showne from him no secret kept can be How I consume so many yeares mispent so many monthes and daies Both houres and minutes all appeares to God who markes my life waies Time is the meane that all things tries time worketh what mens wits deuise Time with his swiftnes euer flies and time in time will make men wise Fly from me follies of my youth packe hence my sins that burdned me Welcome to me is age and trueth now I by faith in Christ will be whose sins do make their harts to bleed let them examples take by me Whose wickednes all mens exceede come come and my repentance see Lord now let me depart in peace I feele thy rod I finde thy loue My paines doe grow my ioyes encrease this mercie comes from thee aboue My sickenes is a present meane to heale and cure my wounds of sin Lord purge all my corruptions cleane and let my death my life begin FINIS The repentant complaineth of his horrid and grieuous sinnes and in the end giueth thankes vnto Iehouah on high who is distinguised into one God and three persons HIdden O Lord are my most horred sins vnto the world though open plaine to thee He neuer betters that no time begins corruption killeth all good thoughts in mee What sin doth dwell in this vild flesh of ours but doth encrease like monsters huge in me Cōmitting them both minutes daies houres as swift as Time so fast grow they in me Rent thine owne flesh teare thy wretched haires scrape clean corruptions marrow frō thy bones Put out thine eies cut of thy tongue stop eares lame all thy sences to kill sinne at once I faine would walke that know not how to creep I am opprest with such most hainous crimes Whē I should wake sin drowneth me with sleep for one good thought I sin a thousand times Sigh O my soule weepe sorrow lament and seeke for helpe if any hope be left Pray vnto Christ for grace thou mai'st repent before his merits from thee be bereft Though by his rod afflictions humble thee and for thy sinnes thou suffer grieuous paine Yet with his staffe he still vpholdeth thee from deep dispaire in blisse with him to raigne All glory be to God on high and to his sonne our sauiour wise and iust To whom with ioy still pray and sing will I and to my comforter the holy Ghost Whose being was from all eternity one deity distinct in persons three According to the blessed Trinity distinguish 't three yet one in vnity Finis ¶ The repentant wholy flyeth vnto the mercies of God in Christ and describeth the loath somnes vglines of his sinnes aggrauating the greatnes thereof aboue all other mens O Lord behould my miseries my paine and deadly griefe No helpe no hope but thy mercies to yeeld my soule reliefe I hate my selfe and loath my sinne my heart is rent with feare To thinke what state I haue liu'd in my wits with torments teare If sinnes seeme vgly vnto mee who did the same commit How loath some Lord shew they to thee that do'st in iudgement sit Whē others sins my minde haue vext and make me search mine owne My heart with horror is perplex't for my sinnes seedes so sowne By measure iust and true I finde no man that euer liu'd Hath sinn'd so much in heart and mind as I that am thus grieu'd If all mens faults were put in one and knowne were my offences T' weare no compaire to mine alone so vil'd in all pretences O cease to sing sigh and lament turne tunes to weeping teares And learne of Dauid to repent by faith to cure thy cares True faith in Christ Lord grant to me that now liue in dispaire From Sathans bondage set me free let Christs bloud cleanse me cleare Blot out of minde my cursed crimes and my misdoings all That dayly sinne so many times and hourely sinck and fall Thou bid'st thē come that loden are with burthen of their sinne And let thy spirit my spirit prepare that I may now begin At first to creepe and then to goe and so come to thy gate And then be cured of my woe O Lord t' is not to late Whil'st I liue let me liue to loue thee for now mine heart aboue There 's nought on earth to loue can moue me my life is with my loue Where thou doest sit on cherubins and Angels sing thy praise With holy holy Seraphines Lord let me liue alwaies FINIS The poore Suppliant being visited with a grieuous sicknes sheweth how he languisheth in all the corporall parts members of his body but especially with the torture of his conscience for sinne and at the last prayeth that God would take from him this heauie yoake of miseries O Lord giue eare to my complaint attend my teares heare my cry My sinnewes shrinck my limes do faint I languish in my malady My bones are broke my flesh gon quit my strength in euery part doth faile My thighes grow thin dim'd is my sight my leggs feete with weaknes quaile My tongue doth faulter in my head my spr'its faint my hands do shake With paine and ach I tosse in bed my vaines are stiffe mine hart doth ake My bodie is with griefe opprest noe place noe part is free from anguish I grieue and groane and take no rest I faint I swoune I fall I languish I liue but dying euery houre my glasse of time is almost run I sade away as doth a floure that withers with the heate of sunne I liue and die yet not with death I lingring liue yet dead with sinne Condemn'd to die yet draw my breath in such confusion liue I in As if all tortures due for sinne were euery minute laid on mee Horrors with-out and hell with-in and all thiese things thine eie doth see I charge not Heauen I blame not earth but of this one thing am assured That flesh and world the diuell my birth and faults not fates haue this procured Lord for thy building thou dost square mee with many a strong and sturdy stroake When thy will is O Lord do spare mee and take from me this heauie yoake FINIS A feruent prayer vnto God that the repentant may find fauour in Christ whose merits and satisfaction he offereth vnto thee O Lord as a pleasing ransome for his sinnes ATtend vnto my teares O Lord regard my woefull moane And seeke to saue mee by thy word or I am ouerthrowne For sinne doth so oppresse my minde that I am damn'd to hell Vnlesse by Christ I fauour finde whose woundes must make me well Cure thou my soule so sicke with sinne by merrits of thy sonne Marke not the state that I liue in but marke what he hath done Most perfect he though I be vild to please when I offend He sits with thee though I exild in glory to the end My
dispaire To thee O Lord I doe commit my selfe I neuer will repine For thou know'st best what is most fit in life and death let me be thine FINIS ¶ Precepts of duties HIgh mightie God of righteousnes in wrath a dread consuming fire Thou did'st in perfect happines make man that dard gain'st thee conspire And breake thy lawes with all dispight whē thou had'st made him pure holy Plac'd him in garden of delight so great and wicked was his folly That hauing leaue to take or leaue to chuse refuse or vse at pleasure He did himselfe by sinne deceaue of that Diuine surpassing treasure And by his mutabilitie regardles of thy sacred sawes He brought in instabillitie lost his free will made breach of lawes Thou God of iustice must doe right man wanting grace with want of grace By grace substraction did'st requite bannishe him that blessed place By meanes of which we are inclin'd from thy behests to runne astray Our tōgue our heart our soule our mind by sinne is carried cleane away Thine honor first is sted fast faith in Christ and in thine holy booke And in thy truth that thy spirit saith which in mine hart for faith doth looke The next obedience to thy will as thou cōmanded'st by thy sweet word From Syna and from Sions hill to teach vs do thine hests O Lord. Vs for thy children hast elected and vs adopted to inherit Thy blisse if thy blisse be respected and seal'd vs with thine holy spirit Thou mad'st vs free by thy sons bloud to th' end thou mayest be glorifi'd In soules and bodies for our good his passion hath vs purified thou freed'st vs to that end we mought serue thee in holy righteousnes Thou gau'st thy sonne and he vs bought from thraldome of our sinfullnes Thou would'st he should for al men die to make him liue in thine elect And they in him to fructifie and with his graces hast them deckt By grace and holy inspiration rebellious nature seek'st to tame With precepts for instruction leau'st vs lawes in thine owne name The readie way of seruing thee and profit to our neighboures bring And louing thee most zealously who art our father Lord and King Though by thy Gospell we be free from lawes of sinne and Punishment Yet rules of life and pietie thou hast prescrib'd and to vs lent Thereby to mannage all our deeds and guide vs least we stepp awry And rightly vse our natures seedes both well to liue and well to die These lawes did'st write in tables two with the pure finger of thine hand Deliuered them Moyses vnto that we thy will might vnderstand The first cóntaineth precepts foure of duties due vnto thy fear◠The second six commandements more of loue we should to neighbours beare The summe and substance of them all and that fulfilleth euery part Is thee to loue on thee to call with all our soule might minde heart To other men especially thine houshold that are firme in faith As to our selues to giue supply with all our helpe as scripture saith But we are weake our case thus stands in this fraile mortall life of ours No man can keepe these thy commaunds but breakes them at all times houres Yet thou thy children oft dost will them selues to comfort hopeingly Ther 's left for them some measure still t' approach to thee acceptablie Namely when they bend their whole strength dayly preuented by thy spirit And stand in hope t' attaine at length what now they want by Christ his merit Walking and dayly going on by stepps thereof to Paradice Praysing and lauding thee alone sighes yet for their infirmities The faithfull know all and beleeue with thee our father mercie is For with thy sonne do'st all thinges giue how can we then of mercy misse Therefore my God now giue to me all that thou giu'st to thine elect Of thine eternall clemencie let not thy spirit my soule reiect Illuminate my knowledge darke Possesse my heart the Lord to loue What 's don amisse Lord doe not marke but let thy spirit my spirit still moue That I most constantly may walke the steps path's of thy iust lawes And of thy goodnes dayly talke with feare and loue and all applause To whom I wholie owe my selfe for thou hast Lord created me And bought me not with worldly pelfe but by thy sonne hast made me free Whence I doe also learne to loue all men in thee and for thy sake Who beare thy image from aboue and my vocation surer make O let me thus thy fauour finde and peace of consience vnderstand Thy blessings and thy mercies kinde to God the work 's of mine ill hand That fil'd with daies I leaue my life rest to inioy with all contents And liue eternally from strife and keepe thy ten Commaundements Finis ¶ An invocation to God humbly praying for remission of sinne WEll spring of bountie God of feare beginning that mak'st all begin With what oblation to appeare appease thy wrath that 's due for sinne I know not blood of Bulles and beast or sweetest incense that doth rise From earth of old they were the least and are not now of any prise O how should I be reconcil'd againe vnto thy louing fauour How long Lord shall I be exil'd from my sweete Lord only Sauiour How long O haue I cal'd to thee to thee in name of thy deere Sonne Yet what I ask'd thou gau'st not mee and what I would is left vndonne I long haue knocked at thy doore of mercy but none entrance finde Sorrowes and troubles more and more increase and vex my soule and minde I dayly waite most wofull mortall before thy seate of clement grace But may not peepe within thy portall nor see thy glorious beautious face I sigh and mourne my teares are seas I sincke vnder the burdnous loade Of sinne and shame and find none ease prouoke me forward with thy word Of castigation I desire to quench thy wrath with flouds of teares Yet still increase thy fearefull fire and so increase my frostie feares By prayers thee to presse who dares except by thy sonnes mediation To seeke thy glory 's all our cares and th' end of earthly mens creation what course should I poor wretch thē take to doe or aske that 's good iust But vnto thee my prayers make and onely in thy sonne put trust Yf that my sinnes shall thee offend then all thy creatures rage storme And all conspire by thy commaund to beate on me poore sillie worme Where shall I be or whether flie from sight of thine all seeing ey ne As Noahs doue on earth am I and cannot looke against thy shine But if thou show thy louing face all creatures on my seruice tend Men beasts and Angels doe me grace to helpe me all their powers doe bend What should I
THE TEARES OR LAMENTATIONS OF a sorrowfull Soule SET FOORTH BY SIR William Leighton Knight one of his Maiesties Honorable Band of Pentioners AT LONDON Printed by Ralph Blower Anno Dom. 1613. A Declaration by the Author to the religious and deuoute I Haue published these Himnes and spirituall Sonnets not in vaine affectation or ostentation of my owne skill which ingeniously I confesse to be but small and mediocrious but onely in an vnfeigned affection earnest desire that the humbled hearts together with mine may reape profit and consolation by singing or reading of them If thou art not skillfull in Musicke then mayest thou read them or sing them in the common and ordinarie tunes beseeming such a subiect But for them who either delight in Melodious Harmonies or else are themselues skillfull in Pricksong I intend God willing likewise to divuldge very speadely in print some sweete Musicall Ayres and Tunable Accents whereof some of the plainest sort are mine owne Ayres and the rest are done by expert and famous learned men in that science and facultie as hereafter in the same booke appertayning to this shal be expressed to which tunes all or the most part of all thiese songs Hymnes or Sonnets are at the pleasure of all those that delight in Musique to be sung or plaid as shal be most pleasing vnto them LECTORIE IN LIbrum egregij Militis Gulielim Leighton Thomas Burt. Verbi sacri Concionator Hiliad's of Bookes and Iliad's full of paines In Riming royot spent in this age quicknes Neglecting grace respecting Godles gaines Ar Symptoms of this worlds most deadly sicknes What wittie spirits their spirits haue euen exhausted In lustfull layes and pretious time haue wasted But heare behold against the common course A bird of Paradice heauenly Hymnes doth carpe By sence of sinne and conscience true remorse This Knight in Keye of grace tunes Dauids harpe And though in lowly and submissiue verse With his laments the highest Heauens doth pierce Teares prayers plaints may draw moue mollifie The ruthles most relentles hardest heart Teares prayers plaints heart soule and minde with cryes Here offer sacrifice and still impart Hear 's fainting falling dying and reuiuing Hear 's death on death and yet life euerliuing Gainst all temptations hear's th'apologie Heare is a stay against all desperation Gainst all soules sicknes heare giues learn'd Theologie Cure comforts cordialls preseruation Yea in this booke a Paradice diuine Are all hearbes for soules meate and Medicine The matter meeter manner man and muse Do shew zeale loue faith hope and true deuotion Sad Elegies and Enargies to vse Euen as God's spirit in vs shall make the motion To conquer sinne flesh world death Diuell and Hell Through Christ. And bid this wicked world farewell FINIS Thomas Burt. ¶ A Farewell to the world SAd soule my forme infus'd by my Creator must sigh out groanes grieues cause cannnot speake And since it long hath bin the worlds spectator It must reueale things seene else heart will breake And cause she findeth by experience That best is worst that all the world can doe I world renounce and all the confidence I put therein or ought that longs thereto And Mundane men whom this worlds God bewitches That hold your selues incircled with all pleasure Of honor fame renowne all earths riches Shall see t' is nought but drosse her gold treasures Leaue of for shame yea in your soules behalfe To fall downe adore this golden Calfe Is not that gon before time that is past That that is present pleaseth but a moment Thou know'st not what will come nor how t' will last Thinges present of thinges past are but a Comment Wee soonest loose the thinges of greatest price Age weakenes strength that we in youth assumed That soonest killeth soonest doth intice What seemes most durable is soon'st consumed The thinges wee most do hate wâ—e most doe vse And what wee most do loue wee most do lacke What wee should doe to doe that wee refuse Through worldes allurements thus we worke our wracke So that an hundred yeares though God doth giue Wee may not say of them wee one doe liue Hit takes from vs our good no good bestowes Hit stealth our time and no time can restroe Hit makes vs sad but cannot helpe our woes Hit makes vs ritch in grace to make vs poore Hit doth accuse before complaint be made Hit Iudgement giues ere parties both be hard Begins to flourish and forthwith doth fade His ioyes are gone ere any ioyes appeard Hit bids vs spare to spend and spend to thriue Hit fawning faînes when most it seekes to kill Hit bids vs ioy yet vs of ioyes depriue Hit falshood proues yet most seemes to fullfill Thus doth it take yet seemes still to be giuing Hit makes vs winne to loose and saue to spill Vs killes and buries whiles we are yet liuing Pure ioy hast none vaine world t is mixt with sorrow Thou hast no peace with discord thine is mixt Thou hast no loue suspition doth it worrow Thou hast no rest thy rest to feare is fixt Thou hast no plentie for thine 's penurie Thy plentie is exhaust by penurie Thou hast none houour t is killed by vaineglory Thou hast no wealth thy wealth is iniurie Hast no staid state for all is transitory Possessions impeachment doth disturbe Lordships haue care and loue hath iealousie Estate his greatnes Prince and people curbe Religion pure is counted heresie So that thou hast no good nor peace at all To rise to thee It is to rise to fall Vnto th' ambitious honours thou dost offer To innouatours thou wilt giue the change To turblent spirits thou dost office proffer To men irregular thou giu'st leaue to range Thou wealth bestowest vpon the couetous Malicious men haue vengeance for their will And dainty fare giuest to the gluttenous Vnto the wrathfull minde and power to kill And aged men thou fillest full of Choller To young for ill giu'st oportunitie Thou fillest the bones of grieued men with dolor Lust ire and vice in superfluitie Are thy chiefe instruments and working tooles Vaine hope 's the bâ—ite by which dost catch vaine fooles Falshood's thy doctrine mak'st men promise much But nought performe thou call'st it pollicie To laugh and bite to giue and yet to grudge To right pretend when t' is but fallicie To help to hurt to lend to gaine to pray And to blaspheame to pardon not forgiue To seeme and not to be nor do as say One way professe an other way to liue To cull and kill to kisse and to betray Thou hang'st our harpes of ioy vpon thy Willowes First mak'st vs sinne and first do'st vs bewray Thou calm'st our sea then drown'st vs with the billowes So diametricall is th' opposition Hast in thy selfe in each state and condition Peace makers hateing strife they most are hated Rich men wax rich by makeing poore their pray Vniust gain'st iust by th'uniust animated The blessed soule 's deba st by cursed
holy land And faine would haue since thus thransported hether All sorts and sects associate me thether But all alas woe worth doe me disdaine one my Palmers weed with scorn complaine Vp-brayding me that I sometime of yore Triumphant vertues vestures viuely wore which thogh those lines a prisners pace do walk Which whilom did in Courtly measure stalke To open view now they expose their faults Though like a weakling that on crowches haults The fading flower of those youthfull times Now rest of power bewailes her ruthful crimes And ruminating on a sea of sinne Bewraies without what her betrayes within Then with my Poems plaine wreck't dispence Deuour'd in zeale is oft distrac't in sence Let not the rashnes of demolish't Time Explode my harshnes and vnpolisht rime Nor shun me now though I like lowly Ioh This leprous Corps of sin with raggs enrobe But sit by me read me and turne me o're And with thine vngments gently salue my sore within this Port wee 'le Anchour safe frō rockes Frō swelling billowes rageing gusts shockes Til Thetis Halcion Neptunes storke doth haile Then shall our Gallion spread a loftier saile And frō outragious stormes tempests stand For safe arriuall in the holy land ¶ Idillion in eximii Millitis Leightonis laudem THese dulcid layes which heere thy Muse doth sing sound most melodious to the heauenly King Thy zealous Emulation heere aspires To Parallel thy selfe in Angels quires If such ambition from thy Muse can glide Be more ambitious t' is a heauenly pride Still with this Emulation thee inuest For t' is a habit that becomes thee best And as thy selfe thy selfe dost most controule Seeming afflicted with a wounded soule Know for thy comfort thus Iehouah cries Offer to me a liuing sacrifice Thē these Oblations are more pleasing notes Then flesh of Bulls many thousand goates To him that saith in his Diuine behest Giue me thy heart then shalt thou please me best Better then he who all at once exhausts Chiliads of Hecatombs and Holocausts Nor weigh's he Psalmes composures prickt by art Till first the Psalmists soule be prickt in heart Thē yeeld thy simphonies which best accord With Dauids harmonies that pleas'd the Lord As when the women sung this sweet Idillion Saule slew his 1000. Dauid slew his million Hould on thy course and be assur'd at last Heauens will raise thee some Encomiast That like Apollo's Pean shall disperse The sacred diapason of thy verse In spight of Zeallesse Zoylus all abroad And make proud Momus chaunt his palinode Ed. Cooke ¶ In laudem authoris presentes operis sui Antonii dyat Arm. All euill deedes in darkenes doe delight the perfect good surmoūts the Sun shine bright The cardinall vertues yeald to thē their right Doe vertues lead that are Diuine in sight The former frame to honesty of life The latter are to soules saluation rife The former hath our author lately showne In Goulden verse and matter choycly apt The Latter leading vnto heauenly throwne Will be applauded as the onely that Doth ioyes angelicall and eternall blisse By sweete repenting bring from darke abisse Names do the Nature of the man declare Leighton our authors name from true light floweth To blisse the way to show he doth not spare His name eternal therefore each man knoweth God graunt the soyle where these good seedes do fall may bring forth fruit to rid the soule from thrall ¶ Vnto the troubles and sorrowes of the worthy Knight Sir William Leighton CHrists yoake is sweet see how it workes the Heart with steam's of sigh's with throw's of suppcation Say Well-i am whē griefes Leight-on my part soul's are sublim'd in fire of tribulation No meruaile Marble weepes on gloomy day Since griefe yeeldes Hunny dewes griefe to allay Io. Layfeilde To the Right Worshipfull Sir William Leighton Knight his endeared friend and kinsman concerning his diuine Lamentations EVē as some curious Image wrought in gold is a rich obiect stately to behold And we not only doe the wealth desire But doe asmuch the workmanship admire Yet if it turn'd be to a vse prophane What men did loue as soone they loath the same For all the cost and curious Art bestow'd Is counted base if worship to 't be show'd So stately posey oft is put in vse To sing laciueously her owne abuse And being rich and curious often times Is wrongd with base foule vnchristian rimes Then Poets all this heauenly verse come view Which bringes sweet Art and ripe conceipts to And doth thereby your Poetrie refine And teach it how for to become deuine you A second Dauid here soules health doth sing And thereby honor doth to Poets bring Here is no forged tale of loue or lust To sot the simple and deceiue the most No ticeing baud or foule abusing scoule No Art of loue but Phisicke for thy soule He that the Cardnall vertues late did bring For to vse conference with our mightie King Now likewise bringes a liuely verse to winne Faith vnto all that all may hate their sinne The flintie eye this worthy Knight doth moue To shed salt teares fore-wronging him aboue And as himselfe so is his verse likewise Most Deuine Noble Ciuill good and wise Then let no blasting tongue abuse the tree That beareth fruite to saue thy soule thee Ar. Hopton MVsicke is then Diuine and not but then when words notes in aptnes do concord Composed so by zealous cunning men as words notes both praise the heauenly Lord Such Musique is Diuine none but such be conceit cunning ne'reso much And such is worthy Leightons true intention whose heauēbred Muse Musiqu do conspire Both to Demonstrate his Diuine inuention and to Illustrate his most iust desire Oh let not then his patterne be neglected who hath Gods praise by Notes to him directed Luke Iones I Inlaudem Authoris THis is the second time thou hast appear'd in publick print wel willing worthy knight First thy Tryumphant vertue highly rear'd thy fame aboue our Moderne Poets flight For why those lines in serious wise I write do with such generall learning richly shine As if some blessed or Caelesticall spright possessed had that heart and soule of thine But in this second worke much more Diuiue thy Lamentations woefully cōposed thou dost thy thoughts in such low verse combine as wondrous skill thou hast in thē disclosed That mē may see thou canst write high or low in both so well as none thy worth can show Iohn Lepton THE TEARES OR LAMENTAtions of a Sorrowfull Soule A prayer vnto Almightie God to preuent prepare and dispose our hearts rightly vnto prayer Lord teach me how to pray Luke 11. 1. Verse O Louing God and Father deere I humbly thee beseech pray For Iesus sake my prayers heare and harken what my soule shall say My heart thoughts Lord sanctifie thine holy spirit inspire within mee Mee from corruptions mundifie and let thy louing mercies win me Oh let me
aske and haue of thee let me by faith my suite obtaine Thy louing fauour shew to mee all other fauour is but vaine Restraine my vaine imaginations preuent by grace Sathans intrusions Let not him taint my cogitations nor blind mine eies with false illusions Which are th'nticements the baites of that great ghostly enemy That still for worldlings seekes waites within which rancke poore wretch am I. But as my mouth and lipps haue said wordes of a faithfull seruant true So let my soule of Christ craue ayde with inward spirit to liue a new For now my poore soule is a-fraide and time mispent alasse I rewe To thee I run imploreing ayde within me do thy spirit renue O Lord I see the bloudy woundes of thy sweete sonne my Sauiour I see thy mercies there aboundes and promised by thy fauour And therefore I by sinfull deedes that er'st liu'd carelesse in dispaire Do fly vnto those woundes that bleedes plucke down grace by force of praier Oh in that grace graunt me to liue and in that grace grant me to die And when I die Lord grace me giue to reigne with thee perpetualy A generall confession of sinnes OMnipotent and gratious Father froÌ„ thy waies haue I strayed er'd Like a lost sheepe follow'd rather Mine harts deuises and prefer'de My foolish fancies fond desires broake the lawes set downe by thee I haue not done what thou requires but done those thinges that should not be No health 's in me but thou O God haue mercy on me sinfull wretch Spare me oh spare me hould thy rod that to offendors thou dost stretch I do confesse my faults restore me that doe repent for Iesus sake That promis'd euer is before thee which thou in Christ to man did'st make And graunt for his sake liue I may a godly righte and sober life To thy names glory still for aye possessing heauen that shuts out strife All laude and praise be to thy name for euer and euer now and then To whom all nations sing with fame sweete psalmes of ioy Amen Amen A Morning meditation I Laide me downe to rest and slept and in the morning rose againe God me sustain'd and safely kept and by his grace did me maintaine His Angels pitch't me round about sleeping and waking keeping me Both comming in and going out they guarde me with securitie Lord here my voice in morning bright when I my praiers do direct And waite till thou the God of light doe heere and helpe me with effect O Father full of power and might mercie and loue how dare I cast Mine eies into thy heauenly sight If thou remember my sinnes past How can I thinke or hope for good heere in the earth to come from high Hauing so much thy lawes withstoode And sin'd against thy maiesty Thou in thy power knowledg deepe lord seest the wicked waies of mine Whether in sinne I wake or sleepe they are all open to thine eyne My vaine corrupt and euill deeds my imperfections more and more With my pollutions which still breedes thine anger worse then was before Thy iudgement I might iustly feare if thou should'st note what 's don amisse Thou might'st in torture be seuere but thou giu'st rest sleepe peace blisse And hast me rais'de vp by thy hand for onely thou preseruest mee And me defend'st by sea and land a wake or sleepe I seruing thee whether I walke worke eate or drinke or what ere else doe what I will Thou blessest all that I can thinke without thy blessings all were ill For I a creature weake and faint subiect to daungers that are rife And closly workes my soule to taint in this corrupt and euill life I lie alasse in night and blindenes and haue no watch mee to defend Yet am preseru'de by thy kindnes from them that ill to mee intend Whose owlish eies doe shun the light who lay their traps snares in darke But thou defend me with thy might with bright eie their worke do'st marke Thou deare kinde Father full of loue regardest thy weake and little ones Thy many mercies do thee moue tinuiron them soule blood bones O gratious God I giue thee thankes for all thiese mercies maniefold Saue me from all the perilous prankes of sinne and of that Serpent ould Forgiue me mine offences Lord with true repentance Lord me right Let thankes with life reform'd accorde with trewe obedience in thy sight I am inclin'd to vanitie to slide into one sinne or other No day nor houre true peace finde I since first I came froÌ„ wombe of mother With many foes I am beset corruptions in me dayly fight Which workeing of thy graces let and gain'st my faith vse all their might Wresting my will and settled minde rom true sincerity to sinne From good desires to be inclin'de to deepe dispaire and die therein To make one trust in blandishment of wiâ—ked world my soule deceauing And in my soules sad languishment of comforts all my soule bereauing I flie vnto the sanctuary of thy deare care and prouidence Assured I shall not miscarry when I depend on thy defence Keepe me therefore O King of Kings as precious Apple of thine eie This day me shroud vnder thy winges for by thy sauing health liue I. Teach me the truth me knowledg giue and wisdome with all humblenes Obedience zeale and faith relieue my soule with hope in all distresse Chaunge me from sinne to sanctitie from the nights darknes vnto light Let my colde zeale most ardent be to serue the Lord both day night Teach me iustly to execute my outward calling giue successe And happie issue to my suite and all my lawfull labours blesse To brethren loue and equitie to me and mine in godly care With heart and minde true pietie to God alone let me repaire And let thy holy spirit so nourish and gouerne me that more more I may increase beare fruit and florish in godlines and goodnes store Vntill thou shalt cut off this life that is corrupt with deadly sinne And by Christs merrites end the strife of mortall warres my soule liues in And draw me then with cords of loue to thee and thy Tuition To new Ierusalem aboue and giue mee there fruition Off thee those that raign with thee with Christ and all that in thy word Thou promi'st me graunt this to mee for the same Christ his sake O Lord. An Euening Meditation I Le lie me downe to sleepe in peace for thou Lord only mak'st me dwell In saftie with great quietnes and do'st ill dreames from me expell My body to innormitie is subiect without rest and sleepe Because of mine infirmitie my life and health it cannot keepe Good father all sufficient my louing God I yeelde thee praise For this dayes blessings to me sent and guiding me in all my waies
may also bee couered in Christ his righteousnes and then complaining that his prayers are not heard commendeth himselfe to God whose good pleasure he still attendeth in steadfast faith hope OVr fathers Lord were comforted steength'ned relieued blest Onely by grace and iustified as righteous men in Iesus Christ. Impute not sinne vnto my charge not for my merrit and desert Thou Lord art loue in loue inlardge all those that bee of contrite heart Thou Lord full of compassion and in thy mercies infinite Beare with my imperfection and let me in thy lawes delight Couer my sinnes as right'ous take me and right'ous shall I euer bee That right'ous am not right'ous make me in Christ O Lord cosider mee O Lord what can it profit thee mee to forsake or leaue in thrall As though thou did'st disualew mee my dayly cries and offerings all My troubles yet continue still I seeke thee and am yet denied Of earthly blessings do thy will thy name be alwaies glorified Wretch that I am what end shall be I still complaine I sigh and cry I cry and call yet heerest not me I still will seeke thee till I die Thou mai'st be found be as thou wilt Into thy hands I me commend Thou full of mercy I of guilt in faith and hope do still attend Finis ¶ The second Lamentation containeth Godly and deuout prayers for constancie in afflictions and to beare malicious slaunders patiently ⧠The first part of the second lamentation ¶ The repentant sheweth that his miseries and troubles increase dayly and therefore his aduersarie that iudge with a carnall cie say that God hath for saken him but he replieth to them that God alwaies chastiseth them whom he loueth and doth but correct his children as a louing father doth for the amendment and bettering of their life O Lord how doe my woes encrease how many are my miseries My troubles rise and neuer cease men iudge thou wilt not heare my cries They say thou wilt me quite forsake that ther 's no helpe for me in thee But Lord they are but such that make their sensure with a carnall eye And do not spiritually discerne thy secret purpose and intents Correcting thē whō thou would'st learne to know thy law cōmaundements Chastizing them whom thou do'st loue and scourging them oft with thy rod that thou their harts minds maist moue to feare and serue thee mightie God The wicked outward meanes preferre worldly helps at neede they muster And not to God themselues referre nor comfort take from heauenly lustre Who workes by meanes his sacred will and without meanes brings to effect And against meanes can saue or kill for those him serue his true elect Therefore let not their mallice moue nor yet their taunts dismay my mind I will hould fast by God aboue whose promise iust true I find I striue thy statutes Lord to keepe what thou cōmaund'st I will performe Direct me right to thee I creepe O Lord doe thou my life reforme Defend me Lord from their dispight that watch to catch me in their snare And to intrap me day and night with nettes and ginnes er'e I be ware And scoffe me basely with reproach with shamefull scandalls and disgrace With thy protection Lord approach and let thy mercy me imbrace Let not me come within the reach of their inuentions and deuice whose facts are foule they faire in speach and by base flattery me entice Nor such as lie in waite for me obtaine their wish who doe desire Fit time and oportunitie to worke the euill as they conspire FINIS ⧠The second part of the second lamentation ¶ The repentant prayeth that God would direct him in the right path that so he may grow from grace to grace and from vertue to vertue he also confesseth that his sinnes deserue very sharpe punishments and yet desireth that the Lord would spare him in his mercy O Let me treade in the right path walke frō faith to faith in loue Obserue thy lawes and shun thy wrath and forward to all vertue moue And let my conscience witnes beare of my saith and integritie Let all men see the christall cleare and pure heart of conformitie Though I good father cannot liue free from all sinne and all offence And some take cause though I none giue yet keepe thou cleare my conscience Shall I deserue still as I doe mens iust reprouffes though in discretiō And that against my meaning too and suffer carnall mens oppression That breake forth into bitternes against me that am weake and lame And vomit out their filthines that thou hast don they count my shame And take it as an argument that I am in deiection And thinke it is thy full intent to keepe me from protection Indeed O Lord I must confesse my sinnes deserue sharpe punishment Worthy of more and not of lesse then all the plagues on me hast sent I more should tast then I can beare or able them for to endure Thy mercies yet they doe me spare and make me cleane that am impure But in my weakenes of mine hauiour I this haue done which caus'd me fall And therefore trust in Christ my sauiour his pretious bloud hath paid for all Depending on thy mighty power to saue keepe and deliuer me Least miseries doe me deuour and enemies my sorrowes see And take occasion to pursue pretending to my soule no good Inuettred hatred they renue to eate my flesh drinke my bloud ¶ The third part of the second lamentation ¶ The poore suppliant complaineth that God doth refuse to assist and helpe him and hideth his face from him to his seemming Neuertheles he continueth importunate and will not be denied as pleading the merits and mediation of Christ in whom God the father is well pleased O Lord consider my great moanes preuēt the dangers cōming nigh me My heart is rent with grieues groanes I fly to thee O Lord stand by mee Why standest thou a loofe a lasse seem'st not my troubles to regard Why turnst thou Lord away thy face mine heart doth hope for some reward Why hidest thou thy selfe me fro when troubles are so much abounding As though thou lord did'st me not know thy darts are always mine hart wounding There is no helpe for me in thee they say thou nothing do'st respect me I ne'rethelesse will come to thee in Christ his name wilt not reiect me The rather therefore me relieue that righteous men may well perceiue Thou ready art thine ayde to giue and their desires wilt not deceiue And not to faint when they are tride with like affections any waies But shall with patient minde abide thy will and giue thy name the praise The dullest hearts thou dost prepare to call on thee and thou againe Do'st heare their cries them do'st spare and easest them
death were brought and them deliuered out of bands Great was thy fauour Lord to all them that tooke hould of thee by faith But what am I that am so small a worme no man as Dauid saith Yet I belieue helpe vnbeliefe Lord I am couered ouer with shame Be thou my glory ease my griefe that I may magnifie thy name The wicked worldlings me contempne because thou hid'st thy face from me Deriding grace and me condempne because of imbicillity My neighbours that should me assist disdaine me my familiars all That should me comfort do desist their helpe to raise me from my fall They say of me my hopes are vaine my kinsfolkes who should yeeld me ayde In my necessities refraine to come to mee they are afraid And tauntingly they scoffe and say deseruedly he thus doth suffer Is iust he wrought his owne decay none other kindenes they me offer I know t' is thou that sitt'st on high do'st send and suffer maladies And therefore I on thee rely to remedy my miseries My woes O Lord by such increase as should in friendly wise relieue me They that should seek to make my peace they are the men that most do grieue me But I that taste the cuppe will say t' is thou hast don 't and I will beare it When t' is thy will who can say nay t' is out of loue why should I feare it Releiue my soule with timely dewe and comfort me restore Restore my soule vnto those ioyes the which I felt too sore Now after stormes Lord send a calme and graunt me peace yet now at last And I will praise thee with a psalme with thankes for all thy fauour past I 'le magnifie thy name for aye that bring'st such wondrous things to passe That worldlings neither thinke nor say nor know why t' is or how it was The iust shall heare saints be glad when wicked men shall faint quaile To see what fauour I haue had all their hope doth quench quaile whō they so lōg haue scornd deem'd euen through afflictions cast away For thy name sake Lord mee esteem'd their night is past they haue their day Respect my meditation helpe mee in time conuenient Lord graunt my supplication thou know'st tri'st my hearts intent Let not the righteous be dismaide nor wicked triumph in my fall Nor yet let sinners be afraid in time of neede to thee to call And let me put my confidence direct my faith erect mine hope Vnto thy gratious prouidence this of my praiers is the scoape FINIS ⧠The fourth Lamentation in distresse ¶ Wherein the distressed prayeth for faith for zeale and strength in vndergoing Gods corrections and to be deliuered from dangers prepared against him O Lord I lift my heart to thee my soule in thee doth euer trust O let mee not confounded bee but make me righteous with the iust Let men not haue their wills gain'st me but powre on mee thy comfort sweete Thy sauing health Lord let me see who prostrate begg it at thy feete Let thy right hand and prouidence be stretched out to hould me vp And giue me grace and patience in lowlines to tast thy cuppe So shall I sit on surest rocke and strength and power to me get And ablely beare mine enimies stroke though round about they me beset For why my comfort is in thee and on thy prouidence I depend O keepe mee safe in libertie till all my troubles come to end From perills six hast me deliuered I know therefore thou wilt from seauen From earthly thoughts let me be seuer'd and conuersation haue in heauen I know that loue a multitude of shamefull sinnes doth closely couer Within the gates I me include thou art my soules true spouse louer The faithfull thereby may take hold of hope to haue a prosperous end Of their desires this makes me bolde for ayde and comfort to attend And with all patience to perseuer I know thy word it is most sure Poore penitent by faith I 'le euer stand firme and to the end indure Alas deere God I nothing craue to haue of thee by mine owne right But in Christs name I 'le aske and haue for hee 's most gratious in thy sight Yea for his merrits thou do'st loue me in him I know thou art well pleas'd And hearest sinners whē they moue thee forgiu'st their sin and they are eas'd Among'st whom Lord I am the chiefe and of good things am Ignorant Yet on the crosse did'st saue the theefe for Christ his sake me mercy graunt In this worlds vanities most vilde I liue and haue no taste of trueth I knew not I was in exile but did in folly spend my youth Of thee alone I knowledge haue for of my selfe I am but weake Thou art my God that strength me gaue to worke to rest to liue to speake For of my selfe is misery and of my selfe is all that 's ill But from thee Lord comes all mercy and perfect power to worke thy will With in to consolation of my sadde soule wounded heart With out to preseruation o◠my weake body in each part Therefore teach me the truth oh Lord thy sacred truth shew mee thy waies That I should walke led by thy word to thy glory spend my daies Lord keep frō wicked thoughts mine heart mine hands that they commit noe ill Mine eies my tongue and euery part Lord grant they may performe thy will My feete from falling still preserue as of my selfe regard me not Deale not with me as I deserue as are my sinnes reward me not Behould not my deformities but looke on me in Christ by loue My sinnes and all enormities as mists and cloudes from me remoue Thou righteous art and gratious reformest sinners sinnes forgiu'st O be to me propitious to liue in thee that euer liu'st Keep thou my soule let me not perish nor vtterly to be confounded That trust in thee but my soule cherrish ioy mine hart which thou hast wounded Thou art my strength sure defence in time of dangers imminent Though all helpe faile experience hath taught me thou art permanent I goe vnto thine Oracle and from thy word I councell take And finde a wondrous miracle thou neuer do'st thine owne forsake Thy seruants that in thee do trust thy tabernacle shall them shield In secret thou do'st hide the iust that are not with foule sinne defilde Harken O Lord harken and heare vnto my voice that call and cry O let thy loue to'wards me appeare with streames and floods of thy mercy Thou sayest O Lord seeke yee my face what is it but in my distresse To cry for helpe and craue thy grace and ayde in time of heauines My soule by the pure priueledge of thy free spirit which teacheth truth My heart prepared with knowledge and faith and hope vnto thee sueth My tongue doth speake mine heart doth mutter and euery member in his place Doth
relieuing me This past all iudgement and conceit of learned'st grauest wisest men Therefore deare father I will waite take thine own time how where whē I will not with thy will indent nor thee direct the manner how Thou should'st me helpe t' is mine intent vnto thy will to bend and bow Heareafter I will hould my peace though men shall say yet still of me though their tongues will neuer cease there is no helpe for me from thee ⧠The sixt Lamentation in distresse ¶ Wherein the distressed detesteth the world and worldly things and desireth heauen and heauenly thinges MY soule doth long shall depend for euer on God euerliuing God shall begin and make an end that hath giu'n all yet euer giuing I sigh and groane for to appeare before his gratious mercy seate As thirst'h the heart for water cleare so long I for thy mercy great I am quite tyred with my groanes I faint vnder mine heauy loade Of miseries breaking all my bones laid on me iustly by my God O God the rocke of my whole strength Lord of mercy behould mine anguish O graunt me helpe and ease at length I faint I fall I sigh I languish Why do I daily weepe and mourne and haue no comfort helpe nor ease Why do'st not heare but from me turne why doe my woes and foes increase Sith I do seeke thee vnfainedly defend me oh defend me in This dangerous time of misery laid iustly on me for my sinne Preserue me from men mercilesse hard harted bloody minded cruell Blesse me with thnie hid blessednes giue me thy fauour my soules iewell The man of earth laies load on load as on an Anuill stroake on stroake Within without at home abroade mine head to heele bowes with the yoake They nip they strip they watch they catch they craue raue by hooke crooke Flesh bloud bones they teare cratch on that they neither thinke nor looke They wake they rake they poll pill they face they brag they boast dissemble Each stone they turne to haue their will make mine hart to quake tremble I am reproach to neighbours all I am ashamde men should mee see They scorne laugh to see my fall but this mine hope doth comfort me That thou from them wilt set me free and thee triumphant shall behould In shining throane of Maiestie where 's neither hunger thirst nor cold No want nor sinne nor ignomie nor sickenes death nor deadly paine But fullnes mirth ioy victory with thee in glory I shall raigne And if it bee thy will O Lord now after all this sturdy storme To my most troubled soule affoord thy peace and pittie me poore worme Free me frō death that 's Mors Gehenis ' giue peace ioy rest that 's transitory I take it as an earnest penny of perfect blisse and endlesse glory And I 'le heere praise the men among that they may see marke and consider T' is thou canst only right our wrong and from all troubles vs deliuer Thou can'stand wilt vs saue keepe though much wee suffer in this life Thou art our Shepheard we thy sheepe saue me from hate enuy and strife So shall I also giue thee praise my mouth continually thee laude My soule and inward parts alwaies thy wondrous workes shall still applaud I will be glad and ioy in thee reioyce yea and againe reioyce Abiect though I yet comfort me I 'le praise thee with mind heart voice Awake therefore in time awake preserue mee that I perrish not I am if thou do'st me forsake but as a dead man cleane forgot And censured a cast away among such as see me depriu'd Of present helpe for thiese men say my soule can neuer be reuiu'd One sorrow doth encrease another all hope on earth turnes to distrust Of ayde frō neighbour friend or brother hide not thy face my God most iust Forget not mine extremities Lord free me from infernall hells Of torments and of miseries which comes frō thee from none els my soule is beaten to pitts brim my hart doth faint my hands grow weak My knees do faile mine eies grow dim my tongue is dumbe cannot speake And each part of my body vext I dayly moane my miseries Looke on me Lord I am perplext O ease my griefe heare my cries Though thou by Iustice made the woūd and by correction grieu'd mine heart If thou wilt cure salue soone is found with spirituall comfort ease my smart Do not with hould such thinges are good which for thy children are ordain'd Turne thou thy face with Christ's bloud clense all the spots my sins hath stain'd Rise vp O Lord rise vp I say with thee doth loue bounty raigne I am throwne downe I thee obay therefore rise vp raise me againe Although my sins like swords do cut me from thy fauour and thy grace Let righteousnes of Christ be put to hide my sinnes before thy face Vnite me vnto thee againe in such sort Lord make me so fast That I with thee may still remaine and ioy in ioyes that aine shall last FINIS ¶ The seauenth Lamentation in distresse ¶ Wherein the distressed sheweth his desire to hould more fast the promises of God O Lord thou art my hope strength thou help'st in trouble do not hide Thy selfe for euer but at length for men distrest doe thou prouide For I by thee will hould most fast I 'le trust in thee while I doe liue And till those stormes be ouer past I 'le neither feare nor faint nor grieue Tremble thou earth rage Sea land winde tempest stormes and all about I see thee Lord holde out thy hand for my defence I 'le neuer doubt What though hills quake staggering stumble and fall into the mid'st of seas Though waters roare rage tumble thou canst this chaunge all appease Should I thē faint at troubles small which like small darts thou throw'st at me In loue but not to kill at all but make leaue my vanity Forsake my follies euery deale reclayming errors to the truth This thou did'st hurt thou can'st heale thou hast preseru'd me frō mine youth I must confesse I merited the death of death with paines of hell And to be disinherited of heauens high where iust doe dwell But Lord do mittigate thine anger and turne thy heauy wrath to loue Deliuer me from all this danger let thy compassion mercy moue And with trew cōforts Christall fountaine my drie and thirstie soule refresh And poure on me from holy mountaine sweete dewes to glad my soule flesh Thy darts in me sticke fast O Lord O pull them out cast them away and cure my wounds to helpe make hast bind vp my sores soules sorrowes stay Clense the corrupt affections of my defiled wicked heart Prosper and blesse mine actions lighten my knowledge grose darke O wash me from impietie exhilarate my sicke
lou'st so deerely well M. Within short space they shall not stay But come to me where I shall dwell D. thou do'st fiō thy sweet friends depart M. I goe to sweet friends true of heart Whom Sathan cannot make dispaire Them he 'le tempt in themselues to trust Against that giue thy selfe to prayer And know none in themselues are iust So from thy selfe to Christ doe flie And he 'le relieue thee by and by He 's ouer strong with vs to wrastle Against this danger when help we need Against his force Christ is our Castle And his assaults defends with speed Answere the subtill diuels dispute With thiese replies shalt make him mute It is a sure and strong defence Against all desperation When Sathan seekes with dilligence To worke thy soules damnation The more the diuell would thee depresse The more do trust in Gods goodnes Against presumption and pride Thy feeble weakenes well do weigh And let humility thee guide Remember th' art but dust and clay Vnto thy Sauiour Christ do fly What thou dost want he will supply If thou thus answearst diuels temptation And all his vaine suggestion Shalt not fall into desperation Nor blowne vp by presumption And being strong in faith and humble The diuell shall not thee downe tumble FINIS ¶ The poore and distressed soule being loaden with the burthen of his sinnes feruently prayeth to God for his remission thereof O Lord come pittie my distresse see how I sigh and groane With teares and floods of heauinesse my heart is ouerthrowne Noe hope I finde noe helpe I feele noe cure nor salue I see None can my sinnes corruptions heale sweete Iesus comfort me My wounding sorrowes neuer cease my greefes grow more and more What I should kill doth still increase Lord saue my soule therefore I liuing dye yet dying liue in life yet dayly dye I figh and grone yet cannot grieue sinne makes this mistery Lord let me liue yet howrely die in loue yet dayly hate Let me imbrace yet still defie let peace breede all debate O let me liue yet neuer liue a liue yet euer dead O let me grieue yet neuer grieue fed with thy liuing bread Let passions passe let groanes be gon let moanes be turn'd to mirth I liue and die to Christ alone let sorrowes sincke to earth FINIS ⧠Seauen Psalmes of Dauids repentance commonly called Penitentiall Psalmes Psalmes 6. I Am thy childe O God most deere then fatherly doe chasten me In irefull wrath as iudge seuere correct not mine impiety For Lord to thee still turnes my hope because thy mercies haue no end Euen as the lowly heleetrope vnto the lofty sun doth bend Forgiue me Lord for I am weake angry rebuke I may not dure My vexed boanes through paines doe breake with mercies mirth doe them recure Dire anguish stickes in troubled soule with Oyle of grace do it alay My conscience sting doth me controule thy comforts doe not long delay In debth no man remembreth thee nor offreth thankes vnto thy name In dark some graue how is he free to celebrate thy glorious fame I am a weary of my groanes all night I wash my couch with teares Wearing my selfe away with moanes my hart is quite consum'd with feares My beauties gon with very griefe and worne with anguish of my foes But thou at last wilt send reliefe to me my God in spight of those Away from me you wicked traine and workers of iniquity My weeping hath not bin in vaine for thou at length hast heard my cry My prayers Lord thou wilt embrace and all mine enimies confound With sudden shame thou wilt deface and make them leuell with the ground FINIS Psalme 32. BLest is he whose vnrighteousnes the Lord hath pardoned and bin So carefull of in his distresse to hide and couer all his sinne O blessed is that man againe to whom the Lord imputes no fault And in whose spr'it no guile doth raigne his soule with error to assault Whilst I in silence yet forbore my flesh with languor gan to faint And all my bones to nothing wore by reason of my dayly plaint Thy heauy hand doth make me quaile and tremble too both night and day My heart and soule with drynes faile my moysture is consum'd away My fault 's to thee I will vnfould to God my sinnes I haue expos'd As vnto him the truth I tould so he with mercy me enclos'd Therefore to thee the pure shall pray in season due with zealous ground For in the floods there is no stay in waters deepe thou art not found Thou art my stocke and stay secure with songs of ioy I am consin'd Thou art my rocke and countermure from all annoy I am enshrin'd I will instruct thee in thy way my eye shall euer be thy guide That thou maist neuer erre nor stray nor yet thy foot-steps once to slide Be not like to the Mule disturb'd that reason doth not vnderstand Nor to the horse which must be curb'd before thou canst his force commaund Sorrow and woe remaine for those that wicked are and loue discord But mercy still shall him enclose which puts his trust in God the Lord. Be ioyfull O yee righteous then lift vp your soules with cheerefull voice All yee that are pure hearted men in grear Iehouah still reioyce FINIS ⧠Psalme 38. PVt me not to rebuke and shame nor in thine anger chasten me O righteous God for thy great name pardon my sinnes and set me free In me thine arrowes fast doe sticke thy heauy hand doth presse me downe My flesh my bones and heart are sicke when thou in wrath on me dost frowne I haue no rest in any ioynt by reason of my deadly sinne With balme of mercy me annoynt and bring me to thy heauenly Inne My dismall deeds doe plunge me soare like rageing billowes of the maine O wast me to thy blissefull shoare and be mine Anchor-hould againe My festred wounds breed mine annoy by reason of my foolish guyze Chasing my heart and soule from ioy all day I mourne with wofull cryes Full of diseases are my loynes and limmes decay in euery part Longuor vnto my flesh adioynes and anguishment consumes my heart Thou knowest all my hearts desires my groanings are not hid from thee Extinguish these outragious fires O Lord and cure mine agonie My heart doth pant my strength doth faile my neighbours did their loue exchang And darkenesse did my sight assaile my very kindred waxed strang Mine enimies that sought my life layd snares for me in euery place Plodding all day to worke my strise and bring my name into disgrace But as one deafe that could not heare their taunting scoffes I did neglect And like the dumb did speech forbeare for thou their slaunders wilt correct For in thee euer doe I trust to right my wrongs and plead for mee A gainst my foes O God most iust for all reuenge belongs to thee Of the most humbly I did craue that they in tryumph should not rise
Gods workes haue none enormitie We are the workes deformitie all 's good that doth from God proceede He tempt'h to try not ouerthrow vs Yet needes not try for he doth know vs. but t' is that we our selues should know From him all 's good from vs all 's ill He makes all good wee all doe spill our selues our selues doe ouerthrow In punishments that t 'vs are ill What he doth doe he doth it still hee 's one the same and that same one Not doing ought but by not doing In him t' is good to good ensewing hee 'le see if we can stand alone Gods grace is not difficient Sinne hath not cause ifficient and thee to sinne God doth not make Suggestions by the deuill are sent And there vnto man giues consent why should not God that man forsake Our conscience is sent as a spiall Our punishments sent as a triall and oft times plagues sent as a curse God neuer was to vs a debter If all be sau'd hee 's neuer better if all be damn'd hee 's nere the worse God made all good that all good can Then looke into thy bosome man an Ambuscado there there doth lie Of hideous sinnes by good omitting And monstrous sinnes by ill committing t' is there plac't by mans enemy ¶ A comfor able Himne for the Children of God SAluation doth to God belong He blesseth all both old and young that are his chosen and elect He doth defend his Children all That are in danger griefe and thrall by his good meanes and kinde respect He hath meanes all sufficient And power all perills to preuent to those with thankes doe euer pray What comfort helpe or good soeuer Wee finde from him let vs parseuer and magnifie him night and day Let vs with humble hearts confesse His mercies loue and great kindenesse with heauenly himnes to God aboue With mirth and ioy sing euery one God heard our soules petition and sent his sonne to show his loue The Lord receaues and heares our prayer Hee heares and helpes vs in dispaire be glad my soule in him reioyce Oh spread abroad his holy fame With songes Melodious lawd his name with heart with minde with tongue voice O thou most high God art not prais'd Vnlesse from heart that praise be rais'd who onely knowst our thoughts and minde The glory all must be thine owne By prayers thy powers are euer showne to those by faith thou iust dost finde O hallowed be Gods holy name Who Heauens made and world did frame and man like to his Image pure He all his other Creatures blest Fish Cattle Foule and all the rest to comfort man while times indure FINIS A prayer against temptations especially fit for a man that findeth in himselfe a continuall Inclination to any particuler sinne OH gratious and most louing God who in beginning did'st Create Man to thy shape and image good and likenesse in most pure estate And did'st him place in holy place the garden sweete with all delight With mercies and abonnding grace dect heauenly with earthly sightes And did'st thy Creatures all ordaine in heauen and earth man for to serue Oh what was man that he should gaine Gods great respect him to preserue Yet Lord how soone he fell away from thee and from originall grace How gresly did he disobay thy secret will before thy face Which thou to him did'st then reueale by whose fall all corruption grew And sinne shut out true godly zeale and earthes corruptions did insue And all things in the earth began to disobay him instantly By God made good to comfort man who hated him forsaking thee By his transgression these proceedes of his pollutions Lyneall Haue all defild their waies and deedes and all men tainted by his fall Which first offence bred infinit sinnes in corruptions of mans nature As I my selfe both day and night doe feele know most wretched Creature Which I confesse oh Father deare to whom this chiefe offence was done How Sathans workes in me appeare who hourely into euills run Which are most vilde most meane base doe iudge my selfe of all the worst When I behold my wicked case considering how I am accurst I that confesse I cannot hide how most to sinne I am inclin'd Knowne vnto thee my God and guide who see'st the secrets of my minde Much more the deeds which I commit of darknes seene to thee aboue To whose bright eyes both darke and light at seasons all doe seeme as one And therefore find'st out all my sinne in thought in action or intent Though by each sinne death did begin yet thou do'st promise those repent That they shall be forgiuen all within which number Lord make me Who seest my sinnes for mercy call that raignes in me continually And as hit were commaund me goe drawne there vnto by violence By Sathan vilde our deadly foe that neuer ceaseth ill pretence Who workes in me corruptions corruptions more pollutions breeds Which draweth mine affections which minde inclines to wicked deeds And chiefely to that odious sinne which makes me weake for to fullfill Thy lawes and precepts iust wherein thou vs commaund'st to doe thy will Yet strong and apt for to effect those thinges forbidden by thy lawes Therefore to kill Lord sinnes conflict remoue from me the wicked cause Especially this hedious crime that hanges and stickes so fast on mee That hit doe raigne no longer time which feele it loathsome vnto me A heauy burthen to my soule which I cannot shake off at all By mine owne power or strength controule but by Gods workes parpetuall Who worketh all repentance true therefore Lord make me penitent With contrite heart my spirit renew let loathsome sinnes thy grace preuent For thou Lord seest I doe commit sinnes as hit were against my will Giue me therefore power strength and wit corrupt affections all to kill The thoughts whereof we vex and grieue and heapes of feare my soule possesse Dispaire Attemptes hopes to depriue me to deuour in all distresse FINIS ¶ An exhortation to praise God and to acknowledge our thankesgiuing to him without ceasing WE praise thee God we knowledge thee Our onely Lord and Christ to bee the earth and world doe worship thee Eternall father Heauenly King To whom aloud bright Angells sing the thrones and powers thee magnifie The Cherubins and Seraphin To cry to thee doe neuer linne holy holy most holy Lord Of Saboth God of Maiestie Heauens full and earth of thy glory all Nations laud thy name and word The glorious postles company The goodly prophets Vnitie the holy Marters noble army The holy Church the world through out Doth spread the Gospell all about the Father of true pietie Thy sacred true and onely sonne The Holy Ghost vs comfort wonne thou art of glory King oh Christ Thou art the euelasting sonne Of God whose blessed will was donne in the all people to deliuer Thou did'st not then the Virgins wombe Abhorre nor loath that sacred Tombe till thou wast borne