thee O my God the
z Esai 53 7. neither spake a word when he was buffeted with fists a Mark 14 verse 65. spit vpon b Matt. 26 verse 67. and obraided finalie which did no sinne c 1. Pet. 2 22 and yet bare our sinnes d 1. Pet. 2 24 by whose stripes we are healed Chap. 6. A praier vnto God the Father for mercie in respect of the bitter paines of his deere Sonne BEhold louing Father a Mat. 5 45. thy most louing Sonne which hath endured such wicked things for my sake O most gratious Prince b Eccl. 23 1. 4 c. Psalme 5 2. behold him which hath suffered and of thy goodnes cal him into mind for whom he hath suffred Is not he that innocent one c 2. Cor. 5 verse 21. 1. Pet. 2 22. ô my Lord euen thy Sonne d Rom. 8 verse 32. Iohn 3 17. whom thou gauest to redeeme thy seruants e Gal. 3 13. Galat. 4 1. 2 c. 5. 6 c. Is not this the author of life f Ioh. 11 25. that being brought as a sheepe to the slaughter g Esa 53 7. and shewing himselfe obedient to thee euen vnto the death h Phil. 2 8. dreaded not to end his life with a most cruel death i Galat. 3 13 Remember ô worker of al saluation how this is he whom thy wil was should be partaker of mine infirmitie k Esai 53 3. 4. notwithstanding thou hadst begotten him of thine owne power l Psal 1 7. Heb. 1. 5. Out of doubt hee is God with thee m Matt. 16 verse 16. Iohn 1 1. 2. which tooke my nature vpon him n Iohn 1 14 and in that flesh ascended vpon the crosse o Luke 23 verse 33. and suffered a most greeuous punishment O Lord my God p Psal 7 1. cast the eies of thy Maiestie vpon the worke of thine vnspeakeable mercie Behold thy sweete Sonne whose whole bodie was stretched foorth q Mark 15 verse 22. 23. 24. Luk. 23 33. Behold his harmeles hands r Iohn 20 verse 20. 25. distilling foorth godlie blood being pacified forgiue the sins which mine hands haue committed Behold his naked side pierced through with a sharpe speare Å¿ Ioh. 19 34. and renue mee with the holie fountaine which I beleeue flowed from his side Behold his vndefiled feete that haue neuer stood in the way of sinners t Psal 1 1. but euer walked in thy lawe dented-through with cruel nailes u Iohn 20 verse 20. 25. and make my pathes perfect in thy waies giue mee grace to abhor al wicked steps take fro me the waie of lieng x Ps 119 29. and grant me gratiouslie to choose the waie of truth O King of saints by this most holie Saint by this my redeemer y Col. 1 14. 1. Tim. 2 6. I beseech thee make me to run the waie of thy commandements z Ps 119 32. that in spirit I may be knit vnto him which abhorred not to bee clothed with my flesh a Iohn 1 14. O merciful Father remember how the same thy most deere Son being a yong man bowed his white necke with his head and gaue vp the ghost b Ioh. 19 30 Behold ô most gratious maker c Psa 100 3. Psal 119 73. the humanitie of thy beloued Sonne and haue pitie vpon the weaknes of thy fraile workmanship Behold how his brest became white his side bloodie his bowels drie his sight dimme his countenance pale his armes stiffe how his legs hoong and the streame of blessed blood watered his pierced feete Behold ô glorious Father d Psal 1 7. Heb. 1 5. the torne members of thy tenderlie beloued Sonne and gratiouslie remember what my substance is Behold the paines of God become man e Iohn 1 14. and release the miserie of man thy creature f Gen. 1 26. 27. Iob. 10 8. Behold the punishment of the redeemer g Gal. 3 13. and forgiue the sins of the redeemed h 1. Pet. 1 18. 19. Euen this is he ô my Lord whom thou hast plaged for the sinnes of thy people i Esai 53 8. notwithstanding hee bee thy beloued Sonne in whome thou art wel pleased k Mat. 3 17. Matth. 17 5. 2. Pet. 1 17. This is that innocent person in whome there was found no deceit l Esai 53 9. 1. Pet. 2 22. and yet was he reckoned with the transgressors m Esa 53 12 Mark â—5 28 Luk. 22 37. Chap. 7. A praier wherein man confesseth how he was the cause why Christ suffered O Sweete Christ what sin didst thou commit y t thou shouldst be so iudged What didst thou commit that thou shouldest be so cruely handled What was thy sinne what was thy fault what was the cause of thy death what was the occasion of thy damnation For I alas I did the sinne for which thou didst suffer a Esai 53 4. 5. 6. 1. Pet. 2 24. I deserued the torments which thou didst endure O strange iudgement ô vnspeakeable disposition of the mysterie The sinner offendeth the iust is punished b Mat. 27 24 Luk. 23 41. 47. the guiltie transgresseth the innocent is beaten c Esai 53 5. the wicked sinneth the godlie is damned That which the euil deserueth the good suffereth the seruant doth amisse the maister maketh amends man committeth sin and God beareth the punishment O ah how ô Sonne of God d Mat. 3 17. how hast thou debased thy selfe e Phil. 2 8. Heb. 2 9. How hast thou burned in affection f Ioh. 15 13. Ephes 5 2. 1. Ioh. 3 16. How far is thy mercie stretched How great is thy kindnes whither extendeth thy loue whither is thy compassion come For I did wickedlie but thou wart punished g Matt. 8 17 I sinned and thou wart afflicted h Gal. 3 13. I offended thou wart tormented i Marke 15 verse 20. 21 c. 1. Cor. 2 7. 8. I lifted vp my selfe thou wart humbled k Phil. 2 8. I swelled thou wart brought lowe l Heb. 2 9. I was disobedient but thou obedientlie barest the punishment of disobedience m Phil. 2 8. I serued the bellie but thou enduredst hunger n Matt. 4 2. The tree allured me vnto vnlawful concupiscence but perfect charitie led thee vnto the crosse o Ephe. 5 2. 1. Iohn 3 16 I tasted presumptuously the forbidden fruite thou sufferedst torments I delight in meate thou didst hang p Gal. 3 13. I enioie pleasure thou wart pierced with nailes q Ioh. 20 25 I feele the sweetenes of the apple but thou tastest the bitternes of gal r Matth. 27 verse 34. Eua smiling is merie with me Marie weeping had compassion vpon thee Å¿ Matth. 27 verse 55. 56. Lo King of glorie t Psal 24. 7. 8. 9. 10. thus is mine vngodlines and thy mercie manifest thus mine vnrighteousnes and thine
reioice at his abundant loue wherewith he hath loued vs g Eph. 2 4. 5 c. Thou didst send thy Sonne in the similitude of sinful flesh h Rom. 8 3. 4. that of sin he might condemne sinne and that we might be thy righteousnes in him For he is the lambe vndefiled i 1. Pet. 1 19 which hath taken awaie the sins of the world k Ioh. 1 29. abolished death by his death l 2. Tim. 1 10 and brought life againe by his resurrection But what may we render vnto thee our God for these so great benefits m Ps 116 12 of thy mercie What praises what thanks may wee ascribe Surelie had we the knowledge and power of the blessed Angels yet could our amends be nothing correspondent to thy mercie and goodnes And were al our members conuerted into tongues yet should we neuer extol thee sufficientlie enough For thy great loue extended gratiouslie of thy meere goodnes to vs ward reacheth beyond al knowledge For thy Sonne ô our God n Iohn 17 3 tooke in no sort the Angels o Heb. 2 16. but he tooke the seede of Abraham and was like to vs in al things yet without sinne p Heb. 4 15. So that taking mans nature not Angels vpon him and glorifieng it with the robe of holie resurrection and immortalitie q Acts. 1 9. he hath carried the same ouer al heauens ouer al the quires of Angels ouer al Cherubs and Seraphims and placed the same at thy right hand The which both Angels doe praise and dominions worship and al the powers of heauen do bow r Phi. 2 9. 10. 11. at man God ouer them This verelie is al mine hope and mine whole confidence For euerie of vs hath a portion of blood and flesh in the bodie of Iesus Christ our Lord. Therefore where a piece of my selfe is there I trust I do raigne where my flesh is glorified there I knowe I am glorious where my flesh doth rule there I perceaue I haue dominion And although I am yet a sinner yet I doubt not of this participation of grace although my sinnes doe hinder me yet my substance doth require it and although mine offences exclude me yet the communion of nature doth not repel me For God is not so hard harted that he can forget flesh blood which he beareth which for my sake he hath taken which on my behalfe he requireth But the Lord our God is mild and verie gentle ſ Ioēl 2 23. he loueth his owne flesh his members and his bowels In verie God and our sweete gratious and most gentle Lord euen Iesus Christ in whom we haue risen ascended now into heauen and now sit together in the heauenlie places t Eph. 2 5. 6. our flesh doth loue vs. In him we haue the prerogatiue of our blood we are his members and his flesh finalie he is our head u Eph. 4 15. 16. Eph. 5 23. of which the whole bodie dependeth As it is written This now is bone of my bones x Gen. 2 23. 24. and flesh of my flesh and they shal be one flesh And no man euer yet hated his owne flesh y Eph. 5 29. but nourisheth and cherisheth it This is a great secret z Eph. 5 32. but I speake concerning Christ and concerning the Church saith the Apostle Chap. 16. A thankesgiuing vnto God for his mercie extended toward man in the incarnation of his Sonne Iesus Christ I Therefore ô Lord our God a Psal 90 1. 2. with my lips and with mine hart and with al my power do thanke thy mercie for al mercies whereby thou hast miraculouslie redeemed vs thy wretched seruants b Eph. 2 4. 5. and that through the same thy Sonne our Sauior c 1 Pet. 2 24 and redeemer d Gal. 3 13. which was deliuered to death for our sinnes e Rom. 4 25 and is risen againe for our iustification and sitteth liuing without end at thy right hand f Rom. 8 34 making request for vs and showing mercie with thee vpon vs. Because of thee the Father g Ioh. 8 42. Iohn 13 3. he is an eternal God of one substance with thee in al respects Whereby he can saue vs at al times But in that he is a man whereby he is inferior to thee Al power is giuen him in heauen and in earth h Matth. 28 verse 18. that at the Name of Iesus euerie knee should bow i Phil. 2 10. both of things in heauen and things in earth and things vnder the earth and that euerie tongue should confes that Iesus Christ is the Lord vnto thy glorie ô God the Father Him thou hast ordeined a iudge of quicke and dead k Act. 10 42. For thou iudgest no man l Iohn 5 22 but hast committed al iudgement to thy Sonne in whose breast are hid m Col. 2 3. al the treasures of wisedome and knowledge And he is the witnes and the iudge n Act. 10 42 I saie the iudge and the witnes whose presence no guiltie conscience shal escape o 1. Cor. 4 5. For al things are naked and open to his sight p Heb. 4 13. And he which vniustlie was condemned q Matt. 27 verse 24. 25 c. he euen he wil iudge the world with righteousnes r Psa 96 13 and the people in truth Wherefore I blesse thine holie Name for euermore and with mine whole hart ô almightie gratious Lord I glorifie thee for that vnspeakeable and wonderful vniting together of thy Godhead and manhood in one person so that one was not God and another man but one and the same person was both God and man or man and God But although of thy great goodnes the Word was made flesh ſ Iohn 1 14. yet neither of those two natures was conuerted into another substance To the mysterie of the Trinitie there is not a fourth person added For the substance both of the Word of God and of man is vnited but not confounded that vnto the Godhed that thing which was taken of vs might approch and that thing which neuer had bin might remaine the same which alwaie it was O woonderful mysterie t 1. Tim. 3 16 ô vnspeakable felowship ô strange goodnes of Gods mercie euer to be marueled at euer to be loued We were not woorthie to be seruants and lo we are made the sonnes of GOD euen the heires of God u Rom. 8 17 and heires annexed with Christ How came this to passe who hath brought vs here vnto But ô God merciful Father by this thine inestimable goodnes mercie and good wil I beseech thee make vs woorthie so great and so manifold promises of the same thy Sonne our Lord Iesus Christ x 1. Cor. 1 3. 7. 8 c. Appoint thy strength stablish ô God that which thou hast wrought in vs y Psa 68 28 finish
at length behold thee the God of gods in Zion whom now I see indeede through a glasse darklie l 1. Cor. 13 verse 12. but then face to face where I shal know thee euen as I am known Blessed are the pure in hart m Matt. 5 8. for they shal see God Blessed are they which dwel in thine House n Psal 84 4. ô Lord for euer and euer they wil praise thee Wherfore by al thy mercies wherewithal we bee deliuered from euerlasting damnation o Rom. 9 23 24. I beseech thee ô Lord mollifie mine hard and stonie and flintie and iron hart with thine holie and mightie ointment and through y e fire of compunction make me at al houres to seeme a liuing sacrifice in thy sight p Rom. 12 1. Cause me to haue alwaies a contrite and an humbled hart with a flud of teares in mine eies Cause me from the bottome of mine hart vtterlie to die to this world through the greatnes of thy feare and loue so to forget transitorie things that I may neither weepe nor reioice at neither feare nor loue anie worldlie thing neither be corrupted with prosperitie nor be ouerthrowne by aduersitie And forsomuch as thy loue is strong as death q Sal. songs 8 verse 6. let the firie and pleasant force of thy loue swalowe vp mine hart I beseech thee from al things that are vnder heauen that I may cleaue vnto thee alone and be fed with the onelie remembrance of thy sweetenes Let thy sweete sauor ô Lord let the sweete sauor of thee I praie thee descend yea let it descend into mine hart and let the comfortable loue of thine holie Name enter euen into my soule O let the maruelous and vnspeakeable sweetenes of thy sauour come vnto me which may both raise vp in my brest a continual desire after thee and fro mine hart bring the veines of water springing-vp into euerlasting life r Iohn 4 14. Thou art vnmeasurable ô Lord therefore without measure thou shouldest bee loued and praised of them whom thou hast redeemed with thy pretious blood Å¿ 1. Pet. 1 18. 19. O most gratious louer of mankind t 1. Ioh. 3 16 most merciful Lord and righteous iudge to whome 〈◊〉 iudgement is committed by the Father u Ioh. 5 22. by the most wise iudgment of thine equitie thou haâ—â— giuen-out how the children of this world x Luk. 16 8. of night of darknes with a more earnest desire endeuor and studie do loue and seeke after transitorie riches and fleeting promotion than wee thy seruants can loue our God by whom we are both made y Gen. 1 26. 27. Iob. 10 8. Psal 119 73. and redeemed z Gal. 3 13. 1. Tim. 2 8. For if one man do so entirelie loue another that he can hardlie beare the absence of his friend if the wife with so great a fire of goodwil be ioined to her husband that in respect thereof she can at no time be at rest til she haue his companie with what a goodwil with what a care with what a zeale ought the soule which through faith of her part through mercie on your part betrothed to thee to loue thee the true a Matt. 1 23 Matt. 16 16. GOD the fairest spouse b 2. Cor. 11 2 Eph. 5 22. 23 c. who hast so loued and saued vs who hast done so manie such and so great things for our sakes And although these weake things haue their comforts and their loues yet doe they not so delight as thou our God doest For in thee do the righteous reioice because thy loue is sweet and quiet For thou doest replenish the harts which thou possessest both with sweetnes with ioie and with tranquillitie Contrariwise the loue of this world and of the flesh is troblesome and vnquiet neither suffereth it the minds whom it entereth into at anie time to be at rest For continualie it moueth them with suspicions and with perturbations and with manifold feares So that thou art the ioie of the righteous and good cause why For with thee is an assured quietnes with thee is the life void of al trobles O gratious God who so entereth into thee entereth into his masters ioie c Mat. 25 2â— and shal feare no more but shal fare wel in the place of happines saieng This is my rest for euer d Ps 132 14. here wil I dwel for I haue a delite therein and againe The Lord is my shepheard e Psal 23 1. 2. I shal not want he maketh me to rest in greene pastures O deere Christ ô sweete Iesu replenish mine hart I beseech thee with the vnquenchable fire of thy loue with a continual remembrance of thee so that as a burning flame I may so burne with the loue of thee that no water be it neuer so much may quench the same O most gratious Lord make thou mee vnfainedlie to loue thee and through desire of thee to laie-downe the burden of al fleshlie desires and the importable waight of earthlie affections which beateth and peiseth downe my soule that by the sauor of thine ointments running amaine after thee I may the more speedilie discerne by the conduction of thee my Capitaine to come vnto the contemplation of thy fairenes there to be throughlie satisfied For two sorts of loue whereof the one is good and the other naught the one sweete and the other vncomfortable can not abide at one time together in one bodie And therefore who so besides thee loueth anie thing f Mat. 10 37 thy loue ô God is not in him g 1. Ioh. 2 15 thy loue I saie euen the loue of sweetenes and the sweetenes of loue the loue which trobleth not but delighteth the syncere chaste loue abiding euerlastinglie the loue which alwaies burnest and neuer goest out O deere Christ ô sweete Iesu who art the verie loue h 1. Ioh. 4 8. and my God i Matt. 4 10. inflame me wholie with thy fire with thy loue with thy sweetnes and delectation with thy ioie and mirth with the delight and desire of thee the which is both holie good chaste and pure quiet and secure that filled euen topful with the sweetenes of thy loue and wholie set on fire by the flames of thy friendship I may loue thee my God with al mine hart k Deut. 6. 5. Luke 10 27. and with al my strength hauing thee alwaies and in al places both in mine hart and in my mouth and before mine eies so that strange loues may find no place at al in me Heare me ô my God heare me ô light of mine eies heare my petition and grant my petition that thou maiest heare me Gratious and most merciful God stop not thine eares against me because of my sinnes but of thy woonted goodnes receaue the praiers of thy seruant and grant me the effect of my petition and request Amen
blood wherewith we be redeemed a 1. Pet. 1 18. 19. wound I beseech thee this my sinful soule for which also thou hast vouchsafed to die b 1. Pet. 2 24 wound her by the firie and mightie dart of thine abundant loue c Ioh. 15 12. 13. 1. Iohn 3 16 For the word of God is liueliue d Heb. 4 12. and mightie in operation and sharper than anie two edged sword O thou the elected dart and the most piercing sword who art of power able to pierce the hard buckler of mans hart prick thou mine hart with the dart of thy loue that my soule may saie to thee I am wounded with thy loue so that from that wound of thy loue teares abundantlie may issue daie and night e Psal 42 3. Strike ô Lord strike I beseech thee this mine hard mind with the godlie and mightie speare of thy loue and with a stoute courage pierce thou euen the most secret parts of my soule and there-withal fetch thou a streame of water from out mine head and out of mine eies a true fountane of teares flowing forth continualie from an hartie affection and desire to behold thy beautie that night and daie I may mourne in this present life receauing no comfort vntil in thy celestial bride-chamber I be thought woorthie to see my beloued and beautiful spouse euen my Lord and God that beholding there thy glorious wonderful and most beautiful countenance f 1. Cor. 13 verse 12. Reue. 22 4. ful of al sweetnes I may with those whome thou hast elected g Rom. 8. verse 30. humblie adore thy maiestie and replenished at the length with heauenlie vnspeakeable ioie of euerlasting mirth may with louers and friends crie out saieng Behold I see now what I so desired I enioie now what I so hoped for I haue that which I loued so For I am now ioined to him in heauen whome in earth I loued with al my strength embraced with right good wil claue vnto from my verie hart him I praise him I blesse and I worship him who liueth and ruleth God for euermore Amen Chap. 37. A praier in the time of trouble HAue mercie on me ô Lord haue mercie on me ô gratious God haue mercie on me a most wretched sinner offending hainouslie and suffering iustlie sinning dailie and feeling continualie thy correction If I waigh the euil which dailie I haue committed my punishment is but smal much wickednes haue I done little correction do I feele Righteous art thou ô Lord and iust are thy iudgements a Psal 119 verse 137. Thy iudgements are truth b Psal 19 9. they be righteous altogether O Lord my God thou art righteous c Psa 92 15. neither is there anie iniquitie in thee For neither vniustlie nor cruelie dost thou afflict vs sinners d Dan. 9 4. 5. 6 c. ô almightie merciful Lord e Exo. 34 6. who when we were not didest mightilie make vs f Iob. 10 8. Psal 100 3. and when through our sinnes we were in the state of damnation hast both mercifullie and miraculouslie repared vs g Gal. 3 13. 1. Tim. 2 6. I knowe and am assured how that our life is not gouerned by al aduentures but that it is disposed and ruled by thee h Pro. 16 9. ô Lord our God Whence it is that thou carest for al things i Wis 12 13. but chieflie for thy seruants k 1. Pet. 5 7. who haue put al their cōfidence in thine onlie mercie Wherefore I praie and humblie beseech thee ô Lord deale not with me according to my sinnes whereby I haue deserued thy iust displeasure but according to thy great mercie which is more than al the sinnes euen of the whole world O God who outwardlie dost afflict the bodie grant inwardlie to my mind continual patience so that thy praise at no time depart out of my mouth Haue mercie on me ô Lord haue mercie on me and helpe me according as thou knowest I haue neede both in my bodie and minde thou knowest al things l Eccle. 23 verse 19. 20. and canst do al things m Gen. 35 verse 11. Reue. 15 3. who liuest euerlastinglie n 1. Tim. 1. 17 Amen Chap. 38. A verie godlie praier vnto the Sonne O Lord Iesu Christ a 1. Tim. 1 1. sonne of the liuing God b Matt. 16 verse 16. which vpon the crosse with out-stretched armes drankest the cup of bitter passion for the redemption of al mankinde c 1. Pet. 2 verse 24. vouchsafe to defend me this daie Behold I a poore wretch vnto thee who art rich I miserable vnto thee who art merciful do approch suffer me not to depart emptie and despised I begin hungerlie let me not go from thee fasting I come euen hunger-starued as it were ô let me not depart vnrefreshed And though before I eate I do sigh yet grant that after my sighing I may eate Especialie before thy glorious magnificence ô sweete Iesu I acknowledge to thee my sinnes against my selfe d Psal 32. 5. Behold I was borne in iniquitie e Psal 51 5. but thou didest wash and sanctifie me f Eph. 5 25. 26. yet haue I defiled my selfe sithence with greater sinnes For I was borne in necessarie sinnes but afterward I wallowed in voluntarie wickednes But thou ô Lord not vnmindful of thy woonted mercie tookedst me from out of the house of my carnal father and from the tabernacles of the wicked and gauedst me a mind to follow thee with the generation of them which seeke thy face which treade the right path which abide among the lilies of a chast life and sit with thee in the parlor of greatest pouertie Yet I vngrateful for so manie benefits since mine entrance into thy seruice haue done manie an vnlawful fact and committed manie a foule sinne and where I should haue repented me of my sinnes I added sinnes vnto sinnes These are the euils ô Lord whereby I haue both dishonored thee and stained my selfe whome thou didest create after thine own likenes g Gen. 1 26. 27. 1. Cor. 11 7. Colo. 3 10. with pride vaine glorie and such other manifold sinnes whereby the wretched soule is vexed and afflicted and rent asunder and destroied Behold ô Lord mine iniquities are gone ouer mine head h Psal 38 4. and as a weightie burthen they are too heauie for me and doe not thou whose propertie is to shewe mercie and to spare laie vnder the right hand of thy maiestie I shal be enforced to sinke euen to the verie bottome O Lord my God attend and consider because thou art holie lo mine enimie insulteth against me saieng i Psal 71 1◠God hath forsaken him I wil pursue and take him for there is none to deliuer him But Lord how long wilt thou delaie Returne deliuer my soule saue me for thy mercie sake k Psal 61 4. Take mercie vpon
to do O light of mine eies c Iohn 1 9. thou beholdest mine hart for my sighing is not hid from thee d Psal 38 9. and it is thy gift e 1. Cor. 4 7. Iam. 1 17. if I do minde anie thing that good is If it be good which thou doest enspire yea because it is good y t I would loue thee graunt that which through thee I would Giue me grace so greatlie to loue thee as thou commandest Praise and thankes I do offer ô let not thy gift which voluntarilie thou hast imparted vpon me be vnfruiteful to me Performe what thou hast begun and giue the thing which of thy goodnes preuenting me vndeseruing the same thou hast made me to desire Conuert ô gratious God my securitie into the burning loue of thy Name For merciful Father hetherto tendeth this my praier this remembrance and meditation of thy benefits is to the end that thy loue may be inflamed within my brest Thy goodnes ô Lord hath created me f Gen. 1 26. 27. Iob. 10 8. Psal 100 3. thy mercie hath clensed me g 1. Cor. 6 verse 11. and thy patience wallowing in other filthines of sinnes after my purification of baptisme hetherto hath tolerated nourished and looked for my conuersion h 2. Pet. 3 8. 9. O good Lord thou lookest for mine amendment and that I may repent and leade an vpright life my soule doth looke for the inspiration of thy grace O my God i Psal 7 1. 3. my creator k Psa 119 73 forbearer l Wis 11 20. and my nourisher after thee do I thirst after thee do I long after thee do I sigh and couet And as a tender Orphane bereft of the presence of his louing Father weeping and lamenting incessantlie doth embrace his sweete countenance with al his hart so I not as I should but as I am able am mindful of thy passion of thy blowes m Matt. 27 verse 27. 28. 29. of thy woundes how thou wart killed for my sake n Gal. 3 13. 1. Pet. 2 22. how buried o Luk. 23. verse 53. and laid in the graue finalie how gloriouslie thou didest arise and triumphantlie ascend into heauen p Acts. 1 9. These things I do hold by an vndoubted faith I hope for the onlie comfort of thy returne q Matt. 16 verse 27. Mar. 13 26. and from mine hart I desire the glorious contemplation of thy countenance Wo is me that I cannot see the Lord of Angels who was humbled vnto y e condition of men r Phil. 2 5. 6. 7 c. y t he might exalt men vnto the dignitie of Angels when God offended would suffer death that sinful man might enioy life What shal I saie what shal I do whether may I go where shal I seeke or when shal I find him of whom shal I aske who wil tel my beloued how I languish for loue The ioie of mine hart decaieth my laughter is turnd into mourning my flesh faileth and mine hart also ſ Psa 73 26. God is the strength of my hart my portion for euer My soule refuseth comfort t Psal 77 2. of anie besides thee ô my sweetenes For whome haue I in heauen but thee u Psa 73 25. I haue desired none in the earth but onlie thee Thee I would thee I long for thee do I seeke to thee hath mine hart said I haue sought after thy face ô Lord I require turne not thy face fro me ô most merciful louer of mankinde x Wis 11 23. the poore committeth himselfe to thee thou art the helper of the fatherles y Psa 10 14. O mine assured aduocate z 1. Ioh. 2 1. 2. haue mercie on me a forsakē orphane I am become a fatherles child my soule is like a widowe Looke vpon the teares of my miserie and widowhood which I offer to thee vntil thou returne Oh my Lord now ah shew thy selfe to me and I shal be comforted Let me behold thee and I shal atteine y e end of my desire Reueale thy glorie and my ioie shal be perfect My soule thirsteth for thee a Psal 63 1◠my flesh longeth greatlie after thee My soule thirsteth for God b Psal 42 2◠euen for the liuing Wel when shal I come and appeare before the presence of God O my comforter whom I so looke for when wilt thou come Oh that I might see the ioie that I so desire oh that I were satisfied with the presence of the glorie c Psa 17 15. for which I do hunger oh that once I were satisfied with the fatnes of thine house d Psa 36 8. wherevnto I do sigh and had drunke out of y e riuer of thy pleasures which so much I thirst for In the meane while ô Lord let teares be my meate daie and night e Psa 42 3. vntil it be said vnto me Behold thy God vntil my soule do heare Behold thy spouse In the meane while I saie feede me with sighings refresh me with my sorowes Happelie my redeemer wil come ful soone because he is good and wil not linger f Heb. 10 verse 37. for that he is merciful to him be glorie now and for euermore g Reu. 5 13. Amen The ende of S. AVGVSTINE his PRAIERS FINIS THE PSALTER-WHICH S. AVGVSTINE COMPOSED FOR THE VSE OF HIS MOTHER ENGLISHED FOR A MORE GENERAL COMMODITIE O Lord GOD almightie and King of eternal glorie who dost acknowledge him to be a blessed man a Psal 1 1. 2. that abhorreth the waie of sinners and doth meditate in thy Lawe daie and night Teach thou me a wretched sinner faithfulie to serue thee b Psal 2 1◠with feare and trembling of the hart And seeing with al humilitie of heart I do cal vnto thee with my voice heare me c Psal 3 4. haue mercie vpon me and so harken vnto my praier d Psal 4 1. Psalme 5 1. 2. that neither thou for thy part rebuke me in thy wrath e Psal 6 1. nor that old enimie to mankinde lieng in waite for his part to deuoure my soule like a Lion f Psal 7 2. and teare it in peeces while there is none to helpe But Lord whose Name is excellent in al the world g Psal 8 1. 9. turne thou mine enimie backe h Psal 9 3. that he fal againe and perish at thy presence Let him not entrap my soule i Psal 10 8. 9. with his firie snares and suffer not brimstone k Psal 11 6. and stormie tempests to torment me But for the oppression of the needie l Psal 12 5. and for the sighings of the poore now thou doest arise behold and heare me m Psa 13 3. ô Lord my God because thou art the counsel and trust of the poore n Psal 14 6. Make me to walke vprightlie o Psal 15 2. and to worke righteousnes that
innocencie is euident Now ô my King and my God what shal I render to thee for al thy benefits toward me u Psa 116 12 For mans hart can not conceiue the thing which may worthilie recompence these thy ample rewards Can the wit of man find out anie thing answereable to Gods mercie No it is not for a creature to enterprise to make God amends Notwithstanding ô Sonne of God in this so wonderful dispensation something my frailtie is able to do namelie if thorough thy visitation the mind being pricked it crucifie the flesh with the affections and the lusts x Gal. 5 24. which thou hauing granted it then beginneth as it were to suffer for thee because thou also hast vouchsafed to die for my sinne y Matt. 8 17 1. Pet. 2 24. And so through the conquest of the inner man it shal be armed thou being capitaine vnto the attaining of the outward victorie inasmuch as it feareth not hauing ouercome the spiritual battel to be subiect for thy sake to the material sword In which respect y e weaknes of my condition if it like thy goodnes shal be able according to the power it hath to answere to the greatnes of the Creator And this is heauenlie physicke ô sweete Iesu this is the preseruatiue of thy loue Now I beseech thee by thy wonted mercies powre that into my wounds which the melancholie humor of venemous contagion being thrown away may restore mee againe to my former health and hauing tasted the nectar of thy sweetnes may make mee from the verie hart to despise the inticements of the world and to feare none aduersitie of the same for thy Name sake finalie that I may be alwaies mindful of thine euerlasting glorie and in that respect abhor the trobles of this transitorie world I beseech thee let nothing seeme sweete to mee without thee let nothing please me no worldlie thing like mee beside thee Let me not loue that which thou doest abhor and let thy good pleasure be al my desire continualie Let it greeue me to reioice without thee z Ier. 9 23. 24. 1. Cor. 1 31. let me glad to bee afflicted for thy Name sake a Act. 5 41. Let thy Name be my ioie and the remembrance of thee my consolation Let my teares be my meate night and daie b Psal 42 3. in seeking after thy righteousnes Let the Lawe of thy mouth be better vnto me than thousands of gold and siluer c Psal 119 verse 72. Finalie let al my care be to please thee and to resist thy wil let me vtterlie detest O mine hope d Col. 1 27. 1. Tim. 1 1. by al thy mercies I beseech thee be merciful to my sinnes e Psal 65 3. Open mine eares to thy lawes and incline not mine heart I praie thee by thine holie Name vnto euil f Psa 141 4. that I do not commit wicked woorkes with men that worke iniquitie Last of al I beseech thee by thy wonderful humilitie let not the foote of pride come against me g Psa 36 11. and let not the hand of the wicked moue me Chap. 8. A praier vnto God the Father shewing how the passion of his Sonne was for the reconciliation of man LO almightie God a 2. Cor. 6 verse 18. Father of my Lord b Ephe. 1 2. 3. Philip. 1 2. deale gratiouslie haue mercie on me I beseech thee For I haue deuoutelie offered that which I found most pretious and humblie presented him which I saw was most dere vnto thee I haue concealed naught which I haue not reuealed to thy Maiestie there is nothing behinde to adde for I haue sent mine whole hope c Col. 1 27. 1. Tim. 1 1. vnto thee I haue directed thy beloued Sonne d Mat. 3 17. Matth. 17 5. 2. Pet. 1 17. mine aduocate e 1. Ioh. 2 1. vnto thee and haue sent thy glorious child to be a mediator betwene me and thee f 2. Tim. 2 5. Heb. 9 14. 15. Heb. 12 24. I haue sent I saie an intercessor through whome I hope to get pardon In words I haue sent the Word g Iohn 1 1. which I said was sent for my sake h Iohn 3 17. I haue recited also the whole passion of thy most holie Sonne which I beleeue suffered to saue me i Esai 56 4. 5. 6. Matth. 8 17. 1. Pet. 2 24. I beleeue the Godhead sent of thee k Matth. 21 verse 37. Iohn 17 3. tooke vpon him mine humanitie l Iohn 1. 14. wherein he thought good to suffer himselfe to be buffeted m Matt. 27 verse 30. 31 c. bound spit on mocked yea and crucified nailed and pierced too I beleeue also the same verie Manhoode which was trobled with the crieng of infancie wrapped with the swadling clothes of children n Luke 2 6. 7. vexed with the labors of youth weakned with fasting o Matt. 4 2. afflicted with watching p Luk. 6 12. weried with traueling q Ioh. 4 6. with scourging whipped r Matth. 27 verse 26. Iohn 19 1. torne with punishment ſ Mar. 15 15. 16. 17 c. counted with transgressors t Esa 53 12. Luke 22 37. he hath gloriouslie raised from the dead carried into the ioies of heauen u Actes 1. 9. 10. 11. and placed the same at y e right hand of thy Maiestie x Marke 16 verse 19. Rom. 8 34. He is both my reconciler and thy reconciliation y 1. Ioh. 2 2. Consider now both who is thy Sonne whome thou hast begot z Hebr. 1 5. Hebr. 5. 5. and who is the seruant whome thou hast redeemed a Gal. 3 13. Gala. 4. 5. Ti◠2 14. Behold the maker b Iohn 1 1. 2. 3. Hebr. 1 2. and despise not the workemanship c Psa 100 3. Gratiouslie embrace the shepheard d Ioh. 10 11. 14. and fauorablie respect the shepe brought vpon his owne shoulders e Luke 15 5 6. This is that good shepheard which with much and great labour sought the wandering sheepe ouer steepe hils and dangerous lowe valies and hauing found the same welnigh dead through long estraieng with great ioie stoupeth himselfe downe and louinglie tieng it about himselfe doth lift it out of the deepe of confusion and carieth it al ioifullie which was lost vnto the ninetie and nine f Luk. 15 4. 5. 6 c. Behold ô Lord my king g Psal 5 2. God almightie h 2. Cor. 6. verse 18. behold the good shepheard i Luk. 15 4. 5 c. Iohn 10 11. 14. bringeth that vnto thee which thou didest commit vnto his charge He tooke vpon him through thine appointment to saue man k Iohn 3 17 and behold he hath restored the same to thee voide of al spot of sinne l 1 Tit. 2 14. Behold thy deere Sonne hath reconciled the workmanship m 1.
Trinitie Now then how hast thou loued vs h Iohn 3 16 ô heauenlie and louing Father i Ioh. 20 17. how hast thou loued vs ô gratious maker k Ps 100 3. which hast not spared thine owne Sonne l Rom. 8 32 but giuen him to the death for vs vngodlie wretches He was obedient to thee euen vnto the death yea the death of the crosse m Phil. 2 8. taking out of the waie the handwriting of our sinnes and fastening it vpon the crosse n Col. 2 14. he hath crucified sinne and killed death He onlie is free among the dead o Psal 88 5. hauing power to laie downe his life p Ioh. 10 18. and power to take it againe for our sakes And therefore he was both a conqueror and an oblation q Heb. 9 26. and because an oblation therefore a conqueror For our behoofe hee was to thee both a priest a sacrifice and because a sacrifice therefore a priest r Heb. 5 5. 6 c. Heb. 7 25. 26. Heb. 9 11. 12 c. Wel may I then repose a strong hope in him ſ Col. 1 27. 1. Tim. 1 1. because through him that sitteth at thy right hand t Rom. 8 34 Heb. 7 25. Heb. 8 6. making intercession for vs thou wilt heale al mine infirmities u Esai 53 5. For Lord great be my diseases and manifold yea manifold and verie great be they For the prince of this world I knowe and I confesse hath much to laie against me but for his sake that sitteth at thy right hand x Mar. 16 19 Actes 1 9. 10. 11. euen for my redemers sake y Rom. 3 24 Eph. 1 7. 14. in whom he could find none euil z Ioh. 14 30 deliuer me For his sake who did no sin a 1. Pet. 2 22 and in whose mouth there was found no guile iustifie me For his sake who is our head b Eph. 4 15. Ephes 5 23. wherin there is no blemish saue a member of his though poore and weake Pardon I praie thee al my sins vices faults and offences Indue mee with thine holie virtues make me to liue godlie and to continue euen to the end in good workes according to thy wil euen for thine holie Name sake Amen Chap. 14. A thankesgiuing of a faithful mind vnto God for sending his deere and onlie Sonne to saue mankind I Might vtterlie despaire in consideration of my manifold sinnes and infinite offences had not thy word ô God bin made flesh a Iohn 1 14. dwelled among vs. But now I dare not despaire For if when we were enimies b Rom. 5 10 we were reconciled vnto thee by the death of thy Sonne how much more being reconciled are we saued by his life For al mine hope c 1. Tim. 1 1. and al my confidence is reposed in that pretious blood which was shed for vs and for our saluation d 1. Pet. 1 18. 19. In it I take hart againe and resting therevpon I couet to come vnto thee not hauing mine owne righteousnes e Phil. 3 9. but that which is through the faith of my Lord Iesus Christ Wherefore ô most gratious merciful God louer of mankind f Wisd 11 21 23. Iohn 3 16. which through Iesus Christ thy Sonne our Lord g Rom. 1 4. 7. 1. Cor. 1 3. 7. c. euen when we were in the state of damnation by reason of sin h Rom. 5 7. 8 c. hast deliuered and saued vs I thanke thy goodnes yea from the verie bottom of mine hart I doe highlie thanke thee for sending of thy great loue i Ephes 2. 4. 5. wherewith thou hast loued vs miserable wretches vnwoorthie al fauor the same thy onlie begotten Sonne k Iohn 3 16 1. Iohn 4 9. from thine owne bosome into the world to saue vs great sinners l 1. Tim. 1 15 the children of wrath m Eph. 2 3. I thanke thee for his holie incarnation and birth of his glorious mother of whom he vouchsafed to take flesh for vs men and for our saluation that as he was verie God of God n Matt. 1 23 Matt. 16 16. so he might be verie man of man o Iohn 1 14. I thanke thee for his passion p Luke 23 verse 26. 33 c. crosse and death for his resurrection and ascention into heauen sitting at thy right hand For the fortie daie after his resurrection q Acts. 1 3. 9. in the sight of his disciples he ascended vp aboue al the heauens where hee sitting on thy right hand powred downe the holie Spirit r Acts. 2 1. 2 c. according to his promise ſ Ioh. 15 26. Luk. 24 49. vpon the children of adoption I thanke thee both for that shedding of his pretious blood wherewithal we be redeemed t 1. Pet. 1 18. 19. and also for his instituting the holie and liuelie sacrament of his bodie blood u Matt. 26 verse 26. 27. 28. Luke 22 19. 1. Cor. 11 23. 24 c. where withal in thy Church we be dailie nourished refreshed washed sanctified and made partakers of one heauenlie and diuine nature Finalie once againe I thanke thee for thy great loue x Eph. 2 4. wherewith thou hast so loued vs wretches through thine onlie y 1. Ioh. 4 9. and welbeloued sonne z Matt. 3 17 For so thou didst loue the world a Iohn 3 16 that thou gauest thine onelie begotten Sonne that whosoeuer beleeueth on him should not perish but haue euerlasting life And this is eternal life b Ioh. 17 3. that wee knowe thee to be the true God and whom thou hast sent Iesus Christ through a right faith and works agreeable to our faith Chap. 15. Of the incomprehensible good wil of God the Father toward mankind OPitie vnmeasurable ô wonderful loue To saue a seruant thou hast giuen thy Sonne a Iohn 3 16 God was made man b Iohn 1 14. that wretched man might bee plucked out of the power of diuels How deerlie hath thy Sonne ô God loued man which thought he did not humble himselfe enough if he were onelie borne of the virgin Marie vnles for vs and for our saluation c 1. Pet. 1 18 1. Pet. 2 24. he shed his blood also vpon the crosse He came a merciful God he came of meere compassion and goodnes yea to seeke and to saue that which was lost d Luk. 19 10 Matth. 18 11 he did come He sought the lost sheepe e Luk. 15 4. 5. 6. he sought and found it and like a gratious Lord and right good shepheard f Ioh. 10 11 14. on his shoulders he carried it vnto his flocke O rare loue ô tender kindnes who at anie time hath heard the like who but wil be amazed at such bowels of mercie who but wil wonder who but must needes
daie who so knoweth thee knowes the truth o Iohn 14 6 knowes eternitie Thou ô truth bearest the preeminence aboue al things whom we shal behold euen as thou art p 1. Ioh. 3 2. when as this blind and mortal life is passed-awaie wherein it is said vnto vs Where is thy God q Psa 42 3. And I saie Thou art my God r Psal 31 14. Som-what I breath after thee when I powre-out my soule vpon thee in the voice of ioie and confession as one that maketh good-cheere and kepeth a feast and as yet is pensiue because it slideth-backe and becommeth a deepe or more truelie perceaueth it selfe as yet to be a verie deepe indeede My faith which thou hast inflamed in the night before my feete saith to it Why art thou cast downe my soule ſ Psal 43 5. and why art thou disquieted within me Wait on God his word is a lanterne vnto my feete t Ps 119 105 Wait and perseuere vntil the night euen the mother of the wicked be gone-awaie vntil the wrath of God whose children we sometime were u Eph. 2 3. be passed-awaie For we haue bin ere-this darknes x Eph. 5 8. vntil this streame of waters flowe-awaie we carrie yet the remnants in the bodie dead in respect of sinne vntil the daie doe rise and shadowes depart wait on God in the morning I shal stand before him and behold and alwaies praise him In the morning I wil direct me vnto thee y Psal 5 3. and behold the health of my countenance euen my God who shal quicken our mortal bodies z Rom. 8 11. because of the Spirit dwelling in vs that now we may be light a Eph. 5 8. while yet we are saued by hope b Rom. 8 24 and are the children of light and the children of the daie c 1. Thes 5 5 not of the night neither of darknes For we were once darknes d Eph. 5 8. but are now light in the Lord and yet through faith e 1. Cor. 13 verse 12. 13. not as we shal be Hope that is seene is none hope f Rom. 8 24 O Lord that immortal people of thine Angels doe praise thee and the celestial powers doe magnifie thy Name g Esaie 6 1. 2. 3. who haue no neede either to reade this our scripture or to knowe thee the holie single Trinitie For they alwaies behold thy face h Matt. 18 verse 10. where they reade without syllables of time what thine eternal pleasure is they reade they choose and they loue yea alwaies they reade and what they reade they forget not By choosing and louing they reade this constancie of thy counsel and their booke shal at no time be shut and folded because thy selfe art and wilt euerlastinglie be this to them O much blessed are those heauenlie powers that can religiouslie and purelie with an exceeding delight and vnspeakeable ioie magnifie thee with praises Thence they praise whence they reioice forsomuch as alwaies they behold that which offereth them continual occasion both to praise and reioice But we pressed downe with the waight of flesh i Wis 9 15. and placed far awaie from thy countenance k 1. Cor. 13 verse 12. in this exile l Heb. 11 13. 14 c. 1. Pet. 2 11. and distracted through varieties of the world we alas are not able worthilie to praise thee through faith we praise thee not of perfect knowledge m 1. Cor. 13 verse 12. 13. But those Angelical spirits praise thee of knowledge n Matth. 18 verse 10. not through faith for our flesh is the cause why we praise thee otherwise than they do Notwithstanding albeit we sing praises to thee after diuers sorts yet thou art but one God o Deut. 6 4. Mala. 2 10. creator of al things p Gen. 1 1. 2 c. Iohn 1 1. 3. Hebr. 1 1. 2. to whom is offered the sacrifice of praise both in heauen and in earth but one day we shal come vnto their companie with whom alwaies we shal see thee q 1. Cor. 13 verse 12. Reue. 22 4. and praise thee without cessing Now then ô Lord graunt that while I do liue in this fraile bodie both mine hart and my tongue and al my bones may glorifie thee and saie r Psal 35 verse 10. Lord who is like vnto thee Thou art God almightie ſ Exod. 6 3. Reuel 4 8. whom three in persons t Matt. 3 16. 17. Mark 1 10. 11. yet but one in y e substance of the Godhead we serue and worship namelie the Father vnbegotten the Sonne onlie begotten of the Father u Ioh. 3 16. 18. 1. Iohn 4 9. the holie Spirit both proceeding from and remaining in them both an holie and a single Trinitie one God almightie Which when we were not didest mightilie make vs x Gen. 1 26. 27. Psal 100 3. Psal 119 73. and when through our owne default we were lost mercifullie and maruelouslie hast deliuered vs y Psal 103 1. 2 c. 9. 10 c. 1. Pet. 2 24. Oh suffer vs not to prooue neither vngrateful for so great benefits nor vnworthie so manifold mercies Vnto thee do I praie sue and beseech increase my faith increase mine hope yea and increase my loue also Through that same thy goodnes make vs to be euermore stable in faith z Colo. 1 23. and fruitful in al good workes a Col. 1 10. that by a right faith and workes agreeable vnto faith we may come through thy mercie vnto euerlasting life where seeing thy perfect and ful glorie euen as it is b 1. Cor. 13 verse 12. Reue. 22 4. we may worship thy maiestie and made worthie to behold thy glorie sing Glorie to the Father which hath made vs c Psal 136 1. 2. 3. c. glorie to the Sonne who hath redeemed vs d Gal. 3 13. Gala. 4 1. 2 c. 1. Timo. 2 6. glorie to the holie Ghost that hath sanctified vs e Rom. 15 verse 26. 1. Cor. 6 9. 10. 11. glorie to the soueraigne and single Trinitie whose workes are vnseparable and whose kingdom hath none end f Reu. 11 15. Vnto thee belongeth al praise al commendation al honor blessing and loue honor and power and might be vnto thee our God for euermore g Reu. 7 12. Amen Chap. 33. A complaint that man is not moued in hart through contemplation when as the Angels who see God tremble thereat PArdon ô Lord ô merciful God pardon pardon and shewe mercie forgiue mine ignorance and my great imperfection O reiect me not for that I dare be so bold with thee who am thy seruant not thy good seruant whome would I were but thine vnprofitable and euil and therefore verie euil because I presume without anie contrition of the hart fluds of teares and without due reuerence and feare to praise blesse and
worship thee our almightie a Gen. 17 1. Gen. 35 11. Reue. 11 17. God terrible and much to bee feared b Reu. 15 1. 2. 3. For if the Angels in honoring and praising thee do tremble filled with a maruelous reioicing why do not I when I come into thy presence to praise thee and to offer sacrifice why do not I euen quake at the verie hart why blush I not in countenance why do not I stammer in my speach and why shed I not plentiful teares fro mine eies Alacke I would but I am vnable because I cannot do as I would Hence it is that I maruel much with my selfe while with the eies of my faith I behold thee who art verie terrible But who can do this without the helpe of thy grace for it is thy mercie which doth saue vs al c Rom. 9 verse 23. 24. Rom. 11 31. O wretch that I am how senseles is my soule become that it is not much dismaied while it standeth before God and soundeth out his praises O wretch that I am how is mine hart hardened that mine eies do not powre out euen flouds of teares while I felowe-seruant reason before my Lord d Mal. 1 6. a man with God e Exo. 20 1. 2. 3 c. a creature with the Creator f Psa 100 3. I who am made of the slime of the earth g Gen. 1 26. 27. with him who hath created al things of nothing h Hebr. 1 1. 2. Iohn 1 1. 3. Behold ô my Lord I place my selfe before thine eies and what I thinke secretlie of my selfe in mine hart I make others to knowe But ô God who art rich in mercie i Ephe. 2 4. and liberal in thy rewards giue me of thy riches that through them I may serue thee For none otherwise can we either serue or please thee but of thy gift k Iam. 1 17. pierce I beseech thee my flesh with thy feare let mine hart reioice that I may feare thy Name Oh that my sinful soule did so feare thee as did that holie man who said Gods punishment was feareful vnto me l Iob. 31 23. Wherefore ô God who art the giuer of al good things m Iam. 1 17. giue me among thy praises a wel of teares together with a pure hart and ioiful mind that louing thee perfectlie and lauding thee worthilie in the verie palat of mine hart I may perceaue taste and sauour how sweete thou art and pleasant ô Lord as it is written Taste yee and see how gratious the Lord is n Psa 34 8. blessed is the man that trusteth in him Blessed is the people that can reioice in thee o Psa 89 15. blessed is the man whose strength is in thee p Psal 84 5. and in whose hart are thy waies in the vale of teares in the place which he hath appointed Blessed are the pure in heart q Matt. 5 8. for they shal see God Blessed are they which dwel in thine house ô Lord for euer and euer they wil praise thee r Psal 84 4. Chap. 34. A praier verie forceable to moue the mind vnto Religion and the loue of God O Iesus who art our redemption a Gala. 4 1. 2. Colos 1 14. 1. Tim. 2 6. our loue desire God of God b Ioh. 8 42. Ioh. 16 27. 30. helpe me thy seruant Vpon thee do I cal vnto thee do I crie from the verie bottom of mine hart For thee do I cal into my soule ô enter thereinto and ioine it to thee that thou maist possesse the same without spot or wrinkle c Eph. 5 27. For a most cleane Lord must haue a cleane habitation O then sanctifie me thy vessel which thou hast made d Iob. 10 8. purge me from al wickednes fil me with thy grace and being replenished keepe me so that I may be a meete temple e 1. Cor. 3 verse 16. 17. for thy dwelling both here for euer O most good most gratious louing deere mightie desired pretious amiable and glorious God thou art to me than honie sweeter than milke or snowe fairer than nectar pleasant than gold and iewels more pretious and deerer than al the wealth and promotions of the world What do I saie ô my GOD mine onlie hope and so infinite mercie what do I saie ô happie and quiet sweetenes what do I saie when I saie these things I saie what I am able but I saie not al that I should would to God I could saie as the melodious quires of Angels do saie Oh how willinglie would I powre out my selfe wholie in thy praises how deuoutelie without ceassing would I sing foorth those Psalmes of heauenlie musicke vnto the laude and praise of thy Name in the mids of thy congregation Notwithstanding because I cannot do so shal I be stil wo to them which talke not of thee who openest the mouth of the dumbe f Wis 10 21. and makest the tongs of babes eloquent Wo to them which talke not of thee for they which babble much are dumbe when they sing not thy praises Who can praise thee worthilie enough ô vnutterable power wisedome of the Father And albeit I can not finde words where withal I may sufficientlie expresse the almightie and al-skilful word yet vntil thou cal me vnto thee where I may praise thee as I should and ought I wil saie what I am able Wherefore mine humble request is that thou wouldest respect not that which I now do saie but that which I desire to saie For in deede I do mightilie desire to speake of thee as I ought and as becommeth me because to thee praise to thee Psalmes to thee al honor and glorie is due g 1. Tim. 1 verse 17. Reuel 4 9. Then knowest thou ô God who knowest the secret cogitations of the hart h Psal 7 9. Acts. 15 8. Rom. 2 16. 1. Cor. 14 25 thou knowest how to me thou art more acceptable and deere than either heauen or earth or anie thing contained in heauen or earth For I doe loue thee aboue heauen and aboue earth and more than anie things which are in heauen or earth yea for the loue of thy Name no transitorie things i 1. Cor. 7 31 1. Ioh. 2 15. 16. 17. doubtles are to be loued O my God exceedinglie doe I loue thee and more and more I desire to loue thee Grant I beseech thee that I may loue thee euermore not onelie as I would but also as I should that thou onlie maist be in my thought and meditation Of thee let me meditate in the daie time and cease not of thee let me thinke in the night when I am asleepe with thee let my spirit reason and my soule let it talke with thee With the light of thine holie contemplation let mine hart be inlightened that through thy directiō I may go from strength vnto strength k Psal 84 7. and so
Chap. 35. A deuout praier for grace to praise and to thanke the Lord dulie for his benefits O Lord Christ word of the Father a Iohn 1 1. 2 c. Heb. 1 1. 2. who camest into this world to saue sinners b 1. Tim. 1 15 through the tender bowels of thy mercie I beseech thee amend my life change my dealings and reforme my maners take-awaie fro me such things as hurt my soule and displease thee and giue me that which thou knowest is pleasing to thee and profitable for my soules health Who can bring a cleane thing out of filthines c Iob. 14 4. but thou alone Thou art God almightie d Gen. 35 verse 11. Reu. 11 17. of infinite mercie e Psa 145 9. which iustifiest the vngodlie f Rom. 4 5. and quickenest the dead in respect of sinne who changest sinners and they are not Remooue therefore fro me whatsoeuer in mee displeaseth thee For thine eies doe behold my manifold imperfections Send thine hand of mercie I praie thee vpon me and take awaie frome whatsoeuer within me doth offend the eies of thy goodnes O Lord thou knowest both how sound and how sicke I am Heale my sickenes and maintaine my health I beseech thee O Lord thou which helpest the weake and preseruest the healthful thou at a becke amendest the things which are broken and decaied heale thou me and I shal be whole g Ier. 17 14. saue me and I shal be saued For do thou vouchsafe in mine hart thy field to sowe the good seede it must needes be that first thou wilt plucke-out the thornes of my wickednes by the hand of thy mercie O most gratious most gentle most louing desired amiable and louelie of al others powre I praie thee vpon mine hart the streames of thy sweetenes and goodwil that I may neither desire nor thinke vpon anie earthlie or fleshlie thing h Matth. 10 verse 37. 1. Iohn 2 15 16. but loue thee alone and haue thee onlie both in mine hart and mouth By thine owne finger write thou within my brest a sweete remembrance of thy comfortable Name neuer to be blot-out by forgetfulnes Write thy wil and thy iustifications also vpon the tables of mine hart that alwaie and euerie-where I may set both thee the Lord of infinite sweetenes and thy lawes before my face Inflame my mind with that thy fire which thou sendest vpon the earth i Luk. 12 49. and wouldest haue increased verie much that daie by daie with abundance of teares I may offer vnto thee the sacrifice of a contrite spirit k Psal 51 17. and of a broken hart According as I desire and as from mine hart I craue ô sweet Christ ô good Iesu giue me thine holie and chast loue that it may replenish and hold and possesse me altogether And giue me too a continual watering streame of teares which is an euident signe of thy loue that they also may testifie to the world thy loue within me that they may declare and tel how greatlie my soule doth loue thee seeing for the exceeding pleasure it receaueth from thy loue it cannot refraine from shedding teares O good Lord sometime I remember that good woman Anna l 1. Sam. 1 verse 18. which came vnto the tabernacle to beg a sonne of God of whome the Scripture testifieth how after her teares and praiers she looked no more sad but when I remember so great virtue and such constancie of that woman I am troubled in mind and do blush againe because I behold how I wretch do grouel too much downeward For if a woman did so weepe and continue in weeping and that for a sonne how should my soule weepe yea and persist in weeping which seeketh and loueth God yea and longeth too for to come vnto him How should the soule both groane and be greeued that seeketh after God night and daie which esteemeth al things as naught beside Christ for it is much maruel if teares be not the meate of such a soule daie and night Regard therefore and shewe mercie vpon me for the dolors of mine hart be increased Giue me thine heauenlie comfort and despise not the sinful soule for which thou diedst m 1. Tim. 1 verse 15. O giue I beseech thee the inward teares of hartie affection which may both lose the fetters of my sinnes and also replenish my soule euermore with thy celestial comfort Gladlie would I atteine some portion in thy kingdome if not among men aforetime whose steps I am vnable to imitate yet at the least among religious women And here commeth into my remembrance the woonderful deuotion of other women that with a godlie affection sought thee in the graue n Matt. 28 verse 1. 5. Mark 16 1. 2 c. that albe thy disciples departed yet went not from the sepulchre that sate there heauie lamenting and weeping much a long while and rising againe with manie teares oftentimes went and peeped into the holes of the sepulchre verie diligentlie sought if anie where they could see thee whome earnestlie they sought for Manie times went they vnto the graue but to the louers too much was not often enough for the virtue of a good worke is perseuerance and because aboue the rest they loued both in louing they wept and in weeping they sought and in seeking they perseuered and therefore they before al did find thee saw thee and talke with thee And not onlie so but also they carried the tidings of your glorious resurrection to y e disciples themselues according as you bad and warned them saieng Go and tel my brethren that they go into Galile and there shal they see me o Matt. 28 verse 10. If then the women so wept and in weeping perseuered that sought the liuing among the dead and by faith touched thee how should the soule bewaile and in bewailing continue which in hart beleeueth and with mouth confesseth how thou her Sauior dost rule in heauen and gouerne euerie-where how should that soule weepe and lament which with her hart loueth and with al her whole desire longeth for thee O thou onlie refuge and hope of the distressed to whome no man sueth without hope of mercie giue me this grace for thine owne sake and for thine holie Name sake that as often as I thinke of thee speake of thee write of thee reade of thee confer of thee as often as I remember thee serue thee offer the sacrifice of praise vnto thee so often I may shed abundance of teares sweetelie before thy face that my teares may become my meate daie night p Psal 42 3. Thou ô king of glorie q Psa 24. 7. 8 c. and maister of al virtues r Matth. 23. 10. hast taught vs both by word and example to weepe to mourne saieng Blessed are they which mourne for they shal be comforted ſ Matth. 5 verse 5. Againe thou didest mourne for thy frend
thy sonne whome thou broughtest foorth into this world and respect not so mine euil which I haue done that thou forget the good which thou hast made What father is there but would saue his sonne or what sonne whome the father with the rod of mercie wil not correct Wherefore ô Father and Lord although I be a sinner yet I cannot but be thy sonne because thou hast both made me l Iob. 10 8. Psal 119 75. and renued me m Col. 3 9. 10. As I haue sinned amend me but first deliuer me to thy sonne being reformed with y e scourge Can a woman forget hir child n Esa 49 15 notwithstanding though she should yet thou father hast promised neuer to forget Behold I crie and thou hearest me not I am vexed with sorow and yet find no comfort What shal I saie or what shal I do wretch that I am I destitute of such consolation am cast from the sight of thine eies Wo is me from what felicitie into what miserie am I fallen whether did I bend my selfe and to what passe am I come where am I wretch and where am I not vnto whome did I aspire and wherin do I now sigh I sought after good things but behold vexation Lo I now labor and Iesus is not with me Doubtles better were it for me not to be at al than to be without Iesus Better is it not to liue than to liue without life And now ô Lord Iesus where be thy former mercies o Ps 89 49. wilt thou be angrie with mee for euer p Psa 85 5. Be pacified at the length I beseech thee and haue mercie vppon me neither hide awaie thy face fro me q Psa 27 9. who for my redemption didest not turne thy face from such as reprooued and spat vpon thee r Matt. 27 vers 27 c. 30. I confesse in deede I haue sinned and that my conscience deserueth damnation I acknowledge also that no penance can satisfie for my sinnes but certaine it is that thy mercie is more than al my sinnes O most gratious Lord write not thou bitter things against me ſ Iob. 13 26. neither enter thou into iudgement with thy seruant t Psa 143 2. but according to the multitude of thy compassions put awaie mine iniquities u Psal 51 1. Wo to me wretch when the daie of iudgement shal come and the bookes of each mans conscience be opened x Reu. 20 verse 12. 13. when it shal be said of me Behold the man and his workes What shal I then do ô Lord my God when the verie heauens shal reueale mine iniquitie and the earth rise vp against me Surelie I shal be able to saie nothing but hang-downe mine head for verie griefe of hart and stand trembling and confounded before thy presence Alacke wretch what may I saie shal I crie vnto thee my Lord God wherefore am I consumed saieng naught but though I do speake yet wil not my griefe haue end and if I be stil silent I shal be vexed inwardlie with most bitter sorow O my soule mourne thou like a virgin for the husband of hir youth y Ioël 1 8. howle thou miserable wretch and weepe because thine husband euen Christ z Eph. 5 25. hath forsaken thee O wrath of the almightie fal not thou vpon me for I cannot beare thee because there is not that strength in me that I can endure thee But haue mercie on me ô God that I despaire not but in despaire let me hope againe And although I haue done that which deserueth damnation yet hast not thou forgone that whereby thou art wont to salue O Lord thou wilt not the death of sinners neither doest thou reioice in the destruction a Eze. 18 23. of the dieng but that the dead might liue thou diedst b Rom. 4 25 and thy death hath killed the death of sinners and if they through thy death were againe brought vnto life ô Lord grant I beseech thee that I may not die now thou art aliue Send downe from heauen c Psa 57 3. and saue me from the power of mine enimies least they triumph ouer me and saie We haue deuoured him O good Iesu who at anie time can doubt of thy mercie who euen when we were thine enimies d Rom. 5 10 didst redeeme vs with thy pretious blood and reconcile vs to God! Lo thus protected vnder the shadowe of thy mercie I doe run vnto the throne of grace e Heb. 4 16. requiring mercie crieng and knocking vntil thou take compassion vpon me For if thou calledst vs vnto mercie when we asked none how can we misse of mercie crauing the same O sweete Iesu thinke not vpon thy iustice against a sinner but remember thy goodnes toward thy creature Thinke not vpon thy displeasure against a transgressor but remember thy mercie toward the miserable Forget me when I was proud prouoking thee vnto wrath and regard me now in distresse crieng vnto thee for mercie For what is Iesus but a Sauior f Matt. 1 21. Therefore ô Iesus by thy selfe arise to helpe me and saie vnto my soule g Psa 35 3. I am thy saluation Much doe I presume of thy goodnes ô Lord the rather because thy selfe thou teachest vs to aske to seeke and to knock h Matt. 7 7. And therefore admonished thereby I doe aske seeke and knocke But thou Lord who commandest to aske grant I may receiue who counselest to aske giue grace to find who teachest to knocke open to the knocker and strengthen me a sinner saue me a wretch raise me that am dead and vouchsafe to direct and gouerne al my senses cogitations works after thy good pleasure that hencefoorth I may serue thee liue to thee and be wholie thine I knowe Lord I doe owe my selfe to thee euen because thou hast made me and for that thou hast redeemed me i 1. Pet. 1 18. 19. and taken humane flesh vpon thee for my sake k Matt. 1 21 Luke 1 31. 69. I doe owe so much more beside my selfe as thou art greater than he for whom thou hast giuen thy selfe Lo I haue no more neither can I giue that which I haue too without thee but accept thou me and drawe me vnto thee l Iohn 6 44 that I may be thine by imitation and loue as I am thine by condition and creation who liuest m 1. Tim. 1 17 and rulest n Psal 45 6. now and euermore Amen Chap. 39. A godlie praier vnto the blessed Trinitie meete oftentimes to be repeated O Lord God almightie a Exo. 6 3. Reuel 4 8. three in persons b Math. 3 16 17. Luke 3 21. 22. yet but one God c Deut. 6 4. Mal. 2 10. who both art in al and wart before al d Ecc. 42 21 and wilt be in al things a blessed God for euermore e Reu. 4 11. Now and alwaies
into thine hand I doc commend both my soule my bodie my sight hearing tasting smelling and feeling with al my cogitations affections actions outward and inward things my sense and vnderstanding my memorie my faith and beleefe and perseuerance that thou maiest keepe them daie and night euerie houre and moment O sacred Trinitie heare my petition and saue me from al euil f Matt. 6 13 from offending and from sinning anie maner of waie from al snares and pursutes of Satan and of enimies visible and inuisible Expel far fro me the hautinesse of mind and increase within me the sorowe of hart diminish my pride and establish true humilitie within my breast fetch teares from mine eies mollifie mine hard and stonie hart and saue Lord both me my soule from al traps of the enimie and continue me in thy pleasure Teach me to doe thy wil g Ps 143 10. for thou art my God Giue me perfect sense vnderstanding ô Lord that I may be able to conceaue the deepenes of thy mercie Grant me grace to beg that at thine hands which may both be ioiful for thee to grant and behooueful for me to receaue Make me vnfainedlie to bewaile my sinnes and manifold offences Heare ô my Lord and my God h Psal 7 1. 3. heare ô light of mine eies i Iohn 1 9. heare my petition and grant that what I request I may obteine If thou despise I am vtterlie vndone if thou heare me I take hart againe If thou examinest my righteousnes lo I stinke like a dead carrion but if in mercie thou respect mee thou raisest him that stinketh out of the graue What thou hatest in me remooue far fro me and ingraffe the spirit of chastitie and of a cleane life in my mind that in asking anie thing at thine hands I may not offend thee in asking the same Take fro mee whatsoeuer is hurtful to my soule and giue what is behooueful O Lord giue me a salue to heale my greeuous woundes Indue me good Lord with thy feare k Psal 2 11. with sorowe of hart l Psa 51 17. with humilitie of minde m Ecc. 23 4. and with a pure conscience n Psal 24 4. Giue me grace Lord to keepe brotherlie concord euermore o Rom. 12 verse 10. 1. Pet. 2 17. to remember my transgressions not to meddle with the dealings of other men Pardon my soule pardon my sinnes my wickednes pardon ô pardon mine offences p Psal 51 2. 9. Visit me that am weake cure me that am sicke heale me that doth languish raise me which am dead O Lord giue me both an hart to dread thee a mind to loue thee sense to knowe thee eares to heare thee eies to see thee Haue mercie on me ô God haue mercie on me looke vpon me from the holie seate of thy Maiestie and illuminate the darknes of mine hart with the beame of thy brightnes Giue me wisedome ô Lord to discerne betweene good and euil and grant me a watchful vnderstanding Forgiue al my sinnes I beseech thee and in the time of necessitie troble q Ps 37 39. be thou good and gratious to me I onelie beseech thee After thy woonted mercie most louing kindnes ô Lord I beseech thee vouchsafe to giue me y e life which euer shal endure O Lord Iesus Christ giue both to thy ministers vnitie of mind and to magistrates iudging vprightlie peace and tranquillitie Furthermore ô Lord my request is for the whole catholike and holie Church for men and women for religious and for secular men for al Christian gouernors people beleeuing in thy Name which labor for thine holie loue that they may haue grace to continue in wel doing O Lord eternal King giue to virgins chastitie to the vnmaried continencie to the wedded puritie to repenters mercie to widowes and orphanes comfort to the poore protection to trauelers a safe returne to mourners consolation to seafaring men a ioiful hauen to the good zeale to persist to the wel inclined a mind to prooue better to the wicked and sinful as to me wretch grace with speede to repent O sweete Lord and most merciful Iesus Christ Sonne of the liuing God r Mat. 16 16 redeemer of the world ſ Tit. 2 14. Col. 1 14. 1. Pet. 2 22. 24. I acknowledge that among al and aboue al sinners I am wretched but thou most gratious and hie Father who takest mercie vpon al canst not suffer me to be vtterlie destitute of thy mercie O thou Lord King of kings t 1. Tim. 6 verse 15. Reu. 19 16. who grantest truce of life stir in me a mind alwaie and aboue al things to seeke to desire to loue to feare thee and to do thy wil who art euerie-where al whole u Iob. 23 8. 9 c. Eccl. 23 18. 19. a Trinitie and but one God x Mal. 2 10. Especialie ô Lord holie Father who art blessed and glorious for euermore I beseech thee in most humble sort vouchsafe to gouerne keepe them from destruction who either doe make mention of mee in their praiers or haue commended themselues to mine vnwoorthie supplication or haue done good whether it bee vnto my bodie with tēporal benefits or to my soule with profitable instructions or be linked vnto me either in kinred frendship or goodwil Furthermore both for al Christians which are aliue I praie thee stand thou at their elbowe to assist them and for such also as are dead and euerlastinglie doe rest from their labors y Reu. 14 13 I yeeld thee immortal praise Finalie this one thing more grant me ô Lord I do earnestlie beseech thee who art Alpha and Omega z Reuel 1 8. Reuel 21 6. that when the vttermost daie and end of my life shal come thou wilt be a merciful iudge to me against that malicious accuser a Reu. 12 10 the diuel and that thou wilt continualie protect me against the snares of the old serpent b Reu. 12 2. and finalie conduct me into the societie of Angels and of al Saints in thy holie paradise who art blessed now and euermore Amen Chap. 40. A deuout praier in memorie of the passion of Christ O Lord Iesu Christ my redemption a Col. 1 14. my mercie and my saluation b Matt. 1 21. I doe praise thee yeeld thee thanks although far vnanswereable I confes to thy benefits although not zealous enough although verie leane from the desired fatnes of thy sweete affection yet such as it hath not as I knowe it oweth and as it is able my soule paieth vnto thee O thou hope of mine hart and strength of my soule let thy diuine power fulfil what my luke warme weaknes endeuoreth to bring to passe ô my life and thou end of my thought And though I haue not hitherto deserued so greatlie to loue as I am bound yet my desire is to loue euen as I ought
old age Be thou my refuge ô my God the rocke of mine hope z Psa 94 22 for thou Lord art a great God and a great King aboue al Gods a Psal 95 3. When thou wilt iudge the world with righteousnes and thy people in truth b Psa 96 13 I shal enioie light with the righteous c Psal 97 11 and ioie with the vpright in hart Let thy right hand d Psa 98 1. and thine holie arme preserue me Thou which sittest vpon the Cherubims e Psal 99 1. make me to come before thy presence with ioifulnes f Psa 100 2. that I may walke in the vprightnes of mine hart in the mids of mine house g Psa 101 2. 4. 6. 8. Let a froward hart depart fro me but cause mine eies to be turned vnto thy faithful that I may sit with them walking in a perfect waie when through thy iudgement thou shalt cut off al the workers of wickednes from thy Citie O Lord heare my praier h Psa 102 1 2. and let my crie come vnto thee Hide not thy face fro me in the time of trouble incline thine eares vnto me Pardon al my sinnes i Psa 103 3. 4. 5. and redeeme my soule from destruction Satisfie my longing with good things thou which lookest vpon the earth and it trembleth k Ps 104 32 and broughtest foorth thy people with ioie and thy chosen with gladnes l Ps 105 43. Make mee to keepe iudgement and to worke righteousnes at al times m Psa 106 3 Bring me out of darkenes and out of the shadowe of death n Ps 107 14 that with a prepared hart I may sing and giue praise o Psa 108 1. Saue me ô Lord according to thy mercie p Ps 109 26 that in the glorie of Saincts q Psa 110 3. in the assemblie and congregation of the iust r Psa 111 1. 3. my righteousnes may endure for euer and mine horne be exalted with glorie ſ Psa 112 9. that while thou raisest the needie out of the dust and liftest vp the poore out of the dung t Psa 113 7. I may blesse thee ô Lord from hencefoorth and for euer u Psa 115 18 then I shal walke before the Lord in the land of the liuing x Psa 116 9. 16. Breake thou my bonds and confirme thy mercie towards me y Psa 117 2. When I cal vpon thee in my trouble ô Lord heare me z Psa 118 5. and set me at large Teach me ô Lord the waie of thy statutes a Ps 119 33. that I may liue and keepe it vnto the end Giue me vnderstanding both to search thy Lawe 34. and to obserue it also with mine whole hart I haue gone astraie like a lost sheepe 176. ô seeke thy seruant and deliuer my soule b Psa 120 2. Preserue my going out and my comming in c Psa 121 8. that my feete may stand in the courts of Ierusalem d Psa 122 2. I lift vp mine eies vnto thee that dwellest in the heauens e Psa 123 1. Deliuer my soule out of the snare of the foulers f Psa 124 7. least I put forth mine hands vnto wickednes g Psa 125 3. Fil my mouth with laughter and my tongue with ioie h Psa 126 2. replenish my longing with good things and blesse me out of Zion i Psa 128 5. that I may see the wealth of Ierusalem hauing escaped the cords of wickednes k Psa 129 4. Let thine eares attend vnto the voice of my praiers l Psa 130 2. ô Lord. Let not mine hart be hautie nor mine eies loftie m Psa 131 1. but giue me grace to thinke humblie vntil I finde a place for the Lord an habitation for the mightie God of Iaacob n Psa 132 5. There the Lord hath appointed the blessing and life foreuer o Psa 133 3. There wil I lift vp mine hands to the Sanctuarie and praise thee p Psa 134 2. who iudgest thy people q Psal 135 verse 14. and art pacified toward thy seruants O God of Gods r Psa 136 2. 3. and Lord of Lords now weeping ſ Psa 137 1. and worshipping toward thine holie Temple t Psa 138 2. trie me and knowe me u Psal 139 verse 23. 24. marke and consider my pathes and leade mee in thy waie for euer Deliuer me ô Lord from the euil man x Psa 140 1. and preserue mee from the cruel man Let my praier be directed in thy sight as incense y Psa 141 2. Bring my soule out of prison that I may praise thy Name z Psa 142 7. Heare my praier ô Lord in thy righteousnes a Psa 143 1. 2. and enter not into iudgement with thy seruant Heare me speedelie 7. ô Lord least my spirit faile me for thou God art my refuge and my deliuerer b Psa 144 2. And forsomuch as thou art great and most worthie to be praised c Psa 145 3. and thy greatnes is incomprehensible raise vp the crooked d Psa 146 8. loase the shacled and giue sight to the blinde thou which doest build vp Ierusalem e Psa 147 2. And when thou hast made the bars of thy gates strong 13. let me be copled to thy children within As the Angels and al the powers in the kingdome of heauen do praise thee f Psa 148 1. 2. there let me triumphing gloriouslie in the congregation of y e Saincts g Psa 149 1. with the sounding cymbals h Psa 150 5. of my lips praise and magnifie thy Name the which is holie and glorious and raigneth now and euerlastinglie Amen Luke 2 verse 14. GLORIE TO GOD ON HIGH FINIS God tremble thereat pag. 145. 34 A praier verie forceable to moue the mind vnto religion and the loue of God pag. 149. 35 A deuout praier for grace to praise and to thanke the Lord dulie for his benefits pag. 162. 36 A verie effectual praier to the stirring-vp of the mind vnto godlines beeing zealouslie vttered pag. 174. 37 A praier in the time of troble pag. 190. 38 A verie godlie praier vnto the Sonne pag. 192. 39 A godlie praier vnto the Trinitie meete oftentimes to be repeated pag. 204. 40 A deuout praier vpon the recordation of the passion of Christ pag. 212. Afterward foloweth S. Augustine his Psalter FINIS ¶ A TABLE EXPRESSING THE SVNDRIE KINDS OF MEDITATIONS IN THIS BOOKE This booke conteineth special 1. Confessions 2. Thankes-giuings 3. Praiers And therefore Vse if thou wouldest 1. Confesse acknoledge either the omnipotencie wisdome goodnes of God chap. 12 pag. 48 ch 28 pag. 114 ch 31 pag. 132. A sacred Trinitie cha 11 pag. 47 ch 29. pag. 123 ch 30. pag. 129. the blessednes of the life to come chap. 21 pag. 86 ch 22 pag. 90 ch 24 pag. 96 ch 32 pag. 141. the wretchednes of this life chap. 20 pag. 83. the miserie of man before Christ suffered chap. 7 pag. 28. the mercie of God in sauing mankind ch 8 pag. 35 ch 15 pag. 59. 2. giue God hartie thanks for all his benefits in general ch 26 pag. 106 ch 27 pag. 112 ch 32 pag. 136. for thy saluation through Iesus Christ ch 14 p. 55 ch 16 pag. 64 ch 17 pag. 69. 3. Praie vnto God either for grace to praie aright ch 5 pag. 20 ch 33 p. 145. vnfainedlie to repent ch 35 pag. 162. to knowe the diuine mysterie of our redemption c. 16. p. 64. to thanke God duelie for the benefit of thy saluation ch 17 p. 69. to serue God zealouslie chap. 4 pag. 15 chap. 7 pag 28 ch 9 pag. 43 chap. 10 pa. 46 chap. 31 pa. 132 cha 34 pag. 149 ch 36 pag. 174 cha 39 pag. 204. to leade a good life chap. 1 pag. 1 ch 18 pag. 74. for the forgiuenesse of sinnes chap. 6 pag. 24 chap. 8 pag. 35 chap. 13 pag. 51 chap. 37 pag. 190 ch 38 pag. 192 chap. 39 pag. 204. the whole church of Christ chap. 39 pag. 204. helpe in troble ch 23 pag. 93. the attainement of euerlasting happines chap. 21 pag. 86 chap. 25 p. 103 chap. 36 pag. 174 chap. 40 pag. 212. FAVLTS ESCAPED Page Line Fault Correction 26 2 distilling which distilled 31 1 tastest tastedst 88 10 pruning praieng 127 19 the Sonne the holie Spirit 150 23 nectar pleasant nectar more pleasant 1581. OS HOMINI SVBLIME DEDIT Printed by Henrie Denham dwelling in Pater noster Row at the signe of the Starre Cum priuilegie Regiae Maiestatie