shall be done to you In another place also he sayth Uerely verely I say to you what soeuer ye shal aske the father in my name he shall gyue it you Nytherto ye haue asked nothynge in my name Aske ye shall receyue that your ioye maye be perfect Thus so we y t in Christes name we must aske all thynges For there is none other name gyuen vnto meÌ„ vnder heueÌ„ wheriÌ„ we must be saued but onlye this name of iesus christ Euerye one y t calleth on thys name shalbe saued For the name of the LORDE is a stronge tower valeauÌ„t Bulwarke vnto that doth y e righteous that is the faythefull man flye Blessed is that man which trusteth in the name of the LORDE and hath no respecte vnto vanities and false madde fantasies Moreouer Dauid although God prayseth him greatly sayeth that he hath founde Dauid his seruauÌ„te euen after his owne herte yet dyd not he whan he prayed desyre to be hearde for his owne name for his owne ryghteousnes vertu but he prayed on this maner LORDE heare my prayer heare my request for thy truthes sake yea fauourablye heare me for thy righteousnes Agayne in the O LORDE haue I trusted let me neuer be coÌ„fouÌ„ded but deliuer me in thy righteousnes My streÌ„gth and my refuge arte thou and for thy names sake shalte thou lede me forth norish me For thi names sake LORD shalte thou be merciful to my sinne for it is much O god for thy names sake saue thou me in thy vertu delyuer me Helpe vs O God our sauyour for the glorye of thy name O LORDE delyuer vs be mercyfull to our synnes for thy names sake Beholde he desyreth not the fauoure of God for his owne sake for his owne name righteousnes trueth vertu but for Goddes name for Goddes ryghteousnes trueth and vertue Nowe who is the ryghteousnesse of God but Iesus Christe the sonne of God whiche alone is founde righteous among men As Paule wytnesseth he is made of God our wisdom ryghteousnes sanctificacion redeÌ„cion that as it is wrytten he that reioyceth maye reioyce in y â— LORDE Who is the trueth of GOD but he which sayth of himselfe I am y e way the trueth the lyfe No man commeth to the father but by me Who is y e vertue of God but he that hath done no synne nor in whole mouth ony gile was fouÌ„d which is Christ â— AusteÌ„ wryteth of Christ on this maner I am sayth he y e way trueth lyfe No man coÌ„meth to the father but by me As though he should say wylte thou walke I am the waye Wylte thou not be deceyued I am the trueth Wylt thou not dy I am y e lyfe This doth thy Sauyour say to the ther is none other to whome thou mayst go but vnto me There is no waye that thou canste go but by me So that for Christes sake not for his owne dyd Dauid althoughe both godly vertuous yea dearly beloued of God dâ—â—â—re to be hearde to haue the peticions of his herte graunted But it maye be obiected Dauid also prayeth on this maner Heare O LORDE my ryghteousnes gyue attendance vnto my prayer Let my iudgement come forth from thy face lette thyne eyes se equite Thou hast proued my hert visited it in the nyght thou haste tryed me w t fyre yet hath there none iniquite be found in me Agayne I wyl be w tout spotte w t him I wyll kepe me from iniquite the LORDE shall rewarde me accordynge to my righteousnes accordynge to the puritie of my haÌ„des in the syght of his eies Also in another place Iudge me O LORDE for I haue walked in my innoceÌ„cy In these such lyke Dauid layeth oute his owne innocency purite ryghteousnes ' semeth to desyre to be heard for them I answere if Dauid desyred to be heard for his owne ryghteousnes than should he fyght w t himselfe wherin many and diuers places he coÌ„fesseth his synne cleueth only to the mercy of God desyreth to be hearde for the righteousnes trueth vertue of God and not for his owne sake Enter not in to iudgement O LORDE sayeth he with thy seruaunt for no man that lyueth shalbe iustifyed in thy syght Nowe thaÌ„ could he set out his owne ryghteousnes before GOD that he myghte be iustifyed by it What shall we then saye to this matter I aunswere yea that not wythoute the authoritie of the holy scriptures the mynde of the aunciente Doctors that as in dyuers other places of the Psalmes so in these and such lyke he speakethe in the parsonne of Christe and not in his owne He speketh of Christes innocency puryte ryghteousnes vertue not of his owne He representeth Christes parson not his owne Whan he speaketh in his owne parson he graunteth hymselfe alwayes a synner seketh helth of God desyreth not to be heard for his owne ryghteousnes but for Gods ryghteousnes whiche is Iesus Christ. So that iÌ„ Christes name he offered vp his prayers vnto God the father as all the faythfull ought to do For Christ is the lambe w tout spotte Christ is that lambe of God which taketh away y e synne of the worlde Christ is that dearly beloued sonne for whose sake God the father is well pleased with men Christ is that Byshop which is godly innocente vndefyled segregate from synners Christ is the dore by whome alone we muste come to the father Christ is that sauiour which saueth his people froÌ„ theyr synnes Christ is he by whome grace verytie is shewed vnto vs. Christe is he which by his moost precious bloude hath reconciled vs to Gody e father Christ therfore is he in whose name that is in whose dignite ryghteousâ—nes innocency vertue purite we must offer vp our prayers to God y e father For all our ryghteousnesses â—ampared to the iustyce of God are â—yke a cloth polluted with meÌ„strue That we are not able to obtayne any thynge of God for our owne righteousnes it is manifest by these wordes which God himselfe speaketh by his Prophet Esaye I am I am he which putteth awaye thyne iniquities yea that for myne owne sake Marke y e he sayeth for myne owne sake And wyll remeÌ„ber thy synnes no more Put me in remembrauÌ„ce let vs be iudged togyther Tell me yf thou hast ony thing wherby thou mayst be iustifyed Agayne For my names sake wyll I put away myne anger For myne owne sake yea for mine owne sake wyll I do this that I may not be blasphemed euel spoken of In the name of Christe therfore let hym aske that enteÌ„denth to obtayne onye thynge of God the father as S. Paule sayeth whatsoeuer ye shall do in word dede do
whiche for very malyce or els for monye are redye to the vtter damnacion of theyr soules for to swere gyue euidence agaynste the innocentes and gylteles Where are these Catarpillers Extorcioners of the poore people whiche do nothynge all y e whole daye but gape after brybes and polâ—ynge fees no lesse than the hungrye Lyon doth after his praye They deuour my people sayeth GOD as a pece of bread Where are these rytch men to whome God hath coÌ„mytted the goodes of this world which like inâ—aciable dogges hauynge neuer ynough do continuallye hunte after the augmentacion of muÌ„dane treasures as by ioynynge Lordeshyp to Lordshyp Ferme to Ferme lond to lond pasture to pasture house vnto house â—enefyce to benefyce College to Colledge Prebende to Prebende Chauntry to Chauntry offyce to offyce promocion to promocion yea promocion for a vauntage as they saye yet are they vnmercyfull to y â— poore people despyse the mayntaynaunce of hospitalite which y â— holye scriptures coÌ„meÌ„d so highly in euery place do nothâ—g lesse then exercyse theÌ„selues iÌ„ y â— workes of mercy Wher are these spirituall rulers which gyuyng them selues to volupteous lyuyng neglecte to fede christes flocke with Goddes moost blessed worde Where are these Antechristes which laboure to suppresse Christes mooste swete confortable Gospell Where are these Papistes which desyre the olde papisticall vngodly supersticion to reygne agayne amonge vs Where are these captiues of Satan which wallowe tuÌ„ble theÌ„ selues in the dung hylles of synne To coÌ„clude where are al these wycked paâ—soÌ„nes which trangresse Gods commauÌ„dementes and solyue as though ther were no God at all O the vngodly wicked fasshions of this worlde O the countenauÌ„ce of the christen publigue weale not a litle deformed thorowe the pernicious maners of the false christians Thus se we what a nomber of mortal enemies reigneth euery where among vs yet is ther no man that lameÌ„teth his synne deâ—esteth his wickednes bewaileth his misery desyreth amendment seketh for grace prayeth for the fauoure of God that thorowe the holy Ghoste we may be restored to our olde puriâ—e cleannes If the righteous maÌ„ shall scarsly be saued where shall the vngodly synner appeare Who seâ—th not in howe miserable a case we â—re Who perceiueth not how great â—â—ede there is of amendemente Who doth not se as it were in a thynge lyuyshly paynted before his face that excepte we amend shortly correct we shall triumphantly haâ—â— the â—ictory ouer theÌ„ all Be ye obedieâ—â— to God sayth S â–ª Iames resist y e dâ—â—e he shall â—â—ye from you Draw nigh to God he shall drawe nyghe vnto you Make clene your handes O ye synners purify your hertes O ye that are double minded Be ye troubled mourne and wepe let youre laughyng be turned â—to mournyng your ioye into sorow Shew your selues huÌ„ble in the syght of y â— LORDE he shall lyfte you vp O that we would followe y â— godly counsell of this holy Apostle so redresse our wicked maners y â— the christen publigue weale myght be restored to her olde amiable beauty glorious pleasaunce Howe many wayes hathe God lefte here amonge vs wherby we maye make him a mercifull father a gentle sauyour vnto vs As I maye leaue of to speake of fastynge almes dede what a goodly godlye meane is true christen prayer for to obtayne the fauour of God to prouoke his moost tender mercy toward vs Hath ony thinge â— tymes past so greatly apesed the deuine wrath did not y â— holy fathers â— tymes pasâ—â—◠〈◊〉 theyr troubles aduersitie fly vnto Prayer as vnto a holy Anchore or sure Asile strong Bulwark Whom would it not delight to talke with the Kinges grace if he were amytted therto What a treasure than is it to talke with y e King of Kynges Lorde of Lordes in coÌ„parison of whom all earthly creatures are more vyle then the wormes This thyng coÌ„meth to passe by true and christen prayer For what other thynge is prayer than a familiar coÌ„municacioÌ„ w t God wherin we maye frely powre out the troubles of our hertes and declare all our matters boldly to him as the chylde doth vnto his father obtayne at his hand all good thinges Uerely we are our owne enemies yf we neglecte despyse this great commodite singular pleasure We can not excuse our selfe by ygnorancy in asmuch as we haue plentie of prayers prepared for vs in the Englysshe tonge both in y â— holy Byble in other godly treatyses which are nowe in this moost floryshyng Realme of England publyshed vniuersally vnto y â— great glory of God y â— exceading consolacion of al true christen men in asmuch that as S. Paule sayeth If the Gospell be yet hyd â—t is hydde in theÌ„ that perysh in whom the God of this world hathe blynded they senses wyttes of the vnfaythfull that the lyght of the Gospell of the glorye of Christe which is the Image of God shoulde not shyne vnto them Thanckes be to God for this his incoÌ„parable benefyte gyuen vnto vs by his welbeloued faythfull seruaunte Heâ—â—pe oure moost redoubted Kynge That LORDE myghte also graunt that we abuse not this his moost geÌ„tle gifte but rather vse it vnto the glorye of his name y â— edificacioÌ„ of his church the conforte of our soules â—owe for asmuch as ther is sufficieÌ„cy of praiers prepared alredy set forth by other whom God myght also prosper in theyr moost godly affaires A thought it a vayne thynge to encrease the nomber of theÌ„ to acumulate prayers vpon prayers wher by wexines rather then cherefulnes shoulde be brought to the Readers â–ª I therfore couetyng in this behalfe to worke somewhat y e myghte make vnto the auauncemente of Prayer wherby the deuout ChristiaÌ„s might receyue knoweledge be the better instructed in the true maner of praienge haue nowe of late compyled a worke entiteled A pathwaye vnto Prayer I was the gladder to take it in hande bycause no man hath as yet perfectly entreated of this matter neither in the Greke Latin nor Englysshe tonge that euer I could se. What doth it auayle or profitte a man beynge of a debyle weake nature to haue a Pomegranate or oni other thinge that coÌ„forteth nature restoreth streÌ„gth bringeth agayne the perfeccion of health yf he knoweth not y â— vse of it wherfort it serueth Uerelye euen so of prayer If ther be neuer so many praiers prepared for men yf they knowe not y â— vse of them nor wherfore they serue nor yet after what maner they shoulde be exercysed what profytte receyue they of theÌ„ It is but an easy thyng to pray but to praye aright accordynge to the wyll of God is a thyng of gret difficulte much labour We thinke it an
his passion we â—ead that he entendynge to pray vnto his celestiall father forsoke the coÌ„â—any of other yea and although he â—oke with him only thre of his disciples at that instant Peter Iohn Iames yet notwithstandynge whaÌ„â—e was in the mouÌ„t of Oliuete y â— accustomed place of hys prayenge he â—ent awaye from theÌ„ also aboute a â—ones cast he kneling downe praiâ—d so hertely so longe to God his father that for very anguysh payne â—orow the sweat of his moost blessed â—ody was eueÌ„ as y â— droppes of bloud â—unnynge downe vpon the earthe Peter also beyng in the house of Simon the Tanner went vp into y â— vpper parte of the house to praye thaâ— he myght not be troubled w t y â— otheâ— coÌ„pany Helyseus also whaÌ„ he shulâ— pray to God for a certayne chyldeâ— was deade went alone into the chaÌ„ber where the chylde laye sperreâ— the dore so prayed Agayne Sarâ— the doughter of Raguell desyryngâ— to be delyuered from theÌ„ improperâ— imbraydyng as it would appere of a certayne default wherwith onâ— of her fathers haÌ„dmaydens dyd imbrayd caste her in the teth forsoke all coÌ„pany went streyght into anâ— vpper chaÌ„ber of her house ther beyng alone dyd nether eate nor driÌ„ke by y â— space of thre dayes thre nightes but continued in prayer beseched God euen w t teares y e he would delyuer her from this imbraydyng rebuke Iudith iÌ„ lyke maner whaÌ„ she should put herselfe in ioperdy for the helth of her people went fyrst in to her Oratory secrete place wher â—he was wonte to praye so desyred the helpe of God At certayne other tymes also before she slewe Holoferâ—us she went forth iÌ„ the night time for to praye quietly by herselfe Quene Hester also puttinge of her Pryncelike garmentes prayed for her people to God secretely iÌ„ her chaÌ„ber Agayne Daniel when certayne Dukes Earles for the hatred and euell wyll that they bare vnto him had caused kynge Darius to make an Acte that who soeuer asketh any Peticion of theyr God yea or of ony man but of the Kynge alone for the space of thyâ— tye dayes he shoulde be cast into the denne of Lyons ceased not to praye for al y e Acte of y â— kyng but styll as he was wont to do praied boldely to his LORDE God beyng in his chaÌ„ber secretely by himselfe alone Thus se we that both Christâ— other holye men also sought euermore an occasion to be quiet sollitary that they myght the more â—â—â—ly talke with God in theyr prayer so came it to passe that theyr prayer was vnfaynedly a lyftynge vp ¶ The thyrde Chapter IT is not without a cause y â— Prayer in the holy scripture is compared to a sweate perfume whose nature is alwaye yf it be once inceÌ„sed or set on fyre to lyft vp it selfe styl to go vpward so loÌ„g as it lasteth Iâ— lyke maner the true christen prayer ought to lyfte vp it selfe with deuynd coÌ„templacion styll to go vp so longe as it lasteth with the mediâ—acion of celestiall thinges not to â—repe vpon the grounde with â—amâ— thoughtes wordely ymaginacioÌ„s For so is that prayer no lyftyng vp of mynde or of him that prayeth vnto heauen but rather a thrustynge 〈◊〉 to hell yea worketh sâ—nne â— damâ—nacion to hym that prayeth as the â—salmographâ— sayeth Oratio 〈◊〉 fiat in peccatum â—f you be rysen agayne with Christ sayth S. Paule seke for those thynges y e are aboue where Christ is sittyng on the right hand of God Set your myndes vppon the thynges aboue not vpoÌ„ y e thynges of the earthe For you are dead your lyfe is hyd with Christ in God WhaÌ„ so euer Christ our lyfe shall appeare then shall we also appeare with hym in glorye So that not onlye prayer but also the whole lyfe of a Christen man ought to be a lyftyng vp that is to saye a ferueÌ„t desyre diligent sekyng of supernal heauenly thynges But let vs procede with our diffinicion Hytherto haue we heard that Prayer is a lyftyng vppe Wherof I praye you of haÌ„des or eyes Nay verely but of a pure mynde For as touchynge the â—yftyng vp of handes eies it maye â—lso be vsed so wel of Hypocrites as â—f true Christians Therfore sayeth Chrisostome thouhg thou doest not bow thy knees nor knocke thy brest nor strecthe oute thy handes vnto heauen yet yf thou onlye shewe forth a ferueâ—â—e mynde thou shalte make a perfecte prayer Not w tstandyng yf such thinges be done iÌ„ time of prayer procedyng from y â— feruent inward affeccion of y e spirite they are not to be discuÌ„mended For Dauid sayth I haue lyfted vp myne eies vnto the which dwellest in heaueÌ„ And S. Paule sayth I wyll y â— men pray in euery place liftyng vp your handes w toute wrath contencion We read also y â— Christe vsed to knele when he prayed And the huÌ„ble and poore Publicane knocked his breste when he prayed sayenge O God be thou merciful to me a synner Therfore as touchyng y e external gesture outward behauour as y e lyftynge vp of haÌ„des or eyes the knelyng oâ— knockynge on the brest in as muche as they are meane indiffereÌ„t thynges they are to be lefte to the iudgement of deuout well disposed people eyther to be done or to be left vndone as their mindes shal serue theÌ„ And for as muche as they pertayne nothynge to our matter I wyll leâ— theÌ„ passe go forth w t our diffinicioÌ„ ¶ The fourth Chapter PRayer say the holy Doctors is a lyftynge vp of a pure mynde Theise wordes are not to be gone ouer wyth a lyghte foote as they vse to saye but depely to be weyed seriously to be pondered For in them doth coÌ„sist in a maner the whole efficacy vertue strength power pith of prayer Fyrst we shall note y e prayer is not the worke of y â— mouth but of the mynde yea that not of a corrupte flesshely malicious synfull but of a pure immaculate clene vnspotted faithful charitable mynd But I wyll fyrst shewe by the scriptures holy fathers y t prayer is the worke of the mynde accordynge to our diffinicion afterwarde somewhat declare of y â— purite of y â— mynd That prayer is the worke of the mynde it is manifest by dyuers places of holy scripture For whan â—oses at the commaundement of God led y â— people of Israel out of Egipte Pharao with his cruell army followed purposynge vnmercifully to slaye theÌ„ he beyng in great thought care howe he myght safely coÌ„duâ—â—â— the Israelites yet styll trustynge hauyng his whole affiaunce reposed in theyr LORDE God prayed nothyng at all with his mouth but only vttered his cause secretlye in his
yf we aske ony thyng according vnto his wyll he heareth vs. And yf we knowe that he heareth vs what so euer we aske we knowe that we shall haue the Peticions that we desyre of hym And that we maye do it fruytfully let vs praye w t the Psalmograph teach me O LORDE to do thy myl for y e arte my God So shal God worke his good pleasure in vs. The nynetyne Chapter MOreouer although iÌ„ our prayers we aske all thynges accordyng vnto the wyll of God yet may not we appoynt God the tyme of obtaynynge these thynges We muste praye aske but oure peticions we muste referre commyt to God for to be graunted whan it shall be hys moost godly pleasure For he knoweth what is moost fitte for vs better than we do our selues he wyll vndoubtedly graunt vs those thinges that we aske or elles muche better whaÌ„ he seeth his tyme. Therfore let vs lyft vp our eyes vnto him which dwellethe in y e heauens And as the eyes of seruauntes are euer on the haÌ„des of theyr maysters as y e eies of the handemayde are all wayes on the handes of her maystres so lette our eyes be bent euer vnto y e LORD vntyll he hath mercy vpon vs. Let vs aske pacieÌ„tly abyde his diuyne wyll surely we shall not be deceyued of our desyres But yf we shall appoynte hym the tyme wyl that he be obedieÌ„t to our wyl rather thaÌ„ we to his than do we tempte him prouoke his anger agaynst vs. ExaÌ„ple haue we in y e History of Judith where we read that whan the Israelites had ben longe oppressed of Nolofernes his army had contynued manny houres in theyr prayers cryenge vnto the LORDE for helpe yet perceyued none at all at y e hande of God They all consented that yf God dyd not helpe theÌ„ wythin fyue dayes they woulde gyue ouer both theÌ„selues theyr citie vnto Dolofernes his people But whan Judith that vertuous woman hearde of it she sayde Why haue ye consented to gyne ouer the citie vnto the Assyrianes yf helpe commeth not vnto you from the LORDE within fiue dayes What are you that thus tempte the LORD This is not a sayeÌ„g for to prouoke mercye but rather to store vp yre to kyndle furor Daue ye appoynted y e tyme of the LORDES mercy haue ye appoynted hym a daye at youre pleasure But seynge the LORDE is pacieÌ„t let vs repent and be sory for this thynge and let vs desyre his sauour w t wepynge teares Thus se we that it is no sâ—iale of fence be our peticions neuer so righteous for to appoynte God y e tyme. For that appoyntement of tyme declareth vs to be vnsaythfull It sheweth that we haue no ryght perswasion of God It is a manifest argument that we depende hange vpoÌ„ Gods goodnes mercy only for our carnail profytte auauÌ„tage It maketh euydent that we do no longer regarde God than he satisfieth and fulfylleth our lustes pleasures and desyres Therfore let vs do that we are coÌ„maunded that is huÌ„blye offer vp our prayers to God myth all submission of mynde powre out our hertes before him with vnfayned teares lament our cause vnto hym nothynge doubtynge but that accordyng to his moost godly promyse he wyll heare vs grauÌ„t vs those or els better thynges when it shall be hys plesure And yf God semeth to withdraw his helpe froÌ„ vs at any tyme not streyghtwayes to grauÌ„t vs our requestes lette vs not dispayre nor fall from the true confidence truste hope in the moost confortable promises of god therfore but rather be the more earnest importune in askynge beynge perswaded that God only differeth prolongeth the accomplyshmeÌ„t of his moost faythfull promyse bycause he wyll trye oure fayth whyther it be right constant and stedfast or not Dearly beloued sayth S. JohnÌ„ Chrisostome whaÌ„ I saye praye vnto God besech hym wayte vpon him thou sayst I haue prayed once twyse thryse yea and ten tymes twenty tymes what haue I receyued sayst thou Go not thy way tyll thou receyuest for the ende of the thyng asked is the receyuynge of hym that prayethe Than cease thou whan thou hast receyued yea rather neyther cease y u than but stil perceyue coÌ„tinue giuig thaÌ„kes for that which thou hast receyued y e that which thou hast taken may coÌ„tinually remayne with the. Let vs followe the woman of Canane which as it woulde appeare beynge denyed of her peticioÌ„ diuers tymes at the leeste receyuynge but smale coÌ„fort at christes hand would not cease but styll continued in makynge suyte supplicacioÌ„ for y e helth of her doughter tyll at the laste she heard this swete coÌ„fortable voyce O woman great is thy fayth Be it vnto the as thou wylte ¶ The. xx Chapter THe laste of all which is to be coÌ„sythered in the preparacion of prayer is so necessary that without it all the other are but vayne nothyng to the purpose And it is this that whaÌ„ soeuer we entend to pray we do fyrst forgyue such as haue offended vs or els by no meanes can we obtayne remission of our synnes fauour at the hand of God Therfore do we on thys manner praye in the Pater noster Forgyue vs oure dettes euen as we forgyue our detters And Christ sayth forgyue and it shall be forgyuen you Yea he gyueth vs a playne coÌ„mauÌ„demeÌ„t y e we should forgyue so many as haue offeÌ„ded vs before we praye or elles oure prayer worketh vs rather damnacion than saluacioÌ„ Whan ye prepare your selues to praye sayeth Christe forgiue yf ye haue ony thyng agenst ony man that your father which is in heaueÌ„ may forgyue you also your trespasses Agayne he sayth yf ye forgyue men theyr faultes your heaueÌ„ly father wyl also forgyue you But yf ye do not forgyue men theyr faultes nether wyll your father forgiue you your faultes We reade that Peter came vnto Christ sayd LORDE howe ofte shal my brother synne agaynste me and I shall forgyue hym Untyll seuen tymes Christ aunswered I say not vnto the vntyl seuen times but vntyll seuenty tymes seueÌ„ tymes And â— Luke he sayth Take hede to your selues If thy brother synneth ageÌ„st the rebuke hym yf he repente forgyue hym â–ª And yf he synneth seuen tymes in a daye agaynste the shall seuen tymes in a day turne agayne vnto the sayenge It repenteth me forgyue hym And in Mathewe to make the matter more playne that we shall not be forgyuen of God except we forgyue theÌ„ y e offende vs he putteth for the a similitude or parable of a certayne kynge which when he called hys seruauntes to a countes had one brought to hym which ought hym ten thousande talentes Whan he was not able to paye hys Lorde coÌ„maunded hym to be folde his wyfe his Chyldren
To the ryght honorable and vertuous Lady Anne Grey Theodore Basille wissheth longe â—yfe contynual helth and prosperous â—eâ— licitie ✚ IT is not without an vrgent and moost necessarye cause that we are so ofte commauÌ„ded in the moost sacred holy Bible to match praye For yf we that professe our selues to be souldiours of Christes armâ— do seriously w tout saynynge ponder weye consyther our state maner of lyuyng in this world we shall shortly be occasioneâ— to confesse and graunte with the holy pacient man Iob that the lyfe of man is nothynge els than a very knyghthode or warrefare vpon the erth full of misery trouble replete with lytle ioâ—e plesure To whom is it vnknowen what a great multitude of mortall ennemies euery one hath â— this world that doth professe Christ aright Among al other haue we not thre capital chefe aduersaries the dyuell the world the flesh whiche cease not dayly to assayle vs after the moost crafty subtyle maner Howe doth Satan spreade his nettes in euery Forreste Parke y â— no dere maye escape his deuouryng teth rauenyng pawes Howe many wayes seketh he to destroye kyll and sâ—ay the innoceÌ„t shepe of Christ Euen froÌ„ the beginnyng of y â— world hath he exercised his tyrannicall fury furious tyranye agaynst manâ—â—d Who hath at any tyme ben free were he neuer so good perfecte froÌ„ his subtile to much craftye assaultes He is so beÌ„t ferueÌ„tly addict to the destruccion of man that so sone as we are regenerate borne anew â—n Christ by the holy Ghost y â— most blessed honorable Sacramente of Baptisme he streyght falleth in haÌ„d with vs labouryng by one meanes or other vtterly to allure entise vs from our profession as we may se in our sauyour LORDE Iesus Christ whome after his Baptisme Satan dyd not feare to assayle and to teÌ„pte vnto muche absurditie and wickednes â—f the sonne of God were not free from his crafte subtilite gyle howe shall we than miserable creatures eschewe his tyranny whiche are redy to faull at euery houre excepte we watche and praye Our stryfe is not sayth S. Paule agaynst bloud flesshe but agaynst rulers against the powers agaynste the Lordes of the world I mene the gouernours of y e darkenes of this world agaynst spirituall subtilities in heaueÌ„ly thiges Therfore sayeth S. Peter Be ye sober and watche for your aduersary the dyuel goeth about lyke a roryng Lyon sekynge whome he maye deuoure Moreouer what an extreme enemy is the worlde to so many as professe Christe Howe many occasions haue we thorowe the entysementes and vayne pleasures therof to faull from the true godlynes Howe doth it allure vs to the loue of transitory thynges Howe doth it delyghte vs with the beholdyng of the vayne spectacles therof Howe doth it drawe vs to the loue of mundane thynges to the vtter contempt of thynges celestiall and heauenly â—ea how almoost doth it wynne vs altogyther on her syde WhaÌ„ the scripture not withstandyng sayeth Loue not the world nor those thynges that are in the worlde If ony man louethe the worlde the loue of the father is not in hym For all that is in the world as the concupiscence of the flesshe the lust of the eies the pryde of the lyfe is not of the father but it is of the world And the world passeth awaye y e lustes therof But he that dothe the wyll of God abyde the for euermore S. Iames also sayeth O ye adulterers and alulteresses do ye not knowe that the frendeshyp of y e world is emnite with God Who soeuer therfore wyll be the freende of the world he is become an enemy of Gods Furthermore what a cruell aduersary is the flesshe vnto a christen man Howe doth it at all tymes lust contrary to the spirite Howe doth it continually fyght with the heaueÌ„ly mocions of the holy Ghost Howe dothe it moue vs to the loue of oure selues to pryde vncleannesse glotony couetousnesse wantonnesse of lyuynge vnmercifulnesse crudelite al that euer nought is And this enemy do we norysshe in oure owne brestes He is a domesticall aduersarye one of houshold as they vse to say He is euer at hande to do vs displeasures He is neuer froÌ„ home but alwayes within the dores so that we are in daunger of destruccion at euery hour excepte we deligeÌ„tly watch and take hede Whyther so euer we turne vs our enemies mete with vs so cruelly assayle vs that excepte the grace of God assyst vs valeauntlye we are at euerye moment of an houre redy to be caste into hell fyre O the vnspekable misery of man in this moost miserable worlde Where are they nowe y â— so lyue in all worldely ioye pleasure that they take no thoughte for the cruell assaultes of theyr enemies â–ª Where are these wicked â—dolaters supersticious Hypocrites abhominable blasphemers of Gods moost blessed name brekers of y â— Sabboth day which settynge asyde al loue and feare of God throw theÌ„ selues headlong into al kynde of vngodlynes Where are these dishonorers of our moost excelieÌ„t moost redoubted kynge of the other publigue magistrates sente by hym for the punisshement of euell doers but for the prayse of them that do well Where are the disobediente to theyr parentes Where are these mansâ—ayers which daily thyrst inoceÌ„t bloud no lesse then the thyrstye herte pantynge for hette desyreth the lyuysh springes of waters Wher are these abhominable adulterers vncleane fornicatours and stynckyng whoremongers which conteÌ„nyng y e bonde of honorable wedlocke the lawe of y e vndefyled bed the chast lyuyng w e theyr owne wyues do dayely hunte after whores defile virgins pollute maried women corrupte wydowes as I maye passe ouer much other detestable vncleannes whiche it shameth not theÌ„ to perpetrate and do yea that so boldely that this synne of fornicacioÌ„ is among many at this present recouÌ„ted no synne but a naturall inclinacion a token of loue a puttyng awaye of emnite discord I thynke yf it be not redressed shortly it wyl growe vp into such freedoÌ„e libertie that it shalbe counted no synne at all but rather a vertue or at the leest a spurre prouocacioÌ„ to vertue O the abhominacion of the worlde O intollerable wickednes O vncleannes more detestable then it maye any lenger be suffered The great displeasure the fearce wrath the extreme vengeaunce the fearce and cruell plages of God hang ouer our heades yf this to much detestable vyce be not shortely remoued froÌ„ the bouÌ„des of Christianite Agayne where are theise malicious Theues which despisyng laboure lyue of the sweate of other mennes faces of y e labour of other mennes handes after an vniust and wronge maner Wher are these false wytnesses
anâ— thynges in the name of the LORDE Iesus gyuynge thanckes to God the father by him And so doynge let hym not doubt but that he shall obtayne all good thynges accordyngâ— vnto his hertes desyre ¶ The .xviii. Chapter SYxtely he that inteÌ„deth to pray muste earnestly prouyde that he asketh all thynges accordyng vnto the wyll of God He may not aske afâ— ter his owne fantasy wyl plesure but after the wyll of God For oure wyll in comparison of Gods wyll is neuer good but euell or prone to euell For we knowe not what we shoulde praye as it becommeth vs. Therfore what so euer we aske we must refeâ—ce it vnto y e wyll of God and be contented to be ordered in all thynges accordyng vnto his moost â—olye wyll as Christe taughte vs to â—raye in the Pater noster Let thy wyll be fulfylled as in heaueÌ„ so lyke wyse in earth Christe also himselfe for to gyue vs an example when the â—oure of his passion began to drawe â—igh prayed vnto his father on this manner My father yf it be possible â—et this cup go awaye from me Not withstandyng let not myne but thy wyll be fulfylled The Leper also â—ayd to Christ LORDE yf thou wylt â—hou maist make me whole Here the Leper desyred to be clensed of his leâ—rosye yet he referred his requestes vnto Christe eyther to be graunted or denyed So it becoÌ„meth vs iÌ„ lyke maner to aske all thynges accordiÌ„g vnto the wyll of God what soeuer we desyre euer to submyt referre â—t vnto Gods wyll whiche knoweth â—este what we haue nede of what â—s moost necessarye for vs before we pray For we haue not a greter warâ— re nor an harder fyght iÌ„ this world than y e battayle stryfe of the Spiâ— ryte of y e fleshe which two are alâ— wayes so at debate y e the hatred beâ— twene theÌ„ can neuer be apeased For as y e flessh lusteth agaynst y e spiryte so doth the spiryte fight very valeaÌ„t ly agaynst the wycked fearce cruel violence of the fleshe are euermore as the Apostle wytnesseth one ageÌ„sâ— another so that we can not do those thinges y e we would in asmuch that we are compelled to crye oute w e the Apostle o wretched vnhappy that I am who shall delyuer me froÌ„ thys body bonde vnto death Howe euell it is to followe oure owne wyll neglectynge in y e meane season the good pleasure of God dyuers Histories of y e holy scriptures shewe Kyng Saul thought that he had done well when he perceyuyng the people to go away from hym offered burnte offrynges to y e LORDE in the absence of Samuel sayenge that he dyd it to pacifye the LORDE that he was coÌ„pelled to do so But Samuell sayd vnto hym thou hast done folisbly neither hast thou kept the coÌ„maundementes of the LORDE thy God whiche I coÌ„maunded the. Agayne God coÌ„maunded Saul to staye Amelech to destroye al that euer ther was not to spare one not to couyt any thyng of theyr goodes but to kyll man woman chylde sue kynge babe ore shepe camell asse what soeuer could there be sound besydes But Saul followiÌ„g his own wyll more than the wyll of God spared Agag the king of Amelech alyue with the beste flockes of shepe ores cattell all that euer was fayre he spared woulde not destroye them but what soeuer was vyle and of no pryce that he destroyed Whan Samuel came vnto hym sayde what of beastes do I heare here He ausweâ— red the people hathe broughte them from Amelech They be the best and fattest of all the flockes they be reserued to be offered vnto the LORDE But Samuel sayde vnto hym Bycause thou hast cast awaye the word of y e LORD y u LORD hath cast away y e that thou be no more king Wyll the LORD burnt offringes sacrifices not rather that it may be obeyed vn to his worde Obedience is better then Sacrifyces to gyue eare to y e LORDES coÌ„maundement is more thaÌ„ to offer the satte of wethers What godly excuses had kynge Saul here to couer his faulte and to make his wyll vnto carnall iudgemeÌ„tes to appeare verye vertuous godly For all that euer he dyd was done to honour God to sacrifice offer oblacions to God Yet God casteth awaye that wyll whiche is contrary to his wyll seme it neuer so godlye vertuous and good in the syght of fleshly wyse meÌ„ Yea cursed be all good wylles all good zeeles all good inteÌ„tes that fyghte w e the wordes of God Oza also thought he had done wel when he seyng the arke of God in iopardy of fallyng oute of the wayne steyed it w e his hande yet for all hys good voyl bicause he touched it was he stryken of the LORDE streyghte waye dyed Kynge Ozias in lyke maner of a good intent would haue taken vpoÌ„ him to burne incense vnto y e LORDE but Azarias the preste sayd boldely vnto hym it is not thyne offyce Ozias to burne inceÌ„se vnto the LORDE but it pertayneth to prestes the sonnes of Aaron which are consecrated to suche ministry seruyce He com maunded him also to go out of y e sanctuary tolde him y e that whiche he had done should not turne vnto his prayse of the LORDE God And immediately after for his disobedsente presumpcioÌ„ he was stryken w e leproly so beynge cast oute of the house of the Lorde he contynued a Leper euen vnto his death The Iewes dyd put Christ his Apostles to death of a good zele wyl intent and purpose The tyrauntes whiche dyd slaye the holy martyres thoughte they dyd well The bloude soupers also which at this tyme persecute Christes gospel vnder y e name of Heresye cruelly slaye shed the bloude of the true Christians vnder the pretexte of persecutynge Heretikes perswade themselues that they do well thynke they meryte greatly in y e syght of God as Christ sayth the tyme shall come that they which kyl you shal thike y e they do an high seruyce vnto God Whyle we follow our owne wyll we commyt many absurdities vnsyttynge thynges Therfore whatsoeuer we do we must haue a respect to the wyll of God make ours conformable vnto it vnlesse we hepe vp daÌ„nacion vnto our selues in all our peticions prayers requestes We muste aske accordynge to the wyll of God He that doth otherwyse doth euell therfore he obtayneth not y e which he desyreth as S. Iames say ethe Ye aske and haue not bycause ye aske amysse for to consume it vpon youre volupteousnes If he doth obtayne it vndoubtedlye it is to his greater damnacioÌ„ Therfore let vs aske accordynge to the wyll of God So may we be sure to haue our her tes desyre as S. IohnÌ„ sayth This is the trueth that we haue in God that
but wythout ony watch comest to slepe lyke a miser wretche redy to faull into the captiuitie bondage of the moost vngracious diuels which coÌ„tinually go about waytyng y â— tyme that they maye quickely catche any man that is bare not defensed w t prayer which whan they se vs enarmed w t prayers ruÌ„ne backe streight wayes as theues malefactoures which se a swearde hanged vp at the hande of y â— Soldiour But if it chaÌ„seth that any man be bare not weponed w t prayer than is he streyght waye plucked toste of the diuels he is moued vnto synne brought into infinyte calamities euelles We therfore fearynge all these thynges let vs enarme oure selues alwaye w t prayers hymnes that god hauing pytie on vs maye make vs all worthy y e kyngedome of heauen thorow his onlye begotten sonne to whome be glory and rule worldes wythout ende Amen ¶ The. xxxvii Chapter HItherto haue I recyted y â— wordes of the goldeÌ„ mouthed Doctor wherin we may learne not only whan we oughte to praye but also howe necessary a thynge prayer is how that w tout prayer we can do nothynge well neyther can any thyng without that chaunse vnto vs prosperously Would God therfore that whan we ryse in the mornynge we would with hundle faythfull hertes gyue thankes to God for y â— slepe wherwith he hath refresshed one wery bodies that nyght 〈◊〉 ly desyre hym that his 〈…〉 maye haue the ryght gouernounce of vs all y e daye followynge that he defendynge vs from all euell maye only hisâ— couyâ—â—e aspyre go aboute those thâ—ges which shall may turne to the glory of God the saluacion of our soules the profytte of y â— Christen publyque weaâ—e not once offendynge the eies of the diuyne maieste neyther in thought worde nor dede at ony tyme. Agayne in asmuche as we are all â—orne to laboure euery man in hys offyce euer as the byrde is to flye seynge that we are commaunded of God to eate the labours of our handes ¶ The. xxxviii Chapter MOreouer whan we shall take our meat before we syt down to tast ony of it let vs w t al humilite submission of mynd desyre God w t oure prayers that he wyll sanctifye those his gyftes benefites that we maye receyue theÌ„ accordynge to his wyll by no meanes abuse them eyther to the distemperance of our bodies or to the daunger of our soules but only receyue them vnto y e ende for the which they were created and prepared Lette vs not thyncke it ynough to haue corporal food except it be blessed of God Neyther oughte we to thynke that oure bodely suste 〈◊〉 commeth only of our owne polâ—cy but much more rather of goddes blessynge whiche excepte he dyd fortune oure trauayles aâ—ouâ—e labours were but vayne 〈◊〉 y â— Psalmographe sayth feare ye the LORDE all ye that be his Sayntes for there is no searsenes to theÌ„ y e feare hym The rytche haue wanted hungred but they y â— seke after y e LORDE shal want no good thynge Agayne caste thy care vpon the LORDE he shall noryshe the. Also in another place The eyes of all meÌ„ trust in the O LORD thou gyuest them meate in conuenient tyme. Thou openest thy haÌ„de and fylleste euery lyuynge creature with thy blessynge Thus se we y â— our corporall foode is the gyfte of God he it is that fedethe so many as repose theyr affyaunce in hym Therfore oughte we before we taste any meate at y â— tyme of oure repaste to praye vnto God y â— he maye blesse the meat that we shaâ— than receyue confessynge y e what so euer we haue we al togither receyue it of his bountyous hand O mercyfull God we come nowe a dayes vnto the table as though we ware Hethen knew no parte of God at the of the Altare his beri body bloud 〈◊〉 dyd he this â—aâ—â—ely for our example that we should knowledge confesse that what so euer we haue we receyue it altogyther at the 〈◊〉 teous liberall hand of God Doth not S. Paule saye that meates are sanctifyed by the worde of God and prayer â–ª We oughte therfore surelye whan we go to dynner or take onye repast to desyre God for to blesse our meat to make it helthfull profytable to our bodies to beleue that what soeuer is there presente we receyue it altogyther of the grand munificence excedynge liberalytie of God so to behaue oure selues all y â— time of our repast not only iÌ„ enioyiÌ„g those gyftes moderately soberlye but also in oure coÌ„municacion externall gestures that we maye seme to sytte not at a prophane coÌ„mme vncleane table but at y â— holye table of y e celestiall and euerlastyng kyng ¶ The. xxxix Chapter AGayne after we haue thus godly soberly takeÌ„ oure meate let vs not fayle to gyue God herty thaÌ„ckes for his benefytes which so bounteously of his owne mere lyberalitie great goodnes hath fed vs at that presente let vs also desyre hym that he wyll go forth to be a beneficial father vnto vs to giue vs meat not only that meate whiche peryssheth but much rather y t whiche abydethe into euerlastynge lyfe I meane the moost swete Gospell of his intierlye beloued soÌ„ne Iesus Christ our moste gentle LORDE omnisufficient Sauiour y â— our bodies beyng fed w t corporall meate our soules susteyned with the word of lyfe we maye after this lyfe be moost happely fed wyth the aspecte beholdyng fruicion of the moost blessed deite Amen These thynges once done let be returne to our labours euery mâ—n accordynge to his vocacion and callynge workyng that thynge that is pleasaunt in the syght of God Whan the tyme coÌ„meth that we shall go to supper let vs w e the same reuerence enioy the good creatures of God that we dyd at dynner as we behaued our selues at diÌ„ner both in prayer thanckes gyuynge lette vs so likewyse do at supper So shal it come to passe vndoubtedlye that we shall wante no good thynge but haue plenty of all thiges accordyng to onr hertes desyre We must sayth Chrisostome bothe whan we go vnto the table come froÌ„ it gyue thaÌ„ckes to God For that table which be gynneth of prayer endethe also in prayer shall neuer wante but shall brynge to vs all good thynges more largely more plentiously than ony fountayne But I haue spoken of this matter also in my Banckette ¶ The. xl Chapter AT night whan we go to bedde we shall before we gyue our selues to slepe knele downe vpon oure knees secretly in our chamber with all humilite reuereÌ„t feare callyng vnto our remeÌ„brauÌ„ce howe we haue spent all the whole daye past If we shall than perceyue that we haue offended y e diuine maiesty in