God nothing d Exo. 20 3. 4. 5. be it celestial or of the substance of the fire or earthlie or else howsoeuer sensible For thou art what thou art e Exo. 3 14. and changest not f Mal. 3 6. To whome chieflie belongs that which the Greekes cal On the Latins Ens because thou art alway the same g Ps 102 27 and thy yeeres shal not faile These much mo things haue I learned of the holie mother the Church h Gal. 4 26. whereof through thy grace I am made a member Of her haue I learned how thou the alone i Psa 86 10. Esai 37 16. 20. and true God k Ioh. 17 3. 1. Thes 1 9. both hast no bodie l Ioh. 4 24. and also art vnsubiect to passions and how nothing of thy substance or nature is anie waie violable or changeable or compounded or created and therefore certaine it is how thou canst neither be perceaued by anie bodilie eies m 2. Tim. 1 verse 17. nor could euer be seene in thy proper nature of anie mortal man n Ioh. 1 18. For hence it may euidentlie be gathered that where Angels do now behold thee there we also after this life shal see thee o Reu. 22 4. Naie the verie Angels neither are able to see thee as thou art in thy selfe Naie to conclude the almightie Trinitie is knowne to none but to thy selfe onlie Chap. 29. Of the vnitie of persons and pluralitie in God ANd thou an vnitie of the God-head through the pluralitie of persons manifold art in number infinite and therefore measurablie vnmeasurable and waightilie vnwaiable For we acknowledge no beginning of the soueraigne goodnes the which thou art of whome through whome in whome al things but through participation thereof we saie al good things are a 1. Cor. 4 7. Iam. 1 17. For thy diuine essence hath alwaies bin and yet is without matter although it lacke no forme to wit informed the forme of formes the most welformed forme the which while thou imprintest as a seale to euerie particular thing thou makest them doubtles to differ from thy selfe without anie either of your augmenting or diminishing but whatsoeuer is in the world it is thy creature b Iohn 1 1. 3. Hebr. 1 1. 2. O simple Trinitie and triple vnitie God whose almightines both possesseth and ruleth and replenisheth al things which thou hast created Neither in saieng how thou fillest al things meane we that they conteine thee but rather that thou conteinest them neither by partes fillest thou al things nor yet may it be thought that euerie thing according to the greatnes of the portion it hath receaueth thee that is the greatest thing more and the smallest thing lesse thou rather being in al things or more trulie al things in thee c Act. 17 28. whose omnipotencie includeth al things neither can anie man finde a waie to escape thy power d Psa 139 7. 8 c. For whosoeuer hath not thy fauor can by no meanes auoide thy displeasure as it is written e Psal 75 6. 7. Neither from the East nor from the Weast nor from the South but God is the Iudge and againe f Psa 139 7. 8 c. Whither shal I go from thy spirit or whither shal I go from thy presence The immensitie of thy diuine greatnes is this that we knowe thee to be within al things not as included and without al things yet not as excluded And therfore thou art within y t thou maist conteine al and therfore without that al things may be comprehended within the immensitie of thy circumscribed greatnes So then by that thou art within thou art knowne to be a Creator by that thou art without we perceaue how thou art the gouernor of al things And least al things which are created might be without thee thou art within and without that al things may be included of thee not by local greatnes but by thy mightie presence who are euerie-where present and al things present before thee g Eccle. 15 verse 18. Eccl. 23 18. 19. 20. although some vnderstand these things yet some do not The vnitie then of thine inseparable nature cannot haue separable persons because as thou art a trinitie in vnitie and a vnitie in trinitie so can you not haue a separation of persons Sometime indeede those persons are particularlie named h Mat. 3 16. 17. 1. Iohn 5 7. but so thou wouldest ô God the Trinitie declare thy selfe inseparable in persons that there is no name in anie one person but may be referred vnto another according to the rule of relation As the Father vnto the Sonne and the Sonne vnto the Father so hath the Sonne true relation both vnto the Father and the Sonne Also those names which signifie either your substance ô God or person or power or essence or els what which properlie is caled God do equalie agree to al the persons as great God almightie eternal and generalie al things which naturalie are spoken of God So that there is no name of nature which so may agree vnto thee God the Father but the same also may fitlie be referred vnto the Sonne holie Ghost We saie how thou the Father art naturalie God so is the Sonne naturalie God and the holie Ghost naturalie and yet not three Gods but one God naturalie y e Father the Sonne and the holie Ghost And therefore ô God holie Trinitie in persons thou art inseparable in sense are they to be vnderstood though in sound you haue separable names for you receaue no plural number in the names of nature For hereby is it declared how the persons in the holie Trinitie which is one i Psa 86 10. Esaic 37 16. 20. verie God k Iohn 17 3. 1. Thes 1 9. can not bee diuided for that the name of euerie person respecteth alwaie another person If I saie the Father I point vnto the Sonne if I name the Sonne I presuppose a Father if I mention the holie spirit I must necessarilie vnderstand of whom he is the Spirit namelie of the Father and of the Sonne For this is the true faith proceeding from sound doctrine this vndoubtedlie is the catholike and right faith which God of his goodnes hath taught me in the bosome of the mother Church l Gal. 4 26. Chap. 30. A zealous praier vnto the blessed Trinitie WHerefore ô Lord my faith which thou hast giuen me to my saluation calleth vnto thee For the faithful soule liueth by faith a Rom. 1 17. he enioieth in hope b 1. Cor. 13 verse 12. 13. which one daie he shal behold in thee O my God vnto thee crieth my pure conscience and the sweete loue of my faith which the darknes of ignorance being driuen awaie thou hast brought vnto y e knowledge of the truth which also thou hast plucked from the foolish bitternes of this world and made comfortable and pleasant
to me through thy sweete loue Vnto thee ô blessed Trinitie doth the cleere voice and syncere loue of my faith cal the which nurishing the same from the cradle thou hast inlightened alwaie by the light of thy grace and confirmed mightilie in me through the instructions of our mother the Church Vnto thee doe I cal ô happie and blessed and glorious and single Trinitie Father c Mat. 11 25 Mark 13 32 and Sonne d Iohn 3 16 18. 1. Iohn 4 3. and holie Ghost e 2. Cor. 13 verse 13. 1. Iohn 5 7. God f Dent. 6 4. 1. Tim. 1 17. Lord g Deut. 6 13 Matth. 4 10. and Comforter h Ioh. 14 16. 17. loue grace and communion i 2. Cor. 13 verse 13. the begetter k Heb. 1 5. the begotten l Act. 13 33. the renuer m Titus 3 5 The verie light of the verie light n Iohn 1 4. 5. 9. the verie illumination The spring the flud and the watering Of one al through one al in one al things Of whom o Act. 17 28. through whom in whom are al things The liuing life the life from the liuing the quickener of such as liue p Iohn 5 21 1. Tim. 6 13. One of himselfe one of one one of two A Being of himselfe a Being of another a Being from both The Father is true q 1. Ioh. 5 9. 10. the Sonne truth r Iohn 14 6 the holie Ghost truth ſ 1. Iohn 5 6 So that the Father the Word and the Comforter are one essence t 1. Iohn 5 7 one power one goodnes one blessednes of whom through whom and in whom are al things blessed whatsoeuer things are blessed Chap. 31. How that God is the true and the soueraigne life O God the true and the soueraigne life of whom through whom in whom al things doe liue a Act. 17 28 whatsoeuer things do liue trulie and in happie state O God euen goodnes and goodlines frō whom b Iam. 1 17. through whom and in whom are al good and goodlie things which are good and goodlie God whose faith quickeneth hope erecteth and loue linketh vs God who hast commanded vs to praie vnto thee c Matt. 7 7. and makest thy selfe to be found and openest to him which knocketh God whom none forgoeth but the deceaued none seeketh but the admonished d Ioh. 6 44. and no man findeth but the purged e Matt. 5 8. God whom to knowe is life f Iohn 17 3. whom to serue is to raigne and whome to loue is the saluation and ioie of the soule Thee both with my lips and with mine hart and with al my strength I doe praise blesse and worship to thy clemencie and goodnes I doe yeeld humble thanks for al thy benefits and to thy Maiestie doe I sing Holie Holie Holie g Esai 6 3. O blessed Trinitie I beseech thee vouchsafe to come into me and to make me a meete temple for thine holines I doe praie the Father through the Sonne I praie the Sonne through the Father I praie the holie Spirit by the Father and the Sonne that al wickednes may be set far-awaie fro me and that al the holie virtues may be implanted within me O infinit GOD of whome through whom and in whom are al things made both visible and inuisible h Col. 1 16. which enclosest thine outward works and fillest thine inward gouernest them aboue bearest them belowe i Heb. 1 3. keepe mee the worke of thine hands k Psa 100 3. Psal 119 73. which trust in thee and hope onlie in thy mercie Keepe me I beseech thee both here and euerie-where now and alwaie within and without before and behind aboue and beneath round-about so that there be no place for the snares of the enimie against me Thou art God almightie l Gen. 35 11 Psal 115 3. Reuel 11 17 the keeper and protector of al that trust in thee m Psa 18 30 without whom none is in safetie no man is free from danger Thou art God and beside thee there is none other n Deu. 4 39 Psal 86 10. either in heauen aboue or in earth belowe which doest great things and vnsearchable o Iob. 5 9. and maruelous things without number Meete is it that thou be praised that thou be honored that thou be magnified with commendations To thee the whole troupe of Angels to thee the heauens and al the powers do sing and continualie yeeld praises as creatures to the Creator seruants to the Lord souldiers to their King Euerie creature doth extol and euerie soule doth glorifie thee the holie and vndiuided Trinitie Chap. 32. A fourme of thankesgiuing vnto God TO thee the holie and humble men of hart a Song of y e three children ver 87 86. to thee the spirits and soules of the righteous to thee doe al the supernal citizens together with al the orders of blessed spirits yeeld humble praise and glorie and exalt thee aboue al things for euer O Lord gloriouslie and honorablie do those heauenlie citizens adorne thee with praises Man also the most excellent among thy creatures doth magnifie thee Yea and I too a miserable sinner doe exceedinglie desire to praise thee greatlie do I loue to loue thee aboue al things O my God b Psal 7 1. 3. my life c Psal 42 8. my strength d Psa 18 1. 2. and my praise e Psa 118 14 Esaie 12 2. giue me grace to praise thee Put thy light in mine hart and thy word into my mouth that both mine hart may thinke vpon thy glorie and my tongue sing out thy praises euerie daie f Psal 71 8. But forsomuch as praise is not seemelie in the mouth of a sinner g Ecc. 15 9. and I am a man of polluted lips h Esai 6 5. purge mine hart I beseech thee from al iniquitie i Psal 51 7. 8. sanctifie mee both within and without ô almightie sanctifier and make me woorthie to sound foorth thy praise Receaue in good part from the hand of the hart and from the loue of the mind receiue I praie thee the sacrifice of my lips and let it be acceptable in thy sight and ascend-vp vnto thee like a sweete smelling sauor Let thine holie memorie and thy blessed sweetenes possesse my whole soule and rauish me with desire of inuisible things Let my soule I beseech thee passe from visible vnto inuisible from terrestrial vnto heauenlie vnto eternal from transitorie things let it passe I saie and see thy woonderful vision O eternal veritie k Psal 117 2. true charitie l 1. Iohn 4 8 9. and deere eternitie m 1. Tim. 1 verse 17. thou art my God n Psa 31 14. vnto thee doe I sigh after thee doe I couet on thee doe I thinke vnto thee doe I desire to come night and
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
what thou hast begun that we may be able to come into the fulnes of thy mercie Make vs through the holie spirit to vnderstand and through thy Sonne to discerne and with due honor to reuerence this high mysterie of godlines z 1. Tim. 3 verse 16. which is how God was manifested in the flesh iustified in the Spirit seene of Angels preached vnto the Gentils beleeued on in the world and receaued vp in glorie Chap. 17. Another thankesgiuing for the benefit of our redemption O Lord our GOD a Psa 90 1. 2. Psal 95 7. how much are we bound vnto thee which be redeemed with such a price b 1. Pet. 1 18 19. salued with such a gift c Iohn 3 16. and preserued by so heauenlie a benefit O how greatlie are we wretches bound to feare thee to loue thee to blesse thee to praise thee to honor thee and to glorifie thee seeing we are so saued so sanctified and so glorified of thee d Rom. 8 verse 30. For we are indebted to thee both for al that wee can doe and for al our life e Act. 17 28. and for al our wisedome f Iam. 1 17. And who hath anie thing of himselfe not from thee g 1. Cor. 4 7 Wherefore ô Lord our God from whome euerie good gift doth proceede h Iam. 1 17. euen for thine owne sake and for thine holie name sake giue vs grace of thy goodes and gifts to serue thee and in truth to please thee and euermore for so great benefits of thy mercie to thanke thee For by none other meanes can we either serue or please thee but by thine owne gift For euerie good giuing and euerie perfect gift is from aboue i Iam. 1. 17. and commeth downe from the Father of lights with whome is no variablenes neither shadowing by turning O Lord our God k Ioh. 20 17 ô gratious l Esai 6 3. Esai 43 15. God ô good m Matt. 19 verse 17. God ô God almightie n 2. Cor. 6 verse 18. Reu. 11. 17. GOD whose nature can be neither vttered by words nor conteined in anie place o Iob. 23 8. 9. Psal 139 6. 7. 8 c. GOD Creator of al things p Gen. 1 1. 2 c. Psal 135 6. and the Father of our Lord Iesu Christ q Gal. 1 1. 3. which hast from thine owne bosome sent the same thy beloued Sonne r Matt. 3 17. into the world for our common welfare ſ 1. Tim. 1 15 to take our nature vpon him t Iohn 1 15. that he might giue vs his and be as perfect God of thee his Father so perfect man of his mother a verie God and a verie man yet but one and the same Christ both eternal and temporal immortal and mortal a Creator and a creature strong and weake a conqueror and conquered a nourisher and nourished a shepheard and a sheepe temporalie dead and yet liuing eternalie with thee who promised to his friends a citie of life and said to his disciples Whatsoeuer ye shal aske the Father in my Name u Ioh. 10 23 he wil giue it you By the same high Priest x Heb. 8 1. and right Byshop y Heb. 9 11. 12 c. and good Shepheard z Ioh. 10 10 11. who hath offered himselfe for a sacrifice giuing his life for his sheepe I beseech thee euen by him which sitteth at thy right hand a Rom. 8 34 and maketh request for vs our redeemer b 1. Pet. 1 18 19. aduocate c 1. Iohn 2 1 2. I saie of thy mercie and goodnes I humblie beseech thee ô most gentle most louing and most gratious God louer of mankind d Iohn 3 16 giue mee grace with the same thy Sonne and the holie Ghost in al things to blesse thee and with much sorowe of hart to glorifie thy Name finalie giue me a fountaine of teares with great reuerence and feare For they haue power to giue alike whose substance is al one But forsomuch as a corruptible bodie e Wisd 9 15 is heauie vnto the soule quicken me I praie thee by thy spurs and make me valiantlie to perseuere in thy precepts and praises daie and night f Psa 35 28 Make mine hart hot within me g Psa 39 3. and in my musing let the fire bee kindled And because thy beloued and only Son hath said No man can come to me h Ioh. 6 44. except the Father which hath sent me drawe him and againe No man commeth vnto the Father but by me i Ioh. 14 6. I praie and humblie beseech thee drawe mee alwaies vnto him that he at length may bring me vnto thee euen thither where he is sitting at thy right hand k Rom. 8 34 wheras life euerlasting l Reu. 7 15. 16. 17. and euerlastinglie blessed is whereas perfect loue and no feare is m Reu. 21 4 whereas daie alwaie and one spirit of al is whereas soueraigne and sure securitie and secure quietnes and quiet ioifulnes and ioiful blessednes and blessed euerlastingnes and euerlasting happines and the happie sight n Reu. 22 4. and praising of thee is without end where thou with him and he in the communion of the holie Spirit liueth and raigneth a God for euer and euer Amen Chap. 18. A most godlie praier vnto our Sauior Christ O GOD Christ thou most kind louer of mankind a Eph. 5 2. 1. Ioh. 3 16. mine hope b Col. 1 27. 1. Tim. 1 1. the light c Iohn 1 4. 5 c. the waie d Ioh. 14 6. the life e Ioh. 11 25 the saluation f 1. Pet. 2 24 the honor and the glorie of al thy people g Luk. 2 32. Cal into thy remembrance for whose sake thou wouldest endure suffer bands h Matt. 27 2 the crosse i Mar. 15 15. 16 c. Gal. 3 13. wounds k Ioh. 19 34 death and the graue l Ioh. 19 41. 42. I beseech thee for whose cause hauing ouercom death after three daies thou rosest againe m Mat. 28 5 6. appeeredst to thy Disciples n Mar. 16 14 Luk. 24 13. 14 c. 25. 26 c. instructing their wauering minds and fortie daies after thy resurrection thou ascendedst into heauen o Luke 24 verse 51. Actes 1 9. where thou liuest and shalt raigne for euermore p Reu. 4 8. 9. 10. 11. Thou art my GOD a liuing q Rom. 8 verse 34. and a true God r Matt. 4 7. 10. mine holie Father my louing Lord ſ Act. 7 59. my puissant Prince t Reu. 4 9. 10. 11. Reu. 5 11. 12. 13. my good shepherd u Iohn 10 11 14. mine onlie master x Mat. 23 8 my best helper y Heb. 13 6. my faithfullest friend z Ioh. 15. 15. my liuing bread a Iohn 6
is our peace which made of both one k Eph. 2 14. and ioining the two contrarie walles together hath promised that he wil giue the euerlasting felicitie of your happines in himselfe after the like maner and measure when he said They shal be like the Angels of God in heauen l Matth. 22 verse 30. Chap. 20. A bewailing of the miseries of this life O My Lord I am euen wearie of this life and of this troublesome pilgrimage a Psa 39 12. Hebr. 11 13. This life is a miserable life b Iob. 14 1. a transitorie c Rom. 6 12. 2. Cor. 4 11. life an vncertaine life d 1. Chr. 29. verse 15. Psal 102 11. a laborsome life e Gen. 3 17 18. 19. a polluted life f Gen. 6 5. a life which is the mistres of wickednes the Queene of pride replenished with error and miseries not to be called a life but a death wherein euerie moment we die both by sundrie defects of nature and manifold diuersities of deathes Can we therefore cal it a life that we liue in this world the which both humors puffe vp and sorowes pluck downe and heate withereth and the aër infecteth which both eating maketh fat and fasting maketh leane mirth maketh dissolute sadnes consumeth care shortneth securitie dulleth wealth maketh proude pouertie bringeth out of hart youth extolleth age crooketh sicknes breaketh sorowe depresseth and after al these things commeth raging death and bringeth an end at once to al the ioies of this miserable life which being past a man would not thinke it had euer bin at all This vital death and mortal life albe it be replenished with these and other miseries yet a griefe to tel how manie doth it catch with her snares how manie be deceaued by her false promises And although it be so deceitful and bitter of it selfe that her blindest louers cannot choose but perceaue the same yet with her golden cup which she carieth in her hand she maketh an infinite companie of fooles vtterlie drunke Oh happie are they and those verie rare which auoide her familiaritie g 1. Iohn 2 verse 15. 16. 17. which despise her momentanie pleasure and her companie least with the perishing deceauer they also be compelled to perish Chap. 21. Of the felicitie of that life which God hath prepared for such as loue him BVt ô thou life which God hath prepared for them that loue him a 1. Cor. 2 9. thou art a liuelie life a blessed life b Reu. 7 15. 16. 17. a secure life c Reu. 21 4. 23. 24. a goodlie life a pure life chaste life an holie life a life ignorant what death means voide of sorowe a life without spot without griefe without trouble without corruption without perturbation without change and alteration a life replenished with al goodlines and glorie where neither aduersarie to impugne nor inticement of sinne is to carrie awaie but perfect loue no feare is where the daie lasteth euer and one spirit of al is euen where God is beholden face to face d 1. Cor. 13. verse 12. and with this foode of life the mind is fed abundantlie It doth me good to meditate of thy glorie thy good things doe exceedinglie delight me The more I remember the more I long for thee Greatlie doe I desire maruelouslie am I delighted with the sweete memorie of thy Name It doth me good therefore to lift vp the eies of mine hart to stir vp the state of my mind to bend mine affection towards thee Truelie it doth me much good to talke of thee to heare of thee to write of thee to confer of thee to reade euerie daie of thy glorie blessednes and to meditate often of that I reade that so at least wise from the heate perils sweatings of this mortal and transitorie life I may passe vnto the delectable coole of the liuelie aër and so when I go to sleepe may somewhat laie downe my wearie head in thy bosome For which cause I walke manie times into the pleasant fields of the holie Scriptures where I plucke vp the goodlie greene herbes of sentences by pruning eate them by reading chawe them by vsing and laie them vp at the length in the hie seate of memorie by gathering them together that so hauing tasted thy sweetenes I may the lesse perceaue the bitternes of this miserable life O thou most happie life ô right blessed kingdome voide of death e Reu. 21 4. euerlasting where no times succeede by ages where the continual day without night hath none end where the conquering soldier ioined to that ioiful quier of angels and crowned with the crowne f 1. Pet. 5 4. Reuel 4 4. of euerlasting glorie doth sing to his God a song among the songs of Zion Oh that I might my sinnes being pardoned and this burden of the flesh laid-awaie foorthwith ô that I might enter into thy ioies g Matt. 25 verse 21. 23. to enioie euerlasting rest that I might passe into the goodlie and glorious wals of thy citie to receaue a crowne of life at the hands of my Lord h Reu. 2 10. that I might bee among that holie quier that I might stand with the blessed spirits before the maiestie of the Creator i Reu. 22 4. that I might behold the present countenance of Christ k 1. Cor. 13 verse 12. that I might see that soueraigne and vnspeakeable and vncompassed light and finalie that I might be neuer tuched with anie feare of death l Reu. 21 4. but reioice euerlastinglie for the gift of perpetual incorruption Chap. 22. Of the happines of the good soule hence departing HAppie is the soule which departing from the earthlie bodie goeth directlie into heauen secure it is and quiet and feareth neither enimie nor death a Reu. 21 4. For it enioieth continualie thy presence b 1. Cor. 13 verse 12. ô God and vncessantlie beholdeth the most glorious Lord whome she hath serued and loued c 1. Cor. 2 9. and whome now at the length ful ioifulie and gloriouslie she hath attained vnto And this glorie of so great blessednes neither time shal diminish nor anie wicked person take awaie d Matt. 6 19 20. Luk. 12 33. The daughters of Zion haue seene her and counted her blessed e Sal. songs 6 verse ◠euen the Queenes and the concubines haue praised her saieng Who is she that commeth vp out of the desert f Sal. songs 8 verse 5. abounding in pleasure leaning vpon her welbeloued Who is she that looketh foorth as the morning g Sal. songs 6 verse 9. faire as the moone pure as the sun terrible as an armie with banners How cheerefulie goeth she out hasteneth runneth when al amazed she heareth her beloued saieng vnto her on this wise h Sal. songs 2 verse 10. Arise my loue my faire one and come awaie For behold 11. the winter now is past
glorious King is al thine happines He is the King of kings in the mids of thee and you are his ministers about him There be the singing quires of Angels a Reue. 5 11. 12. there the companies of supernal citizens b Eph. 2 19. there the solemnitie of al which haue returned from this woful peregrination vnto thy ioies There be the prudent Prophets the twelue Apostles c Reu. 21 14. the victorious host of infinite Martyrs d Reu. 7 14. the sacred conuent of holic confessors is there e Reu. 12 11. Reuel 19 1. 2. 4. There be both vpright men and holie matrones which haue ouercome the pleasures of this world and the weakenes of sexe there be those yong men and maidens which haue spent their time in godlie conuersation There be the sheepe f Matth. 25 verse 32. 33. and lambes that haue escaped the snares of this world where they now triumph in their seueral mansions the glorie of each particular man differeth but common is the ioie of them al. There ful and perfect charitie doth raigne g 1. Cor. 13 verse 13. for God there is al in al h 1. Cor. 15 verse 28. whome they do alwaies behold i Reu. 22 4. and by beholding him continualie they burne the more in loue toward him They loue and they praise him they praise and they loue him al their worke is to praise God without ending without fainting without toiling Oh happie yea and euermore happie shal I be if after the resolution of this mortal bodie I may heare those celestial songs of melodie which are soong vnto the praise of the eternal king by those citizens of the supernal countrie k Heb. 11. 16. and by the companies of the blessed spirits Happie then yea much happie should I be might I be counted worthie to sing those songs and to wait on my King my God and my Captaine to behold him in his glorie according as he hath promised saieng l Ioh. 17 24. Father I wil that they whome thou hast giuen me be with me euen where I am that they may behold my glorie which I had with thee before the foundation of the world And in another place m Iohn 12 verse 26. If anie maÌ„ serue me let him folow me for where I am there shal also my seruant be And againe n Iohn 14 verse 21. He that loueth me shal be loued of my father and I wil loue him and wil shewe mine owne selfe to him Chap. 25. A Psalme concerning the glorie of Paradise paraphrasticallie made vâ—on the words of Saint Augustine VNto the wel of life endles My soule ah drie my soule doth thirst Wherein it lies in great distres The flesh hir gaile she would haue birst She stirs she striues she sues amaine Her countrie to enioie againe Her present case while she doth â—ourne Subiect to griefe she thinkes vpon The glorious state she had beforne Which now through sinne is quite igon The euils wherein we be tost Bring into mind the blisse we lost For who can tel what ioie it is a 1. Cor. 2 9. For to enioie the soueraigne peace b Phil. 4 7. Where the foundations of hoâ—ses With pretious stones c Reu. 21 19. rise and encrease With gold the roofes are al set out With gold the parlors shine about Of iewels onlie pretious This goodlie buildin rected was The streete whereof is glorious Paued with gold as shining glas d Reu. 21 2â— There is no slime there is no lane There is no sicknes for to paine e Reu. 21 4. No winter cold no sommer hot At no time there do men annoie Fresh roases alwaie may be got The spring alwaie men there enioie The saffron red the lilies white The balme giueth sent men to delight The fields are fresh the seede doth spring With honie sweete the riuers flowe The pleasant odors comfort bring And sauors good from spices go The apples alwaie hang on tree And euermore the woods greene bee The Moone doth rise ne yet decline Nor stars nor sunne do alter race The Lambe continualie doth shine In that same towne and blessed place There is no time nor anie night f Reu. 22 5. But euermore the daie is bright For al the saincts shine gloriouslie As doth the sinne g Matt. 13 verse 34. euen they do so After the triumph mutualie They sing together on a rowe And make report with harts al glad Of euerie fight which they haue had Th' are freed from sinne and rid from strife Of blood and sprite the flesh and eke The mind enioie the spiritual life And each one thing do thinke and seeke Ther 's none offences to molest They now possessing perfect rest Ful gladlie they do mention make Being rid from change of former case And comfort much they alwaie take Of pleasant truth seeing the face h Reu. 22 4 Hence liuelie ioie from liuing spring Thence being rid they skip and sing They noble strong they iocund are From trobles now they be set free The healthful there right wel doe fare And youth dreads nought old age to see Hence too thence they spring last For frailtie now is gone and past Their state diuine doth vp swalowe The mightie force of death so fel. God knowing al things they which knowe Al other things most knowe right wel For ech mans hart to ech mans sight Is ope In one they do delight One thing they loath one thing they like Their harts and mind and wil are one Albe they are not crownd alike For those good deeds which they haue done Loue worketh so that each mans blis To al men due and common is The Egles meete where carcase lies i Matth. 24 verse 28. That holie soules with Angels good May be renued in the skies In euerie place they eate one food They filled are yet do craue They would those things the which they haue Yet loath they nought though ful they be Their hunger doth them moue nothing They eate and that ful greedilie And eating pricks them to eating The pleasant songs expel sad feares And organe pipes doe please the eares Due praise they yeeld vnto the King Through whom they doe triumph in blis O happie soule is such seeing Before thâ— Lord it present is And from his seate with lookâ— ful bold How earth is ruled doth behold And how the Stars the Sunne and Moone With Planets al their place doe keepe After my fight ô let â—e soone Approch vnto this felowship O Christ my sute doe thou regard Of striuers who art the reward And make me to receaue apart Of that same blis which they possesse Giue strength that with couragious hare I may endure the fight easelesse That battel fought I then may find Long rest thee Christ euen to my mind Amen Chap. 26. The praise which the soule continualie doth ascribe vnto God through the contemplation of
let mine hart mine hart an huge sea swelling with waues rest in thee Thou which rebukedst the wind q Matth. 8 verse 26. Mark 4 39. Luke 8 24. and the sea whereby there came a great calme come thou and go vpon the waues of mine hart that euerie thing which I haue may be calme and cleere that I may embrace thee mine onelie good and behold thee the sweete light of mine eies without anie blind darknes of troblesome cogitations O Lord let my mind from the parching heat of worldlie cares flie vnder the shadowe of thy wings that being hid in thy temperate coolenes it may ioifulie sing and saie I wil laie me downe also sleepe in peace r Psal 4 8. Let my memorie sleepe ô Lord my God ſ Psal 7 1. 3. I praie thee let it sleepe frō al euil righteousnes let it loue t Heb. 1 9. but hate iniquitie For indeede in the middes of the darknes and trobles of this life what goodlier and what sweeter thing can there be than to couet after the sweetenes of heauen and to sigh for eternal happines than to haue the mind there fixed where it is most assured to haue true ioies O most sweete most louelie and blessed Iesu when shal I behold thee when shal I come and appeare before thy presence u Psal 42 1. 2. when shal I be satisfied with thine image x Psa 17 15. when wilt thou bring my soule out of prison y Psa 142 7. that I may praise thy Name and be grieued no more when shal I passe into that glorious goodlie house of thine z Psal 84 1. 2. wheras the voice of singing and praise is in the tabernacles of the righteous Blessed are they which dwel in thine House ô Lord they wil euer praise thee a Psal 84 4. Blessed and blessed indeede are they whom thou hast chosen and taken into that celestial inheritance Behold Lord thy saints flourish before thee as the Lilie Because they are satisfied with the fatnes of thine House b Psal 36 8. 9. and thou giuest them drinke out of the riuer of thy pleasures For with thee is the wel of life and in thy light they doe see light so that they to wit the light inlightened of thee God inlightening c Iohn 1 9. doe now shine as the Sunne d Matth. 13 43. in thy presence Oh how maruelous how glorious how amiable are thy tabernacles ô Lord of hosts e Psal 84 1. 2. my sinful soule longeth to enter thereinto O Lord I haue loued the habitation of thine house f Psal 26 8. and the place where thine Honor dwelleth One thing haue I desired of the Lord and that I wil require euen that I may dwel in the house of the Lord al the daies of my life g Psal 27 4. As the Hart braieth for the riuers of water h Psal 42 1. so panteth my soule after thee ô God When shal I come 2. and appeare before thy presence when shal I see my God whome my soule so thirsteth for When shal I see him in the land of the liuing i Psa 27 13. For in this land of the dieng he can not be seene with mortal eies k Iohn 1 18. 1. Tim. 6 16. 1. Iohn 4 12 What shal I wretch do being fettered with the gieues of this mortal flesh l Wisd 9 15 what shal I doe while we are in the bodie we are absent from the Lord m 2. Cor. 5 6 Here we haue no continuing citie n Heb. 13 14 but we seeke one to come And our freedome is in heauen o 2. Cor. 5 1. Wo is me that I am a stranger so long and that I dwel in the tents of Kedar p Psa 120 5. 6. My soule hath too long dwelled in a strange place Oh that I had wings like a doue q Psal 55 6. then would I flie-awaie and rest Nothing is so pleasant to me as to be with my God It is good for me to drawe neere vnto God r Psa 73 28 O Lord grant while I liue in this mortal bodie that I may cleaue to thee as it is written He that is ioined vnto the Lord is one spirit ſ 1. Cor. 6 17 Giue me the wings of contemplation I beseech thee that endued there withal I may flie aloft vnto thee And seing euerie sinister thing lieth downeward hold thou my mind that it fal not downe vnto the bottome of the darkesome vale and that by reason of the shade of earth comming betwene it be not separated from thee the true Sun of righteousnes and be hindered from beholding things on hie through the cloud of darknes For which cause I doe soare vpward vnto the ioies of peace t Phil. 4 7. and vnto the delectable and pleasant state of light u Reu. 21 23 24 c. Hold thou mine hart by thine hand because without thee it can not be carried aloft Thither I do hasten whereas soueraigne peace raigneth and euerlasting quietnes doth shine x Reu. 7 16. 17. Hold and gouerne thou my spirit take it vnto thee according to thy wil that thou being guide it may ascend into that region of plentie where thou feedest Israel euerlastinglie with the foode of truth that at the least with swift cogitation it may attaine vnto thee the soueraigne wisedome abounding aboue al surpassing al and gouerning al things But alas manie things doe mutter against my soule flieng vnto thee Notwithstanding at thy commandement ô Lord let them not ouerthwart me Yea let my verie soule be silent let her ouer-passe al things mount ouer al things that are created and come vnto thee fixing the eies of faith vpon thee alone the Creator of al things for thee let her long to thee let her couet on thee let her thinke thee let her behold be thou in her sight euermore meditate she in her hart of thee the true and soueraigne goodnes y Iam. 1 17. and the ioie abiding for euermore z Matt. 25 verse 21. To conclude though manie are the contemplations wherewithal the godlie soule is maruelouslie fed and refreshed yet in none is she so delighted and resteth as in thee and when thou alone art in her thought and eies O Lord how great is the goodnes which woonderfulie thou inspirest into the harts of them which loue thee How maruelous is the sweetnes of thy loue which they enioie who loue nothing seeke nothing yea desire nothing beside thee Oh happie are they whose hope is onlie in thee and whose onlie worke is praier Blessed is he who sitteth solitarie and silent and watcheth himselfe daie and night continualie that placed as yet in this mortal body he may haue some fore-taste of thy celestial sweetnesse O Lord by those health-bringing wounds which on the cros thou suffredst for our sakes from which gushed-out that pretious