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 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
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
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
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
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
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
perswasion shall suffise so to incorporate thee in Loue Felowshippe and daily exercise as sharpely to take reuenge of thy sluggish body in whatsoeuer Daye thy vngratefull Spirite shall become negligente of thy dewetie therin Consider I pray thee the paine Passion merites and immense goodnesse of a milde louing and mercifull Sauiour Iesus Christe towarde thee forgeat not that beinge deade throughe Sinne in thy firste Father ADAM and worthily condemned to eternall dampnacion He without other mocion then his own mercy brought thee to liue againe If this so great mercie cannot bring in the bondes of thy owinge dewtie and mooue thee by daily vse of thankes geuing through harty Praier to cancel the records of such gratitude be yet reduced by considering the scorching paines prepared in guerdon of the vngrate and reprobate Accepte the troubles wretchednesse Martirdomes of this lothsom life as true Figure of his fauoure and signes of his blessing be not vnthankfull by omission of Prayer toward so naturall and more then louing a Father that he hath stauled thee on earth not onelie replenished with manie wholesom Hearbs Flowers Fruites Waters Trees Plants manie worthie Creatures to thy behoofe and Subiection but hath farther geuen thee a most comfortable and infallible promise and graunt of his holy Spirite deuine grace to arm guide and defende thee so well against the traines of thy Aunciente foe Sathan as also how to vse these his wonderful workes louing kindnesse and great mercie so that with heartie and faithfull Praier thou call to him for the same yea and hathe left thee a form of Peticion by Praier to him for all thy necessities and lastlie hath geuen thee a speciall coÌ„maundement to Praie promising to heare and graunt thy request Wherfore it is requisite to thee such as praie Firste well to consider of this promisse whereby may bee kindled in them a more Ardent desire Faithfullie to pray for without this speciall commaundemente enioyning vs to praie except also God had promised hee woulde heare vs neither thou nor anie creature could obtaine the least thinge by his praiers And here thou maist see when we obtaine any thing the graunt is not to be attributed to our praiers or worthinesse but to the vnspeakeable goodnesse of GOD which preuenteth our praiers with his promise and commaundemente wherby hee dooth mooue vs to praie that wee may learne he is carefull for vs and much more ready to graunte then we to aske or receiue And because he offreth to vs more goodnes then either wee dare or can in any wise desire let that blessed bountie of GOD so kindle and confirme thee that thou alwaies praie without doubting For speciallie in acceptable praier is required that we mistrust nothing the prouidence of the almightie by that he chieflie promiseth that he will heare vs and gaue a precept of praying onely to settell and confirme our sure beliefe that he vvould heare vs as in the .21 of Mathew and .11 of Marke is saide Whatsoeuer you aske Praying beleue you shall receiue it and it shall be geuen you Luke likevvise 11. Euery one that asketh receiueth he that seeketh findeth and to him that knocketh it shal be opened With these and like so well promises as commaundementes thy minde is to be confirmed faithfullie to praie assuring thy self thou shalt receiue all that thou doest aske But if thou doubt of the will of God in thy Praier praie rashlie thou coÌ„mittest tvvo offences First because thorowe thine owne fault thy praier is of lesse valevv and laboure in vaine For saith S. Iames If any man require ought of God lette him aske with Faith not doubtinge For hee that doubteth is like a Surge of the Sea which is tossed of the winde and caried with violence Nâ—ither let that man thincke he shall receiue any thing of his Heauenly Father because his hart is not sure quiet for Faith kepeth the harte quiet that it may receiue the guift of God. The other is that thou beleeuest in God as in a light and friuolous Person deeminge him eyther not able to perfourm his promises or that he vvill not These plucke avvay the Glory and Name from the high God which beleue he is not faithfull and true And this Sinne is so great that of a Christian it maketh a Heathen for God is not only denied in this Sinne but he is vtterly thereby lost neither is there any hope of recouery so longe as thou abidest in this infidelitie And if it happen to any that praieth vvithout sure trust that he obtaine any thing that guifte is geuen of God being angry to the destruction bothe of Body and Soule that at the least somme Honour may be done to the holy Scriptures whiche may be vttered from menne full of sin distrust and contempt of God. Furthermore they doo not iudge right vvhiche thincke to obteine in prayer by their ovvne vvorthinesse This is not to be regarded vvhether thou be vvorthy or vnvvorthy that praiest for praier consisteth not in the worthinesse vvhiche wee bring but in the infallible truthe of Goddes promise And truly if praier be grounded eyther vpon it selfe or any other it is vayn frustrate yea thoughe it seeme to proceede from the Godly affectes of the Harte and eies pouring out aboundant teares of Water or Bloud But let vs praie to be Iudged vvorthy and bee hearde because vvee perceiue oure ovvne vnvvorthynesse and are bolde through the only goodnesse of God and Faith. Although thou perceiuest thy selfe vnvvorthy in desert either to aske or receiue any thinge of thy Celestiall Father let this only be regarded that thou shalt obtain it through the honour of his name vvhich is true and let not thy vnbeleeuing Faith holde his promise for an vntruthe Neyther shall vnvvorthynesse hinder thee as also thy vvorthinesse shall nothinge further thee But Vnbeliefe onely shall damme thee and Faithe shall make thee vvorthy and saue thee Diligentely therfore bevvare that thou neuer deem thy self vvorthy to pray or receiue but euen vvhen thou feeleste thy selfe able boldely to leane to the sure and true promises of thy chiefe Creatoure of vvhose mercy thou oughtest to bee so muche the more sure because euen as hee promised thee vnvvorthy and vvithout deserte that hee vvill denie thee nothing So likevvise thoughe thou be vnvvorthy yet he vvil heare thee that he may perfourme the promises he gaue thee So that nothinge is left to thy deserts or vvorthinesse but the truth mercie of the most Highest do chalenge all thinges to themselues From vvhence al promises flovve as oute of a Fountaine that this sâ—ying might be fulfilled Psalm 25. All the wayes of thâ— Lorde are mercy and truthe for his mercy vve do se in his promises and his Truthe vvhen they are fulfilled and kept And likevvise in the Psal 32. Mercie and Truthe are in his way that is they are mette and seene ioyned togeather in any one vvorke or guift vvhiche vve obtaine in
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
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
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