â—â—nounceth eternal happines and sekâ—th tâ—mporal delightes And when he might both in this world and the next finde the ioyes of Paradise liuing alwayes in the grace of God which yeldeth peace contentment and delight he had rather here in this world receiue an earnest peny of hell As the Poet sayeth To noble mindes death is no worse Then fight from prison vile Petrarcha To abiect mindes it bringes more feare Then prison or exele It is the extremest folly that that may be to deceiue and perswade our selues as if we should neuer die which they doe that wil neuer thinke on death It is true wisdome therfore euer to haue it in our minde that we may alwayes be exercised in some good worke so long as we liue in this world and not to deferre to doe wel vntil the last hower of our life much like the foolish virgins who wanting oyle in their lampes that is good workes were shut out from the wedding Wherupon a certaine writer sayeth Reforme thy life whilst thou hast time Deferre no day to mend For death doth bring to weale or woe That neuer shal haue end What we ought to doe daylie to the end we may not feare death TO call hartely vpon God that it wil please him to send vs his grace to remember death and to consider amongst other thinges foure or fiue principal anguishes where with sinners are most afflicted at the hower of their death 1. The first is that then they must leaue and forsake al worldly delightes and that those thinges which most inordinatly they loued before at the hower of death wil cause their greatest sorrowe euen as is hapned to Absalon who hauing nothing which he more esteemed then his faire haire was brought by the same to his final destruction 2. The remorce of conscience 3. The infernal diuels accusing them 4. The good Angels forsaking them 5. The dreadful Iudge all in wroath whom easily before they might haue made their frend especially by frequenting the holy Sacraments by almes deedes and the like Then when we haue acknowledged how worthely we haue deserued these most grieueous punishments to craue the assistance of Gods holy grace that truly we may amend the imperfections of our liues in dying to the world the flesh the diuel all sinne and our owne willes and to liue only to God so that at the hower of death being freed from these terrors we may finde consolations in the mercies of Christ A remedie for those that feare not death but the paines of death THere be further some persons that liue in the feare of God who feare not death but the griefes and paines of death which the ghostly enimie putteth into their mindes whereby the remembrance thereof becometh most dreadful vnto them This feare ariseth other from melanchâ—ly 〈◊〉 else from a certaine distrust which we haue in God â—s if he were not faithful louing ful â—f mercie and being our Father yet that he wil lay amoâ—◠〈◊〉 burtâ—â—n vpon vs then we are able to bearâ— and so suffer him selfe to â—e surmâ—unted in sweetnes loue and affection euen by our earthly parents For this cause we ought wholy to resigne our selues into the handes of God and to put our confidence in him that he wil so temper the paines of death that we may be wel able patiently to endure them And if they chance to be more griueous that he wil strengthen and asist vs with so much the greater aide For such is the merciful nature of God that the 〈◊〉 he seeth the danger of man to be the readier he is to send his asistence and the more violent he findeth our ghostly enimie to afflict vs the nerer he is with his presence to giue vs comfort and consolation Nether doth the holy Scripture tel vs any one thing more often then of the exceeding care and Fatherly prouidence of God twardes his children and then especially when he seeth them thorough their distresses to stand most in need of his helpe Doe but behould with what cruel torments and exquisite punishments he suffered his B. Martyrs to be tried in this world in which notwithstanding they peâ—seuered most câ—nstantly and cheerfully embraced their cruel deathes Consider how many good men thou seest to die daylie and what comfort and consolation God sâ—ndeth them in their agonies which the sâ—me merciful Lord wil noâ— dâ—ny thee at they death if thou put thy confidâ—nce in him Remembâ—r that hytherto God neuer layed a heauâ—er burthen vpon thee then he gaue thee strength and abilitie to beare Yea thou hâ—st vndergone some burthens which thou thoughtest thy selfe wholy vnable to haue indured and thinkest thou that he wil forsake thee in thy agonies of death It is good to cal to remembrance some sâ—n ences of holy Scripture especially at such time as these feares shal assault thy weake minde Psal 30. As to say O Lord I haue put my trust in thee let me neuer be confounded If God be for vs who can be against â—s Rom. 7. Who hath put his confidence in God and was euer confounded and such like And if our Sauiour IESVS haue already once died for thee and were willing againe to die for thy sinne if neede should so require how then canst thou imagin that he wil forsake thee in thy last agonies And if with such signes of his loue he hath so often giuen him selfe vnto thee in the B. Sacrament how can he forsake thee when thou shalt most of al neede his asistance Besides he sayeth him selfe by his Prophet Esay Esay 49. That sooner the mother shal forget hir owne tender babe then he wil forget or be vnmindful of vs thereby to declare that his loue is greater then the loue of any tender mother If therfore a mother shew so great loue to hir beloued sonne what wil God doe towardes vs whom he esteemeth as his dearest children S. Iohn sayeth when our Sauiour IESVS Christ had loued his in this life Io. 13. he loued them vnto the end for that is the propertie of true and perfect loue And if in that instant when he suffered al his paines and torments on the crosse he was mindful not only of his B. mother and his beloued disciple S. Iohn but of those his enimies also who spoiled him of his fame his goodes and his most pretious life how then wil he forget or be vnmindful of those at their â—â—aths who adict themselues to his holie seruice Let vs then say with S. Augustine O Lord in this world â—urnâ— me or rent me in peeces if it should â—o please thee so that in the next world thou deale mercifully with me Thy blessed wil 〈◊〉 Lord be done If at our deathes we confidently commend our soules into the handes of God why should we be more fearful to commit it our bodies If daylie we say Thy wil be done in earth as it is in heauen that is both in soule and body the wil
I Further beseech thee through the prayers teares sighes vowes and desirs of the holy Patriarches and Prophettes that as they in many places and at seuerall tymes haue most longinglye expected the cominge of the kingdome of Christ on earth So we may most feruently thirst after the true spirituall kingdome of Christ both of this life which consisteth in true iustice and sanctitie and also of the next life which consisteth in the highest felicitie both of sowle and bodie FIAT VOLVNTAS TVA SICVT IN COELO ET IN TERRA Thy will be done in earth as it is in heauen 3. Apostels The holie Apostles o Lorde fulfilled perfectly heere on earth thy blessed will For at them did Christ pointe when he sayde Whosoeuer shall fulfill the will of my Father that is in heauen he is my brother and sister and mother They truly both by worde and wrytinge haue diuulged thy will through the whole worlde and haue both by example of their liues and also their deedes manifested the same in keepinge thy commandements and holye councells I most huÌ„bly therfore beseech thee o Lorde that we may also euer fulfill thy will both by example of our liues and may willinglie teach and instructe our neigbour and so with the Apostles may immitate and follow thy beloued Sonne Christ of whom it is written He beganne to doe and to teach PANEM NOSTRVM QVOTIDIANVM DA NOBIS HODIE Giue vs this day our daily breade Consideringe o Lorde that for the fullfillinge of thy will we stande principally in neede of thy ayde and assistance for accordinge to thy blessed will and pleasure thou giuest vs both a will and abilitie thy ayde I say not so much of corporall as of spirituall breade wherby we may be-strengthned to sustaine and endure the tribulations of a Christian life Euen as thy B. Martirs haue done who 4. Martirs that they might more constantly suffer their torments and afflictions did strengthen them selues by daily receiuinge that blessed foode of thy most sacred body and bloode We therfore beseech thee through the meritts of all the Martirs that thou wilte vouchsafe to giue vs daily this breade in the holy sacrifice of the Masse if not Sacramentally yet at the least spiritually ET DIMITTE NOBIS DEBITA NOSTRA SICVT ET NOS DIMITTIMVS DEBITORIBVS NOSTRIS And forgiue vs our trespasses as we forgiue them that trespasse against vs. And in regarde o heauenly Father that we are wholly vnworthy not only of this heauenly breade but of all thy grace and assistance adde this benefitt also to the heape of thy other giftes that through the meritts of all chiefe Bishops Bishops and Confessors 5. Confessors whose office by thy gifte hath bin to remitt and forgiue mens sinnes that my sinnes also both venial and mortall may be forgiuen me And as they directed all their labours and watchings to no other end but by preachinge and writinge to drawe men out of the iawes of the deuell and hell so grant that I may direct all my labours and studies to drawe out of the filth of sinne first my owne sowle and afterwards the sowles of other sinners accordinge to the tallent which thou hast bestowed vpon me ET NE NOS INDVCAS IN TENTATIONEM And leade vs not into temptation Although o Lorde we be free from sinne yet was it thy holy will that we should not be without the temptations of this worlde For we reade that the Angell Raphael saide to Tobie Bycause Tob. 12. thou wast gratefull in the sight of God it was necessarie that temptation shoulde proue and try thee For proofe wherof neuer any endured greater temptations of the diuell and the flesh nor did with greater constancy and courage ouercome them than such as excelled others in austeritie and holines of life as The Holy Eremitts 6. MoÌ„kes S. Anthony S. Hilarion S. Macharius and other religious persons You haue liued saith one emongest cruell Aspes and Dragons neyther could the most terrible assaulters of the Diuell daunte you I therfore be seech thee sweete Sauiour that by the meritts of all holy Anchorits and other holie Saintes thou wilt bestowe that grace vpon me that amidest the many temptations which this world yealdeth thou will bestowe on me spirituall weapons to beate downe all assaultes of the world the flesh and the diuel and that I neuer be ouercome by giueing my consent to their wicked suggestions SED LIBERA NOS A MALO But deliuer vs from euell Vouch safe o Lorde to protect and defende mee from all euell of payne and sinne and if so it be thy diuine will and pleasure from all motion of concupiscence which is the fountaine of all euell That henceforth I may order and direct my life in all puritie and integritie both of minde and bodie accordinge to the exaÌ„ple of infinite virgins and holy wydowes whose blessed memorie the Church doth yearely celebrate 7. Virgins For so innocente were they from sinne and all spott of vncleanenesse of life that rather would they spend their liues then blemishe their Chastitie more willingly suffer all tormentes than once yealde consent to the voluptuous pleasures of the flesh For which they haue deserued a speciall and singular Crowne of Virginitie in the kingdome of heauen be sides the generall felicitie of all the glorious Saintes Amen FINIS A DEVOVT HYMNE OF S. THOMAS OF AQVIN verie sâ—t to be said in the presence of the â— Sacrament DEuoutly I adore thee o latent dietie Which truly dost vnder these figures lie To thee my harte with reuerence is enclind Rauished with that which in this work I find Sight taste and touch in thee are quite deceiued Wherfore by hearinge thou must be beleued I to thy wordes Gods Sonne giue firmest credit Who art the truth that most belief dost merit Vpon the Crosse lay only hid thy dietie But here both it and thy humanitie Both which I doe acknowledge and confesse Wishâ—nge to haue the happie thiefes successe Thy woundes I doe not here with Thomas see Yet as my Lorde and God I honor thee More firme beliefe daily in me moue Effect my hopes and sâ—il encrease my loue O sacred memorial of our Sauioures deathe True bread that dost to sinners life beqeathe Graunt that my minde may euer liue by thee And thou to it a sauoure sweete maiest be O pious pelican IESV Lorde moste good Cleanse my vncleanesse with thy pretious blood Whose smalest drop is of such worthe and price As can whole worldes redeeme from sinne and vice IESV whom I doe vnder veiles now see When shal my thirst longing queÌ„ched bee That by fruition of that blessed place My soule may euer see thee face to face A TABLE OF THE PRINCIPAL POINTES CONTAINED IN THIS Booke CErtaine deuout and Godly Considerations to stirre vp and inflame the mindes of such who often frequent the Blessed Sacrament fol. 1. Certaine Godly and deuoute admonitions for the more worthy preparation to the B.
and passible as the Apostels did but immortall impassible and replenished with all glory 8. Consider that by oft frequenting the B. Sacrament thou art become a liuinge Sepulcher of IESVS Christ beinge a liue And if thou hadest bin present when Christ was taken downe from the Crosse and hadest constantly beleeued that he had bin thy Sauiour greatly wouldest thou haue laboured to haue receyued into thy howse that most diuine and sacred body And if it had bin granted to thee to haue had that Sepulcher with thee in thy house greatly wouldest thou haue thought thy selfe to be honoured But in the most B. Sacrament thou maist dayly receyue Christ not dead but a lyue and of thy body and sowle make a Sepulcher for thy lyuinge Sauiour IESVS where he may abide not forty howers as he did in his stony Sepulcher but for euer and euer worlde with owt end 9. Consider that by receyuinge the B. Sacrament thou now becomest the host of Christ If Christ while he conuersed here on earth had vouchsafed but once only to haue lodged in thy howse how happy a man wouldest thou haue thought thy selfe to be What signes of ioy and contentement wouldest thou haue shewed But how much more happy art thou now that maist euery day if thou wilt thy selfe receyue this gueste not into thy howse but into thy body and soule and receyue him whole immortall most bewtyfull shyninge in all glory 10. Consider that by frequenting the B. Sacrament thou art made becomest a heauenly Paradice For whersoeuer God omnipotent is there euen there may we say Paradice to be Thinke therfore so often as thou comest to this sacred table that thou hearest Christ no more now mortall noe more to be crucified but now in all glory to say vnto thee My Sonne this day shalte thou be with mee in Paradice So often therfore as thou shalt be sadd or afflicted say to thy sowle My Sowle haue patience and expect a while for to morow or with in some shorte tyme by receuinge the B. SacrameÌ„t thou shalt be with thy Sauiour in his heauenlie Paradice For whersoeuer it pleaseth Christ to be there are we sure that Paradice is 11. Consider that by oft frequentinge the B. Sacrament thou art nowe become a cowrtiar of that heauenly Pallace of our Lord that thou sittest with him at his royall banquet and art fedd with that most precyous foode of all other the very flesh and blood of our Lord and Sauiour If Christ when he conuersed here on the earth had only once called thee to his table wel mightest thou haue thought thy selfe thereby most happy How farre then now doest thou exceede in happines when thou doest not only sitt at his royall table but art fedde with the most pretious foode of his sacred body Neuer was there found a Mother so aboundinge in loue that she coulde be moued therby to feede her childe with her owne flesh yet here at this table it pleaseth Almighty God to sett before vs to eate the very true flesh of his most deare and only Sonne 12. Consider that God doth bestowe on thee and euerie one that worthelie receiueth the B. Sacrament more and greater spirituall benefittes then euer he gaue to any creature in this worlde for when he doth giue vnto vs the verie fleshe and blood of his most dearly beloued Sonne he giueth vs also therewith the merites and benefitts that by the effusion of the same moste pretious blood were gayned Wherefore iustlie may we be helde the happiest of all creatures that doe liue in this worlde and iustly may we say Psal 147. He hath not done the like to any other nation For how many Dukes Princes and Kinges are there that neuer obtayned so great grace or so highe a fauour and happines 13. Consider that so ofte as thou receauest this holy Sacrament thou layest thy mouthe to the wounde of our Sauiours side and as S. Chrisostome saieth suckest from thence his moste pretious blood there by doest participate with him of his holie spirite and of all his merites and vertues And like as he that eateth meate conuerteth and turneth it into his owne fleshe euen so he that receiueth Christ in the B. Sacrament maketh thereby Christes giftes and merittes to be his owne is also after a sorte conuerted into his sacred body Whereby it followeth that our heauenly Father with the same Fatherly eies where with he behouldeth Christ as his moste deare Sonne with the verie same eies he behouldeth and looketh on vs euen as on the members of the same his beloued Sonne Gen. 27. And like as the Patriarche Iacob beinge apparelied in the garments of his brother Esau receiued the cheifest blessinges due to his eldest brother so we beinge apparelled in the B. Sacrament with the fleshe of Christ receiue thereby from God many spirituall benedictions 14. Consider that as Christ moued there vnto by an infinite loue ordained this holie Sacrament euen so with the like infinite loue he daylie giueth him selfe vnto vs in the same If a gifte or present althoughe but of smale valew were giuen by some great Prince with a moste kinde and louinge affection to one that were of meane and poore estate it would be moste thankfullie taken and kepte and preserued in highe account How much more oughte we to esteeme this present which is bestowed vpon vs in the moste B. Sacrament beinge a gifte of infinite valew giuen of an infinite loue and by the Prince of all Maiestie and glorie For who giueth it but only God what is giuen but only God Who inâ—iteth to this table Who prepareth it Who serueth and attendeth but only God the creator of all thinges 15. Consider that Christ to the end he mighte bestowe on vs these benefitts gaue and powred our for vs all his moste pretious blood And that he mighte heape aboundantly vpon vs al his blessinges he suffered for our sakes all sortes of shames and reproaches and paciently endured death to giue vs life When the Iewes deuised and prepared the moste cruell torments for him on earth then prepared he for vs all the ioyes and comfortes in heauen And when roddes thornes gall and vineger the Crosse and lawnce were prepared for him with more cruell torments then can be expressed euen then did he prouide for vs the delightes and happines of his euerlastinge kingdome For he saied to the Theefe hanginge on the Crosse This day shalt thou be vvith me in Paradice 16. Consider with thy selfe how many millions of men there are liuinge in this worlde which neuer attained to this heauenly treasure And althoughe many haue knowen the benefit and coÌ„moditie of it yet alas how few there are who seeke to frequent it and if sometimes there be desser oft it yet opportunitie is often wantinge hauinge opportunitie yet consider againe how one thinge or other debarreth them from vsinge it How many thinkest thou liue this day in Germany in France in
for these benefits thou shouldest say Hallowed be thy name Call to minde that I haue made him the seruant of men to the intent I might make thee à Queene of heauen and that by a longinge and feruent desier to be with me in my glorie thou mightest say Thy kingdome come Remember that for thy sake he humbled him selfe and that he became obedient euen to the death of the Crosse that thou mightest resigne thy selfe vnto me and say Thy wil be done in earth as it is in heauen Thou canst noâ— be ignorant that I gaue my SoÌ„ne to eate the bread of sorow that thou mightest be nourished with the sweete tastinge bread of the worde of God And that for thy sake I haue left him in the moste B. Sacrament that thou mightest be there fed with his flesh and as it were made dronke with his blood and finally become a daylie guest at my Table and say Giue vs this day our daylie bread How thinkest thou then I could permit thee to sitt at my Table if I were offended and displeased with thee or if I did not loue thee as my dearly beloued daughter Thou canst not be ignorant that I haue laied on the showlders of my only Sonne al thy sinnes and iniquities that euer thou hast committed and that I haue accepted his paines as a ful satisfaction and also haue left vnto thee his most pretious blood that therwith thou migtest pay thy vttermost dett and say Forgiue vs our trespasses Which blood thou receiuest so often as thou receiuest my Sonne in the B. Sacrament By reason whereof I looke not vpon thy sinnes for the partialitie of my loue obscureth thy defectes Nether doe I behould in thee that which is thine but that which is myne not with the eie of a strict iudge but of a most louinge and kinde Father For if I should seuerely looke into thy sinnes to what end had I created thee at the begining Consideringe also that I haue made thee a reasonable creature not vnreasonable a Christian not an Infidel a Catholike not an Heretike and for that cause doe I feede thee with this swete and heauenlie Manna and not with the sower Onyons and Garlike of Egipt Thou canst not beignerant tâ—at I suffered my only beloued Sonne to be nayled to the Crosse for the purginge of thy sinnes And that I would haue him forgiue his persecutors that depriued him of al he had and lastly of his life thereby to leaue an example vnto thee that thou mightest likewise pardon and forgiue thyne enimies and say As vve forgiue them that trespasse against vs. For if I would pardon and forgiue those cruel enimies that in my owne sight most barbarouslie crucified my only Sonne at the which sight the earth was amazed and trembled the Sunne was obscured the rockes did cleaue and rent in sunder the monuments opened the dead beinge astonished arose againe if I say I haue pardoned such haynoâ—â— offenders wil I not pardon thee that louest me and desierest to be myne I that haue forgiuen giuen life vnto my enimies is it likely that I wil suffer myne owne daughter to perishe When thou didest refuse and denie to be myne euen then was I pleased that my only Sonne should die for thy redemption and wil I now thinkest thou be vnmindful of thee when most willingly thou doest offer thy selfe vnto me If I haue bin so bountiful and merciful to the murderers of my SoÌ„ne wil I be so seuere to thee that so oft receiuest him into thy hart How canst thou thinke it my daughter my delight When as thou only followedst after wordly vanities and turnedst a way thy face from my sighte I yet loued thee expected thee bare patiently with thee protected thee from fallinge into great perilles and dangers and euermore requited thee with good for euil wil I now when thou resignest thy selfe wholie vnto me renouncest the worlde detestest al sinne art ready rather to die then once to offende me and with such seruent desire inuitest me to rest in the harbour of thy hart wil I forget thee thinkest thou Wil I turne away from thee and render euil for good vnto thee Is it vnknowen vnto thee that I suffered my B. Sonne to faste fortie dayes and fortye nightes in the desert to be conuersant amongst wilde beastes and there to be tempted of Sathan Al which I haue done to this end that thou mightst not be ouercome by any wicked suggestions but euer mayest say And lead vs not into temtation Is it vnknowen vnto thee that to ease and disbarthen thee of al incumbrances I heaped and burthened my owne Sonne with al maner of afflictions How then canst thou thinke that I seeke thy hurte or rather not thinke that I wholie seeke thy good For if I wished thee ill then would I permitt thee to doe as offenders doe then would I neuer haue so louinglie bestowed my only Sonne vpon thee Thou canst not therefore thinke that I wishe thee hurte if thou doe but remember this so great a bountie If thou remember what is past thou shalt easily vnderstand how wel I haue wished thee that would haue my only beloued Sonne to die on the Crosse for thy redemption If thou wilt consider what is to come thinke that I haue prepared for thee the kingdome of heauen where my selfe and all my Saintes in blisse doe with ioy and exultation expect thy cominge Is not this a signe of my loue and not of my indignation But if thou respect only that which is present then doe but remember that thou art fed with the flesh and blood of myne only Sonne Now then bethinke thy selfe O soule shake of al these scruples and lay aside al this inordinate feare and euen as I offer my selfe vnto thee like a most louinge Father so doe thou present thy selfe before me as it beseemeth a louinge daughter Behould I daylie make thee as it were a cleare shininge heauen that so I may inhabit the secret corners of thy hart whether I resorte that I may purifie thee and replenishe thee with peace and with al kinde of happines Behould also thy Sauiour IESVS my Sonne euer readie in al thy needes who cometh to giue thee life and not to take it from thâ—â— whose loue to thee is such that to deliuer thee from death he would die him selfe receiue thou him therefore with a glad and ioyful desire Behould he cometh to thee that he may raigne in thy hart if therefore he be with thee who shal be against thee If he rule and guide thee what can be wantinge vnto thee I am no tirant o Daughter nether deale I like a tirant with thee I am thy Lorde ful of al mercie and gentlenes and with a hart replenished with al Fatherly loue I come to meete and imbrace thee euen as the Father receiued the prodigal childe when his hart was moued with al tendernes of affection towardes him Thou knowest o Daughter my will and
pleasure which desiereth only thy sanctification thy life and happines Wilt thou haue a signe of my loue towardes thee See then how I feede thee with the flesh of my only beloued Sonne What greater dainties could I bestowe vpon thee What present of more price What other Sonne haue I to giue thee Thinke then how I haue remitted al thy sinnes both past and present and consider with thy selfe that neuer would I haue bestowed my only Sonne vpon thee if I sawe any thinge in thee that mighte offende myne eies Finally when I giue thee my Sonne I giue thee weapons against thy temptations wherwith thou mayest defend thy selfe from al perrills dangers and say Deliuer vs from euil Receiue him therefore ofteÌ„ with inward ioy and exultation that thereby thou mayest delighte him whose delighte and pleasure is to be conuersant with thee For this was the cause why I adorned thee with the noble giftes of reason vnderstandinge and other spiritual ornameÌ„ts that thereby I might daylie bestowe him vpon thee nether doe I thinke that I bestowe any thinge on thee when I doe not freely giue my deare and only Sonne vnto thee A MEDITATION VPON THE Aue Maria fit for such as frequent the B. Sacrament HAYLE MARIE RIghtly may we beleue that the Gardian Angel saluteth that soule which often receiueth the B. Sacrament with the same wordes that the Angel Gabriel saluted the B. Virgin Marie when he greeted hir and with great reuerence and sweetnes said vnto hir Aue. That is free from al woe to wit al kinde of sinne For by the cominge of our Lord in this most B. Sacramentâ— al venial sinnes past ptesent are freely remitted as also such secret mortal sinnes which the penitent had ether forgotten or whereof he hath not had sufficient contrition and further new grace is bestowed vpon vs whereby we may auoide the danger of renuinge any more our former offences FVL OF GRACE How can that soule but be ful of grace which often receiueth the author of grace The fountaine and springe of al grace And him who to the end he might infuse into our soules his grace would exhaust and poure out al the blood forthe of his owne veines Who chiefly tooke vpon him our humane nature that he mighte wholie replenishe and fil our soules with diuine fauours Who coÌ„tinually standeth and knocketh importunatly saying O Daughter giue and resigne to me thy hart Vrgeing vs by diuers wayes that we would aske and demande of him his aboundant grace and for this cause he inuiteth vs to thee foode of Angels that thereby our hartes may be more and more filled with the same wherupon this B. Sacrament is called Eucharist which signifieth good grace OVR LORDE IS WITH THEE Hath not that soule our Lorde with hir which often receiueth in the B. Sacrament the Father the Sonne and the Holie Ghoste Hath she not God with hir that often receiueth the Diuinitie and Humanitie of our Sauiour IESVS Hath she not our Lorde with hir who lodgeth Christ as a guest and intombeth him within the sepulcher of hir hart BLESSED ART THOV AMONGST vvoemen May not that soule wel be said to be most blessed moste happie most highe in the fauour of God that so often is visited of him and so often is honored with his diuine presence and is made as it were the Mother of God and temple of the Holie Ghost the tabernacle of the most B. Trinitie and the Reliquarie of the sacred bodie and blood of Christ That soule I say that is created by the verie hand of God and is daylie fed with the flesh of his most deare and only Sonne AND BLESSED IS THE FRVTE of thy vvombe IESVS These wordes also after a sorte may be applied to the deuout soule partaker of the B. Sacrament For first most blessed is that mouthe that receiueth this blessed fruite IESVS Blessed is the breast that beareth and keepeth it Blessed is the memorie that remembreth it Blessed is the vnderstanding that alwayes thinketh on it and blessed is the hart that alwayes loueth it from whence proceede chaste thoughtes holie desires heauenly loue and al diuine frutes HOLIE MARIE MOTHER OF God c. Wel may that soule be called holie and the mother of God which wheÌ„ she receiueth the B. Sacrament receiueth the holie of al holies and beareth in hir the verie same frute which the most B. Virgin Marie carried nyne moneths within hir wombe Meditations vpon the Creede fitt for those that frequent the B. Sacrament 1. I Beleue in God the Father Almightie If he be omnipotent then he can If he be God then he knoweth If he be our Father then wil he helpe vs in al our necessities comfort vs in al our tribulations pardon â—s our offences and most louingly embrace vs euen as did the tender Father of the pro ligal childe when he retorned againe vnto him 2. Maker of heauen and earth Why did he create heauen and earth but for me And when did he create them for me when I was yet vnborne when as yet I was nothinge By what did he create them Thoroughe his infinit loue and that I mighte euer enioy him in heauen If then he had me in so sweete a memorie before I had any beinge is it likely that now he wil forget or be vnmindful of me He loued me before I was knowinge in his wisdome what I would be and now that he hath made and created me of nothinge is it likely that he wil hate me Can this stand with Gods sweete nature and infinite goodnes 3. And in Iesus Christ his only Sonne our Lorde He was called Iesus which signifieth a Sauiour because he wrought our sâ—luation And who did he saue me althoughe he knewe before what I would proue to wit vngrateful peruerse rebellious and a most wicked wretch From whâ—t did he saue me From death the deuil hell and sinne By what did he sâ—ue me By his only goodnes his only loue his only mercy When did he saue me Longe before I was borne How did he sâ—ue me By sheadinge his pretious blood enduringe most cruel torments and sufferinge a most bitter death Why then should not I firmely hope in this my only Lorde that hath done al this to saue me a most vnworthie seruant 4. Who vvas conceiued by the Holie Ghoste For my sake and to worke my saluation he came downe from heauen where Angels Archangels and al the celestial court did serue and attend him For me he would be incarnate and for the space of nine moneths lie inclosed in the wombe of the B. Virgin 5. Borne of the Virgin Marie For me and to worke my saluation was he borne in Bethelem And in what place there In a poore staule or stable At what time of the yeare In the depth of cold winter and then was he laied no better then in a manger where he by whose omnipotencie all thinges were created had neede of hay to lie vpon
Luc. 2. and the breath of dumbe beastes to keepe him warme 6. Suffered vnder Pontius Pilate Who suffered The verie Sonne of God What suffered he Innumerable stripes vnspeakable reproaches incredible torments For whom did he suffer them For me knowinge how vngrateful I would be in time to come By whom did he suffer By the most abiect and cruel wretches that euer liued Why did he suffer Therby to purchase my redemption and saluation 7. Crucified For my sake was he crucified And who was he that was crucified The only SoÌ„ne of God With whom was he crucified In the midest betwene two theeues Where was he crucified Vpon the mount Caluarie a most infamous and loathsome place At what time of the yeare When the whole world should repaire to Hierusalem In what maner was he crucified Naked and set as is seemed to be scorned of al men O most doleful and lamentable spectacle 8. Dead He died thoroughe thirste that he mighte as it were make vs drunke with his blood Lost hâ—s owne life to ransome ours euen he that giues life vnto al men O my soule what thinkest thou what canst thou answere hereunto 9. And buried For my sake his most pretious body became a dead coarse O matter of amazement And fortie howerâ— remayned in the Sepulcher A thinge neuer enough admired 10. He descended into hel For me he descended into hel that thereby he mighte deliuer me from the bitter torments of hel How oft alas had I fallen headlong thither if he had not of his great mercie houlden me back How often hath he with his omnipotent hand pulled me out from thence as it were by violence 11. The third day he rose againe from the dead For me the third day he arose from death conuersing with those few that were his faithful frendes comforting them and eatinge amongst them and shewinge vnto them his most sacred body neuer remembring the iniuries done vnto him finally cherishing and cheeringe them by al meanes possible he him selfe hauing no necessitie of their indeuours 12. He ascended into heauen For my saluation he ascended into heauen there to receiue for me the possession of Paradise where being accompanied with the whole fellowship of heauen he expecteth me with an incredible desire that there deuoide of al feare I freely may enioy the presence of the holie Trinitie conuerse and liue with the most noble and blessed spirites â—nd for euer abound with al ioy peace iubilie And for this cause hath he created vs and for this would he be present for vs wretched sinners in the most B. Sacrament 13. Sitteth at the right hand of God the Father For vs and our saluation he sitteth at the right hand of God the Father hauing vs continually in his memorie A most sweet memorie a most holie memorie a memorie ful of all consolation euer without intermission speaking to his Father for vs. And what doth he obtaine Peace râ—coÌ„ciliaâ—ion remission of our offences In our behalfe he sheweth daylie his woundes to his eternal Father offering vp his sâ—cred death life and passion The mother sheweth to â—ir Sonne to obtaine mercie for vs the breast where with she gaue him sucke And the Sonne againe sheweth to his Father his woundâ—s and scarres which he suffered for vs. What can the Sonne denie to such a Mother Or what can the Father denie to such â— Sonne 14. From thence shal he come to iudge the quiâ—k and the dead For vs and for our greater glorie he shal come most glorious at the day of iudgment to praise and extoll vs in the presence of the whole worlde and in great honor and triumphe to carrie vs glorified to raigne with him in his kingdome thereby to exalt vs who here haue bin humbled there to glorifie vs who here haue contemned glorie 15. I beleeue in the Holie Ghoste For vs and for our saluation he sent downe the Holie Ghoste the Spirit of loue the Spirit of peace the Spirit of deuotion and of al sweetnes and consolation that we might alwayes loue him alwayes reioyce with him alwayes be linked and vnited with him in a most sweete bond of loue and charitie alwayes be holie like as the children of a most holie Father that our soules being replenished with the Holie Ghoste we may lead our liues in al sanctitie and holines and in the end enioying the company of the glorious Angels may singe incessantly Holie Holie â—olie 16. The Holie Catholike Church For vs and as euerie one may say for me and my saluation he first planted the Holie Catholike Church which as a most louing mother might weane me with the sweete milke of the worde of God and after might feede me with hir holie Sacraments and sometimes by one meanes sometimes by an other might moue and stirre me vp to praise loue and serue him that in the end for euer I might liue and raigne with him 17. The communion of Saintes For my sake hath he suffered his blessed Saintes and Martyrs to be wearied mortified and afflicted with torments that he might make me partaker of their singular meritts and that I might offer them vp as myne owne vnto the eternal Father And not only the meritts of al the holie Saintes but euen his owne meritts who is the holie of al holies to present them to his heauenly Father as myne owne patrimony and inheritance 18. The forgiuenes of sinnes For my sake amongst other thinges he first instituted the Sacrament of Pennance that thereby I might euer haue in store a medecine to purge me from al filthe of sinne and so to perseuer and continue euer in his grace And to this end he came into the worlde liued died and was buried descended rose againe and ascended into heauen 19. The resurrection of the flesh For me and for my greater glorie he will raise at the latter day my flesh that euen as with it I haue serued God so likewise with the same I may enioy the kingdome of heauen Thrice happie be they that so can chastice their flesh in this world that it may for euer after raigne with him in glorie Matt. 22. 2. If our Lorde reproued those who being inuited yet refused to come to the mariage what wil he doe to such who once hauing tasted the delightes of this heauenly banquet doe after thoroughe slouth or necligence absent them selues from it 3. By how much the gift of some noble Prince bestowed on a priuate person is of the more price and estimation by so much the greater is the offence and iniurie if such a gift be ether had in litle regard or any way contemned 4. If kinge Assuerus refused to accept hir for his wife who at his sendinge neclected to come vnto his table and maryinge with an other commanded forth with al the iewels and ritch ornaments to be taken from the first and in his sighte to be brought and deliuered to the second what wil God doe vnto him that
those which we haue sent before by the handes of the poore 4. To consider how great the pouerty was of our Sauiour IESVS Christ and of those B. Saintes which did imitate him 5. To put our trust and confidence in God who prouideth euen for the litle birdes and saieth vnto vs Mat. 6. Seeke first the kingdome of God and his iustice and al other thinges shal be giuen vnto you 6. To eschew al affaires of couetous men and to conuerse with such as contemne and haue forsaken the riches of the worlde 7. To meditate vpon the riches of heauen and vpon the infinite delightful and eternal treasures which our Lord God hath there prouided for vs if truly we dispite these which are transitory 8. It is a most soueraigne remedie agaâ—nst couetousnes truly to forsake the tre sures of this worlde and to posesse only so much as shal be sufficient to maintaine oure state Against carnal concupiscence 1. TO haue an especial regarde to gouerne wel our sight 2. To auoide al such occasions as are wonte to drawe men into that sinne 3. To flie the company and conuersation of vnchast persons 4. To shunne idlenes and alwayes to be busied in some good exercise 5. Not to pamper our bodies with delicate fare but to vse fasting and to refraine stronge wines and hoate meates 6. To keepe a careful watche ouer our harte and presently to repel al naughtie thoughtes 7. Carefully to gouerne al our senses 8. To auoide al dishonest occasions as we would auoide the sicknes or plâ—uge 9. Often to aske of God the gifte of chaâ—â—â—â—e 10. To châ—sten our flâ—sh with some kinde of pennance especially when we find our selues assaulted with fleshly temptations Against the pasâ—â—â—n of Anger in our sâ—lues 1. FIrst to prepare and arme our selues to beare with patience any workes or deedes that may moue vs to angâ—r 2. To consâ—dâ—r that a wronge done doth neuer hurt 〈◊〉 that doth patiently suffer it but rather him that doth offer it 3. To remember what infinite wronges our Sauiour Christ suffered for vs to whom we are to render thankes if we suffer in this worlde any wronges for his sake 4. To endeauor not to thinke vpon any iniuries and to busie our thoughtes in some other matter 5. To conquer our selues by not answering when we are wronged and by litle and litle to quench our anger already risen Against the passions of Anger in others 1. TO answere mildly remembring that an humble answere doth mittigate anger and that hastie speeche doth enkindle the same 2. To hould our peace or to depart for the present Against Enuie 1. NOt to be in loue with earthly delightes 2. To consider what an vnprofitable thinge Enuie is which only hurteth our selues 3. To thinke with our selues how vncharitable a thinge it is to enuie others coÌ„sidering that we are bound euen to die for our neighbour if neede so required 4. To consider if thy neighbour had not such or such a thinge what thou thy selfe shouldest be the better thereby If therfore enuie doe nothing auaile thee nether in thy reputation thy welth or happines of thy soule but on the contrary art perplexed and made odious before God what reason then hast thou to be enuious 5. Alwayes to meditate on such thinges as tende to brotherlie loue and charitie Against our ovvne malice or hatred conceiued tovvardes others 1. FIrst to remember that God wil neuer forgiue thee except thou doest forgiue others 2. He that liueth in malice hurteth him selfe more being in mortal sinne then he doeth the other whom he maliceth 3. It is of necessitie that we must forgiue others except we meane wilfully to throwe our selues into hell 4. Being in malice we loose the benefit of al the good deedes we doe because al our actions are most displeasing to God 5. We make our selues wholie vnlike our Sauiour Christ who freely pardoned al his enimies that at once spoiled him Amos. 3. 1. For first the Prophet saieth There is no euil in the Citie which God hath not done Cap. 15. 2. God saieth by Esay the Prophet I am thy Lord and there is no other making lighte and creating darknes making peace and causing euil Cap. 11. 3. Againe by Ieremie the Prophet Behould I vvil bringe vpon them euil vvhich thy shal not auoide Cap. 2. 4. Iob sayeth If vve haue receiued good from the handes of God vvhy should vve not also receiue ill 5 Holie Dauid desired of God that his enimies might be illuminated and that they might vnderstand that the euils of his afflictions proceede from him saying Psa 108. That they may knovve that this is thy hand and thou O Lord hast done them Iohn 19. 6. Our Lord saied to Pilate Thou couldest haue no povver against me except it vvere giuen thee from aboue So that when the Ievves apprehended him he him selfe gaue them power But they could not apprehend his Apostles or take a haire from them because he gaue them not power to doe it 7. S. Augustine saieth in his booke Of the citie of God that the affliction both of the good and bad is to be attributed to God And vpon the ninth psalme he saieth That al the paines which men suffer are to be referred to the diuine prouidence And in his 8. booke of the citie of God cap. 2. he saieth that al warres and sacking of Cities prooceede from God And againe in his 5. booke cap. 11. he saieth that the leafe vpon the tree moueth not contrarie to the diuine wil of God And vpon the 148. psalme he saieth that what soeuer hapneth in this life contrarie to our wills proceedeth from the wil prouidence order and appointment of God Hereby it easilie appeareth how far they are deceiued who say I can willingly beare and suffer what soeuer it shal please God to lay vpon me but I cannot endure such wronges as men doe vnto me An ansvvere to a certaine obiection SOme peraduenture wil say If God be the cause of al euil then is he the author of al euil But this obiectioÌ„ may thus be answered There are two kindes of euils One of offence or fault whereof God is not the author An other of punishment as sicknes plauge warre dearth earthquakes heate colde and al other punishmeÌ„ts which afflict men on earth and of these God is the author As for example A man offereth me an iniurie he robbeth me beatth me or depraueth my good name here concurre two thinges First the sinne of him that offereth this vnto me and this is contrary to the wil of God who permitteth these thinges to be done although they loe displease him The other is my hurte and punishment and this I must take as from God not from man because such punishment is agreable to the wil and ordinance of God as it was the wil of God that Christ should suffer for vs but not that the Iewes should crucifie him On
of God be done why should we be terrified with any temptations Therfore ought we at the hower of death most â—oyfully to suffer aâ— paines and 〈◊〉 be they neuer so great or long and to say O Lord I am most readie to endure any thing 〈…〉 thy 〈…〉 And so doâ—ng we 〈…〉 God a â—oy to his Angels 〈◊〉 câ—nfusion to the diuels 〈◊〉 be very good for vs to turne oâ—â— minde◠〈◊〉 these thoughtes which bring such 〈◊〉 vpon vs and to say Be it done with me as it shal please our Lord to dispose for what soeuer it shal please him to send me in this world it must needes ruine to good He alwayes sendeth his seruants grace and perseuerance to beare such his visitations as he suffer th to befal them In this case we shâ—â—â—d doe as we see litle children to doe who although they hearâ— others to talke of deâ—â—th plague warre oâ— such like miseries yet liue they merâ—ly and cast al the care vpon their parents to prouide for their necessities A remedie in the time of Sicknes 1. FIrst to thinke what commodity Sicknes bringeth vs. And to consider that it is a messenger or harbinger sent from â—od vnto vs to put vs in minde to prepare our selues to die 2. It purgeth our sinnes for it is a good signe of Gods loue towardes vs when he punisheth vs in our members whereby we haue offended him 3. It weakneth our bodies which is one of our especâ—â— enimies For which cause S. Paule sayed When I am made weake then am I more strong 1. Cor. 12. 4. It reclaymeth vs from 〈◊〉 for a sick man hath no desertâ— to be druâ—ke no occasion of pride or of such not 〈◊〉 us sinnes which are most hurtful to the sâ—ule 5. It stirreth vs vp to good as to confesse our sinnes to doe workâ—s of pennance and the 〈◊〉 6. Sicknes is a signe of Gods loue towardes vs for God doth 〈◊〉 those whom 〈…〉 7. It is 〈…〉 which is in special gift 〈◊〉 8. It is a 〈◊〉 saluation and thâ— high way tâ— heauen gates and to 〈◊〉 of â—nitie 〈…〉 Thinke 〈…〉 in this world thâ—â— râ—ugh the great loue of God and for our eternal saluation Remedies for auoiding the paines of Purgatory 1. FIrst so nere as we can to refrayne from venial sinnes and when we hauâ— committed them to be truly penitent for them and to performe some penance 2. Not to delight in the treasures of this world but to vse them as thinges which God hath only lent vs. 3. To craue of God â—ur Purgatory in this world 〈…〉 this great 〈…〉 vs when he doth vouchsafe vs this fauour 4. Voluntary penance For one Pater noâ—ter saied in this life is of more effect thâ—â— many sayed by others for vs after our death 5. The communication of the benâ—fitts 〈…〉 which is knowen but to few 6. Patience in our 〈◊〉 oâ—â—enring them vp to God for our sinnes 7. To busie our selues in the workes of mercie 8. To offâ—r vp to God aâ— our good workes â—s wel penal as not penal for satisfaction of our sinnes 9. To craue of God with perseuerance that it may please him to deliuer vs from the paines of Purgatorie 10. To frequent the holie Sacraments 11. To embrace death for the loue of God when we find it to approache and of our selues to desire and craue the holy oyle of extreme vnction 12. Deuoutly and in the state of grace to receiue Indulgences REMEDIES AGAINST DESPERATION FIRST consider iudicially al these remedâ—â—s bâ—fâ—re recited which are as so 〈◊〉 any gates and entrances of hope Next if thâ—râ—ugh the greatnes of thy sinne thou dâ—â— dâ—spaire behâ—uld then S. â— ter who â—enieâ— this master the greatest sinne that he could commit and yet did God most mercifully forgiue him If thou dâ—spaire thorough the multitude of thy sinnes thou hast Mâ—rie â—agdalen to behould who was posâ—ssed with â— diuels that is with â—â— deadly sinnes and yet they were al remitted hir dispayring of his meâ—cie then in killing his brother As Iudaâ— sinned more â—rieuously in hanging him sâ—lfe thâ—rough despeâ—atiâ—n thâ—n in betraying Chrâ—stâ—â—ns Master S. Bernard writeth that al the mâ—rtaâ— and 〈◊〉 sinnes whic◠〈…〉 〈◊〉 from the begining â—f the wâ—râ—â— if they were compared to the diuâ—ne mercâ—e of G d 〈◊〉 other th◠〈…〉 litle 〈◊〉 oâ— watâ—r 〈…〉 of tâ—e 〈◊〉 sea R p enâ—â—â—â—t tâ—â—t 〈…〉 f r thâ—e and woâ—â—â— be 〈…〉 agâ—ine 〈…〉 and 〈…〉 little drâ—p of hâ—s â—â—ood were sufficient to redeeme anâ— huâ—â—red th usâ—nd wâ—rldes remembring thâ—s â—ow canst theâ—r dispayre Dispayâ—e â—f thy sâ—â—te and put tâ—y câ—nfidence in God 〈◊〉 from thy sâ—â—â—e and runnâ— to God wâ—â—â— euery where and at al times is â—â—â—st râ—ady to embrace thee Luc. 15. euen as the Father did to the prodigal childe serued it But seeing he hath patiently borne â—ith thee so song time and giuen thee space to amend thy life it plainly appeareth that he desiereth thy saluation Hâ— did not damne thee when â—hou wast captiâ—â— to siâ—â—e and his mortal enimieâ— and wil he damned thee now hauing done penance for thy sinne and beâ—ng become his saithful seruant and fâ—â—nd Thinkest thâ—â— that to be the nature of God S. Paule 〈…〉 argument Rom. 5. If 〈◊〉 were 〈◊〉 to God â—â— weâ—e 〈…〉 by the 〈◊〉 of his 〈…〉 reconâ—illeâ— we 〈…〉 F r if Christ burnâ—d with to feruâ—nt a â—â—sire â—f our saluaâ—ion that to procure the same he would suffer 〈…〉 why wâ— he not â—â—y pardon thy 〈…〉 If w◠〈…〉 seeke the lost 〈…〉 recâ—iued the pr◠〈…〉 why wiâ— he not receiue thee wh◠〈…〉 within his sheep-fould 〈…〉 tâ—e duetie of an 〈…〉 How caâ—st thou dispaire of 〈…〉 with an oath he saveth Eze. 18. I 〈◊〉 â—nd 〈◊〉 death of a sinner but that he be conuerted and liue 1. Cor. 11. If as S. Paul sayeth Gâ—â— be the Father of mercie and the God of aâ— sâ—lâ—tion hast displeased him and hast most humbly craued pardon for thy sinnes committed And if God haue not forsaken thee when thou didest forsake him and at al times transgresse his holie commandements but hath euer most mercifully forgiuen thee thy sinnes wil he now forsake thee being willing to amend thy life and hartely lamentest thy former offences If before thou didest penance for thy greuous sinnes thâ—u wast by Gods mercie moued to doe penance why shouldest thou now dispaire of his goodnes hauing by penance appeasâ—d his wrathe The propertie and nature of Gods mercie is to take away the miseries and afflictions of sinners As Eccleâ—ast saveth God to whom it is proper to be merâ—â—ful and 〈◊〉 Considering then that God is infinitly merciful he doth infinitly desire to pardon and forgiue vs. And S. Augustine sayeth That God hath so great a desire to deliuer vs from our misâ—ries that he is as it were sorrowful and grieued when we other wil not or make delay to accept of his mercie Wherfore he wil pardon thee if
thou prostrate thy selfe before him Luc. 15. It is sayed in S. Luke that the Angels and al paradise doth greatly reioyce when a sinner doth penance for his sinnes committed wil God then depriue Paradise of so great a ioy if thou endeauor to repent thee of thyne offences If a carnal parent be he neuer so bad giue not his childe a stone when he asketh him bread nor a scorpioÌ„ for an egge nor a serpent for a fisheâ— why then should we thinke that God in comparison of whose loue al loue of earthly parents may be sayed to be hatred wil giue thee death in liew of life dispaire for hope or darcknes for light Wherupon our Sauiour sayeth in the gospel If you faâ—hers being euil Luc. 11. know hâ—w to giue good giftes to your children how much more wil your â—ather in heauen giue a good â—pirit to thâ—se that aske him If our Lord and Sauiour IESVS Christ whilst he conuersed in this world did eate with sinners embraced sinners end refused not to company with those that were sicke and diseased but sought out the sicke and the moâ—t grieuous sinners would make his abode stay amongst them why should we thinke he wil not doe the like now Hath he changed his nature or is he not the same God that he was then It is a great glorie to God when a sinner is contrite and doth pennance for his sinnes for then appeareth his omnipotent power For according to S. Augustine to iustifie a sinner declareth a greater power then of nothing to create both heauen and earth Further therein appeareth Gods infinite wisdome that can drawe good out of ill and most sweet sounding harmony out of an vntuned instrument Also his great goodnes who sheweth such mercie and sweetnes euen to his most mortal enimies DIVERS WAYES HOW TO say the Pater noster with attentiue deuotion OVR FATHER O Father who hast created me capable of the highest happines long before I was borne into this miserable world although thou knewest how vnthankful I would be for so great a benefit and being after thorough my owne demerit out of the state of grace thou hast redeemed me with the life and blood of thy most dearly beloued Sonne What o heauenly Father may I repay to thee for such and so great benefitts which thou hast powred downe vppon me a most myserable creature WHICH ART IN HEAVEN Thou hast created the heauens for me where daily thou doest expect my cominge And that thou mightest adopte me an heyre of the kingdom of heauen it pleased â—hee to sende thy only Sonne to conuerse heere with men on the earth and to lyue thirtye three yeares in extreme pouertye payne and affliction What can I repaye for so greate a benefitt most bountifull Father HALLOWED BE THY NAME Thou hast made me fitt to prayse thy holy name a worke wherin consisteth the office of Angells Further thou hast honâ—red me vvith thy ovvne proper name callinge me a Christian that is the Sonne of God and the heyre of heauen althâ—ugh thou kowest how far vnworthy I am therof Thou hast made me the Brother or sister of Iâ—sus Christ vvho according to thy holie vvil vvas crucified in the midest betvvixt tvvo theeues that I might praise thy name in the midest of Angles What due thankes can I giue for so highe a benefitt bestovved on me so vngratefull so vnworthy and so wretched a creature O most holie Father THY KINGDOME COME Thou that thou mightest make me the kinge of heauen wouldest haue thy owne Sonne to take on him the forme of a most poore and abiecte seruante be borne in a stable lyue many dayes and nightes in a solitary desart conuerse with infamous creatures wash the feete of poore fisher men be contemned of the world and to dye nayled vpon the crosse What shall I render to thee for this benefitt O most svveete Father THY WILL BE DONE c. Thou that I might lerne to fulfill thy wil wouldest haue thy Sonne to performe the willes of men in beinge obedient euen to the death of the crosse But what hath my life bin at any tyme towards thee but continually to repungne thy blessed will and to follow my owne most wicked and vnhappy will and yet hetherto thus longe thou hast borne with me O Father most patient how shall I recompence this passing meeknes and longanimitie GIVE VS THIS DAY OVR daily breade What can I giue in requytall to thee for the Institution of the most B. Sacrament For if I consider the person that did institute it he was thy most deerly beloued Sonne And for whom did he institute it For me who he knew would vse it so ill so vnworthily so couldly and with so litle deuotion The tyme when he did institute it was than when he was ready to goe to his death which with the greatest cruelty was prepared for him when he prouided eternal life for vs wherby we might be transformed into him and made pertakers of all his merits and be fedd in the desart of this miserable world with that heauenly Manna O vnspeakeable benefitt of a most louinge Father that would feede an vnprofitable an vnworthy and a miserable seruant with the very flesh of his owne and deerly beloued Sonne Who euer hath hearde of so greate a loue O most bountyfull Father AND FORGIVE VS OVR TRESPASES What shal I say of so many trespasses so often by so may meanes and so louingly forgiuen what shall I say of the Sacrament of Penance wherby often with the price of the blood of Christ thou hast purged my sowle although thou knewest I would proue most vngratefull Whst shall I say that hauinge so often like the Prodigal childe forsaken thy howse and wandered into the region of death wasted and consumed both my owne substance and thine yet to haue bin so often againe receyued into thy grace entreated with all loue and kindnesse and to haue all my debtes payed by thee with no lesse price than with the pretious bloode of thy only Sonne Iesus Christ what shall I I say repay for this so great a benefitt consideringe thou kewest that after my trespasses once forgiuen I would againe fall into new sinnes and offences and how harde and cruell I would be to remitt the trespasses of my neighbour O most milde and gentle Father AND LEADEVS NOT INTO TEMTATION What shal I render to thee for so many helpes and aydes yealded to me in my temptations preseruinge me from such sinnes as I had headlonge runne into had I not bin staide backe by thy diuine hande what sinne doth man committ which I had not committed if thy diuine grace had not assisted mee how often had I tumbled headlonge into hell if I had not bin helde backe by thee how easily had I bin ouercome by each little temptation if thy assistance had not alwayes byn at hande to ayde mee how often had that roringe Lyon deuoured mee if thy most mightie
right hande had not defended mee O most careful and vigillant Father BVT DELIVER VS FROM EVELL From how many myseries both of payne and of sinne am I deliuered by thee O heauenly Father How many are there that now burne in hell who neuer committed so greeuous offences as I haue done How many other haue perished not hauinge had so longe life to do Penance as I haue had How many others that haue not had so greate grace giuen them Thou hast deliuered me from so many diseases of blindnesse of deafenes of leprecye of fallinge sicknes and other infinite diseases through which many with their owne handes haue murdered them selues and through despaire haue plunged them selues headlonge into hell If I wanted my eyes my nose my mouth or my handes what would I not spende to recouer them If I weare depriued of my wittes or were for thefte defamed in the worlde what would I not giue to be free of that disgrace And who but thou O most louinge Father hath delyuered me from these and innumerable other myseries what shal I render to thee for this so highe a benefitt o louer of my soule I will yealde vp to thee o louinge Father my harte in the louinge thee and acknowledgeing thee my Father My harte shall euer be with thee in heauen it shal euer celebrate prayses to thy holy name it shal euer be thy gueste it shall euer be obedient to thy holy will it shall euer adheare vnto thee it shall patiently suffer all manner of iniuries it neuer shall giue consent to sinne and it shall euer be thine world with out ende Amen The seconde may how to say the PATER NOSTER 1. HE that wil say the Pater noster with a certaine feelinge of deuotion let him obserue these rules followinge 1. First let him auoide ouermuch hastines whereby some are accustomed to say many prayers with a desier to finish them sâ—eedily and with a scruple to sinne excepte they say them all wherby it hapneth that they say none as they ought to doe finde no tast of deuotion but rather difficultye tedioussenes doubte distraction scruple and trouble and so by ill custome huddell them vp in hast that they neuer vnderstande what it is that they say Let a man therfore first rather vndertake but few prayers and them to be well sayde then to say many with out deuotioÌ„ for sparinge diett well disgested prâ—serueth life but much and greate varietic beinge ill disgested breedeth diseases 2. Secondly before he begin the Pater noster let him a litle recollect him selfe That is all other cares and occasions sett a parte and impediments remoued let him â—â—nsider to whom he shall speake what he vndertaketh and in whose presence he presenteth him selfe 3. Thirâ—ly when he hath once begone let him pawse a litle vpon euery worde weyghinge the force and signification of it applyinge it sometyme to God the Father sometyme to the Sonne and sometyme to the Holy ghost sometyme againe to him selfe and then to his neighboure now to the Angelles and then to the Saintes 4. Fourthly it is expedient that whilest he is in sayinge the Pater noster which are the wordes of the Sonne of God he present before the eternall Father both his owne necessities and the necessities of the Catholique Church for so shal he more easilye be hearde if the prayer of our Sauiour be pronounced in the person of the Church 5. Fiftly let him consider and meditate on the Pater noster in maner followinge makeinge as it were a Comentary on euery worde therby the more to inflame his affection AS FOR EXAMPLE PATER Father Mightie in creation Sweete in Loue. Ritch in inheritance NOSTER Our Of Christ by nature Of mortall men by grace Of the blessed by glory QVI ES. VVhich art In continuance eternall In substance infynite In goodnesse the best IN COELIS In heauen The myrrour of eternytâ—â— The Crowne of Ioy. The treasure of felicitie SANCTIFICETVR Hallowed be Through liuely faith Through firme hope Through feruent charity NO MEN. Name The glory of thy Sonne The maiesty of the holy Ghost Thy euerlasting Father-hoode TVVM Thy. That it may be sugar in the mouth Melody in the eare Iubilye in the harte TVVM Thy. Againe That thou only be glorified Thou only desiered Thou only loued as the last end ADVENIAT Come Aboue from the Father of light Within from the sowle Without from grace not from nature REGNVM Kingdome Of Iustice in the holy Ghost Of Ioy in the holy Ghost Of Peace in the holy Ghost TVVM Thy. Not of this deceitfull world Not of this mortall flesh Not of the callumnious deuill Ioyfull without affliction Quyet without perturbation Secure without feare of perdition FIAT Be done By thy commandement By thy Councell By thy and with thy helpe VOLVNTAS TVA Thy will Good in creation Mercifull in redemption Perfect in Iuâ—tification SICVT IN COELO As in heauen According to the Imitation of the good Accordinge to the similitude of the Blessed Virgin Accordinge to the example of Christ ET IN TERRA So in earth That whatsoeuer thou wilt not that we desire not That whatsoeuer thou loue we may loue That whatsoeuer thou command we may performe PANEM NOSTRVM Our breade The breade of teares The breade of the worde of God The breade of the B. Sacrament QVOTIDIANVM Daily By cause without it we dye With out it we knowe nothinge With out it we sinne D A. Giue Bycause it is proper to thee to giue Bycause it is more blessed to giue theâ— to take Bycause it is proper to me to receiue DA ETIAM Againe Giue Not an Angell but thy Sonne Not a man but my Creator Not the thinge giuen but the Giuer DA DOMINE Giue O Lorde In the incarnation thy woorde In iustification the Holy Ghost In glorification thy selfe NOBIS Vs. Vnworthy seruants Vngratefull seruants Vnprofitable seruants HODIE This day In this day of warfare In this day of darkenes In this day of miserie ET DIMITTE NOBIS And forgiue vs. Thou which art mercye Thou which art the fountaine of al grace Thou which on the Crosse didest pay the price of our offences DEBITA COMMISSA Trespasses Committed Against thy diuine maiesty Against the loue of our neighbour Against our owne saluation NOSTRA COMMISSA Our committed With our harte With our mouth With our handes SICVT ET NOS DIMITTIMVS As we forgiue If we doe not forgiue them thou wilte not forgiue vs. If we doe forgiue them we shal be made thy children by imitatinge thee If we pardon them we shal be obedient to thy wordes DEBITORIBVS NOSTRIS That trespasse against vs. Who haue offen ded vs. Lightly IgnoraÌ„tly Iustly Wher as we haue moste greueously offended our Creator for which we haue desâ—rued a thousand hells ET NE NOS INDVCAS And leade vs not By takinge away thy grace By remouinge the meanes of our saluatioÌ„ By with drawinge thy sweete presence By permittinge occasion
for vs to sinne IN TENTATIONEM Into temptation Of the Flesh Of the worlde Of the diuell SED LIBERA But deliuer Thou which art our Deliuerer Our Sauiour And our Redemer NOS Vs. The Sonnes of death The seruants of sinne The bondmen of the diuell A MALO From euell Of sinne and Payne Past Present And to come AMEN So be it From thee By thee In mee Hetherto Father ANDROTIVS That which followeth of an other Father of the Society of IESVS The thirde way how to say the Pater noster applyinge the seauen petytions therof to so many effusions of the blood of our Sauiour Iesvs PATER NOSTER Our Father SWeete Lorde and Sauiour IESVS Christ Our Father who through the effusion of thy most pretious Bloode vpon the crosse by the benefitt of the Sacrament of Baptisme hast regenerated vs to be thy children QVI ES IN COELIS Which art in heauen Heb. 9. Who as the Apostle witnesseth didest enter into heauen that thou mightest appeare before the face of God to make intercession for vs with the scarres of thy woundes Rom. 8. cap. 7. and as a most faithfull aduocate mightest pleade our cause with vnspeakeable sighes SANCTIFICETVR NOMEN TVVM Hallowed be thy name The 1. effusioÌ„ Which name thou tookest in the first effusion of thy most pretious bloode made at â—hy CircumcisioÌ„ that we who in Baptisme prefigurated by circumcision Coloss â— had receyued that holy name of Christian might through the vertu of that most pretious Bloode circumcise our hartes from all sinne and wicked inclinacions ADVENIAT REGNVM TVVM Thy Kingdome come Which kingdome through thy most holye passion and principally by the effusion of thy most pretious Bloode made when thou wast crowned with that crowne of thorne thou didest deserue for thy selfe and vs thy vnworthy seruants For that we might be crowned with glorie and honor in heauen thou wouldest be crowned on earth with most sharpe and woundinge thornes FIAT VOLVNTAS TVA SICVT IN COELO ET IN TERRA Thy will be done in earth as it is in heauen I wishe Sweete Sauiour that we wretched creatures would so truly fullfill thy will here on earth as doe the Angells and all the Saintes in heauen euen as thou hast taught vs by thy example in the effusion of thy Bloody Sweate made in the Garden For there thou didst shewe and that in a thing most bitter and irkesome that thou wouldest fullfill the will of thy Father and not thy owne will sayinge yet not as I wil but as thow wilte Matt. 16. be it O Father PANEM NOSTRVM QVOTIDIANVM DA NOBIS HODIE Giue vs this day our daly breade If it had not bin the will of thy Father that thou shouldest suffer thy bitter Passion for our Redemption what other breade might I presume to craue of thee O Lorde but the breade of sorowe and of Passion which thou didest eate and the Chalice of Tribulation which thou didest drinke For I reade That Dauid a man accordinge to thy harte saide My teares were my breade both day and night This Breade vndoubtedly wouldest thou shewe to me by the abundante effusion of thy bloode made in thy Whippinge and wouldest that it should be my daylye breade Luc. 9. when thou saydest If any will come after me let him take vp his Crosse daylye And if at any tyme this breade shall seeme harde to my tast ioyne to it sweete IESV the breade of Angells the breade I meane of thy most pretious Body and Bloode which thou wouldest haue vs to receyue in remembrance of thy Passion euen to the ende of the worlde that beinge comforted and strengthned therwith we may through many tribulations ascende to the true MouÌ„taine Horeb 3. Reg. 19. which is life euerlasting ET DIMITTE NOBIS DEBITA NOSTRA SICVT ET NOS DIMITTIMVS DEBITORIBVS NOSTRIS And forgiue vs our trespasses as we forgiue them that trespasse against vs. I doubte not my sweete Sauiour IESV Christ but that those thy cruell bloody tormentors to the ende they might encrease thy torments and passions did againe and againe take of and sett on that most sharpe Crowne of thorne which they had violently thrust vppon thy heade and that they often put on and againe pulled of thy garmeÌ„ts all embrued and stifned with goare bloode I most humbly therfore beseech thee my sweete Sauiour by the oft Renewinge of Thy most bloody woundes which could not be but with much effusion of thy Bloode that thou vouchsafe to remitt and pardon me those sinnes which so often I haue renewed and therby giuen to thee newe and fresh woundes againe euen so as I do freely from my harte remitt and pardon all woundes of wronges and iniuries that haue bin offered to me ET NE NOS INDVCAS IN TENTATIONEM And leade vs not into temptation For thou sweete Sauiour accordinge to S. Iames the Apostell Cap. 1. art no temptour to euâ—ll thou temptest no man thou enforcest no man to giue consent to the temptations of the world the flesh or the diuell But thou hast suffered thy selfe to be tempted euen to the most shamefull death of the Crosse that therby thou mightest free vs from all sortes of temptations For which cause thou spredst thy handes on the Crosse to receiue vs louingly if in our temptationâ— we shall flye vnto thee For this cause thou wouldest haue thy hands fastned with nayles therby to teach vs for the subduinge of our temptations that we must crucyfie our flesh with all our sinnes and concupiscences For this cause thou doest open Three new fountaines of bloode that noe meane of ayde may be wantinge to vs to purge all our imperfections and ouercome all our temptations SED LIBERA NOS A MALO But deliuer vs from euell By thy death sweete Sauiour thou hast prepared a medicine and a preseruatiue for vs which is sufficient to cure and free vs from all infirmities yet had it not so much profited vs but through thy last effusion made in The openinge of thy side from whence thy most pretious bloode flowed out in great aboundance For what other thinge doth the flowinge of bloode and water from the side of Christ signifie vnto vs than the most holy Sacraments of Baptisme of the Euchariste of Penance and others wherby the price of his bloode is most effectually applyed vnto vs Grante me therfore sweete IESV by this effusion of thy bloode a doble grace the one that I may acknowledge and often frequente these preseruatiues of thy holy SacrameÌ„ts The other that it will please thee to receyue me into that Hole of the rocke Cant. 2. into that Caue in the walle I meane into thy most sacred Syde where I may rest secure from all miseries and aduersities For accordinge to S. Augustine Longinus did therfore open thy side with his Lance that I might enter into it and there rest free from all temptations Amen The fourth manner of sainge the Pater
noster applyed to the seauē wordes which our Sauiour spake hanginge on the Crosse PATER NOSTER QVI ES IN COLIS Our Father which art in heauen SWeete Lorde and Sauiour IESVS who with the woode of thy most blessed and holye Crosse hast prepared a way and a bridge for vs into heauen and hast adopted vs the heyres of euerlastinge life by thy last will yet so as that we suffer with thee that also we may be gloryfied in heauen with thee SANCTIFICETVR NOMEN TVVM Hallowed be thy name Because sweete IESV beinge nayled vpon the Crosse thou aboue all others hast sanctified the name of thy heauenly Father at which time in thy extremest torments thou hadest thy only refuge to him and calinge vppon his holy name didest vtter these words My God my God why hast thou forsaken me ADVENIAT REGNVM TVVM Thy kingdome come Kindell my sweete Sauiour within my harte a feruente desier of the kingdome of heauen that therby I may fully contemne all worldly delightes and with the Apostle desier to be dissolued and to be with Christ And in the end after many tribulations patiently suffered and harde laboures ouercome I may with the Theefe crucified with thee be worthy to heare those words spoken on the Crosse This day thou shalt be with me in Paradice Luc. 23. FIAT VOLVNTAS TVA SICVT IN CCEIO ET IN TERRA Thy will be done in earth as it is in heauen When thou prayedst in the Garden sweete IESV thou wast most redye to obey the will of thy Father euen vnto death and that to the death of the Crosse And beinge sone after nayled theron and readye to yeald thy sowle into the hands of thy Father thou didest in acte fullfill his will when thou saydest It is Consummated Io. 19. Grante me therfore grace my sweete IESV that in executing the will of God that is in fulfillinge his Commandements in continuall exercise of good works and in sufferinge tribulations for thy sake I may constantly perseuer euen to the end PANEM NOSTRVM QVOTIDIANVM DA NOBIS HODIE Giue vs this day our dayly breade What breade O Lorde shall I craue of thee but that breade which thou didest aske of thy Father and what drinke but the same which thou didest aske beinge nayled on the Crosse sayinge I thirst for thoughthy corporal thirst were exceding great yet thy spirituall thirst was much greater wherof thou spakest at an other tyme sayinge Mat. 5. Blessed ar they that thirst and hunger after Iustice. Thou swe◠IESV didest thirst after the saluation o◠all men for whose redemption thou didest suffer so cruell torments on the Crosse thou didest thirst after the conuersion of thy Bretheren the Iewes and euen of those that were the mynisters of thy most bitter Passion thou didest thirst after the saluation of all the Gentills yea of all people whatsoeuer had bin were or should be borne into the worlde for which cause most bountifully thou didest sheade all thy sacred bloode Grante me sweete Iesv a litle of this thirst that with a zeale and desier of the saluation of sowles I may imploy that talent which thou hast lent mee ET DIMITTE NOBIS DEBITA NOSTRA SICVT ET NOS DIMITTIMVS DEBITORIBVS NOSTRIS And forgiue vs our trespasses as we forgiue them that trespasse against vs. I doubte not my sweete Sauiour but thou wilte mercifully forgiue our trespasses bycause thou forgauest the theefe when thou wast nayled on the Crosse nay euen vnto them that did crucifie thee sainge Iac. 21. Father forgiue them for they knowe not what they doe If then we shewe mercie and forgiue those that trespasse vs how much more o Father and fountaine of mercye canst thou and wilte thou forgiue as if we through frailtie transgresse thy commandements ET NE NOS INDVCAS IN TENTATIONEM And let vs not be ledde into temptation And although our sinnes be once forgiuen vs yet so longe as we liue in this miserable worlde we ar in dainger to fall into them againe the diuell the Flesh or the world temptinge and vrgeinge vs therto therfore is it necessary for vs euer to flye and haue recourse to thee who vpon thy Crosse and through thy Passion hast ouercome all temptations euen as in that greate temptation when thou wast taken and all thy Apostells fledde thy most Blessed mother and beloued disciple S. Iohn made it their refuge to flye to thee and thy holye Crosse Wherupon euen hanginge on the same thou didest commende thy mother to S. Iohn and S. Iohn to thy mother sayinge Io. 10. Woman behoulde thy Soone and bedoulde thy Mother Where in the person of S. Iohn we are all as it were commended to thy mother to whom next to thy selfe in all temptations we are accustomed to flye and to say O Mary Mother of grace and mother of mercye defende vs from our enimie receiue vs at the hower of death SED LIBERA NOS A MALO But deliuer vs from euell Then shall we be free and defended from all euell when we are vnder thy protection and vnder the shadow of the wynges of thy Crosse Psal 25. 55. I will feare no hurte saide the Prophet Dauid bycause thou art with mee I haue put my trust in God I will not feare what man can doe to me And therfore thou my sweete Sauiour hanginge on the Crosse to make a finall conclusion of all thy torments and miseries through thy death wouldest haue thy soule to be vnder the protection of thy Father Luc. 23. sainge Father into thy handes I doe commende my spiritt Grante therfore sweete IESV that singuler grace to vs that at the hower of death we may so commende our sowles to thee and our heauenly Father that we departe out of this world free from all ill both of sinne and punishment and may enioy eternall rest with thee world without end Amen The fifte way how to say the Pater noster applyinge the seauen petitions therof to the seauen orders of Sainctes PATER NOSTER Our Father OMnipotent euerlastinge God Creator of heauen and earth and Father of all that liue ether in heauen or on earth QVI ES IN COELIS Which art in heauen For although through thy essence power and presence thou art euery where excluded from noe place yet especially thou conuersest in the highest heauens wher thou doest manifest thy glory and maiesty to all they Saintes both men and Angells SANCTIFICETVR OMEN TVVM Hallowed be thy name I beseeche thee sweete Sauiour IESVS Christ 1. Angels through the meritts of the most Blessed virgin MARY and all the powers in heauen that euen as they doe sanctifie thy name praise it and glorifie it and for euer will glorifie it So I and all other thy Creatures conuersinge yet in this vale of teares may vntill the end of our liues with al our power sanctifie praise and glorifie the same ADVENIAT REGNVM TVVM Thy kingdome come 2. Prophetts
is dead and I am glad in your behalfe But when he raised him from death then did he weepe because he raised him to the miseries of this life Wherupon S. Augustine in a book which he wrote of the visiting of the sicke sayeth O death most to be desiered O death the end of al miseries that this world bringeth forth O death the end of al euil and the begining of al good 5. To thinke that God doth know and vnderstand al things and therfore seeth vvhat is most necessarie for man For happely if such a man had not them died he might haue bene damned whereas now he is saued Or else by liuing longer he might haue growen worse To which purpose Sap. 4. Sâ—lomon sayeth of a certaine person He was taken out of the world lest malice might haue changed his vnderstanding or imaginations haue deceiued destroied his souleâ— 6. To consider that superfluous sorrow doth hurt thee and nothing benefit thy frend which is dead So we reade that king Dauid wepte bitterly so long as his sonne lâ—y sicke 2. Reg. 12. but so soone as he was dead he ceased to mourne yealding thankes to God began to eate and being asked him why he did so he answered that before the death of his sonne he lamented if happely thereby he might haue obtained his life but being once dead he ceased to mourne acknowledging it was the wil of God to haue it so 7. To call to mind that excessiue sorrow hurteth both thee and thy frend departed because thereby thou canst not haue thy minde free to pray for thy selfe or for him that is dead For this cause the wise man sayeth Ec. 38. Yeald not thy hart to sorrow but driue it far from thee remember the last things forget them not for after death there is no returning and thy sorrow shal not benefit thy freÌ„d departed but therby thou shalt hurt thy selfe 8. Thinke that many haue bene damnned for the inordinate loue which they haue borne to their children their husbandes their wiues kinsfolkes and frendes Then againe considering it is vncertaine whether thy childe or frend might haue bene cause to thee of thy damnation if he had liued thou hast no cause to lament hâ—s death 9. Remember that thy frend departed shaâ— rise againe and that thou shalt see hâ—m Wherupon S. Paulâ— sayeth Be not 〈◊〉 to the 〈◊〉 which haue no hope 1. Thes 4. Ec. 22. And Ecclesiasticus Lament litle for those thâ—t are â—â—parted 10. Consider that thy frend whose death thou bewaylest is perhappes in a place of ioy and then oughtest thou to be gâ—ad because he may pray for thâ—e A remâ—diâ— for thoâ—â— who feare Death ouermuch THere are many that can hardly endure to heare others talke of death and are terrified euen wâ—th the thought thereof Which cometh ether for that they are clogged with many enormious sinnes which they wil not forsake or because they haue litle confidence in the happines of the worlde to come or else by reason they are ouermuch wedded to the pleasures of this life whereof they would not willingly be depriued therfore is the memory of death most grieueous vnto them considering that death wil seperate them from these delightes whether they wil or no. First therfore let vs free our selues from this seruitude of sinne let vs shake of this inordinate loue of the world and then shal we soone be deliuered from this feare of death yea we shal willingly desire it ioyfully embrace it A good remedie also againâ—t the feare of death is often to thinke and meditate vpon death For contraries are expelled by contraries and the more oftner we set death before our eies the more easily and the sooner doe we remoue al such occasions as may make it fearful to our apprehension S. Auâ—ustine sayeth That an euil death neuer followeth a good life Labour therfore to dye to thy selfe and the world and to liue to God and death wil neuâ—r be fearful vnto thee A certaine learned Father writeth that the diuel laboureth al that he can to keepe from our mindes the remembrance of death thereby to make vs carelesse how we liue and after at the hower of our deathes to deceiue vs. Therfore ought we euer to set death before our eies and so carefully and vertuously to spend our liues to the honor of God that when death shal approach our ghostly enimie may haue no power ouer vs. An other sayeth Euen as he that wil drawe a toothe out of his head doth first cause the flesh to be loosened round about it and after to be stirred and moued vntil with two fingers it may easily be pulled out for if he should attempt at one pull with the instrument to drawe it out he must needes put him selfe to exceeding paine so they who doe often meditate on death doe neuer finde it so terrible vnto them as they who neuer thinke thereon vntil it assault them A certaine Doctor sayeth As Princes pallaces or other weightie affaires are not begun and finished at once so death being a thing which doth most concerne vs which once we must vndergoe can neuer be wel finished except by often meditation thereof we make it familiar vnto vs. There are two thinges of importance one to die and that is common to al men an other to die wel and that proper to few and only to such as feare God and hould them selues but bannished men whilst they liue in this world and continually haue the memorie of death fixed before their eies 1. Cor. 7. S. Paule counceâ—leth that those that haue wiues should liue is if they had no wiues and those that are conuersant in the affaires of this world should cary them selues as men exempted from thâ— world As if he should say that we ought nâ—t to giue our selues to the world and least that we should be addictâ—d to it that we should often meditate on the hower of death For this day we line and to morowe hapily we may die this lay spend our time in the vanities of the world and to morowe in our graue without any further memorie of vs. Death should be fearful only to Infidels and to such as care not to liue in the feare of God and those be such as neuer would heare that they must die but say that to thinke on death maketh men fooles and subiect to melanchâ—ly These men neuer remember how they contradict God Ac. 7. saying Remember thy laâ—â—en's emongst which death is one where note how necessary that remembrance is vnto vs when our Sauiour addeth and thou shalt not sinne Hence it followeth that by remembring death men be admonished to refraine from sinne and therein no fooles but men endued with the truest wisdome yea he that wil not indure to thinke on death sheweth him selfe therin most fâ—olishe forsaking God and receiuing the diuel refusing heauen and imbracing the earth he â—â—eth from vertue and folâ—â—weth â—iâ—e