world lyueth Bowe downe thyne eares O mother of pitye and mercy vnto my poore prayers and be to me wretched sinner a pitiouse helper in all thinge O most Blessed Ihon Euangelist the farnyliar frend of Christ which of the same Iesu Christ our Lorde was a chosen Virgin amonge all others muche beloued and aboue all others instructed and learned in heauenly Secrettes and mysteries thou was made his Apostle and Euangelist moste excellent therefore I call vpon the and Marie the mother of the same Lorde Iesu Christ our Saniour that thou and shee would vouchsaf to help me O ye two heauēly Gemmes Marie and Ihon. O two diuine Lampes euer shyninge before God dryue away with your blessed bearnes the darke cloudes of my sinnes for ye are the two in whom the onely begotten sonne of God for the merit of pure virginitie confirmed the priuilege of his singuler loue while he was hanging on the crosse saying thus to the one of you VVoman beholde thy sonne and after to the other Beholde thy mother Therefore in this sweetenes of such sacred loue wherin ye were then conioyned by the mouth of our Lorde as Mother and Sonne to you two I moste wretched sinner commend this day my body and soule that in euery houre and momente inwardly and outwardly ye woulde vouchsafe to be my suer keepers and pitifull intercessors to God for me Aske I beseech you health of body and soule for me Helpe I praye you helpe with your gloriouse prayers that the holy Ghost the noble gyuer of graces woulde wouchsafe to visite adorne and inhabite my harte to purge me from all filthe of sinne to bewtifye me with all holy vertues and make me stand perfectly and perseuer in the loue of God and my neyghbour And after the course of this lyfe I may be ledde to the ioyes of the elect by the same holy Ghost who with the father and the sonne eternally lyueth and raigneth one God almightye worlde without ende Amen A prayer to all the holy Angelles Victor Vticensis libr. de persecutione Vandalica HEare vs O holy Angells of our God whose ayde neuer faileth for you are constituted in your seruice for them that shal be heires of euerlasting saluation watch and take heede and behold howe Sion the Citie of our God is become of litle estimation and as it were polluted with infection amongest her enemyes the enemy hathe abused and wastfully occupyed all her pleasaunt beautyfull ornamētes for he hathe seene infidelles and vnworthy persones assaile enter within the gates whoe our Lorde had commaunded should not enter into his Churche Saye vnto God our protector euen as those whiche haue a sure trust to obteyne that whiche you require that his Church is afflicted trauelled her wombe sore troubled with her outcries for she is set amongest infidels doth find no rest not any to comfort her She hathe soughte who woulde mourne with her but coulde finde none she hath sought who woulde gyue her comforte but no person was to be founde euen when shee dyd eate Gaule in her meate and in her thirst tooke vynager for her drincke folowinge the Passion of her spouse and Lorde who suffred for hyr to the end that shee might followe his steppes A prayer to S. Iohn Baptist Ludo. carthusianus li. de vita Christi O Moste blessed Iohn the forerunner of Christe the crier of the Iudg frend of the spouse voice of the diuine word which haste deserued to declare fortell the ioy and comfort of our redemption obtaine for me poore and miserable sinner of the same Lord Iesus by thy most holy prayers that my harte being clensed from vice and adorned with vertues I may according to thy hoolsome admonitiōs prepare the way of our Lord and make streyght his pathes in suche sort as in the laste and finall Iudgemēt when he shall clense the floore of his Church shall seperate the good corne from the chaffe I may deserue to be found amongest the wheate his elect with thē may be layde vpp in the barne of his heauenly mansion Amen A prayer to any of the Apostles O Lord God which amongest al and aboue al thy other saintes haste moste maruelouslye chosen thy moste blessed Apostles to be the firste pillers and foundation of thy Church and before all other haste firste sent them to preach thy Ghospel through the whole world confirminge and establishing their doctryne by maruelous workes wounders and miracles and thou more-ouer by the same Apostles haste sought allured and inuited vs Gentyles to the knowledge and prayse of thy holy name VVe humblye beseech thee O Lorde mercyfully to graunte that we beinge by thee founded vpon the rocke of the Apostolicke confession and in the vnion of the same fayth are chosen and called to obeye prayse thee perpetually be neuer seperated from thee through any errour or temptation make vs pertakers of the intercession of S. N. and of the twelue Apostles in the strength and fortification of a true fayth amendment of our lyfe and auoyding and eschueing of all euil through Iesus Christ our Lord Amen A prayer to any of the holy Martyres Hora B. virgi secund vs ord D. Bene. O God which haste so strenghthned in thy fayth and loue thy blessed Martyr S. N. as no fleshlye delites no threatninges of tyrantes no sworde or torture of tormentors could withdraw him from the worshipping of thee graunte vnto vs miserable sinners by his worthy merites and intercessions helpe in tribulation comforte in persecution that we may manfully fighte against all the deceites of the deuill despise the worlde and all that is in it that we may feare no aduersitie but may obtaine that which by thy holye inspiration we doe desire through Christ our Lorde Amen A prayer to any Confessor Petrus Canisius li catho prec ALmightye and euerlasting God which art the wounderful light of thy beloued saintes and principally thou haste appoynted for vs blessed bishopps pastors doctors and confessors as burninge lightes in thy house and by their doctrine exhortations writinges and testimonies recallest and reducest sinners from euill to good VVe humbly beseech thee that thou wilte vndoe lose the bonds of our sinnes and although we be vnworthie yet make vs partakers of that intercessiō of blessed S.N. all thy holy confessors that we forsakinge our sinnes and walking in true fayth and charitie folowinge them in good workes may at laste enioy their companie in the eternal beatitude through Iesus Christ our Lorde Amen A prayer to any holy Virgin Idem in eodem lib. O God which amongest the other miracles of thy power and might doest gyue and graunte in a fraile sex to all virgins wydowes matrones the victorie of martyrdome and immaculate chastitiye mercyfully graunte that we which amongest thy other holye virgins and widowes do celebrate the memory of thy blessed sainte N. may by her example and intercession despise the allurements of the flesh
to the lustes desirs of the fleshe and to liue to thee onely all oure life So that in the end we raigne eternallie with him where thou with the same thy sonne and the holy ghoste liuest and raignest one true and lyuing God for euer and euer Amen VVhen the Priest sayeth the Pater noster saye vvith him LEtt vs pray Being admonished by holesome preceptes and being taught by diuine institution we dare be bold to say Pater noster qui es in caelis c. Aue Maria gratia plena c. VVhen the Preist kissethe the pax O Lambe of God that takest awaye the sinnes of the world haue mercie vpon vs. O Lambe of God that c. haue mercie vpon vs. O Lambe of God that c. Gyue vs peace and quietnes Deliuer vs we beseech thee O Lord from all our euills paste presente to come and by the intercession of thy blessed and glorious mother the virgin Mary of thy holy Apostles Peter Paule of all thy saincts mercifully graunte vs peace in our dayes that we being aided by the helpe of thy mercye may continually be free from sinne and safe from all parturbation of mynde and bodye Amen VVhen you kisse the Pax. GEeue peace in our dayes O Lorde because their is no other that fighteth for vs but onely thou O Lorde God VVhen the Priest receyueth O Sacred feast wherein Christ is receyued the memorie of his passion is reuiued the minde is replenished with grace and a pledge is geuen vs of the glory to come O Mostmercifull Lord God father of mercye graunte I beseech thee that this vnbloody Sacrifice of the blessed bodye and blood of thy sonne our Lord Iesus Christ which here euery-where throughout thy holie Churche is offred to the great benefit of vs al for a coÌ„tinuall daylie memorie thankes geuing may entreat for vs at thy handes mercie remissioÌ„ of all our sinnes Amen Then blessing your selfe saye THe grace of our Lorde Iesus Christ the vertue of his moste gloriouse Passion the signe of the holye Crosse the integritie of the moste blessed Virgin Marie the blessing of all Saints the prayers of all the Elect of God be betwene me and all my ennemies visible inuisible now and in the howre of my death In nomine patris filii spiritus sancti Amen A prayer after the diuine Sacrifice of the Masse Cornelius Donters in his contemplations of the passion O Moste louinge Lorde and almighty God I beseech thee most humbly vouchsafe to receiue for acceptable the diuine seruice which I haue done this day to thy honour and glorie and to the honour of thy blessed mother and to the honour of all saintes whose feasts we celebrate in remission of our sinnes and for all our frendes and benefactours aswell those that liue as those that be departed most earnestlye requestinge that thou wouldest louinglye receyue these our deuotions in this time of thy diuine seruice and to forgyue me mercifully that which I haue done without deuotion in dedes words and thoughtes Gyue vs thy grace alwayes to walke in thy holy commaundementes and to serue thee loyally to the ende thou maist be honored glorified in vs. Amen A prayer to recommend your selfe to God In Eucholo Ecclesiast O Lorde I recommend into the hands of thy inestimable mercy my soule my body my senses my wordes and my thoughtes my counsayle my workes and all the necessities of my body and soule my entring and goinge foorth my fayth and my conuersation the course and end of my lyfe the day and houre of my departinge my death the reste and resurrection of my soule with thy saints and thine elected Amen A prayer to be sayed before a Catholicke Sermon or exhortation O Lorde Iesus Christ open the eyes and eares of my harte to the ende I may heare and vnderstand thy holy worde and to obey it according to thy holy will I am a pylgrime vpon earth keepe not hidden thy coÌ„maundements from me Open myne eyes that I may vnderstand the maruelouse things of thy lawe Gyue me wisdome to lighten my vnderstanding to purifie my hart to inflame my affection that I may loue thee and knowe thee in all and aboue all thinges Amen The ende of the second Chapter THE THIRDE CHAPTER CONTEYNINGE HOLsome prayers for remission of sinnes An humble bevvaylinge of sinnes for a sinner that hath compunction Ioan. Fab. in precat Christian O Most heauenly kinge and moste mercyfull Lorde and Sauioure Christ Iesu here do I come to thee beinge verye fainte with the infirmitie of sinne and far from the perfection which thou requirest to be in me My conscieÌ„ce doth dayely accuse me and more and more I finde the imperfection and fraveltie of my flesh I do continually offende thy Maiestie All the imaginations of my harte all my words and deedes whatsoeuer I do or leaue vndone whether I eate drincke sleepe or watche all my thoughtes all my senses are wholye bent to wickednes whether shall I turne me O Lorde Thou requirest of me integritie of life and iustice and that I shoulde walke in thy holie commaundementes wherto thou promisest mee thy gratious helpe But O Lorde I feele my owne will so peruerse ouer-thwart that I can not hartelie wishe and desire those thinges whiche be requisite to my saluatioÌ„ I haue no will to bewayle my sinnes ne yet repente my wickednes from the bottome of my harte I am so caried awaye with the vanitie of this life that I doo quite forgette the benefites of thy death and Passion whiche thou of thy bountiouse liberalitie bestowed vpon me moste vyle and abhominable wretche My offences bee so manie in number and so grieuous O most gracious God wherwith I offend thy Diuine maiestie that were not thy most mercifull pitie I had bene longe agoo drowned in the depe dongeon of euerlastinge tormente VVherfore I most humblie thaÌ„ke thy vnspeakeable goodnes mercie that I am not alredie sounkeÌ„ into the botomles pitte of hell But what shall I doo shall I despayer shall I saye with cursed Cain the murtherer of his brother my offences are greater theÌ„ can be forgyuen me No God forbyd that I shoulde haue anye suche thoughte no but this will I say my God is mercifull and full of pitie he is my comforte my strengthe consolatioÌ„ my refuge defence he will not despyse the worke of his owne hâ—â—d nâ—â— will caste from afore him me poore wretched sinner wherfore moste mercifull Sauiour I come to the openinge in thy sight the thoughtes of my harte for thou neuer fayleste me with thy graciouse helpe I coÌ„fesse most mercifull Lorde before thee my weakenes acknowledginge my owne imperfectioÌ„ and bewaylinge the multitude of my offences O euerlasting and endles swetenes o vnspeakeable mercie and moste louinge Father I haue sundrie times and manies wayes offended against heauen thee so that I am not worthie to be reputed for thy childe
Lyons R. Amen Deliuer O Lorde the soule of thy seruaunt as thou deliueredst the three Children out from the fiery fournace and from the hands of the cruell vnmercyfull Kyng R. Amen Deliuer O Lorde the soule of thy seruaunt as thou deliueredst Susanna frō the crime with which she was falsely charged R. Amen Deliuer O Lorde the soule of thy seruaunt as thou deliueredst Dauid from the handes of kinge Saul and Golias R. Amen Deliuer O Lorde the soule of thy seruaunt as thou deliueredst S. Peter and Paule out of pryson R. Amen And as thou deliueredst that blessed Virgin and Martyr Tecla from her moste cruell torments so vouchesafe to deliuer the soule of this thy seruant and make him partaker of the euerlastinge ioyes in heauen with thee R. Amen Lett vs praye VVE commend vnto thee O Lord the soule of thy seruant beseeche thee sweete Lord lefu Christ Sauiour of the worlde that thou doe not refuse to place hym in the bosome of thy Patriarches for whom thou descēdedst mercifully into the earth Acknowledg O Lord thy creature created not of any straung gods but of thee alone the true and lyuinge God for there is no other God but thou O Lorde and there is none according to thy woorkes O Lord make his soule reioyse in thy sight and remembre not his olde iniquitie and drunckenesse whiche inordinate concupiscence and raginge lustes dyd rayse in hym Albeit he sinned yet he denied not the father the sonne and the holy Ghost but belyeued stedfastly in them and he had the zeale of God in his harte and adored the God that created all of nought R. Amen Lett vs praye REmembre not we beseech the O Lorde the sinnes and ignoraunces of his wylfull youth but according to thy great mercie bee myndefull of him in the glorye of thy eternall deytie Let the heauens bee opened vnto hym Lett thy Angels reioyse of hym O Lorde receyue thy seruant into thy kyngdome Lett holy Michaell the high messenger of God that hath deserued to bee the chiefe all the holye cōpany of Angels receiue him Let all the holy Angels of God come forth and meete him conducte him into the heauēlie Citie Hierusalē Lett blessed Peter the Apostle who had the keyes of the kyndom of God delyuered vnto hym receyue hym Lett the holy Apostle S. Paule who was woorthy to bee a chosen vessell receyue hym Lett S. Iohn the elect Apostle of God to whome the heauenly secret mysteries were reuealed receyue him Lett all the holy Apostles who receyued of Christ power to loose and bynd praye for hym Lett all holye Saincts who haue sustained tormentes for the name of Christ pray for him that after he is loosed out of the pryson of this mortall flesh he may be founde woorthy to come to the glorie of the heauenly kyngdome by the assistance of our Lord Iesus Christ who with the father and the holy Ghost lyueth and raigneth worlde without ende Amen Into thy handes O Lorde we cōmen his soule O Lorde God of truth thou haste redeemed hym Lett that sweete voyce of thyne O Lorde Iesu sounde in his eares This daye thou shalt bee vvith me in Paradise Amen The ende of the tvvelfth Chapter THE THYRTIENTH CHAPTER CONTAYNING DEVOVT praiers healthfull for the departed soules An exhortation by the vvhich vve are shevved and admonyshed to praye for soules departed in the Catholicque Church Clemens I. Ponti Max. Ca. 47. lib. 8. constit Apostol MY brethren lett vs praye for our brother that resteth in Iesu Christ to the ende that our good God which hath recieued his soule may forgyue him all his sinnes willingly or vnwillingly committed and that he obteining forgyuenes may be receyued into the kingdome of the blessed in the bosome of Abraham Isaac and Iacobe with all those that from the begining haue pleased God and haue done his will from whom all sorow griefe and payne is secluded Commendations of the soule that is lately departed Albertus Castella Sacer. Rom. part 1. O Lorde we commend the soule of thy seruant that being latelye departed this lyfe he may lyue in thee and according to thy mercye pardone him his sinnes which he hath committed throughe humayne frayeltie VVe commende O Lorde the soule of this thy seruante into the handes of the holy and moste gloriouse virgin Mary the mother of mercye and clemency Also into the handes of all the holy Archangels Angels and celestiall courte of heauen into the handes of the holy Patriarches and prophets into the handes of the blessed Apostles Euangelistes and disciples into the handes of the martyrs and confessors into the handes of the virgins widowes and all votaryes who-soeuer And finally we commend the soule of this thy seruaunt into the hands of all such thy blessed saynts and seruaunts as haue pleased thee from the first creatiō of the world that by their intercession and succour he may be deliuered from the prince of darknes and from all dreadfull torments graunt this O God almightye omnipotente and full of mercy through the bitter passion of thy sweet sonne our sauiour Iesu to whom with thee and the holy Ghost be all honour and glorye for euer and euer Amen A prayer for the faythfull soule departed Precat Ecclesi in Missa O Eternall and almightye God to whom we neuer pray without hope of mercy Haue mercy of the soule of thy seruaunt N. and make him to bee vnyted to that companye of Saintes which is deceased from this life in the confession of thy name through Iesus Christe our Lorde Amen Another prayer Pontifical Rom. part 3. O God by whom all thinges lyueth and through whom our bodies diminisheth not in dyeng but are chaunged into better we moste humblye beseech thee to commaunde the soule of thy seruant to be receyued by the handes of thy holy Angels to bring him vnto the bosome of thy friend the Patriarch Abraham to ryse againe at the laste greate iudgement day pardonning him mercyfully all his sinnes which he hath committed throughe the false deceiptes and suggestion of the deuill through Iesus Christe our Lorde Amen Another prayer Clemens Aposto discip lib. 8. cap. 47. constit Apostol O God of Abraham God of Isaac God of Iacob which art God of the liuinge and not of the deade for as much as all soules of the righteouse lyueth with thee and are in thy handes they shall not be touched with any payne or torment Looke bountifully vpon this thy seruaunt which thou haste receyued into another lyfe pardone him that which he hath committed through the frayeltye of his will Appoynt him thy louing Angels to carye him into the bosomes of Patriarches Prophetes and Apostles and of all those that hath pleased thee from the begining of the worlde where is neither sorowe griefe nor horrour but an assemblye of Saintes whiche are reioysing in the countrye of the happye and iuste seeing the glory of thy Christ through whom be to thee glory honour seruice and adoration
Amen Pater noster Aue. Credo Confiteor A morning prayer vvhen ye are rysen Ex Viridario spirit O Heauenly Father omnipotente and euerlastinge God vnto thee I yealde innumerable thankes whiche haste vouchsafed to keepe me this nighte through thy great mercy and I beseech thy aboundaunt clemencye that thou graunt me so to spende the day to come in fayth hope charity patieÌ„ce feare carefulnes of minde that my seruice maye please thy heauenly Maiestie A morninge prayer vvhereby to commende thy selfe to God B. Aug. cap. 40. Medit. O Holy Trinitie heare me most miserable sinner and keepe me from all euill from all occasion of euill from all mortall sinne from all the deceptes and wilynes of the deuill and of mine enemies visible and inuisible by the prayers of the Patriarkes by the merits of the Prophets by the suffrages of the Apostles by the constancie of Martyrs by the faith of the Confessours by the chastitie of Virgins and by the intercession of al Sainctes which haue pleased thee from the beginninge of the worlde Amen A prayer to he sayed goinge out of the house Ioan Fab. in prec Christ O All ye holy Angels and saints of God I beseech you that your intercession may geue me ayde and power that no enemie may hurt me in the way that I shal walke neither sleepinge nor wakinge and that neither fier nor water nor any other noysome thing doe oppresse or harme me Amen A prayer desiring God to order and directe vs. De imit Christ li. 3. cap. 16. LOrd God thou knowest what thing is to me most profitable to doe this or that after thy will Geue me what thou wilt as much as thou wilt and when thou wilt Doe with me as thou knowest best to be donne and as it shall please thee and as shal be most to thy honour put me where thou wilt and freely doe with me in all thinges after thy will Thy creature I am and in thy handes leade me and turne me where thou wilt Loe I am thy seruaunt redie to all things that thou commauÌ„dest for I desire not to lyue to myselfe but to thee would to God it might be worthely profitably to thy honor AmeÌ„ A prayer to perseuere in goodnes Imitatio Christ li. 1. cap. 19. HElpe me my Lord Iesu Christ that I may perseuere in good purpose and in thy holy seruice vnto my death and that I may now this present day perfectly beginne for it is nothinge that I haue done in time paste An exersise to be dayly vsed in meditating the passion of our Lord Sauiour An Exhortation If thou wilt profit and growe in the loue of God thou must haue an often and frequent memorie as it were an Image before thine eyes of thy Lord and Sauiour crucyfied for thee and it shall be verye profitable for thy dayly exercyse to call to thy mind with a deuoute and diligente attention and consideration one or moe of these fiftiene litle meditations and in the ende of the same meditation say the prayer folowing for the same purpose O mylde and innoceÌ„t Lambâ— c. Medita 1. O Good gracious IESV thou beinge highest and almightie God of the infinite charitie wherwith thou louedst me wouldest be made man thou didest vouchsafe to be borne in a stable to be laide downe in an oxe stall and after that to be circumcised and to flee into Egipte Thou didest vouchsafe to be baptized to fast to be tempted to watch to teach to preach and to heale the dyseased Thou diddest vouchsafe to suffer manifolde labours painfull cares and persecutions three and thirtie yeres and at the length to come to Hierusalem and to suffer death for me This prayer folovving is to be sayed after one or moe of these meditations as the leasure of the deuoute person shall serue accordinge to the tyme and deuotion that the partye shall haue O Myld and innocent Lambe of God thus hartely thou didest loue me these thinges thou didest for me these paines most meekely most patiently and louingly thou sufferedst for me VVhat shall I render againe vnto thee I adore laud and glorifie thee I praise thee and geue vnto thee thankes as hartely and as well as I can All haile sweete IESV the sonne of the liuing God king of all kinges the very king of glorie All haile the precious stone of the diuine nobilitie that quickneth and geueth lyfe the flower that neuer fadeth of mankinds high dignitie O mercifull and kinde redeemer haue mercy vpon me for thy goodnesse sake Put awaye all my sinnes Destroye and mortifie in me what soeuer displeaseth thee Make me one according vnto thy blessed harte making me like vnto thy holy humanitye Graunte my Lord that I may to my litle power most diligently folowe thy blessed lyfe and vertues O blessed father celestial I offer vnto thee the most holy incarnation conuersacion passion of thy most deere beloued sonne Iesu for my saluation and for the saluation of all men as for full amendmente and purgation of all our sinnes and offences Graunte most mercifull father by the same onelye begotten sonne of thyne vnto them that are alyue mercy grace and vnto the soules departed rest and lyfe euerlasting Amen Medita 2. O Good and gracious IESV thou dideste eate the pascall lambe in HierusaleÌ„ with thy dere-beloued disciples and arising from supper thou diddest giâ—ddâ— thy selfe about with a Towel and powredst water into a bason and kneeling vpon thy knees thou meekely didest washe the feete of thy disciples and wypedst them with a Towell Medita 3. O Good and gracious IESV thou before thou shouldest suffer did bequeth a most excelleÌ„t good thinge vnto thy children leauinge for vs thy most sacred body to be our meate and thy most precious bloude to be our drincke There can no witt nor vnderstanding penetrate and throughly see the bottomles deapth of this thy charytie Medit. 4. O Good and gracious IESV thou cominge vnto the garden of Oliuet begannest to feare and to be heauy whereupon thou saidest vnto thy disciples My soule is sorowfull vntill death And then diuided sondred from them thou settest thy selfe vpon thy knees and fallinge vpon the earth flatte on thy face thou prayedst vnto thy father and fully and wholly thou resignest and yeldest thy selfe vnto him sayinge Father thy will be done And at length through most paynfull agonye where-with thou was greuouselye opprest and afflicted thou swettest throughout all thy body a bloodye sweate Medita 5. O Good and gracious IESV thou kindled and burning with the ineffable desire to redeeme me thou wentest to meete thyne enemies and suffered Iudas the traitor to kisse thee and suffered thy selfe to be taken and to be bound with all confusion and shame and most indignely to be ledd with bondes from thence and that of most vile and wicked persons vnto Annas where thou suffered most mekely a verye sore stroke on thy face most iniustly geuen thee
that is able to make it selfe equalle with the mercie and compassion of God Or can man imagine whiche waye to doo such dewtifull seruice as might iustlye requite his readie succoure prouident care continuallie hadde for man There is trewlie sweet Soone of God there is thorough this thy meruailouse dispensacion wherin manes frayltie maye in some thing do that which maye be acceptable vnto the that is to saye if thorough compunction of harte stirred vp by thy visitacion he doo crucifie his fleash with her concupiscences and vices whiche thoroughe thy grace being brought to passe then beginneth he to be a sufferer with thee for whose offences thou vouchsauedst a vile deathe to dye So by the victorie of the inwarde man throughe thee beinge his eaptaine he shal be armed vnto the outwarde victorie that after conqueste made of the spirituall enemie he shall not feare for thee likewise to dye and for thy sake to offer his bodye to be hewed in peeces by the matteriall sworde Thus the smalnes and simplicitye of mans condition and state yf it maye so please thy godlines shal be able accordinge to his litle power in some parte to be aunswerable to the greatnes of the creators goodnes This sweet Iesu is the heauenlie medicine and a preseruatiue of thy loue I beseeche thee therefore for thy noble mercies sake powre that into my festred woundes that may clense me from the corruption of the Serpentes venemouse poyson restore mee againe to my former healthe that tastinge the pleasaunte liquour of thy sweetnes it maye cause me to sett at naughte all the wanton intisements pleasaunt allurements of the worlde and for the loue of thee not to feare anye aduersities threatnede by it and that hauinge in remembrance the perpetuall blessednes I make none accōpt of the raginge stormes of this transitorie tyme. Let nothinge like me lett nothinge be preciouse in my sight but that whiche is pleasinge vnto thee Also I praye thee let all thinges besides thee seeme fylthie vnto mee and of no reputacion cause me likewise to abhorre all thinges whiche is offensiue vnto thee and my desire neuer to be satisfied in seking to do those things whiche are pleasing vnto thee Let no ioye delight mee that is without thee and lett mee reioyce in all troubles I suffer for thee Lett the remembraunce of thee bee my solace and thy blessed name my consolation let my teares be nourishment vnto mee both daye and night in seking after thy righteousnes Lett the lawe of thy mouth be more preciouse vnto mee then thousandes of golde or siluer lett it be delectable vnto mee to obey thee and detestable to committ ought against thy diuine pleasure I humblie beseeche thee my onely hope for all thy mercyes sake thou wilt be mercyfull vnto mee and pardonne all mine iniquitie From the bottome of my harte I desire thee to open mine eares to heare that thou commandest and suffre not my harte to decline frō thee nor through woordes of wickednes to seke excuses for my sinne Finallie I beseeche thee for thy meruailouse humilitie let no pride raigne in mee nor the power of the sinner feare mee But that I may all waye kepe my selfe vndefiled for thee which lyuest and raignest for euer and euer Amen A prayer vvherein man doth offer to God the Father the passion of his sonne our Lorde and sauiour Christ B. August cap. 6. Medit. BEholde O holye Father thy derely beloued sonne so cruelly tormented for me beholde moste mercifull king who it is that suffreth and remember for whom he suffereth Is it not O Lorde thy moste innocent sonne whom thou haste gyuen to death that he might redeeme thy feruaunt is it not the Authour of lyfe who being ledde as a sheepe to the slaughter and made obediente vnto thee euen vnto death spared not the moste cruell kynde of death Call to minde O distributor and gyuer of al goodnes that this is he whom although thou haste begotten of thy diuine powre and vertue yet notwithstanding hast made him partaker of my infirmitie and weaknes verely this is thy deytie which being clothed with my nature ascended the gybbet of the crosse vpon the which he suffered moste dolorous death O Lorde caste the eyes of thy Maiestie vpon the worke of thy ineffable bountie beholde thy most sweete sonne with his whole body stretched out beholde his innocent hands besprinkled with moste precyous blood and mercyfully pardon those faults which with my handes I haue committed looke vppon his naked side pearced with a speare and renewe me with that sacred fountayne which I beleeue did issue from thence Consider his vndefiled footesteps which neuer stood in the way of sinners but alwayes walked in thy lawe howe with sharpe and longe nayles they are fastened to the crosse guyde my stepps in thy path and make me hate the wayes of iniquitye and chuse euermore the way of trueth O Kinge of Angels and saints I beseech thee for this holy of holyes for this my redeemer to make me runne in the waye of thy commaundementes that I may be vnited and ioyned to him whoe hath not disdayned to be cladde with my fleshe O blessed Father wilte thou not behold the head of thy dere sonne with his necke as whyte as snowe resolued to dye beholde moste meeke creator the humanitye of thy beloued sonne and haue mercy vpon the frayltie of thy frayle creature his whyte breast is naked his blody side is read his stretched bowels dryed vppe his fayre and bewtiful eyes waxt dimme his roiall and princely visage is pale his marble-white leggs hange downe the streames of his precious blood doe water his feete quyte perced thorowe Beholde O glorious Father the rente and torne members of thy welbeloued sonne and benignely remember what my substance is beholde the paine of God and man and release the myseryes of man thy creature beholde the punishment of the redeemer and forgyue the offence of the redeemed this is he O my Lorde whom thou haste smytten for the sinnes of the people although he was thy beloued in whom thou waste well pleased this was that innocēt in whom their was foūd no guyle yet was he reputed amongst the wicked A deuoute prayer vvith the remembraunce of the passion of our sauiour Iesus Christ to obtayne succour and fauour of him Io. Fab. in preca Christ O Moste sweete Lorde and my redeemer whiche was by the heauenly Father sente downe into this worlde and haste willingly of thine owne accord suffered moste cruel bitter paines vpon the crosse and haste carried the same Crosse vpon thy blessed shoulders to the ende that this thy patience mighte be vnto vs saluation and a myrrour and finally thou diddest consente vpon that tree to dye and redeeme vs. I moste poore miserable and wretched sinner most humbly beseech thee for the incredible pacience which thou didst show in the course of thy whole lyfe and then especiallye when the vngracious
the pleasures of the worlde and in true fayth to passe all perrils of soul and body and exercyse our selues daily more and more in thy seruice in such sorte that with them afterwards we may haue the fruition of ioye and solace eternall Amen A prayer to any of the holy Sayntes Ex tabella quadam Coloniae in templo S. Vrsul O Holy and blessed S. N. I humbly beseech thee that thou wilt haue me poore and wretched sinner in remembraunce before the face of my God and sauiour that by thy merites and intercessions I may be preserued from all daungers bodyly and ghostly that I may dayly more and more increase in vertue and good workes and at the houre of my death and departure out of this worlde vouchsafe to succour and defend me against the assaultes and deceites of mine ennemies and bring my soule deliuered and made free from all tribulatiō to the ioyes of the heauenly paradyse Amen Pray for vs O holy S. N. that we maye be made worthye of the promisses of Christ VVe humblye beseech thee O Lorde God father omnipotente to receiue the prayers of thy seruants that we worshipping the memorye of thy blessed S. N. by his merites and intercessions may be delyuered from al bodyly aduersities and that our hartes may be clensed from all euill and idle thoughtes through Iesus Christe our sauiour Amen A prayer to all the blyssed Saintes in heauen Ex herae B. M. ad vsum Sarum O All yee holy electe of God vnto whome almightie God hathe prepared his eternall kingedome from the beginninge I beseech you through the charitie by the which God dyd loue you that you doe sucker mee moste miserable sinner before death doe take mee awaye oute of this wretched world and reconcile mee vnto my creator before that hell deuoure mee O blessed Marie mother of God the mediatrix for sinners vnto Christ heare mee kepe mee saue mee O thou sweete Lady obtaine to mee righte faithe firme hope perfecte charitie true humylitie chastitie and sobrietie after the course of this lyfe the felow shippe of the euerlasting blyssednes Thou also holye Michaell with all the thousandes of Angells praye for mee that thou mayest take keepe mee from the power of my aduersaries helpe mee obtaine for mee the loue of God purenes of hart strength of faith and the pleasure of heauenlie glorie Also yee holy Patriarkes and Prophetes procure for mee of God pardon penaunce continencie and godlye perseuerance and also lyfe euerlastinge O yee blessed Apost'es of God vnlose mee from my sinnes defende mee from the paynes of hell and take mee from the power of darkenes bringe me vnto the euerlastinge kyngdome I beseche you also yee holy Martyrs of God that perfecte charitie syncere loue a pure minde a chaste lyfe and remission of my sinnes be gyuen of almightie God vnto mee O yee glorious Confessours of God praye for mee that through you the desire of heauenly thinges and reuerence of maners washinge away of my misdeedes bee of God graunted vnto mee Likewise I praye you all holy Virgines of God that you doe ayde mee to thintent I may haue a good minde and health of bodie and soule humilitie chastitie after the course of this my miserable lyfe fellowshipe of the perpetuall blessednes O all yee Saints of God I do pray and also do make humble supplication that you will woutchsafe to helpe mee and haue compassion vpon me most pytyfully and pray for mee instātly that through your intercession a pure conscience bee ingrafted within mee with compunction of harte for my sinnes and laudable endinge of my lyfe so that through your merites I maye bee able to come vnto the countrye of eternall blessednes almyghtie God graunte it Amen The end of the eleuenth Chapter THE TVVELFTH CHAPTER CONTEYNING ADVERtisments consolations with prayers and suffrages for the sicke An aduertisment for the sicke diligently to prepare him selfe to dye vvell Lud. Blosius cap. 1. posterioris li. Ench. paruulorum VVhoe soeuer doethe loue God dutifullye being at anye time ouertaken with sicknes whereby deathe is feared to be at hand let good heede be taken that with diligēce thou prepare thy selfe to end well discharge thy harte of the cares troubles of this world receiue deuoutly the Sacramentes of the Church to the ende thou maiest purchasse succour strēgth to passe through thy iourney and wholly recommende thy soule to God Remember the passion of our sweete Sauiour and redeemer embrace in thy hart his holsome crosse kisse his ruddy woundes and thrust thy selfe with all thy power into them that beinge hidden in them thou maiest be safe and happely escape from all the snares and entysmentes of the deuill humblye beseech our Sauiour Iesus Christ that he would wouchsafe to washe thee with his precious blood and that he woulde whollye abandonne all thy sinnes And for wante of meritoriouse good workes offer to God the father the merites of Iesus Christ offer him his moste holy and sacred conuersation death and passion offer him the merites of his moste sweete mother the wirgin Mary of all Saintes for so it shall come to passe that thou which art poore naked and miserable of thy selfe shalt appeare maruelously adorned with spirituall ornaments recommende thy selfe also to our blessed Ladye the glorious virgin and mother of God and to the other Cytizens of heauen and principally to that saint which thou haste accustomed most to pray vnto hoping and beleeuing certainly that they heare thy prayers and that if thou call vpon the blesse virgin with all thy hart and turne moste humbly and assuredly thy selfe to her she will without doubt make thy entraunce into the kingdome of heauen where otherwise it may be through the diuine iustice of God that thou canst not enter because of thine iniquitie for she is the mother of mercy and the Porte of of heauen Then folovveth this protestation or such lyke very profitable to be made by the sicke Lud. Blofius cap. 3. lib. sup I wicked sinner moste vnworthy redeemed with the preciouse bloode of our Lorde Iesus Christ doe confesse openlye that with an entyer and pure harte I forgyue all those that haue at any time euer offended me or done me iniurye in what maner soeuer desiring moste humblye all and euerye one that I haue offended iniuried grieued or any way angred whyther they be present or absent that they would vouchsafe also to forgyue me Here let the sicke call to minde his sinnes in particular and aske God forgynenes purposing firmely by God his grace neuer to commit sinne agayne and though his sinnes be neuer so many and the maner of his offences neuer so horrible and grieuouse yet he is to trust in the omnipotency of God whose mercyes are innumerable and to take hope and comfort in the passion of Christe our redeemer Sayeng I beleue in God the father almighty c. A prayer for the sicke person to saye
suggestion doo plucke mee away from the and a harte soo stable that no troubles maye ouercome mee so free from all vice that sinne maye chalenge nothinge in me Graunt mee O my Lord God vnderstanding to know thee diligēce to seke thee wisdom to finde thee conuersatiō to please thee faithfullie to perseuere looking after thee finallie thorough hope to imbrace thee in respect of thy most grieuouse paines suffered vpon the Crosse for mee that I maye willingly suffre penaunce and all tribulation for thee Also through thy grace to enioye the graciouse benefittes here in this transitorye lyfe and in the world to come to be partaker of thy rewarde heuenlye ioyes throughe the precious bloude of that immaculat lambe our onelye Sauiour Iesus Christ to whome with the father and the holy ghost three personnes and one God be al honour and glorie worlde without end Amen A prayer to God that he vvill vouchsafe to preserue the fruites of the earth Ioan Ferus in lib. prec O Omnipotent euerlasting and mercifull God we beseeche thee consider our daylye needes shewe vs thy mercy and gyue vs a sufficiente harueste for our dayly necessities graunt that corne trees and other fruites of the earth may by thy holy benediction growe encrease and multyplye Turne backe and with-drawe from the fruites of the earth all that may be dammageable as tempestes ouerflowing of waters coldnesse hayle and other lyke thinges which are anye waye hurtfull Through our Lorde Iesus Christ thy sonne the euerlasting lyfe Amen A prayer to desire that vve may vse all temporall thinges for the health of our soules onely Thomas de Camp in lib. de Imit Christ I Beseeche thee moste inercyfull God vouchsafe to preserue me from excessiue cares of this lyfe that I be not to much encombred with many thinges concerning the necessitie of my body and that I be not ouertaken with any voluptuousnes of these thinges O my God my ineffable sweetenes chaunge and turne into bitternesse all my carnall consolations which withdraw me from the loue of celestiall thinges Suffer me not my God to be conquered not to be ouercome of fleshe and of blood Suffer me not to be deceyued of the worlde and of the transitorie glory thereof nor that the deuill through his subtiltie ouerthrow me to the grounde Gyue me strengthe to resist pacience to endure and cōstancie to perseuer for meate drincke clothes and all necessayrie things to vpholde the bodie are painfull troublesome for that person that hathe a deuout spirite Therefore graunt me Lorde to vse these thinges moderatly and that my harte be not to much encombred with the desyre of them The holy law forbiddeth vs to require superfluous thinges and suche as are more delectable than profitable for otherwyse the fleshe should be ouer burdenouse to the spirit And alwayes I request that thy holy hande may gouuerne instruct me that I doe nothinge excessyuelie Amen The ende of the fifth Chapter THE SIXTE CHAPTER CONTEYNINGE HOLESOME prayers of the lyfe and passion of our Sauiour and redeemer Iesus Christ A prayer to be sayed before the Crucyfix Cuthbertus Tunstall in lib. bell prec O Mercyfull crucifix the redeemer of all people whose heade was filthely lacerat torne with a croune of thorne whose hands feete extended vpō a crosse were through-bored with nayles whose whole feble bodye was hanged on highe and twoo theues to his ignomie shame fastened on his righte and lefte hande of the whych the one dispised thee the other knowleged thee to be a kinge whose spirit cōmēded vnto the father was gvuen vppe to redeme vs withall And being deade thy side thorwe-pearced gushed poured outewater and bloude VVhat toung can worthely expresse what minde can cōceyue those innumerable paynes the which thou an innocente haste suffered VVee beseeche thee for these so exceding great tormentes to illuminate our soules with the lyghte of thy knowledg to moderat our vnderstāding to strengthen our handes too good workes to conuerte our feetesteppes and goinges to thy wayes to directe our thoughtes wordes and deedes and laste of all to bringe vs wretches vnto thy kingedome where that wee with thy holye Angells maye haue thy fruition the which doest liue and raigne God with God the father the holy ghoste through all worldes So be it A prayer acknovvledginge that man vvas the cause of Christs suffering Io. Fab. ex 7. Medit. B Augustin VVHat hast thou done sweet chylde that thou shouldest haue this iudgement VVhat haste thou done that thou shouldest be thus streitly delte-with what is thy offēce what is thy gilte what cause of thy death what occasion of thy condemnation I truly I am cause of thy trouble my fault hath made thee to be slaine my defert hathe brought thee vnto this deathe vēgeance is taken of thee for my haynouse gilte thou art thus tormēted for me and I the occasion of all thy smart O maruelous sorte of iudgement order of the vnspekeable diuine misterie The wicked sinneth and the iuste is punished The gilty offendeth and the innocente is beaten The sinner transgresseth and the godly is condemned That whiche the bad hath deserued the good suffreth for that wherin the seruaunt hath done euill the maister maketh recompence for that the man hath committed the sonne of God is plagued how farfurthe thou sonne of God how farfurth hathe thine humilytie descended what hathe feruente loue enforced the to doo Howfarfurthe is thy mercye extended how doth thy bountie encrease how far furth hath thy loue reached Vnto what passe is thy compassion come For I haue done wickedlie and thou art punished I haue committed a greuous faulte and it is layed to thy charge I am the offender and thou arte put to the torture I was pufte vp in pryde and thou imbaced and made of no reputation I was disobedient thou sufferest the paine of my disobedience I haue pampered my selfe with delicat fare thou therfore redie to perishe thorow hunger My affectiō through concupiscence had made mee to doo thinges vnlawfull and perfect charitie in thee hath brought thee to suffer vpon the crosse I presumed to doo that I was forbidden and thou submittest thy selfe to receyue rebukes and punishemēts therefore I delight in all banquettinge and pleasure and thou art put vnto miserable paynes vppon the Crosse I lyue at ease and thy hādes and feete are persed with nayles I tast the plesaunt aple and thou the bytter gaule Eua laugheth and reioyseth with mee blessed Marye lamenteth soroweth with thee Beholde O Kinge of glorie Loo what myne iniquitye is and howe abundant thie mercie is Loo what myne vngodlines is and how meruailouse thy rightuousnes is O my King and my God with what maye I possible recompence thee for the greate goodnes shewed towardes me Mannes harte is not able to thinke what maye be worthelye gyuen in recompence for so great benefites For is ther any such fines of witte in man