the last Sacrament of Extreme Vnction or anneling with holy oyle and this thou must indeuour thy self to receaue with great faith and deuotion and hauing once receaued it then to make a protestation of the Catholike faith if thou canst it by heart if not to let it be read vnto thee wherin thou protestest to liue and dye beeleeuing and confessing al that our holy mother the Catholike Apostolike and Roman Church confesseth and belecueth And therefore oughtest thou not to driue off the receauing of this last Sacrament vntil the very latter ende as some verye indiscretly doo to th' ende thou maiest be of sound iudgement and haue perfect vse of reason to receaue it deuoutly and to make the foresaid protestation sincerely and aduisedly THE LAST aduise which I haue to geue in this matter is that hauing alreadie performed what hath beene tolde and taught thee in this chapter thou prepare thy selfe to attend the last conflict which is yet behinde in the houre of thy departure arming thy selfe against such temptations as are wont then commonly to assaile vs And to th' ende thou maiest the more manfully resist and vanquishe them and by vanquishing attain the crowne of conquest it shal not be amisse to tel thee before-hand with what temptations the fiends doo ordinarily disquiet the soule at her departure according as we are informed by the holy Doctours that haue writtē vpon this matter See therfore thou mark wel what I shal hereof tel thee in the Chapter next ensuing OF THE tentations that are commonly felt in the houre of death and of the Remedies against the same ¶ Cap. 28. THERE be many anguishes and anieties which the soule doth commonly feele in the perillous trans hour of death this being the moste terrible thing that can happ vnto vs in this life sith at that time the soule doth suffer on euery side and which waye soeuer it turneth doth finde great cause of corsey and extreame annoye First it suffreth in respect of the body frō which it parteth with no smal pain it suffreth like-wise in parting from the temporal thinges which it leaueth here behind and looke howe much more they were in life time loued of it and so much more doo they in that houre of death torment it It suffreth through the great dreade it hath of the straite accompt which it knoweth wel must forth-with be passed to the dreadful Iudge of euerye thing it hath done in al her life time It suffreth through the horrible vision of the deuils which in that houre appere the sight wherof is an intollerable tormēt And much more doth it suffer through the grieuous and bitter assaultes wher-with in that houre they farre more fiercelye set vpon it then euer they did tofore For like as towardes the ende of the world and time of general iudgemēt the prince of darknes shal more terribly and with greater rage and furye assault mankinde as he knoweth better howe smal a time is then remayning for him to doo the same and to infest it any longer In like maner doo the deuils nowe behaue them-selues towardes suche as be at the point of death against whē they bend al their might and maine al their sleightes and subtilties whatsoeuer sith they knowe wel that if the soule in that last houre doo escape their dreadful clookes they lose what they pretended to gaine al her life time in this world for so doo the Doctors commonly saye vpon the sentence of the Apocalips That the deuil descendeth with great rage woting wel that he hath but a smal time left So that the anxietie and bitternes of that houre shal-be so great as no man by wordes can sufficientlye exaggerate And this doo we plainlye see by an example that S. Iohn Climacus reporteth to haue happed in his time to a religious man whom he both saw and knew and saith how this mā hauing liued some-what looselve in his monasterie came on a time to the very poynt of death and then was in such sort rauished in spirite as he saw the dreadful rigour and such thinges as passe in the time of judgement and doome of euery soule and afterwardes comming to him-selfe again hauing through God his diuine and special dispensation obteined a time of penance this holy man saith how the said monke prayed al those that were there present with him amongest whom was the same Iohn Climacus that they would al of thē depart out of his sel wherein he afterwardes remained al alone vntil the houre of his death which was for the space of xij yeres after without going out at any time speaking worde to any man or receauing al that time any other foode then bread and water but continually sitting in this his sel like a man astonished and besides him-selse and hauing his eyes fixed stil in one place he perpetually reuolued in his mind the things which he sawe in his extasie or rauishment and with the memory therof bedewed his cheekes dayly with streames of bitter teares And in this maner did he continue til the houre of his death at what time the saide Iohn Climacus with al the other religious men that liued there-aboutes in the wildernes came to visite him who breaking downe the doore of his sel which he had walled vp and being entred in they al desired him to geue them some good word of edification before his departure to whē he replied this onely I tel you truely fathers quoth he if men wist wel howe dreadful this last transe of death and howe rigorous the sentence of diuine indgement were they durst neuer offend God nor transgresse his moste holy commaundementes Sith therfore it is so we ought eftsons to forethinke this houre and to arme and prepare our selues at al assaies for this so perillous a season Albeit wel may we hope in that most faithful God our Lorde that he wil not permitt vs as S. Paul saith to be tempted aboue our strength and that the Angels shal-be no lesse careful especially euery mans Gardian to succoure and helpe in that houre of such extreme necessitie then the deuils busie to assault and ouerthrowe vs It shal-be notwithstanding greatly profitable as I saye for eche one to fore-thinke in time the suggestions and temptations that shal in that houre be propounded them as also the remedies and wepons to defende and releeue them with that so they may more securely escape so great a peril and gaine the crowne prepared for the valiant conquerour It is therefore to be noted howe THE FIRST and principal temptation wher-with the fiends are wont in that houre to infest those that are redie to geue vp their ghost is of fayth according as S. Ambrose testifieth which is the foundation of al spiritual building that the principal foundation once failing al the whole frame may fal to ruine Their drift is therfore to intrap a man in some
and death were causes of our life and yeeld great consolation to al such as sincerely doo loue and serue him THE FIFT Article openeth to vs howe Christe our Redeemer being thus deade on the roode his most sacred soule vnited to his diuinitie discended downe to hel to fetche thence those holye Fathers that so many yeres had looked for him And afterwardes triumphing ouer death as he had alreadie done ouer the deuil and hel did rise vp the third daye by his owne power and vertue and so issued out of his Sepulchre immortal and most glorious This his example geueth hope to eche one beleeuing sinceerly in him that they shal in th' ende rise like-wise vp immortal and right glorious THE SIXT Article instructeth vs howe our Lorde and Sauiour Iesus Christe the fortie daye after his Resurrection did with exceeding triumph ascend vp to heuen and sitteth there on the right hand of his Almightie Father that is to say in the self-same glory power and Maiestie with the Father enioying al the blisse his Father doeth and gouerning al thinges with him This glorious Ascension of Christe our head yeeldeth confidence to his true members that if they obey their head and heauenlye captaine they shal one day ascende also and reigne in heauen with him THE SEVENTH Article telleth vs of the second comming of Christe our Lorde which shal-be at the last day when he shal in humane fleshe come with great power and Maiestie accompanied with al his holye angels to iudge the vniuersal world as-wel those that be at that time liuing in erth as also al those that haue beene dead since the worlde was first created thē shal he yeeld reward to ech one according to the deedes and workes they shal haue wrought This article admonisheth vs to liue with so much more vigilant care and watchfulnes as we knowe more certainlye that al our woordes woorkes and thoughtes are to be examined and discussed of this moste dreadful Iudge before whose tribunal seate we must needes al of vs appere THE EIGHT Article sheweth vs the third person of the moste sacred Trinitie which is the holy Ghoste who proceedeth from the Father and the sonne and is with them the selfe same God eternal and omnipotent And therfore are we bound with the selfe same honour faith and dutiful obeisance to reuerence adore him This is the comforter and spirite of truth that illuminateth teacheth and sanctifieth vs and according to his diuine pleasure departeth his giftes to euery one IN THE ninth Article we confesse that there is a holye Catholike Church to wit an vniuersal congregation of the faithful which haue the very self-same faith doctrine and Sacramentes And this Church is HOLY because it is sanctified by Christ the head therof and gouerned by the holye Ghost and is CATHOLIKE that is to say vniuersal for that it embraceth al the faithful that in euerye place and time haue helde and doo holde one selfe same faith of Christe We confesse like-wise in this Article that in this holye and vniuersal Churche or congregation there is a communion of Saintes that is to say that al those that dwel in this Churche doo as in the house of God al of them communicate one with an-other such giftes as they receaue and doo one of them helpe an-other both spiritually and corporally like members al of one body THE TENTH Article propoundeth to vs the remissiō and forgeuenes of our sinnes which is obteined in this holy Catholike Church aboue saide by the vertue of Christes passion operating by meanes of such holy Sacramentes as he left in this same Churche Hence are sinners to gather a singuler comfort sithens if they be truely penitent for their trespasses and haue a ful purpose neuer after to offende their maker they haue then a redy means to recouer Gods grace again which by their vngratiousnes they had so lewdly lost THE ELEVENTH Article testifieth the vniuersal resurrection of al men who eche one of them iust or vniust shal rise againe in the last day of iudgement with their owne bodies and shal stand before the tribunal of Christes iudgement there to receaue doome in their bodies according to the good or euil they shal haue wrought in this life So that the elect that haue done good shal arise with bright and beautiful bodies to the resurrection of life and perpetual blisse and happines And the damned that haue done euil with moste horrible and vggly bodies to the resurrection of damnation and euerlasting tormentes both in their soules and bodies THE TWELFTH Article promiseth vs an euerlasting life which shal succeede after this transitorye life wherin the good rising vp in bodies and soules shal reigne eternally and enioye the inestimable treasures of blessed happines exempted from al miseries and toils that in this temporal life doo eftsons trouble vs And the wicked being also in body and soule resuscitate shal dwel in perpetual paines and abide more terrible tormentes then any mans tonge can tel This article geueth good Christians cōfort to abide al aduersitie with patience considering that eternal life we looke and hope for where being exempt from al euil we shal enioy al good thinges and reigne in euerlasting happines This worde Amen annexed to the end sheweth the most certain and infallible truth of the christian fayth confessiō conteined in this Creede THE DECALOGVE or tenne Commaundementes of the lawe of God 1. NON ae habebis Deos alienos coram me 2. Non assumes nomen Domini Dei in vanum 3. Memento vt diem Sabathi sanctifices 4. Honora patrem tuum matrem tuam 5. Non occides 6. Non moechaberis 7. Non furtum facies 8. Non loqueris contra proximum falsum testimonium 9. Non concupisces domum proximi tui 10. Non desiderabis vxorem eius 1. Thou shalt haue none other Gods but me 2. Thou shalt not take the name of thy Lorde God in vaine 3. Remēber that thou keep holy the Saboth day 4. Honour thy father and thy mother 5. Thou shalt not kil 6. Thou shalt not committ aduoultry 7. Thou shalt not steale 8. Thou shalt not beare false witnes against thy neighbour 9. Thou shalt not couet thy neighbours house 10. Thou shalt not desire thy neighbours wife A DECLARATION of the Decalogue or tenn Commaundements ¶ Cap. 31. LIKE as we haue alreadie seene in the Creede what we are bound to beleeue euen so in these tenn commaundementes are we taught by our Lorde God what his wil is that we doo to gaine euerlasting life withal Wherefore the summe of his first precept is this to beleeue in one true and onely God which is the Father the Sonne and the holy Ghoste as is aforesaide in the declaration of the Articles and that to him alone we geue adoration honour and reuerence louing this our God aboue al things with al our heart with al our soule and
as that I onely liue to thee I onely loue thee I onely delight in thee that thou be my onely ioye my onely comfort my only foode wherwith my soule maye in such sort be refreshed as that al other meats seem lothsome and vnsauourie to it This onely haue I chosen this onely shal suffice me with this alone wil I liue contented satisfied and happy vntil that most desired day come when I shal feede of thee in another forme and enioye thee continually in the company of al the elect and blessed Saintes of thy celestial court where with the Father and the holye Ghost thou liuest and reignest euerlastingly Amen PRAYERS THE Translatour of this Treatise 〈◊〉 earnestly good Christian Reader to be remembred in thy praiers and that other-whiles of thy charitable deuotion which shal not be vnrewarded thou wilt offer for him to God these fewe lines in maner folowing O LORDE of infinite maiestie and mercy who desirest not the death but the deliuerance of a sinner take pitie vpō thy seruant N. and pardon his moste greeuous trespasses Graunt him grace to knowe thee and to knowe him-selfe Geue him the vertues of humilitie patience temperance chastitie and perfect resignation Deliuer him frō mortal siun during life and in the hour of death strengthen him in faith and firme hope of finding mercy So that scaping the daungers of his enemies both in his life time and in that last most dreadful houre of death he maye through thy gratious goodnes attaine to euerlasting happines there to praise thee the Father the Sonne and the Holy Ghost one God eternallye Graunt this O Lorde for our Mediatour and only Redeemer Iesus Christe his sake Amen Non nobis Domine non nobis sed Nomini tuo da gloriam Thy sugred name O Lorde Engraue within my brest Sith therein doth consist My weal and onely rest TO THE READER I HAVE thought good gentle Reader folowing herein the aduise of certaine vertucus and learned men to annexe in the ende of the former most excellent Treatise these few praiers that folow moued therto chiefly with this reason that such as haue not ben erst exercised in the maner of praying prescribed by the Authour might here see some practise of his preceptes touching gouernment on morninges and euenings the two especial times wheron depend the whole course of a wel-ordered life as also touching the disposition requisite both before and after confessiō with some such other prayers as I demed most necessary here to present vnto thee I hope if thou beest a Nouice and delighted with the former worke this my smale paine shal not seeme vnprofitable vnto thee which I beseech thee to vse to thine auaile whiles thou wantest better meanes And this must I say for the better credite of that which foloweth how it is not I that am the authour thereof but other famous men of the same liuery that the former is God requite al our benefactors spiritual especially and geue thee Reder such good by this whole worke as the Authours thereof doo wish thee and my poore hart affordeth thee A PRAYER 〈◊〉 be sayde in the morning before al other busines MY LORDE God and most benigne Sauiour Iesus Christe who when I was not diddest create and make me capable of thee the soueraine and only good and being made a thral and bondslaue through my fore-fathers trespasse diddest redeeme me with thy most pretious bloud and losse of thy sacred life abiding the tormentes due to my trespasses to acquit and ridd me from the same For these O Lorde and al other thine inestimable benefites namely for hauing preserued me this night past I yeelde thee moste humble zealous and obedient thankes offring my selfe whollye to thee as I am wholly thine beseeching thee also of thine infinit clemēcie to preserue me this day from any waies offending thee and to direct al my thoughtes wordes and workes to thine euerlasting glory Mine estate and calling is as thou knowest O Lorde inuironed with many difficulties here is eche one to weigh their vocation and the dangers it is subject too and through mine euil customes and wicked inclinations hardlye can I without thy special assistance passe this daye without offending in these sinnes Here must eche one cal to mind the vices he is most prone too Refreshe therfore O Lorde my concupiscence with the dewes of thy diuine grace and geue me strength to fight more manfully and to subdue al wicked suggestions Truely Lord here in humilitie and sinceritie of heart I protest neuer willingly by thy gratious fauoure to offende thy lawes and commaundementes anye more I detest al sinne and what may any wayes displease thee I desire to loue thee feare thee and serue thee this day and euermore and to direct al mine actions to thine honour and glorye Assist me Lorde with thy grace and enriche my pouertie with the plentie of thy merits Wherfore in the vnion of that charitie wherewith thou descendest from heauen into the blessed virgins wombe and afterwardes offredst vp thy selfe on the roode in sacrifice for our sinnes in the vnion of this thine incomprehensible charitie I offer vnto thee what-soeuer I shal doo thinke or speake this day Here may we briefly discourse wherin we are like to passe ouer the day beseeching thee through thy merciful goodnes to accept gouerne and enriche al in such sort as thy glorye may be therby procured my neighbours wel-fare occasioned and mine owne soule better fortified and prouided To thee my sweete and only Iesus Christ with the father and the holy Ghost be al glorye and praise euerlastingly Amen Pater noster Aue Maria. Credo c. A PRAYER to be saide to bed warde applied to the excellent instructions of the third Chapter aboue 1. SOVERAINE dreadful and most louing Lorde my God who neuer ceassest to shew thy mercy towardes sinners yea when they offende and trespasse against thee such is thine infinit clemencie and loue as then thou forbearest not to heape thy benefites vpon them I moste sinful and wicked wretche yeeld thee humble thankes for thine ineffable goodnes shewed towardes me in creating me to thine own likenes and making me capable of thine euerlasting glorye for the creation of so many other creatures for my behoufe and sustenance and for that inestimable worke of my redemption wherby thou deliueredst me from the slauerie of Satan and purchasedst me free entraunce into thy celestial Region These pointes may be fruitfully particularised according to eche one their skil and deuotion for hauing singled me amongst so many millions that know thee not and lye drow ned in ignorance and miserable errours to be thy seruaunt and a true Catholike Christian for al thy blessed Sacramentes especially for that sacrament aboue al sacraments wherin thou art thy selfe most really conteined for hauing preserued me so many times from hel wherin I had beene longe since plunged had not thou of thine inspeakable goodnes susteined and deliuered me
from my foes For these and al other thy benefites namely for those thou hast this day most bountifully bestowed vpō me Here are they particulerly to be though of O my soueraine Lorde I yeeld thee such sincere and dutiful thankes as my poore hart can possibly afforde thee beseeching the blessed virgin and al the Saintes of heauen to yeeld thee thankes and praises in supply of my want 2. AND NOWE mine only Redeemer and Sauiour I humbly craue the light of thy grace to know wherein I haue this day any wayes offended thee and that by mature and sounde discussion of my conscience I maye see mine owne sinnes with sorowe and thine ineffable mercy with a zelous and firme purpose of amendment 3. HERE MVST we examine our selues how we haue employed the day in word thought and deede towardes God and our neighbours 4. THOV SEEST O Lord my lewdnes and wotest my miserie muche better then I my selfe doo Sory I am with al my heart that I should stil offend so louing a Lord and wish to God my sorowes were greatly multiplied I purposed earst to doo better by thy grace which wanted not and yet haue I trāsgresled in my former trespasses Neither yet may I despaire O Lorde but wil continually trust to thy mercies in al euentes and purpose firmely as I nowe doo euery day to amend my life Deliuer me my gratious God from al mortal sinne for euer and geue me grace to persecute my venial vices with sorow during life And for the satisfaction of these and al my former sinnes together with al those of the world as also for al thine ineffable benefites bestowed vpon me and al man-kinde I offer vnto thee the merits of thy bitter passion those moste pretious droppes of bloud thou sheddest for me and that inflamed charitie wherwith thou wholly resignest thy selfe to al thy tormentes for my 〈◊〉 and in the vnion of this thine oblation on the roode I offer vp my self soul body and al I haue of thine within or without me to thine honour and euerlasting glory I retaine nothing to my selfe but geue al to thee whose it is and make that thine by my wil which is thine of iustice Geue me thy grace O my God to liue better her eafter and to confesse my sins in due time to my ghostly Father Geue me true humilitie and repentance grace to knowe thee and grace to knowe me puritie of heart in al my doinges patience chastitie and perfect charitie Geue me a good life and a good death and in the daungerous houre of my departure the assistance of thy blessed Saintes and Angels with whom I may through thy mercie in an-other world praise and glorifie thee euerlastinglye Amen Say then the Pater noster Aue Maria and the Creede with some short praier or hymne as thou liest thee downe to craue protection for the night and conuenient rest of bodie and soule And faile not to commend thee to thy Gardian Angel. A PRAYER to be 〈◊〉 before Sacramental Confession MOST Soueraine mightie and merciful Lorde who of thine infinite loue and mercie towards mankinde hast ordemed in thy Churche the Sacrament of Penance as a soueraine saulue to heale our spiritual woundes and to purge vs from the filth wher-with we maie after Baptisme any wayes haue defiled our soules I. N. thy most vile and ingrateful creature hauing offended thee many waies and most greeuouslye since my last Confession purpose through thy grace to flie hither for my remedie and according to thy diuine ordinance to confesse my sins vnto thy seruant hoping therby according to thy promise to receaue a ful and perfect absolution Geue me grace therefore O Lorde that like as of thy goodnes thou hast inspired into my hart a desire to apply this remedy to my ghostly griefs so I may in due reuerence contrition and sinceritie vse the same to the glory of thy name and the ful forgeuenes of my sinnes Open the secretes of my soule vnto me O Lord and make me knowe al my sinns and iniquities what-soeuer Geue me also due sorowe and contrition for the same and grace to vnfolde them to thy vicar my ghostly phisition purely plainly sorowfully and sincerely with firme and constant purpose through thy grace to amend my life hereafter Ah Lorde my gratious God and onely comfort of my soule sithens thou desirest that in al thinges I should sincerelye serue thee and I through thy grace desire nothing more then to doo the same why is it Lorde that I stil offend thee whye fal I so ofte in relapse of my former folies Thy grace is not wanting but mine vngratiousnes and inconstancie is the cause thereof whereof I moste hartily accuse me Euen nowe I mind to fight manfullye and by and by I faint and faile in my former purposes Rightly therefore am I in respect hereof to humble my selfe and to deem me to be thy most vile and abiect creature Increase in me daily thy grace and soueraine vertue of humilitie and graunt me that once I may know thee and know my selfe Thee in thy Maiestie and mercye me in mine abhominations and misery and that at length I may fight more manfully and gain the victorie ouer mine 〈◊〉 through thy gratious helpe and fauour my onely Redeemer and Sauiour Iesus Christe who with the Father and the holy Ghost reignest one God euerlastingly Amen A PRAYER to be saide after Sacramental Confession O GOD of mercie and pitie hauing nowe through thy gratious goodnes disburdened my conscience of the gilt wherwith it was oppressed and in the low liest wise I might vnfolded al the sinnes I could possibly thinke of vnto thy minister my ghostly father I most humblie beseeche thee to accept this my Confession and to forgeue me my trespasses aswel remembred as forgotten Graunt me grace O Lorde to liue more carefullie and diligentlie hereafter and to refraine from my former folies which I vtterlie detest and through thy grace doo firmely purpose neuer any more to offende in Especially O my gratious and benigne Sauior geue me grace to withstande these temptations wher-with I am most greeuously infested Here are the temptations wherwith one is most troubled to be rehearsed as also grace to eschewe al occasions of offending so much as possibly I maie The just man as Scripture telleth falleth seuen times a daie much more then shal I fal O Lorde hauing thorough mine owne most vile abhominations increased greatlye the weaknes and blindnes I receaued frō my fore-father Adam yet Lorde as I hope and purpose firmelie by thy merciful fauour to refrain from consenting to anie mortal sinne which I most humblie begg of thee to preserue me from whilest I liue so Lord wil I by thy goodnes detest and persecute my venial sins and imperfections during life Graunt me grace so to doo O merciful Lorde and that as heretofore I haue without ani remors of conscience most heinously transgressed thy commaundementes in euery sort so nowe
those most sweet woundes wherto sinners may flee a great deale more securely to eschewe the perils and persecutions of this world then they could doo in olde time to their assigned cities And herein shal that wounde in our Sauiours side chieflye helpe thee figured by the windowe God cōmaunded Noe to make in the side of the Arke by the which al the beastes that shoulde scape the floud were to enter in eucn so now al such as finde them selues indaungered in the terrible sourges of this tempestuous world if so they couet to scape drowning let them haue recours to those moste sacred sores and wide woundes let them enter at this open windowe and therein shal they be most secure and finde them selues in true peace and tranquilitie MEDITATE afterwardes with how great deuotion the Redeemer of the world was taken downe off the roode and laide in his mourning mothers lap who with a right ruful coūtenance fastned her eyes vpon him Thinke here what streames of teares his beloued disciple S. Iohn the blessed Magdalene with the other godly women plentifully powred out vpon him Beholde and ponder wel with what zeale and feruencie both they and the two worthy men Ioseph and Nicodemus annointed wrapt him in his winding-sheet and afterwards bore and laide him in the sepulchre which was in the garden and endeuour thou to clense thy hart through lye from al corruption of sinne from al filthe of fond desires and thoughts that so thou maiest as in a new sepul chre lay vp therin this most pretious treasure And see thou faile not this day to beare the woful mother companie in her lonolines and sorowe wailing with her and taking compas sion of her griefes that thou afterwar des deserue to participate of the ioyes in the resurrection SVNDAY ON SVNDAY meditate the ioyes of our Sauiours ioyful resurrectiō wherin consider these three pointes Firste how our Redeemer hauing now perfected the worke of our redemption and ouercome our sinful death with his moste sacred death his blessed soul descended into Limbo to visite and enfraunchise those holy fathers who so many a yeare had with longing desire looked for him with whē he staide to their inestimable cōfort til the houre of his resurrectiō which was on Sundaye morning at what time his most happie soule reentring and reuniting it self to his blessed bo die he became most beautiful bright glittering impassible and immortal albeit berore he were disfigured with the blowes woundes and tormentes of his passion and being thus risen vp and by his own power issued out of his closed sepulchte the first thing be did afterwardes as we may with godly zeale beleeue was that he visited his most blessed mother Thinke then nowe what that blessed virgin felt seing her entierly beloued sonne stand before her aliue sounde and whole so glorious and triumphant as he then was whose death had so 〈◊〉 perced her soul with most vehement sorowes What inestimable ioye felt she in beholding his sweete and amiable countenaunce the beautiful brightnes of the wounds he had before receaued those gratious and louely eyes wherwith he looked vpō and in hearing those sugred sweet wordes wherewith he greeted her How great was the ioye and comfort of her soule when she vnbethought her of the exceeding glorye his former iniuries and infamies were turned to what surpassing beautie the deformitie of his woundes was changed to and finally howe great a calme and happie quietnes al the former stormie tempestes were now conuerted to Learne thou hereby not to faint or to be discouraged when thou art persecuted tempted and afflicted but with faith to expect our good Lord his houre who after a tempest sendeth faire wether after troubles quietnes and vseth according to the proportion of tribulations to visite afterwards with roy consolations THE SECOND point thou shalt meditate vpon this day is the singuler comfort those deuout Maries receaued when they sawe their beloued master whom euen now they sought to annoint as dead thus glorious and reuiued again And consider especiallye the tender heart of that most vertuous woman Mary Magdalene being wholly mested and dissolued into teares through the zealous loue she bare our Sauiour and thereby would not depart but stoode stil at the sepulchre til suche time as she merited to see and finde her Lorde and to receaue comfort of him whom she so gretly longed for Wherin thou must note and marke wel how next to his holy mother our Lord appered first to her that loued him most that perseuered moste and that sought him moste to th ende thou know learn therby that then the same Lorde wil appere and comfort thee when with like teares loue and diligence as she did thou shalt inquire seeke and sorow after him THOV maiest in like maner meditate the thirde point hauing spare time howe this moste desired master appered to his disciples who after his resurrection he eftsons visited comforted confirmed in their faith but chiefly ponder the sweete speeches he vled to those he went in companie with to Emaus who with great griefe were talking of his passion whom he did afterwardes exceedingly comfort and inflame shewed himself vnto the in the breking of the breade Wherby thou maiest gather that if thy conuersation talke be suche as 〈◊〉 was to wit of Christes passion thou shalt not lacke his presence and companie and shalt be illuminated to better know and loue him and this chiefly in the breaking that is in the sacred Sacrament of the aultar THOV MAIEST likewise at some other time meditate on this day his holy and miraculous ascension howe fortie daies being now past ouer 〈◊〉 his resurrection in which time he appered estsones his disciples reioycing comforting teaching thē what they ought to doo the fortie day he lastly appered to them being at table and founde fault with their incredulitie and afterwards hauing sufficiently informed them howe they ought to preache he and they with his mother went al together to the mount Oliuet whence that most worthy and glorious triumpher hauing nowe blessed and bid them al farewel mounted vp in al their sightes to heauen carying with him the riche spoiles of holy Saintes who with the troupes of Angels gaue laudes and praises to him singing with inspeakeable ioye and exultation and thus was he in this so solemne a triumphe and reioycing receaued into heauen where he sitteth on the right hande of his almightie father Consider here howe it pleased our sweete Lorde to ascende into heauen in the presence of those that truelye Ioued him to th ende they shoulde both with their eyes and spirite folowe him and desire to ascende with him knowing right wel in what a solitarines they were after to remaine for lacke of his presence which folowing and longing after him auaileth muche for the obteining his diuine grace Heliseus desired his master Helias as holy Scripture telleth
a Lord was of yea thou art withal moste riche for thus is the kingdome of heauen and the King and Lorde thereof thine and so by possessing of him thou possessest al riches and much more pretious treasures then may in this life be either atteined imagined or desired FOVRTHLY an-other verye good remedie not to fal into the tentatiō of auarice is to shunne as much as may be the haunting of riche mens company pany especially if they be couetous least by their conuersation thou be smitted with their infection Take heede in like maner not to see or deale with much money riches or any beautiful and pretious thinges of this world the sight whereof doth commonly kindle our heartes to desire and long for them where otherwise by not seeing them thou 〈◊〉 want this greedie desire of hauing them This was the holy Abbot S. Anthonies opinion of whom we reade that the diuel hauing laide in the way he was to passe by a great cupp of siluer and an other time a massie wedge of gold yet would this holy man neuer take vp any thing but fled forth-with fro them least by looking theron his fancy might haue been drawen to regard the welth and riches he had alreadie geuen ouer and by that meanes his heart haue been defiled with loue of temporal thinges which he had earst purposed neuer to esteem and set by Flye therfore as much as thou maiest to touch or deale with money which is like to pitche that according to holy writt defileth such as touch it It shal also helpe thee not a litle in this matter to goe som-times and visite hospitals to conuerse with poore folks weighing also howe others that be poorer then thou art beare patiently al their wantes and penurie Al these remedies may in like maner serue to helpe the riche albeit in very deede there be others as might be the considerations folowing more fitt for their purpose to make them with drawe their mindes frō so greatlye fancying of worldly wealth FIRST consider if thou be riche how vncertain and deceitful are al riches renowme and temporal treasure sith we see by dayly experiēce many that were earst welthy very riche Iyenowe plonged in the pit of extreme penurie yea the greatest wealth in the world both may be and eftsons is al lost in one day And albeit it be not thus lost yet must it maulger our heades in th' ende be by death forsaken at what time that doubtful distribution is to be made the bodye be geuen in praye to wormes the goods to thanklesse heires yea many times to foes the soule perhappes to the infernal furies for them to torment in euerlasting paines SECONDLY consider howe riches doo neuer satiate yea look how much thy wealth and substance multiplieth and so muche doth the hunger and greedie desire to haue more increase euen like to a man that hath a dropsie who looke howe much more he drinketh and so much more he swelleth and is lesse satisfied then before Moreouer by thus seeking satietie of that which wil neuer satiate thou losest the true satietie and consolation that God wolde both in this life and in th' other geue thee if thou soughtest for it and therewith onely helde thy selfe contented THE THIRD and last Remedie which being a riche man wil helpe thee much not to be ouerwhelmed with auarice is to force thee seeme it neuer so paineful and greeuous alwaies to be geuing good almes to the poore assuring thy selfe as most certaine it is that thou hast not anye so assured riches as that which in this wise thou distributest to the needie sith this can neither be robbed by thiefe nor corrupted by time as the other which is lefte behinde yea that which is more this onely wil accompanie thee when death doth robbe thee of the rest See therefore thou take this secure way to store vp tresure in heauen and encorage thy self to doo thus euery daye with more cheerful and franke heart then other considering that what thou bestowest vpon the poore and needie Christ him-selfe receaueth it as he affirmeth who with this condition hath geuen thee what thou hast that thou shouldest hberally dispence the same to the poore and taking for thy selfe what is meet and requisite to dispose the surplusage amongst thy needie and distressed brethren REMEDIES against the tentations of the third Enemy to wit the Diuel and first against PRIDE wherto he principally induceth vs. ¶ Cap. 23. THE third and last enemy against whō we haue to fight in this worlde is the Diuel who in the authoritie of S. Iohn aboue alleged is vnderstoode by the pride of life sith this was that that made him at the very first to be hurled head-long out of heuen into the bottomlesse pit of hel and therefore albeit he induce vs to al other sinnes and tempteth vs with eche one yet is this inducement to pride the most heinous sinne of al principally attributed to him as also the suggestions to wrath and enuie which issue and proceede therout Wherfore like as I haue geuen thee wepons and remedies to resist the rest withal so shal I nowe God willing prescribe thee some preseruatiues against these beginning first with pride which is a disordinate desire and appettite of a man his owne excellencie whereby he seeketh to be singuler aboue al others THE FIRST Remedie therefore which thou art to vse against this diabolical sin shal be to consider how greatly God detesteth pride and how greeuously from the beginning of the worlde he hath punished it as-wel in Angels as also in menne in Angels we see by Lucifer the rest of his adherentes in men by Nabugonosor Antiochus with manye mo as holy writt doth witnes that came to ruine through this vice and were moste seuerely chastised The same doth like-wise eftsons testifie how singulerly he hath alwayes loued and exalted the humble wherof both our Sauiour and the blessed Ladye his holy mother doo bear sufficient testimonie THE SECOND remedie is the consideratiō of thine own selfe sith as S. Bernard saith thine estate being wel examined shal teach thee what thou wantest and prayer shal obteine thee that thou want it not For God loueth the soule that diligently discusseth it selfe and that after due discussion doth without flattery and partialitie iudge it selfe Confider therefore what thou art both in body and soule and so shalt thou finde more causes of confusion and shame then of hawtines arrogancie Touching thy body vnbethinke thee what a filthie substance it was ingendred of and howe nowe it is a sacke ful of dirt and donge and shal ere longe be made the praye of wormes and as for thy soule it is fraught with heapes of folies errours ignorance feares fancies anxieties that which is worst of al of so many monstrous
to waxe colde in good works fixe thine eye vpon those feet so cruelly nailed to the crosse which were neuer weried with wandring and seeking for thy wel-fare Finally in this thy Lorde and Sauiour thus crucified if thou seek in time to him thou shalt finde sufficient remedies against al kind of temptations wherwith in this life thou maiest be anye wayes assailed It resteth now to admonishe thee of one only thing touching this matter that whē at any time thou shouldest either with this or any other of the fore-saide remedies repulse thine enemie and resist his suggestions yet must thou not thinke thy selfe secure as though the battel were ended and the fielde fully fought and wonne sith this is the propertie of the diuel when he is ouercome in one temptation to arme him-selfe forth-with and to make preparation for an-other like as he did to our Sauiour in the wildernes whom when he could not one wayes ouercome he assailed and set vppon an-other waies And therfore albeit thou ween thy selfe to be at some rest and findest the fiende to haue taken truce with thee for a while after he is vanquished yet beware thou trust not too much to him for when thou suspectest least then wil he returne to make a fresh assault to molest thee with newe temptations and if he thē happ to finde thee vnarmed and vnprouided of meanes to encounter and withstand him easily wil he subdue and conquere thee and the aduauntage which thou hadst before woon honorably he wil then make thee lose dishonestlye Take heede therfore thou neuer lay thy weapons aside but alwayes be prouided and in readines for the combat neither be thou tired with his importunate infestations wherby he for the moste part ouercommeth those that waxe wery to with-stand him but like as he is importunate in tempting thee be thou importunate and constant in resisting him and by this meanes shal thy crowne be so much the more riche and pretious as the temptations which by Gods helpe thou ouercommest be more irksome and importunate WHAT a good Christian ought to doo when he falleth sicke and draweth nigh the houre of death ¶ Cap. 27. AL SVCH thinges as I haue hitherto intreated of wil helpe thee during the time it pleaseth God to graunt thee health and strength of bodye But because this temporal life of ours is subiect to many infirmities and in th' ende no remedie but al of vs must needes once dye according to God his good ordinance and appoyntmēt I haue for this cause thought good in this Chapter to adde certain aduises and instructions to teache thee the better howe to gouerne thy selfe both in time of sicknes and in the houre of death Neither oughtest thou with worse wil to reade these nor with lesse diligence to execute them in their time then the former Neuertheles these aduises shal principallye profite those that in their health did employ their time in such exercises as haue beene heretofore spoken of in this litle Treatise preparing them-selues continuallye to death as al good and faithful christiā people are bound to doo For such as prolonge their properation and conuersion vntil the houre of death hauing liued loosly and without the feare of God al the time of their health albeit they be not to dispaire but to make the best shift they can for their poore soules in the smal time that is left behinde yet are they in great daunger no doubt and in a verye perillous estate these being they whose saluatiō S. Austin doubteth of Let vs therefore as S. Paule fore-warneth vs doo wel whiles we haue time continually watching and preparing our selues to death according to our Sauiours counsaile sith we neither wott the day nor houre therof Neuerthelesse when thou suspectest that houre to be alreadye come then oughtest thou to be more curious and careful in thy preperation THE FIRST aduise therfore whiche in this matter thou shalt take let be this that so soone as euer thou fallest sicke albeit the sicknes seem not greatly daungerous to be careful for phisiking thy soule first before thy bodye and therfore take order that thy spiritual phisitiō come to purge thy soul by confession eyther before or assoone as the other to cure thy body by potion and expect not til the bodily phisition doo bidd thee to doo thus as he is bound to doo if he desire to obeye that the sacred Canons doo commaunde him Where this moste true sentence is also written that God doth many times sende sicknes of bodye for the sinnes of the soule And therefore it maye be that the cause once ceassing to witt sinnes the effect shal also ceasse to witt sicknes NOWE if hauing vsed this remedie of confession thy sicknes doo stil continue then take this for a second aduise to accept it with a cheerful willing minde as a gift which thy heauenly father hath for thy soules health with singuler loue sent to thee offring vp thy selfe to suffer for his sake what-soeuer his diuine prouidence shal ordeine and laye vppon thee and see thou purpose fully in al thinges to conforme thy self wholly to his moste holye wil. But because mans frailtie is great and feeling the gripes of greeuous and painful sicknes it shal-be a very hard matter to haue that patience and conformitie to his diuine wil which were meete and requisite for to haue LET THIS be therefore the third aduise to make thy humble prayers to God for the obteining of such graces as thou wantest and he know eth to be needful for thee Procure like-wise that others praye for thee folowing therin S. 〈◊〉 the Apostles counsaile who saith If any man amongst you finde him-selfe sicke let him cause the priests to come that they may pray for him And wel maiest thou hope that their prayers made with fayth shal-be no smal helpe to mittigate thy pains grieuous sicknes THE FOVRTH aduise is that as in thy health either thou diddest or at least wise oughtest to haue endeuoured thy selfe to edifye and geue good example to those thou diddest conuerse withal that nowe in time of sicknes thou be careful to doo the same obeying those that keepe thee taking willingly the medicines and what-soeuer for thy health shal-be geucn thee be it neuer so lothsome and painful to thee In like maner to shewe none anger or impatience in thy speeche especially to such as attend vpon thee and to geue gratious aunsweres to those that visite thee not complayning too much of the pain thou feelest but recommending thy selfe in humble and lowly wise to their good deuotions And so in al other thinges art thou with suche good discretion and mildnes to gouerne thy selfe as al those that see thee or deal with thee may be wel edified by thee and consequently take greter compassiō of thy griefes and help thee more willingly
father THE SECOND petitiō is Thy kingdome come wherin we shewe the boyling desire we haue or should haue to abandon this exile and to come to that heauenlye and eternal inheritance which God hath prepared for those that loue him thither is it we craue by these wordes happily to be conducted And whiles this our flitting is deferred for so is it meete it should be we praye in this petition that his kingdome of grace doo come vnto vs that is that God by grace reigne in vs and no sinne soiorne in our soules to let vs from seruing this celestial king with whom we hope one day to liue and reigne eternallye THE THIRD petition is Thy wil be 〈◊〉 in earth as it is in heauen wherein we craue grace to obey Goddes behests with like obeisance and redines here in earth as the Angels and whole number of elect doo fulfil them in heauen and are continually conformable to his moste holye wil. We ought therefore to take great heede that in our workes we be not contrarye to our wordes and that we al enforce our selues to obey God perfectly and continually to conforme our selues to his diuine wil as-wel in aduersitie as in prosperitie saying alwayes in eche thing he shal send vnto vs Thy wil be done in earth as it is in heauen THE FOVRTH petition is Geue vs this day our dayly bread wherin we beg of our holye father like poore and needie creatures sustenaunce of body and soule such as may be necessary for vs in this our temporal life For our bodies we begge vnder the name of bred al other necessary thinges for the intertainment of this our transitory life and therewith according as they shal-be geuen vs ought we moderately to holde our selues contented For our soules we craue spiritual breade to wit his diuine word a sauourie sustenance for our soules and withal that moste blessed Sacrament of the Aultar with the other Sacramentes of the Churche which doo wonderfully feede foster and recure our soules infirmities THE FIFT petition is And forgeue vs our trespasses as we forgeue them that trespasse against vs. In this petitiō we craue the most grieuous and difficult debts of this life to be forgeuen vs to witt our trespasses and crimes committed whereby we remaine oblieged and thral to most greeuous calamities and nishmentes By annexing these wordes as we forgeue thē that trespasse against vs we are warned that if we wil haue God to acquit and forgeue our debts we must acquitt others and forgeue them that haue anye wayes offended vs Otherwise our petition shal in no wise be allowed THE SIXT petition is And leade vs not into ten 〈◊〉 whereby we craue Gods diuine succour knowing howe we haue many foes to fight withal in this life that with their temptations and tretcheries we be not ouercome but resisting manfullye against the worlde the fleshe and the deuil we may so merite at length to be crowned like woorthy Conquerours THE SEVENTH and last petitiō is But deliuer vs from euil wherein we craue of this most bountiful and louing father that he vouchsafe to preserue vs from the perils troubles and calamities of this life and from eche other euil that maye withdrawe or hinder vs frō diuine seruice and the obteining of that which we haue in this prayer required That last worde Amen which is as muche as So be it is a confirmation of that we haue craued wherwith we shew the desire and hope we haue to obteine our former petitions THE Salutation Angelical which is that where with our blessed Ladye was greeted by the Angel Gabriel AVE Maria gratia plena Dominus tecum benedicta tu in mulieribus benedictus fructus ventris tui Iesus Sancta Maria mater Dei ora pro nobis peccatoribus nunc in hora mortis nostrae Amen HAILE Mary ful of grace our Lord is with thee blessed art thou amongst wemen and blessed is the fruit of thy wombe IESVS Holy Mary mother of God praye for vs sinners both nowe and in the houre of our death Amen AN Exposition of this Salutation ¶ Cap. 33. FIRST we must vnderstand howe this salutation is the most holy and diuine prayer that can be possibly saide next to the former of the Pater noster seing this salutatiō was formed of the holy ghost by meanes of the Angel Gabriel S. Elizabeth S. Iohn Baptists mother and the holye Church our most sacred mother We ought not therfore to make any light accompt of this our instruction and teaching in what maner we are to inuocate the blessed virgin her fauor help how we are to salute her sith her intercession is right valable to vs ward right effectual to Godward And therefore haue the holy fathers illuminated with the holy ghoste alwais obserued this maner of saluting calling vpō her which al true Chri stians haue alwaies with cōmō cōsent vsed and doo vse in these our daies THE FIRST part of this salutatiō Haile Mary ful of grace onr Lorde is with thee blessed art thou amongst women the Angel spoke when he came to announce the celestial mistery of the sonne of God his incarnation in the blessed virgin her most sacred wōbe wherof eche time we saye this salutation we ought to be mindful yeelding God most humble thankes for this diuine misterie the first beginning of our saluation By this worde Aue which counteruaileth Reioyce or God saue thee is declared the zeal which the Angel had as also that we ought to haue towardes this most holy virgin inuiting her eftsons with this worde to be ioyful and glad for this diuine misterie and expressing therby the contentation we feele through the manifolde graces that were bestowed vpon her This word MARY being the holy name of our Souerain Lady the Angel did not vtter in saluting her but is added by the holye Churche both to signifie the better vnto vs who it is we salute as also for a deuotion sake towardes this holye name of Mary which is interpreted Lady and illuminated or Illuminatrix and sea starre eche one whereof as euery man perceueth may be right fitly applied vnto her This worde ful of grace is the first speeche wherewith the Angel praysed her and that right woorthely for so much as the grace of God is the greatest good and treasure that may be possibly desired and with it doo al other giftes come ioyntlye and heaped togetherwards With this diuine grace was the blessed virgin replenished more then euer was any pure creature as being elected to a higher dignitie and prerogatiue that is to be the mother of god Our Lord is also wont to graūt continually such graces as be necessary for the state whereto he electeth eche one It foloweth Our Lord is with thee that is to say he that properlye and absolutely is Lorde which God alone is is with thee For albeit other men here in
him afterwardes in an-other maner in his euerlasting kingdome Happy eke are al those that shal dispose them-selues to repaire to this most gratious banquet wherein is found al sweete tastes and sauours al riches and renowme and al the things that haply be to be desired yea what is it that man may long for that is not here afforded him If he desire delightes and pleasures here be the sincerest the chastest and the sweetest If he wishe for wealth beholde here the treasure that enricheth both heauen and earth If state and soueraintie be sought for beholde here the highest dignities that can be possiblye atchieued sith by meanes of this most venerable Sacrament the soule is vnited to God and resteth associated and reuerēced with quires of Angels that assist about it Wherefore Oye blinde beguiled children of Adam what other pleasure and profite doo you proule for why doo you as Esay saith spende your money and not vpon breade why employ you your trauail not in things that may satiat and content you why loose you such satietie such sweetnes and such treasure as is here conteined in this gifte Doo not thou so O my soule doo not thou so be not thou henceforth anye more blinde see thou seeke not any carnal contentations hauing meanes to be a partaker of this mere spiritual and celestial delight Take no more taste and pleasure in the foode of death wherof thou earst didst feede hauing this breade of life geuen and graunted to thee Regarde not the pompes and moste vaine vanities of this worlde seing thou maiest enioye in this Sacrament the true happines and good things which in the world can-not possibly be attained Embrace and keepe this treasure which sufficeth to make thee truely happy possesse this good which exceedeth al good Content and quiet thy selfe in this repose which may abundantlye satiate thy desire And be not ingrateful to this thy benefactour but yeeld him hartie thankes as-wel for this as al his other benefites heretofore from the beginning bestowed vpon thee Howbeit my gratious and merciful Lorde how can I yeeld thee worthy thankes the debt I owe thee being so great and my abilitie to discharge the same so smal with al my heart and with al my might and power I thanke thine infinite liberalitie for hauing created me to thine owne likenes and similitude and for hauing for my conseruation created like-wise so great varietie of other creatures and much more doo I laud and blesse thee for that with thy pretious bloud thou haste redeemed me but aboue al doo I with al my bowels and powers of bodye and soule thanke thee blesse thee and adore thee for hauing left vs this miraculous and most woorthye Sacrament and for geuing me miserable wretche the grace eftsons to receaue it that eftsons I may therby be made partaker of the fruit of thy redemption And because these my thankes and praises be slender weake and vnworthy of such giftes as I haue receaued I beseeche al the Angels and holye Saintes to supply my want thy Angels vouchsafe to sound perpetual peals of praises for me the Archangels vouchsafe euerlastingly to adore thee for me the celestial potentates doo reuerence thee for me and al the whole court of heuen offer thee continual sacrifice of thanks-geuing for me And yet for that al this is finite and is not correspondent to the valew of the benefite I haue this daye receaued being infinite those moste holy and grateful thanks which thou Lorde gauest to thy father minding to graunt vs this so mestimable a gift euen those same which are infinite doo I offer both to him and thee together for verily beleeue I that for this cause diddest thou yeeld them that so incomparable a gift shoulde not be destitute of condigne graces and thanks-geuing And now doo I humbly beseeche thee of thy moste bountiful clemencie that seing it hath pleased thee to satiate and honour me with thy most worthy presence in this venerable and redoubted Sacrament thou wilt also vouchsafe to graunt me thy graces to be alwaies grateful and to answere woorthely to this most happy visitation This hath alwayes been thy wont my Sauiour and Redeemer that wher through thy goodnes thou hast vouchsafed to enter there hast thou departed of thy blessinges moste aboundauntlye heaping grace vpon grace and mercie vppon mercye Thou entredst into Mathewe the Publicane his house and from a publican thou madest him thy Disciple and an Apostle Thou entredst into Zacheus house when by and by he was changed from his old custome and health was geuen to al his housholde Thou entredst into Simon Peters house and draue away the ague from his wiues mother in lawe leauing her whole and comforted Eftsons diddest thou enter into Martha and good Mary Magdalens house and what tonge can tel the spiritual riches thou gauest to that hous and the ineffable graces thou endowedst those two sisters with Thou entredst after thy holye and doleful death into Limbo and immediatlye with thy visitation diddest illuminate and blesse those holye Fathers Finally the figure of this Sacramēt to witt the Arke of the olde Testament because it entred into Obededon his house was cause that thy bles singes were powred vpon him and al his paying plentifully for the harbour that in that house was afforded thee Wherfore O most sweete and welcome gest seing through thy goodnes thou hast vouchsafed this day to enter into my poore cotage sende downe withal thy holye blessinges thereon by meanes whereof I maye woorthely aunswere to this thine incomparable mercy Clense and fine this house Lorde from al the filth thou seest in it Repair and doo some cost on it least it decay and fal to ruine driue out the darknes in it with the glittering beames of thy light adorne and decke it vp with the vertues and graces of the holye Ghost that being thus clensed repaired adorned and illuminated it may please thee to dwel therein and neuer to depart Tary stil with me O Lorde my comforter the night draweth nigh and without thee I shal remaine in darknes and so be sore endaungered Thou hast affirmed O eternal truth howe thy whole delight is to dwel with the sonne of man and howe thou standest knocking at the dore readie to enter and suppe with such as shal open and let thee in Beholde howe I haue geuen thee free entraunce into me and thou of thy goodnes hast admitted me to the sweete supper of thy moste sacred bodye Abādon me not therfore my soueraine Lorde ne depart thou from me draw me after thee knitt and tye me to thee yea drawe me quite out of my selfe sith I am much better in thee then in me in thee I liue in me I dye in thee I remaine firme and constant in me I decay and come to nought Renew me therfore O my Sanctifier and through loue transforme me into thee and graunt me so to liue in thee
I may feele iust remorse and sorowe for euery sinne and imperfection what soeuer And that I may the better performe this graunt me grace my sweete Sauiour Iesus Christe that I may perseuer in discussing my conscience euery night more diligently thē other according to the good instructions it hath plesed thee by thy seruauntes to impart vnto me and that eche morning I may so happily beginne the day by offering thee the firste fruites of al mine actions as that the rest thereof may euermore be passed to thy glory As for my Penance that is enioyned me and not performed alreadie fauourably I beseeche thee to assist me both in the perfect remembring therof and in the diligent executing in good time And graunt that by thus endeuouring my self daily thorough thy grace to amende my life I may both liue and dye a true Penitent and obteine through the merits of thy blessed passion a ful forgeuenes of my sinnes in this world and in th' other the life eternal wherto thou hast created me To thee mine onely Sauiour Iesus Christ with the Father and the Holy Ghoste one God be al honour praise and glory euerlastinglye Amen A VERY fitt praier to be saide before Masse wherein we exercise very fruitfully our faith and prepare our selues to heare it with dutiful attention O MOST puissant and louing Lorde who haste of thine infinite mercy vouchsafed that thine only sonne our Sauiour Iesus Christe should before his doleful death ordeine his bodye and bloudd to be consecrated in thy Churche by vertue of thy worde in a most miraculous and dreadful misterie graunt me grace I beseech thee O Lorde that as of thy singuler loue towardes vs thou hast ordeined this diuine Sacrament to make vs alwaies mindful of the merits purchased vnto vs by the death of thy deere sonne our Sauiour so I maie with due reuerence and diligent remembrance of those his most bitter tormentes assist here whiles thy seruaunt celebrateth this misterie and offer vp my praiers in most obedient wise vnto thee The souerain desire thou haddest of our wel-fare O Lorde was that which moued thee to leaue vs this moste diuine sacrifice of the Masse that like as thy triumphant Churche hath her sacrifice aboue so thy militant Churche might haue her sacrifice belowe For like as in heauen thy sonne dailie offereth him-selfe vnto thee for bethouse appering before thy face in a visible and glorious maner so hast thou vouch safed that in earth he should dailie be offered to thee by the function of priestes for our sinnes in a maner inuisible and proportionable to our frailtie Yet is it al one onelie and the selfe same Iesus Christe thy sonne and al our profite and auaile is whollie deriued from the Tree of the holie Roode This misterie most mightie Lorde is farre surpassing al humane capacitie and yet right easie for those to beleeue that haue in time sucked the sweete sapp of thy most sauorie and wholesome doctrine For mine owne part Lorde I beleeue through thy gratious goodnes simply whatsoeuer thy holie Catholike Apostolike and Roman Church teacheth me either touching this or anie other of thy most diuine misteries and doctrines and confesse vndoubtedly that as thou hast said that body and bloud is conteined in this most sacred Sacrament and the same bodye to be like-wise on the right hand of thy Father in heauen so beleue I them both most assuredly and th' one as firmelye as th' other seing one is as-wel the wil and worke of the Word God and man as is the other and to be in earth in heauen and in many places at once is in thy power to doo it most easily as thou doest and is in my power through thy grace to beleeue it most constantlye as I doo Herein I vtterly renounce my sence and al mans vnderstāding and cleue only to thy diuine and inexplicable Omnipotencie who as thou madest al things of nothing so canst thou alter and dispose of al thinges at thy wil and pleasure Nowe therefore I beseeche thee most omnipotent and mightie God to driue awai al distractions and wicked thoughts out of my minde that I may attend the celebration of this heauenly misterie with feare and reuerent humilitie Sanctifie also I beseech thee his spirite who is here to present him-selfe before thee to celebrate this diuine Sacrifice to th' ende that he may woorthely doo it to thine honour and glorye his owne auaile and the benefite of al others Geue me grace that by the reuerent ceremonies which are here to be vsed I mai be put in mind of thy most painful torments which they doo represent and that I mai adore thee in thy imperial Sacrament with souerain dread and lowlines This by thy grace I purpose this by thy grace I hope to performe Accept therfore O Lorde to thine honour our welfare and the vnitie of thy Churche the bodie and bloud of our Sauiour thy sonne Iesus Christe offered thee in this Sacrifice Incline thine eares O Lorde to the praiers of thine afflicted flocke and mercifullie restore thy true religion where it is lacking Open the eies of the blind and make them know their errors Relieue the distressed the captiues and the sicke in the vertue of this sacrament Geue grace to the liuing and perpetual place of rest and quietnes to those which are departed in thy faith for the merits of our onely Sauiour thy sonne Iesus Christe to whom with thee and the holy Ghost one God be al renowme praise and soueraintie for euermore Amen ANOTHER short praier to be saide likewise before Masse O MY soueraine Lorde and Sauioure Iesus Christe O Lampe of light and truth I most miserable wretche humbly beseeche thee to stanche my wandring mind in such sort as I maie with due 〈◊〉 and attention assist and waite here in thy imperial presence whiles thou procurest this so important an affair with thy eternal father for my wel fare and of al man-kind Illuminate my soule and stirre vp my lumpish heart O sonne of true Sapience and Iustice with the bright nes of thy countenance that I maie here with a grateful and deuout memorie cal to mind that sacrifice of obedience patience and mosle inflamed charitie which thou being wrapt in extreme woes and ignominious reproches diddest offer vppon the roode with thy life and euerie dropp of thy most sacred bloud to thi celestial Father for our sins Amē AN EXCELLENT praier and adoration to be made in the presence of the blessed Sacrament I MOST wicked wretche and vnwoorthie Christian bow down before my Lorde who hath made and redeemed me who fostreth and susteineth me and euermore remaineth life and veritie O Iesus Christe very God and mē I adore thee here present and cal vppon thee not doubting any whitt at al of the verie real presence of thy flesh and bloud viuificant nor of the presence of thy pretious bodie and most sacred soule Ah Lorde that I coulde in