him not dispaire They doo euill which will not repent with them whome they haue transgressed withall After Dauid had willingly confessed his fault and acknowledged the iuste iudgement of God behold what great hope he conceiued of the mercie of God Sprinkle mee O Lorde saith he with Isope and I shall be cleane washe mee and I shall be whiter then Snowe By the sprinkling of the bloude of the immaculate Lambe he promiseth to himselfe clearenesse too though he acknowledge his conception to be sinfull yet by this washing he hopeth after the whitenesse of innocencie whiche passeth the white of the Snowe And he trusteth not onely in the Innocencie but looketh to see his doubtfull penitencie turned into Heauenly ioy Thou shalt make me heare ioye and gladnesse saith Dauid that the boanes which thou hast broken maie reioyce Geue me the comforte of thy healpe and stablish mee with thy free Spirite O singuler Faithe of a sinner what man hath at any time cried Iesu haue mercie on me but forthwith he hathe obteined grace Take pittie Lorde saithe the woman of Canaan and her Daughter was healed The blinde pore man cried out O Sonne of Dauid haue mercy on me and he receiued sight Let vs hartely zealously coÌ„stantly cal on him in the middest of our miseries say Iesu thou Sonne of Dauid haue compassion vpon vs And of poore impotent beggers he will make vs felow heyres with him of the kingdom of heauen He hath opened the Sanctuary of his holinesse and thou runnest iâ—to the Dungeon of despaire he hathe stretched out his hande to thee and thou turneste away thy face he openeth the gates of Heauen and thou hastest to destruction beholde the bosome of his goodnesse and thou creepest into the Lake of vnhappinesse The Theefe that hunge on the crosse heard him saying This daie thou shalt be with mee in Paradise and thou offerest thy selfe to the Diuell The mercie of God came vnto vs when he sente his sonne into the Earth let vs therfore go to it Let vs incline to him as he did to vs The waie is first to leaue our life For firste the Phisitions vse to purge the bodie that they may minister holsomer Medecines Forsake O thou sinner thy wicked imaginations which fight againste God leaue to lust be not couetous refraine riot flie arrogancie that God may powre his blessinges vpon thee He that persisteth in his wickednes and calleth for grace is like to an enemie which being ready armed asketh peace of his Maister he that asketh receiueth he that seketh findeth and he that knocketh hathe it opened to him if thou wilt desire mercie craue it truly if thou seeke it seeke it in dede if thou knock at the gate of forgeuenesse knocke earnestly If thou require an example of one that faithfully craued the fauour of God Mark the prodigall Childe who leauinge his swine returned to his Father and saide Father I haue sinned againste Heauen and againste thee make mee as one of thy hired Seruauntes Marke the Publicane which for the giltines of his conscience dare not lifte vp his eyes to heauen dare not come to his redeemer but standinge a farre of knocketh his brest and saith Lorde be mercifull vnto mee a sinner S. Hierome affirmeth the offence of Iudas to be greater in despayringe the mercie of God then in betrayinge Christe as Cain stirred God to anger more through desperation of pardon then by the slaughter of his brother Abel Many whiche haue persecuted Christ being conuerted and beleeuinge in him haue obtained pardon and are made examples to man that he ought not to distrust the remission of his wickednesse seeing the death of our Sauiour is forgeuen to the penitente Wilte thou heare saithe Augustine the mercy of God leaue thy abomination and he will forgeue thee Wilt thou see the truth of God doo good and thou shalt be crowned with Iustice God is not so mercifull to vse vniustice nor so iust to be vnmercifull But som man will say men encrease their offences by to muche hope but how much do they enlarge their giltinesse by distrust of Remission If there were no forgeuenesse then thou wouldest rage and say I am wretched I am condemned why is not my luste lawe why shall I not fill my selfe with facietie if after this there be naughte but tormente this woulde be thy sayinge O woorse then despayre it selfe He dooth better therfore that correcteth thee with promise of forgetfulnesse and saithe I wil not the deathe of a Sinner but that he conuert and liue God by his promise woulde not haue sinners to presume but his will is they should not in any wise distrust and therfore he hath made them ignorant of the day of theire death if thou repent present pardon is prouided no day is prefixed Wherfore to conclude if thou haue liued wel till this day and still abidest in this life liue well amend thy life and beholde forgeuenesse and be sure that what he hath pardoned shall not be imputed to thee again which for his mercy he graunte that taketh away the sinnes of the worlde Amen Consolatio NVlla meroris magnitudo nulla angustiarum acerbitas nulla defectuum multitudo nulla scelerum enormitas te ad desperationem nimiámne pusillanimitatem adducat Quantumcunque peccaueris semper Dei misericordia in infinitum excedit tuas iniquitates Quantumcunque infirmus sis semper illius benignitas adiuuare parata est tuam fragilitatem Vult potest Deus sanare ac liberare te si ad eum verè conuerteris atque humilis factus ipsum Piè inuocas speras in eo O quam homini salutaris Deo grata est spes atque confidentia illa quam Dei amor sanctaque humilitas parit quae hominem non ad negligentiam vel in curiam sese emendandi neque ad facilitatem peccandi pertrahit sed magis ad conatum proficiendi extimulat ¶ The Aucthours Praier IN the deapthe of thi mercy O Lorde bowe downe thine eies beholde encline thyne ears and heare stretch out thine Arme and helpe for I am thine vnwoorthy Creature and haplesse man that through thy rodde of wrath haue experieÌ„ce of most wretched misery Mine enemies pursue mee with gaping iawes and whetted teethe saying within them selues lette vs now deuoure him for the time that wee looked for is come wee do finde and see it They haue fortified round about me and haue inclosed me with torment and trauel My fleash and skinne are made olde my boanes are brused they haue hedged mee that I cannot geat out and haue laide heauie Linckes vpon me Healpe Lorde thy seruaunt whom thou neuer failedst I cry and call pitiously yet am I not heerde my innocencie is troden downe my life subdewed with false surmises My mourning they daily heare but comforte I finde farre of They haue stopped vp my waies with quartered stoanes and made my pathes crooked They lay waite for me as wild Beares and
with thy truth and merites of Christes deathe and passion to lay my Prayers before thee requyringe mercy and forgeuenesse of all my sinnes and also the assistance of thy Grace to do thy will all the daies of my life and to obtaine all these my petitions through Iesus Christ thy deere Sonne and my only sauiour to whom with thee and the Holy Ghoste be all Honour power Dominion and Glory for euer and euer Amen A Meditation vpon the Lordes Prayer ¶ Our Father which art in Heauen TRuely thou O almighty father haste iuste cause to execute thy seuere iudgemente vpon vs sinners whiche so often and greeuously moue thy wrath and indignation againste vs but sithence by thy mercy thou dooste not onely pardon but also commaundeste and teacheste by thy Sonne Iesus Christe that wee should holde thee for a Father wee pray thee throughe him that thou wilt geue vs a full and sure truste in thy Fatherly clemency and that we may likewise feele some taste of that security whiche thy Children haue and with ioye call thee Father acknowledge thee loue thee and in all our troubles call vpon thee defende and guide vs that wee may perpetually abide thy children let vs not goe out of thy protection Though we be the children of wickednes yet let vs not holde thee in steede of a seuere Iudge whē thou wilt that wee shall not onely call thee Father but our Father and that wee pray not in our owne name alone but in the name of all thy Children Geue vs therefore an vniforme and brotherly loue that in deede wee may perceiue our selues to bee Brothers and Sisters and thee our generall Father Let vs pray for all the rest no otherwise then Fathers were wont to pray for their children neyther suffer any of vs to seeke his own and forget his brother but taking away what enuie hatred or discord so euer raigneth emonge vs that as becommeth Gods children wee may mutually loue one another and truely call thee not Father but our Father Of our carnall and earthely Father we receiue this brickle body and he is such a one as is subiect to death neither are wee sure how longe he shall remaine a father Furthermore if aduersity happen he can not chaunge that but thou arte a Heauenly Father truely farre better and more Nobler So much more righte is it then that we contempne for thee our Father Countrey Kindred Ritches Fleashe Bloude yea and what so euer is in this worlde vnder the scope of Heauen This also graunt to vs that we may be thy heauenly Children whom thou doest teache that we shall regarde nothinge but the soule healthe and that heauenly Heritage leaste in this carnall and earthly Countrey deceiued stirred vp or letted by ritches wee become heyres of sensuality but truly let vs say our heauenlie Father and that truely wee may be thy heauenly Children Halowed be thy name ALmighty God heauenly father thy holy name is miserably prophaned many wayes in this worlde scorned taunted and blasphemed when it is applied to those thinges in whiche is no glorye of thy Deitie yea many abuse it imployinge it to sinne and truly that vnwoorthy life in a Christian man deserueth to be called a prophanation of thy holy name graunt therefore to vs good Lorde through thy mercy that wee may beware of all those things by which the honoure and glory of thy name is diminished and purifie vs that the Artes of Magike may be abolished let people cease to enchaunt Diuels or other Creatures by thy name see that all distrust and supersticion perish Heresie and wicked Doctrine also whiche notwithstandinge they preferre thy name yet they deceiue many lette them perishe and be broughte to nothynge graunte that thy people be not deceyued through any outwarde shewe of truthe rightuousnesse or holynesse Suffer not any man to forsweare hym selfe lye or deceyue others by thy name Take from vs O Lorde all false aydes which take vpon thē a shewe of thy name remooue from vs that spyrite of Pryde and vaine glory and the study of prayse and glory Graunt that in all our troubles and euiles we may cal vpon thy holy name yea in the feare of our consciēce and euen when deathe assaileth let vs not be forgetful of thy holie name See that in al our successe both in wordes and deedes wee may praise and worship thee onely and not seeke out of these ours but the glory of thy name which alone possessest al things take from vs O Lorde that most foule vice of ingratitude Plant in vs such good woorkes and life that others may be allured to vs not to our but to thy praise and glory Lorde let not others be offended through the vices or euill workes which yet remaine in vs least thy name for our sinnes should be ill spoken of or not henceforth praised Suffer vs not to aske any thing of thee either momentary or eternall which agreeth not to the glory of thy holy name praise if wee do aske any suche thinge of thee in that heare vs not graunt vs so to liue as becommeth Gods Children that wee seeme not vnworthy of thy holy name Thy kingdome come IN this miserable and wretched life all kindes of sensuall apetide and wickednesse beare rule in vs and the euill spirite head and fountaine of all sinne hath gouernmente But in thy kingdome O Lorde grace and vertue guide the sway and Iesus Christe thy deere sonne true patrone of all grace and vertue holdeth Empyre Thou therefore deere Father fauoure vs with thy grace Geue vnto vs a true constant faith in Christe fortifie vs with a firme hope in thy mercie wherwith our weake and feble conscience may be raised vp from the feling of sinnes lade vs with an earnest loue both towardes thee and al other thy good Creatures Take frō vs distrust desperation and hatred remooue from vs the delightes of the fleash and plant in their steede an earnest studye of chastitie with perfect faith in thee which may worthely winne the reward of vndefiled battaile Make vs free O Lorde from discordes ambition warre and discention and let thy kingdome come and let vs leade a peaceable mutuall and quiet life Graunt that neither zeale anger or other vices with the whiche dissemblinge hatred are nourished raigne in vs but a milde simplicity brotherly loue al kinde of duties contentment and humility suffer vs not to be affected with immoderate sorrowe and heauinesse but let vs feele the pleasantnesse of thy grace and mercie and that in fine all my sinnes may be taken away wee abounding through grace and vertu in good works may be thy kingdome I say our minde our soule with al our strength whiche thou hast powred on vs may obey thy commaundementes and beare thy gouernment and neither folowe themselues the world the fleash nor the Diuell See Lord that this thy kingdome happely begonne in vs may so growe and be increased that wee be not
not ouer to an vnshamefast obstinate minde but correct mee in thy mercie for into thy handes I committe me Amen E ENter thy Iudgementes in the tables of my harte destroy my affections with thi loue send thy wisdome from the holy Heauens and from the seate of thy maiesty that she may be with mee and labour with mee that I may knowe what thing is acceptable before thee and may Iudge thy people rightuously and deserue betweene good and euill G GRatious Lorde thou that arte the most hie God aboue al the yearth long suffering and of muche mercie sorowinge the sinnes of man and of thy greate goodnesse haste promised to the penitent remission of sinnes Lorde I haue sinned my iniquity is multiplied aboue the sandes of the Sea and there is no hope of life in mee bicause I haue sturred the to anger in multiplying offeÌ„ces before thee And now Lorde trustinge in thy mercy I bowe the knees of my hart beseching of thee goodnesse distroye mee not together with mine iniquity for the dead whose Soules are out of theyr bodies can neither prayse nor thanke thee but the sorowfull hart and the thirstye Soule ascribe praise vnto thee O Lorde I powre my Prayers before thee and require mercie in thy sight saue me which am vnworthy and reserue not eternall punishment for me for thine owne sake I aske it and will prayse thee al the daies of my life AmeÌ„ I ILluminate my hart O Lord with the lighte of thy woorde leade mee Lord in thy way and I shall enter into thy Truthe printe thy feare in my hart that I may reioyce in thee lette thy woorde be a Lanterne vnto my feete and a light vnto my paths So shall I not erre from the right way but walk with an vpright harte a cleane conscience and single eye before thee this day and euermore Amen N NEuer will I cease to call vpon thee moste mâ—ghtye God of Hostes whiche fittest vpon the Cherubins and haste dominion ouer al the kingdoms on the earth Thou which madest the Heauens and all things comprehended in them bowe downe thine eare and heare open thine eyes and behold saue mee from the hande of mine aduersaries suffer no euill to happen vnto mee that al the people may know that thou alone arte my god Amen A ASsist me O Lord my God with thy Heauenly grace and renew in mee a righte Spirite that I may receiue strength and ablenesse to doo thy rightuous will and to stand against al the assaultes of wilie Sathan that they may haue no place in me but that the Old man which I beare about in my body may be crucified and daily die in me that the desire of sinne erroure of worldly vanities may vtterly be destroyed that I may euermore be renewed in the Spirite of my minde that the life of my Sauiour Christe may alwayes appeare in mee To whome with the Father and the Holy Ghost be all honoure triumphe and glory for euer and euer Amen IOAN I. SI confiteamur Peccata nostra Deus fidelis est iustus vt remittat nobis Peccata nostra emundet nos ab omni Iniquitate Si dixerimus quoniam non peccauimus Mendacem facimus cum Verbum eius non est in nobis IOSVE Fili mi da GloriaÌ„ Deo Israël confitere atque indica mihi quid feceris ne abscondas AGVSTINVS Confessio est salus animarum dissipatrix Vitorum restauratrix Virtutum expugnatrix Daemonum Quid plura Obstauit Os Inferni Paradisi Portas aperit Cassidorus super Psalm 77. O beata Confessio quae aeternum tollit opprobrium Nam quicquid Reatum inuenerit Poenitentia perpetuis Seculis reddit Absolutum An inward speache vvherevvith Christ dooth comfort the Soule of the sinner desiringe to liue better Gathered out of the works of sundry holy Writers I Loue them saith Christe that seeke mee and my delight is emonge the children of meÌ„ Sic dilexi Mundum vt in mortem datem animam meam vt non periat sed habeat vitam aeternum quicunque in me crediderit I haue so loued the worlde that I gaue my selfe vnto death that who so euer beleeued in mee should not perish but haue euerlasing life O thou Soule O Daughter I haue laboured hungred thirsted I haue bene despised and suffred persecution for thy sake I am wounded for thine iniquitie I am weried through thy wickednes I am dead for thine offences and risen again for thy iustification the loue whiche I beare to thee hath forced mee to doo and suffer all these thinges and to make choyse of thee for my childe Wherefore amende thou and returne to mee washe thee in the bloud of my wounds and deck thee with vertues and merites of my life All these thinges I willingly geue thee nay rather as a most louing father offeringe these thinges I runne to imbrace thee and receiue thee with imbracinge and kissing alluring thee to loue me againe return Daughter and be cleane Praebe cor tuum mihi quia praeter hoc aliud abs te non desidero Be sory that thou hast sinned bicause thou hast offended mee or at the leaste sorrowe because thou canst not perceiue thy selfe pensiue for oft it cometh to passe that it better pleaseth mee and is more profitable to man to haue a wil to be contrite and deuout then to perceiue contrition or deuocion Because this contrarye desire of willing and vnwillinge engendreth affliction of minde Therfore be sory and angry with thy selfe yee iudge thy selfe woorthy to be damned bicause thou hast sinned and art not sory as thou oughtest This contrition although it be not sensible yet it is such though thou suffer persecution as will bring thee to health eternall for I knowe your miserye your weaknesse and necessitie so that in no wise a willing mind ought to dispaire what soeuer oldenes or coldenesse of conscience he feele But you wil say I haue coÌ„mitted innumerable offences how shall I perticulerly sorrow euery one of them O my daughter needest thou comfort let only truthe comfort thee if thou hast many sinnes haue also one generall contrition in the whiche thou wilte include all and euery offence so that there be no sinne whiche althoughe it came vnto thy minde wouldest exempte froÌ„ thy penitencie and whiche thou wouldest not eschewe forsake For this generall contrition extendeth it selfe to all and euery offence yea vnto those whiche thou haste forgotten and canste not remember neither doo I require that you should necessarily haue for euery offence seuerall contritions accordinge to the number maÌ„ner of your sinnes for thus I haue spoken of Mary Magdalaine I haue forgeuen her many offences for that she loued much I saide not bicause shee loued oftentimes neither coulde this Magdalaine in so suddaine a compunction be otherwise sory then for all togeather Thou likewise so be sory for all that there be no sinne which may delight thee whether generally or
and immediatly she felt the force of his mercie We Reade also of many others that weare healed by touching his garment so neuer vnprouided is his goodnesse and at all times he geueth comfort to the weake If thou be afraide to call vpon Iesus if thou canst not come vnto him yet at the least touch the edge of his garment Read the Scriptures folowe the doctrine of the Apostles for by them he often sheweth his vertue and telleth of thy sauing health O blinde and vnthankfull whiche despise the grace of God so ready to be obtained But oh thrise wretched whiche despaire in that whiche is willingly and freely offered he is easily pacified that is reuenged against his will. What other meaning hath this Phrase but that the Lord leaueth no way vnsoughte for to bringe vs to Saluation and wee wittingly forsake the hope of Saluation And why wilt thou die O house of Israel with teares he lamented Hierusalem which heaped vengeaunce vnto it selfe by their malicious erroures O Hierusalem saithe he howe often would I haue gathered thee togeather as the Hen gathereth her Chickins and thou wouldest not Our humble Sauiour weepeth bicause he may not saue vs miserable sinners and we despare in him as though he woulde not saue vs All the House reioysed where the Sonne whiche died was reuiued and receiued again that perished That good Father calleth the company of the Heauens to reioyce ouer the penitent sinner and thou wretche despairest enuiynge bothe thine owne safegard and the gladnesse of god Shall we beleeue that he wil not pardon malefactours who lamenteth the deathe of a sinner and reioyceth at the conuersion of the penitent He calleth al men to the marige Feast he would haue his house filled with straungers maketh the Blinde and the lame to com in And why staiest thou Caitiffe Why forsakest thou not thi swinish Soyle why striuest thou against the mercy of God there can be no greater folie then for vaine and variable thinges to forsake Eternity There is no greater wisedome then for a litle sufferaunce to gaine Immortality Great is their ignoraunce therefore which perseuer in their naughtinesse But greater is the wisdome of those that liue in newnesse of life O what coste wee bestowe what paines wee take in findinge corruptible mettalles and howe little wee care for the treasure of Goddes mercie whiche is laide open and freely offered to vs. The Lorde is ritche in mercy The treasure of worldly wealth may be wasted by profuse expence But the bounty of Gods goodnesse hath no bottome God hath assured his Faithe to man and as Paule writeth he can not denie himself He offereth to be chalenged and reprooued if he hath not perfourmed his promises For thus hee speaketh in Esau to a wicked generation Lift vp your selues and be cleane take awaie the thoughte of euill cease from mischiefe learn to doo good seeke Iudgement helpe the oppressed Iudge the Innocent defend the Widowe and com and reproue me saith the Lorde Hearest thou now wretched man what els requireth our gratious God of thee but amendemente of life And that the enormity of thy haynous crimes may not exanimate thee attend to the ready remission If thy sinnes saithe he were as red as Scarlet I will make them as white as Snowe and if you will harken to mee you shall eate the Fruites of the Earthe O cursed Progeny of Eue why dost thou yeeld to the disceiptful promisses of the Diuell that allureth thee to destruction And art deafe at the Sonne of God which would assoceate thee with euerlasting ioy Repent saith he for the Kingdom of God is at hand The Sonne of God promiseth the Father commaundeth thee the Holy Ghoste inuiteth thee and yet thou arte Scrupulous to receiue that which is offered The voyce of the Apostles is the voyce of God and they crie Repent be baptised in the name of Iesus Christe for the remission of your sinnes and receiue the guifte of the Holy Ghoste Forsake your foule filthy and abhominable traditions and seeke the Kingdome of Heauen There runne vnto Christe Souldiers Publicanes Harlottes Idolaters Mansleares sorcerers bawdes Incestuous persons none are exempted all haue free course to the mercie of God their former life is not imputed to them if they repente and amende their liues Like as the grounde often moystened with Heauenly dewe and yet yeeldeth to his tiller nothinge but thornes and brambles is worthy to be had in contempt and to be geuen to the fire So God many times for the contempte of his goodnesse geueth sinners vp to their reprobate sense Wherefore it is beste to leaue of procrastination of amendment of life and when the Lord calleth vs to cast of the Olde man with his deedes and concupiscences least God which hath bene denied to be harde at the least refuse to heare our complaintes Horrible is the voyce wherewith he threateneth those which will not heare him that so graciously calleth Because saith he I haue called and you haue refused I haue stretched out my hand and there was no man that woulde looke because you haue despised my counsell and set at naughte my admonitions I will laughe at your destruction vvhen that shall com to passe whiche you feared when abortiue misery shal com vpon you and the stormes of destruction shal preuente you when sorowe and anger shall possesse and oppresse you then will you call vpon mee and I will not heare They wil rise betime in the morninge but they shal not find me because they haue hated my Discipline and haue bene voide of the feare of God haue not harkened vnto my counsell and haue defied my correction In this life there is hope of mercie Wherfore while thou liuest call for the grace of God and amend thy life The carefull God of our Saluation hathe suffered mighty and meruailous menne to erre that wee by their example might haue comfort and noâ— dispaire in hope of pardon In Holy Scripture who is more commended then Kinge Dauid who was bothe a Kinge and a Prophet a chosen man after the hartes delighte of God out of whose stocke came the Sauiour Christe But into howe many greeuous crimes fel so mighty a man Yet hearing Nathan pronounce the greeuous threatenings of God cried out Lorde I haue sinned And Nathan saide But the Lorde hath taken awaie thy sinnes thou shalt not die God suffered Peter to offende greeuously and yet when he had lamented he obteined mercie When he gaue him charge ouer the sheepe for which he shead his pretious bloud was it likely that he meant to remember the deniyng of him thrise No no he had so freely forgotten it that there remained no iote imprinted in the memory of our louing god Wee haue many examples of sinners and not a few of the penitent the example of none oughte to mooue vs to sinne let vs not to muche trie God if any man be encumbred with iniquity he hathe examples of repentance let
Rightuousnesse shall crowne thee Through thy euil gotten goods shalt thou perish The ioy and cherefulnesse of the hart is the pure life of man And his cleare conscience a sure fortresse against death The Tree of the field is knowen by his fruite So are the rotten thoughtes of the dissemblinge personne by his open deedes of malice Forgeue thy neighboure the hurte that he hath done thee so shall thy sinnes be forgeuen thee when thou praiest Remember the ende and lette enmitie passe which seketh death and destruction abide in the commaundement of thy God that thou maiste reape his blessinge They that reioyce at the fall of the rightuous shall be taken in the snare anguishe of harte shall consume them before they die Wrest not thou the law nor know whose eyes veweth all vertue seekes tâ— punish al wickednesse be not in the number of suche Hester 16. My right hand shal not spare the sinners and my sword shall not cease ouer them that sheadde the innocent bloud vpon earth Esdras 15. Despise not a man that turneth himself away from Sinne and cast him not in the teethe withal but remember we be all fraile and offenders Ecclesiast 8 Three thinges there be that my Spirite fauoureth the vnitie of Brethren and the loue of Neighbours a Man wife that agree well togeather Three things thereâ—f which my Soule hateth a Ritch man Couetous a poore man proude an Olde man that is vnchaste Eccle. 25. Oppresse not thou the Lawe nor knowe any person neither take any reward for gifts blind the wise and peruert the words of the Rightuous that which is iust shall then followe that thou mayst liue Leuit. 19. See that thou know no faces in iudgemente nor doo any vnrightuousnesse in iudgement in meatte Yearde in Waighte or in Measure trewe Ballances trewe waightes a trewe Ephâ— and a trewe line shall you haue to all men Ibidem Thou shalt not fauoure the poore nor honoure the mighty but in rightuousnesse shalt thou iudge thy Neighbour Ibidem Thou shalte not aduenge thy self nor be mindeful of a wrong but shalt loue thy Neighbour euen as thy selfe Iames. 1. As the Sunne riseth is heat and the grasse withereth and his flower falleth away the bewty of the fashion of it perisheth euen so shal the malitious ritch vnrightuous and dissemblinge person perish in the wickednesse of his waies Iudge nothinge before the time which will lighten thinges that are hidden in darknesse and open the Counsels of the harts so shall euery man haue praise of god Corinth 4. See thou robbe not the poore because he is weake and oppresse not the simple in iudgement for the Lorde him selfe wil defend their cause and doo violence to them that haue vsed violence Prouerb 22. God resisteth the prowde and geueth grace vnto the lowlie Iames. 4. Dispise not thou the chastening of the Lorde neither dispaire when he geueth thee aduersity for whom the Lorde loueth him he chasteneth yea he scourgeth with affliction euery sonne that he receiueth Hebr. 12 Lette euery man be swifte to heare slowe to speake slowe to wrath for the wrath of man worketh not that which is rightuous before God wherefore lay aparte all malice and with all meekenesse of harte exercise truthe and quietnesse Iames. 1. Lay aside all maliciousnesse and all guile fainednesse and enuie all backbitinge and as new borne Babes desire ye that Milke not of the Bodie but of the Soule whiche is without disceipte that ye may grow therby vnto saluacion 2. epist. Petr. The eies of the Lorde do gouerne the Rightuous and his eares open vnto their Praiers Ibidem cap. 3. The desire of the Lowlie is acceptable and the Lorde will encrease it but the hope of the Prowde is the indignation and in the freshnes of theyr labours wil he roote them out He that casteth out his words rashly woorketh care to his life but who so through silence seasoneth his thoughtes with wisedome is the Authoure of longe rest Euery labour geueth foorthe his fruite onely lippe laboure destroyeth time bringeth forth penurie The daies of aduersity are a blessing of God a cleare conscience is a continuall feaste A malitious man kindleth strife a foole vttereth his wrath in hast but a discrete person couereth wrong The Lorde abhorreth the praier of the malitious but who so humbleth his Praier in faith and Charitie shall finde his desire The desires of the Couetous man bring vpon him confusion but who so gathereth his Ritches with loue and fauour shall prosper Through Mercie and truthe sinnes are pardoned through Rightuousnesse and Faithe are thy prayers hearde and euill eschewed Rightuous lippes are pleasaunt vnto Kinges and dissemblinge tongues ouerthrowe hie Pallaces Better it is to be of humble minde with the Lowlie then to deuide the spoyles with the prowde Presumptuousnesse goeth before destruction after a prowd stomacke followeth a foule fall Mercie and faithfulnesse preserueth the Kinge and with louing kindenesse his seate is holden vp Who so followe Rightuousnesse and Mercy shal finde both life rightuousnesse and honour Like as the Golden pillers are vpon the sockettes of Siluer so are the bewtifull partes of the body vpon a wooman that hath a constant minde The harte of the foolishe is like a Carte wheele and his thoughts runne aboute like the Axeltree The wise man tempereth his rage with patience seasoneth his woordes with wisedome Who so is Mercifull and geueth Almes that is the righte thanckes offeringe but he that stoppeth his eares at the crie of the poore shal be cast downe crie him selfe and be not hearde All that is of the Earth shall turne to the Earthe againe all Brybes and Vnrightuousnesse shall perishe but Faithfulnesse and Truthe shall endure for euer Rewardes and giftes blinde eyes of the wise and make him runne that he cannot tell menne their faultes Let not thy mouth be accustomed with swearing for in it ther be many falles The heauinesse of the hart is al the pounishment and the wickednes of a woman goeth aboue all Like as to clime vp a sandie waie is to the feete of the aged euen so is a wife ful of woordes to a still quiet man. That woman that hathe bene vnfaithfull to the Lawe of the Highest and hathe broken Couenaunt with her Husband her children shall take no roote and as for her braunches they shall beare no fruit A shamefull reporte shall she leaue behinde her and her dishonoure shall not be put out Like as the Sunne when it ariseth is an ornamente in the highe Heauen of the Lorde so is a vertuous wife the bewty of all her house Perpetuall are the foundations that be laide vpon a whole stoany Rocke so are the Commaundements of God vpon the hart of a holy woman What so euer happen vnto thee receiue it suffer iâ— heauinesse shewed vnto thee that be aboue the capacitie of men Be not ashamed of thy freend in his aduersitie and keepe not backe thy counsell when it
may doo good neither hide thy wisedome in her beawty For rightuousnesse and truthe striue vnto death and God shall fight for thee againste thine enimies Make no tarryinge to turne vnto the Lorde and put not of from daie to daie for suddainly shal his wrath come and in the time of vengeaunce he shall destroy thee Truste not in wicked ritches for they shall not help thee in the day of pounishment and wrath Equity Mercy Iustice and Truthe shall deliuer thee In the bewtifull daies of thy prosperity forgeat not the foggy mistes of aduersity and when it goeth not well with thee haue a good hope it shall be better Happy is he that hath no heauinesse in his minde and is not fallen from his hope Let not to pray alwaies and stande in feare refourmed vnto death for the rewarde of God endureth for euer vnto them that will repente he hath geuen the way of rightuousnesse Note all these hither to be out of Ecclesiast A dissembling person wil vnfolde thy Secretes But he that loueth thee in truth wil faithfully stand with thee in perill Through the lyinge lippes of the malitious the innocente is destroyed But in the bewtie of his truth time shal deliuer him The innocente dealing of the iust shall leade them But the wickednesse of such as dissemble shal be their owne destruction The Lorde abhorreth them that be of fained harte But he hath pleasure to encrease the seede of the humble and faithfull Euery man shall enioy good according to the sayinges of his mouth and after the workes of his handes Doo they somme rightuousnesse and speake the Truthe The innocente person shal be deliuered out of trouble and the double dealer shall comme in steede Mercie and Faithfulnesse let neuer goe from thee binde them about thy necke and write them in the tables of thy harte Prou. 3 Be not wise in thine owne conceite but feare the Lord and departe from euill So shal thy vertue shine and thy healthes growe Ibidem These sixe thinges dooth the Lorde hate A proude looke a liynge tongue handes to shead innocente bloude an harte that goeth aboute with wicked imaginations feete that be swift in running to do mischeife a false witnesse that bringeth vp lies and such a one as soweth discord emongest brothers Prou. 6 Dissembling lippes kepe hatred secretly euill will stirreth vp strife but loue couereth the multitude of sinnes Prou. 10 The patient abidinge of the innocent shall be turned to gladnesse and the daies of his trouble are the sure signes of his Saluation Ibidem The perill that the vngodly are afrayde of shall come vpon their heads But the faythfull and the rightuous shall enherite theyr desires He that by violence sheaddeth any mans bloud shal be a Runnegate to his graue and his Posteritie shall be confounded with shame A man that dealeth faithfully shal be filled with blessinges and he that maketh too much haste to be ritche shal not be vnguilti Like as Hell and destruction are neuer full euen so the eyes of the couetuous men can neuer be satisfied The Seate of the Kinge that with Iustice and equitie faithfully iudgeth the poore shall encrease and stande for euer Many men like the Breade that is gotten with deceipt But at the last their mouthes shal be filled with grauell These three Prouerb all No force is least vnprepared against the day of battaile But the Lorde geueth the victorie He that soweth the seedes of malice shal reape sorrow and in the haruest of his crueltie shall he perish The ende of Equitie Iustice patience Truthe is Ritches Honoure Prosperity Health Who so geueth rewardes shall obteine the victory and triumphe But he taketh away the Soule of suche as receiue them Reioyce not thou at the fall of thine enimies and lette not thy hart be glad when he stombleth Least the Lorde when he seeth it be angry and turne his wrath from him to thee He that turneth away his eare from the needie or from his Neyghbour in necessitie his Prayer shal be abominable Sowe no euill seedes in the furrowes of vnrightuousnesse for the Lucre of any other mans Lordeship labour not vnto the Kynge for the seate of Honour so shalt thou go vntouched of anie misfortune Ecclesiast 7. Who so vniustly challengeth rule to himselfe shal be hated of the people Ecclesiast 20. Carrie thy wronges with patient harte and thinke of no reuenge the Lorde knoweth how to deliuer the Godly out of anguish and to reserue the malicious vnto the day of iudgement Petr. 4. If our hartes condemne vs not then haue we truste to Godwarde and what so euer we aske we receiue of him Iob. 3 For this purpose appeared the Sonne of God to lose the paines of Hell and the workes of the Diuel Ibidem Warres with greate discretion ought to be taken in hande for through strengthe of good Counsell thinges prosper that men deuise Pro. 24. When thou goest out to battaile against thine enemies and seest Horses and Charrets and people moe then thou be not afraide of them for the Lore thy God is with thee Deut. 20. If you go to warre againste your enimies that vexe you yee shal blowe with the Trumpets you shall be remembred before the Lorde your God to be saued from your enimies Num. 10. The victory of the Battaile stādeth not in the multitude of the host but the strength and Triumphe commeth from Heauen Macab 3 He that hathe cleane handes and a pure hart and that hathe not lifted vp his minde to vanitie nor sworne to deceiue his Neighboure he shall receiue the blessing from the Lorde and victory of his enemies rightuousnesse from the God of his Saluation c. Psalm 24. FINIS Sententiae Diuinae e Sacris Scripturis Patribusque collectae Deus DEus est Spiritus qui adorant eum oportet vt spiritu ac veritate eum adorent Alanus de conquestione Naturae Deus est splendor nunquam deficiens vita indefessa non motiens fons semper scaturiēs seminale vitae seminarium sapientiae principale principium initiale bonitatis initium August super illud Pater Nost Deus est in scipso sicut ALPHA OMEGA in Mundo sicut Rector Auctor in Angelis sicut Sapor Decor In Ecclesia sicut Paterfamilias in Domo in Anima sicut sponsus in Thalamo in Iustis sicut adiutor protector in reprobis sicut pauor horror August super Io. Ser. 29. Deus tibi totum est Si esuris panis tibi est si sitis aqua tibi est si in tenebris es lumen tibi est si nudus es in mortalitate tibi vestis est Christus Io. 8 Ego sum lux mundi qui sequitur me non ambulabit in tenebris sed habebit lumen vitae Ambro. in quodam ser Omnia habemus in Christo omnia in nobis Christus Si à vulnere curari desideras medicus est si febribus aestuas fons