laide vpon vs we willinglie shake off but the holie bands of thy lawe whereby our riotous life and affections should be brought into bondage we do hardlie and heauilie admitte The Gospell which brought a fréer vse of our lawfull honors pleasures and commodities was welcome vnto vs but the same Gospell which restraineth the vnlawfull licentiousnes of our ambition intemperancie and couetousnes is not so Finallie so much of the Gospell as doth more néerelie respect our saluation we séeme to haue some care to retaine but so much of it as doth more directlie respect thy glorie and the profite one of another we make small accompt of 8 And seeing the naked treasure of thy holie Gospell had ben a rich reward of a most seruiceable subiection it comming vnto vs not alone but accompanied with so long a peace with so great a welth so plentifull aboundance of all things as this land hath neuer or seldome vsed other lands about vs haue long looked after maketh our guilt a great deale more because that in thy so great a larges towards vs we haue bene so vngratious towards thée againe 9 Here therfore is another staier whereby our sinne climeth higher For that we in the commodities of this life surmounting our auncestours of the same profession of the Gospell in the time of King Henrie the eight of most famous memorie and King Edward the sixt â—re for the fruits that such a liberalitie asketh at our hands a great deale worse than they and going beyond other lands in these outward blessings are outrunne of them euen in the verie outward testimonies and tokens of our obedience towards thée The second Blossome conteining 1 A confession of particular sinnes in seuerall estates and first against Gouernours 2 Against Iudges and their indirect proceedings 3 Against ministers 4 Their inordinate affections 5 Their imperfections wants and infirmities 6 Against the people and their lacke of loue to the truth 7 Our securitie and want of grace 8 The aggrauating of our sinnes and making of them more huge and heinous 9 The burthen which Gods Lawe laieth vpon our shoulders 10 Our vnworthines of anie benefit or good blessing either temporall or eternall 1 OUer and besides this huge heape and as it were réeke of our generall and common sinnes we haue to confesse at the the barre of thy iudgement seate the particular sinnes that we haue cocked vp in our seuerall estates For our gouernours O Lord for the most part being more mindfull of the fulfilling of their affections than either of thy glorie or of their good estate which are committed vnto them haue not held so steadie a hand as they ought to haue done either for the stablishing of the lawes by which vnder thée they should haue ruled vs and we by them should haue bene gouerned of thée or for the thorough execution of so manie and so farre foorth as they haue bene well established 2 Our Iudges and other ministers of iustice likewise haue either ignorantlie or corruptlie declined from righteous iudgement or giuing sentence for the truth they haue done it diuers of them with no coÌ„science of thy true feare or loue of truth but for respect either of vaine glorie or of persons 3 The Ministers which should haue bene lightes vnto all estates haue for the most part no light in themselues and their estate in whose good constitution and sound health the rest should haue recouered their health is of all other the most sicke vnto death For if the whole number be surueied scarse the hundred will be found to be in the lotte of a faithfull ministerie 4 For ah alas how manie are there which occupieng the place of Ambassadours either for want of abilitie or for that they loue ease and sléepe carrie no tollerable ambassage at all How manie which carrieng the light of the Gospell in their mouthes carrie also in their hands the filthie water of ambition and couetousnes wherewith to quench it 5 And those which by thy grace are for their might and will in some good measure iustifiable notwithstanding for the most part beare it with such infirmitie through slippes as well in a sound and substantiall maner of reaching as also in an euen life answering therevnto that if thy blessing were not maruellous vpon their labours we should not néede to feare the quenching of this fire of the holie Gospell kindled among vs by the enimies as that which hauing so small attendance of blowing would die of it selfe 6 Finallie the people beare so small loue vnto their gouernours of all sorts in loue so small reuerence and in them both so little willing obedience that it may be not vneasilie séene that all the partes of the Church and Commonwealth haue conspired to prouoke the Lord God against them These our great and ouergrowne sinnes albeit they are gotten aboue our heads yet rest they not here For where thou hast by thy holie seruants the Ministers of thy blessed word sharplie chidden vs and in a seueare denouncing of thy iudgements due vnto them fearefullie threatned vs for them yet haue we not trembled at thy voice at which the Mountaines do melt and the rockes do rent asunder 7 A strange thing that the Lion should roare the weake Lambes should not be affraide that the Lord of hoastes should proclame warre against vs and we should not goe foorth and méete him for intreatie of peace Naie his wrath as hath bene shewed hath bene and yet is kindled amongst vs and yet as senslesse men and as dead flesh we are not moued We are pricked and we féele it not We are wounded and we do not so much as aske who hath stricken vs. The tempest that is comming toward vs threateneth our vtter drowning and yet as a drunken man we lie sléeping in the verie toppe of the mast 8 Whereby it is euident against our selues that vnto the multitude of our sinnes we haue added another degree of wickednes which is the continuance in them vnto our disobedience we haue ioined stubbornes and the biles and botches of our rebellion being ouglie in thy sight do through the putrefaction and festrednes of them cast out such a stincke as the earth which we tread vpon the waters which we drinke and the aire which we breath are tainted and poisoned with the infection of them 9 Yea Lord taught by the wonderfull iustice of thy righteous lawe we charge vpon our heads all the sinnes of our fathers and grandfathers to the vttermost of our generations which are past as those wherevnto we are iuster inheritours than vnto anie landes or goodes that they haue left vs. whereby it falleth out against vs that our sinnes touch the cloudes yea breake into the heauens of thy Maiesties owne residence whose measure being alreadie as it seemeth filled there remaineth nothing but that it should be turned vpon our heads 10 Wherevpon we make against our selues another confession that we are vnworthie of all the benefites of
way to make her an harlot 87 Be warie how thou viewest the beautie of a woman too narrowlie least thou be taken in her loue and so fall to follie 88 Be chaste in communication and talke for manie times the heart giueth vtterance to the tongue 89 Be carefull to kéepe thée in one place and continue in thy calling if thou intend to be thriftie 90 Be more desirous to saue than to spend least in the time of néede thou haue not to serue thy turne 91 Be a true paimaister of thy hired seruant and let him haue his wages for his worke 92 Be courteous and gentle so shall such as be absent commend thée and they that be present shall reioice in thy companie 93 Be merrie at thy meate and giue God thankes for the same so shalt thou haue alwaies enough 94 Be mindfull of thy dutie to God euerie morning euening magnifie his holie name 95 Be sober and continent among yong women in the presence of thy wife least she burne in gealousie ouer thée 96 Be in thy conuersation humble and gentle and haue a regard to the whole course of thy life 97 Be in thine apparell modest in thy communication honest in thy behauiour sober and in all thy doings discréete 98 Be to the stranger courteous to thy neighbour friendlie to all a wellwiller to none an enimie 99 Be to thy prince trustie and loiall to the magistrate obedient and to thy betters dutifull 100 Be thankefull to God for all his benefites and let his praise be alwaies in thy mouth harlot 16 Be not suertie for a stranger and for him whome thou knowwest not be not handfasted 17 Be not in thy neighbours danger if thou be humble thy selfe and with thy friends intreate thy creditour 18 Be not sluggish but consider the Emmet and by her example learne to be wise 19 Be not slouthfull and idle least pouertie créepe vpon thée and beggerie ouertake thée as a traueller 20 Be not proud of countenance abhorre a lieng tongue and detest hands that shed innocent bloud The seuenth Honicombe yeelding most whoalsome dehortations from vice and vitious life 21 BE not haunted with an hart that is full of wicked imaginations for that is the next waie to mischiese 22 Be not a false witnesse that bringeth lies nor a sower of discord among brethren 23 Be not a companie kéeper with a faire woman least thou be taken and intrapped with her faire lookes 24 Be not familiar with an harlot for she bringeth a man to beggerie but an honest woman is worth gold 25 Be not a tempter of thy neighbours wife to lewdnesse least thou runne in danger of Gods cursse 26 Be not a blasphemer of the Lords name least he be sharplie auenged of thée for thy presumption 27 Be not a reprouer of the scornfull least he owe thée euill will but rebuke a wise man and he will loue thée 28 Be not of the number that saie Stolne waters are swéete and the bread that is priuilie eaten hath a good taste 29 Be not a gatherer of goodes wrongfullie for they profit nothing in the end 30 Be not a stirrer vp of hatred and strife but embrace loue for loue couereth the multitude of sinnes 31 Be not a much babbler for therein is great offence but refraine thy lips so shalt thou be wise 32 Be not double of tongue and a dissembler for the Lord abhorreth the counterfeite hypocrite 33 Be not an extortioner nor an oppresser of the poore for the Lord will take their cause in hand 34 Be not fugitiue and lightfooted from place to place but continue content with thine owne estate 35 Be not gealous ouer thy faire and youthfull wife least thou turne her loue into hate 36 Be not couetous and gréedie of monie for in time both thou and thy wealth shall awaie 37 Be not delicate and nice for that is the propertie of women but auoid all such vanities 38 Be not inquisitiue after things aboue thy knowledge least thou be counted a busie bodie 39 Be not a mainteiner of wrong iudgement least the Lord confound thée in thy wickednesse 40 Be not ouer carefull for thy life least thou fall into mistrust despaire of Gods prouidence The eight Honicombe yeelding most whoalsome dehortations from vice and vitious life 41 BE not a talebearer from care to eare least thou be forsaken of thy friends and made an outcast 42 Be not vniust in buieng and selling let thy balance be euen and thy weights without fault 43 Be not a dissembler nor a discouerer of secrets but faithfull of heart and trustie in counsell 44 Be not a purchaser of thy neighbours house ouer his head for in so doing thou suckest his bloud 45 Be not suertie for a stranger least thou smart for it for he that hateth suertiship is sure 46 Be not a worker of deceiptfull workes but a sower of righteousnesse so shalt thou receiue thy reward 47 Be not corrupt in heart for such doth the Lord abhorre but in such as are of an vndefiled conuersation he hath pleasure 48 Be not ouer bold to trust in thy riches least thou haue a fall but vse them in the feare of the Lord. 49 Be not a sower of disquietnes in thine owne house least thou haue wind for thine heritage 50 Be not malicious least thou be insnared with thine owne mouth but be méeke of spéech so shalt thou be honoured 51 Be not a medler in other mens matters least thou be ill thought of and haue small thanks for thy labor 52 Be not hastie in vttering thy wrath least thou be counted a foole and in the end thou discouer thine owne shame 53 Be not a slanderous person for such a one woundeth like a sword but a wise mans tongue is wholesome 54 Be not an imaginer of euill for commonlie mischiefe doth followe but be a counseller of that which is honest 55 Be not a lier and a forger of vntrueths for such doeth the Lord abhorre but they that deale trulie please him 56 Be not a sluggard faine to haue and not to get but be diligent and thou shalt haue plentie and abundance 57 Be not proud for after pride followeth strife whilest thou thinkest none comparable in worthines vnto thy selfe 58 Be not a getter of thy goodes by vanitie for they are soone spent but they that are gathered together with the hand shall increase 59 Be not desperate and out of hope in thy heauinesse for that is the next waie to kill thy hart 60 Be not a bolsterer of the wicked in his wickednesse least thou be partaker of his punishment The ninth Honicombe yeelding most whoalesome dehortations from vice and vitious life 61 BE not deceitfull for such a one shall not roste that he tooke in hunting but the riches of the iust are of great value 62 Be not shamelesse in sinning least the vengeance of the Lord ouertake thée and thou be crushed in péeces 63 Be not sparing in vsing the rod
esteemed otherwise we shall seeme to preferre the shell before the kernell the barke before the pith the shadowe before the substance yea most absurdlie we shall refuse wheate for chaffe pure gold for drosse cleere wine for dregs and in conclusion repent our want of grace It were behoofull therefore for vs first and principallie to see to our mind which is chiefest part of our essence and being that the same after some serious studie and contemplation desiring to be refreshed be not fed with fond fansies fables dotages imaginations dreames I cannot tell what idle and vnfruitefull discourses which kindle the affections and set the flesh a gogge but rather with holie exercises and godlie meditations such as are and may be prouided for the purpose to reuiue the spirit and quicken the new man if the partie be gratiouslie affected Thou hast heere therefore presented vnto thine hand good Reader a plant of pleasure bearing fourteene seuerall flowers called by the name of holie Hymnes and spirituall Songs to reade at thy leasure for thy recreation and not so much for thy recreation as for thy profit which I haue put partlie in rythme and partlie in prose for the satisfaction of sundrie Readers desires some beeing addicted to this and some delighted in that kind of writing I would to God it were in me to frame my wit to the will of the well disposed in all points I haue done what I could the Lord knoweth what I would his name be praised for all whose glorie to seeke and set foorth I beseech him giue vs all grace so shall the faithfull reioice and clap their hands but shame shall fall vpon the reprobat force them to hang downe their heads Abraham Fleming A Plant of Pleasure bearing fourteene seuerall Flowres ¶ The first Flowre called a holie Hymne conteining 1 A petition vnto God for the remission of sinnes 2 A description of Gods greatnesse 3 Of his habitation and that he seeth all things A. 1 AS the Sunne is the soule and life of the world so is thy word O God the comfort of my heart Be gratious fauourable vnto me thy seruant that I may be freé from the malice of mine enimies Reward me not according to my deseruings O Lord for I am full of sinne and in me there is no righteousnesse According to thy louing kindnesse therefore O mercifull father blot mine offences out of thy register and pardon me Haue mercie on me O founteine of all mercie cleanse me from the corruption of sinne and wash me with the water of thy word Am not I a reasonable creature indued with knowledge and vnderstanding O Lord to whom should I then come but to theé 2 Men beasts fishes and foules they are the works of thine hands by the vertue of thy word they were created and made From the rising of the Sunne to the going downe of the same I will continue in the contemplation and view of thy greatnes Lighten the eies of my hart O Lord that they may seé the mightines of thy maiestie in thy creatures Endlesse is thy glorie and thy power is incomprehensible wonderfull art thou in thy iudgments Maruellous things are wrought by thine omnipotent hand day by day the eies of all people are witnesses of thy power 3 In heauen is thy dwelling place from whence thou beholdest the commings in and the goings out of all men Nothing is hidden from thine eies O Lord the brightnesse of thy maiestie can not be absent Giue me grace O God to leade my life in the loue of thy lawe so shall I not miscarrie The second Flowre called a spirituall Song conteining 1 A commemoration or remembrance of the benefites of Christes death and passion 2 A petition for thankefulnesse 3 A confession of Gods greatnesse and almightinesse B. 1 AL people praise the Lord with faithfull heart and voice Be bold to magnifie his name and therein to reioice Remember well the worke which he for vs hath wrought And laud his name accordinglie in word in deed and thought Hell gates he hath shut vp in spite of Sathans power And saued the soules of sinfull men from torments sharpe and sower Most mightie is his arme his greatnesse hath none end From force of foes that vs assault all his he doth defend 2 Lord lighten thou our hearts that we may praise thy power Eternallie which flourisheth and worketh euerie hower 3 Most mightie is thy word thy maiestie surmounts In glorie none so excellent as scriptures cast accounts No Prince nor Potentate may once with thee compare Giue vs thy grace no lesse to learne O Lord with Christian care The third Flowre called a holie Hymne conteining 1 A request for assistance against our aduersaries 2 A confession of our vilenesse by reason of sinne 3 A petition for true mortification and regeneration 4 Of the pretiousnesse of mans soule R. 1 ACcording to thine vnmeasurable mercies O God heare my praier and let thine eares be open to the crie of my complaint Be my sauiour and deliuerer from danger and distresse bridle thou the desperatenesse of mine aduersarie that he do me no mischefe Rebuke them O Lord that go about to raise reproches against me chastise them that they may seé wherein they haue offended As for me I will withstand them in their maliciousnesse for I hope thou wilt arme me with the spirit of fortitude and patience Holie one of Israell heare the supplication of me thy seruant and in the time of necessitie assist me 2 A worme and no man I confesse my selfe to be yea more vile and contemptible than anie vnreasonable creature for sinne hath sâ—oong my soule My heart is defiled with a thousand corrupt cogitations yea the thoughts which are hidden in my heart are not so infinite as they are wicked From mine infancie and cradle I haue bene blemished with sinne and as for righteousnes or iustice there is none in mine entrailes Lord I am so ouerwhelmed in sinne and iniquitie that I stand in continuall feare of thy punishment Oh giue me grace to repent Euening and morning I call my sinnes to memorie and they are more in number than the haires of my head yet O Lord be mercifull 3 Make me a new creature by the inspiration of thy sanctifieng spirit and let mine inward man be circumcised with the razour of mortification Increase in me godlie desires and let all carnall concupiscences be quite quenched in me that I may long after nothing but the loue of thy lawe 4 Nothing is more pretious in thy sight O Lord than the soule of man O let not sinne preuaile against it Grant me thy grace euen to the last houre of my life that I may haue in heauen mine inheritance purchased by Christ his death and passion Amen The fourth Flowre called a Spirituall Song conteining 1 A glorifieng of God 2 An exhortation to praise him 3 A repetition of certaine properties in him 4 A protestation or vow of Christian
this life or of the life to come both those which we either haue or yet hope to enioie from the greatest to the smallest from the kingdome of heauen to one onelie drop of water that we are worthie of all the plagues which either haue heretofore seazed or bene yet possessed of vs. Yea if thou shouldest ransacke all the hid and secret treasures of thy fearefull iudgements which in thy lawe thou threatenest against the breakers thereof not onlie to the rasing and swéeping of vs from the face of the earth but also to the throwing of vs headlong into the bottomles pit of hell yet would we therin also acknowledge thy righteous iudgements For to vs belongeth shame and confusion of faces but vnto thée glorie and righteousnes The third Blossome conteining 1 An appeale to Gods promises in Christ for the remission of our sinnes 2 The bloud of the Lambe washeth vs wooll white 3 A praier in the behalfe of the dispersed Church against Papists and Heretikes and for godlie vnitie 4 Gods blessing maketh our land fruitefull and that we are the Lords sheepe our vnworthinesse notwithstanding 5 A request for the continuance of his loue and mercie 6 To what end it is to be desired 1 ALl this both guilt of sinne and desert of punishment notwithstanding O father of mercies and God of all comfort we trusting vnto the promises which thou hast made vs in Iesus Christ are bold through him humblie to call for the performance of them And first we humblie desire thee to forgiue vs all our sins Thou hast said that if we confesse our sinnes thou art faithfull to forgiue vs them We acknowledge the debt cancell therefore the obligation let not the multitude of them preuaile against vs but where our sinne hath abounded let thy grace more abound and as we haue multiplied our sinnes so we praie thée to multiplie thy mercies 2 And although we haue by continuance in them so soked ourselues that thereby we are not onlie lightlie stained but also haue gotten as it were the scarlet and purple die of them yet let them all we praie thée being washed in the bloud of thy swéete Lambe be made as white as the snowe in Salmon and as the wooll of the shéepe which come from washing And to conclude as our sinnes haue magnified themselues in an infinite length breadth deapth and height so let thy mercies which passe all vnderstanding of all sides and assaies outreach them 3 Therefore also we most humblie desire thée O Lord that the sinne being pardoned thy wrath which is alreadie declared may be appeased towards all the Churches of our profession and especiallie towards vs that the manifolde breaches of the Churches and Commonwealthes maie be made vp that those being receiued into the bosome of the Church which belong to thine election the rest of the Papists and Heretikes may be vtterlie rooted out and that our enimies in religion béeing slaine we may to the vttermost thinke all one thing in the honest and peaceable gouernement of the Commonwealth 4 Upon which vniting of vs in all truth and honestie the curses of the plague and barrennesse being remoued a waie may be made to thy blessings which as the hills do the vallies may make our land holesomelie fruitefull And that not onlie the wrath which is alreadie kindled may be quenched but that which hath bene latelie threatened may be caused to retire For the graunt whereof vnto vs we beséech thée to remember that how vnworthie soeuer yet are we thy people and the shéepe of thy pasture whome thou hast redéemed with thy most pretious bloud watched ouer with a carefull eie defended with a mightie hand despise not therefore O Lord the workes of thy hands 5 And séeing thou hast loued vs when we hated thée visited vs when we desired thée not then acknowledged vs when we knewe thée not now that there be a number of vs which loue thée desire thine abode and acknowledge thée hold on thy loue still depart not from vs denie vs not O thou God of truth which art the God that sinne by the assistance of Gods spirit 6 For the due examination of our thoughts and an vpright hart 7 For conuersation fit and agreeable to our calling 8 For constancie in our profession against all temptations and impediments 1 O Mercifull and heauenlie Father we thy seruants do humblie prostrate our selues before thy diuine Maiestie acknowledging here in thy sight our hainous offences committed against thine omnipotencie séeing and beholding thy heauie wrath against them We féele our selues laden O Lord our God with a huge companie of horrible sinnes whereof euen the verie least being but conceiued in thought is sufficient in iudgement to throwe vs downe to the euerlasting burning lake 2 Our owne consciences O Lord do beare witnes against vs. of our manifold transgressions of thy blessed lawe of our securitie and senslesse blindnes running headlong to destruction committing sinne after sinne although not notorious to the world yet horrible before thine eies The thoughts of our hearts rise vp in iudgement against vs the vanitie of our talke before thy Maiestie condemneth vs the wickednes of our déedes from thy sight reiecteth vs all our wicked thoughts words and déedes with the inward corruption of our nature do altogether as it were a whole lumpe and loade of sinne lie heauie vpon vs and with their intollerable weight do euen presse vs downe to Hell 3 We do dailie grone vnder the burthen of them inwardlie lamenting our owne follie so gréedilie running into them In heauen earth or hell we sée none able to susteine the weight of them but euen thy dearelie beloued sonne Iesus Christ who in mercie intinite and compassion endlesse hath susteined and ouercome that endlesse punishment due vnto them in him therefore in him most mercifull Father and through him we come to thée being fullie assured according to thy promise that thou wilt accept and take that full recompense which he thy deare son hath made for vs as a iust ransome for all the sinnes of all those who with a true faith take hold on him In him therefore we sée thine anger towards vs appeased thy wrath satisfied and our debts paied 4 Increase in vs good Lord we beséech thée this liuelie and féeling faith for we féele it oftentimes in vs verie weake and troubled with manie doubts increase it in vs O Lord that we maie through thy holie spirit be assured that the punishment of our sinnes is fullie in thy sonne discharged Make vs O Lord our God to feele this â—ame in our soules and consciences that Iesus Christ is ours and all that he hath done that we are graffed into his bodie and made one with him and therefore fellow heires with him of eucriasting life Let vs not onelie haue these words in our mouthes good Lord but through thy holie spirit let vs feéle the comfort of them in our hearts fullie sealed and setled in vs
that we feéling our selues inwardlie before thy iudgement seate discharged and our consciences towards theé released may be swallowed vp with an vnfeined loue toward thy heauenlie Maiestie and towards our brethren for thy sake 5 Make sinne to die in vs dailie more and more that we may hate detest and vtterlie abhorre all sinne and wickednes in all men but especiallie in our selues that we may stronglie through thy holie spirit set our selues in open warre and defiance against all sin and wickednes that we please not our selues in our sinnes but streightlie examining sinne by the iust rule of thy holie lawes we may vtterlie from the bottome of our hearts condemne euen the least sinne in our selues hauing our whole ioie comfort and consolation vpon those things which be agreéable to thy blessed will 6 Giue vs grace alwaies to be afraide to do anie thing contrarie to thy good pleasure and from the bottome of our hearts to examine and trie our thoughts before thy presence that they be vpright and vnfeined not hypocriticall in outward shew onlie and appearance but that euen all corners of our hearts being opened and disclosed before theé we may euen as though it were openlie before the face of the whole world bring them in shewe knowing that a double hart is detestable in thy sight 7 O Lord direct and guide our feéte that we may walke alwaies as before thine eies not onelie before the eies of man being more carefull to walke circumspectlie in this respect that we haue theé to be a viewer of our doings a thousand fold more than the eies of man that thus we may walke as becommeth thy children not onlie in outward shew but also in sinceritie of hart abhorring euen the least sinne in our selues striuing resisting and fighting against sinne not delighting our selues in sinne nor nourishing the same in our breast but earnestlie embracing and studiouslie seéking after those things which be pleasant in thine eies 8 O good Lord make vs constant and firme harted that neither the feare of man nor losse of goods life lands possessions or friendes drawe vs awaie from theé to do anie the least thing contrarie to thy will and pleasure neither the fauour or friendship of man nor yet the flattering enticements of this world nor the vaine promotions of the same do moue vs anie whit from the true and endles ioie delight pleasure which we ought to haue in those things which be agreéable to thy will and the constant performance of the same but that alwaies to the end of our life we may continue in thy pathes growing and increasing from faith to faith from strength to strength till at the length we shall come to thy euerlasting rest Amen T. C. The second Branch of Petition The first Blossome conteining A praier to God at our vprising in the morning O Bountifull GOD which among all other thine aboundant blessings hast giuen vs the bright daie and Sunne shine to be the guide and gouernour of all our doings we beseéch theé that as thou art the father of light and hast sent light among vs not onlie the light of the cleére daie but also the light of thy glorious Gospell so thou wouldest direct all that we go about in light that we may shew our selues children of light in applieng our labour and occupieng both our minds and bodies in the workes of light that when the daie of retribution shall come when thou wilt reward euerie one according to the measure of their merits we maie enter into that light whose brightnes shall neuer be darkened there to liue with him who is the light of the world Iesus Christ the righteous to whome with theé and the holie Ghost be all laud praise honour and glorie for euermore Amen The second blossome conteining A petition to be said at the putting on of our clothes O Eternall and most mercifull Father we beseéch theé as thou hast giuen vs clothes to couer our bodies to hide our nakednes to preserue our corporall health so to decke and beautifie our soules with the riches of thy true knowledge which is the summe and substance of all perfect happines through Iesus Christ our sauiour Amen The third Blossome conteining A petition to be said at the washing of our hands GRant O mercifull sauiour that as with this water the filth and vncleannes of our bodilie members are washed and scowred so our inward soules may by the dailie remembrance and vertue of thy bloudie death and passion be purged from all sinne and iniquitie that both bodie and soule being voide of blemish we maie come the neérer vnto theé in perfection Amen The fourth Blossome conteining A petition to God at our going abroade about our worldlie businesse O Gratious God which sanctifiest the hearts of thy chosen seruants and circumcisest their thoughts in so much that they become wholie acceptable vnto theé and are altogether cleansed from carnalitie and corruption we beseéch theé so to pitch the tents of thy protection and prouidence about vs this present daie that all things whatsoeuer we purpose may by thy gratious guiding be so disposed and prospered that our hearts be not carried awaie with the cares of this world as hauing little hope in thine all sufficiencie and bountifulnes O Lord so season vs with the salt not of vnsauourinesse least we be throwne out vpon the dunghill of reprobation and so troden vnder foote as out-casts of none account but with the salt of sinceritie and righteousnes so powder our spirits that whatsoeuer we take in hand this present daie may be so furthered helped forward and prospered by thy goodnes that we thereby may reape sufficient commoditie none offended or discontented either with vs or our labour nor thou by anie meanes dishonoured but highlie praised and glorified both in vs and in our doings according to the saieng of thy sonne in the holie Gospell Let your light so shine before men that they seéing your good workes may glorifie your father which is in heauen This O Lord and all other graces necessarie grant vnto vs for thy sonnes sake our onlie mediatour and aduocate Amen The fift Blossome conteining A petition to be said when we are at worke and about our businesse PRosper O Lord by the presence assistance of thy grace the businesse which we haue in hand Put into our minds to do it faithfullie and rather for conscience sake than couetousnes Further our affaires we beséech thée of thine infinite goodnes giue our labours prosperous happie successe and graunt vs grace to glorifie thée in thy blessings Amen The sixt Blossome conteining A petition vnto God at the leauing off from our labour whether it be of bodie or minde ALmightie God and most mercifull father which cloathest the lillies of the field with such roialtie as Salomon when he sat vpon the throne of his maiestie neuer possessed which feedest the birds of the aire the beasts of the land and the fish
thee the Lord of Lords and the King of kings creating at the beginning ruling all things euermore in heauen and earth according to thy wonderfull wisedome and power and our selues to be thy poore seruants the worke of thy hands and the shéepe of thy pasture subiected to thy Maiestie and depending vpon thy fatherlie prouidence for all things 2 Neuerthelesse séeing thou in thy wisedome annointest Kings and Quéenes appointing them to rule ouer thy people to sit as Lieutenants in thy seate to minister iustice and most of all as Fathers and Nurses to mainteine and cherish thy Church commanding vs not onlie to obey and honour them but moreouer to praie for them as watching ouer vs for our good 3 We therefore beséech thée for the great mercies sake and for Iesus Christes sake to shew thy mercie to all Kings and Princes that mainteine thy glorious Gospell but especiallie we praie thée to blesse our most gratious Queene and gouernour Elizabeth thine handmaid with all spirituall blessings in Christ Iesus and with all temporall blessings according to thy good pleasure that in the great measures of thy effectuall loue she may more and more finde great increase of vertue and wisedome and strength in Christ Iesus to the faithfull and happie discharge of her dutie that her holinesse and ioie and zeale of thy house may be multiplied and euerlasting 4 And séeing it hath pleased thée of thy singular mercie to giue her this speciall honour first to suffer for thy glorious truth and afterward miraculouslie deliuering her out of the hands of her enimies to set a crowne vpon her head and to make her the instrument to aduance thy glorie and Gospell for which she suffered and to bring it out of darkenes into light out of persecution into this great and long peace 5 As we giue thée most hartie thankes for this singular benefite so we beséech thée to make her and vs euermore thankefull for it and in thy good pleasure still to preserue her for the continuance of these blessings towards vs with all increase from time to time to thy glorie the benefite of the Church and her infinite peace in Christ Iesus the prince of peace 6 And furthermore we praie thée for her and the estate that such as be enimies of the Gospell and her enimies also for the defence thereof may not despise the peace offered them to repentance but that they may account thy long suffering and her peaceable and vnbloudie gouernement an occasion of saluation to their soules and vnfeigned loue to the truth and their mercifull souereigne Otherwise if they still remaine disobedient to the truth rebellious to her highnesse and dangerous to the state then O God of our saluation as thou hast discouered them so discouer them still as thou hast preuented them so preuent them still and let their eies waxe wearie with looking and their hearts faint with waiting for the comming of that which yet commeth not neither let it come O Lord we beséech thee but a blessed and a long reigne to her and peace to Sion for euermore 7 Also deare father so blesse so loue so in thy spirit sanctifie and kéepe her that she may in the spirit of counsell and fortitude so rule that other sister also namelie this her Commonwealth that they may flourish together and growe vp together as palme trées in beautie and in strength giuing aide and helpe one to another that in the Church the glorie of God may appeare as the Sunne in his brightnesse and that the land may flowe with milke and honie and true peace abound therein as in the triumphant reigne of Debora 8 These graces O Lord are great and we miserable sinners vnworthie of the least of them therefore looke not to vs but to thy selfe not to our iniquities but to thy great mercies accepting the death and passion of thy Sonne as a full ransome for all our offences throwing them into the bottome of the sea and making his crosse and resurrection effectuall in vs to all obedience and godlinesse as becommeth thy Saincts that to all other thy good blessings towards our gratious souereigne this may be added that she gouerneth blessedlie ouer a blessed people a people blessed of the Lord and beloued of the Lord. 9 Yea Lord that thy graces may abound as the waters of the Sea in the Prince and in the people in the Church and in the Common-wealth from daie to daie till the daie of our translation into thy kingdome where iustice inhabiteth where also we shall inhabite and reigne with thée according to thy promise for euer Graunt these things O mercifull father for thy deare sonne our Lord Iesus Christ his sake in whose name we craue them at thy mercifull hand praieng furthermore for them as he hath taught vs to praie Our Father which art in heauen c. The third Branch of Thankesgiuing Generallie deciphering in a pithie and ample meditation Gods great goodnes manifestlie appearing in the diuersitie of the blessings wherwith he hath crowned man Also a praier for grace to be thankefull The contents more particularlie lie open in the sequeale The first Blossome 1 An inuocation or calling vpon God ioined with submission 2 An acknowledgement of Gods manifold blessings and his prouidence 3 A petition for the gratious gift of thankefulnes 4 Testimonies of Gods infinite loue and of the effects of the shining Sunne 5 The sundrie vses of Gods good creatures appointed for mans releefe 6 Ornaments of the minde 7 A request for true knowledge and perceiuerance with the operation of the same 8 Another for thankefulnes 9 What sacrifice God delighteth in 10 A supplication for grace to offer vp the same 1 SEtting before vs O most mercifull louing father the godlie Patriarches the holie Prophets the true Conuerts the constant Martyrs all such as haue loued thy glory far aboue their owne life we prostrate our selues with all submission on of soule and spirit before thy throne of Maiestie humblie beseeching thée for Iesus Christ his sake who is the fulnes of our tore and comfort to bend downe thine eares and to heare the praiers which we powre foorth before thée and for thy sonne sake in whom thou art well pleased grant the request of thy seruants made vnto thée at this present 2 We know most gratious God and louing father yea we cannot but in conscience acknowledge and with tongue confesse that manifold yea innumerable are the gifts which thou hast heaped vpon vs yea so manie are they that we can not with voice vtter neither yet in heart conceiue the greatnes and worthines of them For wheras all other creatures are made framed and fashioned to serue the vse of man and to yéeld themselues obedient and tractable to his commandement and gouernment onelie man representing and bearing thine owne image and likenesse ruleth as a Lord and reigneth as a king ouer all creatures indued with life yea there is nothing within the compasse
most bountifull and gratious God thou hast giuen vs the vse of all these things and made vs possessours of the same we hartilie beséech thée to instill and let drop into the furrowes of our hearts the acceptable deaw of thankefulnes wherewith our entrailes being throughlie moistened and made souple we may remember and thinke vpon thy tender loue and more than fatherlie kindnesse and in thy gifts giue thée glorie and magnifie thy name with the sound of our tongues and the consent of our hearts 9 For alas what are we miserable and beggerlie wretches that haue nothing by inheritance but sinne and wickednes What are we able to giue considering that we haue nothing but that which we haue receiued in respect wherof our owne wretchednes bewraieth it selfe and our continuall neede and nakednes is manifest Onelie this thou requirest euen the sacrifice of praise and thankesgiuing which is the thing that we are commanded to paie vnto thée For recompense thou requirest none since that whatsoeuer thou giuest thou giuest fréelie without looking for reward 10 Wherfore most mercifull father and déere God make vs thankefull receiuers of thy benefites and that we may giue a testimonie of our thankefulnes loose and vntwist the strings of our tongues and open the pipes of our hearts that they both may sound foorth thy most magnificent maiestie and praise thée to whome perpetuall praise belongeth Graunt this necessarie petition most bountifull God for the merits of thy sonne Christ Iesus our onlie mediatour and aduocate Amen The second Blossome conteining A thankesgiuing for the benefit of our creation WE praise and magnifie thée O eternall GOD for thy great mercie in that it hath pleased thée among all the workes of thine hands to make vs the most excellent and noblest examples of thy iustice wisedome and goodnes We glorifie thée also for that immortall essence the principall part of our nature euen our reasonable soule which although it be not properlie comprehended in place yet is it resident in cur bodies and there dwelleth as in a mansion house not onelie to minister life to all the members and parts of our bodies and to make the instruments thereof méete and fitlie seruing for the actions wherevnto they are apointed but also to beare the chiefe office in the gouernement of our life and that not onlie about the duties incident and belonging to this earthlie and transitorie life but also to stir and quicken vs vp to the seruice and worship of thée our most mercifull Creator And as we praise thée for creating vs like to thine owne image not onlie in the outward frame of our bodies wherin thy glorie doth appeare but also in the inward shape of the soule which is the proper seate of thy likenesse so do we magnifie thée for all the graces and blessings wherewith it hath pleased thée to beautifie adorne and enrich the one and the other Beséeching thée to voutsafe vs the direction of thy spirit that we may during the time of our iournie in the wildernesse of this world emploie and vse them to that principall end whereto they were bestowed vpon vs namelie to the benefite of our brethren and the setting foorth of thine eternall glorie through Iesus Christ our onlie mediator and aduocate Amen The third Blossome conteining A thankesgiuing for the benefite of our election GLorie and praise be giuen to thée O Lord in that thou hast vouchsafed to call and elect vs a peculiar and chosen people vnto thy selfe and to reckon vs in the lot of thine inheritance being ordeined to saluation whereas contrariwise a great number are appointed to condemnation Which gratious gift of thine eternall election we referre not to anie worthines in vs or to anie merits of workes that we are able to do but onlie to the méere mercy and bountifull liberalitie of thée our maker who adoptest some into the hope of euerlasting life and iudgest othersome to eternall death which mysterie is laid vp in the height of thy heauenlie wisedome far aboue the reach of our reason and vnderstanding that according to thy will and pleasure thou mightest be honoured Like thankes be giuen vnto thée O most mercifull Father for that thou hast not onlie called vs vnto this glorious estate of grace but hast so assigned the same vnto vs that the certaintie of the effect thereof is not in suspense or doubtfull For it hath pleased thée of thine incomprehensible goodnes to binde vs together one with another in Christ our head we being his mysticall members and to knit vs vnto thy selfe with a knot vnpossible to be loosed For this thine vnspeakeable mercie we praise and magnifie thée and thy sonne Iesus Christ our tender mediatour and aduocate Amen The fourth Blossome conteining A thankesgiuing for the benefite of our redemption WE giue thée most hartie thanks for all thy good gifts O eternall GOD of thy great goodnesse testified vnto vs euen from the beginning of the world to this present houre and speciallie for the performance of thy promise made vnto our forefathers the Patriarches and their generations but accomplished to vs vpon whome the ends of the world approch knowing that the noblenes and excellencie of our creation would so little profit vs considering our fall in the person of Adam that it would rather turne to our greater shame such is thy iustice who deniest vs when we be defiled and corrupted with sinne to be thy handieworke And therefore we cannot sufficientlie extoll thy bottomles bountie in tendering our decaied state that when we were danmed dead and lost in our selues didst send downe from heauen thy déerelie and onlie begotten sonne to take our nature vpon him and to die for our redemption that in him we might séeke for righteousnes deliuerance life and saluation according to the testimonie of thy seruant Peter teaching vs that there is none other name vnder heauen giuen vnto men wherein they must be saued By which name of Iesus he was not vnaduisedlie called or by chance and aduenture nor yet by the will of men but brought euen from heauen by an Angell the publisher of thy decrée with a reason also giuen because he was sent to saue the people from their sins Unto thée therefore O God the father our Creator and O Christ the sonne our redéemer be all honor and praise for euer and euer Amen The fift Blossome conteining A thankesgiuing vnto Christ for the benefite of our reconciliation MOst hartie thankes be giuen vnto thée O tender sauiour of our soules who being the immaculate and vnspotted Lambe of God the father wast well content to be charged with our offences that we might taste the sweete fruites of thine innocencie and didst most willinglie offer vp thy bodie an oblation vnto thy father after that definitiue sentence pronounced in the Consistorie had passed against thée in iudgement that we the children of wrath out-casts from the Common wealth of Israell strangers from the couenant enimies vnto
direct all my goings let the deaw of thy blessed spirit drop into my heart so shall I be obedient vnto thy lawe 4 Enter not against me in iudgement and rigour but let thy mercie preuent thy iustice so shall I be sure to escape shame reproch and confusion 5 My heart my tongue and my voice shall become instruments of praise to sound out thy greatnesse and goodnesse in the cares of all people and nations In my bed will I meditate of thy commandements at my meate thy lawe shall be in my mouth thine ordinances statutes shall be my dailie exercise Neither gold nor siluer neither precious stones neither robes of roialtie nor princelie treasure delight me like thy word Gréedilie will I séeke after the loue of thy lawe at morning and at euening yea at midnight will I comfort my soule in thy gratious Gospell The fourteenth Flowre called a spirituall Song conteining 1 Sententious exhortations from sundrie sinnes 2 To liue according to Gods lawe 3 Not to mistrust his power in the time of trouble 4 The reward of them that do after Gods will 5 To esteeme the Preachers of the Gospell 6 To take no euill thing in hand G. 1 ABsteine from fleshlie lust and spirituall peace possesse Be slowe to followe wanton waies all wicked thoughts suppresse Reuolt from vitious workes forbidden deedes detest Alluring lookes and lieng lips in silence let them rest 2 Haue God before thine eies who searcheth hart and raines And liue according to his lawe then glorie is thy gaines 3 Mistrust not thou his might when sorrowes thee assaile For he is of sufficient force in perils to preuaile Laie vp within thy heart his testament and will 4 Eternall life is their reward that do his lawes fulfill 5 Make much of such as teach and preach his gospell pure In them if thou attend their talke God will thy peace procure 6 Nothing attempt in hast which hurtfull may be found Growe daie by daie from grace to grace so shall thy blisse abound The Conclusion Not onlie with tongue and sound of thy voice But with thy whole hart in IESVS reioice FINIS A Referendarie to the premisses for the godlie Reader SOme liue in fleshlie pleasure And some in courtlie brauerie Consuming lands and treasure About a golden slauerie Whose sweetenesse whiles they couit They cannot choose but loue it Some neuer ceasse lamenting Because they are in penurie And alwaies are inuenting Their end by mortall iniurie Whereas they should content them With that which God hath sent them But be thou better learned Which louest Christ his veritie Whereby thou hast discearned That euerie thing is vanitie The world and all within it Though worldlings sweate to win it And when conuenient leasure Doth serue for recreation Then vse these plants of pleasure And grifts of consolation Yea then and alwaies vse them And at no time refuse them A Groue of Graces Supplied with plentie of Plants appliable to pleasure and profit Whereof whosoeuer be disposed deuoutlie to take a view they shall haue the choice of fortie and not so few godlie exercises of Christian dutie ordinarilie to be vsed before and after their dailie diet BY ABRAHAM FLEMING 1. Tim. 4. ver 4 5. ¶ Euerie creature of God is good and nothing ought to be refused if it be receiued with thankesgiuing for it is sanctified by the word of GOD and praier AT LONDON Printed by Henrie Denham Anno Dom. 1581. A Preface to the true Christian Reader AS the benefits of God are manifold or rather infinite bestowed vpon man from the time of his creation euen so ought the fruites of his obedience thankefulnesse to be aboundant and plentifull For if a man hauing diuers good friends but some more beneficiall than othersome sheweth himselfe most officious and dutifull to them of whome he hath receiued most commoditie by how much the greater reason ought we so to behaue our selues in all kinde of holie seruice towards God who hath heaped vpon vs more blessings than the tongue of anie man can vtter or his memorie conteine We see that all things are created by God all things nourished by him all things increased by him all things multiplied by him and all things preserued by him for the vse of man vnto whose gouernement he hath committed them put him in full possession and giuen him a lordlie title ouer them to vse and dispose at his pleasure requiring at his hands for this singular bountifulnesse nothing but an vnderstanding hart a renewed mind and religious lips which might tell abroade the great goodnes of so louing a God and stir vp others to magnifie his name And although we ought to glorifie God at all times according to the continued course of his compassion and kindnesse shewed vnto vs from the daie of our birth vntill this present houre sundrie and manie waies as well in clothing vs as also in nourishing and feeding vs besides other inuisible graces which not appearing to the world can not so well be remembred yet because my purpose is particular and stretcheth no further than to Christian dutifulnesse proper vnto God for his dailie blessings presented vnto vs all vpon our ordinarie tables I would not wish thee good Reader to looke for anie other matter at my hands than the verie title of this treatise doth import which I haue called by the name of A Groue of Graces For as in a Groue there do growe manie plants of great varietie and choice the weakest and slenderest whereof may in due and conuenient time do some good and necessarie seruice euen so gentle Reader thou hast heere in this Groue sundrie good Graces put into thine hands some in verse and othersome in prose all and euerie of them tending to Gods glorie as blessings and thanksgiuings vnto his diuine Maiestie for his vnspeakeable clemencie and fatherlie prouidence which he hath ouer vs sinfull and wretched creatures whereof the Lord giue vs grace to continue mindfull and keepe vs in the reuerent vse of his good gifts for Iesus Christes sake our onlie mediator and aduocate Amen Abraham Fleming A Groue of Graces The first Plant. ¶ Grace before Dinner ALmightie God thou giuer of all good things blesse we beséech thée the meate which is set before vs for our repast and vs the receiuers of the same that we may prosper with it and that the substance thereof conuerted into nourishment may make vs strong and able of bodie to endure and goe through our dailie labour Open our eies also O Lord that we may sée from whome all things do come and séeing may extoll and magnifie thy name through Iesus Christ Amen The 2. Plant. ¶ Grace after Dinner BRethren and Sisters assembled and refreshed with the blessings of God forget not to giue him thankes for the present vse of these his comfortable and nourishing creatures beséeching him to continue them among vs and to make vs thankefull partakers of the same for his sonnes sake Iesus