art in heauen that is to say in a place deuoyde of labour and trouble We do not cal vpon the dead saintes or vppon such as are not able to helpe themselues when they stand in néed Wee runne not vnto those which either for their care and office in the common wealth or for their age are called fathers We make not our petition to Iupiter to Neptune to Mars or to other vaine gods which Sathan the enimie of thy diuine maiestie hath set vp in the worlde whome once almoste to name is great wickednes being false gods opposed agaynst the greatnesse of thy goodnesse and wisdom Some thinke their riches in their chest or bestowed vpon possessions to bee their father which are subiect to a thousand chances perils Some think their power and might which standeth on the loue and fauour of their subiects to be their father then the which thing nothing is more instable Other some thinke the grace and fauor of the prince being a man and by nature mortall in power weake and in will mutable to bee their father Thus euerie one maketh that vanitie wherein he foolishlie trusteth to be his father But we vppon whome through thy rich liberalitie thou hast vouchedsafe the dignitie of sonnes lifting vppe our eies vnto heauen doo call thee our Father and doo beg and craue of thee which arte in heauen whose presence notwithstanding dooth fulfill the whole world But the seat of thy kingdome for the excellencie of the place is saide to bee fixed and sette in heauen This heauen for the forme and beautie thereof and also for the appointed order which keepeth continually a certaine course dooth shewe foorth the highnesse of thine essence the greatnes of thy power and the immortalitie of thy nature O miserable men which hauing gotten so great a Father doo runne as yet to other Fathers of whom they may bee ashamed and from whom we receiue nothing but infirmitie euill and miserie But from thée the true father commeth power goodnesse and felicitie I am able sayth thy Apostle to doe all things through the helpe of Christe which strengtheneth me And in another place complaning of his weaknes thou spakest to him from heauen saieng My grace is sufficient for thee for my power is made perfect through weakenesse Thou art in heauen for vs that wee may know there to find thee our Father and that there a refuge is prepared for vs of the which we can not be disappoynted neither by deceipt nor by the force of enimyes All thinges are there secure safe because thou art there Thou art a moste mightie king and omnipotent God And yet to manie héere on earth thou art neither a king nor a God For euerie one maketh a king and a god to himselfe after his owne fantasie O Father which art in heuen the maker of all things and moste mightie Lorde hear vs we beséech thee which are héere troubled and turmoiled in earth which are trauellers and pilgrimes therein not onelie for a time but for the most part for a small moment of time Our Father is in heauen therefore our inheritance and happinesse is there why then doo wee seeke it on earth where there is nothing to be found but the naturall fruits of the earth as sickenesses cares troubles sorrowes greefes and vexations Make vs O Lorde to séeke thée in the heauens of sempiternall rest where thou hast prepared for vs all blessedfulnes Lift vp our hearts O heauenlie Father wee beséech thee vnto those heauens and inflame our mindes with the loue and desire of those good thinges which thou hast there prepared for vs the greatnes excellencie where of surmounteth the vnderstanding capacitie of man For the which blessed bee thy name for euermore Amen 1 Hallowed be thy Name THat is the true proper name belonging to euerie thing by which name the vertue and inclination of the same thing is declared but who shall giue vnto thee O Lord a conuenient and proper name the greatnes of whose essence neither the mindes of men nor of angels is able to comprehende Yet wee vnderstande that to be thy name by which wee may best comprehende thee As when in thy worde thou art called Schaddai that is to saie All sufficient Iehouah that is to saie Of thy selfe euerlasting Thou art also called immortall the king the Lorde and the maker of all things Thou art called most righteous moste wise and the most mercifull Sauiour And therefore wee saie with the Prophet in the Psalme O God according vnto thy name so is thy praise vnto the worldes end Hallowed bee this thy name in vs O Father that wee maye thinke nothinge more sacred more holie and blessed than the same that we may worship thée and submit our selues onelie to thy name Sende downe wee beséech thee into our hearts thy heauenlie light of true knoledge that we may call vppon thee alone that wee may looke to be holpen by thy helpe and aid alone and that wee put not our trust in other momentanie temporall transitorie and deceyueable helpes but that we may haue our whole confidence onlie in thee which alone canst and wilt and art wont to helpe Glorifie thy name O Father in vs by the Gospell of thy sonne Christ and by the same also finishe the woorke which thou hast begun in vs that we may perseuere in the way of godlinesse to the ende of our life that so abiding in thy name wee may also bee sanctified by thée Sanctifie thy name so in vs O heauenly Father that we may be able to teach others not onelie in worde but also in example of godlie life that thy holie name bee not euill spoken of among the gentils who séeing our corrupte life maie take occasion thereby to condemne thy holy gospel because we which are the professors thereof are not hallowed in our conuersation But make our light so shine before men that they seeing our good works may glorifie thee our heauenlie Father And to the ende thy name may be magnified thoroughout the whole worlde make O Lord all those whom thou hast chosen partakers with vs of this felicitie Spread forth the bright beames of thy light vpon mankind illumine their mindes inflame their affections that all as it is méet and right may sanctifie thy name not in profession onely but also in the true loue of godlinesse For then shall thy name bee hallowed when thy sonne Iesus Christ our onelie Sauiour which is thy glorie is thus knowne To whome with thée and the holie ghost be all honour and glorie world without end Amen 2 Thy kingdome come RAigne thou O lord in vs rule and gouerne vs wee beséech thee for our subiection to thee is a moste happie fréedome By the fall of our first parents wee are made thrall to sinne death and the deuill the power of whose kingdome wee doo too often féele in vs. But thou hast ordained and appoynted thy beloued Sonne to treade down the
serpents head that thou alone in vs mightest haue the preheminence and that we might bee made partakers of the blessed inheritance of thy heauenlie kingdome Of this kingdome thou haste long since spoken by the mouthes of thy holie Prophets As that thou hast set thy king vppon Sion thy holie Mountaine and that thy throne O God is for euer and euer and the Scepter of thy kingdome a Scepter of righteousnesse To this kingdome of thy welbeloued son thou hast translated vs from the kingdome of darkenesse setting vs frée from the penaltie of sin and deliuering vs into the glorious libertie of thy sonnes Who then shall be able to laie anie thing to our charge It is thou O god which doost iustifie who shall then condemne It is Christ thy sonne and our king and Sauiour that died for vs nay rather which is risen againe and sitteth at thy right hande making intercession continuallie to thee for vs to bring vs vnto that heauenlie kingdome By this kingdome thou hast giuen vs euen in this life peace of conscience righteousnesse and reioicing in the holie ghost Encrease this ioy in vs O Lorde that our whole delight may bee to serue thée in holines and righteousnes all the dayes of our life Keepe vs O Lord from the poyson of false doctrine idolatrie superstition and incredulitie by which sathan vpholdeth his tyrannicall kingdome Mortifie and subdue in vs all carnall desires and lusts by thy holie spirite and by the same abandon out of our mindes vncleane thoughts breake the snares of sinne that the whole kingdome of the deuill may be destroied in vs. Renue thy kingdome in vs O heauenly Father we humblie beséech thee by giuing vnto vs the true knowledge of thée and thereby a liuelie faith in thy sonne Christ and regenerate vs by his holie spirit and word that by the obedience of faith wee maie wholelie be subiect vnto thée alone Make vs O Lorde to despise the glorie pompe and plesures of this worldly kingdome which sathan promiseth to the worshippers of him that we may still desire from our hearts euen as the Hart desireth the water Brookes the fruition of thy heauenlie kingdome The glorie and pleasures whereof are eternall and most delectable But the pleasures of this life momentanie and vaine and yet mixed with manifolde myseries Heere wee are vexed with tyrannies of beastes and of men The earth the water and fire as wearie of vs continuallie warreth agaynst vs. Those good creatures which thou hast giuen vs manie times through our sinnes are hurtfull and noysome vnto vs yea we are disquieted with our own bodies and with our own affections As menne therefore wearie of this wretched worldlie kingdome and desiring to be dissolued from the burthen of the flesh we heartilie praie thee that thy celestiall kingdome may come for our deliuerance where there is no hunger no nakednes no labour no infirmiite no sickenesse no infamie no hatred no enimie no dissimulation no warre no sorrow no moorning no feare no death All thinges are there ioyfull and full of blisse saluation and peace are euerie where and whatsoeuer happines may be wished for in such wise as neither the eie hath séene nor the eare hath heard nor at anie time hath entred into the heart of man Let this thy kingdome come O heauenly father we humblie pray thée For all the afflictions of this life are not so grieuous vnto vs as the ioy of this kingdome delights vs. Therefore with sighes and groues wee desire that this thy kingdom may come vppon vs as the reward of our conflict as the garlande and crowne of our course as the happie hauen of rest after our tossing on the surging Seas of this world which thou shalt giue vs for the merits of thy déere sonne Iesus Christ to whom with thée and the holie Ghost be all honor praise and glory world with out end Amen 3 Thy will be doone OUr knowledge our vnderstanding and our wil by naturall corruption O Lord is blind dul and rebellious against thy holie will insomuch that the naturall man vnderstandeth not heauenlie thinges nor desireth the participation of thy euerlasting kingdome but is an enimie vnto the same Therefore thy sentence remaineth true at what time thou saiedst Man is but flesh and all the imaginations of mans heart are euill For this cause we pray as thy beloued sonne hath taught vs héere that not ours but Thy will be doone Thy will is iust holie good and full of sauing health euen as thou art the bottomlesse well of all goodnesse and righteousnesse it selfe And as thou art our louing and most mercifull Father so there is no cause whie we shoulde doubt of thy good will which surmounteth the louing kindnesse of all earthlie fathers Thy will O god is omnipotent and euerlasting without shadowe of change thou wilt doo whatsoeuer séemeth good vnto thee and thy will shall stande for euer and euer and the thoughts of thy hart throughout alages Giue vs grace louing Father wee beseech thée that as we are ignorant of this thy secret will so we may alwayes humblie like obedient children submit our selues vnto the same to bee ordered thereby as shall séeme best to thy diuine wisedome But at this time O Lord especiallie wee pray for the execution of thy reuealed will which thy onely begotten son our sauiour hath manifested vnto vs in his most holy gospell and which at this day is reuealed vnto vs by the preaching of the same that wee might bee saued through Iesus Christ in whom thou hast chosen vs from euerlasting that wee might bee heires of his kingdome For this is thy wil saith our sauior christ that euerie one which beléeueth in the son should haue eternall life Giue vs fayth therefore O heauenlie Father wee beseech theee that this thy will may bee perfected and accomplished in vs that wee may tend vnto that end whereunto thou hast appointed vs That wee may beléeue in thee feare thee and loue thee for thy so great and fatherlie mercyes in Iesus Christ our Sauiour powred vpon vs. Let this thy most holie and holsome will be fulfilled in vs that being iustified through the merits of thy beloued sonne and thorough faith in him we may bee ioyned with thée Furthermore thy will is O god that they which are redéemed by thy sonne and doo stedfastlie beleeue in him should shew themselues obedient thankefull and readie to walke in his commaundements and that wee beeing wholie consecrated vnto him shoulde giue our selues to innocencie and puritie should not anie more defile our bodies with the filthines of sins which hee hath made the temples of the holie ghost For this is thy will O God euen our holinesse that wee should abstaine from fornication that euery one of vs should kéepe our vessell in sanctification and honour and not to walke in the lust of concupiscence as do the heathen which know not thee And as thou O father wouldest haue vs
The Poore Mans Pater noster with a preparatiue to praier Wherto are annexed diuers godly Psalmes and Meditations Collected out of the sacred Scriptures by Thomas Timme Minister Newly Imprinted the second time by Peter Short dwelling on Bredstreet hill at the signe of the Starre 1598. The life of a Christian man 1 Remember thy maker 2 Be thankful alwaies to God for his benefits 3 Loue the Lord thy God with al thy soul and all thy strength 4 Beleeue that he is thy heauenly father for his sonne Iesus Christs sake 5 Serue him with feare worship him and call vpon his holy name 6 As thou louest God so loue thy brother also 7 Let the loue of God in thee restraine the concupiscence of the flesh and prouoke thee to good works Let the loue of thy brother hold thee backe from dooing iniurie and pricke thee forward to doo good And remember alwaies that thou art borne to die A Preparatiue to praier PRaier is a talking not of the toong but of a faithfull mind with God by when wee aske of him some good thing either for our selues or for some others or else doe giue him thankes for his benefites 2 When thou commest to pray first prepare thy minde that it may bee free from all worldlie cares and that the affections of thy minde may bee quiet for the place of the Lorde is not in commotions but in quiet and rest Reuerence 3 Remember the maiestie of him beefore whome thou standest whoe as hee is the maker of heauen and earth so also is he the mightie soueraigne ouer the whole world 4 Remember that his eye seeth all things yea euen the actions the secret thoughts of thy heart Deuotion 5 If thou praye with thy mouth not with thy minde thy praier shal be but a tempting of the Lorde and a sacrifice of fooles Humilitie 6 Praye in humilitie of minde shaking off all confidence of thine owne worthynes and say thus O Lord righteousnesse belongeth vnto thee and to vs open shame We do not present our supplications before thee for our owne righteousnes but for thy great tender mercies I haue begun to speake vnto my Lord I am but dust and ashes Father I haue sinned against heauen before thee and am no more worthie to bee called thy son O God be mercifull vnto mee a sinner 7 Pray not hypocriticallie to seeme deuout in the eyes of men but secretly and thy father which seeth in secret will reward thee openly Contrition 8 Pray with a contrite hart and sorrowfull minde when thou crauest of God remission of sinnes Fasting 9 When thou praiest fast and abstaine from carnall delightes for thereby thou shalt bee made more apte and feruent in praier Faith 10 Pray in faith and with a sure trust and confidence in God without the which thou shalt not obtaine For euerie one that commeth vnto God must beleeue that God is and that hee is a rewarder of them that seeke him 11 Lette him that asketh aske in fayth and wauer not for hee that wauereth is like a waue of the Sea tossed with the winde and let not that man thinke that hee shall receyue anie thinge from the Lord. 12 Faith is the gift of God Therefore praye daylie with the disciples of Christ which said Lord increase our faith Lord helpe my vnbeleefe 13 The true knowledge of God learned out of his word will greatlye confirme thy fayth As when thou shalte knowe that he is louing kind mercifull gratious long suffering iust c. Also that hee is most readie to heare vs and to grant our petitions 14 God is omnipotent therefore hee is able to giue whatsoeuer thou askest God is mercifull and therefore hee will giue that which is profitable for thee 15 God giueth liberallie to those that aske of him For Salomon craued but wisdom and had both it and riches and honor in wonderfull measure And Iehosaphat which desired onelye water in his extreame thirst for him and his hoast had both the same granted and victorie also ouer the Moabites 16 God seeth and knoweth thy neede before thou askest yet to shewe thy obedience by this seruice which hee hath commaunded and also to exercise thy fayth thou muste receyue those thinges whereof thou hast neede by inuocating and calling vppon his name New obedience 17 As thou doest professe thy selfe to bee the son of God by praying vnto him and by calling him thy Father so shewe thy selfe an obedient sonne in deed by walking in his commandements 18 Let thy whole cōuersation be agreeing with thy prayers for thy continuall walking in sin will make thy praiers abhominable 19 Pray for nothing contrarie to the will of God reuealed in his holie worde For if thou praye to this ende to haue the desires of thy fleshe fulfilled thou shalte not receyue 20 That thy principal mark may be the glorifieng of God Seeke first the kingdome of God and the righteousnesse thereof and all other thinges shall be giuen vnto thee Perseuerance in praier 21 Perseuere in prayer and bee not discouraged though at the first thy petition bee not graunted For the Lord dooth sometimes deferre and delaie vs not that hee is vnmindfull of his promises but to trie our faith either els the more to stir vp our godly affections or to make his giftes more sweete and precious vnto vs as appeareth by the woman of Canaan and by Paule himselfe 22 When our Sauior Christ forbiddeth much babling hee meaneth not long prayers but long babling withoute faith and the spirit For length of wordes ioyned with length of earnest affection dooth not displease God 23 Christ himselfe praied all the night vppon the mountaine and before his death hee made long praiers he commandeth vs to pray cōtinually The force of true praier 24 Great is the force of faithfull praier for therby Abraham obteined life for Ismael Lot that Zoar might not be burnt in the destruction of Sodome Moyses victorye agaynste the Amalachites Eliah both drouth and raine Ezechias the prolonging of his life fifteene yeeres and such like 25 Let prayer be thy refuge in all trouble and distresse Call vppon mee in the time of trouble saith the Lord so will I deliuer thee and thou shalt glorifie me 26 Hannah beeing contumeliously handled by Penninnah betaketh hir selfe to praier Sara the daughter of Raguel beeing reproched entereth into her Chamber and there maketh hir praier Dauid being persecuted saith thus For my friendship they were mine aduersaries but I gaue my selfe to praier 27 Praier thus prepared and practised will bee a gard for children an ornament for yoong men a solace and consolation for olde men and a surpassing beautie for women It will driue away diuels It will procure Angelles of defence from heauen and it will bee a sacrifice of a good sauour vnto God pearcing the heauens and will not returne againe emptie The praier of a penitent sinner O Father of heuen O sonne of God Redéemer
daies of my life Another confession of sinnes I Thy poor creature vnworthie to appeare before thy mightie maiesty O moste gracious Lorde doo powre downe euen heere before thee my sacke that is full with sinnes which I haue committed euen from my youth They are great and manie without number Neuerthelesse trusting of thine accustomed and naturall propertie to bee mercifull to all sinners that beeing sorie for the committing of their offences with all their hearts call and turne to thee acknowledging and knowing that thou diddest not sende thy louing sonne to call those that seeme in their owne conceits to be iust but to call those to repentance which confesse themselues to bee sinners I therfore Lord willing by the helpe of thy grace vtterlie to forsake sinne and to fulfill thy holie will héereafter desire thee humblie of forgiuenes and to admit me among the number of those that are blessed and their vnrighteousnesse forgiuen I will not hide from thee my sinnes neither yet excuse them But I praie thee gratious Lorde and most louing Father to hide them in the bloody wounds of thy Sonne Christ where they shall bee put in perpetuall obliuion For who so couereth his owne iniquitie thou wilt discouer it to all the worlde at the daie of iudgement to his shame Thou wilt then haue him stripped as naked as hee was borne that is his shame shall not be hid but manifest to all men in that day Wherfore I will not hide my wound my selfe to the intent thou my good Surgeon maiest lay a playster theron to couer it betime that the deuill mine enimie neuer espie where it was A praier to be said before the receiuing of the holy Communion O Lord although I be not worthie to receiue thee into the house of my soule for mine innumerable offences and sinnes doone against thy great goodnes yet trusting good Lorde in thy great pittie and infinit mercie I come to receiue thy blessed bodie as a sicke creature to thee that art the health of life vncleane to thee that art the well of mercie blinde by ignorance to thée that art the light euerlasting néedie of grace and poore in vertue to thee that art the king of heauen and earth naked of good workes to thée that art the author of grace I come as a wretch to thee my Lord and maker all desolate and comforties thou that art my helpe and succour for besides thee there is no consolation I come as a sinner vnto thee that art the mediator and meane between God and man I come as a caitife to thee my most mercifull sauiour I come all sinfull vnto thée the granter of remission and pardon dead by sinne to thee the restorer of life euill to thee that art all goodnesse hard hearted to bee relieued by the infusion of superabundant grace beseeching and desiring thee most méekelie to heale mine infirmitie and sickenesse to wash and clense awaie all my sinnes and filthinesse and to lighten my blindnesse and reduce mee into the right waie for I am out thereof to comfort mee being desolate and without anie one poynt of goodnesse Haue mercie on my wickednes pardon my sinfulnesse giue mee the light of grace buried drowned in sin that I may receiue thee the foode of angels the king of glorie the Lorde of all lordes with such chastitie of bodie with such purenesse and cleannesse of soule with such contrition of heart and abundance of wéeping teares with such spirituall ioy and gladnes with such dread and reuerence with such faith hope and charitie with such obedience and humilitie with such loue and deuotion faithfulnesse thankfulnesse as it is beséeming for such a Lord to be receiued and to my soule most expedient And bee not displeased good lord that I a sinner with an vncleane hart and polluted minde come hither this daie to receiue thy precious bodie in sacramentall bread wine but remember merciful Lord thou that refusedst not the sinfull Magdalen being penitent from the kissing of thy blessed feet And in like wise despise mee not nor put thou me away as vnworthie from the receiuing of thy bodie in the blessed sacrament for my sins and vnkindnesse but grant thou me compunction of heart plentie of wéeping teares to wash my sins and wickednesse so that with a pure heart and cleane conscience I maie this daie receiue the Sacrament to my soules health that I may obteine and possesse therby euer lasting life with all holie saints in heauens glorie and in this present life to be replenished with thy holie spirite and neuer to admit other louer besides thee Grant me blessed Iesu for to receiue the sacrament of bread and wine that I maie be worthie to be counted for a member of thy mysticall body here in earth and though as yet I bee not anie way worthie to be numbred amongest the simplest and lowest of thy seruants but rather to be reiected and cast out for my simplenes yet good Lorde for thine infinite power thou make me equall and like to the merits of thine elect and chosen seruantes Come thou Father of the fatherlesse comfort of the comfortlesse come and clense my soule from all contagiousnes of sinne for it is not conuenient and according there to bee anie vncleannesse where thou the spouse of virginall chastitie should come in and dwell Come apparell my soule with such ornaments of vertue and grace that it may delight thée therein to dwel and abide And as thou disdainest not to touch the sore leapers with thy holie hande so good Lorde vouchsafe to annoint my simple soule with the ointment of remission and pardon that in this life by stedfast hope firme faith and perfect charitie I may so increse in vertue from daie to daie that I may attaine to the glorious fruition of thy godhed in the kingdome of heauen where I may see thée face to face worlde without ende Amen A thankesgiuing after the receiuing of the Communion I Thanke thee good Lord of thine infinit goodnes that thou this day hast fedde mee with thy bodie and bloud in the Sacrament desiring thee méekelie that this Sacrament which I haue receiued may be to mee a purgation and cleansing of my sinnes a fortitude and spirituall strength against my frailtie and sure defence agaynst worldlie troubles a purchasing of grace and pardon a medicine of life and a continuall remembrance of thy passion so that in the waie it may conduct and guide mee when I am out of the way it may reduce mee when I stumble it may vpholde me and when I am fallen it may raise me so that by good continuance in thy will to euerlasting glorie it may bring me and so to order the tallage and taste of my heart that I nere féele other swéetnes but thee that I neuer séeke other loue but thee nor none other comforter besides thée so that I care for none other honour but thine And giue me such a perfect loue
forwarde in that good course like a louing nurse vnto thy church Giue her wisdom vnderstanding to do that thing which is acceptable vnto thee profitable for vs her subiects and hurtfull to none Grant her O Lorde a perpetuall time long life and continuall felicitie Protect her as the apple of thine eie and deliuer thou her not into the handes of her enimies Giue her victorie O God we beséech thée ouer all thine her enimies and blesse all her godlie actions in such wise that all the worlde maie knowe and the posteritie to come may say that thy mightie arme hath raised vp in England a Debora a Iudith an Hester and a nourcing Queene for thy Church Make her to reioyce in thy strength and mightily to triumph in thy saluation Grant her the desires of her heart and denie not the petitions of her lips Let thy heauie hand O Lord light vpon her enemies and thy right hand find out all such as hate her and enuy her prosperitie Saue our Queene O louing father from all her enimies which either secretlie or openlie go about to bring her life to the graue and her glory to the dust Let her finish her course O God in a good age an old woman and of great yeares to the comfort of thy church and the glorie of thy name and to her euerlasting saluation thorough Iesus Christ in thy heauenlie kingdome Amen A Psalme of praises and thanksgiuing to God for his benefites PRaise the lord ye that feare him magnifie him all ye of the séede of Iacob For hee hath not abhorred nor despised the affliction of the poore neither hath hee hidde his face from him but when he called vnto him hee heard him Sing praises vnto the lord all yee his saintes and giue thanks to him for a remembrance of his holinesse For who is God beside the Lord and who is mightie saue our God Praise ye the Lord with me and let vs magnify his name togither Thy mercie O Lord reacheth vnto the heauens and thy faithfulnes to the clouds How excellent is thy mercie O God therefore the children of men trust vnder the shadow of thy wings Thou art the father of the fatherlesse and a iudge of the widowes euen God in his holie habitation Thou art the god which helpest vs and powrest thy benefits vpon vs. Thou art our god of whom commeth saluation God is the Lord by whom we escape death Blessed is the people O lord that can reioyce in thée they shall walke in the light of thy countenance Thou Lord art slew to anger and of great mercie Thou hast not dealt with vs after our sins nor rewarded vs according to our iniquities O speak good of the Lord al ye works of his in all places of his dominion praise thou the Lord O my soule Another MY hart is fixed O God my heart is fixed I will sing and giue praise Vnto thee O my strength will I sing for God is my defence and my mercifull God For thy louing kindnesse is better than life it selfe my lips shall praise thée As long as I liue will I magnifie thee on this maner and lift vp mine hands in thy name My soule shall be satisfied as it were with marrow and fatnesse when my mouth praiseth thée with ioifull lips I will alwaies giue thanks vnto the Lord his praise shall be in my mouth continually I sought the Lord and hee heard me and deliuered mee out of all my feare Praised be God which hath not put backe my praier nor his mercie from me Thou hast deliuered me fro my strong enimie and from them that hate me and hast drawne mee out of manie troubles Thou hast giuen mee the shield of thy saluation thy right hand hath staied me and thy louing kindnes hath caused me to increase What reward shall I giue vnto the Lord for all the bene fits he hath done vnto me I will thanke thée O Lord my God with all my heart and will praise thy name for euermore For great is thy mercie toward me and thou hast deliuered my soule from the nethermost hell Therfore my praise shall be of thée in the great congregation my vowes will I perform in the sight of them that feare thee Thou art my god and I wil thanke thee thou art my God and I will praise thee Blessed be the Lorde God euen the God of Israel which onelie dooeth woonderous things And blessed be the name of his maiestie for euer and all the earth shall be filled with his Maiestie Amen A Psalme of blessedfulnesse BLessed is he whom thou O Lorde dooest elect and causest to come vnto thée he shall dwell within thy courts Blessed is he whose wickednesse is forgiuen and whose sinne is couered Blessed is the man to whom the Lord imputeth not iniquitie and in whose spirit there is no guile Blessed is the man that putteth his trust in the Lord. Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord and delighteth greatlie in his commandements Blessed are they that dwell in thine house they will euer praise thee Blessed is the man that doth not walke in the counsell of the wicked nor stande in the waie of sinners nor sit in the seate of the scornfull Blessed is the man whose strength is in thee in whose heart are thy wayes Blessed are they that are vpright in their way and walke in the law of the Lord. Blessed are they that kéepe iudgement and doo righteousnesse at all times Blessed is he that considereth the poore and néedie the Lord shall deliuer him in the time of trouble Blessed is the man whome thou chastisest O Lorde and teachest him thy law Blessed are they that kéepe his testimonies and seek him with their whole hart Secrete Meditations of the hart to stir vs vp vnto godlinesse BY creation I am a man made of earth therefore transitorie mortall Yet indued with a minde that is to say with vnderstanding reason and iudgement by which I may vnderstand that most excellent goodnesse which is God and may bee ioyned with him in immortalitie and blessednesse But my reason vnderstanding and iudgement beeing by the malice of Sathan corrupted I do neglect this happinesse I rather séeke to enioy the delights and pleasures of my flesh In the most vile transitorie things I occupie my whole minde I ouerwhelme my selfe wholie with earth of heauenlie I make my selfe earthlie and change my selfe from a reasonable man into a brute beast But god who once loued me in his sonne Christ dooth not forsake mee but calleth mee still outwardlie by his word and inwardlie by his holie spirite and knocketh at the doore of my heart and minde that I might loue him feare him and serue him Yet I am deafe and blind and being more stonie hearted than flint dooth féele nothing O vnthankefull wretch that I am which doo neglect and despise so great benefites God gently offereth to lead me by the hande and I stubbornlie turne awaie my face from him Awake my soule lift vp thy selfe and lette vs not thus wallow in our filthines stoutlie striue thou agaynst wicked custome tread vnder thy foote these contemptible and vile delightes and couet after the most excellent things Nowe God calleth I will hearken to him hee leadeth me and I will follow him he offereth himselfe and I will take the oportunitie hee sheweth the waie to euerlasting blessednesse I will not turne away my face but will séeke to attaine ¶ Print these things in thy minde and let them not be in vaine and ineffectuall cogitations but put them in practise and thou shalt receiue the fruit FINIS To Jesus Christ I Iesus my ioy and comfort onlie good E Euer to stand and neuer to decay S Sathan be fel be fierce and furious wood V vorld do thy worst sin do thou not stay S Speed you to spil plie to beare the sway C Crosse be my share carking be my hire H Hartbreak my cōfort sadnes my feast R Railing my recōpence by toongs of fire I Iesus be mine these things are he lest S So art thou mine ful fixed in my thoght T Trusty O Christ O world vile vaine and nought 1598 SVBLIME DEDIT OS HOMINI ¶ Printed at London Peter Short dwellin Bredstreet hill at the signe of the Star