A PARADISE of prayers CONTAINING the purity of deuotion and meditation Gathered out of all the spirituall exercises of LEVVES of Granado AND Englished for the benefit of the Christian Reader Ascendat oratio descendat gratia LONDON Printed by R. Field for Mathew Law and are to be sold at his shop in Paules Church-yard neere vnto S. Austines gate 1614. At our vprising GOd the Father that saidst in the beginning Let light be made it was made lighten my eies that I sleepe not in death lest at any time mine enemie say vnto me I haue preuailed against him God the sonne light of light the great truest light from whence this light both of sunne and day ariseth thou light shining in darkenesse and illuminating euery one that commeth into this worlde driue from me all darknes of ignorance and giue me vnderstanding that in thee and by thee I may know the Father to know whom is to liue and to serue whom is to reigne God the holy Ghost thou fire both illuminating and warming kindle in me thy light that I may know the deceitful delights of this world and the true ioyes of heauen Enlighten my minde that I may see how great a good our enemy soliciteth vs to change for a light shadow Grant that I may onely see those things that are thine and be blinde to the rest infuse also into my minde the gift of thy charity that forsaking those transitorie things I may with a feruent zeale and continuel desire endeuour to attaine those things which are eternall Holy Trinity one God defend me this day from all the assaults of the diuell keepe me this day from all sin and defend me this day from sudden and vnexpected death Be thou vnto me solace in tribulatiō assistance in temptation and in death a pleasant refuge Thou hest raised my body O Lord which was drowned in sleep I beseech thee that thou wilt deliuer my soule likewise from the sleep of sins the darknes of this world and that which thou hast recalled from sleepe vnto waking may it please thee after death to restore to the same life for sleepe is to thee as death to vs. To thee be praise cleernes wildome thanksgiuing honor vertue fortitude for euer and-euer Amen When we rise RIse O my soule that sleepest arise from death Christ shal shine vnto thee Arise O thou daughter of Sion O my soule redeemed by Christs blood shake off the dust of sinnes set in thee the peace of Christ purchased for thee by his merits Christ thou mercifull aduocate of mankind as thou releeuest this greeuous burthen of my body by thy benefit so lift vp our minds to the knowledge loue of thy Maiesty and grant that the body may be a companion Minister of pietie to the soule in this life to the end that in the life to come it may be partaker of that eternal blessednes where thou liuest reignest with God the Father and the holy Ghost world without end Amen A thankesgiuing for our preseruation the night past together with a prayer wherin we beseech almighty God to take the like care of vs this day OMnipotent eternall Lord the Father of our Lord Iesus Christ I praise thee I blesse thee and with my whole heart giue thee thanks that according to thy vnmeasurable goodnes thou hast by thy fatherly prouidence preserued me this night that it hath pleased thee to be present with me so that the diuell durst not drawe neere to assaile me that thou hast protected me from all euill both of soule and body that thou hast defended me being drowned in profound sleepe by the assistance of thy holy Angels as it were with an impregnable wall against the deceits and snares of the old aduersary who neuer letteth slip any opportunity to hurt vs Finally for that thou hast sweetly raised me from sleepe the true image of death lest I should bee choaked in the darknesse of my sins to the end I might haue space and time yet at the length to recollect and earnestly repent my selfe Now likewise O father of mercy and God of all consolation I beseech thee and from the bottome of my heart intreat thee that this day thou wilt take me also into thy fatherly protection and behold me with thy mercifull eies direct me in the way of thy commaundments and giue me those gifts of thy holy spirit by whose means I may begin continue and end this day likewise to the praise and glory of thy holy name to the profit of my neighbors and the saluation of my soule endeuouring my selfe euery where and in all things without neglect of my duty to discharge euery way that vocation to which I am called Keep me O Lord from all sin restraine my flesh and blood prone to all iniquitie and friend and minister to that old Adam coole by the dewe of thy spirit the heate of concupiscence that reigneth in my members lest this day at any time I fall into any sinne and prouoke thy wrath and indignation against me Grant O mercifull father and vouch safe O deere Lord that I may lead the remnant of my life in thy feare and loue Direct this day my heart and my body my senses speeches and my actions in thy law in the workes of thy commaundements Turne my hart from all transitory things and conuert it to eternal that forsaking the riches and delights of this world I may alwaies thirst after thy kingdome Curb and restraine the power of the diuell our old and sworne enemie that although hee rangeth about like a roaring Lion seeking whom he may deuoure he may not yet hurt or any wayes hinder mee But because my merits are none at al for which I deserue to be heard behold I bring with me thy onely begotten Son who is the propitiation for my sins behold him O mercifull father and for the iustice sake of thy Son forgiue the sins of thy seruant grant mee that by thy mercy which is not my due in iustice who liuest reignest God for euer and euer Amen Morning exercises 1. The commemoration of benefits receiued O God my God early doe I wake vnto thee ◅aith y◠thy holie Prophet And a little after he addeth so I was mindfull of thee on my bed early in the morning will I think on thee because thou wert mine helper And I my Lord God with that holy king desire to watch Let this be the beginning of my occupations let the day beginne with this thought of mine For heereunto the duties driue me whereby I am bound vnto thee this is the end of my creation for I was therefore made to the end I should praise thee glorifie magnifie and sanctifie thy name For thou art the beginning and the end of all things I say the beginning without beginning and the end without end For euen as no man might euer create any thing without
purifie my soule from all reliques of sin at length bring me to eternall life I offer vp vnto thee that thy inestimable humilitie obedience patience which thou shewedst when they whipt thee being bound to a hard pillar after crowned thee with thorns thy meeknes when as those assistaÌ„ts of satan perpetual tormeÌ„tors of hel in way of disgrace aâ—…tired thee in a purple raiment wheÌ„ as mocking they saluted thee and spit in thy face with a reed which thou barest in thy hand in steed of a septer strook thy wounded and brused head I offer vnto thee wearines of thy afflicted body thy bloudy steps the grieuous burden of thy crosse which thou barest on thy delicate shoulders miserably martyred with whipping I offer vnto thee that thirst wherewith in thy passion thou wert afflicted and al those other tormeÌ„ts which thou sustainedst for vs with a meek hart All these with thanksgiuing do I offer vnto thee beseeching thy immeasurable mercy that for the merits herof thou wilt wipe away my sins thou wilt remit the penalty and crime purifie my soule from the reliques of sinne and bring the same at length to eternall life Sweet Iesus in satisfactioÌ„ for my sins I offer vp vnto thee thy most cruel dolors which thou sufferedst when as the soldiers cruelly haled from thy body thy garment sticking with clotted blood vnto thy flesh and bones and renued againe al those wounds which thou hadst receiued in thy scourging when as cast vpon the crosse thou sufferedst thy hands and feete to be fastened with sharpe nailes to yâ— holy crosse with so much violence that al the articles and members of thy ioints were remoued from their naturall places when as thy precious blood flowed from all thy members in no other sort than the springs from the ouerflowing fountaines I offer vp vnto thee all and euery drop of thy precious bloud and beseech thy mercy that for the merits therof thou wilt blot out my sinnes remit both the penalty and yâ— crime purifie my soule from the relikes of sin and bring the same at length to euerlasting life Most merciful Iesus I offer vp vnto thee thy bounty meeknes wherewith thou sustainedst the reproches and slanders of the reprobate who wagging their heads scorned mocked thee whilst thou praiedst for theÌ„ to thy Father I offer vp vnto thee those horrible torments which thou sufferedst when as thou wert altogether giueÌ„ ouer as a prey to al afflictions tormeÌ„ts and dolors destitute of al internall or external consolation and forsaken of God and man and miserably affixed to a crosse betwixt heauen earth didst hang in yâ— midst of two most notorious theeues I offer vp vnto thee thy intollerable thirst wherewith thou wert afflicted on the crosse and that humility and reuerence of thine wherewith in hanging downe thy head thou commendedst thy spirit to thy Father I offer vnto thee that most holesome bloud flowing from thy side inforced by the soldiers lance Al these things do I offer vp vnto thee and for them giue thee most hearty thanks humbly beseeching thee to forgiue me my sins to purifie my soule from al reliks of vnrighteousnes bring the same at length to eternall rest where thou liuest reignest with the Father the holy ghost world without end Another praier for remission of sins O Omnipotent and eternal Father God almighty all mercifull behold I the most wretched amongst sinners lying lowly prostrate on yâ— ground before thy feete confesse my most grieuous many sins wherin al my lifetime I haue hitherto offended thee most mercifull Father I acknowledge my great ingratitude in that 〈◊〉 haue so lightly set by thy infinite inestimable benefits hitherto bestowed vpon mee as that amongst the rest thou hast shewed me so much loue bounty as to expect mee so long time that conuerting vnto thee I might repent and escape my damnation and punishment in the bottomlesse pit of hell as heretofore my sinnes haue often times deserued nay rather for that thou hast inuited mee so many waies to follow iustice and that to the end I might follow thee thou hast offered me thy grace and assistance How often my most sweet lord hast thou stood before the doore of my heart and knocked thereat by manifold inspirations desiring that I would open the same vnto thee How often hast thou prouoked mee by thy benefits How often allured mee by thy bounties How often enforced mee by calamities tribulations Notwithstanding I haue alwaies repulsed thee from me I haue resisted thee I haue turned my backe against thee yet thou of thy infinite goodnesse and patience hast sustained mee I confesse O Lord that iustly deseruedly thou mightest haue cast me into the depth of hell but for thy mercy sake thou restrainest the force of thine ire which after so many waies 〈◊〉 had increased against my selfe Truly it is to be adâ—…red O father yea it is very admirable that my heart is not broken with griefe as often as I weigh these things with my selfe I am vnworthy to bee called thy creature vnworthy that the earth should any longer sustaine me vnworthy that the earth should afford me either succour or sustenance It is infinitely to be admired at that the elements all creatures doe not at once rise vp against me and reuenge the iniurie I haue offered to the vniuersall Lord of all things Yet vouchsafe O thou most mercifull Father to be fauourable vnto me and open the bowels of thine infinite pittie and pardon me in that I haue so long time deferred my conuersion vnto thee Open vnto mee thy most benigne Fatherly bosome and giue mee that nutriment which thou wert woont to giue vnto thy Children Humbly I beseech thee O Lord now at length effect that in mee for which thou hast hitherto so long tune expected me I confesse vnto thee O Lord with my whole heart and soule that of all the sinners that are in the world at this present I am the most grieuous yet distrust I not thy goodnesse for although my sins be many yet thy mercies may not be numbred O most louing Father if thou wilt thou canst make me cleane heale me O Lord and I shal be healed because I confesse my sins vnto thee Remember thee of thy promises which are sweeter then the hony and the hony combe than which nothing can be more comfortable vnto a sinner For thou saiest by the mouth of thy Prophet thou hast committed fornication with many louers yet returne thou vnto me and I will receiue thee Wherefore O most mercifull Father cleauing and depending on this thy promise I returne vnto thee with my whole heart in such sort as by thy word thou hadst only called mee and inuited mee alone vnto thy mercy I know O Lord and I confesse my selfe to bee the wretchedest creature of thy creatures for I am that prodigall son that departed froÌ„ thee
By thee haue we learned the true and ready way to eternall saluation lest wee should wander any longer in the Labyrinthes of this life Thou didst teach vs exactly how to beleeue what to doe what to hope and in whom we ought to rest by thee we haue learnt how vn happy we were borne through our first father Adam by thee wee haue learnt that there is no hope of saluation except by faith in thee Thou hast taught vs that thou art the onely light that shinest to all men in the desart of this world cōducting them through the night of their mindes from the Egyptian darkenesse to that blessed Land which thou promisest vnto the meeke and such as follow thy humility For in vs was nothing but vtter darknesse who neither could see our calamity neither know frō whence to secke the remedy of our misery thou daignedst to enter into the world vouchsafedst to take vpon thee our nature that thy doctrine might disperse the cloud of our ignorāce that by thy precepts thou mightst direct our feete in the way of peace by the examples of thy life thou didst limit out a path for vs to immortality beating it with thy steps thou madest it of a tedious rough an easie beaten way So becamest thou vnto vs a way that knoweth no errour in which lest wee should bee wearied thy bounty with great and assured promises vouchsafed to assure vs for who could bee wearied that thinketh how in following thy footsteps there is an heritage of eternal life prepared for him Therfore whilst we are in this iourney thou wouldest in stead of a staffe be an assured hope vnto vs whereby wee might be sustained Neither was thy goodnes contented herewith but acknowledging the frailty of our natures in the meane space with the comfort of the holy Spirit y◠repairest our courages to the end that wee may more willingly run vnto thee And as thou being made a way vnto vs driuest away all errour so becomming our truth thou takest away all distrust Finally being made life vnto vs thou giuest heate vnto those that are dead in sinne a life through thy holy spirit which quickneth all things vntill all mortality laid aside in the resurrection we may alwaies liue with thee and in thee by reason that thou art vnto vs al in all things For it is eternall life to know the Father the Sonne and the holy Ghost to be one true God Wherfore I beseech thee O most mercifull Father to increase faith in me who am thy vnworthie seruāt lest at any time I wauer in thy celestiall doctrine increase obedience in me lest I swerue from thy precepts increase constancy that walking in thy waies I neither bee allured by the inticements of sathan nor deiected by his terrors but that I may perseuere in thee who art the true way to my liues end Increase my faith that possessed of thy promises I may neuer waxe slow in the study of godlinesse but forgetting those things I haue left behinde mee I may alwaies striue and endeuour for more perfection Increase thy grace in me that daily more and more being mortified my selfe I may liue and be incouraged by thy holy Spirit fearing nothing but thee than whom there is nothing more amiable glo rying in none but in thee who art the true glorie of all the Saints wishing nothing but thee th◅ whom there is nothing better desiring nothing but thee who art full and perfect felicitie with the Father and the holy Ghost world without end Amen A prayer to the holy Ghost HOly Spirit our aduocate who on Whitsunday didst descend vpō thy Apostles filling their bosomes with charity grace and wisdome I pray thee by that thy vnspeakeable mercie and liberality that thou wilt vouchsafe to fill the secrets of my soule with thy grace and water my inward heart with the vnspeakable sweetnesse of thy loue Come holy Ghost and from heauen send a beame of thy light Come thou Father of the poore come thou giuer of gifts come thou light of hearts come thou gracious comforter thou sweete guest of my soule my pleasant refresher Come thou Physition of those that faint come thou purger of eies come thou strength o◅ the fraile come thou remedy of sins come thou doctor of the humble come thou destroier of the prond come thou excellent ornament of all vertues come thou onely saluation of the dying Come my God and adorne a bed for thee in which I may worthily entertaine thee with all thy riches and mercies make me drunke with the gifts of thy wisedome illuminate me with the benefite of vnderstanding gouerne me with the gift of counsell confirme me with the gift of fortitude instruct mee with the gift of science wound me with the gift of pietie and pierce my heart with the gift of thy holy feare O sweet louer of cleane hearts burne and inflame all my bowels with the sweet fire of thy loue that being inflamed they may bee carried and rauished into thee who art the center finall end of all my good o sweet louer of holy soules since thou art not ignorant that I can doe nothing of my selfe nor by my selfe stretch out thy fauourable hand ouer me grant that I may forsake my selfe fly vnto thee mortifie extinguish and dissolue in me whatsoeuer is displeasant vnto thee that in all things thou maiest conforme mee vnto thy will that my life hereafter may be a perfect sacrifice in thy sight or rather an offering which may wholy bee consumed in the fire of thy loue O who shall giue me the grace the I may at least attaine this chiefe good Looke vpon mee O Lord looke vpon mee and see here this thy poore creature my soule sighing after thee day and night how she thirsteth after God when shall I come appeare before the presence of thy grace When shall I enter into that admirable place of thy Tabernacle that I may attain the house of my God When wilt thou fill mee with the light of thy countenance When shall I be satiate with the presence of thy glory When shal I by thy meanes be deliuered from all temptations and when shall I ouercome this frailty of my mortality O eternall fountaine of light bring mee backe againe to the Abysse of eternall goodnes by whom I am created that there I may know thee euen as I am known of thee may so loue thee as I am loued by thee that I may see and enioy thee in the societie of all the elect euen as thou also hast seene me from euerlasting Amen The first prayer of the life of Iesus I Yeeld thee immortall thanks O most sweete Iesu that from thy roial pallace and the secret bosome of thy father thou hast vouchsafed for my sake to descend into this vale of miserie and in the sanctified womb of that chaste Uirgin thy mother thou didst take vpon thee a humane body I pray thee O Lord
passion and blood may redeeme mee from hel and damnation and reserue me to the life euerlasting I giue thee thanks o good Iesu who victoriously issuing from the Sepulcher 〈◊〉 noble triumph after thou hadst ouercome and slaine death didst rise againe the third day reassuming thy glorious body and clothed with immeasurable brightnesse visiting thy friends didst affect them with vnspeakeable ioy Grant me also O Lord that rising againe from the death of my sinnes and olde conuersâ—…tion I may walk in newnes of life and seeke those things onely which are high and excellent and not base and transitorie that when as thou the true life shalt make thy second apparition heere on earth I may appeare with thee also in thy glory I giue thee thanks O merciful Iesu who forty daies after thy resurrection in the sight of thine Apostles didst ascend into Heauen glorious and triumphant where sitting on the right hand of the Father thou liuest reignest world without end May it please thy diuine bounty o God that my soule may languish in thy loue and disdaine all things that are in this world that she may alwaies aspire vnto thee desiring celestial things and that with a continual and feruent will let nothing reioyce her nothing affect her but thou onely my Lord and God I giue thee thanks most louing Iesu for that thou sentest downe thy holy Spirit vpon yâ— elect who perseuered in prayer didst send them to preach and teach all nations throughout the world I beseech thee O Lord purifie the secrets of my heart and giue me the true purity and cleannesse of conscience that the same Comforter finding a general habitation in the same may adorne it and make it faire and beautifull with the plentifull gifts of his graces let him alone comfort me let him confirme and rule mee and bee possessed of mee I giâ—…e thee thanks most bountifull Iesu who when thou shalt come in the latter day to iudge the world to reward euery one according to his works and deserts either with rewardes or punishments My mercifull Lord giue me grace that my soule innocently â—…nishing the race of this miserable life according to thy holy will may at last depart out of this prison of the body adorned with many merits and vertues that for thy mercie-sake shee may bee receiued into the house of thy glorie that without end shee may praise thee and in the companie of all the Saints blesse thee world without end Amen Our Father c. The first thankesgiuing for the benefite of our Creation I Giue thee thanks omnipotent and eternall God most wise and munificent Creator of all things that when I was nothing hast created me to be somethat not a stone not a Serpent not a boord not a fourefooted beast but a man made according to thy image and similitude or rather the very image and similitude of thy selfe namelie a substance endued with vnderstanding and will that hauing a similitude of being liuing working with thee I might bee the image and type of thy infinite beautie But â—…est a creature so noble should presently fall againe to nothing and should presently and instantly perish thou createdst mee immortall that whereas other liuing creatures appeare but a little while and straight come to nothing I should neuer returne to not being but perpetually liue Yet seemed that little vnto thee O Lord except also thou hadst infused into me a soule so precious noble as that it scarsely giueth place to the Angels in dignity Orâ—…n and Sheepe are satisfied with hearbs and grasse Hogs feede on Aâ—…orns and Beane-cods neither are the meanes of more moment wherewith all other creatures are nourished which if they enioy they rest contented But my meate is celestiall and my appetite cannot be satisfied but by thy immeasurable Maiestie for thou hâ—…st created my soule of that nature and capacity as neither the heauens nor the earth can fill it O vnhappy man that I am why doe I loue thee world why seeke I honours why gape I after riches why am I drowned in pleasures why seâ—…ke I those things that are to day are not found to morrow These Acornes suffice not These Huskes are not sauoury and these Beanes do not nourish Know O my soule what thou art to what vse thou wert created what thou oughtest to seeke and with what dainties thou shouldest be satified Only God can satiate thee all the rest may possesse thee but they cannot satisfie thee Seeke him hâ—…e is thy Spouse he is the Hauen of thy desires hee is thy last end Acknowledge thy dignity O my soule acknowledge what and how thou art created The king whose beauty the Sun and moone admire whose maiesty the Heauens reuerence and the earth adoreth with whose wisedome yâ— quires of Angels are illuminate with whose bounty the society of supernall Citizens is sed he created thee that thou mightest be his habitation his seate and holie temple hee would infuse himselfe into thy bosome he can fill all the corners of thy immeasurable capacities Rise arise o my soule go meete with such a guest introduce him with gladnesse into thy house and say He that created mee hath his rest in my tabernacle Which dignitie of my Soule O Lord when I considerately looke into I wonder not that thy onely begotten Son make drunke with the loue thereof forsaking thy bosome disâ—…ained not the Uirgins wombe sought her thirty three yeares with diuers labors and dolours gaue his life for her and by the pledge of his precious blood redeemed her being captiue But I rather woÌ„der at my ingratitud carelesnesse and dulnes who had rather prostitute the same soule so redeemed for a finall reward once againe to the cursed diuels and commit fornication with so vncleane beasts than rest in the armes of my Redeemer who is fairest amongst the children of men whose â—…aps are better than wine and whose name is powred out oyle When I behold the fashion which yâ— gauest to this my body I findâ—… so many of thy benefits as theâ—… are members senses veins nerues or small strings to bee found in thâ—… same all which doe publish thy â—…comparable wisedome and bounty In the only harmony of which bâ—…dy if I shold alwaies philosophy I should neuer want matter to praise thee I should neuer yeeld thee condigne thanks I should neuer pay my duties for so many 〈◊〉 great benefits which how great they are they best know who want the vse of some members or are trauelled with some other vicious affection of the body I yeeld therefore O thou maker of man infinite thanks vnto thy goodnesse for that thou hast not made mee blinde lame mute monstrous mad or disguised with any other vice either of minde or of body but for that thou hast bestowed on me a sound mind in a sound body Grant also that I may neuer abuse any of my members senses or powers of my soule
craue peace and tranquillity for how can I choose being a weake fraile man but feare so mightie enemies as the world the diuell and the greatest enemy of all my flesh yet since I am not ignorant O Father that temptations are so profitable healthfull for vs yâ— we ought to reioyce therein I require no other thing at thy hands but that thou wilt take from before me the multitude of all my sinnes which with their immmeasurable weight not only depresse my poore backe but turne away thy helpe and assistance euery way from me Let mee heare in my temptations that which once Saint Paul heard when hee was tempted My grace â—…s sufficient for thee O Lord if â—…hou deny me not this I will say with the Prophet God is my light and my saluation whom then shall I fear God is the protector of my life of whom shall I be afraid If 〈◊〉 host of men were encamped against mee my heart should not â—…are If an army were imbattelled against mee hereat I would not be afraid Behold O Father how thy coÌ„â—…ence maketh vs fearelesse how â—…int hearted our sins finde vs for â—…is written whither flieth the wicked when no man followeth him â—…nd seeing the morning Star he supposeth it to bee the shadow of death Take my sinnes therefore from me which make me fearefull and faint-hearted and giue me thy grace that if it bee not expedient for mee to haue a life which is free from all temptations yet that I may constantly resist some assaults and with greater desire thirst after that my celestiall countrey wheâ—… neither temptation doth sollicite nor griefe cruciate nor tribulation afflict where thou the celestiall Father with the Sonne and the holy Ghost liuest and reignest God world without end Amen Against the temptation of the diuell LOrd God Creator and maiâ—…tainer of mankinde behold yâ— feareful Dragon tempteth me thâ—… old serpent which first began in the paradise of pleasure who with his tayle draweth the third part of the stars of heauen and casteth them on the earth who with his venome corrupteth the waters of the earth that men that drinke thereof die and who shall defend me from his iawes Who shall deliuer mee from his mouth but thou o Lord who hast broken the head of the great Dragon Helpe me spread thy wings O Lord ouer mee that mee may flie vnder them from the face of this Dragon who persecuteth mee and with thy shield deliuer me from his hornes for this is his continuall studie this his only desire to deuoure those soules â—…hom thou hast created therefore my God I cry vnto thee deliuer me from my daily aduersary who whether I sleep or wake whe ther I eate or drinke or whatsoeuer I do doth euery way day and night with his frauds and artes endeuour now openly to wound and now secretlie to hurt mee directing his inuenomed shafts against mee to the end hee may slay my soule But thou O inuisible Lyon of the tribe of Iuda giue strength to thy seruant against this roaring Lyon who alwaies seeketh about watching whom hee may deuoure most healthfull Serpent fixed on a high Crosse giue power vnto the weake one against the deceits of this subtill Serpent Thou snow-white Lambe conquerour of sathans tyranny giue thy tender sheepe the strength of thy Spirit that being fraile in himselfe and strong in thee hee may ouercome all the assaults of the diuell lest mine enemie triumph ouer me but being conquered by thy might I may giue thee thanks for thy mercy which neuer faileth those that put their trust in thee Amen Against the temptations of the world I Am assaulted O Lord Iesu I am assaulted come and reuenge me of mine aduersary and deliuer me Hast thou not said Be not dismaied I haue ouercome the world Whence therefore had the world those forces that it so triumpheth ouer thine elect and persecuteth all with fire and sword who cleauing vnto thee doe not adore and reuerence him why do they so largely rule ouer those whom thou hast chosen in the world to bee thine especially in this doting age of his continuance in which it behooued his power should decrease and his might diminish The contempt of Gods word reigueth euery where and with it ingratitude lust ryot vnlawfull pleasures and an extreame abuse of all things and he that wil not follow these is scorned and esteemed a foole his life is accounted madnesse and his end is without honour Hee is odious in the worlds eie for that his life is different from other â—…us These things do often times asâ—…ult our soules o Lord almost mooue our feete that leauing the hard wayes we may enter into the â—…igh way of the world which proâ—…seth vs all things happy pleasant sweete delightfull smiling â—…pon vs with a pleasant counteâ—…ance and offering vs with a full â—…and the riches honours pleaâ—…res of the same But thou O Lord withdraw mee from the darknesse deceites and allurements of this world Lighten mine eies that I may see and vnderstand how short and vncertaine how deceitfull how blinde and pernicious yâ— felicity of this world is Maintaine mee in the knowledge of thy truth lest in this couetous and drunken age of this world I bee intangled with secular cares which leade our minds from the exercises of piety and choake those motions which the holy Spirit stirreth vp in vs. Grant o Lord that this world may d ee crucified vnto mee and I vnto the world let mee no wayes study to please him lest whilst I become a friend of this world I make my selfe thine enemie let me contemne his hatred and slanders knowing that wee oughtto glory in nothing but in thy Crosse O Lord. Who liuest and reâ—…nest with the Father and the hâ—… Ghost world without end Amen Against the temptations of the flesh VVHere art thou O good Iesus where art thou Yet once againe Iesabell tyr annizeth once againe the flesh rageth a domesticke but yet a mortall enemie Be at hand O Iesus bee at hand assist mee in my necessity because the waters haue ouer-flowed my soule and the desires of the flesh ouerprest me My flesh made of dirt bringeth foorth nought but dirtie and filthy cogitations In respect of the world vaine and curious from the diuell iâ—… receiueth vaine and bitter whereby it sinneth against the Spirit borne of sinne nourished in sinne corrupted from the beginning with vices but much more depraued by euill customes Who shall stand against so strong an enemie O Lord. Who shall sustaine his assaults He stirreth vp vnlawful motions venemous cogitatious It inflameth moueth war nourisheth hatred inciteth gourmandise quickeneth lust prepareth occasions of sinne and ceasseth not with a thousand subtilties of circumuention to driue away the spirit It is a grieuous conflict a dangerous war to fight against a home-bred enemie especially where we are strangers and hee a Citizen he dwelleth in his owne countrey wee are
moment of time but shall thinke 〈◊〉 lost whatsoeuer is not imployed in thy honour and seruice giue me a will that may desire nothing more than to keepe thy commandements and obey thy wil giue me an vnderstanding that may meditate on thy law day and night and such a memory as may neuer be forgetfull of thee Furthermore O Lord giue a bridle to my tongue set a watch before mine eyes Grant me the puritie of heart the austerity of the fâ—…esh the mortification of all appeâ—…es and perturbations of the minde Finally giue me a grounded humility of heart and with it patience obedience meeknesse chastity true discretion with these pouerty of spirit feruent zeal of thine honor the loue of my neighbour and sincere compassion of an other mans tribulations Who liuest reignest world without end Amen A CoÌ„mendatory morning praier wherin together with our selues we commend all faithfull Christians vnto God I Adore blesse and glorifie thee 〈◊〉 holy Trinity omnipotent God Father Son and holy Ghost Behold I offer vp my selfe to thy diuine maiesty and yeeld me tributary to thy most holy and irreuocable will I pray thee O Lord take from me from all faithfull christians whatsoeuer is displeasant vnto thee and giue whatsoeuer is gratefull in thine eies and cause vs become such as thou commandest vs to be I commend vnto thee my father my mother brothers sisters sons cousins benefactors friends familiars neighbors and all those that haue recoÌ„mended themselues to our praiers or for whoÌ„ I ought to pray I coÌ„mend vnto thee thy holy catholike Church bring to passe O Lord that all and euery one may know thee all may honour thee all may loue thee and may likewise be beloued by thee Reduce the ignorant into the right way destroy heresies let all those bee conuerted to the true and sincere faith who haue no knowledge of thy most holy name Giue vs peace and conserue vs in the same yet in all things let thy will not our will bee fulfilled Comfort and helpe all those that are in tribulation and such as leade their liues in miseries temptations perturbations and afflictions as well of the body as the soule Finally I commend all creatures to thy protection that to the liuing thou mâ—…est giue grace and to the dead etâ—…nall rest Amen A praier before we goe out of doores OMnipotent eternall God who art the way the life and the truth behold I am to walke amidst the snares of the diuell the world his minister laid in waite for me I beare likewise about mee the temptations of my fraile flesh so that it cannot be that I shall walke without harme tither of body or soule amongst so many gulfs dangerous heaps of teÌ„ptations which that cursed enemy hath beset vs with being swallowed in sin except thou stretch thy right hand to assist vs. Leade mee therfore thou most assured faithfull guide open mine eies conduct me in the high way that I may neither turne on the right nor on the left hand Shewe mee thy pathes teach me thy waies make my path straight direct my iournies in peace O Lord in thy righteousnesse leade me because of mine enemies direct thou my waies in thy sight Thou that to holy men sendedst thine Angels for guardians by whom as the weaker sons they should be directed as by their elder and more stronger brothers Thou that to Toâ—…y the modest son of an honest father sendedst Raphael thy minister to accompany him on the way in his intended iourney send me being sarre inferiour to Tobias in vertue but confident in thy goodnesse thy holy Angel who may now leade mee in these paths that are most pleasant in thy sight and at length bring mee to the hauen of eternall life In the Name of the Father and of the Sonne and the holy Ghost Amen When you enter any iourney O God that broughtest Abraham thy seruant from Vr of the Chaldees and keptst him in safety in the whole course of his pilgrimage we beseech thee vouchsafe to keepe vs thy seruants Be vnto vs O Lord in our setting out our succour in our way our solace in heate a shelter in raine and cold a garment in wearines a wagon in aduersity a helper in the slippery way a staffe in shipwrack a hauen that by thy conduct wee may attaine thither with happines whither we trauell and at last returne in safety to our owne households through Iesus Christ our Lord. Amen A praier before the Sermon O Lord Iesu Christ that dâ—…scendedst from the bosome of thy father into this world 〈◊〉 our teacher yâ— thou mightest shew the will of thy Father to wretched mortall men and teach them in the way of â—…aluation Behold I come to heare thy word and haue many yeares since repaired to the same but alas with small fruit of my soule I came vnto the light and I am not illuminated to the bread of life behold I die for hunger to the fire and I starue for cold to the medicine 〈◊〉 am oppressed with diuerse infirmities of sinne The dew of diuine doctrine falleth without intermissioÌ„ vpoÌ„ my earth and yet hitherto hath it brought forth nothing but thorns and thistles what need more daies moÌ„ths and yeeres are past and I remain in the same state of sinne It is a great benefit O Lord that thou hast left vs the seed of thy diuine word otherwise we had bene like Sodome and Gomorra It is likewise a great benefite that thou sendest laborers into thy vineyard that thou leauest vs Doctors and Catholicke preachers but in vaine teach they outwardly except thou mooue inwardly I beseech thee therefore O good Iesus open the eares of my heart that that which is instilled by the eare of my flesh may penetrate euen vnto the marrow of my spirit and there worke such holesome effects that thy word returne not againe in vaine Uouchsafe I say O Lord yâ— this seed which at this time falleth on me be not choked with the thornie cares of this world neither wither through drought and defect of the deaw of the holy Ghost in the time of tribulation neither be deuoured by the birds of the aire but warmed by the heate and operation of the holy Spirit may flourish in a fruitful mould and bring forth the fruits of eternall life that I may know thee loue thee and laud thee with perpetual praise who art laudable and glorious for euer Amen A prayer after the Sermon LOrd Iesus Christ eternall Sauiour I giue thee thanks for that thou hast fed me wiâ—…h the food of thy word 〈◊〉 abundantly nourished me I beseech thee that the vnderstanding of thy word be effectuall and healthfull to mee that the same celestiall seede do not perish in me without fruit Keepe my heart and enclose it with the sence of thy grace and prohibite that the infernall foule do not plucke it out of my heart but prepare it
the Father of light from whom all goodnesse proceeded I like the lost sheepe wandered far astray from the fold who lewdly consumed that grace which thou so liberally hadst imparted to me I left thee the FouÌ„taine of liuing water and digged me Cesteâ—…ns and drunke of troubled water full of bitter consolations such as in short time are dried vp For all consolations and al the pleasures of this world vanish away like smoke I left the tree of life and fed on mast cods which were spurned and trodden downe by the hogs following the passions and inordinate affections of my minde my beastly appetites I departed from thee the chiefest good and followed those earthly and transitorie pleasures which ouerthrew mee But now O father I beseech thee forget thou these iniuries which I haue committed against thy maiestie which I craue not for in respect of the multitude of my merits but by beholding the labours and dolours of thy onely begotten Son which he suffred for my sake And thou the onely begotten Sâ—…nne of the eternall Father my Lord God and Sauior haue mercy vpon me I cast all mine iniquities all my iniurie ignomâ—…e ire pride auarice disobedience impudencie presumption with all my other sins wherby I haue prouoked thy wrath into thy lenitie clemency sacred wounds wide open to yeeld mee refuge I giue my selfe wholy vnto thee and commend my selfe wholy to thy grace for thou art my hope my helpe and my strength As much as my sins trouble and confound me so much doth thy goodnesse and the infinite merits of thy passion reiâ—…yce and comfort me My sins although in themselues they be grieuous in weight and infinite in number yet in comparison of thy mercies they are light and few Under this confideÌ„ce I come vnto thee and confesse my sinnes vnto thee hoping that thou wilt not destroy him whom thou hast created according to thine owne image similitude and for whose loue thou madest thy selfe partaker of our nature bloud and flesh I trust I shall not bee condemned by thee whom thou hast redeemed as it were with so incomparable a price with so many labours and dolors To thee be all honour and dominion for euer euer Amen Another most deuout praier for remission of sinnes O My best beloued Iesus I aâ—… that wretched vnhappy sin ner that hath inflicted thee so many wounâ—…s and crucified thee aâ—…ew by my sinnes ahlas too many and too mighty Behold yet how I pre sent my selfe before thee my father and iudge being guilty of so mâ—… crimes accountable for so maâ—… sinnes beseeching thee through the bowels of thy mercy that all thy wounds may once more bee opened in the sight of the Father may flow into my miserable vncleane soule soiled and infected with so many sinnes not suffering them to be closed before they haue throughly washed and perfectly cleansed me O sweet Iesus turne not thy face from me but ouerflow me with thine infinite mercy and behold me with the eies of thy pitie wherewith thou beheldst Mary Magdalen at the feast time Peter in the Bishops palace the theefe on the Crosse. Giue mee the true knowledge of my sinnes giue me the iust griefe receiue me into the paradise of thy grace wash mee in thy reaking blood and quicken me by thy precious death pardon me and take from me whatsoeuer my heart wrongfully possesseth beecause thou thy selfe hast said if I bee exalted from the earth I will draw all things to me For which cause I pray thee O thou redeemer of my soule draw mee vnto thee and cleanse me from my hidden sins O true light illumine the darknes of my minde O consuming fire burne in me all my sinnes and iniquities Come and viâ—…t my sick soule cleanse my conscience and make me thy gratefull Tabernacle O deerest beeloued Lord spred for my sake on the tree of the Crosse draw mee out of the suds of my sinnes embrace mee kisse mee being clensed from all sâ—…aine of my wickednesse O noble cluster of grapes pressed in the wine-presse of the Crosse hug my soule with thy naked but faire armes distained with bloud Grant also that thou maist bee embracâ—… in like sort by the same and 〈◊〉 a handfull of Mirrhe thou maâ—… rest betweene her teates O thâ—… nailed and pierced souldier hoâ—… cruelly wert thou wounded in tâ—… warre vndertaken in my behalfe How strongly didst thou fight fo me thou triumpher ouer the worâ—… and the diuell who by thy death diddest conquer death and by tâ—… precious blood didst expiate fâ—… all the sinnes of mankinde Oâ—… what shall I giue thee for all thâ—… which thou hast bestowed vpâ—… mee All that little that I haue I offer it wholly vnto thee nameâ—… my spirit that thou maist rest 〈◊〉 the same my soule that it mâ—…â—…oue thee my body that it mâ—… serue thee O noble Pellican that nouâ—… shest thy yong ones with thy heaâ—… blood so feed my soule faintâ—… for hunger and spirituall thirst nothing else may be sauourie vnâ—… the same neither that she may dâ—… sire to take any thing but to eaâ—… thy flesh and drinke thy blood O mellifluous riuer of celesâ—… delights ouerflow all my inward parts make me drinke and grant that I may bee dead to all other creatures and aliue to thee onely O glorious myrrour of the incomprehensible Trinitie on which all the Angels and Saints desire to contemplate alas how cruelly wert thou intreated for my sake There is neither forme nor beauty in thee thou becamest a by-word of men and the scorne of the multitude O make mee partaker of that incomparable treasure of thy precious ransome wherewith thou redeemedst mee open the treasurie of thy merits and pay all my debt make mee such a one in this world as thou woulddest haue me in the world to come where thou reignest with the Father and the holy Spirit God world without end Amen A most godly praier and oblation wherein man offereth himselfe vp vnto God requiring that the tyranny of his vices expelled God hereafter may reigne in his soule and dwell therein and so worke in it those fruits which pertaine to newnesse of life O My God O my loue O my hope O all my refuge and all my desire O Father of mercy and God of al consolation as oft as I coÌ„sider with my selfe in what state I was somtime in how many dangers of perdition I haue escaped from how many euils thou hast deliuered me wheÌ„ I was dead in my sinnes and lay buried and couered with the stone of my inueterate custome of offending such a hope is quickened in me that I cannot choose but aske at thine hands O Lord all such things as are necessary for my saluation For I am thy workmanship thy hands haue fashioned me O Lord despise not therefore the worke of thy haÌ„ds For why should I doubt that thou wilt giue mee all thy goods that hast
Prophet and my soule is no lesse dead than the body of that mā neither is this touch of lesse efficacie than that why therefore should I not expect the like benefit in my selfe why should a body begotten in sinne doe more mirecles than a body conceiued by the holy ghost Why shall the body of the seruant haue a greater prerogatiue than the body of the maister Why shall not thy body raise my soule sanctified in thy blood which cleaueth and is ioyned vnto thee by faith when that raiseth those bodies which it toucheth And because this body was raised not requesting life but by the onelie vertue of the bones of thy blessed Prophet let it bee pleasing to thine infinite mercie O my God since I request and beseech thee to giue me life by the meanes of this Sacrament that I may not now line but thou in mee O good Iesu by that thine inestimable charitie which betraied thee for my sake made thee suffer an ignominious death I humbly beseech thee that thou wilt cleanse me from all sin adorne me with all kindes of vertues and thy merits and grant me grace that I may receiue this holy Sacrament with so much humilitie and reuerence so much feare and trembling with so much griefe and repentance for my sins finally with so much loue and charitie as this most heauenly mystery doth require Grant mee most mercifull Lord that puritie of intent whereby I may worthily ha◅e accesse to thy mysticke table to the glory of thy holy name and the remedy of my infirmities necessities that strengthned by the vertue of this Sacrament I may be able strongly to withstand mine enemies to ouercome them and to sustaine my selfe by that liuing meate in the spirituall life Grant also by y◠benefit of this Sacramēt that I may be made one with thee and incorporated in thee may inseparably cleaue vnto thee being made one spirit with thee Let this sacrifice bee my safetie and this inestimable benefit of this Sacrament assist all men as it is instituted for the health of them left vnto thy Church who liuest reignest world without end Amen A most worthy meditation after the Communion O My God and my Sauiour how shal I yeeld thee cōdigne thankes for that thou beeing the King of Kings Lord of Lords hast not disdained to visit my soule and to enter the poore roose of my miserable cottage and so to worke that both thou and I are one and that by the means of the inestimable vertue of y◠Sacrament With what reward shal I requite such a benefit With what offices shal I remunerate thy so great goodnes with thanks may a miserable wretched and poore creature giue for a gift so rich and precious For it suffised thee not in this mystery to make vs partakers of thy supreme deity but thou wouldest also communicate vnto vs thy humanitie together with all thy merits which in the same and with the same thou didst purchase for vs for giuing vs thy body and blood thou makest vs also partakers of thy holy treasure and of all thy merits which being on earth thou obtainedst for vs. O admirable Communion O treasure to be equalled by no price and as yet vnknowne vnto men O mercifull Redeemer of our soules with what more richer iewels or greater riches couldest thou store vs thā with this most blessed Sacrament Deseruedly O Lord didst thou say in the praier which thou saidest about the houre of thy passion I sanctifie my selfe for thē that they also may bee sanctified in truth namely after a new maner of sanctification difficile to the sanctifier and easie to the sanctified For thine is the sanctity O Lord mine the fruit of sanctitie thou didst labour I receiued the reward thou wert at the charge I reapt the profite thou art chastised I am pardoned for my sins thou drunkest the bitter potion I with my selfe recouer my lost health thy dolours thy nayles thy strokes thy thornes and thy precious blood not shed by drops but by flouds satisfied for me thy teares wash mee thy wounds heale me thy scourgings haue satisfied for me O rich Communion O fraternity of infinit merits O traffique of inestimable treasure what stocke or summe haue we imploied in this partnershippe what haue we aduentured that the increase is so profitable vnto vs Why doth the sun illuminate the world why warmeth the fire the body which is the obiect against it why doth the water coole that same The reasō is manifest for these are their naturall properties for such creatures produce such effect And it is thy property O lord to pardon thy custom to shew mercie and that rather to others than to thy selfe Thy goodnesse is ours that not ordinary but infinit for as the property of good is to be cōmon communicatiue so truly the chiefest good should also be chiefly diffusiue this hast thou done vnto vs because thou hast wholy giuen thy selfe vnto vs. In thy birth thou becamest our brother in our nourishing our food in thy death our redemption in our ruling our reward finally O my soule if in one word thou wilt comprehend all these benefits which this so admirable Sacramēt bringeth with it consider that which this Lord brought into this world when as becoming man he came into thy world For when he entred into the world he gaue the world the life of grace with al those things which attend on the same so also when he comes by y◠Sacrament into our soule hee giueth the same life of y◠soule O diuine food by which the sons of men are trāsformed into the sons of God and by which the flesh is mortified in vs that the deity may liue in vs O sweetest bread worthy to bee adored nourishing the soule not the belly strengthning the heart and not ouercharging the body reioycing the spirit not troubling the vnderstanding whose vertue doth moderate our appetites killeth our selfe will that the will of God may be more effectuall in vs. What thanksgiuing therefore shal I yeeld vnto thee what praises shal I sing vnto thee O Lord for this thy benefite If the gratuitie ought to be answerable to the gift what kinde of recompence I pray you will equall such a gift Thou saidst in times past to thy seruant Moses Take the golden vessel and hide it in the Arke of the couenant and it shall be kept there for future generatiōs that they may see that meate which for forty yeares long I made you feede on in the desart If y◠so much esteemedst O Lord that corruptible meate which thou gauest thy people in the desart that thou wouldest it should be kept with reuerence in perpetuall remembrance of the same in what account should that incorruptible meate be with vs which giueth life eternall to those that eat the same I manifestly see that there is the same difference which is betweene the one meate and the other
as betweene the one benefit and the other and that for that cause there ought to bee the same difference betweene the one gratuitie the other that meate was earthly this heauenlie that was of the bodie this of the Soule that gaue not true life to those that eat the same this giueth eternall life to those that worthily receiue it But why make I cōparisō betweene the one the other For whatsoeuer difference is betweene the creature the Creator the same is betweene this and that meate If therefore thou O Lord require such remembrance and gratuity for that thou didst nourish thy people with corporall and corruptible meate what wilt thou require of vs whom thou nourishest with so farre better foode as the Creator exceedeth the creature there is not any praise nor thanksgiuing which is worthy this benefite When as therefore I neglect mine owne forces faculties neither can I finde way or meanes to pay thee that which I owe thee there is no other remedy left for me than with the Prophet to take that cup of saluation and call vpon the name of our Lord that is not to remunerate that benefits that are past but to aske new to require grace vpon grace I beseech thee therefore O Lord vouchsafe that I may receiue this Sacrament in satisfaction of all my sinnes and amendment of my former life that being repaired in me by the benefite thereof whatsoeuer is fallen whatsoeuer I wāt let it be supplied and grant that my pouerty may bee enriched by the benefits of thy graces By that vertue of this sacrament mortific in me whatsoeuer is displeasant to thy diuine eies and make me conformable to thy will Uouch safe mee O Lord that by this mystery I may alwaies perseuere in thee may continually and perfectly loue thee that I may be alwaies continually vnited coupled vnto thee to the honour of thy holy name Be fauourable O Lord vnto all my offences and not mine onely but all others Grant the Heretikes Schismatikes may returne to the vnitie of thy Church illuminate the Infidels that they may know thee help all those for whom I am bound to pray Comfort my father mother brothers and sisters friends and enemies with all those that haue euer done me good Bee mercifull vnto all those for whom thou sh◅dest thy most precious blood To thee be all praise honour vertue and glory who liuest and reignest world without end Amen Prayers and thanksgiuings after the Communion The first Praier I Giue thee thanks O Lord holy Father omnipotent and eternall God that thou hast vouchsafed to sat◅ate mee a wretched sinner and thy vnworthy seruant not for my merits but onely for thy mercie sake with the precious body and blood of thy Son our Lord Iesus Christ. And I beseech thee that this holy Communion may be vnto me not guiltines to procure punishment but a fruitfull intercession of pardon may be my armour of faith and shield of good will may bee the euacuation of my vices extermination of my concupiscence and lust the augmentation of my charitie and patience humility and obedience against the deceits of both my visible and inuisible enemies a firme defence a perfect pacification of my motions both carnall and spirituall assured cleaning to thee the onely and true God a happy consummation of my life And I beseech thee that thou wilt conduct mee most wretched sinner to that inestimable banquet where thou with thy Sonne and the holy Ghost to thy Saints art a true light compleat satietie eternall ioy consummate pleasure and perfect felicitie through Iesus Christ our Lord. Amen The second Prayer after the Communion I Giue thee thāks O Lord Iesus Christ King of Kings Lord of Lords reuerend immesurable in maiestie for that thou hast vouchsafed to feede and sweetly to refresh my ouer-dried soule with thy sacred body precious bloo◅ I beseech thee that whatsoeuer is found vitious in mee and contrary to thy most holie will by the Communion of this Sacrament may bee vtterly extinct in mee so that my heart may bee prepar◅ for a worthy habitation for the holy Ghost And grant O most sweet Iesus that this Sacrament of thy body and blood may be vnto me an attonement for my sinnes a medicine for my life an establishment of grace a memorie of thy most holy passion reliefe in my pilgrimage the sweet and pleasure of my soule my health sanctitie in temptations my light vertue in tribulations my light vertue in all my words and deeds my finall comfort de◅ence in death Grant that it may so change the affections of my heart that it may feels conceiue no sweetnesse but that which is in thee loue no bea◅ seeke no loue desire no consolatiō admit no pleasure care for no honours feare no cruelty Amen The third Prayer after the Communion PIerce O most sweet Lord Iesu that marrow and inwards of my soule with the sweet and holsome wound of thy loue with true perfect pure Apostolike and sacred charitie that my soule may onely languish melt away in the loue desire of thee let it not long after and grow weary in thy wayes let it desire to be dissolued and to be with thee Grant that my soule may hunger after thee the bread of Angels y◠resurrection of al holy soules our supercelestiall and daily bread hauing in it all sweetnesse and sauour and all delectation of suauitie Grant that my heart may alwaies hunger thirst after thee on whom the Angels desire to looke and with the sweetnes of thy fauor let the inward secrets of my soule be filled let it alwaies thirst after thee the fountaine of life the fountaine of wisdome and science the fountaine of eternall light the riuer of pleasures the plenty of Gods house Let her alwaies seek thee compas◅e thee finde thee trauell to thee and attaine vnto thee let her meditate on thee speake of thee worke all things to the honour and praise of thy name with humility and discrenon with loue and delectation with facility and affection with perseuerance vnto the end and be thou alwaies my onely hope my whole trust my riches my delight my pleasure my Sauiour my sweetnesse my meate my refection my refuge my hope my wisedome my portion and possessiō my treasure in which my heart and minde may be alwaies fixed and firmely rooted Amen The first prayer for the loue of God O Sweet benigne louing bounteous deere mighty o admirable ineffable inestimable incomparable o powerfull magnificent liberall incomprehensible infinite most mighty God Thou art onely good all pitifull all amiable thou art sweeter than hony whiter than snow delightfuller than all pleasure sweeter than all delight more precious than gold of precious stones Thou art my God my life and my onely hope Grant me o Lord that I may loue thee if not as much as thou deseruest yet at leastwise as
king didst descend to thy seruant to redeeme thy slaue thou didst betray thy selfe So much didst thou loue mee that thou gauest thy blood for a ransome for mee thou didst loue me O Lord more than thy selfe because thou wouldst seÌ„d for mee For this cause thou didst ransome mee from exile with so deere a price thou didst redeeme me from thraldome thou withheldedst mee from punishment thou calledst mee by thy name thou â—…ignedst me with thy blood that thy remembrance might bee alwaies with mee and neuer depart from my heart which for my sake departed not from the Crosse. Let mee know thee therefore O Lord my acknowledger let mee know thee thou vertue of my soule let me walke alwaies in thy light O thou Sun of iustice for it is good for me to cleaue O Lord to put my trust in our lord God for as soone as I shall bee turned from thee I am presently conuerted to transitory delights and distracted with vaine cogitations O therefore wretched vnfortunate that I am when shall I so inseparably cleaue vnto thee as I may neuer bee withdrawne from thee When shall my thoughts words and works differ no more from the rule of thy equitie iustice Thou o Lord louest solitude and I company thou silence and I fables thou verity and I vanity thou cleannesse and I follow vncleannesse I beseech thee therefore O Lord for thine own sake illuminat mine eies with thy light wouÌ„d my heart with thy loue direct my steppes in the way of thy commandements that I may neuer swerue from the same deliuer me o Lord that am captiue reduce the stray into thy wounds raise him that is fallen and releeue him that is euery way weakned Giue me a heart that may alwaies thinke on thee a minde that may alwaies loue thee an vnderstanding that may conceiue thee a reason that may alwaies strongly cleaue vnto thee the most chiefe delight Fly not from my heart depart neither froÌ„ my words nor works but alwaies assist me because thou art my helper in all my tribulations Without thee I die thinking on thee I am reuiued thine adour doth recreate mee thy memory doth heale mee thy light doth illuminate me I am raised againe by thy voice and shall bee satisfied when thy glory shall appeare The sixth prayer for the loue of God IF amoÌ„gst all those things which prouoke vs vnto loue there bee nothing more effectuall than form beauty why should I not worthily loue thee o my God who art the Fountaine of all beautie and seemelines Thou art the Ornament of the whole Masse of this world for whatsoeuer is beautiful in it by thee and from thee hath his beauty because thou createdst it the Sunne and Moone admire thy maiestie the Angels desire to behold thy face for in the sight thereof consisteth perfect felicitie and the glorie of all supernall spirits Birds flowers fouÌ„taines fields floods seas woods forrests trees earth mountaines valleies and whatsoeuer is in them haue their ornaments from thee thou didst decke the heauens with starres the aire with birds the water with fishes the fields with flowers and the earth with infinite plants and variety of liuing creatures In each place of the world thou art feared because tokens of thy beauty are seene in euery place in the heauens thou art the beautie of glorie in hell of iustice in good men of grace in the wicked of patience I will therefore loue thee my God who are the perfection of all things thou art the praise of the Angels the reward of Saints yâ— hope of Patriarches the Crowne of Martyrs the glory of Confessors that puritie of Uirgins and the saluation of all the elect All blessed spirits praise thee yâ— Pillars of heauen trâ—…ble at thy presence and all the creatures of the world reuerence thee Thou fulfillest all things yet art thou not diâ—…ated thou art in all things yet art contained in none thou didst create all things without necessitie thou gouernest all things without labour thou changest all things thy selfe art not changed thou only iudgest without any erroâ—… thou onely chastifest without any pâ—…turbation thou onely distributest gifts and thy treasure is not impaired thou only art sufficient for thy selfe and all things who therefore hath thee he hath all things and who hath thee not although hee haue all the treasures of this world he is poore hee is naked he is wretched and miserable One thing verie often draweth vs to such insensate a loue of some creature that wee feare not in the behalfe of the same to aduenture a thousand deaths but in thee O Lord whereas so many things so great concurre together why should I not loue thee why should I not willingly suffer whatsoeuer miserie for the glory of thy name why should I not freely spend my blood for thee who so liberally diddest powre out thine for me If I consider thy benefits I owe no man more than thy self if thy loue no man wisheth mee better than thy selfe if consangumitie my soule hath not any one more neerely allied vnto her than thy selfe Truly similitude is a great cause of loue what greater similitude is there than is betweene thee O Lord my soule which is created after thy similitude and likenesse Thou art a spirit my soule is a spirit thou art inuisible my soule is also inuisible thou immortall my soule is immortall thou hast vnderstanding memory and will and the like powers hath my soule Thou being most simple and inuisible art all in the whole world and all in euery part thereof and my soule being of the same condition is all in the whole body and all in euery member of the same Since therfore there is so much similitude betweene thee mee O my loue why should I not loue thee Is it because thou art high I humble or for that thou art the Creator and I thy creature or because thou art the perfectest being and I altogether imperfect This ought not to hinder but to increase our loue For the similitude is far more amâ—…able which is proportioned with inequalitie than that which is euery way equall The fathers loue is greater towards yâ— son the wiues towards the husband than of brothers amongst themselues who are equal Uoices that art â—…rent among themselues 〈◊〉 more sweetly if they be reduced vnto proportion than those that are consonant and vniforme Let then this inequalitie which is betweene thee my soule o Lord be a cause of greater loue In thee therefore O most sweet spouse of my soule in thee are all the causes of loue which may bee imagined and thou art most worthy to bee beloued with infinite loue but I finde in my selfe my wil in such manner depraued that it cannot performe it would God it were not so that she loued her selfe more than thee Wherfore O Lord except thou heale my infirme nature by thy grace and except thou powre
into my heart the vertue of charitie by the mediation of the holy Ghost I may neuer loue thee with a gratuitall and supernaturall loue in such manner as thou art worthy wilt be beloued Giue mee the grace to loue thee if not with such a loue as thou art worthy of yet at leastwise with such a loue as my nature may partake that is with all my heart all my soule all my strength all my forces so that all my bowels inwardly burne melt in thy loue Grant that I may loue thee with a simple willing and free loue without any respect of profit Grāt that with pure loue no peruerse intentiō I may desire nothing but thy selfe for thy selfe Grant me O Lord a strong and inuincible loue that may refuse or abhorre no perils no labours no damages no iniuries or torments for thy sake Giue mee a ready and diligent loue that may alwaies be occupied in matters pertaining to thy seruice Giue me an inestimable loue O Lord that may contemne all things for thy sake giue me a discreete loue which with immoderate zeale and feruour shall not exceed thy law Finally giue me o my God that grace to loue thee with an ordinate loue which loueth al things according to that dignity of their proportion but thee aboue all things with a sweete and amiable loue which shall taste no sweetnes or pleasure in any thing but in thee with a loue burning in zeale that destreth nothing more than thy glory hateth nothing more than ignominie imputed to thy holy Name Finally with a loue so violent that it may pul my hart from all things that are transitorie and alwaies draw the same vpwards vnto thee vntill I may passe ouer all this place of exile into that celestiall countrey where beholding the greatnes of thy beauty face to face I may perpetually loue thee with those perfect louers that neuer ceasse to loue and praise thee the King of Kings Lord of Lords and God of Gods in Sion Amen The seuenth prayer for the obtaining of Gods loue O Most high mightie omnipotent mercifull iust strong incomprehensible God and my Lord. Thou that art sweeter than any hony whiter than milke clearer than all light and more precious than al pearle there are infinit causes which rauish my heart with thy loue For thou art higher then heauen deeper than hell thy measure is longer then the earth and broader then y◠sea as thy prophet saith Who is perfecter than thou art who better who fairer who bountifuller who nobler who stronger who wiser who richer than thou art A◅ these things are in thee O Lord and for euery one of them art thou to be loued since thou art the chiefest good But since euery good thing is truely amiable by it selfe yet euery man affecteth more his proper good I will therefore loue thee o Lord my God not onely because thou art the chiefest good but also because thou art my good for when I consider and weigh with my selfe by how many titles and meanes thou art made mine my inward parts melt and I cry with the spouse My spouse is beloued of me and I of him For thou o Lord art my creator thou art my sanctifier and glorifier thou gauest mee my being in nature thou gauest mee that of grace and wilt giue mee the being of glory Thou art my helper my gouernour defender tutor and keeper finally thou art my God my Lord thou art my saluation thou art my hope thou art my glory thou art all my good Uerily thou art all those vnto mee in as much as thou art my God in so much as thou art my creator and the conseruer of all things But in as much as thou art man there are many other titles other offices and other bonds wherwith I am bound vnto thee and thou vnto me For which I also if it were possible ought to loue thee and that by reason with an in◅nite and diligent loue for thou art my restorer for thou hast restored mee to entire humane nature which by sin was weakned in me Thou art my deliuerer for by thy captiuity thou hast deliuered me from the tyranny of sin death hell and the diuell my most capital enemies Thou art my Redeemer for thou hast ransomed mee from seruitude into which through sinne I was fallen by the shedding of the incomparable treasure of thy precious blood Thou art my King for thou gouernest me by thy Spirit thou foughtest for mee and deliueredst me from the hands of my enemies thou art my priest for thou praiedst incessantly praiest like an euerlasting priest for me in y◠sight of thy celestiall Father Thou art my sacrifice for thou offeredst vp thy selfe on the altar of the Crosse that by thy clemency thou mightest expiate my crimes Thou art my aduocate for when the Diuell accuseth me and offereth the libel wherein my sins are written to thy father thou dost protect my cause thou makest paiment with thine owne dost supply all that which my iustice defaulteth in Thou art my Mediator for thou art God and man and a mighty friend of God and that true Son of God so puttest thou thy selfe as a mediator betweene me and God Thou art my shepheard for y◠feedest gouernest my soule like a sheepe of thy flocke thou art my meate for thou art hee by whom I am nourished in the diuine Sacrament of the Altar thou art my father and the father of the world to come for thou hast regenerated me with grieuous dolours on the tree of the Crosse and giuen me a new essēce by y◠holy Spirit Thou art my head the vniuersall head of the Church for from thee as from the true head floweth into the same and euery member thereof vertue life and spirituall sense Thou art my true Physition for by thy blood thou hast healed the wounds and strips of my soule Thou art my master for by the light of thy doctrine thou hast shewed mee the way to the celestiall country Thou art my example for not onely in words but that which is farre more in deedes and most holy examples of thy life thou hast led me in this way Thou art my strength and mercy for there is no tribulation or griefe so great which the memorie of thy passions that thou sufferedst for me doth not make sweete tollerable Thou art my honour and glory for thou becamest man for mee thou madest mee thy brother and a consort of thy nature To conclude thou art my Sauiour yea such a sauiour that euery where alwaies in all things art sufficient for me for thou hast most perfectly wrought all that on the earth which was requistte for my saluatiō Thou hast illuminated my ignorance by thy doctrine thou hast strengthned my weaknes by thy examples Thou hast inflamed my warmth by thy benefits thou hast instructed my soule in thy mysteries thou hast enriched my pouerty by thy merits Thou hast
in coÌ„tempt or disgrace of thy holy Name Yet O Lord there are many things which yet I want for nothing is presently reduced from his not being to his perfect being but all things tend to their perfection by certaine degrees And that perfection from whom is it to bee required but from him who is the beginner of this worke Hence it is that all effects are conuerted to their causes that they may receiue their finall perfection from thence whence they had their beginning So see I O Lord the plants labour wrest themselues on euery side that they may behold the Sun fasten their roots in the earth Fishes forsake not the water and the Chicken scarce hatched from the egge hides himselfe vnder the wings of the Hen and followeth her whither soeuer shee go Since all creatures do this in whom there is no vnderstanding I alone doe it not whom yet thou hast created and endued with reason I see that I want many things 〈◊〉 that daily I am diuersly hindered the inordinate insatiable hunger of mine appetites teacheth me no lesse but I like a Doue wanting a heart haue not recourse to my Creator but to creatures I seeke not water out of the Fouâ—…taine but digge new Cesterns for my selfe I hunt after the earth contemne him that made the earth I seeke life in the land of death I will rest my selfe in things that are restles I will begge from creatures that which I ought to aske from the Creator I therefore pray thy goodnes O my mercifull Father Creator to take away this ignorance from 〈◊〉 and conuert me vnto thee and then shall I be conuerted thine eies see that which is imperfect in me thou madest mee thou finishedst mee thou beganst this worke doe thou finish it Thy hands haue fashioned mee giue mee vnderstanding that I may learne thy Testimonies Thou gauest mee eares but such as are more attentiue to heere fables thaÌ„ thy word thou gauest me eies but such as are more prone to behold curiosity than to consider the wondrous works of thy law thou gauest me hands but weak to performe good workes thou gauest me feet but swift vnto euill slow vnto goodnes What neede more There is no health in my flesh perâ—… O Lord that which thou hast begun 〈◊〉 me of thy hands Giue me that I want because thou art my Creator my God thou art my life thou art my saluation thou art my liuing thou art my aboundance thou art my glory thou art my honour thou art my peace thou art all my good without thee all my plenty is pouerty who liuest reignest God world without end Amen The second thanksgiuing for the benefite of our corporall conseruation I Giue thee thanks O most omnipotent high iust and mercifull Lord God not onely for that thou hast created me and broughtest me from not being to a being but also for that thou hast preserued and daily doest preserue meâ—… being made of nothing from falling into nothing for I both beleeue and confesse that both is thy worke but if thy hand should be shut and but for the twinckling of an eie should â—…iue ouer â—…is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 â—…ng of which thou createdst me As many moments therefore and points of time as this my life hath had now hath or may haue hereafter so many parts are there of this benefite I giue thee thanks O merciâ—… Father that by an vnsearchablâ—… kinde of meanes from my conception vntill my natiuitie thou hasâ—… kept mee close shut vp in the narrow bed of my mothers wombe least choaked in my mothers bowels I had come foorth into this world either borne an abortiue or strangled in my natiuitie without the benefite of Baptisme I giue thee thanks that I am borne not amongst Barbarians idolators who honor wood and adore stone not amongst Heretickes that blaspheme thy name and most sacred Sacraments but amongst Catholiques who honour and reuerence thee with a true sincere and pure â—…uth I giue thee thanks for that thou hast preserued me from all misforâ—…ne sodaine death being borne 〈◊〉 bred vp in this world so full of snares and of perils For whereas â—…uers men in my life time drowned in the Sea slaine in the war â—…urthered by theeues torne by the â—…skes of beasts swallowed vp by â—…rthquakes killed by hunger exâ—…ct by thirst burnt with heate â—…illed with colde poysoned with venome straÌ„gled with the haltar slaine by the sword or other sodaine and violent death are taken hence when in the meane while there are so many blinde lame mad troubled with the Iandâ—…es sâ—…ke of the â—…ir trauelled with the spleen bedâ—…em furious lunatâ—…ke and subâ—…ct to the falling sickenesse whose â—…ife is more miserable than death Thy fatherly prouidence O Lord hath defended me from all these eâ—…ils wheras notwithstanding noâ—…hing hapned vnto theÌ„ that might not haue fallen on me the sonne of â—…dam created out of the same masse of perdition conceiued anâ—… begotten in the same originall sin except thou hadst preserued me I owe all this to thy mercy these benefits I receiue from thee If my earthly King Lord had of tenne captiues condemned for one and the same crime sent nine to the gallowes and of his meere grace fauour had set me free what condigne thankes could I offer him But thou O Lord hast done this for mee not once but daily yea and euery moment What shall I therefore pay thee O Lord for al these benefits what praises shall I sing what thanksgiuing shall I offer I will say with the Prophet It is the mercy of God that we are not consumed for that his mercies haue not failed Thou hast giueÌ„ vs a body though vnworthy of many things which except they bee present it easily corrupteth perisheth but that they might be present it is thy singular prouidence that hath so disposed For as thou createdst vs for thy selfe so hast thou made all things for vs for whatsoeuer is created in the earth in the waters the ayre the fire or in the celestiall spheres yea in the imperiall heauen al that hast thou created to obey vs for thou hast placed man aboue all the workes of thy hands Thou hast subiected all things vnder his feet c. For me trees bring forth their boughes and fruite vines flourish for me oyles fatteÌ„ and grow fruitful for me the garden flowreth for me all the plowland of the fields is mine For mee doth the earth yeeld gold siluer and diuers minâ—…rals profitable for the vse of man For me doth the Sea ebbe flowfor mee it bringeth foorth diuers sorts of fishes for mee it beareth ships and sailes for mee doe the fountaines spring for mee doe the flouds flow sheepe oxen and the beasts of the field are fed bring forth skins wooll milke and butter for mee for mee hath the hound nailes and teeth for mee doth the Monocerote bring foorth a horne
iniuries done thee by thine enemies They spake against thee who sate in the gate and the drunkards made Ballads of thee In a word thy life was tormented in so vnworthy sort as that thou maiest iustly say with the Prophet I am poore in labours from my youth and infancie These were the things thou sustainedst in thy life time but greater are they which thou sufferedst in thy death and on the Crosse There was liberty takē prisoner innocency strooken beauty spit vpon iustice condemned glorie deluded and life slaine and crucified Good Lord what more admirable what more horrible what more strange Life dieth God is whipt the power of God tied with cords the image of the Father spit vpon finally naked God is nailed to a Crosse and hanged betweene two theeues in the sight of the whole world Further may not my soule wade my strēgth is weak ned my heart faileth within mee O height of charity O depth of immasurable humilitie O greatnesse of mercie O incomprehensible bottomlesse pit of bounty If I owe thee so much O Lord for that thou hast redeemed me what shall I owe thee for that after so admirable a manner and so hard and difficult vnto me thou hast redeemed me O most mercifull Pastor O most faithfull shepheard who gauest thy life for thy sheepe whom thou tookest vpon thee to defend and keepe with what duty may I remunerate so great a benefite with what teares may I prosecute my plaints with what life shal I imitate thy pure and immaculate life Truly I owe thee farre more O Lord for thy sufferance wherby I was redeemed than for thy worke by which I was created And if O Lord thou hadst sustained these things for Angels or archangels for cherubins or seraphins it were lesse to be wondred at but now hast thou not suffred for these but for man what is man that thou art mindfull of him or the sonne of man that after this sort thou visitest him If thou consider his bodie man is the most wretched of al liuing creatures if his manners more miserable and worser Dost thou therefore O God die for the sonnes of Satan for y◠corrupters of all honesty iustice for parricides and breakers of thy diuine Lawes for contemners of thy Maiesty and blasphemers of thy glory Dost thou then die O God for thy infernall tormentor whose heart is not allured by benefits nor terrified by threatnings nor mollified by promises nor moued by punishments For a man who is not content with his own power and domesticall malice compasseth the earth also sorteth out all the worse sensualities putteth on the nature of beasts becoming woorse than they crueller than a Tyger fiercer than a Liō greedier thā a Wolfe venomouser than a Toad craftier than a Serpent Which not sufficing him hee descendeth into hell and borroweth whatsoeuer detestable things in the diuels themselues as blasphemy pride enuie and perpetuall hardnesse of heart And when hee findeth no more ◅ee inuenteth of his owne braine ◅ost prodigious monsters of sin ◅ertaine new kindes of ryot lechey and other sorts of vncleannesse ◅hich are neuer heard of a◅ongst very Beasts or the diuels themselues Dost thou thinke O Lord this monster to bee worthy that thou shouldst open thine eies on him Doest thou die for this sinke and caue of Serpents replenished with Uipers and Scorpions to the end to sanctifie y◠same My heart faileth mee in considering thy mercies O God there is no more spirit left in me Because I haue once begunne I will speake vnto thee my King my God though I am dust and ashes What mooued thy mercifull heart What ouercame and conquered the same that thou sufferedst so much for so abhominable a creature didst thou hunt after profite didst thou expect greater glory and blessednesse than thou hadst O meere grace O loue wtout respect O pure and sincere goodnesse What profite hast thou by the seruice of one poore Ant What fruit was there expected to thee by the saluation of man Thou hast no neede of riches Who gaue thee that thou mightst restore againe vnto him all things vnder the heauens are thine What hadst thou therefore to do with our dolours and miseries Through the bowels of the mercy of our God thou didst visit vs rising from on high O pittifull bowels O sweet bowels O bowels vnto vs the Sea of loue and mercy In these bowels and not mooued either with profite or necessity thou tookest compassion on our griefes and hadst mercie vpon vs Thou sawest the affliction of thy people and appearedst in the bush amongst thornes and bryers discending from Heauen and taking on thee our nature Be not angry o Lord if I speak If the force of thy loue were so great thou fountaine of charitie that it compelled thee to a marriage so vnworthy thy maiestie that thou wouldst espouse thy selfe to thy creature was there not a more noble spouse for thee on the earth and more allied to thee by grace and nature Why didst thou not rather entertaine the Angelicall nature why didst thou loue a wife of an vncircumcised nation which shall afterward betray thee to thine enemies and kill thee what doest thou answer mee my God what doest thou answer but I would haue this this was pleasing in my fight as ◅ampson who erst prefigured thee once said What thanks shall I therefore giue thee O Lord for this incomparable benefit with what loue shal I loue thee that hast giuen so manifest and incomprehensible testimony of thy goodnes towards mee How can it bee that there should bee any one in this world that should not loue thee how can hee bee vnmindfull of such a benefit First O Lord let mee forget my selfe than the memorie of so great a mercy bee extinct in mee Those nailes which pierced thy most innocent hands shall also pierce my heart and that admirable change wherein thou tookest vpon thee my infirmities powredst thy goodnes liberally vpon mee shall neuer depart out of my minde And whereas thou all thy life time diddest desire the Crosse with great affection whereon thou wert to die for my sake Grant that I also as long as I liue may not abhorre the Crosse but beare the same patiently vntill thou transferre me to that place where nei◅ death nor mourning nor cry nor dolour shall be heard of where thou reignest world without end Amen The fourth thanksgiuing for the benefit of our vocation and iustification I Giue thee thanks O Lord God my helper Redeemer for that from darkenesse thou hast called me into so admirable a light as that being without hope of mercy I haue now obtained mercie For during the time that I liued in the land of Obliuion and in the shaddow of death when my waies were most wicked and contrary vnto thee then did thy mercie call mee not onely flying but also repugning then gauest thou me thy holy Spirit
froÌ„ whom proceedeth all fatherhood boâ—… heauen and in earth take 〈◊〉 me all rebellion â—…d contenâ—… lest I attempt and dare to brâ—… and infringe all the bonds â—…ume and humane lawes 〈◊〉 vouchsafe that I may proâ—… my parents in all kinde of 〈◊〉 serue them with due honor reâ—…rence obey their commandeâ—… with humble readie obediâ—… and that I may helpe them 〈◊〉 kinds of succour obsequiosâ—… offices of kindnesse that I 〈◊〉 suffer their reproofes austeâ—… vnbridled mislikes or exclaiâ—… all their imperfections whatsâ—…uer with a willing minde not â—…greeuing or vexing them in the whole course of my life if at any time through age they shall dote default in reason yâ— I may not coÌ„â—…emne them but that I may suffer their age imbecillity with due modesty Finally if they want or bee sicke that I may nourish and sustaine them by my succour and sustenance lest through my default and auarice they should lose theiâ—… liues from whom and by whom I had the beginning of my life but that I may serue them that begot me in all things as my Lords O Lord forgiue me all those my sins wherein I haue euer offended my most deere parents Increase the â—…ltitude of their daies and keepe them in all health of minde and of body let them behold their sonnes like oliue plaÌ„ts round about their â—…ble let them bring them vp in all 〈◊〉 let them gouerne their family in holy counsels and conuerâ—…on that at the length they may â—…culate and faultlesse come â—…to thee where thou liuest with 〈◊〉 Sonne and the holy Ghost 〈◊〉 God world without end AmeÌ„ The prayer of the Schoolemaster OMnipotent and eternal God in whose power all things â—…re giue mee thy holy Spirit without whom I neither can learne or teach any thing that I may diligently instruct the youth committed to my charge and forme them not onely to follow pietie and good manners but 〈◊〉 diligently to apprehend learâ—… to the glory of thy holy namâ—… the end they may become 〈◊〉 citizens and profitable 〈◊〉 of thy Church Giue theÌ„ a 〈◊〉 and vnderstanding heart that 〈◊〉 may easily apprehend and 〈◊〉 that which I teach them and 〈◊〉 â—…ee in all things which coâ—… my function suffering themseâ—… to be directed and informed 〈◊〉 an humble and obedient will 〈◊〉 their age who haue spent 〈◊〉 youth in good arts in increaseâ—… bee increased in knowledge 〈◊〉 may reape and communicate 〈◊〉 others the most pleasant fruits 〈◊〉 his former studies Amen The prayer of a professor of any facultie O My Creator and incomprehensible Lord God who from the treasure of thy wisedome didst informe the nine orders of angels and placedst them in worthy order aboue the imperiall heauen aâ—… hast most wonderfully disposed yâ—â—…rts of the world Thou I say y◠〈◊〉 called the true Fountaine of life and wisedome and the supereâ—…t beginning vouchsafe to 〈◊〉 vpon the darknes of my vnâ—…tanding the double beame of the brightnes remouing from me â—…tion sinne and ignorance â—…erein I was borne Thou that â—…est the tongues of infants eloâ—…t order my discourse and 〈◊〉 on my lippes the grace of thy blessing Giue me the sharpnes of â—…erstanding the capacity of reâ—…ning the subtilty of interpreâ—…g the faculty of learning the â—…pious grace of speaking instruct mine entrance direct my proceedings and fulfill my issues Who with the Father and yâ— holy Spirit liuest and reignest God world without end Amen The prayer of a Student O Most wise Father and omnipotent God the fountaine and giuer of all wisedome and vnderstanding without whom aâ—… our studies want their successe whâ—…y thy holy Spirit madest of shâ—… heards of sheep yâ— Prophets of 〈◊〉 people and of fishermen the Apostels and doctors of the whâ—… world Infuse into me by yâ— meâ—… of Christ thy Son yâ— grace of thâ—… same holy Spirit whereby my vnderstanding may be the better â—…formed in the liberall Scienceâ—… which hereafter I way conuert 〈◊〉 thy diuine honour and the spirituall profite of thy Church Grant yâ— I may faithfully learâ—… good letters necessary tongues and retaine them with apprehending memory and conuert them to the vse of a better life that according to the example of thy holy youth I may dailie increase in yeares wisedome grace before GOD and men Grant mee vnderstanding and subtiltie of wit that I may the easier comprehend those things that are to be learnt and cull out the sublimest and deepest knowledge thereof Giue me also alacrity in study lest my minde wearied with continuall labour and surprised with a certaine loathsomnesse abhorre studies Suffer mee not to spend my time vnprofitably nor passe my young yeares that are most apt for studie in idlenesse lest my parents charge being euilly imployed on mee I increase their hate against me and I leaudly delude the hope and expectation of my friends Amen Seuen Psalmes of Dauids repentance commonly called Penitentiall Psalmes PSALME VI. O Lord rebuke mee not in thine indignation neither chasten mee in thy displeasure 2 Haue mercie vpon mee O Lord for I am weake O Lord heale me for my bones are vexed 3 My soule is also fore troâ—…bled but Lord how long wilt thou punish me 4 Turne thee O Lord and deliuer my soule Oh saue mee for 〈◊〉 mercies sake 5 For in death no man remembreth thee and who will giue thâ—… thanks in the pit 6 I am wearie of my groaning euery night wash I my bed and water my couch with my teares 7 My beauty is gone for verie trouble and worne away because of mine enemies 8 Away from mee all yee that worke vanity for the Lord hath heard the voice of my weeping 9 The Lord hath heard my petition the Lord will receiue my prayer 10 All mine enemies shall bee confounded and sore vexed they shall bee turned backe and put to shame suddenly PSALME XXXII BLessed is hee whose vnrighteousnesse is forgiuen and whose sinne is couered 2 Blessed is the man vnto whoÌ„ the Lord imputeth no sinne and â—…t whose spirit there is no guile 3 For while I held my tongue â—…y bones consumed away through â—…y daily complaining 4 For thy hand is heauy vpon me day and night and my moisture is like the drought in Summer 5 I will acknowledge my sinne vnto thee and mine vnrighteousnesse haue I not hid 6 I said I will confesse my sins vnto the Lord and so thou forgauest the wickednesse of my sinne 7 For this shall euery one that is godly make his praier vnto thee in a time when thou maist bee found but in great water-flouds they shall not come nigh him 8 Thou art a place to hide mee in thou shalt preserue mee from trouble thou shalt compasse mee about with songs of deliuerance 9 I will informe thee and teach thee in the way wherein thou shalt go I wil guide thee with mine eie 10 Bee yee not like vnto horse mule which hath no vnderstanding whose mouthes 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 den