fift part of the eight Lamentation SEnd helpe therefore O Lord and saue me from thē that would me quite deuoure And dayly grieue me and depraue me my soule 's with Lyons euery houre I wade as through the rageing sea I dwell amongst men set on fire whose teeth are speares whose tongs bear sway like two edg'd sword with wrath ire Thy mercy therefore and thy truth let be my bucklar and strong shield Hast bin mine hope euen from my youth let troubles cease new ioyes me yield Set me vpon thy rocke foreuer of perfect loue and true reliefe Let rest and refuge faile me neuer and thy protection saue from griefe Bring thou to passe what 's fit for me what thou dost know expedient That righteous men my end may see and how mine hope obtain'd content That they may of thy glory talke and speake of thy eternall praise All men shall say that see mee walke doubtlesse God will the righteous raise There is a God that 's gratious good to them that bee of perfect heart When he hath all their foes withstood heauen's ioyes to them he will impart Finis The first part of the ninth Lamentation in distresse ¶ The penitent acknowledgeth mans vildenes Gods mercies by faith and example of Gods prouidence relieth on his goodnes O Lord thy name 's most excellent in all the world thy glorie 's spred Through heauens and the firmament and by all creatures vttered In vniuersall harmony extold in heauen and in earth Exprese'st in Song and melody with all alacritie and mirth What thou bestow'st what man can number vpon vs slaues and sonnes of men Who by our sinnes are farre put vnder all Creatures we can name by pen. Forgetfull and so capeable of sinne as pouder is of fire In all our words and workes vnstable and know not what we should desire Aboue all Creatures we fotget thy grace are prone to disobey And if thy mercy did not let all Adams broude thou should'st destroy And I for my part me confesse guilty of all sinnes and all euilles And that I haue deseru'd no lesse then to be damn'd among'st the diuels The world for disobedience did'st punnish thou mought'st subuert But chiefely me for negligence mai'st plague with all plauges t' is desert I am not worthy breath in th' aire nor haue the vse of any creature Much lesse to the e to make my prayer cause gainst my God I am a traitor Thou worthily me do'st afflict at me thou takest iust offence All punnishments thou do'st inflict because thy wrath I did incense My trespasses do more offend then I can please with my best zeale The worthines I best intend I least performe my soule Lord heale ¶ The second part of the ninth Lamentation I Shame at mine vnworthines yet faine would be at one with thee Thou art a ioy in beauines a succour in necessitie To them that do their liues reforme and rightly frame their penitence Sincearely follow and performe thy will without all negligence All this to doe I do desire and what thou sayest I do belieue Thy pardon graunt me I require release and pardon Lord me giue O be with them that doe thee seeke yeeld them helpe that hould by thee Instructing humble men and meeke that wisdome seeke by thy mercy Sith I so long haue to thee cride so long thee sought yet hope I will Though my sad soule in silent bide in constant patience I 'le waite still thou rightly hear'st my inward grones my sorrowes sighes wants desire And do'st respect the outward mones of men distrest that feare the fire Though in their lippes they mute do seeme do speake nothing with their tonges what they would haue thou doest deeme and present art to right their wrongs But loe the time is not expir'd of mine ordeined punishment Nor of that freedome I desir'd I 'le waite by hope in languishment My helpe my comfort and my life saluation mine depends on thee Within my conscience stint the strife and giue me grace and libertie ⧠The third part of the ninth Lamentation MY life my comfort helpe and all saluation on Christ dependeth T' is he doth raise me when I fall he all begins and he all endeth I will not murmure neither grudg nor feare nor faint but alwaies waite He is my Sauiour and my Iudge his grace decree'd who can retrait Is there not an appointed time for all things that by God be wrought Iob was brought low at last did clime to wealth and honor he was brought And Ioseph was afflicted long by brethren and by false accuse He was shut vp in prison strong did'st all his cause and wrongs peruse At length brought'st him to honor great and Dauid was at first cast downe And then inthron'd in princely seate and long enioy'd the royall Crowne Poore widdow of Sarepta shee and hirs were ready for to pine Hir barrell and hir cruise by thee were blest and by that Prophet thine Her meale and oyle did neuer faile thou send'st that Saint eu'n to that end That they in dearth should neuer quaile so did'st from famine hir defend Wherefore a little while I 'le waite I know th' appointed time will come I shal be freed from sinnes deceite wilt mercy send in miseries roome The fourth part of the ninth Lamentation THou art my portiō my strength my defence and saluation Thou seest my troubles and at length wil't giue me consolation Thou send'st them notas ignorant of thē thou know'st thou did'st me make Therefore what 's needfull God me grant good Lord do neuer me forsake I am brought to the very pit of all confusion men suppose Thou hast decreed the time most fit of my deliuery from my foes To me vnknowne that being seene I may attribute to thee then The praise who praised ere hast beene without the aide of mortall men Which I haue sought so long in vaine yea while I called thee vpon Let me acknowledge helpe againe to come from thee or else from none And all that the world can affoord bee but th' effects of thy deere loue Thy power thy prouidence and woord do send me comfort from aboue O blessed man whom thou dost chuse and call'st by crosses vnto thee Whom thou by death seem'st to refuse by secret sweetenes liues by thee With inward consolation fed with the Manna of thy loue Who dwels in thy protection with liuely hope can neuer moue He fainteth not at mightiest frowne so I O Lord assured rest Thou art my portion and my crowne to dignifie those loue thee best Thou tendrest me as a deare sonne though thou me visit with thy rod Yet sufferest not me for to runne with sinners and to fall from God Although I seeme of hope depriued and that my wonted comforts past Yet I O Lord shal be reuiued by thee and by thy grace at last For all my long and instant cries I will not
Gods workes haue none enormitie We are the workes deformitie all 's good that doth from God proceede He tempt'h to try not ouerthrow vs Yet needes not try for he doth know vs. but t' is that we our selues should know From him all 's good from vs all 's ill He makes all good wee all doe spill our selues our selues doe ouerthrow In punishments that t 'vs are ill What he doth doe he doth it still hee 's one the same and that same one Not doing ought but by not doing In him t' is good to good ensewing hee 'le see if we can stand alone Gods grace is not difficient Sinne hath not cause ifficient and thee to sinne God doth not make Suggestions by the deuill are sent And there vnto man giues consent why should not God that man forsake Our conscience is sent as a spiall Our punishments sent as a triall and oft times plagues sent as a curse God neuer was to vs a debter If all be sau'd hee 's neuer better if all be damn'd hee 's nere the worse God made all good that all good can Then looke into thy bosome man an Ambuscado there there doth lie Of hideous sinnes by good omitting And monstrous sinnes by ill committing t' is there plac't by mans enemy ¶ A comfor able Himne for the Children of God SAluation doth to God belong He blesseth all both old and young that are his chosen and elect He doth defend his Children all That are in danger griefe and thrall by his good meanes and kinde respect He hath meanes all sufficient And power all perills to preuent to those with thankes doe euer pray What comfort helpe or good soeuer Wee finde from him let vs parseuer and magnifie him night and day Let vs with humble hearts confesse His mercies loue and great kindenesse with heauenly himnes to God aboue With mirth and ioy sing euery one God heard our soules petition and sent his sonne to show his loue The Lord receaues and heares our prayer Hee heares and helpes vs in dispaire be glad my soule in him reioyce Oh spread abroad his holy fame With songes Melodious lawd his name with heart with minde with tongue voice O thou most high God art not prais'd Vnlesse from heart that praise be rais'd who onely knowst our thoughts and minde The glory all must be thine owne By prayers thy powers are euer showne to those by faith thou iust dost finde O hallowed be Gods holy name Who Heauens made and world did frame and man like to his Image pure He all his other Creatures blest Fish Cattle Foule and all the rest to comfort man while times indure FINIS A prayer against temptations especially fit for a man that findeth in himselfe a continuall Inclination to any particuler sinne OH gratious and most louing God who in beginning did'st Create Man to thy shape and image good and likenesse in most pure estate And did'st him place in holy place the garden sweete with all delight With mercies and abonnding grace dect heauenly with earthly sightes And did'st thy Creatures all ordaine in heauen and earth man for to serue Oh what was man that he should gaine Gods great respect him to preserue Yet Lord how soone he fell away from thee and from originall grace How gresly did he disobay thy secret will before thy face Which thou to him did'st then reueale by whose fall all corruption grew And sinne shut out true godly zeale and earthes corruptions did insue And all things in the earth began to disobay him instantly By God made good to comfort man who hated him forsaking thee By his transgression these proceedes of his pollutions Lyneall Haue all defild their waies and deedes and all men tainted by his fall Which first offence bred infinit sinnes in corruptions of mans nature As I my selfe both day and night doe feele know most wretched Creature Which I confesse oh Father deare to whom this chiefe offence was done How Sathans workes in me appeare who hourely into euills run Which are most vilde most meane base doe iudge my selfe of all the worst When I behold my wicked case considering how I am accurst I that confesse I cannot hide how most to sinne I am inclin'd Knowne vnto thee my God and guide who see'st the secrets of my minde Much more the deeds which I commit of darknes seene to thee aboue To whose bright eyes both darke and light at seasons all doe seeme as one And therefore find'st out all my sinne in thought in action or intent Though by each sinne death did begin yet thou do'st promise those repent That they shall be forgiuen all within which number Lord make me Who seest my sinnes for mercy call that raignes in me continually And as hit were commaund me goe drawne there vnto by violence By Sathan vilde our deadly foe that neuer ceaseth ill pretence Who workes in me corruptions corruptions more pollutions breeds Which draweth mine affections which minde inclines to wicked deeds And chiefely to that odious sinne which makes me weake for to fullfill Thy lawes and precepts iust wherein thou vs commaund'st to doe thy will Yet strong and apt for to effect those thinges forbidden by thy lawes Therefore to kill Lord sinnes conflict remoue from me the wicked cause Especially this hedious crime that hanges and stickes so fast on mee That hit doe raigne no longer time which feele it loathsome vnto me A heauy burthen to my soule which I cannot shake off at all By mine owne power or strength controule but by Gods workes parpetuall Who worketh all repentance true therefore Lord make me penitent With contrite heart my spirit renew let loathsome sinnes thy grace preuent For thou Lord seest I doe commit sinnes as hit were against my will Giue me therefore power strength and wit corrupt affections all to kill The thoughts whereof we vex and grieue and heapes of feare my soule possesse Dispaire Attemptes hopes to depriue me to deuour in all distresse FINIS ¶ An exhortation to praise God and to acknowledge our thankesgiuing to him without ceasing WE praise thee God we knowledge thee Our onely Lord and Christ to bee the earth and world doe worship thee Eternall father Heauenly King To whom aloud bright Angells sing the thrones and powers thee magnifie The Cherubins and Seraphin To cry to thee doe neuer linne holy holy most holy Lord Of Saboth God of Maiestie Heauens full and earth of thy glory all Nations laud thy name and word The glorious postles company The goodly prophets Vnitie the holy Marters noble army The holy Church the world through out Doth spread the Gospell all about the Father of true pietie Thy sacred true and onely sonne The Holy Ghost vs comfort wonne thou art of glory King oh Christ Thou art the euelasting sonne Of God whose blessed will was donne in the all people to deliuer Thou did'st not then the Virgins wombe Abhorre nor loath that sacred Tombe till thou wast borne
can vnderstand thy wisdome great Nor euery one that cri'th Lord Lord shall enter into heauens gate Who is not ledd by better line then doth proceed from flesh bloud Er's from the truth and doth decline from right to wrong to ill from good Whose end is death though for a time seemes sweet to please the outward man That 's nothing else but durt and slime or like a puffe in length a spanne As honor riches frends and health preferment life and worlds delight Esteeming these true happie wealth but the true blisse is out of sight They thinke that sicknes pouertie imprisonment and enymies fell And worldlie crosses veryly are gates and entrance into hell Soe foolish and so ignorant are those thou guyd'st not in thy way Mong'st whom euen I through wisdomes haue bin misled vntill this day But hauing found the truth by tryall want that earthly ioyes are transitory When they me tempt I make deniall and only seeke th' eternall glory Now I disclaime all confidence in Honor health in wealth or feature In wit or worldly sapience or yet in any earthly creature And Lord I heere doe dedicate all thou hast giu'n me to thine honor My selfe I wholie consecrate to march and fight vnder thy banner And now I bid these ioyes adew that only please my flesh and sences Because they all are most vntrue and still doe cause so great offences Because their glorious bountie fades and leaue nought but deformities Because they are nought else but shades and bring forth grose innormities Because they are most false and fickle because they are indeed hells fewell Because their rose hath many a prickle because their slauery is most cruell Because they are not firme and stable because they are profane not holie Because they are but as a fable because they are but sottish folly Because my soule they call and kill because they giue me Iudas kisse Because my good they spot and spill draw me from mine heauenly wish because lik swords they woūd my soul because like serpents they do sting me Because my conscience doth controule saith to hell gates they will bring me Because they doe beset my sences because they dull my spirits quicknes Because they cause so great expences because they cause my sad soules sicknes Bcause all vertue hindred is by this vild worlds accused pleasure Because t' will mee bereaue of blisse and of that blessed heauenly treasure And therefore earth world farewell adue fond fancies flattering fauoures Your ioyes are toyes your heauen is hell I hate your poysoned tast and sauours And thou that art life of my life soule of my soule O Iesus Christ Poynt downe the period of worlds strife thou art that prophet Prince Priest That went'st vp to prepare that place aboue Sonne Moone planets seauen Oh saue me by thy sauing grace and bring me to that highest heauen Where are such ioyes caelestiall as cannot be expreste by penne Bring me from things terrestriall to raigne with thee for aye Amen A heauenly hymne touching the Natiuitie of our Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christ. COme let vs sing to God with praise our Prophet Prince Priest alwaies And to the sacred holy spirit and c. Oh let vs laude the Trinitie With heart and voyce them magnifie For Christ who made vs life inherit c. Giue thankes to God with ioy mirth For his sweete sonne our Sauiours birth Of all mankind the comfort true He is the guiltles lambe alas Whose death passion brought to passe Faith hope and blisse with spirit anew Lift vp your heart with ioy abound With solace sing sweete Musicks sound In honor of Gods holy name Who Christ his Sonne the lambe did make By death mans sinnes away to take All nations sing his worthy fame He is the seede was promised To bruse and crush the serpents head Which caus'd all men for sinne to die He is the mediate to appease Gods wrath by death to giue vs ease Praise him praise him continually Finis ¶ A prayer in extreame sicknes THou God of might hast chastned me and mee corrected with thy rod Wounded my soule with misery and humbled me to know my God And soe made soft my stony brest Thy Arrowes sticke most fast in me My heart doth pant my ioynts opprest my flesh me paineth wofully My bodies members mee deceaue I languish still my strength 's decayd I am soe weake of power bereau'd I cannot stand but must be stayde Thy hand O God doth presse me sore my sicknes soe extreamely growes That I am euen at deathes dore thou do'st it Lord. my heart it knowes That I am vexed thus with payne it is for sinne and mine offence For my misdeeds and trespasse plaine the cause of wrathfull recompence Ease me O God and sucker me send comfort lay no more on me Then I can beare O suffer me to draw my breath and looke on me O Lord consider my weaknes beare with my great infirmitie Helpe me oh Lord cure my sicknes that I may giue all praise to thee Incline thine eares vnto my mones harke to the voice of my complaint Let both my crying and my grones come to thy throane oh I am faint I make my plaint to thee alone for thee alone I haue displeas'd To thee alone I make my mone may 't please thee that I may be eas'd I know not how for to appease thy high displeasure that 's gain'st me I am afraide to aske for ease or looke on thee that pain'st me I am neare drown'd with deep dispaire when I in minde doe well perpend How I did sinne sans feare or care without regard of my last end Lord I haue sind and thou hast said that at what time I doe repent My debts sor sinnes shall all be paide thy gratious pardon shall be sent On this thy promise Lord I build vpon thy goodnes I relie Mine heart doth to repentance yeelde graunt pardon Lord or else I die Though I haue often heinously offended and thy patience prou'd By sinning often grieuously yet thou with pittie hast been mou'd Art slow to strike yet strong to suffer thine hands are yron thy feete of leade Thou art more readie grace to offer then we to aske our dayly bread O now for pittie ease my paine for Iesus sake my Lord thy Sonne Restore to me my health againe if not Lord let thy will be done But graunt me strength to beare thy yoake and patience Lord vnto me lend That I may bide thine heauie stroake then send Lord whatthou wilt send Thy punishments are pursiuants that thou of faithfull loue dost send To all thy true and iust seruants to warne them of their latter end Thy rod and staffe doth comfort me and me vphold t'wixt hope and feare Thou gain'st presumption chastnest me and th' other keepe me from
dispaire To thee O Lord I doe commit my selfe I neuer will repine For thou know'st best what is most fit in life and death let me be thine FINIS ¶ Precepts of duties HIgh mightie God of righteousnes in wrath a dread consuming fire Thou did'st in perfect happines make man that dard gain'st thee conspire And breake thy lawes with all dispight whē thou had'st made him pure holy Plac'd him in garden of delight so great and wicked was his folly That hauing leaue to take or leaue to chuse refuse or vse at pleasure He did himselfe by sinne deceaue of that Diuine surpassing treasure And by his mutabilitie regardles of thy sacred sawes He brought in instabillitie lost his free will made breach of lawes Thou God of iustice must doe right man wanting grace with want of grace By grace substraction did'st requite bannishe him that blessed place By meanes of which we are inclin'd from thy behests to runne astray Our tōgue our heart our soule our mind by sinne is carried cleane away Thine honor first is sted fast faith in Christ and in thine holy booke And in thy truth that thy spirit saith which in mine hart for faith doth looke The next obedience to thy will as thou cōmanded'st by thy sweet word From Syna and from Sions hill to teach vs do thine hests O Lord. Vs for thy children hast elected and vs adopted to inherit Thy blisse if thy blisse be respected and seal'd vs with thine holy spirit Thou mad'st vs free by thy sons bloud to th' end thou mayest be glorifi'd In soules and bodies for our good his passion hath vs purified thou freed'st vs to that end we mought serue thee in holy righteousnes Thou gau'st thy sonne and he vs bought from thraldome of our sinfullnes Thou would'st he should for al men die to make him liue in thine elect And they in him to fructifie and with his graces hast them deckt By grace and holy inspiration rebellious nature seek'st to tame With precepts for instruction leau'st vs lawes in thine owne name The readie way of seruing thee and profit to our neighboures bring And louing thee most zealously who art our father Lord and King Though by thy Gospell we be free from lawes of sinne and Punishment Yet rules of life and pietie thou hast prescrib'd and to vs lent Thereby to mannage all our deeds and guide vs least we stepp awry And rightly vse our natures seedes both well to liue and well to die These lawes did'st write in tables two with the pure finger of thine hand Deliuered them Moyses vnto that we thy will might vnderstand The first cóntaineth precepts foure of duties due vnto thy fear◠The second six commandements more of loue we should to neighbours beare The summe and substance of them all and that fulfilleth euery part Is thee to loue on thee to call with all our soule might minde heart To other men especially thine houshold that are firme in faith As to our selues to giue supply with all our helpe as scripture saith But we are weake our case thus stands in this fraile mortall life of ours No man can keepe these thy commaunds but breakes them at all times houres Yet thou thy children oft dost will them selues to comfort hopeingly Ther 's left for them some measure still t' approach to thee acceptablie Namely when they bend their whole strength dayly preuented by thy spirit And stand in hope t' attaine at length what now they want by Christ his merit Walking and dayly going on by stepps thereof to Paradice Praysing and lauding thee alone sighes yet for their infirmities The faithfull know all and beleeue with thee our father mercie is For with thy sonne do'st all thinges giue how can we then of mercy misse Therefore my God now giue to me all that thou giu'st to thine elect Of thine eternall clemencie let not thy spirit my soule reiect Illuminate my knowledge darke Possesse my heart the Lord to loue What 's don amisse Lord doe not marke but let thy spirit my spirit still moue That I most constantly may walke the steps path's of thy iust lawes And of thy goodnes dayly talke with feare and loue and all applause To whom I wholie owe my selfe for thou hast Lord created me And bought me not with worldly pelfe but by thy sonne hast made me free Whence I doe also learne to loue all men in thee and for thy sake Who beare thy image from aboue and my vocation surer make O let me thus thy fauour finde and peace of consience vnderstand Thy blessings and thy mercies kinde to God the work 's of mine ill hand That fil'd with daies I leaue my life rest to inioy with all contents And liue eternally from strife and keepe thy ten Commaundements Finis ¶ An invocation to God humbly praying for remission of sinne WEll spring of bountie God of feare beginning that mak'st all begin With what oblation to appeare appease thy wrath that 's due for sinne I know not blood of Bulles and beast or sweetest incense that doth rise From earth of old they were the least and are not now of any prise O how should I be reconcil'd againe vnto thy louing fauour How long Lord shall I be exil'd from my sweete Lord only Sauiour How long O haue I cal'd to thee to thee in name of thy deere Sonne Yet what I ask'd thou gau'st not mee and what I would is left vndonne I long haue knocked at thy doore of mercy but none entrance finde Sorrowes and troubles more and more increase and vex my soule and minde I dayly waite most wofull mortall before thy seate of clement grace But may not peepe within thy portall nor see thy glorious beautious face I sigh and mourne my teares are seas I sincke vnder the burdnous loade Of sinne and shame and find none ease prouoke me forward with thy word Of castigation I desire to quench thy wrath with flouds of teares Yet still increase thy fearefull fire and so increase my frostie feares By prayers thee to presse who dares except by thy sonnes mediation To seeke thy glory 's all our cares and th' end of earthly mens creation what course should I poor wretch thē take to doe or aske that 's good iust But vnto thee my prayers make and onely in thy sonne put trust Yf that my sinnes shall thee offend then all thy creatures rage storme And all conspire by thy commaund to beate on me poore sillie worme Where shall I be or whether flie from sight of thine all seeing ey ne As Noahs doue on earth am I and cannot looke against thy shine But if thou show thy louing face all creatures on my seruice tend Men beasts and Angels doe me grace to helpe me all their powers doe bend What should I
then say giue or doe what payne can gaine my fauour lost Riuers of Oyle or ought thereto they are thine owne and of thy cost Accept yet Lord the sacrifice of Heart Calues of lippes vnfained This is that Offring did'st deuise to haue thy grace to be obtained The free will offringe of my Zeale in sence of sighing still assending They to thy mercies seate appeale would make peace for mine offending faulter Although mine heart tongue doe yet in Christ Iesus meditation Receaue this offering on thine Alter with all my best imagination Heare me in him in him relieue me for without him noe helpe can be None can my soules or harts ease giue me nor can I inward comforts see Till I know that thy wraths appeas'd and haue thy charter of thy pardon Then shall I finde mine heart so eas'd that I desire noe further guerdon And now I most vnhappie man that did offend my God soe kinde By grace of him in all I can I 'le seeke with heart with soule minde To honor serue obey and please him that is mine al-seeing maker Whom I beseech to graunt me peace and make me of his ioyes partaker Finis A Godly meditation wherein the distressed sheweth he is vnfeignedly grieued hat he hath offended God who is so powerfull and so dread a iudge who also as the repentant thinketh hath armed man and all creatures against him for his sinnes But aggrauating the greatnes of his miseries and afflictions at the last heresolueth to goe vnto God in Christ his name with whom he is well pleased and in whom he will accept the prayers of the offendant ALas that I offended euer this God of Gods this Lord of powers That can in peeces all men shiuer and ouerturne the stateliest towers Ah woe is me that I offended and iustly God stir'd vpp to ire Who by his lawe hath sin condempned vnto the pit of endles fire I dayly see Gods creatures all iustly for sinne displeas'd with mee Mens hearts are hardned and with gall feede mee that haue offended thee My God thy blessings all one earth thou doest witholde from me keepe Alas my soule sustaines a dearth of grace vnto thy grace I creepe But what to doe or what to say I know not Lord but I know this My grieses encrease more day by day my mirth is moane bane is my blisse One euill doth another call like waues on waues in raging seas My weary burthen makes me fall I find no comfort helpe nor ease I hope of helpe but that hope quailes in crosses are my comforts ended I fly to faith but then faith failes when I neede most to be defended As if I were the onely man prepos'd by thine intendement Whom heauen earth must curse ban as subiect of all punishment Thy iustice dams me I appeale to mercy then appeald I feare To be reiected thus colde zeale and secret sinnes with griefe I beare Shall I thinke it a fruitles taste vnto my God for to repaire That Sinners calles and bids them aske and they shall haue all things by praier Can it be bootles downe to fall beâ—oâ—e his throne of maiestie And with repentant tongue to call for pardon for my iniquitie May not vnfained cries at last preuaile with him that 's pittifull To pardon my offences past moue my spr'its which now are dull I 'le frame my heart to meditate my tongue to vtter what may please Him whom best knoweth mine estate and seeke his wrath for to appease To him I 'le goe in Christ his name in whom I know hee is well pleased And will confesse my sinne with shame and so mine heart shall sure be eased ¶ The second part of the meditation FOr Christs sake looke on me againe hee is God all sufficient Hee doth behold and see my paine my inward faithfull hearts intent Hee knoweth what I goe about all I thinke speake or doe amisse He writes or noates without all doubt in his remembrance booke it is I know he will in worth accept what iustly I intend to doe And cannot it performe except He put his helping hand thereto He knoweth that I am but flesh and what is flesh but fraile and ill And what is man a lumpe of trash whom vaine desires do fully fill And will this God Iehouah high so strong and powerfull set his might Against a worme so weake as I a silly man a shade of night What conquest can there be in God to worke reuenge on mee poore soule Who still corrects me with his rod whose iustice doth my sinnes controle shall I dispute with thee nay rather poore wetch I should fal prostrate down And humbly kneele vnto my father pray with teares wheÌ„ he doth frowne If he afflict more be it so if further plague me let be so If he will kill with paines and woe do what he list let it be so For I am his do what he will with mee and all that mine can bee It is his owne and must be still there 's no disputing God with thee There is noe Art or Eloquence can quench thy coales of burning ire It is not words can make defence nor friends can saue me from they fire Nor take me from the powerful hands so full of might force strength power Or breake a sunder thy strong bands nor ease one minute of an houre I le yeelde me therefore to his will Lord doe what thy good pleasure is Turne me as may thy minde fullfill I 'le waite the time of happie blisse I le waite thy pleasure time will come wherein I may the issue see Of my afflictions all and some and what thy purpose is with mee The meanetime I will with thy word consult and vse my exercise And comfort take though hope O Lord refresh dull spr'ites cleare dim'd eies With dewe of thy sweete promises laying aside all fleshly ayde I onely rest on thy mercies in holy word as thou hast said And in true faith will I remaine and seeke thee beeing the true way Wherein who walkes at length shal gaine true blisse and happines foraye Who this embraceth shall not erre wherein who liues shall neuer die But weare a crowne past reason farre to liue with God etetnally FINIS ¶ A prayer wherein the distressed humbly confesseth his sinnes and the vanities of his former times lewdely mispent desiring others to take example by him and to returne to God by reptntance before it be to late And at the last preparing to die commendeth his soule to God with whom after death he hopeth to liue foreuer AN heart that 's broken contrite to God is a sweete sacrifice Repentant sinners him delight far more then iust men in their eies what I haue bin my God hath knowne what I now am the Lord doth see What I shal be to him is
showne from him no secret kept can be How I consume so many yeares mispent so many monthes and daies Both houres and minutes all appeares to God who markes my life waies Time is the meane that all things tries time worketh what mens wits deuise Time with his swiftnes euer flies and time in time will make men wise Fly from me follies of my youth packe hence my sins that burdned me Welcome to me is age and trueth now I by faith in Christ will be whose sins do make their harts to bleed let them examples take by me Whose wickednes all mens exceede come come and my repentance see Lord now let me depart in peace I feele thy rod I finde thy loue My paines doe grow my ioyes encrease this mercie comes from thee aboue My sickenes is a present meane to heale and cure my wounds of sin Lord purge all my corruptions cleane and let my death my life begin FINIS The repentant complaineth of his horrid and grieuous sinnes and in the end giueth thankes vnto Iehouah on high who is distinguised into one God and three persons HIdden O Lord are my most horred sins vnto the world though open plaine to thee He neuer betters that no time begins corruption killeth all good thoughts in mee What sin doth dwell in this vild flesh of ours but doth encrease like monsters huge in me Cōmitting them both minutes daies houres as swift as Time so fast grow they in me Rent thine owne flesh teare thy wretched haires scrape clean corruptions marrow frō thy bones Put out thine eies cut of thy tongue stop eares lame all thy sences to kill sinne at once I faine would walke that know not how to creep I am opprest with such most hainous crimes Whē I should wake sin drowneth me with sleep for one good thought I sin a thousand times Sigh O my soule weepe sorrow lament and seeke for helpe if any hope be left Pray vnto Christ for grace thou mai'st repent before his merits from thee be bereft Though by his rod afflictions humble thee and for thy sinnes thou suffer grieuous paine Yet with his staffe he still vpholdeth thee from deep dispaire in blisse with him to raigne All glory be to God on high and to his sonne our sauiour wise and iust To whom with ioy still pray and sing will I and to my comforter the holy Ghost Whose being was from all eternity one deity distinct in persons three According to the blessed Trinity distinguish 't three yet one in vnity Finis ¶ The repentant wholy flyeth vnto the mercies of God in Christ and describeth the loath somnes vglines of his sinnes aggrauating the greatnes thereof aboue all other mens O Lord behould my miseries my paine and deadly griefe No helpe no hope but thy mercies to yeeld my soule reliefe I hate my selfe and loath my sinne my heart is rent with feare To thinke what state I haue liu'd in my wits with torments teare If sinnes seeme vgly vnto mee who did the same commit How loath some Lord shew they to thee that do'st in iudgement sit Whē others sins my minde haue vext and make me search mine owne My heart with horror is perplex't for my sinnes seedes so sowne By measure iust and true I finde no man that euer liu'd Hath sinn'd so much in heart and mind as I that am thus grieu'd If all mens faults were put in one and knowne were my offences T' weare no compaire to mine alone so vil'd in all pretences O cease to sing sigh and lament turne tunes to weeping teares And learne of Dauid to repent by faith to cure thy cares True faith in Christ Lord grant to me that now liue in dispaire From Sathans bondage set me free let Christs bloud cleanse me cleare Blot out of minde my cursed crimes and my misdoings all That dayly sinne so many times and hourely sinck and fall Thou bid'st thē come that loden are with burthen of their sinne And let thy spirit my spirit prepare that I may now begin At first to creepe and then to goe and so come to thy gate And then be cured of my woe O Lord t' is not to late Whil'st I liue let me liue to loue thee for now mine heart aboue There 's nought on earth to loue can moue me my life is with my loue Where thou doest sit on cherubins and Angels sing thy praise With holy holy Seraphines Lord let me liue alwaies FINIS The poore Suppliant being visited with a grieuous sicknes sheweth how he languisheth in all the corporall parts members of his body but especially with the torture of his conscience for sinne and at the last prayeth that God would take from him this heauie yoake of miseries O Lord giue eare to my complaint attend my teares heare my cry My sinnewes shrinck my limes do faint I languish in my malady My bones are broke my flesh gon quit my strength in euery part doth faile My thighes grow thin dim'd is my sight my leggs feete with weaknes quaile My tongue doth faulter in my head my spr'its faint my hands do shake With paine and ach I tosse in bed my vaines are stiffe mine hart doth ake My bodie is with griefe opprest noe place noe part is free from anguish I grieue and groane and take no rest I faint I swoune I fall I languish I liue but dying euery houre my glasse of time is almost run I sade away as doth a floure that withers with the heate of sunne I liue and die yet not with death I lingring liue yet dead with sinne Condemn'd to die yet draw my breath in such confusion liue I in As if all tortures due for sinne were euery minute laid on mee Horrors with-out and hell with-in and all thiese things thine eie doth see I charge not Heauen I blame not earth but of this one thing am assured That flesh and world the diuell my birth and faults not fates haue this procured Lord for thy building thou dost square mee with many a strong and sturdy stroake When thy will is O Lord do spare mee and take from me this heauie yoake FINIS A feruent prayer vnto God that the repentant may find fauour in Christ whose merits and satisfaction he offereth vnto thee O Lord as a pleasing ransome for his sinnes ATtend vnto my teares O Lord regard my woefull moane And seeke to saue mee by thy word or I am ouerthrowne For sinne doth so oppresse my minde that I am damn'd to hell Vnlesse by Christ I fauour finde whose woundes must make me well Cure thou my soule so sicke with sinne by merrits of thy sonne Marke not the state that I liue in but marke what he hath done Most perfect he though I be vild to please when I offend He sits with thee though I exild in glory to the end My
handes in life and death to him we flee FINIS ¶ The bodie is buried but shall be raised vp againe at the last day PIllor of faith Basis of blisse of true religion sure supporter The pointe of Resurrection is in death it is the chiefe comforter If this doe fall all faith may faile what article doth vs refresh When life and health and strength doth quaile the Resurrection of the flesh Our bones shall blossom as the grasse we shall be raised out of dust The bodie that before time was by power of Christ's spirit rise it must The first fruit's Christ the head is rais'd the members shall the same likewise The Lord God for the same be prais'd we know that we shall also rise If head aboue the water bee how can the body then be drowned We shall arise and Iesus see and with him shall be kingly crowned FINIS ⧠In the pangs of death and in all tribulations the remedies be to be learned in the sufferings of Christ. OF life and death the true director who in his life and his dying Of our misdoing is corrector and into all our actions prying Christ is afflicted for our sake left vs example that we should Follow his stepps and his way take thy Crosse to beare with courage bould Our Sauiour Iesus teacheth thee how can that be say'st thou behold Example if thou punisht bee with sicknes hunger thirst colde With thy selfe reccon and accompt how it cannot compared be with his thornes yea his nailes surmount the greatest payne that paineth thee Art thou restrain'd of thy desire lusts that draw thou know'st not whether Thinke on Christs crosse Gods wrath ire put his tortures all together If prid puffe vp thy mind with motiōs looke on Christ nailed on the Crosse And thinke as bound by due deuotions of our great gaine by his great losse If thou in filthie lust dost burne or any other ill desire Thinke but how Christ his flesh was torne to saue thy soule frō flames of fire With stripes thrust through and all to brokē his drinke was Ezell mixt with Gaule With his last gaspe the earth was shoken who suffered for the sinnes of all If enuy hate reuenge thee grieue thinke with thy selfe how Christ did pray O Father doe them all forgiue for them that tooke his life away FINIS An exhortation to forgiue one an other before we depart out of this world GOd vs commaunded to forgiue saith then we shall be forgiuen Without offence noe man can liue and God his ballance hangeth even He that doth not forgiue his brother will then the Lord his faults remit Noe as he dealeth with another another shall repaire t' is fit And when you kneele to God pray forgiue if you haue any thing Gainst any liuing man that day that Christ may your remission bring And when thy guift thou dost present and on the Aulter sacrifice First with thy brother make consent and him forgiue in any wise When thou to Christ wast enemie and strengthned in great extreames Yet then did he giue remedie and or'e thee spred his mercie beames He gaue to thee his holy spirit to guide and leade thy soule aright And gaue thee heauen there to inherit all ioyes and blisse lay in his sight When thou from him wa' st gon astray he sought thee out did thee finde And finding thee brought thee away vnto his fould he thee resignde Thanke God therefore render praise exalt and laude his holy name Vnto the heauens sing alwaies all men on earth doe ye the same Hence forth my soule walke in his path and erre not from him any more Lesse thou prouoke his heauie wrath and then art worse then wer't before Let not Gods spirit be giuen thee to worke thy condempnation But let thy eye remembred bee for thy soules preseruation Shun thou all wicked company with dooers ill associate not Least thou from faith should'st fall fly and soule body soile and spot But blesse his name who called thee vnto the state of righteousnes And thy sinnes vengance tane hath hee to giue thee heauens happines Blesse thou his blessed holynes his praise let minde heart record And let thy tongue and voyce confesse the gratiousnes of God the Lord. Prostrate thy selfe downe at his feete offer thy seruice with free heart O yeeld God all for t' is most meete since he made sau'd blest each part Who spared not his only Sonne but let him die thy soule to saue To pay and ransome thy faults done and to redeeme thee from the graue So in the prayer of our Lord we doe forgiue that 's done gainst vs As God forgiuenes shall afford our Sauiour Christ doth teach vs thus That is that we forgiue them must who did vs harme in any thinge In thought in word in deede vniust or ought to thine indamaging FINIS ¶ Diuers consolations that the life and time of affliction is short THe cōfort that doth make vs bould is our afflictions transitory Cause wee of Christ doe take sure hould the troubles short endlesse the glory Eye hath not seen eare hath not heard the ioyes that God for his elect In heauen already hath prepar'd through many troubles to effect Light are our troubles temporarie because Christ and his spirit deuine This weight and burthen helpe to carry and strongly vs to them combine We looke not on things seene vaine but on things vnseene cast our eye The soules of Saints for Christ was slaine Christ answeared when they did cry How long a time that they must stay a little while though he doth lower His stay till wrath be ouer past t' is but a minute of an howre Christ calls the time of troubles little but Paule doth say the glories great As in respect of th' earth a little so griefes compar'd to Heauens seate A while saith God I thee forsooke that is short time in misery But there th' eternall mercy tooke that is to heauen felicity FINIS ⧠A consolation for them which suffer for their offences IF men you buffit for ill deedes what praise mongst mē get you therby Corrections from your faults proceedes and therefore take it patiently See none do suffer as an Actor of ill as busie bodies theeues Nor as a wicked male factor for that barrs pitty from your grieues But if please God we suffer must for wicked deedes were done by vs Deseruing punishment most iust may holy be by suffering thus And vnto God t' is no lesse pleasing then suffering of the Innocents God can and will helpe our diseasing we are but as his patients If euill men their faults confesse and noe good course of life omit Belieue in Christ and faith expresse then surely he 'l their faults remit And their deserued punishment and crosses all he 'l lenifie And giue a crowne magnificent to purenesse them he 'l sanctifie The theefe who died for heineous crime hang on the Crosse
time of neede least that I fall into the snare O let thy comfortable loue betimes into my soule distill And let thy spirit like a Doue dwell in my heart and keepe me still Vpon thee onely I depend direct me in the perfect way And guide me to my iourneyes end for thou art my support and stay Good Lord defend me from my foes for vnto thee I fly for ayd Vnder thy wings hide me from those that for my soule their snares haue layd Teach me to doe the thing a-right that may be pleasing to thy minde And amiable in thy sight that I thy fauour still may finde Thou art my God and onely guide which dost protect me with thy hand O let thy spirit with me a-bide and lead me to the holy land For thy names sake Lord quicken me and for thy righteousnes I craue O set my soule from troubles free and let it neuer see the graue And for thy goodnes sake destroy mine enemies that me pursue And to my soule would worke annoy O Lord confound that damned crew I am thy seruant O my God Deare Father guide me with thy rod. FINIS ¶ A Mistery to be noted and followed of those that are parting out of this life IN the departure of the Lord of mortall bodies vitall breath Their liues a misterie worth record which he did shew vs heere on earth Who doth prepare to die each houre must follow Christ our Sauiour For he the night before he died did single out himselfe alone Disciples all he set aside and to his Father makes his moane His mother deere he leaues with Iohn to comfort her when he is gon So Christians all when they goe hence must cast of care of worldes respect Setling their house with prouidence and then all earthly care neglect Leauing all thoughts of common wealth which too much mens affections steale Commending wife and children all to Gods protecting will Diuine Himselfe to God Coelestiall betakes from world to Gods designe Forsaking friends and kinsfolkes heere exempts his heart from care and feare He must then secret be alone who will with high Iehouah walke Distilling teares with prayers moane and seruent sighes with God to take His soule and spirit let him commend to heauenly ioyes deuoid of end At time of death Christ watch't and prai'd with earnest zeale and seruencie In Oliue Mount all Night he stay'd a place for heauenly secrecie He there thrice his disciples warnes to watch and pray gainst tempters harmes Euen so all they must watch and pray with sighes and groanes for former sinnes That from this life depart away against temptations Sathans gins Exhorting all to liue to die to Faith sure Hope and Charity Christ bow'd his knees t' was not enough he fell downe flat vpon his face His cryes the heauens pierced through to God for ayde and heauenly grace He twice retir'd to feruent praier with ardent Zeale in open ayre He bends his knees with humblenes who himselfe commits to Gods dispose He falleth flat with lowlines that takes the loue for his repose And wholy doth himselfe deny fixing his faith in God on high As Adam first in paradise had seemely corps without array So Christ from Earth on Crosse doth rise his naked selfe doth them display As Brasen Serpent was erect so he 's lift vp for his elect Euen so that soule that Heauen aspir's from earths affections must ascend Mounting with heart and his desires to heauenly life that hath no end Himselfe to th' world must crucifie nayl'd with faith hope and charity This Champion there must combate make with Dragon fierce mans enemy Till he turne backe the victory leauing the Lambe tue victory Then victour shall enioy the nest of highest heauens and be possest FINIS ¶ Short Meditations or Iaculatorie prayers to be had in memorie vppon seuerall occasions When any sodaine feare assayleth thee pray BE vnto me O Lord a Tower of strength against my mortall foe O guard and ward me with thy power which way soeuer I shall goe Then shall my heart and soule reioyce in God my Lord with cheerefull voice ¶ If an ill Suspicion ouertake thee CReate O Lord my heart anewe regenerate my spirit within Suspicious thoughts which me pursue expell and purge me from my sinne Still let thine Angels me conduct and with thy spirit my soule instruct ¶ If vndesent sadnes perplex thee LEt thy saluation be my ioy confirme me with thy spirit of grace Let sadnes not my soule annoy for pensiue thoughts too much take place Oh let my comforts still reside in Christ who for my sinnes hath dy'de ¶ If vaine-glory seduce thee NOt vnto vs but to thy name all honour Lord we attribute For thou alone deseru'st the same what can we to our selues impute Oh Lord thou knowest we are but dust yet we presume in thee to trust ¶ If despaire molest thee THou art my hope euen from my youth from my Mothers wombe my guide Why should I then despaire in truth but in thy mercies euer bide For thou O Lord wilt still protect with consolation thine elect ¶ If thou be afflicted in minde HElpe me and I shall then be safe and I will meditate alwaies Vpholde me with thy strongest Staffe that I may euer sing thee praise Thy wonted loue Lord let me finde to comfort mine afflicted minde ¶ If Slouth assaile thee LOrd with thy powre my soule excite come and confirme me in thy way That in thy lawes I may delight and from thy statuts neuer stray Rouse and reuiue my drowsie spirit that ioyes with thee I may inherit ¶ If wrath disturbe thee OH giue me patience Lord and peace least y◠my soule should lose her crowne O let thy loue to me increase and powre thy grace and mercy downe For thou hast said in thy behest in patience be your soules possest ¶ If desire of honour or promotion tempt thee LOrd vnto thee my heart incline from greedie gaine my thoughts withdrawe From vanitie direct mine eyne and rectifie me in thy lawe For in thee doth all honour rest it comes not from the East nor West ¶ If Gluttonie solicit thee THy Kingdome is not drinke nor meate but ioy and peace in heauen aboue T' is not the flesh which we doe eate can profit vs without thy loue Then with thy grace my spirit cherish for that 's the foode which cannot perish ¶ If any blessing of God happen to thee VVHat shall I render to my Lord for all his blessings powr'd on me My heart and soule with one accord shall laud and praise thy maiestie All Blessings doe from thee descend blest be thy name world without end ¶ In any grieuous persecutions IVdge them oh Lord which me pursue and ouer-throw my foes in fight And with thy sword confound that crewe which prosecut me with despight Oh be thou still my guard and guide defending me on euery