into thine hand I doc commend both my soule my bodie my sight hearing tasting smelling and feeling with al my cogitations affections actions outward and inward things my sense and vnderstanding my memorie my faith and beleefe and perseuerance that thou maiest keepe them daie and night euerie houre and moment O sacred Trinitie heare my petition and saue me from al euil f Matt. 6 13 from offending and from sinning anie maner of waie from al snares and pursutes of Satan and of enimies visible and inuisible Expel far fro me the hautinesse of mind and increase within me the sorowe of hart diminish my pride and establish true humilitie within my breast fetch teares from mine eies mollifie mine hard and stonie hart and saue Lord both me my soule from al traps of the enimie and continue me in thy pleasure Teach me to doe thy wil g Ps 143 10. for thou art my God Giue me perfect sense vnderstanding ô Lord that I may be able to conceaue the deepenes of thy mercie Grant me grace to beg that at thine hands which may both be ioiful for thee to grant and behooueful for me to receaue Make me vnfainedlie to bewaile my sinnes and manifold offences Heare ô my Lord and my God h Psal 7 1. 3. heare ô light of mine eies i Iohn 1 9. heare my petition and grant that what I request I may obteine If thou despise I am vtterlie vndone if thou heare me I take hart againe If thou examinest my righteousnes lo I stinke like a dead carrion but if in mercie thou respect mee thou raisest him that stinketh out of the graue What thou hatest in me remooue far fro me and ingraffe the spirit of chastitie and of a cleane life in my mind that in asking anie thing at thine hands I may not offend thee in asking the same Take fro mee whatsoeuer is hurtful to my soule and giue what is behooueful O Lord giue me a salue to heale my greeuous woundes Indue me good Lord with thy feare k Psal 2 11. with sorowe of hart l Psa 51 17. with humilitie of minde m Ecc. 23 4. and with a pure conscience n Psal 24 4. Giue me grace Lord to keepe brotherlie concord euermore o Rom. 12 verse 10. 1. Pet. 2 17. to remember my transgressions not to meddle with the dealings of other men Pardon my soule pardon my sinnes my wickednes pardon ô pardon mine offences p Psal 51 2. 9. Visit me that am weake cure me that am sicke heale me that doth languish raise me which am dead O Lord giue me both an hart to dread thee a mind to loue thee sense to knowe thee eares to heare thee eies to see thee Haue mercie on me ô God haue mercie on me looke vpon me from the holie seate of thy Maiestie and illuminate the darknes of mine hart with the beame of thy brightnes Giue me wisedome ô Lord to discerne betweene good and euil and grant me a watchful vnderstanding Forgiue al my sinnes I beseech thee and in the time of necessitie troble q Ps 37 39. be thou good and gratious to me I onelie beseech thee After thy woonted mercie most louing kindnes ô Lord I beseech thee vouchsafe to giue me y e life which euer shal endure O Lord Iesus Christ giue both to thy ministers vnitie of mind and to magistrates iudging vprightlie peace and tranquillitie Furthermore ô Lord my request is for the whole catholike and holie Church for men and women for religious and for secular men for al Christian gouernors people beleeuing in thy Name which labor for thine holie loue that they may haue grace to continue in wel doing O Lord eternal King giue to virgins chastitie to the vnmaried continencie to the wedded puritie to repenters mercie to widowes and orphanes comfort to the poore protection to trauelers a safe returne to mourners consolation to seafaring men a ioiful hauen to the good zeale to persist to the wel inclined a mind to prooue better to the wicked and sinful as to me wretch grace with speede to repent O sweete Lord and most merciful Iesus Christ Sonne of the liuing God r Mat. 16 16 redeemer of the world ſ Tit. 2 14. Col. 1 14. 1. Pet. 2 22. 24. I acknowledge that among al and aboue al sinners I am wretched but thou most gratious and hie Father who takest mercie vpon al canst not suffer me to be vtterlie destitute of thy mercie O thou Lord King of kings t 1. Tim. 6 verse 15. Reu. 19 16. who grantest truce of life stir in me a mind alwaie and aboue al things to seeke to desire to loue to feare thee and to do thy wil who art euerie-where al whole u Iob. 23 8. 9 c. Eccl. 23 18. 19. a Trinitie and but one God x Mal. 2 10. Especialie ô Lord holie Father who art blessed and glorious for euermore I beseech thee in most humble sort vouchsafe to gouerne keepe them from destruction who either doe make mention of mee in their praiers or haue commended themselues to mine vnwoorthie supplication or haue done good whether it bee vnto my bodie with tēporal benefits or to my soule with profitable instructions or be linked vnto me either in kinred frendship or goodwil Furthermore both for al Christians which are aliue I praie thee stand thou at their elbowe to assist them and for such also as are dead and euerlastinglie doe rest from their labors y Reu. 14 13 I yeeld thee immortal praise Finalie this one thing more grant me ô Lord I do earnestlie beseech thee who art Alpha and Omega z Reuel 1 8. Reuel 21 6. that when the vttermost daie and end of my life shal come thou wilt be a merciful iudge to me against that malicious accuser a Reu. 12 10 the diuel and that thou wilt continualie protect me against the snares of the old serpent b Reu. 12 2. and finalie conduct me into the societie of Angels and of al Saints in thy holie paradise who art blessed now and euermore Amen Chap. 40. A deuout praier in memorie of the passion of Christ O Lord Iesu Christ my redemption a Col. 1 14. my mercie and my saluation b Matt. 1 21. I doe praise thee yeeld thee thanks although far vnanswereable I confes to thy benefits although not zealous enough although verie leane from the desired fatnes of thy sweete affection yet such as it hath not as I knowe it oweth and as it is able my soule paieth vnto thee O thou hope of mine hart and strength of my soule let thy diuine power fulfil what my luke warme weaknes endeuoreth to bring to passe ô my life and thou end of my thought And though I haue not hitherto deserued so greatlie to loue as I am bound yet my desire is to loue euen as I ought
thy sonne whome thou broughtest foorth into this world and respect not so mine euil which I haue done that thou forget the good which thou hast made What father is there but would saue his sonne or what sonne whome the father with the rod of mercie wil not correct Wherefore ô Father and Lord although I be a sinner yet I cannot but be thy sonne because thou hast both made me l Iob. 10 8. Psal 119 75. and renued me m Col. 3 9. 10. As I haue sinned amend me but first deliuer me to thy sonne being reformed with y e scourge Can a woman forget hir child n Esa 49 15 notwithstanding though she should yet thou father hast promised neuer to forget Behold I crie and thou hearest me not I am vexed with sorow and yet find no comfort What shal I saie or what shal I do wretch that I am I destitute of such consolation am cast from the sight of thine eies Wo is me from what felicitie into what miserie am I fallen whether did I bend my selfe and to what passe am I come where am I wretch and where am I not vnto whome did I aspire and wherin do I now sigh I sought after good things but behold vexation Lo I now labor and Iesus is not with me Doubtles better were it for me not to be at al than to be without Iesus Better is it not to liue than to liue without life And now ô Lord Iesus where be thy former mercies o Ps 89 49. wilt thou be angrie with mee for euer p Psa 85 5. Be pacified at the length I beseech thee and haue mercie vppon me neither hide awaie thy face fro me q Psa 27 9. who for my redemption didest not turne thy face from such as reprooued and spat vpon thee r Matt. 27 vers 27 c. 30. I confesse in deede I haue sinned and that my conscience deserueth damnation I acknowledge also that no penance can satisfie for my sinnes but certaine it is that thy mercie is more than al my sinnes O most gratious Lord write not thou bitter things against me ſ Iob. 13 26. neither enter thou into iudgement with thy seruant t Psa 143 2. but according to the multitude of thy compassions put awaie mine iniquities u Psal 51 1. Wo to me wretch when the daie of iudgement shal come and the bookes of each mans conscience be opened x Reu. 20 verse 12. 13. when it shal be said of me Behold the man and his workes What shal I then do ô Lord my God when the verie heauens shal reueale mine iniquitie and the earth rise vp against me Surelie I shal be able to saie nothing but hang-downe mine head for verie griefe of hart and stand trembling and confounded before thy presence Alacke wretch what may I saie shal I crie vnto thee my Lord God wherefore am I consumed saieng naught but though I do speake yet wil not my griefe haue end and if I be stil silent I shal be vexed inwardlie with most bitter sorow O my soule mourne thou like a virgin for the husband of hir youth y Ioël 1 8. howle thou miserable wretch and weepe because thine husband euen Christ z Eph. 5 25. hath forsaken thee O wrath of the almightie fal not thou vpon me for I cannot beare thee because there is not that strength in me that I can endure thee But haue mercie on me ô God that I despaire not but in despaire let me hope againe And although I haue done that which deserueth damnation yet hast not thou forgone that whereby thou art wont to salue O Lord thou wilt not the death of sinners neither doest thou reioice in the destruction a Eze. 18 23. of the dieng but that the dead might liue thou diedst b Rom. 4 25 and thy death hath killed the death of sinners and if they through thy death were againe brought vnto life ô Lord grant I beseech thee that I may not die now thou art aliue Send downe from heauen c Psa 57 3. and saue me from the power of mine enimies least they triumph ouer me and saie We haue deuoured him O good Iesu who at anie time can doubt of thy mercie who euen when we were thine enimies d Rom. 5 10 didst redeeme vs with thy pretious blood and reconcile vs to God! Lo thus protected vnder the shadowe of thy mercie I doe run vnto the throne of grace e Heb. 4 16. requiring mercie crieng and knocking vntil thou take compassion vpon me For if thou calledst vs vnto mercie when we asked none how can we misse of mercie crauing the same O sweete Iesu thinke not vpon thy iustice against a sinner but remember thy goodnes toward thy creature Thinke not vpon thy displeasure against a transgressor but remember thy mercie toward the miserable Forget me when I was proud prouoking thee vnto wrath and regard me now in distresse crieng vnto thee for mercie For what is Iesus but a Sauior f Matt. 1 21. Therefore ô Iesus by thy selfe arise to helpe me and saie vnto my soule g Psa 35 3. I am thy saluation Much doe I presume of thy goodnes ô Lord the rather because thy selfe thou teachest vs to aske to seeke and to knock h Matt. 7 7. And therefore admonished thereby I doe aske seeke and knocke But thou Lord who commandest to aske grant I may receiue who counselest to aske giue grace to find who teachest to knocke open to the knocker and strengthen me a sinner saue me a wretch raise me that am dead and vouchsafe to direct and gouerne al my senses cogitations works after thy good pleasure that hencefoorth I may serue thee liue to thee and be wholie thine I knowe Lord I doe owe my selfe to thee euen because thou hast made me and for that thou hast redeemed me i 1. Pet. 1 18. 19. and taken humane flesh vpon thee for my sake k Matt. 1 21 Luke 1 31. 69. I doe owe so much more beside my selfe as thou art greater than he for whom thou hast giuen thy selfe Lo I haue no more neither can I giue that which I haue too without thee but accept thou me and drawe me vnto thee l Iohn 6 44 that I may be thine by imitation and loue as I am thine by condition and creation who liuest m 1. Tim. 1 17 and rulest n Psal 45 6. now and euermore Amen Chap. 39. A godlie praier vnto the blessed Trinitie meete oftentimes to be repeated O Lord God almightie a Exo. 6 3. Reuel 4 8. three in persons b Math. 3 16 17. Luke 3 21. 22. yet but one God c Deut. 6 4. Mal. 2 10. who both art in al and wart before al d Ecc. 42 21 and wilt be in al things a blessed God for euermore e Reu. 4 11. Now and alwaies
pure fountane of Gods holie word manie are not a little not onelie pricked forward vnto the reading but also strengthened and comforted much in mind when they doe reade them Which being so I trust thou wilt accept my trauel in good part and at the leastwise reade this booke as diligentlie now being both made perfect corrected and adorned a◠earst thou hast done when it neither had so manie praiers in it by halfe as now it hath nor was so pure fró error◠nor so auctorized with the warrant of Gods word for the comfort of thy soule as now it is And thus I commend both thee and my selfe into his hands who hath not onelie made but also redeemed vs for his owne glorie and praise The tenth of Iune An. 1581. Yours in the Lord THO. ROGERS A right Christian Treatise containing manie holie and heauenlie Meditations written as it is thought by that reuerend Father S. AVGVSTINE Chap. 1. A praier vnto Almightie God for grace to leade a new life according to Gods holie Word O LORD my God a Psal 7 1. 3. Psalm 18 1. 2. giue me grace from the verie bottome of mine hart to desire thee in desiring to seeke thee in seeking to find thee in finding to loue thee in louing vtterlie to loath my former wickednes O Lord my God giue I beseech thee to mine hart repentance to my spirit contrition to mine eies a fountaine of teares to mine hands liberalitie vpon the poore O my King b Psal 5 2. quench in me the desires of the flesh and inflame within my brest the fire of thy loue Driue awaie fro me the spirit of pride c Eccles 23 verse 4. ô my redeemer d Matth. 20 verse 28. Rom. 3 24. 1. Cor. 1 30. 1. Tim. 2 6. and of thy mercie bestowe vpon me the treasure of thine humilitie e Matth. 11 verse 29. Philip. 2 5. 6 c. O my sauiour f Luk. 9 56. Iohn 3 17. Actes 4 10 11. 12. remooue fro my mind the rage of wrath and gratiouslie giue me the shield of patience Plucke euen from the verie roote of mine hart the rancor of malice ô my Creator g Gen. 1 26. 27. Psal 100 3. Psal 119 73. and make me to enioie the sweetenes of a quiet mind Giue me ô most louing father h Matt. 6 9. 14. Rom. 8 15. Coloss 1 2. a sound faith a right hope and a constant loue O my gouernor i Eccl. 23 1. 4 c. driue awaie far fro me al vanitie and suffer me to haue neither an vnconstant mind nor a wandering heart nor a scurrilous mouth nor a proude looke nor a greedie bellie nor a slandering tongue nor itching eares after curiositie nor a couetous mind after riches k Psalm 119. verse 36. nor polling hands to abuse my power nor ambitious motions to get vaine glorie let both curssed hypocrisie and poisoned flatterie and proude contempt of the poore and violent oppression of the weake let both burning couetousnes cankred enuie with damnable blaspheming of thy name be alwaies far from me thy seruant O my maker l Psal 139 verse 13. 14. 15. make a large distance betweene mee and rashnes betweene me and wickednes betweene me and frowardnes betweene me and vnquietnes betweene me idlenes betwene me drousines betweene me and blockishnes Grant that my hart prooue not blinded my senses obstinate my maners sauage but let me delight in goodnes and folowe coūsel neuer loose the bridle to my tong nor cruellie make a praie of the poore nor violentlie oppresse the weake nor vniustlie slander the innocent nor negligentlie regard inferiors committed to my charge Finalie let me vse neither crueltie toward my seruants nor treacherie toward my friends nor violence vpon my neighbours O my God my merciful God m Psal 59 verse 17. euen through thy beloued sonne n Eph. 2 18. Colos 3 17. I beseech thee giue mee grace to exercise my selfe in the workes of mercie and in godlie cogitations namelie to weepe with them that weepe o Ro. 12 15. 1. Pet. 3 8. to instruct such as go astraie p Iam. 5 19. to helpe the afflicted q Math. 25 verse 35. 36 c. to cherish the poore r Esay 58 7. Ezec. 18 7. to comfort the sorowful ſ Matth 25 verse 35. 36. 37 c. to releeue the oppressed to nourish the hungrie to refresh them which mourne to forgiue my debters t Matt. 6 12. Matt. 18 23. 24 c. 35. to pardon them which haue hurt me u Ro. 12 19. to loue them which hate me x Mat. 5 44. 45 c. to render for euil good y Ro. 12 19. 20. 21. 1. Peter 3 8. 9. to despise none z Pro. 14 21. Prou. 17 5. but to honor al a Ro. 12 10. to imitate the virtuous b 1. Cor. 11 1. 1. Thes 3 7. 9. Hebr. 6 12. to shun the wicked c Prou. 4 verse 14. Prou. 11 verse 19. Prou. 24 1. 2. to embrace virtue d Psalme 5 verse 9. to flie sin e 1. Peter 3 verse 9. in aduersitie to be patient f Rom. 5 3. Hebr. 10 verse 36. in prosperitie to be continent to set a watch before my mouth g Eccle. 22 26. and a seale of wisedome before my lips to despise earthlie h Phil. 3 verse 7. 8. and to couet after heauenlie things i Coloss 3 verse 1. 2. Amen Chap. 2. An accusation of mans vnworthines and a commendation of Gods infinite mercie THus my maker a Gen. 1 26. 27. I haue asked much and yet haue deserued naught I confesse yea alas I confesse that not onelie I deserue not those blessings which I do require but also do deserue manie and exquisite torments b Iob. 10 8. Notwithstanding euen publicanes c Mat. 21 31. Mark 2 15. harlots and theeues d Lu. 23 40. 41. 42. 43. who in a moment plucked from out the iawes of the enimie are taken into the armes of the shepheard do embolden me to do as I do For albe thou ô God maker of al things e Genes 1 1. 2. 3 c. Psal 148 1 2 c. 5. Hebr. 1 1. 2. art woonderful in al thy works f Reue. 15 3. yet art thou most wonderful in the works of mercie therefore didest thou saie by one of thy seruants g Psa 145 9. His mercies are ouer al his works And although thou spakest this but of one yet we trust it is ment of thy whole people My louing kindnes wil I not take from him h 2. Sam. 7 verse 14. 15. Psal 89 33. For thou despisest none thou castest none awaie thou abhorrest no man vnles it be him which madlie abhorreth thee Hence it is that being moued thou strikest not but if they surcesse thou powrest thy blessings vpon them which prouoke thee O my God the
Trinitie Now then how hast thou loued vs h Iohn 3 16 ô heauenlie and louing Father i Ioh. 20 17. how hast thou loued vs ô gratious maker k Ps 100 3. which hast not spared thine owne Sonne l Rom. 8 32 but giuen him to the death for vs vngodlie wretches He was obedient to thee euen vnto the death yea the death of the crosse m Phil. 2 8. taking out of the waie the handwriting of our sinnes and fastening it vpon the crosse n Col. 2 14. he hath crucified sinne and killed death He onlie is free among the dead o Psal 88 5. hauing power to laie downe his life p Ioh. 10 18. and power to take it againe for our sakes And therefore he was both a conqueror and an oblation q Heb. 9 26. and because an oblation therefore a conqueror For our behoofe hee was to thee both a priest a sacrifice and because a sacrifice therefore a priest r Heb. 5 5. 6 c. Heb. 7 25. 26. Heb. 9 11. 12 c. Wel may I then repose a strong hope in him ſ Col. 1 27. 1. Tim. 1 1. because through him that sitteth at thy right hand t Rom. 8 34 Heb. 7 25. Heb. 8 6. making intercession for vs thou wilt heale al mine infirmities u Esai 53 5. For Lord great be my diseases and manifold yea manifold and verie great be they For the prince of this world I knowe and I confesse hath much to laie against me but for his sake that sitteth at thy right hand x Mar. 16 19 Actes 1 9. 10. 11. euen for my redemers sake y Rom. 3 24 Eph. 1 7. 14. in whom he could find none euil z Ioh. 14 30 deliuer me For his sake who did no sin a 1. Pet. 2 22 and in whose mouth there was found no guile iustifie me For his sake who is our head b Eph. 4 15. Ephes 5 23. wherin there is no blemish saue a member of his though poore and weake Pardon I praie thee al my sins vices faults and offences Indue mee with thine holie virtues make me to liue godlie and to continue euen to the end in good workes according to thy wil euen for thine holie Name sake Amen Chap. 14. A thankesgiuing of a faithful mind vnto God for sending his deere and onlie Sonne to saue mankind I Might vtterlie despaire in consideration of my manifold sinnes and infinite offences had not thy word ô God bin made flesh a Iohn 1 14. dwelled among vs. But now I dare not despaire For if when we were enimies b Rom. 5 10 we were reconciled vnto thee by the death of thy Sonne how much more being reconciled are we saued by his life For al mine hope c 1. Tim. 1 1. and al my confidence is reposed in that pretious blood which was shed for vs and for our saluation d 1. Pet. 1 18. 19. In it I take hart againe and resting therevpon I couet to come vnto thee not hauing mine owne righteousnes e Phil. 3 9. but that which is through the faith of my Lord Iesus Christ Wherefore ô most gratious merciful God louer of mankind f Wisd 11 21 23. Iohn 3 16. which through Iesus Christ thy Sonne our Lord g Rom. 1 4. 7. 1. Cor. 1 3. 7. c. euen when we were in the state of damnation by reason of sin h Rom. 5 7. 8 c. hast deliuered and saued vs I thanke thy goodnes yea from the verie bottom of mine hart I doe highlie thanke thee for sending of thy great loue i Ephes 2. 4. 5. wherewith thou hast loued vs miserable wretches vnwoorthie al fauor the same thy onlie begotten Sonne k Iohn 3 16 1. Iohn 4 9. from thine owne bosome into the world to saue vs great sinners l 1. Tim. 1 15 the children of wrath m Eph. 2 3. I thanke thee for his holie incarnation and birth of his glorious mother of whom he vouchsafed to take flesh for vs men and for our saluation that as he was verie God of God n Matt. 1 23 Matt. 16 16. so he might be verie man of man o Iohn 1 14. I thanke thee for his passion p Luke 23 verse 26. 33 c. crosse and death for his resurrection and ascention into heauen sitting at thy right hand For the fortie daie after his resurrection q Acts. 1 3. 9. in the sight of his disciples he ascended vp aboue al the heauens where hee sitting on thy right hand powred downe the holie Spirit r Acts. 2 1. 2 c. according to his promise ſ Ioh. 15 26. Luk. 24 49. vpon the children of adoption I thanke thee both for that shedding of his pretious blood wherewithal we be redeemed t 1. Pet. 1 18. 19. and also for his instituting the holie and liuelie sacrament of his bodie blood u Matt. 26 verse 26. 27. 28. Luke 22 19. 1. Cor. 11 23. 24 c. where withal in thy Church we be dailie nourished refreshed washed sanctified and made partakers of one heauenlie and diuine nature Finalie once againe I thanke thee for thy great loue x Eph. 2 4. wherewith thou hast so loued vs wretches through thine onlie y 1. Ioh. 4 9. and welbeloued sonne z Matt. 3 17 For so thou didst loue the world a Iohn 3 16 that thou gauest thine onelie begotten Sonne that whosoeuer beleeueth on him should not perish but haue euerlasting life And this is eternal life b Ioh. 17 3. that wee knowe thee to be the true God and whom thou hast sent Iesus Christ through a right faith and works agreeable to our faith Chap. 15. Of the incomprehensible good wil of God the Father toward mankind OPitie vnmeasurable ô wonderful loue To saue a seruant thou hast giuen thy Sonne a Iohn 3 16 God was made man b Iohn 1 14. that wretched man might bee plucked out of the power of diuels How deerlie hath thy Sonne ô God loued man which thought he did not humble himselfe enough if he were onelie borne of the virgin Marie vnles for vs and for our saluation c 1. Pet. 1 18 1. Pet. 2 24. he shed his blood also vpon the crosse He came a merciful God he came of meere compassion and goodnes yea to seeke and to saue that which was lost d Luk. 19 10 Matth. 18 11 he did come He sought the lost sheepe e Luk. 15 4. 5. 6. he sought and found it and like a gratious Lord and right good shepheard f Ioh. 10 11 14. on his shoulders he carried it vnto his flocke O rare loue ô tender kindnes who at anie time hath heard the like who but wil be amazed at such bowels of mercie who but wil wonder who but must needes
what thou hast begun that we may be able to come into the fulnes of thy mercie Make vs through the holie spirit to vnderstand and through thy Sonne to discerne and with due honor to reuerence this high mysterie of godlines z 1. Tim. 3 verse 16. which is how God was manifested in the flesh iustified in the Spirit seene of Angels preached vnto the Gentils beleeued on in the world and receaued vp in glorie Chap. 17. Another thankesgiuing for the benefit of our redemption O Lord our GOD a Psa 90 1. 2. Psal 95 7. how much are we bound vnto thee which be redeemed with such a price b 1. Pet. 1 18 19. salued with such a gift c Iohn 3 16. and preserued by so heauenlie a benefit O how greatlie are we wretches bound to feare thee to loue thee to blesse thee to praise thee to honor thee and to glorifie thee seeing we are so saued so sanctified and so glorified of thee d Rom. 8 verse 30. For we are indebted to thee both for al that wee can doe and for al our life e Act. 17 28. and for al our wisedome f Iam. 1 17. And who hath anie thing of himselfe not from thee g 1. Cor. 4 7 Wherefore ô Lord our God from whome euerie good gift doth proceede h Iam. 1 17. euen for thine owne sake and for thine holie name sake giue vs grace of thy goodes and gifts to serue thee and in truth to please thee and euermore for so great benefits of thy mercie to thanke thee For by none other meanes can we either serue or please thee but by thine owne gift For euerie good giuing and euerie perfect gift is from aboue i Iam. 1. 17. and commeth downe from the Father of lights with whome is no variablenes neither shadowing by turning O Lord our God k Ioh. 20 17 ô gratious l Esai 6 3. Esai 43 15. God ô good m Matt. 19 verse 17. God ô God almightie n 2. Cor. 6 verse 18. Reu. 11. 17. GOD whose nature can be neither vttered by words nor conteined in anie place o Iob. 23 8. 9. Psal 139 6. 7. 8 c. GOD Creator of al things p Gen. 1 1. 2 c. Psal 135 6. and the Father of our Lord Iesu Christ q Gal. 1 1. 3. which hast from thine owne bosome sent the same thy beloued Sonne r Matt. 3 17. into the world for our common welfare ſ 1. Tim. 1 15 to take our nature vpon him t Iohn 1 15. that he might giue vs his and be as perfect God of thee his Father so perfect man of his mother a verie God and a verie man yet but one and the same Christ both eternal and temporal immortal and mortal a Creator and a creature strong and weake a conqueror and conquered a nourisher and nourished a shepheard and a sheepe temporalie dead and yet liuing eternalie with thee who promised to his friends a citie of life and said to his disciples Whatsoeuer ye shal aske the Father in my Name u Ioh. 10 23 he wil giue it you By the same high Priest x Heb. 8 1. and right Byshop y Heb. 9 11. 12 c. and good Shepheard z Ioh. 10 10 11. who hath offered himselfe for a sacrifice giuing his life for his sheepe I beseech thee euen by him which sitteth at thy right hand a Rom. 8 34 and maketh request for vs our redeemer b 1. Pet. 1 18 19. aduocate c 1. Iohn 2 1 2. I saie of thy mercie and goodnes I humblie beseech thee ô most gentle most louing and most gratious God louer of mankind d Iohn 3 16 giue mee grace with the same thy Sonne and the holie Ghost in al things to blesse thee and with much sorowe of hart to glorifie thy Name finalie giue me a fountaine of teares with great reuerence and feare For they haue power to giue alike whose substance is al one But forsomuch as a corruptible bodie e Wisd 9 15 is heauie vnto the soule quicken me I praie thee by thy spurs and make me valiantlie to perseuere in thy precepts and praises daie and night f Psa 35 28 Make mine hart hot within me g Psa 39 3. and in my musing let the fire bee kindled And because thy beloued and only Son hath said No man can come to me h Ioh. 6 44. except the Father which hath sent me drawe him and againe No man commeth vnto the Father but by me i Ioh. 14 6. I praie and humblie beseech thee drawe mee alwaies vnto him that he at length may bring me vnto thee euen thither where he is sitting at thy right hand k Rom. 8 34 wheras life euerlasting l Reu. 7 15. 16. 17. and euerlastinglie blessed is whereas perfect loue and no feare is m Reu. 21 4 whereas daie alwaie and one spirit of al is whereas soueraigne and sure securitie and secure quietnes and quiet ioifulnes and ioiful blessednes and blessed euerlastingnes and euerlasting happines and the happie sight n Reu. 22 4. and praising of thee is without end where thou with him and he in the communion of the holie Spirit liueth and raigneth a God for euer and euer Amen Chap. 18. A most godlie praier vnto our Sauior Christ O GOD Christ thou most kind louer of mankind a Eph. 5 2. 1. Ioh. 3 16. mine hope b Col. 1 27. 1. Tim. 1 1. the light c Iohn 1 4. 5 c. the waie d Ioh. 14 6. the life e Ioh. 11 25 the saluation f 1. Pet. 2 24 the honor and the glorie of al thy people g Luk. 2 32. Cal into thy remembrance for whose sake thou wouldest endure suffer bands h Matt. 27 2 the crosse i Mar. 15 15. 16 c. Gal. 3 13. wounds k Ioh. 19 34 death and the graue l Ioh. 19 41. 42. I beseech thee for whose cause hauing ouercom death after three daies thou rosest againe m Mat. 28 5 6. appeeredst to thy Disciples n Mar. 16 14 Luk. 24 13. 14 c. 25. 26 c. instructing their wauering minds and fortie daies after thy resurrection thou ascendedst into heauen o Luke 24 verse 51. Actes 1 9. where thou liuest and shalt raigne for euermore p Reu. 4 8. 9. 10. 11. Thou art my GOD a liuing q Rom. 8 verse 34. and a true God r Matt. 4 7. 10. mine holie Father my louing Lord ſ Act. 7 59. my puissant Prince t Reu. 4 9. 10. 11. Reu. 5 11. 12. 13. my good shepherd u Iohn 10 11 14. mine onlie master x Mat. 23 8 my best helper y Heb. 13 6. my faithfullest friend z Ioh. 15. 15. my liuing bread a Iohn 6
35 48. 51. mine euerlasting Priest b Heb. 7 24 25. my guide vnto my contrie my true light c Iohn 1 4 7 c. Iohn 8 12. my holie sweetnes d Phil. 3 7 8. Rom. 8 35 36 c. my readie waie e Iohn 14 6. my noble wisdome f 1. Cor. 1 30. my pure simplicitie my peacemaking quietnes g Eph. 2 14. my sure safetie my good portion h Rom. 8 32. mine eternal saluation i Heb. 2 9. 1. Pet. 2 24. my great mercie my mightie patience mine vnspotted sacrifice k Heb. 9 14. 1. Pet. 1 18. 19. mine holie redemption l 1. Cor. 1 30 my strong hope m Col. 1 27. 1. Tim. 1 1. my perfect charitie n Rom. 5 8. my true resurrection o Ioh 11 25. mine euerlasting life p Iohn 14 6 Col. 3 4. my blessed ioie and contemplation q 1. Cor. 13 verse 12. continuing euermore r Reu. 7 15. 16. Reu. 21 4. Vnto thee do I praie crie and bend my sute that through thee I may walke vnto thee I may come in thee I may rest who art the waie the truth and the life ſ Iohn 14 6 beside whom no man commeth vnto the Father For I desire thee t Psal 42. 1. 2. a most gratious and a glorious Lord the verie brightnes of the fathers glorie which sittest vpon the Cherubins and beholdest the deepes which art y e true light u Iohn 1 4. 5. 9 c. the light inlightening the lasting light whom the verie Angels desire to behold x 1. Pet. 1 12. Lo mine hart is before thee expel the darknes of the same that more fullie it may be endued with the cleerenes of thy light Giue me thy selfe ô my God restore me thy selfe lo I loue thee if not entirelie enough I would loue thee more I can by no meanes discerne how much I lack of louing thee as I should that my life may run into thine armes and be at no time alienated til it bee hid in the secret place of thy countenance Notwithstanding this doe I knowe that il is it with me without thee ô Lord not onelie outwardlie to my bodie but also in wardlie to my soule For al plentie being not my GOD is but pouertie But the good which no waie can be altered either into the better or worse thou alone art y Mal. 3 6. which art simplie alone z Psa 86 10 Esai 37 16. 20. to whome it is not one thing to liue and another to liue happilie for thou art thine owne happines But thy creature to whom it is one thing to liue and another to liue happilie can ascribe both his life and his blessed life to none other thing but onelie to thy mercie And therefore we stand in neede of thee but not thou of vs. For were not we at al nothing were wanting to thy felicitie which thou art So that we haue great cause to cleaue vnto thee our Lord God that through thy continual helpe we may leade an holie godlie and vpright life For by reason of the waight of our weakenes wee are drawne downe ward a Wis 11 15. but through thy gift we are inflamed and carried vpward we burne and we go we doe mount and ascend in our harts and we sing a song of degrees with thy good fire we burne and we go forward Whether doe we now ascend vpward vnto the peace of Ierusalem For I reioiced when they said vnto me We wil go into y e house of the Lord b Psa 122 ◠There hath he placed vs we wil good that wish nothing else but there to abide for euermore But forsomuch as while we are in the bodie we be absent from thee c 2. Cor. 5 6 ô Lord we haue here no continuing citie d Heb. 13 14 but we seeke one to come and our freedome is in heauen therefore through thy grace I do enter into the closet of my hart and there doe I sing the songs of loue to thee ô my King and my God fetching vnspeakeable sighings in this house of my pilgrimage e Psal 119 verse 54. where I sing out thy righteousnes And calling Ierusalem into mind I stretch the sense of mine hart toward the same euen toward Ierusalem my countrie Ierusalem I saie my mother f Gal. 4 26. and also toward thee her King her inlightener her father defender protector and gouernour her pure and strong delight her constant ioie and al goodnes else whatsoeuer g 1. Cor. 2 9 Reu. 7 15. 16. Reu. 21 4. 3. 24 c. For thou art the soueraigne and the true happines From whence I wil not be turned awaie vntil in the peace of that my deere mother whereas the first fruites of my spirit are thou gather al that I am from scattering and deformitie and so conforme confirme me for euer ô my God my mercie Chap. 19. A longing after the ioies in Heauen O Lightsome glorious house of God I haue loued thy goodlines and the place where the glorie of the Lord God who both enioieth and hath created thee doth dwel a Psal 26 8. In mine exile I sigh after thee both night and daie mine hart longeth my mind coueteth and my soule desireth to come vnto the societie of your happines My praier vnto him which hath made me is that he would possesse me in thee because he hath made both me b Gen. 1 26. 27. Psal 100 3. Psa 129 73. and you For I desire your holie felowship and wonderful glorie not for anie merit of mine owne but I trust to atteine therevnto through the price of his bloud namelie of Iesus Christ wherby we be redeemed c 1. Pet. 1 verse 18. 19. I confesse I haue gone astraie like a lost sheepe d Psal 119 verse 176. and haue too long dwelled out of my natiue soile and am far awaie cast from the face of the Lord my God into this blindnes of banishment where driuen out of the ioies of paradise I bewaile with my selfe dailie the miserie of my captiuitie and sing a woful song with great lamentation when I remember you ô mother Ierusalem e Gal. 4 26. while my feete do but stand in thy courts ô sacred and comelie Zion and I am not able plainelie to looke into thy inner places Notwithstanding I haue good hope vpon the shoulders of my good shepheard f Luk. 15 5. Iohn 10 11. 14. thy Creator to be brought backe vnto thee that I may triumph againe with that vnspeakeable ioie wherewithal they be cheered which dwel with you before God his maiestie g Reu. 22 4. and our Sauiour Christ which hath abrogated through his flesh the hatred h Eph. 2 15. and pacified al things both which are in heauen and which are in earth by his blood i Colo. 1 14. For he
is our peace which made of both one k Eph. 2 14. and ioining the two contrarie walles together hath promised that he wil giue the euerlasting felicitie of your happines in himselfe after the like maner and measure when he said They shal be like the Angels of God in heauen l Matth. 22 verse 30. Chap. 20. A bewailing of the miseries of this life O My Lord I am euen wearie of this life and of this troublesome pilgrimage a Psa 39 12. Hebr. 11 13. This life is a miserable life b Iob. 14 1. a transitorie c Rom. 6 12. 2. Cor. 4 11. life an vncertaine life d 1. Chr. 29. verse 15. Psal 102 11. a laborsome life e Gen. 3 17 18. 19. a polluted life f Gen. 6 5. a life which is the mistres of wickednes the Queene of pride replenished with error and miseries not to be called a life but a death wherein euerie moment we die both by sundrie defects of nature and manifold diuersities of deathes Can we therefore cal it a life that we liue in this world the which both humors puffe vp and sorowes pluck downe and heate withereth and the aër infecteth which both eating maketh fat and fasting maketh leane mirth maketh dissolute sadnes consumeth care shortneth securitie dulleth wealth maketh proude pouertie bringeth out of hart youth extolleth age crooketh sicknes breaketh sorowe depresseth and after al these things commeth raging death and bringeth an end at once to al the ioies of this miserable life which being past a man would not thinke it had euer bin at all This vital death and mortal life albe it be replenished with these and other miseries yet a griefe to tel how manie doth it catch with her snares how manie be deceaued by her false promises And although it be so deceitful and bitter of it selfe that her blindest louers cannot choose but perceaue the same yet with her golden cup which she carieth in her hand she maketh an infinite companie of fooles vtterlie drunke Oh happie are they and those verie rare which auoide her familiaritie g 1. Iohn 2 verse 15. 16. 17. which despise her momentanie pleasure and her companie least with the perishing deceauer they also be compelled to perish Chap. 21. Of the felicitie of that life which God hath prepared for such as loue him BVt ô thou life which God hath prepared for them that loue him a 1. Cor. 2 9. thou art a liuelie life a blessed life b Reu. 7 15. 16. 17. a secure life c Reu. 21 4. 23. 24. a goodlie life a pure life chaste life an holie life a life ignorant what death means voide of sorowe a life without spot without griefe without trouble without corruption without perturbation without change and alteration a life replenished with al goodlines and glorie where neither aduersarie to impugne nor inticement of sinne is to carrie awaie but perfect loue no feare is where the daie lasteth euer and one spirit of al is euen where God is beholden face to face d 1. Cor. 13. verse 12. and with this foode of life the mind is fed abundantlie It doth me good to meditate of thy glorie thy good things doe exceedinglie delight me The more I remember the more I long for thee Greatlie doe I desire maruelouslie am I delighted with the sweete memorie of thy Name It doth me good therefore to lift vp the eies of mine hart to stir vp the state of my mind to bend mine affection towards thee Truelie it doth me much good to talke of thee to heare of thee to write of thee to confer of thee to reade euerie daie of thy glorie blessednes and to meditate often of that I reade that so at least wise from the heate perils sweatings of this mortal and transitorie life I may passe vnto the delectable coole of the liuelie aër and so when I go to sleepe may somewhat laie downe my wearie head in thy bosome For which cause I walke manie times into the pleasant fields of the holie Scriptures where I plucke vp the goodlie greene herbes of sentences by pruning eate them by reading chawe them by vsing and laie them vp at the length in the hie seate of memorie by gathering them together that so hauing tasted thy sweetenes I may the lesse perceaue the bitternes of this miserable life O thou most happie life ô right blessed kingdome voide of death e Reu. 21 4. euerlasting where no times succeede by ages where the continual day without night hath none end where the conquering soldier ioined to that ioiful quier of angels and crowned with the crowne f 1. Pet. 5 4. Reuel 4 4. of euerlasting glorie doth sing to his God a song among the songs of Zion Oh that I might my sinnes being pardoned and this burden of the flesh laid-awaie foorthwith ô that I might enter into thy ioies g Matt. 25 verse 21. 23. to enioie euerlasting rest that I might passe into the goodlie and glorious wals of thy citie to receaue a crowne of life at the hands of my Lord h Reu. 2 10. that I might bee among that holie quier that I might stand with the blessed spirits before the maiestie of the Creator i Reu. 22 4. that I might behold the present countenance of Christ k 1. Cor. 13 verse 12. that I might see that soueraigne and vnspeakeable and vncompassed light and finalie that I might be neuer tuched with anie feare of death l Reu. 21 4. but reioice euerlastinglie for the gift of perpetual incorruption Chap. 22. Of the happines of the good soule hence departing HAppie is the soule which departing from the earthlie bodie goeth directlie into heauen secure it is and quiet and feareth neither enimie nor death a Reu. 21 4. For it enioieth continualie thy presence b 1. Cor. 13 verse 12. ô God and vncessantlie beholdeth the most glorious Lord whome she hath serued and loued c 1. Cor. 2 9. and whome now at the length ful ioifulie and gloriouslie she hath attained vnto And this glorie of so great blessednes neither time shal diminish nor anie wicked person take awaie d Matt. 6 19 20. Luk. 12 33. The daughters of Zion haue seene her and counted her blessed e Sal. songs 6 verse ◠euen the Queenes and the concubines haue praised her saieng Who is she that commeth vp out of the desert f Sal. songs 8 verse 5. abounding in pleasure leaning vpon her welbeloued Who is she that looketh foorth as the morning g Sal. songs 6 verse 9. faire as the moone pure as the sun terrible as an armie with banners How cheerefulie goeth she out hasteneth runneth when al amazed she heareth her beloued saieng vnto her on this wise h Sal. songs 2 verse 10. Arise my loue my faire one and come awaie For behold 11. the winter now is past
at length behold thee the God of gods in Zion whom now I see indeede through a glasse darklie l 1. Cor. 13 verse 12. but then face to face where I shal know thee euen as I am known Blessed are the pure in hart m Matt. 5 8. for they shal see God Blessed are they which dwel in thine House n Psal 84 4. ô Lord for euer and euer they wil praise thee Wherfore by al thy mercies wherewithal we bee deliuered from euerlasting damnation o Rom. 9 23 24. I beseech thee ô Lord mollifie mine hard and stonie and flintie and iron hart with thine holie and mightie ointment and through y e fire of compunction make me at al houres to seeme a liuing sacrifice in thy sight p Rom. 12 1. Cause me to haue alwaies a contrite and an humbled hart with a flud of teares in mine eies Cause me from the bottome of mine hart vtterlie to die to this world through the greatnes of thy feare and loue so to forget transitorie things that I may neither weepe nor reioice at neither feare nor loue anie worldlie thing neither be corrupted with prosperitie nor be ouerthrowne by aduersitie And forsomuch as thy loue is strong as death q Sal. songs 8 verse 6. let the firie and pleasant force of thy loue swalowe vp mine hart I beseech thee from al things that are vnder heauen that I may cleaue vnto thee alone and be fed with the onelie remembrance of thy sweetenes Let thy sweete sauor ô Lord let the sweete sauor of thee I praie thee descend yea let it descend into mine hart and let the comfortable loue of thine holie Name enter euen into my soule O let the maruelous and vnspeakeable sweetenes of thy sauour come vnto me which may both raise vp in my brest a continual desire after thee and fro mine hart bring the veines of water springing-vp into euerlasting life r Iohn 4 14. Thou art vnmeasurable ô Lord therefore without measure thou shouldest bee loued and praised of them whom thou hast redeemed with thy pretious blood Å¿ 1. Pet. 1 18. 19. O most gratious louer of mankind t 1. Ioh. 3 16 most merciful Lord and righteous iudge to whome 〈◊〉 iudgement is committed by the Father u Ioh. 5 22. by the most wise iudgment of thine equitie thou haâ—â— giuen-out how the children of this world x Luk. 16 8. of night of darknes with a more earnest desire endeuor and studie do loue and seeke after transitorie riches and fleeting promotion than wee thy seruants can loue our God by whom we are both made y Gen. 1 26. 27. Iob. 10 8. Psal 119 73. and redeemed z Gal. 3 13. 1. Tim. 2 8. For if one man do so entirelie loue another that he can hardlie beare the absence of his friend if the wife with so great a fire of goodwil be ioined to her husband that in respect thereof she can at no time be at rest til she haue his companie with what a goodwil with what a care with what a zeale ought the soule which through faith of her part through mercie on your part betrothed to thee to loue thee the true a Matt. 1 23 Matt. 16 16. GOD the fairest spouse b 2. Cor. 11 2 Eph. 5 22. 23 c. who hast so loued and saued vs who hast done so manie such and so great things for our sakes And although these weake things haue their comforts and their loues yet doe they not so delight as thou our God doest For in thee do the righteous reioice because thy loue is sweet and quiet For thou doest replenish the harts which thou possessest both with sweetnes with ioie and with tranquillitie Contrariwise the loue of this world and of the flesh is troblesome and vnquiet neither suffereth it the minds whom it entereth into at anie time to be at rest For continualie it moueth them with suspicions and with perturbations and with manifold feares So that thou art the ioie of the righteous and good cause why For with thee is an assured quietnes with thee is the life void of al trobles O gratious God who so entereth into thee entereth into his masters ioie c Mat. 25 2â— and shal feare no more but shal fare wel in the place of happines saieng This is my rest for euer d Ps 132 14. here wil I dwel for I haue a delite therein and againe The Lord is my shepheard e Psal 23 1. 2. I shal not want he maketh me to rest in greene pastures O deere Christ ô sweete Iesu replenish mine hart I beseech thee with the vnquenchable fire of thy loue with a continual remembrance of thee so that as a burning flame I may so burne with the loue of thee that no water be it neuer so much may quench the same O most gratious Lord make thou mee vnfainedlie to loue thee and through desire of thee to laie-downe the burden of al fleshlie desires and the importable waight of earthlie affections which beateth and peiseth downe my soule that by the sauor of thine ointments running amaine after thee I may the more speedilie discerne by the conduction of thee my Capitaine to come vnto the contemplation of thy fairenes there to be throughlie satisfied For two sorts of loue whereof the one is good and the other naught the one sweete and the other vncomfortable can not abide at one time together in one bodie And therefore who so besides thee loueth anie thing f Mat. 10 37 thy loue ô God is not in him g 1. Ioh. 2 15 thy loue I saie euen the loue of sweetenes and the sweetenes of loue the loue which trobleth not but delighteth the syncere chaste loue abiding euerlastinglie the loue which alwaies burnest and neuer goest out O deere Christ ô sweete Iesu who art the verie loue h 1. Ioh. 4 8. and my God i Matt. 4 10. inflame me wholie with thy fire with thy loue with thy sweetnes and delectation with thy ioie and mirth with the delight and desire of thee the which is both holie good chaste and pure quiet and secure that filled euen topful with the sweetenes of thy loue and wholie set on fire by the flames of thy friendship I may loue thee my God with al mine hart k Deut. 6. 5. Luke 10 27. and with al my strength hauing thee alwaies and in al places both in mine hart and in my mouth and before mine eies so that strange loues may find no place at al in me Heare me ô my God heare me ô light of mine eies heare my petition and grant my petition that thou maiest heare me Gratious and most merciful God stop not thine eares against me because of my sinnes but of thy woonted goodnes receaue the praiers of thy seruant and grant me the effect of my petition and request Amen
blood wherewith we be redeemed a 1. Pet. 1 18. 19. wound I beseech thee this my sinful soule for which also thou hast vouchsafed to die b 1. Pet. 2 24 wound her by the firie and mightie dart of thine abundant loue c Ioh. 15 12. 13. 1. Iohn 3 16 For the word of God is liueliue d Heb. 4 12. and mightie in operation and sharper than anie two edged sword O thou the elected dart and the most piercing sword who art of power able to pierce the hard buckler of mans hart prick thou mine hart with the dart of thy loue that my soule may saie to thee I am wounded with thy loue so that from that wound of thy loue teares abundantlie may issue daie and night e Psal 42 3. Strike ô Lord strike I beseech thee this mine hard mind with the godlie and mightie speare of thy loue and with a stoute courage pierce thou euen the most secret parts of my soule and there-withal fetch thou a streame of water from out mine head and out of mine eies a true fountane of teares flowing forth continualie from an hartie affection and desire to behold thy beautie that night and daie I may mourne in this present life receauing no comfort vntil in thy celestial bride-chamber I be thought woorthie to see my beloued and beautiful spouse euen my Lord and God that beholding there thy glorious wonderful and most beautiful countenance f 1. Cor. 13 verse 12. Reue. 22 4. ful of al sweetnes I may with those whome thou hast elected g Rom. 8. verse 30. humblie adore thy maiestie and replenished at the length with heauenlie vnspeakeable ioie of euerlasting mirth may with louers and friends crie out saieng Behold I see now what I so desired I enioie now what I so hoped for I haue that which I loued so For I am now ioined to him in heauen whome in earth I loued with al my strength embraced with right good wil claue vnto from my verie hart him I praise him I blesse and I worship him who liueth and ruleth God for euermore Amen Chap. 37. A praier in the time of trouble HAue mercie on me ô Lord haue mercie on me ô gratious God haue mercie on me a most wretched sinner offending hainouslie and suffering iustlie sinning dailie and feeling continualie thy correction If I waigh the euil which dailie I haue committed my punishment is but smal much wickednes haue I done little correction do I feele Righteous art thou ô Lord and iust are thy iudgements a Psal 119 verse 137. Thy iudgements are truth b Psal 19 9. they be righteous altogether O Lord my God thou art righteous c Psa 92 15. neither is there anie iniquitie in thee For neither vniustlie nor cruelie dost thou afflict vs sinners d Dan. 9 4. 5. 6 c. ô almightie merciful Lord e Exo. 34 6. who when we were not didest mightilie make vs f Iob. 10 8. Psal 100 3. and when through our sinnes we were in the state of damnation hast both mercifullie and miraculouslie repared vs g Gal. 3 13. 1. Tim. 2 6. I knowe and am assured how that our life is not gouerned by al aduentures but that it is disposed and ruled by thee h Pro. 16 9. ô Lord our God Whence it is that thou carest for al things i Wis 12 13. but chieflie for thy seruants k 1. Pet. 5 7. who haue put al their cōfidence in thine onlie mercie Wherefore I praie and humblie beseech thee ô Lord deale not with me according to my sinnes whereby I haue deserued thy iust displeasure but according to thy great mercie which is more than al the sinnes euen of the whole world O God who outwardlie dost afflict the bodie grant inwardlie to my mind continual patience so that thy praise at no time depart out of my mouth Haue mercie on me ô Lord haue mercie on me and helpe me according as thou knowest I haue neede both in my bodie and minde thou knowest al things l Eccle. 23 verse 19. 20. and canst do al things m Gen. 35 verse 11. Reue. 15 3. who liuest euerlastinglie n 1. Tim. 1. 17 Amen Chap. 38. A verie godlie praier vnto the Sonne O Lord Iesu Christ a 1. Tim. 1 1. sonne of the liuing God b Matt. 16 verse 16. which vpon the crosse with out-stretched armes drankest the cup of bitter passion for the redemption of al mankinde c 1. Pet. 2 verse 24. vouchsafe to defend me this daie Behold I a poore wretch vnto thee who art rich I miserable vnto thee who art merciful do approch suffer me not to depart emptie and despised I begin hungerlie let me not go from thee fasting I come euen hunger-starued as it were ô let me not depart vnrefreshed And though before I eate I do sigh yet grant that after my sighing I may eate Especialie before thy glorious magnificence ô sweete Iesu I acknowledge to thee my sinnes against my selfe d Psal 32. 5. Behold I was borne in iniquitie e Psal 51 5. but thou didest wash and sanctifie me f Eph. 5 25. 26. yet haue I defiled my selfe sithence with greater sinnes For I was borne in necessarie sinnes but afterward I wallowed in voluntarie wickednes But thou ô Lord not vnmindful of thy woonted mercie tookedst me from out of the house of my carnal father and from the tabernacles of the wicked and gauedst me a mind to follow thee with the generation of them which seeke thy face which treade the right path which abide among the lilies of a chast life and sit with thee in the parlor of greatest pouertie Yet I vngrateful for so manie benefits since mine entrance into thy seruice haue done manie an vnlawful fact and committed manie a foule sinne and where I should haue repented me of my sinnes I added sinnes vnto sinnes These are the euils ô Lord whereby I haue both dishonored thee and stained my selfe whome thou didest create after thine own likenes g Gen. 1 26. 27. 1. Cor. 11 7. Colo. 3 10. with pride vaine glorie and such other manifold sinnes whereby the wretched soule is vexed and afflicted and rent asunder and destroied Behold ô Lord mine iniquities are gone ouer mine head h Psal 38 4. and as a weightie burthen they are too heauie for me and doe not thou whose propertie is to shewe mercie and to spare laie vnder the right hand of thy maiestie I shal be enforced to sinke euen to the verie bottome O Lord my God attend and consider because thou art holie lo mine enimie insulteth against me saieng i Psal 71 1◠God hath forsaken him I wil pursue and take him for there is none to deliuer him But Lord how long wilt thou delaie Returne deliuer my soule saue me for thy mercie sake k Psal 61 4. Take mercie vpon