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
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
body also O most sweete Iesus contaminate with many crimeâ—… this night and al other times sucâ—… rest that I may neuer depart from thee who art eternal tranquillitie neither at any time forsake theâ—… or through the dulnesse and sluggishnesse of my slothfull flesh beâ—… forgetfull of thee and thereby beâ—… thrust into the perpetuall agitatâ—… on and damnation of incessaâ—… trouble For which cause O eternal an most mercifull Lord I comment my spirit into thy hands for thoâ—… our most mercifull Sauiour haâ—… redeemed vs on the wood of thâ—… crosse suffer not my spirit O Lord to sleepe in sinne and saint therein lest I bee buried in eternall death â—…ut watch ouer mee and intend â—…y safety O most faithfull shepheard suffer mee not being destiâ—…ute of thy helpe to be swallowed 〈◊〉 the gulfe of my sinnes Protect me vnder the shadow of â—…hy wings and suffer me not to be â—…ntangled with extraordinary and â—…nnecessary sleepe but raise mee â—…n due time that wakened in that sort I may cheerefully endeuour my selfe to sing thy praises and intend thy seruice that I may thinke of thee and being raised by â—…hy power I may performe the â—…orks of iustice and seeke thy heaâ—…enly kingdome with my whole â—…eart that at length by thee with â—…hee in thee I may obtaine eterâ—…all light and celestial rest Amen Another praier before sleepe GRant vnto mee O my God the watching I may vigilantlie â—…and in thy presence as often as 〈◊〉 shall fortune me to sleepe let my sleepe bee without sinne and if in my waking I should commit any misdeed grant me O Lord pardoÌ„ for thy mercy sake and if sinne in my sleepe let thy clemency pardon mee and by the memory of thy martyrdome giue mee a quiet time of sleepe and deliuer mee from euill dreames and filthy imaginations and for the whole night bouchsafe me a sleepe full of tranquillitie lest wickednesse haue the power ouer mee and euill cogitations ful of peruersnesse seduce mee Giue me thine Angel of light that may keepe all the members of my body and deliuer mee from cursed concupiscence by that liuing body that was cruâ—…ified for mee Let me lay me downe to rest and sleepe in peace and let thy blood bee the keeper of mee and my soule which is thine image Giue libertie to thy handiworke and let thy right hand defend the bodie which thou hast fashioned with thine owne hands and enuiron mee with the wall of thy mercies as it were an acceptable fortresse and bulwarke that when the body shall rest and sleepe it may bee defended by thy vertue and let my sleepe bee as a sweete sinelling incense before thy maiesty neither let the enemy approch my bed for thy mercie sake I will heare and execute thy will O my God who lodest the night with the tranquillitie of the iustice of our redeemer Iesus Christ. For thou art the true light and thy glorie dwelleth in the light and the children of light adore thee dwelling in the light Iesus the Word of the Father vnto life haue mertie on mee for thy mercie sake to whom with the Father that sent thee and the holy Ghost bee all praise for euer Amen Iaculatorie prayers to bee had alwaies in memorie When any sudden feare assaileth thee BE vnto mee O Lord a tower of strength against the face of mine enemy If the corrupt flesh prouoke thee PIerce my flesh with thy feare for I haue trembled at thy iudgments If an ill suspicion ouertake thee CReate in mee O Lord a new heart and giue me a new spirit If vndecent sadnesse ouer-hale thee GIue me the ioy of thy saluation and confirme mee with a principall spirit If vaine glory seduce thee NOt vnto vs O Lord not vnto vs but to thy â—…ame giue the glorie If desperation molest thee GOd is my hope froÌ„ my youth from the wombe of my mother thou art my protector If thou be afflicted in minde HElpe me and I shall be safe I will meditate alwaies vpon thy iustifications If sloth assaile thee EXcite thy power O Lord and come conuÌ„rme mee in thy words lest I faile in the way If labour tire thee BEhold my humility and my labour forgiue mee all my sins If wrath disturbe thee GIue mee patience O Lord peace to thy seruant lest I lose the crowne of my soule in heauen For thou hast said In your patience you shall possesse your soules If desire of honour and promotion tempt thee INcline my hart O Lord to thy testimonies and not vnto couetousnesse turne away mine eies lest I see vanitie and quicken mee in thy way If gluttony sollicite thee THe kingdome of heauen is not meate drinke but peace and ioy in the holy Ghost It is the Spirit that quickneth the fiesh profiteth nothing Is euill 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 thee VVHose tinage and superscription is this And hearing that it is Ceâ—…ars that is the diuel of this world say let thy money bee with thee to thy perdition now the doore is shutte and our Lord careth his passe-ouer here I haue no leasure to open vnto thee If any blessing of God happen to thee VVHat shal I yeeld vnto our Lord for all the benefits he hath bestowed vpon mee How much â—…west thou mâ—… soule And turâ—…g to the angels lay Come and heare and I wil show you all yâ—…e that â—…are God what hee hath 〈◊〉 to my soule And turning thine eies vnto God himselfe it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 shalt thou say O Lord thy mercy is great toward me Iâ—… 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 persecution IUdge them O Lord that hurt mee ouerthrow them that fight against mee Take the sword and shield and arise to do me helpe When thou seest thou art 〈◊〉 by God VVHerefore O Lord art 〈◊〉 departed farre from mee Doest thou turne thine eies aside in opportunities in tribulation Stay with vs O Lord for it waxeth night Against detractors SAue mee O God for the righteous faile and truth faileth amongst the children of men Let the Lord confound all deceitfuil lips and the tongue that speaketh great things For our enemies O Lord lay not this sin to their charge because they know not what thy do When we addressâ—… our selues to studie BLessed art thou O Lord teach me to doe thy will open mine eies that I may consider the wonderfull works of thy Law A man may sometimes lift vp his heart by affection of repentance in these words TUrne thy face from my sinnes O Lord and blot out all my offences Create in mee O Lord a new heart Sometimes with an affection of gratitude BLesse the Lord O my soule and forget not his benefits Sometime with an affection of loue I Will loue thee O Lord my strength God is my foundation my refuge and my deliuerer God is my helper and I will hope in him Euen as the Hart desireth the
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
onely recreateth and delighteth the iust but healeth also and purifieth sinners Let euery one come hither and take part of that which he thinketh most holsome for himselfe let the iust come and eate and reioyce in this table and let the voice of their confesson and praise sound in this holsome challice I can no waies be without this mystery I can no waies liue without the same and whatsoeuer I am I cānot be excused if I receiue it not for in euery place and in euery thing it is necessary for me If I be sicke here shall I be healed if aliue here shall I be comforted if dead here raised againe if I burne with diuine loue heere shall I bee more inflamed if I bee but luke warme here shall I be set on fire I will not feare although my LORD shall finde mee blinde because he giueth sight vnto mee I will not feare although I see that I am fallen for hee lifteth them vp that are fallen low I will not flie from his presence as once Adam did although I be naked for he can couer my wickednesse I wil not hide me although I seeme vncleane and full of sinne for hee is the fountaine of mercie I will not be ashamed although I am poore for hee is the Lord of all liuing things I am not much mooued if hee shall interpret my boldnesse to bee his iniurie but I thinke I shall giue him occasion of greater glory that beeing more wretched than al other liuing creatures y◠greatnes of the diuine mercy may more cleerly appeare in mee in that that he will helpe me His darkenesse that was blinde from his birth attēded on the glory of God for he was borne blind to the end that the works of God might bee manifested so also the misery of my condition shall serue him because in the same the greatnesse of his bounty shall bee beheld namely if hee who is so mighty vouchsafe to succour so miserable and poore a creature that especially whereas heerein there is no regard had of mee but onely for the merits of our Lord Iesus Christ for which cause y◠eternall Father giueth vs good things adopteth vs for his children taketh it in good part that th◅y are wont so to be esteemed I pray thee therefore most humbly beseech thee at this present my God y◠Father of our Lord Iesus Christ that as that most holie King Dauid admitted Mep◅boseth weake and lame to sit at his table because he was the son of his great deerly esteemed friend Ionathan intending hereby to honor his son not for y◠son himselfe sake but for the merits of the father so let it be pleasing likewise to thee O Father to admit me a poore and vncleane sinner to thy most royall banquet not for my sake but for y◠merits and honour of thy singular friend ◅esus Christ our Lord and Sauior who hath regenerated vs on y◠tree of the crosse which so many labours and dolors to thy glory and honour who liueth and reigneth with thee world without end Another prayer before the Communion I Praise thee thanke thee most sweet Lord Iesus my Sauior redeemer for thy so many benefits which thou hast vouchsafed to bestow on mee most vile and wretched sinner I yeeld thee thankes O Lord for all the mercies which thou vsedst towards man-kinde especially in the mystery of thy incarnation namely in thy natiuitie circumcisiō presentation in y◠temple flight into Egypt in thy fasting and temptation in thy labors and many iournies in thy preachings persecutions in this world in the torments and dolors of thy bitter passion and for al that which thou sufferedst in the flesh for me But in especial I giue thee heartie thankes for thy vnspeakeable charitie which mooued thee to suffer for my sake which verilie amongst all thy works is the greatest without any comparison Moreouer I yeeld thee all thanks that is possible for that thou daignest to admit mee to thy most holy Table make mee partaker of thy selfe and all thy merits and the inestimable treasure of the passion O my GOD and Sauior with what offices of dutie shall I recompence this new and vnheard-of kinde of mercie Who art thou and who am I that thou the Lord of most high maiestie daignest to enter into dirt and this earthly tabernacle O Lord holinesse becommeth thy house for euer and euer why therefore commest thou into my house which is abundantly stored with iniquitie Heauen is thy house and thy seate and the earth the footstoole of thy feet because the glorie of thy maiestie filleth both heauen and earth how comes it therfore to passe that thou doest not abhorre to lodge in so vile an hospitall Is it therefore to bee thought saith Salomon that truly God dwelleth on earth For if the heauens and the heauen of heauens bee not able to containe thee how much lesse this house which I haue built O admirable thing hee that sitteth vpon the Cherubins and beholdeth the depths now humbleth himselfe euen vnto the lowest and maketh his seate in the lowest places It seemed little to thy goodnesse that thou didst appoint y◠Angels to our ministerie but thy selfe wouldest come vnto vs enter into our soules that there with thine owne hands thou mightst worke the act of our saluation There dost thou visit the sick raise such as are fallen teach the ignorant reduce such as are straied out of the way What need many words Thou art he that curest our wounds and healest our infirmities not by an other mans hands but thine own not by medicines fet from afarre but with thine owne flesh and blessed blood dost thou medicine vs. O true Pastor how abundantly hast thou discharged thy promises which in times past thou madest by thy Prophet saying I wil feed my sheepe and I will make them rest But who shall bee worthy of this grace who can merit this benefite only thy mercy O Lord can make vs worthy of so infinite benefits And because without the same no man can bee worthy O Lord let the same bee fauourable vnto mee let it make me partaker of so many mysteries let it make mee thankefull for so inestimable a benefit O Lord with thy grace supply all my defects forgiue me all my sins thorow thy mercie Let thy spirit prepare my minde thy merits enrich my pouerty thy precious blood clense all the blemishes of my soule and wash out all the staines of my life that I may worthily receiue this most reuerend sacramēt My soule reioyceth is glad o my God as often as I remember that notorious miracle wherin in time past a dead man raised a dead body by the only means of touching For if the body of a dead Prophet could do so much what cannot the liuing bodie of the Lord of Prophets doe I am assured O Lord that thy power is not of lesse value than that of thy
so possesse my heart y◠I may neuer be weary nor satisfied with seruing thee Our Father c The second praier of the life of Iesus I Giue thee thanks most sweet Ie su for that entring y◠flood Iordan thou wouldst bee baptised by the hands of thy precurser S. Iohn Baptist vouchsafe O Lord to purifie mee in this life by thy merits and to cleanse me from all my sins and to make mee drunke with thy loue and desire of my celestiall countrey Make me such a one before my soule shall depart out of y◠prison of this flesh as thou wilt haue me to bee that at the end of this pilgrimage I may presently bee with thee that I may alwaies see thee and alwaies enioy thee in that blessed eternity that hath no end I giue thee continuall thanks most bountifull Iesu for that liuing in the desart before thou beganst to preach the Gospell thou didst liue amongst wilde beasts perseuering in fasting fortie daies fortie nights and watching in continuall praiers sighs thou wouldest afterwards be tempted by the diuell and after thou hadst obtained the victory the Angels came and ministred vnto thee Uouchsafe O Lord that by thy grace I may chastise my flesh and make thrall all my sinfull affections of y◠flesh and that by the gift of perseuerance I may exercise my selfe in fastings watchings prayers and other spiritual exercises But especially O Lord grant mee that by the helpe of thy grace I may bee free from the sinne of gluttome and from all other snares temptations of the diuell let no temptation preuaile against mee let no allurement separate me from thee rather bring to passe O Lord that all these may giue mee greater occasion more neerely to vnite and tie my selfe vnto thee I giue thee thanks sweete Iesu for that for my loue thou wert afflicted in this world with many dolors diuers necessities as heate colde thirst hunger wearinesse and swellings with diuers iourneis watchings persecutions and tribulations of al sorts Grant me O Lord that for thy loue sake I may suffer all aduersitie with a glad heart as if coming frō thy hands and that I may beare them with great patience Grant that in whatsoeuer fortune either prosperous or aduerse troublesome or peaceable I may alwaies perseuere in thee and faithfully cleaue vnto thee that in all things thy will bee done and not mine I giue thee thanks most sweete Iesu for that thou sufferedst many things whilst like a true shepheard and Sauiour of the world thou soughtest the conuersion and health of my soule in watching and prayer in wearying thy selfe in trauels in preaching the Gospell trauelling from Prouince to Prouince and Castle to Castle and omitting in no sort the office of a good Pastor I beseech thee O Lord giue mee this grace that I may neuer be found hereafter slow and negligent in doing thee seruice but that I may be alwaies ready and prompt to all goodnesse Grant that I may most ardently thirst after all mens saluation and may alwaies haue zeale of thine honour and occupy my selfe in the same I giue thee thanks most bountifull Iesu that in thy mercifull conuersation with men thou wouldest comfort them and of thy great mercie cure their infirmities Giue mee O Lord a heart replenished with a certaine zealous affection towards al mē that I may be partaker with all those whom I shall see in afflictiō Grāt also O Lord that I may esteeme other mens miseries as mine owne and that with a sincere heart and without any passion I may beare with other mens imperfections and succour them according to my most power in all their necessities O Lord purge my heart perfectly from all vicious passions and all euill desires which tyrannize in the same that being healed of all these euils and freed from all these impediments shee may freely flie to Heauen and neuer ceasse till of most pure loue it may deserue to partake thy diuine embracings I giue thee thanks good Iesu for that for my sake thou sufferedst so innumerable iniuries blasphemies slaunders reproches and persecutions especially at their hands whom thou hadst graced with infinite benefits I beseech thee O Lord giue me a heart truly simple innocent that I may loue mine enemies and that their misfortunes may greeue me to the heart that I may excuse them alwaies if many thing they shall offend yeelding good for euill that I may be a perfect follower of thy perfect charity and patience I giue thee thanks most louing Iesu for that thou camest in humble sort into Hierusalem lowly sitting vpon an Asse and whilst they that came out to meete thee recorded thy glorious praises in pleasant Hymnes thou sheddest teares full of bitternesse with the griefe thou hadst conceiued for the destruction of such a Cittie and the losse of so many soules extorted from thee Giue mee O Lord a certaine inward knowledge of my selfe that I may manifestly know my vilenes hartily humble my selfe that I may so contemne my selfe that hereafter no flatterie or commendations of men may please me but that I may continually bewaile not onely mine owne but my neighbours sinnes reputing all his euils to bee mine Our Father c. The third prayer of the life of Iesu. I Giue thee thanks O Lord Iesu Christ for that to bring the old law to an end thou didst eate the paschall Lamb with thy Disciples in Hierusalem and giuing them an example of great humility and vnspeakeable loue kneeling on thy knees thou didst wash their feete wiping them with the towell wherewith thou wert girt I pray thee O Lord let this example of thine pierce my heart and cast out of the same whatsoeuer presumption or pride may bee found in it Giue me I beseech thee O Lord profound humility by meanes wherof I may reioyce to be subiect vnto them without alteration Adde to me also perfect obedience whereby I may entirely satisfie thy commandements together be obseruant to their instructions who in thy name haue the authority ouer me Kindle in mee a feruent charitie wherewith I may purely loue thee and through thy loue loue all men I giue thee thanks most sweete Iesu that of thy most excellent charitie thou didst institute the most excellent Sacrament of thy bodie and blood and for that of a certaine admirable liberality of thine thou gauest thy self for meat vnto vs and repinedst not to remain with vs in this world till the end thereof Ah Lord excite in me I pray thee a louing desire and an ardēt thirst of this venerable Sacrament Grant mee the grace that I may come to this Table of life to receiue thee with a chaste loue profound humility purity of heart and sincerity of mind Grant also that my soule may so thirst after thee and bee so wounded by thy loue that at length I may deserue to enioy thy diuine pleasures
euen at that time when thou wert afflicted on the crosse with so many vnspeakeable dolours and anguishes Grant mee grace O Lord I beseech thee that remembring me of that humilitie and patience wherewith thou enduredst so many griefes and disgraces I also with the like sufferance may endure all whatsoeuer aduersities perseuering with thee on the crosse of patience till death Let no force of temptation no tempest of tribulation no stormes of iniuries leade mee from my intended good purpose let neither death nor life nor things present nor to come nor any other creature separate mee from thee I giue thee thanks honored Iesus who sparedst that theefe who blasphemed and mocked thee and to the other that confessed his sins and with a firme faith preached thine innocency promisedst the glorie of Paradise O blessed were I if euer I might be so happy as to deserue to be beheld by thine eies of mercie wherewith thou didst looke vpon that fortunate theefe and by the helpe of thy grace I might so innocently liue that in the end of my life I were worthy to here that most sweet word To day shalt thou be with me in Paradise Our Father c. The sixt prayer of the life of Iesus I Giue thee as great thanks as is possible for me O Lord Iesus for that looking from the tree of the Crosse seeing thy mother full of griefes afflictions and drowned in her teares thou tookest cōpassion other estate and commendedst her to thy beloued Apostle Iohn and afterwards commended him to thy mother and vs all in his person Grant me Lord that I may suffer with her in griefe and trauell in teares til I behold thee I giue thee thanks sweetest Iesus for that with open wounds thy head crowned with thornes thy hands feete nailed to the Crosse thou saidst O God my God ◅hy hast thou forsaken me Effect O Lord in mee that in all my aduersities and temptations I may flie vnto thee my most mercifull Father and distrusting in my self trust only in thee resigne my selfe wholy into thy hāds I require thee O Lord to wound the entrals of my soule with the memorie of thy wounds cause them to bee imprinted in my secret thoughts and make mee so drunke with thy blood that I may thinke on nought else nor seeke any other but thee that seeking thee I may finde thee and possesse thee for euer I giue thee thanks o Lord Iesus Christ who hauing thy bodie weakned and dried through too grieuous torments and too much effusion of blood wert vehemently drie and burning with excessiue desire of our saluation saidst I thirst Grant me o Lord that I may ardently thirst after thine honor the saluation of al soules herein let me wholly conforme my selfe to thy holy will doing as much as lieth in mee in respect of my profession I pray thee that no loue of transitory things may intangle me that no creature may draw me into perilous snares but that I may loue all things for thy sake which ought to bee loued and thy selfe more than all that in thee alone I may onely finde rest I giue thee thanks O mercifull Iesu for that in the houre of thy death that thou mightest quench thy thirst thou wouldest apply to thy mouth a sponge full of Uinegar that tasting that bitter draught in that thy most afflicted state thou mightst satisfie thy eternal Father for all our intemperance and ryots mightst leaue vs a wonderfull example of pouertie Grant me grace that for the loue of thee I may contemne all delicious sauours and exquisit banquets and that I may bee content to eate and drinke that onely with temperance and moderation which sufficeth to sustaine this bodie yeelding thee infinite thanks for the same Puri◅e and heale the palate of my soule that that may be sweete vnto mee whatsoeuer is gratefull vnto thee and whatsouer displeaseth thee the same may not bee sauorie vnto me but rather loathsome I giue thee thanks O Iesus the feruent louer of mankinde for that so absolutely and with so excellent an order thou broughtst the worke of our redemption to end offering thy selfe a liuing sacrifice on the altar of the Crosse for the sinnes of the world I pray thee O my Redeemer that thou wilt only vouchsafe to be the seale of my heart and the scope of my thoughts words and works that in all things with a pure and chaste intention I may onely respect and doe that which thine honour requireth or that nothing without thee may please me or that I may desire any thing but thee Grant mee O Lord that hereafter I neuer wax sluggish or wearie in thy seruice but that the feruour of the Spirit renewed in mee daily my diligence may more and more increase in praising and seruing thee I giue thee thanks sweet Iesu who when it was thy pleasure calledst for death and bowing thy reuerēd head thou commandedst thy spirit commended to the hands of thy Father to forsake thy bodie wherein thou declaredst that thou wert the true Shepheard who lost his life for his sheepe Grant mee O Lord that being dead to all my sinnes and iniquities I may liue onely to thee that the course of this my life being finished in charitie I may presentlie enter into thee who art the true Paradise of our soules I giue thee thanks most meeke Iesus that thou wouldest haue thy diuine bodie opened with a launce of a certaine Souldier out of which blood and water issued to wash quicken our soules May it please thee O LORD so to strike my heart with the launce of thy holy loue that I may will nothing except that which thou willest O Lord let my soule enter the wound of thy breast and attaine euen vnto the seate of thy charitie and treasure of thy diuinitie that there I may adore thee my GOD crucified and dead for mee and casting from my memory all the figures of things visible I may onely respect thee and haue thee solely present in all things I giue thee thanks beloued Iesu who with the great lament of thy friends wert taken from the Crosse and embalmed with precious oyntments wrapped in a faire winding sheete and carried into a strāge Sepulcher O Lord burie with mee all my senses that beeing ioyned vnto thee by a strong bond of loue I may bee as it were dead in those things which displease thee and as it were rauished out of my selfe in all things contrary vnto thee And contrariwise in these things that please me let mee bee altogether liuelie prompt and swift and delight in thee alon◅ my onely Redeemer and treasure of my soule Our Father c. The seuenth praier of the life of Iesus I Giue thee thanks sweete Iesu who of thy mighty power descendedst into hell and there subduedst sathans power conqueredst obscurity and death I pray thee O Lord that the reason of thy