make clere my mind and soule and make it syngle and lyghten it Graunte me free inturning vnto thee O my Lorde God O my very vnchāgeable goodnesse fulfyll me with thine owne selfe Leade me into the clere bottome of my soule and bringe me from thens into thee my originall Knitte me vnto thee moste nerely and chaung trāsforme me altogether into thee that thou maiest haue thy delyte in me Here me graciousely Lorde here me graciousely not at my will but at thy blessed pleasure Oh Lorde teache illumine directe and helpe me in all things that I maye doe nothing I maye speake nothinge I maye thinke nothinge nor desyre nothinge but that whiche maye be acceptable before thee Then to haue in minde our blessed ladye O Blessed MARIE O moste sweete Virgine haue pitye vpon me moste vile sinner I salute I honour thee Oh blessed ladie optaine for me of thy blessed sōne full remission of all my synnes optaine for me perfect mortification and forsakinge of my selfe Optaine for me very and true humilitie patiēce charitie refrainyng and temperance of my tong and of my sences Obtaine for me puritie simplicitie freedome of minde and that I maye bee once accordinge to the hartes desire of thy sonne Take in mynde all Saintes O All ye blessed saintes of God and blessed spirites Angelicall whome God with his melly fluous countenance and blessed presence maketh ioyfull and euerlastingely glad praye ye for me I salute and honour you I geue lauds thākes vnto our Lord which hath chosen you and hath preuented you in his benedictions Oh optayne for me forgeuenesse optayne for me grace and to be made one with God O Moste benigne moste mercifull IESV haue mercie vpon thy churche haue mercy vpon this place and congregacion Graunte that here be cotinuallie humilitie peace charitie chastitie puritie Graunt that we all maye worthily amende and correcte our selues that we feare thee and serue thee faithfully that we maye loue thee and please the. I commende vnto thy mercie all our businesse our necessities Lord haue mercie vpon all for whome thou haste shed thy moste holie blood Oh Lord conuerte turne and call agayne all miserable sinners graunt vnto the quicke forgeuenesse grace vnto the dead rest and light euerlasting Amen A prayer for schollares before they goe to schoole for obtayning vvisdome learning and knovvledge COme O holy spirit replenishe the harts of thy faythfull lightē in vs the fyer of thy loue which by diuersitie of all languages haste assembled and gathered the people in the vnitie of fayth O God which by the brightnes of the holy Ghost hast instructed the hartes of the faythfull graunte vs that in the same spirite we maye knowe that whiche is ryghte and truth and alwaies to be ioyfull in his consolation Amen Holesome Meditations vvich you may vse at night before you goe to reste 1 VVhen thou wouldest goe to bedde thou shalt yelde thankes to God for his greate mercy that he hath so preserued thee that daye wherein dyuers throughe their sinnes hane fallen headlonge into hell 2 Then after reuolue and call to minde diligently all the sinnes whereby any way thou hast offended God or thy neyghbour that daye and aske God mercye for them 3 Fynally thou shalte praye to God with thy hart that he would vouchsafe to haue care ouer thee and that he would not suffer thee to perish in workes of darcknesse and by these or other lyke prayers folowinge thou shalte call for the ayde and succour of our Lord and Sauiour An Eueninge prayer to be sayed as thou goest to bedde Ex viridario spirituali A Lmyghtye and euerlastinge God I render thee most hartye thankes for that thou haste vouchsafed of thy greate mercye and goodnes to preserue me this day frō all euil And I beseech thee more-ouer for thy bitter death and passion moste mercifully to pardone me wretched sinner all mine offences that this day I haue committed by thought worde or deede and hereafter to preserue and keepe me from all daunger as well of body as of soule to the end I may rise agayne in health to prayse the name of thy maiestie and ioyfully serue thee in thankes gyuinge with a chaste body and a cleare harte Amen Our Father c. Hayle Marye c. O Mary the mother of grace And of mercy mother also Defend me from the cruell foe And at my death my sou'e ēbrace I Beleeue in God the Father c. An other prayer for the night O Lord God and my heauenly Father forasmuch as by thy diuine ordinance the night approcheth and darknes begynneth to ouer whealme the earth and tyme requireth that we geue oure selues to bodylye reste quietnes I render vnto thee moost hartie thankes for thy louynge kyndnes whiche haste vouchsaued to preserue me this day from the daunger of mine enemies to geue me my healthe to feede mee and to sende me all thinges necessarie for the cōforte of this my poor eand nedye lyfe I moste humblie beseche thee for Iesus Christes sake that thou wilte mercyfullie forgeue me all that I haue this daye committed againste thy fatherlie goodnes eyther in worde deede or thoughte that thou wilt vouchsafe to shadow me this nyght vnder the comfortable wynges of thy almightie power defende me from Satan and from all his craftie assaultes that neither he or anye of his ministers haue power ouer eyther my bodye or my soule But that althoughe my body thorowe thy benefyte enioyeth sweete and pleasaunt slepe yet my Soule maye continuallye watche vnto thee thinke of thee delight in the and euermore praise thee that when the Ioyefull light of the daye returneth accordinge to thy godlye appointemēt I maye ryse againe with a faithfull soule and vndefiled bodye and so afterwarde behaue my selfe all my life time according to thy blessed will and commaundement by casting away the workes of darkenes and putting on the armoures of light that men seeing my good workes may therby be prouoked to glorifie thee my heauenlye Father which with thy onely begotten sonne Iesu Christ our onely sauiour and the holy Ghost that most sweete comforter lyuest and raignest one true and euerlasting God world without ende Amen A prayer to thy good Angell thy gardiane Ex hortulo animae secū vsum Leodiens I Beseech thee O holy Angell to whose protection and custodye I wreched sinner am committed continually to defende ayde and garde me from all inuasion and assaultes of the deuill where-soeuer I be both waking and sleepinge dryue away from me through the vertue of the holy Crosse †al the temptations of Satan that which through the deserts of mine owne merites I can not doe by thy praiers obtayne at the handes of the highest and dreadfull ludge that he may haue no place in me Amen A prayer as thou entrest into thy bed F. Sonnius tract 3 Cathe IN the name of our Lorde Iesus Christe that was
crucified for me I goe into my bedde let him blesse me †gouerne me and defende me and bringe me into lyfe euerlastinge Amen A prayer to be sayed as thou seitleste thy selfe to sleepe L. Viues in precibus general O Iesu Christ our safegarde receaue me into thy protection and graunt that when my body is a sleepe my soule may watch to thee and that it may ioyfullye and gladlye beholde that blessed moste ioyfull and heauenly lyfe where thou art gouernour together with the Father and the holy Ghost and where the Angels with the blessed soules are citizens for euer and euer Amen An exhortation to watche taken out of holy Scripture The day of our Lorde shall come as a theefe in the night Thes 1. v. 5. VVatche ye therefore because ye knovve not the day nor the houre Math. 25. v. 13. And that vvhich I say to you I say to all vvatche Marc. 13. v. 37. The ende of the first Chapter Moste holesome meditations vvhich vve ought day and night to haue before our eyes and alvvayes to haue in remembraunce VVe onght continually to remēber these three things that is to saye Tyme Paste That vve haue vnprofitably spent That good vvhich vve haue left vndonne That euill vvhich vve haue committed Tyme Present Of the shortnes of mans lyfe Of the difficultie to be saued Of the small number that shall be saued Tyme To come Of death moste miserable Of the last Indgement most horrible Of the paynes of hell intollerable THE SECONDE CHAPTER CONTEYNINGE GOODly deuout prayers to be sayed before at after the holy Sacrifice of the Masse A prayer vvhen thou doest enter into the churche Ex hortulo animae OH take from me moste mercifull Lorde all mine iniquityes to the ende I may with a pure and contrite harte enter into the holy of holyes O Sauiour of the worlde which lyuest and reignest with the father and the holy ghost A prayer to styrre vp the minde to deuotion before Masse Io. Fab. ex Aug. 33. medit ALmightye and moste mercifull Father vnto thee all the heauenly companie of the celestiall citie all the blessed orders of saued spirites doe incessantly with due reuerēce sing continuall glory and euerlasting prayse Thee O Lord all saintes and soules of holy men doe laude and magnifie with moste worthie and condigne honour as to whome all prayse honour and glorie is most iustly due Nor there is any creature be he neuer so worthy that can sufficiently accordinge to thy worthynes geue vnto thee worthye and sufficiente prayse For thou arte that vnspeakeable vncomprehensible and euerlastinge goodnes Thou good Lorde hast made me thou haste through the merites of the bitter passion of thy moste blessed Sonne which he vouchesafed to suffer for man-kind restored me to the state of saluation To thee onely is due all laude and honour if anye good thinge be found in me Oh good Lord I miserable wretche a creature of thy makinge a poore woorme of the earth haue good will to laude and magnifie thee with all my minde whole intent but without thy speciall grace I finde my selfe fainte and wonderfull weake wherfore I come to thee my God my lyfe my strength my hope and onelye comforte to craue thy mercie and grace to geue mee power to praise thee Graunte of thy vnspeakeable mercy that I may worthelie prayse honour thee and that what I doe therin may be pleasing acceptable to thee Graunt me the light of thy grace that my mouth maye speake my harte studie thy glorie my tounge may be occupied only in the song of laude praise But because all praise in a sinners mouthe is vyle and I must of force confesse my selfe manifoldelie to haue offēded with my lippes clēse thou o good Lorde my harte from all filthe and sinne Sanctifie me moste mightie Sauioure bothe inwardlie and outwardlie and make mee worthy to magnifie thee receyue of thy infinite goodnes the sacrifice of my lippes and make it acceptable in thy sighte lett the sauour therof be plesaunte well smelling vnto thee Let thy holie swetenes possesse wholie my mind and feade my soule with the fulnes of inuisible thinges lett my soule good Lorde bee quite cutte from visible things all whollie geuen to the studie of inuisible thinges cleane seperat from earthlie things and wholie addicted to heauenlie meditations make my soule see the wonderfull sight of thy Maiestie O almightie God enspire thou my harte that I maye continuallie geue thankes vnto the and honour thee for euer Graunt mee the grace that in my pilgrimage and vale of miserie I may so praise thee that through thy mercie grace I may bee associat to their holie fellowshippe whiche see the euerlastinglie singe prayse to thee worlde without ende Amen A deuoute prayer necessary to be sayed euery Sunday Cornel. Donters in his contemplations of the Passion MY most louing God and Lord and my creatour I miserable sinner doe presente my selfe this day before thine eyes beseeching thee humblye that through thine infinite bountye thou wouldeste vouchsafe to geue me grace that I may keepe holy this Sunday according to thy commaundement and the precept of our mother the holy Church geuing me true contrition of all my sinnes that I haue committed against thy diuine Maiestie and against my neighbour by thoughts wordes and deedes and by omission of good workes which I ought to haue done And I most humblie beseech thee most sweete Iesus that thou wouldest not consider the multitude of my sinnes but remember thine infinit mercy and vouchsafe to graunte me grace to spende this weeke folowing without mortall sinne and for the honour of thy death and passion to geue to al sinners knowledge and grace to do penaunce in this worlde and generally to haue mercy of al those that our mother the holy Churche desireth this day to pray for that with her we all may be partakers of thy sorowfull passion Amen A prayer to be vsed before confession or before Masse if time serue OH maker of heauen and earth king of kinges and Lorde of Lords which of nothing diddest make to thine image and lykenes and diddest redeme me with thine owne precious bloude whom I a sinner am not worthye to name neither to call vpon neither with my harte to thinke vpon humbly I desire thee mekely pray thee that gently thou do beholde me thy wicked seruaunte and haue mercy on me which haddest mercye of the woman of Canane and Mary Magdalene which diddest forgeue the Publicane the thefe hanging on the crosse vnto thee I confesse most holy Father my sinnes whiche if I woulde I can not hide frō thee Haue mercy on me O Christ for I wretche haue sore offended thee in pryde in couetousnesse in gluttony in lechery in vaine-glory in hatred in enuy in adultery in thefte in lyinge backebitinge in sporting in dissolute and wanton laughing in Idle wordes in hearinge in tastinge in
yet neuerthelesse it is now through thy grace made very meritoriouse and by example of thee and of thy holy Sainctes it is now made to weake persons more patient clearer and also much more comfortable then it was in the olde Lawe when the gates of heauen were shut and the way thyther warde was darke and so fewe did couet to seeke it And yet they that were then righteouse and were ordeyned to be saued before thy blessed passioÌ„ and death mighte neuer haue come thyther O what thankes am I bounde therfore to yelde to thee that so louingly haste vouchsafed to shewe to me and to all faythfull people that will folow thee the very true and straight way to thy kingdome Thy holy lyfe is our way and by thy pacience we walke to thee that arte our heade and gouernoure But that thou Lord haddest gonne before and shewed vs the waye who woulde haue endeuored him self to haue folowed O how many should haue taried behynd if they had not seene thy blessed example going before we be yet slowe and dull although we haue seene and hard thy signes and doctrines what should we then haue bene if we had seene no such light goinge before vs Truely we should haue fixed our mind and our loue wholy in worldly thinges Make therfore O Lorde that possible to me by grace which is vnpossible by nature Thou knoweste well O Christ that I can suffer little and that I am anone caste downe with a little aduersitie wherefore I beseech thee that trouble and aduersitie may hereafter for thy names sake be beloued and desired of me For truelye to suffer and to be vexed for thee is very good and profitable to the healthe of my soule A prayer agaynst the enemies of Christs trueth Psal 139. DElyuer me O Lord from the vngodly stiffe necked persones for thou seest howe in their hartes they imagyn mischiefe and haue greate pleasure to picke quarels their tonges bee more sharper then anie Adders stingge vnder their lyppes lyeth poyson of Adders but O mercifull Lorde let me not fall into their handes that they handle me not after their owne lustes Thou onely arte my God thou muste heare my piteous coÌ„plainte Lorde that rulest all together that arte the strength and power of my defence be thou as a helmet vpon my head whensoeuer the vngodly shall assaulte mee neither suffer thou not the wicked thus to prosper in their matters Suffer not their canckarde and malicious stomackes to increase and spitefullye to reuile me Looke vpoÌ„ thy poore wretches cause and ryd me out of these dayely greuaunces then shall I with an vp right hearte and pleasaunt countenaunce extoll magnifie thy holy name Amen A prayer vvherin is desired freedome of the minde and auoydance of vvorldly desires Imitat o Christ li. 3. ca. 30. I Besche thee moste meeke and mercyfull Lorde Iesu that thou keepe me from the busines and cares of the worlde and that I be not taken with the voluptuouse pleasure of the worlde nor of the fleshe and that in lykewise thou preserue me from all hindraunce of the soule that I be not broken with ouermuch heuines sorowe nor worldly dreade And by these petitions I aske not onely to be deliuered from such vanities as the world desireth but also from such miseries as grieue the soule of me thy seruaunte with the common malediction of mankinde that is with corruption of the bodelye feeling wherwith I am so grieued and letted that I may not haue libertie of spirite to beholde thee when I would O Lord God thou art sweetenesse vnspeakable turne into bitternesse to me all fleshely delightes which would drawe me from the loue of eternall thinges to the loue of a shorte and a vile delectable pleasure Lette not flesh and bloud ouercome me nor the worlde with his shorte glorie deceyue me nor the fiende with his thousand-foulde craftes supplante me but gyue me ghostly strength in resistinge pacience in suffering and constancie in perseuering Gyue me also for al worldly consolations the moste sweete consolation of the holy Ghoste and for all fleshly loue sende into my soule the loue of thy holye name Loe meate and drinke clothinge and all other necessaries for the bodye are paynefull and troublesome to a feruent spirite which if it mighte would alwayes rest in God and in ghostly things graunte me therefore grace to vse such bodely necessaries temporally and that I be not deceyued with ouermuch desire to them To forsake all thinges it is not lawfull for the bodely kinde must be preserued and to seeke superfluous thinges more for pleasure than for necessitye thy holy lawe prohibiteth for so the flesh would rebell against the spirite wherfore Lord I beseech thee that thy hande of grace maye so gouerne me and teach me that I exceede not by any maner of superfluitie A prayer before vve take in hande any Iourney By Arnould Sobin O Good God whom it pleased to direct Abraham Iacob and young Tobias in their peregrinations and brought theÌ„ in health safety into their country Graunt I besech thee to be my direct our in this Iourney which I would in no respect vndertake much lesse followe and finishe if I knew it any waye contrarye to thy holy will Therefore O Lord gyue me Raphael for my conductor to whose custodye I may be deliuered and thereby be broughte with happy successe to the accomplishinge of that worke whereunto I prepare and dispose my selfe Directe my vnderstandinge O Lorde to the ende that my feete no where straye from the obseruations of thy holye commaundementes In the name of thy welbeloued sonne Iesus Christe our redeemer whoe with thee in vnitie of the holy Ghost lyueth reigneth eternally Amen Here folovveth for the vse of those that are desirous to rede latine prayers certayne verses collected by Sir Thomas Moore foorth of Dauids psalter in the time of his trouble and persecution for the Catholicke faith conteining an inuocation to God for his helpe against temptation vvith an insultatioÌ„ against vvicked spirites vpon hope and confidence in God IMPLORATIO DIVINI AVXILII contra â—entaâ—â—onem cum insultatione eontra Daemones exspe fiducia in Deum DOmine quid multiplicati sunt qui tribulaÌ„t me multi insurgunt aduersum me Multi dicunt animae meae non est salus ipsi in deo eius Tu autem domine susceptor meus es gloria mea exaltans caput meum Ego dormiui soporatus sum exurrexi quia dominus suscepit me Non timebo millia populi circundantis me exurge domine saluum me fac deus meus Psa 5. Domine deduc me in iustitia tua propter inimicos meos dirige in coÌ„spectu tuo viam meam Quoniam non est in ore eorum veritas cor eorum vanum est Sepulchrum patens est guttur eorum linguis suis dolose agebant iudica illos deus Decidant a cogitationibus suis secunduÌ„ multitudineÌ„ impietatum eorum
present death I beseech thee O Lorde to succour and helpe me and iudge me not accordinge to my workes for I haue not bene obediente to thy commaundements but thou which louest repentance haue mercy vpon me which before thy face make confession of all my sinnes and as Dauid prayed O Lord for the loue of thy holy name wype awaye my sinnes so I beseech thy diuine Maiestie to blotte out all my offences Make me to abyde in thy holy Catholike Church with an vndefiled faith a pure hart firme deuotiō continuall loue and to perseuer in good workes deliuer me from the eternall fyre euerlasting payne from all torment which thou haste prepared for the wicked graunte this for our good and blessed Sauiours sake by whom to thee al laud honour power and glorye be for euer and euer Amen A prayer to God the Sonne called O bone Iesu O Bountifull Iesu O swete Iesu O Iesu the sonne of the pure Virgin Marie full of mercy and trueth O swete Iesu after thy great mercy haue pitie on me O bening Iesu I praye thee by the same precious bloude which for vs miserable finners thou wast contente to shed on the aulter of the crosse that thou wouldest vouchsafe to auoid clene all my wickednes and not to despise me hūbly asking pardō calling vpō thy most holy name Iesus This name Iesus is the name of health what is Iesus but a Sauiour O good Iesus that hast created me with thy precious bloude redemed me suffer me not to be dāned whom of nought thou hast created O good Iesu let not my wickednes destroye that which thy almightie goodnes hath made and formed in me O good Iesu reknowlege that which is thine in me wipe cleane away that which is not thine in me O good Iesu while time of mercy is haue mercy on me and cōfound me not in time of thy terrible iudgment O good Iesu if I wretched sinner for my moste grieuous offēces haue by thy verye iustice deserued eternall paine yet I appeale from thy verye righteousnes and stedfastlye trust in thine ineffable mercy so as a mylde father mercyfull Lorde oughte take pitie on me O good Iesu what profit is in my bloud since I muste discende into eternall corruption they that be dead shal not magnifie thee nor lykewyse all they that descende to hell O moste mercyfull Iesu haue mercy on me O most sweete Iesu deliuer me O moste meke Iesu be vnto me comfortable O Iesu accepte me a wretched sinner into the number of them that shal be saued O Iesu the health of all them that truste in thee haue mercy vpō me O Iesu the sweete forgyuenes of all my sinnes O Iesu the sonne of the pure Virgin Marie endue me with thy grace wisdome charitie chastitie and humilitie yea in all myne aduersities with stedfast pacience so that I maye perfectlye loue thee and in thee to be glorified and haue myne onely delight in thee worlde without ende Amen A prayer to the holy ghoste Io. Fab. cap. 9. mechta COme O holy spirite the moste sweete comforter of the sorrowfull and desolate the loue of the diuine puissance the holy communication of the almightie and omnipotent father and of his most blessed sonne descende with thy mightie power into the entralls of my harte lighten and bewtifie the darke closetts of my desolate harte with thy cleare brightnes and that which with continuall filth of my vnfruitfull lyfe is dryed vppe vifit thou and make fruitfull with the aboundant dewe of thy grace Touche and wounde my harte with the darte of thy loue inflame my dull and slouthfull harte lighten the inner partes of my soule withe the heate of thy holye fyre make me to drincke of the riuer of thy sweetnes that hereafter I may feele no taste in any worldly delyte which is venimous O holye spirite O excellente workman whomsoeuer thou doest inhabite thou buildest a lodginge for the father and the sonne come therfore O moste sweete comforter of my sorowfull soule defende me in all tribulation come O purifier of our sinnes and saluer of our deadly sores come O strength and fortitude of the weake and guide of the humble come meeke father of the fatherlesse and sweete Iudge of the widowes Come O soueraigne hope of the poore and comforter of the weake come O bright starre of faylers and sure porte of the shipp wracte come O singuler bewtie and ornament of the liuing and onelye saluation of the deade come moste holy spirite come and haue mercy vpon me make fitt and accomodate me to thee condescend benignely to me accordinge to the multitude of thy mercy that my littlenes may be agreeable to thy greatnes and my imbecillitye and weakenes to thy diuyne puissance through Iesus Christ our Sauiour Amen The ende of the tenth Chapter THE ELEVENTH CHAPTER CONTAYNINGE CHRIstian Catholicke prayers to Saintos citizens of the glorie of heauen A prayer vnto the holy virgin Mary Cuth Tunstall in lib. prec Luke 1. ALl hayle vndesiled Virgin Marye mother of the sonne of God elected and chosen aboue all other Virgins the whiche euen from the wombe of thy mother Anna a woman moste holy hast bene of the holy Ghost so fanctified illuminated and so greatly defended with the grace of God almightie that vnto the conception of oure Lord Iesus Christ thy sonne and whilest thou didest conceyue hym and vnto the tyme of his birthe whylest thou didest beare him and continuallye after his byrth thou continuedst and remaynedst a Virgin of all other that be borne moste chast most vncorrupte and of bodie and soule all thy lyfe moste immaculate and vnspotted For truely thou haste far passed all other Virgins how many soeuer haue bene hetherto syns the beginninge of the worlde or euer shal be to the later ende therof in a sincere conscience of an impolluted minde By these thy most excellent gyftes of heauenly grace infused into thee by God very singulerly O Virgin and mother Marie aboue all other women and Virgins wee praye thee which art vnto vs miferable mortal men a mercyfull patronesse that thou wilt voutchesafe to make intercession to God the Father omnipotente and to his sonne Iesus Christ begotē certenly as cōcerning his Diuinitie of the Father before all worlds borne of thee cōcerning his humanity to the holy Ghost proceding from the father and the sonne that our sinnes may be forgeuen vs and that wee throughe thy intercession maye meryte continuallye to reioyce with thee O holye Virgin and to prayse thee in the kindome of heauen without ende Amen A prayer to our Ladye the blessed virgin Mary and S. Iohn Euangelist S. Edmundus Arch. Cantuarienfis author scribitur O intemerata O Vndefiled for euer blessed singular and incōparable Virgin Marie mother of God his most pleasaunt Tēple the noble Shryne of the holy Ghost the Entree and Gate of the kyngdome of heauen by whome next after God all the
Amen Pater noster Aue. Credo Confiteor A morning prayer vvhen ye are rysen Ex Viridario spirit O Heauenly Father omnipotente and euerlastinge God vnto thee I yealde innumerable thankes whiche haste vouchsafed to keepe me this nighte through thy great mercy and I beseech thy aboundaunt clemencye that thou graunt me so to spende the day to come in fayth hope charity patieÌ„ce feare carefulnes of minde that my seruice maye please thy heauenly Maiestie A morninge prayer vvhereby to commende thy selfe to God B. Aug. cap. 40. Medit. O Holy Trinitie heare me most miserable sinner and keepe me from all euill from all occasion of euill from all mortall sinne from all the deceptes and wilynes of the deuill and of mine enemies visible and inuisible by the prayers of the Patriarkes by the merits of the Prophets by the suffrages of the Apostles by the constancie of Martyrs by the faith of the Confessours by the chastitie of Virgins and by the intercession of al Sainctes which haue pleased thee from the beginninge of the worlde Amen A prayer to he sayed goinge out of the house Ioan Fab. in prec Christ O All ye holy Angels and saints of God I beseech you that your intercession may geue me ayde and power that no enemie may hurt me in the way that I shal walke neither sleepinge nor wakinge and that neither fier nor water nor any other noysome thing doe oppresse or harme me Amen A prayer desiring God to order and directe vs. De imit Christ li. 3. cap. 16. LOrd God thou knowest what thing is to me most profitable to doe this or that after thy will Geue me what thou wilt as much as thou wilt and when thou wilt Doe with me as thou knowest best to be donne and as it shall please thee and as shal be most to thy honour put me where thou wilt and freely doe with me in all thinges after thy will Thy creature I am and in thy handes leade me and turne me where thou wilt Loe I am thy seruaunt redie to all things that thou commauÌ„dest for I desire not to lyue to myselfe but to thee would to God it might be worthely profitably to thy honor AmeÌ„ A prayer to perseuere in goodnes Imitatio Christ li. 1. cap. 19. HElpe me my Lord Iesu Christ that I may perseuere in good purpose and in thy holy seruice vnto my death and that I may now this present day perfectly beginne for it is nothinge that I haue done in time paste An exersise to be dayly vsed in meditating the passion of our Lord Sauiour An Exhortation If thou wilt profit and growe in the loue of God thou must haue an often and frequent memorie as it were an Image before thine eyes of thy Lord and Sauiour crucyfied for thee and it shall be verye profitable for thy dayly exercyse to call to thy mind with a deuoute and diligente attention and consideration one or moe of these fiftiene litle meditations and in the ende of the same meditation say the prayer folowing for the same purpose O mylde and innoceÌ„t Lambâ— c. Medita 1. O Good gracious IESV thou beinge highest and almightie God of the infinite charitie wherwith thou louedst me wouldest be made man thou didest vouchsafe to be borne in a stable to be laide downe in an oxe stall and after that to be circumcised and to flee into Egipte Thou didest vouchsafe to be baptized to fast to be tempted to watch to teach to preach and to heale the dyseased Thou diddest vouchsafe to suffer manifolde labours painfull cares and persecutions three and thirtie yeres and at the length to come to Hierusalem and to suffer death for me This prayer folovving is to be sayed after one or moe of these meditations as the leasure of the deuoute person shall serue accordinge to the tyme and deuotion that the partye shall haue O Myld and innocent Lambe of God thus hartely thou didest loue me these thinges thou didest for me these paines most meekely most patiently and louingly thou sufferedst for me VVhat shall I render againe vnto thee I adore laud and glorifie thee I praise thee and geue vnto thee thankes as hartely and as well as I can All haile sweete IESV the sonne of the liuing God king of all kinges the very king of glorie All haile the precious stone of the diuine nobilitie that quickneth and geueth lyfe the flower that neuer fadeth of mankinds high dignitie O mercifull and kinde redeemer haue mercy vpon me for thy goodnesse sake Put awaye all my sinnes Destroye and mortifie in me what soeuer displeaseth thee Make me one according vnto thy blessed harte making me like vnto thy holy humanitye Graunte my Lord that I may to my litle power most diligently folowe thy blessed lyfe and vertues O blessed father celestial I offer vnto thee the most holy incarnation conuersacion passion of thy most deere beloued sonne Iesu for my saluation and for the saluation of all men as for full amendmente and purgation of all our sinnes and offences Graunte most mercifull father by the same onelye begotten sonne of thyne vnto them that are alyue mercy grace and vnto the soules departed rest and lyfe euerlasting Amen Medita 2. O Good and gracious IESV thou dideste eate the pascall lambe in HierusaleÌ„ with thy dere-beloued disciples and arising from supper thou diddest giâ—ddâ— thy selfe about with a Towel and powredst water into a bason and kneeling vpon thy knees thou meekely didest washe the feete of thy disciples and wypedst them with a Towell Medita 3. O Good and gracious IESV thou before thou shouldest suffer did bequeth a most excelleÌ„t good thinge vnto thy children leauinge for vs thy most sacred body to be our meate and thy most precious bloude to be our drincke There can no witt nor vnderstanding penetrate and throughly see the bottomles deapth of this thy charytie Medit. 4. O Good and gracious IESV thou cominge vnto the garden of Oliuet begannest to feare and to be heauy whereupon thou saidest vnto thy disciples My soule is sorowfull vntill death And then diuided sondred from them thou settest thy selfe vpon thy knees and fallinge vpon the earth flatte on thy face thou prayedst vnto thy father and fully and wholly thou resignest and yeldest thy selfe vnto him sayinge Father thy will be done And at length through most paynfull agonye where-with thou was greuouselye opprest and afflicted thou swettest throughout all thy body a bloodye sweate Medita 5. O Good and gracious IESV thou kindled and burning with the ineffable desire to redeeme me thou wentest to meete thyne enemies and suffered Iudas the traitor to kisse thee and suffered thy selfe to be taken and to be bound with all confusion and shame and most indignely to be ledd with bondes from thence and that of most vile and wicked persons vnto Annas where thou suffered most mekely a verye sore stroke on thy face most iniustly geuen thee
and swete woundes All hayle all haile moste pleasaunte and healthsome woundes of my Lorde All hayle moste bountifull harte of my deare louer wounded for my sake of all goodnesse of all blisse the moste pleasaunt treasure house O My Lord Iesu Christ I moste humblye thanke the for thy venerable woundes Oh Lord drowne me in them hyde me in them write and prynte them deepely in my harte that I may burne al together in thy loue and that I maye take compassion vpon thee from the harte Graunt that all fraile creatures may bee vyle and of small estimacion with me and that thou onely mayest please and bee swete and delectable vnto me Make me lyke vnto thy holy humanitie O derely-beloued derely-beloued derely-beloued O the most derely-beloued of all derely-beloued O my onely beloued O my freshe and flourishinge spouse O my mellifluous and hony-sweete spouse O the swetenesse of my harte the lyfe of my soule sette me on fier burne me make me a newe and transforme me that nothinge beside thee liue in me Oh wounde very depely my harte with the darte of thy loue Then turne thy mynde to the godhead of Christ and quyetly thincke or saye thus O My Lord God o my delectable principle and beginnynge O amiable depth bottomlesse O the clere lighte of my intrailes and bottome of my verye herte O moste sincere delectable goodnesse my very and incomparable goodnesse O my God all thing what desire I besides thee Thou arte my highe full contentacion and only ynough for me Oh when shall I luckely fynde thee when shall I ardently and mooste feruently loue thee when wilt thou rauishe me all together into thee when wilt thou consume me all wholy into thee when wilt thou moste fast and sure knytte me vnto thee Oh remoue awaye mercifully all impedimētes and make me one spirite with thee to the laude and prayse of thy name All hayle glorious shyninge and euerlastinge quiet Trinitye father sonne and holy ghoste one God Oh vouchesafe to feede my soule with thy gostly influence In lyke maner to the blessed mother of God saye thus HAyle MARIE full of grace oure Lorde is with the hayle sweete Virgin the blessed mother of God The very excellēt Quene of heauen Hayle bright shinynge starre Rose verye delectable and pleasaunt The Orient white lyllie of the Trinitye O blessed ladye take pitye vpon me moste poore banished man In lyke maner to such a Sainte of God as thou hast speciall deuotion vnto and to thy holy Angell ALhayle derebeloued of God blessed and holy saincte N. or all haile noble spouse of Christe holy and blessed saincte N. Hayle holy Angell of God my faithfull keper All hayle all ye blessed sainctes of God and all ye blessed spirits Angelical which are fulfylled perpetually with the vehemente streame of all diuine voluptuousnesse heauēly pleasure pray for me now and at the houre of my death O mercifull IESV I beseche the for thy moste venerable Passiō and death graunt vnto the quicke mercy grace and vnto the deade reste and euerlasting light An other briefe exersice to be vsed dayly accordinge to the choyse of the deuoute christian as his opportunitio shall serue O Good IESV be mercyfull vnto me abhominable sinner I haue sinned I haue offended I haue done amisse before the Lord perdon me All my iniquitye my negligences and all my immortifications I put thē all into thy moste derebeloued woundes and I caste them into the bottomlesse depthe of thy mercy merites O would to God I had neuer offended thee would to God I had neuer letted thy grace in me I purpose now by thy helpe to correcte and amende my selfe Oh Lorde put awaye all my sinnes washe me cleane with thy precious bloude Make me whole with thy precious woundes Sanctifie me with thy bitter Passiō and deathe Clense me perfectlye Restore againe vnto me the innocencye whiche thou gauest me in baptisme that I maye trulye please thee I worshyp I laude glorifie thee I prayse geue thankes vnto thee my Lorde IESV CHRISTE for all thy mercies and benefites I thanke thee O sonne of the lyuing God moste highest GOD whiche for thy excedinge greate charitye that thou didste beare towarde me hast vouchesaffed to bee made mā Thou wouldeste for my sake be borne in a stable and an infant bewrapt in clothes to be layd downe in a manger to be fed with the litle milke of the mayden thy mother to suffre nedinesse and pouertye to be sore troubled thyrtie three yeres with manifolde labours and carefull paines Thou wouldest for very inwarde paine and agonie be all in a bloudy sweate to be apprehended and taken shamefully to bee bound vnworthily to bee cōdemned vniustly to bee defyled with spettle to be stricken vvith buffettes blowes to bee clothed scorned as it were a madde man in a white garment in mockage Thou wouldest bee beatē torne moste cruellye with stripes moste cruellye crowned with thornes ouerlodē with a painfull heauye crosse furiously and boysteoufly nailed vnto the crosse with sturdie nailes vnkyndely to haue offred to thee in thy thyrste eysell and gall Thou the noble clother and garnisher of the starres hangest all naked despised wounded and with innumerable sorowes afflicted vpō the crosse for my sake Thou shedst for me thy moste pure and precious bloude thou dyedst for me I embrace in the armes of my soule thy venerable crosse and for the loue honoure of thee I kysse the same Graunte that I may with whole full desire attayne vnto thee and that I maye pause reste in thee most sweetest of all Lo my Lord lo I repute and set my selfe in the lowest place vnder all creatures For I am vnworthie that the earth shoulde beare me I caste my selfe downe putt my selfe vnder the state of all men I sincerely loue all men as well as I can I forsake and leaue all corruptible thinges for thy sake I refuse what soeuer thou arte not I forsake renounce all sensuall pleasure and delite I renounce all vanitie and impuritie I forsake al the sekyng of my selfe and all immortifications I resygne and put me wholy into thy hande pleasure All my whole will ' I chaunge into thyne Thy onely will Lorde thy onely will be done in me and on me thy blessed will be doone in all times and euer lastyngly I offre me redie to suffre with the helpe of thy grace whatsoeuer it shal please thee Oh moste sweete and mercifull IESV mortifie whatsoeuer lyueth naughtillie and sensuallye in me and what soeuer is vicious and inordinate in me what soeuer displeaseth thee in me mortifye in me all propertye Garnyshe and adourne me with thy merytes and vertues Oh prepare Lorde a delectable and a pleasaunt habitacion for thy selfe in me Renewe my spirite my soule my bodie with thy excellente grace Make me like vnto thy holy humanitie Make me one vnto thy hartes desire Ridde
thy grace that although it happen or come to passe that by any temptation illusion deceipte or variation comming of griefe of sicknes or by weakenes of body or by any other occasion whatsoeuer I come in daunger of my soule or preiudice to my saluation or in errour of the Catholicke fayty in the which I am regenerated in the fountayne of Baptisme there promised to resiste all temptations of the deuill and all errours of fayth and at this present I do resiste and renounce as I did then and then as now protestinge moste feruently with all my harte to lyue and dye in the fayth of our mother the holy Church thy spouse and in witnesse of this protestation and confession I offer the articles of our holy christian fayth which thy holye Apostles hath lefte vs in recommendinge vnto thee my fayth lyfe and death Amen I beleeue in God the Father c. The ende of the third chapter THE FOVRTHE CHAPTER CONTEYNINGE VERY goodly prayers for cōfort strēgth and deliuery by Gods assistance in all sorowes tribulations afflictions and aduersities VVhen thou feelest thy selfe tempted saye as folovveth Imitatio Christi li. 3. ca. 7. O Thou Satan the deuyll enemie of mankynde I adiure thee by the name of our Lorde God and by the signe of the holy crosse ✚ that thou departe and neuer hereafter enter into me O thou wicked spirit auoide from mee be thou ashamed for thou arte foule and ouglie that wouldest bringe suche thinges into my minde Goe from mee thou false deceyuer of mankinde thou shalte have noo parte in mee for my Sauiour Iesus standeth by mee as a mightie warriour and a strong champion and thou shalte flye awaye to thy confusion I had leuer suffer the moste cruell death then to consente to thy malicious stirringes be still therefore thou cursed fyende and cease thy malice for I shall neuer assente to thee though thou vexe mee never so much our Lorde is my lighte my healthe whome shall I dreade and he is the defender of my life what shall I feare Truelie though an hoste of men aryse against mee my harte shall not dread them for whie God is my helper and my redeemer Amen A prayer of any captiue accordinge to the forme of Dauid vvhen he vvas hid in the caue Psal 142. VVIth my voice I cry to thee afore thee I open my lamentations in thy bosome I disclose the secrete word of my hart my dolours and griefes I shew vnto thee my harte is almoste lyke to bruste so great is my discomfiture Thou knowest all my dealinges O Lorde and thou seest well ynough how the vngodly haue layed their snares for me Lo I caste mine eye on this side and that side aswell on my frends as kinsfolkes but all is in vaine none of them al helpeth me And againe I can not runne away I am so loadē ouer charged with irons O Lorde my maker and father now vnto thee I cry thou art mine onely Shot-anker defence helpe Thou art my porciō heritage which I possesse in al coūtries yea I haue none other possession but thee onely To thee therefore I sticke altogether knowinge certainly that nothing can goe amisse with me Consider then my lamentable complaynte beholde how I am brought low From the cruell pursuers which be much more of power than I am defend me Deliuer me from this prison and horrible feare of sinne and death that I may sette out thy name all thy sainctes as well Angells as men make sute for me desiring thee for my comfort They shall not cease vntill they obtaine their requeste I meane vntill thou forgyue me my sinnes and sende me comfort in this distres with pacience and lōg suffering This once obtayned the godly folke shal flocke aboute me shall not stynt to gyue thee thankes when they see that thou riddest me forth of these dangers to the highe prayse of thy name Lorde be mercyfull vnto vs take part with vs then we shall for euer lyfte vp and magnifie thy glorious name Amen A prayer of Iob in his moste grieuous aduersitie and losse of goodes Iob. 1. NAked I came oute of my mothers womb and naked shall I returne agayne our Lorde gaue our Lorde hath taken awaye as it hath pleased our Lord so is it done nowe blessed be the name of our Lorde Amen A prayer in trouble of conscience Psal 134. LOrde heare my prayer receyue my fupplicacion harken to my cōplaint for thy righteousnes Try not the lawe with thy seruaunt for trulye then shall no lyuynge man be founde vngyltie yea not one of thy saintes should escape quitte at thy barre vnlesse thou graunte him thy gracious pardon in somuch euen the very starres be not pure and fautles afore thee in the Angels thou foundest sin Nowe mine enemies hunte for my soule they beate dryue it downe they thruste it into darcke dungeons where felons conuicte and condempned to death were wonte to be kept my spirit is sorowfull my hart is heauie and sadd with in my breast to thee I holde vp my hādes requiring the of mercy For lyke as the dry ground lōgeth for a shower of raigne so my soule thinketh long till it hath thy helpe and succour heare me spedely if thou do not I am in dispaire my spirites is al werie of this bondage I haue bid my life fare-well VVherfore O God hide not thy face that I be not lyke to those that be hurled into the pyt of damnatiō after this night of misery ouerpassed let the pleasaunt morninge of comfort luckyly shyne vpō me that by time I may heare and fele thy goodnes for in thee is all my trust pointe me the waye that I shall walke in for yf thou be not my guide I must nedes wander and straye out of the waye To thee Lorde I lift vp my soule and that with all mine harte I besech the take me forth of mine enemies handes Thou onely art my succour and sauegarde teache me to worke what soeuer shall be thy pleasure for thou art my God Let thy good spirite conducte me into the land of the lyuing encourage my spirite for thy names sake furth of all these troubles for thy righteousnes delyuer me cōfound mine enemies as thou art gracious fauourable towardes me Those that will worke me sorowe and griefe plucke forth of the waye for I am thy seruaunt and for thy sake suffer I all this hurlye-burlye As thou art God so helpe thou me Amen A prayer for patience De Imit Christ li. 3. cap 20. O Lorde for as muche as thou was founde paciente in thy life fulfillinge in it moste speciallie the will of thy father it is requisite that I most wretched sinner should behaue my selfe pacientelye after thy will in all thinges and as longe as thou wilt that I for myne owne health beare the burthen of this corruptible life for thoughe this lyfe be tediouse and as heauie a burthen to the soule
suggestion doo plucke mee away from the and a harte soo stable that no troubles maye ouercome mee so free from all vice that sinne maye chalenge nothinge in me Graunt mee O my Lord God vnderstanding to know thee diligēce to seke thee wisdom to finde thee conuersatiō to please thee faithfullie to perseuere looking after thee finallie thorough hope to imbrace thee in respect of thy most grieuouse paines suffered vpon the Crosse for mee that I maye willingly suffre penaunce and all tribulation for thee Also through thy grace to enioye the graciouse benefittes here in this transitorye lyfe and in the world to come to be partaker of thy rewarde heuenlye ioyes throughe the precious bloude of that immaculat lambe our onelye Sauiour Iesus Christ to whome with the father and the holy ghost three personnes and one God be al honour and glorie worlde without end Amen A prayer to God that he vvill vouchsafe to preserue the fruites of the earth Ioan Ferus in lib. prec O Omnipotent euerlasting and mercifull God we beseeche thee consider our daylye needes shewe vs thy mercy and gyue vs a sufficiente harueste for our dayly necessities graunt that corne trees and other fruites of the earth may by thy holy benediction growe encrease and multyplye Turne backe and with-drawe from the fruites of the earth all that may be dammageable as tempestes ouerflowing of waters coldnesse hayle and other lyke thinges which are anye waye hurtfull Through our Lorde Iesus Christ thy sonne the euerlasting lyfe Amen A prayer to desire that vve may vse all temporall thinges for the health of our soules onely Thomas de Camp in lib. de Imit Christ I Beseeche thee moste inercyfull God vouchsafe to preserue me from excessiue cares of this lyfe that I be not to much encombred with many thinges concerning the necessitie of my body and that I be not ouertaken with any voluptuousnes of these thinges O my God my ineffable sweetenes chaunge and turne into bitternesse all my carnall consolations which withdraw me from the loue of celestiall thinges Suffer me not my God to be conquered not to be ouercome of fleshe and of blood Suffer me not to be deceyued of the worlde and of the transitorie glory thereof nor that the deuill through his subtiltie ouerthrow me to the grounde Gyue me strengthe to resist pacience to endure and cōstancie to perseuer for meate drincke clothes and all necessayrie things to vpholde the bodie are painfull troublesome for that person that hathe a deuout spirite Therefore graunt me Lorde to vse these thinges moderatly and that my harte be not to much encombred with the desyre of them The holy law forbiddeth vs to require superfluous thinges and suche as are more delectable than profitable for otherwyse the fleshe should be ouer burdenouse to the spirit And alwayes I request that thy holy hande may gouuerne instruct me that I doe nothinge excessyuelie Amen The ende of the fifth Chapter THE SIXTE CHAPTER CONTEYNINGE HOLESOME prayers of the lyfe and passion of our Sauiour and redeemer Iesus Christ A prayer to be sayed before the Crucyfix Cuthbertus Tunstall in lib. bell prec O Mercyfull crucifix the redeemer of all people whose heade was filthely lacerat torne with a croune of thorne whose hands feete extended vpō a crosse were through-bored with nayles whose whole feble bodye was hanged on highe and twoo theues to his ignomie shame fastened on his righte and lefte hande of the whych the one dispised thee the other knowleged thee to be a kinge whose spirit cōmēded vnto the father was gvuen vppe to redeme vs withall And being deade thy side thorwe-pearced gushed poured outewater and bloude VVhat toung can worthely expresse what minde can cōceyue those innumerable paynes the which thou an innocente haste suffered VVee beseeche thee for these so exceding great tormentes to illuminate our soules with the lyghte of thy knowledg to moderat our vnderstāding to strengthen our handes too good workes to conuerte our feetesteppes and goinges to thy wayes to directe our thoughtes wordes and deedes and laste of all to bringe vs wretches vnto thy kingedome where that wee with thy holye Angells maye haue thy fruition the which doest liue and raigne God with God the father the holy ghoste through all worldes So be it A prayer acknovvledginge that man vvas the cause of Christs suffering Io. Fab. ex 7. Medit. B Augustin VVHat hast thou done sweet chylde that thou shouldest haue this iudgement VVhat haste thou done that thou shouldest be thus streitly delte-with what is thy offēce what is thy gilte what cause of thy death what occasion of thy condemnation I truly I am cause of thy trouble my fault hath made thee to be slaine my defert hathe brought thee vnto this deathe vēgeance is taken of thee for my haynouse gilte thou art thus tormēted for me and I the occasion of all thy smart O maruelous sorte of iudgement order of the vnspekeable diuine misterie The wicked sinneth and the iuste is punished The gilty offendeth and the innocente is beaten The sinner transgresseth and the godly is condemned That whiche the bad hath deserued the good suffreth for that wherin the seruaunt hath done euill the maister maketh recompence for that the man hath committed the sonne of God is plagued how farfurthe thou sonne of God how farfurth hathe thine humilytie descended what hathe feruente loue enforced the to doo Howfarfurthe is thy mercye extended how doth thy bountie encrease how far furth hath thy loue reached Vnto what passe is thy compassion come For I haue done wickedlie and thou art punished I haue committed a greuous faulte and it is layed to thy charge I am the offender and thou arte put to the torture I was pufte vp in pryde and thou imbaced and made of no reputation I was disobedient thou sufferest the paine of my disobedience I haue pampered my selfe with delicat fare thou therfore redie to perishe thorow hunger My affectiō through concupiscence had made mee to doo thinges vnlawfull and perfect charitie in thee hath brought thee to suffer vpon the crosse I presumed to doo that I was forbidden and thou submittest thy selfe to receyue rebukes and punishemēts therefore I delight in all banquettinge and pleasure and thou art put vnto miserable paynes vppon the Crosse I lyue at ease and thy hādes and feete are persed with nayles I tast the plesaunt aple and thou the bytter gaule Eua laugheth and reioyseth with mee blessed Marye lamenteth soroweth with thee Beholde O Kinge of glorie Loo what myne iniquitye is and howe abundant thie mercie is Loo what myne vngodlines is and how meruailouse thy rightuousnes is O my King and my God with what maye I possible recompence thee for the greate goodnes shewed towardes me Mannes harte is not able to thinke what maye be worthelye gyuen in recompence for so great benefites For is ther any such fines of witte in man