thy sake exercising iustice mercie and Truthe to all thy Creatures and neuer suffering me to doo that may mooue thy wrath but more and more assisted with thy grace may encrease thy loue and likinge and finally obtaine thy ioyes euerlasting Amen H HEare these my Prayers sweet Lord Iesu and for thy exceedinge Loue whiche broughte thee from the Sacred seate of thy Fathers breast into the woâ—be of the blessed virgin to bannish Death and Sinne to redeeme mans nature whereby in thy astere Passion as thou haste restoared mee and with so blessed a Shielde defended mine eternall deathe by the self same Loue call mee that haue wandred home againe to thy Folde renewe me with thy Spirite coÌ„firme mee with stronge faithe nourish in me such thi abundant loue garnish mee with thy plentifull grace lade mee with infallible hope of thy mercie finally restore all partes in mee which are decaied and quicken in mee what so is dead should liue that my spirite set at libertie from Terrestriall thinges thou maist euer dwell in mee And my Soule and body assisted with thy ritche guifte of all these may fully purely safely and strongly settle them in thee To whom be praise both nowe and euer Amen R REnder mee thy grace O Lorde that from this day I neuer becomme enimies with thee againe but that I only rest in thee Guide me with the clere light of thy woorde thorowe the dark desertes of this wretched world where no misery nor trouble lacketh wher euery place is ful of snares of mortal enimies yea wheron trouble and temptations ouerpassed and other ensueth and the first enduringe a newe battaile suddainely assayleth wherby I neuer haue peace and wante wherwith to war. wherfore with contrite hart I crie Lorde Lorde assist me with the power of thy holy Spirite and as thou hast coÌ„maunded I come vnto thee prayinge the guifte of all these my requests and specially Lord I require the swoord of my Sauâ—â—ur Christ true and firm faith that established in thy Truthe holding that for my defence may be safely armed against all mine enimies strong to cut downe the thornes which shal spring in my way of passage vnto thee in whom sweete sauiour aboue all honour glory triumphe sway rule power dignity make me settle al my ioyes yea aboue all healthe ritches bewtie fame and felicitie to desire thee loue thee and magnifie thee which geuest all and therfore of al to be beloued sought art most worthy Amen E EAse O Lorde the paines I suffer the troubles of my soule let the fountaines of thy grace ouerflow my barraine bodie and the floudes of thy mercie batten my feeble spirite let thy louing kindnesse couer mine infirmities and thy suffered drops of dewe vpon the Crosse drownde mine iniquitie Thy worde is Truthe and thou hast saide Thy delight is not in the death of a Sinner but wouldest he shoulde conuerte and liue Teache me therfore to number my dayes in the loue of thy Lawes that I alwayes thirste after thy Kingdome and neuer forgeat thee but in this that I haue here begonne may perseuer increase setting at naught all worldly pompe respect of persones and mans helpe and only cleaue to thy omnipotente power mercie strengthe and goodnesse wherin Lorde make mee so ritch as I neuer haue power to swerue from thee nor wante thy grace to resiste all temptations neither yet thy strengthe to treade downe mine enimies and so my harte shall ioyfully liue and geue thanckes to thee my God of all truth mercy and victory Amen G GOD merciful Father of my redeemer Christ which hast promised to heare the peticions of them that aske in thi Sonnes name geue downe thy feare into my harte conioyne thy holy spirite to the felowship of my soule poure vpoÌ„ me the blessed dewes of thy grace enritche mee with thy high vnderstandinge and send wisdome in her glory from thy Sacred seate to dwel in me that shee may guide mee vphold mee and labour with mee to the end that in al my trauelles enterprises proceedinges and studies I may preuaile to thy glorie Do this deare Father for the triumphe of thy name Bow downe thine eares mercifullie heare and receiue the summe of all my requests and graunt that all thinges which I aske according to my necessity I may effectually obtaine to thy glorye and profite of my soule through Iesus Christe my Lorde AmeÌ„ I I Geue and committe into thy hands deere Lorde my Spirite yea rather I may say thy Spirite seeing thou hast geuen it mee lincte it to my body for a season and seing it is thy image and Figure made after thine owne likenesse seeinge thy deere Sonne did clime the dyrefull steppes of death for redemption therof O most fauorable Father and meeke God of al mercy and compassion I eftsoones coÌ„mende this my Spirite into thy hande I am thine what so euer I am receiue thine I beseeche thee preserue mee and comforte mee for no man can help me besides thee Onely thou arte the sureste resister of all mischiefe thou arte O God the readieste help in all trouble thou arte my hope and strength In thee do I put my trust lette mee not be confounded let mee neuer be rebuked thou art my strong rock and my Castell thou art my sauioure my portion is in thy hands Lighten thy face vpon thy Seruaunt and saue mee O Lorde in thy Mercie Amen N NO brickel nor corrupt gold or Siluer hath redeemed my soule O Heauenly Father but the precious bloud issuinge from Christ as of a Lambe vndefiled and without spotte make mee therefore O Lorde for his sake to put on his humility patience vertu and vnspotted life rendring such accompt of this my Pilgrimage as beste may agree to his merite and thy mercie Let mee not be founde vnthankfull in so sweete a Lorde and sauiour what is most rightuous acceptable and pleasante in thy sight let mee alwayes O God preferre in faith works and what so euer is to approoue mee vnworthy of his tender and surmountinge loue that may alter his louing kindenesse or exchaunge his wonted compassion towards mee Lorde let me euer faile in strength to do it but assisted by thee I may euerlastingly be founde to liue in him Amen A ALmighty God which fliest with the winges of the Ayre ridest vpoÌ„ the Cherubins hast Empyre aboue the starry Firmaments Thou thou that sittest in Sacred seate most hie beholdeynge the wretchednesse of man in this lowe Earthe attending through thine own loue his deserts when with any occasion thou may offer thy mercie Bowe downe thy pitifull eies and fauour in me the Image of thy selfe as thou diddest vouchsafe in Zache when thou calledst him out of the Figge thee enritche my eares with the same voyce of Remission and Gladnesse as thou diddest his incline thine eares heare these cries oh louing redeemer for though I am but Dust Earth and Asshes yet I am bolde strengthened
vnaduisedly oppressed of sinne nether causelesse doo cease from good woorkes for so it may com to passe that wee shall labour in vaine Geue thefore vnto vs a firm faith wanting no strength which not onely may instruct vs to a better kinde of life but also in that same may happely goe forward euer emong encrease as the Prophet saithe Psal 13. Illuminate mine eies that I slepe not least whilest the Christian life but begonne wee negligently goe forward and finallie come againe into Sathans power Graunt that wee may constantly endure and thy kingdome to come may performe and consummate the rule begonne in vs Take vs from this life which is ful of sinne and daungers make vs to desire that other life and let vs beginne and continew to hate this graunt that wee do not feare death but rather wish and desire it let vs cast out of our minde the loue of this life that thou onely maist raigne in vs. Thy will be donne IF we should conferre our wil with thine it is alwaies naught but thy will is euer best whiche deserueth that wee shoulde loue and desire that Therefore haue mercy vpon vs deare Father and let not any thinge be donne after our will. Graunt if any thinge happen contrary to that wee woulde wee may patiently beare it temper so our brickle mettall beyng the woorke of thy handes that if any either speake or holde his peace doo or omitte any thinge contrary to our will that thereby we be not prouoked to anger and impatience Let vs not blaspheme complaine crie out iudge condemne or maliciously accuse others therfore but graunt that wee may quietlie geue place to those whiche worke contrary to our will and praise them geuinge thankes as to those which stirre vp thy will whiche is good againste ours which is yll And further assist vs that we may paciently beare all trouble neede pouerty sicknesse slaunder imprisonmente and all other discommodities and acknowledge al these to happen vnto vs by thy wil that our wil may be mortified let vs paciently beare iniuries and take from vs the desire of reuengement suffer vs not to encounter one euill with another nor resist force with stronge armes but graunte thy will whiche hath throwne vs into those euils may satisfie vs that with thankes geuing wee may beare aduersiries Yf any yll come contrary to that wee woulde graunt wee beseeche thee that we iudge not that calamitie to proceede either of Sathan our wicked enimie or of yll men but of thy deuine will whiche dooth Minister all thinges so that it may let our will whereby thou mightest the better raigne and beare rule in vs Graunt that wee may patiently and with ioyfull minde die leaste beinge ouercome with impatience or desperation wee seeme lesse obedient to thy will. Graunt that al members of our body eyes tongue harte hands and feete folowe not their owne delightes but ouercom and constrained may doo al thinges after thy will. Take from vs O Lorde a hardned and vntractable hart free vs from frowardnesse obstinate and stubberne minde graunte that wee may obey thy will that wee committe our selfe wholy to thy iudgement in all things whether they perteine to the body or the soule whether they be momentary or eternall take from vs these horrible vices that wee impeache not the fame of any flaunder anie rashely iudge accuse or condempne them that vice of the tongue I beseeche thee amende in vs And teache that if others committe any euill wee may retaine and hide it to thee only let vs shewe it and leaue it to thy iudgemente that wee may remit what is committed againste vs and let vs take pity vpon them teach vs to know that none can hurt vs but he shal more disprofite him selfe before thee that we may be the rather stirred to mercie then to anger in any thing let vs not reioyce if they be throwen into calamitie which either haue not obeyed our will or whose life hath been little allowable to vs neither lette vs hate their good successe Geue vs this day our daily breade THE breade is our Lord Iesus Christe whiche feedeth and refresheth the soule Thou therfore heauenly father graunt vs this through thy mercie that the life woordes and deedes of Christe with his Passion may be euery where truely preached acknowledged folowed kept Graunt that both his dooinges and sayings may be ensample to vs to the whiche wee may compare our life liue more rightlie Confirme vs that in calamities and trouble his Crosse and passion may strengthen and comfort vs Assiste vs that by his deathe our deathe may be ouercomme in true Faithe that wee may constantly folowe him being our Captaine to eternall life Bringe to passe that they whiche haue taken vpon them the ministery of thy woorde may happily teach with the greate profite of the hearers woorke that those which heare thy word acknowledge Christe and diligently goe forwarde Let it com to passe that the straunge and wicked sectes who teache not Christe be throwen out of his Churche Let the true vnderstandinge of thy woorde so shine in Bishops and Pastours and likewise vpon all Magistrates whether they haue care of the bodie or Soule that beinge illuminate with thy grace they may rightly teache vs and be exsample vnto vs as wel in Doctrine as in pure life Let not the weak in fâ—â—th be offended through the Sinnes of the Maiestrates Pourge vs O Lorde from all heresiâ—s and wicked Faith that wee may be singly and daily fed with one bread may abide agreeable in Christes woordes teach vs by thy grace tâ—at wee may well studie vpon Christes Passion and rightly holde that and let his imprinted steppes sticke and be founde in vs. Graunte that the Ministers of thy Church may treate and vse the Holy Sacrament worthely and to the greate profite of thy Churche And furthermore that wee and all Christians may in his kinde worthely and to his soule health receiue the Sacramente Geue vs peace and concorde take from vs warres contention ambition priuy hatred bloudie hartes vsurping hands and al other kinde of strifes that those thinges which wee haue to the sustentation of our body wee may enioy with thanks geuing Geue vnto thy seruant Elizabeth our most gratious Queene and Gouernoure thy equall guiftes to her estate and dignity with vprighte Iudgememente in all thinges and to all magistrates true faith and single iudgement with loyall mindes to keepe the publique peace that her ioyes and Rule may longe stande and multiply Take from al Subiectes Sedition and disobedience teache vs by thy Holy spirite to order housholde affayres that wee may instruct our Children and Families to worship praise and glorifie thee Graunt O good Father that our childreÌ„ and family fall not into any sin and wickednes neither be ouerthrowen in any daunger or calamity whether it be either of bodie or Soule Comforte and deliuer thou moste louinge Father the captiue the hungry thirstie
our prayers Finally vvee ought so to moderate our Faithe in Goddes promises that vvee assigne no end time or place to the Maiesty of the Highest but leaue all to his Will. Wisdome and Omnipotencie beinge sure it shall be donne Yeâ— although ther appeare neither place time nor reason hovv it shall bee brought to passe It is sure his deuine vvisdom farre better knovveth and forseeth then vvee Therefore beleeue GOD and referre all to his vvill and disposicion so shall hee bring to passe thy demaund by Miracle if no other vvay it may be As in the people Israell vvhiche beleeued God vvould deliuer them from their Enemies yet appeared there no meane hovv Suddainely he opened the Redde Sea and gaue them safe passage and the Enemies all he ouervvhelmed and drovvned Likevvise the holy Iudith vvhen shee hearde the Citie of Bethulya had taken Counsel and determined that vnlesse God vvithin fiue Dayes vvould send them help they vvould yeelde the Citie to the Enemie shee greatelye rebuked them sayinge Who are you which thus tempt the Lord This communication is not to prouoke mercie but rather to stirre anger and kindle wrath Haue you set a time for the Mercy of the Almighty and will you appoynt a Day in your owne Iudgement This Faith in the holy Woman vvas so vvel accepted of the God of all Victorye that vvith a maruailous meane he deliuered her that she cutte of the Head of Holifernes and preserued the Citie vvith bitter repulse to his vvhole Army Likevvise Paule saith Ephes 3. This is the manner of God that he will do all thinges by a farre other and more better way then we can pray him or vnderstand So vve perceiue our selues to be far inferiour then that vve may appoynt or prescribe in our prayer time or place manner or other circumstance Wherfore cease thou not gentle Reader to praye and refer all to his Diuine will stedfastly beleeuing that he vvill not faile to heare and helpe thee So shalt thou make his brightnesse shine vppon thee procure his tender kindenesse tovvard thee dravve his Rodde the Lot of thy vnbeleeuing from thee and be as Mounte Sion that can not be remooued but stand fast for euer and euer To the stately top of vvhiche blessed Mansion the rather shall thy vvillinge foote be able to ascende if vvith minde and memory thou obserue and imitate the Holy Ambrose who teacheth thus Sit oratio pura simplex dilucida atque manifesta plena grauitatis ponderis non affectata eligantia sed intermissa gratia For the true and acceptable prayer consisteth not in the rablemente of vvordes â—e yet in the vehemencie of voyce but in the stedfastnesse of thy beleife in the beavvty of thy desires and in the pure intentiue thoughtes of thy hart fixed on his Diuine mercies at such time as thou doost pray It auaileth not othervvise thou seke him vvith long laboure of lips thy minde distracte vvith vaniâ—â—es thy Harte in Pilgrymage vvith Worldly carefulnes vvherof if thou make scruple through insufficiencie of this vnlatened Writer let the saying of the Sage satisfie thee vvho telleth mans Prayer to be of perfect value vvhen he acknovvledgeth him selfe to be brickle Clay and Duste humblinge him selfe chalenginge no vvoorthynesse of Vertue to himself but confessing vvholy the good he doothe to proceede of the onely motion and mercie of his Heauenly Maker attributing to him only the due glorie and praise This Iohn vvorthely confirmeth Deus adoratur Spiritu Veritate I say then Non in magnificis amplosis verbis adoratur Whiche lette suffise thee gentle Reader from mee and be eased in farther trouble of my vnlearned stile yet knovv from me hovv hardlie I haue bin distressed in gathering the same to thy behoofe both anoied vvith anxiety of minde by condition of place and of taking my diet vvithout vse of any Tâ—encher beeinge estranged all other meanes theron vvith leathie Pensell of Leade to bringe to thy gratefull Hand this small Quantitie of Spiritual Foode vvhich I hope vvil moue thy humble Nature to allovve thee rather of this my good vvil and trauell In anie learned skill that I offer thee I confes I maie not vvel boast Neither doo I assure thee my selfe not to haue erred I can not chalenge singularitie Yet graunt mee gentle Reader thy pacient peruse and Freendlie correction vvhen my Faults present their number before thy learned vievve so shalte thou free thy selfe from foule Ingratitude and geue me equall paie of my paines Wherin I haue not fedde thee with Sugred sape distilling froÌ„ PERNASSO I hold it an vnpleasaunt discord in Heauenlie Hâ—rmonie not because MERCVRIE bathed him in ARGOS Bloudde do I refuse his ayde but because I am taught by the Apostle that Faithe is not grounded in the bewtie of Oratours Eloquence ne yet in Pride of wardes me vnworthy which do heare with contrite hart and bowed knees appeale to the height of thy mercy and louinge kindnesse to accept my vnequall thankes for the same humbly beseeching thy Fatherly goodnesse that thy holy hande maie still renewe in mee thy former giftes plentuously powred vpoÌ„ me from the Prime of my birth vnto this presente not remembring good Lorde my vnworthinesse of the same nor frailtie of my passed yeares that speaketh against mee but alteringe the ministers of thy wrath into milde mercie Graunt I beseech thee that through the assistauÌ„ce of thy holy Sprite I may be ledde to correct that is amisse and that I may now perseuer in setting ordering and perfourming all my trauelles counselles and studies as best may accord with thy blessed will and cancell the bands of my heauy charge wherin assist me most puisant Prince of all power with thy prudent skil and heauenly grace the I may be truly hable to auance Iustice and to hate wrong and so be found a faithfull Minister ouer thy people In whom plant I beseeche thee thy Heauenly grace and feare with obedience towards thy Minister and kindle in me the loue of thy holy Spirite that I may perseuer in the truthe of thy worde without doubt or wauering to the ende Graunt this oh mighty God of Hoastes for the Merites and Passion of thy deare Sonne my Lorde Sauiour Iesus Christ Amen Eccl. 4. Deliuer him that suffreth wrong from the handes of the oppressour and be not faint harted when thou sittest in Iudgement decide Lawe with Equitie and Iustice with Mercie be fauourable to the Fatherlesse and be in steade of a Husband vnto their Mother so shalt thou be blessed in fight of the Highest and he shal loue thee more then doth thy Father and Moother Eccl. 12. Day and night let the broade Gates of thy bountie be open to the Discrete and Vertuous Set honour alwaies vpon the head of the Lowlie But to the prowde and ambitious keep thy self secret and strauÌ„ge geue not thy breade vnto him least he become mightier then thy selfe nor truste not thine Enemie at any time for like
make me pray with such humblenesse of harte and sorrowfull sighinges as no tongue can tell That guift most pretious will hold me vp where fleashe would fall and guide my feeble feete in the light of thy Law. Thy Spirite I say will purge mee from all earthly effects and lift me vp to heauenly thinges Therfore conioyne mee oh God of all mercy to thy holy Spirite to teache mee to treade the steady steppes of thy worthy will. So shall I leade my Life in the true Lawe of thy louinge kindenesse and with a stronge and stable minde perseuer in Prayer vnto the ende Graunt me therefore for thy Truthe and Sonnes sake that I may enioy this sweete possession of thy holy Spirite which may alwaies leade my laboures after thy liking and keepe my harte in thy feare Sweete Iesu make a couenaunt with me that I neuer become enimy with thee any more neither be found vnworthy of thy ritche mercy and bountifull benefites but that the remainder of my life imployed in thy Seruice may iustly mooue thee to forgeat the iniquitie of my tender yeares Continue thou God of all comfort with increase by the assistaunce of thy grace what I haue heare begunne So shall I liue to glorifie thy might and mercy for euer and euer Amen ZEale anger carefulnesse and sorovve cause celetitie of olde Age Iustice mercie equitie and truthe make glad the Holy Ghoste and to a merie harte is geuen long life and svveete taste ZAcharie spake from thee O Lorde saying Like as I deuised to punnishe you what time your Fathers prouoked me vnto wrath and spared not Euen so am I nowe minded to do wel vnto the house of Iuda and Hierusalem therefore feare it not Now the things you shall do saith the Lorde are these speake euery man the truthe to his neighbour execute Iudgement truly and peaceably within your Portes none of you imagine euill in his harte and loue no false othes O Lorde of my selfe I am so sinful and ignorant that I cannot speake or thincke a good thought much lesse to doo well in deede Assist mee therefore with thy grace that I may doo as thou hast commaunded And let mee comfort my selfe with thy sweete woordes by thy Prophete which are That as the house of Iuda and Israell were accurst emongest the Heathen so thou dooest promise to make them a blessing Am not I an Ofspringe of that seede O Lorde to whome thou diddest promise this blessinge Or were not these thinges written to putte mee in minde of thee and cause mee turne from my wickednesse and truste by thy mercy to obtaine fauoure againe Remember then O Lorde in thy Mercie Turne mee and I shal be turned saye to my Soule I am come vnto thee thy health and thy saluacion A Double tongued man is to be abhorred and he that beareth hatred can neither praie rightly nor speake truelie of whome beware for the malicious and double tongued hath ouerthrowen Highe Palaices laide waste stronge Cities who so harkeneth to them shall neuer finde reste nor dwell in safetie neare the Prince they are more perilous then a Fistula in the breste to the healthe of Man. AVenge not thy cause on me thou God of all iustice forgeue mee my contemptes of thy Commaundements and omission of Prayer If thou geue me equall pay of my Merites I perish Forgette my vnkindenesse I beseeche thee and clothe mee with comfort of thy compassion Purifie my Soule and Body wash away my wickednesse with the bloude breakinge from the woundes of my Sauioure Christe and I shall no more be vnkinde Geue me wisedome to knowe all thy preceptes and pleasure graunt thy mercy euer to keepe me and thy grace to guide me It yrketh mee that euer I did forsake so sweete a Lorde Sauioure my sorrow wasteth mee and my sighes ouerwhelme my harte Haue mee in remembraunce therfore for I tremble quake were not thy mercie knowen I should vtterlie despaire Turne away the stroke of thy vengeaunce from mee bringe my minde out of trouble into rest Fetch now againe thou most pretious Prince of all power that which thy puisaunt mighte hath shapen Restoare Sonne of the Father thee Almightie that which thou hast so well guided and bought with thy terrible torments Take againe into the Sacred seat of thy blessed custody Lord God Holy Ghoste my Body and Soule that haue wandred Thou haste pitifully preserued them long from the violence and vtter destruction of the wicked Serpente and throwes of worldly chaunce Moste mighty God sith thou haste aduaunced thy Glory by such compassion continue in me hartie Prayer put about mee the girdle of thy grace and linke my loue in the lore of thy lawes and my hart shal be thankfull Day and nighte will I say blessed is the Lorde And will praise thy Name and magnifie thy mercie for euer and euer BE ashamed of sinnes and vnrighteousnesse be ashamed to turne thy face away from thy friende in his neede be ashamed to obbrede thy friende with thy guiftes be ashamed to take and not to geue but be not ashamed of the truthe of God and his Couenaunte but do thy best to fulfil it and thou shalt liue BE my comforter in al coūselles and daungers oh God make cleare my vnderstanding and heape my sorte with newe effects and Spiritual motions Renew my Body and Spirite that all sinne flie from mee and graunt that I liue to rightuousnesse Power vpon mee the Spirite of thy grace loade me with the Trewe knowledge of thy woorde Holde my harte alwaies in thy feare builde a true faith and hope of thy promises and mercy in the Bowels of my breast The heauenly Father of our Lorde Iesu Christe hath promised it vnto mee for his Sons sake I seeke it for that thou maist ouercome when thou arte Iudged denie me not Though there belong nothing to mee but confusion and shame yet Lorde correcte mee not in thy dreadfull displeasure but with the louing fauoure of thy face looke vpon my festured woundes Heale them good Lorde from the bottome lette them be healed Mingle thy mercy and preceptes and sowe the seede of them so deepe in my Harte that no burninge blastes of persecution make asshes therof neither any thorny cares of this life doo choke it but that it may bringe foorth as thou hast appoynted like good ground thirtie sixe and an hundred folde The fruites of my haruest Lord shal be the flowers of thy glory My tongue shal alwaies speake of thy maruaylous workes and my hart shall keepe thy Lawes I wil not deny thee my God for the power of any wicked but will seeke thy grace hope of thy mercie and say The mightie God of Israell is to be loued feared and obeyed world without ende Amen EVill seedes see thou sovv not in the Furrowes of vnrighteousnesse so shalt thou not reape thee seuenfolde labour sue not vnto Man for any Lordship neither vnto the Kynge for the Seate of Honour
thy sighte oh Lorde whosoeuer thinke they are cleane and haue not sinned they deceiue themselues Therefore I confesse oh Lorde I haue not committed one sin but rather infinite sins and acknowledge if thou shouldest obserue mine iniquities I were not hable to abide it Enter not therfore into iudgemente with thy Seruaunte oh Heauenly Father for no fleashe is rightuous in thy sighte let the penssue harte from whence my praiers commes pearse thy Celestiall Throne Bow down thy mercie Lord and wash mee with the bloud of my Sauioure Christe cloathe mee with his humilitie and reuiue mee with his Resurrection Remember Lorde thou haste spoken by the mouthe of thy seruaunt Esaye That if my sinnes be as redde as Scarlette they shal be made as white as snowe And furthermore thou delightest not in the deathe of any sinner but that he rather liue and be conuerted Lord thy woordes neuer failed and thy compassions haue no end by vertu of the one and substance of the other purify me from all mine iniquitie I neede not to tel thee Lord if time woulde not faile mee the large examples of thy manifold mercies besides thi compassions shewed on thy Seruaunte Mary Magdeleyn Peter and Paule with whom Lorde let me be so cleansed purified and receiued as O may with them be Coheyres of thy euerlasting ioyes Amen AS the barraine and vnthanckefull soyle whiche after good vse diligence of the Tiller geueth forth Darnell for good seede so euer dooth the fainte harted and vngratefull freend in the Harueste of thy necessitie But if thou wouldest choose him by vertue of the Grape and suffer him to be olde as thou dost thy wine then shouldest thou drink him with pleasure AT midnight my tonge and lippes shall singe praise of thy holy name and my Spirite shall glorifie thee sittinge aboue the highest Cherubins Awake Lorde awake denie mee not for thy names sake â—â—â—gh otherwise vnwoorthy of â—â—y porcion in thy ritche guiftes to the worlde Lorde thou hast so loued the world that thou madest thy dere beloued sonne to clime the steps of death who bare the Image of thy substaunce and brightnes of thy glory to purge our mortalitie and sinne I beseeche thee therfore as thou haste so vouchsaued also saide by the mouthe of thy Seruauntes that thou haste geuen him to that most dreadfull death of the Crosse to put away al sin and to satisfie thy iustice Lorde and mercifull Father let me now for al be so deliueâ—â—â— and cleerely purged by this pitifull passion of thy deere sonne my Sauiour that I may say and singe with the blessed Cherubins and Seraphins Apostles Sainctes and Virgins Holy Holy Holy Lorde God on highe all Honour Power Dominion and Glory be dewe to thee for euer and euer Amen ¶ The Versicle FOr thy deare Sonnes sake O Lorde heare and receiue my Prayers The Answere ANd in thy truthe and mercy pardon mine offences and graunt mee thy grace ¶ The Collecte O Lorde Iesus Christ sonne of the pure Virgin Marie thou thou art not only the sweet spouse of my soule healthe but with God the Father a moste meke Mediatour full of Mercie Truthe wash away my sinnes with the most precious bloud of thy holy passion make me ritch in thy mercy and my Faithe so strong in thee that assisted with thy grace and holy Spirite to all duty and workes in this life towardes thee I may enioy afterwards the glory of thy blessed Kingdom with thy holy saincts and Virgins in euerlasting honoure and triumphe Amen ¶ The Prayer O Lord Iesus Christ whiche hast redeemed all mankinde from sinne Death Hell thou which hast saide I am the way truthe and life A way in Doctrine Commaundementes and examples Truth in promises Life in rewarde I pray thee by thine ineffamable loue wherwith thou hast vouchsafed wholie to bestowe thy selfe for our securitie that thou wilt not suffer mee euer to stray from thee bicause thou art the way nor at any time to distruste thy promises which art Truthe and perfourmest what so euer thou promisest neither let me rest in any other thing because thou arte eternal life without the whiche there is nothinge that ought to be desired neither in heauen nor in Earthe By thee we learne the sure and expediente passage vnto true healthe that wee wander no longer in the Labor in the of this world Thou haste exactly taught what to beleeue and what to doo what to hope for and in whome wee ought to rest By thee wee learne how wee were of that first Adam vnfortunately borne By thee wee are assured ther is no hope of helth but through Faith in thee that thou arte the onely brightnesse which geuest lighte to all men trauailing the darke Deserts of this worlde where is nothinge but a profound dimnes wherby we can neither see our calamity nor from whence wee oughte to seeke remedy of our euil Thou diddest vouchsafe to descende into the Earthe disdainedst not to take our nature vppon thee that by thy doctrine thou mightest shake of the dimnesse of our ignoraunce by thy commaundements mightest directe our feetâ— in the way of Truthe Peace By the exaÌ„ples of thy life thou hast shewed vs the way to immortalitie and by thy steppes hast restoared to vs a plaine easie and profitable way out of an vneuen and roughe way So thou arte made vnto vs a waye which knoweth no erroure in the whiche leaste wee should be wearie thou haste vouchsafed to vpholde vs in thy benignitie with greate and sure promises for who can be weary accoumpting him selfe ready through thy steppes to enter thy Heauenly Heritage Therfore whilest we be in this iorney thou wouldest be a sure hope vnto vs to be in steede of a staffe vnto vs wherewith we are susteined Neither was thy goodnesse content with this but knowing the weakenes of our fleash in the meane while with the comfort of thy Spirite doost so refreashe our strengthe whereby wee runne cheerefully And as thou being made vnto vs a way doost driue away al errour So being made Truthe doost take away all distrust Finally beinge made life vnto vs dooste reuiue the dead in sin to liue by thy Spirite releeuing all thinges vntill in the resurrection al mortalitie vtterly abolished we may alwaies liue with thee and in thee when Christe shall be to vs all in all For eternall life is to knowe the Father the Sonne and the holy Ghoste to be one true God whoÌ„ now through Faith wee beholde only in a Glasse and Ridell and then seeing more feloly the glory of the Lorde wee shal be transformed into the same Image Therfore I beseeche thee most mercifull Sauioure that thou wouldest nourishe Faithe in thy Seruaunte that I may neuer wauer in thy heauenly doctrine Encrease obedience that I neuer turne from thy Preceptes Fortifie constancie that entring into thy steppes it be not pulled backe nor through the terroure or intisements of Sathan ouerthrowne but maie
perseuer in thee which art the true way vnto death Builde my sure trust that accustomed with thy promises I neuer waxe old in the exercise of Vertue but forgetting those thinges which are paste I may continually striue to come to perfiter Accept my contrite hart the woonted sacrifice of thy delight and the oblation of these my peticions grauntinge the summe of my requests Blotte out all mine offences for thine owne sake increase thy grace in mee that I may in all things carrie vpright sway and equall iudgement gouerning thy people in the light of thy worde and feare of thy Lawes And daily more and more die to my selfe and liue and be lead by thy Spirite fearinge nothinge but thee then the which nothinge is greater or mightier louing nothing beside thee thē whom nothing is more to be beloued gloriynge in nothinge but in thee which art the glory of al saincts requiring nothinge beside thee which arte the best desiring nothing but thee which art the full and perfite felicitie with the Father and the holy Ghoste aboue the starrie Firmamente to whom be praise both now euer Amen ¶ A discrete and wise woman is an high porcion she honoreth GOD and bewtifieth the worlde vpon her right hande standeth loye and Peace and vpon her left hand Ritches and Honour her Body is the sweete tree of longe life to him that laieth hold on her blessed is he that kepeth her fast EVerye one that saithe Lorde Lorde shal not enter the Kingdom of heauen Therefore confirme my Faithe stronge in thee O Heauenly Father and in my Sauiour Christe quiet my minde with sure hope of his promises and thy Saluacion Destroye in mee the Kingdom of Sinne the power of Sathan the desires of the worlde and the delightes of the Fleashe Guide my feete in the pathes of thy preceptes bringe the conflictinge daies of mine enemies to ende Make mee that am weake in my selfe strong in thee to conquere the force of theire Armes So shall my lippes poure out continuall praise vnto thee O god of my Saluacion and magnifie thy Maiesty worlde without ende Amen L LOoke not extremely what is donne amisse in mee for no fleash is rightuous in thy sight I offer vp my selfe wholy with all my vnsauery and corrupt abuses both in wil and woorkes vnto the flowinge fountaine of thy mercy to be chasticed poullished and washed and made cleane euen at thine owne will and pleasure Wherfore impute not the frailty of my tender yeeres vnto my charge but that thou maist ouercome when thou art iudged Forgeue me receiue me and so arme me with thy holie Spirite that I may treade the rest of my daies with an vpright sway a cleare conscience and a single harte to thy Glory and profite of my Soule Amen I I Liue O God in a most wretched Vale of miserie where cōtinually thy creatures are strained with sinne assayled with affliction tossed with troubles choked with cares infected with ambition vexed with temptacions blinded with erroures ouercomme with vanities of the world and miseraly wrapped in all vntruthe and wretchednesse wherfore O Lord arise stretch out thy hand helpe and comfort mee Asswage my sorrowe assist me with thy Holy Spirite that mine owne substance ouercome mee not this glitteringe vaine world of infinite sorowes and fewe felicities deceiue mee not that Sathan supplant mee not but geue me inuincible power to encounter them patience in suffering them and in thy woorde constancie in perseuering to the ende Amen Z ZEale anger hatred and frō respecte of any persones in Iudgemente Lorde make mee free Arme mee with the patience of my sauiour Christ geue me the Breastplate of his rightuousnesse and the helmet of his equitie Make mee to exercise his Mercy Truthe Meekenesse Faithfulnesse Temperance and Humility Cast out of my harte all that may offende thee and disprofite my Soule Let all worldly things be vile vnto mee for thy sake let me reioyce in nothinge without thee nor loue nothing but to thy glorie So shall my harte keepe thy lawes and my mouthe for euer and euer speake thy praise Amen A ACcepte mee Lorde in the nūber of thy elect behold in mee the Image of thy selfe the worke of thine owne hands remember thou haste geuen thy deare Sonne to the bitter Passion of the Crosse for my redemption Let me not be rewarded therfore accordinge to the deepe sea of my sinnes for then I perishe But for thy Truthe Mercie and deere Sonnes sake correcte mee strengthen mee and imbrace mee yea linke mee so surely to the loue of thy Lawes that I neuer leaue thee and in the daie of my trouble houre of deathe Lorde deliuer mee so shall I liue and glorifie thee through all worldes Amen B BEholde my infirmities O Lord and consider my frailnesse best knowen vnto thee So oft as I shall fall make me lift vp my hart again vnto thee seeke thee feare thee and loue thee and euer to be soary with so stedfast a purpose of amendement that my earnest desire may rightly stirre vp thy mercie and procure mee the assistaunce of thy grace to conioyne mee to all Heauenly thinges to destroye all earthly affections and temptacions that daily plucke mee backe and rebell not sufferinge my soule to liue in rest Against which builde thy feare in my breast true knowledge of thy woorde in my harte fortifie my faith with sure hope of thy Heauenly blisse enter the shininge light of thy woorde so deepe in my minde that all my studies thoughts onely occupied therin my other partes may euer want power to offend the my tongue and lippes euer be singinge thy laude and glory Amen E ENritche my Soule with the continual felowshippe of thy thy Holy Spirite whose deuine humanitie may so temper my grosse substance with trewe condition that alwaies I may seem low in mine owne sight and neither pride nor selfloue ouertake or at any time allure me to exercise the vnseemely pleasantnesse of nature but euer preferringe a pure and chaste life may winne the victory of al vncleanesse and glorifie thee which art the heade and Patrone of al mercy truth and singlenesse whose triumphe my tongue shall neuer cease to aduaunce Therefore most louing Sauiour leaue mee not to my selfe but stande alwaies by mee and with thy stronge hande make my waies sound and perfit and confound mine enimies in their deuises Amen T THou hast saide most sweete redemer Christe that the Mountaines shall remooue and the Hilles shall fall downe but thy louinge kindenesse woorde mercy and truthe shal not moue also that the band of thy peace shall not faile vs Dere Father I beseeche thee for thine owne Truthe and mercies sake remember this thy Promise and Couenaunt graue it so deepe in the inwarde partes of my harte that I may neuer forgeate neyther fall from thee but euer acknowledge thee mine only God and Sauiour Loue thee with all my harte and thy people for
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
yet truste not to thy endeuour but to the healpe of my grace for if thou trust to thy selfe to thine owne industery thou shalte easily fall thy well dooing neuer ascribe to thy selfe nor vsurpe any thinge vpon my guiftes for of thy selfe thou canst not but offende of thy self thou hast nothing but sinne whiche proper is to thy selfe desire not vainely to please any mortall man wisshe rather to be knowne of fewe then many to be despised rather then praysed neuer esteeme thy self any thing woorth nor thinke thy worthinesse of any value but with out faining accōpt thy selfe vngraceful vnwoorthy and vilest creature aliue Humble and imbase thy selfe beneathe all menne for my sake loue all menne with a pure loue yea those also which persecute thee wishe the prosperity of thy Brother despise none dispaire not at the well dooinge of any slaunder none iudge no man what thou seest and hearest of others interprete it to the best with al studie mortifie thine owne apetite and singulerly imbrace my will gladly and willingly obeye mee in all thinges and men in those which be lawfull leaue thine owne will and denie thy selfe commit and yeeld thee wholy to my prouidence with firme truste in mee in all temptation perill and necessitie for I haue care of thee and diligently attend thee as if thou only liuedst Daughter learne to receyue euery aduersitie and affliction no otherwise then as from my hand sent only and patiently beare it to the end for my sake for trouble is the cup of blessing whereon I haue made all my chosen drinke There hathe not ben any of mine which outwardly or inwardly hathe nor suffred some trouble Wherefore reiectinge all weakenesse what so euer commeth to thee take it in good part and beleeue it to be sent to thee for thy health for the great loue I beare thee Suffer aduersity it is the kingly way which leadeth to heauenlie Heritage walke therfore in it reioysing geue me thankes that I haue so regarded thee that I woulde geue thee somewhat that thou shouldest suffer when any doo moleste thee and woorke thee iniury or spighte thinke him sent by mee to proue thee Be not agrieued with him geue him not sharpe and bitter woordes neither thinke of reuengement marke not the man whiche is my instrumente and scourge but attende on mee which suffer suche thinges to be done by man O Daughter in euery trouble and sorow be patient resigning thy selfe to mee for I purge thee by afflictions and make thee apt and woorthy to be maried to mee But if of thy humaine infirmity or other defect thou fall to impatience be not discouraged neither wauer dispairinge in thy good indeuoures but foorthwith arise turne to mee and call vpon mee with a sure hope of pardone I know the generall weaknesse of man I knowe also thy peculiar frailetie truste to mee thy hope and ful trust cannot be too assured in me if thy life be good and repentante Wherefore hastily flie vnto mee I will take thee vp heale and defende thee what doest thou feare yet O Daughter why doest thou not euen now desire deathe for what euill can death bringe thee Truely after thou haste bequeathed thy Carkas to the ground thou shalt no more offende mee Thou shalte no more be defiled with sinne if thou loue nothing in this world deathe can take nothinge from thee if thou loue any worldly thinge wilte thou stande to the daunger nay rather thou louest thine owne perilles Therfore before thou die cease to loue worldly and transitory thinges if thou feare not to much to die yea if thou loue me alone in this life be gladde thou shalte die for but by death thou canst not gette what thou louest But I know what thou fearest truly nothing in this worlde thou louest nothinge thou doost possesse that either thou carest to enioye or wouldest sorowe the losse but trembling and feare vexeth thee bicause thou knoweste not whether thou be worthy loue or hatred Thou knowest not howe thou shalt be receiued of mee either to reste or paine None of these shalt thou know O daughter neither is it expedient truly Though thou feare yet abide in hope and sure trust in mee whether thou liue or die of thy selfe thou canste neither liue nor die well both thou haste of mee if I geue thee to liue well shall not I also graunt thee wel happilie to die seeing therof thou hast all of me seeing thou lookest for all thinges at my hande how is it thē that thou hopest one thing and dispairest another Truste then and caste all thy thoughtes and care vpon mee as liuinge thou art able to resiste no temptacion nor auoyde any sinne so neither dyinge arte thou able if faithfully I preuent temptations and moderate them in thy life the same will I doo in thy deathe Neuer enter battaile with thine own force and armes but leaue it vnto mee leaninge to mee I will fight for thee and I fightinge for thee and defending thee what cause haste thou of feare neither doubte thou of the condition or kinde of deathe Nullum est genus mortis quod nocere potest iusto No kinde of deathe is able to annoye a iuste man for the iust with what deathe so euer he be besette is in safegarde Therefore be nothinge carefull whether at home or abrode in bedde or in fielde thou shalt die neither feare whether thy death be naturall or violent But as the Apostle counselleth study to liue soberly iustly and godly that thou may well and happily die An euil death dooth not folow a good and iust life but the deathe of the iuste is precious in my sight how so euer they ende this life whether in the water in the fire or in bedde they die ¶ A sweete and comfortable Consolation for al weake mindes to confirm strengthen them against Desperation WHosoeuer refusinge the hope of pardon rūneth headlonge into the goulfe of desperation doth not only distrust the omnipotencie of God perswadinge him self that there is som crime whiche he is not able to extinguish but also maketh him a lier By the mouthe of his Prophete he hathe promised free remision of sinne so soone as the offender bewaileth but frowardely doothe the posterity of Caine say Suche is mine iniquitie as I shall neuer obteine remission What sayest thou caitif If God be not able to pardone bicause of the greatnesse of thy sin thou robbest him of his Omnipotencie If he will not do that which he can doo he is a Liar and too lighte not to perfourme the thing whiche so oft he hathe promised by the mouthe of his holy Prophetes It is saide of the Psalmiste God is gratious and mercifull long sufferinge and of great goodnesse The Lorde is louing to all menne and his mercie is ouer all his woorkes Is there any thing then more admirable then the creation of the heauens with so many shininge bodies then the makinge of the Earthe
and I will not remember ought that he hath donne Haue I pleasure in the death of a sinner saith the Lorde God or rather woulde I not his conuersion from his euill waies that he might liue And againe he saith Returne and repente you of your faultes and your iniquitie shall not preuaile against you Caste awaie euil cogitations and take you a new Spirite And why wilte thou die O House of Israell I will not the deathe of a sinner returne and thou shalt liue O wretche why despairest thou sithe to this ende God sente his Sonne into the Earthe that thou mightest haue comforte This is the loue of God wherof Dauid speaketh saiyng Wee haue seene thy louinge kindenesse euen in the middest of thy Congregation Be early at the Chuâ—ch occupied in praier abide in the Apostolike faithe beware of Idolatry imbrace the louinge kindenesse of God who crieth vnceassantly I wil not the death of a Sinner but rather he conuert and liue Harke to this sweet Oracle shake of the drousinesse of errour and rise with Christ that thou maiste liue in him Marke how liberally he promiseth At what hower so euer a sinner shall repente I will put all his wickednesse oute of my remembraunce He hath no respecte to the nature of thy faultes he forceth not the greatnesse or number of thine offences repent but as thou oughtest he wil blotte thy wickednesse out of memorie That our prayer may be more acceptable to God the Prophet Osee telleth vs how wee shoulde pray Returne vnto the Lorde and say to him Lorde take away mine iniquitie receiue if I haue any my goodnesse and I will geue thee the batlinges and Sacrifice of my lippes Let vs reuerte that haue shamefully erred to him which taketh away the sinnes of the worlde and let vs say Take awaie from vs the euill which wee haue donne and accept this good what good Euen the Sacrifice of our lippes wee geue thee thanks mighty God to whom wee owe all that wee haue Take from vs which is ours accept of vs the which is thine owne Returne saith Ioell to your God because he is louing and gratious long suffring and of much mercy ready to pardon mischief Though the waight of sinne astonne thee yet let the mightinesse of Gods mercy vpholde thee which the Prophet doothe many waies exaggerat God saith he is gentle whiche he addeth that wee shoulde not dispaire of pardon God saith he is gratious that wee shoulde vnderstande how he not onely helpeth vs but that he pitieth oure miseries And thinking not this sufficient he adioyneth Long suffering And yet art thou doubtfull sinner Harken then what foloweth And of great mercie If thy faultes be many care not great is the goodnesse of God. What remaineth now but that thou turne and goe to him that inuiteth thee Thou wilte saie the horrible threatninges of punishmente feare mee Geue eare and mark And he is ready to pardon mischief that God which is so often stirred to anger of his owne accorde mooueth thee to repentaunce calleth thee to forgeuenesse forgetteth his threats denieth thee the tormente of hel in steede of punishmente geueth thee his blessing not onely turneth to thee that repentest but wilingly goeth to meet thee and embraceth thee This is it which was promised by Zacharie Turne vnto me saithe the Lorde of Hostes and I will be conuerted vnto you What meaneth he by Returne vnto mee that is acknowledge thy weakenesse and aske mercie And what is meant by this And I will be conuerted vnto you That is of a reuenger I will become a healper I will assist your indeuours and looke what throughe your owne strengthe you can not bringe to passe thou shalt attaine to by my fauoure No man can freely hate his owne sin vnlesse God mollifie his stoany harte geue him a fleashly hart vnlesse for a defiled conscience he make a cleane hart vnles for a corrupt soule he renewe a right spirite in him Peruse Reade vnreade the conuersation life of Christ there thou shalte finde nothinge but of his euerlasting mercy towardes all men He freely healed the sicke fedde the hungrie deliuered them that were in daunger cleansed the Leapers gaue sight to the Blinde restored the Lame cast out Diuels raised the deade to life and pardoned the wicked Search again the vniuersall discipline of God what other thinge conteineth it then the maruailous compassion of the Almightie Doth he not inculcate into our mindes by Parables to the intente wee shoulde not fall by any meanes To that ende serueth the parable of the lost sheepe which was brought againe on the Sheepeheardes shoulders the Parable of the lost and found groate of the hole men that wanted not a Phisition of the seruaunt to whom his debts were forgeuen of the Publicane and the Pharisey of the broken man whom the Samaritane cured of the good stewarde towards his dettours and of the crafty Stewarde towardes his Maister of the Prodigall Childe taken againe into fauoure As touchinge the bare name of the Gospell doth it not promise mercie Yes it geueth lighte to the Blinde libertie to the Captiue Health to the broken and laste of all a gratefull gaine to the Lorde who thirsteth nothing but the Saluation of sinners Likewise the name of Iesus that is of a sauiour what els doth it promise to the sinner but mercie and blisfulnesse If he had come representinge the Maiestie of a Iudge there had ben som cause why euery one mighte haue feared but knowinge him to come as a Sauioure dooste thou dispaire Saluation for the surer hope of Saluation the Sonne of God suffered death and offered vp him self a valiaunt Sacrifice for the sinnes of manne And hanginge on the Crosse praieth for his persecutoures and thinkeste thou that he will deny thee the forgeuenesse of thy sinnes that dooste acknowledge thy wretchednesse and craue remission Trust him that is mercifull and thou shalte finde compassion A sure hope obtaineth any thinge at Christes hande who so mistrusteth the Phisition hindreth his owne health The wooman of Canaan cried and her Daughter was cured The Centurian beleeued and his Seruaunte was made whole againe The Father praied and his Sonne was cleansed of the foole spirite The Apostles cried out Healpe Lorde for wee perishe and they were deliuered And wee see that in diuerse he hathe not respected the Prayers of the mouth but onely the Faith. He did but perceiue the faith of the people and saide to the sicke of the Palsie Be of good cheere my sonne thy sinnes are forgeuen thee The Mother and her companions do but weepe and her sonne is raised from deathe to life Martha and Mary did but mourn and Lazarus was reuiued Mary the sinner bewaileth he annointeth her kisseth her and saithe Thy sinnes are forgeuen thee He sufficiently asketh that confesseth his infirmitie he asketh effectually that lamenteth and beleeueth The woman troubled with superfluity of bloud secretly touched the vesture of Iesus
deuouring Dragons with open mouth deliuer mee from their greedy gripes and free my feete from the paths of such venemous serpentes O Lord thou seest they haue stopped vp my well springes of truthe how they haue broken mee in peeces preferred their guiles and altogeather laide me waste I am made their marke to shoote at their strongest bowes haue they bente againste me out of their malicious quiuer they haue shot their sharp shaftes of eger enuie yea euen into my raines They laugh me to scorn in their dissembling hartes and yet bear me faire countenaunce No regarde is had of my truthe and vtter confusion is com vpon me thy guifts Lorde proper to my selfe are holden from mee and I perish in want hauing of mine owne The leauen of my Breade is made with cruell cares and my drink mâ—ngled with salt teares they haue ouerwhelmed mee with heaped stoanes and haue buried my innocencie in shamefull graue I am sequestred from all freedom and thou Lorde knowest I am not giltie Correcte mee not in my misdeedes towards thee Lorde but in the mildenesse of thy mercie for I acknowledge I haue don thinges vnlawfull againste thy Throne and am no more woorthy to be called thy Childe Yet Lord from the bottome of a broken harte I aske thy Pardon and my Spirite trusteth in thy mercie and requireth that mine enimies may no lenger triumph ouer mee Sweete Lorde loke downe and remedie my miserie and thraldome Remember how long I haue ben fedde with sorrowe and care how my Body wasteth and my Soule melteth away I feare Lorde thou hast forsaken mee and sette vp the horne of mine enimies that thou geuest them this longe Glory ouer mee O mercifull Father doo not so I beseech thee If my scourge be determined with thee for anie my conteÌ„ptes of thy will yet deliuer mee from the handes of the malitious I acknowledge my faultes towardes thy Celestiall Seate and say my rightuousnesse all is stained I appeale to thy mercy for thy truth and Sonnes sake But Lorde if my breast euer harboured any vniust pretence or acte againste thy Seruaunte Elizabethe my gratious Queene and Gouernoure as a ioyfull praie bestowe me emongest mine eger enimies To this day from my birthe thou knowest Lord I haue honoured her with Loyall loue and serued her with true harte and innocent handes Now Lord if such discharge of dewtie hathe euer wonne victorye ouer any her woorthy thoughtes I beseeche thee not in my deserts to thee but for my truthe to her multiplie in secret brest such thoughtes to sure encrease of firm beliefe as through thee inspired with my large truthe which might neuer boast her selfe I may be saued from the snares of the malicious and my innocencie knowen to her Wake Lorde I beseche thee and renewe on mee thy mercies and helpe as euer thou hast don of olde My Soule saith within mee thou Lorde arte her onely portion and therefore shee will hope in thee And my body hast thou alwaies deliuered in greatest perill when so euer I haue put my trust in thee Arise most mightie helper and ayde thy seruaunt who only seeketh succour of thee Sure I am in mine enimies pittes thou wilte not mine Innocencie perish neither destroy mee vtterly in mine vnrightuousnesse towardes thee for that my contrite hart appealeth to thy mercie and thy condition is not to seeke the deathe of a sinner neither to be founde vntrue in thy promisses wherin my Spirite onely trusteth Amidst my sorowful plaints and scorchinge sighes Lorde poure out the comfortable dewes of thy compassion For in no other healpe will I truste but in thine thoughe the whole earthe would assure me Mine enimies swarme as Bees to the Hieue and spreade as flowers of the Spring my freendes walke in single number and hundreds that earst professed faithe denie their sentence suche as woulde my good want the mean therto and those that beste may with Fortunes threates are beaten downe and made lame Wherfore Lorde wash the vnderstandinge of my gratious Gouernesse with the flowing springs of my truthe Cause her with speedy hande to restoare my decaied partes Guide her minde still in thy loue and feare who with such perfite wisdome true iustice and pitieful compassion shewinge whose member shee is hathe thus woorthily preserued mee Yea further Lorde guide so her course on earthe that thou maist afterwards of right equal her ioyes with thy blessed Cherubins aboue the high heauens Continewe in her thy grace which geuest euery good guifte that as shee is thy chosen vessel no vsurpinge harte nor bloudy hande may euer haue power againste her But replenished with thy holy Spirite may execute thy will and walke in thy paths neuer wanting the strength of thy right hand to beat downe her enimies But found worthy of thy ritche goodnesse wee may longe enioy so matchlesse a Heade and Gouernour Graunt this Lord I beseeche thee with exchaunge of my hard state into better euen at thine owne will and my Spirte shall neuer cease to geue praise and thanks to thy holy name Amen To the Reader MY willinge minde sundrie waies annoyed in the purpose of my Pen is forced with other laboures not onely to estrange her Royall Maiestie the finall partes of this small peece but here to offer thee courtuous Reader in supplie of voyde paper these fewe selected Sentences in bothe tongues out of Holy Scripture and other Diuine and Ancient Writers whiche for their woorthinesse thy behoofe and lesse labour if thou accepte better placed then barraine paper and graunte theire once readinge I haue my desire For after deeme I if knowledge of Vertue may allure thee or viewe of vice abashe thee often wilte thou reade and vnreade them to imbrace the good and eschewe the ill Which the heaueÌ„ly Father graunt vs al his grace to fulfill Sentences out of the holy Scripture THe fear of God is worship and triumph gladnesse and a ioyfull Crowne yea who so feareth the Lord shal be happy and when he hathe neede of comfort he shall be blessed The Seede of them whiche feare the Lorde shall be brought to Honour But the generation of the prowde disceiptefull and malitious shall perishe with the shame of their wickednesse Laboure to geate thee a good name for that shall continew by thee surer then a thousand greater treasures of Golde A good life hath a number of daies but a good name endureth for euer The vntruth of a lying tongue murdereth the Soule vpon the heade of the backbiter and blasphemour with terrour shall the Lorde sende the thunder of his wrath consume them hastily He that loueth Ritches shall not be iustified And who so foloweth corruption shal perish in the same Goulde and Siluer is the tree of falling to euery one that greedily seeketh the same blessed is the Ritch which is found without blemish Trauaile and carefulnesse for Ritches taketh away the sleepe and maketh the flesh to consume they help not in the day of iudgemente