holy land And faine would haue since thus thransported hether All sorts and sects associate me thether But all alas woe worth doe me disdaine one my Palmers weed with scorn complaine Vp-brayding me that I sometime of yore Triumphant vertues vestures viuely wore which thogh those lines a prisners pace do walk Which whilom did in Courtly measure stalke To open view now they expose their faults Though like a weakling that on crowches haults The fading flower of those youthfull times Now rest of power bewailes her ruthful crimes And ruminating on a sea of sinne Bewraies without what her betrayes within Then with my Poems plaine wreck't dispence Deuour'd in zeale is oft distrac't in sence Let not the rashnes of demolish't Time Explode my harshnes and vnpolisht rime Nor shun me now though I like lowly Ioh This leprous Corps of sin with raggs enrobe But sit by me read me and turne me o're And with thine vngments gently salue my sore within this Port wee 'le Anchour safe frō rockes Frō swelling billowes rageing gusts shockes Til Thetis Halcion Neptunes storke doth haile Then shall our Gallion spread a loftier saile And frō outragious stormes tempests stand For safe arriuall in the holy land ¶ Idillion in eximii Millitis Leightonis laudem THese dulcid layes which heere thy Muse doth sing sound most melodious to the heauenly King Thy zealous Emulation heere aspires To Parallel thy selfe in Angels quires If such ambition from thy Muse can glide Be more ambitious t' is a heauenly pride Still with this Emulation thee inuest For t' is a habit that becomes thee best And as thy selfe thy selfe dost most controule Seeming afflicted with a wounded soule Know for thy comfort thus Iehouah cries Offer to me a liuing sacrifice Thē these Oblations are more pleasing notes Then flesh of Bulls many thousand goates To him that saith in his Diuine behest Giue me thy heart then shalt thou please me best Better then he who all at once exhausts Chiliads of Hecatombs and Holocausts Nor weigh's he Psalmes composures prickt by art Till first the Psalmists soule be prickt in heart Thē yeeld thy simphonies which best accord With Dauids harmonies that pleas'd the Lord As when the women sung this sweet Idillion Saule slew his 1000. Dauid slew his million Hould on thy course and be assur'd at last Heauens will raise thee some Encomiast That like Apollo's Pean shall disperse The sacred diapason of thy verse In spight of Zeallesse Zoylus all abroad And make proud Momus chaunt his palinode Ed. Cooke ¶ In laudem authoris presentes operis sui Antonii dyat Arm. All euill deedes in darkenes doe delight the perfect good surmoūts the Sun shine bright The cardinall vertues yeald to thē their right Doe vertues lead that are Diuine in sight The former frame to honesty of life The latter are to soules saluation rife The former hath our author lately showne In Goulden verse and matter choycly apt The Latter leading vnto heauenly throwne Will be applauded as the onely that Doth ioyes angelicall and eternall blisse By sweete repenting bring from darke abisse Names do the Nature of the man declare Leighton our authors name from true light floweth To blisse the way to show he doth not spare His name eternal therefore each man knoweth God graunt the soyle where these good seedes do fall may bring forth fruit to rid the soule from thrall ¶ Vnto the troubles and sorrowes of the worthy Knight Sir William Leighton CHrists yoake is sweet see how it workes the Heart with steam's of sigh's with throw's of suppcation Say Well-i am whē griefes Leight-on my part soul's are sublim'd in fire of tribulation No meruaile Marble weepes on gloomy day Since griefe yeeldes Hunny dewes griefe to allay Io. Layfeilde To the Right Worshipfull Sir William Leighton Knight his endeared friend and kinsman concerning his diuine Lamentations EVē as some curious Image wrought in gold is a rich obiect stately to behold And we not only doe the wealth desire But doe asmuch the workmanship admire Yet if it turn'd be to a vse prophane What men did loue as soone they loath the same For all the cost and curious Art bestow'd Is counted base if worship to 't be show'd So stately posey oft is put in vse To sing laciueously her owne abuse And being rich and curious often times Is wrongd with base foule vnchristian rimes Then Poets all this heauenly verse come view Which bringes sweet Art and ripe conceipts to And doth thereby your Poetrie refine And teach it how for to become deuine you A second Dauid here soules health doth sing And thereby honor doth to Poets bring Here is no forged tale of loue or lust To sot the simple and deceiue the most No ticeing baud or foule abusing scoule No Art of loue but Phisicke for thy soule He that the Cardnall vertues late did bring For to vse conference with our mightie King Now likewise bringes a liuely verse to winne Faith vnto all that all may hate their sinne The flintie eye this worthy Knight doth moue To shed salt teares fore-wronging him aboue And as himselfe so is his verse likewise Most Deuine Noble Ciuill good and wise Then let no blasting tongue abuse the tree That beareth fruite to saue thy soule thee Ar. Hopton MVsicke is then Diuine and not but then when words notes in aptnes do concord Composed so by zealous cunning men as words notes both praise the heauenly Lord Such Musique is Diuine none but such be conceit cunning ne'reso much And such is worthy Leightons true intention whose heauēbred Muse Musiqu do conspire Both to Demonstrate his Diuine inuention and to Illustrate his most iust desire Oh let not then his patterne be neglected who hath Gods praise by Notes to him directed Luke Iones I Inlaudem Authoris THis is the second time thou hast appear'd in publick print wel willing worthy knight First thy Tryumphant vertue highly rear'd thy fame aboue our Moderne Poets flight For why those lines in serious wise I write do with such generall learning richly shine As if some blessed or Caelesticall spright possessed had that heart and soule of thine But in this second worke much more Diuiue thy Lamentations woefully cōposed thou dost thy thoughts in such low verse combine as wondrous skill thou hast in thē disclosed That mē may see thou canst write high or low in both so well as none thy worth can show Iohn Lepton THE TEARES OR LAMENTAtions of a Sorrowfull Soule A prayer vnto Almightie God to preuent prepare and dispose our hearts rightly vnto prayer Lord teach me how to pray Luke 11. 1. Verse O Louing God and Father deere I humbly thee beseech pray For Iesus sake my prayers heare and harken what my soule shall say My heart thoughts Lord sanctifie thine holy spirit inspire within mee Mee from corruptions mundifie and let thy louing mercies win me Oh let me
If I by chaunce a foile might haue they would exalt with ioyfull cries With deadly plagues I am beset and heauy thoughts in me doe stay My horrid sinnes I le nere forget but mourne for them both night and day My cruell foes are great in strength and they in number doe exceed Therefore O Lord ayde me at length and succour me in time of neede ⧠Psalme 51. LOrd of thy mercies multitude and goodnes great I doe implore My hainous sinnes from me exclude and sanctifie me euermore Wash me cleane from my wickednesse and purge me from my sinfull crimes That I may neuer more transgresse but glorifie thy name all times For I acknowledge all my faults my sinnes are euer in mine eyne Defend me still in all assaults thou know'st O Lord my soule is thine Gainst thee alone was mine offence my sinnes lay open to thy view Therefore the Lord's Omnipotence if I were cast is iust and trew Behould I first was form'd in sinne and from my mother so was borne And so poore soule continue in yet let me neuer be forlorne But loe the truth thou do'st require from the interiour parts of mine And then my soule thou shalt inspire with prudence secret and Diuine Purge me with Hisop then I know although my sinnes are wondrous blacke I shall be whiter then the Snow no brightnes then my soule can lacke O Lord into my wounded heart send downe thy spirits ioyfull voice That my brus'd bones in euery part which thou hast broken may reioyce From mine offences turne thy face and Purge me from mine euill deeds Increase in me thy spirit of grace from whence new birth of heart proceeds Let me not from thy presens part take not thy holy spirit from me But be a comfort to my heart still with me let thy spirit be And then the man that doth transgresse I shall reclaime from wicked waies O free me from bloud guiltienesse that I may sing thy rightfull praise O Lord doe thou my lips vnfould that open'd mouth may offer praise Which is the sacrifice of ould gratefull to thee in all my daies A contrite heart thou dost require for a sweete smelling sacrifice A broken spirit is thy desire which at no time thou wilt despise Be gratious Lord to Sions hill and Salems wales build and repaire Then Caâ—ues and Lambes we 'le offer still vpon thine Alter fat and faire FINIS ¶ Psalmes 102. O Heare my prayers Lord and let my mournefull moanes to thee assend Hide not thy face nor me forget in time of trouble me defend Encline thine eares vnto my call heare me O God and that right soone Support me euer least I fall both Morning Euening Night Noone My daies like smoake consume away my bones are burnt my heart is dead And withered like grasse or hay that I forget to eat my bread My flesh will scarce cleaue to my boanes I am become so weake a man And worne away with grieuous groanes like to some Owle or Pellican In watching I haue spent the night and like a sparrow all alone That on some houses top doth light disconsolate I made my moane All the day long I am reuil'd by those which are against me sworne And lead a life like one exil'd and of his country quite forlorne For I like bread did ashes eate and powred teares into my cup. Cause in thy wrath and anger great thou threw'st me downe took'st me vp My daies doe like a shadow passe but thou for euer Lord art sure And I am wither'd vp like grasse but thy remembrance still shall dure O Lord arise and pitty take with Sion let thy mercy stand Good God euen for thy meries sake for now the time is full at hand For why thy seruants Meditate vpon her stoanes with greeuance iust To see her lye so ruinate deuoid of comfort in the dust The heathens then thy name shall feare and earthly Kings thy maiesty When thou O Lord shalt Sion reare vnto her glorious dignity And then all Nations of the earth which vex the poore with furious hate Shall quake and tremble at thy breath when thou shalt helpe the desolate This shal be written on Record for vnborne babes which shall ensue That they may lawd the liuing Lord and magnifie his iudgements true The Lord lookt from his mighty throane and glorious seate of maiestie That he might heare the playning moane of Captiues then adiudg'd to die That they in Salem might declare the glorious name of God the Lord How he of Sion tooke such care as with his mercy did accord My strength in progresse down he brought and suddainely cut of my daies To spare me yet I him besought till riper age when life decayes Thy yeares O Lord endure for aye there is no limmit to thy times For thou did'st the foundations lay of heauenly Spheres and earthly Climes Thy handy workes shall weare away but thou for euer wilt endure They like a garment shall decay thy yeares eternall are most sure Thy Seruants Children shall remaine and their posterities abide And they in heauen with thee shall raigne in earth stand fast and neuer slide ⧠Psalme 130. OVt of the deepe to thee I cry'd therefore O Lord heare thou my voice Oh let thine eares to me be ty'd that I in thee may still reioyce If thou O Lord wilt be seuere to note in me what is amisse Thy iudgments I might iustly feare dispairing of thy heauenly blisse But thou art mercyfull O God and still thy grace doth most abound To them that reuerence thy rod thy fauour euer wil be found On thee O Lord I did attend and in thy word repos'd my trust Till thou thy light to me did'st send and raise me vp euen from the dust Trust in the Lord O Israell his mercies rich as sands on shore Redemption great with him doth dwell in bounteous plenty plenteous store Then he from sinne will thee redeeme and ransome home from soule offence Houlding thee in as great esteeme as Adam in his innocence ⧠Psalme 144. TO my Petitions bow thine eare good Lord consider my desire O comfort me in dreadfull feare for thy truths sake I thee require With vs in iudgment enter not no man is righteous in thy sight O let thine anger be forgot and thine Annoynted vs acquite The enemy hath vex't my soule and cast my life downe to the ground My boanes in darkenes he doth roule that like a dead man I am found Therefore my spirit is opprest my heart within me grieued sore That I can finde no quiet rest but desolation euer-more Yet former times to minde I call musing vpon thy workes begun And exercise my selfe in all the wondrous acts which thou hast done To thee doe I stretch out my hand and vnto thee my soule doth groane Euen as the dry and thirsty land that for her moisture maketh moane Heare me O Lord and that with speed because my spirit waxeth spare Hide not thy face in
dispaire To thee O Lord I doe commit my selfe I neuer will repine For thou know'st best what is most fit in life and death let me be thine FINIS ¶ Precepts of duties HIgh mightie God of righteousnes in wrath a dread consuming fire Thou did'st in perfect happines make man that dard gain'st thee conspire And breake thy lawes with all dispight whē thou had'st made him pure holy Plac'd him in garden of delight so great and wicked was his folly That hauing leaue to take or leaue to chuse refuse or vse at pleasure He did himselfe by sinne deceaue of that Diuine surpassing treasure And by his mutabilitie regardles of thy sacred sawes He brought in instabillitie lost his free will made breach of lawes Thou God of iustice must doe right man wanting grace with want of grace By grace substraction did'st requite bannishe him that blessed place By meanes of which we are inclin'd from thy behests to runne astray Our tōgue our heart our soule our mind by sinne is carried cleane away Thine honor first is sted fast faith in Christ and in thine holy booke And in thy truth that thy spirit saith which in mine hart for faith doth looke The next obedience to thy will as thou cōmanded'st by thy sweet word From Syna and from Sions hill to teach vs do thine hests O Lord. Vs for thy children hast elected and vs adopted to inherit Thy blisse if thy blisse be respected and seal'd vs with thine holy spirit Thou mad'st vs free by thy sons bloud to th' end thou mayest be glorifi'd In soules and bodies for our good his passion hath vs purified thou freed'st vs to that end we mought serue thee in holy righteousnes Thou gau'st thy sonne and he vs bought from thraldome of our sinfullnes Thou would'st he should for al men die to make him liue in thine elect And they in him to fructifie and with his graces hast them deckt By grace and holy inspiration rebellious nature seek'st to tame With precepts for instruction leau'st vs lawes in thine owne name The readie way of seruing thee and profit to our neighboures bring And louing thee most zealously who art our father Lord and King Though by thy Gospell we be free from lawes of sinne and Punishment Yet rules of life and pietie thou hast prescrib'd and to vs lent Thereby to mannage all our deeds and guide vs least we stepp awry And rightly vse our natures seedes both well to liue and well to die These lawes did'st write in tables two with the pure finger of thine hand Deliuered them Moyses vnto that we thy will might vnderstand The first cóntaineth precepts foure of duties due vnto thy fear◠The second six commandements more of loue we should to neighbours beare The summe and substance of them all and that fulfilleth euery part Is thee to loue on thee to call with all our soule might minde heart To other men especially thine houshold that are firme in faith As to our selues to giue supply with all our helpe as scripture saith But we are weake our case thus stands in this fraile mortall life of ours No man can keepe these thy commaunds but breakes them at all times houres Yet thou thy children oft dost will them selues to comfort hopeingly Ther 's left for them some measure still t' approach to thee acceptablie Namely when they bend their whole strength dayly preuented by thy spirit And stand in hope t' attaine at length what now they want by Christ his merit Walking and dayly going on by stepps thereof to Paradice Praysing and lauding thee alone sighes yet for their infirmities The faithfull know all and beleeue with thee our father mercie is For with thy sonne do'st all thinges giue how can we then of mercy misse Therefore my God now giue to me all that thou giu'st to thine elect Of thine eternall clemencie let not thy spirit my soule reiect Illuminate my knowledge darke Possesse my heart the Lord to loue What 's don amisse Lord doe not marke but let thy spirit my spirit still moue That I most constantly may walke the steps path's of thy iust lawes And of thy goodnes dayly talke with feare and loue and all applause To whom I wholie owe my selfe for thou hast Lord created me And bought me not with worldly pelfe but by thy sonne hast made me free Whence I doe also learne to loue all men in thee and for thy sake Who beare thy image from aboue and my vocation surer make O let me thus thy fauour finde and peace of consience vnderstand Thy blessings and thy mercies kinde to God the work 's of mine ill hand That fil'd with daies I leaue my life rest to inioy with all contents And liue eternally from strife and keepe thy ten Commaundements Finis ¶ An invocation to God humbly praying for remission of sinne WEll spring of bountie God of feare beginning that mak'st all begin With what oblation to appeare appease thy wrath that 's due for sinne I know not blood of Bulles and beast or sweetest incense that doth rise From earth of old they were the least and are not now of any prise O how should I be reconcil'd againe vnto thy louing fauour How long Lord shall I be exil'd from my sweete Lord only Sauiour How long O haue I cal'd to thee to thee in name of thy deere Sonne Yet what I ask'd thou gau'st not mee and what I would is left vndonne I long haue knocked at thy doore of mercy but none entrance finde Sorrowes and troubles more and more increase and vex my soule and minde I dayly waite most wofull mortall before thy seate of clement grace But may not peepe within thy portall nor see thy glorious beautious face I sigh and mourne my teares are seas I sincke vnder the burdnous loade Of sinne and shame and find none ease prouoke me forward with thy word Of castigation I desire to quench thy wrath with flouds of teares Yet still increase thy fearefull fire and so increase my frostie feares By prayers thee to presse who dares except by thy sonnes mediation To seeke thy glory 's all our cares and th' end of earthly mens creation what course should I poor wretch thē take to doe or aske that 's good iust But vnto thee my prayers make and onely in thy sonne put trust Yf that my sinnes shall thee offend then all thy creatures rage storme And all conspire by thy commaund to beate on me poore sillie worme Where shall I be or whether flie from sight of thine all seeing ey ne As Noahs doue on earth am I and cannot looke against thy shine But if thou show thy louing face all creatures on my seruice tend Men beasts and Angels doe me grace to helpe me all their powers doe bend What should I
showne from him no secret kept can be How I consume so many yeares mispent so many monthes and daies Both houres and minutes all appeares to God who markes my life waies Time is the meane that all things tries time worketh what mens wits deuise Time with his swiftnes euer flies and time in time will make men wise Fly from me follies of my youth packe hence my sins that burdned me Welcome to me is age and trueth now I by faith in Christ will be whose sins do make their harts to bleed let them examples take by me Whose wickednes all mens exceede come come and my repentance see Lord now let me depart in peace I feele thy rod I finde thy loue My paines doe grow my ioyes encrease this mercie comes from thee aboue My sickenes is a present meane to heale and cure my wounds of sin Lord purge all my corruptions cleane and let my death my life begin FINIS The repentant complaineth of his horrid and grieuous sinnes and in the end giueth thankes vnto Iehouah on high who is distinguised into one God and three persons HIdden O Lord are my most horred sins vnto the world though open plaine to thee He neuer betters that no time begins corruption killeth all good thoughts in mee What sin doth dwell in this vild flesh of ours but doth encrease like monsters huge in me Cōmitting them both minutes daies houres as swift as Time so fast grow they in me Rent thine owne flesh teare thy wretched haires scrape clean corruptions marrow frō thy bones Put out thine eies cut of thy tongue stop eares lame all thy sences to kill sinne at once I faine would walke that know not how to creep I am opprest with such most hainous crimes Whē I should wake sin drowneth me with sleep for one good thought I sin a thousand times Sigh O my soule weepe sorrow lament and seeke for helpe if any hope be left Pray vnto Christ for grace thou mai'st repent before his merits from thee be bereft Though by his rod afflictions humble thee and for thy sinnes thou suffer grieuous paine Yet with his staffe he still vpholdeth thee from deep dispaire in blisse with him to raigne All glory be to God on high and to his sonne our sauiour wise and iust To whom with ioy still pray and sing will I and to my comforter the holy Ghost Whose being was from all eternity one deity distinct in persons three According to the blessed Trinity distinguish 't three yet one in vnity Finis ¶ The repentant wholy flyeth vnto the mercies of God in Christ and describeth the loath somnes vglines of his sinnes aggrauating the greatnes thereof aboue all other mens O Lord behould my miseries my paine and deadly griefe No helpe no hope but thy mercies to yeeld my soule reliefe I hate my selfe and loath my sinne my heart is rent with feare To thinke what state I haue liu'd in my wits with torments teare If sinnes seeme vgly vnto mee who did the same commit How loath some Lord shew they to thee that do'st in iudgement sit Whē others sins my minde haue vext and make me search mine owne My heart with horror is perplex't for my sinnes seedes so sowne By measure iust and true I finde no man that euer liu'd Hath sinn'd so much in heart and mind as I that am thus grieu'd If all mens faults were put in one and knowne were my offences T' weare no compaire to mine alone so vil'd in all pretences O cease to sing sigh and lament turne tunes to weeping teares And learne of Dauid to repent by faith to cure thy cares True faith in Christ Lord grant to me that now liue in dispaire From Sathans bondage set me free let Christs bloud cleanse me cleare Blot out of minde my cursed crimes and my misdoings all That dayly sinne so many times and hourely sinck and fall Thou bid'st thē come that loden are with burthen of their sinne And let thy spirit my spirit prepare that I may now begin At first to creepe and then to goe and so come to thy gate And then be cured of my woe O Lord t' is not to late Whil'st I liue let me liue to loue thee for now mine heart aboue There 's nought on earth to loue can moue me my life is with my loue Where thou doest sit on cherubins and Angels sing thy praise With holy holy Seraphines Lord let me liue alwaies FINIS The poore Suppliant being visited with a grieuous sicknes sheweth how he languisheth in all the corporall parts members of his body but especially with the torture of his conscience for sinne and at the last prayeth that God would take from him this heauie yoake of miseries O Lord giue eare to my complaint attend my teares heare my cry My sinnewes shrinck my limes do faint I languish in my malady My bones are broke my flesh gon quit my strength in euery part doth faile My thighes grow thin dim'd is my sight my leggs feete with weaknes quaile My tongue doth faulter in my head my spr'its faint my hands do shake With paine and ach I tosse in bed my vaines are stiffe mine hart doth ake My bodie is with griefe opprest noe place noe part is free from anguish I grieue and groane and take no rest I faint I swoune I fall I languish I liue but dying euery houre my glasse of time is almost run I sade away as doth a floure that withers with the heate of sunne I liue and die yet not with death I lingring liue yet dead with sinne Condemn'd to die yet draw my breath in such confusion liue I in As if all tortures due for sinne were euery minute laid on mee Horrors with-out and hell with-in and all thiese things thine eie doth see I charge not Heauen I blame not earth but of this one thing am assured That flesh and world the diuell my birth and faults not fates haue this procured Lord for thy building thou dost square mee with many a strong and sturdy stroake When thy will is O Lord do spare mee and take from me this heauie yoake FINIS A feruent prayer vnto God that the repentant may find fauour in Christ whose merits and satisfaction he offereth vnto thee O Lord as a pleasing ransome for his sinnes ATtend vnto my teares O Lord regard my woefull moane And seeke to saue mee by thy word or I am ouerthrowne For sinne doth so oppresse my minde that I am damn'd to hell Vnlesse by Christ I fauour finde whose woundes must make me well Cure thou my soule so sicke with sinne by merrits of thy sonne Marke not the state that I liue in but marke what he hath done Most perfect he though I be vild to please when I offend He sits with thee though I exild in glory to the end My
soules sadnes In darknes let me light espie in mid'st of sorrow graunt me gladnes On fruitfull ground Lord doe mee plant and build me vp on surest rocke Annoyes to ioyes to wealth turne want from future ills me keepe and locke As trees that grow by waters side whose leaues blossoms freshly flourish For euer let my state abide thy loue reuiue thy grace me nourish Let thy spirit dayly spring bud with faiths pure braunches frō my hart Let dewes drops of Christ's deer bloud feede vaines of hope from sinners dart My store's decayd thou can'st renew it my basket's empty thou can'st fill it Refresh my heart againe reuiue it reuiue it Lord for thou did'st kill it Thou help'st the simple poore needy thou see'st my state thou can'st all mend I know thou know'st when to be speedy and know'st thy time when to defend Helpe helpe O Lord else downe I fall hould me fast by thy strong hand And lift me vp against them all that by opposing me withstand Thy promise Lord thou doest performe thy words are deeds thou sai'st do'st A happie end thou doest returne and graunt to those that on thee trust My safety Lord thou hast ordain'd by faith my hope doth mount fly And by that hope I am sustain'd if that were lost my soule would dye My faith hath fixt an obiect right my will doth farre my power exceed But Lord I know that in thy sight the will is taken for the deeede Then Lord for deede my will do take and I secured shall be then Oh graunt me this for Christ his sake to whom be praise for aye Amen FINIS ⧠The eight Lamentation in distresse ¶ In which the distressed craueth pardon for his sinnes the cause of his misseries O Had I wings like to a Doue then should I from these troubles flye To wildernes I would remoue to spend my life and there to dye Mong'st bushes thicke and branches tall of mightie Cedars hughe and high With sauadges and wild beasts all for to auoide my misery But why thus wish I Lord alas that am vaine man of flesh blood Thou God that bring'st all things to pas do'st know this sorts not for my good For were I in vast wildernes in furthest part of earth or ayre I could no whit my case redresse as being in thy power there Were I in bowels of the earth were I in Sea in Cloudes or Skie With sorrow griefe with ioy or mirth there Lord thou art with powerfull eie There canst thou also finde me out and visit there my foule offence Thou art my paths and bed about t' is vaine to hide or seeke defence ¶ The second part of the eight Lamentation ¶ The penitent by faith preuailes against frailty in the fierie triall THen let me at thy footestoole fall there acknowledge mine amisse For pardon begge and mercy call and pray for grace and heauenly blisse And that thou bridle my desires clense mine affections with thy spirit Inflame me with thine holy fire in nought but thee let me delight Lord tame the fiercenes of mine heart reforme my words my mouth speach Thou fountaine of all wisdome art therefore right wisdome do me teach In vnderstanding truth instruct me vouchsafe me perfect patience So to that freedome wilt conduct me where is no losse nor paine of sence And from thiese dangers best me free which most I feare soon'st possesse The comforts most desir'd by me and so enioy true happines O make not Lord thy absence long but hasten my deliuerance Against my foes Lord make me strong which do themselus gainst me aduance That ready are with on set newe for to assault my silly soule Wearied with stormes that do accrew plungd with waues which or'e me roule The third part of the eight Lamentation WHerefore hast thou left vnto vs by thy word a commaundement To cast our cares on thee which thus with weighty burdens vs torment With promise to vs helpe and ease thou see'st knowest Lord our desire Our secret hearts and all our waies all 's plaine to thee as light as fire If therefore I should iustifie my selfe I should condempned bee Thou find'st me out and do'st me try my righteousnes is nought to thee disclay ming mine integritie I cast me downe Lord at thy feete And pray for pure sincerity that I do all in all that 's meete Wherefore thou art most bountifull when wants weakenes we confesse Yea then thy guifts are plentifull vs to releiue in our distresse On thee my burden Lord I 'le lay for well I knowe thou car'st for all That thee belicue loue feare obey and for thy grace and mercy call My faith and hope is all in thee I am of imperfections full I Aske why thou do'st visit me should I that blockish am and dull Defiled within and eke without pleade duties don or else be mute It is in vaine to goe about with thee O Lord for to dispute Who euill am in my best way in purest thoughts yea most impure Pardon my weakenes Lord I pray and giue me zeale strength t' indure With humblenes and perfect loue which Lord thou do'st of me require Instruct me God with wisdome moue mee guide and lead to thy desire Shew me the way that tends to blisse after this my long straying heere And bring me home where all peace is let thy free fauour Lord appeare Wherein is life and liberty comfort ioy and society With rest peace and tranquillity for them that liue in pietie The fourth part of the eight Lamentation OH happy he whō thou protec'st most hapy he whō thou dost loue Hee 's strong and wise in all respect'st hee 's fed and clad from thee aboue In all good things hee 's rich in deede when he doth call thou dost him heare What he doth aske thou giu'st at neede he seekes findes them euery where When he is sicke thou do'st him cure when poore thou do'st his wants reply When he is sad he shall be sure thy sauing health and helpe is nye When he is troubled do'st defend him in danger do'st securenes giue him whē men him hate thy loue wilt send him when dead to long life doth reuiue him And giu'st him thē such ioyes for euer as no mans wit can comprehend Me fauour graunt Lord bring me thither to thiese thy blessings without end This fauour Lord vnto me shew and blesse my contemplation Onely in heauen and thee I know is perfect contentation My sorrowes shal be turn'd to ioy my wants vnto sufficiency My teares to gladnes from annoy mourning to mirth and melody My soule keepe safe from death hell my feete from sliding from falling Let me vprightly walke and dwell and on thee still O Lord be calling Who do'st performe thy promises and let'st none empty part away That with their hearts seeke thy mercies or do for helpe comfort pray The
handes in life and death to him we flee FINIS ¶ The bodie is buried but shall be raised vp againe at the last day PIllor of faith Basis of blisse of true religion sure supporter The pointe of Resurrection is in death it is the chiefe comforter If this doe fall all faith may faile what article doth vs refresh When life and health and strength doth quaile the Resurrection of the flesh Our bones shall blossom as the grasse we shall be raised out of dust The bodie that before time was by power of Christ's spirit rise it must The first fruit's Christ the head is rais'd the members shall the same likewise The Lord God for the same be prais'd we know that we shall also rise If head aboue the water bee how can the body then be drowned We shall arise and Iesus see and with him shall be kingly crowned FINIS ⧠In the pangs of death and in all tribulations the remedies be to be learned in the sufferings of Christ. OF life and death the true director who in his life and his dying Of our misdoing is corrector and into all our actions prying Christ is afflicted for our sake left vs example that we should Follow his stepps and his way take thy Crosse to beare with courage bould Our Sauiour Iesus teacheth thee how can that be say'st thou behold Example if thou punisht bee with sicknes hunger thirst colde With thy selfe reccon and accompt how it cannot compared be with his thornes yea his nailes surmount the greatest payne that paineth thee Art thou restrain'd of thy desire lusts that draw thou know'st not whether Thinke on Christs crosse Gods wrath ire put his tortures all together If prid puffe vp thy mind with motiōs looke on Christ nailed on the Crosse And thinke as bound by due deuotions of our great gaine by his great losse If thou in filthie lust dost burne or any other ill desire Thinke but how Christ his flesh was torne to saue thy soule frō flames of fire With stripes thrust through and all to brokē his drinke was Ezell mixt with Gaule With his last gaspe the earth was shoken who suffered for the sinnes of all If enuy hate reuenge thee grieue thinke with thy selfe how Christ did pray O Father doe them all forgiue for them that tooke his life away FINIS An exhortation to forgiue one an other before we depart out of this world GOd vs commaunded to forgiue saith then we shall be forgiuen Without offence noe man can liue and God his ballance hangeth even He that doth not forgiue his brother will then the Lord his faults remit Noe as he dealeth with another another shall repaire t' is fit And when you kneele to God pray forgiue if you haue any thing Gainst any liuing man that day that Christ may your remission bring And when thy guift thou dost present and on the Aulter sacrifice First with thy brother make consent and him forgiue in any wise When thou to Christ wast enemie and strengthned in great extreames Yet then did he giue remedie and or'e thee spred his mercie beames He gaue to thee his holy spirit to guide and leade thy soule aright And gaue thee heauen there to inherit all ioyes and blisse lay in his sight When thou from him wa' st gon astray he sought thee out did thee finde And finding thee brought thee away vnto his fould he thee resignde Thanke God therefore render praise exalt and laude his holy name Vnto the heauens sing alwaies all men on earth doe ye the same Hence forth my soule walke in his path and erre not from him any more Lesse thou prouoke his heauie wrath and then art worse then wer't before Let not Gods spirit be giuen thee to worke thy condempnation But let thy eye remembred bee for thy soules preseruation Shun thou all wicked company with dooers ill associate not Least thou from faith should'st fall fly and soule body soile and spot But blesse his name who called thee vnto the state of righteousnes And thy sinnes vengance tane hath hee to giue thee heauens happines Blesse thou his blessed holynes his praise let minde heart record And let thy tongue and voyce confesse the gratiousnes of God the Lord. Prostrate thy selfe downe at his feete offer thy seruice with free heart O yeeld God all for t' is most meete since he made sau'd blest each part Who spared not his only Sonne but let him die thy soule to saue To pay and ransome thy faults done and to redeeme thee from the graue So in the prayer of our Lord we doe forgiue that 's done gainst vs As God forgiuenes shall afford our Sauiour Christ doth teach vs thus That is that we forgiue them must who did vs harme in any thinge In thought in word in deede vniust or ought to thine indamaging FINIS ¶ Diuers consolations that the life and time of affliction is short THe cōfort that doth make vs bould is our afflictions transitory Cause wee of Christ doe take sure hould the troubles short endlesse the glory Eye hath not seen eare hath not heard the ioyes that God for his elect In heauen already hath prepar'd through many troubles to effect Light are our troubles temporarie because Christ and his spirit deuine This weight and burthen helpe to carry and strongly vs to them combine We looke not on things seene vaine but on things vnseene cast our eye The soules of Saints for Christ was slaine Christ answeared when they did cry How long a time that they must stay a little while though he doth lower His stay till wrath be ouer past t' is but a minute of an howre Christ calls the time of troubles little but Paule doth say the glories great As in respect of th' earth a little so griefes compar'd to Heauens seate A while saith God I thee forsooke that is short time in misery But there th' eternall mercy tooke that is to heauen felicity FINIS ⧠A consolation for them which suffer for their offences IF men you buffit for ill deedes what praise mongst mē get you therby Corrections from your faults proceedes and therefore take it patiently See none do suffer as an Actor of ill as busie bodies theeues Nor as a wicked male factor for that barrs pitty from your grieues But if please God we suffer must for wicked deedes were done by vs Deseruing punishment most iust may holy be by suffering thus And vnto God t' is no lesse pleasing then suffering of the Innocents God can and will helpe our diseasing we are but as his patients If euill men their faults confesse and noe good course of life omit Belieue in Christ and faith expresse then surely he 'l their faults remit And their deserued punishment and crosses all he 'l lenifie And giue a crowne magnificent to purenesse them he 'l sanctifie The theefe who died for heineous crime hang on the Crosse
time of neede least that I fall into the snare O let thy comfortable loue betimes into my soule distill And let thy spirit like a Doue dwell in my heart and keepe me still Vpon thee onely I depend direct me in the perfect way And guide me to my iourneyes end for thou art my support and stay Good Lord defend me from my foes for vnto thee I fly for ayd Vnder thy wings hide me from those that for my soule their snares haue layd Teach me to doe the thing a-right that may be pleasing to thy minde And amiable in thy sight that I thy fauour still may finde Thou art my God and onely guide which dost protect me with thy hand O let thy spirit with me a-bide and lead me to the holy land For thy names sake Lord quicken me and for thy righteousnes I craue O set my soule from troubles free and let it neuer see the graue And for thy goodnes sake destroy mine enemies that me pursue And to my soule would worke annoy O Lord confound that damned crew I am thy seruant O my God Deare Father guide me with thy rod. FINIS ¶ A Mistery to be noted and followed of those that are parting out of this life IN the departure of the Lord of mortall bodies vitall breath Their liues a misterie worth record which he did shew vs heere on earth Who doth prepare to die each houre must follow Christ our Sauiour For he the night before he died did single out himselfe alone Disciples all he set aside and to his Father makes his moane His mother deere he leaues with Iohn to comfort her when he is gon So Christians all when they goe hence must cast of care of worldes respect Setling their house with prouidence and then all earthly care neglect Leauing all thoughts of common wealth which too much mens affections steale Commending wife and children all to Gods protecting will Diuine Himselfe to God Coelestiall betakes from world to Gods designe Forsaking friends and kinsfolkes heere exempts his heart from care and feare He must then secret be alone who will with high Iehouah walke Distilling teares with prayers moane and seruent sighes with God to take His soule and spirit let him commend to heauenly ioyes deuoid of end At time of death Christ watch't and prai'd with earnest zeale and seruencie In Oliue Mount all Night he stay'd a place for heauenly secrecie He there thrice his disciples warnes to watch and pray gainst tempters harmes Euen so all they must watch and pray with sighes and groanes for former sinnes That from this life depart away against temptations Sathans gins Exhorting all to liue to die to Faith sure Hope and Charity Christ bow'd his knees t' was not enough he fell downe flat vpon his face His cryes the heauens pierced through to God for ayde and heauenly grace He twice retir'd to feruent praier with ardent Zeale in open ayre He bends his knees with humblenes who himselfe commits to Gods dispose He falleth flat with lowlines that takes the loue for his repose And wholy doth himselfe deny fixing his faith in God on high As Adam first in paradise had seemely corps without array So Christ from Earth on Crosse doth rise his naked selfe doth them display As Brasen Serpent was erect so he 's lift vp for his elect Euen so that soule that Heauen aspir's from earths affections must ascend Mounting with heart and his desires to heauenly life that hath no end Himselfe to th' world must crucifie nayl'd with faith hope and charity This Champion there must combate make with Dragon fierce mans enemy Till he turne backe the victory leauing the Lambe tue victory Then victour shall enioy the nest of highest heauens and be possest FINIS ¶ Short Meditations or Iaculatorie prayers to be had in memorie vppon seuerall occasions When any sodaine feare assayleth thee pray BE vnto me O Lord a Tower of strength against my mortall foe O guard and ward me with thy power which way soeuer I shall goe Then shall my heart and soule reioyce in God my Lord with cheerefull voice ¶ If an ill Suspicion ouertake thee CReate O Lord my heart anewe regenerate my spirit within Suspicious thoughts which me pursue expell and purge me from my sinne Still let thine Angels me conduct and with thy spirit my soule instruct ¶ If vndesent sadnes perplex thee LEt thy saluation be my ioy confirme me with thy spirit of grace Let sadnes not my soule annoy for pensiue thoughts too much take place Oh let my comforts still reside in Christ who for my sinnes hath dy'de ¶ If vaine-glory seduce thee NOt vnto vs but to thy name all honour Lord we attribute For thou alone deseru'st the same what can we to our selues impute Oh Lord thou knowest we are but dust yet we presume in thee to trust ¶ If despaire molest thee THou art my hope euen from my youth from my Mothers wombe my guide Why should I then despaire in truth but in thy mercies euer bide For thou O Lord wilt still protect with consolation thine elect ¶ If thou be afflicted in minde HElpe me and I shall then be safe and I will meditate alwaies Vpholde me with thy strongest Staffe that I may euer sing thee praise Thy wonted loue Lord let me finde to comfort mine afflicted minde ¶ If Slouth assaile thee LOrd with thy powre my soule excite come and confirme me in thy way That in thy lawes I may delight and from thy statuts neuer stray Rouse and reuiue my drowsie spirit that ioyes with thee I may inherit ¶ If wrath disturbe thee OH giue me patience Lord and peace least y◠my soule should lose her crowne O let thy loue to me increase and powre thy grace and mercy downe For thou hast said in thy behest in patience be your soules possest ¶ If desire of honour or promotion tempt thee LOrd vnto thee my heart incline from greedie gaine my thoughts withdrawe From vanitie direct mine eyne and rectifie me in thy lawe For in thee doth all honour rest it comes not from the East nor West ¶ If Gluttonie solicit thee THy Kingdome is not drinke nor meate but ioy and peace in heauen aboue T' is not the flesh which we doe eate can profit vs without thy loue Then with thy grace my spirit cherish for that 's the foode which cannot perish ¶ If any blessing of God happen to thee VVHat shall I render to my Lord for all his blessings powr'd on me My heart and soule with one accord shall laud and praise thy maiestie All Blessings doe from thee descend blest be thy name world without end ¶ In any grieuous persecutions IVdge them oh Lord which me pursue and ouer-throw my foes in fight And with thy sword confound that crewe which prosecut me with despight Oh be thou still my guard and guide defending me on euery
aske and haue of thee let me by faith my suite obtaine Thy louing fauour shew to mee all other fauour is but vaine Restraine my vaine imaginations preuent by grace Sathans intrusions Let not him taint my cogitations nor blind mine eies with false illusions Which are th'nticements the baites of that great ghostly enemy That still for worldlings seekes waites within which rancke poore wretch am I. But as my mouth and lipps haue said wordes of a faithfull seruant true So let my soule of Christ craue ayde with inward spirit to liue a new For now my poore soule is a-fraide and time mispent alasse I rewe To thee I run imploreing ayde within me do thy spirit renue O Lord I see the bloudy woundes of thy sweete sonne my Sauiour I see thy mercies there aboundes and promised by thy fauour And therefore I by sinfull deedes that er'st liu'd carelesse in dispaire Do fly vnto those woundes that bleedes plucke down grace by force of praier Oh in that grace graunt me to liue and in that grace grant me to die And when I die Lord grace me giue to reigne with thee perpetualy A generall confession of sinnes OMnipotent and gratious Father froÌ„ thy waies haue I strayed er'd Like a lost sheepe follow'd rather Mine harts deuises and prefer'de My foolish fancies fond desires broake the lawes set downe by thee I haue not done what thou requires but done those thinges that should not be No health 's in me but thou O God haue mercy on me sinfull wretch Spare me oh spare me hould thy rod that to offendors thou dost stretch I do confesse my faults restore me that doe repent for Iesus sake That promis'd euer is before thee which thou in Christ to man did'st make And graunt for his sake liue I may a godly righte and sober life To thy names glory still for aye possessing heauen that shuts out strife All laude and praise be to thy name for euer and euer now and then To whom all nations sing with fame sweete psalmes of ioy Amen Amen A Morning meditation I Laide me downe to rest and slept and in the morning rose againe God me sustain'd and safely kept and by his grace did me maintaine His Angels pitch't me round about sleeping and waking keeping me Both comming in and going out they guarde me with securitie Lord here my voice in morning bright when I my praiers do direct And waite till thou the God of light doe heere and helpe me with effect O Father full of power and might mercie and loue how dare I cast Mine eies into thy heauenly sight If thou remember my sinnes past How can I thinke or hope for good heere in the earth to come from high Hauing so much thy lawes withstoode And sin'd against thy maiesty Thou in thy power knowledg deepe lord seest the wicked waies of mine Whether in sinne I wake or sleepe they are all open to thine eyne My vaine corrupt and euill deeds my imperfections more and more With my pollutions which still breedes thine anger worse then was before Thy iudgement I might iustly feare if thou should'st note what 's don amisse Thou might'st in torture be seuere but thou giu'st rest sleepe peace blisse And hast me rais'de vp by thy hand for onely thou preseruest mee And me defend'st by sea and land a wake or sleepe I seruing thee whether I walke worke eate or drinke or what ere else doe what I will Thou blessest all that I can thinke without thy blessings all were ill For I a creature weake and faint subiect to daungers that are rife And closly workes my soule to taint in this corrupt and euill life I lie alasse in night and blindenes and haue no watch mee to defend Yet am preseru'de by thy kindnes from them that ill to mee intend Whose owlish eies doe shun the light who lay their traps snares in darke But thou defend me with thy might with bright eie their worke do'st marke Thou deare kinde Father full of loue regardest thy weake and little ones Thy many mercies do thee moue tinuiron them soule blood bones O gratious God I giue thee thankes for all thiese mercies maniefold Saue me from all the perilous prankes of sinne and of that Serpent ould Forgiue me mine offences Lord with true repentance Lord me right Let thankes with life reform'd accorde with trewe obedience in thy sight I am inclin'd to vanitie to slide into one sinne or other No day nor houre true peace finde I since first I came froÌ„ wombe of mother With many foes I am beset corruptions in me dayly fight Which workeing of thy graces let and gain'st my faith vse all their might Wresting my will and settled minde rom true sincerity to sinne From good desires to be inclin'de to deepe dispaire and die therein To make one trust in blandishment of wiâ—ked world my soule deceauing And in my soules sad languishment of comforts all my soule bereauing I flie vnto the sanctuary of thy deare care and prouidence Assured I shall not miscarry when I depend on thy defence Keepe me therefore O King of Kings as precious Apple of thine eie This day me shroud vnder thy winges for by thy sauing health liue I. Teach me the truth me knowledg giue and wisdome with all humblenes Obedience zeale and faith relieue my soule with hope in all distresse Chaunge me from sinne to sanctitie from the nights darknes vnto light Let my colde zeale most ardent be to serue the Lord both day night Teach me iustly to execute my outward calling giue successe And happie issue to my suite and all my lawfull labours blesse To brethren loue and equitie to me and mine in godly care With heart and minde true pietie to God alone let me repaire And let thy holy spirit so nourish and gouerne me that more more I may increase beare fruit and florish in godlines and goodnes store Vntill thou shalt cut off this life that is corrupt with deadly sinne And by Christs merrites end the strife of mortall warres my soule liues in And draw me then with cords of loue to thee and thy Tuition To new Ierusalem aboue and giue mee there fruition Off thee those that raign with thee with Christ and all that in thy word Thou promi'st me graunt this to mee for the same Christ his sake O Lord. An Euening Meditation I Le lie me downe to sleepe in peace for thou Lord only mak'st me dwell In saftie with great quietnes and do'st ill dreames from me expell My body to innormitie is subiect without rest and sleepe Because of mine infirmitie my life and health it cannot keepe Good father all sufficient my louing God I yeelde thee praise For this dayes blessings to me sent and guiding me in all my waies
striue to speake these words vtter helpe me opprest hide not thy face Though father that did me begett my mother that frō wombe me bare And all my frindes forsake me yet thou Lord of me tak'st charge care O Lord thou wilt me not forsake for so ha'st promis'd in thy word In all distresse noe feare I 'le take but fourthwith fly to thee O Lord. Thou giu'st not like our earthly Sires nor wants suppli'st like carnall friends That would but cannot our desires performe in deedes as heart pretends Hopeles I should downe faint fall did I not in thee surely trust That holdeth noe respect at all but vnto those whom Christ makes iust And thou accept'st not vaine glorie as worldings do nor thinges eternall Thou look'st not to thinges transitory but to the thinges that are internall A lowly and obedient heart a troubled spirit thou do'st elect Of poore opprest thou tak'st the part proud men downe thou do'st deiect frame thou therefore my inward zeale that outward busines me deceiue not Of comforts which thou dost reueale to thine and me of ioyes bereaue not When at thy mercy gate I knocke do not as rich men vse the poore That gain'st them fast the gates do locke but quickly Lord set ope the dore Let not my miseries depriue my spirits of ioy or soules comfort Let noe vaine thinges ill men deuise drawe me to be of their consort make strong my faith hope lord giue me and I 'le take hould of thy protection Be my defence and panoplie and guide me safe to thy election Thou hast O Lord my troubles seene Hast knowne my soule in bitternes Thou hast mine helpe succour beene O helpe me now in my distresse In mercies thou hast mightily sau'd me from perills infinite My life consumes mine heart doth die my yeares do waste my daie is night the day telles day the night the morrow the base reproach of my disaster Yea friendes foes add griefe to sorrow each base mate doth me or'e-maister I am now at the point to pine O let it be thy blessed pleasure To ease my griefe for I am thine my paines asswage lord in some measure For thou my paines ha'st measured and all that 's good for those that feare Lord thou in store hast treasured to me Lord let the same appeare In sight of those that are my foes that thinke there is noe period Of all my tortures paine and woes graunt this for Christ his sake O God ⧠The fift Lamentation in distresse ¶ Wherein the distressed prayeth God to keepe him from dispaire howsoeuer men goe about to make him afraide IN thee O Lord I put my trust and yet there are which dayly say There is no helpe for me vniust but Lord thy word cannot decay Thou art my God how can they then proue that thou wilt none helpe me send I am brought lowe in sight of men there 's none will helpe or comfort lend My basket and my store is spent they say it was by thee accurst Thou did'st it take that had'st it sent but they take all thinges at the worst At me they gape at me they wonder as at a monster seldome seene On all their works and words I ponder What I now am what haue I beene I faint at nought thou know'st my smart th' art my Father do'st me foster what words or workes can daunt my hart I am in thee become a boaster Thiese men thy might power disable or else thy loue to man diminish Or else they thinke thou art vnstable or do'st begin and wilt not finish Or that the poore wilt not support nor helpe thee needy in distresse But as thou know'st what they report so make them feele their wickednes But I do know thou failest neuer them that in thee their trust repose If they be constant and perseuer all things are for the best to those Thou art in deed a iealous God and first thy children thou dost monish Thou bear'st with loue beat'st with rod if they mend not wilt further pūnish Yet cal'st thy chosen children backe by gentle stroakes from running riot And sufferst them to suffer lacke and do'st prescribe to them their diet We may condignely then deride the iudgments of such foolish men That vnto thee Lord wilt prescribe the measure what the time when Such fleshly men by wealth woe censure thy loue or thy displeasure As natures friend or graces foe by humaine reason all things measure They thinke thou lou'st whom thou feed'st fatt with plentie pleasures worldly riches And that all others thou do'st hate thiese world flesh deuils bewiches And great is this temptation vnlesse our natures thou assist Infeebled with affliction whose helpe doth rest in Iesus Christ When thou therefore do'st me correct with one hand hould me with the other Let faith in thee make thee accept me for thy sonne by Christ my brother Lay not vpon me greater loade then I poore wretch can well indure If I do sincke stay my aboad and if I fall then keepe me sure thou know'st lord whereof I am made I am a silly simple man A worme a flea a puffe a shade that no good doe nor no good can Try by the crosse true to the crowne that we may proue by wants losses But to dispaire pull me not downe but vnto comforts turne my crosses I am not able beare thy yoake least Christ thy son doth with me draw I am not able fend thy stroake lesse he O Lord doth beare the blow Lord with thy mercies compasse me protection draw out of dispaire O let me thy saluation see and all things fit obtaine by pray'r Thou showest mercy to thee meeke that trust in thee in all mens sight Thy children shall finde that they seeke thou shalt to sunshine turne their night a place whēce worldlings are excluded and all that hellish rable rout though here on earth they haue intruded to roote Gods faithfull children out And such as haue with hate pursu'de and trusted in the arme of flesh And would their hands in blood imbru'd shall say in iudgement they were rash god 's on my sid who cā or'ethrow me Christ pleades my cause cā god refuse me As iust in Christ the Lord doth know me he doth acquite who can accuse me Wee thought that this mans life was madnes then shall the wicked worldlings say But see his words are turn'd to gladnes whom we haue deem'd a cast away his hād hath wrought that he would haue yea I my selfe shall say I er'd That thought poore wretch would'st not me saue because my ioyes were then defer'd I thought my cries thou would'st not heare when I thee sought thy selfe did'st hide When I complaind thou cam'st not neare I would no time and place thee tide But now I knowledge and confesse thy wisdome great in humbling me Thy loue sustain'd me in distresse thy prouidence
shrinke though knowing this Thy wonderous power great mercies most infinite thy mercy is Yf mad'st the Rocke a water spring thy thirsty people to refresh Frō mine hard hearted foes can'st wring some comfort for my withered flesh Yf thou raind'st Manna from aboue meate by a Rauen thy saints to feede Thousands of men did feede with loue when their was little shew of bread Yf to thy people thou sendest Quailes in desert where all foode was scant And since thy goodnes neuer failes should I suppose that I should want ¶ The fift part of the ninth Lamentation COnfirme my faith for euermore that I most constantly belieue Thou can'st and wilt encrease my store and all good things thou wilt me giue All power belongeth vnto thee who can imagine or will say Thou can'st not in my neede helpe me or that thy loue is tane away Sith thou hast don such mighty things so freely for men in distresse Should not I fly with swiftest wings to thee in time of heauines But lo O Lord all things are thine the heauens are thine the earth also The Cattle Fowles the shrubs vine all things in heauen and earth belowe All things aboue all things beneath is thine who truely then can say Thou can'st not giue or them bequeath to whom thou wilt who can say nay Thou makest the corn to spring grow waterst th' earth with thy sweet showers Thou causest beasts with thankes to low with dewes thou water'st fragrāt flowers Since then thou art the Lord of all sith thou cōmaund'st do'st forbid The rich poore mak'st proud men fall that down can'st throvv raise at need Sith that thou tryest vvilt revvard sith thou dost vvhat shall please thy will And in what manner vvilt regard vvhom thou vvilt can'st saue or spill No liuing man commandeth thee not all the vvorld can thee controle O Lord I still vvill pray to thee for health of body and of soule Let it be thus O father deare for Christ his sake thy dearest sonne That dyed and rose my soule to cleare in all things Lord thy wil be done All glory to the Trinity to Father Sonne and holy Ghost Combind in holy vnity of power in might and glory most FINIS ⧠To God the Father WEll-spring of deity God God-head giuer who giu'st away yet kepest what was giuē A fountaine vndiminisht by thy riuer Riuer and fountaine both in fullnes euer Father by euerlasting generation Without precedence in paternity Whether it be of substance or relation For all things are togither in eternity Disclose the depth take frō my muse obscurity Thine hidden depth which makes my verse an oracle So shall I both attaine vnto thy purity And all that read my lines conceiue this miracle How God in getting of another yet Another not an other God did gett FINIS To God the Sonne GReat sonne of God but borne the sonne of man One subiect of a double substance fram'd wherein nor man-hood lost nor god-head wan But of thē both at once one Christ was nam'd Before all times begot in time created The Lord of Lords a seruant from retaining And yet no former forme thereby abated In seruāts forme the forme of God remaining Great sonn of God thē whō there is no greater No not the father in his great diuinitie As God creator and as aman a creature For more and lesse agree not in infinity Teach me to know how man by God assumed Ys both and yet not man by God consumed To God the holy Ghost O Spirit Diuine the cōmon knot whereby The father the sonne do loue together For sonne and father vniuersally Are loue though loue be proper vnto neither Thou that frō both Proceedest from none Vnequally but with the like authority As from one principall though from that one Principally yet without priority One all the first from two the last of three Sweete breath that ioyest euery pensiue heart Breathed from God O God breath into me Skill aboue skill and teach me how thou art The last of three and yet of three so cast As in them all is neither first nor last FINIS ¶ Diuers consolations that the life and time of affliction is short THe comfort that doth make vs bold is our afflictions transitory Cause wee of Christ do take sure hold the troubles short endlesse the glory Eye hath not seene eare hath not hard the ioyes that God for his elect In heauen already hath prepar'd though many troubles to effect Light are our troubles temporarie because Christ and his spirit diuine This waight and burthen helpe to carry and doth in yoake with vs conioyne We looke not on things seene vaine but on things vnseene cast our eie The blessed saints for Christ were slaine Christ answered when they did cry How long how long Lord wilt thou stay a little time though God doth lowre Stay till his wrath be past away t' is but a minute of an howre Christ calles the time of troubles little but Paule doth say the glori's great And in respect t' is but a tittle if 't be compar'd to heauens seate A while saith God I thee forsooke that is short time in misery But thee t'ernall mercy tooke that is to heauen's felicity I 'le feare no danger paine nor losse t' is but the twinckling of an eye I see the crowne I 'le beare the crosse for I shall liue eternally Good gratious God me patience send and then do send what send thou wilt Graunt me those ioyes that ne'r shall end for to that end Christ's bloud was spilt FINIS ⧠Of Death WHat 's death a seperation of mortall body frō our breath What 's that but a Cessation from cares and from a liuing death What 's that Cessation it t' is a sleepe by which we wholie are refreshed Yea but in sleepe who shall vs keepe he that blest all and is most blessed But who made death t'vvas made by sinne what is sin the lawes transgression Of that how should I vauntage win all sinne is weakned by confession But by death's dynt t' is ouercome and whence came sin frō hell beneath Whē wa'st first bred in mothers wombe when will it end not till our death This seemeth strange but this is true by nature sinne is hatcht in vs Old Adams rules till God renue why then I see the case stands thus As sinne goes in soe life goes out as sinne goes out so life comes in So by the Lord t' is brought about sinne conquers life Life conquers sinne Though life by sinne be still anoyde sinne of death by strength sting Yet Viprous sinne by death's destroy'd life killeth death whē death kill'th sin The death of body or of nature is that where to all subiect be Cause sinne hath tainted euery creature according vnto Gods decree When bodies life doth fade away and we giue vp our dying ghost And this our Corps is clad in clay and vnto God
Gods workes haue none enormitie We are the workes deformitie all 's good that doth from God proceede He tempt'h to try not ouerthrow vs Yet needes not try for he doth know vs. but t' is that we our selues should know From him all 's good from vs all 's ill He makes all good wee all doe spill our selues our selues doe ouerthrow In punishments that t 'vs are ill What he doth doe he doth it still hee 's one the same and that same one Not doing ought but by not doing In him t' is good to good ensewing hee 'le see if we can stand alone Gods grace is not difficient Sinne hath not cause ifficient and thee to sinne God doth not make Suggestions by the deuill are sent And there vnto man giues consent why should not God that man forsake Our conscience is sent as a spiall Our punishments sent as a triall and oft times plagues sent as a curse God neuer was to vs a debter If all be sau'd hee 's neuer better if all be damn'd hee 's nere the worse God made all good that all good can Then looke into thy bosome man an Ambuscado there there doth lie Of hideous sinnes by good omitting And monstrous sinnes by ill committing t' is there plac't by mans enemy ¶ A comfor able Himne for the Children of God SAluation doth to God belong He blesseth all both old and young that are his chosen and elect He doth defend his Children all That are in danger griefe and thrall by his good meanes and kinde respect He hath meanes all sufficient And power all perills to preuent to those with thankes doe euer pray What comfort helpe or good soeuer Wee finde from him let vs parseuer and magnifie him night and day Let vs with humble hearts confesse His mercies loue and great kindenesse with heauenly himnes to God aboue With mirth and ioy sing euery one God heard our soules petition and sent his sonne to show his loue The Lord receaues and heares our prayer Hee heares and helpes vs in dispaire be glad my soule in him reioyce Oh spread abroad his holy fame With songes Melodious lawd his name with heart with minde with tongue voice O thou most high God art not prais'd Vnlesse from heart that praise be rais'd who onely knowst our thoughts and minde The glory all must be thine owne By prayers thy powers are euer showne to those by faith thou iust dost finde O hallowed be Gods holy name Who Heauens made and world did frame and man like to his Image pure He all his other Creatures blest Fish Cattle Foule and all the rest to comfort man while times indure FINIS A prayer against temptations especially fit for a man that findeth in himselfe a continuall Inclination to any particuler sinne OH gratious and most louing God who in beginning did'st Create Man to thy shape and image good and likenesse in most pure estate And did'st him place in holy place the garden sweete with all delight With mercies and abonnding grace dect heauenly with earthly sightes And did'st thy Creatures all ordaine in heauen and earth man for to serue Oh what was man that he should gaine Gods great respect him to preserue Yet Lord how soone he fell away from thee and from originall grace How gresly did he disobay thy secret will before thy face Which thou to him did'st then reueale by whose fall all corruption grew And sinne shut out true godly zeale and earthes corruptions did insue And all things in the earth began to disobay him instantly By God made good to comfort man who hated him forsaking thee By his transgression these proceedes of his pollutions Lyneall Haue all defild their waies and deedes and all men tainted by his fall Which first offence bred infinit sinnes in corruptions of mans nature As I my selfe both day and night doe feele know most wretched Creature Which I confesse oh Father deare to whom this chiefe offence was done How Sathans workes in me appeare who hourely into euills run Which are most vilde most meane base doe iudge my selfe of all the worst When I behold my wicked case considering how I am accurst I that confesse I cannot hide how most to sinne I am inclin'd Knowne vnto thee my God and guide who see'st the secrets of my minde Much more the deeds which I commit of darknes seene to thee aboue To whose bright eyes both darke and light at seasons all doe seeme as one And therefore find'st out all my sinne in thought in action or intent Though by each sinne death did begin yet thou do'st promise those repent That they shall be forgiuen all within which number Lord make me Who seest my sinnes for mercy call that raignes in me continually And as hit were commaund me goe drawne there vnto by violence By Sathan vilde our deadly foe that neuer ceaseth ill pretence Who workes in me corruptions corruptions more pollutions breeds Which draweth mine affections which minde inclines to wicked deeds And chiefely to that odious sinne which makes me weake for to fullfill Thy lawes and precepts iust wherein thou vs commaund'st to doe thy will Yet strong and apt for to effect those thinges forbidden by thy lawes Therefore to kill Lord sinnes conflict remoue from me the wicked cause Especially this hedious crime that hanges and stickes so fast on mee That hit doe raigne no longer time which feele it loathsome vnto me A heauy burthen to my soule which I cannot shake off at all By mine owne power or strength controule but by Gods workes parpetuall Who worketh all repentance true therefore Lord make me penitent With contrite heart my spirit renew let loathsome sinnes thy grace preuent For thou Lord seest I doe commit sinnes as hit were against my will Giue me therefore power strength and wit corrupt affections all to kill The thoughts whereof we vex and grieue and heapes of feare my soule possesse Dispaire Attemptes hopes to depriue me to deuour in all distresse FINIS ¶ An exhortation to praise God and to acknowledge our thankesgiuing to him without ceasing WE praise thee God we knowledge thee Our onely Lord and Christ to bee the earth and world doe worship thee Eternall father Heauenly King To whom aloud bright Angells sing the thrones and powers thee magnifie The Cherubins and Seraphin To cry to thee doe neuer linne holy holy most holy Lord Of Saboth God of Maiestie Heauens full and earth of thy glory all Nations laud thy name and word The glorious postles company The goodly prophets Vnitie the holy Marters noble army The holy Church the world through out Doth spread the Gospell all about the Father of true pietie Thy sacred true and onely sonne The Holy Ghost vs comfort wonne thou art of glory King oh Christ Thou art the euelasting sonne Of God whose blessed will was donne in the all people to deliuer Thou did'st not then the Virgins wombe Abhorre nor loath that sacred Tombe till thou wast borne