more care of vs then we haâ—e of our selâ—es How often hath he spaâ—ed vs when wee haue fallen into sinne whereas if his lâ—â—â—â—ad not beene grâ—at to vs hee might easily â—aâ—â— thâ—â—â—ne vs downe into perpetuall destruction without giuing vs tiâ—â— of repentance Therefore let vs call to mind how dangerous a thing it is to offend so mercifull a Father let vs call to mindâ— why wee should put our soules into so great a danger considering wee see that hee strikes many tiâ—es suddenlie withoâ—t giâ—ing any repentance â—â— all If â—â—â—â—â—â—â—â— but diligently consider tâ—â— danger wâ—â—rest in by our idle and cold seruing of GOD qâ—estionlesse wee should betake our selues to a better seruing of him Say we should die and leaue this life this present night what iudgement should we look or expect or to what place should wee bee brought where should wee giue and make account for euerie idle word we speake for whatsoeuer wee thinke or doe Of what a hard and fearefull thing is this vnto vs if wee would but duly consider what wee lose in not seruing God truly Let vs giue ouer this lazie seruing of God and leaue the idle vanities of the World which luls vs asleepe in the lap of destruction It is fit that we earnestly enforce our thoughts still to be calling to GOD for mercy and remission of our sins promising from the bottome of our hearts to be more carefull and to vse greater diligence for the amendement of our wicked liues And if it please his diuine Maiesty to take our liues away this night desire him according to his infinite mercie to deale mercifully with vs not according to our deseruings which are meerely naught but according to his righteousnesse which is all good but if it please his omnipotencie to prolong our daies any further here in this world pray that he will so infuse into our hart the oile of his grace that we may magnifie him in a better fashion then we haue usually done heretofore and pray that he will giue vs grace â—o liue discreetely vprightly and godlily in this life and in the World to come to giue vs life euerlasting Amen A Prayer for the Euening O Most worthy redeemer and Sauiour of Mankind I avile and a wretched sinnâ—â— in hope of pardon and forgiuenes of my great offences doe here humbly prostrate my selfe before thy sacred fâ—ete this night confessing vnto thee and accusing my selfe of all my faults and heinous transgressions where-with vnto this houre I haue so offended thee my Lord and Maker and that I haue not trembled to commit those execrable sinnes for which if thy mercies were not great towards me I should remaine as a lost sheepe I must needs confesse my most great ingratitude which I haue committed vnto this houre against thee my onely Lord and Redeemer so vnthankefull to thee for all thy loue graces and benefits bestowed vpon me and that thou hast so patientlie spared mee so long a time persisting in euill and continuing my wicked and vngracious courses that in mercie thou hast tollerated so great contempt of thy diuine will and Commandements yea so exceeding and great hath beene thy loue that in stead of casting mee into hell fire thou hast kept me vnder the shadow of thy wings as for these my offences I had iustly deserued thou contrariwise hast spared mee for amendemnt of life for which cause how often hast thou knockt at the doore of my heart by thy heauenlie inspirations how often hast thou preuented â—ee with blessings allured mee with comforts drawne me with fauours yea forced mee many times by crosses and afflictions to seeke vnto thee and yet neither hath my flintie heart beene mollified therewith nor my will reclaimed A wonder it is that now at last comming to finde the foulenesse of my errour my very heart doth not burst with extremitie of contrition Hath Hell it selfe sufficient torment to punish such wickednesse and to take vengeance of such exceeding ingratitude vnworthie I am to bee called thy Creature or whom the earth should beare much lesse affoorde nourishment and things necessarie for preseruation of my health nay doubtlesse had not thy mercie with-held them both Heauen and Earth the Elements and all Creatures had long ere this taken vengeance of me for such horrible contempt and abuses O how many thousands in the World by thy righteous iudgements are alreadie condemned to the neuer ending torments of hell fire who neuer came neere the measure of any mortal transgressions Yea who in comparison of me a sinfull caitiffe might rather bee Saints in Heauen then damned soules adiudged as they be vnto eternall perdition But now O mercifull Father and God of pittie and compassion in vnfeined sorrow and remorse of conscience for all my misdeeds I throw my selfe downe at thy feete this night humbly beseeching thee to be reconciled vnto mee to pardon all my offences both new and olde to looke vpon me a miserable and a wretched sinner with the eye of mercie as thou diddest the penitent Publican the â—â—nner Magdalen and the Apostle that thrice denied thee Bee pleased to admit mee again into thy grace and fauour Lord I pray thee work that speedilie in mee for which cause thou hast so long spared mee Wo is mee that I should leaue so louing and so kinde a Father who hath not ceased to procure my good that I haue refused to bestow vppon him my heart who would haue made an habitation for his owne abode therein which by keeping from him my selfe haue defiled it with much filth and corruption Yea made it a vessell of impietie a stew of vncleane thoughts and cogitations in a word I confesse my selfe to be the most vicious Creature vpon the Earth Yet the rather will I throw my selfe into the Sea of thy mercie for as my sinnes bee numberlesse so be thy mercies endlesse But most louing Father if thou wilt thou canst make mee cleane Lord heale the wounds of my soule for vnto thee doe I open the sore Remember thy selfe sweete Lord of that comfortable speech pronounced by the mouth of one of thy Prophets Thou hast committed folliâ— with many Louers yet turnâ— thee againe vnto me and I wil receiue thee Much confidence haue I Lord in this thy sweete and comfortable saying with all my heart do I returne vnto thee and to none else I am that prodigall child I am that vnfaithful seruant who haue separated my selfe from the Father of lights from whom all goodnesse doth flow I haue forsaken the fountaine of lluing wâ—ters and haue digged vnto my selfe Ciâ—â—â—rnes which will hold no water contenting my selfe with such barren comforts as the Creatures did affoord mee such momentanie sading pleasures as to the great detriment of my soule I hâ—ue â—ried to be lighter then chaâ—â—e and more vaine then vanitie itselfe But what is past gracious God let it be cancelled and forgotten and for the time to come let there be an eternall league
Heauen anâ— Earth bee rendered praise and thankesgiuing Worlâ— without eâ—d Amen Another Morning Prayer O Blessed Lord thoâ— hast established thy Throne in Heauen and thoâ— gouernest all things by thirâ— imperiall power I will mâ—gâ—ifie thee O God and praise thy name World without â—nd I will giue thee thankes â—lwaies and make thy name glorious for euermore Lord â—onfirme in mee that which â—hou hast wrought and fiâ—ish the worke thou hast beguâ—â—e in me to the glorie of thy name and the sauing of â—â—y soule at the dreadful day of thy vâ—sitation for thy mereâ—es sake O Father of goodnesse and mercy let the depth of thy bounty dry vp the depth of my sinnes and giue mee grace to efâ—ect thy will and then command mee what thou pleaâ—est Lord giue me patience â—onstancy and perseuerance â—n my calling and duety of â—ife according to thy will â—nd direction and then let my course of life be in what thou wilt appoint Good Father bee thou my guide and â—ule of lâ—â—e and then all my actions shall be squaredâ— and fitted by the aime of thy word to my great comfort Lord let not the world with her smile beguile mee nor with â—er â—rownes afright me Arme me with sanctity strength and wisdome that Sathan deceiue mee not let not my owne conscience betray mee to his malice let me euery day encrease my strength in thee to the welfare of my soule And good Lord giue me grace patiently and thankfully to take all thou shalt lay vpon me good Father deliuer me this day from sinne and all other mischiefe that may befall me through my frailâ—ty and keepe me as the apple of thy eye Lord hide me vnder the â—hadow of thy wings from the vngodly and them that goe about to trouble mee Mine enemies compaste mee â—ound about Lord bee thou my guard and defence let not mine enemies haue the â—oper hand of me O Lord â—leanse mee from my secret offâ—aces and let my morning teares and the sorrowâ—ull sighing of my heart â—ome before thy presence â—nd alwaies be acceptable in â—hy sight And I beseech thee good Father to cast vpon me â—he eye of thy great clemencie that through the efâ—ects of thy spirit I may obâ—aine life euerlasting Amen A short Prayer for the Morning O Lord God in the multitude of thy mercies I doe heere present my selfe vnto thee beseeching thee to heare me and to addresse my heart truly and zealouslie to call vpon thee O Heauenly Father who like a diligent watchman doest alwaies attend thy faithfull people whether they awake or sleepe and mightily defendest them not onely from Sathan that olde enemy of Mankinde but also from all other aduersaries so that by thy godly power they bee preserued harmelesse I most heartily thanke thee that it hath pleased thy Fatherlie goodnesse to take care of â—â—ee thine vnprofitable serâ—uant this night past that thou hast both safely kept me from all my enemies and â—lso giuen me sweete sleepe to the great comfort of my â—ody I most intirely beseech â—hee O most mercifull Father to shew the like kindnesse towards me this day in â—reseruing my body and â—oule that as my enemies may haue no power ouer me so I likewise may neiâ—her thinke breathe speake â—r doe any thing that may â—e displeasant to thy Fatherâ—â—e goodnesse dangerous to â—y selfe or hurtfull to my â—eighbour but that all mine â—nterprises may bee agreeaâ—le to thy most blessed will â—hich is alwaies good and godly doing that which may aduance thy glory answere to my vocation anâ— profit my neighbour whoâ—â— I ought to loue as my selfe â— that whensoeuer thou callest me from this vale of miserie I may bee found thâ— Childe not of darknesse buâ— of light and so for eueâ—raigne with thee in glory which art the true and euerlasting light to whom with thy dearely beloued Sonne IESVS CHRIST our onely Sauiour and the Holie Ghost that most sweet comforter bee all honour and glorie Amen A Meditation to be vsed before thou goâ—st to bed AT night before thou goest to bedde examine wel thy conscience It is good that euery man doe not onely weekelie but euery day and houre examine himselfe â—â— driue from his soule all negligence and sloath and enrich his minde with godlinesse Whereupon the Poet writeth very well Let not thy sluggish sleepe close vp thy waking eye Vntill with iudgement deepe thy daily deeds thou trie It is meet then to examine our consciences of the grieuous offences which wee haue committed against GOD and to call to remembrance how wee haue offended his omnipotent Maiestie from the time we did rise vnto this present by thought consent deedâ— slaâ—kenesse or omitting that which â—endeth to the true seruice and â—onour of our Lord and Sauiour IESVS CHRIST by offending of our Neighbour bâ— passing our time idlie in praying after a â—â—olde sort with small deuotion and in neglecting of our duty by such slothfulnesse that we thereby fall into â—rronious sins which turnâ— very iâ—iâ—rious to our soules Therefore let vs with true sorrow and grâ—ese and with a remorse of conscience duly consider the great offence wee comit against so mercifull a GOD then preparing our selues to prayer let vs giue God his dâ—â— in seruing him in holinesse and righteousnesse with most humble thankes for his great â—â—rciâ—s and benefits which hee so liberally bestowed vpon vs â—â—nie waies as in making vs reasonable Creatures after his oâ—ne siâ—ilitude and likenesse â—nd by his infinite loue in shedâ—ing his most precious bloud â—â—lâ—â—ring vâ— therâ—by from the â—â—ttâ—â—â—lesse pit of hell Mâ—râ—â—â—â—r hee hâ—th prâ—mised and is alwâ—iâ—s ready to giue â—â— euerlasting life if wee iâ— faith trâ—ly seeke it â—t his â—ercifull â—â—nds â—â—d walkâ— in his Laâ—es and follow his Commâ—ndeâ—ents Let vs coâ—sidâ—r â—is greâ—t loue thâ—t â—â— bath 〈◊〉 vâ— in the Holy Ghost when wee were ignorant aâ—d in laying his shining loue vpon vs with the light of faith which hâ—th preserued vs from a grâ—â—tâ—â— danger For example through priâ—â— his Maiesty droâ—e out of Heaâ—en thâ—se which were soâ—â—tâ—â—es gloriouâ— shining Angels being disobedient to his Law and chased Adam out of Paradise for hiâ— disobedience in not obeying his heauenly will Further his Iustice hath cast many a oâ—e into the deepe â—â—ngeon of bell there to be tormented with perpetuall paine punishment for their sloathfull negligence in seruing of him How much then are wee bound vnto the Lord in giuing vs so many exaâ—ples whereby we might serue him aright as true Christians ought to doâ— but his mercie is infinite full of patience and long suffering If wee will at any time seeke and call to him for grace â—ow gently doth hee lay his râ—ddâ— of correction vpon vs whereby we may acknowledge our offences in turning to him in the sinceritie of our hearts minding neuer more to offend him whereas otherwise it might please â—im to destroy vs suddenly O what a gâ—â—tle and loâ—ing Father is this that hath
is or shal be and euery mans thought and deede done or to be done in the world is present to his knowledge For the eternall essence of God which must excell all other beings hath in it selfe such a nobilitie that it comprehendeth all the whole plenty of life together and knitteth time past and time to come with the time present and nothing is to God past or to come but all things are to him present For if any thing were to him newly knowen then God had not all perfect knowledge in him as the beginning and so there should bee in God some mutability and change and augmentation of knowledge And because hee had euer most perfect being and most perfect knowledge and his knowledge cannot bee separated from his being as I haue proued before it must needes follow that God knew all things euer and euery thing was euer is and shall bee to him present CHAP. II. What the Soule is THere is a three-fold soule that is to say a soule Vegetatiue Sensitiue and Intellectiue a soule vegetatiue is that life that is in Plantes Trees Grasse Herbes or fruits which do Gen. 2. 9. grow A soule sensitiue is that life which is in a brute beast which occupieth vseth the fiue senses such as are the taste the smelling the hearing the sight and touching but lacketh reason and vnderstanding as is a horse a cowe a bird a fish and such like But a soule intelectiue is aspiritual substance created inuisible most like to the immortall God hauing no other image or figure but only of his creator Gen. 1. â—7 Ephes 4. 2. and hath a liuely power and vnderstanding to know good from euill and right from wrong man is that Creature to whom GOD hath giuen this soule Intellectiue Now because man hath growing as plants and herbes haue he is therefore called liuely and because he hath the vse of the fiue senses as brute beastes haue therefore hee is called Sensible and because hee hath reason and vnderstanding therefore hee is called Reasonable A man then is nothing else but a liuely sensible and reasonable creature For the body and the reasonable soule ioyned together doe make a man Therefore there is no Creature of God in earth that hath any knowledge and reason how to do honour to God saue onely man so that God will by his goodnesse and mercy reward man for Mat. 25. his good deeds and by his Iustice punish him for his offences and euill deeds For the soule of man is immortall and shall neuer dye For no incorporeal substaÌ„ce created by God shall euer haue end Which thus is proued the soule must needs be made of somewhat or else of nothing but there can bee nothing named of the which it is made or if it be made of any other meane thing or things then must it bee made of part of it selfe which so gathered together maketh the whole soule or else it is made of some matter with some forme and fashion added thereto but it is not made of parts gathered together for the soule hath no parts nor cannot be deuided neither is it made of any other matter for euery thing that is made of any matter and forme may bee resolued vnto the same matter whereof it was first made when the forme or fashion is broken or destroyed as an Image an house a cup such like And therefore sith that the soule of man cannot bee resolued to any such matter whereof it is made because it is a simple substance of it selfe ergo it is made of no matter Then if it be neither made of part of it selfe neither of any matter it hath no meane cause of it creation and being and as it must needs be immediately made Gen. 1. 26. of God which is infinite so consequently it followeth that the soule of man must needs bee infinite incorruptible and immortall and doth liue after it is separated from the body either in ioy or paine And as touching the being of the â—oule after it is separated from the body it is not circumscribed in any place For a naturall place is the vtter and extreame terme or part and hollow superficies of a body containing another body within it a superficies is that which hath but length and breadth and no manner of thicknesse for 〈◊〉 it haue length breadth and thicknesse then it is a body So that euery thing that I see which is the obiect of my sight and whereupon my sight doth rest not considering the thicknesse is called a superficies so the vtter part of euery bodily thing that I do see is called the Superficies because I do see the length breadth thereof but not the thicknesse As by example a Tun is called by coÌ„mon people the place of the wine because it containeth the wine within it and so that hollow superficies of the tunne is the very naturall place of the wine and such a naturall place doth containe within it alwaies a corporall substance and a bodily thing Therefore the soule can neuer bee contained in any naturaâ—l place because it is no corporall substance but a spirituall which doth occupy no place no more then the thought or minde doth which occupieth no place Also vnderstand thou that there bee two kind of things which haue being the one is a reall thing and the other is a rationall A reall thing is that which is perceiued by the Organs and Instruments of the fiue wits as that thing which may be seene heard tasted felt or smelled But rationall things are those which bee not perceiued by the fiue witts but onely bee perceiued by reason and they bee things incorporeall as loue charity meeknesse abstinence pride malice sloth and such other Furthermore of places there bee three diuersities One is a place Continentiue another is a place Limitatiue and the third a place Operatiue A place Continuentiue is that wherein reall things as bodies images and figures be contained as the Tunne wherein the wine is contained A place Limitatiue is where things incorporeal bee limited to bee as the proper place limitatiue for loue is that thing which is loued and that thing which is so loued is the place limited for that to bee and there the loue is in his place limitatiue which place limitatiue of loue cannot bee euer certaine but mutable and because loue may bee at once in diuers things therefore loue may bee in diuers places limitatiue at one time A place operatiue is that place where the operation of the thing is because wee see that the maruailous operation of God is that maruailous swift mouing of the heauenly Spheares and bodies aboue which do appeare to vs therefore wee say that the place where God is is heauen so that Gen. 1. 8 where so euer the operation of God appeareth there is the place operatiue and there is God And thus to conclude God hath ordained a place of ioy a place
of paine where euery mans soule shall be rewarded according to his desarts CHAP. III. Of the Body A BODY hath length breadth thicknesse a man is nothing else but a liuely body sensible reasonable which man hath fiue wittes or senses hearing feeling seeing smelling and tasting and these senses are deuided into Animall and Rationall The Animall senses bee diffused throughout all the members of man such as bee seeing hearing smelling c. And all these are common to vs with brute beasts The Rationall faculties consiste in reason which doth make a man a Gen. 1. 28. 29. reasonable Creature who by reason may rule vnreasonable beasts all things being vnder his dominion CHAP. IIII. Of earthly pleasurs and the vanity thereof Of the comfort and commoditie which man reapes in and by knowing himselfe Of the shortnesse frailty and miseries of mans life With a remembrance of death and meditation thereof THE way to ballance our selues and our desires is to know our selues first then to know God and to fixe our whole hope confidence and desire in him who is the true fountaine and well spring of all happinesse and content within the compasse of whose mighty Protection we are no longer his then while wee walke within the boundes of his gracious directions Miserable are those and most wretched that wander and runne astray out of the armes and safegard of his omnipotencie If the Lord should forget vs as wee forget him nay if he should not remember vs sinfull Creatures a thousand times ere wee remember him once and keep vs in wee should daily and howrely wander out of the right way and perish therein But his mercy and goodnesse is aboue al his works and his great benefites are so generally extended that the wicked haue their portion therein as well as the godly his enemies as well as his friends If the Lord should reuenge our iniuries and ingratitude which wee commit in contemning his will and Commandements and deale with vs as wee deale one with another what would or should become of vs then Nothing but woe and meere confusion O let vs therefore learne from him which is the true patterne of all goodnesse and consolation in some poore measure to be like vnto our Lord and and Maister Christ Iesus from whence we deriue our name are called Christians Let vs whose Image wee carry stamped by the fingers of his owne hands let vs bee not onely shadowes but bodies mouing after his steppes that is our head let vs walke heere on earth as good Christians whereby we may shew the wicked a patterne of good life to imitate such humility and sobrietie as our Lord Iesus Christ the true and liuely patterne of all goodnesse and pietie hath walked before vs the print of whose blessed feete wee daily looke on with our eies and consider in our heartes with ioy and comfort If wee will be his Disciples wee must take vp his Crosse and follow him making it our glory that are the people of his pasture and the sheepe of his handes who neuerthelesse in simple sight grasing on the mountaines are either fleeced of the shearer growne into we oll or snatched vp by the bucher growne into flesh and the water of affliction being wrung vnto vs out of a full cup wee be exposed to the shame of the world and the windes still beate on our sayles and our liues bound vp in vexation and sorrow whilest the wicked like the bramble in confidence of their shadow Iudg. 9. 15. dare challenge to be Kings ouer the forrest And though they sayle calmely as in the Hauen and their breastes are full of milke as IOBE Iob 21. 26. speaketh and their bones of marrow and though with DAVID in the 73 PSALME wherein the property of the wicked is liuely set forth how they come not to misfortunes like other folke neither are they plagued like other men their eyes swell with fatnesse and they do euen what they liste yet let vs take comfort to our selues stay our soules on the anchor of his prouideÌ„ce as the same Prophet did although in the consideration of his chastisement all the day long euery morning yet the prosperity of the wicked hee confessed said My feete had almost slipt yea and I had sayd as they vntill I went into the Sanctuary of God then vnderstood I the end of these men namely how thou settest them in slippery places and castest them downe and destroyest them how suddenly they come to a fearefull end So when death shall make vs both euen with the Earth here is our comfort The graue shall bee to vs as a folde till our Shepheard come and to them a shambles vntill the destroyer of their soules shall receiue an endlesse commission to torment them Therefore neither the pleasures of this life nor health wealth or liberty are at the best but candied wormewood that delighteth the taste but destroyeth the stomacke without a true and sanctified vse therein that makes those happy and blessed that haue them for with all the goodly branches of delectation pleasure they cast if their Tree answer not with fruit the leaues will not protect it from the fire Cursed is he that is blessed in this world to be cursed in the world to come Here we haue the eloquence of the flesh to perswade vs the inticements of the diuell to allure vs the company of the wicked to associate vs All these to diuert our course from the place whither we are going and the World with her inticements to traine vs furthest from what wee seeke and the pride of our life to perswade vs for trifles to forgoe the interest wee haue in heauen and our branched corruption euery way ready to set vs forward being ambitious like Adam who if he may be as God there is Gen 3. 5. no command can restraine him vaine-glorious like Esau who if hee may haue a Gen. 33. 1. traine of men at his heeles will soone digest the losse of his birth-right and so byvsury if our bags may thereby be made fuller the word of God shall nâ—t restraine vs from it If the sonnes of men shall take the diuell at his word which the Sonne of God did not when the diuell tempted him and shewed him â—ll the Kingdomes of the Earth and the glory thereof All these will I giue thee if thou wilt fall downe and worship me and for the glory of the world which he shall shew and cannot giue shal fall downe and worship him If he shew honors preferment pleasure riches saying as this I will giue thee though the minions and louers of the world that seeke for their heauen vpon earth shal be ready to betray their soules as Iudas betraied Christ with his Haile Master shall bee ready to imbrace him to serue him to serue themselues yet with the Sonne of God after his fasting be thou so strong in thy strength as he was in his
O let vs call to God that hee out of the riches of his mercie would inspire into our hearts the due and diligent consideration of the vncertaintie shortnes frailtie and other grieuous calamities of mans life All humane pride and the whole glory aboundance of the world hauing mans life for a stay and foundation can certainly no longer endure then the same life abideth so that riches dignities honors offices and such like which men here in earth haue a great regard of they doe many times forsake a man he being yet and doe neuer continue longer with them then to the graue This is a vaine slipperie delightfull pleasure for then when the foundatioÌ„ faileth the whole building must needs fall Iob saith these clay Tabernacles Iob. 4. doe daily faile Dauid compareth our life to the fat of Lambes which wasteth away Psal 69. in the roasting and to a new coate which soon waxeth olde and is eaten with Moathes and further compareth man to grasse and to the flowr of the field which to day flourisheth and to morrow is cut downe and withered Iob compares man to the burning of a Candle which in the end annoyeth Iob. 18. and then euery man crieth Put it out What thing else is mans life but a bubble vp with the water and downe with the wind what is then to bee thought of humane pompe and glory which is more transitory and fraile then life it selfe O that man would know himselfe wherby he may know God Iob further saith Man that is borne of a woman is of a short continuance and full of miseries hee shooteth forth as a flower and is cut downe hee vanisheth also as a shadow and continueth not This consideration might open our blindnesse to see into our selues and to know our selues and then know God in this description of humane calamities to the end wee might want no knowledge thereof It seemeth Iobs purpose was to beginne with the very matter it selfe of which man was made that he might expresse the basenesse of the matter of which this most proud creature was made He was created and made of the Earth but not of the best of the earth but of the slime of the earth as the Scripture testifieth being the most filthy and abiect part of the Earth among all bodies the most vile element and among all the Elements the basest Among all the parts of the Earth none is more filthy and abiect then the slime of the Earth whereof man was made of that matter then the which there is nothing more vile and base And whereas hee saith that hee was borne of a woman he hath in few words comprehended many miseries of humane condition Our very fashioning and originall is so impure and vncleane that it is not for chaste eares to heare but to be passed ouer in silence as a thing most filthy and horrible to be told Mans conception is so foule that our most mercifull and louing Lord taking vpon him all our sorrowes and calamities for our redemption would in no wise beare this although hee vouchsafed to take vpon him our humane nature and to suffer many reproaches of his enemies as to be mocked blasphemed spit vpon bound whipped and in the end most shamefully crucified yet hee thought it vnseeming his Maiestie to be conceiued in the wombe of the blessed Virgin Mary after the same sinfull manner that other men be After man is once conceiued doth he not endure great calamities in his mothers wombe as it were in a filthy and vncleane prison where euery moment he is in perill of his life And at the last hee is borne naked weake ignorant destitute of all helpe and counsell not able to goe to speake or to helpe himselfe all that hee can doe is to cry and that is to set forth his miseries for he is borne to labour a banished man from his Countrey the enemy of God in possibility to liue but a few dayes and the same few daies full of misery deuoide of all quietnesse and rest O let vs know our selues and then know God The very beginning from whence man hath his first originall is sinne the vanity whereof makes him thinke himselfe borne to an inbâ—ed pride which pride mingleth and confoundeth all things ouerturneth troubleth and subdueth Kingdomes There is another calamity incident to mans body the building is scarcely finished but it is ready to totter and fall and sure it is ere long to fall Man is scarce entred into the world but he is admonished to remember his departure The dayes of Man saith Dauid are threescore yeeres Psal 90. and ten and though some be so strong that they come to fourescore yet is their strength then but labour and sorrow The summe of our yeeres wherevnto all doe not attaine is threescore yeeres and ten â—he strongest bodies someâ—imes continue till fourescore from which yeeres if wee deduct those yeeres which infancie and childehood spendeth for all that â—ime wee liue not like men â—either are gouerned with â—eason and counsell but are â—arried with a certaine vioâ—ent motion liâ—e vnto brute â—easts which are deuoide of â—eason and vnderstanding 〈◊〉 also wee take away that â—ime which passeth away â—hen wee sleepe for sleeâ—ing wee liue not the life of â—easts when they wake â—â—ch lesse of men and that â—â—me will rather seeme a liâ—ing death theÌ„ a liuely life If we deduct all the time of childhood and sleepe that which remaineth wil scarcely amount to forty yeeres and of these forty yeeres weâ— haue not one moment oâ— time in our power that wee can assuredly say that wee shal not die therein for whether wee eate drinke or sleepe whether we be in labour or in rest wee are in danger of perils It is not without cause our Sauiour Christ crieth in his Gospell Watch because yet know 〈◊〉 the day nor the houre which Mar. â—3 is as much as if he had more plainely said Because yee know not that day watch euery day and because yee know not the moneth and the yeere watch therefore euery moneth and yeere 〈◊〉 thou shouldest be inuited to 〈◊〉 Feast and being set at the Table seeing before thee many and sundry meates of â—ll sorts a friend secretly â—omes admonisheth thee â—hat among so many dainty â—ishes there is one poysoâ—ed what in this cause woulâ—est thou do which of them â—arest thou touch or taste 〈◊〉 wouldest not thou susâ—ect them all I think thogh â—ou wert extreamely hunâ—y thou wouldest refraine â—om all for feare of that one â—here the poyson is It is â—ade manifest vnto thee alâ—eady that in one of thy forâ—e yeeres thy death lieth â—idden from thee and thou â—rt vtterly ignorant which â—at yeere shall be how then â—n it be but that thou must suspect and feare them all O let vs first know our selues and then know God whereby we shall know to vnderstand the shortnesse of our life O what a great profit and commodity should
and fansies which beare away the due reuerence wee owe vnto God For when we haue praied to GOD that hee will giue eare vnto our requests and receiue our petitions they are sonegligently done that we had need pray againe to desire him that hee will out of his bountifull loue and great mercy cast his eye of pitty and not of anger vpon the great offence which was committed in the idlenesse of our prayers and supplications made by vs vnto his diuine Maiestie and that he will forgiue vs our sins committed in our prayers because wee thinke then leasâ— of him at the time we make our prayer vnto him neuer remembring the Maiestie of his person to whom weâ— speake nor the Excellencie of the worke wee take in hand neuer rowsing vp the spirit of a sorrowfull repentant heart for our former offences committed but if we â—hance then to stirre vp ouâ— deuotion to prayer we leaue them halt and lame bodie without soule or soule without deuotion sound of lips without the heart one part of our selues without the other or the whole without a whole clamour without intention But Dauid practised true repentance which may not bee repented of and such were the panges and prickings of Iobs heart vnto GOD My groanings saith he come forth before I eate and my roarings are powred forth Not onely groaning nor crying but also roarings with a continual inundation as one waue dasheth forth another Now when the soule is thus prepared to speake the eares of the Lord are euer open to heare the true penitent sinners cry These are wonderfull passions The hungry Lyon in the desert opprest with extremitie of suffering want neuer roared so much for his prey nor the Hart braying after the water brookes as the goodnesse of the Lord in the soule of the faithfull He is the mighty LORD of Heauen and Earth whose name be blessed and hallowed for euer in Earth as it is in Heauen and blessed are all those that are in loue with his goodnes and traâ—â— nearest vnto his steps And to giue vs a further example in his owne cause when his soule was hedged in and enuironed round about with vexation euen vnto death when anguish sorrow incompassed him round about as also then in his greatest agony when he cried with a great voice not for particular persons as before hee wept but vndergoing the burthen and punishment of all the sinnes and sinners in the World My God my God why hast thou forsaken me and crying againe with a great voice gaue vp the ghost Therefore the blessed Apostles mentioning the daies of his humanitie and the exercise of his godly and sacred life and fruite of his lips and the passions of his spirit thought it not enough to giue notice to the World that he prayed to his Father that hee praied with teares which trickled downe his blessed cheekes and watered the ground nor of a cry alone weakely sent out but of a vehement and strong cry which if Heauen were brasse were able to pierce through it and find way into the Sanctuary into the eares of the Almighty Such a prayer as it ascends lightly vp borne vpon the wings of Faith so it eueâ— comes laden heauily downe with a blessing on the head of him that first gaue it flight This Lanthorne of our direction and composition of humilitie and goodnesse this glorious and neuer enough admired LORD of life who prest opprest with the weight burthen thereof groaned vnder the affliction of our sinnes in a most perfect forme of exact obedience with his bleeding teares for vs shewed vs the right forme of faithfull supplications for our selues Let vs then bee importunate and feruent in our praiers that our Petitions may wrestle with GOD and ouercome him For if our praiers bee powred forth in the â—eruentnesse of zeale without wauering then let vs make no doubt but hee wil graciously receiue them into his armes of mercie Way hâ—e thus grieueâ— for vs and shall not wee grieue for ourselues groaned hee vnder the weight of our sin being himselfe without sinne onely in compassion and pitty towards vs why then doe not we continuallie groane and grieue It is so farre from vs that in no way wee giue his heauenlie Maiestie his due except in committing finne and drinking it downe the throate with greedinesse and a desiring thirsting appetite euen as Beheâ—â—th drinketh down Iâ—rdan without sense sorrow or griefe for the same The true consideration hereof will enforce and procure in vs a more perfect desire to follow the true prescription that our Sauiour hath prescribed for vs in his holy Gospell which commandeth vs by expresse words to bee importunate and feruent in our prayers that our Petitions may ascend vp to GOD our Lord and onely Sauiour and there to be receiued into his bosome to preâ—rent a further and greater danger before the dreadfull Maiestie of the omnipotent LORD of Heauen and Earth who with the breath of his nostrels is able to destroy our bodies and soules change the World and the beauty thereof into a Chaos and â—eape of confusion turne the Sunne into darkenesse and the Moone into blood and alter the property and being of all the Creatures in the World at the twinckling of an eye Considering what we are that speake that offer vp the calues of our lippes and the fruites of our repentance poore naked impotent vnworthy wretches wee should be importunate and with a feruentnesse of zeale poure out our supplications vnto GOD that he wil mercifully heare vs and gently receiue our supplications and according to his wonâ—ed goodnesse satisfie our faithfull requests poured forth vnto him in the name of CHRIST IESVS our Lord and onely helper in all distresse But our wretchednesse and mortality our nakednesse in good workes towards him is such that if there were any spark of true faith in vs it would make vs ashamed as it did our first Parents when they bidde themselues from the presence of their GOD. The view of our sinnes is exceedingly sinful the number the weight the danger thereof hang about our neckes like milstones that we are notable nor worthy to cast vp our eyes to heaueÌ„ for our sinnes are so exceedingly miserable that the Prophet of GOD being astonished to see either man or the Sonne of man so kindly visited biddeth vs be feruent in our Petitions to GOD. And we must expect an happy successe of our supplications vnlesse we wil cal in question or doubt of the promises of God which are more stable then the pillars of the Earth or the basis of the surest foundation except we will cast our graine into the earth and expect no haruest plant Vines and not drinke the Wine thereof If wee meane to receiue that at GODS hand we doe expect to haue then wee must prepare our selues in another forme to poure out our vnworthy plaints and petitions and thinke that GOD either heareth not or regardeth not at all the
mee the deedes of â—e flesh which are these â—dultery fornication vncleaâ—â—sse wantonnesse idolatry â—itchcraft hatred variance wrath strife sedition sects eâ—uying murther drunkennesse gluttony and such like anâ— plant in mee the fruites of thâ— Spirit as loue ioy peace long suffering gentlenesse faithfuâ—nesse meekenesse and tempâ—rance As concerning the coâ—uersation in times past giueâ— grace to put off the old mâ—â— which is corrupt through tâ—â— deceiuable lusts and to be â—â—nued in the spirit of my mindâ— and to put on the new maâ— which after the image of Goâ— is shapen in righteousnesse anâ— true holinesse Suffer me not to lie buâ—â— speake truth vnto my Neigâ—bour For as much as wee â—â— members one of another Suâ—â—â—â— me not to be angry that I 〈◊〉 let not the Sunne goe down vpon my wrath neither let 〈◊〉 giue place vnto the back-biter Grant that he which afore hath â—â—ollen may from henceforth â—teale no more but rather laâ—or with his hands some good â—hings that hee may haue to giue vnto him that needes Let â—o filthy communication proâ—eed out of my mouth but that which is good to edifie withâ—ll when neede is that it may â—â—ue fauour with the Hearers Let all bitternesse fiercenes â—nd wrath roaring and cursed â—peaking bee put away from â—â—e all maliciousnesse Make â—â—ee curteous to all men and â—ercifull forgiuing euen as God for thy sake forgaue me As for fornication and all vnleannesse or couetousnesse let â—â— not bâ—e once named among â—s as it becommeth Saints â—either filthy things neither foolish talking neither iesting which are not comely but rather giuing of thankes Put vppon me tender mercy kindnes humblenesse of minde meekenesse long-suffering forbearing my Neighbour but abouâ— all these thingâ— put vpon mâ— loue which is the bond of perfection grant that the peacâ— of God may euermore rule â—â— my heart and that I may bâ— thankefull for all thy benefitsâ— Finally whatsoeuer thing are true whatsoeuer things aâ—â— honest whatsoeuer things aâ—iust whatsoeuer things 〈◊〉 pure whatsoeuer things pâ—â—tain to loue whatsoeuer thingâ— are of honest report if there bâ— any vertuous thing if there â—â— any laudable thing grant thâ—â— I may haue them in my minde and practise them in my conuersation and liuing that whatsoeuer I breathe think speake â—or doe all things may bee done â—nto the honour glory and praise of thy name who liuest and raignest with God the Father and God the Holy Ghost true liuing and euerlasting GOD World without end Aâ—en A Prayer for Faith VVEe are taught by thy holy Apostle O most louing Sauiour that whatsoeuer is not of Faith is sinne and that it is impossible to please thee without faith and therefore they that come vnto thee must beleeue that thou art God yea and sâ—ch a God as is both able and also will aboundantly reward all them that with true faith seeke thee For thy eyes O Lord looke vpon Faith and thou doest appeare and shew thy selfe vnto them that haue faith in thee yea through faith thou being the King of glory art married to the soules of thy faithfull makest them partakers of thy diuine nature through the wonderfull working of thy blessed Spirit Through Faith so many as beleeue are iustified made the soâ—nes and heires of God and haue euerlasting life By Faith we obtaine of God all good things euen whatsoeuer wee doe aske in thy name Seeing that Faith is so precious a Iewell in thy sight that without it nothing is acceptable vnto thy diuine Maiestie and I of mâ—ne owne nature cannot haue this most singular gift except thou giuest it vnto mee from aboue and doest breathe it into my heart by thy holy Spirit for of my selfe I am blind ignorant foolish and by no meanes can perceiue the things which pertaine to the Spirit of God I most humbly beseech thee to take away from me all infidelitie and vnfaithfulnesse which I receiued of old Adam and to plant in me true faith vndoubted beliefe that I may bee throughly perswaded that thou art the Sonne of the liuing God very God and very Maâ— our alone sweete smelling sacrifice our alone Mediatour Aduocate and Interceâ—â—or ouâ— alone wisdome righteousnâ—â—â—â— â—anctification and redemptiâ—â—â— by whom alone and for whose sake onely thy Heauenly Father is well pleased with mee whereby my sinnes are remitted grace and euerlasting life is giuen me O Lord God suffer mee not to leane to mine owne wisedome nor to beleeue as blinde flesh fansieth nor to â—eeke saluation where superstitioÌ„ dreameth but let my faith onely be grounded on thy Word And giue me grace truly to beleeue in thee with all my heart to put my trust in thee to looke for all good things of thee to call vpon thy blessed name in aduersitie and with a ioyful voice and more merry heart to praise and magnifie it in prosperitie Suffer me not to doubt neither of God my Heauenly Father â—or of God his Sonne nor of God the Holy Ghost but earnestly to beleeue that they being distiâ—ct persons are notwithstanding one very God beside whom there is no God neither in Heauen nor in earth Grant also that I may assuredly beleeue whatsoeuer is contained in the Holy Scriptures and by no meanes suffer my selfe to bee plucked from the veritie thereof but manfully and stedfastly abide in the same euen vnto the death rage World â—oare Diuell And this Faith O sweete Iesuâ— encrease thou in me more and more that at the last through thy goodnesse I may be made perfect strong in thy holy Religion and shew my selfe both before theâ— and the World truly faithfull by bringing forth plenty of all good workes vnto the gloriâ— and honour of thy name which with God the Father and God the Holy Ghost liuest and raignest true God World with out end Amen A Prayer vnto GOD that weâ— may liue in his feare and that he will turne his plagues from vs. O Heauenly Father most merciful Lord deale not thou with vs after our sinnes neither reward vs after our iniquities Indeed thou in thy holie Law doest thereaten to punish with plagues noysome diseases such as neglect and set at nought thy will word and liue licentiously according to their owne lusts and appetites to send vpon them great plagues with many other innumerable and vnknowne infirmities as iust punishments for their iniquities Yet O Father of mercy and Lord of all comfort I beseech thee inspire into my heart such a regiment of feare to offend thy diuine Maiesty that thereby I may turne vnfeinedly vnto thee and serue thee truly learning to liue according to thy law louing one another as Christs true children in deede and not spoiling or deuouring one another For hee that loueth not his brother though he liue yet he abideth in death and hee that hateth his Brother is a Man-slayer and killeth him in his heart but loue shall couer â— multitude of sinnes and so also God shall bee glorified and shall
pleased thee of thy maruellous humility patience and loue towards man kinde to descend from the high Throne of Heauen to be incarnate by the Holie Ghost and borne of the Virgin Marie and here to suffer trouble paine for our sakes I doe beseech thee for thy bitter death and passion deliuer me from all euill and from the euerlasting paines of hell and vouchsafe through thy great mercie and goodnesse to leade me whither thou diddest leade the Thiefe crucified with thee And I beseech thee thorow thy clemencie to vouchsafe vnto mee O Lord God King of Heauen and Earth the ioyes prepared for thy chosen and so direct sanctifie and gouerne my heart my thoughts my words and deeds in thy sacred Law by keeping thy Commandements that here euer through thy helpe O Sauiour of the World I may bee safe and free and by thy bitter death passion may be broght to the glory of the resurrection so remaine in euerlasting life Amen A Prayer in temptation O Mercâ—full Lord and Sauiour iesus Christ the onely refuge of a desolate and afflicted soule O God thou that hast made mee and redeemed mee in whom â—ll things are possible vnto me and without whom I am able to doe nothing thou seest who I am that here prostrate my prayers and poure out my heart vnto thee what I would haue and what is fittest for mee thou knowest My soule is buried 〈…〉 and blood and would be â—â—â—ne dissolued and come vnto thee I am vrged against my will and violently drawne to think that which from my-heart I detest and to haue in minde the poyson and bane of my soule O Lord thou knowest mee for thy hands haue framed me and with flesh and skinne thou hast cloathed mee and loe this flesh which thou hast giuen me draweth mee to my ruine and fighteth against the spirit if thou helpest not I am ouercome if thou forsakest mee I must needes faint why doest thou set mee contrary vnto thee and makest mee greeuous and a burthen vnto my selfe Diddest thou create mee to cast me away Diddest thou redeeme mee to damne me for euer It had beene good for mee neuer to haue beene borne if I were borne to perish O my most mercifull Father where is thy olde and wonted mercies where is thy gracious sweetenesse and loue towards me become how long shall mine enemie reioice ouer mee and humble my life vpon earth and place me in darkenesse like the dead of the World What am I Lord that thou settest mee to fight alone against so mightie subtile and cruell enemies that neuer cease to bid mee a pâ—rpetuall battaile O Lord why doest thou shew thy might against a leafe that is tossed with euery wind and persecutest a drie stubble wilt thou therefore cast away the worke of thy hands wilt thou banish mee from thy face and take thy holy Spirit clean from me Alasse O my good Lord whither shall I goe from thy face or whither shall flie from thy Spirit or shall I flie from the incensed but to the appeased whither from thee as iust but vnto thee as mercifull Doe with mee Lord that which is good in thine eies for thou wilt doe all things in righteous iudgement oneâ—y Lord I desire to remember I am but flesh blood sraile of my selfe and impotent to resist shew thy selfe a Sauiour vnto me and either take away mine enemies or grant mee grace that without wound or fault by thee and with thee I may ouercome them sweet Lord Amen FINIS A Table to find out the principall Prayers contained in this Booke THe way how to commend our selues to GOD in the 〈◊〉 aâ— our vprising Page 285. A Prayer before wee settle our selues to our Deuotions p 287. A Morning Prayer p. 291. Another Prayer for the Morning p. 296. Another Morning Prayer p. 308. A short Prayer for the Morning p. 312. A Meditation to be vsed before thou goest to bed p. 314. A Prayer for the Euening p 322. A Prayer for the Night p. 333 A Prayer to GOD for grace and to despise the vanity of the World p. 338. A Prayer to GOD to defend vs from euill company and to keepe ouâ— tongues from vttering ill words p. 346. A Prayer to GOD for bâ— great goodnesse vnto Man p. 354. A Prayer to GOD to deliuer vs from our ghostly enemies p. 357. A Prayer to GOD daily to bee said p 358. A Prayer to be vsed at all times p. 360 A Prayer to be daily saide vnto our Lord Iesus Christ p. 362. A prayer for the remission of sinnes p. 367. A general prâ—yer for all kind of sin p. 380. A 〈◊〉 Faith p. 3â—â— A prayer vnto GOD that we may liue in his 〈◊〉 and that hee will turne his 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 p. 394. A 〈◊〉 for 〈◊〉 with their duty 400. A 〈◊〉 for children their duty p. 404. A prayer against whoâ—â—dome p. 410. A prayer for a Woman with child p. 414. A Thanksgiuing vnto God 〈…〉 deliuerance p. 41â— A prayer for a siâ—ke Man p. 421. A prayer to bee saide before the receiuinâ— of the holy Communion p. â—24 A thankesgiuing after the receiuing of â— holy Communion p. â—38 A prayer to 〈◊〉 saidâ— at the receiuing of the mystery of Christs Body in the Communion p 441. A prayer to bee saide at the receiuing of the mystery of Christs blood in the holy Communion p. 442. A morning salutation to GOD for wisedome for grace and forgiuenesse of sinnes p. â—44 A prayer for the King p. 454. A 〈◊〉 prayer to our Lord. p. 〈◊〉 A prayer in 〈◊〉 p. â—59 FINIS
to enlighten my mind more and more to the knowledge of thee and my selfe to inflame my heart with true charitie to preserue my senses in thy holie feare that by my will I may neither heare see nor touch any thing that is vncleane or offensiue vnto thee And if in taking of my naturall rest either thorow the suggestion of the enemy or the rebellion of mine own flesh I haue had any disordered motions or vnâ—haste representations in my slcepe now I am perfectly awake and by thy mercy returned vnto the vse of my reason I do vtterly disclaime the same denying all consent of my will and affections thereunto And now my gracious Lord God for this day being present I may by thy heauenly assistance resolue with my selfe so to liue in this World that I may both auoide all sinne and the occasion thereof and to leaue my accustomed vices and those especially to which I am most prone to fall vnto and that I may referâ—e al my actions and endeauâ—urs to the praise and honour of thy holy name so to bestâ—w my time that this day may not bee lost or passe ouer my head without some good worke tending to the true worshipping of thy holie name which laudable determinations and purpose of the amendment of my leude and loose life may accordingly take effect and giue thy blessing gracious Lord to them all O merciful God I beseech thee according to thy great mercy that thou wâ—lt bâ—ot out all mine offences for I am a wretched and a miserable sinner therefore I do heartily desire in all humility to adore and worship thee and to render vnto thee immortal praise and thanksgiuing for all thy blessings and especially for that vnspeakable goodnesse wherein thou diddest send downe thy onely begotten Sonne into this vale of miserie for the worke of our redemption whereby wee are cherished and nourished wherewith wee are cleansed and sanctified and our soules made partakers of all heauenly grace and spirituall blessings for which I yeelde vnto thee all possible thanks that a poore sinfull creature being but a handfull of dust can yeelde vnto thy diuine Maiestie being of no value without thy mercy Also thou hast vouchsafed first to wash mee with the lauer of Baptisme to the remission of that originall corruption contracted in my first Parents and afterwards thou hast brought me to the exerâ—ises acts of a right faith not ceasing daily to increase the same in mee by the light of thy grace and doctrine of thy holy Word O Lord I humbly thanke thee also that from my Cradle thou hast nourished clothed and cherished me supplying all things necessary for the reliefe and maintenance of this my feeble body for which euermore I wil magnifie thy holy name that in great mercy thâ—u hast hither to spared me albeit from my youth I haue wantonly ryoted in manifold excesses patiently expecting till by thy grace I might bee awaked from the sleepe of sinne and reâ—laimed from my vanities and wicked courses haddest thou dealt with mee according to my desarts my soule long ere this had been oppressed with innumerable sinnes and had beene plunged in perdition yea the yawning gulfe of hel had swallowed me quicke Lord in respect of all thy mercies graces and blessings which thou hast poured vpon mee I desire that my heart may be more and more enlarged to render vnto thee a more ample tribute of praise and thankesgiuing And now for those things whereof I stand in need and faine would obtaine at thy hands fiâ—st onely Lord God neuer leaue me vnto my selfe but let the bit of thy chaste feare be euer in my iawes to curbe and to keepe mee within the compasse of thy Law that I may dread nothing in the world as in the least sort to offend and displease thee for which cause let thy holy loue so temper all trials and temptations which happen vnto mee that I may profit and not lose by them thou my Creator knowest how fraile I am of my selfe and how my strength is nothing Moreouer blessed Lord â— beseeche thee that thou wouldest keepe farte from me thy seruant all pride and haughtinesse of minde all selfe-loue and vaine glory all obstinacie and disobedience all craft and hurtfull dissimulation cast downe and tread vnder my feete the spirit â—â— gluttony and letcherie the spirit of sloth and heauinesse the spirit of malice and enuie the spirit of hatred and disdaine that I may neuer despise or contemne any of thy Creatures nor preferre my selfe before others but euer little in my owne sight to think the best of my bretheren and to deeme and iudge the worst of my selfe Iâ—â—est me Holy Father with the wedding garment of thy beloued son â—he supernaturall vertue of â—ll things that I may loue â—hee my Lord God with all my heart with all my soule â—nd with all my strength â—hat neither life nor death â—rosperitie nor aduersitie â—or any thing else may feâ—arate mee from thy loue Grant that all inordinate afâ—ection to the transitorie â—hings of this World may â—ailie decay and die in mee â—hat thou alone maiest bee â—astefull pleasant and sauouâ—ie vnto my soule O my most gracious God â—iue vnto thy seruant an â—umble contrite and obediâ—nt heart an vnderstanding â—lwaies occupied in honest â—ertuous cogitations a will tractable and euer prone tâ— the better affections stayed calme moderate a watch full custody of my sensesâ— that by those windowes nâ— sin may enter into my soulâ— a perfect gouernment of mâ— tongue that no corrupt oâ— vnseemely language maâ— proceede from my lips thâ— I may neuer slander backâ— bite or speake ill of mâ— Neighbour that I may nâ— busie my selfe in the faulâ— and imperfections of other but rather attend to the â— mending of my owne leuâ— life and finallie so long aâ— am detained in this prisoâ— of my bodie and exild froâ— my heauenly Countrie lâ— this be my portion and tâ—â— comfort of my banishmenâ— that free from all seculâ— â—ares and carking solicitude of this present life whollie deuoted to thy seruice I may attend onelie to thee â— may reioice onelie in thee â— may cleaue vnto thee I may rest my soule in thee â—nd sitting in silence I may giue way and entertainment â—o the heauenlie doctrine to â—he good motions and inâ—pirations of thy holy Spirit In these sweete exercises â—et mee passe the solitarie â—oures of my tedious pilgrimage with patience expeâ—â—ing the shutting vp of my â—aies and an happie end of â—his my miserable life And â—rant ô thou louer of manâ—ind my Lord and my God â—hat when this my earthlie â—abernacle shall bee dissolâ—ed being found free from all pollution of sinne as afteâ— Baptisme I may bee râ—ckoned in the number of thosâ— blessed soules who througâ— the merites and passion oâ— thy deare Sonne are heldâ— worthy to raigne with theeâ— and to enioy the glorioâ—â— presence of the blessed Trinitie Father Soâ—ne and Holie Chost to whom of alâ— Creatures iâ—