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
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
death were brought and them deliuered out of bands Great was thy fauour Lord to all them that tooke hould of thee by faith But what am I that am so small a worme no man as Dauid saith Yet I belieue helpe vnbeliefe Lord I am couered ouer with shame Be thou my glory ease my griefe that I may magnifie thy name The wicked worldlings me contempne because thou hid'st thy face from me Deriding grace and me condempne because of imbicillity My neighbours that should me assist disdaine me my familiars all That should me comfort do desist their helpe to raise me from my fall They say of me my hopes are vaine my kinsfolkes who should yeeld me ayde In my necessities refraine to come to mee they are afraid And tauntingly they scoffe and say deseruedly he thus doth suffer Is iust he wrought his owne decay none other kindenes they me offer I know t' is thou that sitt'st on high do'st send and suffer maladies And therefore I on thee rely to remedy my miseries My woes O Lord by such increase as should in friendly wise relieue me They that should seek to make my peace they are the men that most do grieue me But I that taste the cuppe will say t' is thou hast don 't and I will beare it When t' is thy will who can say nay t' is out of loue why should I feare it Releiue my soule with timely dewe and comfort me restore Restore my soule vnto those ioyes the which I felt too sore Now after stormes Lord send a calme and graunt me peace yet now at last And I will praise thee with a psalme with thankes for all thy fauour past I 'le magnifie thy name for aye that bring'st such wondrous things to passe That worldlings neither thinke nor say nor know why t' is or how it was The iust shall heare saints be glad when wicked men shall faint quaile To see what fauour I haue had all their hope doth quench quaile whō they so lōg haue scornd deem'd euen through afflictions cast away For thy name sake Lord mee esteem'd their night is past they haue their day Respect my meditation helpe mee in time conuenient Lord graunt my supplication thou know'st tri'st my hearts intent Let not the righteous be dismaide nor wicked triumph in my fall Nor yet let sinners be afraid in time of neede to thee to call And let me put my confidence direct my faith erect mine hope Vnto thy gratious prouidence this of my praiers is the scoape FINIS ⧠The fourth Lamentation in distresse ¶ Wherein the distressed prayeth for faith for zeale and strength in vndergoing Gods corrections and to be deliuered from dangers prepared against him O Lord I lift my heart to thee my soule in thee doth euer trust O let mee not confounded bee but make me righteous with the iust Let men not haue their wills gain'st me but powre on mee thy comfort sweete Thy sauing health Lord let me see who prostrate begg it at thy feete Let thy right hand and prouidence be stretched out to hould me vp And giue me grace and patience in lowlines to tast thy cuppe So shall I sit on surest rocke and strength and power to me get And ablely beare mine enimies stroke though round about they me beset For why my comfort is in thee and on thy prouidence I depend O keepe mee safe in libertie till all my troubles come to end From perills six hast me deliuered I know therefore thou wilt from seauen From earthly thoughts let me be seuer'd and conuersation haue in heauen I know that loue a multitude of shamefull sinnes doth closely couer Within the gates I me include thou art my soules true spouse louer The faithfull thereby may take hold of hope to haue a prosperous end Of their desires this makes me bolde for ayde and comfort to attend And with all patience to perseuer I know thy word it is most sure Poore penitent by faith I 'le euer stand firme and to the end indure Alas deere God I nothing craue to haue of thee by mine owne right But in Christs name I 'le aske and haue for hee 's most gratious in thy sight Yea for his merrits thou do'st loue me in him I know thou art well pleas'd And hearest sinners whē they moue thee forgiu'st their sin and they are eas'd Among'st whom Lord I am the chiefe and of good things am Ignorant Yet on the crosse did'st saue the theefe for Christ his sake me mercy graunt In this worlds vanities most vilde I liue and haue no taste of trueth I knew not I was in exile but did in folly spend my youth Of thee alone I knowledge haue for of my selfe I am but weake Thou art my God that strength me gaue to worke to rest to liue to speake For of my selfe is misery and of my selfe is all that 's ill But from thee Lord comes all mercy and perfect power to worke thy will With in to consolation of my sadde soule wounded heart With out to preseruation o◠my weake body in each part Therefore teach me the truth oh Lord thy sacred truth shew mee thy waies That I should walke led by thy word to thy glory spend my daies Lord keep frō wicked thoughts mine heart mine hands that they commit noe ill Mine eies my tongue and euery part Lord grant they may performe thy will My feete from falling still preserue as of my selfe regard me not Deale not with me as I deserue as are my sinnes reward me not Behould not my deformities but looke on me in Christ by loue My sinnes and all enormities as mists and cloudes from me remoue Thou righteous art and gratious reformest sinners sinnes forgiu'st O be to me propitious to liue in thee that euer liu'st Keep thou my soule let me not perish nor vtterly to be confounded That trust in thee but my soule cherrish ioy mine hart which thou hast wounded Thou art my strength sure defence in time of dangers imminent Though all helpe faile experience hath taught me thou art permanent I goe vnto thine Oracle and from thy word I councell take And finde a wondrous miracle thou neuer do'st thine owne forsake Thy seruants that in thee do trust thy tabernacle shall them shield In secret thou do'st hide the iust that are not with foule sinne defilde Harken O Lord harken and heare vnto my voice that call and cry O let thy loue to'wards me appeare with streames and floods of thy mercy Thou sayest O Lord seeke yee my face what is it but in my distresse To cry for helpe and craue thy grace and ayde in time of heauines My soule by the pure priueledge of thy free spirit which teacheth truth My heart prepared with knowledge and faith and hope vnto thee sueth My tongue doth speake mine heart doth mutter and euery member in his place Doth
lou'st so deerely well M. Within short space they shall not stay But come to me where I shall dwell D. thou do'st fiō thy sweet friends depart M. I goe to sweet friends true of heart Whom Sathan cannot make dispaire Them he 'le tempt in themselues to trust Against that giue thy selfe to prayer And know none in themselues are iust So from thy selfe to Christ doe flie And he 'le relieue thee by and by He 's ouer strong with vs to wrastle Against this danger when help we need Against his force Christ is our Castle And his assaults defends with speed Answere the subtill diuels dispute With thiese replies shalt make him mute It is a sure and strong defence Against all desperation When Sathan seekes with dilligence To worke thy soules damnation The more the diuell would thee depresse The more do trust in Gods goodnes Against presumption and pride Thy feeble weakenes well do weigh And let humility thee guide Remember th' art but dust and clay Vnto thy Sauiour Christ do fly What thou dost want he will supply If thou thus answearst diuels temptation And all his vaine suggestion Shalt not fall into desperation Nor blowne vp by presumption And being strong in faith and humble The diuell shall not thee downe tumble FINIS ¶ The poore and distressed soule being loaden with the burthen of his sinnes feruently prayeth to God for his remission thereof O Lord come pittie my distresse see how I sigh and groane With teares and floods of heauinesse my heart is ouerthrowne Noe hope I finde noe helpe I feele noe cure nor salue I see None can my sinnes corruptions heale sweete Iesus comfort me My wounding sorrowes neuer cease my greefes grow more and more What I should kill doth still increase Lord saue my soule therefore I liuing dye yet dying liue in life yet dayly dye I figh and grone yet cannot grieue sinne makes this mistery Lord let me liue yet howrely die in loue yet dayly hate Let me imbrace yet still defie let peace breede all debate O let me liue yet neuer liue a liue yet euer dead O let me grieue yet neuer grieue fed with thy liuing bread Let passions passe let groanes be gon let moanes be turn'd to mirth I liue and die to Christ alone let sorrowes sincke to earth FINIS ⧠Seauen Psalmes of Dauids repentance commonly called Penitentiall Psalmes Psalmes 6. I Am thy childe O God most deere then fatherly doe chasten me In irefull wrath as iudge seuere correct not mine impiety For Lord to thee still turnes my hope because thy mercies haue no end Euen as the lowly heleetrope vnto the lofty sun doth bend Forgiue me Lord for I am weake angry rebuke I may not dure My vexed boanes through paines doe breake with mercies mirth doe them recure Dire anguish stickes in troubled soule with Oyle of grace do it alay My conscience sting doth me controule thy comforts doe not long delay In debth no man remembreth thee nor offreth thankes vnto thy name In dark some graue how is he free to celebrate thy glorious fame I am a weary of my groanes all night I wash my couch with teares Wearing my selfe away with moanes my hart is quite consum'd with feares My beauties gon with very griefe and worne with anguish of my foes But thou at last wilt send reliefe to me my God in spight of those Away from me you wicked traine and workers of iniquity My weeping hath not bin in vaine for thou at length hast heard my cry My prayers Lord thou wilt embrace and all mine enimies confound With sudden shame thou wilt deface and make them leuell with the ground FINIS Psalme 32. BLest is he whose vnrighteousnes the Lord hath pardoned and bin So carefull of in his distresse to hide and couer all his sinne O blessed is that man againe to whom the Lord imputes no fault And in whose spr'it no guile doth raigne his soule with error to assault Whilst I in silence yet forbore my flesh with languor gan to faint And all my bones to nothing wore by reason of my dayly plaint Thy heauy hand doth make me quaile and tremble too both night and day My heart and soule with drynes faile my moysture is consum'd away My fault 's to thee I will vnfould to God my sinnes I haue expos'd As vnto him the truth I tould so he with mercy me enclos'd Therefore to thee the pure shall pray in season due with zealous ground For in the floods there is no stay in waters deepe thou art not found Thou art my stocke and stay secure with songs of ioy I am consin'd Thou art my rocke and countermure from all annoy I am enshrin'd I will instruct thee in thy way my eye shall euer be thy guide That thou maist neuer erre nor stray nor yet thy foot-steps once to slide Be not like to the Mule disturb'd that reason doth not vnderstand Nor to the horse which must be curb'd before thou canst his force commaund Sorrow and woe remaine for those that wicked are and loue discord But mercy still shall him enclose which puts his trust in God the Lord. Be ioyfull O yee righteous then lift vp your soules with cheerefull voice All yee that are pure hearted men in grear Iehouah still reioyce FINIS ⧠Psalme 38. PVt me not to rebuke and shame nor in thine anger chasten me O righteous God for thy great name pardon my sinnes and set me free In me thine arrowes fast doe sticke thy heauy hand doth presse me downe My flesh my bones and heart are sicke when thou in wrath on me dost frowne I haue no rest in any ioynt by reason of my deadly sinne With balme of mercy me annoynt and bring me to thy heauenly Inne My dismall deeds doe plunge me soare like rageing billowes of the maine O wast me to thy blissefull shoare and be mine Anchor-hould againe My festred wounds breed mine annoy by reason of my foolish guyze Chasing my heart and soule from ioy all day I mourne with wofull cryes Full of diseases are my loynes and limmes decay in euery part Longuor vnto my flesh adioynes and anguishment consumes my heart Thou knowest all my hearts desires my groanings are not hid from thee Extinguish these outragious fires O Lord and cure mine agonie My heart doth pant my strength doth faile my neighbours did their loue exchang And darkenesse did my sight assaile my very kindred waxed strang Mine enimies that sought my life layd snares for me in euery place Plodding all day to worke my strise and bring my name into disgrace But as one deafe that could not heare their taunting scoffes I did neglect And like the dumb did speech forbeare for thou their slaunders wilt correct For in thee euer doe I trust to right my wrongs and plead for mee A gainst my foes O God most iust for all reuenge belongs to thee Of the most humbly I did craue that they in tryumph should not rise
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